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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 28, 2023 21:03:39 GMT -5
She tilts her head, frowning a little, "...we...had horses, back home...didn't last long after the snow came..."
there's an aspect of old grief to her voice, as though just thinking about the subject is hard...
she shakes her head, eyes refocusing, "...a-anyway, I know how to ride. it's...been a while, but I think i can manage...'specially after you fixed up the little ones..." her hand goes almost unconsciously to the egg-satchel and the healed, reinforced eggs that lay within.
...stars, where would she be if Sylvari hadn't stepped in? digging out a den in the ash and scavenging for burnt scraps, no doubt...
another head shake, and she moves to head down to the first floor, silver eyes glancing around...less nervous than before, but still on edge as she steps into the tavern area, those piercing eyes glancing over the patrons - travelers, vagabonds, and what looks like a small group of bandits - as she tightens her grip on her glaive, fingering the edge of a bayonet hidden up her sleeve with her free hand.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 29, 2023 11:08:44 GMT -5
Sylvari wasn't in the taproom when Rena came down the stairs. Wanting to make sure her breakfast was prepared timely, with the fewer wait staff on hand compared to the night shift, she had personally gone back into the small kitchen space, with permission from the owner. She was no stranger to cooking in her younger days, being one of the primary jobs she held until she was old enough to fight.
Moreover, while her curse had rendered mortal food as ash when she ate it, the same did not apply to her sense of smell. Indeed, her nose was greatly enhanced, and she could smell the delicate balances of flavorings from rooms away at times. Thus, she was a prime candidate for preparing delicious meals.
It's a shame I don't have more time to cook for friends. I suppose it doesn't often align with my mission, but this time, at least, I can attribute it to furthering justice for Rena. Sylvari smiled and hummed as she worked, with the assistance of one of the barmaids, preparing a princely breakfast for her friend, wholly unaware of the trouble brewing in the other room.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 29, 2023 16:21:49 GMT -5
she frowns a little, trilling softly as she steps wholly off the stairs and onto the tavern floor, her head tilted to one side as she picks an empty table at random, sitting down and leaning her glaive over her shoulder, still playing with the edge of a concealed bayonet as she eyes the bandits warily.
The bandits, for their part, don't pay the crow any mind, muttering amongst themselves and passing coins back and forth as they...play cards? it's hard for her to tell from where she is without looking suspicious, but they seem to be minding their own business...so she may as well mind hers so long as they don't cause trouble...
Rena sniffs at the air, chirping softly at the smell of prey/meat/flesh cooking food, a hand idly steadying the egg-satchel as she hums to herself, trusting her friend to take care of things for the time being.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 29, 2023 18:22:58 GMT -5
Sylvari had nearly finished preparing Rena's final dish, continuing to hum happily, as the situation in the main bar took a turn for the worse. The bandits in the corner grew more raucous with each round of gambling they engaged in, their blood heating up and money supplies dwindling down. It was a recipe for disaster, and the men would not disappoint on this count.
The burliest of the men, he who could reasonably be picked as the leader of the ragtag group for his booming voice and authoritative tone, slammed his empty tankard on the wooden surface of the table, his fourth, despite the early hour. By severe misfortune, his wandering gaze found a stopping place in Rena. He snickered and elbowed his lackeys as he stared at her.
"Oi, lads. What do you suppose that one's supposed to be? Didn't know they let scavengers in here." The following chorus of laughter was loud and obnoxious. One of the lackeys piped up, a tinge of worry in his voice.
"Boss, that 'un's got a weapon though."
The leader turned and smacked his cautious fellow on the back of the head.
"Shut up and eat yer bread, Hewitt, 'afore Birdie here snatches it away from ye."
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 29, 2023 18:37:42 GMT -5
the crow-woman tilts her head, eyes flashing bone white as they narrow slightly...there's a moment of tension before she visibly forces herself to relax, instead pulling out her own deck of cards to begin playing solitaire, still playing with the edge of one of her concealed blades.
they mock us/make them pay/make them suffer/hunt them/devour them/consume them - she shudders, reaching up to scratch at her neck with dull talons, an approximation of a grimace forming on her beak as the thing behind her eyes makes its displeasure at the bandit's words known, "...n-nai...t-tu 're n-n'hil...1"
her voice, unfortunately, carries just enough for the bandits to hear.
1. n-no...y-you're n-nothing
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 29, 2023 19:03:31 GMT -5
"What'd you say Birdie? Did you just curse me in your foul language? Did she curse me lads?"
A chorus of 'aye's' came in response to the man's question. The man approached Rena, with a wicked grin plain on his face as he slammed his hand down on her table.
"If yer gonna insult me, Birdie, least you can do is have the decency to do it in the common tongue. Then I can gut you good and proper for yer waggin' tongue." He jeered down her challenge plain in his words.
