Story Topic

[Eerongal he/him]

Eerongal

As the bartender goes to mix your drink, he says, “Sounds like someone’s had a long day. Just a moment.” He pulls three bottles from the shelf and gets out a tall glass, then pops open a hidden compartment filled with something that look like Formspheres, all separated by color. The first bottle is spun around his left hand, and a bright blue liquid pours into the glass as he tosses in a deep purple sphere. He pours the blue liquid until it fills half the glass, then pours in both of the other bottles at the same time, one stream of red the other yellow. He nearly fills the glass, then adds two more spheres – one a bright yellow, the other a lime green. The liquids all separate into distinct layers as he carries the drink over to you.

“One Dancing Spheremorph. Popular drink around here, it seems. Had one lady, fresh off a fight, come in, order one, down it, and dash off to the Spheresmithy. She was muttering to herself about some prophecy or other, I don’t remember the words, then said something about a Bleeding Sphere just before she left. Can’t tell me that sounds good.” He grimaces in distaste, and pours himself a shot of something black, drinking it with a smile.

“Much better. Nothing like a T’Loakian brandy to clear the memory of unpleasantness. Not available to the public, of course, as it’s distilled from Archivist Spheres. Copper Chemists, Ferrings, whatever they’re going by these days. But anyway. The arenas are where all the action is, I just hear about it afterwards.

“In Waterfall, some guy lit a puddle on fire to win his match. Crazy, if you ask me. Not sure how that happens. Glyph had someone pull out some sort of blinding light and end his match pretty quick. But Mist… something’s weird about Mist Cavern.

“It’s the fifth match in there right now, I think, but the third was over before anyone could blink. Some joker with an eye-shaped Grid did something, no one’s really sure what, and blew his opponent out of Form and into the chasm. It coulda been lethal if Mr. Benefactor hadn’t shifted into some crazy blue and black thing and sped down there faster than you could spit.”

He takes another shot of the black T’Loakian brandy, and looks over the bar. “You came at the right time for information. Much later and one of the arena’s matches would probably be over, and all those Spheremorphs would be in here buyin drinks.”

"T’Loakian brandy, Eh? I knew a guy in the military who was nuts for the stuff. Though I think his love was driven more by price than the drink itself," Pausing briefly, I down my drink in one go.

"Myself, I've never really had a taste for the stuff."

Rolling my glass around between my thumb and forefinger, I pop one of the spheres from my emptied glass into my mouth to suck on.

"Speaking of our benefactor, have you heard any reliable talk about him? No one seems to know anything that I've found."

Mist cavern, eh? The 5th match? Did my match take that long? I Wasn't down in the armory or at the clinic that long....Also, I think Jay and Ambro were both fighting in the Glyph arena, so we should be good there, but it doesn't hurt to find out...

"And what's that about the third match in the Mist cavern? Does anyone have any speculation as to what happened there?"

[Cuaiir he/him]

Eerongal

The bartender whistles gently at your offhand comment. "Expensive tastes, your acquaintance. A bottle of T'Loakian is worth a full skymark. Each shot is at least a diamond chip, probably worth fifty of that Dancing Spheremorph." The price makes you glad that everything is pre-paid. A diamond chip, with even its small amount of Stormlight, was worth more than you'd made in six months as a Defender in Lake City. His smile shows off his many gold teeth as he says, "Rots the teeth something awful, too, if you drink too much of it."

As the flavored ice sphere melts in your mouth, he speaks again. "Our benefactor seems to like the mystery. I wasn't contacted first-hand like some of the others here; I was invited by my Spheresmith friend Ghrant, who was invited by his former master Tori. Did you know that Garson Gustav is here, personally overseeing the sale of Spheretech? Few people in the world have the kind of influence to get him to go anywhere. But like I said, I was invited here third-hand. You probably know more about our mysterious leader than I, what with being a Morph."

The daydisplay on the wall, with it's rotating, glowing images of sun and moon, shows that on the outside world it is near noon, and the first matches began at mid-morning. Not a normal time for heavy drinking, but down here - wherever 'here' is - it always seems near dusk.

