Oredion takes the drink thankfully in his hand and decides to sit at a booth instead. Once he's sat down he presses his back and shoulders against the wall and kicks his feet up on the booth. He muscles hurt from carrying so much, but it was worth showing off. He swirls his brink and breathes in the aroma. He quickly knocks it all back in one large gulp. He turns his eyes to the elk meat and potatoes and here's his stomach growl. He sets in with a bit hesitation and savors his food thankfully.
Etny, copying the others, sees them double-tap (not in the firearms sense..lol) their mugs, glasses, or bottles on the edge of the table after they have drunk their fill, only to see them be refilled and drink more. She looks down at her own mug, and hesitantly taps it twice on the edge of the table she's at--the bar--and set her mug down. Quietly, and with a wink of course, it is refilled. Slowly, carefully, again, she savors the sweet spice of the hard cider. She likes it!
@Andrew Woodhouse Make a con saving throw for me~
(Dammit...10)
@Andrew Woodhouse @Collin J. L. Robinson Oredion, you see Et tap her glass and get a refill. It's surprising she's gotten to a second, seeing how she handled her liquor recently.
There is a definite buzz this time. Your mind swims happily. The spice of the cinnamon is as intoxicating as the alcohol.
Oredion waves to Etny smiling.
"Come drink over here if you can finely handle yourself Et."
Oredion laughs seeing her cheeks red from her drink.
Etny laughs too, maybe just a tad too hard at the dwarf's invite, and she makes her way over to him, though the room is swimming slightly.
"Oredion-elenn, I can hold my drink," she says excitedly.
"Sure ya can lass. Come take a seat before you fall over."
Oredion laughs as she makes her way threw the room swaying slightly, but trying to walk straight.
Etny, with a tipsy smile on her face, eyes the dwarf dubiously. "Oredion-elennnnnnnn," she says, wavering a little, "I won't fall overrrrrr!"
Etny takes a long pull from her mug, and then sits there, swirling the liquid in the glass. "Soooooooo, what is new with you, my dwarf?"
"Just having fun watching some idget fall around the bar. You think you've had enough yet?"
Oredion laughs at the huntresses antics. He pulls out a peace of jerky from his bag and slides it across the table.
"Try this lass. It's made of elk as well. So what's the plan mate? Should we go help Atriox with the defenses, Alrik and Tucker, or hunt more on the morrow."
"Oooooo, neat," she says, still slightly tipsy. She takes the jerky, and starts to chew on it, getting a piece off. She crews thoughtfully for a little bit, thinking over the dwarf's words.
"We need to help Atriox, I think. He's very busy, and and I feel we need to do our part and pitch in." She pauses, picking a chunk of jerky out of her teeth..very unlady-like, but she has no care in the world!
Etny continues, "You know, I sent the Angakresh a formal letter of apology, acknowledgement of honor, and suing for true peace a few days ago. I do not know if he received it yet, but I hope to put...things...behind us. I wrote the whole missive in ancient, formal draconic."
Etny sits up straight, rather proud of herself.
"Oh... I didn't know you knew draconic! Your just full of skills Et! I fell the same about helping Atriox. It will surely help us make peace with him. I feel there may be a battle soon though. Especially with how many fortifications an training that are happening around town."
Oredion laughs and sets up straight flexing his shoulders. He grabs his freshly refilled drink and holds it up in a toast like fashion.
"Let us enjoy this day, for tomorrow we work. To friends, allies, and loved ones I toast!"
Etny smiles brightly, and lifts her mug in the air. "I'm just full of surprises, my beloved friend, Ore!"
She laughs out loud, maybe a little bit too loud, but she doesn't care. She clinks her glass against Oredion's, and takes a long pull again from the hard apple cider.
"A toast: to friends, loved ones, and to allies!"
Oredion knocks his drink back and slams it on the table after draining the whole thing. He's starting to feel drunk quickly. He let's out a small chuckle at Etny's face, then quickly looks away.
"So Et how bout a game? I'm not sure on what games you know though..."
