Decadents and Dropouts IC

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Phyliss wasn't surprised that the drow did not answer, but she was rather glad of that. Her bad manners could ruin this situation. It was obvious that Relic was even born in the gutters and would never leave them, even if she inherited a kingdom and would live for thousand years.
Phyliss in fact, was rather happy about the sight of wealth. She was alarmed at first, but the merchant was just a lusty, harmless fool after her judgement. She had met many of that type. It was not fit for a gorgon to live outside in the streets, not with all that intolerant brutes around. Most gorgons dwelled among the "monsters" in some dungeons, but this was just as bad as seeking shelter in a monastery, even more dangerous. Nobody really understood that Phyliss never had any other chance then to try for a living among the high society, being an exotic beauty, playing the games that she had to play. This was really not easy, and not always very nice, not to mention the hate of the human women in the background. For this reason she always wished for a place like the riverboat, devoted to the outsiders and no one else. Still, she needed some quality in her life, and maybe they could get some here.

 

[Cherubian]

Farmintides acknowledged their introductions with a polite nod and did not seem to notice that Relic had neglected to provide her name. Inwardly he really did not care who she was, his target was someone else.

"So may I inquire where the beautiful ladies are heading?"

Verialyn had to make something up on the fly. It was definitely not a good idea to give him their real target. Better be as vague as possible.
"We are heading to the cities of the east. Supposedly they are prospering like never before, and a sight to behold."

"Indeed, you are correct, they are.

But let this traveller ask you a favour. My home lies only an hour from the next town, and not far off the road. The three of you would do me a great favour if you would grace my humble residence with your presence tonight and allow me to ensure that you are comfortable."

Verialyn was inclined to accept his offer, even though his motives probably were not as innocent as he pretended them to be. The prospect of a bath and a comfortable bed seemed enticing. However she first looked at her companions, to see their reactions.

 

[Belinda35]

Phylisss Ovida

The gorgon didn't say anything but smiled invitingly at Verialynn. Although she still dreamed of that other place, this offer was very welcome to her.

 

[DormantEvil]

Relic shrugged her shoulders, it wasn't really for her to disagree or agree. For now she followed wherever they wanted to go. "I'm sure you would both feel more comfortable, and there doesn't seem to be a hurry on this journey of ours."

She smiled suddenly. Having a rather enjoyable plan.

So she nodded her head, accepting the invitation, before casting a look over at the four bodyguards. They looked to be in great shape, she wondered how easy they would be to lure away once they were no longer needed to guard the merchant.

Riding up to the far side of Phyliss, Relic whispered to her.

"I doubt it would take much to get such a 'kind noble gentleman' to let you ride with him. To save your rump from saddle soreness."

It was more her way of saying that Phyliss was the type of woman better fitted to serve a man, as an object of beauty and take the soft road. Rather than remain on a dirty horse. Especially when there was a man probably willing to cover her in jewels with the battering of an eye. With a little smile she circled her horse around before walking on ahead.

"An hour from town, gosh...what a lovely location." The snide remark was kept to herself, and whispered on the wind.

 

[Cherubian]

'Phyliss and Relic, the beginning of a wonderful friendship' Verialyn thought to herself.

She turned to face the merchant, saying: "Master Farmintides, we are glad to accept your generous offer."

The merchant seemed obviously happy with this reply. "Then please follow my carriage, we should reach the estate in a few hours."

The guards outwardly gave no indication that this bothered them, one way or another, but each of them shot a wanton gaze at the girls whenever they thought no one would notice.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Of course Phyliss had thought herself that it would be much more comfortable to ride in the coach then on horseback. She wasn't used very much to riding, though. But she was not so stupid not to notice that there was something fishy about that remark. It was more then doubtfull that Relic suddenly cared for her comfort. It would have been much more likely that the drow would put thistles on her saddle to stitch her silky bottom. So, what was Relic up to? Phyliss kept riding, although she would have prefered to ride in the coach. She would keep on guard, for sure.

 

[DormantEvil]

The wagon soon caught up to Relic, and she trotted alongside it. Up near the horses, not beside the merchants window. For all she cared he could admire the view of her rising and falling in the saddle. Her cloak fluttering behind her.

