The Wobbly Goblet Playground Options

[minque]

Warm water....all around her..as were the hands of her beloved. Her body was relaxed her mind drifted away for a second. She wished this moment would last forever..The passion..the love..the feeling of being safe, all that made her feel better than she felt for a long time.

She caressed his face with her lips...ever so gently..

Seth, you dont'n need to tell me anything, I already know...

She just hoped he hadn't noticed how gently she had read his mind. He used to hate it when she did that, but during the years she had developed a method that was very secret and did not affect the mind to be read

[Uleni Athram]

Hjalbir was in agreement to what Lycus said. Beneath the Imperial's mass of rippling muscle, there lies a hardened mind that possesses keen knowledge of the world. In this kind of lifestyle, illusions of self were the greatest amongst enemies. The world is a cruel, cruel place, filled with cruel people, and one should be made aware of the fact early on. Steel on the outside, iron on the inside. As his father always used to tell.

"Built by killers for other killers, indeed."

Khan had finished hammering the notice on then door, and people were beginning to pay attention. It would take time for a bunch of volunteers to come out, what with the festivities going on, but Hjalbir guessed it wouldn't be THAT long.

The Khajiit then got himself drawn by an artist. While the feline was getting himself drawn, Hjalbir went over to the chest and picked up his composite bow. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was of good materials, and that suited him just fine.

Hjalbir went back on the sides, looking around for able-bodied entities that would probably join them, but mostly just to observe the chaos all around him. There was that Altmer with the Nordic accent, joined by her female companions, and they were joined by a swaggering Nord.

He looked to Lycus.

"And now we wait."

This post has been edited by Uleni Athram: Aug 27 2013, 05:28 AM

[Grits]

Abiene

“I’ll have something for you later,” Jerric said to Kayla, still grinning.

Abiene’s giggle turned into a snort. She realized she had quite abandoned decorum.

Jerric’s greeting to Aravi was gentler but just as sticky. “It’s good to see you, Aravi.” He bent at the knees and picked her up a little. The slim Khajiit nearly disappeared into his hug. “Warm sands travel with you, my friend.”

“Abiene!” Jerric leaned in for a kiss, then jerked his head back looking shocked. “What the hells happened to your mouth? You look like you’ve been su— er, kissing a dremora’s… Uh—”

Abiene put her hand up to hide her teeth again. “I thought perhaps ectoplasm…”

“Wrestling,” Jerric interrupted, pointing at the mud pit. “There’s still time to place your wagers. Hold these.” He handed Abiene his jewelry. “Doesn’t mean we’re engaged or anything.” A quick squeeze of her right hand told her he had noticed the new ring. His expression promised a discussion later.

Then he kissed her on the mouth and took a backwards step toward the mud pit.

“…might remove the stains?” Abiene finished, her eyebrows climbing. As much as she wanted Jerric’s company, she was not inclined to go watch him wrestle in the mud.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla giggled. Though she wasn't drunk, Jerric's excitement was contagious. She wondered what he had for her later as he handed Abiene his jewelry and gave her a quick kiss.

Ooooooooooh! I saw that!

She decided to ask Abiene about it later, but for now, she'd enjoy teasing Jerric about the mud wrestling competition. She leaned back and pointed at him, laughing.

"You're gonna lose, Jerric! I bet I could beat you!"

[Black Hand]

Thals stared around a bit wide-eyed. It would seem the festivities were quite vivacious this year, and without further ado he finished his beer and stretched out a bit to get the last bit of weariness from his journey out of his muscles.

"Time to sell!" He grinned and whispered to himself.

He headed back out to the stables and started to unload his goods. He hired Lleris; who claimed to be a fellow Hlaalu, as a temporary porter and started to lug the goods back and forth between his beloved guar.

Once he brought her over to the stall directly, which turned out to be a mistake. Nally maintained her calm, but the people who'd never seen one before started swarming them and a panic ensued, which very nearly led to her being put down by some Imperial guardsmen and his arrest. It took an hour of explanation and documents that Nally wasn't some 'blasted Daedra' nor were he some 'criminal scum'.

