Three Faced Coin - IC Thread

[qichao]

"Ah! Excellent!" said Darek, injecting false energy into his voice. He didn't want to appear weak and tired in front of his servants. He handed off his pack to one, and the small satchel containing the gem and the letter to the other.

"See these back to my room please, and if one of you could go ahead and inform my parents of my arrival, and have a bath prepared, that would be lovely."

One of the servants nodded and bowed, before hurrying off into the night. The others walked beside him, staying the appropriate two paces behind him to show the proper deference. It may have just been the darkness but Darek did not find their faces familiar. That in itself was odd; the Aralys household treated their servants well, and in return, the service they gave was generally long and faithful. Not many new staff joined.

So, had Darek not been so tired, his mind fuzzed up with sleep and fatigue, his emotions not already wrung out first by Leaf's death, and then by Selena's transformation, he might have found it weird that he did not recognise any of the three servants that had come out to greet him. But, alas, he was tired. His head felt like a boulder set upon his shoulders, and his feet dragged as if they shackled with a ball and chain. Leaf's death weighed on his conscience, and Selena's absence weighed on his heart.

Approaching the outside of the estate, the two servants behind him bowed and informed him they would go ahead to make sure everything was all in order. Darek nodded. It was nice to have someone to wait on his needs again.

He passed through the thick arch that was the sole entrance through high, moss-grown walls and was greeted by a large, well trimmed lawn. Toparies of a Heron and a Lion bordered the path on each side as he walked up it, feet feeling the familiar flagstones. He didn't use the main entrance; a large set of heavy oaken doors. Instead, he entered through a side door, one that the servants often used. He hoped to at least bathe before his parents found him.

However, the house was quiet, and although the night lamps burned dimly, no sign could be seen or heard of any movement. He entered the bathroom only to find an empty tub, much less steaming water ready for him to get clean in. It was irksome, no doubt, but perhaps the servant he'd ordered onward hadn't travelled as fast as Darek had hoped, and perhaps they were still getting the bath ready.

At any rate, now that he was within touching distance of his bed, he realised he would rather just sleep. So, he climbed the stone steps to his room, stepping softly. At the top of the stairs, he made his way along the corridor, walking through thick rugs that felt soft even through his boots until he came to his bedroom at the end of the hall. He shouldered open the door, and began to feel his way through the dark towards his bed, silhouetted against the faint moonlight shining in through the window.

He did have a flint and tinderbox in his bag, and an unlit lamp was set in a sconce by the door, but he couldn't see where the servants had put his bag, and had no inclination to go tripping over his admittedly messing abode to go finding it. The silk sheets felt cold and soft as he crawled onto his bed, tempting him away from wakefulness. He readily gave in, throwing his clothes onto the floor and nestling himself amidst the covers.

He was asleep as soon as his head met the pillow.

[Kostvel]

Kyoht paced rapidly after the trail left behind by the intruder, easily following the signs left by the weapon. He pursued it rather blindly, not really paying attention to his surroundings all that much. Even though the streets were somewhat crowded even at this hour, stepped aside to make way for Kyoht. Not many wanted to tangle with a heavily armed and armoured figure whose pace showed that he was on a definite mission. Focused on following the trail, it was a moment before Kyoht realized Amaro had commented on the viscous fluid that had created the trail that they were currently following. Slowing for a moment, he turned and addressed the pirate “Let me engage the intruder then, whatever poison or acid his weapon bears should not hinder me.” He said curtly, before continuing on.

It wasn't long before the trail led into the more seedy area of the town, and Kyoht found his hand resting on his sword pommel as the other clenched his shield. After passing past a few shady building streets and alleyways, their path was suddenly blocked by a group of dwarves. A low growl rose in Kyoht's throat, but died down as Amaro whispered for him to follow his lead. Kyoht sighed internally. He was irritated hat their hunt was being interrupted by the dwarf, but for now he would follow after the pirates lead. After all, Kyoht was sure Amaro knew all about how to deal with fellows such as this. Although if talking didn't work, he had no qualms fighting the dwarves to get to his destination. His bloodlust was up and ringing in his ears at this point, and his breath quickened as he anticipated a fight.

Kyoht was snapped out of his mood when the pirates hand clapped him on the shoulder. He wasn't sure what kind of deal Amaro was working at, but Kyoht was sure he wasn't actually drunk as he pretended. Idly Kyoht wandered what it was like to be drunk. He had never been drunk in his life, and not for lack of trying. The same silver blood that granted him a general immunity to poisons also stopped him from becoming drunk. Although in thought maybe it wasn't the best thing for one of his nature to become drunk. He had no idea what would happen if he could become inebriated.

He shifted impatiently in his armour. Hopefully whatever Amaro was doing would work. Even if from his eyes the pirates actions looked foolish.