The Islandic Elve's Demise

The Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn, Vorland, 1439 ATC

A flash of blinding light appeared before the tavern doors, vanishing as quickly as it appeared and leaving a strange fox-like demoness in it's place. The fox woman pushed open the doors and strode though them with a grin on her face, bearing her sharp teeth to all, and a spring in her step. She hopped up the stairs and quickly made her way over to the bar, her tail swishing back and forth happily. She hopped into a seat and awaited some sort of service.

''What'll it be uhhhh...'' A man in a crimson and turqouise tunic with baggy red pants muttered, resting on the bar staring up at the ceiling with lazy eyes, sitting in a chair a pair of crutches at his side.

"Brea am... No of course not. This is the Dragon's Head where... Well I've seen we have all seen stranger..."

"I see her. You wanna get her this time, boss?" The sandy hair barmaid in the dark green dress said, blinking her big brown eyes a few times.

Nadine was deeply engulfed in her book, but something about the tiny fox seemingly unfazed by the decent number of people inside the tavern entering gingerly made him lift his head for a moment. This was probably the last thing she had expected to see on this day, and she stared down into his mug of water, wondering, just for a moment, whether it was actually what he had ordered or something quite different. Or did Venser put something in her drink? Laguna mother of all hopefully not. He had tried hitting on her earlier and she blocked a majority of it out. In the end she shook his head and tried to focus on her leatherbound book, looking through the teared and browned pages of parchment that were haphasardly put together to form some kind of journal. This day felt like it would go on for a long time, and she couldn't help himself but sigh softly. Either way this was a nice little distraction from her projects.

"Oh boy, I don't know. It's been a while... Hm... Surprise me!" The fox demon girl answered, flashing the man another grin.

"Preferably something strong and fruity! The fruity drinks are always the best."

''Uh huh. You will love my signature drink then!"' The handsome bearded bartender mumbled something and stood up, using one crutch for support, grabbing a silver cocktail mixer. Venser scratched his groin with one hand and then turned around and grabbed the ingredients for the Pink Footed Booby. A few long moments later he strained a neon pink drink into a glass for the fox thing. ''My Pink Footed Booby. Four silver.'' He said with a yawn.

"Thanks!" The unnamed fox messanger reached into one of her pockets and pulled out four coins, setting them on the counter. She took a sip from the glass and hummed in delight.

"Alcohol. I've missed you so, so much..." She sighed, cradling the glass against her face. When she was done goofing around the demon set the glass back down and gave a stretch, leaning back in her chair and propping her paw-like feet up on the counter.

"So... I have to ask. Do you know this one elf who's rather short with dark red hair, brown skin, freckles everywhere, and constantly trying to overdrink and fight things even though she can barely lift a tankard? I'm asking for a friend."

''Ruari." The head bartender said as he leaned against the bar. His eyes were reddened and his hair and beard were messy and unkempt.

"What about her? I haven't seen her in a few weeks... Didn't even come to my party."

It was now that the woman with the orange bobcat realized for just how long she had been awake, lost in her book and thoughts, her eyelids were heavy, and even though he did all that she could to focus on the pages in front of him, it did not take long before her head and body started to feel heavy. Nelu slowly put the journal down on the top of the table and leaned forwards a bit, and took one last long chug of the mug, emptying it from the cold water inside. Nelu looked around the tavern with her golden eyes, thinking that people probably would not mind him that much if she just closed her eyes for a bit, and then she slumped forwards on the table, slowly drifting into a deep sleep.

Before she snapped herself awake and sighed, picking up her supplies and turning around to go back to the room she had rented.

"Right, well...." The unnamed fox demon girl began, scratching the back of her neck with a clawed hand.

"She might not be coming back. Er... Ever." She told him, looking prepared to bolt out of the tavern. "I mean... She might, but I highly, highly doubt it."

''What? Explain.'' Venser said calmly not moving at all, and giving her a tired stare. "I thought... Her islands... The Squall... What?" He waved goodbye to Nadine and sighed.

"I mean... She could probably explain it better than I, a simple messenger, could. Apparently, though, she decided to 'Kick the bucket', so to speak." The strange fox messenger said, appearing no less ready to run than before. The drink Venser had made was quite good and she wanted to enjoy every ounce of it.

