Shoe Thief

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 49 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: Dead-Ish Location: Coach House Main rooms Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Who wasn't scared to die? The answer was a lot of people were scared of death, but some had lived their lives to their fullest, or knew that their death was for something greater, and could accept it. Kathryn, who had brushed close to death a few too many times though, was not one of those people. Death scared Kathryn to a degree that could not be stated into words. Every now and again she would get a burst of confidence that would let her overcome her fears, or she would put herself into situations she could face off against death and come out on top. But that fear lingered. She was terrified of leaving her mortal life behind, and moving onto another plain of existence. That fear of the unknown was one that drove her to do well with a blade, and drove her to flick a switch, and go full blood lust when she fought compared to her usual passive friendly personality. If she died would it be a whole new life? Would it make her own existing life a waste for not living it to the fullest extent she should have? On the other side would she meet people she knew? Her uncle, Ser Lucas, her parents or siblings? The men who were killed defending her? The men that tried to return the favor? She was scared of what the next life would look like. She also found herself worried about all she hadn't done yet. She had failed to live her own life, hiding in fear for most of it. She had failed to do any of her own goals like becoming a baker, she had failed to get her titles reclaimed, claim her home, or a new home, and she had failed to bring justice to her family name.

And now, she was dead. Sure, apart of her knew it wouldn't last, and she should wake up any moment now. But, what if she didn't? What if she just was trapped on the table in this death like state until she finally succumbed and died for real? What if something went wrong with the spell and she couldn't be woken? What if V didn't have any intentions of waking her up? Would V do that to her? Kill her off to have another servant to bend to her will? Surely not. V was a lot of things, but not evil. Right? She didn't think the Codswealth family was evil either though. Rude and blunt, and definitely had relationship issues with her family, but not evil. Just... politics and bickering. Just bickering. Until it wasn't. Until she became an orphan, until she became an only child, until she became an outcast from her homeland, and her family name disgraced. How well did she really know V? Maybe she wanted a servant, maybe she is petty and bitter and jealous of Kathryn's titles? Maybe that is why she would want her dead? As some sort of class punishment thing, or maybe to find a way to take the titles for herself? Surely she couldn't though? Then again, her family had money, and would just love a chance for a title like hers. Even of a low tier landlass claim, it opened a whole new world to even the wealthiest families if they were able to obtain any titles. And enough money, they could wash away much of dark history attached to it. Hell, maybe they'd gain favor with those who had the ability to clear her title for their deeds.

"NO NO NO NO!" She tried to scream. She couldn't be sure if it was a desperate plea to be spared, or her denying that anyone in her party could be as cruel as those who stole her life from her. She didn't know for sure. But... there was more... could she hear? Could she feel? She felt entrapped, like the world was enclosing on her, was someone ontop of her? She could have sword she felt the weight of something or someone on her chest. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't even be sure if her mouth was open, she couldn't be sure if she was making sound. She wanted to fight back, she felt like a cornered animal being toyed with. Being harmed for a cruel joke while their friends laugh at her weakened and defenseless state. She could have sworn she heard a scream, but she couldn't be totally sure if it was hers or someone else's. She did feel the weight on her chest begin to lift. But in her current state, she couldn't tell if one was the cause of the other. She wanted to keep screaming, fighting, she wanted to break down, she wanted to do anything! She was trapped though, in this useless, lifeless body. Unable to truly experience the world around her other than as a watered down witness. As if she was experiencing her death and end through a muffled door only able to guess what was happening to her, but knowing it was infact, happening. She wanted to flail, she wanted to fight, she wanted to get away. She needed to get away. She need air, she needed to get free. Her instincts told her she needed to fight, her instincts told her she needed to flee. She needed to do something! But all she could do was be afraid, and listen to the muffled noises of the others around her. She couldn't even be sure how much time had passed. She was so panicked that she couldn't keep track on her own. She also didn't know if time passed the same way in this state as if she was awake. For all she knew it could be only 30 seconds, or it could be months. God what if it was years? What if she was a comatose body on a table having to be moved off to storage while no one knew if she was alive or dead, unable to wake up? What if she woke up and she woke up old, having missed her whole life, accomplishing nothing, all for some cheap trick?

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 49 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: Dead-Ish Location: Coach House Main rooms Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Kathryn smiled a warm smile. One far warmer than most people would expect of someone clad as a warrior, and of her size. Lizbeth seemed to excited to see such tricks in action! Kathryn couldn't perform them herself, but the small bean seemed so excited to see what Victoria could do! And if Kathryn could help with that? Perfect! Seeing her smile warmed apart of Kathryn's heart that craved for those around her to be pleased with her. But also to bring joy to someone who has gone through so much in the last week, how could Kathryn say no to her? That little horn that went off in her head when something wasn't right began to go again. Fueled by the small one's question of if things would hurt. Or V's comments leading up to her and Lizbeth guiding Kathryn towards the table. The wine was helping to smother that warning enough for Kathryn to suppress her own fears. She wished it was something more though. Bourbon. Whiskey. Maybe a tea flavored bourbon? Or a maple flavored whiskey? That would help her relax for sure. The wine was growing on her though.

Grabbing the bottle she just opened, she took another swig. She wasn't drinking like she was last night, but she needed just enough of a buzz to keep drowning out her own fears and worries. But she refused to let it show on her face. Smiling she sat on the table, and turned to rest her back on it. Her height proving a disadvantage again as her legs hung off far enough that they were able to point towards the floor, and her head barely stayed on. Sometimes, she wished she was shorter. Maybe not Victoria level's of short, but smaller and cuter that she was would definitely be convenient. The ability to win people over with girlish charm? Or the ability to casually flirt with people? To wrap people around her fingers using her charm and looks? Would be easier in a lot of ways. But her size and strength also gave her an additional edge in her fighting skill. In terms of raw might she was a weight class all of her own when facing off against most foes. Same with her strength! Her skills seemed to really lean into this style of fighting too. It also made it harder for people to shove her around in return. "It's going to be fine Lizbeth. I doubt it'll hurt, and if there is a pinch or two, I have a pretty solid pain threshold." Kathryn said confidently

She turned to Blackberry continuing her warm smile and enthusiastic gaze. "Don't worry so much Blackberry, you were in more danger pouring my ale last night than I will be now." She said ignorantly not fully knowing what she was going to experience. But she had an idea. Death. She was going to die, ever so briefly. She actually had a pretty severe fear of dying. Apart of why she almost always wore the armor she had. Even when she hated her armor. That same fear fed into her anxiety and kept telling her that this was a bad idea. That same fear told her to stop this. That same fear told her that if she had too she needed to get as far away as possible. No matter who she had to shove, kick, or fight to stop this from happening. That horn kept going off telling her that this was a bad idea. That horn slowly getting louder and louder. "This Was Wrong" it kept trying to warn her. "Stop this madness" it seemed to plead. Kathryn took another sip of the bottle of wine. Thankfully not nearly as much as the last night, but enough that she was drowning out her fears.

"Thank you Kosara, I doubt it'll be necessary, but I appreciate you on standby to back me up!" Kathryn said enthusiastically. She was reassured just a bit more that things would be okay. But she wasn't so sure still. If things went wrong, she would be powerless to do anything about it. Surely V would fix it if something did go wrong? Or maybe Kosara could muster up something. And, she supposed if things got really, REALLY bad. They could always run back to town to get Marita. She was a cleric, her magic healed all sorts of problems. Right? But maybe V's magic was more potent... Kathryn had no way of knowing really. Her understanding of magic was limited to say the least. Even the old magic she used now, wasn't even in the same class as the magic everyone around her used from a day to day basis.

