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 A teatime meeting at the Moon

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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyMon Jun 06, 2016 6:26 pm

Yrandis ran about the Dancing Moon this morning, making several trips from the kitchen to the roof. She was anxious and giddy with excitement, often pausing simply to laugh the butterflies from her stomach. The nights had been restless while she waited for today and now that it was here, she couldn't keep herself from buzzing about like a busy bee.

“Bloody hells, it’s nearly noon! And here I am, all jittery’n yabberin’ to meself like a total nong. . Blimey!”

She took a deep breath to steady herself and made her last trip from the kitchen, hiking up her dress as she climbed the stairs to reach the roof of the theater. The half-elf strolled across the grass with bare feet, neatly laying all of the materials needed for a successful teatime upon a bench.

“Alrighty. . Cups, check. Little plates, check. Spoonies, check. Tea bags, check. Honey and sugar. . Check. Ace! I got everythin’ up here without even fallin’ flat on me face! Good on ya, Yra,” she said to herself with a triumphant grin.

Yrandis smiled warmly and glanced up to the sky, shielding her blue-gold eyes from the sun with a dainty hand. The sky was open and blue without a single cloud in sight. The sun, its rays bright and warm, was nearly at its zenith. The half-elf hummed, figuring she still had enough time to boil water before her intended guest arrived.

“Gods, I’m stoked. . Even if it ain’t Arty, I’ll still have a ripper of a teatime. Maybe even a decent chinwag, if the fella’s alright.” she mused.

The rest of the morning went on this way, the half-elf busying herself with setting everything up properly, murmuring and muttering to no ears but her own all the while.
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyMon Jun 06, 2016 7:45 pm

Jhyn arrived at the docks on the Dancing Moon grounds shortly past noon. He was haggard from a sleepless night spent thinking and recalling many conversations over the last several months. While his hood shielded his eyes from sight, they twitched with annoyance as he remembered the previous evening in the Dancing Moon. Whoever he was about to meet, she knew his name. His true name. That alone unnerved him greatly, for the matter of his name was not something he spoke of lightly nor often. Reaching into a fold of his coat, he retrieved the letter that he was given the night before and hummed as he looked it over while wandering toward the door of the theater.

Quote :
Yrandis wrote:

"Hmph," he hummed again and folded the letter in half before slipping it back into a fold of his coat. Jhyn paused just before the door of the theater and sighed, not looking forward to whatever was about to transpire. As he stepped in, he frowned to the woman at the threshold and carefully removed his swords from the loops in his belt. "We go through this rigmarole often enough. Just take care of them. Please." he begged of the weapon's check woman. Once he had reluctantly parted with his swords, the man turned toward the stair leading to the theater's roof. He grumbled to himself and wandered up, stepping out onto the terrace with his scarred lips turned in a frown.
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyMon Jun 06, 2016 10:51 pm

Yrandis sat patiently, or at least as patiently as she could. Her legs were crossed and her top foot was set in a perpetual bounce that all too closely mirrored her internal anxiety. She had brought the kettle up only a few minutes ago and steam still wafted from its curved spout. The half-elf had set a teacup atop an appropriately sized plate just before her and another on the opposite side of the bench for her guest, just in front of the kettle.

"Mmm. .Wish he'd show up already, I'm startin' to get all antsy," she mumbled with a pout while looking over the rest of the teatime paraphernalia.

Teaspoons, sugar and honey were all neatly placed on either side of the kettle. A number of different tea bags had been assorted into a nearby basket, the contents ranging from a Turmish black tea to a Moonshaen white. She had prepared a decent variety, all of which she herself enjoyed. Currently, the half-elf had selected her favorite from the bunch, a green tea common to Cormyr, but politely waited for her guest to arrive before indulging herself.

As she was about to complain about his tardiness again, the door creaked open. Yrandis smiled brightly and sat up in her seat as Jhyn wandered onto the roof. The man would see her waggling fingers to him in greeting, the half-elf garbed in her flowing white dress.

"Hiya! I'm glad y'actually decided to come!"

Yrandis hopped up from her seat and practically skipped toward her guest, an arm extended in offer for a shake. "Sorry for the short notice! Anyway, I'm Yrandis and it's good to finally meet ya all proper like."
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 1:31 am

Jhyn folded his arms comfortably across his chest as he took note of the half-elf's preparations. His eyes lingered on the assortment of tea bags and a thoughtful hum escaped him. The man is dressed in his usual attire; a finely tailored suit dyed a deep red in color. His hood appears to have been a modification, as do a few visible pockets. Leather vambraces, fine black boots and a cravat complete the ensemble. Jhyn tilts his head to Yrandis once she approaches him and studies her for a moment. "I've seen you wandering around before. . You certainly have an interesting way of inviting someone to tea," he remarks while gripping the woman's hand and shaking it firmly.

