Reply With Quote
Day Phase 1 - Welcome to the Beginning
_____Dawn found itself greeting Tryst with a heatless light. No clouds barred the way, no wind stirred, yet no heat was given. Ice formed overnight reflects and shatters the orange beams, banishing and creating shadows at random.
_____One person walked the white streets before any other. Bluemoon breathed into her clasped hands, providing herself with temporary relief from the cold. Each step she took created a small crackling noise as the fragile frost underneath gave way to her footsteps, as light as they were. Ahead loomed Hank's house, a grim affair only a few blocks from the local graveyard. Bluemoon glanced up and down the street as she ascended the steps to the front door, then began to knock.
_____Almost immediately the door was yanked open, drawing a few stray snowflakes inside the boundary of the house. There stood Hank, scratching at his stubble and blinking at the sudden light. "What do you want?" he barked, clearly annoyed.
_____"Just checking up on-"
_____"Bugger off!" The door slammed shut. Bluemoon gazed at it for a moment, gave a small cough, and started back to her house. After a few minutes of walking, she was stopped by Zed, a young man who could neither be described as attractive or repulsive. A steadily neutral face.
_____They looked at each other for a moment, breath misting and mixing in the air, before he spoke. "Have you seen Cressida? I need to talk to her."
_____Bluemoon clapped her small hands together. "Can't say that I have. After all," she smiled and gestured around them, "it's a tad early in the day, no?"
_____Zed grimaced, "I've been looking for her for days." He looked to the sky for guidance before walking off.
_____"Good luck!" she called after him. Strange that he couldn't find Cressida. She'd definitely been around town for the past few days. In fact, just yesterday she had been buying Bluemoon and Fallenreaper drinks. Many, many drinks.
_____Perhaps that was why she couldn't exactly remember what had happened afterwards, that night. She'd have to ask Fallenreaper.
___-___
_____Across town, and a few hours later, Nargle and Smiral found themselves stranded outside the tavern. The owner, KnightShade, refused to let them in before the usual hour of opening. A time that was a good four hours away. Smiral started kicking the door in frustration. "Come on! It's fucking freezing out here!"
_____Nargle pulled her destructive friend back, and hammered the door with her own fist a few times. "Just be a dear and let us in, eh? A good drink would be a great way to warm ourselves up." Silence. "It'd be a nice way for you to get more money sooner, don't you think?" Silence. Nargle groaned. "Him and his bloody prudishness. All we want is a drink."
_____A sudden touch on her shoulder cause Nargle to whirl around. Behind her stood Noxious, a woman who would be considered attractive - beautiful even - if it wasn't for the constant smirk on her face and grime on the rest of her. "Don't we all," she said, a tad too loudly. Nargle violently brushed away the other woman and began to leave, dragging Smiral behind her. Noxious raised her hands, giving a look of wounded innocence. "What, am I not good enough for you?"
_____Nargle turned. "No, you're not. You're a crook and everyone knows it."
_____The filthy woman gasped, hand raised to her chest, "Me?! Say it ain't so!"
_____Another voice spoke up. "Will you two just shut up?" Stumbling out from around the side of the tavern came Lyzan, a well-known drunkard who had a tendency towards the hairier way of life. "We all know this'll just end in hair pulling and name calling, so how about you all just go home and leave the rest of us in peace?"
_____Noxious grinned and bowed. "As you demand, my overlord," she purred, before scampering off.
___-___
_____"Thanks once again, Squee. I really appreciate it."
_____"It's no problem, no problem at all." Squee and Fallenreaper stood in the open doorway to Squee's wagon, the guest just on her way out after an extended visit. "Just remember," Squee continued, "only an hour. After that you're on your own."
_____Fallenreaper gave a nervous smile and started backing down the steps. "I know, I know." Hair was brushed back, pocket patted, an errant snowflake brushed away.
_____Squee, an older and much respected woman, leaned against the doorway and gave a small frown. "Truth be told, I'm not quite sure why you need my help in the first place. The two of you seem to be getting along just fine as it is."