The flute made of bone is what about did it for Kathryn. Watching it come out, watching it play. She couldn't hear the words V was saying, as all of her attention stayed focused on the flute. Had she seen it before? Maybe it was cursed? Kathryn tried to catch glimpses of what V was saying. It seemed to be an explanation on how and why she got into necromancy. And Kathryn realized in her attempts to listen, she was beginning to break out in a cold sweat. She found herself struggling with heat flashes, and soon her smiling demeanor began to break. She didn't look worried yet, but that enthusiastic smile had begun to fade. That horn of warning returned. It didn't sound like a war horn, like those used by castle guards to alert of attackers, but it sounded like her uncles old war horn. The trophy he took from his last campaign. A horn made of bone from some large beast. Said to be the mount of some great leader hundreds of years ago. A horn that created a noise so haunting to alert all those who heard it, that death had come for them all. Kathryn was scared, and despite another rather hefty sip of wine, she couldn't drown out the worried sounds inside her head telling her this was a bad idea. She was going to die.

Oh shit she was going to die, she was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it. She was going to die and she may never wake up again. Would she even be her when she awoke?! Or some undead ghoul like Morty. No, no she couldn't let this happen. She was too scared of death to face what came next. "Wai-" She didn't even finish the word before V finished her command and her words were cut off with a gasp. Kathryn went up briefly by a few inches, and fell back down, air slowly draining from her lungs as she let go of the bottle of wine, and it rolled to the floor leaving behind a trail of a rather sweet white wine. The expression on her face, was one of peace. She seemed more relaxed than she had since arriving in Avonshire. And seemed finally, at peace. Even a faint smile crossed her face, as if in the last moment before she went down, the acknowledgment of finally being able to rest without fear settling in comforting the woman.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 49 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House Main rooms Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Kathryn wondered if she was perhaps too harsh on Kosara. A small part of her wondered if she wasn't harsh enough. Even if Lizbeth forgave Kosara the woman was likely down shit creek without a paddle. Kathryn didn't want to see her friend get in trouble, but she also knew Lizbeth was now in a rough spot on her own. Kathryn herself had slipped up some the night before, and that already pushed the party's good standing with the L'Rose family. This... would create complications. But thankfully to Kathryn's relief, even though Kosara wasn't totally sure why what she did wasn't favorable, she seemed to understand that what she did was upsetting to Lizbeth, and far from acceptable here in Avonshire. She showed remorse for her actions, and regret for upsetting Lizbeth. Kathryn wanted to thank Kosara for owning up to the situation despite not fully grasping how it effected things. But she couldn't think of what to speak. She still didn't know how Lizbeth was going to be effected by the whole thing. If Kosara looked Kathryn's direction she would give the smaller woman a nod of approval, and later when they had the chance Kathryn would talk to Kosara in better details about... she guessed whatever she needed to hear.

Kathryn wasn't in a trance per say, but she was stressed. And focused on keeping that stress manageable. She had already emptied her waterskin so didn't have that to drink anymore. So nothing to even refresh herself. Physically she still ached. Nothing she couldn't tolerate, but she was sore, tired, hungry as hell, and worried how the whole situation would blow up around Kosara. She honestly wondered if this would force them all to find new lodgings for the winter, something that Kathryn wasn't really prepared for. But something if she had too she could make due one way or another. Caravan work paid decent? Supplementing a town guard would give her housing for the winter? Being a sell sword guard for a local guild who wanted extra muscle could also help her hold up through the winter. No... she wouldn't think down that road now. She had some plans drawn up when she was in her drunken stupor after Ser Lucas passed. She would figure it out. She wondered how shook up Lizbeth was, and if there was anything she could do to help the young bean without overwhelming her, or upsetting her more. She had no idea thinking through it. Kathryn took a great sword and hacked the shit out of things when she was upset, but her family sword was a little too big for Lizbeth to use... And Lizbeth wasn't a member of Kathryn's family nor household. By law and tradition she wasn't really supposed to use the sword except in extreme situations. She supposed she could let Lizbeth swing about the warhammer, a set of swords, or axe throwing. Kicking ass there always felt good to Kathryn! Though maybe knife throwing was more suited to Lizbeth's abilities... she would have to find out.

Kathryn found herself finally getting the opportunity to help the small bean. When her other small bean of a friend Victoria stepped over and offered her a chance to make Lizbeth feel better. How could Kathryn refuse? Kathryn would be lying if she said she didn't also want to see some of the magic play out and to see what it could do. There was a small horn going off in the back of her head. The line of thought that picked up on the more subtle language that V used. The mistrusting line of thought that became weary when something wasn't right. The line of thought that told her to be careful who you trust. But... The part of her that wanted to please, that wanted to behave and be a good girl, the part of her that wanted everyone else to feel a little bit better. The part of her that wanted to please everyone slowly buried that worry. The previous anxiety was still there, and was still fueled by that line of thought warning her that this may not be a good idea.

It had just the briefest of chances to take the front of Kathryn's focus as BB gave an argument against the use of said magic. That instinct of self preservation soon became to burn like a bonfire trying to blast its way through an ice burg. Still sealed, but making progress. Above it, a winter storm of extreme proportions trying to bury the flame before it could break free. Her need to have the approval of others burying her concern for her own safety. "Blackberry, I'm sure it's fine." Kathryn said with a warm smile. Be it pleading ignorance, or total trust in V Kathryn probably couldn't answer one way or another. She's pretty sure V wouldn't do anything too harsh in front of Lizbeth. And plus! Kathryn and V were friends! They were an adventuring party! The best of allies! There's no way V would do anything to actually harm Kathryn. "It's just some fun harmless magic, plus, I have a pretty high pain threshold. Once had an orc stand on my chest after he knocked me over. I think I can handle whatever V has in mind." Kathryn said confidently.

Her confidence wasn't totally pure though. Before she went off to join V and Lizbeth for this magic trick, she grabbed an unopened bottle of wine from behind the bar, ripped off the cork with her bare hand, took a few long swigs before setting the bottle down on a nearby table. She wasn't going to get hammered, but she needed a refresher, she needed to dull her fears a little bit, and drinking helped her deal with her own stress. She also became considerably more confident when she had booze in her system. "Alrighty V, what do you have in mind?" Kathryn said in an excited and giddy tone. Ready for whatever the small elf woman had in store for the tall warrior.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House Main rooms Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Things proceeded to take a more awkward and difficult turn as they continued. She figured maybe something like this was perfectly normal and acceptable in her own culture and lands, but that would have to be a talk they would have to have together at some point how it was a little less acceptable in these parts. Or a lot of lands. Thankfully it was easy for Kathryn to avert Lizbeth's eyes from the whole ordeal. "Baths are important Kosara, but there is a time and place for it." Kathryn said with a worried tone. Lizbeth was going to have her own complications from this point forward, and she was sure Cecily would be pissed. Maybe their host would be patient with them but Kathryn had already pushed their luck a bit the night before.

Thankfully, V was here to help. Coming in face red from the cold she was prepared to help Kosara cover up, and to explain to the tiefling woman more on the ways of decency. Especially infront of minors. Kosara seemed to be struggling with the concept overall. Thankfully Lizbeth was working her way out the room to work with the tea. "Lizbeth how about we uh... May I get some tea too please?" She would have to apologize to her later. Kathryn turned back to Kosara as she stepped out of the barrel of a bath and she just sighed. "Kosara, I gotta be blunt here, because by local customs, what you are doing is a serious offense. Some cultures do jail time or worse for it. The local culture, as well as the one I am from doesn't allow undressed adults and minors to interact with one another." Kathryn said doing her best to not beat around the bush. "I doubt you had nefarious intentions here, and this is a creative way to get a bath, but baths are generally considered something more private to not be shared with most people." There were exceptions, especially in areas where communal baths were a thing. But she didn't want to get into specifics or technicalities with Kosara. Her ignorance in the matter would already prove difficult.

