The Tavern

[catboywizard]

Odin flinches as the hand makes his way towards him, his heart almost stopping for a moment.
He takes a moment.

"I-I'm Odin, Odin Frayed." His smile brightens slightly though, as if he knows...something about the hand- as if he understands something.

"If it was always this excited then I would probably still be at the inn!" he chuckles, his small laugh feeling nervous yet genuine.
"I only came in here because I saw Vane here on the coach with me." He doesn't comment on the beast thing, that normally freaks people out. He isn't even sure how it got there, but something feels...off about it?

"So uhm...What do you two do for...I guess...A living? I personally have been studying magic- the best I can anyway- It's hard with all the false legends and such- but I also have been trying my hand in some scientific things too- I always thought that the two could mingle someday."

His smile feels less nervous now, as he starts too slowly, but surely, get more comfortable.

"I also kinda came here...because I haven't gone anywhere in...as long as I can remember, really."
...That explains a lot.

[kodissajumissa]

Vane heard the clank and pulled his hand away from the handshakes to hold his right hand down. The green veins could already be visible on it. The two had that that look on their faces after that. "Pardon. It's the yips" Vane lied and took a deep breath, returning the right hand back under his cloak. He pulled the cloaked in tighter to hopefully keep it at bay. 

"I'm... not working at the moment. I wish to be. I... need help actually. I'm very sick. It's nothing contagious, worry not! it's just difficult to cure. I need to be put to work to earn my treatment" Vane said this time completely genuinely. He might as well start with some honesty to earn their trust.

"I can fight however and I can survive. You, my drinking partner look like a mercinary. Perhaps instead of the drink, you can repay my favor by putting my name on the listings? I would be up most grateful" Vane explained at Eileen. 

"Are you, young man also looking to adventure?" He gestured at Odin. 

[ricarditoreyes]

Eileen observed this curious condition afflicting Vane with great interest. The tiredness around the eyes could simply be chalked up to exhaustion, considering he is fresh off the stagecoach. It was only until she caught a brief glimpse of those green, pulsating veins that she concluded something...special, was going on. She was no doctor though, and figured it was not the time nor place to ask such questions. Perhaps after a couple pints the lips would be loosened and she could learn more.

"Aye. I suppose mercenary would be an apt way to put it." She had never liked the label of "mercenary", as the term felt unbecoming in a way. Regardless, that was what she was. Though she wanted to appear as an educated woman, the credentials she actually had made such a title far from fitting for her.

As Vane asked for more information on work, she noted that the fresh arrivals seemed to share her desires to seek odd jobs.

"Well, these old bones haven't been out on the job for quite some time. With that said, it has been far too long. I'm itching to head out, and it appears that you two share the sentiment?" she asks, turning to the two for confirmation. "If that is the case, I'm sure we could check the bounty board and see if anything is of interest."

Turning towards Odin, she gestures for him to join the table. "No need to worry about work immediately, the bounty board will be there come morn'. You lot must be exhausted from the Old Road, how about a couple rounds to warm you up?" she says, as she produces the small coin pouch she had stolen from the farmhand earlier.

[catboywizard]

Odin smiled nervously, as he sat down.
"I don't mind going on an adventure, that's the whole reason why I came here...I guess, for wisdom- but mostly for something new...And...and to find out something about my anscestors..." He sighs. He isn't sure what it is, but something isn't right here- about his family i mean. Obviously something is amiss- the book doesn't have a symbol of the light, so it is dark yet...it shows him light spells, and even a few dark ones- it seems whatever the situation calls for...

He sighs. He needs too figure out what this book means too his family, and perhaps the Estate where the book was enchanted would give some sort of knowledge on this.

"I'm not a huge drinker, but I can agree with being tired...I'll take some wine if it's not too much." He fixes the position of his glasses as he looks between the two...should they find one other person before they leave?

...Well, it's not like they are leaving today...right?

He feels both prepared and not prepared for that.

[kodissajumissa]

"Yes! Thank you" Vane almost smiled at the invitation. With this relief Vane sighed and leaned against the chair. The heat of the oven and the people around them was starting to warm up his cold skin. The loud chatting and laughing didn't feel as threatening now when surrounded by people he can talk to. However he still felt his stomach growling. "I don't mind a pint, but I would like to eat first. I hope the cook is done soon" He commented. "And tomorrow we head out" he said with almost excitement.

