A Drink Before the Storm

-==New Scene: New Haven, the night before the incident, Phoenix's Flagon==-
The tavern is filled with a myriad of people, all just trying to relax after a long day of work. A small little halfling full of spunk and hope walks in and orders the strongest thing her body can handle, a Shirley Temple. She happily pays the barkeep as she brushes her short rest hair out of her eyes. 'This place is definitely a nice quaint place to relax after traveling on the roads' she thinks to herself. Grabbing her drink she sits down at what appears to be the only empty table.

The taverns door sprang open almost the moment the halflings tush met the bench. A colourful human practically skipped across the threshold in obvious excitement, she is halfway to the bar before a far more morose dwarf becomes visible in the doorway.
"A drink as promised!" She shouts back at him. "For an especially successful expedition and a job well done." As she finishes she looks downward to what appears to be a long slender object wrapped tightly in cloth, gripped delicately in her hands before her.
She reaches the bar and raises her eyes to search for the currently absent bartender, and with a slight pout at the delay, turns again to see if her solemn comrades mood had changed now he was back in the tavern they had first become acquainted. There was certainly something very peculiar about the way he had acted about the ruins, he didn't seem much of a fan of portals, as absurd a notion as that was to Robin.(edited)

The stout dwarven figure clad in metallic armor trudges after Robin to the bar with a slight sigh before looking up to his particularly excited human companion with a grin.
"Yes well, a drink feels like a good start to the evening. Helps with the everlasting knowledge that The Continuity of the universe lies on your shoulders," states the crazed old man. Ha, it's funny how this poor old man truly believes the universe relies on his cooperation and protection. Propping him self up onto a nearby barstool, he surveys the tavern steadily while his peculiar metallic fingers anxiously tap the countertop.(edited)

"Right..." She says, hardly paying attention as she unravels the top of the artefact to glance at it again. Robin had learned to ignore most of the old mans ramblings of timelines and death. He seemed cognitive enough and was certainly a capable fighter, able to dispatch the few dangers they encountered on the short trip with ease. Alas It seemed obvious that either age, drink or a bop to the noggin during a battle had left him a little scattered.
"I cannot wait to get this back to the shop, it is absolutely bursting with conjuration magics, its proximity to the portal must have utterly drenched it in leyline energy, at the very least it will serve a as a perfect conduit warp anchor. Don't you think?" She wraps up excitedly and turns to the Dwarf expectantly.
Le Old Man Panda04/21/2020 As his eyes glance down to look over the magic wand, his old wrinkled face squints to better analyze that which lies before him. With a long knowing stare and centuries of knowledge behind him, he looks back up to Robin with a toothy grin.
“Looks like a stick to me, but hey, whadda I know? I once thought that this cat was a cat! Turns out he was an ancient infernal being on immense power and dickish persona! Well.... I guess he was a celestial. Or was he both? Yeah I think it’s both. A real dick either way.” The rambling continues for a while before Orion cuts himself off and slams his metallic gauntlet down upon the bar, startling the entire tavern. “Barkeep! I need a mug o ale! And a ......”
Turning back to Robin, Orion pauses to question her, “And what do you drink again, Robin? Milk? You seem like a milk drinker to me.”(edited)

The weary Half-elf paladin stinking of the days hunt and nearly dead from exhaustion carefully opens the door to the tavern. As his eyes glance at the full room; he slowly lowers his head. Under his breath he sighs and says under his breath..."of course the tavern is full and I can't get a table; same old luck".
Slowly the paladin makes his way to the bar to try and get a stife drink to wash away the days journey.
"Barkeep!" he calls. "Strongest cheapest and stiffest pint you have and something to eat."
Tired and not looking forward to sleeping outside again he was on a shoestring budget. Thoughts of the past dance in his head.
Quickly, in an attempt to shield himself from the pain, he surveys the room. If he knew one thing; you always had to keep your wits about or you might lose your head. April 22, 2020

Relaxing in her chair, Morgana's attention gets drawn to the door as it opens. A smile radiates on her face as she finally sees someone she recognizes. Her little body scurries across the tavern as she makes her way to Robin and the grizzled man who accompanies her. As she makes her way she looks at the older man who is at least around her eye level. He looks grumpy. She looks a little closer and notices some slight smile lines arou his eyes. This perks up her spirits, he probably just needs someone to cheer him up! Walking straight in-between the two she looks up to Robin. "It's good to see you again... Robin, right? Is there where you've decided to make your home after graduation?"

