Decadents and Dropouts IC

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss was close to crying and pulled a face, but brightened up as Zahl put his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes..."she said softly. "Maybe you think I am naiv, but I am not. You know, many gorgons, especially the ugly ones, are hiding in dungeons and caves, full of hate and bitterness, becoming real monsters. The pretty ones are exotic slaves in harems, never seeing daylight as well. I managed all by my own to find an other way. I learned to find access to the finest mansions, even those of nobility, and enter and leave them as guest, just as I want. And I walked through the streets and taverns of big and small cities, all alone, without protection, and I survived. You see, I am not so naic as I may seem now." she laughed very shy and soft.

 

[Nidhogg]

-Z-

Z knew that there is no such thing as a safe city. In places like this, the nicest streets and the prettiest taverns were the most dangerous. You will always feel safest right before you die. An accurate notion, but not a happy one. He decided to keep that piece of wisdom to himself.

"I have known two other gorgons in my life. They were neither monster nor slave. They both lived long, full lives and died peacefully in bed. They did not live so long by being careless." Z gave a soft chuckle. "But they also didn't have a loyal cambion, smart kobold and powerful draconian as friends. You will all be fine as long as you stick together. Again, though, I say be careful at the docks. Mansions, streets and taverns of even the worst places are nothing like dockside at night. Rogues and thugs will be plentiful. Of course a rogue and a thug will at least be honest if they want to hurt you. No political motives for thugs. Which, as far as I am concerned, makes them much nicer company than your average nobleman."

Zaeel gave Phyliss a smirk and another soft chuckle. Even though it was meant as a joke, that was how Z felt. Political scheming of nobles was a far greater evil than any dark wizard or orcish army.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss smiled, the tears had dissolved before they really rolled. "I could handle the noblemen quite well. Although the human woman raged against me, but I even handled that. At least one tried to kill me, the last one with a crossbow." she wondered if she should tell about her experiences with that weapon, but she decided to keep that infromation to herself. "Still I wonder if any sailor would dare to ride with a gorgon & co. But we should be able to handle any thug. When I get up Gryph, I will go with him. Even Relic might be of some use now... When and where exactly can we meet?"

 

[Nidhogg]

-Z-

Zaeel gave Phyliss one more gentle pat on the shoulder, then stood and moved to the desk. "Ah, well, I am not overly familiar with this town. I actually do not know of any dockside locations. Worry not, though, Zahn is quite...skilled at finding people. As for when...hm."

Z pulled some coins out of his belt pouch and put them in the small satchel he got from the desk. "I would say you should expect Zahn within three to four hours. If five hours have gone by...well then something may be amiss."

After he closed the small brown bag, Z walked back over to Phyliss and handed it to her. "Eight pieces of coin-struck platinum. It adds up to 80 gold, an impressive sum to your average person. Use this as a...down payment for the hired help."

Z whispered with a sly smile and chuckle. "Best keep this hidden from Miss Relic. She isn't a bad young lady, just an...impulsive one."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss just surpressed a greedy grin and widening her eyes as she saw all that money, but her snakes danced on her head.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Zahl, you are just to generous. And don't worry about Relic, I am quite aware of her character." she took the money and smiled at Zaehl. She wantet to kiss him, but she didn't because she didn't want to give him the impression that she was a slut. "I would be very happy to meet you again." She got up and gave him another, lovable smile, and then she went downstairs, taking care not to hurt her bare feets. She went to their room, opening the door. If Gryph would still be asleep, she would shake him up. As she opened the door and recalled what Zahl said, something struck her. He said: "I have known two other gorgons in my life. They were neither monster nor slave. They both lived long, full lives and died peacefully in bed." First, Phyliss was unaging, and thought all other gorgons were as well. So she was mistaking, if he spoke the truth, but she knew all gorgons were quite different, being creatures made by magic. Second, if he knew them until they died of age, he had to be really old, much older then he looked. So he was no ordinary human for sure. And third, at which places could gorgons live a life like that? She had to see him again.