The hunger wasn't the only thing the other body was telling him about. Usually the fiend was more interested in the meat around it, but now its attention was on the book Odin carried. Vane didn't regonize it and it was odd that the beast was interested in it. He doubted the beast could even read. So what was so special about this one book?

"If you don't mind me asking, what is that you are reading?" Vane asked Odin and pointed a finger at his book. 

[ricarditoreyes]

"Wine, eh?" Eileen says, smiling as she hears the requests of her new companions. She counts the coins in the pouch. It would barely afford the group one and a half rounds of cheap ale. "Well, I'll see if they have anything they're getting rid of for cheap." Noting Vane's request, she nods, signaling the tavernkeeper as she calls out to him.

"Some pints, your cheapest wine, and some hot stew for my mate here." She quickly stands and moves over to the tavernkeeper as he hears the order, placing down most of the coins she "borrowed" on the bar counter. With a nod, the tavernkeeper grabs the coin and signals for Eileen to wait. It was a busy night, after all.

She turns and moves back to the table, sitting down and casually stretching her shoulders. "Yes, that little book of yours seems rather interesting..."

Being completely unfamiliar with the practice of magic, she had always hoped to see if the powers and feats told in tales of old were really possible. Of course, she had no idea if this fancy tome was special in any sense. For all she knew it could simply be a pricey diary. However, it was clear that Vane, either consciously or not, was...tempted... by this mysterious item. If she would be heading out with these people, she knew she had to learn as much as possible, for when the most dire situations arise there is no time to ask questions.

[kodissajumissa]

While Eileen was bringing out the drinks, a threatening smell traveled to Vane’s nose. The beast, though interested in the book, noticed something else too. The smell of a hound! That was bad. Any beast would sniff him out better than any man.

I am surrounded by danger! I must look threatening! Vane felt the monster telling him. They didn't share telepathic thoughts nor the beast understood language, but they could feel one another's emotions. And the beast felt like baring it's teeth! Vane had to bring his hand against his face to cover the grotesque transformation of his fangs growing out and face lengthening to a wriggled snout.

“Hrrr… you are up must generous, Eileen. Odin” Vane nodded to his new companions, although visibly uncomfortable. “But I must-nngg get some air right now” Vane mumbled in a hurry and stood up. He tried leaving the tavern, but the joyful group of drunks blocked his way.

[brazilianguy]

\ Sascha Holzmann and Milo \

"I thought I had it." It took a week, but Sascha tracked the Abomination and masterfully inserted herself into the same group that was assigned to protect a ship passing through the Hamlet. She hoped to annihilate it while on the job. The subject was just a little girl, but she smelled of fiendishness, and a contract taken is a contract executed. At the end of the night, the girl was indeed revealed to be a horrible abomination, but not Sascha's target. The girl was an abomination who fought alongside Sascha through everything the night threw at them. The night ended with the broken child crying like a baby in Sascha's arms, with the investigator soothing her. Before the sun rose, it was discovered that one of the ship's crew members was an abomination... but also not her target.

Sascha was not particularly religious, but the frustration of coming so close to finishing her work in the Darkest Estate and leaving that foul place, only to be denied twice, led her to some harsh thoughts: "Should I have killed them anyway, to gain God's favor and actually find the one I'm looking for?" The frustrating thoughts continued, "How many of them exist around here, anyway? This horrid place only houses the worst."

Her inner conflict wouldn't last forever. Knowing she was back at square one, she knew that arriving early at the Tavern to observe and collect information was key. Being one of the first to arrive, even before the sun had set, she greeted Hook at the bar. Both weren't exactly the friendly type, but their successful collaboration on the dog-selling endeavor, which resulted in both making money, had created a cordial connection between them. As usual, she ordered her tankard of milk and settled herself in the far corner of the saloon, where her slightly elevated table allowed her to see all the tables, the bar, and the door of the Tavern.

"This is probably going to be a long night, Milo" she said, patting his head, offering him a dog treat, and placing a water bowl near her chair.

---

Many hours and people passed in the Tavern. But there is no hunting without patience, and Sascha was comfortable with that; in fact, that was her comfort zone. It was getting late, but as much as her body was almost immobile — with the exception of the occasional small sip of milk each hour — her eyes, partially hidden by the cavalier hat, remained sharp.

