The Dancing Pumpkin Inn

[HobbitGirl]

It was a beautiful, sunny day on the East-West Road. The trees on either side of the road were swaying with a gentle breeze, birds were chattering happily, and the air was thick with the aroma of new spring growth and newly bloomed flowers. Ashari Fairbairn the Hobbit trotted happily down the road, savoring the sweet spring air and humming a merry tune as she went. Her blue cloak fluttered behind her in the breeze and stirred her brown curls.

As she walked, Ashari spotted someone coming towards her from the road ahead of her, from the West. She was a human woman somewhere in her early twenties, with light brown hair waving behind her as she walked and olive green eyes. Ashari vaguely thought she recognized the woman, but she didn't say anything until they were only about twenty feet away. Then Ashari knew for sure. The other woman had also recognized her.

"Fiara?" the hobbit asked, her voice squeaking slightly.

"Ashari?" the woman said, disbeliveing.

The two let out shouts of delight as they recognized each other. The old friends ran up to one another and embraced, Fiara stooping so Ashari could hug her. They separated and Fiara stood up, both of them laughing.

"How long has it been? Five years?" Fiara asked with a grin.

"Too long," Ashari said. "How have you been?"

The pair walked westward together, reminicing and laughing for many hours. Eventually they came to a space on the side of the road where there were no trees, and wildflowers were dotted here and there across the grass. The sun was setting, so they set up camp in the medow. They talked long into the night.

"So what inns have you been in lately?" Fiara asked Ashari as they sat down on the ground to eat dinner.

"Inns?" the hobbit said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Not many. I've played the harmonica in almost all of them, yet there seems to be a lack of appreciation for music and poetry these days."

"I know how you feel," said Fiara, a little sadly. "You know how much I love music and how much I love to dance. I try to get other people to dance at all the inns I go to, but there seems to be a lack of merriment in general. Everyone's too busy getting drunk."

The two sat in silence a moment, each preoccupied with thier own thoughts. Suddenly Ashari stood up, nearly knocking Fiara over on her way up. "I have it! Why don't we build an inn?"

"What?" said Fiara.

"An inn! Of our very own! Why not right here?" The hobbit gestured around the field. "It's certainly big enough, and level too. We don't even have to clear any land for it. Over there can be the stable, and over there can be the rooms. It's perfect! Besides, it would be the only inn between the Forsaken Inn to the east of here and Rivendell to the west. Why not?"

"That is the best idea I have ever heard!" said Fiara, jumping up next to the hobbit. "Let's do it!"

The two friends parted the next day, one headed for Rivendell and the other for Bree. They gathered workers and supplies and journeyed back to the medow. They spent months on constructing the inn, making sure everything was perfect and that it would indeed be the best inn from Rivendell to Rohan. Finally all thier long labors paid off. The inn was built, the rooms were furnished, the stable was filled with hay and horses, and the bar was filled with drinks both alcoholic and non. All that remained was to give the inn a name. The workers put out many different suggestions.

"How about 'The King's Pride'?" one tall worker with black hair and a lisp suggested.

"The King lives too far away too ever stay at this inn," a stunted, scrawny fellow with sandy hair retorted.

"What about 'The Prancing Pony'?" a butch, slow-looking fellow put in.

The scrawney sandy-haired man slapped the butch man on the head. "That's the name of the inn in Bree, you leather-head!" he shouted.

Fiara put her hand to her chin thoughtfully. "What about...'The Dancing Pumpkin'?"

There was a murmur of delight all around the crowd. Everyone looked pleased with the name, except the scrawny fellow. "That's the silliest name I've ever heard!" he shouted.

"'The Dancing Pumpkin' it is!" shouted Ashari. Soon the sign above the door was painted with a picture of a fat, bright orange, smiling Jack-O-Lantern that had arms and legs dancing about. A sign below this one said,

"The Dancing Pumpking is now open! Come on in! Have a drink! Get a room! Dance a little! Every hour is a happy hour at the Dancing Pumpkin Inn!"

*****************************
OOC: This is an in-character rpg-like bar. We serve all sorts of drinks, alcoholic an non-alcoholic. We have many comfortable rooms. We have a stable to accomidate your mounts. Here's a list of the staff:

Owner and Entertainer: Ashari Fairbairn, Hobbit and Mithril Knight, merry and fun harmonica player.

Bartender: Fiara Romita, High Ranger, partyer and dancer extrordinaire.

Bouncer: Pat Strekolla, the butch, slow-looking worker, kinda slow in the head but very beefy.

Stableman: Batnum Barfus, the stunted, scrawny, sandy-haired fellow, pessimistic and snide.

Waiter: Tom Oboue, the tall, black-haired dude with a lisp, absent-minded but very nice.

More postitions are open! Entertainers would be appreciated, as Ashari is going to have a hard time managing and playing harmonica all the time. More bouncers, waiters and stablepeople would also be very appreciated.

Come on in!

[Ledreanne313]

A tall elf rides up and takes a look around and sees Ashari and asks 'Will you please fill my canteen with water?' ANd takes out a silver bottle.

[HobbitGirl]

Ashari smiled as the elf walked into the inn. "Welcome!" the hobbit said. "If you'd like a drink, please see our bartender over there. Fiara is her name." The hobbit waved over to the bar where a young woman stood.

Fiara spoke up. "I'll fill up your canteen, if you wish," she said to the elf costomer. She took the silver canteen and filled it up with water from one of the taps behind the bar. She screwed the cap back on and handed it to the elf. "There you are ma'am. Is there anything else I can get you? An ale, perhaps? A sandwich?"

Ashari walked a little ways from the bar area and onto a small, raised platform that served as a stage. She took her little harmonica out of her pocket and began to play Cotton Eye Joe. The music filled the inn and spilled out of the door and onto the road.

[Ledreanne313]

'No no. This is fine, thank you.' Then she turns and watches the little hobbit play and then sits down and watches more. She has a smile on her face and is tapping her foot to the beat. SHe would take a couple sips of water, then she turned to Fiara and out of her pocket, she handed her a silver coin with a leaf imprint on it. 'Thank You kindly for the water, Lady'

[Mablung]

Lolik spotted the Inn he had been told about on the horizon. Happy to finally reach his destination he pulled open the door. "Ah Fiara, Ashari its good to see some friendly faces. Nice new Inn you have here."

[Ledreanne313]

Ledreanne looks at the new comer and noods her head in a welcoming kind of way. The looks back to the entaining Hobbit!

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara gave a start when Lolik walked into the inn. "Lolik! The Grand Limbo Champion! Now we can party!" She filled up a mug with the finest ale and slid it down the bar towards Lolik. "Drink up, dude! It's on me!" She continued working around behind the bar, humming and smiling.

[Mablung]

Lolik took the mug happily. "Thanks Ill always take free drinks. Don't make it too much of a habit though or this place will go belly up in a week. And considering how much fun this place will be by way of its owners that would be a shame."

[Kailita]

Kellis Tikéra was tired, hungry, and broke. Not a good combination for a thief. Sadly, things had been this way for her for quite some time, ever since the guild of thieves she had belonged to had been broken up by a group of meddling knights about a year ago. Well, such was life. Always a round of disappointments. But Kellis had learned to take what life threw at her and move on.

She strolled along the path, letting the cool breeze weave its way through her dark golden hair. She was a pretty girl with scheming brown eyes and a shapely form, probably in her late teens or early twenties. No one really knew. Kellis herself didn't even know, having grown up as an alleyway orphan and survived in the streets all her life. She wore a simple grey skirt with patches skattered over it and an olive-colored blouse with sheer sleeves, which had been a gift to her.

The nice weather was doing much to improve her mood...but the pangs of hunger continued to nettle at her stomach.

What I really need is a drink, she thought to herself. Something cheap that'll fill me up and hold me over until I can con some noble out of a couple coppers for dinner.

Coming to a bend in the road, she stopped, noticing an inn just a little ways ahead. Perfect. A cheshire cat smile crossed her face as she made her way towards the building, a new spring in her step.

Music poured out from the inn as she slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. Hmmm...not too many people about...it must be a fairly new establishment, she thought to herself. However, the place had a warm, friendly atmosphere that made it seem very inviting.

Kellis's skilled eyes travelled over the inn and its occupants, taking in even the smallest details. She quickly spotted the where the music was coming from...a lively, curly-haired hobbit was prancing about on a platform just a little ways from the bar, busting out tunes on a harmonica like there was no tomorrow. Kellis grinned. She silently told herself that if she made any money this day, she would give a couple coins to the hobbit girl. Thief or no, Kellis had a soft spot for hobbits.

She sidled up to the bar, noting the brown-haired human woman humming behind it. The happiness that wreathed the inn was contagious...but Kellis reminded herself that she had a job to do if she planned on eating tonight. Seating herself at the bar, she looked about with her sharp brown eyes, waiting to find someone who wouldn't be harmed too much by the parting of a few coins.

[Ledreanne313]

Ledreanne noticed the bad conditions of the girl and took out two silver charms, placed them on the table near her, put her canteen back around her neck and left on her beautiful black horse.

[HobbitGirl]

"Have a nice day!" Fiara called out to the elf as she left the inn. She picked up a glass and began wiping it with a towel abent-mindedly. "Business sure is slow," she muttered to herself.

Fiara saw the girl only a few years younger than herself walk into the inn. She glanced at her once, but did a double take at the contrast between the tattered skirt and fancy blouse. Fiara let her eyebrow arch ever so slightly, then went back to cleaning her glass. The Ranger wondered what kind of girl this one was; if she had stolen that blouse, or if she had bought the blouse why she would wear such grungy skirt. She kept her thoughts to herself, however, and put on a friendly attitude. As the girl seated herself at the bar, Fiara asked her, "Would you like anything to drink? An ale? Some lemonade perhaps?"

[Kailita]

Kellis narrowed her eyes slightly as the elf left the silver charms behind...purposefully, no doubt. She fought down a scowl. Sympathy...pah. Who needed it? Not Kellis Tikéra, renegade rogue and princess of pickpockets.

But her attention was drawn quickly to the young woman behind the bar. A drink...yes, a drink was just what she needed. "An ale is fine, thanks," she said, offering a warm smile. It was one of her better masks. "Whatever's the cheapest."

She studied the human woman as she ducked behind the bar to fetch the drink. She looked friendly, but those green eyes didn't seem to miss much. She had an air of watchfulness about her...as if she had once been a wanderer or a ranger. Someone who had to live on their instincts to survive.

Best not to trifle with this one, Kellis told herself.

[Mablung]

Lolik watched the girl curiously. She seemed to be scowling quite a lot and generally being bitter. From the looks of her she was not one to turn your back on. He studied her moves carefully then deciding that she wasn't going to try anything at the moment he went back to pondering his drink since the Inn was oddly silent.

