[Nexus] Trog's Tavern CCXI

[happyturtle]

Darcy carefully sets it on the table. "It's ugly as sin, but sweet. What should we do with it?"

[VampireRot]

"I don't know. Put up posters saying 'Lost crab pirate thing' and hope it has an owner? Maybe some of your 'buddies' at AMEN would have a liking for it."

Zanny then thinks about the AMENites.

"A completely humane liking."

He can't help feeling a bit frustrated that the date was interrupted by the headcrab. But the bard hides it well.

[UncleWolf]

The headcrab stands and moves over to Zanny, sniffing at him and hoping he had food.

[Trobby]

*A whole lot of things that I missed*

Eeep! D: This is why an hour and a half is too long a deadtime.

Umm...

Kris follows them! And...kind of has a goofy grin on her face from the scent of Butler's catnip...

Eeep.

"Pleased to meet you, Len."

Tobias is...still there. But slightly lost in the sea of posts that went missing, so um....

He's still there. <.<; *cough*

Edit

Oh! Len asked a question!

"Hmm...Well Val? Do you have any requests for the man?"

Now let's hope Val's player shows up tonight. <.<;

[VampireRot]

Zanny, luckily, randomly has a leftover shrimp and enough empathy to recognize hunger. He places the cooked seafood on the table in front of the headcrab and moves his fingers away quickly. No way is he hand-feeding an alien and unknown creature.

[happyturtle]

"D'aww..." Darcy puts an arm around Zanny's waist as he feeds the little horror.

[UncleWolf]

The headcrab pokes at the food a bit with a good claw, before stabbing it and curling it's leg under it, guiding the tasty morsel into it's mouth. The two will hear it purr as it feeds.

[VampireRot]

"Er... If you think so."

Zanny puts an arm around Darcy's shoulder. Hey, maybe random headcrabs had some good benefits during dates.

[happyturtle]

"I had a nice time tonight," Darcy says, offering the headcrab a leftover bit of bread.

[Rae Artemi]

He's still there. <.<; *cough*

Edit

Oh! Len asked a question!

"Hmm...Well Val? Do you have any requests for the man?"

Now let's hope Val's player shows up tonight. <.<;

(Well, I'm just gonna, you know, do that ship song thingy I was talking about now)
Well, Lady Valeriya, while you think on that, I'm going to play the song I promised the Captain that I would play.

He unfolds the bundle, revealing a trapezoidal Harp-like instrument with ples coming off of opposite ends. He places the instrument on his lap and begins to pluck. The instrument sounds of a harp, but with slightly lower notes.

He begins to play a fast, rising and falling rhythm, and starts to sing in a soft baritone.

A small ship sways on rolling waves
The captain keeps the sails at bay
All around, the waves, they crash
The captain cannot be brash

Dancing in the Wind
Dancing on the Waves
You may see the end of your days.
Dancing while Mother plays

A battleship with its heavy sails
Battles against the mighty gales
The crew all work, with pump, with oars
Keeping the ship from ocean’s floors

Dancing in the Wind
Dancing on the Waves
You may see the end of your days.
Dancing while Mother plays

A rowboat skimming along the coast
A downtrodden man who likes to boast
Rowing away from yet another bet
The rain pours down, he starts to sweat

Dancing in the Wind
Dancing on the Waves
You may see the end of your days.
Dancing while Mother plays
Dancing while Mother plays…

[UncleWolf]

The headcrab sniffs at the piece of bread, and flicks it away, not liking how it smells. It sits down and "looks" up at the two expectantly.

[VampireRot]

"I did too."

Zanny strokes Darcy's hair a bit while looking around for a barmaid waiter.

"Can I get some shrimp or something for this... monster thing to eat?"

[Trobby]

"Right away, sir."

The totally innocuous NPC Barmaid/tender, who suspiciously is not one of the usual NPCs, enters the kitchen, and returns with a bowlful of shrimp.

"Here you are, sir."

[VampireRot]

"Thanks."

Zanny pays for the shrimp, with a modest tip. Then he picks one out of the bowl and sets it in front of the headcrab.

[happyturtle]

Darcy gets butterflies in her tummy as Zanny strokes her hair, and snuggles just a little closer. Only to eep in surprise at the waiter's quick return and pull away a little, as if she'd been walked in on doing something naughty.