“Milk would be lovely..” Robin replies, still a little entranced by the ‘stick’ and a little offended the Dwarf had referred to it as such. Her focus is interrupted however by the short voice that had snuck between them.
“Oh Morgana! How pleasant to see another Crow out here!” Her eyes light up as she recognises the old classmate. “Erm yes, at least temporarily, it’s an ideal place for my research. Yourself?” She inquires, offering the stool beside her to continue their conversation.
She turns to it to find it occupied by a weary Paladin, she had been so distracted by the effort of ignoring cat ramblings she hadn’t heard him approach. “Oh, erm... apologies” she says a little sheepish, realising she had already reached out for the stool and had instead landed on his thigh momentarily.

With a deep and Hardy enthusiasm in his voice: "that sure is one good introduction. It's no problem at all". A jovial expression takes the place of the sullen one. "I don't mind making a little room for your halfing friend. Though if you guys wouldn't mind a stranger, the halflings table looks much more comfortable than this bar stool". A hint of excitement in his voice.
A social butterfly at heart the time alone has been difficult. At this point anything that talks back is a massive improvement.

"Oh, my apologies. It's been awhile since I've talked to strangers. I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Delandros. You can call me Delandros or Del."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

Robins blush is short lived at the mention of a free table. Getting a seat at this hour was a rare treat. “Quick grab it!” She shouts, stumbling from the stool to hop over there herself, gesturing for the others to follow swiftly. She skids into the bench a little too dramatically given the table didn’t seem at all in threat of actually being taken by another party. Turning to Delandros she introduces herself, now a little short of breath. “Robin Wayfare, this here is Orion and below you is Morgana. You are more than welcome to join us” She adds with a smile.(edited)

Laughing at the spectical that just took place Delandros leisurely walks over to the table and sits down facing the tavern.
"Pleasure to meet you Robin, Orion, and Morgana." A warming smile peaking out but a sense of caution in his posture. "What's brings your party to the Pheonix's Flagon this fine evening?"

A disgruntled man treads into the tavern, throwing his arms down against the bar and ordering a drink for himself. His bar buddies slap him on the back and poke fun. “Its not funny! She said I’d lose my farm and that my wife would leave me!” He begins to down his tankard of ale.
Following shortly after him, a curious woman steps in through the door. Dreadlocks in two loose hanging buns dangle with beads of various size and color. Her clothes are mostly in shades of teal, except for the intricate embroidered looking coat she wears. Its long sleeves almost covering her hands and leaving nothing but fingertips poking out. In the center of her coat sits the all-seeing eye that seems threaded by shimmering string. It stares back across the bar as Thyme orders herself a pint of ale and turns to look across the tavern, till her eyes settle on her friend, Morgana.
Thyme shuffles between tables, reaching the one with Morgana and a few new faces. “Ah, you’ve made some friends it seems?” Purple eyes look them over. “My name is Thyme. Pleasure to meet you all.” She tosses them a warm smile as she pulls her tankard up to her lips to take a small sip of ale. “A table seating some very interesting characters of New Haven as well.” Ironic coming from the strange fortune teller.

Orion grabs a pint of his own and a tall glass of milk for Robin before finding a seat among the group. Gulping down some ale, he looks around the group and up towards the smiling wanderer Del across the table.
“Oh us? Well the youngun and I have just returned from site of my untimely death at the hands of the vile Albert Von Wulfengeist. He may have got me that time, but I almost had em, I tell ya! Gimme another shot at the bastard and I’d have lived to tell the tale!” After a momentary burst of hearty laughter and another gulp of ale, the old dwarf looks around in confusion. “Errr, what was I saying again?”
His eyes land upon Robin before jumping back into his explanation, “YES! We’ve just returned from the ruins of the battle that killed me! The excited lass here found herself a nice stick as a souvenir, ain’t that right Robin?!”(edited)
“It’s not a souvenir..” Robin replies, visibly irritated by his ignorance. “It’s an artefact of some sort, coursing with the potential to to remagic-tise the blinkbonds of latent leyline hotspots...” She realises immediately that her words possibly went over the heads of her fellow table-mates and felt a need a need to clarify. “...It’s important to my research, I’m hoping to use it to repurpose existing portals” She unwraps the wand and lays it out onto the table for the others to marvel at, quite proud of herself. She is still grinning widely as she takes a large gulp of her milk. Nodding to Orion to thank him for the drink.

