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Inconsequential possessions

Started by Parkway, November 28, 2015, 03:27:04 PM

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Parkway

@DragonSong

He entered into the Randy Peach Tavern wearing his long black cloak with the hood up, it hid his face.  Honou scanned the main room of the tavern as if looking for someone. He is taller than most and he mumbled a few words as he ambles over to a booth in one of the corners. There, sitting at the back table, sat a stunningly beautiful human with fiery red hair dressed like a mage. It was a noble wore purple robes with gold trimming around the edges and he was drinking alone. Honou made his way to the booth where the human mage was sitting.



He nearly stepped on the tail of a skirt belonging to a barmaid. He was saved from stepping on the cloth when another guest quickly jerked the maid nearly off her feet in order to avoid the altercation. Honou apologized and under his breath uttered a low curse.  But kept on walking towards the human mage in the corner.


When he reached the booth of the mage, the man looked at Honou for a full two minutes before he spoke.


"And who might you be?" asked the mage, whose name was Guin.


"I am the new recruit."  Honou's voice had an echoing quality to it. "Parker sent me to meet you. Said that you needed rounding up something that Buron's been after for a while"


"Parker sent you, did he?" asked Guin. "Then where are my manners? Please, do sit down"


Honou sat down at the table across from the mage. He lowered his hood, revealing his face.

"Did Parker tell you the details of the job?" asked Guin.


"Not really" said Honou. "All he told me that you needed some muscle in a group to obtain a rare stone."

"What is your name?  Who are you?"  Guin asked.

Honou watch a patron pull a knife from somewhere under their cloak and flung it hard at the wall beside their table without looking. The knife had struck the eye of a painting... of Danu.   He pulled the knife from the painting examined it and without braking eye contact flung it back at the bar patron.  It hit the man in the shoulder.  Shrugging he commented.  "I'm good with knives. As to who I am, let's keep this on a first name basis.  I am Honou...that is all you need know."



"Well I think you two will do nicely.  you will be joined by another who should be here shortly.  You are both to work together.  This is of utmost importance."

Honou arched his eyebrow.  Parker knew he hated working with others!  Damnit!  A drink was placed in front of him and he swirled the liquid while they waited for his companion.


DragonSong

Verik didn't even have time to change out of his practice armor before he was sent to the Randy Peach. He grumbled to himself, annoyed, as he shoved the door open with his shoulder and entered the tavern, looking around for the mage he'd been told to meet. He was tired and sore, and the molded leather of his armor stuck to the sweat drying on his skin.

All in all, he was feeling uncomfortable. It didn't help that he'd had to leave Bane at the barracks; the streets were too narrow here for a dragon.

He spotted the red hair easily enough and started to make his way across the room. There was someone else sitting with the mage, a cloaked and hooded figure that he couldn't distinguish as male or female, human or other.

This must be his partner. He'd been told he'd be working with someone else, but that was all he knew. He reached the secluded booth in a few sharp, quick strides and snapped into a slightly informal salute. Firmly but not loudly, he introduced himself: "Corporal Verik Ares, reporting. My commanding officer told me to meet you here."

Parkway

Great!  Just great!  A military drone!  He was going to stangel Parker the next time he saw him! 

"Please sit, Corporal."  Guin smiled and nodded.  "Would either you care for a drink before I explain what you will be doing for us?"

Honou closed his dark blue eyes and tried to still his inner turmoil.  "Tea please, just tea."  He took this opportunity to look over the soldier. But he knew he would have to speak up and introduce himself.  Biting back any negative words he smiled.  It was a tight smile.  "Pleasure I am sure Mr. Ares.  Please call me Honou."  He made no move to engage in formalities of the warrior handshake, he merely nodded.

Honou was displeased!  He despised working with others and now it looked like he was not only working with someone, but a soldier!  Of all the bad luck. Parker was going to pay for this!

DragonSong

Verik nodded stiffly, taking the seat next to his new partner. "Well met, Honou. No need for that Mister Ares stuff, just Verik is fine." He couldn't expect a civilian to follow military protocol after all. To the mage- Guin, he thought his name was- he said, "Water is fine."

He was parched, actually. A hard day of training was catching up with him. And he knew he couldn't smell too good, which he hoped wasn't too off-putting to the other two men. He glanced at this Honuo fellow out of the corner of his eye, sizing him up.

He didn't seem too pleased, but perhaps that was just the way his face looked. It wasn't a bad face, other than that: a little younger than his own, he thought, with a sharp and undeniable intelligence in the eyes.

Turning his attention to Guin, he said bluntly, "So what're we here for, exactly?"

Parkway

Their water and tea arrived.  Honou sipped and he had to agree with the Corporal.  What were they there for....