"But, it's best for me to not talk of it too loudly. Piscun and Jezebel - you'll recognize them as the other two overseeing everything - they don't like it when I start talking about them or the benefactor." The bartender pours himself another shot of the black brandy, swirling it around in the glass contemplatively before downing it. "There's a few theories I've heard about the third Mist match, but nothing solid. The one I find most likely is that it was someone with a Grid that shifts through every Form instantly, and that the guy had a Special Form. But that doesn't explain how fast it happened, apparently. I really don't know enough about Spheres to theorize more. You could try talking to Ghrant, but he's probably busy. Sorry, Morph. Another Dancer for you?"

[The Frostbourne he/him]

Ambrosius

Ambro follows Top. He isn't thinking like a thief.

"Not a good idea if you live with a family of around thirty or so thieves. Its like trying to pet a Voracious Mouther wearing a meat vest."

And if you try to do that you deserve whats coming for you.

Ambro walks behind and slightly of center, occasionally looking over his right shoulder and then over his left shoulder and vice-versa.

Top laughs aloud for a moment.

"Top guesses he just is not a thief. He would point out, however, that you're no longer surrounded by those who would steal from you before allying to you. That is not to say lose this caution you have cultivated; that is to say lose the paranoia that debilitates you. Top suspects you will find your life much easier if you do not worry everyone and everything is ready for thievery, murder, and lying. Look for probable cause, at least."

As he approaches the nearest store, Top turns toward Ambrosius once more.

"If you see anything you especially like, come to him. Do not worry; Top is a fair debtor."

Chuckling again, he heads off into the shop.

Top hasn't laughed so easily in a long time... That felt good. He should stay near this man, if only for that.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

What? That can't be right. I'm not paranoid. Am I?

Maybe he just wants to...oh! I see. That's what he means. Though he is not entirely correct. There are those who would steal from me. It isn't necessarily material goods that are the mark.

Ambro follows Top into the store, checking first to see which one it is.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

When Peter starts blubbering about his sister, I resist the urge to roll my eyes. When he starts blubbering, I find I can't resist anymore. This man called himself a defender?

"Get up," I say coldly. "I did what I had to do to win the match. If all your forms weren't reliant on alcohol, I couldn't have beaten you that way. The sisters are giving you a chance to turn your life around. I suggest you take it." I wipe my hand on my pants and look around to see if Peter is making a scene. I can't afford to be associated with such a simpleton.

"You don't know anything about me, so don't pretend you do," I whisper. "Fact is, had this been a real fight, out in the wilds, you would be dead right now, and I would have done the world a favor. I suggest that in the future, you keep your pathetic hide out of my way." Turning, I begin walking away, not giving him time to respond. Once I've walked a few steps, I pause to call over my shoulder.

"Good-bye Peter. I'm off to the bar to have a drink."

[Eerongal he/him]

Eerongal

The bartender whistles gently at your offhand comment. "Expensive tastes, your acquaintance. A bottle of T'Loakian is worth a full skymark. Each shot is at least a diamond chip, probably worth fifty of that Dancing Spheremorph." The price makes you glad that everything is pre-paid. A diamond chip, with even its small amount of Stormlight, was worth more than you'd made in six months as a Defender in Lake City. His smile shows off his many gold teeth as he says, "Rots the teeth something awful, too, if you drink too much of it."

As the flavored ice sphere melts in your mouth, he speaks again. "Our benefactor seems to like the mystery. I wasn't contacted first-hand like some of the others here; I was invited by my Spheresmith friend Ghrant, who was invited by his former master Tori. Did you know that Garson Gustav is here, personally overseeing the sale of Spheretech? Few people in the world have the kind of influence to get him to go anywhere. But like I said, I was invited here third-hand. You probably know more about our mysterious leader than I, what with being a Morph."

The daydisplay on the wall, with it's rotating, glowing images of sun and moon, shows that on the outside world it is near noon, and the first matches began at mid-morning. Not a normal time for heavy drinking, but down here - wherever 'here' is - it always seems near dusk.

"But, it's best for me to not talk of it too loudly. Piscun and Jezebel - you'll recognize them as the other two overseeing everything - they don't like it when I start talking about them or the benefactor." The bartender pours himself another shot of the black brandy, swirling it around in the glass contemplatively before downing it. "There's a few theories I've heard about the third Mist match, but nothing solid. The one I find most likely is that it was someone with a Grid that shifts through every Form instantly, and that the guy had a Special Form. But that doesn't explain how fast it happened, apparently. I really don't know enough about Spheres to theorize more. You could try talking to Ghrant, but he's probably busy. Sorry, Morph. Another Dancer for you?"

