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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Aug 31, 2023 20:00:31 GMT -5
The ranger had not had much time in recent weeks to get back to the basics he enjoyed. Between cultists running wild, work with the Winged Expeditionary Force, and whatever was happening in the Ashlands, the man was busy. There would be some who would tell him he's too important now to handle every mom and pop problem that jumped up, but that's why he adventures in the first place.
Who cares if nobles notice him? They aren't the ones that need help....well usually they don't....and when they do they ask him, but they can afford other adventurers. He shook his head to stop the downward spiral of thoughts as he entered The Purple Lantern.
The half-elf man cleaning mugs sets the one he is working on down and starts to fill it as he sees Gerhart enter. He offers a smile as he slides the ale over to the young man.
"You certainly look troubled. Problems at home?" He chuckles softly.
"Nah, it's nothing like that Merek. Cirice is great....just I don't know, feels like a lot going on everywhere right now ya know?"
"That is how Charon works."
"I know, I know......just I wish I could get back to the simple jobs. It can be exhausting chasing after dragons and gods and dragongods. Just find me someone who's missing a cat or something!" Gerhart gives a little laugh as he takes a drink.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Aug 31, 2023 21:49:32 GMT -5
For the third time tonight, the woman at the bar shifted nervously on her barstool, nearly losing her balance, again, before righting herself and settling back into an agitated stillness. The light padded armor she wore and the club that rested at her hip were obviously new acquisitions, and of quite good quality. Still, the woman wished for the familiar feeling of a heavy breastplate and morningstar to provide some small relief for her anxiety. She nursed a small mug of whatever the barkeep had thought to give her. Or rather, she seemed to. In reality, none of the liquid had reached her tongue tonight, for she needed to keep all her wits about her.
She was here on a mission. She was here to hunt. Sylvari had careful considered each and every patron that entered the Purple Lantern this night, searching for gregariousness, solitude, anything that would spell a weakness she could capitalize on. A far cry from her initial worry that Romarii had sent her to a place of slim offerings, the night had provided many opportunities for potential victims. Too many. She watched them carefully from the corner barstool as they entered, taking stock of each. The black and silver veil she wore on the upper half of her face aided her in this endeavor, offering some obscurement to her rather obvious staring.
With increasing worry, she declined each one. Too strong. Too many companions. Oh gods, I couldn't drink from a child, could I? Who even brings a child to a tavern? Drool came unbidden from the corners of her mouth, which she quickly wiped away.
Just when she was about to give up hope and resort to prowling the streets again, her nostrils flared with a sweet scent that made her thirst peak even more perilously. This was the smell of someone worthy, a particular aroma of blood that arose from those unlike the common masses. She had smelled it once before and tried to feed on Romarii. It didn't go well.
But with what she taught me, surely, I can try, right? Ok Sylvi. Remember what Romarii said: shoulders back, head high, project CONFIDENCE. Sylvari straightened her shoulders and set her gaze on the newcomer, brushing her platinum blond hair flirtatiously at the man sitting closest to her.
"Your next drink is on me, darling." She smiled at the man, without teeth, silently praying he would take the proffered role of distraction. To her relief, the man raised his mug and smiled back.
"Thank you, love! Oi, barkeep, another ale over here!"
A small sigh of relief escaped Sylvari's lips as the bartender moved over to the man to fulfill his order, leaving the newcomer all alone. Ok Sylvi, this is your chance. You got this. You got this, right?
Sylvari pushed her doubts as far away from her conscious mind as she could, setting her gaze on the man before her. She took note of his lithe, athletic build, of his unkempt brown hair and green eyes. Her vision lingered on the clawmark scar on his cheek, before shaking her head and walking over.