Guin ran a hand through his fiery hair.   "There are fragments of a stone...  A marvelous crystal.  Once all the piece are rejoined only then will their full power be known.  There are five total.  I am sending you both for number four.  The court Mage is looking to procure them for the crown."

The ginger Mage smiled and sipped his own drink.   Letting the two very different warriors mull over the information.

Honou smiled and nodded.  So this Verik was here to make sure he didn't steal away with the bounty.

He stole another look at the soldier.  He had to admit he wasn't like a few he had come into contact with.  But he was a soldier nonetheless and he would do well to remember this.  Addressing the gentlemen who was contracting them Honou addressed the Mage.  "I presume you have an idea where this shard is?  And before we get too far into this, unlike our comrade here..."  he gestured to Verik, "I do not work for the Crown.  I expect payment half now and the rest upon completion."  Honou was not shy about his gold. 

Guin nodded and reach down pulling a sack out and sliding it across the table.  Next he pulled a piece of parchment.  "Here is the map of its location."  He tapped the parchment with a long slender finger.  "I don't have to tell you that you two will not be the only ones out there."

Honou nodded and took the pouch.  Looking at his new partner he smiled...  "When and where shall I met you to start our journey?"

DragonSong

Verik gulped his water, listening to Guin and Honou talk. He frowned slightly at the mention of payment, but didn't say anything. It seemed he would be acting more as a guard for this stone fragment than the person to retrieve it.

At the question, he responded easily, "I can leave within the hour. You know how to get to the east barracks from here?" It would be easier to just leave from the barracks; there was plenty of room for Bane to take off, and he'd be able to pack some supplies quickly.

A thought suddenly struck him and he eyed the other man. "You aren't squeamish about flying are you? It'll be quickest, especially if we're not the only ones after this crystal."

Parkway

Guin looked up and smiled he put some coins on the table for the bill and nodded.  "If you will both excuse me.  I trust you will both be successful."  He rose and started to leave.

Honou looked over at Verik.  "I do know where they are yes."  He was still being guarded but the green eyed gaze of the Corpoal spoke of honesty, courage, and determination. 

"Squeamish?  Flying?"  He looked up quizzically.  "No, does this mean you are a dragon rider?  I will have to leave my horse..."  He said it more as a statement, a fact.  Adding, "I will be ready within the hour."

He took the last sip of his tea and moved to leave.  His eyes locked onto the warrior.  "I will met you there."

DragonSong

Verik nodded. "An hour then," he said, standing as well. Thinking he should maybe add something to be polite, he muttered gruffly, "Look forward to working with you," before he made his way out of the tavern.

It wasn't a far walk to the barracks, but there was enough time for him to think. Usually he could get a feel for a person fairly quickly, but he had a hard time reading Honou. The man was puzzling, and he  was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't realize he'd reached his destination until he heard Bane's distinct, hawk-like call echoing across the courtyard of the barracks toward him.

He smiled as the dragon approached, reaching out a hand to scratch his brow as the great creature lowered his head. "We just got an interesting job, old boy," he said, walking to his bunk with the dragon on his heels. He chatted away to him softly, explaining what had happened at the Randy Peach.

Soon enough, his meager possessions were packed and he and Bane were waiting in the courtyard. The dragon rumbled low in his chest and nudged his rider's shoulder, sensing tension.

Verik gave him a half smile and batted his face away affectionately. "I'm fine. Just thinking I don't have a chance to say goodbye to Ilia." His sister wouldn't be happy with him for that. Still, this job shouldn't take too long, hopefully. He'd make it up to her soon enough.

Parkway

Honou nodded and went to his room.  Packing light as he did so.  He came down the stairs and headed to the barmaid and arranged for his room to be kept.  He paid in full for a month's time.  He didn't think they would be more than a week's time but one never knows.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Once business was squared away he put his cloak on and headed for the streets.  The barracks weren't very far.  As he walked he wondered what this Verik was going to be like.  He seemed brisk, efficient, and not into heavy conversation.  Perhaps this might not be so difficult.  The corporal brings him to the site, he retrieves the shard, and the corporal escorts him back.  One, two, three...easy!

He approached the barracks and found both dragon and rider ready to go.  Honou always preferred the company of animals to people and elves.  Animals do not mask or hide their intentions.  You know if they are friend or foe.  The dragon appeared to be very well cared or by sight alone.  Honou smiled.  Verik was gaining in his eyes.

"Well met mate.  Your dragon is a fine sight.  Will you make the introduction?"  He smiled for the first time naturally.  His blue eyes lighting up.  He even let the cloak down from his head and tossed his hair about.