She wanted to give Phyliss room, not wanting to push the woman to cracking. Espeically considering her sulking and temper when they met.

Her thoughts wandered to how the gorgon might present herself on the night, and Relic found herself wondering what wearing fancy dresses, and brushing her hair and scrubbed clean skin might feel. But instead she snorted, laughing at the idea. She would look like some drowned, then fluffed animal.

Not something she planned on.

 

[Cherubian]

Another item was on Verialyn's mind now. She surely would enjoy a hot bath and a soft bed, but the merchant in his generosity would most likely also invite them to dinner. And dinner is a very good opportunity to bust a vampire, since whatever food she put down her throat would come up again in half an hour tops, making her feel absolutely miserable until it did. Not an experiance she relished.

So she needed to find a believeable excuse to only join the others after dinner was done. The best one she could come up with on short notice was fatigue. 'Oh my lord, will you please allow me to rest another hour from the strains of the travel. I will join you once I feel well again' had worked on more than one occasion. So Verialyn subtly changed her behaviour, looking just a little bit more tired than she actually was.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

In fact, Phyliss really liked to ride in the coach, and she would have asked the merchant already if Relic wouldn't have interacted. Neverthelesss, she could have a look inside from the window. She rode a bit closer, and peeked through a window.

 

[DormantEvil]

Catching a glimpse of Phyliss peaking in through the window, Relic smiled and slowed up. "Sir, I know this may be rather inappropriate considering how short a time we have known one another. But would it be too much of an inconvieniance if Phyliss shared with you?" she inquired, battering her eyelids for the first time in years.

She didn't look at Phyliss, but did put an arm around her as if giving her a support to stay upright on.

"I'm sure she will be endebted to you for the generousity...maybe even as much as to sing or dance for you?" she smiled, before taking her arm back and moving back to join the now rather tired looking human. It wasn't that hard to understand, she had been on watch that night, and humans required sleep.

It made Relic slightly guilty for not having offered. But she doubted the others would have trusted her enough to accept. "Maybe you should both share the wagon, you look drained."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"Now there is something wrong." thought Phyliss. "I think she would rather see me getting it with the bullwhip instead a comfortable ride." But the gorgon would not like to fall out of etiquette, and so she had to play along. And it was not very wise to let everybody else know how the relation between Relic and her was for real. Even if the didn't team up, they had to look like a team to strangers. So she made a shy smile, not to much, looking up from below. "This would be to kind, sir."

 

[Cherubian]

A second face came into their field of view from inside the carriage. That passenger was younger than Marcus, probably around 30, and displayed a dark complexion and a handsome face framed by a mane of black hair all the way down to his shoulders.

"Of course we would be more than happy to share the carriage with whatever lady would want to grace us with her company. May I introduce myslef, I am Aaron Gerling, commercial advisor to Master Farmintides."

With these words he gestured the coachman to stop, and once the carriage had come to a halt he opened one of the doors and stepped outside with an inviting gesture.

"Thank you for your kind offer" replied Veralyn "but I greatly enjoy riding and would like to continue to do so now that I have the opportunity". With these words she gave a kind smile to Marcus an Aaron, to ensure them that it was not out of dislike for them that she refused their invitation.

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

Now this did it. Phyliss greeted the man in the manner that she knew from that class. There was a confident, happy expression in her face that was not made up. She was glad to enter the coach. The others could ride, if they liked to.

 

[swordandsandle]

(For what?)

As the sun rose over the horizon, Canut's body tempurature finnaly started rising, as he slowly started to stir in his bedroll. Tossing and turning to loosen out the stiff joints, he felt a strange ache in his mind that something was missing. It was so , quite, so peaceful.

Then it clicked, shoulden't the girls be up by now? He'd travaled with enough of them by now, all dead from there own stupdity except the four he currently accompanied, and it had become almost routine to hear there insesent chattering and clomping about when he awoke. Yet, none of that was going on right now.

"Phyllis?" he shouted, pulling himself onto his feet. "Verialyn?" Taking up his staff, he ran the perimeter of his clearing; there wasen't any evidence that they had been this way. Suddenly fearful, he took his fingers to his lips and gave out a sharp wistle, hoping that...

