The Tavern

[rumsztyk]

Milo drops the books on the table with a silent, maybe a little too eager nod. Beer was good!

He scuttled off to the bar, a shrunk, poor figure. The boy shyly attempts to grab the bartender's attention. "B-beer and food for two." He stammers, then freezes, examining with slight dread Hook's severed hand and the artificial appendage.

The bartender looks the poor boy over, noticing from whence he came - Francois' table. Giving a stern nod, he continues cleaning the glasses.

Milo shakes off the uneasiness and returns to the table, his body language betraying impatience. He licks his teeth with closed lips, already salivating at the prospect of the meal. Not soon after the servant girl brings them two bowls of steaming goodness, along with two mugs of beer.

[relentless]

'Has he killed anyone?'
Was this an interrogation or a conversation? Duval, in his utmost diginity, would never of expected to wake up after a nice night of drink and sexual intercourse... along with the odd branding from an interesting god, to be met with such a rude introduction to a random stranger. Sure, Duval was a rather blunt man with an interesting array of conversation points, most of them appearing as a 'flirt' than anything else.

But this? He'd have more entertainment out of some bigot recluse than anything else.

Snorting to himself, Duval rather gracefully stepped out from his stool, a momentary grind of the wooden supports of the stool against the floorboards before he stood high and skirted around.

"Look."
Duval began, taking the bottle Cudi had bought for both of them without asking, his cold, tanned fingers gripping around the bottle as he let the nozzle skirt near his lips and to take a sip out of it, before letting the hand holding it droop by his side. Duval wore a neutral expression with a half cracked smile, though instead of a lapse of erotica flowing through his iris, a blink of malice shivered across, followed by a partial twitch of his eyebrow as he looked over the clearly ambitious networker.

"I assume you've never understood the meaning of... oh whats the word..."
Duval began, biting his lip momentarily before he let out a sudden 'ah' in faux realization.
"Fuck off?"
Duval asked rhetorically, as he spared him a glance, before pushing in his stool without a second thought. He was deliberately slow with the motion, allowing the wood grain to tickle at the man, letting the calm aggression sink in.
"Let me give you a big... big hint okay?"
Duval emphasised with a sudden deathly, and rather serious tone of voice, though he ended it off with a mocking cackle as he began to backstep away from the man whilst maintaining eye contact. Since his overcoat was already unbuttoned and his flintlock stashed away as they drank, his action would be underway: He let his right hand linger and grip eventually against the right side of his overcoat, and pull it open as if he were displaying his wares from beneath his coat. It was a weak pull, only allowing the man to stare for a few seconds from what was underneath. But the sight was very clear, and the hint of what he was getting at would hopefully be recieved as well.

His flintlock, stuffed within his bandolier at his side lay still, strapped tight to his suit vest with the twinkle of bright silver shivering in his eye.
"You'll need friends here."
Duval finished off abruptly, throwing his overcoat back down before he stretched out his arms in either direction as he backstepped further away, a couple meters away.
"Else..."
Duval hummed with a snicker and grin as he bared joyous rows of white teeth at Cudi, winking at him with a cocky sense of humour before pivoting around, stuffing one hand into his pocket whilst the other held loosely onto the bottle.

"You won't live within a week!"
Duval hummed with a rumble of sick humour in his throat as he finally left the scene, disappearing into the crowd with gracious movements. From where he walked, he appeared to be making his way onto the other end of the tavern, in Tod's direction. He didn't hear his clumsiness, all he could hear were the bawls of the crowd, and otherwise.

[Kidney]

Tod sat, very quietly trying to dissuade any social interaction. This place smelled, and nearly every person in the crowd was drunk. Game tables sat maybe ten feet away, and my did Tod want to get up and use them. This exercise of nothing was getting to him, and his unfamiliarity with these people pulled a feeling deep within him back to the surface. Anxiety.