She tries to cover it up by taking a shrimp to offer to the headcrab, but she does turn red again.

[VampireRot]

Zanny smiles at his blushing date. Man, she must not be used to this. The bard tries to meet her gaze with a reassuring look in his glimmering green eyes.

[Rae Artemi]

As the song ends, Len looks across the tavern and sees a couple and a creature that he is quite familiar with. He closes his eyes and concentrates. Across the tavern, a vaguely translucent projection of him appears. The projection walks up to the couple.

Hello! I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice that little creature there. Would you like to know more about it? They are quite common where I come from.

[happyturtle]

((Mostly I figured the Nexus needed someone who doesn't curtain on the first date. ))

Darcy looks back into his eyes, catching her breath and hoping to be kissed--

And then 's and pulls away at another interruption.

[UncleWolf]

The headcrab stabs and eats the first piece, but when it goes to do the same to the second, it "stabs" it with it's peg leg, the shrimp is instead knocked off the table. The headcrab pauses for a moment, then slumps, making a "mrrr..." sound.

[VampireRot]

((Most definitely. ))

Zanny is a bit miffed, but again he is good at hiding emotions that might offend or make others awkward.

"Ah, you know about it? We'd be grateful to learn more."

The bard gives Darcy's shoulder a squeeze to reassure her.

[Trobby]

"Thanks."

Zanny pays for the shrimp, with a modest tip. Then he picks one out of the bowl and sets it in front of the headcrab.

Strangely enough, when he looks inside his pocket he finds that the exact cost of the shrimp is already missing.

And the waiter is gone before he can receive a tip.

In fact...he can't seem to remember the waiter's face at all...just that it was very...generic.

[Rae Artemi]

(I don't know how it took so long for me to type that last message, but I started it as soon as Trobby posted the post about getting the shrimp. I didn't mean to interrupt at a moment that was quite so, inconvenient.)

Well, The main thing you need to know, is that it is possible for these things to be tamed, and if done correctly, they can make good pets. Now, this one seems like it has been tamed, but you should still be cautious. Do not allow it near your head. I see you are a Bard, though, would you happen to know how to play any woodwinds?


As the projection carries on it's conversation, Len opens his eyes.

So, Captain, Ladies, did you enjoy the song?

[happyturtle]

Darcy offers the little guy another shrimp. "It's okay. There's more." she croons.

[VampireRot]

((Tis fine. Makes for interesting RPing. ))

"Interesting. Any reason why I shouldn't let it near my head?"

Zanny peers suspiciously at the headcrab. Then turns back to Len and hefts his lyre.

"No woodwinds, I play the lyre. The name's Zanny, Bard Extraordinaire."

[UncleWolf]

The crab stays slumped, but reaches out for another piece of food to tuck into it's mouth. It seems...dejected.

Or at least acting like it.

[Rae Artemi]

No woodwinds, then. That is unfortunate. I could have shown you a short tune that works to calm these creatures. As to why you should keep it away from the head, it is simply the place where these creatures prefer to strike.

My name is Leneal Russ. I have a great respect for bards, Sir Zanny. Perhaps later we may discuss music, but for now I will leave you with your Lady.

At that, the projection dissipates.

[VampireRot]

Zanny raises an eyebrow at the projection. He didn't get to explain the whole magical bard thing and the fact he could simulate other instruments! Oh well. The bard turns to Darcy.

"He said that this thing could be tameable.

...

Wanna keep it?"

Zanny secretly hopes... not. I mean, its not like he has a permanent home to keep a pet in. And having it would equal commitment. Eek.

But you must make sacrifices.

[happyturtle]

"Maybe it lives here and we shouldn't take it anywhere," Darcy says, offering the little dude another shrimp. "Someone has been taking care of it, or it wouldn't have a peg leg. Isn't that right, Peggy?" The last bit said in baby talk.

[VampireRot]

"You're probably right."

Zanny checks his watch. He has one! Really.

"Hm. It's getting a bit late."

Meaning his player will probably have to deadtime soon.

Zanny goes to wrap an arm around Darcy's shoulder again, but its not as snuggle-y this time. The moment has, regretfully, passed.

[UncleWolf]

Peggy purrs at the new offering of food, and it settles down to feed again, seeming to be happier.