Mulling over this information for a bit, I pop another of the small spheres into my mouth.

"As good as another drink sounds, I'm afraid I may have to take a rain check on that. For the moment at least, I'd like to keep my wits about me. I think I will pay your friend Ghrant a visit, see if he knows anything. How would I go about finding him?"

Considering a moment, I add to my previous statements, "I'll probably be back here a few times during my stay here, so I may as well begin to build a Rapport. The name's Eerongal."

Holding out my hand invitingly for a handshake, I continue, "I have a few friends kicking around here and there at this tournament, and a few 'friends' if you catch my drift. I'd appreciate it if you happen to hear of anyone looking for me."

[The Frostbourne he/him]

Top enters the store to discover seemingly endless shelves of what appears to be junk. Knick-knacks and trinkets are gathered on the shelves in no apparent order. The owner of the shop seems normal enough, though somewhat bored.

"Welcome to the Thrift. You buy, we sell, you sell, we buy. Take your time."

Top bows lightly to the man. This seems like a good enough place to while away some time. Maybe there's something in this place not useless. Top turns toward his new companion.

"Does this seem an acceptable location in which to spend some time?"

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

It was a store that Ambrosius had past by before when searching for the magic shop.

"This is fine." Before today I would have sold this shock-stick, but now I kinda like it.

Ambro looks over the nearby shelving taking note of what is there.

[Cuaiir he/him]

Eerongal

“With how many Morphs are here, I’d be surprised if Ghrant weren’t workin’. He’s a Spheresmith, like I said, so you can probably find him over at the smithy.”

He pours himself another shot of the brandy as you make your introduction, then answers, “Good to know you, Eerongal. You seem like the decent type. I’d love to tell you my name, but I’ve forgotten it. Haven’t known it for years. Another side effect of the T’Loakian, long-term memory goes down the drain. Thankfully skills and short-term stay, or I’d be out of a job. Most folks, even Ghrant, just call me Barkeep or Keep. I’ll let you know if anyone comes lookin’.” Keep shakes your hand as he introduces himself, then addresses another Spheremorph who just approached the bar. “What’ll it be, Morph?”

River

Peter is still weeping on his knees as you walk away. As you enter the bar, you make note of the few Spheremorphs around, and see Eerongal talking to the bartender. You hear the last of the bartender’s words to Eero as you arrive at the bar. “…call me Barkeep or Keep. I’ll let you know if anyone comes lookin’.” Keep releases Eerongal’s hand and turns to you. “What’ll it be, Morph?”

Edited November 27, 2011 by Ookla the Industrious

[Comatose he/him]

River:

"Just a small glass of wine please. What do you have for reds?" This drink is more to salt Peter's wounds than anything else. Hopefully I've given him enough punishment that he will leave me alone. I don't want to become intoxicated, especially with Eerongal there. I haven't quite figure the man out yet, and until I do I want all my wits about me.

"I saw your match," I say, hoping to make conversation. "You took a lot of punishment out there, but didn't let it get to you. It was quite impressive."

[Eerongal he/him]

"I saw your match," I say, hoping to make conversation. "You took a lot of punishment out there, but didn't let it get to you. It was quite impressive."

Glancing at River suspiciously, I affix my gaze to the back of the bar and reply, "Yes. That girl was strong, but inexperienced. But that doesn't change the fact that her forms could do some heavy damage for sure."

No need to mention that I wasn't sure of victory at more than one point to him.....

"Power means nothing if you haven't the skill to back it up, wouldn't you agree Adolin?" Turning an inquisitive eye in his direction, I watch him carefully.

No need to let him know that I know his real name, yet....

[Comatose he/him]

River:

For a moment I pause, deciding what to do next. My true name is printed, clear for everyone to see, and Eerongal's companions have both know I tried to see them, so it's only a matter of time before Eerongal discovers my lie as well. I decide that, if I admit my losses now, perhaps I will be able to build up some sort of trust that can be used in the future.

