Masque of Wintertime

[Born of Mist He/Him]

1 hour ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

There seems to be a traveling minstrel in the tavern, playing for the room. @Spark of Hope

In fact, even being in the tavern seemed to lift your spirits.

  Reveal hidden contents

Spark, tSW is also here. Thought you might wanna know.

 

Carlom joins Mars at the bar, but doesn't buy anything yet 

[Mystic Syn she/her]

Quote

i’ll be taking some creative liberties with this so uh yeah. promise that my other rp entries won’t be as long as this

“Well, I got another job.”

Snow fell softly, slowly piling on her shoulders.

”I think you would be more proud of this one… well, more proud than the one before.”

Crackling of fire from the torch in her left hand filled her ears, quiet sizzling underscoring the snowfall.

”Just hope you would… I dunno.” Kasha scratched the back of her head underneath her hat, the metal caps from her dread clinking together. “Wish me luck, I guess.”

Firelight washed her face, causing her eye color to glow a bright gold along with the torch… but her gaze was pointed towards the snow-blanketed ground.

”What am I talking about? You already did, huh?” Kasha crouched down, smiling sadly while reaching into her thick coat. “And I told you I keep my promises.”

She pulled out flowers, though wilted and almost frozen at this point. Damn this weather… but it’s the thought that counts, right? That’s what they always said. Besides, it was the best she could get in this damn economy.

”Your favorite,” she whispered with a puff of air, placing the flowers on the ground and looking up at the stone, reaching out with a gloved hand to wipe away the snow and dirt on the stone.

Here lies––

But she stopped reading.

No need.

She could never forget the name.

“I’ll make you proud,” Kasha promised softly, rising from her crouch and grabbing her cane that hung from her left elbow before turning away into the Grey-Folk-forsaken blizzard.

. . .

Cheers shook the walls around her.

Kasha jolted awake from the dreamless sleep, bumping her head on the top of the bunk. She swore softly, rubbing her forehead. Already? Could’ve sworn that it was just morning. Either she needed the rest more than she initially thought, or everyone wanted to get wasted really early today.

Doesn’t matter. Kasha pulled herself up and out of bed, snatching her cane and coat to slip on. Everything will turn out alright.

She burst out from the back, brushing through the people all around, a few of them whistling and calling out to her, even a few of them reaching out to touch her… but she easily maneuvered around the sluggish hands and arms. No need to make it complicated. Besides, she figured that they wouldn’t be able to even look at her in this state they’re in.

Kasha opened the entrance door, the wave of cold penetrating almost everything. Needles of ice cold pierced her face, numbing it almost instantly; so much so that she raised a gloved hand to protect the bottom half of it. What heroes these Grey Folk were… causing an eternal winter… or that’s who she liked to blame it on. They weren’t going to fight back at her any time soon… most likely.

Bright lights blinded her for a second, making her squint and to blink away the spots in her vision. An automobile? People piled out, rushing to get into the warm tavern behind her. What in the…

7 hours ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

He pulled aside someone at the entrance, whispering. “The coal is in the back - the seats. You’ll take three boxes, load them into the tavern.” @Mystic Syn

Kasha ripped herself from his grasp, tightening her grip on her cane while the other hand reached inside her coat. “And who do you––“ she started, but the man and the rest of the company hurried inside before she could finish the sentence.

She swore. Loudly. “Fine, of course,” Kasha muttered, shaking her head and she pulled up a mask over her nose, but she stopped for a second as she looked over the automobile, back at the tavern, then about the interaction.

Of course… that’s who they are. You better be proud.

Trudging through the snow and placing her cane in the crotch of her elbow, she reached the vehicle, popping the door open and hefting the boxes with a grunt. Damn, these never got any lighter, huh? Kasha kicked the door closed, then made the hike around the tavern to the back. The snow made it difficult to walk in, but it’d do. Coming up to the door, she pushed it open with a foot and walked in, slamming the door shut behind her and placing the boxes behind other supplies.

Now… about the rest of the company it came with. She breathed warm air into her hands and wiping off any stray dust, before hearing a hiccup coming from behind her. Turning towards the sound, a man was slumped in the doorway, giving her a goofy grin as he looked at her up and down.

