Scadrial Thread

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

"No one knows where they're headquartered," Nerin said to Aben. "But I could ask around."

She ducked behind the bar, pulling both of the payment notices out of the bottom of the cashbox and bringing them back out into the main room. Nerin held them up. "Both the Farriers and the Scarlets have demanded tithe. We can't pay both bills, and it would be stupid to do so anyway. Whoever we pay, the other gang will retaliate. We'll effectively be declaring for one side or another. The other option is, of course, to pay neither. In which case, they'll both come for us - something that I would very much like to avoid."

Nerin could hear the quiet concern in Attayl's voice as she spoke to Brillin, telling him to get out while he could. To be honest, Nerin was considering doing the same thing. Sethwick's belonged to Jeb, she just worked here.

And you live here, she thought, chewing her lip. Where would she go? Another parlor, another Octant, another slumlord to pay each month? Could she really abandon Jeb, after all he'd done for her? After all he hadn't done to her?

"Attayl's right, Brillin," Nerin said. "You don't owe us anything. We're stuck here, but you don't have to stay any longer than you wish."

[I think I am here. he/him]

“Actually, I do,” Brillin said, his voice rising. He held the folded broadsheet above his head defiantly.

“Because according to the second page of this, there’s a rather nasty Koloss-blooded fellow hunting the streets.”

He slapped the paper down on the table, and began reading.

“And I quote: ‘Any who spot this criminal are urged to speak to the constabulary to aid the facilitation of his prompt arrest in terrorising innocent civilians at Elendel streets. No doubt a true monster.’”

He stopped reading and looked up at Attayl and Nerin. “So even if I was content with leaving this Octant for another, this blue skin,” he pinched himself, his tone harsh. “Is bound to get me arrested or worse.”

[+Sorana she/her]

36 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

He stopped reading and looked up at Attayl and Nerin. “So even if I was content with leaving this Octant for another, this blue skin,” he pinched himself, his tone harsh. “Is bound to get me arrested or worse.”

Attayl gently reached over and moved his hand away from his skin, where he had pinched himself.

"Don't. We can find a solution."

She offered, wishing he had never met them. It was their fault, because he had protected them.

"You're a good man, this article is wrong. I know how it feels like when people stop looking at you, only at what they think you are. And you're a good man."

Her thoughts turned around the problem, looking at it from all sides, without finding a solution.

"I'm sorry. You're in that situation because you helped me. I'll try to find a way."

Maybe, if she went to the Farriers, joined them, sold herself again. Maybe she could ask for a favour, that they forgot about him. She stared at the table, wished she knew what to do, how to solve the problem. She was useless, nothing more than a whore. Unconciously she pulled her shoulder up, as if to hide between them. A way. There had to be a way.

Edited June 2, 2019 by Sorana

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

Nerin closed her eyes for a moment, feeling guilt nip at her conscience.

I invited him out. This is my fault, and now he's stuck in the middle of this ruin with the rest of us.

She went back behind the bar and poured him another glass of whiskey, setting it on the table beside his armchair. The instinct to Soothe Brillin's anger, his frustration and indignation, rose within her, but she denied it. There was an art to emotional Allomancy, and knowing when not to Soothe someone was just as important as knowing when to Soothe them.

What should she say to him? 'I'm sorry that people assume you're a ruthless monster?' 'I know what it's like to be despised for what you're born into?'

Hollow words, meager platitudes. Brillin had certainly faced worse than Nerin ever would. No one trusted a Soother, but she'd never been run out of town, denied a room at an inn, watched as mothers pulled their children closer when she passed. Nerin picked up the newspaper, scanning the report and wrinkling her nose.

"Well," she said. "I don't believe everything I read in the papers. So, for as long as you need a roof, you can stay here." If it's still standing at the end of this, that is.

@I think I am here.

[+Ark1002]

Garth nodded in thanks. "Tea please."

[John Flamesinger he/him]

21 hours ago, ZincAboutIt said:

"Attayl felt Lance burning two metals

John stayed quiet. There were theories in Silverlight of a third form of Investiture on Scadrial, something to do with spikes and granting powers that they didn't have before. He was thankful they had taken him in, but he didn't trust them one hundred percent yet.

