(no subject)

[freosan]

GM: ::the bartender slides Cayla her drink and performs the
time-honored tradition of cleaning out glasses while waiting for someone to
spill her guts.::

Cayla: *quickly downs her drink and glances around*

GM: ::the streets are filling with Halfen's nightlife, which
is less colourful but louder and more dangerous than its daylife. Maida has to dodge
all sorts of people from dandies to beggars.::


Maida: ::Maida
stalks in, bursting open the door, making a noise slightly louder than the din
inside. She sits at an empty seat close to Cayla’s and orders the strongest
drink in the house::

GM: ::the bartender slides it her way quickly, having gotten
out Saljerian vodka as soon as she saw the Westerner's face.:: Bad shop day?

Maida: No shop day. We didn't even get set up. Some
kid wandered on to the ship n' made a nuisance of herself.

GM: ::On the Moalete, one of the crew has been instructed to
deliver Lenci somewhere safe.:: ::crewman takes Lenci's shoulder, firmly:: Come
on, Lady, I'm headed for the tavern too. Damn kid.


Bartender: Tsch. Kids these days. A lady? Can't imagine what she
learned from her mother...

Maida: ::shrugs::
Not like I asked. Maybe the guys'll knock some sense into her.

Crewman: ::crewman:: And you are getting dropped off at the nearest
inn. How old are you? You can't be supposed to be here.

GM: ::the rest of the crew has locked down again and begun to
disperse::


Lenci: ::she sighs in relief
and follows pretty willingly, her anxiousness flowing away in a stream of questions::
I'm so sorry, I was just curious because I've never seen a ship before. I'm
sixteen.

Maida: Gah...
::sets her empty glass, and her head, on the counter, waiting for a refill::

Cayla: *calls* Barkeeper. Another drink.

Lenci: What's it like being on
a boat? Do you get seasick? How long have you been out? ::etc etc::


Bartender: ::refills Maida's drink and turns to Cayla::

Maida: Thanks.
::knocks it back a little quickly, blinks, and decides to take it slower::

Crewman: ::rolls eyes:: Lady, please. If you want to find out so
bad get yourself a berth somewhere. ::turns her around, so they're facing the
door of an inn:: Now go in there, get a room and don't come out until tomorrow.
Right?

Cayla: *takes notice to the woman drinking heavily next to her, sips at
her own drink quietly...*


Lenci: :;she sighs, realizing
that her usually perky, curious nature won't get her very far here and nods:: Right...
thank you.

Bartender: ::glancing Cayla over, very casually:: You off that fancy
warship, then, Lady Soldier?

Cayla: Yes.

Bartender: Any truth to it, that they're going to hire Mages around
here?


Maida: ::looks over at the woman when she hears
the word 'warship', and starts discretely listening in to the conversation::

Lenci: :;she walks into the
bar and looks around. Hoisting the bag onto her shoulder again and trying to
figure out where to inquire about a room::

Cayla: *glances up, looking annoyed but keeping her temper* They're
only rumors. You shouldn't pay them much mind.

GM: ::crewman points out that this inn is connected to a quiet
tavern, and goes off in search of more clandestine entertainment.::


Bartender: Aye, but a rumor from a good source, that's as
well-regarded as truth to some. I've got some regulars who'd be glad to hear it
from you, one way or another.

Cayla: What might you consider a "good source"? As far as I
know we soldiers keep out of the affairs of magic.

Lenci: :;she gets her room and
puts her things in it, but brings a smaller bag with her when she leaves. She
heads for the tavern, hoping to find some interesting people to talk to...or to
find something to do besides sit in her room::


Maida: ::just
drunk enough to have no concept of private conversation:: Why? 'Cause magic
in't good enough for soldiers?

Bartender: Now that's not what she said, Lady Sailor.

Maida: Sounded
like it to me, Barkeep.

Cayla: *hotly* Because it's foolish to mess with powers you can't
completely control or understand.


Maida: Oh? Maybe
it's just that you guys can't control or understand it.

