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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - AFTERNOON
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Tarbin grunts as he descends the stairs from his borrowed room, the cane supporting his weight on his left side lending an extra hollow 'thunk' to his descent. With a sigh of relief and a slightly annoyed swish to his split tail, the lizard carefully makes his way to the nearest stool at the bar, though he doesn't move to order anything right now. Not that he'd be able to read the menu for many reasons.
Gareth is sitting a few seats down from the end of the bar, towards the middle of the long counter, a tall, frosty glass of alcohol in front of him. His ears flick when he catches the hollow thump from Tarbin's cane, and he curiously glances over as the lizard takes a seat nearby. He hums thoughtfully, looking the scaly fellow up and down a moment. "Ye look like ye've been through the wringer, lad... If ye don't mind me askin'... what happened?"
Tarbin perks up slightly, turning toward the voice. The relatively dim light in the bar doesn't help him focus to begin with, but Gareth's outfit gives Tarbin a curious mental image of his fellow patron. "Oh? I am sorry, you are talking to me?"
Gareth dips his head. "Aye, that I am, lad. Ye seem pretty roughed up, so I was wonderin' what happened." He tilts his head a bit as he gets a good look at the lizard's face, specifically his eyes, and notes they seem to stare through him. "Uh..."
Tarbin nods, though it takes him a little extra time to parse Gareth's unique take on Common. "Ah, I've been told I arrived in this town by... 'ship rack'." He pats his right thigh, which is only slightly uncomfortable now. "My leg and other leg were broken here. Respite has good doctor."
Gareth tilts his head the other way a bit, trying to see if Tarbin's eyes follow his head movement. He hums quietly, however, after a moment. "Ah... ye got shipwrecked here, eh? Was it down by that bay near the town, by chance? That place's got a fair few wrecks sunk beneath the surface o' the water." He nods, "And aye, the town doctor's a skilled one."
Tarbin turns his head, recognizing Gareth's movement, and catching an idea of where the wolf's face is by a flash of teeth, his gaze focusing a bit better. "You know the place? I have never seen it, was unconscious when someone found me."
Gareth hums again, nodding to himself when he sees Tarbin's eyes shifting. "Aye, I know the place. It's a nice, peaceful stretch o' land, though me huntin' partner tells me there can be some coyotes roamin' about." He pauses, thinking, "In fact, I think yer the one me partner rescued. Glad to see ye're up and about."
Tarbin twitches his tails at every mention of the word 'hunt', though he perks up at the last statement, eyes widening a bit. "Oh, you are knowing the one who saved this lizard? That is good, I would like much to thank them!"
Gareth chuckles. "Easy enough. If ye happen to see a giraffe wanderin' around town, probably near the guard barracks or trainin' grounds, that's her. Her name's Fiora, and she might look intimidatin', but she's just a big softie out o' her armor."
Tarbin chuckles a slightly hissy laugh as his expression settles down. "I would not be able to recognize a giraffe or how int... intid..." His train of thought gets derailed by unfamiliarity with this word, tilting his head slightly at Gareth. "I am sorry, Common is not a strong language for me. What does that mean?"
Gareth hums curiously, his ears wiggling a little as he tilts his head again. "Intimidatin'? Uh... frightenin', scary because she looks strong and could break someone in half with her hands?" He rubs his chin with a finger, "So... ye aren't that familiar with Common, hm? Ye're a foreigner, then?"
Tarbin nods in recognition as Gareth explains, making a note to try learning how to speak the words. "Scary I understand, yes. I am familiar with Yurettan alone, but have come to earn Orelan is similar. Is not too difficult to learn Common. I have been told that Respite is frontier, new place. So you are foreigner too, yes?"
Gareth nods. "Aye, I'm from around Vamas, meself, one o' the colder continents to the north. Best as I can tell, aye, Respite's on the newer end o' things." He thinks again for a moment, "Yurettan... don't think I've heard that sort o' language before."
Tarbin shrugs slightly. "[It is a language like {any other}. As I {said, if you've heard}] Orelan, [{you've heard} some ] Yurettan. I have not heard of Vamas, myself. Is cold, so more North than Sarn?"
Enver walks into the bar after a bit of a slow morning. He takes a seat at the bar close to the door and waves down the barkeep, ordering his usual lunch of bread and cheese and a bit of meat with some vegetables and pickles and the like along with a glass of small beer. He gives a friendly nod to the others at the bar but doesn't say anything for the moment, mostly just making sure that his cubic bag is safely tucked in between the stool and the bar.
Tarbin sees Enver's movement as he enters, though loses track of the smaller blur as it vanishes behind Gareth's own blur.