[Kailita]

As she waited for her drink, Kellis noticed the man on the other side of the bar eyeing her cautiously. Hmm...he didn't seem too hard off. But he was watchful, which could work against her if she wasn't careful. Best to just be friendly...

She nodded to him, shooting him a charming smile - very different from the scowl that had almost crossed her face a few moments before - then calmly turned back to the bar, skillfully watching for a reaction out of the very corners of her eyes.

[Mablung]

Lolik gave a polite nod to Kellis then ordered another drink. The way she had been looking over his clothes did not help her case much.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara walked in just then and immediatly felt the very cheerful presence of the place, but at the same time her instinct told her to be weary, and as she approached the bar she immediately understood why. It was so obvious of this girl's profession, but of course, a thief is very easily noticed by a thief. Kell grinned slightly under her hood and calmy ordered an ale.*

*Once served, she walked over and sat about three bar stools away from Kellis and held up a dagger she had pick-pocketed form the theif.*
"This is amazing workmanship, where ever did you get it?" she asked Kellis, barely keeping a straight face, still covered by her hood, at the incredulous look on her fellow thief's face*

[Kailita]

(OOC: Kellivara...you're still a Drow, right? :rolleyes: )

Kellis noticed the hooded Drow enter the inn and saunter up to the bar. The golden haired thief kept her eyes straight ahead, being sure not to turn as the mysterious newcomer passed...but as soon as the Drow had walked by her, she went on the alert. Something wasn't right...something felt wrong. Lighter.

Kellis felt the strong urge to growl out a swear, but kept her face composed and her features nonchalant as she turned to face the Drow, already knowing what she would see.

"It was a gift," she said coolly, answering the question asked of her, "given to me by a friend of mine. A knight. We worked together once...hunted thieves. I've cut off many a hand of a pickpocket with that particular dagger." She smiled coldly. "I don't take kindly to those who borrow without asking."

With a civil nod, she crossed over to where the Drow was sitting and took back her dagger with a polite, "Thank you." She then glided back to her seat and placed down two silver pieces - two silver pieces that she hadn't had in her possession until a few moments before - on the bar in front of Fiara.

"That should cover what expenses I owe. Another ale, please, when I finish the first. And the rest goes to the hobbit."

She nodded in Ashari's direction, smiling ever so slightly.

[HobbitGirl]

"Mugs of ale for old friends and mugs for new!" said Fiara with a smile. She filled three mugs with the finest ale (only the finest for all her costomers) and slid one down to Lolik. She plunked the second one in front of the girl with contrasting clothes and motioned for Tom, the waiter, to bring the third to the Drow seated at the table a little ways away.

The newcomer was indeed a Drow, that much was clear, even though the silver hair was not something Fiara had ever heard of in the Dark Elves. When the silver-haired patron held up the dagger belonging to the girl in the green blouse, Fiara raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth in anger. She would not tolerate pickpocketing in her establishment. She opened her mouth to call over Pat, the bouncer, but the girl glided over and took her dagger back. Fiara closed her mouth and contented herself with a growl, for the inn's reputation had yet to be formed and she didn't want to make a scene.

As the girl plopped two silvers onto the counter Fiara arched one eyebrow. With a mug of fine ale costing only five coppers, and twelve coppers to a silver, the girl could get four ales with change left over with this much. The Ranger looked over at Ashari, who shook her head. Fiara looked back at the green-bloused girl and said, "This'll get you four ales, so four ales you will get." Fiara took the silvers and bent over under the counter, rumaging for a bit. She came back up with four coppers in her hand. "You're change, ma'am."

She plopped the coppers on the counter and rested her elbows on it. "By the way, miss, what might your name be? This place is still rather new, and there's not many of us around, so there's no need to be secretive. Myself am called Fiara. My hobbit friend with the harmonica over there is Ashari." She gestured over to the waiter. "That black-haired fellow with the tray is Tom, our waiter." She nodded towards the door. "That burly looking one is Pat, our bouncer." The Ranger looked at the girl again. "What might your name be?"

[Kailita]

Four ales, hm? Kellis thought with a wry smile. Well, she certainly wasn't going to turn down a couple more drinks. She could save the coppers for another day, since the Harmonica Hobbit Girl didn't seem to want any charity. Kellis's smile grew a bit. Perhaps the little hobbit wasn't too different from herself.

Pocketing the money, she listened closely as the bartender introduced herself and those she worked with. Kellis committed the names to memory. Best to know all she could about these people, just in case, so as to not be caught off guard.

Her mind went into a buzz when asked for her name. Oh my...what alias to use this time? The name Kellis Tikéra was infamous all across the city she had grown up in...but that was quite a ways from here. She glanced around the room, just to assure herself that there was no one in this establishment who looked familiar, or even remotely Magdalanian.

Oh, stop being so paranoid, Kellis, she scolded herself. Magdala's thousands of miles away...and I'm not heading back that way any time soon. Might as well just start over here...

"I am called Kellis Tikéra, wanderer and adventurer," she said smoothly. "I've been on the road for quite some time...just needed a place to stop for a moment or two and rest up a bit." She offered Fiara a smile. "You've got quite a nice establishment here, for a spot just starting out."

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara snickered as the young thief took the dagger back* "Aye, I thought as much, I knew you would notice its absense. 'Tis a good thing in your line of work." *Kell flashed Kellis a 'do not worry, I will not tell them' look, and immediately knew the girl had understood*

*Kellivara let out another snicker as she heard a low rumble coming from the harmonica player.* "Osh, do not fret, little hobbit, 'twas all in fun, all in fun."

[Mablung]

Lolik looked up recognizing the voice and pushed his hood down away from his head. "You know if you need to steal to get money Kell you could just try asking people for some. I do still owe you for the whole harpie thing."

[Kellivara]

*Kell dropped her hood and looked at lolik* "It took you long enough to recognize me. And I don't need any money, I can fare just fine on my own."

[Mablung]

"I recognized you the moment I saw you. I was just in my own thoughts until the ale came and I noticed we had some company."

[Kellivara]

*shrugs* oh well

*turns to Fiara* "May I have an ale please?" *sets two silver pieces on the bar*

[Kailita]

Kellis saw the Drow's pointed glance her way...a confidential look...but the young thief took it as a patronizing gesture. She had a grudge developing towards this Drow, and it would take a lot more than a simple look to change that. She wanted to send back a look of her own, with a challenge in her eyes that would say silently, "Go ahead...tell them. See if I care. See if I can't handle it. I dare you..." But she turned away purposefully so as to not be tempted. She still had four ales to finish...best to avoid getting thrown out until she was finished with them.

She heard the human man address the Drow as "Kell". Hmm...Kell the Drow. Well, Kellis didn't like her...but she knew it would probably be best to be wary of her.

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara sighed with a trace of exasperation. "My good Drow, as I told our other friend here," and here Fiara nodded towards Kellis, "two silvers will get you four ales with change." She stashed the coins under the counter, fished out four copper coins, and set them on the counter where the silvers had been. "There you are." She turned to fill up the first ale for the Drow, then paused and turned back to her. "Might I ask what your name is? I'm sure it would be tiring for me to refer to you as 'Drow' constantly." A smile picked it's way across the Ranger's face despite her frustration with the Drow for the pickpocketing episode earlier.

After Fiara had plunked Kell's ale on the counter in front of the Drow, Fiara sildled over to Lolik. "You know her?" Fiara inquired in a low voice. "I almost set the bouncer on her for pickpocketing, but refrained from it as so not to cause a scene." Fiara frowned. "Pickpocketing! In Ashari's and my establishment! I will not hear of it. She'll have a talk with Pat, all right, or myself, before she leaves this inn."

[Kellivara]

*Kell shook her head slightly* "If you're going to talk about me, you may as well make sure I can't hear you."

*Kell then turned to the bartender* "Oh, and my name is Kellivara, but there are those who just call me Drow, either way is fine with me."

[Kailita]

(OOC: Ooh...HG, where are your deep thoughts from? A song? I like it much...:D)

Kellis choked back a scoff. Haughty Drow. Kell...or Kellivara...whatever her name was, she was an eavesdropper and a thief. And the worst part was that she almost reminded Kellis of herself.

But at least I have the decency not to flaunt it about in such an overbearing way, Kellis thought to herself, taking a drink of her ale to hide her narrowed eyes. And to steal from a stranger thief from a different guild! Even in jest, that could get her throat slit if she was in the right part of a Magdalanian alleyway!

She did take caution from the words she had heard Fiara murmur to Lolik. She too had heard their exchange, though she was cautious enough to feign obliviousness. Fiara didn't seem to like pickpockets much, and with good reason. Kellis knew she would have to guard herself closely so as to keep from slipping up. Ah well. A challenge. How lovely.

Taking her first ale from the bar, she glided over to Ashari's stage to watch the harmonica playing hobbit. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. The familiar sound of music reminded her of the old times past in her thief guild...the merry instrument players and street dancers. The Jade Tiger had been at its prime back then.

When Ashari came to a break in her song, Kellis set her ale down and slowly approached her. "You wouldn't happen to have any other instruments with you?" she inquired softly. "I can play almost anything that makes music..."

[Kellivara]

*Kell reached into her cloak and pulled out two flutes, one made of silver, the other made of some sort of wood. After a short bit of thought, she returned the silver flute to it's resting place under her cloak, and walked over and sat down on a chair at the table nearest the stage, proping her feet on the back of the chair beside it.*


*no one seemed to notice she had moved, because as she began to play, their heads practically spun around with the surprise, all, that is, except for Fiara, who had been watching her with the eyes of a hawk, and Lolik, who was just downright used to it.*


*the long, low notes slow drifted throughout the Inn, a hint of sadness, and a hint of fond memories both present in the tune.*

[HobbitGirl]

Ashari opened her mouth to reply to Kellis, but stopped with a lurch as Kellivara began piping her sad music throughout the common room. Being the musician she was, the hobbit immediatly began playing a tune in perfect harmony with Kellivara's. The combination of the flute's soft sadness and the harmonica's quirky but melacholy notes drifted around the inn, filling the ears of its patrons and stirring their hearts to remember things past. When thier tune was finished, Kellivara blew one final note on her flute, and Ashari jovially motioned for the Drow to join her on the stage. They took thier bows together as the rest of the inn clapped.

Without warning, Ashari launced into yet another song. Kellivara accompanied her once again, but this time the tune was energetic, yet it had not only a merry energy but a fervor of battle in it's notes. After a few moments Ashari lowered her harmonica while Kell continued on her flute. Ashari's singing voice rang out clear and high, singing a battle song:

"Well the first Battle of Lohan
As I have heard it told
Was fought by a few Kachitas
One from a warrior of old.

And with these wily Kachitas
Were two maidens from afar
Palinta, and Likasevita
Who came from Earth, the star.