Bartender: Why'd you say a thing like that, Lady Sailor? I know a lot
of Saljerian folk are fine with magic, and I know a lot of Iguerisans don't
like the stuff.

Cayla: It's evil and brings nothing but misery and destruction. I have
no desire to get involved with that. I've seen enough.


Maida: ::glares
at her:: It's more the soldiers than the people. They're all so bitchy about
it.

Lenci: ::she walks into the
tavern and doesn’t find it very quiet. She takes a seat not to close to the
arguing pair but not far away either. She waits for the barkeep to notice her
and contains her curiosity enough to just sit quietly::

GM: ::when Lenci reaches the tavern, she finds it much quieter
than would be expected... because half the customers are listening to a quiet
but forceful fight between two foreigners.::

Bartender: D'you really think so, Lady Soldier? I know a few Life
Mages might take issue with that.


Maida: ::glares
at Cayla, too:: Misery and destruction? Even healing magic? What about water
mages putting out fires? Earth mages building houses? They can be used for
things besides killing shit.

Cayla: I have yet to see any proof of it. They all use it to their
advantage somehow.

GM: :::voice is beginning to carry:: And t'you, Lady Sailor,
if the Saljerian army is going to hire Black Mages it's not like the army's
against them.

Maida: There
anythin' wrong with that? ::to barkeeper dudette:: This Saljerian's denied
that, right? So maybe they do.


Lenci: ::she keeps her mouth
shut with effort, not thinking they would appreciate her opinion very much::

GM: Well, yes, their advantage and everyone else's. Aye, she
has, and I'd believe it but for the rumors coming out of Academy these past few
days.

Cayla: We've survived just fine without them in the past.

Maida: So?
Future's different from the past.


GM: You have, aye, with your doctors and your medicine, but
there are still folk come up here to have a Life Mage save their sight or their
limbs.

Maida: Might not
be so lucky next time, unless you accept help from the 'evil, miserable,
destructive' mages.

Cayla: Our technology will keep advancing. No one will need mages. They
can go heal their own mental instabilities.

Cayla: You must have some to think you can control magic.


Bartender: ::raises eyebrow:: I have a bit of training myself and I
can't say I've had any trouble with my mind.

Cayla: By the way you're speaking, I might argue with that. Not to
mention the alcohol on your breath.

Bartender: I think that must be coming from you, Lady Soldier. I
don't drink when I'm on duty.

Maida: Heh. My
mind's great, thanks for the concern. Maybe if you keep talkin' shit you'll
change your mind about the healers. ::stands up, offensive-like::


Lenci: Well of course we
can't control magic... No one can control it... we simply use it...the goddesses
let us use the magic... we don’t own it and therefore can't control it...

Bartender: Lady Sailor! Please. Sit down.

Maida: ::shoots a
glare at the barkeep:: Shut up.

Cayla: *stands* Change my mind? Not so easily, especially coming from a
mere merchant such as yourself.


Bartender: How about I give you both a drink on the house and you
don't fight each other like a pair of mindless men?

Maida: Better
than selling my soul to be in the military, dog.

Cayla: No one sells their soul to the military. We owe it to
protect ourselves and the ones we care about.


Bartender: Ladies, please. ::motions to two men standing at the door
to the back room, who advance on Maida and Cayla.::

Maida: You're
capable of caring? Insanity!

Cayla: You speak as if you know me.

Maida: ::glares
at the men, and back to Cayla:: I know the type.


Cayla: You're twice the fool for judging people so readily.

Bouncers: ::end up behind the two women::

Maida: You're
thrice the fool for talking about things you don't understand.

Bartender: Lady Soldier, Lady Sailor, I'm sure you two can work this
out nice and rational-like over a cup of wine. Am I right?


Cayla: People like her could never be rational.

Maida: ::really, really
starting to want to punch the barkeep, too:: Not when faced with people like
you.