Gareth flicks his ears as he listens to the vaguely familiar language he'd heard spoken by Orelan native Lizards. He nods a bit, picking out one or two words he understands. "Interestin'... so Yurettan is somethin' of a sister language to Orelan Lizard, eh? Aye, Vamas is a bit further north than Sarn, I think." He watches Enver out of the corner of his eye, and gives the mongoose a friendly little nod in turn as they past him.
Enver sips his small beer and idly listens to the conversation the other two are having as he starts to pick at his light lunch when it arrives.
Tarbin nods, swishing his tails idly. "From what I understand, yes. Nesseth has been helping me learn Common, but now conversation with others is preferred. Most, like you, are willing to explain a word sometime."
Gareth takes a moment to down a hearty quaff of his drink, sighing as he sets it back down. "It's no trouble teachin' someone somethin' if they ask. Best way to learn, sometimes."
Tarbin sees the food that was delivered to Enver, leaning against the bar a bit to peek somewhat hungrily at the plate. "You said you are hunter, what game do you and your partner prefer?"
Enver notices Tarbin's gaze at his plate, but isn't sure how to react for the moment. Instead, he responds to Gareth's statement. "Yeah... folks are nice around here. Mr. Aurelius over at the library is helping me learn how to read and write..."
Gareth chuckles, grinning toothily for a moment. "Folks that have debts to pay to others. Bounty hunters, if ye know the term. People set money out fer folks like us to go out and bring people to them fer whatever reason." He blinks and turns his head towards Enver a bit, "Readin' and writin' are both good skills to know, lad."
Tarbin twitches his tails, eyes darting to Gareth for a moment, his expression neutral but his voice tinted with a bit of venom. "You hunt people?"
Gareth shrugs. "Those who did wrong by others, usually, aye, and only if there's payment fer us. No payment, no huntin', pure and simple."
Tarbin pauses before visibly relaxing, eyes drifting back to the plate of food. "Ah, good. What was this about a li... bern? Is this a place of learning?"
Enver looks up between bites. "Library... it's a place with lots of books. This one is run by Mr. Aurelius. He calls himself a Lorekeeper... they're from Sarn and they like, share and protect knowledge I think."
Gareth notices Tarbin's eyes gazing at Enver's plate (even though they're slightly unfocused), and he waves down the barkeep for a plate of food for the lizard before rejoining the conversation. "A Lorekeeper? From what I heard, they love sharin' knowledge, and they know a lot o' things."
Enver nods. "About half of what he says, I don't even pretend to understand, yeah... but he's good with helping me learn to read and write. It's taking a while, though, especially since I don't have time to stop by most days."
Tarbin looks to Gareth, surprised at the generosity after his assumption. "Ah, you do not need to!" He listens to the explanation of Lorekeepers, humming. "I believe there was a Lorekeeper in Yuretti's largest city. I never personally met them, though."
Gareth shakes his head a bit, smiling at the Lizard. "Ye got shipwrecked, so I doubt ye've got any money on hand. Consider it a little gift from one seafarer to another." He chuckles a little as he shifts back to Enver, "Makin' progress is a good thing, though. Some things ye just can't rush to learn it right."
Tarbin blushes slightly under his scales at the generosity, nodding. "Yes, I agree. Some do not think learning written language as useful, but it only serves to give more opportunity. Only lose time in learning, not much else."
Enver nods to the other two. "Fair enough." He keeps eating his lunch, not wolfing it down but certainly not taking too much time with it either.
Gareth sits back in his seat a bit, getting comfortable so he can look at both Tarbin and Enver as the two talk. "Aye, it's worth it, even if it's goin' a bit slow fer any reason."
Tarbin hears a plate of food being set next to him, turning to nod at the barkeep's blur. He looks at the plate of mixed blurs, tilting his head slightly. "I am repeating, but I know Yurettan written language, and it had served me well. Someday would like to learn Common, but maybe not have the chance." He sniffs over the plate, trying to determine what he's been given.
Enver looks over at the similar plate that was put in front of tarbin. "It's bread and cheese and meat and vegetables and some pickles, Mr. Lizard... can you not see too good?"
Tarbin chuckles dry hisses, looking towards Enver, the gaze not really settling on him. "No, my captors took most of my sight, just enough to let me stumble through a ship but not read or recognize faces." He turns back to the plate, finding the fork and spearing a piece of cheese with it, which he eats gratefully.
Gareth frowns a bit as he looks over at Tarbin again. "So, ye're a bit hard o' seein'? Must've been some nasty folks that caught ye before the wreck..." He gestures at the left side of his face, towards his blind eye, "I know what it's like bein' blind, but... not completely blind."
Enver looks at the wolf's milky eye and frowns. "Oof. What happened?"
Tarbin pauses in his chewing, nodding slowly. "Yes, everything is just blurred together. But I would also like to know, if you don't mind."
