Trog's Tavern CLIII

[Purple Eagle]

Holly blinks.

Then she blinks again.
"O-okay."
This woman is...well, let's just say that she is.
Shoot first, don't ask questions.

The half-human woman stands up. She starts to walk out of the tavern. As a way of probing the situation, she mentions, "Have...have you considered whether or not you're taking things too far?"

Anyway, she goes out, to the bus stop so that they can take the bus to the Riftline train station, which they take closer to Vigil's island, where they'll take a sky-ferry.

[elfquest]

After tossing the body aside, she resumes walking alongside Holly, turning to look at the half-human behind her shades when the question is asked. A moment of staring follows, after which she sighs and speaks. "Że co? I meet at least one of you everyday, I thought today'd be the day I went a full day without being asked that question by bakas." She chuckles and resumes facing forward. "Do you know what I see when I look at you, Holly? You have something to hide, but it hasn't yet become my business. Everyone has their secrets." Here, she glances at Holly's mask and grips the front of her coat. "Some, however, give in to their dark side and serve the cause of evil. I won't deny I've given into mine a bit, but I serve the cause of the greater good. It's a constant war, good vs evil, and when evil reminds you that it's willing to rob you of your dreams, then you must be willing to fight back, for the sake of the dreams of others."

"Why'd you become an investigator, Holly?" She asks, out of nowhere. Well, not entirely, she's explained why she does what she does, and it's Holly's turn. "Why not a cook, or a warrior?"

[5a Violista]

[elfquest]

Holly, of course, is leaving the building. And, of course, discussing that she is hiding something doesn't make her reveal what she's hiding.

She has previously been a knight, but that's not her cover story either, so she doesn't mention it. "I decided to become one because I'm good at it," she says. She shrugs. "Why else? If you're good at something, you should do it."

...
She then heads towards Vigil.

[Arkhosia]

[Back in the Saddle]

You never quite know what you're in for in Trog's. On the whole it probably is a bit of a quieter place these days - far fewer instances of people smashing through walls or trying to start trouble, no risk of a misplaced word summoning the quiet-tentacles any more to cause havoc.

These days incidents tend to be a little smaller in scale.

For example, the angel sitting at the bar next to Caelynn hasn't noticed the catgirl sit down. She yawns and stretches, her arms reaching up, her wings stretching out, putting Caelynn at risk of getting wing'd right off her chair.

Huh, one would think divine agents would have a bit more awareness. They do tend to witness and respond to matters near and far in mere seconds, after all... well, according to pop culture at least. Perhaps it's just another job romanticized by the silver screen.

That grandiose wingspan nearly does unseat Caelynn, but her reflexes manage to spare her. Grabbing the counter with one hand and wrapping her legs around the stool to keep it from teetering out from under her, she raises and arm to block the wing, pushing back just enough to keep it at bay.

"Hey, uh, would you mind looking where you're flexing those?"

[Gnrlshrimp]

[Back in the Saddle]

Ithuriel blinks, glances beside her at Caelynn, giving the catgirl a clear view of her "Intersection" cap, sighs, and pulls her wings in. She raises her hand to get the bartender's attention as Caelynn's pint is brought over, "Her drink's on me, 'cos apparently I'm behaving like an ass." She mutters. No sarcasm to her voice or anything, she seems to be genuinely aware that it was quite careless of her to almost bap Caelynn with a wing.

There's a momentary pause, then Ithuriel looks back over at her. "Hey, uh, do I know you from somewhere?"

[bc56]

A Tiefling enters the bar. She's about 17, wearing a simple, long, blue dress and her black hair is pulled back in a ponytail. She orders a coffee, black, and sits down at a table, looking glum.

Sekhmet's been here a few weeks now, and at first it was exciting, but now her life's become somewhat routine. She goes to work each weekday, then returns to GLoG. She practices magic and reads books she's checked out for the rest of the day.

[Recaiden]

Was there a slight creak from the bench as someone sat down opposite Sekhmet?
No, definitely not.
A quick glance is enough to verify that the seat is empty and nothing happened.

A notepad and pencil appear on the table in front of her.

Just coffee?
You look like you need something stronger.

[bc56]

Sekhmet looks up with a start as the notebook appears. Seeing no one, she bewilderedly takes a fountain pen from her purse and writes on the pad in a precise hand.

It's too early. I'd better not.

Not to mention that she knows she gets drunk easily.

[Recaiden]

The notepad lifts from the table and vanishes for a few moments.
When it reappears, 'too early' has been underlined and the comment

no such time

added.

Further down, in a separate block

Are you looking for something here?