"Actually it's River," I say slowly. "I really should apologize to you for that. I've made some enemies here and there, so I'm usually pretty careful about who I share my true name with. When I saw you three approaching, I didn't know if you could be trusted and I panicked." I pause, checking on the status of my drink. "I hope we can put this behind us. Who knows. Perhaps we could even become allies depending on future circumstances." Eerongal seems like a man of honor. If I get him to commit to an alliance, I doubt he'll break it unless he has to, which should mean I will be able to betray him at my leisure any time before we face each other and not worry about him trying to do the same to me.

[Eerongal he/him]

River:

For a moment I pause, deciding what to do next. My true name is printed, clear for everyone to see, and Eerongal's companions have both know I tried to see them, so it's only a matter of time before Eerongal discovers my lie as well. I decide that, if I admit my losses now, perhaps I will be able to build up some sort of trust that can be used in the future.

"Actually it's River," I say slowly. "I really should apologize to you for that. I've made some enemies here and there, so I'm usually pretty careful about who I share my true name with. When I saw you three approaching, I didn't know if you could be trusted and I panicked." I pause, checking on the status of my drink. "I hope we can put this behind us. Who knows. Perhaps we could even become allies depending on future circumstances." Eerongal seems like a man of honor. If I get him to commit to an alliance, I doubt he'll break it unless he has to, which should mean I will be able to betray him at my leisure any time before we face each other and not worry about him trying to do the same to me.

Mulling over his statement momentarily, i reply, "Well, while we're being honest, I suppose I should admit that I had all ready found that out."

Glancing sideways at River to check his reaction, i continue, "Furthermore, I don't trust you. Not just because of the shady circumstances under which we met, but also because I've known men like you. You strike me as the scheming and conniving sort, always out for yourself. In short, a man would be a fool to put his full trust in your ilk."

Turning towards River, i press on, "That said, I'm willing to work with you if need be. I would rather work with someone I know I can't trust than one I'm unsure of. But know this, I will take whatever steps necessary to see the others out of this in one piece. Should you step one foot out of place, I will not hesitate to protect my own."

If he wants to work with me, he needs to know up these things up front. I won't be seen in a similar light to his sort.

Standing up from the bar stool, I affix a stern gaze on River and await his reply.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. It seems like Eerongal is exactly the hypocritical, judgmental moralist I took him for. I can't help but be reminded of Arthur, and my temper starts to flare. I am so tired of men like him judging me for barely any reason at all. Despite this, I know I need to keep my cool here, lest I prove his point.

"Very well," I say after a moment of thought. "Think what you want of me. I see there's nothing I can do to change your opinion. Despite what you may think, I'm not out to get you, so it doesn't really matter to be whether or not you trust me." I pause for another moment, plotting my next move. Perhaps I can at the very least sow some dissension in this seemingly unbreakable alliance. "To tell you the truth, even though it's is directed against me, I approve of your suspicion. This world is a dangerous place. You're lucky to have two allies you can trust so unquestionably."

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

Ambro sneezes into his arm as he looks over the merchandise.

I could use these quite easily, and they aren't expensive.

Ambro picks out three ringed tent stakes (rusty), a small backpack (badly torn), and a packet of needles (bent and rusty).

Ambro walks over to Top, "I think these would do kind sir. If your offer is still up of course." Not that I like debt, but hey.

Suddenly cheerful, "This reminds me of when Uncle Six-Fingers found a Ghost-Touch Glaive in a dump. Nobody expected it."

[The Frostbourne he/him]

"Why such poor material? There is much better to be had here." Is he worried Top will exploit him if he asks for too much?

Top reaches over to a sheelf and snatches the objects he had been examining, a small hammer and an ornately carved pen made of dark wood.

"Top will not hold it against you, whether you choose those, or decide to... upgrade."

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

"If you are referring to the rust, that is a necessary component. As well, I try to go for a minimalist approach to gear. Thirdly, I normally don't buy stuff."

and I don't trust you. Those few things are more than I normally carry regardless.

"Though, " Ambro reaches to another shelf and picks up a wide, long leather belt, "I do need to fix my clothing a bit."