“Heeey there, beautiful,” he said with words slurred, his grin becoming bigger.

”Hey,” Kasha replied, apprehensive as she looked at him up and down. Many ways this interaction could go…

The man stumbled into the room, tripping over himself as he made his way to her. “Haaave I ever told you,” he continued as if nothing happened, “that you’rrre pretty?”

A smile touched her lips as the man stood up taller, leaning against a metal pillar. “I believe it’s been mentioned.”

”Really?” The drunk looked dumbfounded. “By who?”

Kasha laughed softly and leaned against the same pillar as him, walking two fingers slowly up his chest. “Oh, you wouldn’t know ‘em.”

He looked down at her fingers, blinking as his grin returned. “Tryyy me.”

She smiled again as her hand reached his face, cupping it gently. The man breathed deeply, the stench of alcohol filling her nostrils. His hand started towards her own.

”Hmm,” Kasha whispered, pondering for a second. “No.”

In the blink of an eye, she pulled out a cloth from her pocket and pressed it against the man’s mouth. The man’s eyebrows shot up, but within seconds, he was slumped against her, snoring quietly. Kasha let out a breath of relief, wiping off the rest of the stray dust.

Can’t believe it’s gone to this, she thought quietly as she hefted the man in her arms, though under much strain. Bulky boy.

Kasha dragged him––and basically herself––through the doorway the man came from, entering the tavern proper. She muttered quietly to herself as she placed the man on a barstool, slumping him over the counter as she wiped her hands against each other and her coat. Breathing in deeply, Kasha looked at the rest of the people––most of them she recognized from the entrance––smiling as the very air seemed to calm her.

”Hey, sorry about that,” she said, shrugging. “It happens, ya know?”

[Through the Living Hope]

4 hours ago, Mystic Syn said:

“Well, I got another job.”

Snow fell softly, slowly piling on her shoulders.

”I think you would be more proud of this one… well, more proud than the one before.”

Crackling of fire from the torch in her left hand filled her ears, quiet sizzling underscoring the snowfall.

”Just hope you would… I dunno.” Kasha scratched the back of her head underneath her hat, the metal caps from her dread clinking together. “Wish me luck, I guess.”

Firelight washed her face, causing her eye color to glow a bright gold along with the torch… but her gaze was pointed towards the snow-blanketed ground.

”What am I talking about? You already did, huh?” Kasha crouched down, smiling sadly while reaching into her thick coat. “And I told you I keep my promises.”

She pulled out flowers, though wilted and almost frozen at this point. Damn this weather… but it’s the thought that counts, right? That’s what they always said. Besides, it was the best she could get in this damn economy.

”Your favorite,” she whispered with a puff of air, placing the flowers on the ground and looking up at the stone, reaching out with a gloved hand to wipe away the snow and dirt on the stone.

Here lies––

But she stopped reading.

No need.

She could never forget the name.

“I’ll make you proud,” Kasha promised softly, rising from her crouch and grabbing her cane that hung from her left elbow before turning away into the Grey-Folk-forsaken blizzard.

. . .

Cheers shook the walls around her.

Kasha jolted awake from the dreamless sleep, bumping her head on the top of the bunk. She swore softly, rubbing her forehead. Already? Could’ve sworn that it was just morning. Either she needed the rest more than she initially thought, or everyone wanted to get wasted really early today.

Doesn’t matter. Kasha pulled herself up and out of bed, snatching her cane and coat to slip on. Everything will turn out alright.

She burst out from the back, brushing through the people all around, a few of them whistling and calling out to her, even a few of them reaching out to touch her… but she easily maneuvered around the sluggish hands and arms. No need to make it complicated. Besides, she figured that they wouldn’t be able to even look at her in this state they’re in.

Kasha opened the entrance door, the wave of cold penetrating almost everything. Needles of ice cold pierced her face, numbing it almost instantly; so much so that she raised a gloved hand to protect the bottom half of it. What heroes these Grey Folk were… causing an eternal winter… or that’s who she liked to blame it on. They weren’t going to fight back at her any time soon… most likely.

