Encouraging Crowd

Pompadour also chose to pass on the opportunity of taking a swipe at the Seer. Now it was the woman’s turn. Archea’s mind had taken a little trip to nowhere in the time being, and he hadn’t been giving his full attention. The woman’s reference to his hair drew him back with a snap. “I’m with buzz-cut boy here,” she said, motioning to Archea, proving he was “buzz-cut boy.” Archea was a bit miffed. He did not have a buzz cut. He muttered unintelligibly to himself and brought a hand unconsciously up to touch the right side of his hair: it was not a buzz cut. Short. But not a buzz cut. Archea frowned to himself, as always, easily being lost in his swirling thoughts.

A chair being pulled up beside Cedric attracted Archea’s attention out of the corner of his eye. A young girl now sat next to the blond man Archea had started making friends with. Cedric seemed to be trying to be affectionate to her – she was having none of it. She was young. Too young to be a lover? Unless Cedric was into that sort of thing, Archea didn’t know. Maybe a little sister?

At that moment, Cedric, almost as if he had read his mind, turned to Archea and introduced the girl. Rowena. Daughter. Oh? Adopted. Ah. Archea nodded to her and offered a genuine smile. Just as he had felt an immediate connection to Cedric, he was experiencing it again with Rowena. Only this time, it was a feeling of wanting to take care of her, no matter what, for Cedric’s sake (Archea could see how much he truly adored her), and also for his own (though he wasn’t sure why yet).

Another woman entered, albeit from a wrong door, and approached the table. She was very pretty indeed, with lustrous, flowing silver hair. Archea observed Cedric try to flirt with her, his attempts thwarted by her chosen ignorance to him. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight – if that was what Cedric was into, so be it. Archea just had different preferences, to say the least.  

The Seer took the to the figurative floor again. This time, he concluded the meeting by explaining how he was only the messenger, and there was to be no grand journey that all of them would embark on. Deep down, Archea was a little disappointed. Who wouldn’t have wanted a grand journey after hearing news like this? But he pushed the notion aside and was pleased altogether, anyway. He had met many new people, and one that would most likely be in his life for years to come. Archea was happy for that. And he couldn’t complain about returning to his forever wanderings of the known world – with all this new knowledge, the experience would be changed and he was excited to see how everything would shift.

Cedric spoke a few closing words of his own, wishing them all meet up again sometime in their lifetimes. The Knight stood up from the table, bade farewell in a somewhat awkward way, and then took his leave. Archea decided to stay put for a tiny bit longer, if only to see what the others would do and converse with Cedric on any further plans.

Edgardo was mulling over the words of the Seer when another woman entered the tavern, a small little thing that immediately took refuge next to Blondie. The two exchanged greetings, Blondie's much more affectionate than the other. Edgardo returned her nod with a smile. Just then, another woman entered. Actually, to call her a woman would be insulting, the goddess that walked in the (albeit wrong) door was the most beautiful creature Edgardo had laid eyes on, aside from himself. Edgardo beamed at her as she sat down, hoping for at least a small smile from her. However, his mirth was interrupted as the Seer began to speak again.

Edgardo was relieved and also disappointed that they had not all gathered for some epic quest, as he would not mind seeing more of these people, besides the Big Guy. As if reading his thoughts, Big Guy Grumpy took his leave from the table, grunting some crude goodbye at those gathered. Rudely, he bumped into Edgardo's chair with some force, almost causing him to spill his wine. Edgardo's grin vanished instantly, and, showing some unusual accuracy, he lobbed a thick wad of phlegm onto the aggressor's boots. The knight, wither not noticing or pretending not to, exited without a single glance back. Oh, how Edgardo would love to see him again, preferably with most of his face obscured by Edgardo's fist.

With the nuisance gone, Edgardo turned back to those still present. Sipping the last of his wine, he spoke to the seer:

"So, Mr. Smoke-and-Mirrors, any last parting advice for us poor mortals? Should I beware the ides of March, or perhaps anyone trying to sell me chestnuts? Hmmmm? Anything like that? Edgardo turned towards Blondie, "And you, I need to have a chat with you once we're done here, preferrably over more wine," Edgardo said, as he held his glass up and shaking it, signalling for a refill. He turned back to the Seer, awaiting its response.