Gareth smiles a bit at Enver. "Got it from a skirmish back when I was around... 18 or 19 or so. Caught a blade across the face, but I gave me opponent a good hit in turn."
Enver nods a bit. "Yeah... I guess doctors can't fix everything."
Tarbin chews his food slowly, looking at Gareth. "Have you considered finding a healer in your travels?"
Gareth shakes his head. "I didn't think to do so back then, and I don't think a doctor could fix this now." He pauses, considering, then shakes his head again, "Even then, I've been like this fer so long, it's probably best I stay like this."
Enver nods a bit. "As long as it doesn't slow you down, yeah." He finishes up his food and drinks the last of his small beer. "Anyway, I should be getting back to the marketplace..."
Tarbin considers the wolf for a moment, then nods. "If that is what you think is best." He returns to the food, eating rather quickly.
Gareth hums and gives Enver a bit of a salute with his free hand. "Headin' back fer more performin'? I might drop by later to watch." He pauses, then nods, "Oh, me name's Gareth, by the way. Gareth Gwynn." He then nods at Tarbin, "And aye, much as I'd like both eyes workin', I don't know how it'd affect me abilities after workin' with one eye fer so long."
Enver nods to Gareth. "I'm Enver, and I'll see you, sir." He heads out without another word.
Tarbin nods, leaning back from his empty plate and looking toward Enver and Gareth. "You may be right, old scars hard to undo, as well. Thank you for the meal, Gareth, and the company Enver."
Gareth smiles at Tarbin. "Yer welcome, friend. Hopefully it helps ye recover from yer injuries faster."
Tarbin smiles, nudging the cane that is resting against the bar. "I hope so as well, though I suppose one can't complain too much. It has only been a few weeks since the wreck, after all."
Gareth nods as he leans against the counter a bit. "Aye, it'd take a bit longer than that to heal fully. Still, yer walkin' around pretty fast, so ye seem to heal quickly."
Tarbin shrugs, a bit of a smile on his lips. "Must be good health, or perhaps Plume is really that skill." He also leans on the bar. "You said that you are a... seafarer? But also bounty hunter. Both, or did you quit sailing?"
Gareth nods again. "Aye, I used to be a wolf o' the sea, but changed away from that when Fiora and I met. Funny story, that, if ye've got the time to hear it."
Tarbin nods, grinning a bit. "I have a lot of time, yes. If you wouldn't mind telling the story, I would like to hear it."
Gareth laughs and taps his glass against the table, at which point another filled glass slides cleanly to a stop in front of him. "Alright, lad, sit back and enjoy." He smiles brightly as he starts to tell Tarbin about a bit of how he met up with Fiora, and how the two eventually worked to become bounty hunting partners. He keeps the details mostly vague, except his respect for Fiora shines through in how he talks of her.
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RESPITE FALLS - MARKETPLACE - EVENING
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Sammi was squinting at her newest purchase. It was some form of food called a 'Pie', wrapped up in papers and a bag, and then pastries, and then some filling that she had been assured was 'meat'. Sammi hadn't thought to ask what sort of meat, or if had even been from an animal traditionally associated with meat production. She was more concerned with working out which bits she should eat. She new by now that she shouldn't eat all of it. Trying to eat the wooden plates had gotten her so many odd looks..but then ice-cream came in this bland 'cone' stuff..and you did eat that..but not the 'paper' that bit was in!? It was all so very confusing, but she was determined to get this right!
Victoria has been sitting on her usual 'watch rock' at the edge of the marketplace, the leopard lazily keeping an eye on this... vaguely aquatic creature that she certainly has never seen before. She has to admit she's feeling a bit curious, at least.
Sammi eventually works out that likely the brown paper on the outside you don't eat. Which makes sense, the outer layer you hardly ever eat, the inner papery bit..well..that's white, so..sure, it looks edible, and the pastry has got to be food, and meat is ..well..she was told it was 'delicious', and the nice sales lady wouldn't lie, would she? Sammi would eat this meat pie, clearly coming from one of the cheapest parts of the market, with enjoyment. If anything marked her as an abomination, then eating one of "Ms. Dibler's Premium Meat Pies' and enjoying it..well..that was top of the list!
Victoria tilts her head at Sammi, not sure what to make of her. As the squid-girl walks past, she comments on the thing that makes sense: "Those meat pies are pretty awful, aren't they?"
Sammi: "They are?" She seems mildly distressed that she was learning this "But..the nice lady said they tasted really good! and she made them! So how could she be wrong about it?"
Victoria gives a dismissive chuckle: "Dibler might be a decent baker, but she knows next to nothing about what makes for good meat." She gives a bit of a grin as said shopkeeper gives the leopard a death glare.
Sammi: "Oh..so..this..doesn't taste nice?" She looks down at the meat pie sadly "...That's a shame..I'd been really enjoying it."
