The Smiling Parrot Captain Ambrose
@Denny and Co.
Maude folded her arms across her chest, rocking back on her stool while thinking over Ambrose's proposition of re-joining the Chasers. Her gaze shifted to Karla, who was currently scolding young Nicholas for swearing earlier. Her thin, wrinkled lips turned up into a soft smile before she redirected her attention back to her old friend.
"
Aye, ye do know how to tempt this old lass; but I can't." Maude spread her arms out, gesturing to the rickety tavern and all of it's inhabitants. "
It ain't much, but this is a good, honest life. Me mind was made up long ago Ambrose; the pirate life ain't the life I want for me child or me grandchild. They deserve better." It was the sad truth. To be a Sky Pirate was to live a daring life of adventure and danger; one Maude could no longer justify after the death of her husband. Of course, Ambrose knew better than anyone else how much the Chasers meant to Maude.
The cranky proprietress glared at Lazulin and Asahi, arm in arm while they chugged booze and challenged each other to a drinking contest.
"
Loser picks up the tab! Ye hear me? An' don't think I ain't watching!" Before Maude could continue with her idle threats, a loud booming voice echoed through the tavern.
"
Attention, good citizens of York!" Deacon Peters' voice, magically projected across the town, caught the attention of Maude and most of the other inhabitants. "
Sister Elvira's Ascension Ceremony will be beginning shortly. Please do enjoy the festivities; the good Sister will be awaiting in the gazebo for your farewell blessings shortly." And with that the voice projection ended, leaving the tavern in silence. Maude stood up and addressed the crowd.
"
Ye heard the Deacon! Get yer arses moving or you'll miss ya chance to see the good sister off!"
"
Mommy, I wanna see the Sister!" Nicholas tugged at his mothers skirt, raising his arms into the air as Karla bent down to pick him up. Maude hung up her apron, moving out from behind the bar to stand side by side with Ambrose.
"
Floor three, room two. Yer stowaways are waiting up there. Keys are behind the bar." She gave a curt nod to her friend before departing the Smiling Parrot with her family.
Sister Elvira
Elvira's gaze stayed fixed upon the space between the two men, clearly unable to see either of them with the ornate crown covering her eyes. When Whirlwind spoke, s
he was able to adjust her position a little to face where she had heard his voice.
"
Yes, you will be my escorts. I am most grateful." There wasn't much else to say between the three of them. They were her guard dogs, and she was the prize of York. When Deacon Peters' announcement came, Elvira let out a soft sigh as she mentally prepared herself for the events to come. Stepping forward carefully towards Ulysses, the young Sister awkwardly held out her arm.
"
I do not mean to trouble you, kind hunter, but may I ask you to escort me to the town center? The crown I wear cascades my vision." Even through her dry, uninterested tone, it wasn't too hard to tell that she disliked the impractical ornament. Reaching her hand out towards where she presumed was Ulysses elbow, her fingers draped delicately in the nook of his arm as the pair took careful steps towards the door. Underneath the soft layer of cloth he was wearing, Elvira couldn't help but notice how hard and craggy his skin was. Her touch seemed to loosen slightly at the strange texture, but she quickly regained composure; cursing that she couldn't lift up the crown just to take a peek at Ulysses.
Theodore Shimizu
Theodore was absolutely bored out of his brains. Though he supposed he should be used to it by now. For the last week he had been cooped up in Maude's dingy little inn, with the company of a strange, masked girl that left much to be desired. Sitting across from Kage, Theodore was less than subtle with his curious gawking. Gently tapping the back of his heel against the floor boards and twiddling his thumbs, Theodore had spent the good half of the last week trying to strike up a conversation with her. Though despite his bests efforts, Kage's brooding silence remained.
"
Gah!" he groaned, throwing himself back against the bed. "
I'm so god damn bored!" He tilted his head slightly, hoping to see some kind of reaction from his companion. Nothing. Sitting up on the bed with his legs crossed, Theodore was started by the sudden announcement from the Deacon. Sitting there for a few moments in silence, Theo stood up and grabbed his lance before heading over to the window.
"
I'm going for a quick walk. Everyone should be distracted by the festival so I think it's safe." He definitely could detect the naivety in his logic, but at this point he didn't really care. Another moment in that dusty box would have driven him insane. Heaving himself over the windowsill, Theodore turned back to Kage and offered a neutral hand gesture to see if she intended to tag along.
Ignis Barthandelous The Smiling Parrot
Ezekiel Benson
@Lmpkio
The tavern Ignis found himself in today sure was lively. One would naturally attribute such popularity to the ongoing festivities, but Ignis had been previously informed by a few locals that the Smiling Parrot was always a popular destination for travelers, merchants and even some unsavory characters. Regardless, the warm mead sold at the Parrot was worth the risk. Ignis enjoyed the comforting beverage while he scrawled away inside his tome, jotting down various numbers and symbols whilst vigorously flipping through prior pages as reference points. His Aetherquill flew across the parchment, yet his hand held as steady as his focused gaze.
Occasionally a loud wave of cheers from a nearby table would draw his attention; particularly to two young men. One had a prosthetic arm which piqued Ignis' curiosity, and the other a spunky young blonde. The two seemed to be engaging in some sort of drinking contest. Ignis smiled at the thought of him participating in such an event. He was only halfway through his mead and could already start to feel the alcohol numbing his senses. He was just about to return to his work when the Deacon's announcement blared throughout the tavern.
Shutting the Arithmancer Tome, Ignis quickly stood up with enthusiasm.
"
How exciting! It's been a long time since I attended an Ascension festival. Of course, the celebrations in Judea are much more prestigious than this. Though I must admit, there's a certain charm to the simpleness of a good party." He wasn't really speaking to anyone in particular; just thinking aloud really. Though a young man with scruffy blonde hair sitting in the corner near him would definitely have been in ear shot. Upon realising how loud he had been, Ignis turned to face Ezekiel before immediately averting his gaze down to the floor.
"
Oh, um. Yes. Well, I'm quite excited to see the Ascendant. Aren't you?" He directed the question at Ezekiel, attempting to divert any possibility in the other man's mind that Ignis was some loony who talked to himself.