gallowbird

[gallowbird]

nethrali​:

Closed: @gallowbird​ Date: 07/20/20 Time: Evening Location: Tavern in Runswick

Originally posted by thesmellofparis

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Nethrali was lucky that Rex was already pretty tipsy. For once they’d been not at each other throats and it’d been...nice. That wasn’t usually the word that Rexly used when describing his sister but once she had a few drinks in her and she loosened up Neth wasn’t so bad. She’d clearly never had a lot of fun before and now this giant oaf was here to spoil their good time.

When Neth asked him for assistance Rexly was slightly shocked. A shit eating grin was plastered on his face. “Don’t worry I won’t start anything...but I will finish it.” HIs voice was low. Rex moved to face the Dragonborn he was taller than Rexly but that wouldn’t be a problem. Rexly had brought Goliath's to their knees in front of him before. He just needed to lay it on thick.

Rexly leaned up against the bar, he propped his head up with his elbow. HIs eyes made contact with the Dragonborn’s “Oh I assure you, I am purple where it counts. At least seven inches worth.” Rexly winked. He was laying it on thick, if he wasn’t intrested in Rexly this would scare him off, if he was...well Rexly would cross that bridge when he got to it. “You think you could handle me big boy?”

[gallowbird]

inathanna‌:

Hanna wasn’t sure what it was about the tiefling man, but Hanna felt themself relax in his company. Maybe it was his calm demeanor or the easy way he spoke to Hanna as if they were equals. In any case, Hanna smiled as he sat and ordered a drink for himself, and they ordered another coffee to replace the one that had spilled across the ground.

“Rexly,” the repeated, committing it to memory. “It suits you.” Was that too friendly? Hanna cleared their throat and looked down at the table, gratefully taking a large sip of coffee once the server came back with their drinks. If Rexly thought they were being rude though, he was kind enough not to point it out.

“Oh, yes, for nearly a decade now. I went to school all over when I was younger, before the war, but after a while I settled here. It’s convenient, what with the temple to Aureon built right into it.” After a few seconds they gathered enough courage to look up again at Rexly. “What about you? Did you come here to study in the library?”

A decade was a long time to be doing the same thing. Though Rexly was now working for the thieves guild, it wasn’t work that he’d consider repetitive. Perhaps Hanna’s research wasn’t like that but when Rex thought of studying and research he thought of the long nights as child spent trying to understand necromancy. Rexly had tried his best to read the spells and the research but none of it ever made any sense. When he tried to read the words it was if they’d melted and contorted in to a strange language that he didn’t understand. Some nights when Rexly’s was particularly bad the next morning he’d look in the mirror and see the bruise left on his face from where the book had been thrown at him in disappointment or disgust. Rexly always found the two emotions of his father hard to distinguish. 

“Oh no I was doing a delivery for my boss. Though sometimes I do sneak in to the library to read some of my books. It’s like the last place someone would ever think to look for me.” He laughed. “I’m not really...studious. I tried really hard when i was a kid but...it never made any sense.” 

[gallowbird]

nethrali‌:

          Thin brows furrowed together at the random act of kindness brought forth by her brother, it had to have been a trick. There was no other reason for him not to enjoy the barkeep shouting and demeaning her in front of a crowd - had she been in his shoes, though, she would have enjoyed the humiliation and show. So why was it he cared about the glare that felt like daggers being thrown at her very direction?            “Sit.” She spoke with a quivering voice, her free hand gesturing to the seat in front of her. “I promise to be civil for a change if you can just do that.” Nethrali’s gaze swiveled up to her brother and all of a sudden the ache in her chest grew. Why did he have to resemble the man she was so afraid to disappoint? It was as if her father knew this would be a challenge and enjoyed it so.                “Father is asking where you are, Rexly.” The Tiefling spoke while waving the now crumbled parchment in the air. “I’m almost afraid to respond to the man. How am I to say you refuse to accompany me?”

