An Unexpected Gathering {Pinfeathers}

[Lowen Thorn]

@Pinfeathers

Music. Laughter. Merchants. Celebration!

Ipsen scanned the crowds of this unexpected gathering with devilish eyes. It was his first time in the city of Arca, and the Kingdom of Serendipity for that matter. It was Lowen's first time too, though he was not conscious enough to be aware of his surroundings. He mindlessly tossed an apple into the air - up and down, up and down - as he devised a plan.

He couldn't help but snicker. Lowen went black again. He couldn't handle the harsh realities of the world again. Now, instead of the boyish innocence and charm of Lowen Thorn, stood a more sinister man. It was Ipsen's turn.

"What is the wonderful event?" he asked aloud to himself, peering into the crowds. People everywhere. Food everyone. Excellent. The music that filled the air was upbeat and uplifting and was accompanied by the chatter of lively Serendipity citizens - wealthy ones, at that. If he wasn't so excited, it would probably make him sick.

He tossed the apple into the air one more time, but did not catch it this time as he stepped foward into the crowd. "P-Pardon me," he said, putting together his best Lowen impression as he bumped into a young woman. "My a-apologies ma'am."

With sly fingers, he slipped her necklace from her neck as he moved away from her, not even bothering to pocket it right away. He moved deeper into the flood of people, looking for someone else to knock off.

'This should be fun.'

[Pinfeathers]

"Serve me up another!" Siatha laughed as she called for another plate of goat leg, her fingers sticky with the meat's honey glaze.

"Siatha, you're eating more than the men put together!" Cackled one of her comrades, a stocky knight with a bushy beard and eyebrows to match.

"And in that metal armor, to boot!" Agreed another, heftier knight, before he lifted a flagon of beer to his lips. 

"I told you all not to challenge me, I can beat you at just about anything," the young woman sneered, sucking her fingers clean of sweet glaze.  The spring festival was being held all week, ending on the Spring Equinox, and it was customary for Legions to attend together when they were off (and sometimes on) duty. A large plate was set before Siatha, a steaming goat's leg dripping juices sat upon it.  "Alright, you dogs, watch number four go down the hatch," she grinned, reaching forward to dig into the meat, when a suspicious figure caught her eye.  She paused, mid-bite, eyeing the man as he tossed an apple into the air, letting it fall to the ground as he slinked away.  Nothing about the gentleman seemed suspicious, aside from his entire demeanor and wicked smile before he moved along. 
She lost sight of him amid the crowd, but saw just enough to made her suspect.

"I think she's gonna be sick, 'aye?" Her companions chuckled and nudged one another, snickering. 

"I'll be back for that," Siatha said with a stern look to the other knights, dropping the leg with a juicy fwump back onto the plate and standing, using a thick cloth napkin to wipe off her fingers.  She squinted into the crowd, and caught a glimpse of gold changing hands - or rather, changing from neck to hands.  She hadn't seen who had done it, but she had an idea.
"Oi! You there!" She shouted in her Intimidating Knight Voice (as she called it in her head), and she started to move into the crowd.  People immediately separated to allow her passage, knowing better than to get in the way of a knight.

[Lowen Thorn]

Oi! You there!

Ipsen smiled softly as he heard one of the knights call out to him. Had he been caught already? Surely, he would have fared to be more careful, but where is the fun in that?

Without hesitation, he jerked around with a wide-eyed look of startling innocence on his face and tripped over his feet. As he tumbled forward, he slipped the stolen necklace into the pocket of a nobleman, taking him down with him. He gave off what he thought would be a convincing grimace before getting back on his feet and dusting himself off. He offered his hand to the nobleman he had just knocked to the ground. "M-My apologies sir," he said politely, mocking Lowen's persona. "I thought I heard someone call out to me, and I must have lost my balance shifting through the crowd."

'Try something. I dare you.'