They were rescuing the princess
Zesprin was her name
And with skill with sword and bow
She had renowned fame.

But she had been imprisoned
By Pakelans under a spell.
And the nature of this battle
Is what I now will tell.

The little band of rescuers
Came out of the trees
And saw the princess Zesprin's guard
They sank down to their knees.

One by one, they took thier places
And readied for the charge
And Kasi, the Kachita archer
Fired his arrow large.

It flew straight, it flew true
Under a Pakelan arm
And all his comrades saw him fall
They raised up alarm.

With that, the warriors charged
Into the bloody fray
They slew Pakelans left and right
Before the break of day.

The maidens from outside the world
Fought as well as they could
And Palinta, the healer
Found Zesprin in the cabin of wood.

And back to camp the warriors went
And Zesprin went behind
She slew all of her captors left
Any she could find.

So ended the First of Lohan.
But afterwards, they say
A second battle took place there
Much more than just a little fray."

Ashari stopped singing, and the song ended. The patrons of the inn clapped once more.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara had respectfully declined the invitation to play on stage, and had played the accompanyment to Ashari's song from her chair, with her boots propped up on the back of the next chair, merely lowering her head as a bow.*

*As the song ended Kell lowered her willow wood flute and took a sip of ale, a thoughtful look on her face. It had been quite some time since she had played the beautiful melody of the wooden flute for anyone other than the wind........*

[Kailita]

Kellis's breath caught in her chest as Ashari launched into her battle song. Kellis knew that song. Lohan...the Kachita lands...Pakela...they were all places she knew. Princess Zesprin...why, she was sister to the High King Jentro, who was still on the Magdalanian throne! If Ashari knew of these people and these places, she had to know something of Magdala. And if she knew something of Magdala, that meant...

A strong curse hissed out from Kellis's clenched teeth. Perhaps Magdala was more well known than she had thought. She could be in danger here. If she was caught and taken back to Magdala...she might get some lenience...considering that she was a close friend of an ex-thief called Corostas Starsworn, who was presently courting Princess Zesprin. But it all depended on who got to her first. There had been a time when knights were instructed to kill her on sight.

As the song ended, she slunk back to the bar and picked up her second ale, stomach lurching. She took a large swig of the liquid, thinking over her options. Perhaps she should leave. But...ugh...she wasn't looking forward to travelling that dusty road again, especially with so little nourishment in her stomach. And, after all, she was Kellis Tikéra...she was infamous for taking chances. And now that she thought about it...she was also hungry.

So that solved it. She wasn't leaving until she got a bite to eat. And she wouldn't get anything to eat until she got a couple more silvers off of someone...

[HobbitGirl]

After the song was finished Ashari was rather out of breath. The hobbit jumped off the stage and walked over to the bar, then clambered up onto a stool. She fished five coppers out of her pocket and set them on the bar. Fiara looked at her and smiled, then filled up the hobbit's ale and set it in front of her. Ashari smiled gratefully and took a sip.

"So where did you pick up that song?" Fiara asked her hobbit friend. "It's not one I've heard you play before."

"Hm..." said Ashari thoughfully, trying to recal the first time she heard the song. "Ah yes, I remember now. I was passing through a tavern down in the south a while back. There was a bard there who kept singing about some land that I had never heard of, some place called Magdala. His songs were intruiguing, and the things he sung about were almost unbelievable. I asked him if he would teach me one of his songs, and he happily obliged. He was just as intrigued by me as I was by him, for he had never seen a Halfling before," said Ashari with a chuckle. "I doubt that most of the people in the song I did exist," she added. "How could four warriors, one of them a girl, have taken out a whole army? Even for the Elves tis not possible." Ashari shook her head, then took a swig of ale.

Fiara laughed. "And the sad thing is, you or I would probably try something like that!"

"We would, too!" Ashari laughed. "I'm sure a Ranger and a Mithril Knight could take out a whole army on our own, right Fiara?" the hobbit said with a saracastic grin.

Fiara shook her head and chuckled. "I shouldn't have given you a pint, my good Mithril Knight," she said. Ashari laughed again, then took another swig of beer.

[Kailita]

Kellis relaxed considerably after hearing Ashari voice her doubts about any of the places in her song existing. Shaking her head, Kellis smiled to herself. She was certainly not in her homeland anymore.

Turning to Fiara, she asked as politely as she could manage, "Excuse me...you wouldn't happen to have anything to eat around here, would you? Anything that I could purchase, perhaps?"

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara smiled good-naturedly. "Of course! Would it be an inn without food?"

"Hear hear!" Ashari said, lifting her mug.

Fiara chuckled. "Let's see, what do we have...Tom!" she shouted to the waiter.

A tall, black-haired, sort of air-headed looking fellow with a tray came at Fiara's call. "Yesh?"

"Will you do me a favor and run in the back to see what kind of food we've got going?"

"The cook ish on break, Fiara," the waiter said. "Actually, I think he left the inn. You could ask that...oh what's hish name...the stableman...Batnam Barfuth...Barfus," Tom said, correcting himself. "He might know where the cook ish gone."

"No cook?" Fiara said, disgruntled. "Goodness gracious...Thanks Tom." The Ranger turned to her hobbit friend. "Will you get everyone's attention for me, please?"

Ashari nodded and set down her ale. She went up to the stage, accidentally tripping on Kell's stool on her way. The hobbit hopped up onto the platform, then blew a few notes on her harmonica. "Attention! The barkeep would like your attention, please, everyone!" she said.

"Thanks, Ashari," Fiara said. "All right, here's the story. Our cook, it seems has skipped out on us. We need a temporary cook. Would any of you be willing to serve as cook for the time being?"

[Kailita]

Kellis arched one eyebrow ever so slightly at the gawky lisping man called Tom. Hmm...he didn't look too intelligent. She wondered if he perchance had a couple coins on him. Her lips curved into a thin smile. Oh, the possibilities...

However, the matter of the cook seemed to be a pressing one. Kellis certainly knew how to make a meal, but she wasn't looking for a job to die her down, so she kept silent. Instead, as everyone waited for someone to step up and take the position, she sauntered over to Tom with a friendly smile, brown eyes gleaming.

"So...what was it that made the cook leave in such a hurry?" she asked, hoping to start up an innocent conversation.

[HobbitGirl]

Tom shrugged in response to Kellis's question. "I don't know, exactly," he replied. "Firsht, he took hish fife minute break, like he usually doesh. Then all of a thudden he wash ranting and raving that he had to leave on thome kind of pressing businessh." The waiter shook his head. "I don't know what that wash all about, but the thing ish that he'sh gone now."

[Kailita]

Kellis clucked her tongue and shook her head in an apologetic manner. "What a shame. But surely one as wise and seasoned in the kitchen as yourself would be able to handle such a crisis, mm?"

She smiled, all sweetness and charm, but her eyes steadily flickered over Tom's person, searching for visible valuables or a wallet of some sort.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara rolled her eyes at Kellis, but didn't say anything. She just turned around and took another swig of ale*

[Thomas Baggins]

*A horse was heard riding up outside the Inn, the door sudennly burst open and a famished Ranger burst in*............"Well an Inn owned by a Ranger, what do ya know, I'm thristy enough to die. Can I have a large mug of Iced Espresso, and maybe a hunk of steak, also a plate of Tortilla chips would be nice."
Thanks

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara started as the Ranger entered the inn. "Aravorn!" she yelled, startled. "We-welcome!" The female Ranger smiled. "It's a good thing I left Mr. Rodent with my friend Resbrita, or else I'd have to noogie you again for throwing him into the rafters." She grinned sarcastically.

"As for your food, my friend, I'm afraid we're a little short. Our cook ran out on us. Your esspresso, however, I can handle." Fiara began fiddling around behind the bar, then plunked the iced espresso in front of Aravorn. "That'll be three coppers, please."

[Kailita]

Kellis's brown eyes stopped their subtle flickering when she found nothing of worth on the tall waiter. Mm, disappointing...he would have been so easy to deceive...probably wouldn't have even noticed anything missing for a day or two...but nothing to be done about it.

She noticed the new Ranger and eyed him from her corner. No use in stealing from him if he was right at the bar. Fiara was right there and would certainly notice any thievery going on before her very eyes. But what strange requests he had...

Iced espresso? What in Atávve was espresso? And Tortilla chips...? Tortilla...the word sounded almost Kachitish if you put the right accent on it. Kellis shook her head. This place was so foreign...she didn't think she'd ever grow accustomed to it.

[HobbitGirl]

The sound of trotting hooves could be faintly heard coming up the road outside the inn. A girl of about sixteen with brownish skin, short, ebony-colored hair, and plain, green, travel-stained clothes dismounted in front of the stables and led her steed up to Batnam Barfus, the stableman.

The sandy-haired man looked up irratably as the half-Kachita girl rode up. He tried to put on a buisiness-like attitude. "Good evening, m'lady! Lovely night for an ale, eh? I presume you'd like me to stable your horse for ya?"

"Yes, that would be very good, thank you sir," said the girl shyly, her voice loaded with a rich accent. She handed the reins over to Batnam, nodded, and went inside the inn.

As she stepped into the inn the first person Resbrita noticed was her friend Fiara behind the bar. She smiled widely. "Lospey, conacita," the girl said in her usual soft-spoken voice. "How have you been?"

Fiara smiled as her friend greeted her in Kachitish. "I've been well, thank you. How have you been? And how has my little rat been?"

Resbrita smiled, then fished into a pocket that had a wriggling lump in it. She pulled out Fiara's brown-with-white patches rat, recently named Mr. Rodent. The Kachita set the rat on the counter and let it scurry over to his mistress. Mr. Rodent squeaked with delight as Fiara picked him up and set him on her shoulder. "I've been well, viendo, and so has your little pet."

Fiara nodded, then gestured to the bar. "Please, have a seat. I'll get you an ale."

Resbrita nodded in her quiet way, then took the oppurtunity while Fiara puttered around behind the bar to look around the inn. There wasn't many people, but they interested the Kachita nonetheless, especially the elf-looking person who everyone else knew as Kellivara. Resbrita had never seen a drow, so she eyed Kell with interest for a moment.

Soon someone else caught her eye, however; the young woman sitting at the counter with the green blouse. She looks Magdalainian, Resbrita thought curiously. Imagine meeting a Magdalainian so far from home. What are the odds that two people from the same land would meet in such a far distant place?

