Alrik.....
The orc relaxing nearby calls over with a growl, "Hey, stop yer noisy pet from makin' so muchva racket!" He glares, an arm around a server on his knee. He dismisses another to fetch him a drink, giving you both a disgusted look.
Alrik looks at the orc and smirks. "Apologies, sir. What's your name and I'll have a bottle of the finest house brandy sent to you?"
A smile grows on his face, his tusks jaggedly protruding. "Thaaat's more like it! Somethin' a real man would do."
He gives the woman a bit of a rough shove up and, hosting himself out of his seat, saunters over. He extends a callused hand, the other resting on his belt. "Illfang is my name."
Alrik nods, taking the orc's hand, creating just enough of a spark to give him a massive static electricity jolt. "I am Trevor." (14 deception)
(18 and 7 insight... Disadvantage from the distraction of pain xD)
As soon as the spark hits, he bellows, yanking his hand away, "what in the nine hells--?!"
Alrik shakes his hand and reacts in a similar fashion. "Ouch! What did you just do to me?!"
Illfang gives you a funny look. Then a smile grows on his face again. He starts to chuckle.
"Oooh, ho ho! Aren't ya the clever one. I like you." He ruffles your hair like a kid and takes a seat again in his chair, giving you a hard stare. "Your pet is annoyin' but you--yer ok."
Alrik gives him a look of complete confusion, still holding his hand like it's broken. "I have no idea what you are talking about. Whatever you did, I can't feel my hand any longer!"
Alrik turns and gestures to Tak with a wink to follow him. They walk down the hall and to the matron's office, where Alrik knocks on the door.
@ Alrik: Tak rushes after you, keeping quiet. The orc looks bewildered. "What the... Hey I didn't do nothin!!" He half raises from his seat, growling again. Now he's getting angry.
He pushes past the server bringing him a drink and stalks after Alrik and Tak. Seeing them heading to the front, he yells, "Trevor!! Get back here you little liar!"
@Chantry Williams The matron opens the door. She looks you up and down, noticing that you're holding your wrist as if it's in pain. "Hello Alrik, are you alright?"
She spots Tak, who scoots behind your leg. She looks exasperated. "Did the kobold attack you, too? Your friend insisted he would take responsibility for him if anything else where to happen--"
Alrik waves her off with his hand he was cradling. "Ah it's nothing. Old war injury..."
The matron glances between you both curiously. "Well, that's good he's behaving.... what can I help you sirs with?"
At that moment, Illfang stumbles up, trying to slow down at the last second and look casual. He bounces on his feet and gives an awkward smile to the matron, glancing nervously at Alrik.
Alrik feigns confusion and turns around, looking at Illfang. "Can... can I help you, sir orc?"
"No, uh... No I don't think so." He looks honestly confused.
The orc backs away, glancing between you and the matron, then walks away. It looks like he's going to his room to rest.
@Chantry Williams Meanwhile... You and Tak are still standing in front of a very confused looking matron. "Alrik?" She says, waiting.
Alrik smiles mischievously at Tak. "Two birds with one stone..." he mutters to him. Shifting his gaze to the matron, he smiles. "Yes madam, Tak and myself are in search for a coin. A platinum coin with a dragon carved into it. The coin is of immense value to Tak, and we dearly search for it."
"A platinum coin?" She chuckles, "I fancy that's of immense value to anyone, let alone your friend here." She eyes him curiously. "I haven't seen it. But I will let you know if I hear of any rumors... Or someone trying to pay with one. How do I know if it's yours, though? Just this... Dragon on it?"
Tak fiddles with his claws, then slowly steps out from behind the storm mage. "Uh...." he struggles to find his words in common, trying to be polite for Alrik's sake. "Tak... knows coin... Has dragon on front. Also has... Symbol carved on back." He tries in vain to make the symbol by interlocking his fingers into a shape. "Three sides, shape... With a line."
She raises an eyebrow. "Alright. Well I'll let you know should I find it. But keep your noses clean in the meantime."
Alrik smiles. "But of course, madam. I uhh.... apologize for the state of the room. I don't remember much, but the scorch Mark's say I got a bit rambunctious last night..."
She snorts. "Oh I heard all about it from Zinnia. She's quite enamoured with magic, that girl." The madam pulls out a cigarette and lights it. "Said she asked for a show and you obliged."
With a smile she takes a puff. "We've gotten someone in to tidy up already, we're used to it. Same for you, little kobold. At ease, boys." She waves kindly and shuts her door behind her.
Alrik nods toward the hallway. "Well Tak... I'm going to go get dressed... see if I can't find my pants. Would you be interested in helping me find them? I seem to have..... misplaced them somewhere between the baths last night and waking up." He smirks
Tak snorts and rolls his eyes. "Alright. Let's find your pants. We both losing things, huh storm face?" He wipes his nose on his arm and heads for your room with you.
Tak and you enter your room, seeing it has been tidied up almost like new. Another worker is just finishing replacing the sheets, a dwarvish maid with a cheery smile. "Hello sweethearts, welcome back. Just about done here."