[Pinfeathers]

Siatha stumbled upon the scene herself, and her eyes narrowed.  She had learned quickly that scuffles brought sneaking hands, and she carefully inspected the man who came to his feet before her.

Stooping over (but never letting her eyes leave the other man), she helped up the gentleman who had been knocked over and sent him on his way, oblivious to what lie in his pocket. The knight then turned to this new figure, the one she had been watching.

"You.  What is your name?" She asked, looking up at the man with the stern expression she kept reserved for troublesome folk and children. "There's no use lying about it or trying to weasel out of this, either.  I'm a knight and I've seen it all at this point, and what I saw from you was worthy of suspicion.  So out with it.  And turn out your pockets while you're at it."

[Lowen Thorn]

"U-Um," he stammered, looking at the knight with a frightened look.  Trembling, he pulled his pockets to their outsides to show the woman that nothing was in there. "M-my name is Lowen, ma'am," Ipsen lied. "What is this about? Have I done something wrong?"

Ipsen quickly glanced around him - hoping to create what looked like a nervous reaction. He was looking for an easy hostage if this situation were to escalate.

[Pinfeathers]

Siatha's eyes narrowed even further.  Something was fishy here, she knew it. 

Ignoring the question, the knight continued speaking. "Do you live here, in Arca?" She asked, "who are you here with?"

The stammering and glancing around - if it was genuine, then, she was used to people having this reaction to being questioned by a knight.  But if it was fake, then this man really knew how to get around.  And she had learned to always suspect the worst.

[Lowen Thorn]

"Oh," he muttered, looking down for a moment. He took a deep breath, and focused his eyes on her again. "No ma'am. I do not live here. You see, I am a traveler of sorts. This is my first time in your kingdom.

Ipsen shot another quick glance to the crowds around him, narrowing in on a specific figure in his peripheral. That one.  He straightened his posture a bit, his fake nerves calming on the surface. The necklace was no longer in his possession - she had nothing on him. "Have I done something wrong?" he asked again, his voice becoming less frightened and more impatient. "May I go?"

[Pinfeathers]

"A traveler, huh?" Siatha leaned back and relaxed her gaze a bit, but didn't drop her guard.  This young man had gotten impatient with her rather quickly - if he had nothing to fear, then there was no reason to want to be out of her sight so soon.  "Well, you must need a place to stay then, eh?" she asked, taking a step closer to him and placing her hands on her hips.  "Let me show you around the city a little bit, so you know your way around." 

[Lowen Thorn]

'I'll play.'

Ipsen smiled softly, and nodded. "Actually, that would be great," he responded kindly. "I find this city to be a bit confusing. I haven't quite found my way around - not that I know where I am going, and I haven't seen any inns or suitable places for me to stay the night."

The man took another deep breath and relaxed his composure. "I will not lie," he began. "You had me worried there for a bit. I do not know the customs of your kingdom, and thought I may have done something wrong. It was never my intention to cause trouble."

His stomach growled as the smell of fresh food lingered in the air. "Additionally, I have not eaten. Is there somewhere where I can get an affordable meal?" he asked. "I do not have much money. But surely, since you were just stuffing your face like some sort of wild ogre, you would be able to help a guy out."

He slipped. The Lowen persona he tried to maintain broke and Ipsen's nasty attitude crept out.

Shit.

[Pinfeathers]

Excellent.  He was going to go along with her.  Perhaps he wasn't quite as suspicious as she had made him out to be.  She was ready to point out the nearest cheap vendors when the man took a stab at her pride.  Well that was unexpected.

Wow.  "So you slip composure that easily, then," Siatha sighed, her brows raised, and she shook her head.  "You know, I know to never hope for the best.  What did you do with the necklace? I saw you take it." She took another step forwards, her body tense in case she had to grab for this man to keep him from running.

"You play a good innocent game, you know, but like I said, I've seen it all."

[Lowen Thorn]

'Found out. No use hiding it anymore.'