Avis couldn't help but grin at Archea’s reaction to her comment. She had meant no offensive. She expressed this by catching Archea’s eye and casting him a smile, letting him know she was only teasing. The guy was okay.

Avis glanced up a women approached the table. She was young, still a teenager, and took a seat beside Cedric. The two seemed quite familiar and Avis briefly wondered how the two very different people knew each other. Then Cedric welcomed her, announcing himself as her dad…which served to confuse Avis anymore until she realized adoption.That made sense. The girl didn’t seem as inclined to return her adopted father’s affection.

It wasn’t long before another woman approached the table. This new arrival was a fierce looking woman who seemed to have been hanging out nearby. The newcomer was quite beautiful, anyone could see that.
Both Pompadour and Cedric seemed infatuated with the woman, and understandably so. Pompadour fascinated expression earned a smirk form Avis. Men were so petty. However, the men’s advances were seemingly ignored by the gorgeous newcomer.

Presumably, these two new people had received the Seer’s shadowy letter as well.

The new comers each acknowledged the rest of the assembly with a nod. Avis nodded to both of them in turn, a small smile playing at her lips. This group of ragtag idiots just keeps getting bigger, and bigger, doesn't it?

When the two newcomers had settled themselves, Pompadour still grinning foolishly, the hooded man again began to speak in his low, mysterious tone. His words offered no further answer to what they were supposed to do. Basically, he told them just to carry on with their lives and allow their destinies to unfold at their feet. If that was indeed the case, Avis momentarily wondered what the point had been in calling them all here if they were all going their separate ways anyway. But she brushed off the thought; it didn’t matter.

The knight seemed quite eager to leave the group as he stood almost instantly after the Seer had ceased speaking. The knight, Avis still didn't know his name, muttered something about having some important business to attend to. He uttered at awkward good-bye before making a B-line for the door. He quite obviously knocked into Pompadour as he took his leave, and Pompadour’s disdainful look was quite clear.

The Cedric spoke up and Avis cast him a sideways look as he wished them all to meet again. She wasn’t sure if she agreed with his comment, but she couldn't deny she liked this people somewhat. Compared to most people she encountered, these people were angels.

Archea too acknowledged Cedric’s words and Avis could sense the friendship already forming between the two. Unlike the knight, Archea seemed content to stay where he was.

Pompadour too remained sitting, addressing both Cedric and the shadowy Seer. Avis felt a prick of curiosity at his questions. She wouldn't mind hearing the answer…plus she had nowhere to go. Unlike the uptight Knight, she had no matters to attend to.

“Well, then,” Avis said grinning around at the remaining party members, not relinquishing her lazed position. “I must agree with Mr. Big and angry; this has been quite lovely…I hope you guys don’t mind if I hang for a while.”

Her voice was light and her smile playful. Whatever was going to happen, she wanted in. Not for any reason other than she had nothing else to do and this was the most interesting thing to happen in quite a while.

Cedric's ridiculous quest to get Rowena to call him papa was one she was experienced in ignoring. What came out of his mouth next, however, she paid close attention to. It seems the blonde man with whom Cedric had seemed so familiar, was Archaea. They had not previously known each other but were on a fast track to becoming good friends. Rowena had a feeling that they would be seeing a lot more of each other and she gave Archaea a wide smile.

Rowena looked up just in time to see a beautiful woman with long silver hair walk over to the table from the wrong door. She looked at Cedric, the man whore, expecting him to wink. He did, but behind the wink was something more. Rowena made note of this so as to discuss it with him. She was unsure on what a new parental figure in her life would be like.

As she was thinking this, she noticed the fool with the pompadour also giving the new women a look. Cedric may be ridiculous and flirt just a bit too much, but he was a deadly assassin. Pompadour better sleep with one eye open if he plans to make a move on who she was already beginning to think of as Cedric's lady.

Mr. Mysterious, Rowena knew that if she had grown up in a different household nicknames wouldn't roll quite so easily of her tongue, spoke about a path of their own. It was not what she had expected, but Rowena was satisfied.

Cedric was satisfied as well, he used a voice dripping with sarcasm but a hint of sincerity to wish them all luck and tell them he hoped their paths would all cross again. Then the Knight who was actually kind of a dick drawled an awkward farewell and left. Purposely bumping into Pompadour on the way out. Rowena sensed that something would happen with those two. Something probably involving blood.