Rex contemplated walking away from her for a few seconds. He’d managed to slip away from her once he wasn’t sure if he’d manage to do it again. But still Rexly sat down when she promised to be civil.  “You can tell Vigil where I am and he can come talk to me himself. The answer will still be the same.” Rexly’s tone was flat. He was serious he wasn’t going to go with either of them. 

“Perhaps I’d be more complicit if I knew what in the ever loving fuck he wanted.” Rexly took a sip of his drink. He patted his pockets checking to see if he had any cigarettes on him. Rexly wasn’t a smoker but Enfrys was. Rex would allow this character slip. Nethrali didn’t know who Rexly was. AS luck would have it Rexly found a few lone cigarettes in the inside pocket of his jacket. He leaned over to light it on the candle on the table. If he’d been masquerading as Enfrys he would have asked his sister for a light but Rexly wasn’t that classy. 

“If Vigil wanted my company so badly he shouldn’t have waited thirty years to ask for it.” Rexly took a long drag and exhaled. “You know maybe if this had been oh I don’t know, twenty or even eight years ago I would have considered it, but not now.” 

[gallowbird]

nethrali‌:

date: may 19th time: dawn location: khaggon status: open

        The parchment crumbled up loudly within the tavern as clenched digits enveloped the letter written by her father; stress felt as though it had its own tight grasp upon her and was only getting tighter by the minute. How could she have been so foolish to have allowed her brother to slip through her fingertips? Petite arms crossed at her waist as her body leaned further against the booth, her eyes dropping to the wooden table. Disappointing Vigil was never a great feeling and usually the events that followed were unpleasant; even as an adult the anxiety of punishment brewed within her stomach and made her feel uneasy. 

          Her knees slowly were brought towards her body as Nethrali swallowed hard, her heart beating hard within the confines of her chest until shaken out of the anxious state by the beverage now in front of her.            “Huh?” She mumbled before light colored hues flickered up towards the other being. “May I help you?”

Rexly had been out with his colleagues, he couldn’t really remember exactly what they were celebrating was it a marriage? Birth? Could have been a funeral. Either way the night was going good. This wasn’t their usual spot but they were happy enough to drink anywhere and do all their speaking in thieves can’t. One by one his companions had split off to flirt with a bartender or had probably passed out in a corner.  Rexly soon found himself alone. He walked up to the bar to get himself another drink before he headed home. He couldn’t help notice that the bartender was glaring at a table. Probably hadn’t purchased anything yet.  

It was standing at the bar that he noticed his sister. She looked anxious not her usual callous self. Rexly took the drink he’d bought and aganist his better judgment walked over to her table and set the drink down in front of her. He’d almost gotten away with not being noticed by her but her eyes must have caught his hand moving away. 

“Oh no,” Rexly said his eyes darting around the room looking for someone else  he recognized. “Saw you didn’t have a drink, rude to just sit in a tavern and not get something. Trust me I’m saving you hassle the barkeeper was giving you the stinkeye.” 

[gallowbird]

do i believe in romance…not sure. am i obsessed with it…absolutely

[gallowbird]

rovasha‌:

It was fine until he spoke. His voice felt like a dagger pierced through skull and carved out her eardrums one-by-one. It wasn’t the sound that bothered her; it was the realization hitting her square in the face. His cadence was so casual, nonchalant – oh, she wished to slap his stupid grin off his stupid face right then and there. Visions of the past flashed in her mind. Her father with a knife shoved in his back; a child running, holding coin purses as prizes; the snitch that tore the poorly stitched guild, their family, by the seams; the hard labor; the whips; the cowardly exile; the lies.

You fucking left.

She clenched her teeth, bit down her tongue, and inhaled sharply as she slid in the booth across him. It was taking everything in her not to let this avalanche fall.

“Yeah, I bet. Surprised you didn’t end up stabbed in the back, rotting in a ditch.” She deadpanned. It was something they used to joke about, except, this time, it wasn’t a joke.

“I’ve been waiting for someone to do it but you know...haven’t had anyone to stab me in the back since you know who.” Rexly had a bitter face. He’d hated what had happened. How they’d been betrayed by one of their own. He hadn’t really let anyone back in to his life since.  “Someone should do it though. Eradicate me from this mortal plane it’d probably improve the place.”  

