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+---- Thread: Rum and Rumors (/showthread.php?tid=9911)
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Melita - 08-13-2024
There were discussions of drinks and notions of the void, and Melita sat, not very still, but quietly contemplating life choices and her own drink. She hadn’t forgotten Aurelia’s stint as ruler, but the sovereignty had changed hands so many times, and so long before, that it barely blipped on her radar. Especially now, when there’d been stability (as much as Torchline could permit) for seasons upon seasons. But then again, Aurelia would not be on the Ark either, and she couldn’t blame Jack.
Then the Honeybee was left to explain the void shit, and she snorted. [say]“Yeah so, you can hit the infected plants and animals with anything.”[/say] Magic, shifts, weaponry, they didn’t seem to hold or bear any particular notions – hit ‘em and call it good, in the demigod’s logic.
She opened her mouth to start again, but then held one finger upwards as if to signify a pause. Grabbing hold of a nearby napkin, she began to jot things down instead of voicing them outlaid, having learned multiple things from that meeting. Little scrawls and drawings and descriptions were laden alongside, including Dahlia's face and then a little Vox (?) sketched as a mystery, with weaknesses of 'air and gravity magic' labeled underneath. She passed the material over to the hybrid for inspection, perusal, and examination.
Jerking her thumb in the direction of Starfall again, she gave a decent enough warning – because Aurelia seemed the type ready to barrel in (see, Melita would know). [say]“They’re pretty strong, so you might want to avoid that whole area for now.”[/say]
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Aurelia - 08-14-2024
She took the napkin from Melita, her brow furrowing as she deciphered the hastily scrawled notes and crudely drawn symbols. The information, rudimentary as it was, offered a glimpse into the Void's vulnerabilities. [say]"Air and gravity magic,"[/say] she mused, a hint of intrigue in her voice, [say]"I'll keep that in mind..."[/say]
[say]"Don't you worry about me, Melita,"[/say] she retorted with a confident grin, [say]"I'm not planning on charging into the fray unprepared. But if those Void creatures are looking for a fight,"[/say] she paused, a challenge in her eyes, [say]"they'll find one."[/say]
To emphasize her point, a small flame flickered to life in her palm, its vibrant orange glow casting dancing shadows on the bar top. It danced and swirled, before she extinguished it with a flick of her wrist.
Aurelia turned and raised the shot glass, its contents sparkling in the tavern's dim light. [say]"Thank you, for the drink,"[/say] she said to Flora, a genuine smile playing on her lips. She tipped her head back and the warmth of the gin, a welcome contrast to the cool ocean breeze, spread through her. It was a comforting reminder of the simple pleasures she'd missed during her years in the Oerwoud. [say]"Your offer... is tempting..."[/say]
Her gaze drifted around the tavern, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. The clinking of glasses, the murmur of conversation, the warmth of the hearth - it all tugged at a part of her that had been dormant for years.
[say]"I could use a bit of normalcy,"[/say] she confessed, her voice softening, [say]"and a chance to be part of something, to contribute... even if it's just serving drinks. Who knows,"[/say] she added with a mischievous smile, [say]"maybe I'll even pick up some useful information along the way. The Hanged Man always did have a knack for attracting interesting clientele."[/say]
She met Flora's gaze, her own eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and resolve. [say]"I'll do it. For a while, at least."[/say]
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Flora - 08-15-2024
Peering over the bar to see what it was Melita was writing, Flora sank back down to her heels once she saw the chart. [say]"You can add that none of the ancient abilities seem to work any better or worse."[/say] She murmurs with a small shrug. It wasn't information she'd passed onto Team A, but given how few ancients there were (and none of any remarkable strength), it hardly seemed to matter.
Pouring herself a cocktail, Flora glances up at Aurelia trying to gauge the seriousness of her tone. [say]"Luckily we've made Torchline fairly safe. You won't find any void stuff in the city or out on the ocean. The coastline is another story, but..."[/say] Glancing at Mel, the queen lifts a brow. [say]"..we're nearly there."[/say] One more stupid round of yeeting rainbow stones around and they'd be done; forever, Flora hoped.
Smirking at the flame sparking from the Fireheart's finger, Flora waits to see what Aurelia will make of her father's gin, before grinning proudly. [say]"If nothing else, working here will really get you back in touch with what's going on around here."[/say] She agrees, leaning against the bar once more. Whether or not she should have taken Jack's rejection of Aurelia into consideration before offering her a place to work seemed moot at this point, because as soon as the other woman agreed Flora reached a hand over the bar for her to shake.
[say]"Well that's that then! Honestly it isn't too hard, and if you screw anything up, just make the next drink even stronger and no one will ever complain."[/say] Given Ronin and Remi were responsible for the majority of the alcohol brought into the Hanged Man, Flora rarely had to worry about things like supply and demand. Clearing her throat, the queen offers the Fireheart a warm smile before mixing her another drink.