Ipsen's eyes slowly deferred from frightened innocence to a cocky, cold, and callous stare. He smirked at the woman, eyeing her up and down, and then raising his hands in admitted defeat. "You got me," he said calmly, his eyes laser-focused on the knight before him. "I do play a good innocent game. But I got caught didn't I?"

He snickered as she stepped toward him, standing his ground with casual disregard for her authority. "Gods. I cannot tell you how good it feels to be myself around you, lady soldier. To try to keep up this charade is utterly exhausting! H-H-Have I done something wrong?"

The man tilted his head slightly with a crooked smile and an insane look in his eyes. "But I pray you, lady soldier," he said. "What necklace are you referring to?"

[Pinfeathers]

There was really something wrong here.  Siatha couldn't quite tell what it was that was going on with this man, but whatever it was, must've been serious.

"You're quite the trickster," She said cautiously, flexing her fingers into fists and then back to a tense position, "obviously you've done something with it, and there's no use pestering you about it, is there?" She took a final step closer to Ipsen - he was barely an arm's length away now.  She was uneasy - there was something horribly wrong here, and for the safety of her people, she couldn't let this man loose in the streets. The look in his eyes told her that. 

[Lowen Thorn]

Ipsen rolled his eyes in disgust. "You just couldn't let it go," he said. "Oh well. I was looking for some excitement anyway."

In a split second, the man sidestepped and grabbed an unsuspecting woman - the one he pinpointed earlier - and drew her into his possession, placing his dagger against her neck. He was fast. Faster than your typical human with no prior training.

There were gasps from the surrounding crowd as the woman shrieked in horror. Ipsen's focus remained steady of the knight, while his dagger remained steadily placed on his hostage. "Stay right there or I will cut the bitch's throat," he warned with an eager grin. "Tell me, lady soldier. What is your name?"

[Pinfeathers]

Siatha's entire body tensed and her hand hit the hilt of the short sword she carried, but she froze when Ipsen spoke to her. 

God dammit, she should have grabbed him when she had the chance.  She let her hesitation get the better of her. 

At the sound of the commotion, the rest of her Squad was drawn to the scene, and they immediately drew their weapons.
"Watch it," Siatha said to them, not taking her eyes off of the man, "he has a hostage. Don't move." The other three knights stood still, but didn't sheathe their weapons.

"My name?  Shouldn't I be asking you for yours?"

[Lowen Thorn]

"Oh I'm sorry! Where are my manners?" he asked mockingly. "My name is Ipsen. The pleasure is all mine, I am sure."

The man's hostage squealed a bit as he pressed the tip of his dagger against her neck. His cold eyes did not leave the knight, but he muffled a laugh at hearing the woman's cry. "You know, it would be so easy for my hand to slip just a bit," he said. "Just a little bit and then BOOM!"

The hostage flinched at his abrupt vocal description. "Oh, easy there, sweetheart," the man groaned. "You will be just fine if everyone here plays nice." He took a few steps backward, bringing the hostage with him. "So play nice," he ordered the knight. "Your name."

[Pinfeathers]

The young woman glanced swiftly at her partners before locking her eyes on Ipsen. 

What was he playing at? What was it that he wanted from her?? If he had only wanted to get away, he would have done it already.  So for what reason was he toying with her?  She decided to answer the man's question - if it would get him to put down that knife...

"Siatha." She said, calmly.  Her posture was still, her eyes cold, and the grip on her sword was sure.  She was going to get everyone out of this safe and sound.  It was her duty as a knight. 

[Lowen Thorn]

Ipsen smiled as she gave him her name. He let out an imitated sigh of relief. "Now, was that so hard?" he asked. "Siatha. Nice name."

He took a few more steps back. "Now Siatha. I have a couple of comm--"

He stopped, almost as he was interrupted. "What do you mean this isn't right? How do you think we have survived this long? It's because of me, boy," the sinister man talked amongst himself. "Get out of my head with your whining and complaining. You sound like a little girl - you make me sick!"