Oredion laughs a bit from being drunk and let's out a small burp. He quickly repeats himself against the wall again and swings his legs onto the bench.
"A game, eh? Well, I know no games. What do you have in mind, elenn?"
She swirls the last bit of her drink around in the mug, interested in whatever game her friend has in mind.
"Hmm... I guess it has to be simple. I'd rather not explain something complicated right now. How about a game of questions. It is very simple you ask me a question and I have to answer and vice versa. Does that sound fun or should I find another."
Oredion laughs at his choice of games. It is something he used to play with his family around the table when they ate dinner. His mother would usually get him and his sister to confess to lies, but he remembers it fondly. He can't quite remember everything about his family now. There faces have slowly started to disappear from his mind. In all honesty since that day he has only been good at three things. Fighting, drinking, and slaying goblins.
"That sounds intriguing, elenn! Alright," Etny replies enthusiastically, "I'll start."
She leans against the edge of the table with her elbows on the tabletop, her fingers interlocked, and her chin resting on top. She has a tipsy but genuine smile on her face.
"Tell me about the green fire in your eyes. What is it?"
"I... well... hmm... that's a tricky one Et. After I awoke in the rubble when my home was destroyed it just kinda happened. I have a gut feeling it is a gift or a curse from a God of rage, if that makes any since. Whenever I am annoyed or angry they burst into flames on there own. Once a long while ago I was sitting at a bar very drunk and a villager told me my eyes had burst into a blue flame. I found this strange and ran to a mirror but my eye was not enflamed. I do not know if I was drunk or simply misheard the man, but it has bothered me ever since."
Oredion looks down at his hands and clenches them tightly into a fist. He looks back up at Etny smiling and smiles back.
"So my turn Et. Hmm... Tell me more of this All-mother you pray to. I am intrigued to learn more about her.
Etny is deeply intrigued by her friend's tale, and settles herself in her seat. She tilts her head to the side at Oredion's question.
"That, my dear friend, is an interesting and...complicated question, which requires a complicated answer." Etny smiles slightly drunkenly. "Do you really want to hear it? I wouldn't want to bore you with tales of my god..." She trails off a little.
"Et you are many things, but boring is not one of them. Please tell me, I'm listening."
Oredion leans forward showing he's interested in what she has to say. He takes another thing of jerky out of his bag and starts to eat it.
Etny begins her tale. She weaves a story of the Beginning, when all was void and nothingness, but when the Great Gods came together, with their combined powers, they created the earth through powerful and visceral song.
Each piece of music that aided in creating the world had its own distinct voice, and yet all the musics combined wove into one divine theme that wafted and waned through the cosmos.
The theme of music for nature and the bringing forth of all beasts, birds, fishes, creeping things, and all animals, as well as all plants, flora, and fauna, was Melora, or as she is more commonly known as: the All-Mother.
Etny explains that this is the goddess her tribe worshipped--who she still worships.
"And that," she says definitively in conclusion, "is the story of the All-Mother, elenn."
"Well that was interesting... So your God made everything? Thats... pretty impressive. All my God knows how to do is rage."
Oredion drunkenly laughs and fiddles with his drink.
"So you liking the game? We can stop if you want to."
He starts to feel a little more drunk and decides to stop drinking for he can still hold a conversation.
Etny laughs out loud, again, more loudly than she means to. Regardless, she smiles at the dwarf, and beckons for him to continue the game.
"No, no, but I like this, elenn! Keep going!"
She rests her cheek in one hand, and continues to gnaw on the jerky Oredion gave her.
"I suppose it's my turn now, elenn. Hmmmm...what to ask..." She thinks for a moment, and then lights up with something in mind. "Tell me, Ore-elenn, before...everything that happened...if you are comfortable with it, of course...what was your family like?"
Oredion looks away quickly a little shocked at the question. He looks back at Etny and gives her a weak and smile.
"I... I feel I must tell you. No... I want to tell you Et. They were my world. Everytime I think of them it... it hurts. I apologize if I get a little carried away or start to tear up like a child."