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara let out an exasperated sigh and set down her ale, a little harder than she'd meant to, then got up and walked over to Fiara.* "I'll cook, but JUST for today, is that understood? JUSt today! Now....what would you like me to fix up, aside from Aravorn's order?" *the last half of that sentence was muffled due to the fact that Kell was already in the kitchen searching the shelves and cupboards for the needed ingriedients and the like, and raising the fire to a height and temperature just a bit higher than it needed to be, but not by much*

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara grinned wide. "Thank you so much, Kell! Rest assured, you will be payed. Um, let's see...oh yes! Besides Aravorn's order, which consists of tortilla chips and steak, we need something for our friend Kellis. Be creative." Fiara gave a little yelp as she saw through the kitchen window the flames from the stove leap up. "Whoa, careful there!" she said worriedly.

[Kellivara]

*Kell sighed and said, with a slight hint of annoyance in her tone, 'Of all things, Fiara, you don't trust a drow with FIRE!?!? *sigh* guess that's your issue then, not mine."

*begins to make buffalo wings, tequilla covered pineaplles, and caramel covered pineaplles for everyone, along with a 10 lb steak for Aravorn and a huge plate of tortilla chips for everyone, including Aravorn. and as an edition, she begins to fix up a batch of chocolate chip cookies.*

[Kailita]

Kellis was leaning up against the wall in her corner when Resbrita entered the inn. Her heart lept into her throat.

Great Dragon Guardian of Magdala... she thought in a panic. Is that...she can't be a...

She forced herself to take a deep breath, driving the startled look out of her eyes. Calm down, Kellis. There are probably plenty of dark skinned, dark haired people around here...no need to get so anxious. Remember how far you are from home...

But the moment the girl spoke, Kellis knew. She may not have known many Kachitish words...but she certainly knew the greetings. And lospey was a Kachitish greeting if she had ever heard one. That girl was a Kachita.

Kellis's first response was to sink further into her corner and lower her head, trying to remove herself from view. But then her common sense kicked in. She's a Kachita...not a Magdalanian, she reminded herself. The Kachitas had offered her safe haven and sanctuary from the knights more than once in her wanderings. They were good people, kind to even a rogue such as herself. And besides that, they had the best curses in Atávve, next to Magdalanian tavern talk.

Think logically, Kellis, the thief told herself steadily. If she's this far from home, she must be a wanderer like yourself. She'll have no need to turn you in. In fact, she might not even recognize you. So keep calm...stay out of focus, but keep calm.

But her resolve to remain unnoticed dissolved as soon as Kellivara stepped into the kitchen. She had nothing against the Drow cooking...but she most definitely did not want the Drow cooking for her. It was another paranoid thief habit...but Kellis never ate anything made by anyone who had stolen or tried to steal from her.

"Come to think of it, I'm really not so hungry," she said, stepping up to Fiara. "I can hold out for another hour or two, don't put Miss Kellivara through the trouble of making anything specific for me."

Good job, Kellis, she thought with an inward roll of her eyes, seeing how she had put herself right in front of the Kachita. Way to stay out of focus.

In order to not seem impolite, she smiled and nodded civilly to the Kachita girl, but then immediate began to step back and fade into the shadows once more.

[Thomas Baggins]

"Ooh, Yay!" Aravorn said when he smelled the food,

Upon hearing Fiara's remark about the rat Aravorn had remembered something.............."Fiara, I have something for you" he said. Pulling a wrapped gift from his pack he handed it to Fiara, upon opening it she found staring up at her.......................Two beatiful white rats with green eyes.

Aravorn then got back to the food subject and looking into the kitchen he saw the size of the steak, "EEK, I have never seen the like, My goodness that'll fill me up for weeks!" he said with pleased voice.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara rolled her eyes inwardly, but understood all the same, so as she walked out of the kitchen, steak in hand, she said "hey, Kellis, on second thought, I'm not really feeling all that great, do you think you could fix your own food? What I've already made should be enough to tie most everyone else over, but if they want a small something else, could you fix it? if not, that's okay too, we can just have everyone fix their own food, but....either way, the fire's already stoked up, and I think I need to sit down....so I'll leave you to it, I just need to bring the rest of the already prepared food out of the kitchen...." (it wasn't a lie, but usually Kell wouldn't complain so easily....)

*Kell set the steak down in front of Aravorn and waked back into the kitchen, and when she re-emerged she was carrying multiple trays. And the largest trays she could find at that. On one arm she carried a tray of caramel covered apples, and tequilla covered pineapples, and on the other arm she carried a tray of buffalo wings and a tray of chocolate chip cookies, knowing full well she had made a bit too much, but seeing as they were short a cook, she didn't see that as a problem. And just as she was about to forget, she set the tray of cookies atop her head and balanced it there to make room on her arm for the fifth and final tray, one filled with 5 wine glasses filled near to the brim with drow wine, 5 mugs of ale, 5 tequillas, 5 margaritas, 5 wine coolers, 5 iced teas, and 5 glasses of water. She figured that would be enough.......but as far as this crowd goes, she may just have to make more of everything on the fifth tray^_^*

*Kell stepped out of the kitchen with all five trays, and while calling out "Kitchen's open!" she lay down the trays in a line on the bar and said "dig in everyone!" just before running back to get a tray from the other side of the kitchen that she almost HAD forgotten: the tortilla chips! and then setting them on the bar as well and going back to her chair near the stage*

[spirit]

"mmm...I can smell the food from outside here so i decide to come in. Nice and warm in here."

[Kailita]

Kellis narrowed her eyes warily from her shadowy corner. "I'm no cook," she said cautiously, not wanting to be stuck with the job, "but I'd certainly be willing to cook my own food. It's only fair." She glanced over at the other occupants of the inn, purposefully avoiding Resbrita's eyes. "If anyone else wants something more, they'll have to get it themselves...as long as Miss Fiara and her hobbit companion don't object. But," she nodded at the food already set out, "I think you have enough of a feast here to hold you over for quite a bit."

It was certainly more food than Kellis had seen for months. And now she was very hungry. Ducking into the kitchen, she looked around to see what she had to work with. The slight but familiar smirk crossed her lips. The kitchen was well stocked. And for a hungry thief, there could never be too much food in one place...

Well, Kellis m'girl...let's get to work, shall we? she thought with a grin.

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn dug in with the rest "Great food, Kell, mucho gracias!"

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara tried not to snicker at Kellis, going through the food and being too paranoid to eat the food Kellivara had prepared, although none of the others who were digging in showed any signs of sickness or death yet, but she looked away and ignored it, and decided to keep the attention on herself, and to let the young thief alone to her work, so she nodded to Aravorn and said, as politely as a drow with an evil streak could, 'you're very welcome Aravorn'*

[Lossengondiel]

*In walks Mardick. She takes off her cloak and sets is down over a chair and sits down by the group of people*

"Hello everyone. I'm Marilina, nice to meet you. Could I join you here? I found this Inn by chance, and I stopped by to see what it was like. Um, could I get a glass of water please?"

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara's eyes shone as Aravorn presented her with the two rats. "They're beautiful....oh Aravorn, how can I ever thank you?" Without warning she threw her arms around the other Ranger in a huge hug, but in the next second she had withdrawn. She sent a glare around the inn that plainly said, "You saw nothing!"

Fiara looked up from stuffing her face full of cookies as the new patron entered the inn. She swallowed, then discreetly wiped her mouth. The Ranger smiled, then said to the newcomer, "Welcome to the Dancing Pumpkin! There's food and drink on the bar, so please help yourself. You'll be billed after you're done, so just eat whatever you like." She gestured to the bar that held the various ales, wines, and water as well as the buffalo wings, cookies, and other things.

Resbrita continued to give Kellis a glance or two, especially when she tried to blend into the shadows. The only reason she'd be trying to hide is if she had something to hide. What is she hiding? she thought. She's obviously Magdalainian: the look of recognition on her face when I came in gave it away. But what reason has she to try and keep my attention off of her? The Kachita sighed. I hope she's trustworthy. Some people these days who hide in the shadows like that are people you just don't want to be around.

[Lossengondiel]

*Mardick strolls over to the bar, watching everyone with great interest and closely paying attention to what they say*

[Kailita]

Kellis emerged from the kitchen looking satisfied, clearly having eaten her fill. Now...money for the bill...she couldn't keep putting this off forever.

Desathi! she thought to herself as she caught the Kachita girl eying her again. Darn perceptive Kachitas...can't possibly avoid her forever. Get out of the spotlight, Kellis. There's got to be someone out of this main room that you could...hmmm...

Struck with an idea, Kellis found the door sauntered out of the main room of the inn, hooking a curve and heading towards the stables. She was pretty sure that she would find some sort of stablehand back there, and there would be less witnesses about if she got caught. Perhaps this would bring up her luck a bit...

[Peacemaker]

Nimrodel rides up on her pitch black horse and notices a little inn that had not been there before. "hm........the Dancing Pumpkin....sounds good, I am hungry and tired, and even Elves get tired of lembas and long for an actual bed from time to time." She rides up and dismounts outside the stable and looks for the stablehand. Doesn't see him so she just leaves the horse outside the stable, knowing full well he wouldn't run away. She then walked towards the inn, her forest-green cloak swishing with each step and her silver-blond hair bouncing just a little bit. She enters the bar and looks around at everyone. She blinks once, looks again, blinks again, then heads over to the bar and sits down.

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn mumbles your welcome and then looking very embarresed and contented all in one sit's back down.

[Peacemaker]

Nimrodel nods politely to the man who is obviously a ranger. She then gets up and walks away from the bar towards an empty table in the corner, and draws out from under her cloak a small silver harp. She quietly begins to play while softly singing the song of the Elf who first bore her name.

An Elven-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.

A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun set upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.

Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.

Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.

Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed.

The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.

A wind by night in Northan lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.

When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.

Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.

Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien.

From helm to sea they saw him leap,
An arrow from the string,
And dive into the water deep,
As mew upon the wing.

The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.

But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore.

She suddenly stops singing and playing and quietly sets her harp down on the table and stares at it a moment, looking very thoughtful.

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn get's up and walks over to Nimrodel "Beutifully done, my friend would have enjoyed that song, because his name happens to be Amroth." "Mayhaps I should get you two together, just kidding"

[Peacemaker]

Nimrodel laughs at that last remark. "ah well if you were to do that I suppose i would have to stick him on a boat and send him away."

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara greeted the elf kindly as she sat down at the bar. "Welcome to the Dancing Pumpkin! Would you like something to eat? Or an ale perhaps?" She gestured to the huge trays of food Kellivara had put on the counter. When Nimrodel got up and went to sit in her little corner, though, the Ranger bartender gave a little sigh. "Elves," she muttered to herself. "Always so secretive." Fiara filled up a mug full of fine ale and set in on the counter. She raised her voice so the waiter would hear her. "Tom! Please bring our new guest an ale."

"Yesh ma'am," Tom responded, then picked up the ale from the bar and whisked it over to the elf.