Tod's breath began to come out more ragged, and he looked down with his eyes closed. He tried to take deep breaths, returning to his vision. The glade, the lake, the grass. He unconsciously whispered this to himself as his own anxiety brought back his embarrassment he felt when his outburst erupted. He shook his head, putting his face in his hands as he breathed deeper, calming himself down a considerable chunk. "The glade, the sun, the lake. The glade the sun, the lake."

[hopper]

She nodded slowly, her mock smile fading into a look of intense thought. This would make her second convert in only one day! And as exciting as the idea was, that her message could be so well received, she had no idea what shed' actually need in order to formally welcome her future brothers (well, technically a brother and a sister) into the Parade. Would Jack tell her, or would it be like with her playing where all she had to do was start and let the blessings take over? She struggled to recall her own initiation, but nothing came save the heady smells of woodsmoke and burning herbs, and a distant stinging ache in her fingers and toes. She knew she'd need somewhere private, and a sharp knife, and probably something for the pain. But what words did she say? What offerings were given? When and how and where and what? These were all the sorts of questions she normally left to someone else, content to follow whatever path made itself apparent to her, for now though she was the one making the path and as giddy as that made her, there was a tightness in her guts like a snake coiled there. She needed some sort of answers, but the one being she could now rely on to give them was just as prone to answer in riddles and japes as he was serious answers.
"D-Did he say anything else? About anyone else? Or anything I should do?"
It was a long shot, but she didn't have anything else to go on.

[Kidney]

Smoke stopped his slight burst of singing while in mid splits. His legs spread apart, he cocked his head so far to the side his ear sat on his shoulder. "Well, no. The bunny lord simply stated that I had a week to decide if I would join you! Hugo's an ass, doesn't want to join. But me? I would love to join your little religion you have here!"
He rose up, standing straight as he head bobbed back to uprightness, "Personally, Hugo fancies you just as much as I do. But he latched onto you already, doesn't want to let you go. What a cunt."

[Unter]

Francois smiles at Milo when he gets back "Thank you. Let's eat. I'm starving." He then proceeds to eat silenciously, but throwing quick glances at Milo. He is minding his manners however, and is expecting Milo to do the same. He was hitting the table slowly, mimicking the rythm of a certainly famous song, and even tried to whistle a bit. Without that much success, he managed to at least get the rythm right.
Between each spoonfull of soup, he sipped some of his beer. It looked like a thoroughly thought manner to eat, as if order was needed even in this simple moment.
After Francois finished his meal, he pushed plates and beer keg aside, unsheated his sword and put it on the table. He rubbed the chipped blade part, and gazed at Milo.
"This was fine steel you know. Very fine steel. I don't know how you scraped it with your bony arms. Were you a blacksmith with some illness ? You sure have some strengh there. Eat some soup lad, you need to grow some meat on your bones, one blow and you break away like a glass !" He laughed at his own joke.
He searched in his bag, grabbed some oil and a stone and started trying to repair the dent.
"Watch and learn Milo. This is how you will do it."

[hopper]

"W-Well, I'm not sure what happens if only part of a person joins...hrmmm, I guess as long as we got him to follow along it'd be okay?"
She shrugged, reaching behind her and pulling her leg up so the ball of her foot brushed the back of her head, then dropping it and doing the same with her other leg.
"And I'm pleased you like me! It's better to have friends than enemies eh?"
She chortled. It was reassuring to know that she had Hugo (and Smoke's) vote of confidence, that'd mean another person (people?) to call on in case she needed support. But if things kept going this well, she was hardly troubled.

[Kidney]

Smoke laughed, and covered his porcelain mouth with his hand like maidens fan. "Good show!"
He pressed forward, puffing his chest outwards as he played another chord on his lute, "A song? Songs always help my little brain come up with ideas! You look like you need one for the indoctrination of little 'ol Smokey!"
He giggled, playing another happy chord. "There once was a maiden I met in little place called the Hamlet..."
Smoke brought his hand up to cover the side of his light blue mouth, "Dreadful name for a place. Nothing rhymes! HAHA!"

