Black Legion

[BetaB17]

Arya - Hearthfelt Tavern

She waved her hand in a fairly quant manner upon the bard's mention of her name, collaborating with his introduction. She shied away from making any eye contact

"Y..yes... Occupation has been.. Poor u..upon trade as well. A.. A pity really.." She managed to muster in some degree. Looking down at the wooden grain of the table with a somber guidance

[Velvet LeChance]

Lette nodded along. "I know what you're saying. Before the occupation, I would have been off my feet with the mercants: now, well.." She trailed off, gaze cast amongst the wider group as she began to consider their orders. "Two sujammas and a.. hot.. water." Her gaze concluded on Arya, an expression forming as if to inquire if she was okay. However, it quickly relaxed into one of greater professionality and she produced a solemn nod at Arya's second utterance: "Terrible on us all," she responded a tad generically before taking a step back from the table.

"But we do our best, so I'll be back in a moment with your drinks. If yous want to have a look at the food menu, just ask."

She turned to leave the conversation and fetch their drinks.

The bar owner nodded slowly and deliberately. For a moment his gaze darted to the side and hard look Sara's direction had her removed from the room; but as the door closed behind his daughter, his full attention returned to the small group. "No-one else here. That's privacy no?" It was difficult to read his expression but a few words clarified the apprehension that crept into his tone. "You gentlemen can, of course, understand that I'm not too keen on bringing men like yourseves - interested in your shady business if that's no offense - into the back where my wife 'n'children are asleep'n".

[BetaB17]

Immediately, upon Lette leaving their company, Arya breathed a loud sigh. Sinking down upon the table, exhausted already by the looks of it

[Kerr]

Philip chuckled when Arya let out her sigh of relief. "I don't know how you ever ran a book store." said Philip. "Strangers coming into your space, talking to you, several of whom attempted to court you I'd imagine and putting their paws on those books you love so much. Your cheeks must have been rosier than Azura's palace."

[BetaB17]

Arya

She looked up at Phillip with solemn eyes, certainly not fond over his teasing, not that she spited him for it. She tried to regain some composure, hiding her calm eagerness to explain "W..Well you must see, when it comes to in rega..."

Suddenly, her face grew pale, as if now she became aware of that vital remark "C..C..Court??" No level of composure could hide that red rushing to her face. "W..W..Why I.. I.." Her cheeks did begin to seem to rival that of Azura's palace.

'T..T..The audacity of..'

She slammed both hands upon the table and leaning over in such a burst of speed. If it wasn't for the table, she probably would of grabbed him by the collar

"Explain yourself at once!"

[MARS]

"Teacher...subtle," Vila said through her teeth, pulling her by the sleeve. "Phillip asked you a question, nothing else. We can't afford to blow our cover." Not that there was any real danger of that yet.

Grinning awkwardly as she turned around to meet the gaze of any turned heads, making an exaggerated drinking gesture to explain the behaviour.

[BetaB17]

Arya the Unstoppable!!

She brashly dismissed Vila's interference. It was almost like all that blood rushing to her face was coming from those ears of hers.

She pointed at the young bard. Her hat unleveled on her head

"B..B..But he.. He alluded to others.. T..Trying to c..c...cou.." She couldn't even finish her sentence, either out of some vague disbelief or out of fear the mere mention of the word would bake her face redder than an apple

:

Don't try to stop me Mars! Let me have my crazy cat lady moment!

[The SheoDovah]

Sir Bash of Shul:Basher of Skulls

If this is what they view as a knight, their standards are lower then previously thought. Not a knight. Just a warrior wanting to kill every Thalmor agent and Soldier he can for revenge. Shulbash remained silent as per the woman's order. He followed her into the building and would keep an eye out for anything that indicated something was not quite right.

[Velvet LeChance]

The merchants passed a gaze in the direction of their table but on meeting Vila's gesture they quickly returned to chattering among themselves, a shake of their heads their only enduring reaction. The man at the bar didn't look up at all; he continued to stuff his face with his meal without a sidewards glance.