“How’ve you been?” Rex asked softly. He hadn’t heard from Rovasha since he left. All of them had to split once the authorities had been alerted to their little organization. There hadn’t been time for goodbyes. “I’m sorry it all fell apart in Itresa if there’s anything I can do for you let me know.” 

[gallowbird]

inathanna‌:

Hanna laughed nervously, pushing their glassed up their nose even though they hadn’t been slipping. A habit they had that kept their hands from flailing around them when they spoke. They smiled down at the ground. Even though this person was a stranger, he had at least humored her and been kind enough to help her pick up her books. “The rest are fine, thank you,” they said, standing up and putting them back on the table.

But then they were left standing in front of the stranger, a tiefling with a broken horn. Hanna found their eyes were drawn to it, but then caught themselves staring and quickly flicked their eyes back down to the ground. There was no doubt a story behind the break, but Hanna couldn’t ask about it.

“Oh um, no I’m not a student. I’m a researcher at the academy. And a cleric at the temple, but sometimes that feels secondary.” This was too much information. He’d probably only been asking to be polite. What did normal people say in polite conversation?

“I’m Hanna!” they blurted, looking up. “Can I buy you something to drink?” Oh Aureon, that sounded like a come on, didn’t it? As if Hanna could ever be so bold! They looked distraught, waving their hands in front of them frantically. “For helping me, I mean. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, sorry I just assumed most people who hang around here are students you know? I have time for some tea If you don’t mind the company.” He’d been considering stopping for tea anyway. It’d be rude for him to deny Hanna’s offer now. He pulled a chair up to the table Hanna had been sitting at.  “I’m Rexly, don’t worry it didn’t sound like you were coming on to me you don’t have to be sorry.” Rexly sat down and ordered a pot of tea from a passing server. Hanna was a little awkward but Rexly found it a little endearing. It was a nice change of pace compared to the type of people he usually talked with.

“You been working at the university long?” Rexly asked as the server came back with the pot of fresh tea. Rexly carefully poured himself a cup. He poured in some milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Perhaps it would make him a little sweeter. 

[gallowbird]

suffocating-air‌:

“There is nothing wrong with standing out. Your boss sounds…..interesting.” Ventis chuckled as they ordered another drink. “Sounds like you know your boss and they are good to you. “

They noted the way he spoke about the rich and wealthy. “Sounds like you have a problem rich people, Why?” It was a bold and blunt question pressing  on being to personal. “What happened to ya?”

“Not so much the rich more so the nobility who happen to be rich. They hoard the wealth, care little for the people who server them.” Rexly although he was drunk was still trying his best to pick and choose his words. “I’m lower class and originally from Itreas I think that says more than enough about why I have certain opinions.” 

[gallowbird]

kodazeloth‌:

“Oh, most of what she says about me could be scandalous, don’t you worry about that,” Koda laughed. What could he say? Friends brought out the best and worst in him. At least it was fun.

“I think you aren’t giving yourself enough credit, there,” Koda replied, tone a practiced smooth, even though if he wasn’t red already, well…There might be something. “Cute that you’re trying to be humble about it, I don’t think I could ever be quite so adorable about myself.”

“Oh I’m not being humble I just -” Rex cut himself off before he could finish. Genuinely hate how I look. He wasn’t about to let this stranger know about how much he used to hate looking at himself in the mirror. Rexly had gotten better about it but people complementing his appearance when he wasn’t disguised still made his stomach knot. “I uh...generally look shady, is what I’ve been told.” 

Rex swallowed. It wasn’t that he wasn’t flattered he was just perhaps this man deserved something better. Rexly attempted to change the conversation away from himself.  “If you’re serious about crossing the boarders though, you can buy safe passage for the right price at the thieves guild. I haven’t done it myself too expensive you know.” 

[gallowbird]

loreadore‌:

Lore had heard the whole ‘primitive’ art thing before, and was quick to ignore it, since they knew that people were generally better than they gave themselves credit for. That was just how artistry worked. Anyone who said they were fantastic were just…the worst people.