Raising a wand from her pocket, she fires off a few small bolts at the ceiling. There is a kind of sucking noise in the air, like a popping sound in reverse, and they arc toward the scorch marks, dings and dents in the walls and furniture. The damage done to the room the previous night is mended perfectly.
Alrik thanks the dwarvish maid and gives her a slight nod. "You uhh.... haven't seen any... pants... while you were fixing things, have you?"
She chuckles with a deep laugh. "Why don't you ask your friend there," she says as she points at Tak. She smiles and grabs a basket of linens, walking toward the door.
***
@ Aubrey: After spending some time in town together seeing the sights, you turn a corner and spot the man from earlier again--the one smoking a pipe.
He appears elderly, perhaps a bit frazzled, and somewhat of a scholar. Without a expecting it, he approaches you with a wave. "Hello there, Dragonborn! I wanted to wish you congratulations on winning that fight earlier today... quite the show you put on."
Atriox is quite curious about this old man and about what hey may want. But he puts on a smile.
"Why thank you stranger. Duty and honor required I defend Dahlia here. Not that I wasn't more than happy to do it."
He bows a little to the lady, as much as his arthritic back allows. "I can see that very well! What a beauty you are, Madame."
"I hope I am not interrupting too much, good sir. My name is Olohand. I am a retired scholer...of sorts. I have been told that you are new to this town, and have done a few odd jobs for Ferrar and Petvin?"
He smiles kindly. "I went looking for you at the Dragon's Lair Inn, but they didn't have any Dragonborn registered there... It was pure happenstance you came that way as I was leaving."
He clears his throat. "I have a task I need someone able to undertake. It's of dreadful importance... Please, would it be much of a bother to have you come to my home? I can treat you to dinner and explain everything in more detail."
Atriox smiles "if I was just on my own I'd say aye sir but it's up to the lasy here. I am but a humble slave to her will." He does a mock bow and turns his head and winks at her
Dahlia smiles, her fangs showing. "Dinner sounds nice, actually. Something... Different, you know?" She gives Atriox a look that says she's rather tired of the food at the Fang, as good as it is.
"And you're ooooh so helpful darling." She lays it on thick, pretending they're a couple.
Atriox chuckles "well then sir you heard the lady we shall follow you then." Before following after he takes a moment to look at her beautiful golden eyes again and her fangs.
She catches you looking and winks. The two of you follow Olohand to his cottage at the edge of town, making small talk as you go. By the time you arrive, evening is coming on and bringing with it more rain.
Olohand tosses a log into his fire, stirring a pot he'd left on the embers and rubbing his hands. You enter through the door after him, peering around the quaint cottage. It's covered in old tomes, maps and bits of parchment. Dahlia seemed rather intrigued.
"I don't often leave this house; my studies take up most of my time." He gestures to a couple of chairs, laddling up a strange stew. Taking it, you see it's... Some kind of gamey meat, but you're not sure what. It smells decent enough.
He claps his hands together. "So about this task I have for you! Over the last few weeks, I have seen movement in the fields outside my home. Each night I see creatures of a... skeletal nature wondering mindlessly through the fields. These creatures are moving further and further into the field with each passing night."
Olohand walks over to the window and points in the direction of the crypt; some low hills across the other side of the fields. You can just barely make out a small cave-like entrance way in the side of the hills leading in to the crypt.
Dahlia lowers her spoon, having been rather enjoying the strangely eclectic meal. She looks a bit ill now at the talk of undead. Olohand just takes a bite of soup, eyeing the hills suspiciously.
"I would suspect they are coming from that old crypt just over the other side of the open fields.... I'm looking for an able adventurer to go into the crypt and find what is causing this disturbance. I'm not a wealthy man, but I can pay you a small reward for this task; 50 gold pieces... And the knowledge you're keeping this town from a looming danger." He looks at the two of you pleadingly.
Atriox looks between the old man and Dahlia. "Well shit.......what do you think love ?
Dahlia quietly considers what they've heard. She then slowly sets the bowl down and moves to the window, bending to peer through the glass panes.
After a moment you see her glance back at you, with a look that says...... There is really something moving on the hills.
Moving to sit next to you again, she leans her head against your shoulder. You can feel her shaking a bit. "I... I'm scared. Will they come here? But I don't--I don't want you hurt..." she trails off.
Atriox looks to Dahlia " I'm not particularly fond of getting hurt either and I was enjoying our day but........I would not feel right leaving this problem with so many in danger.......I wouldn't feel right leaving in a weak knowing you were in danger." He gives her a smile "well then I suppose that settles it. I'll do it."
She looks nervously relieved, and... kind of enamoured at your bravery.
Olohand just shuts the curtains with a shiver, and turns to shake your hand, Atriox. "Please make sure you are ready before you venture into the crypt. Who knows what horrors are inside that place... Oh, one other thing! If you could humor an old man--"
His eyes widen and he jestures with excitement. "--I know a bit about the history of Dragonshore and I have a strong suspicion that the nobleman 'Adodak Swordhand' was buried within the crypt. You should keep an eye out for his tomb, as it may contain his magic ring. If you find it, could you return this item to me? I would very, very much like to study it."