Gareth wanders his way through the marketplace with a casual stride. His ears flick a bit as he catches a snatch of conversation from familiar voices from what seems to be several stalls down from where he is. Curious, he turns to follow the voices.
Victoria shrugs, shifting her sitting position a bit: "Suit yourself."
Sammi: "But..how am I meant to know what's tasty or not? I'm not from around here!" Her world has been tossed into uncertainty! She doesn't know what's real anymore! Is this meat pie good? Or bad? She doesn't know!
Victoria blinks, looking at Sammi with confusion: "I mean... taste things? That's how you usually find out."
Gareth draws up to the duo, recognizing both Sammi and Victoria. He smiles as he comes to a stop next to Victoria's rock. "Evenin', Sammi, Victoria. Somethin' wrong with the food?"
Sammi: "I don't know! Ms Dibler said it was really nice, but this lady says its not! I don't know who to believe!" She looks at the pie mournfully
Victoria looks at Gareth, then gives a helpless shrug.
Gareth tilts his head. "Mind if I have a nibble, lass? I could help ye figure this out, maybe."
Sammi: "Yes! Please! You'll know!" She passes over the 'meat' pie...and, well, Gareth is a sailor, so his bar for food is likely fairly low, and this is certainly food! How exactly it manages to be both chewy and runny at the same time is legit a wonder, and the unique blend of flavours is one that could only come from a meat that was grown with a wide variety of feedstuffs.....
Victoria looks at the exchange with some curiosity, even though she's well familiar with the pies in question... and how much their maker is not fond of Victoria herself, for that matter. Something about arguing way loudly for everyone to hear about the quality (or lack thereof) of the product.
Gareth accepts the pie and takes a small bite, enough to get a bit of everything while leaving a good amount left for Sammi to finish. Almost immediately, his expression flutters in unconscious reaction to the... "flavor", simultaneously too strong and really bland somehow. He manages to chew and swallow the bite after a few seconds, however, as he passes the pie back to Sammi. "It's... not bad? I've had worse while sailin', fer sure, and it'll keep ye fed and not hungry..."
Victoria snickers at Gareth's train of expressions: "It's not good either, that's for sure."
Gareth shrugs as he takes a moment to dust his hands on a handkerchief from one of his jacket pockets. "It's not gourmet or anythin' like that, but it's fillin' and at least flavorful."
Sammi: "Oh..okay..so.." She considers the pie, and sighs sadly, putting it down "Well, that means its not nice, but.." She rallies! Picking it up, and eating the entire thing in one bite, her jaws for a moment, being a little wider than one would expect..but sharks can do that..right? It makes sense surely.."Papa said that sometimes bad things could be good too! So!..This can be a good experience too! Thanks Gareth! And um! New Lady!"
Victoria blinks at seeing Sammi's change in demeanor and the subsequent vanishing of the questionable confectionary: "Uh... Victoria. And I guess you're welcome?"
Gareth chuckles, smiling again after a moment of surprise as the pie vanishes into Sammi's mouth. "Yer Papa's right about that, lass, and yer welcome."
Sammi: "Nice to meet you Victoria! I'm Sammi!" She holds out a hand perkily for a shake
Victoria takes the offered hand, shaking it: "Nice to meet you... I think."
Gareth stretches his neck a little as he watches Sammi and Victoria for a moment. "So, uh... guessin' ye were just talkin' about that pie, then?"
Sammi: "Yup!" She nods to Gareth, and then to Victoria "Don't worry! It is nice to meet me! I'm trying to make friends! So it's always good to meet friendly people"
Victoria gives a small chuckle, but nods: "Yeah, guess that works."
Gareth chuckles again. "Don't worry, Victoria, Sammi's a real sweetheart."
Sammi considers this "Yes! And now we're friends, I need to work out what friendship gift you could get!" She pulls her bag in front of her, and starts rummaging...
Victoria looks at Sammi curiously: "Friendship... gift? But we just met?"
Gareth shakes his head a bit at Victoria. "Sammi likes givin' a gift to her friends. Just a thing she learned from her Papa."
Sammi: "Yeah!" She considers Victoria, and pulls out a knife from her bag "How about this!" The blade is a rather elaborate, in menacing way blade, with a gem embedded in the blade itself, and what seems to be a stone eye in the red and gold hilt, the eye gazing about as she hefts it "You seem to be a knifey sort!"
Victoria blinks several times at the admittedly very beautiful blade: "That... huh. Wow." She blinks again: "...'knifey sort'?"
Gareth smirks a bit as he looks at the knife strapped to Victoria's hip, then back at her face. "Well, could be somethin' to do with the one on yer hip, there."