“Stage acting is a very fun art! I can’t act like anything but me.” Well, maybe they could. They’d never actually bothered, but that was just because they liked being theirself. “Oh, I mostly just…do landscapes? Living things give me problems.” Problems they were still…trying to fix. No drawing living things until sister was out of a painting, after all.

Rex nodded he also often had problems with living things. Mostly people his cat was pretty sound. “Yeah I wish I could have gotten in to stage acting but alas it wasn’t meant to be.” Rexly took another glance over to the pantings. He’d glanced at this one of a sunset more than once perhaps that was going to be the winner. 

“You have a favorite place to paint?” Rexly ask curiously. He’d met a few artists in his life though they were mostly nobles who had time to paint extravagant things (and who had their extravagant things stolen).  “I used to know a woman Lady Bardryn, I think her name was...might have been Lady  Mardred. Anyway whoever it was she had the most amazing water garden but she always complained that she could never capture it on a canvas. She had a room full to the brim with the paintings she felt didn’t capture the beauty of her garden.”

[gallowbird]

kodazeloth‌:

“Tell her Koda sent you and you might get a good story out of it,” he assured. Koda knew all of his friends had the good stories about him. “Or at least a little bit of extra friendly. If she liked men, it would’ve been me.” He said that with a laugh, still happy that the whole…thing their parents had planned hadn’t worked out.

And then, Koda was happy that he was a tiefling, because if he wasn’t, he might not have caught what might have been a blush. He kept that to himself, though, because nobody enjoyed a braggart that wasn’t singing. And he wasn’t much of a singer. Still. Little push wouldn’t hurt? “Is it just a wink for you? I should’ve known you’d have an easier time of it.”

“Oh maybe if I ask nicely I’ll get something scandalous out of her.” Rex laughed. It was nice they were on good terms. He couldn’t say the same for anyone that he’d ever dated or bedded.  Koda was doing it again. Rex wasn’t about to let him win what ever was going on here “Oh no If I winked at the patrol I’m pretty sure they’d run me through. Slipping them a couple of gold would be my best bet. Pretty sure you’d get through with a wink and few well placed words though.” Rex gave Koda a quick wink and a little devilish smile. “You know something like that.”

[gallowbird]

inathanna‌:

Hanna flinched at the sudden sound of a voice coming from above and looked up to see a teifling man, his skin the shade of purple that reminded them of the petunias that used to grow in their father’s massive garden. But even more importantly was the book he was holding in his hand. “Oh!” Hanna quickly stacked some of the books they’d gathered back on the table, then, still kneeling down on the ground, took the book from the man, and looked it over for marks.

“It’s not your hands I’m worried about, it’s just that this book is a second addition Gildas. Most of his collection was lost five decades ago in a massive fire that took out most of his home and killed two of his children. He never published anything again and he was already known for guarding his work meticulously- unarguably a mistake on his part seeing as that meant most of his work was locked away in the home that burned. But his work on alchemical reactions in the different fauna types in Anari when exposed to soil he claimed came from the Feywild was astounding, if not a little dubious, given the nature of any claims that have to do with the Feywild.”

As Hanna was rambling, their fingers flipped gently through the pages, of the book, and when they found that it was completely unscathed, only then did they realize that they’d been rambling for quite some time. Suddenly, and mid-sentence, their mouth shut with a sharp click of teeth. Hanna could feel their cheeks warm and grow red. “Um. I mean, thank you. For catching it. The book. Sorry.”

Rexly listened to Hanna as they rambled on. He nodded when it was appropriate. The name Gildas was familiar perhaps it was mentioned in one of his father’s books somewhere. Something about the alchemical reactions and the fauna types made it click in his head. Maybe he had learned something from his father after all.  “Oh I think I've heard of him. Shame about his home if only he’d worked in a shed outside or something. At least this one has managed to survive another day.” Rex smiled. Their passion for their books was endearing. It reminded him of his sister, just a tad if his sister wasn’t awful and probably out for his blood. “Oh It’s fine don’t worry about it Are the rest okay?” He asked raising an eyebrow. Rexly wasn’t much of a reader outside of mindless turn your brain off romance fiction. He actually hated reading from the years of his youth trying and failing to understand necromancy. 