Oredion thinks back to his beloved family and a tears starts to form in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away and puts on a strong face ready to tell her, Etny, something he has never opened up with to anyone.
"Let's start with my father... his name was Leonta. He... he was a strong man who sacrificed much of his life to raise me and my sister. He once ran a blacksmith's shop for the kings men. Everytime I asked him why he quit such a job he would say "Ore you know why... I would quit any job if it meant I could be with the ones I loved!" He would then pat me on the head and tell me i have much growing to do. My father quit his noble job to to raise me and my sister. He started his own blacksmith shop in the lower tunnels of the mountain working hard for the common people."
Oredion wipes away the tears forming at his eyes and continues.
"My mother... her name war Iritiana, but everyone called her Iron for short. She was hot-blooded and would always be yelling at everyone to clean up, use manners, or to simply say hello. As much as she yelled she had a heart of gold. She would always help those in need and struggling. She ran a daycare with Miss Teras at her house. She... she was the kindest woman I ever knew. Of course you would have to get past her loud voice."
Oredion let's out a loud laugh remembering all the times she scolded him. He only now realizes those same scoldings are what made him who he is today. Tears stream down his face, but he no longer cares to wipe them away. He continues on tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.
"As for my last family member. Her name was Talia. She was my beloved younger sister. Between me and you she was a spoiled brat, but I loved her all the same. She had just finished her first level of schooling and was getting ready to go into a more advanced grouping. My father and mother worked extra hard to pay for her Education wanting her to get out of the common tunnels, hell even out of the mountain to see the world. They tried to do the same for me, but... I loved working with my father to much to leave. His craftsmanship was borderline perfection. (Heavy sigh) Back to my sister. She was smart to say the least. She would always be found helping my mother at the daycare or be found in her room with her nose in a book. She... she was... kind. She would help me with my studies as well. Although she got the brains of the family. I.. I was more interested in my father's career then reading books.
Oredion continues to smile tears streaming down his face. He tries to push down his thoughts of there deaths, but... all he can hear is there final words. His eyes start to burst into flames, but they are a soft light colored green. He fills no anger. Only the sadness of his lost family. He looks down at his hands as the tears fill his eyes. He fills broken..
Etny, seeing the distress that she has caused her friend immediately drops her glass, the small bit of liquid remaining spilling out across the table, and gets up, coming to his side of the booth. The tears flow freely down the dwarf's strong, bearded face.
*Shiza! Elvenbridge, you IDIOT! Now look what you've done!!*
She pulls the weeping dwarf to her, hugging him close to her side and chest, and gently stroking his hair. She leans her face down onto the top of his head, and holds him tightly in her arms.
If anyone understands the pain of loss that this dwarf has gone through, it is Etny. She has seen her family and friends die before her, and she has been witness to and experienced true grief. It is part of the reason she has been wandering the world for years. Grief. A real and visceral part of the mortal existence. Did gods feel grief? It was often a question she had in her mind, but never dwelt on it.
Nevertheless, Etny has found Oredion, and has deemed him worthy of her love, acceptance, and deepest friendship. She hugs the dwarf tighter (not uncomfortably tight, though), and holds him there.
"Ore-elenn...I...I am sorry for bringing these memories up.... I didn't foresee, and was blinded by drink when I asked. I am so so sorry, friend. I am here for you. Above all, elenn, you are family to me, and I name myself family to you. I will always here for you, even in your darkest times...even when you are wrathful. It matters not."
"Ava nala de, elenn."
Oredion wipes his tears away from his tear stained face and looks up at Etny. His eyes lock with Etny's. He does not know what to say to her. He is not the type to cry in front of others.
"Its fine Et... I... I'm ok. I just got a little to worked up reminiscing is all. I miss them you know... I've never told anyone about them... as they were alive."
Oredikn tries to move away from Etny's grasp a little embarrassed at his sudden flow of emotion.
Etny tightens her grip on the dwarf for a moment, and lets him go.