DragonSong

Verik paused a moment, a little startled by that easy smile. He had been beginning to wonder if Honou could smile. He realized it made his own lips twitch up at the corners and nodded.

"Thanks. He's a vain thing, keep praising him like that and you'll get along fine." The dragon snorted and shoved his nose into Verik's back, making him stumbled forward a few steps. "Oh, shove off," he laughed, swatting at him.

He then realized he wasn't acting very professional and drew himself up. "Right. This is Bane. Bane, Honou." He gestured back and forth between the two of them.

Bane huffed and took a few steps forward, stretching his sinuous neck out to peer at their new companion. Verik watched silently; while he considered himself a pretty good judge of character, it was the dragon's opinion he trusted the most. If Bane liked him, then Verik was sold.

The dragon sniffed at him, bronze eyes flicking over his form calculatingly. Then he snorted, shaking his head like a horse trying to rid himself of a fly, and nudged the other man's shoulder with his nose playfully.

Parkway

Honou watched the exchange not much different than Sigus, his horse, and himself.  You could tell a lot of a man by his interactions with the bestial races.  This was a bit more promising.  He actually was surprised to see the corporal being so natural.  Honou felt his guard chipping.  When the dragon nudged his rider and he laughed Honou noticed years fall from his features he looked for a brief moment like he must have as a boy.  Care and stress free.

"Bane!  Well why should you not be vain!  A handsome specimen such as yourself."  He winked and then stood still for a moment allowing the dragon to capture his scent.  When it snorted and nudged him Honou laughed and patted the large beasts neck.  "You are not only handsome but also wise too!"  He snorted with laughter.  If nothing else Verik had a magnificent beast and this part at least would be enjoyable.

Addressing the corral his smile still there, "I have a horse whom most have come from the same mindset as Bane here."  He said with a laugh.  Allowing himself to relax.  "Verik, let us be off then?"  He handed the map to Verik as he would be guiding the dragon.

DragonSong

Verik took the map with an easy smile. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a grueling trip after all. Honou seemed to like animals, and that was certainly promising. "Right you are," he said, tapping Bane's shoulder lightly.

The dragon shifted, bringing his bulk slightly closer to the ground so Verik could use his foreleg as a mounting block and swing up onto his back, into the gap between his spikes where his neck met his shoulders. He reached down to his new partner, offering a hand to help him up. "You'll have to sit just behind me," he said. It was the most comfortable place to ride.

A slightly teasing glint entered his eyes and he added, "Watch his spines, though. There's as sure a way to make yourself a eunuch as any."

Parkway

This had him bark with laughter!  "I will mind those then!"  He took Verik's proffered hand and with his help slide into position behind his escort.  Honou was a few inches taller than Verik and once comfortable wrapped his arms around his waist.   "Ready when you are."

Honou was pleasantly surprised by the way Verik and he clicked.  It was as if the corporal and he were long time friends.  Not two men who just met for a job.  A job which would be very lucrative if they could accomplish it with ease.  It was a huge bonus that he was a rider.  It would make travel that much easier.  Bane seemed like his rider.  A loyal and true being.  He grimaced, he may have not led the most righteous of lives but he was no less loyal to those who won his trust.  Verik seemed to be one who could. But, no need to get a head of himself. 

(((OOC....  Should we move thread?  Maybe to the Thunderbacks?)))

DragonSong

(((OOC: works for me!)))

Verik found he was suddenly very warm with the unfamiliar presence at his back. He told himself it was just that he wasn't used to riding with a partner and shook himself mentally. "Right then, let's take a look at this," he muttered, unrolling the map.

There was an unmistakable red mark, circled, which he assumed was their destination. "The Thunderblacks," he said, leaning forward and patting the side of Bane's neck. The dragon snorted and nodded, then bunched his haunches to take off.

"Hold on-" Verik twisted slightly to deliver the warning and almost bumped his nose against Honou's. He wasn't used to being in such close proximity to someone else, particularly someone as tall as he was so their faces were actually level.

Taller, he realized, jerking back and muttering an awkward apology. Bane snorted, giving his rider and exasperated look, and took to the air.

Parkway

Honou settled in and moved so he could look over the shoulder of Verik and checked the map.  "Yes, Thunderblacks."   He moved with Verik but when he turned suddenly he was not ready and for a split second he could feel Verik's breath on his face.  He pulled back quickly.  It was an automatic reaction.  He felt his face and neck heat up.  Confused by his reaction and subsequent overreaction.

He nodded and cleared his throat.  He was uncomfortable but not because of anything Verik did.  Honou was now aware of him.  Which made him shift as the Bane took off he griped the rider tightly and pressed himself to him.  It had been a long time since he was on a Dragon.


(((Continued Here:  http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=19938.new#new  )))

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