Bartender: Now
you've neither shown that yet, so let's not get personal, please. Please. Take a
seat. ::pours a couple of pint mugs::


Cayla: *sits down calmly, not taking her eyes off the woman*

Maida: ::doesn't
sit down, but takes the wine::

Bartender: Thank
you, Lady Soldier. Lady Sailor. Sit
down.


Maida: ::sighs
and sits::

GM: Thank you, Lady Sailor.

Cayla: *sullenly sips at her drink...*

GM: ::keeps an eye on them, but sends the bouncers back to
skulk::


Lenci: :;decides to try and
get the barkeeps’ attention:: Excuse me....

GM: ::heads over in the direction of the call::

GM: Yes, Lady Mage?

GM: ::the bar has more or less gone back to its usual state of
controlled chaos, since a fight seems unlikely to break out.::


Lenci: can I get something to
drink please? :;she's feeling oddly shy this evening. maybe it's all the
shouting that's been going on::

GM: Of course you can. What's your poison?

Lenci: ::she blinks, not
exactly understanding what that means but decides to order a drink anyway::
Some wine will be fine...

GM: ::infinitely patient:: What sort, Lady Mage?


Lenci: ::again she's lost for
a moment:: what kind do you have?

GM: All sorts. Let's see, we have the fine stuff imported from
the West, three kinds of grape wine, Saljerian rice wine and homegrown
dandelion and currant wines.

GM: ::random Saljerian guy comes up to Maida:: Mind if I buy
you a drink, miss?

Lenci: ::this is just a little
much for her. And she thought that living on her own would be simple.:: What
would you recommend?


Maida: ::raises
an eyebrow at him:: Buy away.

GM: I'm rather attached to that Western white, but the currant
is also pretty nice...

GM: ::motions for the bartender, who glances up at him and
nods::

Lenci: The Western White will
do then. :;she smiles again, feeling out of place and more than a bit lost::


GM: ::Saljerian guy takes a seat next to Maida:: So, this your
first trip here?

GM: Right away, Lady Mage.

Maida: Yeah.
::disinterested::

GM: ::hands the order off to one of the barmaids, and slides
back behind the counter:: Yes, Lord Soldier?


Lenci: ::small sigh, well that
certainly had been a bit more challenging then she thought, She decides to look
around a little and observe::

GM: ::soldier glances at Maida:: What's your pleasure, miss?

Cayla: *still sulking in her own corner, trying to calm herself...*

Maida: Saljerian
Vodka'll do.


Lenci: ::spots the lady
solider from the argument before and smiles at her::

GM: ::saljerian:: Right then. I'll have the same.

GM: ::barkeep:: ::fills the order, slides the glasses across
the counter::

GM: So, they call me Anders. Did they bestow upon you a name
as lovely as you deserve?


Maida: ::grabs it
and drinks half of it:: Aha. Flattery won't get you in my pants, Anders.

Lenci: ::she listening in on
that conversation as well and giggles to herself, he's trying so hard::

GM: You're not wearing pants, miss.

GM: ::downs the shot in one gulp::


Maida: Actually,
I am. ::lifts her skirt to show a pair of well-worn trousers:: You wouldn't
believe how drafty it gets on the sea.

Cayla: Barkeeper! Another drink, if you would.

Lenci: :;another muffled
giggle, she's quite amused, but keeps her eyes off of them should they notice::

GM: I just came off the last comm. ship from the Hinqualaans -
I know, trust me.


GM: Same again, Lady Soldier?

Maida: But I
doubt you tried wearing a skirt on it. Well, you might've. Ha. ::briefly
imagines the guy in a skirt and stifles a snicker::

Cayla: *nods*

GM: Nah, it's not something
I go in for, unless you like that sort of thing. ::grins::


GM: ::takes the order and
hangs around a bit - it's a slow night, really.::

Lenci: :;she still hasn't
gotten her wine....::

GM: Got a place to stay,
Lady Soldier?

Cayla: Not yet. I was hoping to find something close.


GM: ::random barmaid comes by with the wine:: Here you go,
Lady Mage!

Lenci: :;she smiles and takes
the wine:: Thank you very much.

