"That was disappointing, don't you think?"

Considering the powerful intro, what came next was surprisingly... underwhelming. He left a heavy sigh, ignoring the voice in his head which clearly asked him a question, and walked up to the bar. After all, if he already stood up, he could've as well ordered something, right?

"Something alcoholic, pretty please", he said, lightly tapping the counter's surface and taking a look at others, supposedly also waiting for their order. It slowly started to occur to him, that the place he just ended up in was slightly different from most of the inns and taverns he had the (sometimes questionable) pleasure of visiting. He--

"Excuse me mam, but would you happen to know where we are?"
"A tavern."

...he wanted to know more.

"Well, does this tavern, by any chance, have a name?"

@Alisdragon911@Pineappletumble@Song Book

@Pineappletumble@gohKamikaze@Song Book@POOHEAD189@dogtac

Ayeka notices a bunch of people gathered at the bar counter for everyone to meet each or catch some information. She notice everyone wanted a drink set for the chick with the wing tattoo on her neck or back, she was not sure as she only had a glance at it. To Ayeka Hardwick needs some more whiskey and pours him some more. One of the newcomers who wants a red house is very excited about seeing other creatures and wanted to know more about them. She pours the red wine and sits in front of Koru. She looks at the goth with blonde hair and Ben, "what can I get you two?"

Willow backed away from her spot, choosing a more dramatic setting in the corner away from where everyone seems to be gathering. After brooding in the corner for a few minutes before electing to get food. She walked into the kitchen and started making some minced meat and onions in a pot with gravy. While that was cooking she made some pastry and set it aside for once the meat was cooked.

@gohKamikaze@Song Book
"A Tavern." Well that answer fell flat, a lot flatter then he was used to, it just wasn't his day. but still he smiled, chuckled and gave his head a shake. Koru felt less intimidated by the woman's icy gaze but more intrigued, most people just asked him to shove off. The sheer sarcasm made the wood elf feel like this was more of a game to see who would cave first, a game he was more then willing to play.

"Well I'd be a pretty poor traveler if I was unable to figure out that much, wouldn't I?" he joked taking a sip from his wine "So how does one come to find a tavern in the middle of no where like this?"

@Pineappletumble @Song Book @Alisdragon911

Hardwick handed a few more dollars to Ayeka and nodded in thanks, grateful for the distraction. Still, he couldn't help but overhear the conversation taking place directly beside him. 'I've been trying to figure that out all night' He answered to the book-toting man. He noticed that the stranger had similar features to Ayeka. 'Detective James Hardwick, PI. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. And you two are...?'

Willow rolled her eyes at the questions about the Tavern and it's strangeness from her corner. She tried to avoid looking like she was eavesdropping, but her eyes flickered to the three by the counter ever now and then. She never had questions about the tavern other than who was in it and if there was food. There was always food and the patronage was always changing. The Tavern was magical just like she was, though she tried her best to ignore and forget the magic boiling in her blood. Her time away had taught her that not everyone was accepting as she was about the strange things in this world and she had since hidden it from everyone including herself.
@Pineappletumble @Song Book @Alisdragon911

The nameless tavern, Death himself had suggested the place. For the last decade (Earth time), Specter wandered the cosmos looking for it. Rumors of sightings led him to and fro, but he was always a step behind. There were even instances where he discovered the entrance only to have it disappear before reaching the doorframe.

Ironically, Specter had just given up on ever catching the tavern, when suddenly, it nearly landed on top of him. There he stood in the middle of a rainbow forest, the tavern doors only steps away. Specter was excited and flew directly towards the door, passing through it rather than opening it.

The inside was nothing special, but the place came highly recommended by Death. for his sake, Specter would give it a chance. "How many people can see me?" He began to wonder.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as a sudden shiver ran down his spine. The young man clothed in tattered rags sits up swiftly, brushing his unkempt dark brown hair from his face as he turns to look towards the latest intruder.
His vibrant green eyes flash with concern as untrustfully they follow the latest patrons movements.
'Who was this? What did he want?' the thoughts filled his mind as something unknowingly bugged him about this strangers presence.
@Balthazar007

[Forest Ruins]

A gust of wind, only light enough to blow away a feather, sweeped through the trees. A dark figure peaking from the branches of one in particular. Green fiery eyes surveying the old long forgotten ruins within his favourite forest, searching for something. Then suddenly a glint among the rocks, and he floats down from the tree to investigate it, his eyes leaving a green trail. A necklace, laced with small ruby pearls. He outstretches his arm to pick up this newfound treasure, only to suddenly flinch back in shock, hands shielding his face from attack when something came out of no where with a sudden loud flutter, startling him. He peaked through his long pointed fingers to find a raven had announced it's presence, perched upon a rock in front of the necklace. A minor obstacle to the shiny treasure.