"Elenn, I am honored that you trusted me enough to tell me those things...That must have been very difficult to share. I feel your pain, Oredion."
With that, she rises and returns to her side of the table, but not before giving his hand a knowing squeeze.
She waves to Janae, calling out to her. "Janae-dera, is there anything you have that can..." she struggles for a moment, thinking if the best way to put it. "Is there some sort of elixir or...something we could drink that could purge our drunkenness?" Etny blushes a deep red, embarrassed.
Jannae comes over to the table, a bit of laughter in her eyes. "Feeling a bit tipsy sweetie? No worries, no worries." She pats Ore on the shoulder and bustles away, returning with a platter of fruit, bread, and oatmeal. She also sets down a pitcher of coffee and water.
"Eat up lad and lass. This should take some of the edge off."
Oredion takes the food gratefully and slowly starts to eat. He keeps his eyes on his food and his head down. He thinks about what Etny said about family. He keeps his head down and mutters.
"I do think of you as family Et..."
He continues to eat and sneak a few pieces to Joey. Joey leaps upon the table and sets his sights upon a small piece of fruit that rolled off his plate.
Etny, taking her food gratefully, begins to eat as well. She steals glances at the dwarf, concerned and worried for him. Nevertheless, she continues to eat.
She takes a swig of the black coffee, and makes a face. "Wow," she retorts, "this is bitter stuff!" She sets the coffee down, and continues eating. She is more than content in Oredion's presence.
Finally, she speaks up, addressing the elephant in the room. "Oredion-elenn, I fear there's going to be a war here."
Oredion keeps his head down and takes a sip of the coffee.
"Agreed... I am concerned for the people here. One of the reasons I've decided to stay longer is to help them. I will fight as I always do, on the frontlines of whatever may come."
Oredion breaks of a piece of bread and starts to slowly nibble on it.
Etny digs into her oatmeal, and continues.
"Aye, and so will I, elenn. We need to reunite with the rest of our posse, and find Atriox. I must know if he got my epistle to him..."
"Let us be off and find them as soon as are food is done."
Oredion sets in on the last of his food to finish it. Once he's done he picks up Joey and goes to wait outside, not wanting to sit around any longer then he must.
@Collin J. L. Robinson You stand outside in the warm night air with Joey. He seems agitated. He flicks around in your beard and scampers all over your armor, the moonlight catching on his colorful scales. It feels warm for some reason, warmer than normal. You tug at your collar feeling a bit claustrophobic... It does seem just a little harder to breathe.
Your muscles ache throughout your body. It's almost like a wave of exhaustion has come over you. Sweat beads on your brow as if you have a fever. Maybe you're sick... It has been a long day though, and you did push yourself carrying almost three hundred pounds of meat for several miles... perhaps that's why. It would make absolute sense. You tug at your collar again trying to relieve the tight feeling in your throat.
Oredion looks around feeling his stomach turn. The heat he feels messing with all the alcohol he consumed. He runs to the side of the in and wretches. Joey climbs out of his beard and onto his shoulder. He flicks his tongue at the dwarfs face worridely. Oredion straightens up wiping his mouth quickly. He pats Joey quickly and whispers.
"Sorry boy, I don't know what's wrong. I probably just drank to much."
Oredion flexes his arm and looks himself over slightly worried.
(Investigation 16+6)
@Collin J. L. Robinson You feel a little better having emptied your stomach of the alcohol, despite the sad loss of a good dinner. You feel a strange tingling over your body. Your beard feels thicker, the hair on your arms, a little coarser. Honestly you're rather hungry again, your stomach growling. The smell of the raw and bloody meat still lingers on your body, on your clothes, but the sweetness of it is strangely pleasing to you.
Etny eventually follows Oredion outside, waiting with him. To her, he seems more...filled with vitality? She can't tell, eyeing him sideways.
"I suppose we wait here for the Oros-Udunta," she comments, holding her hand out for Joey to crawl onto. "I don't know what's coming, elenn, but we must be vigilant and brave, despite the terror."
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