Sammi: "Ahuh!" She passes it over "Uh..if it starts telling you that to let it drink the souls of the living, ignore it, it's just being a drama queen" She stage whispers "It read too many of those books from that shelf on the library for people who think they're too cool for happy stories"
Gareth blinks and raises an eyebrow at Sammi's statement, but instead just looks back to Victoria after a moment to see her reaction.
Victoria looks between the blade, Gareth and Sammi a few times before just taking the offered blade with a shrug and admiring it in the light. "It is beautiful."
Sammi: "Ahuh! It's really pretty! That's why I picked it out!" She thinks a moment "Oh! Wait, uh..jussst in case" She looks to Gareth a moment, he's being a sort of moral compass here, and she expects that he'd be sad if she didn't make a small safety bit "Okay Knife, no killing innocents, okay? Only bad people! And like..even then...shoot to wound"
Sammi smiles to Gareth a moment, as if to say 'See? I'm learning!'
Gareth shifts his attention back to Sammi as she advises the knife, then chuckles and smiles as she turns to smile at him. "Good call, Sammi."
Victoria just blinks a few times, then shrugs, filing all this somewhere in the 'don't think about it' in her mind. "Fair enough..."
Sammi claps her hands together "Don't worry about it! Gifts are always about the fun of giving, I hope it all works out for you"
Gareth laughs a bit. "Well, I guess ye've got a new knife to use, Victoria. It's probably far better than whatever standard-issue stuff ye get with the guards, I bet."
Victoria looks the blade over, musing: "Yeah, maybe... feels pretty right, at least."
Gareth yawns a little. "Anyway... I think I'm goin' to head back over to the Minnow. Haven't eaten dinner yet, so I probably should do that soon."
Sammi: "Oh! I could come along!"
Victoria looks at the two, then shrugs and gets up: "Yeah, I could use somethin' to eat too."
Gareth nods, smiling at Sammi and Victoria again. "Yer both welcome to come along, sure. I'm sure we'll find somethin' ye like a lot at the Minnow, Sammi."
Sammi: "Alright! I can't wait to try out something new!"
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - A SHORT TIME LATER
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Gareth takes a seat at a small table with Sammi, having bid Victoria farewell as she got herself a meal and left. He hums quietly, settling comfortably into the seat after spending most of the day walking about. "Ahh, there we go... Feels good to sit down again." He smiles at Sammi and gestures at the menus standing at the middle of the table, "Feel free to order anythin', Sammi. If ye want to know what somethin' is, I can tell ye."
Narrator: Present when Gareth and his company walk in, is a stingray standing at the bar of the Thirsty Minnow. Lianne Sparr, The latest addition to Respite, fresh out of the clinic and recently claimed a room at the tavern. She's wearing a backless, black eastern dress with floral flowers, held up on her front by subtle magitech clamps where her neck meets her wings, leaving said wings fully unfurled. Her wounds from when she entered town are faded, though still visible, especially from the front where her flesh is white. Perhaps a bit overdressed - But the Stingray doesn't seem to mind. Lastly, the side of her dress is split on one side to reveal her legs. To the observant viewer, they would spot the faint glimmer of steel and gold visible strapped to her her thighs - Two ornamental sai. The stingray offers a glance to Gareth and his company when they walk in - Notably Gareth prompting a double take - with a slight smile, though her attention is brought back to the bar when her drink is served.
Sammi: "Okay then..." She ponders the menu, if there are any aquatic types about, they'd be more aware of her status as some sort of eldritch horror for deep 'neath the seas. There's plenty of stories of her sort and they're penchant for [Insert X Horror Trope here] "How about the stew? That has meat in it, right?" She notices the newest entrant, but she's focused on the menu right now, so doesn't immediately turn to greet her.
Gareth hums and nods. "Aye, the stews mix meat and vegetables in a good, thick broth. Really nice if ye want somethin' hot durin' a colder evenin." He finds his attention diverted for a moment when he notices the new arrival, his eyes lingering on their obvious wings and long tail. When Lianne looks over towards the two, he returns the slight smile and nod before shifting his attention back to Sammi, though he remains alert, now, in reaction to some gut feeling.
Lianne Sparr1: With her newly acquired drink in hand, Lianne finds her attention enchanted by both Gareth and Sammi. One, for what looks to be an unusual, yet fellow aquatic creature. Someone that she might be able to relate to, perhaps? The other. . .Well, something just tickles the back of her mind just so. She can't quite put her finger on it. With a warm smile, Lianne approaches the table the two are at.
Lianne Sparr1: "Excuse me. May I take a seat with the two of you?" Lianne questions politely. If met with positive confirmation, Lianne would sit and place her drink on the table, and follow it up with, "I thank you."
