H130, Day 191, 10 AP (Gl'Fnak, Hadrian, Open)

[TheGratefulNed]

The horse-legged tiefling leads the Bleaker at a good clip - determined but not rushed - past the Foundry and toward the heart of the Lady's Ward. Bypassing several notable establishments and scores of private residences, the unlikely pair enter the Guildhall and Market Wards, taking a slightly circuitous route to avoid the crowds and bustle of the Grand Bazaar. Wending through streets near the Great Gymnasium, the Cipher nods a greeting to various faction-mates but keeps moving.

The tiefling doesn't really make small-talk and keeps his answers terse, though not at all unfriendly. Finally, after nearly three hours of negotiating the Cage's ever busy streets, the two spellslingers arrive outside the Open Shell Inn. Gl'Fnak lets out a low, contented sigh and enters the establishment.

After a quick glance about the greatroom -- and a few friendly acknowledgments of some of the other regulars -- the Baatorian walks directly to the well-worn bar and waits for the proprietor. When he sees the solidly-built human approach, his nearly ever-present grin broadens to a full smile. "Bertram, always a pleasure! I'd like a plate of whatever fare you have available, something with meat preferably, and make my drink a surprise." Then, with a gesture toward the aasimar, he adds, "this's Hadrian. Hadrian, Bertram. Get him whatever he'd like too, on my jink. No rush on our stuff, we'll be over there," he says, nodding toward the far end of the common room.

Gl'Fnak drops a gold piece on the bar and leaves the Bleaker to place his order. Spying a vacant table in the far corner of the Inn, directly under one of the larger fish-bowl lanterns, he heads over and momentarily watches the two little bioluminescent Arborean guppies weaving in and out between a half dozen lazy, emerald-scaled Elysian angel fish. When he hears Hadrian approach behind him, the spellslinger drops lightly into one of the chairs.

[exile]

(Wonderful post, Ned)

Trailing behind Gl’Fnak as the tiefling whirls through the common room of the Open Shell, Hadrian draws up beside the bar and offers a friendly nod towards the establishment’s proprietor.

“Bertram, is it? Pleased to meet you, cutter. I’ll have a plate as well, and a glass of mulled wine, thanks.” Retreating towards the far corner with smile, Hadrian takes a seat across from the Cipher.

“Thank-you for the meal, cutter, its much appreciated,” Hadrian says, as he shifts about on the worn chair. Comfortable at last, he stretches his arms out wearily and begins to speak in his amicable baritone. “So tell me about yourself, Gl’Fnak, I’m always curious to meet another spell slinger.”

[Stix]

May 13, 2008 13:07:01 GMT -5 TheGratefulNed said:

After a quick glance about the greatroom -- and a few friendly acknowledgments of some of the other regulars -- the Baatorian walks directly to the well-worn bar and waits for the proprietor. When he sees the solidly-built human approach, his nearly ever-present grin broadens to a full smile. "Bertram, always a pleasure! I'd like a plate of whatever fare you have available, something with meat preferably, and make my drink a surprise." Then, with a gesture toward the aasimar, he adds, "this's Hadrian. Hadrian, Bertram. Get him whatever he'd like too, on my jink. No rush on our stuff, we'll be over there," he says, nodding toward the far end of the common room.

"I'm always glad to see a good blood walk in the door!" Bertram shakes Gl'Fnak's hand heartily. "I'll put somethin' on for you now, and have it right to you. Best in the house."

May 13, 2008 17:35:55 GMT -5 exile said:

“Bertram, is it? Pleased to meet you, cutter. I’ll have a plate as well, and a glass of mulled wine, thanks.” Retreating towards the far corner with smile, Hadrian takes a seat across from the Cipher.

Bertram's welcome for Hadrian is only slightly less enthusiastic. "Hadrian! Fine meeting you too, cutter -- there'll be plenty more than a glass." With that, he excuses himself to the kitchen.

[TheGratefulNed]

May 13, 2008 17:35:55 GMT -5 exile said:

(Wonderful post, Ned)

“Thank-you for the meal, cutter, its much appreciated,” Hadrian says, as he shifts about on the worn chair. Comfortable at last, he stretches his arms out wearily and begins to speak in his amicable baritone. “So tell me about yourself, Gl’Fnak, I’m always curious to meet another spell slinger.”

((Thank you I worked on that off and on, a few minutes at a time, for a day or two.))

Gl'Fnak simply nods in reply to Hadrian appreciation. "Came into these planes on Baator, Avernus specifically. As happens when a fiend's bastard is born, my mother didn't survive the labor. Raised in an orphanage in Ribcage." There's something in the way he says orphanage that betrays a distinct distaste. "Been banging around the planes since I was about 15. What's your story?" he asks with an arch of the multiple piercings that serve as his left eyebrow.

[exile]

"Baator, hey?" he replies with a smile. "Can't say that I've ever been. Its a ways across the ring from my home, in as much as I call anyplace by that name. I come from Ysgard originally, born into the halls of the Einherjar. I learned the Art at the hands of Odin's mystics, and it was in the Allfather's halls I long resided. I might have remained but for a unique change of perspective I suffered at the wrong end of a spear. I found my calling at the Gatehouse shortly thereafter, and I've been calling kip in the Cage ever since. Thats the short of it anyway, I've no desire to bore you with my philosophical musings."