"Evening, darling. I was waiting for someone interesting to walk in all night, and you're the only one who fits the bill." Sylvari extended a slender, pale hand to the man. "Sylvari Dawnsage, but you," placing her index finger on his chest lightly for emphasis, "Can call me Sylvi." She gave the man her most winning smile, teeth exposed for a fraction of a second before she quickly pulled her lips down to conceal them. Oh GODS, I can't believe I really said that. For once, the scarlet on her cheeks was not merely a result of the dull glow of her eyes.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 3, 2023 22:39:36 GMT -5
When Sylvari did glance over to Gerhart she might notice a few odd things or at least....very specific things. The way his armor only seemed to cover the vital spots, hands, chest, legs, it was sturdy and well-kept armor, but also kept him fast and flexible. The other strange bit about his armor was the high gorget that came up to the bottom of his chin guarding his throat. To some it's just more armor, to perhaps a vampire it looks like someone specifically trying to prevent being bitten.
The other accessories, wooden stakes and holy water flasks, made it somewhat more obvious he wasn't inexperienced when it came to hunting monsters.....or at least what people would call monsters. The scars also helped sell the look, but the big dumb smile on his face and general amiability he seemed to carry made it an odd mix. A man ready to fight and kill, but also just a boy.
He smiles at the offered drink and then proffered hand, shaking it while his face holds that big, dumb grin.
"I don't know if interesting is what I would call myself interesting, though I guess you don't really get to decide whether or not you're interesting." Gerhart can't help but give a little laugh again, the chuckle pulling up short when the finger is pressed to his chest.
"Nice to meet ya, I'm Gerhart, though I uh...I don't want to give off the wrong impression, but I am seeing someone.....not to assume anything just uh....just ya know, cutting that off so I don't forget and like...make you think uh....ahem, I'm just gonna shut up now."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 3, 2023 23:00:44 GMT -5
Gods. GODS. I TOLD Romarii that opener sounded like a cheap pickup line! Sylvari was fully beet red now, and she was utterly thankful for the small fan Romarii had given her, as she now used it to hide her face. Ok I can still salvage this, I think... I hope.
"Oh, my dear. You are simply too precious. I look for something deeper than a tawdry tussle in the sheets. No, I want your ear for the evening, unless that is spoken for as well?" I am so just digging a deeper hole. Gods.
Sylvari's silent musings were cut short as survival instinct took over, picking out details on the man's attire that screamed danger. The gorget, the holy water, the stakes. To be honest, Sylvari wasn't sure how much any of those individually were a threat to her. Sure, she'd heard the stories, but actual undeath had turned out to be quite different than what she'd presumed. Barring the horror of feedings gone wrong, of course. Even so, she didn't wish tonight to be the one where she separated fact from fiction. And honestly, who in the world, living or dead, wants to be jabbed in the chest with a length of wood?
Such were the thoughts that danced in Sylvari's head as she stood stock still, whether in embarrassment or fear, and likely both, as the stranger's goofy smile shone brightly at her. Underneath that smile was a wolf in sheep's clothing. This was no mere boy; this was a man that hunted monsters. Monsters like me...
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 4, 2023 16:33:34 GMT -5
"I don't think they are...would be kinda of weird to just have specific parts of ya spoken for." He gives another little laugh as he rubs at the back of his head.
Thankfully, being in a relationship has made him far less self-conscious about things. He was less worried about his words or he came across, but even he could see just how out of hand this conversation could get if they didn't reel things in. He gives Sylvari a brief moment before he straightened himself up in his seat just a bit.
"Did ya need something in specific? Usually people are needing something done and I guess I'm not busy for the time being." Once more he shines that smile before taking a drink.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 4, 2023 20:46:57 GMT -5
Am... am I really that opaque, or is this guy trying to subtly tell me he doesn't want to be bothered? Sylvari cleared her throat lightly to conceal the nervous chuckle that was working its way up her throat. Looking at him, the man seemed to be sincere in his mannerisms, but obviously, considering his equipment, there was more to him than met the eye.
"Just a pleasant conversation, darling. Good wine without good company is missing the quintessential essence that makes it one of life's greatest pleasures." She indicated the mug in her hand that she had intentionally drained before walking over. "But, if you don't have time for me, I shall go my own way, happy, at least, to catalogue our meeting in the day's moments of note."