[I think I am here. he/him]

Brillin nodded, feeling somewhat bad that he’d made Attayl feel guilty for what was happening.

“Thank you, Nerin,” he said in response to Nerin offering him to stay in the Parlour.

Attayl moved his hand from where he’d pinched himself and he obliged, moving it away.

“And you don’t have to feel guilty. What I did was my own choice.”

He sighed and tapped the broadsheet pointedly.

“Irregardless, I am stuck here. And so the quickest way the train station gets repaired is the way in which this whole gang situation settles, and since I’m going to be here until that happens I might as well help out. Besides,”

He held his notebook up. It was small and leatherbound. “It’ll be good for the book. More exciting than doing nothing, I’d say.”

[+Sorana she/her]

1 hour ago, I think I am here. said:

Brillin nodded, feeling somewhat bad that he’d made Attayl feel guilty for what was happening.

“Thank you, Nerin,” he said in response to Nerin offering him to stay in the Parlour.

Attayl moved his hand from where he’d pinched himself and he obliged, moving it away.

“And you don’t have to feel guilty. What I did was my own choice.”

He sighed and tapped the broadsheet pointedly.

“Irregardless, I am stuck here. And so the quickest way the train station gets repaired is the way in which this whole gang situation settles, and since I’m going to be here until that happens I might as well help out. Besides,”

He held his notebook up. It was small and leatherbound. “It’ll be good for the book. More exciting than doing nothing, I’d say.”

"Thank you."

Attayl replied quietly and took a sip of her tea. It was rare that someone was nice, simply nice and when it ended badly, they stayed nice. She wasn't used to all of these people being so nice to her, waited for someone to demand payment. And yet, Brillin had just brushed it away, Nerin had been surprised that she'd started cleaning.

"So the next steps are to decide who you want to pay?"

She asked loudly. In her opinion the choice was easy, but maybe someone else saw it differently. The Farriers were stronger. You supported the stronger ones.

[+Ark1002]

Garth sat there, still wanting tea.

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

1 hour ago, Ark1002 said:

Garth sat there, still wanting tea.

Nerin poured everyone else some tea and set the steaming cups on the bar. 

"Please help yourself," she said, then sat back down, massaging her temples.

"The way I see it is, the Farriers are the bigger threat. If we pay before our tithe is due, they might be willing to give us some extra protection against retaliation. If we pay the Scarlets, there's no guarantee they'll be able to protect us from the Farriers - they're already stretched thin. I'd be willing to bet that some have already left Willet for Lance - street toughs know who to bet on."

Nerin looked back toward Attayl, who seemed to have the most experience in this arena. "What do you think? If anyone here has their ear to the ground on this, it's you. When Jeb gets down here, I'll need to convince him of one thing or another. What would you do?"

@Sorana

[+Sorana she/her]

1 minute ago, ZincAboutIt said:

Nerin looked back toward Attayl, who seemed to have the most experience in this arena. "What do you think? If anyone here has their ear to the ground on this, it's you. When Jeb gets down here, I'll need to convince him of one thing or another. What would you do?"

Attayl looked at her in surprise and then inclined her head, thought about the question carefully.

"Yes, this isn't the first time, I've seen such a conflict."

She replied thoughtfully.

"But everytime so far, the Scarlets have been able to squash the Newcomers easily. This time it's different. Willet hasn't been defeated like before. Never."

Falling silent she sipped her tea, thought about the situation again. If she got it wrong, they would all pay for it.

"I would side with the Farriers. Ask for a meeting. Ask for protection. See if they heighten their price. They can't let anything happen to the parlor, to those choosing their side in general. That's how it works. You pay one of them, they protect you from their rivals. If they can't fullfil their side of the bargain, it's all useless."

Looking up she met Nerin's eye.

"If they can't protect you, you have a good reason to go back on your word. It will have som impact, but not as much as it would have, if they kept their side. It's no easy decision. If they fail, there might nobody left to head back to Scarlets, good reason or no good reason."

[John Flamesinger he/him]

John sat there, still watching. He had no idea what was going on, probably because he had slept through it all. Maybe he should pay for sleeping there and leave.