[Cuaiir he/him]

Jack Mckinney

"Never gonna give you up

Never gonna let you down

Never gonna run around and desert you

Never gonna make you cry

Never gonna say goodbye

Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you"

I LOVE that song, don't know why everyone cringes when they hear it though.

Jack shifts to airbender and jumps into the air, shifting to Adept Jack pushes his opponent toward the abyss and down.

With this angle he will have a very difficult time stopping, especially since a lightsaber can't grip on the ground.

The opponent careens towards the edge of the arena as Jack lands on the ground.

Tank spins to face you as he slides towards the edge of the arena, his lightsaber fading away as a mace appears in his hand. He slams the mace into the ground, its spikes arresting his motion. Tank stands back up and lets go of the mace, the lightsaber once again appearing in his hand as he charges towards you at high speed. The mace fades away from the arena floor, leaving only a hole where its spikes were.

Mulling over his statement momentarily, i reply, "Well, while we're being honest, I suppose I should admit that I had all ready found that out."

Glancing sideways at River to check his reaction, i continue, "Furthermore, I don't trust you. Not just because of the shady circumstances under which we met, but also because I've known men like you. You strike me as the scheming and conniving sort, always out for yourself. In short, a man would be a fool to put his full trust in your ilk."

Turning towards River, i press on, "That said, I'm willing to work with you if need be. I would rather work with someone I know I can't trust than one I'm unsure of. But know this, I will take whatever steps necessary to see the others out of this in one piece. Should you step one foot out of place, I will not hesitate to protect my own."

If he wants to work with me, he needs to know up these things up front. I won't be seen in a similar light to his sort.

Standing up from the bar stool, I affix a stern gaze on River and await his reply.

River:

I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. It seems like Eerongal is exactly the hypocritical, judgmental moralist I took him for. I can't help but be reminded of Arthur, and my temper starts to flare. I am so tired of men like him judging me for barely any reason at all. Despite this, I know I need to keep my cool here, lest I prove his point.

"Very well," I say after a moment of thought. "Think what you want of me. I see there's nothing I can do to change your opinion. Despite what you may think, I'm not out to get you, so it doesn't really matter to be whether or not you trust me." I pause for another moment, plotting my next move. Perhaps I can at the very least sow some dissension in this seemingly unbreakable alliance. "To tell you the truth, even though it's is directed against me, I approve of your suspicion. This world is a dangerous place. You're lucky to have two allies you can trust so unquestionably."

Keep pours River a glass of a dark red wine and listens to your conversation for a bit before chiming in. “You two seem more alike than you make yourselves out to be. I mean, you’re both Spheremorphs, for one. There’s maybe two hundred of those in the entire world. It’s bound to create some sort of bond, yeah?” The two of you look at him curiously, and he turns to clean some of the glasses. “Just the thoughts of a Barkeep who’s been around longer than either of you. More to drink?”

"Why such poor material? There is much better to be had here." Is he worried Top will exploit him if he asks for too much?

Top reaches over to a sheelf and snatches the objects he had been examining, a small hammer and an ornately carved pen made of dark wood.

"Top will not hold it against you, whether you choose those, or decide to... upgrade."

Ambrosius

"If you are referring to the rust, that is a necessary component. As well, I try to go for a minimalist approach to gear. Thirdly, I normally don't buy stuff."

and I don't trust you. Those few things are more than I normally carry regardless.

"Though, " Ambro reaches to another shelf and picks up a wide, long leather belt, "I do need to fix my clothing a bit."

The owner approaches the pair of you, seeing you have found things to your liking. “Well, if you’ve found all you want, I’ll be happy to take your coin. If not, well, your loss. Probably of a toe.” He looks signifigantly at Ambro with his final words, then points towards the door. “Place is trapped, as is everywhere here. The benefactor doesn’t like thieves. What’s free is free, what isn’t, isn’t. Though, from what you’ve found, I may be able to part with the whole of it for… A silver fiver, perhaps. Could even toss in a few more of those belts for the same price.” He may have a bored look about him, but the owner seems to know the exact value of everything in his store.

[The Frostbourne he/him]

It looks like Top did not miss his guess in regards to his new companion... Well, better have a thief on your side then against it.

For that matter, allies are better in general...