_____A small laugh. "I guess I'll just sleep better at night knowing I have a failsafe."
_____"A back-up plan? I can understand that, I guess."
_____Fallenreaper looked at the pale sun. "Well, I really must be off. Christie will be expecting me." The two exchanged a few more pleasantries and farewells, and then the younger, light-haired woman made true on her statement and headed off down the street. Squee watched for a moment or two, shook her head, and headed back inside. She didn't know why Fallenreaper was off to Christies, but she hoped it wasn't for provide more fuel for the soon-to-be hosts reputation. There had already been enough scandals in Tryst to last a lifetime.
_____No sooner was the woman seated comfortably in her old chair than a knock came at the door. "Who is it?" she called.
_____"Kangaroo!" the knock responded, muffled by the thick door. "With FirePaladin!"
_____Squee sighed. The two were always dropping by. Perhaps they thought she was lonely, all by herself like this. When, in truth, she was quite content to simply think the hours away. "Come in," she responded, and the door opened to admit two men. Both were tall, burly fellows, with a small penchant for drinking and brawling. As they entered, she noticed that both seemed to be avoiding putting too much weight on their right legs. "Take a seat, take a seat. Now," she leaned forward, "what happened to your legs? Another fight?"
_____Kangaroo grinned and pointed at FirePaladin with his thumb. "For him, yes. Got thrown into a chair. Bruised right proper, he is. As for me, my dog tripped me up and sent me into the mantelpiece."
_____The other guest spoke up. "Anyway, we came by to say hello, and to drop off some food for you."
_____Squee waved them off, "You shouldn't have, you shouldn't have!"
_____A large parcel was placed onto the table between the three of them. "Yet we did, didn't we?" FirePaladin said with a grin. "Freshly cut and purchased from Natsume just half an hour ago."
_____Kangaroo stood and headed into the kitchen, returning with plates and knives. "Now, let's eat, shall we?"
___-___
_____Sitting around a fire, four men were enjoying some mulled wine and banishing the cold with simply camaraderie and laugher. Aragorn, a rather slim youth, passed the bottle to Alpha, a solidly built man in the tail end of his prime. "Here, drink up. It'll dull the pain."
_____Alpha nodded and took the bottle gratefully. As he poured himself a drink, Svenn spoke up. "Really, you should stop getting into so many fights." He swished his glass around, admiring the dancing red light it cast. "Especially," he continued, "those fights that aren't even your own."
_____SebasChan was quick to agree with his friend. "Why do you do it anyway? Fight other people's battles?"
_____Alpha took a quick swill of the wine and wiped his mouth clean. "Because I ain't one to watch the weak get beaten by the strong?"
_____Svenn laughed. "A noble sentiment, to be sure. But I still don't see why? I mean, you got yourself beat up for that slut Christie, and in return got kicked out. Doesn't exactly seem like a warm thank you."
_____"Well, luckily for Christie, I didn't do it for thanks. After all, I'm sure there are easier ways to gather her appreciation."
_____Aragorn laughed. "Just toss a penny at her, right? She'll be thanking you till dawn comes around."
_____All four shared a laugh at the woman's expense, followed by more pouring of the wine. SebasChan quickly drained his, and stood up. "I'm off," he said, giving them all a small bow.
_____Svenn rolled his eyes. "Off to pray, are you?" SebasChan nodded with a flush. Svenn and Alpha laughed.
_____Standing, Aragorn followed the other man to the door. "Wait for me," he said, lacing up his boots, "I'll give you a ride home." SebasChan gave his thanks, and the door headed out to the carriage resting in the snow. Back inside, the remaining two men continued to pour, drink, and talk away the day.
___-___
And there's your Introduction post, everyone! Night Phase is up next, so batten down the hatches and send me your actions (those of you with a Night Role, that is).
Also, feel free to offer critique of my writing. This is as much to improve my story telling as it is to entertain you folks.
Originally Posted by Azarthes