GM: I've got a couple of
rooms above this place, no men, cleaner than you'll find at the inns - if you
like.

Cayla: How much would it cost?


Maida: ::finishes
her drink signals for another, getting progressively more drunk:: No, not
really.

GM: Of course. ::glances
around, decides there's nothing really she has to do, and slides into the seat
across from Lenci:: So... that sash... you're from Black?

GM: ::refills their shots
without really looking at them:: ::to Cayla:: It'll be two dollars a night -
same as the rates on the inn next door.

Lenci: ::she sips at her wine and sets it on the bar next to
her and nods:: That would be right...


Cayla: I'll take what you've got.

Maida: ::sighs,
getting bored of the bar::

GM: Sounds good.

GM: So, this is a bit of a
long shot, but would you care to visit my hotel room?


Maida: Very, very
long shot. Only thing long about you, probably. ::drinks the shot::

GM: That's unfair, without
any way for me to prove the contrary... unless you want to see the proof
yourself.

Maida: I have a
feeling that if I saw it I'd just laugh for a while.


GM: Is that the one by the
Saljerian border? ::next remark comes during a strange lull in conversation::
Is it true that Saljerians can't use magic because they're all part creature?

GM: ::blushes, claps hands
over mouth::

Maida: ::hears
the comments and laughs a little louder than she meant to::

GM: ::opens mouth to
respond, then hears that, and turns around in disbelief::


GM: ::rolls eyes and
motions for the bouncers to be on alert::

Cayla: *hears it, goes stiff in anger...*

GM: ::puts her head down on
the table, covers it with her hands.:: I'm in trouble, aren't I...

Lenci: ::Lenci sighs:: Yes... I
think you very well could be.


GM: ::half the Saljerians in the bar start picking fights with
anyone who cracked a smile when that was said::

GM: ::the bouncers start tossing people out, where necessary::

Maida: ::is
having trouble stopping laughing, but quiets it a bit::

GM: ::glances at Maida,
finally closing his mouth:: So, you ever heard about incubi?


Cayla: *manages to keep her seat, staring straight ahead...*

Lenci: You really should
repeat things you hear... mostly all of them end up not true. ::to the
barmaid::

GM: ::back to Cayla:: I'm
sorry about that, Lady Soldier. She's young. No idea what she's on about.

Maida: ::had
almost stopped laughing, but the comment started it up again. Finally she calms
down, but still smiles:: What about them?


GM: ::muffled:: I just
wanted to know...

GM: Well, you know, if
you're going to think I'm part creature you might as well be on the right
track.

Lenci: I can understand
wanting to know, but it is very rude to say something like tat about people you
don’t even know.

Maida: ::this
isn't helping with the laughter::


Cayla: Speak for yourself, man.

Maida: ::glances at Cayla:: She'd be part chimera,
I think.

GM: ::still muffled:: They
weren't supposed to hear... I hate this job.

GM: ::sniffle::


Cayla: Even if that were true, at least I'd be part human,
unlike some.

Cayla: *staring back at her*

Maida: Let's not
get your parents in to this.


GM: ::silence reigns again, and fights start getting picked.
Again.::

Lenci: :;she reaches out a
hand and gently pats the girl on the back:: I have problems keeping my mouth
quiet sometimes too. It's alright... you just have to learn when it is safer to
keep your mouth shut.

GM: ::tosses her rag down
on the bar:: Ladies, why'd you want to keep coming back to this?

Cayla: Some people are either too hard headed or too drunk to realize
when it's smarter to settle down.


Maida: Or maybe
both.

Cayla: Unlike the people who mind their own business without
starting unnecessary trouble.

GM: Well in that case, I
know you're both too intelligent to try solving your problems with personal
insults.


GM: Lady Sailor, can I get
you another drink? And Lady Soldier, that room of yours is ready whenever you
want it...

Maida: Unnecessary
trouble is the best kind.

Cayla: I'll take my room.

Maida: Hell, why
not? Might as well get drunk enough to forget her.