"Back home people can be castrated if the lord decides any intentions were nefarious." Kathryn said with almost a pleading tone. There were other rumors too of those that civilization decided they wouldn't miss if they never showed up again. Deep mines which the workers never resurfaced from again. Fighting pits. Live practice subjects so those in medical could learn more on the human body. "You need to take this seriously, and you need to apologize to Lizbeth for being indecent. We can sort out a proper bath for ya later yeah? Somewhere easy enough to warm and somewhere more discrete." Kathryn said trying to warm up. She was a bit annoyed at Kosara, but she couldn't say she was mad. She was upset that the situation happened, worried how Lizbeth was taking things, concerned about what may happen to Kosara after the fact, and annoyed her friend kept trying to defend her actions despite the concerns brought up by the party members. Cultural differences or not, Kathryn needed Kosara to understand how close to things being a disaster they were, if they were not already past that threshold. "Get dressed. I will clarify anything you need clarifying later when we can talk in private yeah?" Kathryn said sympathetically. She was sure if Avonshire's social norms were much more different than Arcanaple's social norms, she would struggle to fit in as well. She couldn't imagine what Kosara was going through in a world so different than her own. Then again, she seemed rather care free about the whole thing.

Kathryn let out defeated sigh. Kosara would either get it, or she wouldn't. Maybe at least understand she had more to learn, and needed to talk about things and learn more. Kathryn would then turn and head back into the main dinning room where Lizbeth was working on tea, and Blackberry was now stepping into the doorway. "Morning dude." Kathryn said to blackberry in a half defeated tone, but doing a brief stretch and trying to brighten her own mood. "Let's stay in here a moment while they get things sorted in the kitchen yeah?" Kathryn said with a forced smile on her face. Between Kathryn's own problems last night and the mess of this morning, things were a cluster fuck.

Kathryn found out she was still rather jumpy as the figure stepped into the doorway. She got herself into a fighting pose one fist forward, leaning forward like she was ready to tackle, and one hand on a dagger pulled from her ankle sheath. Should the attacker get any wise ideas, she figured she could do a short forceful toss, and tackle the would be attacker out into the court yard past the barrels, and fight them where she would have the advantage. Also buying time for everyone else to get involved as needed. She realized though, she overreacted to what were essentially a cleaning crew. Popping the dagger back into it's sheath just as quickly as she pulled it out, she stood up strait with a dorky smile on her face. "No no no not interrupting anything at all just uh... Long morning is all." Kathryn said unsure how to approach things. "Upstairs may be better... we still have someone getting out of their bath in the kitchen here so they may be a minute." Kathryn said awkwardly unsure what else to say. Kathryn also remembered she left her dress out on her bed... she debated putting that away, but also wasn't really sure where away was for it yet... she figured leaving it was probably best.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House, Master Bedroom --> Sleep --> Morning workout at Vineyard Couch House Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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The cleanup was short and easy. The detailed work would be handled by staff in the morning thankfully, as Kathryn's skill in the cleaning department were lacking. But she was happy to lend a hand! "Sleep well!" Kathryn would pass off to everyone one by one as they ran off to bed. Once Lizbeth was done with her work, Kathryn had walked outside with the young woman, but instead of going strait up to the bedroom like Lizbeth, she spent a moment in the little courtyard looking up at the stars. Now wrapped up in her blanket, her belt that held the sheath for her Family's sword wrapped over her shoulder, she felt at peace. It was a nice change of pace, but it wasn't sitting well with her. She felt like a deep water fish, used to being under constant stress and pressure, and then suddenly, things are better, normal feeling almost. It almost felt like she could explode from the extreme lack of pressure and stress! And in a way, she did. She seemed to have dealt with it by trying to smother herself with enough booze to kill a horse. Good to know she could out drink such a creature though. She was struggling to find out where to fit in this lifestyle. She never relaxed well. She was either in work mode, or she would explode. Generally coming off as totally carefree, reckless, fearless in all the worst ways. Looking up into the night sky, it felt so open and free. Taking in a deep breath, letting it all out, she repeated the process a few times before she straitened up. She needed to maintain herself better. But she also had to maintain her guard and social standing. She was a professional, and she needed to act like one.

Confidence reassured, Kathryn felt she could return to bed without overthinking herself into her dreams. She stepped far heavier than she meant too, but picked up her bags, and set them into what would be her room for the time being. Maybe even the whole winter? That would be nice. A large comfortable bed, nice quality chairs, a fire place, and even a nice looking dresser. It felt rather homely to the tall woman. Kathryn finally unwrapped the sword belt and blanket from her person, setting the sword by her bedside near the hammer, and the blanket onto the bed to be cocooned into later. All to reveal a rather moderately dressed Kathryn in the common comfortable clothes she had just purchased to sleep in. Kathryn still being used to being encased in steel, and still very self conscious of her own person, still felt the thick blanket was needed. BUT!!! Now she had her own room!!! After spending several agonizing minutes attempting to use a tinderbox to start the fireplace, it sprung up with a little spruce to get it going, and another wood type Kathryn was too tired to care about identifying to continue the flame. She would be warm tonight on this chilly evening.

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Kathryn slept like a pile of potatoes tossed into a cellar to be stored away over the winter. She not only slept good, she slept likely better than she had in a rather long time! She felt super well rested, and judging by the barely dim light the sun hadn't quite poked its head out. What a perfect time to get a start on her day! Kathryn neatened up her bed, and laid out a few outfits across it. She would for sure be taking the hammer and her family sword to breakfast. One as its ceremonial piece, and the other as her personal defense weapon. That, and she didn't want to risk losing either. So wearing her armor made sense. Buuuuut... she also had a rather pretty dress she wouldn't mind wearing. Yes she had grown a few inches in the upwards category since she had acquired it, but she was confident in her ability to make it work. And, a chance to dress nicely to impress their hosts? Even better! But the more she thought on it, the more she had doubts. Firstly, the dress really drew a lot of attention to her chest, something that while she wore armor wasn't a concern. But she was not a small woman by any definition, and that area was included. She worried it would give the wrong impression if she went from extreme professional and modesty, to "HEY LOOK HERE ARE MY TIDDIES" overnight. On top of that, the L'Rose family had been won over with her strength and skill with a weapon. Not by her social charm and her looks. Trying to lean into that when she was at best rusty in such life skills, could easily end in disaster. Another reason against the pretty dress, is she wanted to get some training in before breakfast. Primarily strength training and cardio. Sure, old magic helped and gave her an advantage, but if she ever came up against someone who could also leverage an advantage of that kind or similar, she wanted to stay ahead as much as she could. Armor it would be. Plus, it was a new set. It was surprisingly comfortable, it was well made, and she liked how she looked in it too.

Using some rope, a wooden pole she found, and a couple full barrels of wine from the cellar, Kathryn set herself up in the courtyard using the wooden pole as a lever, but primarily holding the two barrels of wine via ropes she tied around and under them. With the leverage the pole provided, she lifted with her knees, and began walking in full kit down the roadway. It was not a fast walk, but a few times she found herself able to speed walk it a bit, before having to slow down to prevent herself from falling over. She could keep a decent marching pace at her slowest as she walked, only stopping occasionally to make sure her grip on the rope and pole were solid. Carrying the barrels full of liquid proved much more of a challenge than much of her other work out habits, but she was enjoying the feeling of her muscles being pushed to their raw limit. She wished she kept track of how many times she walked back and forth before her leg began to give out. Thankfully when it began to show signs of quitting, she was on the return trip of her lap. She was sure she would fine better routes as winter went on. But the cool air today made it easier for Kathryn to fight off the pain. The ice particles reminded her she was a force of nature, as not even snow or ice could slow her down. Only her own will as her leg began to lose strength. She let out deep guttural grunts through her helmet as she brought the barrels back towards the couch house. Soon her other leg would join the first, ready to call it quits, her back and one of her arms soon began to protest the closer they got back to the former inn. She let out the labored breaths through the rim and sockets of the metal dome as she walked, her body and mind knowing she was almost done, but wanting to badly to quit now. Apart of her wanted to cheat, use her magic and make the home stretch that much easier. But she knew if she did that she couldn't claim this victory for herself.

