A Gaze I've Seen Before

[Aeri`]

Events had begun a long time ago. Certain actions undertaken, and certain consequences anticipated. One of those consquences finally, had made an arrival within the township itself. Had there been a hurry? To a degree, of course there had been. However terrain was always difficult to travel, and consequently, patience was required by some. Ultimately however, it was the result of a delirious babbling man, that precipitated the event of the front door of the tavern being shoved open on this occassion, and a man stepping through it. Not just any mere man of course. A very specific individual. One dressed in finely woven cloth, anda slightly portly contenance. A wig adorned his head, concealling his natural colouration, as the Lord and Master of the estate, Tivalti himself arrived.

Suede's attention would shift to the latest entrant to the tavern. Ones who tended to shove the door aside often drew at least a few heads to consider them. Ah, another Treadwell... only healthier it seemed. Nothing to give any importance to, unless he's after clothing.

Biske peeks over his shoulder at the new enter-ee, a single, hound-black eyes visible as he watches him. His tail and nose twitch almost simultaneously, which is sort of funny looking, since his tail is sticking up between his legs.

The elf was watching Suede and as his eyes drifted towards the door, so did hers. A double take of the man made. Well he was of finery and perhaps a job waiting for her husband. A brow lofts as she turns back to look at Suede.


Adaraskye's pale blue eyes moved to the door, for a long moment she seemed to study the man with some interest before turning her attention to the other gathering in the tavern, Suede, Aeri and the rest. A warm smile was offered to Biske before she once again glanced back to the nobleman. Fingers moved to the hilt at her hip, more of a comforting gesture than anything else... But once again her spine stiffened and she glanced in the general direction of the fighting outside of the tavern walls. Travel weary, luxuriating in a hot bath was beginning to sound far better than sitting in this damnable tavern.

Biske offers a finger-twiddling wave to Adara, his tailtip twitching from side to side. He rubs his eyes with his index and thumb, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

Not nearly as portly as Treadwell. He had extra weight, but it wasn't as though he'd eaten a horse earlier. Brown eyes surveyed the room carefully, before he moved within further. Filth. Common Filth. He muttered underneath his breath, a slight sway to his form, before solid sounding heels drew him closer to the bar. Do you have anything of reputable nature in this establishment. Something for the fine Lord Tivalti? Perhaps some whiskey. Or Rum. Mayhaps an entire bottle of Brandy.

Aeri` freezes and turns to the bar. Tivalti? Lord Tivalti. A look back at Suede with sheer terror seen in her eyes.

Jirai shifted restlessly, corners of her lips turning down in a frown. One hand crept up, long fingers curling around the end of her braid, tugging lightly. The interplay between Suede and Aeri observed for a moment, then her gaze shifted, darting randomly around the room. Aeri's look caught, eyes drawn back to the elven healer. Well. What now? She shifted, hands going automatically to the blades sheathed at her waist.

Pritchard turns to Aeri`, as if expecting an !order.

Suede gives Pritchard a questioning look.... Poor senile old fool. Then his eyes would shift to Aeri. Tivalti, eh? A quick motion places the tailor back with feet firm to the floor. Swift steps up to the elf. "Calm down Sunshine."

Pritchard was daft if he thought the elf was going to order.

Aeri's ingers grasped the edge of the table as if she was ready to bolt.

Biske furrows his brows, eyes darting to Aeri. He vaugly remembers that look. "Wha' is it?"

Suede's arms would move out to wrap around the elf-turned-deer-in-headlights, if she didn't take off. A reassuring smile and concerned eyes would try and catch her face. Biske's comment was heard, but he ignored it for now.

" I've got it. One of each." Lord Tivalti stated towards the tender in the end. One bottle retrieved and the cork carefully removed, before he swings around to survey the room. Was it her imagination, or did his eyes linger on Aeri longer than most of the others present? A swallow of the rum taken, before he sits down. Bloody commoners. Been in town two whole days, and aside from an ever so polite note from the Captain. Well. There's suppose to be a council. A light hiccup and a frown once again. Everything done by myself. As always. Good for nothing officials. Pointless children. Now listen here, the lot of you. I've just made my arrival here, but a month ago, one of you cretins burnt down my estate. Let this be a warning to ya, that I -will- ferret ye out, and string you up like you deserve!

Jirai was perched on the edge of her seat. She was not watching Suede and Aeri, but the others in the room. She perhaps, had not caught the reference to Tivalti, or perhaps did not make the connection if she had. So she scanned the room, trying to decide what had scared the healer so much.

Suede's words and arms held the elf still for now. Violet hues however widen as she turns to look at Lord Tivalti. He was starring at her? Eyes advert quickly and a shiver made.