"However, everything worked out in the end! She's talking with Satya and Kail right now, probably about some subject that only they can talk about."

???????????????????

He blinked his reddened eyes, and sucked in his breath, his emotion barely changing as he let out a sniffle.

''What?"

"...Er... Satya and Kail? Ya' know.... Alphonsese goddess and god? The elf chick is one of their little 'High and mighty god' group? Ruari ended up being apprentice to Marilla." She stammered, put off by his little emotion.

"Oh wow, what does she see in you...? I mean I I shes been with that blonde one while you weren't around... This is all... I have no idea who else I should tell."

Marvella had been staying the night and climbed out of her bed lazily while looking at a time with a yawn escaping her mouth. She changed into a casual black outfit on consisting of a leather jacket, strapless dress with shiny belt, simple leggings and leather boots. She brushed through her dark hair with her fingers, not caring if it looked bad or not. She put her eyepatch over her left eye as it helped with her portal spells. She walked out of her door as she went down the hall to the bar area while looking around at the patrons. She was followed by Kari who had been staying a night at the tavern with Ven before either Ven or Marvella teleported them home.

''So Ruari died, around the time I was reading some erotica.'' He lit up a green cigar in one hand that gave off an Earthly smell with a hint of citrus. His eyes were red and glazed over and he seemed really calm. He took a puff and exhaled greenish white smoke.

''And they say the gods made erotica so you could save yourself for marriage... Ha ha!''

"Errrr... Sure. Right, well, if you ever wanted to speak with her, use this." The unnamed messanger tossed him a glowing sea green pearl the size of a golf ball. She hoped he caught it and it did not hit him in the head. She assumed Venser had been hit in the head one too many times which explained his odd behavior. Aside from the cannabis, of course.

"Just smash it against something and she'll show up eventually... Gods, why does she even know you? No offense, but you don't exactly seem like her type of people." The demon muttered, clearly bitter about something.

As it flew through the air Venser held up his left hand and trapped it in a green aura, pulling it into his hand and looking down at the strange little artifact as the sounds of the going ons of the tavern were turned out for a few long moments that seemed to go on forever.

Peeking her head out from her hidden spot behind the bar, the small white kitten with black mittens quickly jumped out and up onto the bar, a fang poking out on one side of her mouth as she slowly paws her way down the bar, the patrons avoiding touching her knowing full well who she is, unless of course she rubbed up against them then only did they pet or pat her head, her ears twitched as she sat her tail curling around her as she licked her paw at her favorite spot on the bar, a soft purr coming from her." ... Meww..."

Nuikia opened the door to the room she had been renting and poked her head out, looking around briefly before exiting the room fully, closing the door behind her. As she walked over to the bar area, one could see that her hair was damp and instead of up in a ponytail or a braid like usual, was instead falling freely. She wore a mask over her mouth and wore all black, which was odd considering she normally wore feathers and brown colors, as well as horned headdresses. However, none of these were seen on her, and she had two daggers strapped to her legs. The blonde elc huntress smiled at everyone as she passed, not that it mattered since none of them could see past her masked mouth, and took a seat at the bar near where the kitten sat upon the counter.

"Hello kitty..."

Brea the sandy haired barmaid looked over at the woman."Can I get you anything?" She asked as she looked at the kitty and the other patrons.

The handsome bearded man looked to the pearl in his palm and placed it safely in one of the pouches of his utility belt, and then wandered over to the table towards Kari and Marvella, stopping for a moment to turn back to the messanger.

"Thank you for... Yeah. Let's... Yeah nothing else. Right."

He just didn't want to think about it and Ro's entire situation made him both sad and unsure.

Reaching his lovers, his arms around both of them and locked his lips with Marvella, kissing her deeply for a few moments before breaking the kiss. He did the same with Kari but bit her lower lip and nuzzled her head.

''How are our children? Mmmmm... At play school maybe or with the fam bam... Wanna get high?''

The weary Pryldahnian Centurion was bored. Not that I'm kinda hoping one of my friend's suggests something to pass the time bored. No, he was mind-numbingly bored. So bored, in fact, that he was currently leant over the counter in a rather large bar, staring blankly at the hardwood counter top.... Wait a minute. Why was he in the bar again? He pondered this... Then groaned. He couldn't even remember entering the damn bar in the first place and often got drunk and wandered in search of work. He had heard of plenty of cities popping up in the untamed wilds to the east as was on a journey there.