Bright lights blinded her for a second, making her squint and to blink away the spots in her vision. An automobile? People piled out, rushing to get into the warm tavern behind her. What in the…

Kasha ripped herself from his grasp, tightening her grip on her cane while the other hand reached inside her coat. “And who do you––“ she started, but the man and the rest of the company hurried inside before she could finish the sentence.

She swore. Loudly. “Fine, of course,” Kasha muttered, shaking her head and she pulled up a mask over her nose, but she stopped for a second as she looked over the automobile, back at the tavern, then about the interaction.

Of course… that’s who they are. You better be proud.

Trudging through the snow and placing her cane in the crotch of her elbow, she reached the vehicle, popping the door open and hefting the boxes with a grunt. Damn, these never got any lighter, huh? Kasha kicked the door closed, then made the hike around the tavern to the back. The snow made it difficult to walk in, but it’d do. Coming up to the door, she pushed it open with a foot and walked in, slamming the door shut behind her and placing the boxes behind other supplies.

Now… about the rest of the company it came with. She breathed warm air into her hands and wiping off any stray dust, before hearing a hiccup coming from behind her. Turning towards the sound, a man was slumped in the doorway, giving her a goofy grin as he looked at her up and down.

“Heeey there, beautiful,” he said with words slurred, his grin becoming bigger.

”Hey,” Kasha replied, apprehensive as she looked at him up and down. Many ways this interaction could go…

The man stumbled into the room, tripping over himself as he made his way to her. “Haaave I ever told you,” he continued as if nothing happened, “that you’rrre pretty?”

A smile touched her lips as the man stood up taller, leaning against a metal pillar. “I believe it’s been mentioned.”

”Really?” The drunk looked dumbfounded. “By who?”

Kasha laughed softly and leaned against the same pillar as him, walking two fingers slowly up his chest. “Oh, you wouldn’t know ‘em.”

He looked down at her fingers, blinking as his grin returned. “Tryyy me.”

She smiled again as her hand reached his face, cupping it gently. The man breathed deeply, the stench of alcohol filling her nostrils. His hand started towards her own.

”Hmm,” Kasha whispered, pondering for a second. “No.”

In the blink of an eye, she pulled out a cloth from her pocket and pressed it against the man’s mouth. The man’s eyebrows shot up, but within seconds, he was slumped against her, snoring quietly. Kasha let out a breath of relief, wiping off the rest of the stray dust.

Can’t believe it’s gone to this, she thought quietly as she hefted the man in her arms, though under much strain. Bulky boy.

Kasha dragged him––and basically herself––through the doorway the man came from, entering the tavern proper. She muttered quietly to herself as she placed the man on a barstool, slumping him over the counter as she wiped her hands against each other and her coat. Breathing in deeply, Kasha looked at the rest of the people––most of them she recognized from the entrance––smiling as the very air seemed to calm her.

”Hey, sorry about that,” she said, shrugging. “It happens, ya know?”

As this happened, the minstrel’s music was strangely in tune with Kasha’s actions. 

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

19 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

As this happened, the minstrel’s music was strangely in tune with Kasha’s actions. 

Mars noticed this tossed a coin to the minstrel then stood up and walked to the bar next to Kasha “hey there” he said “what’s your flavor of drink”

[Through the Living Hope]

1 minute ago, Honors ghost said:

Mars noticed this tossed a coin to the minstrel then stood up and walked to the bar next to Kasha “hey there” he said “what’s your flavor of drink”

She smiled. 

[Kansas Stormcursed he/him]

21 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

As this happened, the minstrel’s music was strangely in tune with Kasha’s actions. 

Alym got up, moved around a bit, and then sat down at a closer table.

[Through the Living Hope]

2 minutes ago, Kansas Stormcursed said:

Alym got up, moved around a bit, and then sat down at a closer table.

Her eyes closed as she continued to sing. 

[Mystic Syn she/her]

2 hours ago, Honors ghost said:

Mars noticed this tossed a coin to the minstrel then stood up and walked to the bar next to Kasha “hey there” he said “what’s your flavor of drink”

She turned towards the man, looking him up and down, then smiled as she leaned back on the bar counter top.