Letting out a loud cackle at the word “artifact” Orion smiles up to Robin, clearly readying his next mad tall-tale. “When you’ve seen as many ancient artifacts as I have, girlie, most of em can double as souvenirs. This backpack for instance!” Taking off his large, leathered backpack, Orion slams it on the table before balancing himself onto his chair to better showcase off his so called souvenir.
“I got this one here after fighting off a strange, abomination named Vyne! He was a dragon! Errr, at least I think he was. He was made up of a strange amalgamation of vines..... But he was shaped like a dragon! Does that count? I’m going to say that counts.” Unbuckling the backpack through his ramblings, Orion flips open the top and reaches the entirety of his large mechanical arm through its contents. “See? Magical artifact and all! I had to slay my first dragon to get this beauty!” For a moment, the old man's head disappears into the abyss of this backpack to look around before returning with a beaming, crazed smile.(edited)

Shifting as to better see the new women, Delandros makes a not of Thymes' attire.
"What I thought would be another lonely night has sure culminated in an intresting group."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance Thyme; you can call me Delandros."
Delandros lets out a chuckle as it seems he has become the acquaintance of all the most dangerous people in the bar.
"Sounds like you know how to handle yourself Orion. Very few are able to claim deeds of that magnitude. Returning from your own death is no mere party trick"
Intrigued by the nature of the artifact Delandros and the claims of the dwarf he slugs down his pint and gestures to the bar maiden for another.
"Seems like we are in for a wonderful evening. So Robin, how do you plan to use it to repurpose existing portals?" With a hint of concern in his voice as the answer is probably going to go over his head.(edited)

She seems a little caught off guard by the interest and felt a little embarrassed she didn't have a concrete answer. "Well, I don't rightly know the entirety of the artefacts properties. I am planning to experiment tomorrow, routine tests, perhaps an especially careful test run if the numbers line up nicely." With interest in the wand growing higher than she would like, telling strangers about its value seemed somewhat unwise until she understood it properly. She attempts to change the subject away from it, wrapping it again as she addresses Thyme. "So, did I overhear you are a fortune teller? What an... exotic hobby"

Thyme sits at the table watching and listening to the others inquisitively. She casually pulls her cup back and lifts it slightly up from the table just before the backpack of the old man is slammed down. She lets out a small laugh, glancing to Delandros, she tosses a warm smile and nod in his direction. The mention of her being a fortune teller makes her eyes shift to the human woman. “Ah, fortune teller, tarot reader, mystic. I’ve gone by several titles in the realm of fates, yes.” Thyme ponders for a moment before letting out another laugh. “It is as exotic of a hobby as the fates people walk. Are you not one to care for that sort of thing?” She tilts her head to the side as she asks. Strands of dreadlocks tumble over her shoulder and jingle with beads.
Le Old Man Panda04/22/2020 At the mention of a fortune teller, Orion sits back down and shakes his head back and forth. “Oh, I haven’t had great luck with fortune tellers. This one time my companions and I stumbled across a strange woman in the woods. Missus Macaw or something or other. Anywho, this creepy lady gave dear ole Dahlia the death card. Not even a few hours passed before that damn devil cat showed up to fling poor Dahlia into the sky like she was nothing!”
The muttered story goes on as Orion describes some strange polymorphing magic and something about catching the bird that turned into his now dead friend before he finishes his story and returns his attention back to the group as if he hadn’t just spewed utter none sense to them.