A breathless sigh sounds from the shade. He shooed away the raven which sounded it's displeasure before flying away. He picks up the necklace and opens a small portal before tossing it in, a momentary view of a large pile of trinkets and items before the portal closes, then proceeded to continue his search for more treasures as he floated and weaved his way through the forest. Moments later while examining one of the ruin's shapely stones, something catches his eyes in the distance beyond some trees; a structure of much familiarity. Only silence played out as he tilted his head in curiousity before floating towards it for a closer look.

Willow's eyes darted to the newcomer a shiver crawling down her spine. She was surprised at the immediate hatred towards the dark hole where it's face was located. She didn't like that darkness at all, it was so unnatural. The corner where she was standing grew lighter as she wrapped thin blankets of light around herself like protection, while she probed at the darkness carefully.
She kept her eyes on the newcomer as she left her corner, the light still wrapped around her like an aura, and went to take a place behind the bar. The least she could do was her job, she decided as she picked up a rag and started mindlessly wiping down the counter and taking used glasses to the kitchen to be washed. Once that was done, she stood, leaning back, and waited for someone to need a drink.
@Balthazar007

@Varicke@Varicke@SkeletonShadow

Ayeka is glad the other waitress took over as she is tired and sits down in a comfortable chair putting her feet up. She notices a new customer come in, he had the scent of death coming from him. She wonders what he wanted, to her it could be anything. She is use to his coldness around him as she is cold herself. She looks outside as the trees sway as she scenes that someone is coming to this tavern.

'Oh my!' Specter thought to himself. 'Everyone is creeped out by my presence. That's not what I want, but it is nice that so many people here can see me... See me!? Oh crap, no wonder, I look like Death, no pun intended.'

Specter then shapeshifted to a much more docile appearance. How could anyone be weary of a well dressed young man?



Specter then began to transmit his thoughts to anyone that would listen. Of course, he moved the illusion of his lips in time. "Hello everyone! I am sorry to startle anyone. A friend of mine recommend this place. He said that many interesting people frequent this establishment. So here I am! Anyone have any fun stories to share?"

@Alisdragon911@SkeletonShadow@Varicke@Dark Light

[Outside]

Floating closer, Knutik came to realize that the structure is in fact a tavern. He's seen it once before a long time ago and heard quite a bit about it, however he was too shy to enter last time. The shade held his hands to his chest, uncertain whether he should enter, thinking what would happen if he did, who would be in there, is he even allowed in there, would he be intruding? He floated a little closer to the door hesitantly as he considered his options. He then began to circle the building many times before making his decision.

Clawed fingers shakily reached for the door and slowly opened it, the interior of the tavern being revealed making it look so much more cozy than being out in the forest. A warm feeling reached out to Knutik, as if a gentle hand was welcoming him inside. He stepped passed the frame and closed the door.

[Tavern]

There was a strange man in a suit a little ways in front of him, and many others sitting about and chatting. The shade hugged his hands to his chest again and looked around nervously before deciding to make his way to a table. He bumped into something to his left and the shadowy tendrils on his back spiked up like a startled cat when a loud crash rang out. He looked to the floor to see a shattered vase. The shade panicked looking around frantically before lowering himself to gather up the pieces in his hands. He didn't know what to do with the pile of shards in his hands when he had them and looked around awkwardly before he decided to just place the pile where the vase had been on the stand.

He partially covered his face as he floated over to a table in the corner and took a seat. Not even 5 seconds inside and he had already broke something.

@Balthazar007

The young man didn't fall for Specter's illusion of speech. Not that he paid that thought any attention. Instead he studied and admired the mans suit with an unrealised yearning.
'stories, hah. I have millions.'
He thought quietly to himself yet remained silent on the subject. Doing his best to ignore, hide and not face the fact that he couldn't recall even one of them. But somehow he knew they were supposed to be there, a lifetime of them.

Should he face and admit that fact he might just fall into a shattered panic of despair. So instead he moves on.

Noticing the girl from before had taken her place behind the bar, now seemingly glowing. The young man decided to head over to thank her while making a new order when suddenly a crash from behind startles him.
Spinning around fast as he stood ready, he was faced with what appeared to be another creature of the shadows playing with some broken clay. The panic and unease of the creature gave young man enough confidence to relax. A moment later he called out to the shade.
"It's alright, don't stress. Look." and he pointed to the vase that was now sitting intact unbroken.

