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Killa Ree

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Rain hissed down angrily from above, flattening plants and rushing people back to their homes. It beat down mercilessly on the backs of many a traveler... and many a traveler huddled deeper into their cloaks and coats, seeking shelter. One rain-slicked figure walked alone, her cloak hood kept up, booted feet walking slowly through the rain as though unfazed.

Bright green eyes blinked at a particularly welcome sight; an inn, with bright warm lights and a roaring fire. The only downsides were its' occupants, uproariously cheery and sloshing back drink despite the racket and damp of outdoors. Deliah stared for a beat, then reluctantly tugged her hat down over her forehead, blinking blearily.

She had traveled by ship for a week, and thin, spindly legs were welcome to walk on solid, rather than wobbly, ground. She could still scent the salt spray that lingered on her clothes despite the rain, and not too far away the sound of the harbor continued even despite the outpour. Fishermen, merchants and other travelers gathered here, but right now she ached for a quiet drink and a hot plate of good food. She had some coin saved, and as she shrugged off her pack, she was greeted by the stocky figure of a gnomish woman, an elderly grinning type with three visible teeth and grey-blue eyes sparkling.

"An' what can I get ye?" she grinned broadly, fists propped on her hips. Deliah felt the urge to hide deeper in her cloak, but instead she looked towards the woman, and gave a thin, weary smile.
"What kinds of tea do you have?" she asked, watching the woman's brows raise slightly at the question. A tavern and inn, serving tea? "Yer in luck," she heard, much to her surprise. "We 'ave a selection, pretty, would ya like to hear it?"

"Surprise me," she sighed faintly, already feeling the warmth of the indoors through the raw chill under her cloak. "And a hot plate special, if you don't mind."

The woman nodded crisply, then turned away. "Two gold, an' would you like a room? We have a couple ta spare." She pointedly glanced at Deliah's sodden appearance, and she offered another thin, tired smile.
"Lovely, thanks." The woman shuffled off... and she felt the urge to just fall asleep then and there.

Hopefully, this place would begin to point her in the directions for the answers she sought...


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D-aXZ_SXsAU0K0U
A deep and jovial laugh roll forth from the table to the right of the door in the tavern. "Sugar cane?! What's that's...Hmm? Mole-asses? Rump? Yer talking nonsense pal. Any drink made from anything other than honey iz just a bit weird if ya ask me heehee." His proclamation was greeted with disagreeing tonest. The dark furred being that had spoken raised a finger to add onto his statement. "But I'll admit this wine isn't bad." His elbow came up to the man beside's him at the shoulder and was followed by a wink.

"Escuse me lads I think I should make sure I don't owe anythin before I get to rambunxious." He gave a smile over his shoulder but as soon as he turned away his expression became more serious. "Oh Wildmother please let me have enough." his large charcoal black colored hands pulled at this coinage to make sure he wasn't in the red.

As he neared the counter he saw the door open out of the corner of his eye.The change in the wind and influx of fresh sea and rain scented air made his cow like ears turn and were followed by his bright blue eyes. An eyebrow cocked as the relatively short but new figure came in the gnome took her order. The teifling then headed back to the only recently vacated back table to the left of the fireplace. His eyes looked her up and down with his keen perception until the gnome made her way around the bar but the Firbolg kept his eye on the newest arrival.

Turning his head back to the counter he stared down at the gnome. She stood up on a raised board behind the bar to serve at normal counter height but Thomat already stood an additional foot than most humanoids. A warm smile came across his features. "I don't owe too much do I?" The gnome squinted towards the table he had come from, trying to decide if there was any debt. "MMmmmm naaaah." She went to start getting together the tea Deliah had asked for. "Iz'ere somethin' I can help ya with stretch?" Thomat smiled at what he took as a name of affection. "Oh ah, yeah could I...ask for a cup of that or I'll even pay for my own pot. Any bread or vegetables you've got just um....no meat please." he was a vegetarian. Meat, fish, even eggs he didn't eat. Bugs were kind of a grey area but so far the giant-kin hadn't needed to resort to eating creepy crawlers though during some walks to the coastal town his mind had contemplated their crunchiness. "Two gold." She said not knowing that he had heard the exchange for the tiefling's order. But really Thomat didn't have a problem with paying the same price.