Catching the sense Robin is uneasy about the question Delandros leaves the topic alone. Understanding the want to not have things pryed into.
"You sound like the real deal Thyme." Catching the smile and shooting one back. Never having been one to take fate too seriously the questions inside his head start piling. Could she maybe help out with my goals? As he slowly starts to drift into his own mine he catches himself. Realizing his is still empty and that's his table is also finishing their drinks he looks around for the barkeep.
"Barkeep a round of drinks for my table. Something to take the nip out of the air."
As Delandros sits in his chair listening and trying to pay attention to muttering of Orion, Delandros gets more and more concerned about the fates of those he travels with. Each and every point seems to have been some near miss with certain death.
"Wow Orion. Life around you seems rather eventful. You must be ridiculously strong and wise to have navigated through such treacherous ordeals. I bet we are going to get along well tonight."
As the barkeep passes out a warm mead to the party Delandros feels odly comfortable around so many exotic travelers.
"To a night of heavy drinking, large quantities of food, and sharing stories" he raised his glass up and proceedes to take a half of pint in one gulp.

“I’m more inclined to an evidence based approach, divination magics has an air of... unreliability, or at the very least, a margin of error based on interpretation.” Robin says slowly, hoping not to offend with her views. She is interrupted in her rambling by the meads arrival, giving it a confused look. “I..is this alcohol? I have important work to do tomorrow Delandros..”

seeing Robins hesitation Delandros speaks in an exuberant tone: "Aye, you have work to do tomorrow. Tonight is for fun and merriment."
Delandros takes a second deep swig from his glass and nudges the one meant for robin toward her.
"Two or three drinks never hurt anyone. Besides first rounds on me."

Her hand fidgets with the clasp on the leather pouch of her tarot cards as Orion speaks. The mention of another fortune teller makes her pause momentarily. Madam Macala gave a reading to this man? Oh…How intertwined we all really are. She ponders on the thought before grinning towards Orion. “You better watch out then, you are in company of another fortune teller. Be a real shame to see another death card drawn.” She says sarcastically. “Madam Macala I take it?”
Thyme looks back to the woman. “And that is understandable. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been so drawn to it. Its unknowable outcome is rather interesting.” Thyme taps the leather pouch that holds her deck of tarot cards. “Though, I am just the messenger of the cards. Those that sit in front of me are really the ones that read them. People tend to learn more about themselves when they sit down and reflect.” She nods her head, taking a sip of ale. “Even those from your background can acknowledge the many strange things of this world no? Is it so far fetched that a random shuffle of cards could fall perfectly and narrate someone’s fate?” A warm smile paints her face in the woman’s direction. “But you can also say that I am full of it, I won’t take offence at all.” She laughs. “Regardless, it is quite the pleasure to meet you all.” April 23, 2020

"I do enjoy a good mystery.." She ponders, surprised at how swayed she was at the fortune tellers words. She shakes her head to snap out of it a little. "Still, empirically the data proves the process to be flimsy and the thought that destiny is pre-ordained is quite a dull one regardless." She hopes to not cause too much offence despite Thyme's promise that she wouldn't, but such talk of fate had her a little defensive about her own free will.
She raises her mug to the others to join in the semi-toast and takes a sip, immediately choking a little on its weighty alcohol content that she wasn't at all accustomed to.
Eyes still a little watery she turn to Morgana. "So, what have you been up to since school? Sucked into any more books?"

Orion lets out a small chuckle to Thyme’s sarcastic remark. “Oh I’ve seen enough Death for my life..... lives? Sure, lives. The point is, I’ve seen a lot of it already and I’m sure I’ll be seeing some more in the future. Don’t meet no fortune teller to foresee that for me.”
At the mention of Madam Macala’s name he pauses and stares Thyme up and down momentarily until his eyes land upon her deck of tarot cards with their leather pouch. With unease in his eyes, he leans in ever so closer towards her. “Quite the deck you’ve got their missy. Wouldn’t perhaps belong to a mutual friend of ours, would it? And how exactly didya manage to get ahold of Macala’s most precious possession?”
His attention towards Thyme is momentarily broken as Robin blatantly smacks the universal laws in the face. “Ahh, now that’s where you’re wrong lil one. Yer damn empirical data ain’t gonna hold up for shit when the universe implodes around you for barreling your way through The Continuity that holds this reality together.” As Orion continues to spew out the importance of universal law he slurps down some more ale between sentences. “Luckily you’ve got the ole Vanguard of Gears withya to ensure such possibilities are rightly accounted for and evaded!” Finally ending his spiel, the old man smacks himself on the chest at the phrase “The Vanguard of Gears" and promptly sits back down, clearly content with his rebuttal.(edited)