“Could be you if you keep asking the right questions,” Kasha said with a quick wink, before laughing softly to herself as she looked at the rest of the company. “What’re my options?”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

6 hours ago, Mystic Syn said:

She turned towards the man, looking him up and down, then smiled as she leaned back on the bar counter top.

“Could be you if you keep asking the right questions,” Kasha said with a quick wink, before laughing softly to herself as she looked at the rest of the company. “What’re my options?”

Mars chuckles “well they’ve got the cheap beers and those all taste the same then the more expensive ones and out of those I’d personally recommend the frostbite although I’m not entirely sure we’re talking about beers anymore” he chuckles again “where do you hail from o’mysterious one” he says that last part in a playfully sarcastic way

[Mystic Syn she/her]

Kasha smirked at him, playful light dancing in her eyes. “Frostbite it is then,” she concluded. “On the rocks, preferably. Although, keep it small. Rather have some wits about me with this guy around.”

She leaned back on the counter, stretching out her back with some pops. “Everywhere and nowhere, although––“ Kasha looked back at him “––you can find out if you play your cards right.”

[Born of Mist He/Him]

On 9/1/2025 at 5:41 PM, Mystic Syn said:

“Well, I got another job.”

Snow fell softly, slowly piling on her shoulders.

”I think you would be more proud of this one… well, more proud than the one before.”

Crackling of fire from the torch in her left hand filled her ears, quiet sizzling underscoring the snowfall.

”Just hope you would… I dunno.” Kasha scratched the back of her head underneath her hat, the metal caps from her dread clinking together. “Wish me luck, I guess.”

Firelight washed her face, causing her eye color to glow a bright gold along with the torch… but her gaze was pointed towards the snow-blanketed ground.

”What am I talking about? You already did, huh?” Kasha crouched down, smiling sadly while reaching into her thick coat. “And I told you I keep my promises.”

She pulled out flowers, though wilted and almost frozen at this point. Damn this weather… but it’s the thought that counts, right? That’s what they always said. Besides, it was the best she could get in this damn economy.

”Your favorite,” she whispered with a puff of air, placing the flowers on the ground and looking up at the stone, reaching out with a gloved hand to wipe away the snow and dirt on the stone.

Here lies––

But she stopped reading.

No need.

She could never forget the name.

“I’ll make you proud,” Kasha promised softly, rising from her crouch and grabbing her cane that hung from her left elbow before turning away into the Grey-Folk-forsaken blizzard.

. . .

Cheers shook the walls around her.

Kasha jolted awake from the dreamless sleep, bumping her head on the top of the bunk. She swore softly, rubbing her forehead. Already? Could’ve sworn that it was just morning. Either she needed the rest more than she initially thought, or everyone wanted to get wasted really early today.

Doesn’t matter. Kasha pulled herself up and out of bed, snatching her cane and coat to slip on. Everything will turn out alright.

She burst out from the back, brushing through the people all around, a few of them whistling and calling out to her, even a few of them reaching out to touch her… but she easily maneuvered around the sluggish hands and arms. No need to make it complicated. Besides, she figured that they wouldn’t be able to even look at her in this state they’re in.

Kasha opened the entrance door, the wave of cold penetrating almost everything. Needles of ice cold pierced her face, numbing it almost instantly; so much so that she raised a gloved hand to protect the bottom half of it. What heroes these Grey Folk were… causing an eternal winter… or that’s who she liked to blame it on. They weren’t going to fight back at her any time soon… most likely.

Bright lights blinded her for a second, making her squint and to blink away the spots in her vision. An automobile? People piled out, rushing to get into the warm tavern behind her. What in the…

Kasha ripped herself from his grasp, tightening her grip on her cane while the other hand reached inside her coat. “And who do you––“ she started, but the man and the rest of the company hurried inside before she could finish the sentence.

She swore. Loudly. “Fine, of course,” Kasha muttered, shaking her head and she pulled up a mask over her nose, but she stopped for a second as she looked over the automobile, back at the tavern, then about the interaction.

Of course… that’s who they are. You better be proud.

Trudging through the snow and placing her cane in the crotch of her elbow, she reached the vehicle, popping the door open and hefting the boxes with a grunt. Damn, these never got any lighter, huh? Kasha kicked the door closed, then made the hike around the tavern to the back. The snow made it difficult to walk in, but it’d do. Coming up to the door, she pushed it open with a foot and walked in, slamming the door shut behind her and placing the boxes behind other supplies.