There weren't any other places in the tavern anymore save at the bar. It was an evening crowd that still had some roar especially over the sound of the storm. People even stole two of the chairs from the table Deliah was at and slid them to the fire or around another table. Except one, which was promptly filed by the friendly smile of the firbolg. He had long since come into the tavern and was completely dry. His tall lanky body was armored with a breastplate and some leather straps but otherwise had earthen color robes. "Not a lot of room with this weather an all. You mind if I join you? Be nice to get a bite without getting jostled." He stuck his elbows out a little bit to emphasize the struggles of elbow space when someone was like him in a crowded tavern. "Thomat's my name by the way." He added as they were getting served their food. He could have probably found his way back to the newest group of friends he had met only recently but they seemed steep into their brew and the Firbolg had more or less had his fill of drinking for the night.

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Bright green eyes blinked rapidly at the new arrival to her table, shrinking back slightly into her hood at that perceptive stare. "I... I... ah..." she stammered, hands wringing unseen in her lap. "Sureeee…?" she finally managed to eke out, as he just made himself at home anyways. She forced herself to draw up taller, the hood withdrawing to reveal a pale face, tinged slightly green, and thin strands of inky black hair, the rest clipped back and hidden. "Deliah," she finally managed to speak up. "It's been a hairy--windy!" she squeaked, and a dark flush of green took over her cheeks. "Rainy day, I mean. Feel free, I don't own the rable--I mean table."

She was beginning to dry off even more, and the heat must have been getting to her head. It was always harder to articulate in Common Tongue, but at least she did it without a lisp this time around. Thankfully she was spared more embarrassment by the arrival of their drinks and food; it seemed most people were ordering hearty things this night; she stretched out a timid, clawed hand to pour hot water, and the smoky, sweet mystery brew swirled around her senses. She knew eventually she'd have to take off her cloak, but she hated the stares.

It was always the horns, or her skin, or her tail... always something for them to point and whisper at, and this guy's curiosity seemed no different. She would stay in a damp, cold cloak if it meant keeping some of her dignity a while longer, though she itched to toss it off and scoot closer to the flames.

But soon curiosity was taking over common courtesy, and warring with the anxiety curling around her throat.
"A-are you... from here?" she managed to squeak out, wrapping both hands around her mug and feeling her shoulders relax with the radiant warmth. It wasn't the best conversation starter... but it was a start.

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The young woman's miss-speaking was not lost on the Firbolg. But he wasn't sure if she was just making the mistakes from nervousness or perhaps weariness. Then again she appeared to be a Tiefling. The smell from his plate brought the blue eyes of the druid down to look at what he had been served. His brow furrowed slightly and then looked over at Deliah's plate noticing she had meat and the server must have ignored his request for withholding meat.

"Me? Oh no haha" His deep voice giving a laugh for a moment. "I'm just traveling. This town's the latest stop on the road to harmony." He stopped and then moved his plate a little closer towards the sorcerer's. "You can have my beef sausage if you want. I don't much care for meat." It was already cooked and prepared so it would just go to waste if he didn't give it to her. "You should make sure you eat well if your traveling alone. Are you traveling alone?"

Sipping his tea, Thomat would place his hand with the back facing down and the palm towards the ceiling. Cupping his fingers slightly a small cloud of mist would form there and remain for several moments and then the Firbolg would dismiss the cantrip he cast and begin eating his plate of food. The other items were buttermilk bread, some spiced plums and carrots. The bread was something Thomat had never had before and he wouldn't say he liked it but it wasn't bad either. The plums were surprisingly good, mostly since he had never tried them before. The carrots were a good and relatable side that had him happily crunching and listening the the hubbub.

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She blinked when he actually scooted closer, and it would be plain as day she warred between wanting to scoot further back or maintain the closed distance. She finally resolved to keep her spot, and raised brows when he offered the meat on his plate. Was he a... oh. Sudden awareness flickered to life, and she nodded again, stabbing a fork at it and tilting her plate in return. "You can have the artichokes. I rarely..." she gestured vaguely, then shrugged. Unlike his, hers was higher-pitched, almost breathy, as though speaking came from some difficulty compared to most.

She inhaled the smoky brew again, closing her eyes. The steam was a welcome respite, curling around her cheeks and chin before she answered, her voice low, but no longer timid. A gleam of determination glinted in her eyes when she opened them again.
"I seek answers to a question no living being can answer..." and her shoulders slumped. "But I'll admit, finding those answers will probably not be in my lifetime." She sighed, shoulders drooping almost pitifully. "I didn't expect the sea to be so... hectic."