[relentless]

After making safe headway away from the vigiliante detective, Duval scooted himself around, through the crowd that he paid no mind to. He had nothing in his pockets, so pickpocketing him would be met with ill reward, more accurately a flintlock clubbering. Though thankfully, he was left alone as he was left to remain stone cold in terms of facial appearance as he slowly, but rather harshly snapped his buttons through each slot. What nerve that man had, to prod into his social life as if h-

'Snap' did the wool button produce audibly as the first button was pushed through with force, starting at the collar and working his way to the bottom. Surely the man was socially awkward? What kind of blithering fool makes such god aw-

'Snap' again did the button sqawk as the button in the middle cracked into the place, with more obtainable force that the last. In Duvals head, he was lucky enough not to get him on a bad day, or he'd be getting some rather unpleasant comments, the cheeky fuckin jungle bun-

'Crack!', the final button snapped loudest into place, a few strands of string wool snapped out, making the button more free flowing in a negative way. Duval sighed and stopped, closing his eyes as his head lolled down and opening them again. His hand evacuated from his pocket, with his index finger lining the underbarrel of the last button, prodding against its lower side so he could look at the thick wool strand holding it in place. A few strands, nothing to cuss about, but still it made him slightly more annoyed.

He needed a drinking buddy. Another one, one that didn't put him on the spot and shove personal questions down his throat, and someone who wouldn't hop away to click army heels and flash a badge in order to get a firm grip on an exotic delicacy.

Though as Duval became more irritated, that ginger appeared more like a snowwhite mare galloping into a thick grey fog, never to be rode again. Well... at least not by Duval.

That last thought was enough to make him slightly more cheerful with his own naughty humour, and it was enough to brighten his eyes and bring his vision about a particular fellow apparently succumbing to the foul atmosphere of this place. An opportunity to not only distract himself, but to bide his time in search of more appropriate company, and perhaps some interesting folk to nab his attention for an expedition he had in the works.

Rather somberly, with a rusted spring in his step, he meandered forward with partially faux joviality as followed by an aching pair of legs. His form would pivot and spiral against the wall behind Tod, before he suddenly skipped forward, patting his hand across the wooden table loudly. He made the table shake, enough to startle the lad as he moved along. Eventually, he moved along to the other seating area of the booth, standing just beside it. Flicking a finger up, he waggled it at Tod with sporatic energy, a wide smile spread across his face.

"New fish! Right? Haven't seen you around, so I'm gonna assume you are!"
Duval bawled at the anxious man, cackling with more enthusiasm as he bent forward to put the bottle he took from the 'detective', placing it in the middle before he held his hands by his hips.
"Well! May I sit down, mate? All well and good to get to know you little chumbuckets whilst you've still got some life left in yah!"
Duval inquired with a linger in his lips, eyes twinkling with joviality once again as he eyed the man, awaiting a response.

[hopper]

The jester-turned-preacher turned the knob of the door, opening it a crack before taking a half-step inside.
"True! Well, nice talking to you! I'l let you know about the whole, uhm, welcoming thing to my religion! Have a nice day! Oooh, and try and get Hugo to come around, I bet he'd have a great time."
She Gave a short wave before slipping back into her room. Shutting the door, and making well sure it was locked, she pressed her back to it and gave a large sigh.
"Wow, this is goin pretty fast."
She remarked, almost to herself. She certainly had a lot to think about, but all that could wait right?As of right now her only concerns were getting her boots on so she could get dowsntairs and see the rest of the town! She crossed the room and peered out from the window at the sun-dappled town, their slanty, brown-slatted roofs jutting out at jaunty angels that almost looked like the canopy of some bizarre forest. It was all so alluring, the sights and the sounds and the people, she was sure a town known for its tall tales would just have to jam-packed full of interesting characters.

[Kidney]

"The glade, the sun, the rib- AHHH!" 

Tod nearly leaped from his seated position, hands up and emerald eyes fleeting as he found the source of the new noise. A man with a funny accent had taken his place across from him. Tod quickly let his hands fall, coughing to break the awkward silence he would give the man as he looked up, His hand brushed into his hair, pushing it back from his eyes.