[John Flamesinger he/him]

Another beep sounded from his clothing. Rusts. Did anyone notice? It would be storming hard to explain if it was known that he was a worldhopper. He was pretty sure there was a few more in the room but still...

[+Invocation]

Lance listened atop the roof, trying to discern what he could of the parlor occupants' conversation. It was mostly fruitless, unfortunately. 

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

Just then, Nerin heard someone stirring from upstairs - a heavy step in the hallway.

Rusts, she thought, quickly pouring another, larger, cup of hot tea and slathering a piece of bread with jam. Jeb peered round the wall by the end of the staircase, fully dressed and looking somewhere between curious and irritated. Nerin started Soothing him before he even set foot in the main room, pushing the plate of jam-covered bread towards him and giving him her most charming smile.

"Good morning," she said sweetly. "I'm sure you're wondering--"

"Why there are at least a half-dozen strangers in my parlor at seven in the morning?" Jeb finished, raising a silvered brow at the gathered group. His voice was slightly gruff, but there was a gleam of amusement in his eye. "I'm sure you've got an excellent explanation, Nerin m'girl."

He took the cup of tea and sipped carefully, blowing on the steaming liquid, then picked up the bread and took a bite. Everyone was silent for a moment as he ate, then Nerin seemed to come back to herself.

"We went out last night, to Depot 9," she began. Jeb raised his other brow at her, still chewing. "There was... some trouble," she went on. "The Farriers turned up."

Jeb froze with his cup of tea halfway to his lips, then turned toward her in full. "The Farriers turned up? Rust and ruin girl, how are you all still alive?"

Nerin Soothed him a little harder, taking some of his irritation. Jeb narrowed his eyes.

"Who d'you think I am, girl, some fool on the street? Turn your brass off y' silly thing."

Nerin felt herself blush a little, but she kept her composure. She didn't turn off her brass, but she did back off, likely enough that he wouldn't notice. "That man who came in here last night, who broke the window? He was there. I think he's their leader..."

Her eyes slipped out of focus as she recalled the speed with which he moved, cutting through Willet's men like a scythe through long grass. "Jeb," she said quietly, shaking her head. "He was burning two metals."

[+Ark1002]

Garth leaned against the bar, tea in hand.

"I have some experience with gangs." His eyes gained a far off look. And monsters. "I have sold them many guns, at my shop."

He took a long sip of his tea. "The Farriers will be gaining a lot of strength. And the Scarlets... they will be losing it."

[old man moomba he/him]

"I don't know much about magic." Aben sighed, "Light, I barely understand how my own powers work. But I do know a bit about power.... The Scarlets will be looking for some way to show off after last night. They probably want to prove that thaey can equal the Farriers and gain back support."

[+Sorana she/her]

11 minutes ago, Dr. Dapper said:

"I don't know much about magic." Aben sighed, "Light, I barely understand how my own powers work. But I do know a bit about power.... The Scarlets will be looking for some way to show off after last night. They probably want to prove that thaey can equal the Farriers and gain back support."

"I agree. And once they do, it will be rusting dangerous for whichever target they decide on."

Attayl slowly got to her feet.

"I am sorry for intruding your place like that, Mr. Jeb. I can clean the rooms, to make up for your kindness, or if you prefer, I can leave right now."

Her eyes flicked over to Nerin while she spoke. Jeb was Nerin's boss, his word was law in the parlor. She didn't want for Nerin to end up in trouble because of her. She had offered her a place to sleep and the time to sort herself, if she wanted her to leave now, she could understand.

@ZincAboutIt

[I think I am here. he/him]

Brillin downed the whiskey and sipped at his tea. The two didn’t go very well together, but both warmed his insides and Brillin was to preoccupied to critique how well two drinks went together. The alcohol kept his mind distracted and the tea, well, he was a gentleman. Gentlemen drank tea. And tough guys drank alcohol. Brillin didn’t really think he was either, but he had both drinks anyway.