It was at this moment that Sylvari emerged from the kitchen, an oblivious, cheery smile on her face, as she carried a tray of meaty dishes for her friend. The justiciar's happy visage quickly fell to one of stoniness as her eyes surveyed the man looming over Rena, harassing her. She wanted to lash out, to show this thug exactly the consequences of threatening one of her friends and a ward of justice besides.
She held back however, her veil doing a poor job of concealing the pointed gaze she affixed on Rena. The offer of her help was very much conveyed, but would not be forced upon her. Despite her patience, the vampiress was unable to hide the baring of her fangs in righteous anger.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 29, 2023 19:24:13 GMT -5
The crow tilts her head, eyes shining a cold, bone white as she and the thing behind those eyes come to agreement on something. "...ach, no, I don' think I'm the one who'll be gutted," are the bandit's only warning before a subtle shift of how she's holding her forearm sends a long, slender bayonet sliding out to rest in her palm before a flick of her wrist and elbow sends the blade sheering through the front of his tunic, a thin, shallow cut beginning to bleed from just below his chin to just above his belt.
"...always did enjoy offal. never tried human, though. wonder if it's as good as cow," Rena trills, bone white eyes flashing with malice and an alien hunger as she adjusts her grip on the bayonet, "...o'course, ye could walk away. I don' exactly need an appetizer, after all"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 29, 2023 19:42:21 GMT -5
The man's eyes bulged in indignation at Rena's sudden action. His face grew a shade of dark red in rage.
"Oi, you think you're tough, Birdie? Let's see how you like dealing with all of us!" At his words, the other men flanked their leader, surrounding the table in malevolent fashion.
Sylvari's patience had reached its end. With a grab and casual flick of her wrist, she sent one of the bandits' number flying into a nearby wall, displaying terrifying, inhuman strength [Bull's Strength]. She nonchalantly set down the tray of prepared dishes onto the table, smiling gently at Rena to reassure her friend.
"Breakfast is served, dear. I hope you like it." She turned her veiled gaze to the bandits, her menacing glare felt even from her obscured eyes.
"Oi, Blondie, we're in the middle of something here. Fuck off, or get gutted alongside this one."
The justiciar raised a very unimpressed eyebrow above the covering of her veil. "It seems the only one injured here is you. Say your apologies and agree to be on your way, and I'll heal you. You're lucky I believe in second chances."
The man scoffed and fully turned his body to loom over the justiciar's modest frame, even clad in her armor as she was.
"I don't give a damn about your second chances. You'll get yours as soon as we finish dealing with Birdie here, you bit-"
The bandit's words were cut short as an armored fist struck his jaw with such force it knocked the man clear off his feet. A few specs of yellow ivory could be seen flying out of his mouth and clattering on the ground as several teeth dislodged from his jaw.
"Shame I don't believe in third chances."
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 29, 2023 20:45:41 GMT -5
Those bone white eyes flare brighter as the crow stands from the table and steps toward the bandits as she settles into a guard stance...just in time for one of the other bandits to charge her, his own weapon raised high.
It's a simple flick of the wrist to send the bayonet sailing into his throat before he can react, and little more than another shift of the forearm to set the second blade sliding out to rest in her palm as the soon-to-be corpse clutches at the bayonet in his throat. she shivers, feeling the thing under her skin savor the act of taking a life even as she hurls the next blade into the gut of another.
The bandit leader growls, stumbling to his feet and lunging for the crow-woman with murder in his eyes and a sword in his hand. He yells, bringing the blade down on Rena...only for it to bounce off frost-coated feathers as a moment of blurring movement and cracking bone leaves the crow at double her original height, flesh stretched thin over bone as a large, cracked and chipped beak protrudes from her own, bone white eyes staring into the man's own muddy orbs with a mixture of malice and hunger.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 30, 2023 17:01:36 GMT -5
Given the inebriation and relatively novice skills of their foes, Sylvari only had to dedicate a minimal level of attention to fending them off, reserving most of her consideration for Rena. She wasn't altogether fond of the swift lethality her friend exhibited, but these thugs had forfeited their right to protection by harassing the were-creature. She was also dissuaded from interfering unless absolutely necessary for Rena's confidence. She needed to build up mastery over her curse, and combat was the premier way to do so. Discouraging her from ever using her alternate form would have dire consequences for Rena's confidence in engaging her bestial side.
Dodging a painfully telegraphed punch, and subsequently throwing the attacker through a nearby table, Sylvari watched carefully Rena's actions, on edge for if her intervention was needed. Sylvari had received training while mortal that focused on using larger opponent's momentum against them. Such training was meant to even teh odds in a fight with bigger, stronger foes. Given her new greatly enhanced strength, the vampiress used her techniques to devastating effect, moving barely a step at a time, but flinging attackers all over the taproom. The justiciar made mental note of each point of damage caused in the brawl so she could repay the owner for the needed repairs after their departure.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 30, 2023 17:16:10 GMT -5
the beast lets out a low, rumbling growl as it stares down the bandit leader, the thug's eyes, once full of anger and hate are now occupied solely by mind-numbing terror, "Wh-what are ye?" the man gasps, then lets out a cry as the beast steps toward him, frostbitten talons crackling as the creature lunges for him, jagged beak snapping shut on his head, cleanly severing his neck.