Sylvari gave a practiced curtsy, too stiff and obviously mechanical, like that of upper aristocracy, before turning on her heel to walk away. That could have gone better... Though, it could have gone worse. At least I am walking away without a weapon pressed against my flesh.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 6, 2023 22:08:49 GMT -5
"Conversation is a new one, most people don't come to me for that.....don't think anyone ever has actually." He takes a drink from his ale, before motioning for a fresh mug to carry over and set down for Sylvari.
For his part, the ranger didn't seem to notice the curtsy or at least he didn't seem to recognize what it meant. His conversation partner would get a crash course in Gerhart, the boy who doesn't understand much beyond what is literally happening. Or at least that is how he is in most situations, social ones especially.
"So, conversation huh? Did you have anything in mind? I can't say I am all that interesting of a fella, but seems like adventuring jobs are fairly short today." He grins as he slides the ale across the table to her. "If I can help out by just doing some talking, then seems like a pretty fair deal. Hopefully one the safer jobs I take."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 6, 2023 22:36:51 GMT -5
Sylvari whirled around at his words, ensnared by social convention, as she accepted her fate and took the stool next to the man for a seat. Another practiced, close-lipped smile graced her lips, as she dipped her head slightly, acknowledging his statement. "Pray, darling, don't think of this as a job. I mean for this to be entertaining for the both of us. If you feel your time was ill-spent after our encounter, we can discuss proper recompense then."
Sylvari took her time to study the man, now afforded a closer look, and began glancing over his gathered accoutrements. Even though she wasn't sure what every piece of gear was for, she became more certain in her original assessment of the man's occupation.
Sylvari leaned back, suddenly harboring the irrational fear that he would see her crimson eyes beneath her veil. She tried to play it off as coyness as she looked away and posed a question to dull his visual perception of her. "Does the dashing adventurer have a name, or perhaps a title, that he would wish to be called by a lady? I find such things as naming are generally a good place to start in introductions like these, no?" Sylvari forced herself to flash another smile.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 7, 2023 23:03:35 GMT -5
"Oh right!" The laugh that escapes him is warm and genuine. It's likely a strange look for someone as insightful as Sylvari, Gerhart has a lot of arms and armor but carries himself so openly. There is no guard up or concern for how he appears to others.
"Gerhart Stanislav....guess I don't really have any titles, friends usually end up calling me Hart, but I guess that's more of a nickname than a title."
He leaned back in his chair as he took another drink. If he was surveying Sylvari, he was being incredibly subtle about it. Master tactician or complete idiot, the dilemma for anyone trying to assess the ranger. Though he was at least well known in this region, given the times he would have to pause to greet someone passing by or wave to someone calling out his name.
"So, just traveling through? I know most of the adventurers from here, but....I suppose everything has more and more people willing to take a shot at the work."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 8, 2023 13:59:06 GMT -5
"Gerhart, then? A good, strong name, I should think." Sylvari's lips were unconsciously curling upward into a grin as she spoke with the man. The more logical portions of her brain were screaming to get as far away from the monster hunter as possible, but his smile and laugh were infectious. Sylvari couldn't bring herself to part from the one spot of genuine warmth she had felt in the last few months.
At his question regarding her business here, she flushed slightly, mind scrambling for a clever deception. In the end, however, she settled on agreeing with him in a half truth. "What gave it away? Am I truly so out of place? I must devise a method of being more low key." She smiled at Gerhart, genuinely, as she continued. "I am on an excursion, you might say. It's imperative that I become stronger. I want to help others, to save them from the darkness that lurks so close.... And I need to be stronger, more in control, to do that."
Sylvari turned away to hide her blush. I just met this man, the first friendly face in months, and I tell him my life story? I'm really becoming the worst cliché.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 9, 2023 20:43:44 GMT -5
He grins and taps his own cuirass, "The armor is usually a pretty dead giveaway someone is an adventurer....Seen more people carrying a sword or something with them cause of all the stuff going on, but someone in well-fitted armor? Easy spot.....I am also very good at tracking and finding things, so the little details stand out."