He was told not to take it personally as the guardsmen apparently called anyone with so much as a single septim bounty on their head that.

Still...

With the goods finally in place, he tipped the boy a few septims and started to set up. Alchemical goods, 'exotic' armor and weapons, Ashlander woven blankets and capotes, jewelries of a multitude of designs and minor enchantments, Dunmeri liquors and potions; notably Telvanni bug musk, a perfume of sorts that was derived from the scent glands of the grazeland beetles, the giant shalk. As well as dozens of others odds and ends that one might find within a trader's inventory.

He set aside the darkened Chitin Armor for the birthday girl, and immediately wrote out a bill that Sethyas had agreed to pay for, perhaps with a little extra as the fellow Dunmer didn't seem to care as to the amount. Honor was for those Redoran types, profit was for Hlaalu's. Besides, it was to be expected, convenience fees, taxes so forth and so on. He was one of the few Hlaalu that didn't try to get around the Emperor's Tax. The Imperials were far more concerned with their own profit than the Hlaalu were, and that was saying something indeed.

He finished setting up and gave a small nod to his handiwork. Years in the Vivec Market Landing Square had given him the skills and speed to set up quickly and neatly, using the brightest and shiniest goods at the forefront to capture peoples attention, even angling them just so, so as to capture the glint of the sun.

"Damn, where'd that boy Lleris go...I could use another beer." He muttered.

[King Coin]

Aravi recognized the voice of the Nord when they approached. She couldn’t help but smile.

When it was her turn for a hug, she couldn’t help but take a tiny step back before Jerric grabbed her. Her feet left the ground and for a moment all she could see was his broad chest. He smelled of grape juice.

His voice rumbled in her ear. “It’s good to see you, Aravi. Warm sands travel with you, my friend.”

“It’s good to see you too”, Aravi replied. She hugged him back. Her fingers could meet, but only just.

Jerric left to a mud wrestling pit, with challenges from Kayla following him.

Another familiar face approached.

“Hello, Darnand. You just missed Jerric.” She resisted the impulse to give him a hug, now that her clothes were sticky and stained from the grapes.

“Hardly. Jerric makes such a scene that one would have to be blind and deaf to miss him.”

“It’s good to see you Darnand.”

“It’s good to see you too.” He offered the hug that Aravi didn’t.

“I’m a mess thanks to Jerric,” Aravi warned. He didn’t mind.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Aug 27 2013, 10:25 PM

[Black Hand]

You better be staying out of my damn head, Serene. He thought.

He *always* thought that, this woman had to have been partly the reason he was still so paranoid. Yet, it kept him on his toes. Always cautious, always keen to the subtlest of signals and clues, and the woman spoke in those like an Aldmeris Language Professor.

Sometimes, some things were lost in translation. But through the years, he'd picked up on them. When he was first still new to the whole concept, she blew his mind when he respected her yelling: "Don't ever talk to me again!" and she got upset again when he didn't. "Yes! I *said* it! It didn't mean I *meant* it!"

If anyone needed to ever get the drop on him, that would have been the moment in time to strike. He almost couldn't move he was so confused. He understood better now. This person communicated in terms of emotions and pure ideas, separated from the words that tried to express them, and in the process limited them.

He brought life back into her tired limbs, feeling the knots and tension melt away from her as he performed his opposite-oriented work. Hands that held others in final moments, brought light back into hers.

She struggled between concern and desire, and wanted to be made to feel that it was okay. There was no judgement here.

Only them.

When she was revitalized, he just simply picked her up and moved them into the bed. Letting her speak to him with her movements and sighs, and he listened as he always did. Always watching, always listening.

Some time later, they lay next to one another breathing in unison, and she rested her head on his chest. She traced the multiple scars that were there. By now, she knew the story of each one. The one three hairs next to his heart being the most prominent, from a move that calculated his death from a Swordsman he could not master.

Until his blade was caught in him, and there was no counter to Sethyas' return blow with the Black Hands Dagger that ripped life from it's victim and restored it into the weilder.

That was the one she hated most of all. Not even the hand that had brought it to him, but for the fool Dunmer who dared risk his life in such a fashion.