The beast trills softly, tilting its head back to swallow the severed head of the bandit leader, then turns to stare down the others, bone white eyes burning with alien hunger as its head tilts in question and challenge. Take me if you can, the thing challenges without speaking, frostbitten claws crackling with each flex, ragged feathers ruffling and tattered tailfeathers flicking as Rena's beast gazes upon the bandits.
The bandit leader's body shudders and collapses, still spasming on the ground as blood begins to pool.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 30, 2023 17:53:42 GMT -5
Ok, that's probably enough trouble for the poor barkeep. Better reign this in before it spirals out of control. Not wanting to scold Rena, Sylvari instead opted to get the remaining bandits to flee. Quickly, given her extreme familiarity with combat tactics and bandit organization in particular, Sylvari identified the group's lieutenant, seeing his fellows crowd around the man's flank. Given the brutal fate of their leader, it wouldn't take much more to convince the men to leave: just the tiniest further push.
Stepping forward, purposefully interposing herself between Rena and the men, Sylvari leveled a dismissive, imperious glare at the lieutenant. "The offense has been met with swift retribution," the justiciar began, motioning backwards without looking to where the head bandit's corpse still spasmed from blood loss. "I offer you now the same mercy I offered your fellow and pray that you are wiser. Apologize, and leave." To ensure her will was enforced, Sylvari pressed some of the compelling influence of her heritage behind her words, cracking mortal resolve and imposing her desires on the men [Powerful Presence].
"B-begging your pardon, misses! Dagan was a right fool when he had drink in him. We want no further quarrel with ye!" The lieutenant, swiftly followed by his remaining men dipped their heads in quick bows before beating a hasty retreat. Sylvari sighed with relief that the bloodshed could be stopped, noting with a grimace the small children of a family in the corner recoiling in horror from the gruesome scene.
"Alright, dear Rena, they have been dispatched. Let's eat breakfast and be on our way, alright?"
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 30, 2023 19:53:06 GMT -5
The beast tilts its head the other way, seemingly considering the bandits, then moves back to the table Rena had sat at, retrieving the thrown bayonet as it passes. it trills softly, placing the blade on the table and stepping back before beginning to shrink in on itself with horrific, sickening cracks and pops of shifting and reforming bone. Each crack and pop are accompanied by some joint or bone abruptly jerking as the beast slowly shrinks down to nearly half its height.
Over the few seconds the spectacle takes, the tall, gangly beast is rapidly replaced by the short, somewhat curvy crow-woman that Sylvari had become familiar with. Rena groans, panting from her place kneeled on the floor, eyes wide and slowly fading from bone white to shining silver as she shudders and hugs herself.
"...t-ta'f...n-never gets easier...oh, oh stars did...did I eat that man's head?!" she gags, scraping her tongue against the edge of her beak to try and get the taste off.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 30, 2023 20:12:10 GMT -5
Sylvari took a seat Rena and rubbed her back comfortingly, nodding her head with a gentle smile. "Yes, dear. I'm sorry I was otherwise occupied and not able to prevent this mess." Sylvari eyed the floor, where the bandit's blood began to run along the floorboards towards the children. With a quick swipe of a produced towel, the justiciar stopped the blood flow in its tracks and returned her attention to her friend.
"I understand this was a less than favorable outcome, but it's important to view the positives of the experience. Fearing the curse will only allow it more control over you. By accepting and understanding do we gain control. You displayed admirable restraint, all things considered, with only one casualty. Use this experience. Learn from it. Think back on your feelings, your thoughts during the transformation. It will become easier with time."
Sylvari slowly slid a platter of the prepared food toward Rena. "If you've lost your appetite, I understand, but it would be best to eat. Keeping your strength up and your beast sated is how you exert control, until you have more mastery."
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 30, 2023 20:59:21 GMT -5
the crow shudders, moving to take her seat at the table. she takes a moment to re-center herself, eyes closed, breathing deep the smell of food...then bone-white eyes snap open as she all but hurls herself upon the feast laid out before her. Bones are picked clean, then broken open to let her at the marrow, bread is utterly shredded, vegetables are...picked at, more likely to fulfill some nutritional requirement than actual hunger.
When it's over, there's no sign of the meal beyond scraps of bone and dirty dishes...and Rena stands, silver eyes flicking over the dead bandit leader whose body still lays there in the pooling blood, "...noone deserves that..." she murmurs, then moves to begin hauling the corpse out of the tavern, muttering something about, "...a knife t' the throat is one thing, aye...but t' rip 'is head off and leave 'im in 'is own blood...that's somethin' else..."
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