Lette had just gone into the back-kitchen.

Nerissa shuffled in first, the Bosmer allowing her to pass in behind him. Ah, yes, yes, you don't consider yourself a knight anymore. Back to being a Bandit, eh." His tongue glistened through grinning teeth. "Dearest apologies." He might have continued had Nerissa not interjected:

"It's great to see you too, Brellin." There was a forcefulness to her interruption which - interestingly - manage to approach even greater degrees of tonal courtliness at the same time. "But we have, unfortunately, no time for chit-chat, we're in a hurry today."

[The SheoDovah]

Shulbash: Bandit or anti-hero

You would have been killed for that remark and your head taken as a trophy for the skull collection if I was the same monster I was years ago, today. Fortunately. I am steering it towards the Thalmor. Elf. Shulbash wasn't one to be provoked and had a lot of self control as a result of his time with the knights. Otherwise, it would have been rather inconvient for the legion if the elf ended up being beaten to death by an angry orc. It would be wise not to speak down to someone who is heavily arm and armoured.

[Velvet LeChance]

Brellin didn't seem to notice that he was nearing half the Orc's height.

"Yes, yes. That business with Hadras: You needn't worry; his execution isn't scheduled until the eve. We have all the time in the world."

There was a pause as he took one step back to allow Shulbash enter, but he had barely broken from the conversation before he re-entered. "You would think you would have remained a knight if only honour your fallen comrades: Shulbash the avenger, et cetera, et cetera." The target of his conversation seemed to turn to Nerissa: "This didn't concern you in any of your back-"

This time Nerissa interrupted the Elf mid-sentence. "Please don't make us play your games, Brellin. You know they could be doing anything to him".

[The SheoDovah]

Shulbash

"Torture." Shulbash remarked in an effort to reinforce what Hadras could be undergoing at this point in time. The elf was fortunate that it was Shulbash and not Skullbash that was in the room.

[Kerr]

Philip - Intelligence
Philip held his palms up defensively. "I didn't mean anything bad by it." said Philip. He put his arms back on the table, moving them as he talked. "And I understand if that isn't your thing. But a cute bookish girl like yourself? Single, running her own store. Out of all the men and women who visited it, at least one of them must have asked."

[BetaB17]

Arya, a cute bookish girl

She held her finger firm for a moment, a moment longer, then it seemed to waver.

She seemed almost stunned, comprehending that young bard's words. Like her heart just skipped a beat. And then..

"......."

A small dribble of blood peaked from her nose. With all that blood rushing about, it would seem a vessel broke at last. Not alot mind you, barely even reached her lip, but that speck of red was indistinguishable no less

She launched back into her seat in defense 'Oh by.. Stendarr.. Please' Trying her best to hide her face with that hat of hers "I.. I... I.. Please! Cease s..suuch personal matters! I ca..cannot..." Her grip slowly tightened over the rim of her hat

[Kerr]

"Okay, okay. I won't talk about it." said Philip holding out his hands trying to deesclate Arya's current outburst. He looked back in the direction of the bar. I hope that sujamma is coming soon.

[MARS]

Vila was having the exact same thought as Philip, following his gaze towards the bar.

[Velvet LeChance]

The Elf frowned. "Only curious, only curious. He's mighty well trained all the same." He took a step back and began to usher them further into his home. His tone dropped some of its playfulness as he finally relented and answered, "Hadras was picked up a few hours ago. 'Course he's being kept down in the cells, though I couldn't tell you which one. He killed one of them during the capture so I wouldn't expect him to be in good shape - but he was alive going in."

Nerissa nodded, the exasperation which had previously occupied her brow falling. "Thank you. Do you know where he was picked up?"

"Your father saved my life once."

"And we both know he would have preferred you help save anothers."

The Elf paused a moment before finally responding: "Fine. But after this no more favours and I want an answer to my earlier question."