Now… about the rest of the company it came with. She breathed warm air into her hands and wiping off any stray dust, before hearing a hiccup coming from behind her. Turning towards the sound, a man was slumped in the doorway, giving her a goofy grin as he looked at her up and down.

“Heeey there, beautiful,” he said with words slurred, his grin becoming bigger.

”Hey,” Kasha replied, apprehensive as she looked at him up and down. Many ways this interaction could go…

The man stumbled into the room, tripping over himself as he made his way to her. “Haaave I ever told you,” he continued as if nothing happened, “that you’rrre pretty?”

A smile touched her lips as the man stood up taller, leaning against a metal pillar. “I believe it’s been mentioned.”

”Really?” The drunk looked dumbfounded. “By who?”

Kasha laughed softly and leaned against the same pillar as him, walking two fingers slowly up his chest. “Oh, you wouldn’t know ‘em.”

He looked down at her fingers, blinking as his grin returned. “Tryyy me.”

She smiled again as her hand reached his face, cupping it gently. The man breathed deeply, the stench of alcohol filling her nostrils. His hand started towards her own.

”Hmm,” Kasha whispered, pondering for a second. “No.”

In the blink of an eye, she pulled out a cloth from her pocket and pressed it against the man’s mouth. The man’s eyebrows shot up, but within seconds, he was slumped against her, snoring quietly. Kasha let out a breath of relief, wiping off the rest of the stray dust.

Can’t believe it’s gone to this, she thought quietly as she hefted the man in her arms, though under much strain. Bulky boy.

Kasha dragged him––and basically herself––through the doorway the man came from, entering the tavern proper. She muttered quietly to herself as she placed the man on a barstool, slumping him over the counter as she wiped her hands against each other and her coat. Breathing in deeply, Kasha looked at the rest of the people––most of them she recognized from the entrance––smiling as the very air seemed to calm her.

”Hey, sorry about that,” she said, shrugging. “It happens, ya know?”

Carlom watches out of the corner of his eye with bemusement, before buying a beer.

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

11 hours ago, Mystic Syn said:

Kasha smirked at him, playful light dancing in her eyes. “Frostbite it is then,” she concluded. “On the rocks, preferably. Although, keep it small. Rather have some wits about me with this guy around.”

She leaned back on the counter, stretching out her back with some pops. “Everywhere and nowhere, although––“ Kasha looked back at him “––you can find out if you play your cards right.”

Mars gives a loud joyful laugh “looks like I will be buying you a drink or two tonight and we’ll be seeing about those wits of yours” he winks “two frostbites on the rocks” he yells to the bartender 

[Mystic Syn she/her]

“Buying me drinks and you don’t even know my name,” she commented, giving his shoulder a gentle push with a chuckle. “I feel like I should be flattered, but you might take that the wrong way.

“Besides––“ Kasha turned on her side, facing the man with that playful look still dancing in her countenance “––we only met a few moments ago.”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

4 hours ago, Mystic Syn said:

“Buying me drinks and you don’t even know my name,” she commented, giving his shoulder a gentle push with a chuckle. “I feel like I should be flattered, but you might take that the wrong way.

“Besides––“ Kasha turned on her side, facing the man with that playful look still dancing in her countenance “––we only met a few moments ago.”

“Well we may have just met but how pretty someone is has nothing to do with how long you’ve known them, but I do feel I should know your name, if you have one, if you don’t I think I might just call you pretty lady” he winks and grabs the drinks from the bartender handing her one and taking one for himself

[Mystic Syn she/her]

She smirked and grabbed the offered glass, taking a small sip of it. “You wouldn’t be the first to call me that,” she said softly, “but you can call me Kasha. If that’s too hard, call me whatever you like.”

Kasha raised her glass to his, holding it there. “What about you, pretty boy?” she asked with a tilt of her head. “Or would you rather… keep on the mask, as people like you and your crew would say?”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

3 minutes ago, Mystic Syn said:

She smirked and grabbed the offered glass, taking a small sip of it. “You wouldn’t be the first to call me that,” she said softly, “but you can call me Kasha. If that’s too hard, call me whatever you like.”