@gohKamikaze@Song Book@Balthazar007
"Ahhh yes I'm Koru Elerren, travel and a chronicler of sorts" Koru bowed slightly and offered his hand to shake, he could feel the human's eyes passed over him distinctive' taking in every detail to better asses the situation "Your question though has many answers and I'm sure it would differ depending on the individual in question, I for one am simply lost, as the tree in this area are quite vague with their directions"

An odd apparition that appeared in the corner of Koru’s eyes trying to enter the tavern undetected he could however make little out other than a rough shape outlining the magical essence of the creature. The magic did not stay like this long; flaring up and taking the shape of a formal gentleman in his youth. How strange; this place seemed to have no shortage of interesting people coming and going, perhaps this was why the tavern had been built in such a location. The request for a story could have easily been filled by Koru and his tomb however the ink had not yet dried and it was far too an unpleasant experience to try from memory more than once a night so he decided to let that sit for a few minutes.

He returned his gaze to the "Well Mr. Hardwick, I've told you my story on how I came to this place I would see it only fair you sell me yours"

Willow tensed as she realized she was covering herself in light and shook her head, letting the light fall back to where it natural was. She looked down at her hands, angry at herself for using magic again. Balling her hand in a fist, she plastered a smile on her face and waited for someone to need her services. While she waited, she discretely eavesdropped on the conversations going on around her. From Koru's talk of discovering the tavern to the young man calming down the shade she hadn't noticed slip in.
Willow grabbed an old apron from under the counter, in the little corner where she had always tucked it and noticed it was not the original one she had left. This one was much newer and colored in blues and blacks just like her new style and it was freshly washed. She tied it around her waist and smiled to herself. Probably one of the others who knew she'd turn up again after disappearing without a word. She hadn't seen them around either, but she hadn't exactly looked.
@Pineappletumble @Dark Light @Varicke @Balthazar007

@Varicke@Dark Light@Balthazar007

Ayeka has her eyes close as her ears twitch as she hears about people telling stories. To her she did not have much of a story to her life at the moment. Maybe she could find a way to keep her own story quite for now. Her eyes open as she hears a crash and glance over to where it came from and who cause it. She notices the guy she brought water too is talking to a guy in the corner table talking about the broken vase that is not broken anymore. She close her eyes again to rest them as she continue to listen to the other customers talk.

@Dark Light

Knutik was occupied trying to hide his embarrassment when a man spoke out, he lifted his head in response and followed his gaze to where he was pointing. The vase he'd broken looked as if it was replaced with an exact replica, the broken shards not in sight. A wisp of wind sounded in fascination as he flew over to the vase, picking it up carefully and examining it with curious eyes. Not a scratch, chip or crack seen.

He eyed the vase, considering adding it to his collection of treasures before gently putting it back. A wave of relief washed over him and he felt a lot better. Confidence regained, Knutik floated over to the bar where others seemed to be hanging out and took a 'seat', neatly folding his hands on the bar surface and stiffly avoiding eye contact with the others as he waited patiently for service.

Specter's plight for an entertaining story didn't seem to be well received. It seemed as though anyone with a story worth sharing had some reservation on the matter. But there seemed to be something more to the young man in tattered clothing. 'Millions of stories' the young boy thought. 'How in the world could a boy have millions of stories?' Specter pondered.

@Dark Light

Specter walked to catch up with the boy. As he approached he tried his best to improvise something to say, "Hi, I'm Spec! How are y-"

@Varicke

The sound of crashing clay interrupted Specter. Both he and the boy turned to face the shadow creature. The creature seemed to be quite embarrassed, very peculiar for a creature of it's kind. The boy called out to comfort the shadow. It seemed to work well, as the shadow was already making a B line for the bar.

@Dark Light

'So this boy is not taken aback by shadow spirits?' Specter began to wonder. 'That's even more interesting!'

Quickly, Specter finished closing the gap between himself and the boy. Unfortunately, he couldn't think of anything else besides to finish his earlier thought, "How are you?"

@Varicke
Willow smiled towards the shade and stepped up towards him, "Hello, what can I get for you?" she asked with a tilt of her head. The creature was a curious one, not one she had ever seen before. It seemed self-conscious and so she did her best not to increase the discomfort it might feel, "We can make just about anything you want, or you could order off the menu," she added as an after-thought, knowing that many, herself included liked to get things off the menu just for the deliciousness of it.