While her body felt ready to contort into the quickest position that would bring it to the floor, Kathryn realized, she had made it. The front door to the couch house was right infront of her. She wanted to badly to drop to her knees and celebrate, but she was also carrying an ungodly amount of wine. If she dropped too fast, the courtyard would be drenched in a sweet summer wine. Bending her knees to let the barrels gently rest a few feet from the front door, she felt as all of the pressure began to release. And as if the moment the barrels were released from her, her body felt like it had done enough, and she collapsed to the ground, landing on her knees, her arms now resting in the same mash of ropes while using the same pole she used to leverage the wine, to support herself. She let out an almost maniacal chuckle suppressed by the metal casing surrounding her head. And all before breakfast! Which now, she felt she could eat every fucking chicken on this fucking vineyard.

She freed her arms from the makeshift lift, and attempted to stand, only to find her arms and legs unresponsive. With a disappointed grunt, she slowly regained control of her arms, and undid her helm. Enjoying some nice cool water as she let her body catch up to her mind. With another grunt, she then stood up, legs weak, but recovering, and soon she finished off the water. Placing the helm on her belt, she stumbled into the inn, ready to see who else had gotten up in this time. She vaguely heard the sounds of conversations, but it wasn't until she stepped in that she took note of Kosara and Lizbeth.

What she did not expect when she got inside was Lizbeth already preparing a morning tea for everyone! How sweet! Then... she saw Kosara. "Oh uhm.... wow okay...." Kathryn said trying to avoid staring at what she assumed was her friend naked in a barrel in the middle of their kitchen area. Realizing she wasn't the only witness, she took her gloved and mildly shaking hand to block Lizbeth's line of sight. "Kosara, is this the best place to be taking a bath? Its kind of... in the middle of everything." She was sure Kosara meant nothing nefarious by it, but the woman clearly held no shame for herself. Something Kathryn wished she could say the same, but not quite to that extent.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Kathryn felt rightfully shameful for her actions. She had made a fool of herself, her party, had about done some actions she would have regretted, and her crude humor had taken a mean turn through her own shenanigans. It was an ugly mess to say the least. She struggled to maintain eye contact with Blackberry as he rightfully glared at her. He lightened up soon, though she felt like she deserved any scolding she got at the moment. She was ready to throw hands. Ironically enough with the one member of their group who was a rather decent expert at throwing hands. Being as wasted as she was, he could probably send her to the floor without much effort. But there's no telling what sort of harm could have been caused had she started something. Blackberry forgiving her was both a blessing and a curse. She chuckled a bit when Blackberry suggested Kathryn would out drink their supply. "I'll slow down a little... what did I have like... a bottle of wine and a drink of ale? Maybe a glass?" Though she thought about it, and that didn't seem like enough to get her Thaaaat shitfaced. Maybe she didn't eat enough at lunch? Or with dinner? Or she drank more than she thought... or some combination of all of those things. How much time had passed? Clearly not enough. She would be smarter from here. If she was going to drink to relax, she needed to at least be able to have better control of her own actions.

Blackberry had brought up an interesting idea of the two of them having a go at each other. Kathryn was always game to spare. Years ago she could spare with Ser Lucas, but the size and strength difference was so much that even though he would tend to win more often her strikes did considerably more harm. Blackberry was closest to her size of the whole party, and wasn't at a late stage of age. So that sounded like a rather fun time to her! "A chance you say? I get you into a good hold or on your back and you're pretty fucked mate." Kathryn said with a smile and and a chuckle. Not out of boasting, but because she was excited to see what the monk had to throw at her. Hell, maybe he would be doing the same. Putting her into a hold, or sending her to the floor. She was good at utilizing her size and strength, but that didn't matter if she was flat on her back unable to strike back effectively. She did however burst out with a singular loud laugh when Blackberry brought up the idea of Knights vs Dragons and how overdone it was. "In Arcanaple, the classic ending is the knight gets the princess, and slays the dragon. Though the old clans have a version where the dragon defeats the knight, and keeps the princess. Though one version of that story, the princess went to the dragon as either a fugitive, or as a woman trying to escape a dire situation." Kathryn spoke with a mysterious narrator voice, but wasn't able to hold it long before letting off a shrug. "And countless variations of those." She did note that they didn't have a princess for this scenario. But she figured if she mentioned it out loud Kosara may volunteer for another chance to have Kathryn pick her up again. Who was now wrapped around her acting as a giant buckle holding the blanket wrapped around Kathryn's body.

Kathryn couldn't help but be fascinated by how Urmdrus described working with the chitin. It was rather fascinating to hear as he gave a very short and brief explanation how the plates could be used to make armor and other apparel. A skill Kathryn wouldn't mind having, but it seemed rather situation, and unlikely to use often if ever again. She still had to learn a bit more on silver work. But the way things were going, that would get held off until the turn of spring. By then she hoped to have her family sword remade and repaired. Let it become the ceremonial piece it deserved to be, and to not use it shy of defending her home. When... she had one again. What kept catching her off guard, was that Urmdrus needed a bucket of... their piss? Fucking hell that seemed odd as hell. But the way he kept emphasizing it, it seemed weird. She couldn't help but note how unsettled he seemed to be. She didn't want to think what else could have been in that bucket...

Kathryn watched as the dwarven fellow collected the materials to do his work, and loaded it up into his cart. "It was good meeting you Master Urmdrus!" Kathryn said in an excited tone. This whole place was like its own whole world! Something to speculate, wonder, and explore! She would be doing all of those things this winter! She struggled to follow his talks of Alchemy, but overall he seemed like a smart and wise man who knew his trades rather well. Hell, maybe Kathryn would be at that level of expertise with her own skills at some point too! For now, her main employable skill was her strength, and her skill with a weapon. She was a decent enough smith too, but her skills were pretty standard. Nothing to stand out there. And her cooking skills left much room to be desired. She would get better though!

Kathryn felt her posture shift slightly as Kosara climbed off her. For a moment Kathryn forgot Kosara was still on her, but now the better range of movement was noticeable. And so was the need to keep the blanket wrapped around herself. Once adjusted again, Kathryn looked about the group as everyone took to deciding bedding. "Clearly as the person of highest noble birth the master room shall be thy own." Kathryn said in a mock noble voice. After a brief chuckle at her own what she thought was a great joke she spoke up again in her usual tone. "I'm just hoping to get a bigger bed if at all possible. It would be nice to sleep strait for once." She saw two of the rooms had such larger beds, and she figured V would probably try and go for the actual master bedroom. To her surprise though, V went for the other room with the fire place. And it seemed Kosara was going to end up bunking with her as well! "Lizbeth? Blackberry? Do either of you have a preference of where you shall be sleeping?" Kathryn wondered if she would get a room to herself. That would be a rather nice change of pace. She couldn't remember when she last had her own room that wasn't a storage closet or some hidden compartment in a floor. But a real bed, somewhere to sleep where she could sleep safely. It was something special to enjoy.