Sammi: "Of course! No problem at all!" She nods quickly "Sure! No problem! More friends the better, right?..and..yeah, Stew sounds good to me!" She seems utterly unphased by Lianne's appearance. "I'm ordering *stew*"
Gareth looks over at the stingray as she moves up to the side of the table, his blinded eye in full prominence. He spends a moment scrutinizing her as Sammi answers, then nods in turn as he goes to grab another seat from a nearby table. "Aye, yer welcome to join us, sure. Let me just pull up a chair for ye, here..."
Lianne Sparr directs her thanks to Gareth and adds, "My, another gentleman. It seems Respite has no shortage of them." Lianne warmly offers, then turns to Sammi with a chuckle, "My sentiments exactly, so allow me to introduce myself to you." Lianne pauses, looking to the two as a whole now. "The both of you. My name is Lianne Sparr. A pleasure."
Sammi: "Lianne Sparr! Nice to meet you!" She pauses "Oh wait! Is this one of those times when you've got two names, but you only really use one? So..um..Lianne!" She nods "Call me Sammi!" She sticks out her hand for a shake
Gareth hums as he takes his seat again, dipping his head into a shallow nod as Sammi takes the lead on making friends. "Lianne, hm? Good to meet ye. Me name's Gareth Gwynn."
Lianne Sparr nods to Sammi, finding a certain charm in Sammi's mannerisms. "Yes." Lianne confirms. She mirrors the methods of greeting given to her in turn, first taking Sammi's hand gently and giving a polite shake. When done, she turns to Gareth to give him a respectful nod.
Sammi: "Hmmm" She ponders something, considering Lianne a moment "So! Are you new too?"
Gareth takes a moment to order himself a meal as well, before his stomach starts protesting too much. He keeps his ears perked as he listens to Sammi and Lianne chatting for the moment.
Lianne Sparr: "Why yes. I take that to mean that one of the two of you are new as well?" Lianne questions, though continues without waiting for an answer. "It is fortunate to meet another ocean dweller. Apologies, I do not mean to exclude, Gareth. I am simply pleasantly surprised, is all."
Sammi: "Oh yeah! I was in the ocean for..uh..like, Aeons and stuff, so I'm up here on land! They're super fun to be around"
Gareth chuckles a bit and waves a hand as he sets his menu down after deciding upon a hearty stew of his own. "Nah, it's fine, Lianne, I know what ye mean. Yer pretty far from the ocean, considerin' yer a stingray." He nods after a moment, "We're both a bit new, but I think Sammi's been around town longer."
Lianne Sparr: Stew being the flavour of the day, Lianne simply decides to follow suit, trusting the judgement of these two individuals. "Seems the two of us are enjoying the same new experience, Sammi. What about you, Gareth? Have you visited the ocean?"
Sammi: "Uh..I suppose I have, but I was napping a lot..so does that really count?"
Gareth smiles a bit at Sammi's comment. "Well, ye've been nappin' in a nice spot at the waterfall, so it's a change of scenery, at least." He nods towards Lianne after a moment, "And aye, I've sailed the oceans quite a lot since I was somethin' around 16 or so." He mutters quietly under his breath, "As ye know..."
Lianne Sparr: "Can't really blame her for wanting to stick by water. In fact, if it is nearby, I wouldn't mind visiting the place myself, if you would be so kind as to take me sometime?" Lianne asks. She shoots a slightly narrowed glance to Gareth when he mutters under his breath. "Is that so, Gareth? Then you are more well travelled in the vast blue than most, at least without being able to take a dive under the waves yourself."
Sammi: "Oh! Of course!" She seems to be considering something, but files it away for later "I'd be happy to do all of that! The waterfall is super cool, you totally should see it"
Gareth laughs a little, noting the patterns on Lianne's wings, though he's able to keep his expression light, aside from a slight tightening around his jaw. "Decently traveled, at least, aye. O' course, from what I've heard from some o' the underwater folks I've met, there's quite a world beneath the waves, though I won't be able to see it meself."
Sammi totally blanks on any and all subtext going on
Lianne Sparr: With the exception of her most recent wounds, Lianne's inner side of her wings sport very soft, very faded scars. Whether she has put effort into hiding them or if her body merely heals that way, they are quite hard to spot, though they cannot hide from Gareth's discerning eye. "Thank you, Sammi. I look forward to it." Despite responding to Sammi, Lianne's gaze is fixated on Gareth. . .Still with that warm smile.
Sammi: "Hmm, I'm sure there's a way we could get you underwater! I'll ponder that..maybe..." She hummms, and starts rummaging in her sachet.
Gareth hums quietly, shifting his eyes back to Lianne's face for a moment once he's figured something out about her. He flashes a bit of a smile again, then blinks and looks over at Sammi. "Ye've got quite a lot o' things in that bag, don't ye?"