"I already know." She whispered. "About the poisoning..." She murmured. "And your Sister..."

His chest fell as he sighed, there was a pause as though he were to say something but chose on silence instead.

"I'm sorry. I'm just...you know I still worry." She said looking up, across the large swath of her brown hair that fanned across his chest and his pupils stayed fixed upon some point, refusing to move.

"Rianne is missing, and you know she would never do anything like this.."

"Anyone is capable of anything." He replied. "Especially with our mixed blood."

"Especially your side...damn stubborn Cyrod..." He smiled slowly. "We should return to the festival...there's nothing that can be done right this moment. But there is ample food, drink and supplies we'll need to make this next venture..." He thought out loud, already forming plans and strategies.

[Grits]

Abiene

“He’s certainly exuberant. Where have you two been?” Abiene asked Darnand. She lifted her cheek for a kiss.

“We have recently returned,” Darnand said. He gently squeezed her shoulders before his hands dropped away.

Abiene knew better than to ask from where.

Darnand extended his hand to Kayla rather than folding them in the elven manner. “Kayla, it is a pleasure to see you again. It has—”

“I’ll take that wager, goldenrod!” Jerric shouted back over the heads of the crowd, still walking.

“Oh my. He reserves his rudest names for friends,” Abiene said to Kayla. “He must really like you!”

“Be advised he has no coin,” Darnand warned her. He glanced around at the group. “Have you committed yourselves to the beer table, or is anyone ready for wine? I have not counted the priory bells, but on a festival day we may do as we like. Have you dined?” He addressed Abiene. “I need to procure soul gems. Perhaps I should search among the vendors.” Then he included them all in his rueful smile. “I do not wish to intrude upon your company.”

[minque]

.....staying out of my damned head

She smiled, kissed him gently on his cheek and then enjoyed to full extent what his hands were doing with her, his strong warm gentle hands were all over her, releasing the tensions in her back and limbs

"So wonderful, don't you dare stop this"

She had always loved his hands, which annoyed him a bit, he kept on telling her that those hands she loved so much had killed and killed a lot. She never took notice of that, she just continued holding his hands close to her...

Later, in bed, she was resting her head on his chest telling him she knew about his encounters here, about Setsuna, knowing that had hurt him very much. She remembered the first time he told her about Setsuna, the gruesome story he shared with her one night in the kitchen of Sarethi Manor. She also remembered what had happened right after...

She expressed her worry about Rianne and what could have happened to her.

" I will deal with it, Renie, you are not alone in this you know"

Eventually they decided to return to the festival

"Food and drinks are available, we will need that" he smiled at her

Serene got up and searched though her backpack for some decent clothes, she found a clean shirt and a pair of trousers, nothing fancy..just clothes!

The festival area was rather crowded as Serene and Sethyas arrived, the nice smell of grilled guar meat reached her nostrils and she really felt how hungry she was.

"Seth, let's find something to eat..NOW"

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla's hand flew to her mouth at the insult before taking Darnand's hand, squeezing it a bit more than he squeezed hers.

"I've got a few names I could call him, but I'm not sure I'd be welcome back here." She laughed and looked him up and down.

"You look a bit...different than when I saw you at Buffy's party." The man has a slightly more worn look than he had the last time she had seen him. But, then again, that was in Anvil, a considerable amount of time ago. She gave him a big grin. "You're still handsome, though!" She laughed and gently pushed him.

You're so very awkward, Kayla.

[King Coin]

Aravi glanced at her beer. It was already getting warm in the hot sun.

"I wouldn't mind joining you for some wine..." She glanced at Kayla. She probably preferred the beer.

Did he mention soul gems?

"Abiene, do you need soul gems too?" Maybe I should go with.

[Darkness Eternal]

Irvana gazed all about her as the festivity went on. Countless people from every culture and every known race crowded Wobbly Goblet from within and outside. Her head spun with all of the different smells, from familiar foods, drinks and perfumes to exotic ones.