Ashari was delighted when Nimrodel began to play on her harp. The hobbit had not heard the song before, and listening to it made her almost wish she knew how to play the harp instead of the harmonica. She strode over to the elf, an awed smile on her face at the beauty of the music, and listened to it until Nimrodel was finished. When she had completed the song, Ashari spoke up. "That was fantastic!" she said enthusiastically. "I'm tempted to give up my place as official entertainer of this inn to you, but Fiara would never hear of it," the hobbit said with a glance and a half smile toward her Ranger friend. Ashari straightened and gave a bow, for she had no skirt with which to curtsey. "I am called Ashari. Welcome to the Dancing Pumpkin! What would your name be?"


Resbrita's eyes followed Kellis as she walked out the main door towards the stables. I hope she's not up to something, Resbrita thought, remembering that the Magdalainian girl had had a shadow of a grin cross her face right before she got up to leave. Should I follow? I know I shouldn't be nosy like this...betas, there I go thinking like a Magdalainian again. Considering following some random person just because she happened to leave the common room. But still, she's no random person. She's from the lands of Atavve, which makes her practically from my homeland. And she definitly has something to hide... With a self-repremanding sigh, Resbrita got up from the bar with an apologetic glance at Fiara and slilently, nonchalantly followed Kellis out the door.


Batnam Barfus, the ill-tempered, stunted, scrawny, sandy-haired stableman, looked up from stabling Nimrodel's black horse as he heard Kellis approach. "What do you want, miss?" he asked grumpily, forgetting that he was to at least try to treat costomers with respect. "I'm busy right now. If you want something you'll have to wait."

[Peacemaker]

Nimrodel smiles at Ashari. "Thank you. My name is Nimrodel." She then notices a tall black-haired man come over with an ale for her. "Thank you." she hands him a silver to take to the bartender to pay for the ale.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara stood up as Resbrita walked out the door, then turned to Fiara* "They've reminded me of something, I really should go feed my animals. They'll be wanting food about now." *Kellivara caught up with Resbrita, walking in step with her* "Hi, I'm Kellivara, and I was just wondering, where are you from?" *the closer they got to the stables, the more Kell raised her voice, ever so slightly, so that Kellis would hear their approach. When they were about 10 feet from the stable, Kell stopped and whistled, holding out her arm. A few moments later, a falcon swooped down and perched on the gauntlet on her arm, and an obsidian mare trotted up to her, nudging her in the side, making Kell laugh. Once her friends where with her, Kell walked into the stables to find some food for Sirree, her mare, and to let Lasinian, the falcon, hunt for some mice in the stables*

[Kailita]

Kellis smirked as she found the stableman putting away a beautiful black horse and glided up to him, leaning against one of the stable's support beams. As he grumbled at her, attention engaged with the horse, she gave him the once-over. This shouldn't be too difficult. She had stolen from stablehands before. They never had the choicest of pickings, but they were always good as a second resort.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to distract you from your work, sir," Kellis said in a honeyed tone. "Do you need some help? I'm quite good with horses. Here, let me give you a hand..."

The man muttered something at her, but she disregarded it and slid in beside him to help get the fine horse into a stall. That's it...closer...closer...just a little more...ah! Got it!

She risked a sidelong glance at the scrawny, irritable man as she backed away so he could close up the stall. He didn't seem to expect anything. But of course not, Kellis thought to herself, smirking inwardly. He's just had the honor of being stolen from by an ex-Thief Queen.

In one swift but casual movement, Kellis pocketed her new coins. There were three of them...silver, from the feel of them. It was a start.

"Glad I could be of some assistance, sir," the golden haired thief said with a sugary smile as she began to head out of the stable. The man was scowling at her, but she chose to ignore that.

At that moment, voices coming from near the stable reached her ears. She froze. One of those voices was distinctly Kachitish. The other was undoubtedly Kellivara.

Kachiesh, kachiesh, kachiesh! Kellis thought violently, trying to keep her strong swearing inside her head and not out of her mouth. It's that desathi Drow again...and she's brought the Kachita with her. Can't one go ANYWHERE around this inn without being followed?? Desathi!

She could tell that Kellivara was purposefully raising her voice...but why? Kellis wondered if the Drow wanted her to know that she was coming. With a growl and some more low curses, the thief ducked back into the shadows behind another support beam and waited to see what was going on, brown eyes narrowed once again.

[HobbitGirl]

OOC: Sorry for using so much Kachitish, all you people. I thought I'd make it up to you by telling you what all these gibberish-y words acutally mean.

Lospey-casual greeting
Conacita-friend (female)
Viendo-thank you
Betas-mild curse
Kachiesh-heavy curse
Desathi-another curse, equivelent to a certain four-letter English curse that starts with a d and ends with an n
Keita-what

IC:
Resbrita stiffened as the Drow came her way. For one thing, she didn't want or need anybody coming with her to see what the Magdalainian was up to. She shifted uneasily as Kellivara began talking loudly. Keita...? she thought, confused. Is she trying to get that Magdalainian girl to notice us? Thanks a lot for blowing my cover, friend, she thought bitterly, but kept her face blank. The other reason why the Kachita girl felt uneasy around this Drow was that something didn't feel right. Something about her is unsettling, she thought warily. And why would she be following the Magdalainian? There's something amiss here...betas zua, you fool girl, look what you've gotten yourself into. Why can't you just keep your nose out of other people's business?

Resbrita began to edge away from the Drow as she was preoccupied with her pets. Just a little farther...just reach that support beam... The Kachita girl slipped into the shadows and squatted down behind one of the stable's wooden support beams. She sighed with relief and turned her face away from the Drow...

...and right into Kellis.

[Dragon]

AAAAAHHAHAHAAAHAAAAAAH!!!!!!


*runs into the in screaming for no apparent reason*

*has never quite gotten the hang of "story writing"*

*is going to stick to her famous/imfamous "actions in several paragraphs" style*


*looks around*

*is still in teenage human girl shape from dancing in the submarine*

*wonders how she got all the way over here form the sub...
:confused: *

*still has her loopy straw and bucket in her hand*

uh......who's the bartender/drink server person?

*realizes she spelled inn wrong up there:rolleyes: *

*doesn't bother to fix it*:D

[Kellivara]

*Kell noticed Resbrita edging away, and let her go, if Kellis hadn't noticed them by now, that was her own fault, and Kell was sure the she herself looked suspicious enough just now, so she groomed Sirree quietly in the shadows of one of the stalls as Lasinian hunted, and other than that, all she did was listen.*

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara looked up, startled, as the girl came screaming into her inn. The Ranger had a sudden impulse to draw her sword, and indeed she set down the glass she had been wiping and put her hand on Triassa's hilt. When she saw that there was no immediate danger, however, she relaxed and went back to her wiping.

Fiara took a moment to look over the newcomer. She was dressed in the strangest clothing the Ranger had ever seen, and she was carrying some sort of bucket and an odd, colorful, swirly contraption. Fiara tried to keep her eyebrows from arching and her mouth from dropping in astonishement. Since she was the barkeep and part owner of the inn, she felt it was her duty to greet the newcomer, no matter how odd she appeared. "Welcome to the Dancing Pumpkin!" Fiara called to the girl. "Please, sit down. Would you like something to drink?" Fiara fished around behind the bar for a beverage that would suit the odd girl's apparent character. "What is your name, good miss? I am Fiara, the bartender."

[Dragon]

uh.....call me Dee

um....I'll take a ......do you have any chocolate shakes?

*notices that she is getting some odd staresfrom all around*

sorry about taht....(*is referring to the whole running in screaming thing*) sometimes I just have these impulses.....uh, I'll be right back....

*finds the restroom and goes in*

*changes her clothing to something more.....eh, normal*

*comes back out to collect her drink*

[Peacemaker]

Nimrodel looks up when she hears the scream and looks around. She sees an oddly dressed girl leave for a bit, then come back more normal-looking. But she still has a feeling this girl is very odd, and raises and eyebrow. She decides to ignore and just goes back to drinking her ale.

[Kailita]

((Hehehe...*giggles*...so D's finally found the inn, hm? ;) Welcome, welcome! :D Oh yes, Kachitish translations are probably a good idea, HG. But you mean venido for "thank you", don't you?))

*In the Stables*

Kellis sucked in a breath of surprise as she found herself face to face with the young Kachita girl, who looked just as startled. With a sigh, the thief made a split second decision that all the secrecy had to end, and - after checking to make sure Kellivara was occupied with her animals - pulled the girl behind the beam into the shadows.

"I don't wish to harm you," Kellis said in a low voice, noting the frightened look in the poor girl's eyes. "All I want is to ask you a few questions. But..." Her eyes flickered towards the Drow again. "It may be better to discuss these things...outside. Shanna?"

She smiled as reassuringly as she could with Kellivara in the area, purposefully using Kachitish to show the girl that she was a friend. Everyone with even an ounce of sense knew it was always best to befriend Kachitas. Calmly, she stepped out from behind the beam and, motioning for the Kachita girl to follow her, strode boldly out of the stable...after all, she had as much right to be there as Kellivara, didn't she? No need to hide. She did, however, restrain the childish impulse to stick out her tongue at the Drow as she passed. Too much time around the street urchins had affected her.

[HobbitGirl]

OOC: Kai, I did put viendo for thank you. <???>

IC:
Resbrita nodded silently after the Magdalainian reassured her that she was a friend. The Kachita smiled as Kellis ended her sentence with shanna. It meant yes; ending one's sentences with yes was a Kachitish sort of thing to do.

Resbrita followed Kellis out into the light of the rest of the stable. She was sure that the Drow noticed where they had come from, and hoped she wouldn't give too much thought as to why they had been hiding in such a manner. The Kachita followed the Magdalainian out of the stable building and around a corner. They stopped in a narrow alleyway between the outer wall of the stable and the line of trees. The trees' overhanging branches gave Resbrita a sense of security in this strange land; they reminded her of the Kachita Forest.

Resbrita felt the urge to speak in her native tounge, so she decided to test this Magdalainian's knowledge of the Kachitish language. "Ahsan zua yamei Kachitish shinti?" she inquired. Not seeing a look of recognition on the other young woman's face, she suppresed a sigh and launched into the Common Tounge, or Magdalainian as those born in Atavve called it. "You speak only little Kachitish, yes? What....questions did you want to ask me?" she finished slowly, her natural shyness kicking in at last.

[Kellivara]

*Kell shook her head and supressed a laugh, finishing up with Sirree and letting her out of the stall, leaving both animals to their own will, then headed out the back, going around the back of the stables and back to the inn. On her approach, she heard a new voice inside. As she stepped in, she saw a girl sitting inside.*

*turning to Fiara, she asked "Who's the new girl?"*

[Dragon]

*hears someone enter, and looks as discreetly as possible in that direction*

*finds an empty table in a corner and sits down with her drink, still watching the "newcomer"*

[Kailita]

Out in the alleyway, Kellis winced at how much Kachitish she had forgotten over time. She hadn't had to use it in years, and it was a language that needed to be practiced over and over to keep it committed to memory. Turning to the Kachita girl, she apologized for herself and said, "You'll have to forgive me. I used to know your language almost fluently...or well enough to converse with Kachitas without needing too much assistance. You must understand, it's been a long time since I've wandered that territory. You are a Kachita, are you not? You must be at least half..."