And there she came, bursting out of the bushs with a long-awaited energy , Koetia placed herself shuddering next to his leg, clearly just as afraid as he was, if not more.

"It's ok girl," he cooed whale leading her along. "I'm here, and I can help you find them." He pushed himself through the bushs, to where there campsite had been set up, only to find the array lightly used. Obviuosly, something else had caught there flighty female attention, maybe a cute little squrral or something equally stupid, maybe some giant, murderous beast.

Concidering that he haden't woken up, he was going to assume it was something stupid.

(Gah, do you three sycrnoize your times or something?)

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

For the moment, everything and everybody else was forgotten. She didn't think of Canut, wherever he might be, not at Verialynn or those two others...She tried to hid her excitement, but her snakes were waving and squirming like mad.
"It is so nice that I may ride with you. I know it will be a pleasure to visit your estate."

 

[swordandsandle]

... In the nearest town

Stranger 1- Um, Gorgons?

Stranger 2- Why should I know?

Stranger 3- Hippos! (captured by police shortly afterward and sent to bughouse)

Stranger 14- I saw a drow pass through here. Was a male-type though.

Stranger 39- I heard there was a giant chicken

" Well," Canut grumbled as he lead Koetia along, attracting many unessicery stares as he did so. "Those people weren't alot of help."

The Village of Rumblin was a lonly place, a sleepy town that was constantly depoplated. Since the soil was poor and nothing was worth making, nearly everybody in town was stuck in a perpetual poverty, with the men off on migrant work to insure the town remained propped up. At this moment, the two where strolling down the center street, if you could call a thin strip of loose dust a street, and Koetia was getting progressivly worse as they went deeper in. Obviously, she still had human lungs, and not enough sence to realize that the rag he had placed over her mouth was NOT a chew toy.

And he simply adored that about her.

"Excuse me, um, excuse me." Canut looked at the nearest passerbyer, who was so wrapped up that he coulden't tell if it was a visiting male migrent or subsistng female resident, or even just another visitor. "Have you seen a *cough* gorogn, human, and drow taco-fest anywhere around here?"

The figure, being a taller humanoid, looked town at him warly. "I think your pe, um, girlfreind is standing right next to it."

Confused, Canut tured his head to where Koetia was sitting, coughing lightly and shaking under a formarly gaudy awning with faint lettering still painted on the sign. "The Napping Nymph," then it came to him. "Oh no," he stared into where he thought the stranger's eyes where with all seriousness. "Not like that. I mean, as travalers."

"Oh," they sounded surprised. "That's strange. Most men don't come here unless they've got a family or itch, if you know what I mean. I should have figured, though, looks like you've already got a dog."

It took all of a moment to get the message across that she was NOT to be insulted like that.

"Come on girl," he drew Koetia out whale the stranger stared at the ghoastly illusion that still hung in the air. "Looks like we've got to go look somewhere else"

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

There was something about Aaron Gerling that turned her own, she even liked his name. (It made her think of silver.) Commercial advisor, quite suitable.
Now, hand it easy. Don't go for him at once. This is not a primitive barbarian that would only appeal to... well. The merchant himself was not so much exciting. Thinking in her old terms, Marcus was the candidate as protector, and Aaron the candidate as lover. This time the divination was quite easy.

 

[Belinda35]

The Narrator

A large man rode alone the road and passed Canut and Koetia. Suddenley he stopped, pulled his horse around and came back, stopping in a cloud of dust. He stared down at him. It was a warrior, bold, with a beard and a horned helmet. Canut had seen him before. It was one of the barbarians in the tavern.

 

[Cherubian]

Verialyn watched the squirming of Phyliss' snakes as she entered the carriage on Aaron's invitation. Phyliss would make a lousy bluffer until she brought them better under her control. She was not certain herself but this Aaron seemed like a nice enough fellow, at least she hoped he was, for Phyliss sake. A gentle interlude to cover the trauma with Haerdon.

In the carriage Aaron Gerling took his seat across Phyliss as the carriage continued. He was genuinely intrigued by the gorgon. While his master was smitten by the human's undenieable outstanding physicall attributes - what a fine word play - he welcomed the chance to make such an exotic acquaintance, and the sympathy seemed to be mutual. This would be an enjoyable ride home, and maybe more.