"Gods I'm absent minded today." With a grunt and a crack as his spine popped, he sat up, looking around as he rested his helmeted head on his hand, elbow on the bar.

The kitten recognized the scent of the blonde nubile elf and she pawed over to her, sat back on, and pawed the air in from of her with a mew as a way of greeting her, her eyes sparkling in welcome as her tail wags back and forth happily.

"MEW!"

With a noise of disgust and an eyeroll the fox demon girl went back to her drink, sipping at it with little interest and blocking out any conversation around her, she looked to Ven who was just staring wide eyed into space.

"Cat got your tongue?"

Nuikia Pollux looked to the sandy haired barmaid behind the bar who had spoken, assuming she had been addressing her since she was the more recent one to take a seat. She smiled again, though it was hard to tell past the mask. "Do you have anything peachy? I don't care if it's alocholic or not, I'm just in a peach mood." She looks to the feline in front of her and reaches out her hand to pet at her back, tilting her head in slight confusion as to why the kitten had decided to pay attention to her.

"Oh! And I brought back an elk for the tavern a few hours ago, got the meat salted and everything for a few days."

Brea nodded as she poured her some peach tea and sat it infront of her. Marvella and Kari grinned at Ven while glaring at each other over his shoulders.

"I will... Yeah, I'll use the pearl. Once I've had some time to... Yeah..." Venser was just concerned with his two lovers right now as they answered him.

Kari touched his chest, "They are at play school naturally."

Marvela touched his cheek, "I could use some rest and relaxation."

With a jaw cracking yawn beneath his face play, Severus of Pryldahn looked around at the rather ecclectic bunch who'd made their way into the tavern. He sniffed thoughtfully, his eyes eventually trailing to the small fox person, sitting nearest to him. He blinked.

"Tiny. Hrmph." With that, he shook his head and thumped a single, scarred palm onto the counter top not so subtlely. "I've decided what I want."

The fox demon girl's ears perked up at the word. "I'm sorry, were you talking to moi? Is my height a problem?"

Nuikia bowed her head in thanks, since smiling would not do the justice it normally would. Reaching into her pocket with one hand, she pulled out several silver pieces and placed them on the counter, not sure how much she owed. If it was too much, she didn't mind Brea kept them as a tip

Brea looked at the man, "What would you like sir?" She smiled at him.

''Good... Good... Can't believe in one year they'll be in first grade.'' Venser said with a sigh nuzzling Kari's head more, kissing Marvella again.

"First grade? What does that mean?" The blonde girl asked blinking her icy blue eyes.

"Sounds like levels of learning." The girl with dark hair and purple eyes said.

He pulled back and gave each Kari and Marvella a soft kiss on the lips.

''Yes... Exactly. I mean now they socialize with other kids their age and then ya know, a lot of learning! Getting high. Whoo!'''

Ven removed a tin from from his belet and popped it open. '

''You get a cigar! You get a cigar!'' He yelled handing one to both girls. He then walked over to the bar and handed one to Nuikia and another to the fox demon.

''You get a cigar! You get a cigar!'' He looked into the tin again. ''And now I am out of cigars...''

Looking back to the cat in front of her, she raised her brow again and ceased her petting to lower the mask on her face and lift her drink to her mouth, letting the cool refreshing liquid spill into her parted lips. As she put the cup back down, letting the mask recover her mouth quickly. As she was then handed a cigar from Venser, she looked up at him in confusion. Nuikia didn't smoke. She raised her hand towards him to offer it back. "Here, you can have mine. It'll go to waste otherwise."

The Pryldahnian Centurion snorted quietly, narrowing his eyes in thought. "... Whiskey. Strongest you've got.

The sandy haired barmaid nodded as she poured him a strong whiskey and slid it over to her.

Brea put the coins from the patrons in the jar. "So about..." Brea stopped talking about it and sighed.

''C'mon... You gotta try it once!'' Venser said sliding the cigar Nuikia rejected to the Centurion at the end of thr bar.