Atriox stands to get ready for departure.
"Sure I'll try and find the ring,BUT just because I'll let you study it doesn't mean you can keep it."
Atriox turns to Dahlia "I'll try and go as fast as I can do you wish to come along my lady ? You clearly can handle yourself as proven from the fight earlier in town" he chuckles a little
Olohand nods. "Of course, of course. Such a relic should be in a museum! Once I study it I'll gladly let you handle that." He seems distracted, pouring over some times and notes he has.
Dahlia fiddles with her hair, nervous. She seems rather unsure. "I don't know... You think so? Would it be wise to explore when the rain departs in the morning?"
Atriox thinks this over while stroking his chin.
" you may be right my dear. We nay have the advantage in the morning. Let us away to the fang. We both could use a bath and rest before some exploring and potentially another fight."
He looks to the old man "we will see you come the dawn sir. Goodnight"
Olohand enthusiastically thanks you for your help again, and for sharing a meal with him. He's often alone and the company was appreciated.
You and Dahlia head back to the Velvet Fang, the storm clouds billowing over the sea. The rain has stopped again, but the rumbles of thunder bode another onslaught before morning.
Once they reach the fang Atriox looks at Dahlia "shall we get out of these tiresome clothes and take a bath ? I'm sure our clothes would enjoy the break after the day we put them through."
She chuckles a bit. " I suppose you're right. You do look kind of dusty after that fight, and--" Dahlia looks at the side of her dress, " I should probably get Nathaniel's blood cleaned off before I stain this pretty thing you just bought."
The two of you head inside and after getting changed, she takes your things to be laundered. You don't see Tak or Alrik anywhere yet.
Atriox gets into the water and waits for Dahlia to return. He wonders what Atriox and Tak have been up to. He doesn't worry to much as he thinks they'll look after each other. Besides he thinks, Dahlia and him can handle this crypt tomorrow.
Strangely enough, you wait for a while but... she doesn't return. A few other servers pass by to check on you, all of them gorgeous and polite, offering you drinks and food.
The rain starts back up, and thunders down on the magical ceiling over the bath house.
Atriox stops one of them and asks for some of their best wine. And then just looks up at the ceiling relaxing......waiting
he server, a fair haired girl with freckles, hurries back with a bottle for you, extremely polite and cordial.
The rain keeps falling, but it's about an hour before she shows up in her normal serving outfit. As soon as she finds you she apologizes profusely. "I am so sorry to keep you waiting sir, please forgive my delay." She whispers a bit, not wanting the others to hear she wasn't doing her job properly.
Atriox squints at her crucially analyzing her trying to figure out what's off about her.
Finally he says not to loudly matching her tone " why are you acting strange Dahlia? Isn't something the matter ?
She shales her head. "No, no, I just... We aren't supposed to avoid our duties here. And I didn't want to keep you waiting, but I was hurrying to... Prepare for tomorrow."
Dahlia takes some time to relax with Atriox, trying to act normal. After a moment she adds in an undertone, "I'm not sure how they'd feel with me... Spelunking into a crypt. Don't want to cause trouble, and I'm under contract to work here."
Atriox nods "ahhhh I understand. That's good I was worried I had somehow upset you."
After awhile of just relaxing with her and watching her perfect figure relax he decides to have some fun.
Out of no where Atriox splashes Dahlia. Nothing to big but just enough to get her attention.
He laughs as well.
Completely lost in thought, the splash startles her and she laughs. "What the--you a hatchling or something?" She smirks and splashes you back.
He laughs some more "maybe I am! What you gonna do about it miss ?" He splashes her some more
She gets a funny smile on her face, glancing at the other servers. She doesn't really mind what they think, as long as she doesn't cause too much trouble...
She twists around, making a small wave with her tail and splashing you with it. "I don't know, what do you want me to do about it?"
Atriox recovers from the wave and laughs heartily.
He says to her "do you really want me to answer that process?" As he does he use his tail to gently wrap around the backside of her waist and pull her to him
She takes the opportunity to splash him up close. "Maybe."
Instead of answering her or waiting for her to do something he brings her even closer with his tail. He then kisses her gently.
"I hope that wasn't an unwelcome advance my lady"
"Not at all... I will say, you're quite the gentleman, Atriox." She chuckles. "I really glad you decided to stop in Dragonshore."
He chuckles mischievously "as am I my princess as am i" he sits her down on his lap in the pool and continues to kiss her only stopping to look at her golden eyes.
Eventually he breaks apart from her but only to ask if she'd like to go upstairs,either to finish this or just rest with him he doesn't care.
Dahlia gives him a sly look. "I've teased you enough. And seeing how capable you are and knowing what's at stake tomorrow, I'd hate to miss the opportunity to say I'd nested with the warrior hero of Dragonshore."
Standing up she grabs the remainder of the wine, and makes to head upstairs.
**To Be Continued**
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