He started a small talk session with the words "So, tell me Mrs ... Ovida, what brings a gorgon to these lands? The superstitious common population on occasion can pose quite the danger for your kind...."

 

[Belinda35]

Phyliss Ovida

"In fact, it was the dangers in other lands that might me come her and see if the public was more convinient for my kind. But I think it is alike for me all over the world. At least I feel save now, in your presence." she smiled, looking at Aaron from the side, her chin leaning on two fingers.

 

[swordandsandle]

The Narrator

A large man rode alone the road and passed Canut and Koetia. Suddenley he stopped, pulled his horse around and came back, stopping in a cloud of dust. He stared down at him. It was a warrior, bold, with a beard and a horned helmet. Canut had seen him before. It was one of the barbarians in the tavern.

Spinning around, Canut recongined the northsman he had seen hitting on his commanion in the bar, then stupped unconcious in the stable. Maybe he woulden't recognize him with the dog girl...

Fat chance. The northsman approched him, on what appered to be a fresh steed, and squnted down on him, wondering exactly where he'd seen him before.

"I know you from somewhere," he mumbled in what he probebly thought was a quite and secrative tone, but could easly be overheard. "Just can't tell you where."

Koetia turned up at him, went stiff for a moment, and then slowly moved behind Canut, whimpering softly in fear and submission. He'd have to have a talk with whatever magus made her, he thought, that guy had some serious skill.

"Um, I'm not quite sure I know your name," Canut held out his hand. "I'm Canut, magus extrodinare, and this is Koetia, my girlfreind."

 

[Belinda35]

The Narrator

"I recognize you!" shouted the barbarian. "Wasn't it you in that cursed inn sitting with that three-time-cursed wenches? Now, tell me, where are these whores of evil hiding know? Better speak fast, gnome, or you shall not see the setting of the sun again, I swear to the gods!"

 

[swordandsandle]

The Narrator

"I recognize you!" shouted the barbarian. "Wasn't it you in that cursed inn sitting with that three-time-cursed wenches? Now, tell me, where are these whores of evil hiding know? Better speak fast, gnome, or you shall not see the setting of the sun again, I swear to the gods!"

"That's where I've seen you!" Canut snapped his fingers. " Ya, I know them, but I don't know where they are exactly. If I did, I woulden't be looking for them, would I? We'd be fine if you choose to accompany us, just," if looks could kill.... "Don't insult the girlfriend, or you'll live to regret it. Isen't that right girl," he leaned down over Koetia, whispering softly and running his hands along her face to keep her sane.

 

[Belinda35]

the Narrator

Haerdon scratched his beard. He didn't trust that little creature, and the girl with him looked insane, but it was probably a familiar. There might more behind his little size and wrinkled skin. Very possible that he was lying. But if he slew him, he would not talk, and the offer to join him searching these women was a possibility. If he tried to doublecross him, he would taste steel. And at least he had a hint now.
"Allright, I shall not harm her. But never try to doublecross me, or you shall regret it! Let us waste no time now."

 

[swordandsandle]

the Narrator

Haerdon scratched his beard. He didn't trust that little creature, and the girl with him looked insane, but it was probably a familiar. There might more behind his little size and wrinkled skin. Very possible that he was lying. But if he slew him, he would not talk, and the offer to join him searching these women was a possibility. If he tried to doublecross him, he would taste steel. And at least he had a hint now.
"Allright, I shall not harm her. But never try to doublecross me, or you shall regret it! Let us waste no time now."

"Woulden't dream of it," Canut smiled, although, if this guy knew anything about the Sandcrawler incident, he woulden't trust even that. "Just follow my one rule, and we'll get along just fine."

He diden't bother to ask his name, he was too busy trying to keep Koetia from bolting in fear. She was shaking so much he was worried that something was going to burst in there. "Anyway, I am going to have to ask you a few questions. Are there any towns you aren't allowed in, or types of establishments, ect?" He wasen't planning on taking the northsman there, just diden't want to end up burning at a stake. " And do you know of any place, um, high-class in the immedate area?" He could feel that Verialyn would love something like that, and even Phyliss would never pass the chance up.