"I assure you, good sir, that Top's companion will steal nothing from your establishment. Thank you for your consideration, though. Top will be most happy to pay."

He turns toward Ambrosius with a meaningful look. Quietly, he states:

"Top holds no illusions as to your likely personality. If you steal it, you'll probably not succeed. If you let him pay for it, you get the goods, and a person to go to in time of need. Plus, possibly, a sucker to bluff out of his money. As he said, no illusions."

Perhaps a bit too blunt, but he should get the message...

Edited December 19, 2011 by The Frostbourne

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

Ah, bluntness. Ambro smiles an actual smile.

With a small laugh, "I wouldn't think of it. Shopkeepers are the scariest kind of people in the world. As for you Top, perhaps I should share my plans with you, you may want to join in."

Ambro looks at the goods he selected, and adds in a few more belts.

Addressing Top, "That would be all."

Jack Mckinney

Jack viciously Pulls Tank into the air, attempting to slam him into the ceiling, shooting with a quickly drawn sub-machine gun. I sincerely hope he doesn't have projectile weapons.

Jack insta-shifts to the end of his cycle, shifting to baseline.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Emeralis00

[The Frostbourne he/him]

Top takes the small pile to the desk, paying the shopkeeper, and adding a little extra. It was best to keep options open, after all, and extra ears were worth the cost. Glancing at Ambrosius, but very specifically not handing his purchases over, he spoke idly, letting the meaning speak for itself. "I have known few partnerships to be worse for a person than working alone, as long as both partners are honest with the other. Actually, it is usually easy to tell which partner is more likely to run such a thing.."

He held his silence for a moment, taking the time to secrete his objects in pockets hidden about and heading for the exit.

"Still, Top can see the benefit of such arrangements as surely as he can see the sun. You mentioned some sort of plan, he believes?

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

Ambro pauses for a moment, then follows Top.

Heh. Interesting.

"I did. It involves ending a curse that has been going on for too long. My family has searched long and hard to find a way to end it. The way to achieve this, we discovered, is quite simple. But here I must ask...how much do you put into morals."

After all. You may be adverse to killing children. Of course, even if you won't assist that way, I can make use of you.

[The Frostbourne he/him]

"Morality is a flexible thing, dependant on situation and company. In polite company, in civil society, morality is a necessary, even helpful thing."

Top lowers his voice further, staying close to Ambrosius. "You ask of morals. Top is glad that you are thoughtful enough to consider the thing. Yet, Top is not in polite company - no offense meant - nor is he in a civil society. As far as he knows, that has not existed since the beginning of the era in which they live.

"So you tell him, Ambrosius, Cursed Theif: does Top need morality in this situation?"

Philosophy is going to get him in trouble someday.

Edited February 13, 2012 by The Frostbourne

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

"It depends, but let me tell you now. What I will tell you is completely and utterly to be kept close to your heart. My request is deeply linked to it. I don't know why I feel I should gain your help in this matter, but you are different from all the others that I have tested to determine if I should call for their aid. The paladin will not help. That much was made clear to me. The desert fellow is too enveloped in his own puzzles. The annoying one can't keep a secret. River, he is cold steel, but no less of a poisoned blade. You however...You might be just what I was looking for."

Ambro stops. Looks around for anyone too near, then turns back to Top.

"Do you swear that you will reveal to no one what you are about to hear from me? Do you swear not to use what I will tell you against me in any way?"

Ambro looks Top directly in the eyes, completely serious.

[The Frostbourne he/him]

Top stops as well, staring back, trusting Ambro's checking of the area to ascertain that they are alone.

"Top swears to nothing. Such vows only lead to danger. However, you have his word that, as long as it does not directly endanger him, he will not share the information you wish to give him."

That may not be enough for this man, so used to not trusting as he is...

"Know too that this vow, conditional as it may be, is more than any person but one has ever extracted from Top. Besides, you do not seem to have too many other options."

Not quite the truth, but it sounds feasible enough. Let's see if Top will begin to require running very quickly.

Top holds Ambrosius's gaze for a moment more, then leans against the wall they had stopped near and retrieves the pen he had purchased, spinning it between his fingers.

"Additionally, has Top seemed so far to you like one who is willing to give away anything of real value?"

Edited February 13, 2012 by The Frostbourne