"T-That's fine. Whew, scared me there," He looked up, eyes hardening slightly as he brought his hands together, clasping them. This man was surprising, his entire demeanor was entirely exotic and his mannerisms were as peculiar as Tod's. He reached into his coat with his left hand, grasping his crucifix and putting it into his lap. "my name is Tod."

He looked down, holding his breath for a moment as he looked back up and focused on this new man. He attempted to drown out the crowd, using this man as his escape from the smells and sounds and slurs. "Y-Yours?"

[Kidney]

Smoke moved forward, as if to engage Winniegirl in some dancing, but suddenly she ducked, slamming the door, hitting Smoke's shoulder  as he jumped back. He looked up, his mask having nearly magically shifted to the sad side. He looked down, letting the lute hang by it's leather strap as he nearly melted. He drooped, like candlewax. 

At that moment, Hugo regained control. 

He shook his head, shoving the mask to the middle ground as he looked for Wynne. "Winifred!"
His voice was pained, cracking. His eyes watered, and his lip, scarred and chapped, cracked with his sudden yelp. Blood ran down his chin as he shook his head, "Damnit. Damnit."

Smoke. What did you do?

Hugo nearly threw himself to the side, twisting in midair, landing like a deranged acrobat as he began taking long strides back down towards the stairs.
What. Did. You. Do.

[hopper]

His voice warbled through the wood and shook her from her thoughts, spinning back around she took a step towards the door but didn't go to open it.
"Everything alright?"
She called, glancing with some concern towards Jeanne and then back to the door, unsure if she was better off facing the man once again or staying secluded within her room. For a moment she debated the pros and cons of each side before deciding that it if there was something the matter it'd be better to confront it now than to wait for it to sneak up behind later, never being a fan of feeling as if she were beholden to some neglected problem. Moving back across the room she opened the door enough for her head to poke out.
"What? Is something wrong?"
She called after the man.

[Kidney]

Hugo looked back, face in disarray. For a moment, he considered jumping to her, explaining away any possibilities that Smoke may have implanted in her mind. But something, warbled, dead. It called out, from deep in the abyss. Hugo looked down, "Stay away from me when i'm happy! You don't want him! He's worse than the Devil!"


Hugo turned away, "I'm sorry that you had to meet me." 

He started to walk quickly, away from her. He leaped from the fifth stair up to the floor, rolling as he strode into the crowd, melting in as he made his way over to the tables where men had been drinking. He quickly took a seat, rubbing his mouth despite the burning sensation of pain. He took deep breaths, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the wood, his mind turning foggier by the second.

[relentless]

Duval straightened his overcoat with two quick flicks of his hand down the flaps of his overcoat, going up and down to dust himself down, finishing it off with a quick adjustment to his collar before he slid so effortlessly into the boothe, like a fencer changing stances within a second. Also within such a short timespan, he kicked his leg up onto the other and leaned against the wall, reaching into the interior pockets of his overcoat, withdrawing a small tin along with a few bits of thin tea stained parchment paper. With his left hand he began to slowly unscrew the circular tin container as he remained on the table whilst maintaining eye contact with Tod.

"Mmmm..."
Duval hummed, raising his other hand quickly with a fully extended arm, motioning him to wait as he finally took the lid of to reveal a very fine amount of tobacco. Setting the paper down on the table and smoothing it out, he would eventually drop his hand, before nodding his head with respect in Tods direction, raising his arm again with a more loose extension of his arm as he mimiced that of a handshake gesture.

"Duval. Nick Duval, pleasure to meet a newcomer."
Duval nodded, turning away as he looked over the crowd, raising his eyebrows as he saw a 'clown' looking man perform a rather odd athletic feat and succeed, his eyebrows flexing and his mouth pouting in admiration before squinting back at Tod a few seconds later after staring, looking at him in an apparently confused manner, peering forward slightly as if he had just saw a dog speaking to him.
"Are you new? You look... and apologies if I offend you mate but, you look fucked."
Duval spoke honestly with a quiet chuckle at the end, his extended hand flexing and fingers curling as he looked at him lazily.