Biske 's brows furrow in confusion, and he quickly sits up and swishes his tail out of sight. The werewolf slides his eyes to Jirai, quirking a brow silently.

Jirai finally locked her gaze on the man at the bar. Ah, yes. There it was. The burning of the estate, at least, she recognized. Biske was given a momentary glance, along with a tiny shrug and she went back to watching the loud man.

" You there." Either Jirai or Aeri had been noticed to be staring in his direction. With a slight lurch as he moved away from the bar, he moved, rather steadily in their direction. "Is it so uncommon for a man such as myself to make an appearance that you must stare? Or do you have information I want." He questioned, making his way over towards them, and unless somehow prevented, moving to take a seat in a chair opposite the two lovebirds.

Suede's attention shifted to Tivalti again. Mmmhmm, he's the fellow alright. If the pompous man would look his way he'd simply offer a flick of the tongue in taunt, though harder eyes would glare all the same. Arms were still out for the elf, if she wanted.


" And gods man, do you have a disease or something. Keep your tongue in your mouth." Someone might take you for a simpleton. Your brother lass? He questioned Aeri

"Any man who stands, raving, at the bar, would merit some attention, no?"

"Actually... it's quite uncommon for someone so pompous to show himself... save the halfbreed." Suede shrugged lightly and simply grinned. An insult eh? "Oh yes quite a disease... would you like it, I'd be happy to kiss you." Cocked head to the side and waggled brows.

Biske stiffens and scootches to the side, away from the Lord. He keeps his tail tucked, though he startes nervously playing with the chain around his neck. The werewolf gives Suede a -look-.

" Raving? Someone burnt down my estate. My home. How would that make you feel? He questioned Jirai, swilling some of the rum around in the bottle as he fixed a gaze upon her for a brief moment, and then frowned. What'd you do, get tarred or something? Your skin's bloody dark ain't it?"

" Kiss me? Well, if you must stand on ceremony." The left, ringed hand is offered out for Suede to press his lips to, as would be proper under formal conditions.

"Yes. Tarred. That's what happened. And quite frankly, the destruction of my 'home' would not matter to me in the slightest." Jirai shifted, glancing once to her companions before dark eyes settled back on the seemingly insane man. Tarred indeed.

Oh and the man would regret that action. Suede turned and took the hand, and as he bent down he's smile a bit towards Biske. Ah lips would press to the fellows hand... then he'd start licking his way up the back and arm if he can. And simply keep going, pushing sleeves aside. Oh yes, time to make this man disturbed.

"Well. Don't just stand about and gawk lass. Here's a pair of shillings. Go take a bath." A shooing motion was made towards Jirai, before he lifted the bottle back to his lips. The liquid was still draining into his mouth, as an eye turned back to look upon Suede, and his slow efforts to lick the entire length of his arm. Swallowing compulsively it would appear. Lord Tivalti blinked.

Meanwhile the elf did indeed duck into Suede's arms. She held onto him since he was showing such affections to the Lord. She wanted to stiffle a giggle or something but was too vexed in fear to do much but shiver. A glare was given to him however. Answers? Twas he that needed to find answers on his own then tell her.

Jirai wasn't going anywhere. Tarred. She settled back in silence and just watched at Suede -licked- the man. Now, really, that was unnecessary. Ignore the man, stab him if you wanted, but -licking-?

Suede would pull away, taking backwards steps again towards his wife. A nasty grimace on his face when done, and tongue scraped along teeth. Arms would again fall around Aeri as he looked back to Biske. "He's rotten Shaggy... don't eat him.

Biske wrinkles his nose at Suede, staring in facsination. He startles at the touch on his shoulder, craning his body around to look questioningly at Adara. A glance is given to the scene again; with a nod to Jirai he gets to his feet, to follow Adara where she led.

Jirai glanced over as Biske's movement caught her eye, nodding in return before looking back to Tivalti, Suede, and Aeri. She shifted again, eyes narrowed.


--Continued--

[Aeri`]

--Continued--

Bottle lowered as Suede moved back to stand besides Aeri once more, and a brief glance towards Biske as well. At least that one was moving off. Was that a -tail-. That was a fashion fad he didn't even want to consider. Stuffing live aniamls down the back of one's own pants. Attention turned back to Suede and Aeri. Though he did glance to the bottle for a half second. Maybe that was to blame.

"Your no good as food to us... so I suppose you could leave us to our own company, eh?" Suede grinned.

" Well. Maybe I should get a rag. Lass. You -really- should take a bath before someone comes along with some feathers. Why on earth were you just tarred and -not- feathered anyways?" A pause and a dismissive wave of his hand. "Nevermind. Tell me, you have heard of my estate. Who was behind the arson? And you lass. Why haven't you spoken up yet eh? Someone cut out your tongue?"