"Ah yes," says a voice filled with silver tone, "with the Vanguard of Gears around, none need worry." The sound of a traveler's boots thunk against the Flagon's wooden floors. A gauntleted hand rests on Orion's mechanical shoulder as Dante stands behind him. "A veritable living legend of steadfast aegis leaving all in his care protected." A tap of a finger makes it chime against the metal. "Til the very end." Chime.
Dante is a tall man emphasized by a gaudy jacket that High Crystalians might wear. Not enough fluff and fur in the collar, but enough leather to make a statement of fine tastes. Charcoal black facial tattoos line his face like tribal decoration that draw to a hypnotic set of amber eyes that are like watching a calming campfire. Hair naturally wisps away into the air like it was smoking, hinting at infernal heritage despite a lack of horns. He grabs a vacant chair and swings it over to the table. "How are you, old friend," the rogue asks, a charmingly dangerous smile on his face. He sits, the chair backwards as he leans his arms atop the backing.

Thyme nods to Robins words and then smiles. “I appreciate your views nonetheless. Everyone has their own interests in this world.” She too joins in with the others to hold her mug up with a toast, taking a sip of ale until Orion leans in closer to her with inquisitive eyes on her deck of tarot cards. She pauses more a moment before place the tankard down on the table and looking to him. “A gift.” She says bluntly. “I was enamored with the cards when I was a bit younger. I suppose I took a liking to watching the craft done to others and spent the time she was there watching, learning.”

Orion’s mug falls with a hallow thud against the wooden floor as the ale spills out around his worn, armored boots as Dante’s voice fills the air. As the tiefling takes his seat across from the self-proclaimed Vanguard of Gears, Orion’s prideful storytelling falters as he falls silent.
Orion’s mind races through a flood of emotions in a mere second. Surprise. Confusion. Relief. Nostalgia. Anger. Even happiness for a brief, fleeting moment. Then, all that’s left is regret. Mountains and mountains of regret pile upon Orion as his heart seems to break before the table.
Shaking off the unending regret, Orion forced himself to sit back up and face his mistakes head on. With an air of acknowledgement about him, he looks Dante in the eyes as the raucous ambiance of the tavern seems to quiet around him. “Dante. I’m glad to see you alive, old friend. I hope you know how much I mean that. I- I uh, don’t th- think you want to hear me say the words and I know they won’t help anything, but I- I am sorry for forcing your hand all those years ago. Many lives were lost that day, ours among them. If it were up to me, I’d have been the only casualty. I-“
Realizing he was making the situation about himself, Orion bites his tongue so as to stop himself from running off into his usual ramblings and allows a solemn smile to spread across his face, ready to take the retribution coming to him.(edited)

Morgana became swept up in all the conversation around her, new people meeting, and a conflict of beliefs. She turns her large green eyes to Thyme. "It's been a while since you've done a reading for me Thyme, would you mind? There's so many new people I'd love to see what the fates may have to say about it!" The hard this of Dante's hand on Orion's shoulder catches her attention and she can feel an uneasy wave wash over that area. It's ok, if she works hard enough and smiles wide enough, everything will be ok!

Not wanting to have been the first, or only, to ask for a reading from the new tablemate Delandros clears his throat and lets out a meaker voice than usual:
"If ya wouldn't mind Ms. Thyme I'd also take a reading. It's all good fun right?
Delandros hoping to get some good news about his future as his past has been full of hardship and regret.

"... think you have one too many or one too few," Dante picks up where Orion left off. Not acknowledging it only makes the wound worse. His natural hand, graceful like a pickpocket's, twirls in the air, "which you can rememdy by a fresh round for the table, no? This time, keep the stein in hand, yes?" Its those moments when his amber eyes linger on Orion like a wolf that has caught the scent of blood on the air. Yet this is a tavern! Smiles! He matches Morgana's smile, the traveling companion being a little sweet bean of sunshine these past weeks. "It is good to hear I did not miss any readings. Those are the best. Thyme here? Quite a treat." He kisses his fingers and lets them grace out to the air ahead, "Magnifico."
"Ah, manners," the tiefling says as he bows his head in dramatic showmanship, "Dante, traveling sellsword, and currently a man selling his sword to an adventure further south from here that has a few openings yet. The roads, they are quite dangerous and it is best to travel in groups." April 24, 2020

Thyme glances to both Morgana and Delandros at the mention of a reading. She laughs, leaning back slightly in her chair and crossing her leg over the other. "A one card spread for convience sake." Her eyes look around the table as the others converse with one another and enjoy the evening with drinks. She slides the deck from the leather pouch revealing beautiful and intricate designs on the back of the cards. They seem worn and heavily used but she begins shuffling without a second thought.