Sammi: "Dunno" She sticks her head fully into the bag, rummaging around, it would appear the outer dimensions are somewhat smaller than the inner dimensions.
Lianne Sparr: Lianne's gaze drifts back over to Sammi, momentarily taken aback by the shark-octopus' motions. "Uh.." Lianne hums, "Is. . .She okay in there?" She questions Gareth.
Gareth watches with a somewhat surprised look as Sammi's head dives completely into her bag. He glances over at Lianne after a moment and shrugs with an uncertain smile. "I, uh... I guess so? It's her bag, and, uh... she's more familiar with that thing than I am."
Sammi emerges back out after a few moments, with a small note "The Stars are Currently Out of Alignment. Please Try Again Later" She sighs "..Sorry Gareth, not today"
Gareth sighs and shakes his head. "Ah well, it wasn't meant to be today, I guess. Thanks fer lookin' though, Sammi. Maybe one day we can go swimmin' around without me havin' to surface for air every so often."
Lianne Sparr takes a moment more to recover from the weirdness. "Do the two of you travel together?" She questions.
Sammi: "Uh..I mean" She ponders "Like, a little bit?"
Gareth hums tilting his head at the question, then shrugs. "Eh... here and there, I suppose, mainly around Respite and the waterfall she rests at."
Lianne Sparr nods. Fair enough. She remains silent, having no follow-up.
Sammi: "Why? I mean, lots of people travel around with Gareth!"
Gareth chuckles. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind travelin' around more with Sammi. Just no real reason outside of Respite unless we're headin' to another continent."
Lianne Sparr: "I was just curious. It seems like the two of you get along quite well."
Sammi: "Oh! I think Gareth gets along with everyone!"
Gareth pauses, then clears his throat quietly. "Ah, maybe... At least, easier fer me to make friends now than before, anyway."
Lianne Sparr: "Something about being older and wiser?" Lianne hazards a guess.
Gareth shakes his head. "More a change in profession, I suppose. Sometimes, it's easier finishin' up a job when yer makin' friends with others." He glances at Sammi for a moment, "And it makes stayin' around town a bit nicer, too."
Sammi gives a little thumbs up "Making Friends is a lot of fun! I'm doing it right now!"
Lianne Sparr chuckles at Sammi. "Yes. . .Yes you are." Attention back to Gareth. "So what were you before, and what are you now? Did you give it all up for your friends, or did you just want to settle down?"
Gareth smiles warmly at Sammi. "Aye, lass, friends are really nice to have." He looks back at Lianne again, "Heh... before, hm? Not exactly a secret, Lianne. Used to be a pirate fer a couple o' decades, served on the Victory North fer most o' that. Gave it up because me old crew decided to be idiots against me advice, and a bounty hunter came after them. They're all up in a Vamese jail, now."
Sammi: "I need to work on a friendship gift for you now, but..I don't think I'm ready for it yet, next time though!"
Lianne Sparr nods, seemingly in thought. "The Victory North? I always wondered what happened to them." Lianne hums. "Good riddance, though I'm sad they're rotting in a cell and not on the bottom of the ocean floor." Lianne, still in a positive tone, delivers some venom. "No offence, Gareth. Right terror pirates were in the waters I'm from." Lianne pauses, perhaps realising she's said too much.
Lianne Sparr: "But. . .I still do admire those that take their destiny into their own hands. Means you're smart. And I like smart folk, so you're alright by me." Lianne tries to recover.
Sammi: "Okay...I need to, work on your gift! Big plans!" She gives a little wave, moving to exit
Gareth gives Sammi a warm wave as she departs. "Have a good evenin', Sammi. See you some time soon." He looks back at Lianne and snorts in amusement, treating her to a more knowing little half-smile, "Last I heard, the Victory North's still in drydock at Westport, under control o' the Vamese guards. Idiots got what was comin' to them, really."
Lianne Sparr: "It was nice meeting you Sammi. Please, don't forget about the waterfall." Lianne offers to Sammi. Back to Gareth. "Do you miss any of your old crew?" Lianne questions.
Gareth gives a bit of a noncommittal shrug. "Some o' them, maybe, but I warned them about the job they were thinkin' o' doin', and they still did it. Maybe them gettin' caught and thrown in jail is enough to make them think next time, if they even decide to set sail again." He shakes his head, "More, I just miss the camaraderie in some manner."
Lianne Sparr nods. She can't relate to the power of camaraderie. "Any regrets?"
Gareth shakes his head. "None. We did what we needed to fer ourselves, and maybe the occasional bit o' huntin' fer other less well-off folks if the prices was right."
Lianne Sparr: "I respect that." Lianne says. "So, pray tell. . ." Lianne leans forward, resting her winged elbows on the table and clasping her webbed hands together, forming a bit of a bubble infront of her with her wings, ". . .What exactly does a retired pirate do with their life?"