Hadrian laughs warmly at his own expense. "So, cutter, we've shared a pleasant' afternoon's stroll through Sigil, and a well deserved meal is on the way. Unless you've more questions about me, would it be rude to talk business? I've an interest in spell formula and in research as well, if that appeals to you. What do you say?"

[TheGratefulNed]

"Down to business it is," he says with a grin. "Most things arcane pique my interest. I began collecting research materials and equipment several years ago."

[exile]

"You have your own library then?" Hadrian remarked, genuinely impressed. "I should love to see it. I wonder, cutter, would you allow another to work out of your study? I ask without having any particular project in the works, mind you, just some vague notions with the potential to take shape. Further to that cutter, as I mentioned before, I'm keen to add to my own collection, especially from the ranks of the second and third house. What sort of formula would you be willing to barter?"

In the exotic surroundings of the Open Shell, Hadrian found it difficult to keep his gaze fixed solely upon his dining companion. The luminous minnows in particular had stolen his eye as they darted about through the crystal clear waters of their enclosure.

[TheGratefulNed]

The tiefling's constant smile changes to a humble grin, "I do indeed. And for a fee to cover the expenses incurred, I could make my resources available to you." Pausing momentarily, Gl'Fnak nods and waves to a plump, affable-looking woman who is walking toward the front door. She stops and enthusiastically returns his wave before stepping out into Sigil's streets. "Most of my spells are of a transmutative bent. I'm sure some exchange can be worked out, whether for formulæ you have or something more mundane."

[exile]

Hadrian lifts his pack up on to the table and begins to rifle through the contents. After a moment he produces a thick, leather bound tome from within and lays it open before him. “I have lots to offer, cutter. Let me know if something catches your eye...”

(Spell list has been PMed already, let me know what you think.)

[Stix]

Bertram approaches the table with a large wooden tray, setting down plate after bowl after plate. "Fried Beastlander clams in a garlic butter sauce, lembers* freshly harvested from Fortitude and chilled by an ice mephit -- and that's a horseradish sauce for dipping -- Bytopian white cheese, codfish rolls, potato bread, and pork gravy. It's eclectic, I know, but it's some of the best the kitchen can offer tonight, and I trust you bloods are clever enough to make a meal out of it."

With a smile, he sets down a bottle in front of each of them. "Kenethi Almond Sherry, from Elysium," he says to Gl'Fnak. "And for you, Hadrian, gooseberry wine mulled with clove and ginger. Pellman's Vineyard, Ecstasy.

"If you want something more substantial, we have roast pork and filleted cod." He pauses to see if the Cipher or Bleaker has any other requests.

*(a vegetable resembling a cross between a pepper and a cucumber; crisp and watery, good for cleansing the palate)

[TheGratefulNed]

Gl'Fnak's eyes and smile both widen perceptibly as the veritable feast is laid out in front of them. He can't stop himself from sampling random things even as Bertram is still setting others down and reciting the list of everything being presented. He puts a clam to his lips and eagerly slurps the mussel off of its hard shell. "Ever outdoing yourself Bertram," he remarks, breaking off a piece of the cheese and eating it.

"This'll be more than enough for me. If there's anything else you want, Hadrian, feel free," he says with a gesture toward the human proprietor. The tiefling sniffs the bottle of sherry and immediately takes a sip from the bottle before pouring a glassful.

[exile]

“Thank-you both, cutters. This will do nicely.” Raising his glass in salute to Bertram, Hadrian offered the man a nod of respect. The wine was unaccountably delicious and he was slow to set the drink down once more. Turning to regard his lower planar counterpart with a wistful look in his azure eyes, the aasimar continued: “I can see why you make a habit of this place, Gl’Fnak. Its easy for one to be won over with hospitality such as this.”

[Stix]

"I do try, cutters," Betram comments. "If y'need anything at all, I'll be at the bar."

[skelterjohn]

A pale man wearing a grey cloak enters. The hood is down, revealing greasy, scraggly red hair that doesn't quite reach his shoulders. As he walks in, black leather boots that have a flash of some golden insignia are briefly visible. Linen bandages around his forearms and palms are revealed when he sits at bar, and takes a look at Gl'Fnak. He doesn't shy away from any eye contact, though he has no obvious message to impart.

"Something cheap ... short on jink for some reason."

[Stix]

Bertram fills a wooden mug for the vaguely-recognized newcomer; the brew is light and foaming, mildly flavored. "Heqat Sopdet, from the Outland Estate. Two coppers. Anything else?"

[exile]

(OOC: Thought I'd tie this off, Ned, unless you had some other direction in which you wished to take it.)

Hadrian set about the particulars of an equitable exchange of arcana against the backdrop of well made meal and a few more rounds of spirits. When the two men had at last come to an accord, the aasimar set his mug down and offered his hand to Gl'Fnak to seal it.

"I'm pleased we're both of a common mind then, cutter, and I thank you for the spells. Allfather willing, I'll see much more of you in days and weeks to come. Were drawing nigh on Antipeak though, so I think it best t' find my kip before the Knights o' the Post come out in force. Take care of yourself, Gl'Fnak, hey?"