From afar, her eyes landed on a man she had never seen before as he walked through the door. At first, she thought he was a good candidate for a beggar. The angle wasn't ideal, but she was able to lip-read his 'I'm in a hurry' comment. Beggars are usually not in a hurry. Lacking power, they're always waiting on someone else's agenda, not their own. On top of that, he seemed fairly healthy. "Is this man trying to act like a beggar...?" she questioned herself. Her body remained still, as if to observe other movements better, she herself should have none. However, her focused attention on the new person made her miss what happened when an older woman entered into a dispute with a farmhand. By lip-reading, she understood that a small theft had occurred. Despite the farmhand's accusations, Sascha couldn't necessarily confirm whether the woman was guilty, but she knew one thing: the woman wasn't your average old lady. Sascha couldn't yet grasp what the woman's deal was, but neither had she ever really tried to.

Unexpectedly, the woman and the new man were now sitting together at a table (and in no time a third person, a young man also never seen before, arrived). At first glance, this trio couldn't have looked less alike in terms of looks and what Sascha could imagine as their individual motives, but she quickly understood that, in this Hamlet, chaos tends to rule better than order. Lip reading was difficult; the two men seemed to speak more inwardly, not articulating their mouths as much. The woman was more articulate but had the worst angle for reading. From what Sascha could gather, the book the young boy carried was a topic of interest in the conversation. She could also sense the unease in the body language of the book holder.

While Sascha had a vantage point, the trio sitting at the table had a fairly clear view of Sascha if they chose to look in her direction, despite being 30 meters apart. It would be easier for the men — because of their seats at the table facing Sascha — than the woman.

If they did look at her, they would see a young adult woman. Her attire was fancy, even though it was made with thick fabrics that fit her body tightly and functionally. It was clearly custom-made for her. A rifle was resting against the wall, and she was openly carrying a pistol on her belt. Besides her medium-length brown hair, not much could be seen of her face, since the cavalier hat perfectly covered it in shadows. Her posture did not match the class of her attire; she was sitting in a slouched manner with her legs unapologetically spread wide, facing the rest of the tavern.

She spent the whole night as a single woman in a tavern full of brutes and the not uncommon contingent of mentally derailed denizens of the Hamlet. Her posture — or simple existence — could easily be misinterpreted by the less sober patrons as a sensual invitation. But despite the fact that Sascha felt so different and believed she didn't belong in this place, the truth is she belonged here among the beasts. But she was a predator where most were prey. And if there was another predator in that saloon that night unlucky enough to be her target — the main reason she came to the Hamlet — she would show them that she was higher up on the food chain.

She was as scary and intimidating as the toughest individuals in that room. That would become apparent the moment one or more of the trio looked at her, their gazes dropping to her spread legs. They would then see a large dog emerging from under the chair, positioning itself between the signal of her spread legs and their allured gazes. The dog had devilish traits — pointy ears, big teeth — and an active snout as if it had caught a strange scent. An unexpected loud bark resounded, with the dog setting its eyes on the table where the trio sat. The woman didn't flinch, other than her left hand reaching for the dog's collar, holding it tight. She did nothing more, but if any of the trio were looking at her right then, it would be obvious that she was looking at them, even if her eyes were hidden under the hat.

[ricarditoreyes]

As Vane rushed out of the tavern, Eileen felt a long absent emotion stir within her. A part of her was concerned for the health of the newcomer. As she nearly instinctively rose up and followed him out, she realized that the distant life she had been leading for the past couple years had lacked this sense of care. She had no one to worry about except for herself, until now. Was she finally getting soft? This simply wouldn't do.

She stands, debating whether or not to assist her newfound friend, as she feels a chill run down her spine. That same feeling - that same call of the abyss - a cold chill that tells her someone, or something, watches on distantly. She scans the tavern, hoping to herself the farmhand had not found a lawman whilst she was lost in conversation with Odin and Vane.

She was pleasantly surprised to note no such threat was present. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the night as they were. The energy was dying down slowly as the night grew darker, yet the denizens knew such opportunities of revelry were few and far between. It was then when she noticed the finely dressed woman sitting on the opposite side of the room. Eileen did not know her face, but she exuded a level of confidence and comfort in this place that would only be possible for someone who knew the area. She noted the fearsome hound dutifully guarding her. Despite growing up on a farm, animals were never Eileen's cup of tea. Too intimidated to approach, she sneaks a couple glances at the figure watching them. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead under the soft candlelight, as she hopes and prays this mysterious observer did not notice her deeds earlier.

