Helcêh's Corruption - The City of the Kalkechián

[Hissien]

"Go hunt my friend." Gelnius said to the owl. Snowfire modded in an owl-like way and flew out of a window and ultimately out into the city to catch some mice.

Gelnius watched Kraít with curiousity. The red eyes of the Ugluh peered out from under his blue cloak.

[POMC S117]

"Four ales... Four ales..." the barman repeated as he wrote the order down. "Any food to accompany that?" he asked.

[The SheoDovah]

Navariese watched the owl take off and fly out of the inn. "I am glad that you allow him to hunt and take care of himself. They prefer looking after themselves then being mollycoddled." She told Gelnius.

[The-Shadow-One]

Kraít raised an eyebrow at the scarred woman. He looked back at the red eyes of the Ugluh, contrast to his blue ones. "Yes?" He asked politely.

[Velvet LeChance]

Alva shook her head. "No food." She stated, glancing down a moment at her companions and the Elf they were speaking to. 'Like we need more Elfs.' She grumbled before turning away from the barman.

"Bring them out to us when your ready." She called back to him as she walked away, no intention of carry so much glass through the crowded bar herself.

[Hissien]

"I'd have a hard time tying him down. As I said he is my partner, not my pet." Gelnius said watching the pure owl fly out the window and then kept his eyes on Kraít. "Beings of such purity deserve to live on their own terms." Gelnius said calmly. "Surely you understand."

To Kraít he said nothing, he could discern nothing from the human's eyes. "Just taking a look." He said casually. He felt no uneasiness from the boy but you never know in times like these.

[POMC S117]

"I always intended to." grumbled Jock, annoyed by the rudeness.

He went looking for four bottles of ale. His supply of most drinks had been exhausted by the massive collection of people that Eändiré's antics had brought to the bar, but he still found the ale. He put it on a tray and brought it over to Alva and Lasséor.

[The-Shadow-One]

Kraít had another twitch of his mouth, it still looked odd. "How did you get the owl.. Gelnius was it?" The Hardeteel asked, curious of this.

[The SheoDovah]

Navariese felt a bit hungry and made a motion to signal the barkeep to come over. She put her left hand on her hood and thought about putting it up. She decided against it as it was pointless. They had already seen her scarred yet beautiful and fairly tanned face. It would be pointless to hide it again and they seemed to not intend to harm her. "Will you stop staring at my scars?" She asked Krait in a cold tone that had a hint of annoyance in.

"Of course. Animals are far smarter then everyone thinks they are. Respect them and they will respect you. Owls are not pets. They are living beings that prefer to partner themselves with a person they deem worthy. I'm glad you don't treat him as a pet." She said to Gelnius in a soft tone.

[POMC S117]

The barman smiled and walked over to Navariësé. She seemed to be kinder yet colder than Alva.

"How can I help you, lady?"

[The-Shadow-One]

Merely curious how you got such scars, and if I could help erase them. Kraít though of saying, before thinking better of it. He would not need to expose the coven.

[The SheoDovah]

"Carrot Soup and a flagon of Ale." She replied. "Don't bother to make conversation." She told Jock. "Do any of you want anything?" She said in a cold tone. She normally never asked this but if she was to be travelling with them, she may as well offer them something. She took out a small leather pouch from under her cloak and gave it to Jock. "This will be enough to handle the cost of my soup and Ale." She told him.

[Velvet LeChance]

Alva who had only arrived moments before the lighting quick Jock smiled as their drinks arrived giving him a mutter of thanks as they were placed in front of her.

She waited for him to leave before pouring herself a glass of the cool, golden liquid and speaking to Lasséör. "So how are you liking Socra?" She asked, conversationally. "Seems like a nice city."

[Hissien]

Gelnius drew back his cloak and once again exposed his face, hoping that no one would remark on his blue skin... Again... The children in settlements seemed to enjoy poking fun at him.
"He is my greatest friend in all the world... Though after fifty years if I didn't love him by now I would be miserable." Gelnius chuckled and waited for his WINE.

[POMC S117]

Jock was taken aback by this briskness. He took the coins and pocketed them. He went off to make the soup, completely forgetting about Gelnius' order.