"I'm known as Jhyn, although you seem to be calling me by another name," he said while wandering toward the bench and taking a seat at his apparent spot. Again he looked over the arrangement of bags, finally deciding on an oolong tea. He hummed thoughtfully again as he took a closer look through the basket. "You have quite the assortment here. Something of a tea connoisseur, I take it?"
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 6:28 am

The half-elf's smile seemed to wither away as Jhyn gripped her hand. The man spoke politely, but there was an edge to his words and a presence about him that seemed so terribly cold to her. Yrandis reflexively swallowed as her mouth dried up, almost as if it were suddenly layered with cotton. She tried to put on a new smile as she turned to watch him wander toward his seat, but it was a forced and nervous one.

"Hehe. . Sorry about that, it's just that you're uh. . Kind of an intimidating guy, y'know? I also had somethin' rather. . Well, particular that I wanted to ask of ya and I got all anxious when I walked by you, so. . That's why I had Lia hand you that note," she explained while fidgeting with her fingers.

Averting her eyes to the grass, the half-elf shuffled quietly to her spot on the bench across from Jhyn. She tried to pick her words carefully while she thought of how to address his next remark, taking a deep breath once she found the right ones.

"Ahh. . So ya heard that much then? Well, it's true. . Kinda, anyway. Y'see, I'm out lookin' for a fella I knew a long time ago. He went by Artus back then, I used to call him 'Arty,'" she explained without looking to her guest. "I'm not quite sure if that's you, but Lia seems to think so. I'd like to see your face, if that's alright. . Bit of a kooky request, I know, but. . It would help me out a great deal, mate."

Her eyes drifted, watching Jhyn's hand as he reached for a tea bag. She smiled and muttered quietly to him, "That's an oolong native to Shou Lung that I managed to get me hands on. . Good flavor, a bit on the sweet'n gingery side. It's got this great reddish color too," she explains while steeping her own cup of tea.

In response to the man's question, she offered a small but genuine smile and nodded her head.
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 1:58 pm

Shifting in his seat, Jhyn adjusted his position and sat cross legged upon the bench while he watched the half-elf steep her cup. A hand rose to scratch his cheek as he mulled over what she had just said, his frown receding for the moment. I don't think she's lying, he thought when his eyes observed the woman's face. Her bubbly demeanor had nearly vanished at this point and he had only just arrived. Yrandis truly appeared to be dejected or disappointed by the few words he spoke and that alone was rather telling. Unless she's used to playing her part, he mused to himself while scooping a couple of spoonfuls of honey into his empty cup. However, despite his cautiousness, he could not think of why she would be trying to deceive him in the first place.

Jhyn hummed and reached for the kettle, fingers curling around the porcelain handle, once the half-elf was done with it. Gently, he lifted the steaming pot and angled a stream of boiling water into his cup until it rose to the brim. "I imagine it wasn't cheap," he remarked, gesturing to his tea of choice with a free hand while stirring the honey and water in his cup. "Commodities from the far east aren't easily found in these parts. I'm tempted to ask how you even came by this blend, but perhaps we'll dwell on that after I address your request." The man cleared his throat and turned his attention to Yrandis then, soaking his tea bag all the while. "I have no issue with lowering my hood, but I'd like to ask a bit about you first. . Such as where you're from, for instance."
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 4:38 pm

A little bit of interest in her tea hobby brightened Yrandis' mood and she smiled more brightly to Jhyn.

"It didn't exactly cost me an arm or leg, but aye, not really cheap either."

The half-elf kept her smile on her rosy lips and removed the tea bag from her cup after only a minute or so of soaking it. Only then did she bother with additions, sprinkling a pinch of sugar into her tea before stirring the amber liquid with a spoon. She listened intently to Jhyn when he spoke, her blue-gold eyes trying to find his eyes beneath the hood without much luck. When he asked her about her homeland, Yrandis furrowed her brow and prodded at her cheek, humming to herself for a few quiet minutes.

"I guess there ain't really a good way to explain this, but uh. . I don't really know. It sounds real nutty, I know it does, but that's the truth of it," she mumbled while raising her cup of tea to her lips. The half-elf took a slow sip from her cup, savoring the sweet and earthy flavor.