GM: Right this way please.
::picks up the final glass from Cayla's place and leads her up a flight of
stairs::

GM: ::motions for the
barmaid to refill Maida's glass::

GM: ::doesn't notice, still
facedown on the table::

Lenci: ::taps the girl lightly
on the shoulder:: I think you need to go and do your job now...


GM: ::looks up, sees
signal, rushes to take care of bar:: ThankyouI'msorry!

GM: What were you having
Lady Sailor?

Lenci: :;she sighs and sips
her wine again, this place certainly wasn't what she thought it would be::

Maida: I've lost
my want for Saljerian vodka. Anything Western'll do.


GM: ::turns around:: Um...
we have raspberry wine and this thing... ::pulls down a bottle that says, in
Western, '120 proof rum'.::

Cayla: *follows the barmaid sullenly*

Maida: ::grins::
Brilliant.

GM: ::pours a glass::


GM: I'll take one of that
too, thank you, miss.

Lenci: ::goes back to
observing, having nothing better to do::

GM: ::Takes drink given him::
So, got something against all of us or just the bitchy ones? ::nods
meaningfully in the direction of the stairs::

GM: ::as soon as another
barmaid comes in, pours herself a glass of the rum and goes to sit down with
Lenci again:: I can't believe this. I'm gonna get killed. I am seriously going
to die when I walk out of here.


Maida: Doesn't
that include all of you? But no. Mostly it's the soldiers that piss me off.

Lenci: :;she smiles softly::
You won’t be killed, I can promise you that. where d o you live... maybe I
could walk you home?

GM: Oh yeah? Don't blame
you. Kinda, oh, close-minded, wouldn't you say?

GM: ::leans back from the
bar::


GM: I'm just upstairs but I
have to go around the back way.

Maida: Yep.
::rests her elbows on the bar and sips at the alcohol::

Maida: ::yawns::
Shit. What time is it?

Lenci: I wouldn't mind making
sure you got in alright. I am not sure why everyone takes everything so
personally though. We're basically all the same... some of us have magic... others
don't.


Maida: ::to
Lenci:: But magic's better than the lack of it, right?

GM: ::thinks for a minute::
No later than Devern's hour.

Lenci: It can be useful yes...
but those who do not have it have learned to live without it. They live as
happily as the rest of us.

GM: Oh dear Magdethyi thank
you. I can probably put you up, too, if you need it... ::shaky smile:: But you
probably don't want to be seen with me.


Maida: Only
'cause they've never been able to have it. If they had it then lost it, Hell,
they'd be suicidal.

Maida: ::to the
dude:: And that'd be...?

Lenci: But that's exactly my
point. They haven't had to rely on it... I’m sure some of what we accomplish
using magic they can accomplish just as well without. ::back to the bar maid:: I actually have a
room next door...


Lenci: But thank you very much
for the offer.

GM: Eleven o'clock, by my
country's reckoning.

GM: Um. Sure.

Lenci: Just let me know when
it is you leave and I shall escort you.


Maida: Eh. I
should probably go... have to wake up at 5 because somebody can't keep
her feet off ‘f other people's ships.

GM: Well I should get home
then. ::stands up and starts walking, somewhat unsteadily, out the door.::

Cayla: Hmph. Maybe they'll be gone by now. I'm needing another drink...


Cayla: *walks back down the stairs to the bar...*

Maida: Nn, I'm
with the loudmouth barmaid. 'M goin' back to the ship. Thanks for the drink.
::waves at him and heads toward the door, but stops when she sees Cayla::

GM: ::is a little wobbly
and runs into Cayla::

GM: ::falls over:: :;from
the floor, after she's sat up a bit:: Ohmigoddess! I am so sorry!


Maida: ::sniggers
and helps her up:: Watch out for the big, bad Saljerian soldier.

Cayla: *looks down, recognizes her with annoyance* Watch yourself.

Lenci: ::ignores the comment
of Maida and pays for her wine before grabbing up her bag and hurrying toward
the barmaid, stops when she sees Cayla and slowly approaches::

Maida: Hey, don't
take it out on her for hearing reasonable rumors.