His gaze had drifted off slightly, but still in focus to be aware of the knights before him. He set focus back on Siatha and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry!" He lifted his free hand and twirled his finger in a circular motion by his head - almost as if he wasn't the crazy one.

"Now, back to what I was saying. My commands," he barked. "Siatha: listen carefully. First, I need your men to put their weapons away. It's making me nervous and I do not like being nervous. Someone could get hurt for Gods' sake!"

He spit over his shoulder and let out a small chuckle. "Second, go get the hottest beverage you can find. Doesn't matter what, a hot tea, cider, anything will do! Just needs to be hot. I'm really counting on you on that one," he spoke quickly. "Finally, that man over there! The one you sent about his day earlier. He has the necklace. Take that hot beverage and throw it in his face. Once you do that, you can get the necklace back, and I will let the girl free. Promise."

[Pinfeathers]

The girl startled at Ipsen's apparent loss of composure.  She tilted her head and took a a few steps forwards in an attempt to get a better look at his face.  But before she could surmise what had happened, the man was back to himself again. Siatha let him speak.

There was a pause after Ipsen's words in which the girl eyed him disdainfully.  With a sidelong glance to her companions, Siatha nodded slowly at them to sheathe their weapons.  Her heart started to pound as she began to think rapidly about how to fix this situation.  It wasn't good, and she didn't like dealing with such... vile individuals.

Having closed the gap between the two of them, the young knight was within arms reach of Ipsen.  But she had yet to make her move.  "Osto," she called to one of her comrades, "fetch a mug of cider."
Seeming slightly taken aback, a stout, older knight took a few steps back, and hastened off to procure the drink.

Holding out her hand but not taking her eyes off of Ipsen, she accepted the mug in her gloved hand.  Things felt extremely tense as she swilled the drink around, eyes locked on the other man.

[Lowen Thorn]

Ipsen's lips curled to a satisfied, sinister grin. "That's it.." he said softly, almost into his captive's ear. "Now throw it in his face. It'll be hilarious! I think we could all use a good laugh, don't you agree? Unless you want the girl to die!"

With his free hand, he abruptly grabbed her hair atop her skull and pulled back a little bit - causing her to shriek in pain. "I can just smell the blood already," he hissed. "It's. So. Close. It would be so easy. Don't make me do that, Siatha."

W-What the hell are you doing?! Stop this at once! This is not who I am! a second voice cried out in Ipsen's head.

[Pinfeathers]

Siatha kept her eyes locked on Ipsen, holding his attention on herself and the drink in her hand.  Without warning, a bulky knight at least twice Ipsen's size, emerged behind him and snatched the blade-wielding arm in a hand that was at least the size of Ipsen's forearm.  The hand gripped his arm like a vice, and lifted him up off the ground to be eye level with the knight that had grabbed him. 

Ipsen was met with the face of a half-orc - the mahogany skin of her face glinted with sweat, and she grimaced at the little man in her grasp with a mouth sporting two long tusks from her lower jaw. Her hair was braided in cornrows to the back of her head where it formed a bun.  Her breath was hot on Ipsen's face, but not unpleasant - in fact, the woman smelled like sage and the sun. 
"Causing trouble, are we?" the woman said in a deep, dangerously slow voice.

"Oh, thank the Gods," Siatha completely relaxed at the sight of her teacher, and handing off the cider to a spectator, she approached the large woman.  The half-orc's other hand rested on the shoulder of Ipsen's hostage, who Siatha approached and consoled before letting her go back into the crowd.

"C'thei, I'd have had no idea what to do if you weren't here," the young woman said, looking admirably up at her tutor. 

C'thei huffed rather indignantly and looked down at her pupil.  "How do you get yourself into these sort of disasters?  You need to keep a more level head, and you won't end up in this kind of situation again." Siatha quickly nodded, before turning her attention to Ipsen, dangling from C'thei's weighty fist.

"And I was hoping we'd get through the festival without having to imprison anybody," the girl said, exasperated.