At the girl's nod, Kellis trailed into silence, and when she spoke again it was more to herself than to anyone else. "What are the odds...both of us ending up out here...same place, same time. Got to be a Fireball thing..."

Turning back to the girl, she said more clearly, "Well, if you're part Kachita...and we all know how sathi perceptive they are...there's no way you can mistake the fact that I'm Magdalanian born. So we're both from Atávve, and we're both far from home. So now I have two simple questions for you, and we'll see where we're led from there. One, a name would be nice, as I don't believe we've been properly introduced to each other. And two, why were you following me? And with the Drow, no less. She's suspicious...if you ask me, I would keep my distance."

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn needing to get back to some unfinished business decdes it's time to go and walks over to Fiara, "It's been great, thanks for letting me in your beutiful inn" he gives her a big hug and walks out, on his way out he yells "Have fun with your rats!"

[HobbitGirl]

As Aravorn walked away from giving his hug, Fiara stood there stunned. After a few minutes she found her voice again. "Nice...to have you here...thanks," she said breathlessly, not noticing the fact that Aravorn was already long gone.

Fiara remembered Kellivara's question at last. Her eyebrow twitched ever so slightly in remembrance of Kell's bout of pickpocketing, but the Ranger smoothed out her features and answered the Drow in a casual tone. "She said her name was Dee. When she arrived she was wearing some sort of strange canvas-like breeches, but she changed out of them."


*Meanwhile, Back in the Alleyway*

Resbrita's eyebrows gave an angry twitch as Kellis said "sathi perceptive." Perceptiveness was not a bad thing...Resbrita pushed her anger out of her head to focus on answering Kellis's questions. "I am Resbrita," she said, trying to keep her quiet shyness out of her voice and appear the confident Kachita that Kellis apparently thought she must be. "And to answer your second question, I followed you because I knew you had something to hide." She blushed; she knew it was not a very good reason. "I've learned that people with something to hide might not be trustworthy...and...but I should not have. I'm sorry if I have offended you." She tried to keep from showing her embarasment as she answered the next part of Kellis's inquriry. I was not with the Drow by choice; she sort of followed out with me. And I assure you I was rather frustrated when she started talking so loudly...do you know what her name is? And speaking of which, what is your name?" Resbrita finished quickly, trying to aviod having to say much more.

[Kailita]

Kellis's eyebrows raised as the Kachita girl called Resbrita voiced her thoughts about Kellis hiding something. Well, of course she had known someone would find out sooner or later...should have expected it to be the Kachita. She smiled gently...genuinely...as Resbrita blushed and hurried on. She liked this girl. She was refreshingly familiar and...unthreatening. Someone Kellis could lower her guard around. She had been suspicious of absolutely everyone since she set foot in the inn...Kellivara, Fiara, even the hobbit Ashari...but this girl...this girl was different. This girl could be a friend.

"Well, Resbrita..." she said, finally relaxing a bit and leaning up against a tree. She suddenly stopped midsentence, considering the Kachita's name. "Resbrita...resbrye...it means...'remember', doesn't it?"

She grinned at Resbrita's nod. "And what does one such as yourself have to remember, hmm? Ahh, but I'm sorry." Kellis's smile grew as she shook her head at herself. "It's none of my business, I know. And we were talking about the Drow, weren't we? She is called Kellivara. I've been trying to avoid her since I got here. I doubt she means any real harm but..." Kellis rolled her eyes, "she irritates me."

"As for myself..." the golden haired thief smiled a bit more now. "You are not mistaken in thinking that I have much to hide. But I have no wish to attempt deceiving a Kachita." She winked, then added, "I have tried and failed before. It is quite an impossible task. But you wrong me in believing I am not trustworthy. I am one of the most trustworthy people you will ever meet, miss. You just have to be on the right side."

With a playful look gleaming in her brown eyes and a flourish of her hand, Kellis bowed as she used to in her court of "underlings", as they were once called by the nobles. "My name is Kellis Tikéra, once Queen of Thieves and head of the underground Jade Tiger, and not ashamed to admit to it. I doubt many of your people have heard of me...they tend to seclude themselves from Magdalanian gossip...but I was once wanted all through eastern Magdala, from Aladánse and the Sheilan Hills to Keilai and the Kalletem Forest. But perhaps there are a few Kachitas who remember my name. I've taken refuge with your people more than once." She added in earnest, "They're a good sort, and I'd never steal from them or play them false."

"But as you can see, I'm currently out of business in my usual profession...I believe there's a pardon for me being worked on in the Diamond Palace, but who knows how long that will take. Until then," Kellis gave a shrug, "I skulk about these parts, living off what I can get. That's my story, plain and simple. Condemn me if you want...I simply have no wish to even try lying to a Kachita."

[HobbitGirl]

Resbrita raised her eyebrows, impressed at how frank and honest Kellis had been. The Kachita waited until the thief finished talking. "I have heard of you before," she said. "I grew up in a Magdalainian orphanage, and talking about the thieves of the Jade Tiger was one of my peer's favorite pastimes." She smiled. Resbrita felt as if she didn't need to be shy around this Kellis. Kellis seemed the sort of person that one could just talk with, without any social inhibitions. "I am glad that you are honest. Normally I would be wary around a thief, but I know that you know I have nothing that you might want to steal. Frankly, I'm quite facinated by you thieves. Not only do you make interesting conversation, but you are an interesting strand of people in yourselves." Resbrita smiled, then gave a little shake of her head. But the next moment she looked up, curiosity in her eyes. "You were wanted all over? Then how are you getting a pardon from the Diamond Palace?"

[Kailita]

Kellis laughed lightly at Resbrita's fascination with thieves, glad that the girl could be open with her as well. "We are quite the interesting strand of people, that much is very true. But in the end we're just the ones that circumstances have been unkind to, trying to work together and help each other out...sometimes at the expense of others outside the guild, but..." she shrugged once more... "we try to steal from those who can spare a bit."

"As far as my pardon goes..." The mischevious grin returned to Kellis's face. "Well, that is a story in itself. Basically, a friend and fellow thief has found favor and friends in high places. The older princess of Magdala, Zesprin, has taken a fancy to him, it seems...or they're at least good friends. He's putting in a good word for me, and she's doing what she can to get me pardoned. Zesprin's smart and kind, princess or otherwise. I've had a run-in with her before...but that was quite some while ago, and I didn't know that I was dealing with a princess at the time." Kellis's mouth curved into a wry smile as she remembered the time, many years before. "But that is a completely different story that would take quite some time to tell."

"So." She turned back to Resbrita, a curious interest in her eyes. "Enough about me. Thief Queen, running from the law...my tales are utterly boring." She winked again, then continued. "You, however...you grew up in a Magdalanian orphanage? Would the Kachitas not take you in? That does not sound very much like them."

[HobbitGirl]

Resbrita gave a self-concious half-shrug, then launced into her story. "My mother was half Magdalainian and half Kachita, my father all Kachita. We lived like the Kachitas do, happy within our community and moving with the seasons. My mother was happy, but sometimes she wished for more...culture, I think was the way she put it. She grew up in Magdala and missed it from time to time." Her tone of voice grew more solemn. "My parents got in and accident when they were out hunting one day. Apparently there was a large pit, an old trap that someone had dug a long time ago, which my mother fell into by accident. The light was too low for my father to see what was in the bottom, so he jumped in to try to get my mother out. At the bottom of the pit were spikes designed to kill whatever fell in there. My father did not survive. Later some Kachitas from our village found my mother, who was moratally wounded but still alive. They took her back to the village, and while on her deathbed she requested that I be sent to Magdala. I don't really know why she requested this, but my people fulfilled her request. I was barely a year old."

She sighed, leaned against a tree, and looked up at the sky. "Perhaps my mother wanted me to see what Magdala is like. I do not know. But I get the feeling that the reason she sent me to Magdala has something to do with my name." Resbrita paused. "I remember everything, so Resbrita seems a fitting name. But I was only an infant. An infant does not have an adult's memory. This can only mean that my mother wanted me to remember something. What it is I've never known, but I've been trying to find out ever since I was old enough to leave the orphanage. That is why I left Atavve. I could not find my answers there."

[Kailita]

Kellis listened attentively to the Kachita's tale, surprised at how much the seemingly naieve girl had been through.

"Your mother could not have missed culture. The Kachitas have plenty of culture to spare. I believe what your mother longed for was structure...the etiquette, the finesse of the Magdalanians. But I'm sorry to hear about your parents. And your stay in the orphanage. I was in and out of Magdalanian orphanages for a while as a child. They have come a long way since my time...but they were not pleasant places back then."

Searching Resbrita's face, Kellis continued softly, "You are not as much of a girl as I assumed you were. How old are you, Resbrita? Sixteen, seventeen? Surely no longer a child. But you have seen and been through much for one your age. During the Tiger's prime, we would have eagerly welcomed you in as one of our own, though..." Kellis smiled a small bit... "I don't know if you would have accepted."

[HobbitGirl]

Resbrita's eyes widened. Her? A thief? Sure thieves were interesting people, but... "You are right. I would not have accepted. But I would feel safer knowing that I had the favor of the thieves' guild on my side," she said with a twinge of light-hearted sarcasm.

[Kailita]

"Who wouldn't?" Kellis replied with a sly half-smile. "We look out for each other...protect our own. Even thieves have a code of honor."

She began to stroll back towards the inn, motioning for Resbrita to follow. She had money now and wanted to pay off her debt as soon as possible...or at least before the stableman realized what he was missing.

"So tell me, Resbrita," she asked as she walked, "how do you know Fiara? You two seem to be good friends. Is she one I can depend on?"

"And don't worry," she put in fairly quickly, not wanting her motive to be misunderstood, "I have no intention of pulling anything on her. Even if I did, she's much too alert to pull an easy slitch over. Only the most skilled...or most foolish...thieves attempt to pull a fast one on a Ranger."

[Dimatron]

A tall figure clad all in black walked in to the Inn, followed closely by a tall fair Elf.
He waved at Fiara, hoping he was recognised.

"Lets go get a drink"he wispered to Famrill...

[Thomas Baggins]

Soon after the two Ranger's arrived an other one walked in, Hello Fiara he said cheerily, can you get me large glass of Iced Tea, please?