GM: ::stands up okay, but
leans on Maida:: I really didn't mean anything, I'd only just heard that, I'm
so sorry I am such an idiot!

Cayla: Reasonable? Only people looking to start trouble would spread
those.

Maida: It's
pointless to look when it's so easy to find.

Cayla: And easier to fabricate when a grudge is held.


Maida: But easier
still is it to hold a grudge to one who deserves it.

GM: ::looks from one to the
other, really not understanding a word::

GM: ::glances at Lenci,
hoping for some amount of reassurance::

Lenci: :: approaches the small
group:: Excuse me. ::she reaches for the
barmaid, fully intending to get out of here before something bad happens::


Maida: Yeah? What
do you want, high-and-mighty kitten?

Cayla: *glimpses the sash, glares at Lenci, taking a step back...*

Lenci: ::she sighs:: I'm not
going to burn you to a crisp... I promise. ::to Maida:: I simply wish to escort
the girl home... that is all. You two can continue your bickering afterward.

GM: ::still more-or-less
unable to stand without assistance, looks up at Maida:: This is all my fault,
isn't it. I'm so stupid! ::clings to Maida and wails::


Cayla: You couldn't burn me if you tried, mage.

Maida: Nah, kid.
It started before you said anything.

Maida: Go on,
kitten. Test out her theory.

Cayla: *hand moves so she can reach for her gun easily*


Lenci: For one thing... I
would never use my magic against anyone unless it were essentially necessary. Secondly...
I probably couldn't do very much damage to anything except a wooden chair
perhaps.

Maida: ::leans
the barmaid against the bar for support and moves in to a fighting stance::

GM: ::looks up at Cayla.
The alcohol seriously beginning to affect her, she tries to stand up and tips
over in the soldier's direction.:: Sorry... I didn't mean it, I didn't know!
::with tears running down her face, clings to Cayla::

Cayla: *a little taken aback, tries to pull her off* Get a seat!


Maida: Look what
you did. It's not nice to scare people into drinking themselves silly.

Lenci: ::she sighs and goes to
lift the girl from the ground and support her, very ready to get out of
here...::

Cayla: Scare? Not a single threat escaped me that I can remember.

Maida: It's your
looks.


GM: ::lets go of Cayla with
one hand, grabs Maida's shirt, and pulls.:: You're fighting because of
meeeee.....

Maida: We seem to
always fight. Now sit down or go with the kitten to your room.

GM: ::**pulls, with a
surprisingly strong grip, causing Maida and Cayla to end up less than half a
foot away from each other::

Maida: ::glares
at the too-close face::


Lenci: ::she has given up and
steps back to see what's gonna happen::

GM: ::hangs on:: I can't
leave until you make up! Magdeeas... deht... dethyi... why do I always DO this?
I'm so stupid...

Maida: Your
breath smells of shit. What have you been eating?


Cayla: *warningly* Get away from me now.

Maida: If I
could, believe me, I would. So very quickly.

Cayla: *tries to struggle away from the girl's grip* Damn it, let go!

GM: No! You have to make
up!


Maida: Fine.
::swings a fist at Cayla's face::

GM: You were drinkin'
toge... geth... totheger before so you must be friends aaaai don't do that!

GM: ::wails::

Cayla: *takes the hit, getting a nosebleed, but sends a punch back at
her*


Maida: ::knocked
back a bit, her shirt ripping from the girl's grip. Free, she takes the
opportunity to punch Cayla again::

GM: ::drops to the floor
and sobs::

GM: ::bouncers come out of nowhere::

GM: ::holds Cayla's arms back without apparent effort:: ::does
same to Maida::


Lenci: ::moves in quickly and
grabs the girl around the waist, pulling back, out of the way of the two
fighting people:: Somehow... I didn’t see this happening....:;half to self::

GM: ::allows self to be
pulled::

Maida: ::struggles,
but stops when she realizes she can't get free::

GM: ::glance at each other and drag the women outside.::