"Y'see, for a long time, I couldn't even remember before a certain point. I woke up in a church one mornin' and some fellas there told me I got a real wallop on the head and died. There was this bloke in a silver mask who stayed with me for a few days, apparently he paid the priest and gave'm the materials to have me revived, but he didn't really flap his gob much."

The half-elf ran a finger along the rim of her cup while she spoke, skin easily gliding over the smooth porcelain surface. The feeling of steam brushing against her palm was soothing in a way and she continued to run her finger along the edge of the cup while she elaborated.

"A lot'a me memories came back with time, but I've still got gaps here'n'there. The biggest one is right before I died, at least I think so. I was hopin' Arty might help me remember, if I ever found him. Heard he passed through Neverwinter some time ago while I was there, so I headed back this way'n. . You know the rest, I reckon."
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 9:50 pm

During the silence that ensued while Yrandis searched her thoughts, Jhyn looked the half-elf over more closely. He had known several half-blooded individuals like herself in his time and he found that the mingling features between elves and humans were always a peculiar sight. The more closely he examined her features, the more he believed he had seen her before and not simply in passing. Turning his attention to his cup, he disregarded the thought for now and peered into his drink. The water had become a warm shade of red, with orange hues glinting in the sunlight. It was, as Yrandis had put it, 'a great reddish color.'

Jhyn drank from his cup, finding that he enjoyed the sweet, ginger flavor. He was not well-versed in the knowledge of tea, but wondered how a bit of cinnamon might influence the taste. His attention turned to the half-elf when she began to tell her tale and he leaned forward, setting his cup down so that he might give her his undivided attention. There was plenty of detail in her story, perhaps more than she may have realized. Jhyn considered the prior thought he had dismissed as Yrandis spoke the name 'Arty' once more. It still annoyed him, but the contempt he had felt when he heard it before had lessened.

Just as she had taken some time to search her thoughts, so too did he. Memories that had not been revisited for some time flooded through as if a dam had burst in the man's mind. Some recollections were good, warm and cherished. Others seemed to make his skin crawl at the most subconscious levels of remembrance. He looked back to his adolescence in Luskan, his scarred lips slowly turning into a frown once more. Yrandis, he thought, lingering on the name. After several moments, Jhyn looked to the half-elf, his lips forming a thin line.

"I have one more question and a request, if you do not mind. Firstly, do you remember what town or city you were in when you were revived?" he asked while reaching for his pack, slipping it from his shoulders so that he might search through. Once he found what he was looking for, he set the parcel beneath the bench and offered an ink, quill and journal to the half-elf, turning the book to a blank page. "Secondly. . Could you write your name down for me?"
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tjhyland

tjhyland


Posts : 1053
Join date : 2012-11-04
Age : 66
Location : Chicago, IL

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 07, 2016 10:23 pm

Hork will wander thru, ensuring he doesn't disturb them. Will wave politely if noticed.
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyWed Jun 08, 2016 1:21 am

Yrandis took another sip from her cup of tea while her guest sat and digested her story. She remained quiet and enjoyed her drink while gazing toward the falls off to her right. The half-elf's rosy lips were still curled in a warm smile while she watched the river run and spill across the lip of the hillside. It was then that her eye caught the movement of a figure she hadn't spotted before. Upon noticing Hork, she would smile brightly to him and waggle her fingers in greeting while mouthing the word "Hiya!"

She turned her attention back to Jhyn once he appeared to be looking her way and not just into space. Yrandis hummed thoughtfully when she heard his question and she canted her head quizzically for a moment while she tried to remember that detail. Her attention was suddenly turned to the man's hands as he fished through his pack and she furrowed her brow while looking over the items he offered.

"Uhh. . Can't say I'm totally sure, but. . I think it was Everlund. Oh! No wait, I mean Yartar. . Or was it Port Llast? Yeah, I think it might'a been Port Llast," she answered with uncertainty, jumping through the names rather quickly while taking hold of the writing materials. The half-elf hummed to herself again, not entirely sure why Jhyn wanted to know how to spell her name, but complied with his request anyway. Carefully, she popped the cork from the container of ink and dipped the tip of her quill in. After letting the excess ink drop off, she began scrawling her name on the empty page in large letters.