The knighted woman found herself a little unsure how to respond to V's comment about how many knights were rather brutally slain by the dragons they faced off against. Kathryn couldn't be sure if the comment was a jab or joke, so she figured she would offer a jest of her own for the bard before she left for bed. "I've heard many a version of the same story, though instead of a knight, they would be a bard. With a rather different form of fightin' going on there." Kathryn said with an amused grin on her face. Not that she took Victoria as the kind of person to bed a dragon, but she also figured V didn't think Kathryn intended to get herself killed fighting a dragon. Though, she wondered if V may have been implying BB in this case... Maybe BB could kick her ass rather well, but it would be a great experience! "Sleep well V, see ya in the 'morrow!" Kathryn exclaimed towards the bard. It was nice to have friends again.

Kathryn saw Lizbeth beginning to put their evening party mess away, and decided she couldn't let the young woman do it all herself. Taking what was left of her own stew, she brought the bowl to her lips and downed what was left. She went a little light on her meals today which firstly hurt her alcohol tolerance, and secondly made it harder for her to get stronger. She wasn't sure how much stronger she could physically get, but her strength was one of her best abilities, and she wanted to be as good as she could get it. Tomorrow would be a working out sort of day if she had anything to say on it.

Taking her now empty bowl, she began collecting bowls, cups, and empty bottles from around the pub. "Here Lizbeth, let me get that." Kathryn insisted as she gracefully took what dishware she could, and attempted to clean up a bit as well. "We're your guests, least we can do is clean up our own mess." She said wanted to help the small woman as best as she could. Though clearly not as well practiced in the ways of cleaning and such. Despite not growing up in nobility in her teen years, she still stayed with nobles on and off, at inns, public houses, and at a couple points a barracks or war camp. There were workers for these sorts of tasks, and Kathryn even though she understood them, she was clearly under prepared for such tasks. She would quickly hit the conclusion that maybe Lizbeth was better suited to such tasks. But she would still help remove the meal implements and empty bottles and put them away as best she could. Even if that was off to the side to be cleaned later... "If we wanna rearrange some of the beds we can do that too if it would make sleeping arrangements a bit better?" Kathryn offered. The beds were heavier than Kosara, but still not too much of a challenge for the tall woman. At least the twin beds. The double wide beds, king or queen beds? Their size along was tricky to manage. But definitely doable.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House Action: Lots of Drinkin' an' Dealin', Persuasion help action Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Kathryn struggled to follow along with the nature of business conversations. At her best times she was more doable. But she was rather easily tricked up with word play. This was when she was sober however. Drunk Kathryn cared little for the art of negotiating. Drunk Kathryn had the power to take whatever she wanted and fight anyone in her path! Not that she would. But the confidence was easy for any bystander to see. Drunk Kathryn generally only wanted two things, people's approval, and more alcohol. The problem is drunk Kathryn could not read the room to save her self. SO! She was winning obviously. Sure she almost dropped Kosara a couple times, knocked over a table or two, and the direction up was beginning to be optional. But! Clearly winning. The whole time, Kathryn found herself struggling to stop her uncontrollable giggling. Like a small child who was having the time of their life while the parents did their best to keep them from the lion's den.

With Kosara over her shoulder, and Blackberry approaching her, Kathryn figured the real fun would begin. Weirdly enough he seemed to keep teleporting around the place. One moment he was infront of her, and the next he was gone. THEN! He would be back in a totally different spot!!! "Oh yeah? are you going to make me? Think ya can take me down?" She said spinning about trying to make eye contact. Passing over him twice before her eyes were finally able to find him. "Why such a party pooper, we're all having fun yeah?" Kathryn said with a smile before the giggling returned. Kathryn returned to her dance as Kosara continued to cheer along. "Seeeee? Kosara is having fun!" Kathryn Exclaimed. At one point attempting to get up on a chair to sing and dance, but her foot couldn't seem to catch a grip. "I'll deal with you later you fuckin' arse hole." Kathryn said with a scorn and a disapproving finger towards the chair. Before continuing her dance as Blackberry kept trying to catch up to her. It was like a fun game of catch! Only that if BB got too close he may get accidentally clobbered by either Kosara's limbs, or Kathryn's sheer uncoordinated size.

Blackberry then had the audacity to suggest Kathryn put down her friend. Kathryn taking another attempt (Or three) to get her sights back onto the dragonborn she smiled taking a big sip of her ale, leaving a foamy mustache on her face as she did her best accent to resemble a pirate like voice. "Argh Neva'. I have claimed this treasure, she be mine now!" Kathryn said holding her accent, grin, and and a challenging expression on her face. In this moment, she was very much like a dog begging her human for a fellow participant in this game she was playing. To drunk Kathryn's pleasant surprise, Blackberry accepted the challenge! He bum rushed her with speed that she couldn't even process. Kathryn being a fan of sparing herself felt ready to take this challenge on head first. Blackberry being an expert at hand to hand combat, Kathryn was super excited to face off against such a foe! She would either get her ass handed to her! Or she would hand out the asses! She tried to bend down to meet BB with the biggest of smiles on her face and leaned in arm out stretched in an attempt to use his momentum to close line him on her arm against the force of her size. What drunk Kathryn didn't realize, is BB was charging at her with all his speed. He was being tactical, and wasn't going for her. The out stretched arm that she attempted to use to close line him also held her ale, the true target. Kathryn felt a confusing and surprising pain briefly before she felt the booze go flying, and watched as BB appeared to teleport and grab the drink from mid air.

Kathryn fell back a bit trying to process what was going on and to have full proper control of her person again as Blackberry also stepped back. "I am making the bestest impressions..." Kathryn said in an almost defeated tone. Still convinced everyone else was having as much fun as she was. Then, the atrocities began. Blackberry had poured the ale into the plant. The horror that crossed Kathryn's face was one of heart break, and betrayal as her very replaceable drink was poured out. "Noooooooo!" She trailed off as she stumbled into a table again to see about saving the drink from the plant. But it was too late. The greedy bastard had already drank it all. Kathryn nearly falling to her knees, turned sharply to Blackberry. The expression of hate and betrayal on her face spoke of nothing but vengence. She pointed an accusatory finger towards the monk and began to speak. "You... you... MOTHER FU-" And it was that moment that the world changed. She briefly felt hungover, dizzy, but even then that passed as well! She also noted Kosara had been speaking as well.

The night came in like a slide show for Kathryn as she turned about looking through the room. As she turned about she noted Blackberry just out of arms reach, and Kosara's ass right next to her head. "Yeah uh... I'm... I'm sober now..." She said wanting to hide her face for the rest of existence. The longer she took to think what happened, the more that returned to her. And it was a clusterfuck and a half from the start. "Sorry Baronfjørd. I got... carried away there. Thanks for uh... addressing it." She said embarrassed.

She then turned to the rest of the room giving the negotiating table a polite curtsy. "I'm so sorry you had to see that everyone. I got carried away, and continued getting carried away. It wont happen again." Kathryn said her face beat red from embarrassment. She stood back up strait and realized Kosara was still over her shoulder. The woman was small enough Kathryn barely noticed at times. She attempted to set the smaller woman down, but with skill and speed that Kathryn wasn't sure how the small woman did it, she had crawled her way to Kathryn's back and wrapped herself around her torso. "Okay..." After the show Kathryn put on, she wasn't really sure what to do with this.