Pompadour, after a few moments of looking hurt, asked a question Rowena assumed they all wanted to know the answer to. She settled back into her chair, observing the smirks that seemed to have permanently settled on everyones faces.

Seeing that the conversations had finally come to a close, the Seer took this as his time to leave. Watching the knight leave, the Seer already foresaw two upcoming kings out of this group, possibly three.
Standing and making his way to the door, pompadour asked some final questions, hoping for words of advice, though in a comical way.
"Always avoid someone trying to sell you chestnuts; they can't be up to any good," the Seer replied before continuing towards the door.
Comedy was a strange thing, and the Seer understood very little of it. The only thing he ever found slightly "silly" was mortality, and the idea that every living thing must die was very strange to him.
As he reached the door, he turned, and gazed back on the crowd that was there. He knew there were, and would be many more, but these were the first.
Feeling the blast of cold air as he opened the door, the feeling that he had come to know as his home, he gazed outwards, the visions of the future being hazier than they ever have been.
The times were changing.
(exit.)
(also, when exiting, reference Sterling's exit, and then before adding the attributes, just take a look at his character sheet to see how to do it correctly, because I've edited it to be correct)

Cedric watched as the knight left, knocking into Pompadour. That'll be a hoot later on, can't wait for the bloodshed.

Ah, how Cedric loved a good rivalry.

Pompadour asked him to talk, but unfortunately Cedric had plans he had to attend to.

"Another time, Big Hair McGee, I have something I need to take care of." He winked, one of those good friendly winks that usually hinted at joking.

He wasn't, but eh, at some point he'd find a fitting name.

He watched as the Seer left, thinking about his words. What a weird guy, Cedric laughed openly. It reminded him of the time he went undercover as a Farmer trying to sell his chestnuts to his target. Hahaha, oh yes. Beware that someone indeed.

Cedric brought his attention to Archea and Rowena.

"Shall we?" He quickly got out of his chair in one smooth motion, turning back to the others still present.

He walked up to Dandelion, and went on one knee.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, my strong Dandelion. I hope our paths cross again, I think you'd be a good ally." He winked, got up, and turned to Pompadour.

"We will meet again, I'm sure of it." He said this mostly because he wouldn't rest until a name fit this Pompadourian, who knew how long that would take.

Finally, he turned to North Rose.

"You," Cedric said as he pulled a chair up to the silent girl. "You are an absolute delight, Rose. I hope you'll find me soon, or later on in your travels." He ignored the slightly shocked look on her face when he called her Rose. Did she find that name to dainty? He'd make up for it later in any case. He picked up her hand, and placed a small kiss on it.

Cedric got up, motioned to his friend and his daughter, and they all left the building together. At the door, Cedric turned to Archea.

"Would you mind watching Rowena for a couple days? You're free to stay in our home, I must go proclaim myself king." Archea seemed up for it, wishing him luck.

He then turned to his daughter, and knelt to be near eye level to her (He'd been doing this since she first came into his life).

"Papa's off to go become king sweetie, so just stay with Archea for awhile, okay? I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you. Not that I don't think you can take care of yourself, I just like to keep tabs." Cedric went to go pinch her cheek, but knowing that she would punch him in his face, he instead went for a gentle pat on the cheek.

And he was off.

"I'm going to be a great king." Cedric smirked.

[exit]

((OOC: Total Topic Words= 2,114 points= 42 rounded. 10 in memory 12 in patience))

Approving Cedric's exit.

After the Knight left, Pompadour spoke up, asking about some chestnut superstitions. Archea wasn’t really listening, to be honest. The first lady that had entered (Archea hadn’t come up with nicknames for the ladies) also chose to stay a little longer at the table. Maybe like him, she was hoping to see if there would be any after action.

The Seer seemed to be thoroughly done, however. As he stood to leave, he answered Pompadour’s question about the chestnuts, and then disappeared out the Lodge door. Archea was slightly disappointed. It would’ve been interesting to have a chat with the Seer – about what, he didn’t know, but chats were always nice.

Shortly after the Seer took his (or their?) leave, Cedric also deemed it a good time to part. He went to each individual left and gave them their own special farewell. Archea couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

He waved cheerfully at those remaining at the table and issued a general, “Goodbye. Nice meeting you all; I hope we cross paths sometime again!” and then followed Cedric out the door with Rowena in tow.