"Y-R-A-N-D-I-S. Yrandis," she said with another small smile when she was done and handed the journal along with the writing materials back to her guest.
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyWed Jun 08, 2016 4:01 am

Consumed by his thoughtfulness, Jhyn did not notice Hork, and the orc managed to slip right passed his sight. The Ninja's attention was currently on his host and he watched her carefully while she spoke, his own brow furrowing behind the shroud of his hood. Port Llast was a fair march north of Neverwinter, placing it in between Luskan and the Jewel of the North. The distance between the two cities was significant by land, which would situate Port Llast some seventy miles or so away from Luskan, according to the man's own rough estimate. Details began to conform with one another and Jhyn sighed through his nose as he started to place the pieces together for himself. He took the journal and writing materials from Yrandis and dipped his head in thanks. His eyes lingered on the page. Those seven letters stood out to him the longer he stared.

Jhyn paused his thought briefly as he recalled his earlier bargain. Staying true to his word, he reached up with his free hand and lowered the red hood. Shaggy locks of dark hair, as black as the ink on the page, fell to a moderate length and swayed in the afternoon breeze. The dark mess was parted in the center, which placed thick locks on either side of his face. A red headband ran across his forehead, through many black strands, and sat just above his thick brow. The Ninja's teal eyes were bright and turned to his journal for the moment, gazing sharply at the letters on the page. They lingered there while his free hand reached for the quill. No words came from him while he began to scribble on the page. He glanced up to Yrandis periodically while he wrote, just as sharply, but without menace. Those teal orbs peered at the woman as if they were searching for something. Finally, he set his quill down and turned the journal so that the half-elf could see what he had written. Upon the page, just below where she had written her name, seven more letters had been etched:


Spoiler:

Jhyn spoke as he showed her the journal. His brow was furrowed with confusion and a longing glimmered in his eyes. One single word softly rose from his lips, the inflection posing it as a question. "Syn?"
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tjhyland

tjhyland


Posts : 1053
Join date : 2012-11-04
Age : 66
Location : Chicago, IL

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyWed Jun 08, 2016 3:37 pm

Hork would continue his patrols and check back later.
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyWed Jun 08, 2016 7:44 pm

The half-elf continued to furrow her brow while she watched Jhyn stare at the journal. He looked rather pensive, which only confused her more. After all, it was only her name that was scrawled upon the page. Once his hands reached up to yank the hood upon his head, she watched carefully, her blue-gold eyes narrowing to pinpricks in anticipation. Yrandis couldn't help but gawk at her guest once the cowl had been removed. She saw him plainly for the first time now. Her breath was held and she stared in silence, observing his face. When those unmistakable teal eyes glanced up to her, Yrandis covered her mouth while her lip began to quiver. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes and she took small breaths through her nose while fighting the urge to cry.

She didn't look to the journal immediately and held Jhyn's gaze. The soft word that he spoke prompted her to look down at the page, where she eyed the name written beneath the one she had come to know as who she was. Yrandis winced, feeling as if something that was once stuck to her scalp had just been suddenly and painfully torn away. Memories that were blurry before became much clearer all at once and she could hear past voices call to her with that same pet name, almost as clearly as Jhyn had spoken it. That rush broke her resolve and the half-elf began to sob while her tears fell freely.

Without even a shred of hesitance, Yrandis stood from the bench and moved quickly to her guest in this moment of sentimentality. She would try to wrap her arms around the man and cling to him while her tears flowed. Completely forgotten was the coldness that Jhyn had initially greeted her with. The half-elf finally found her lost friend, she knew she had, and feared that he might simply vanish if she didn't hold onto him. There was no time to consider whether or not he would approve of the gesture, so she would reach for him and try to hug and cling and cry all the while.
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyWed Jun 08, 2016 10:38 pm

It was hard to look the half-elf in the eye when tears began to surface. Jhyn hated crying, not because it annoyed him, but because seeing others weep twisted his gut in knots. It always had, ever since an unfortunate event that took place when he was a slave. Unable to dismiss the feeling, it brought him to the precipice of nausea. The man turned his gaze away from his host, but did not expect her to lunge at him. She was successful in clinging to him and he rose from his seat, instinctively trying to disentangle himself from the woman. He did not put up much resistance, however, finding that he did not have the heart to push the sobbing half-blood away.