Gareth shrugs. "Whatever they feel like, really. Me, I decided to go into bounty huntin' with the person that caught the rest o' me old crew. Been excitin', to say the least. Others might do more legitimate sailin' work, with the skills they've got, o' course."
Lianne Sparr: "Seems like an odd circumstance, joining the bounty hunter that took out your crew after you warned them. Are you not concerned that they might come after you, one way or another?"
Gareth smiles. "Me old crew? If they come fer me, they deal with meself and me huntin' partner. She took them on alone and they're in jail, while she's fine. Safe to say they'll have an even harder time if they try again."
Lianne Sparr: "You sound confident. Do you have that much faith in you and your partner? They say overconfidence will kill a man faster than a bullet."
Gareth laughs a bit. "I've confidence in our abilities and sense of caution. I'm confident because me old crew might have been good in a fight, but me partner and I have been trainin', and they've been stuck in jail fer a while."
Lianne Sparr: "A fine response. True, they may be stuck in jail, though that certainly doesn't stop them hiring a third party. But I'm certain you've considered that hypothetical already."
Gareth nods. "O' course. Me partner and I've got our ears to the ground, so we'd know pretty fast if someone's been hirin' out to target us. We've been lucky enough, so far." He smiles steadily at Lianne.
Lianne Sparr smiles. Pleasantly, to the casual observer. Devilishly, to Gareth. "You do strike me as a rather lucky fellow."
Gareth 's smile grows even more amused, as though he'd just heard a good joke from Lianne, but very much a feral grin to Lianne. He still seems quite relaxed at the moment, however, grin aside. "Lucky enough to survive with nothin' more than a blinded eye as me worst injury." He nods at the stingray, "And I could say the same fer you, Lianne, survivin' with all those old scars o' yers."
Lianne Sparr: "There are certainly worse things to lose, indeed." Lianne nods. "And to think such a ruffian would be such a gentleman after wounding a lady so. How lucky I am that my kind is more resilient than appearances may suggest."
Gareth chuckles. "Times change, Lianne. After all, ye've been just lovely to me so far, despite ye bein' the one to blind me the same night I gave ye that cut across yer wing."
Lianne Sparr: "Indeed they do, Gareth. . ." Lianne chuckles. "Didn't swim right for a week after that one, though it seems I should be thankful that's all I came away with. Colour me impressed that rag-tag crew of yours kept you alive. Infection alone should've finished the job."
Gareth shrugs, smiling a little more easily. "I'm a tough old wolf. Me old crew, we watched out fer one another to the best o' our abilities." He gestures at Lianne's wing, the one he vividly remembers slicing deeply, "Now, I've a question for ye, if ye don't mind answerin'."
Lianne Sparr: One of Lianne's first scars, one that she took a good lesson from. "Out of nothing more than respect, I feel I owe you that much. Go ahead."
Gareth nods. "Thank ye kindly, Lianne. So... yer here now, obviously, somethin' like twenty years later, askin' me these interestin' questions about bein' hunted and the like." He tilts his head curiously, "Am I goin' to have to make that injury o' yers more permanent, to match me eye, or are ye here entirely by happenstance?" An innocent-enough question with clear intent.
Lianne Sparr chuckles. "Relax. I'm here on forced vacation, so to speak. I was simply checking to see if you were who I thought you were and then decided to have a little fun with it. Nothing more."
Gareth does indeed relax a bit at that. "Forced vacation, hm? Well, sorry to hear ye've run into some trouble." He nods, smiling a fair bit more easily than before, "Good to know... fer all that happened before, I was content to just let ye go back then, and I didn't want to have to fight now if we didn't need to."
Lianne Sparr: "Even the best of plans fail. . .As much as I dislike it." Lianne sighs. "Besides, I've no reason to fight."
Gareth hums and nods again. "Good, because neither do I." He pauses, then chuckles quietly and extends a hand, "So, false first introductions aside... I guess it's good to see ye under far better circumstances, Lianne."
Lianne Sparr extends her partially webbed hand towards Gareth's. "Indeed, Gareth. Perhaps I may even be of use to you and your partner while I am in town, should the need arise."
Gareth gently clasps Lianne's hand and gives it a firm, definitive shake, laying to rest his eye injury for good. "Likewise, Lianne. If ye need any help, yer welcome to ask meself and me partner."
Lianne Sparr: Lianne's shake responds in kind before breaking off. "I'll keep that offer close in mind." Lianne nods, while standing. "But for now, I should retire. It has certainly been interesting, yet pleasant, meeting you."
Gareth smiles a bit, nodding in turn as he just gets comfortable in his seat, still intending to finish his food. "Then have yerself a good night, Lianne. Wasn't expectin' anythin' like this happenin', but it was nice."