[Ledreanne313]

Two horses ride up, one silver (Celebweth) and one black (Dinweth). Off jump two elves, Ledreanne from before and Mandell her very close friend. Mandell was quite tall, not as tall as Ledreanne,with gold hair and green eyes. He was clad in bright green and gold armour. Ledreanne with red hair and green eyes was clad in dark green and black with silver armour. They walk in and took a seat and start talking with each other in there own langauge. Ledreanne looked to Ashari and Fiara and smiled a little as to show she has returned. Then she looked back to Mandell and started speaking again with him.

ooc: I'm back!

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara looked up and smiled wide. "Dimatron! Famril! Good to see you here! Please, have a seat!" She gestured to the bar. "Lolik, look who decided to join us!" Fiara looked over to the other Ranger seated at the bar. She chuckled. "This place may replace the Wandering Blade as the Ranger's inn if I'm not careful!"

Fiara saw that Dim and Fam were holding each other's hands. She grinned. "Famril, is he your date? Or vice versa? Well of all things I never expetcted this..." She winked.

"Please, help yourself to some food!" She gestured to the platters of food Kellivara had cooked up sitting on the counter. "You'll have ales, I presume? That reminds me...Tom!" This last word was said to the tall, black haired waiter, who answered with his usual lisp, "Yesh, Fiara?"

"Make your rounds on the tables. See if anyone wants more ale. Break's over, my friend."

"Yesh, ma'am," Tom replied.

Fiara filled up two mugs with ale, then slid them down the bar to Dimatron and Famril. "Five coppers apiece, refils cost as much, unless business is exceptional and I'm feeling generous. Which I always am." She said all this with an energetic smile. "Well, sit down, can't have you standing there forever!" she said cheerfully.

Fiara smiled as Aravorn walked in. She filled up his iced tea and slid it down the bar. "Welcome back, my friend!"

[Kailita]

Kellis strided confidently back into the inn with her golden head raised high, Resbrita following behind her. No more shirking for her. She had money now.

Walking to the bar, she asked clearly, "Miss Fiara, should I pay my debt for the food now or later? And just how much do I owe?"

[Angoreth]

Famrill smiled, "I think it could go both way's" she looked at Tom, "How did you get Tom to work for you Fiara?" she asked. "Tom, I will also have some tea, please?" she asked.

[Thomas Baggins]

I do believe your thinking of the wrong Tom, Famrill for I do not have black hair or a lisp, although it is kind of a funny picture! Well not really, Brown hair is good, and a lisp is bad! I'm glad with what I got! So tell me Fiara how's it going do you need any help with inn, I'd be glad to offer my serivices!:cool:

[Dimatron]

Andressar took a sip of his beer and said...
"I worked in an Inn once. Got fired because i used to spend all night drying out the bar! Poor old guy! I drunk almost ALL his wine!"

[Thomas Baggins]

"Well I not that much of an alcoholic beverage drinker, buuuuut Iced Tea.................well let's just say I constantly be making that, oh boy do I love to drink Iced Tea"


"So do you need help Fiara?"

OOC: I have a glass of Iced Tea on the desk right now, it's empty of course!

[Angoreth]

OOC: I like Ice tea, but I think Rasberry tea is the best, sorry T.B.:p



IC: " I didn't know you worked at a bar. I worked a bar, you see my friend malazac had to go to war and I watch over his bar for him while he was gone. And T.B. I wasen't talking about you, I was talking about Fiara's worker, you knw every dosent have to be talking about you" she smirked.




OOC:;) :p

[Ledreanne313]

Ledreanne continued her conversation with Mandell while also listening to the other conversation in the backround, chuckling to herself about what they were talking about. 'Hiril Persephel esse Laurelindorinan? Anann tir im hiril. Estel tir.' she said to him and he replied 'Persephel esse Laurelindorinan an...yeni! Tul hiriluva.' Then they stopped speaking for a while and observed their surroundings. Ledreanne smiled at who she looked upon and looked back to Mandell 'Im estel an yavë miruvor.' And Mandell did not reply. He took up his gold canteen and finished the water. 'Estel nen.' And Ledreanne shook her head 'yes' in approval. Then she looked to Fiara and spoke saying 'Excuse me, Lady, do you have any water for my friend here?' in her thick accent.

[Thomas Baggins]

Well naturally I knew that, Famrill, I was just joking.:p Aravorn get's up and looks around, really I wonder where Fiara has gotten off to.

[HobbitGirl]

"I'm right here," Fiara said, popping up from behind the bar. "I was just sorting through some things. I couldn't find the iced tea at first. Did you miss me?" She smiled, then handed Aravorn another iced tea. Tom! Take this to our elven friends over there." She handed a water to the waiter.

"Yes'm," Tom said, then took the water and scurried off.

"What do you mean, get Tom to work for me?" Fiara asked slowly. "He wanted the job, so I hired him. There's nothing special involved in his working here, really." She shrugged in a "whatever" manner and turned to Kellis, whom she had (not rudely) ingnored in order to duck beneath the bar. "Well, how many ales have you had? I just refil them; I assume my costomers are keeping track," she said sarcastically. She still had a grudge against this girl for Kellis's thievery that had taken place earlier.

[Ledreanne313]

'Thank you, Lord.' Ledreanne said to Tom who delievered their water. Mandell poured he water in his canteen and Ledreanne used the rest for her own canteen of bright silver. Then they sat silent for some time.

[Thomas Baggins]

Hmm did I miss you, well I suppose in a manner of speaking, yes, but then again not really, so which ever one you choose will do.


Well I know I've had aroung three Iced Teas so if you'll just put them on my tab I must be going, See you in a little while. Aravorn get's up and shakes Fiara's hand then nods to everyone else and quitle exits the inn.

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara smiled after her Ranger friend. He had had only two iced teas. She wrote a note that Aravorn owed her one silver and three coppers for two iced teas and an iced espress and stuck it in her cash register. Speaking of which...Fiara looked up at Kellis, deciding that she had been ignored long enough. Less than she deserved in Fiara's mind; pickpocketing was not something the Ranger took well. Calm down, Fiara, you can deal with her later. Don't make a scene. "Let's see...you paid enough for four ales earlier, and you only drank two. Then you ate your fill from the kitchen, and that brings the tab up to..." Fiara made a quick dash to the kitchen to check and see how much Kellis had eaten. "...what you have already paid plus one silver and a copper."


Resbrita stood behind Kellis, watching her Ranger friend with worry in her eyes. She looks about to lash out at Kellis...goodness, what did Kellis do to deserve Fiara's anger? I hope she didn't steal anything...Fiara wouldn't make a scene in her own inn, but she would not forgive pickpocketing in it either. Colita ishina...Oh Fiara, please don't do anything too rash.


Just after Fiara told Kellis what she owed, Fiara's rats came scurrying onto the bar from underneath the counter. Her brown-with-white-patches rat, Mr. Rodent, was leading the two white-with-green-eyes rats that Aravorn had given her. Fiara folded her arms and took on a mock-scolding manner as she looked down on her rats. "So there you are! No wonder I couldn't find the iced tea the second time! Been moving things, haven't you?"

Mr. Rodent looked up at Fiara and wiggled his nose. The other two rats looked at Mr. Rodent as if asking what to do next.

Fiara sighed, then picked up the white rats and put one on each shoulder. "Now what am I going to name you two? I can't do the cliche Snowflake and Snowball thing. Hm...maybe Dandruff for one of you...Milk? Milky? Cream? Creamy? Definitly Dandruff..." Fiara lapsed into a thoughtful silence as her rats looked at her expectantly.

[Kailita]

Kellis blinked at Fiara's sarcastic manner, somewhat surprised, but answered, "I think I'm covered for the ales. I was just curious as to see if I owed you anything for the food. I was under the impression that we had to pay to eat..."

She moved out of the way as Aravorn shook Fiara's hand and headed out. Catching Resbrita looking her way, Kellis gave the smallest of a shrug, as if to show that she didn't know what had irked Fiara either. After all, she hadn't stolen anything inside the inn that the Ranger could know about...right?

When Fiara finally decided to acknowledge her presence, Kellis promptly paid her bill with two silvers, then waited for her change, knowing by now that this inn would take no charity. Seeing Fiara with her rats put Kellis a little more at ease...the Ranger didn't seem quite so intimidating when she was talking to rodents.

As Aravorn pushed the door open to leave, a teenage human was starting to come inside. She smiled at Aravorn, stepped around him, then entered the inn. Her short hair was blonde, but not the brilliant gold of Kellis's hair. Instead, it was a sandy color and was randomly tied up with various bows and hairties all over her head. She was short, but her face was mature enough to show that she was in her mid-teens, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. Smiling, she looked around.

The first thing she noticed was the Kachita at the bar by the tall, golden haired woman in the pretty blouse and ragged pants. But, taking a closer look, she realized that she recognized that woman. Her good-natured face breaking into a grin, she slowly approached her old friend.

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara counted out eleven coppers and handed them to Kellis without a word, being distracted by the newcomer. She looked at the approaching teenager and smiled warmly. "Welcome to the Dancing Pumpkin! I'm Fiara, the barkeeper, that's Ashari, our hobbit entertainer, and Tom, the waiter. I'll get you anything you might need. Oh yes, I forgot about our friend Kellivara, who's doing some very good cooking for the time being. So, what can I get you?" She leaned her elbow against the bar, and Mr. Rodent scurried out of the way. The white rats were still perched on Fiara's shoulders.

[Kailita]

The newcomer gave a smile at the courtesy she was being shown, which quickly turned into a grin when she saw the rats sitting complacently on Fiara's shoulders. Kellis was listening to the discussion but paying it no heed, thinking that it didn't concern her much, and she remained focused on sweeping the coppers into her pockets.

"Do you keep them as pets?" the girl inquired of Fiara and her rats with a friendly smile as she leaned up against the bar, not too far from Kellis and Resbrita. "They seem tame. Do they have names?"

She shot a quick glance over at Kellis, but upon seeing that her once fellow thief and queen was still only listening and not looking, kept her attention focused on Fiara.

[Kellivara]

*Kellivara grinned for half a second as the newcomer walked in, eying Kellis.* well, this Inn's just FULL of thieves, ain't it? this is gettin' interestin'....

*and at that Kell went back to her ale, sipping at it thoughtfully*

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn slips quitely back into the inn, "What's up Fiara?" he say's grabbing a cup of Iced Tea, he then walks over and sits down next to Famrill and Andressar.Leaving seven golden coins sitting on the bar for his payment.

[Dimatron]

Andressar shakes aravorns hand. He then pushed Aravorns coins back to him and replaced them with his own.

"Ill get that! Its an honour!"

he turned to famrill...
"You are quite. Is everything allright?"

[Thomas Baggins]

"Why thank you Andressar" "I forgot, but are you Half-Elven?" then turning to Fiara, "So how are you?"