Kathryn passed BB on her way to the bar again, and paused as she looked like she wanted to say something but froze up on the words. Taking another break, she spoke up again. "Sorry... Thank you. It wont happen again." Kathryn said, feeling like a dolt for letting herself lose so much control. Being as sober as she was with how embarrassed she was, she did pour herself a mug of ale. Though not particularly full. Just enough to dull her embarrassment. She walked back over to the table, taking a small careful sip of her drink as she tried to catch herself up with the conversation, but realized she was probably far too removed to do much now. "Lizbeth, Master Urmdrus. I must apologize to you both for this. I normally don't get this carried away with my drinking. It was rather unprofessional, and probably not the best sight." Kathryn said with an awkward smile. Realizing she couldn't easily sit with Kosara on her back, she did another bow. "Master Urmdrus, now that I am a little more coherent, allow me to introduce myself." Kathryn said with a gentle bow. "My name is Ser or Lady Kathryn Pyke. Depending on preference or occasion. Knight and noble woman of Arcanaple, and practicing smith, and amateur adventurer. It is a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to this arrangement you have proposed." She then took another nervous, though small sip of her drink.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House Action: Lots of Drinkin' an' Dealin', Persuasion help action Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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"Like Blackberry Pie suggests, we got all sorts of skills. We can start ya with some of the basics of the defensive stuffs. Never hurts to know how to use a blade to keep would be attackers at bay, no matta who be doing the..." She paused party way through the sentence. A little unsure if she was saying the right words. Then broke her attention from Lizbeth and looked upwards as if trying to read her own thoughts. Then appeared to be mouthing a string of random words and sentences as she got her attention span back in order. "Bad assholes will be bad assholes, you should know how to keep them away no matter how you go about your training. A good blade skill can do wonders there." Perfect. And Drunk Kathryn seemed to agree as a dorkish smile crossed Kathryn face as she brought her attention back to Lizbeth. Blackberry continued to be rather sweet to Kathryn despite drunk Kathryn attempting to reign control over the situation. Though at this point the internal battle seemed to end at a draw. Leaving a mildly Dizzy Kathryn to take charge. "No no no... I think I can get it just..." She pondered again. Thought very hard. Nodded in affirmation, before turning her attention back to her dragonborn friend. "You might be right... I keep getting the tune to Wonderall stuck in it's place..." Kathryn said defeated. She would sober up some more before she attempted to sing more. Unless the booze had their way. By that point the only person who may recognize that the noise coming out of her mouth as music, would be Drunk Kathryn.

Kathryn looked flabbergasted when BB said Victoria practiced Necromancy! "Wait wait wait wait... like dead people?" Then she stopped, looked at Morty, considered the other recently delicious Morty, and it made more sense then. "wait... no now I remember... please forgive me. Imma go and make brain work again." She said confidently. The question that BB asked seemed to not be answered as of yet, so Kathryn did what Kathryn did when she was trying to stay up right. Relaxed in her chair, ate her food, and debated what to drink next.

What did confuse Kathryn even more, was not being able to find Blackberry again! One moment he was there, the next he was gone! Right around the time the dwarf gentleman came in... She could have sworn she heard his voice... But even Kosara seemed to be looking around for their lost dragon friend. "My dude?" Kathryn asked standing up looking for Blackberry. Finding that Kosara had found the man first, and he seemed... not dead. So, well? Possibly so. Kathryn stumbled over to assist Blackberry, but Kosara already seemed to be well on the case! But surely she could help right?

All the while Victoria attempted to make a deal with their new dwarven friend, and things seemed to go poorly. SURELY! Kathryn could help here. "V V V V. Victoria." Kathryn said as if explaining something to a child. But the drunken smile showed she had no ill will, or even an ounce of scolding in her voice. But Master Urmdrus was one of Kathryn's people. Not by culture. But by their way of class and lifestyle. "Master Urmdrus here is a master of his trade. And maybe he's getting a little excited about things, but who wouldn't be? Hells, I can work a forge rather well meself if I do say so myself." Kathryn said confidently. "But this is clearly an area of this very handsome man's expertise." Kathryn said before walking surprisingly strait towards the ale, and pouring a pint for herself, drinking it half way, and pouring another one for Master Urmdrus. "As one fellow trades master to another, we would love to work something out with you. Alas, we have some drinks to enjoy tonight. Mind helping us out yeah?" Kathryn said in a relaxed tone. A tone of someone who was here to celebrate a great win, and who was ready to build good relations with this new man. "Victoria is a little harsh on the edges sometimes, but she's a rather lovely lady if I do say so myself. She's also probably the best to sort out a good deal between us so we can all walk away happy and shit faced." Kathryn joked as she gave a pint to Master Urmdrus, before returning to her section of bar walking backwards and giving a cheers motion towards the dwarf. Them having some more of her ale as she returned to check on Blackberry who at the very least seemed alive and as well as someone flat on the floor could be.

Kathryn who was no where near sobering up, decided she really wanted to help and get involved. SO! Setting her drink down on the counter she stumbled closer to Blackberry and Little K. "Here, let me. You're small and adorable and I don't want you hurting yourself. And I? Am big and strong! Less adorable but that is not what's important right now." Drunk Kathryn lacking the coordination to work around Kosara she wrapped both of her arms around the small woman and lifted her up over her shoulder. Upon doing so, Kathryn found herself spinning in circles with a small tiefling woman over her shoulder laughing and giggling as she did so. Too continue with the shenanigans Kathryn began speaking in a deep mock gruff voice. "Hardy har har look at me! I am a cuckholded ass fart who tries to beat on people I am supposed to protect to make myself feel stronger! I try to lure woman into alleyways so I can stab them in the back! I am sooo unlikable all of my goons with nowhere to go ran away the first chance they got!" Kathryn then let out a high pitched giggle as she continued spinning, now knocking over a table as she did so. At that point the spinning stopped, but the laughing did not. "Oh whatever low life could I be?" Kathryn continued as she confirmed she was infact not falling over with her really good friend over her shoulder.

"Oh! Wait! Wait wait wait I got more!" Kathryn teased. First stumbling to the bar to grab her ale, take a few more sips, and adjust as she was trying to do too much with not enough hands and too much alcohol in her system. "Oops. Almost lost my blanket..." Kathryn chuckled before turning to the rest of the room, holding Kosara firmly on her shoulder. "Okay okay." She cleared her throat. "Oh look at me! I am gonna attack a bunch of heroes in broad day light! And be a dick to the one who tried to be hospitable! And be soooo surprised when she gets fed up with my shit and teaches me that I can in fact, sniff my own ass." She said in her best withery squeaky voice. Not that she could hold it as in Kathryn's mind, she was the funniest person in the world at that moment. And the giggles and laughs continued. She paused thinking of more she could do. "I have for you lot, a serious mission that is totally bogus, but we're gonna call it real for another totally serious mission. You're gonna hunt goblins but look into my corrupt stooge of a cousin and find proof that he is a disappointment to the whole family!" Kathryn said in her most authoritative soldiering voice. Even standing up strait suddenly so she could do a mock solute. It was clear Sober Kathryn had lost the battle. Would she win the war by the end of the night? only time could tell. "Thank you, thank you. I take requests." Kathryn bowed, holding onto Kosara so she wouldn't fall to the floor, and using her to keep the blanket firmly wrapped on herself.

Finishing the ale she poured for herself she spun herself into the middle of the room still giggling as she went. "wait wait wait I got another! See if y'all can guess this one." She limbered up, shook her arms, stretched her legs, and did a little hop. "I don't trust you adventuring types. All y'all do is cause problems with your money and harassing my customers. Those be almost adequately paying customers you be scaring into comas at my doors there!" Kathryn said in her best old man voice before the giggles took over and she needed a break. "Stop throwing me patrons around and under tables! Stop drinking so much! But keep spending! By the way watch out for suspicious curses, but don't tell anyone I told ya yeah?" Kathryn said with a hint of optimism. "By the way, can y'all get me a silver knife for self defense, some shackles so I can get the job done myself. OH! And by the way, I will help you, but I won't actively help you. Also, no talky until daylight. There's a ton of weird shite that is gonna surprise you in a couple hours-" Kathryn stopped suddenly almost dropping Kosara as the realization hit her like a brick. "Holy shit was Robert a were rat?" Kathryn asked in a surprisingly clean sentence, as if she had sobered up all at once.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House Action: Lots of Drinking Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Should Kathryn have slowed down on the drinking? Probably. Would that stop her? No. Spending much of the time on her own since Ser Lucas passed drinking she felt rather invincible when it came to drinking. And to be fair, to a degree she was better off than most. The problems started to arise when some fun party drinking turned into downing two whole bottles and a sample of another in a rather short period of time. Kathryn at this point, was a couple drinks off from kissing the floor. BUT! Not as of yet! She was however, giddy as one could be. Up for shenanigans, challenges, and best of all, ADVENTURE! The current adventure? Stay standing while not kissing the floor! And she was kicking that adventure's ass! She thought so at least. Though she had some help.