With her robe back in her private suite, Irvana took to wearing her own black corset that encased her lithe form, joined by a crimson-red blouse. A ruby amulet, hanging from an expensive pendant, hung over the smooth slopes of her ivory bosom. A belt, bearing intricate designs and letters, wrapped around her narrow waist. Black boots covered her feet.

"Lady Irvana," a fresh-faced woman with brown hair said to her. "I'll admit I am quite tempted with this offer of yours."

Irvana flicked aside a portion of her black hair, flashing a great smile to the young traveler and her two other younger siblings, an adolescent but shy boy who knew how to beat the drums and an overly optimistic dark-haired woman who's flute seemed to be alive. The three had been planning to make Cyrodiil their new home after the death of their single parent a few years ago in High Rock in a horse-riding accident.

Though they were impressive with their musical talents and confident enough to see that they can make coin out of traveling as bards, she gave them an offer they couldn't refuse. A safe haven to stay until they get their lives together. They could cook, clean and work as well as become more intimately close.

Irvana touched the woman gently on the shoulder, and softly clasped her hand around it. "Cyrodiil is such a beautiful place. Truly, it is. The people here are wonderful. But when I heard of your lovely voice and the way you played the lute I was captivated. I confess that I lost faith in our local performers. I would love to have you three perform one night at my home."

"And just how big is your castle?" the boy decided to ask, uncrossing his arms.

"Large enough to accomodate three families," Irvana confessed. "If you're not careful, you will get lost."

She didn't say this to brag, not at all. Her home was overwhelmingly massive, with great halls, armories and a library, not to mention the dining hall and other areas.

"And no one else lives with you?"

Irvana sighed. "Regretfully, no."

The younger sister jabbed her brother with her elbow. "Didn't you listen to her? She just said her parents and her brother are dead. She lives alone."

An awkward silence filled the air, but Irvana quickly put life into the situation by clasping her hands together. "I am more than willing to help you. Find me after the festival. I'll be staying here for a short time."

"It was a pleasure meeting you."

Irvana embraced them all, and replied with a friendly smile. "Likewise. Be safe! Enjoy the festival!"

Other bards began to play and Irvana visited each and every one of them, perhaps being the most sober and enthusiastic woman among the audience. She cheered, laughed and smiled at the jokes, songs and even the acrobatic khajiit who went as far as to kiss her hand and give her a flower said to have been from the deserts of Elsweyr.

After the people around her began to be a tad bit touchy, she took the liberty to explore the different merchant tents that displayed a wide array of goods and trinkets from weapons and armor, to the tinest of jewerly. She walked until she came upon a certain merchant who seemed to be selling items from Morrowind.

"Damn, where'd that boy Lleris go...I could use another beer." He muttered.

Irvana looked at him for a quick second, and then down to the bottle of Telvanni bug musk, a perfume said to make old hags appear as princesses. She picked up the bottle, and sniffed the edge. "Hmm. I haven't seen one of these in a long time", she said. "How much are you willing to sell this for?"

[Grits]

Abiene

Darnand blushed at Kayla’s teasing. He smiled back at her.

“Darnand has agreed to fill soul gems for our project,” Abiene told Aravi. “My research has much to do with his area of interest. We finally spoke through the crystal ball.”

“It is no coincidence that brought us to the Goblet,” said Darnand. “It is fortunate that I found you before the Nord’s inevitable arrest.”

“Are you staying at the inn?” Abiene asked. She hoped her tone sounded casual.

Darnand nodded past the stable. “We intend to camp at the edge of the forest. Most of our belongings remain at the Guild Hall in Chorrol. Athragar said that we would find you here.” He looked between Kayla and Aravi. “It is an unexpected pleasure to find you in the company of friends.”

“Well, I have a room,” Abiene announced. “It’s not large but there’s a bed and a bath. You’re welcome to share it.”

Darnand turned red to the roots of his hair. “I shall… extend your most generous offer.”

Abiene turned her attention to Aravi and Kayla. “Let’s find that wine, but first I’d like to visit an alchemy tent. And I need to speak to Thals before he sells out of his ingredients.”

Darnand cleared his throat. “I shall acquire some gems and Tamika’s white, or whatever refreshments you would prefer. Shall we meet again shortly?” He gestured to some tables set up in the shade.