As she snaps back to her senses, she realizes that she had lost sight of Vane in the crowd. She sits down, taking occasional glances at the tavern exit and the woman watching the table, hoping to herself that the night would end peacefully.

[kodissajumissa]

Two drunken men were standing in the doorway. One drunker than the other. Other one was convincing the other to end the night already while the other barely stood on his own feet, leaning against the other for balance. Vane had to get past them, but how could he do this without gaining attention. As he looked around for an exit, he noticed the lady with a ferrous looking hound by her side. That must have been the one he smelled. This was terrifying. There were hunters here! He had to get out!



He approached the two men quickly and tried making his way around them, but he was stopped by a tug. He turned his head and saw that it was his own hand that had grabbed the man by the shirt. Monstrous claws were already coming in and his muscles grew with pulsating veins.



This one is easiest to kill, the beast thought. Release me from these chains! I will tear this open.



No! These are good people! Vane thought as he tried to climb back into control. He had already made friends of two tavern goers. Or at had a pleasant talk with them. But now he was too weak. The day had exhausted, bruised and starved him and his resilience was wasting away. The beast was taking his opportunity to come out. Vane had to act quickly to stop the upcoming slaughter inside the tavern or the one of his own. So with little control he still had left, he tossed the confused man aside, scratching him badly in the process. His right hand let go and Vane was able to run out of the door.



“Ya ugly bastard!” The wounded man cussed as his friend had to catch him for falling onto the floor. “Anyone see that? That man went crazy and stabbed me!” the man continued with understandable anger. As the man opened his arms to show the wound, the room could see three unmistakable bloody claw marks on the shirt. But before the two could say another word, they were interrupted by an awful noise outside. It sounded like the roar of a large beast along with the pained screams of a man. It changed into a howling of nightmares, hunting the minds of townsfolk.

[catboywizard]

Odin had been spacing out again.
He’s been doing so for a long time, and it has been a problem for him, as he usually does so when in a stressful environment- and people is a stressor for him.

And yet as Vane leaves, he watches with his eyes- and sees something… Odd. He wasn’t exactly in the best position too see him, but he’s covering his face and…his arms…

…Something isn’t right here.
The dog barking solidifies this, and he himself flinched, he quickly darted his eyes too the woman who was watching them- he had a strange feeling the entire time, but he usually has that sort of feeling anyways- but not this strong. He had found the source.

He isn’t sure why he is being watched. Maybe…they aren’t watching him…? Yeah, yeah he will ignore it, like he does with all of his problems.

“Uhm…I guess I’ll tell you, I’ll tell Vane when he feels better, but the book is a book my mother gave me- I’m not sure what exactly they did, but it seems they did really good things, at least that’s what the book says…I feel an enchantment on it, but- well, I’m not sure what it is…” he looks down at his book, taking it in his hands, and hiding it under the table unconsciously.

“The book…was written by my great…however many times, grandfather, and I tracked where it was written too…well…here, and I want to know how to get more powerful, so I can help others much more easily.” He smiles weakly, looking at the book.

“A-anyways, why is that lady staring at us…? Did we do something wrong…?” He looks even more distressed as he looks back up at the lady, not really hiding his discomfort and confusion.

Only the book gives off a bad aura, but what he described what was *in* the book, doesn’t make sense… as it was light magic he described…

Odin himself knows there are dark spells in the book, but he plans on using it for good- but obviously saying that would get him killed…and he hasn’t quite used a dark magic spell yet anyways, it could go badly.

Finally, he was interrupted again, this time by a man screaming he got...
Stabbed?! Odin quickly murmored an excuse me, as he quickly got up from the table, and rushed to the drunk man.

Uncomfortable, he asks, "Where's the stab wound? Let me see, I can help..." He looks the man up and down, seeing his badly scratched body, he can determine it wasn't a knife that did this...it was something else.

 "Here, relax for a moment now." He says, as he gently closes his eyes, and puts his hand on the mans chest- which makes him look ridiculous until...A soft, very soft, barely visable glow comes from the wounds...

Slowly, the wounds begin to close, and he steps away as they do so, smiling softly- the wounds have stopped bleeding, and the man feels somewhat better- what...?