[bc56]

Sekhmet writes,

I guess? I've been here a while, and everything was exciting and strange at first, but now strange has gotten normal.

Not to mention that she misses her family and has few friends.

[Recaiden]

The next response is a little delayed.

Oh, you're bored!
I've heard about that.

Look around. Strangeness everywhere. You just have to reach out to it.

[bc56]

Sekhmet's response is quick.

I think so. What do you mean, reach out to it?

[Recaiden]

Ask questions. Go places. Take action.

The notepad disappears for a moment while they consider.

Over there, a desperate fellow with nowhere to turn is looking for heroes. Could you sign up?

At this moment, the world is under threat by mysterious monsters from another dimension. Are you going to be ready to stop them?

A pencil is writing advice to you of its own accord. Aren't you curious?

Maybe not. Sekhmet has had the opposite problems as the other writer.

[bc56]

What? I'm not a hero!

Sekhmet protests,

I don't know how to fight, just a few magic tricks.

[Recaiden]

The phrase 'magic tricks' gets underlined twice, with several questions marks.

Honestly, the notepad is only sending messages to Sekhmet because of her horns and tail. But possibly, depending on the ratio of magic to trick, she just got a lot more interesting.

[bc56]

I can do a few illusions, not much.

Sekhmet waves her hand slightly, causing a trail of blue sparks to follow it through the air.

I couldn't kill monsters with it, that's certain.

[Recaiden]

The notepad is flipped to a new page, as this one is getting a little crowded. And two questions are written out.

Where does the magic come from?

Do you want to be able to kill monsters?

Because that can be arranged.

[bc56]

From me, I guess?

The second question has Sekhmet conflicted. On the one hand, being able to fight would be useful. On the other, the sight of blood makes her sick, she's easily startled by loud noises, and she doesn't think she could bring herself to kill anyone in cold blood.

Maybe? I don't know.

[Recaiden]

From you how?

Is written to continue the first question's line of inquiry. The handwriting has gotten quicker, more excited.

Do you want to explain that 'maybe'?

You can get used to blood and loud noises. And usually, fighting monsters is a pretty hotblooded situation.

[bc56]

I don't really know. I haven't studied Arcanics. And I'm not comfortable with fighting and blood and killing.

All she really knows about the source of her magic is that either you have it or you don't.

[Recaiden]

Well, that's understandable. It's not as if she knew lots of other tieflings to compare notes with.

People get caught up in fighting and killing even when they don't want to.
But enough about that.

You should

Peaceful things needn't be boring. Explore, experiment, meet people.

The writer has trouble both with how they start that second block, and with the final suggestion. People are a bit of a distraction, after all.

[bc56]

Sekhmet nods.

I understand, but where do I start? There's so much to do, how do I make the best choice? How do I even keep safe while doing it?

[Recaiden]

Sekhmet gets a few suggestions jotted down in response.

Study arcanics
Look underneath
Ask those you consider wise - you needn't make choices alone.

Even in peaceful pursuits, there is safety in numbers.
But being safe always has a cost.

[bc56]

Thanks for the ominously cryptic advice, notepad

Sekhmet reads the message, but isn't sure how to respond. She holds the pen out over the page, but can't think of what to write.

[Recaiden]

Come with me, and you'll be safe.
And you certainly won't be bored.

The notepad offers.
It goes without saying that Sekhmet wouldn't like the details.

[bc56]

That's... still ominous. Sekhmet stares.

Uh, okay?

Hopefully it's not the wrong choice.

[Recaiden]

By the way, you can just. I hear you.

After giving Sekhmet a chance to read that message, the notepad vanishes, and in its place a tiny ball of illusory yellow light. It rises from the table - has Sekhmet finished her coffee yet? - and drifts slowly towards the door.

[bc56]

Sekhmet gets up and follows the light, leaving half her coffee untouched. "Where are we going?"

[Recaiden]

A single sheet of notepad paper is pressed into Sekhmet's hand.

Downtown.
I want to explain a certain perspective.

[bc56]

Sekhmet reads the confusing explanation and follows. Maybe it will all make more sense when they arrive.

[Arkhosia]

[Back in the Saddle]

"Hey, it's fine," Caelynn assures, making a dismissive gesture. You know, the kind that someone makes when they're trying to be polite, without actually trying to prevent the kind offer. Taking a sip from the heavy mug, she blinks, tilting her head in thought. "Hm, I don't think so, sorry. Feel like I'd remember getting to chat with an officer of the law." A beat. "Or an angel, for that matter." Getting to patch up a divinity would be quite an experience.