Edit: Phyliss soft steps weren't very loud, but the light wooden floor made enough sound to let the drow hear someome approaching. It didn't sound like Gryph, it was a much lighter person without doubt. Relic just giggled, got up and jumped out of the window.

 

[Nidhogg]

-Z-

An uneasy feeling settled in to Z's mind. He always got that feeling when he knew he'd made a mistake. It wasn't from the situation with Phyliss and her friends, though.

He hadn't planned on using the 'Zaeel' persona with 'Zahn.' He had gotten the second room with another idea in mind altogether. Grot was still out there, but hopefully that could wait until morning.

Considering Z hadn't prepared anything for Zaeel's history or current job, this persona had turned out quite well. The face wasn't anything special, but the accent and mannerisms all came together very well. With no history prepared, though, Z had to use pieces from other personae and even events from his own life.

Now he needed to make sure it was known that 'Zaeel' and 'Zahn' were leaving the tavern. Z gathered up all his belongings and went in to the bedroom. The merchant's outfit was put back in the backpack and Z shifted his body so it was considerably thinner. He was still Zaeel, same height, same face, just very thin. It was the only way he could get Zahn's traveling clothes on.

Z didn't want to take any chances, though. He slipped the armored guard pieces on under his outfit. Metal armor pads went over both knees and both elbows. The last piece was small metal plate that strapped on his chest to cover most of his ribs and his heart. It wasn't much, but it helped against ambushes.

He pulled the weathered and well-worn jerkin back on and then pulled on the breeches. Being too tall for these pants was very uncomfortable. The belt and bandoleer were left loose, but they held the 2 bolas, his hunting knife and the kukri dagger. Z wasn't going to be unarmed if trouble came up again.

Still wearing Zaeel's face and cloak, Z was able to keep his backpack and crossbow under the cloak. With the hood pulled up he went downstairs. The innkeeper was writing in a ledger at the end of the bar. Zaeel walked up to him and had to clear his throat to get the codger to look up.

"I am Zaeel. I had paid to stay the week in the fourth room of the third floor. However, I will not be staying here any longer."

The codger gave Zaeel a short stare, then went back to the ledger. "No refunds."

Zaeel chuckled softly. "Of course. I just wanted to let you know the room is now vacant. Also, my employee, Zahn, had the room below me and will also not be staying here."

The old innkeeper replied with a monosyllabic grunt. Z gave a small, polite bow and left the tavern. He wandered around randomly for almost half an hour before he found a pitch black and isolated alley. He darted in to it and made the shift. He was back to Zahn and his pants were much more comfortable. The last detail was the cloak. He stowed Zaeel's fur lined cloak in the pack and put Zahn's worn green cloak back on.

Depending on how good the draconian's sense of smell was, Gryph might be able to pick up Zaeel's scent from the clothes. Z had a response for that, but it might not even come up.

He took the quarrel out and let it hang from his hip, then pulled the backpack on and slung his crossbow strap over his shoulder. There were only five bolts left in the quarrel, and Z knew he should buy more soon.

Zahn walked towards the docks quickly. One thing still bothered him, though.

"How did that disappearing wench from the tavern know what I was doing there?"

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Relic had left some seconds before Phyliss had opened the door. The gorgon senses were sharp, but she was a little distracted from leftovers of to much wine, to less sleep and many thoughts. She walked in and found that Gryph was gone, what was no reason to be alarmed. Tronfur was there, but she had the feeling something was wrong with him.

 

[swordandsandle]

He coulden't put it into words, exactly.

There time together had been akward, even durning the best of times. When the "Koetia Problem" reared its ugly head, things had gone from bad to worse. Nobody else seemed to like her, in fact they despised her, but he did have rather strange tastes. Sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to have a normal realationship, or at least "getting some" with his little pet, but up until now that had seemed like an impossablity. Phyliss's hugging had disturbbed him, and got Koetia rilled up, but in some ways, he liked it. It was something he could have gotten used to, had he ever had the desire to ask.