"I'm fine." said Eändiré, taking a sip of the wine. "Wine is all I drink, nowadays and I had a large breakfast."

---

"This is just the Slums." smiled Lasséor. "Aradir tells me that the Middle District is much nicer and that the Old City is beautiful. Maybe instead of living in Socra we should get a house there. He tells me that they are like mansions. We could have an army of servants that would do everything for us."

[The SheoDovah]

"Nature is my friend and it's the only one that i need." She replied to Gelnius. She knew she would come off as a loner and she was one but she didn't give a damn. "I've met many owls. Some travelled with me for days, others weeks." She smiled when she remebered the various owls that had decided to travel with her.

[Hissien]

"I felt the same way before meeting this group. Through our travels and many battles we have come to understand each other. Should you decide to come with us we could certainly use the help." Gelnius said toying with the amulet around his neck, it was an owl amulet, almost a pure likeness of Snowfire except for the eyes which were black instead of gold. "What brings you to city then? Very little nature and far too much crime."

[POMC S117]

A few minutes later, a guard entered. It was the same guard that had been assisting with the recruitment drive, one Sergeant Marek Aventor. He looked very worn out by the effort of keeping all the fresh recruits in line.

"Eändiré, sir, would you take over from me. I'm worn out." he sighed as he eased himself onto the bar chair.

Even though Eändiré wasn't a guard, Marek still had respect for the old mage. Eändiré nodded in reply and stood up, going back to assist Aradir.

[The-Shadow-One]

Kraít Braíl leaned forward, intrigued by the Ugluh's blue skin. "So how did you and the owl meet?" He asked, curious about this, they did seem close. He was not thirsty, he did not much like the taste of alcohol. He was not very hungry either. He looked at Marek. He gave the guard a nod of recognition, not expecting one back.

[Velvet LeChance]

Alva took a few mouthfuls of her ale as the other woman spoke, taking her hand as she responded." Palmu, Socra, Fjorr. It makes no difference as long as I'm with you." She replied, giving her lovers hand a small squeeze before releasing it. "But this city is full of wealthy and I am as of yet to get a coin off your good cousin." She took another swig of ale before adding with a knowing smile. "I suppose we could check out one of those mansions if we ever want to buy."

[POMC S117]

The sergeant had never seen Kraít before, but like he did to all people in the Slums, he returned the nod and gave a weak smile.

---

Lasséor blushed at Alva's sweet comment. She returned the squeeze.

She nodded enthusiastically at Alva's proposal. "Yes, yes. I'd love that, but it's up to you."

[The SheoDovah]

Navariese replied "To resupply but now that you mention crime. I will protect the innocent citzens in this city for a while or at least i would but logic dictates that the shadow you mention is far greater threat to the innocent and i will help you to defeat it even if i have to let the innocent suffer a bit." She loathed making choices like these but she knew that all of the good she would do could be rendered pointless if the shadow turned out to be more dangerous. "In fact, I Navariese hereby vow to join your party in your quest to stop the Orks and this shadow you mentioned. I will not back down untill the very last breath leaves my body. But harm any animals or kill any that we don't require for food. I will knock you out. Do we have an understanding?" She told Gelnius and the rest of the small gathering.

This had better be worth it she thought to herself.

[POMC S117]

"Crime? If you want to help stop crime, I have a few jobs for you." said the sergeant.

He desperately needed help with a crime. He was onto something big at his work and could possibly get rid of one of the biggest crime syndicates in the city. He needed an outside agent to help him, however.

[The-Shadow-One]

Kraít gave a slight smile back, he was a kind guard. The Slums were lucky to have him. He looked a Navariese. A incredulous look upon his face. You bark worse than a flea bitten dog. He thought annoyed with her. Shut up for Alitura's sake. He raised an eyebrow at the sergeant. "What is this job?" He asked.

[Hissien]

"We do." Gelnius said to Navariësé.
In response to Kraít's earlier request. "That is a long tale that I do not actually tell just anyone, forgive me." He said standing up. He had no actual interest in fighting crime, at the very least not for a guard. But he figured e should do his part. He listened to the guard and looked at him.