Instead, Jhyn simply stood and gingerly wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her close while she wept. He did not speak, unable to find words worth saying. His eyes were averted while he held her, staring down to the grounds of the Dancing Moon while the half-elf likely stained his suit with snot and tears. It was a bit of a shame, considering that the outfit was recently mended. Despite that and the queasiness he felt, Jhyn continued to hold the smaller woman. It was hard to accept, but he had connected enough details in his thoughts to make some semblance of explanation. Improbable as it was, the bawling Yrandis could truly be a cherished friend he had buried, but never forgotten. With that in mind, he furrowed his brow and mulled over what this apparent reunion would mean for them both.
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyThu Jun 09, 2016 11:53 pm

Yrandis buried her face into Jhyn's chest while he held her. She clung to the man for a while and had a good long cry, which really did dirty his suit. Nothing coherent came from her mouth, only the sorrowful sobs that varied in volume. She tried to say several things while she cried, but couldn't articulate her thoughts well enough to express all the emotions she felt. Her sobs quieted down after some time and the half-elf sniffled while she stood pressed against her friend, thankful to have someone to lean on. Eventually she looked up to him, eyes all puffy from her bawling, and chuckled quietly.

"Sorry, mate. . I think I needed that sook. Thanks for bein' me shoulder there."

It was reluctant, but Yrandis did let go of Jhyn. She sighed heavily and canted her head curiously while she looked to him for some sort of guidance. "I dunno what to do anymore now. I mean, I'm chuffed to bits that I found ya Arty, but now that I have, what should I do? I just found out me name ain't even really Yra. ." she murmured and trailed off, appearing quite troubled.
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyFri Jun 10, 2016 1:51 am

When Yrandis glanced up to Jhyn, she would be able to see the nauseous look on his face. He was clearly relieved when her tears stopped falling and perhaps a little thankful for being released from her grasp. The damage done to his suit was not nearly as detrimental as the claws of a panther had been, but it would still need cleaning. The Ninja tried to do what he could by wiping away at the stain with a handkerchief retrieved from his coat pocket."You're welcome," he said with a slight smirk. There was not much else he could say, at least not without being rude. She had decided the role for him, after all.

A frown formed on Jhyn's face once he heard the half-elf's concerns, an eye twitching in annoyance when she calls him 'Arty'. "Hmph. ." he hummed thoughtfully, mulling over what she had said. "I suppose the only thing we can do for now is talk. I am still having trouble processing this myself, but perhaps hearing of our travels might smooth things out for us both. As for your name. . Well, if you would like me to call you Yrandis, I will. Just know that a name may be yours, but it is not you. I carry two, although few know the first one that was given to me."
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Deadly Muffins

Deadly Muffins


Posts : 26
Join date : 2012-05-08

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyFri Jun 10, 2016 6:55 pm

Yrandis chuckled again while she wiped whatever moisture was left around her eyes. "Jhyn. . Hehe, y'know when I first heard the name I wondered what kinda mum would name her kid after a bloody drink," she said with a smirk of her own. The half-elf prodded her cheek in thought, nodding to herself while she came to a decision. "It's been a long while since I woke up and I've been 'Yra' ever since. Might not be me real name, but it's the one I've come to know, so I think I'll keep on usin' it. That said. . I'd like ya to keep callin' me Syn. You're the only friend I've got that still can."

She smiled brightly to Jhyn then, her chipper demeanor returning quickly. Yrandis shuffled back to her spot on the bench and scooped up her cup of tea, hoping the amber liquid might help the hoarseness she felt in her throat. After draining what remained in the small cup, she cleared her throat and looked to Jhyn curiously. "Would ya mind goin' first? I think me pipes need a bit'a rest after all the blubberin' I just did."
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Ojaro

Ojaro


Posts : 138
Join date : 2011-07-26
Age : 31

A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
PostSubject: Re: A teatime meeting at the Moon   A teatime meeting at the Moon EmptyTue Jun 14, 2016 6:31 am

Jhyn could not help but chuckle at the woman's first remark. It certainly was not the first time the joke had been made and it likely would not be the last. When she came to her decision, he nodded his understanding, a small smile forming on his face. "Understood, Syn."

A hum escaped him as he briefly thought of his travels. Much had happened over the years and it was difficult to choose a place to start the tale. Jhyn reached for his own cup of tea then, draining what remained and savoring the sweet taste before he would tell of his bitter story. It began where Syndria's had ended, in the Ruins of Illusk within the city of Luskan. He had told her briefly of the lofty plans they and their old gang had for the future, as well as the tragedy that had befallen them. This was the first time the man had spoken of it since the incident and found the recollection difficult to voice. His words became quiet and monotone when he recounted the discovery of her corpse, as well as the events that followed. Jhyn felt a wave of shame when he began to tell Yrandis of his initial travels outside of Luskan and the constant feeling of a bottle in his hand while he walked the High Road.