He was almost thankful when the others split apart, allowing him to suck the marrow out of his rat bones in peace. Koetia whimpered softly on the ground, still getting a rather demeaning stare from anybody who happened to pass by, but throwing her broken bones was just asking for trouble. "A minute, girl." the meat smell saturating his breath. "We'll get you somewhere nice a quite to rest." With any luck, they woulden't put her in the stable; he noticed that dogs got a bit jumpy around her.

He sighed, this was getting out of hand. He needed to talk to somebody; now. Somebody who could talk back. But, he coulden't just leave Koetia here alone, and there was no telling what she would do to a room if left alone.

"I need a room, next to the gorgons if you can get one," he put back on his "demanding" voice, trying to keep up at least a bit of a facade. The innkeep gazed at him and his pet in distain, but a few gold coins smoothed the issue out and a key was handed over. It wasen't that he hated Relic, she just had tried to take Koetia. That, could not be forgivian easly. As long as he left Koetia in the room, tied up and muzzled of course, Phyless would be more then happy to talke to him.

Their room was rather small, a single bed, bathpan, writing desk, hearth, but it was survivable. "You just be a good girl and stay quite." he took his "leash" and reluctently tide Koetia incredably closly to the bed, binding her mounth with hard leathers. "I'll be back soon ok?" Of course she coulden't understand his words, but she submitted to the tone in his voice. It was ok, that was all he needed.

Taking a few steps from his door, he knocked lightly on where the innkeeper had claimed the gorgon (and honestly, how many gorgons could there be here?) was. "Phyless, could you open this door please?" he stated simply.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss was just about to ask Trunfor what has happened, as she heard the knocking. Of course, she knew the voice. "I'll be right back Tronfur, yes? I will just see an old friend." She opened the door and got out. She was happy to see Kanut, and even happier to see him without Koetia. She smiled down at him.
"Hello Kanut".

 

[Avellan13]

Trunfor

Trunfor was surprised when Relic left. he watched her go and felt sadden and heavy hearted. What had he done? As soon a Relic left, Phyliss came in a minute later.

"Hey, how are you?" he said in a low voice.

Before she could respond, there was a knock on the door.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

There was a worried look in Tronfurs eyes, and she didn't really want to leave him. Maybe she was to harsh to him? But she didn't want to leave Kanut either, after he had shown up after all. She kept the door open. "We are all friends, just come in. You can get something to drink if we talk for a while, so it will be a bit cozier. I wait here for you, I promise." Phyliss left the door open a little, so that the kobald could follow her anytime into the room. She moved back inside and sat beside Tronfur. She said nothing, but run her hand over his upper arm as she set down. Maybe he was hurt because she was angry with him before her talk with Zahl. The sun was getting up outside. Now there was a chance that she could get Kanut and Tronfur know each other, and maybe they would become good friends. She knew she had to work on Gryph a little more, but she just had an idea in mind for that as well.

 

[swordandsandle]

Canut slipped his way through the door, taking a closer look at this new "freind" of Phyless's. "My name is Canut, pleased to meet you," he stated a bit flatly, not sure quite what to think. "I'd introduce you to my pet, but she's a bit tied up at the moment." there was an open spot on the bed, a bit farther off then he would have liked, but bearable. "So, what have the two of you been dicussing?"

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"Well, actually nothing yet, because I have just returned from Zahl." said Phyliss.
"He is a gentle, well mannered and generous man, as far as I can tell, but I do not think that he is an ordinary human. Maybe a mage, or something alike... Nevertheless, he will get a boat for us, but we have to find two men who are capable to handle a boat at the river. It would not be to difficult to find such men for a little money down at the docks, but I wonder if anyone will be hiring at a gorgon. Maybe some others of us should ask around... maybe we could send Relic down there. It would the first time that she could be useful, and no she is gone again. We could send Gryph, he looks nearly like a tall human in his outfit. Tronfur will have as little chance at I, but they might trust a kobald." she smiled at Canut. "But I am unpolite if I begin our talk with this topic, after all the time we haven't met."