Nerissa passed him a quizzical look but Brellin had already begun to look past him and towards Shulbash. That grin had returned.

"Sate my curiosities, Orc. Why take the path your on, discarding so quickly your vows and your knighthood?

Do you not care about bringing honour to your fallen Order?"

Lette was nowhere to be seen. One would imagine that the water took time to heat.

The merchents, on the other hand, seemed to have started discussing Arya's odd behaivour.

[The SheoDovah]

Shulbash or Skullbash? Warrior with honour or Bandit reborn?

Irrelevant to this. This elf is proving to be a mild annoyance. He is fortunate that I am here and not the bandit. Shulbash refused to answer the question. Whether it was because of him know it had nothing to do with the task at hand or just did not want to reveal his reasons to someone he did not trust or know, only the battle hardened orc knew. If that is all. We should leave but will defer to the legionaire. Remain silent. Unless ordered to answer him.

[Derp53]

"Do you have a storeroom? A cellar where you keep your liquor? If not we'll settle for a quiet corner, last thing we want to do is trouble you or your family." Elona spoke in a very courteous and businesslike tone, having been a commoner she knew full well that those without power would be eaten by politics no matter whom they sided with.

[Aarah]

Baelfire - Raid Group

As Elona conversed with the tavernkeeper, Baelfire moved slowly around the empty tables, surveying the establishment.

[Velvet LeChance]

The way Nerissa looked at Shulbash made it clear that she wanted him to say at least something.

Hidden:

As mentioned, I changed the question

The bar owner's gaze filled with some amount of discomfort at the Breton's seeming insistence on them finding a place quieter than his empty bar. Eventually, he responded, "How much gold are we talking here?"

He began to survey Baelfire with anxious interest as the man commenced moving.

[BetaB17]

Arya

"Sorry. Sorry... Sorry. I..I'm sorry" She said, hiding behind her hat. "I..I..It's just.. Please.." Her grip laxed, as did her speech "It's just.. Hard enough as is.. To hear such.. charismatic words.. So soon.. Especially from someone so.. so.."

She took a deep breath, calming her feeble heart "So.. Young."

As if being ashamed earlier wasn't enough, she briefly had another go once she realized what she may have just said

Waving both hands in dismissal, like some drunken fool, she pleaded for ear, if not certainly less loud "No no no. I..I didn't mean it like! Sure.. You are certainly charming and all. But I meant no assumptions by it"

Without the hat no longer hiding her petite face, it was evident at least by table's end, that small wicks of moisture were recently by eye line

She certainly knew how to bounce back

[Kerr]

Philip considered mentioning that for a human he wasn't that young but wisely chose not to. He didn't want Arya to become distressed again and while flirting with her was likely be enjoyable and he did believe what he said about her, it wasn't why they were here. Instead he simply made an approving hum and continued his wait for Lette.

Hidden:

I'm not planning to get up and try to rob customers or eavesdrop

[MARS]

Intelligence

Vila's throat was getting drier by the second. She decided not to interject between the exchange of the other two, and instead threw another glance at the merchants' table again, since they seemed to be taking notice. It would be too conspicuous to just go over to them, but there would probably be a good opportunity soon.

[Velvet LeChance]

It was a moment later that Lette stepped out, tray in hand. She was quick to their table, laying down two glasses of water for Arya. The first was steaming hot, whilst the second was cold to the touch - obviously intended as a coolant. Next, the sujammas. The servings were small - about a half pint each - but then the drink itself was notoriously potent.

"Well, you three enjoy that, I'll be behind the bar if yous need anything else." She smiled and nodded at the same time. If she noticed anything off about Arya she didn't inquire and neither did it show in her face. If no one spoke to her, she'd turn and return to the bar.

Hidden:

Sujamma drains two-and-a-half times as much intelligence as Skooma. I looked around and the only hint I got off its real-life equivalent was moonshine.