“That sounds lovely. What do you think, Kayla? Aravi?”

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Aug 28 2013, 04:10 AM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla tried her best to hold back a cringe. Soul gems? She found them creepy. She was no purist, and she wasn't stupid. No magickal item could be enchanted without some sort of essence, and it just happened to be souls. There was, of course, the debate on whether lesser beings actually had souls, and the gems weren't just stripping them of the energy it took to keep their bodies going.

It didn't matter to her. She wasn't an enchanter, and though she never had to keep Dawnbreaker fueled (Ma'Dat speculated that it fed on the souls of the undead) she often took soul gems from the lairs of necromancers, crushing the black ones and pocketing the smaller ones for selling.

"If you need help getting some," she offered, "I could help too. I'll just have to pick up some more armor."

Godsdamned Hackdirt.

"Oh! And wine sounds great."

A tap on her shoulder made her turn around, and there stood Laegon with a sly smile on his face.

"I heard today was your birthday," He purred, tucking a strand on hair behind her ear.

"Ah, uh buhh-"

He cut her off with a quick, but sensual kiss, lightly nibbling her bottom lip before pulling away. "I live nearby. Maybe you should visit my place this time?"

Kayla blushed a deep red and covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes shining with embarrassment.

"Mmmhmm." She squeaked behind closed lips. He grinned wider. "Come see me when you're ready. I'll be nearby." His hand lingered on her arm for a second longer than necessary before he walked through the crowd, out of sight. Kayla's hands stayed over her mouth as she stared after him, wide-eyed.

[Black Hand]

The dark-garbed woman approached and seemed to find a liking to the Telvanni bug musk. Thinking of himself as a shrewd trader, this woman met all of his clues he looked to for wealth. The ruby necklace, the corset and the tailoring of her boots.

"Hmm. I haven't seen one of these in a long time" She said. "How much are you willing to sell this for?"

"Well now. An attractive woman like you hardly has any need of it." He grinned. "But, once upon a time these perfumes commanded high prices due to their rarity. As high as a hundred septims, my Nans' told me. Nowadays they go for closer to twenty, which is still rather high; I know."

"Given that I know the seller directly, my overhead will be a bit lower than most 'exotic goods' merchants. Hmmm, I could be convinced to let it go for fifteen septims." He said, bringing a hand to his chin.

[Grits]

Darnand

A dark-haired Altmer drew all of their attention when he strode up and began kissing Kayla. Darnand took the opportunity to more closely examine Abiene.

She looked thin and pale as usual, but the shadows under her eyes were the kind that follow more than one restless night. Her dress and sandals were unremarkable, made of good material in the simple style that she favored. Her wild curls had begun to escape their neat braids, again what he would expect by this time of day.

Something had put an edge in her laugh, and she was closer to drunk than he had ever seen her. Darnand disliked the silence in his head after too much strong drink. It felt like a loss of self. He supposed that was what drove Jerric to indulge past the point of revelry. The thought that Abiene might be so troubled by something made him want to search out and murder it.

Abiene covered her mouth in sympathy over Kayla’s embarrassment, sharing an amused glance with Aravi. A multi-colored ring glittered on her right hand.

That’s new. I wonder…

The Altmer was drawing away from Kayla. “Come see me when you’re ready,” he purred. “I’ll be nearby.”

Kayla’s eyes were bright with self-consciousness over her flaming cheeks.

“I’ll go fix my teeth,” Abiene said, quickly filling the silence. She gripped Darnand’s arm and bounced up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “See you at the tables.”

Darnand looked up at Kayla as Abiene disappeared into the crowd. He imagined his own face was as red as the high elf’s, though his invitation to share Abiene’s chamber was a far cry from the proposition Kayla had just received. He gave her a wry smile.

Aravi’s delicate features were composed in a relaxed expression, but alertness sang through her posture. Darnand supposed that with drunken Nords and towering elves wandering about on a kissing spree, a small Khajiit might have reason for caution.