“Well, if they wanted to show off their power, they would do it against an opponent, right?” Brillin asked. “And that means they wouldn’t attack a store, or, say, a Soothing Parlour. Because that would come across as a temper tantrum and destroying property rather than actually proving their strength. Maybe if there was a smaller gang, and the Scarlets attacked those, that would be showing their power, but I don’t think we have to worry about an attack out of the blue.”

He ended it with a shrug, because even if he thought they wouldn’t attack the Parlour, What he thought could’ve been wildly wrong. He didn’t know these gangs, how they acted.

[John Flamesinger he/him]

Another beep sounded from his clothing. How in the name of Damnation am I going to keep that thing quiet? John wondered.

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

"Alright," Nerin said, setting down her cup of tea with a frustrated sigh. "What is that sound? Is anyone else hearing that?"

She began plaiting back her hair, running her fingers through the damp tangles, thinking.

If we pay the Farriers now, we can ask for protection till this blows over. She tapped her finger against her thigh anxiously, trying to formulate her case, and was distracted by another odd sound. It almost sounded like a bird but... mechanical? A mechanical bird?

@John Flamesinger 

[+Ark1002]

Garth sat there, resisting the urge to reach for his gun.

His fingers twitched, but he resisted it.

"I can give you guns. Good guns. Better than anything they will have."

His fingers twitched again.

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

Nerin watched Jeb's face carefully as she chose her next words.

"I know you've seen the signs of trouble, Jeb," she said. "Wind's changing, and it's not going to be in Willet's favor. It's... a risk, but I think we should take it. We can't get on the wrong side of this new gang, Jeb. I've seen what happens."

Jeb was silent for a long moment before he heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his black hair.

"I ain't never crossed Willet before, and for rusting good reason. Man's tough as pewter and he never forgets a slight. I seen him do things, girl. I wasn't always a parlour-owner, y'know. There's things a man doesn't forget easy."

Jeb? Nerin thought. In a gang? The man was far from weak, but she couldn't imagine him playing street tough, running with such a rough crowd.

"Don't look at me like that, girl," Jeb said, grimacing as he took another sip of tea. "I wasn't always this old. And no, I wasn't in the Scarlets if that's what you're 'bout to ask." He set the tea down, muttering. "..nosy thing..."

"Jeb-" Nerin began, but he waved her off. 

"Ruination, girl, it's barely seven in the morning," Jeb said peevishly. "Still, you ain't the only one who's made some inquiries. I've been askin' round, tryin' to figure who'll win this war - and there will be a war. Word on the street is the Farriers got somethin' extra, an edge to 'em. If that fellow really was burning two metals, well..." He sighed. "I gotta agree with you. Ain't no one can compete with that kind of power."

Jeb walked over to Garth. "I appreciate your offer, son, but I run a Soothing parlor. Ain't no place to be stockpilin' weapons. In my experience, just makes it seem like you're lookin' for a fight. And fightin's bad for business." He turned toward Nerin, and suddenly his age showed in his face, each tired line and haggard wrinkle. "I'll go get the boxings outta the safe, then."

 

[John Flamesinger he/him]

As another beep sounded from his clothing, John slowly moved into the next room. He pulled out a small object and started tapping it furiously, trying to get the screen to turn on.

[+ZincAboutIt she/her]

Jeb watched the young man from the night before duck into another room, then realized he'd missed the question of someone else. He peered at her, taking in the dress and the hair.

The girl from last night, he realized. Jeb smiled at Attayl, Soothing a bit of her anxiety. Probably worried she's gotten Nerin into trouble.

"There's no need to be cleaning the place, dove," he said softly. This girl was a skittish thing, a bird who wasn't used to being fed by hand. "I'm sure Nerin had her reasons for keepin' you all here. She ain't no fool. That goes for the lot of you," he gestured at the rest of the room. "It ain't too kind out there on the street these days, and they'll put me in the ground before they say ol' Jeb didn't have no hospitality in him."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nerin relax slightly. So she was nervous too. Bless her, she was still Soothing him - probably thought he'd rage and rant if she wasn't careful. There's another one who's been too often burned, instead of warmed. She hid it well, but he knew loneliness when he saw it. Harmony, but he knew that well enough.

With that, he turned and trudged back to the stairs, seeking the safe he kept under his bed, and praying he had enough laid by.

@Sorana