He then stands up and tacks a large paper to the canter beam of the building, it read's.


Notice: !!!All Ranger's please contact Aravorn Blacksword, ie (Thomas Baggins) in regards to a Ranger party that is taking place. All member's of the Ranger's Guild are wanted!!!

[Dimatron]

"thats right. My mother was an elf of Mirkwood and my farther was from Rohan. Being half and half really has its advantages doesnt it?!"

[Thomas Baggins]

" Oh yes, us Half-Elves are very advantaged. hahaha! Especially when your mother came from Rivendell or Mirkwood, it gives you warrior blood from you mother's side and your father's side sometimes, also.

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara replied to the newcomer, "Yes, they're quite tame. My pets, technically, but they seem to think they have more free reign around this place than I," she said, casting a mock glare down at Mr. Rodent. "His name is Mr. Rodent," she said, pointing to the brown-with-white-patches rat squatting by her elbow. "These two I haven't really come up with names for yet," she said, nodding to the snowy rats settled on her shoulders.

Fiara smiled as Aravorn conversed with friends, then rolled her eyes and smiled as she saw the gold coins pushed towards her. "Andressar, an ale is only five coppers here. You don't need to pay that much." The Ranger shot a sidelong glance that was little more than a blink toward Kellis, worried that all the gold would catch the thief's eye. No matter,Fiara thought as she smiled inwardly. I would love to see her pull a fast one on a Ranger. Aravorn and Andressar aren't as tolerant as I.

[Kailita]

Kellis had noticed the gold all right. Like most thieves, she was a subdued kleptomaniac...anything shiny caught her eye. But she was too cautious to react, especially right under Fiara's nose. Still...the man and the half-elf obviously had gold to spare...

But the thief could hardly begin putting a scheme into order when a voice of vague familiarity spoke softly at her side.

"Kellis Tikéra...I assume that's what you're going by again, now that you've left the dangers of Magdala. It's been quite a while, Tigress."

It took all Kellis had within her to keep from jolting. Tigress...no one called her that, except for...

Her fellow thieves and underlings. Turning, Kellis studied the grinning teenage girl beside her. But it wasn't until her eyes caught upon the assortment of ties in the girl's hair that she recognized her.

"Ribbons??" she asked incredulously in an undertone.

The girl's grayish brown eyes sparkled. "Well, it's been a long time since anyone's called me that," she replied softly. "I usually go by Taytlen now."

"And Lady Taytlen at that!" Kellis interjected. "What are you doing so far from Magdala?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Ribbons replied smoothly.

"You know I..." Kellis began, but she quickly trailed into silence, her brown eyes darting about suspiciously once more. Excusing herself politely to Resbrita, she moved away from the bar and headed towards one of the tables near the back of the inn, motioning for Ribbons to follow her.

[HobbitGirl]

Resbrita's eyes followed after Kellis as she and...what did Kellis call her? Ribbons? moved to the back of the inn. Her foot almost took a step towards them, but Resbrita shook her head inwardly. She would give Kellis her privacy.

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn getting up went over to Fiara, "So how are you?"

[HobbitGirl]

Fiara was taken by surprise. "I'm fine, I suppose," she said slowly. She sighed, glad that Kellis and Kellivara were out of earshot. "It's that girl, the one with the green blouse. Her and the Drow. There was a bout of pickpocketing in here earlier. I didn't say anything at the time, but they won't get away with it. The trouble is when to...give them a stern talking to," Fiara finished. She was obviously thinking of her sword stashed safely under the counter. The white rats on her shoulders jumped off and followed Mr. Rodent on thier way to more mischief. Fiara didn't notice, too deep in her brooding.

[Thomas Baggins]

"Well when you do have a confrontation with them I'd like to be in on it bacause earlier, when Andressar handed me back my gold coins I set them on the table over there but I noticed that there are only three, I set down seven. At the time I thought I had misplaced the other's but in light of what you just mentioned it might be that they were stolen in which place I'd like to ask some polite questions."

Seeing the two eying them talking Aravorn quicky asked for a glass of port.

[Mablung]

Lolik smiled from behind his drink. "Kell will not do much I wouldn't worry about her if I were you. I have no doubt he would try and pick my pocket though." He shot Kell a sidelong glance with a smile. "Anyway if that actual thief Kellis steals any more and I catch her I'll just cut off a few of her fingers. That will teach her." As others watched him to see if he was joking they saw he wasn't. He had been raised hard, and he was not a light person when it came to such matters.

[Kellivara]

*Kell noticed the sidelong glance and realized they were talking about her.....and the look on Fiara's face was not a pleasant one. Kell would have to watch her back, but if they did try something, they'd have another thing coming*

[Kailita]

"So what have you been up to, Kellis?" Ribbons asked with a smile as the two settled down at a table near the back. They were far enough away from the main area of the inn to be unheard by the other occupants. "And how did you end up with...surely that can't be...a Kachita? All the way out here?"

Kellis grinned and shrugged. "Don't know what brought her. She's a wanderer. Called Resbrita, only a half-Kachita. But kind. Most of them are. What have I been up to?" The ex-thief queen's grin widened. "Oh, this and that. Slitching what I can, ducking trouble, living from day to day. Haven't gotten caught yet."

Ribbons smiled and shook her head. "Still at stealing then. No wonder you're having so much trouble."

Kellis raised her head defensively. "This is the only way I can survive, Tayt. I don't have a rich noble for an uncle to fall back on. Speaking of...how is your uncle? How's life as a Lady? And Coros...good old Dagger, how's he doing?"

"Nobility's overrated," Ribbons said with a wry smile. "But it's better than living off the streets. Coros is fine. Still courting that Princess of his. You're still wearing the blouse he gave you?"

Kellis laughed, looking down at the only nice piece of clothing that she had. "Do you think I have anything else to wear? So what brings you down here if life is still good in Magdala?"

"I want a job," Ribbons replied promptly. "I want to earn my own way, make my own money. I thought a fairly new establishment would be a good place to start out."

"An honest living," Kellis said, shaking her head. "Ribbons, you're such a bore."

But the girl was no longer listening. She had noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere of the inn, the way that glances of different occupants were flickering towards Kellis.

"Tigress..." she said slowly, lowering her voice even more. "You haven't, by chance, done anything to make you...unpopular here, have you?"

Kellis frowned slightly, brown eyes alert now. "Of course not. The Drow in the corner tried to steal a knife off of me when I first came in, but all I did was steal it back. Is protecting my belongings a crime? And then I slitched from a stableman, but no one has any proof of that. Besides..." A satisfied smirk rose to her face. "If they want to turn me in, they'll have to catch me first."

[Ledreanne313]

Ledreanne and Mandell sat silently in the corner and Mandell suddenly said to Ledreanne 'Im kel. Namarië! Metuva Omentielvo esse im Nimrodel ar Laurelindorinan esse er yen. Namarië uva mel!' And he rose and gathered his things and he shook Ledreanne's hand and kissed her brow then left on his golden horse.

Ledreanne new he left with disgust. She felt not the way he did. He was not used to the ways of the world. He was far older than her and was still used to the golden joyous days when he lived in Doriath, in the girdle of Melian Queen, fairest of all the Children. She was born in shadow and was raised on her own in the wide and trechourous world and was quite used to stealing, murder, and back-stabbing. She looked at all the people 'round her and felt that she was not the only raised the way she was...in the wild. She had not a place to call home or a family to come home to...except her foolish sister, Linialanor, who she disliked a lot. So she sat silently still, looking back and forth at the speakers and wish to cut in and join the conversation, which she did not though. So for much more time she sat in silence, waiting for something that she did not know what.

[Thomas Baggins]

Aravorn leaving the bar where he had been talking to Fiara went to find a table, seeing many of them full he went to one of the only tables with two occupants........................."So how are you two doing?" he said to KJellis and Ribbons while seating himself at there table. Both of them stoped talking straight away. "Well go on, you were having a conversation weren't you?" "Oh I'm sorry you two are old friends catching up aren't you? Well I'll leave you to that then," he said while getting back up. Then walking over to Angoreth and Andressar he sat down at there table. Leaning in he said "I had feeling those two were up to know no good it's definitly true since they wouldn't even talk when I got near."

[Kailita]

Kellis repressed a scoff as Aravorn left their table. "Nosy Ranger," she muttered. Turning to her friend, she said, "You'd better apply for that job straight away if you want to get it, Ribbons. The less association you have with me, the better chance you'll be hired, I suppose."

The response was a smile and a wink of the teenager's glittering gray-brown eyes. "Right. I'll talk to the Ranger behind the bar. And remember...it's Taytlen now, okay? Ribbons is a street name. Best to start over here."

And with that, Ribbons, now called Taytlen, rose from the table and approached the bar to speak with Fiara. Kellis stayed behind, drumming her fingers against the table in a preoccupied manner and shooting dark looks at anyone who glanced her way suspiciously.

[VioletFalcon129]

Lestiya walked in. She saw Ledreanne, the only person she knew, and sat down next to her. Where was the gold elf boy she sometimes had with her? She could have sworn they came up together. BUt she had also seen him leave. IT was best not to steal from people when you had money, but she was tempted. She made it a habit ot to get to know many people. Espesial other thieves. All theives that knew her eventally were coming after her to kill her. Best not meet new people. It was getting very boring for her. No one to steal from. nothing to hunt. no one to kill. boring. she asks Ledreanne to order her lemonade and gave her the coins for it. she watched the others patiently, surpressing the urge to kill them. She wished the other elf was still here. He always had gold.

[Ledreanne313]

'Mae Govannon! Long it has been since you have met, Lestiya!' She said in her think accent. She watched her facial expressions and new exactly what she wanted. 'Mandell has left. It would have been for the best since you arrived though. You shan't think of stealing from him, Young One. He is far older than me and far wiser. He may have gold to spare and gold to steal. I see you watch his gold...yet you must also watch his golden sword!' She said to her. Mandell and Lestiya have never met and Ledreanne hopes not that they will. Not for that Mandell might loss his gold...but that Lestiya will be harmed. 'Now now, think not of stealing...speak with me! What have you ben up to these years. Long they have been for you yet not for me. My time is wasted and I serve much boardom, please cheer me!'

[VioletFalcon129]

"well," She begins "If pumpkins dance, than pumpkin pie must be a diagreeable food to get indeed" she hopes Ledreanne finds it funny. Ledreanne knows not that Lestiya not only watches Mandell's golden purse, but his golden face. Seeing him from afar she wishes to meet him, even if not to take his gold. No one seems to notice her dog. That's seems good. She hopes dogs are alowed just in case someone sees. " In my wanderings" she tells Ledreanne " i have found this" she hold ups a beautiful silver and green neclace." Do you like it? Or is it something you 'missplaced' a while ago? Perhaps. Do not look at me like that"