Outside the Lodge, in the bone chilling cold air, Cedric turned to him and asked of him a very important task. “Would you mind watching Rowena for a couple days?” Cedric further explained how he was off to claim the throne of the North. Archea was delighted, of course, to accept the duty, and he didn’t even really consider it a duty, because he knew he’d have fun while doing it.

“Of course!” Archea beamed at Cedric and Rowena simultaneously. “And best of luck on your endeavor!”

Cedric bid farewell to Rowena in his special Cedric way, and then set off with a skip to his step. Archea couldn’t wait to hear how everything turned out.

Eventually turning to Rowena, Archea cheerfully proposed they adventure the North during her father’s absence. She agreed, and the two set off into the frozen land of snow.

{EXIT}

((OOC: Total Topic Words = 2,392 ; points = 48 rounded ; +12 patience , +14 memory))

Approving Archea's exit.

The party was winding down, and Edgardo had business to attend to. He was disappointed that Cedric- sorry, Blondie, had snuffed him, but that was fine. He had plenty of time. It had seemed that he had some rather pressing business to attend to, seeing as he had to leave the little one behind. Edgardo had Blondie figured for a fighter, but a smart one; nothing like the knight. Blondie would rather walk right up to you with a beaming grin on his face and  slide a razor-sharp blade between your vertebrae than charge you, steel naked and thirsting for war. He could be a dangerous enemy, and quite possibly an even more dangerous friend. Still, Edgardo had a persistent respect for him; the man had a silver tongue.

The knight was a different story entirely. Something about him, no, everything about him rubbed Edgardo the wrong way, and it would be inevitable that they would eventually clash. However, Edgardo was not so sure who would come out on top, and that was what made him uneasy. Despite all that, Edgardo still held some slight respect for the man, as not was not easy to follow the way of the knight, and he had a look in his eyes that told Edgardo that he had seen more horrors than it was possible that Edgardo ever would.

Edgardo was awoken from his musings when Archea left the table, with nary a glance back or farewell, with the little one not far behind her. Edgardo could see a trend forming, and although the  increasing amount of deserters meant that he could have some quality time with the ladies still present, he realized it was in his best interest to make haste and leave. The bartender had been scrubbing the same mug for almost ten minutes, all the while staring at Edgardo, and he did not look like a man Edgardo would like to tangle with, especially not with a few glasses of wine in him. Edgardo, purposefully avoiding eye contact with the staring bartender, pushed his chair back and lazily rose to his feet. Addressing the table, he spoke in a way so as to shield his words from the prying bartender.

"Well, it's been fun. UNfortuneately, I have to, uh, vacate the premises for the, uh, meanwhile, yeah? He cast a glance at the Seer, posturing as he did so. "Thanks for the advice about chestnuts, Seer, I'll take them to heart. Edgardo raised his voice, intending for the bartender to hear him: "And thanks for agreeing to pay my tab! Gotta run, I will see you merry band sometime in the future! Steeping back a pace, Edgardo made a flamboyant, almost mocking bow, exclaiming "Farewell!" before making a beeline for the door, hastily throwing on his coat. Oh, how he hated the cold. It was time for a change, Some travel. He thought he'd go find some dice and roll to see where he ended up next.

[EXIT]

(OOC: Total words in-topic: 2056. Requesting 41 points, 30 into memory and 11 into patience)

Approving Jacob's exit. If you need to know how to properly add what you requested, just look at any of the previous people's characters sheets.

The Seer rose to his feet, making the end of their merry little gathering. The dark, hooded figure made his way towards the door when Pompadour asked his final question. Without missing a beat, the Seer twisted back to the group to offer few quick words about chestnuts. It might have been a jab at humor but clearly the hooded man (thing?) understood very little on that subject. With that, the hooded figure turned to again head for the door, leaving Avis to frown at his retreating back.

The others too seemed to sense their little meeting had drawn to a close. Cedric was the first to make his leave, saying, as the knight had, he had something he too needed to take care of. Avis was rather surprised when the elfish man then turned to her.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, my strong Dandelion.” Cedric said, again winking at her.

Dandelion? Who was he calling dandelion?

“I hope our paths cross again, I think you’d be a good ally.” And Cedric stood form his seat.