“Shall we adjourn to the market tents?” he suggested. “May I take these for you?” He collected their tankards and placed them on the washing table as they passed. A glance at the perfunctory cleaning process made him glad to be an alchemist. Perhaps they should all chew a bit of mandrake root just as a precaution.

Darnand looked over the tents until he found a vendor displaying a guild banner. He resisted paying a fair price for soul gems or anything else. However this project required precision. Rather than a back-woods general merchant with ‘a box of those somewhere,’ he wanted the security that came with regulated goods.

Kayla led the way through the crowd. Darnand lightly touched her back between the shoulder blades to indicate he wished to stop. A glance behind him confirmed that Aravi had made it through the press of folk.

The Imperial under the banner wore a plain robe. He had the deceptive smile and flinty eyes of a veteran trader.

Darnand checked with Aravi and Kayla. Then he approached and began the dance.

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Aug 29 2013, 01:14 PM

[Darkness Eternal]

Irvana inspected the small bottle in her hand after the Dunmer merchant gave her his price.

"It isn't for me," Irvana said. "It is for a relative of mine."

She raised her eyes to the merchant, and nodded. "I do remember these were prized here in Cyrodiil. I was but a girl when word of the Telvanni bug musk reached the ears of commoners. Her eyes when the man revealed to her the price of the bug musk. She reached into the pocket at her side and searched, only to release a frustrated sigh. There were very few coin pieces with her.

"I am terribly sorry! I am short on coin," she said with a hint of dissapointment. "Would you be considering to sell it for seven gold pieces?"

Her childish expression took over her more serious one, and she even held her hands behind her back.

[Black Hand]

"Seven?!" Thals sputtered in disbelief. "My Lady, it costs me ten septims just to acquire one!"

Well, maybe eight. He thought.

"Even if you were wearing the perfume, I dont think I could be convinced to sell it at a loss!" he shook his head in good humor.

"Fifteen is already an entire quarter of it's normal value knocked down.." he explained.

"However, I may be willing to reach a compromise." he thought aloud.

"I understand it is for someone else, but if you don't mind me saying so..you are an attractive lady...don't misinterpret me; I simply mean that people will take notice of you, and when they do, they may remark what perfume it is your wearing and will ask where you acquired it..." he trailed off into his meaning.

"...and when you tell them." He raised his brow and motioned over his supply.

"I drum up some extra business...and for your work...and all you would need do is enjoy yourself at the festival as you normally would, two bottles free; with two references of course, one for you, one for your relative. Sound good?"

[King Coin]

Aravi looked back and saw Kayla with the bard, blushing deeply. Then she looked over at Darnand, also red in the face.

There will be no early start tomorrow. I wish Kharjo was here, she thought with a twitch of her tail.

They moved on, looking at stalls. Aravi was careful to follow close behind them, in the wake that the two larger individuals made in the crowd.

Darnand eventually found a trader and stepped up to negotiate.

While he haggled, Aravi spoke to Kayla. “Shall we look at Thals’ Chitin armor now, or should we wait for Darnand?”

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Kayla shook her head. "This could take awhile. Let's go ahead and go look."

She edged her way with Aravi to the stand after tapping Darnand on the shoulder and whispering that they'd be a few stalls down. Once there, she saw Thals speaking with Irvana. Kayla smiled at the young Imperial girl and gave her shoulder a gentle and friendly squeeze before asking about the armor.

He pulled the dark armor out and Kayla nearly lost her breath. She tapped on it with her finger, making a soft clicking noise and began inspecting the lacing, her brows scrunching and unscrunching.

"It looks...good. Really good. And it's hard. That's extra protection, but it's also dark colored, unlike steel. I think this is what I need."

Thals began to pull out a helmet, but she shook her head.

"No helmet. How much?"

"Ah, it's been paid for."

Kayla blinked. "It...what? It's been bought? Why'd you show it to me then?"

"No, paid for, as in, happy birthday. The Dunmer I was speaking to paid for it."

"What Dunmer?!"

"Sethyas."

Kayla blinked and looked around, but saw no sign of said Dunmer.

"I...oh wow. I'll have to thank him later. Thank you for being honest and not making me pay for it as well." She grinned at him.