Purple eyes shift to Morgana. "A single card is a general seeing of things to come in the very near future. Be it tomorrow, or the next. So let us see what we discover." She smiles, flipping over the top card of the deck and flipping it over. "Five Of Wands, Upright." She chuckles. "Fitting for you really." She slides the card closer to Morgana so she can appreciate it as well. "A sign of conflict, brainstorming, or competition. It implies that you'll find yourself in an argument with someone over some form of competition or a struggle in brainstorming together. Whatever it is, it's big enough of an event that will leave you feeling annoyed and frustrated."

Thyme slides the card back across the table and returns it to her deck. She looks to Delandros, momentarily shifting eyes to Dante before smiling warmly to the new face, Del. "And a single card read for you as well." She shuffles the cards once more, flipping the top card on the table to reveal the card. "The Sun, Reversed." She pauses for a moment before continuing. " A struggle to find sucess in the things you seek. A depressive state of the sorts that leaves you a bit lost. It is very much temporary, and a new direction rests on the horizon that is going to give you a better sense of direction. You will find a path to follow in the days to come." She draws the card back and taps the top of her stack. "Interesting." Thyme says with a smile, leaning forward to rest both her elbows on the table.

Robin can’t help but roll her eyes at the event. She was offended slightly, at how her theories and explanations about something truly beneficial to society were met with a polite interest, whereas the table were practically jumping at the chance to be dealt to by the deck of many Barnum effects.
She sighs and turns to her left, chuckling. At least everyone was amused and having a good time. Her eyes land on the most recent addition to the table, a debonair gentlemen, and pushes her glasses further onto the bridge of her nose.
“A sellsword? From upper Crystalis. What an intriguing combination. Seems like rough work for somebody with such flair. Though my knowledge of such things is mainly based on books, I haven’t met another that I can recall.” She ponders a moment taking another gulp of her mead, it going down easier this time but still with a sting. She can feel it loosening her tongue and pushes it away. She wasn’t entirely used to crowds or drinking and was worried of embarrassing herself.

Amber eyes of a rising sun shift from the guilt stricken dwarf to the bespectacled academic. Dante offers a smile that comes off to practiced to be sincere, "I am from everywhere," a hand gestures from left to right as if sweeping a painter's brush across the air. Bullshit. Bullshit everywhere.
"I have seen the vast dwarven mines of Duodecim and a full fleet of ships lined in the harbors of Freeport," Dante begins as if 'bard' better suits him over sellsword. He carries on, "I seen the jagged shores of Western Arhor'ha and climbed the tallest mountains of the Spine. It is never enough. There is so much world to see. Mysteries to uncover." He looks away as if he forgot to breathe. Takes his breath away. "Ah, but to satisfy the wanderlust requires coin and connection. And so I sell my sword to support my life of adventure. No regrets." Of course that last part settles on Orion. Such relentless little cuts.

Orion stares down to his fallen mug for a few moments before reaching down to pick it up before raising a massive metallic gauntlet up in the air to call for another round drinks, as per Dante’s suggestion. Should have seen that one coming.
Glancing off to the other side of the table, Orion acknowledges the joy and revelry brought by Thyme’s fortunes. Staring down to a bright yellow gem encrusted within his mechanical arm, he quietly clenches his fist until the gem releases a slight glowing aura. A sense of relief and calmness spreads across Orion’s body as he whispers to himself, “Thank you Ethel, my dear.” And is brought back to the world of the living.
With the tiniest sigh that is lost across the vast wooden table, Orion winces internally at the clear cut to his core, but continues with the conversation. “Sounds like quite the eccentric lifestyle, Dante. And what sort of escapades might your sword be sold to endeavor upon at this moment, if there are any?”