Gerhart smiles and takes a drink. He leans back more, rocking his chair on the back legs as he listened to her talk. Not an uncommon story these days really....lots of people want to get stronger, hell that's half of his motivation most days. After everything happened with Scern he got a pretty big wake up call of how big the gap was between him and the big players in Charon. On top of that, even now, he's not certain he could survive The Sultan's Tomb again and he's practically a different man than he was then.
"Those are noble goals there Syl," He grins once more. "You sure you're up to the task? Fought anything worth while? Not to like...disparage ya or anything, just curious!"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 10, 2023 0:10:52 GMT -5
Sylvari cringed slightly, thinking back to her recent encounter in the marshlands with Xalmann. "As a matter of fact, I have, a rather deadly encounter, if I may say so, and a brilliant example of why I should never like to return to the swamp."
Sylvari sighed, then flushed with embarrassment, reliving the memory of Xalmann picking her up by the back of her cuirass and carrying her back to the city, like a mother cat for her wayward kitten. And after I had tried to be so gracious and spare him the indignity! To say the whole excursion was an unmitigated disaster was an understatement, but at least no one had died, or died more, or permanently.
"Just another example of why I need to continue to train. It used to be so easy, but these days... It's like my doubt is a physical barrier impeding my progress..." Sylvari trailed off, as a pronounced frown on her face revealed how difficult this was for her. She suddenly remembered Gerhart sitting there and sat bolt upright, blushing slightly.
"Well, that's my problem to deal with. I didn't intend to talk your ear off about my woes. Life is full enough with a hearty helping for each, without having another's deposited at your feet." Sylvari smiled weakly at her self-deprecating joke.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 12, 2023 21:50:20 GMT -5
"Swamp's not so bad when you get used to it, soft earth makes things pretty easy to track on the good days." He crosses an ankle over the other as he leans back.
He listens carefully to the woman talk, never letting a look of judgement cross his face. Gerhart can honestly understand the feeling, it took him awhile to get to where he was. It felt odd now that people might talk to him about this kind of stuff and he actually feels like he has useful things to say. Normally, he's just felt like a guy. This must be what improvement feels like.
The ranger does softly laugh as Sylvari starts to apologize, "No need to apologize, I accepted the conversation. Would be kinda rude to be upset ya started talking, you might not be wrong though....Doubt, fear, worry, all that stuff will hold ya back. Your mind is just as much a part of the whole thing as your body is. If you think too much about something, makes it harder to just react and then ya get locked up."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 12, 2023 23:01:58 GMT -5
"Then does the gallant knight have a word of wisdom for a distressed damsel about how this problem might be circumvented?" Sylvari's tone was light and her words frivolous, but the half-hearted smile she gave in conjunction was a poor veil to hide the desperation in her posture. She NEEDED to get better, otherwise she would be alone for many moons to come, unable to trust herself in the company of others.
For whatever else Gerhart was, it was plain to see that he was experienced, and, judging by his understanding reaction, Sylvari ventured to guess he had overcome his share of skill ceilings. She tried desperately not to get her hopes up too much, but she was drowning amidst an emotional tidal wave that threatened to overwhelm her. Her pride would have to suffer the affront of relying on others if she was to survive.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Sept 14, 2023 19:28:40 GMT -5
"Hard to tell you what to do, I don't know what's inside your head." He smiles, but swings forward and plants his feet on the ground. The least he could do if she was going to come to him for advice was give her the respect of sitting somewhat properly.
"Ain't a problem to be avoided though, something you have to go through not around. Any particular reason you might be doubting yourself? If you aren't sure exactly why something is bothering you, then you can't really work towards making it un-bother you."
He leans back in his seat once more just to relax a touch, "So, what has you doubting yourself?"
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