She did however, get her approval for the bakery! Though there seems to have been confusion on what was considered in her past. "No no no, it was all arranged, though both our parents already built up plans for us. To the point where they already had a castle being built for us out in the frontiers. But no marriage completed. Our parents kept putting us together in a desperate hope to get us to like each other. And sure, it eventually worked, but there was a lot of fighting before then." Kathryn giggled for a moment, as if laughing at a joke only she could hear, before snapping back to things. "I punched him in the face. He said I fight dirty, and I told him he's a pompous and sore loser." The giggles soon turned into light laughter before she calmed herself a bit. "Shy of the real ceremony, we were all but married. He pretended to speak like a confident lord, convinced he's get a son or two out of me, and I told him he'd have to beat me with a sword first." Kathryn let out a big toothy grin. "I always won. Father said I shouldn't be so hard on him. For once mom agreed. My uncle only finally agreed when my husband to be lied to his father about how his nose got broken. But he grew on me eventually. Trevor was kind, put up with my bullshite, and when you got past him pretending to be fancier than he was he was a rather sweet boy. Plus, he got better at fighting over time."

Kathryn did however let out a bow when Blackberry offered to buy some goodies when Kathryn finally got around to baking. "It would be my hono-" She was suddenly cut off when bending over so far her body forgot which direction up had been. With a quick correction and sudden correction, nearly losing the blanket she wrapped around herself, she successfully held her position. Eyes wide like she just cheated death. Before the giggling began again. "Did you see that? Almost took a bite of the floor yeah?" She joked as she stood back up strait correcting how the blanket wrapped on her person.

How Lizbeth described the boy was so cute! Down to the destruction of things and stuff to get his attention and buy his time. Maybe literally too now that she thought about it. But it was cute. "He sounds so good for you dude! We should arrange some time for ya or somethin'" Kathryn commented before about to lose balance again. "Maybe I can request some stuffs be fixed to buy ya time yeah? Or something then." In Kathryn's mind, it sounded like a great plan. But she was also not perfectly aligned in terms of thought process. The moment Lizbeth handed her food Kathryn's whole wagon of thought went out the door. "Hey, we can start training whenever you want. I got time. Plus, much of that soldiering training isn't even for fighting for a while. Much of that training be for marchin' in formation, and taking orders from their boss dudes. They don't even get access to weapons in many cases until the last bit of their training. Unless ya wanna learn to march and get yelled at we can focus pretty much just on discipline and fighten' ya know?" Kathryn said completely unironically, as her own lack of self discipline dragged her deeper into a drunken stooper. "We'll gotta figure out the best way for ya to fight, and what ya wanna get out of fightin' yeah? Then we can teach ya the good shite. You're kinda small so you should know how to fight the people bigger then ya yeah?" Kathryn said as she shoved a rather big chunk of bread into her mouth. "You'll have the whole world to make your choices with my dude." Kathryn said proudly as she made herself comfortable at the bar.

Kathryn did however listen intently as Victoria explained a bit of lore on her family, Kathryn hoped she would remember it all by morning as she found herself intrigued by the whole thing. She thought the bit about humans thinking elves were nobility by default sounded off, but then again, common folk believed all sorts of weird things. Likely just getting their information through rumors and campfire stories. Kathryn found herself staring intently as the image of the half elf with rather deep fascination. "Weird..." Kathryn said in regard to how comparable V was to the image before her. Kathryn listened more intently as V continued talking. It seemed rather sad, how much the small woman and her family pushed to be like nobility and yet kept being denied. "Sounds like they were hoping for a family like mine was. One with titles and land, but not enough to make a major difference." Kathryn said thinking. Then the alcohol in her brain finally lubricated the cogs in her mind, and a few thoughts were allowed to trickle again. "Well, if I ever get my seat of power back, I could totally bring ya up as a vassal or somethin', advisor, knight some people, get ya jump started ya know? The drawback, is I lack lands, power, influence, and the people who give noble houses power ya know?" Kathryn smiled as if she told a joke, and was waiting for the punchline herself. Then seemed to trail off a bit as she leaned against the counter, attempting to not fall over.

Kathryn listened intently as Victoria continued to explain not only how her family lineage compared to humans and nobility, but how her understanding of wines compared to that of people who worked on them. Kathryn did find herself struggling for a moment trying to process so much information at once. But she did her best! And her best, needed some work. But she was deeply invested into what Victoria had to say. "That is pretty cool not gonna lie. Knowing a bit of everything like that yeah?" Kathryn said still a little dizzy, and definitely very drunken at the moment. "So why did you decide to do bardy stuff? Was it a push from family? Or did you do it because your family said not too? Or was there like... some kind of cool inspiration there?" Kathryn said wondering so much more about the small woman she was going to spend the next few months with. "I wonder if I'd make a good bard... I know like... so many songs." Kathryn said confidently as she sat up in her chair. For a moment, she seemed like she would stand, but either there was an inability too, or apart of her reminded her that she was not 100% in it at the moment, and needed to take a break. Still, she began a tune.

"The island, it is silent now
But the ghosts still haunt the waves
And the torch lights up a famished man
Who fortune could not save."

Though the tune came out okay, she soon trailed off, as if forgetting the words, or just unsure if she should continue. Either way, after some mumbling she would stop singing. Kathryn did find herself ready for a fight yet again, as if sober the whole time the moment the door was crashed open Kathryn was on her feet dagger in hand ready to toss. Blanket gripped with her other hand to not only hold in place, but to either toss as a distraction or to act as a make shift net as her eyes locked with the figure in the door way. She eased up rather quickly when it became apparent that new person was friend. Once the adrenaline began to fade the giggling returned. "More of the soldiering type? Fucking dope dude." Kathryn said much more relaxed as she set the blade back down on the bar, the alcohol taking back over as she fell back onto the seat.

The dwarven man seemed like Kathryn's type of person. Soldiering type, worker type, drinking type. "I don't think I've seen a dwarf since I was a wee lass, younger than Lizbeth by a few years yeah?" Kathryn asked, then realized no one else could possibly be able to confirm such an answer. "But I like the things ya say my dude." Kathryn said giving an approving nod and finger point towards the dwarf. "Sounds like a good deal to me yeah? We can sort details when I be less silly then." Kathryn giggled out before taking the soup and began downing it as if her body deep down knew she would need it to survive the night. "Imma be good for drink moment I can stand again yeah? Then! I'll show all y'all some real drinking." Drunk Kathryn said confidently.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Kathryn Pyke Human, Fighter (Rune Knight), Level 05 HP: 39 / 49 Armor Class: 19 Conditions: N/A Location: Vineyard Couch House Action: Lots of Drinking Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Lizbeth seemed to get that Kathryn was in fact, not trying to imply anything between them. And seemed to understand Kathryn had a lapse of word choices. With a prompt "Ew" the worst of things had passed, and overall was patient with her while she got her words working right again. Kathryn needed to let out a very drunken giggle, soon erupting into laughter as Kathryn's brain caught up to her physical actions. "Ew indeed dude. You can do so much better." Kathryn spoke out when she finally got her giggling under control. She did however perk up an ear at the mention of Lizbeth's own crush! But it seemed Lizbeth had her own troubles in that regard. Much like her own. Which, brought on a world of pain Lizbeth wasn't ready to deal with just yet. Kathryn despite starting to feel buzzed, was determined to help the small child who was now supplying her with more confidence juice. So with another cork ripped off the bottle, Kathryn began downing the next one. This time only getting about a quarter of it before stopping. "Difficulties aside, tell us about this tinker boy huh?" The poor girl needed something positive to focus on, and Kathryn was determined to give her an out from her dark thoughts. "Is he cute? Kind? Come on, spill the beans dude!" Kathryn spoke up excitedly. Okay, so she wanted the gossip too. But if Kathryn was able to help Lizbeth and get to have these fun conversations? Win win!