"She's quite shy Tintalpe." Mischevious grin before Suede continued. "And I heard it was the work of dwarves whom attacked your estate."

A glare made at the man then she looks up at Suede. Fear and temper rising. She clung to her husband but wished she could find the nerve to kick the man in the shins.

Jirai eyed her own arm. No, feathers wouldn't stick to that. Rag wouldn't work either. She rolled her eyes, then deliberately grinned at Aeri. Elf needed to relax. A lot. "Nasty things, dwarves."

" Dwarves? DWarVES? " Another brief hiccup for a brief moment and a furrowing of his brow. " Now that I -know- isn't true. Who I'm really looking for, who seems to have disappeared, is some doctor David chap, who runs that Edi. Edum. Eddy. Whatever the blazes tarnation the name is hospital down the road. "

"The Ederpicimus?" Oh, Suede was going to make this hard for the man, very hard indeed. Arms would wrap a bit tighter around Aeri, part comfort, part restraint. She needed to keep playing the shy type for now. A sniff and he'd consider the man's words more. "Don't know why your concerned about the doc. And yes dwarves were involved."

As if Aeri could read his mind, she burrowd her face into his shoulder. A glance was given to Jirai before however. The drow would see the knawing terror within her eyes.

" The doctor's a dwarf then? " There was a faint furrowing of his brow. Another swallow of the rum, before he set it down on the table for a brief moment. "Now I've heard commoners like you are rather daft, but I think that I am being perfectly clear. I'm looking for the edifussything, and Doctor David D'Rael, not some dwarf. Though y accounts, there is a remarkably good dwarven tailor in about these parts. You've got something against dwarves or something? What've they got to do with anything?

Jirai settled back in her chair, letting Suede talk a way out of this. He had a quick enough tongue. And if he didn't, well, the tailor could use the practice, no doubt. The glance from Aeri was met with another calm smile. Nothing to worry about, in the dark elf's opinion. No one had started flinging point objects around, or anything.

"Well Mister Tisbormti, I have nothing against them. It just so happens they did indeed attack your estate." Suede sighed again, this man was a wee bit daft, wasn't he. A dry look was offered. "Doctor David I don't see what he has to do with anything to be honest. No he isn't a dwarf either. And please watch your tongue if you want me to speak with you."

A memory flash seen as the elf closed her eyes. A blade held with a five pointed star upon the ones palm. Hands grabbing her to hold still with the same. She shivered and clutched to Suede again.

Lord Tivalti's eyes darted towards Aeri once again. Her shyness, perhaps not quite the cover for her terror. The man might be daft in Suede's estimation, but that didn't make him any less dangerous. It was you wasn't it? He questioend of Aeri. Well speak up lass. Has a cat got your tongue or something?

Suede flinched slightly.. and one hand moved to run through Aeri's hair. A calming gesture. Face stayed remarkably impassive save the eyes. Pain was there, simple pain. He scowled at Tivalti. "I thank you to leave my wife alone you bloody git. She doesn't like strangers, and she's recently been attacked by a friend and quite sick."

"Does this conversation have a point?" The small dark elf inquired boredly, lounging around in her chair as if she hadn't a care in the world.

Lord Tivalti looked between the two of them for a brief moment, before staggering to his feet.."GUARDS! I want these two arrested -immediately-". A shaky finger pointed towards the both of them. "Neither one of you has heard the last of me. I am not so old that I have gone senile, you ignorant Hoofed bovine. Cow. Bull. Soemthing er. I'll see you in stocks before this is through." Finger lowered and he moved to snatch up the bottle once again.

"You can't arrest me for sitting in a tavern sir. I do hope you realize that's not an offense." He just smiled, and turned away. Let the fool do as he pleased.

"And as for you." He hiccuped and pointed a finger at Jirai next. "I dont' even understand -you-. Why on earth anyone would want to wander around with tar all over them, is quite beyond me."

Isis gets up slowly, her hair in a disheveled mess, and looks around in hopes that no one saw her fall.. She didnt want that kind of attention, or really, any attention at all.

"Because I'm insane, of course," was the obvious reply. She grinned at him as she toyed with a dagger, running the mother of pearl hilt through her fingers.

Muffled crys made at the mention of guards. The elf did not trust them nor the Lord. The look in his eyes when he first stared at her was seen. Something very wrong felt.

Suede scowled a bit and released his wife, turning on a pleasant smile hands reached out to snatch both of Tivalti's wrists. Forcefully if he must. If he succeeds, both would be turned palm up."Excuse me sir, but maybe I should apologize, I think we got off on the wrong foot." Mock sincerity, of course. Suede wasn't the least bit fond of the fellow. "I'd hate for you to waste your time summoning the guards for no purpose."