“Uh, yeah.” Was the best response Avis was able to formulate, her normal, sassy nature taking a brief holiday.
Avis was somewhat aware as Cedric conserved with Archea and the younger girl before taking his leave. The man, Cedric, was strange; Avis didn’t know if she trusted him. On one level he seemed tremendously friendly. He seemed like a good guy, a friend. But on another level he seemed ready to slip a dagger through one’s ribcage at a moment’s notice.

She was snapped back to reality when Archea and the young girl took their leave of the table. Avis let a small sigh of disappointment. She’d hoped something of greater importance was going to happen but it seemed it was all now over.
Pompadour appeared to agree as he too stood. He was quite obviously tossing worried looks over at the glowering bartender. She didn’t pay whole attention until the last part of his speech. “Thanks for agreeing to pay my tab!” and, with that, he was scurrying to the door.

Oh, hell no.

Avis returned her chair legs to the floor before standing.

“Well this ship has sailed. See you losers later.” She said, grinning sheepishly at the remaining occupants of the table. She used the term “loser” as lovingly as she could. The word by now was just a regular part of her vocabulary.

And she turned and followed Mr. Pompadour to the entrance, drawing her hood over her short hair as she did so. Honestly she had no idea what she would do next. Maybe hang out in the North for a double of days, see what happened. But then what? She had no idea.

[EXIT]

((OOC: 2115 words. Requesting 42 points: 21 to Patience, 21 to memory) )

Approving Avis's exit.

Pompadour attempted to Cedric, but Cedric had other things he needed to take care of. "Another time, Big Hair McGee, I have something I need to take care of."

The Seer had left and Rowena obediently followed after Cedric who decided now was the time to go. Looking over her shoulder, Rowena curtly nodded to those who still remained. If she ever did see any of them again, it would be because of Cedric, so there was no immediate need to make friends. Or foes for that matter. Moving through the swinging door and into the cold was a shock, Rowena gave half a thought to ducking back inside but the doors closed behind her with a soft bang.

Finally Cedric turned to them, Archea had left with them, and spoke of what had been on his mind. Rowena knew this day would come. With his natural talent with people, both in killing and befriending them, he was bound to become king someday. Rowena was happy for him, and she doubted she would mind spending time with Archea, who proposed they headed north. Rowena agreed and they were off.

[EXIT}

((OOC: Total words in-topic: 900. Requesting 18 points, 18 into patience))

Approved.

Rose listened quietly to what the hooded man had to say. She hadn't thought she would live a "normal" life since she was little, and she wasn't sure what consisted of a "normal" life. The classic idea of a "normal life" sounded boring. Rose thought that maybe people confused boring for normal too much. Maybe her life WOULD be considered normal, it did have normal aspects in it. Like the blond boy watching her. Did he want to fight? She was ready for a fight anyway, all of these people around her were making her uncomfortable. Or was he looking at her... affectionately? Wait, affectionately? She stole a glance at him. Yep, definitely affectionately. And that man with the large hair also seemed to have eyes for her...

Oh boys, do behave. Rose had meant to join the table inconspicuously.

What did the blond boy say? Dammit, now she's out of the loop. Hold on. Okay, so the knight is leaving. And he bumped into the big-haired guy, how petty. They'll probably have issues later; hopefully they'll settle them with words. It's unnecessary for either of them to spill blood over this.

Oh what's the blond boy doing now? He thinks I'm a delight... but I haven't done anything delightful. Well, it's nice of him, anyways. But how does he know my name? I'm almost positive I hadn't said my name (although maybe I should have). He nicknamed the other girl after a flower, maybe it... was a coincidence. This has become rather discomforting. Who was this guy? He placed a kiss softly on my hand.

He had no right. She brought her hand up to her chest and clenched it into a fist. She'd find him later. Whether it were to end him, make him an ally, or make sure that he knew that she would be the end of him, she didn't know yet. She pondered it for a bit.

Rose was royally pissed off. She left the empty table, to make room for the others who needed to make use of it. Man, she needs to stop thinking so much. She angrily bust through the front door of the lodge, accidentally startling a group of older women. Social gatherings aren't her thing. Maybe murdering some creatures would calm her down.

[EXIT]
((OOC: Total words in-topic: 706. Requesting 5 points into memory, 9 into patience))

Approved.