Kathryn wasn't sure how to explain her situation better to Kosara. So drunk Kathryn took another sip from her bottle of wine, and set it down as she prepared the easiest explanation she could. "Well Kosara, a noble family name is a right of power and responsibility. How much varies so much its hard to quantify." she paused considering her words further, then taking another sip. Trying to not chug it as to enjoy the taste more. She may have to take V up on her offer of something for a proper drinking drink. "They essentially removed it's worth, and it's responsibility. As much as they could at least. There is only so much that can be done while I am still around ya know?" Kathryn chuckled, aware that as long as she was still alive she did technically have a claim to her old homeland, even if she lacked the means to back it up. But it meant it was something that would loom over those murderous dicks heads forever. "The drawback to it is I can't use my family name now." Kathryn said with an indifferent shrug, before taking yet another sip of wine. It was at that moment she realized she was getting tipsy for sure. Maaaaaybe she should slow down. Maybe. But also she was finally relaxing for the first time in gods knows how long! So! She was ready to drink away her fears!

Kathryn found herself trying to think of the best way to describe her marriage culture to Kosara. It was a hard one none the less, but it was sort of fun to talk about home. "Kind of. You're really close. For most households that would be the case, but being apart of nobility I have to make sure a proper bond was forged between families. Marriage, and a child between the couple. So for me to be in a relationship with another woman, my family would require that the first bond was more than secured. And on top of that, my husband would have to also approve of such relationship. And that other person would need to be open to also marrying my husband as well, and then all of our families would need to approve the marriage. It's a complicated process that gets more complicated the more people you add in. To add to the complication, many noble families didn't practice those sorts of relationships. Especially the higher echelons of nobility. So Trevor, the boy I was likely to marry, likely would not have been for such an arrangement." Kathryn took another sip of her wine, a smile on her lips as she did so. "Not that I would have minded, he was a sweet boy, and at the time I loved him. And if that isn't what he wanted, I wouldn't have pushed otherwise." Kathryn said almost dreamily. Before her expression returned to indifference, and she took a rather long sip this time, bringing the bottle down to it's last third, maybe less. "I don't think that marriage is valid anymore so I guess that means I am sort of free to do what I want then huh?" Kathryn spoke with a drunken smile across her face. "You're right Kosara! I am an adventurer now! I get to see the world! Slay evil beasts! Punch douches in the face!" Kathryn taking her arm that was holding the wine bottle, used it to hold the blanket closed on her still, and used her free hand to draw her family sword into the air, still in the sheath. "I'm me own woman! Restrained only by public decency and the laws of man!" She shouted holding her protected weapon in the air, poking the ceiling at an awkward angle before setting the small great sword down on the counter again. "I'm gonna open a bakery." She said giddy like a small child. "Not, right now obviously. But like, as soon as I can get meself sorted a bit more, maybe come the spring, I wanna make baked goods for people ya know?" She said to no one in particular, but was definitely looking around the bar for a reassurance from anyone else present that it was a good idea.

Kathryn found the conversation taking an assortment of weird yet interesting turns. In this case, the camel in the room. Kathryn in her case did know what a camel was, though she had never seen one. "Kosara may know better, most of what I know of them is from my uncle's tales of his time in the campaign. He said they were better suited to handle the sands then our beasts of burden back home. He also... said some rather less than nice things about camel riders from the lands he helped conquered. Some very, less than nice things." Kathryn said emphasizing the less than great for dinner topics. Kosara, had a much better explanation about the strange creatures. Even Kathryn who had heard of such beasts found herself surprised to hear about them. "They Eat Cacti?!" Kathryn exclaimed, not believing it much herself. Ser Lucas had mentioned how one man from his company had tried to do such a thing, only to have pins and pricks stuck in his mouth for the rest of the campaign until he could see a proper doctor to remove the last of them. "YOU'VE EATEN CACTI?!" Kathryn said even more surprised at hearing the notion! She had heard stories of men drinking cactus juice, and going totally mad. Losing their sense of sanity, and worsening paranoia as the cactus juice drove them mad. She then paused, looking at Kosara, and wondered if maybe it wasn't trauma, but in fact the regular doses of said juices that had driven her mad?! But then again, most of those men died, and slowly and painfully at that. Kosara was still here. Maybe tieflings were better suited to drink the stuff? Kathryn wasn't too sure what to expect from the woman at this point, but drinking poison juice wasn't amongst those things.

Then, it had arrived. One of Kathryn's beverages of choice. ALE! A rather hefty barrel of the stuff. The tall woman sat up, one arm holding her blanket to her person, the other holding the mostly empty bottle of wine. Though one of the laborers seemed rather apprehensive about the work, young Lizbeth took control of the situation, and kept things under control rather well. "Thank you lads very much! Your efforts are much appreciated!" There was also talk of their weapons, gear, supplies, bug bits, and other pieces and bobs set aside or put away. As a whole, they were here only one night so far and were already pretty settled in. God Kathryn wished she could live like this forever. Drinking, fighting, a seat of power! And overall just feeling comfortable with herself again! Hell! Maybe she'd even teach herself how to swim! Then she remembered, winter. Snow and ice don't mix too well with swimming. MAYBE! She could learn to bake! She could do a moderately okay camp bread, but that was about it. She could make cakes! Cookies! Pies! And other treats! She would make good sue of this winter. And if possible, she would work on getting stronger too. Sure, she was unlikely to face a foe stronger than herself, but she would rather keep if that way.

Finishing the bottle off, Kathryn walked out from behind the bar mug in hand. Leaving her family sword resting on the countertop not too far from the makeshift armory on the counter. It was only then did Kathryn notice the blade on Lizbeth's side. "Preparing yourself for a fight aye?" Kathryn asked as she poured herself a mug of ale. "If ya really wanna learn how to fight we should absolutely work on it then. There be lots of ways to fight, hand to hand, sword, hammer, daggers, defensively, offensively, we got all sorts of fun options!" Kathryn then lifted up her foot so a boot that wasn't there would be easier to reach. Then, it clicked she was infact not wearing a knife on her ankle. So setting her ale on the counter she then picked up one of the daggers and stepped back a pace or two. Doing a few fancy twirls and spins with it before tossing it up, catching it by the handle, and doing a rapid back and forth slash, slash, step twist all within a single motion. And all while holding the blanket close to her person. She then turned back to face Lizbeth and attempted to sheath said dagger, drunk Kathryn forgetting she was in fact not wearing a belt with her blanket, and fumbling for a bit before putting it back on the counter with the other weapons. "When I am a little more sober, let's get some training weapons sorted yeah? Either blunting the blades on a couple of these, or making something you can use to practice with from scratch. That way when we train we don't accidentally gut each other ya know?" Kathryn said jokingly. Though she did see that happen once some years ago. A pair of knights in a melee with a bunch of other men had began to duel each other, only for the bloke with the great sword to find a gap within the armor of the other knight and cleave half way through his person. The violent removal of said weapon had done it in for the victim. Not that Kathryn would ever get that careless with Lizbeth. Nor be that brutal with her. But training with weapons wasn't something she thought was good in unpracticed hands. She didn't want to actually hurt Lizbeth.