''Whiskey and cigars, people back home love those two together.'' He moved back over to Marvella and Kari and sat down between them.

''Not with these... They just make you feel great... And feel hungry.'' He took Kri's cigar from her. ''We'll share.'' He said taking a drag, holding it in his mouth. Venser locked lips with Kari and breathed the smoke from his Kullero cigar into her mouth slowly. The blonde girl moaned into his mouth and leaned into her lover.

Picking up the glass, he moved over to a table in the corner and removed his frilled helmet. Face framed in shadows as he took a long, slow sip... Before nodding appreciably, tossing a coin onto the edge of the table. "Thanks kindly."

The sandy haired barmaid poured herself a cup of water. "Anyone want anything from the kitchen? Sweets? Baked goods?" She said while sipping on the refreshing liquid.

''How do ya feel?'' He asked Kari, one arm draped around each of the girls as he pulled them closer to himself.

Watching the conversation, the weary Centurion allowed for a snort of amusement. This was, afterall, the most entertaining thing he's seen all day. Leaning forward, he toyed with his drink, eyes half lidded as he observed his... Drinking companions, he supposed. Setting his glass down with a soft 'clunk' He spoke up. "If you have any meat, I'll partake. Haven't eaten in days."

"Mhm Ven... Is this a new strain? It feels different... I feel lighter..." Lari said blinking a few times, exhaling greenish white smoke.

Brea nodded to him as she went down stairs to oversee the shadow tendrils cooking up the elk that Nuikia had hunted earlier that day. She always found it strange that they knew how to cook decent meals and operate the kitchen. Perhaps watching them would distract her more with the new of Ruari's passing. And no one was even around when it happened.

Nuikia shruged, figuring the feeling of being ignored overpowered anything else for the feline at the moment. She had hoped to ask Venser a few questions, but he seemed preoccupied at the moment, and in his current state of mind she wasn't sure he could help much anyway. So, for the time being, she opted to just watch the two at the end of the bar interact, since Ven flirting with females was nothing new to her.

''Everything is brighter? Just overall goodness?'' Venser asked with a warm smile watching an idiotic grin grow across Kari's face. ''Yeah... Just how everyone should be.'' He took another drag from his light green cigar and locked lips with Marvella, blowing it slowly into her mouth.

Marvella coughed while looking a bit annoyed. Kari was leaning on Ven's shoulder with her head while dazed, "Yeah it is." Brea came back a few later with a plate of meat for the man and a sample platter of ceeam cheese pastries.

The sandy haired barmaid put the meat plate infront of the man, "Here you are sir." She smiled as she put the other plates for anyone else to each on the bar.

Looking down at the meal, he allowed a smile to to grace his scarred features, and he stood with a grunt of effort, bowing slightly.

"You're too kind to this weary soldier. My thanks for the meal."

With that he set two fat, obviously newly minted gold coins on the counter, before retaking his seat, rolling his shoulder with obvious discomfort. "Ummph. Never get old girl. It's not fun. Die young and die well, like most of my friends did." Tearing into his meal with only barely restrained gusto. "Not even that old, but sometimes I just feel it..."

''We should go into my room, stuff some rags under the door, close the windows and just smoke this... You have no idea how good that is.'' Venser said resting his head on Kari's, taking one of Marvella's hands.

The purple eyed woman smiled as her and Kari nodded at him,"I think that's a fun idea." They said roughly at the same time.

Brea looked at the Pryldahnian man with scaled, segmented armor with curiosity. For someone who had become so agitated with the feline, he actually seemed very kind for the most part. She had never seen him before. Her usual habit of smiling at people continued, as she remained oblivious to the fact that there was no way he could see her mouth move beneath her mask.

The handsome bearded man chuckled and picked Kari up in his arms, gesturing for Kura to follow him.

''You're lucky you don't.'' Venser said as he passed the bar, leading the girls to his room. Marvella followed him, he stopped and turned his head to the side where they couldn't see, letting out a sigh thinking about Ro, not wanting to believe it. No. He had to pushed that islandic elf out of his mind for now as the purple eyed woman with wide hips followed.

The demon fox messenger sighed to herself and watched Venser and the girls walk out of sight.

"What do THEY see in him?"