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Melita - 08-16-2024
For all of Aurelia’s confidence and bluster, Melita arched a brow behind taking another sip of her drink. She was one for a little too much self-indulgence, but the Fireheart seemed perfectly willing to take things on that, well, she shouldn’t, given how Remi had come back…
[say]“Sure,”[/say] she shrugged. There were plenty of void creatures to fight off. Not bothered by the firepower, as the Honeybee also had it in spades, her eyes went back and forth, before her mind could finally settle on another topic. [say]“We’re trying to reclaim some of the infected regions too,”[/say] but she’d wait to hear if the woman cared about that – especially as job offers and opportunities were being passed around.
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Aurelia - 08-19-2024
When Flora extended her hand, Aurelia clasped it with a firm, reassuring grip. [say]"Thank you,"[/say] she said, her voice laced with genuine gratitude, [say]"for giving me a chance."[/say] The warmth of the gesture, a simple act of acceptance, resonated deep within her, a balm to the lingering sting of Jack's rejection.
She gratefully accepted the second shot of gin, its fiery embrace a welcome distraction from the tumultuous thoughts that swirled within her. Melita's mention of reclaiming the infected regions, however, snapped her back to attention. A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes, a yearning to contribute.
[say]"Right... you've found a way, then?"[/say] she inquired, her voice a blend of curiosity and eagerness. She leaned forward, her gaze intent on Melita, ready to absorb every detail.
RE: [SE] Rum and Rumors - Flora - 08-22-2024
[say]"No problem."[/say] Flora chimes breezily, her smile far easier now that her temperamental mind no longer thought of Aurelia as some harlot who'd try and worm her way back into Jack's good graces by sliding between his thighs. Not that she had any right to be upset even had that been Aurelia's plan, or even if Jack had allowed it. Oh, to be 21.
Glancing at Melita who had been the one to hear all the relevant information firsthand, nevertheless the queen takes the first crack at it. [say]"Either we can go in and fight the void off—though having tried already on our beaches once, I can tell you that it isn't easy—we can find more flowers from Frey's Breath, or we can ask Rae, Mort or Vi instead of using their help to better Torchline."[/say] Not that she was keen to actually do it, but fighting seemed to be the only real option in Flora's mind.
[say]"That said, we're nearly done with our final regional quest to protect Torchline if you want to come and help? Jack will be there, but.."[/say] The queen shrugs; Aurelia had said she wanted to help.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Melita - 08-22-2024
Flora started to describe and detail the last portions of the latest gathering, and the Honeybee nodded along, snagging another quick sip of her drink before continuing. [say]“Yeah. Certain lands needed more flowers or whatever, depending on how large it is.”[/say] Something like that anyway, and she began grabbing another napkin to doodle out the information the Sword had passed around during the meeting. [say]“We figured the easiest would be going to Frey’s Breath and getting the lilies,”[/say] she shrugged as she handed over the flimsy particles over to Aurelia to join her other one in a haphazard measure of passing information along. [say]“But far as I know, no one has found any of ‘em yet.”[/say] Unless Hadama and the whole staff thing counted. [say]“Suppose you could keep going back and forth there if you wanted.”[/say]
Melita had promised to help; so she was likely due for another sojourn there anyway.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Aurelia - 08-22-2024
Aurelia listened intently to Flora and Melita's explanations, her brow furrowed in concentration as she absorbed the details of notes. The talk of Frey's lilies and the possibility of divine intervention piqued her curiosity, stirring a mix of hope and skepticism.
[say]"How many people have been searching for these lilies?"[/say] she inquired, her voice steady and pragmatic, [say]"And if that's not working, then... what are you thinking next?"[/say] Her gaze shifted to Flora, the queen.
A wry smile tugged at her lips as Jack was mentioned. [say]"I can work with Jack,"[/say] she retorted, her tone nonchalant, [say]"If he gets his panties in a bunch about me being there, then I'm not sure what he wants me to do at this point. Other than fuck off... which I will not,"[/say] she shrugged, the gin loosening her inhibitions and allowing a hint of defiance to seep into her voice, [say]"I told him I'd make it up to him, that I'd help him out however I could, but he rejected my offer. What else can I do?"[/say]
Her nonchalance, a byproduct of the alcohol and her newfound resilience, masked the lingering sting of his rejection. She had offered her loyalty, her support, her everything, and he had turned her away. But Aurelia was done dwelling on the past.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Flora - 08-25-2024
[say]"For all the good its done."[/say] Flora says with a sigh. [say]"We've been and nothing."[/say] She murmurs of Frey's Breath, and while it was an absolutely relaxing place to be, the queen hadn't heard of anyone finding any flowers since the Great Lily Search had begun.