The slight tinge of green took on a less healthy shade at the thought, and to spare herself, she took a sip of the tea.

It was surprisingly warmer than she expected, with an almost-burning sensation as it went down, yet sweet. Like peppermint, but the burn brighter, longer... she found herself suddenly smiling at the sensation, and she took another healthy sip, sighing happily.
"That's more like it..." she hummed, hugging it closer.

But the smell of food warred with the need to cozy in, and instead she set it down to dig into her own share. First a spiced plum, then a strip of thick bacon, then breaking into the roll. She cleared the plate quickly; it had been so long since she had something other than travel rations, she had no idea how long really.

She blinked up at him, realizing he asked something, then flushing when she realized he actually had.
"I, uh... yes," she finally managed to gather, more loose strands pulling free of the clip holding her hair back. As the heat drew away the moisture, it was beginning to slip free, almost inky black in the odd ambient firelight. "I'm alone. Are you?"

Such a friendly guy couldn't have been alone for too long, but she didn't know how to work in a group, she gnawed at her lower lip, showing a small flash of a small fanged eyetooth as she did absently.

She itched to chew on her nails, but the only thing stopping her from such a juvenile thing was the fact her company seemed actually willing to hang around.


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Her response was honest as she tried to keep things vague for anonymity. But it was clear she was on a mission of some sort despite her doubts. But she quickly overcame her worries as she focused on thee tasty delights on her plate and in her cup.

"Well I'm sitting with you right now aren't I?" He was serious. Thomat had so far been traveling mostly alone but sometimes interacting with a few people here and there. "I'm not traveling with anyone long term...if that's what you mean." He had to remind himself to drink slowly. The utensils the humans and smaller beings used seemed like miniatures when in his large hands. The druid wanted to savor the tea and was worried he would drink it too quickly.

"Only just arrived yesterday by ship the other day and don't really know where I'm headed next." His was more of a loose mission and quest. So far he had not seen any indication of a direction to take. Perhaps Deliah was a catalyst or maybe just another person the dark furred Firbolg met along the way.

A gnome began to play a fiddle nearly as big as he was. The cherry voice of the brown haired being made Thomat smile a bit and sip his tea. The gnome had a smile on his face as he played which only exagerated the dimples he had even more. The cheery tone got some of the other tavern goers in a better mood despite the weather that continued outside. "you wanna sit by the fire? You must be cold." His chair scooted back and he moved around so that she would dry off a bit faster.

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She blinked gratefully up, and shuffled closer to the fire, shuddering visibly. "...Thank you..." she sighed in a small, tired voice. Being that close to flames, perhaps, would have been alarming to most not immune to fire, but to her it was simply soothing, and already she could feel the edges of her cloak drying, and she slumped her head down in relief. The chain, too, was beginning to warm; an odd choice for a scholar, perhaps, but many of her fellow classmates took great delight in telling her all the dangers she would face, all the creatures and things that could hurt her... she had to be prepared, even with her own capabilities to keep herself safe.

Better to be safe than sorry.

"No?" she blinked back up to awareness, attempting to straighten herself up. The music was a charming backdrop; it seemed her newfound companion was adept with being social with others, and she felt a stab of envy. She was always tongue-tied, preferring quiet spaces and libraries to the wilderness, to crowds.

But her desire to understand far outstripped most of her fears. Many of her questions and hungers for knowledge unknown or abandoned came with costs she knew meant lives... but if it meant answers, she would get them and face her consequences head on. But this interlude was not as difficult as she thought it would be. He was a big guy, sure, but she didn't feel like she was under attack. It was disconcerting, really.

"Perhaps... you can join me?" her voice was small, timid, but she still forced herself to glance up, just to gauge his reaction. The music continued on, but she had her focus on her companion for now.

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His bites were slow and his chewing was paced. The Firbolg was in no rush to finish his meal though it lacked some of the freshness of food from the wilds though he wasn't going to complain. The girl muttered to herself a bit and seemed like the timid type so he didn't ask her to repeat herself. He heard her question about joining her and that made him cock an eyebrow.

"Join you? Like travel with you?" His hand came up to his dark haired beard and stroked it gently as he weighed his options. "Hmmm guess it depends. So far sounds like your chasing the impossible." He said with a slightly teasing tone since she had sounded so doubtful in her own success earlier.

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