"...Right- I'm going to uhm- leave now..."
Odin tries rushing out of the tavern, he doesn't want anyone staring at him after that...And that lady watching him...hopefully she won't be interested in him anymore...
He glances back to Eileen, showing he wishes for her too follow him outside...
>>>Odin leaves too Hamlet Streets. 

[kodissajumissa]

The man stumbled a bit but his friend kept him upright as Odin placed his hand on him. They watched as the scratches healed, leaving only tears in the shirt.

“So are we” the friend commented. “Thank you… sir? Brother? We own you a drink for another night” the friend continued, feeling confused about how to address Odin. Magical healing was something relating to church. Regardless, the two were too grateful to question this. This favor saved the man from getting stitched up. With a drunken buddy on his other arm and now a dagger on his other, the man head outside the tavern, hoping to get his friend home before any more violence happened tonight.



A moment earlier, Vane had stepped outside. He managed to stumble himself couple of houses away while hissing and whining by himself. He felt his skin pressing against the shackles as his body grew in size with eldritch power. His heart was pounding as his muscles stretched painfully. His face grotesquely misshaped as his jaw needed to make space for the large teeth.



Please. Not in town. Vane begged as his panicking mind struggled to keep hold.

The sun has gone down. We must hunt! We must eat! We must hunt! The beast felt it's instincts take over and disgusting drool begin to drip from it's mouth. It sniffed the air to locate it's nearest prey, only to sense something from behind it. Something follows.

> Vane goes to Hamlet's streets

[kodissajumissa]

The man stumbled a bit but his friend kept him upright as Odin placed his hand on him. They watched as the scratches healed, leaving only tears in the shirt.

“So are we” the friend commented. “Thank you… sir? Brother? We own you a drink for another night” the friend continued, feeling confused about how to address Odin. Magical healing was something relating to church. Regardless, the two were too grateful to question this. This favor saved the man from getting stitched up. With a drunken buddy on his other arm and now a dagger on his other, the man head outside the tavern, hoping to get his friend home before any more violence happened tonight.



A moment earlier, Vane had stepped outside. He managed to stumble himself couple of houses away while hissing and whining by himself. He felt his skin pressing against the shackles as his body grew in size with eldritch power. His heart was pounding as his muscles stretched painfully. His face grotesquely misshaped as his jaw needed to make space for the large teeth.



Please. Not in town. Vane begged as his panicking mind struggled to keep hold.

The sun has gone down. We must hunt! We must eat! Slides flesh and organs! The beast felt it's instincts take over and disgusting drool begin to drip from it's mouth. It sniffed the air to locate it's nearest prey, only to sense something from behind it. Something follows.


> Vane goes to Hamlet's streets

[kodissajumissa]

The man stumbled a bit but his friend kept him upright as Odin placed his hand on him. They watched as the scratches healed, leaving only tears in the shirt.

“So are we” the friend commented. “Thank you… sir? Brother? We own you a drink for another night” the friend continued, feeling confused about how to address Odin. Magical healing was something relating to church. Regardless, the two were too grateful to question this. This favor saved the man from getting stitched up. With a drunken buddy on his other arm and now a dagger on his other, the man head outside the tavern, hoping to get his friend home before any more violence happened tonight.



A moment earlier, Vane had stepped outside. He managed to stumble himself couple of houses away while hissing and whining by himself. He felt his skin pressing against the shackles as his body grew in size with eldritch power. His heart was pounding as his muscles stretched painfully. His face grotesquely misshaped as his jaw needed to make space for the large teeth.



Please. Not in town. Vane begged as his panicking mind struggled to keep hold.

The sun has gone down. We must hunt! We must eat! Slides flesh and organs! The beast felt it's instincts take over and disgusting drool begin to drip from it's mouth. It sniffed the air to locate it's nearest prey, only to sense something from behind it. Something follows.



> Vane goes to Hamlet's streets

[brazilianguy]

\ Sascha Holzmann and Milo \

It didn't take much for one of the trio to enter into disarray, escalate the situation, and run out of the Tavern, not without injuring a patron. Being at the extreme opposite of the entrance, she couldn't discern much, but the three bloody scratches across the chest of the commoner were very telling. Un-ceremoniously, Sascha stood up, grabbed her rifle, and started walking casually to a back door. To gain access, she needed to briefly cross the limit of the bar into a restricted area. She went undetected, at least by Hook or any other bartender, since the blood commotion had captured people's attention.

> Continuing on The Hamlet Streets, at page 188 >