Jirai sighed and rose to her feet, pacing towards Aeri. She was hoping the elf didn't decide to bolt, now that Suede had released her. "This is a lovely 'conversation.'" she stated to no one, really, reaching out to touch the healer's shoulder lightly.

Well, that was a bit of a shock on Suede's part. The man reaching across to snatch up his gloved hands. "By the Serpent, you're an affectionate oaf aren't you? The hands were given a brief tug, until they were freed from Suede's grasp. "The wrong foot. I do say that you've got two left feet. And look. You made me spill my drink"

She jumped slightly upon Jirai's touch and the leaving of Suede's arms. The elf indeed looked as if she was going to bolt, but fear caused her to freeze where she was at.

Suede sighed when the hands were released... no one loved poor poor Suede. A hand went up to the side in a waving motion. "I'm one of the finest dancers in the land, if you ever need a partner." A wink. "But as I said before... though much more sarcastically... I have no idea whom torched yer shack. And the doctor is out of town. Now if you please, stop acting like a pompous ass and let the decent folk here enjoy their eve."

Jirai gripped her shoulder lightly, grinning widely. "Lovely day, hmm, elf? Don't you like the 'tar' I'm wearing?" She was watching Suede and Tivalti over the elf's shoulder though.

Isis starts to walk in a random direction as she straightens her skirt out, not really paying attention to where she's going. After getting herself together she looks up, but not in time to prevent herself from walking into Lord Tivalti and falling flat on her rump. It didnt look like she was having a good night, but she didnt expect to anyways.

Suede glanced at Isis just a moment, giving her a cocked eyebrow. This women needed serious help in the ways of staying upright.

Isis wasn't the only one caught offguard by her bumping into people. He'd been about to inform Suede exactly where to stick his opinion, when he was jarred suddenly from one side. A step to the side would have righted him immediately, if there hadn't been a chair between him and that one step. Eyes widening, and the remainder of the rum being tossed accidently, while he tumbled oevr the chair, and landed on his own rump on the other side. By the serpent. I'm surrounded by ruffians! You there. Give me a hand back to my feet, please.

Aeri` stared at the drow for a moment. Eleven ears catching all sorts of conversations about. She wanted to scream at Dara not to say a word, but could not. Instead she stood there shivering like a coward, wishing the man would leave.

Isis sighs, a bit pouty faced now as this is her second time falling since she'd gotten here. She get's up slowly and looks to the person she walked into, helping him up and stammering an apology quickly.. "I.. I'm sorry, I wasnt... I hadnt.. Sorry."

Jirai settled herself back, releasing the mute healer's shoulder with another smile. Dagger she had been holding found its sheath. "Yes, you definitely look sick." She nodded, smile shifting into more of a smirk. "Should watch that, elf. Wouldn't want you to get -too- sick, now."

Suede eyes scan back and forth where Tivalti one stood. The shouts ignored and he 'missed' looking down. "I guess Trimdumbly had to leave." A shrug made, and Suede turns about to return to Jirai and his little missus. If he could, arms would wrap around Aeri again and he'd direct her away from Tivalti. "Ah, she's just a little tired, Qu`essan."

--Continued--

[Aeri`]

--Continued--

Suede's arms welcome for she was about to bolt dispite the drow's words. She was besides herself. Flashes of memory seen.

"Perhaps she should get some rest then, hmm?" The faint sounds from above missed, as they were unexpected, here, in this place. A sardonic smile towards the two by the drow. "Do please remember what I keep telling you two? Learn to fight."

" Well. Yes. You should be". The Lord was helped to his feet by a woman. That was strikingly worrisome by all accounts, though he dusts himself off for a brief moment. Then furrows his brow and turns in a half circle to his left. Then pivots completely around the other way. "I could have -sworn- that I had a beverage. I did have a beverage, just before you bumped into me, did I not? Well. Thank the fates for small mercies. Suede and Aeri were temporarily disregarded, thanks to Isis.

Jirai's words nodded too. Yes, both did need to learn how to fight. The sooner, the better. A soft muffled sigh made against Suede's shoulder. The elf seemed rather worn out.

"Perhaps... Want to go home Sunshine?"

Aeri moves her face from his shoulder and stares into his eyes. Fear was still seen within. A slow nod however made.

"Right..." A pat on the back and he'd release one arm from her waist, so the elf could actually walk. Attention turned to Jirai and he'd grin a bit. "Ooohhh.... You behave Qu`essan. No flirting." He'd waggle brows and make a wide berth of Tivalti to exit the tavern.

Suede given an absent nod as he left, the small dark elf not bothering to respond to his comment.

Aeri`moved to walk along Suede's side. A glance over her shoulder made to wave at the drow and Biske. She so did avoid looking back at Lord Tivalti. Something about those eyes.