Glancing at Aurelia, the Doubletake swallows the last of her drink before setting her glass down. [say]"I've already gone to Rae about one. Here I was thinking they'd just hand one over, but no such luck."[/say] Flora shrugs; she'd been given a quest, and so long as Talyson got his shit together (literally, in this case), she'd have a flower within the season. [say]"We can ask the Big Gods for a lily, but it would be in place of doing a Regional Quest to protect Torchline and honestly? I don't give enough of a fuck about the infected regions to sacrifice our safety."[/say]
Raising her brows until they nearly disappeared beneath her bangs, Flora glanced toward Mel before offering Aurelia a sunny grin. [say]"Well said."[/say] There had been a time that was her own attitude toward the captain, and just look at her now.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Melita - 08-25-2024
The Honeybee took another swig of her liquor, then twirled it around in her glass, mulling. [say]“As many as we can without being too obvious,”[/say] and she waved one hand around in the air, as if that might manifest Vox around them. Information was a valuable tool, but so were these damned flowers that no one had found yet.
Nodding along to Flora at Aurelia’s inquiry of what next, she huffed a long breath. [say]“I mean, sooner or later, someone will have to find one. But I know I don’t have the ability to do some big ass behemoth battle.”[/say] Not yet anyway – and still likely a long ways off.
Amused that the Fireheart seemed bound and determined despite Jack (honestly; that’d earn her some brownie points with the tempestuous demigod), she nodded along, a large smirk hastening over her features. [say]“Yeah. Do what ya gotta do.”[/say] And all that.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Aurelia - 08-29-2024
That Flora didn't deem the other regions more important than Torchline was a fair and justifiable take, although Aurelia had come to know and love the Oerwoud and its wild, untamed beauty. That it was overtaken filled her with a deep sense of grief and dread. It was another home lost to her. But she didn't expect that to be the standard notion. To others it was, perhaps, closer to wild and untamed than beautiful or home.
[say]"I've come to have a deep appreciation for the wild lands around Caido... it saddens me that they're being taken over. I wish it didn't have to be a choice between saving them or saving Torchline,"[/say] she said, [say]"but I can certainly understand putting this place and all its people first. Hopefully more answers will come, with time. And more lilies."[/say] Not that time seemed to be on their side or anything.
She turned to look over at Melita and raised her brows, tilting her head, [say]"Are you planning on going out and looking for them anytime soon? Let me come with you. That is, of course,"[/say] she glanced over at Flora with a playful look, [say]"if I can take the time off."[/say]
[say]"Hey, how's about you take a break from bartending for a while? I should be serving you drinks."[/say] She smiled and stood up, ready to make her way around.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Flora - 08-31-2024
Flora who was nearing the big ass behemoth battle stage of things, just finished her gin with a shrug. Despite her family and maybe even her position in Torchline, the queen wasn't looking to run out and play hero or sacrifice herself to save anyone. Last time she'd tried, her twin had ended up dead in her arms.
[say]"Mmm, well, the B Team is meant to be looking after that."[/say] Flora says, of managing the spread in the Wilds. [say]"Hadama, Noah...uhh..."[/say] Glancing at Melita, the queen frowns. [say]"Tal and Sah?"[/say] She blinked, her memory growing a bit fuzzy where the non-demigod army was concerned.
Snorting under her breath, the Doubletake grins. [say]"Hasn't even done a lick of work and already she wants time off."[/say] Her smile widens. [say]"Sounds like you'll fit right in."[/say] Lifting her eyebrows, Flora willingly concedes her place behind the bar, slipping out and stealing Aurelia's seat next to Melita with a nod.
RE: Rum and Rumors - Melita - 09-02-2024
Finishing off her drink, the Honeybee contemplated further ventures towards Frey’s Breath. [say]“Yeah. Figure we can keep trying.”[/say] At some point one of them would have to find some gods damned flower. Her eyes went back to Flora, granting another shrug; the smuggler wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be B or C team or whatever the fuck it entailed – and in all fairness, would’ve just done what she wanted regardless.
Though she wrinkled her nose at the mention of Sah. [say]“Haven’t heard of any of ‘em going there.”[/say] Granted, she didn’t really talk to the last two unless it was threats of violence lately, hadn’t seen Noah in a while, and Hadama seemed just as busy as before. What a crew. Turning back to Aurelia, she offered another dangling line. [say]“I’ll probably go back next season if you want to come.”[/say]
RE: Rum and Rumors - Aurelia - 09-05-2024
Aurelia chuckled sheepishly as she left her seat and swapped places with Flora. Being behind the bar was definitely a different feeling. She took a moment to look around and get her bearings, taking stock of where everything was kept and how it seemed to be organized.
She turned back to the conversation at hand right as Melita offered. [say]"Yes!"[/say] She persisted, nodding, [say]"and hopefully we'll have a stroke of good luck."[/say] To that, she poured another round of shots and handed out each small glass.
[say]"Hang on a second... but... did I hear you call her demi-god earlier?"[/say] She asked Flora, raising her eyebrows. [say]"Or was I just hearing things?"[/say] And at that, she cast a questioning glance towards the Honeybee. [say]"I do remember you being real fond of Ludo..."[/say]