Kasha raised her glass to his, holding it there. “What about you, pretty boy?” she asked with a tilt of her head. “Or would you rather… keep on the mask, as people like you and your crew would say?”

He clinks glasses with her “pleased to meet you Kasha did you know there’s a food called Kasha it’s really delicious” he smirks “you can call me mars but Marshall if I’m in trouble” his stomach growls and he laughs “would you like some food Kasha?”

[Mystic Syn she/her]

“And I’m sure you would like a taste, hm?” she said, smiling almost to herself. “Guess I can’t blame you, Mars.”

Kasha took another sip of her beverage, swirling it around slowly. “Depends––” she then traced her finger around the rim of her glass absently, glancing at Mars “––how hungry are you?”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

19 minutes ago, Mystic Syn said:

“And I’m sure you would like a taste, hm?” she said, smiling almost to herself. “Guess I can’t blame you, Mars.”

Kasha took another sip of her beverage, swirling it around slowly. “Depends––” she then traced her finger around the rim of her glass absently, glancing at Mars “––how hungry are you?”

He grins at her “actually I’m not that hungry right now but if you would care for a dance I might be afterwards I need to think about my options a little more” he winks at her and stands up and holds his hand out to her

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

Kefdev looks around at the tavern, trying to discern its layout.

[Mystic Syn she/her]

42 minutes ago, Honors ghost said:

He grins at her “actually I’m not that hungry right now but if you would care for a dance I might be afterwards I need to think about my options a little more” he winks at her and stands up and holds his hand out to her

“Oh, is that so?” Kasha folded her arms and smiled back. “Might be too much for you to handle,” she added, glancing at him up and down.

“You should also really get that eye checked out,” she then said, taking his hand and rising. “Might be a condition.”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

1 minute ago, Mystic Syn said:

“Oh, is that so?” Kasha folded her arms and smiled back. “Might be too much for you to handle,” she added, glancing at him up and down.

“You should also really get that eye checked out,” she then said, taking his hand and rising. “Might be a condition.”

“Maybe it will but I intend to find out” he chuckles a tad.

”it is a condition anytime I see a pretty lady it starts doing that” he winks again then takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor” he shouts to the minstrel “play us a slow waltz” he looks back at Kasha “don’t worry we’ll go faster later I just need to warm up” they dance.

[Mystic Syn she/her]

She gave a small chuckle, placing a hand on his shoulder and the other on his arm. As the music poured into the air, Kasha allowed Mars to lead them in their exchange. He wasn’t too bad, all things considered; well, at least better than what she first thought, which was a welcome surprise. It’d been a while since someone at least competent danced with her.

”So, tell me if you don’t mind,” she said, twirling under his grasp and landing closer to him, “what caused you to be a part of this crowd?”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

4 minutes ago, Mystic Syn said:

She gave a small chuckle, placing a hand on his shoulder and the other on his arm. As the music poured into the air, Kasha allowed Mars to lead them in their exchange. He wasn’t too bad, all things considered; well, at least better than what she first thought, which was a welcome surprise. It’d been a while since someone at least competent danced with her.

”So, tell me if you don’t mind,” she said, twirling under his grasp and landing closer to him, “what caused you to be a part of this crowd?”

He notes her skill with subtle surprise and struggles to keep up

his ever present grin falters a little as he says “it was my sister, family business.” He pauses before asking “what about you how did a lovely lady like you end up with folks like these” his grin returns a little as he says this

[Mystic Syn she/her]

Kasha studies him for a moment, the light catching her eyes on fire it seems. “I’m… sorry for your loss,” she whispered before smiling again. “I walked out of the tavern.”

[Honors Spectral Image She/her]

7 minutes ago, Mystic Syn said:

Kasha studies him for a moment, the light catching her eyes on fire it seems. “I’m… sorry for your loss,” she whispered before smiling again. “I walked out of the tavern.”

He smiles a mournful sad smile “it’s alright it was years ago now” the music picks up and his characteristic grin returns 

“don’t we all” he laughs and twirls her around