 

[Avellan13]

Trunfor

Trunfor shivered a little as Phyliss sat down next to him. He half listened to what she nd the kobald were saying, however when here heard his name mentioned he looked up with a confused look, "hum?"

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"What is wrong, Tronfur?" said Phyliss friendly, leaving the kobald alone fore a moment. She knew that he took his time to answer.

 

[Avellan13]

"Wha-, oh, yes, well its just that." Trunfor took a suddering breath then continued, "After I left you with Zheal or whatever his name is, I came back and found.. Relic in here... she was reading my journal and acting very.. well strange. Gryph was still in here and he soon got up and left me alone with her."

Trunfor looked away in embarrasment, "She then got.. friendly.. and began talking weird. She immediatly left before anything else happened. And that`s when you arrived."

He gestured helplessly and whispered, "I`ve never been in such a situation with another person, especially not a female."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"Ohh, poor Tronfur. Don't take her serious. I never did. " she put an arm around Tronfur and leaned her head against his shoulder, while her snakes moved gently around him. "So Gryph went out. I hope she didn't steal anything, I will check that, But don't take it to hard."

 

[Avellan13]

Trunfor

Trunfor smiled weakly at her comment. When Phyliss leaned up against him, Trunfor shivered with pleasure as her "hair" crawled along his skin.

"I don`t think she stole anything. Gryph took his bag with him as he left and my bag looks untouched. The only thing she had was my journal here," he picked it up and showed Phyliss. "You can go ahead and look through it if you want, I trust you." The he handed it to Phyliss.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida
Phyliss looked over to Canut, but he was quite and dreaming or sleeping, or maybe just thinking. She kissed Tronfur on one of his horns, and looked into the journal. It was a very personal thing, and she knew she would need some more time to read through it. "You really trust me, if you give me this to read."

 

[Avellan13]

Trunfor Blackheart

Trunfor looked at Phyliss and smiled, "I have no secrets from friends, plus it`ll help you to better understand my past, my feeling, and my goals. Also I have a log of our adventures. Not to mention that someone already has read through it whom I know little about, so I want someone I trust to read it. I don`t know why, but I just want to."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss browsed through it, and found her name mentioned in it. She read a few passages. She took a look over to Canut, she assumed that he had really dozed off, or it was to cold for him, still, you never knew with him. But he didn't seem to respond what was going on. Gryph was downstairs, she would see about him later. "I wonder what feelings you have for me, if I regard this." whispered Phyliss in Tronfurs ear.

 

[Avellan13]

Trunfor chuckled a little, "Oh yeah, well I just wrote down how I felt umm... after all your are the only friend I`ve ever had, besides Gryph, but you seem to understand me more than most."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss laughed softly. "Don't ever have a fight with Gryph about...anything. But I want all my friends to be happy." She kissed the tip of his horn as she said that. After a quick glance over to Canut, who didn't seem to notice anything around him, she kissed his horn again, but carefully wrapped her lips around the tip then, and nibbled on it. After doing this for a few moments, she pushed the horn slowly inside of her mouth, until it filled her. She sucked a little on his horn then. "Mmmpff..doo.mmmph..yoummpfff-like.mmmppfffthat?

 

[Avellan13]

His smile faltered, "Umm. I don`t have much feeling in my horns, they`re a bone and attatched to my skull. I have some feeling but not a lot." He reached for her hand and held it in his, "Thanks ummm.. its a little weird, but not unpleasently so."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"mpphhhh" th horn glided out of Phyliss mouth again. "I could show you some more things, but I don't want to wake up Canut." she kissed him on the cheek.
"But don't tell Gryph, or at leat not yet. He is not ready for it now."