Neverwinter was the first city he had some clear memory of throughout the haze and mist of that drunken journey. The Ninja spoke little of the city, but much of a tiefling named Fenix, who proved to be quite a thorn in his side. It was difficult to explain why Jhyn tolerated such a scoundrel, but it involved a debt not so easily repaid, as the tiefling had saved him more than once from brigands within Neverwinter's walls. This part of the tale was short lived and ended with the man's recounting of how Fenix had scorned a young noblewoman and dragged him along while the tiefling was run out of the city. Jhyn explained that they parted ways soon after, but that it would not be the last he saw of Fenix and that despite the annoyance, he did not dislike the man. From there, the tale became less detailed and briefly glimpsed over the long and foggy road that eventually led to Shadowdale.

Here, Jhyn spoke of many things. Shadowdale's occupation by the Zhentarim, his initial crawls through the lairs of goblins, gnolls and kobolds, as well as the expedition that earned him his swords. He grinned widely as he recalled the thrashing of a white wyrm and the fateful strike of a dwarven axe that cleaved its skull in two. He would go on to recount the deeds of old names and how he was saved by these heroes from a drow huntress, raiding orcs and even malevolent shadows. With some humor, Jhyn even recalled Dashington Thanos XIV, the self-proclaimed king of Freehaven and the many knights that seemed to flock beneath his banner before his inevitable murder. There were many memories from his first year in the Dales, some of which he had all but forgotten until he came to this point in his story.

The tale took a somber turn as the man described, with vivid detail, his capture by the drow. He remembered how his mistress to be had incapacitated him with her bare hands and how he was dragged through endless, winding tunnels that eventually came to the small camp where the dark elves dwelled. There were many atrocities and sour memories and Jhyn spent more time reliving them than he did relating them to Yrandis. He explained the strange rules of their society that he had learned and the ways in which they manipulated and used one another. He recounted the ways in which the slaves were humiliated for the amusement of their masters and brutally sacrificed when they disobeyed or failed. Jhyn even spoke of the journeys he was taken along for, such as the raid of a surface village and the many hunts throughout the caverns of the Underdark. He told the half-elf all that he could of those dark times. From his cruel masters, to the other slaves that seemed to disappear with each new cycle in that wretched place.

Thankfully, Jhyn's mood improved considerably after he recounted his escape. The tale became another myriad of different events, quests and deeds once more, without much of a particular order. From his participation in an open tournament, to the instance he had exploded for repeatedly saying the name of a particular demon prince. The tale was almost a cavalcade of summarized events, with many of the details left out for the sake of expediency. He did, however, spend a lot of time describing particular people to the half-elf. He spoke of his friends, Lhanir and Emrys, the half-drow Veska and even Raegar, the man that would eventually command the Zhentarim forces within Shadowdale. Zorg the half-orc had earned a mention as did a number of others including Sariah, Jarxan, Annie, Sierra, and many more. When his story came close to the present, Jhyn retrieved his journal and flipped it to a particular page.

"I would write to you and others occasionally," he explained while offering the book so that Yrandis could read through the letters herself. "I always remembered how you spoke of setting out one day. Your enthusiasm kept me going when I was aimless and even brought me back here after I left for the North." Many of the events he had experienced from the last year had been chronicled in those letters and he allowed the half-elf to peruse through the words he had written. Once she was done, the man went on about his experience of living in the Grove, as well as the disastrous assault upon the undead within the daggerhills. That became another somber moment for Jhyn, as he recalled how he and the group had barely escaped upon Lhanir's back while she was in the shape of a dragon. He still mourned the loss of Emrys, but seemed composed while he spoke of the sad days following the assault.

Finally, the Ninja's story came to speak of Kendra, the sorceress whom he was smitten with. He told of how they met, their near daily conversations within the Dancing Moon, and the deep understanding that they had gained of each other through months spent in constant company. It was a short lived topic, for there was much that Jhyn was afraid to divulge, but it was one that he could not help but smile through while he spoke. It was a warm and genuine smile that stayed on his lips while he described the love of his life, an expression that seemed to be rare these days.

Much time would pass while Jhyn recounted his tale and noon would have faded to dusk by the time he was finished. He looked to the half-elf across from him and chuckled quietly, rather surprised by how carried away he had gotten with his storytelling. "You have my apologies, Syn. I should have stopped much earlier and given you time to speak."
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A teatime meeting at the Moon Empty
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