“Are you a student here?” Rex asked bending down to help Hanna pick up the rest of their books. 

[gallowbird]

rovasha‌:

Rovasha sensed the other tiefling’s presence the second she opened the doors. She recognized that chipped horn lookin’ purple ass bitch anywhere. She nodded to a server as she lifted a fancy glass from their tray and leaned behind her former associate. “Hey, dickhead. The fuck you’ve been?”

Rexly grinned at hearing the familiar voice. Of all places Khaggon was the last he expected to see Rovasha again. He’d tried to track down his old gang when he settled in Hagenhead but didn’t have any luck. He guess they were using new names until the heat had died down.  “Well, well, well look at what the cat dragged in. Pleasure seeing you again Ro.” Rexly took a sip of his drink. She looked different...grown up. He probably looked old as fuck.  “Oh you know, same old same old. Thieves Guild is keeping me busy, still giving back when I can though. How’ve you been? It feels like a lifetime since I saw you.” Rexly and the gang had to split pretty fast with the authorities literally on their tails. There really hadn’t been time for a proper goodbye. 

[gallowbird]

suffocating-air‌:

“I am drinking away the ghosts.” Ventis slowly traced the rim of their glass. It was hard to forget the approaching gloom looming in the distance. “Forgetting for awhile is worth the headache in the morning.” Ventis had to laugh about the tailor. They could imagine what fashion senses. 

“Extravagant, flamboyant…..not your thing eh? I find myself on the more flamboyant side.” Ventis knew the way of the rich and fabulous. “The wealthy, they have the power. Take care to stay within a safe distance. The prettiest of creatures are only pretty to attract prey into the kill. The brightly colored frog, the rings of a snake. So…..is your boss a good person?”

Rex nodded he was pretty sure everyone was drinking away their ghosts these days. “Oh I’m flamboyant up to a point I like prints, bold colours. My boss is on a whole other level. There’s me here.” Rexly gestured with his hand. “And then my boss is like way up here.” Rexly stretched his arm up as far as it would go. 

Rexly rolled his eyes at the mention of the rich. “Oh if I could tear down the wealthy with my own two hands I would. The frogs and the snakes are dangerous but so is the sword that can cut them down.” Rexly was about to go on but decided that Ventis didn’t want to hear his anti imperial opinions when they were trying to forget their troubles. “He’s a good person, just has a...strange way of showing it. Treats us well and respects us though.”

[gallowbird]

inathanna‌:

Time: Early Afternoon, March 2nd  Location: Khaggon, A small cafe outside the Academy of Arcane  Status: Open. 

When one of the librarians at the academy had suggested that Hanna rent a cart for all the books they were checking out, Hanna had almost considered the idea before it became apparent that the librarian had been joking. Now, as they settled down with a cup of coffee at the closest café to the academy, a towering stack of books obscuring them from the streets, they were relieved they could get some reading done without the oppressive and claustrophobic walls that the campus seemed to have as of late. They were just taking their first sip of coffee, ready to indulge in bright, bitter taste, when the screeching noise of a chair being pushed backwards startled them just enough for their elbow to shoot out as their head turned towards the noise. With a clatter, the tower of books on Hanna’s table went tumbling down, cascading across the dirty stone street and flopping open on their bellies like lazy cats in the afternoon sun.

Gasping, Hanna put their coffee down and got to their feet, panic in their eyes. They should have known what a bad idea it was to take so many books out at once. The risk of one of them getting lost or damaged only grew the further away from the academy that Hanna took them, and Hanna could not afford to pay for most of these books if they were destroyed. Scrambling down to the ground, Hanna quickly tried to gather them up into their arms, checking them thoroughly for any tears or stains.

Rex didn’t usually spend time in this part of the city but his work had taken him to stranger places. It was nice seeing the students of the Academy going about their day. If he’d not been certified stupid Rex wondered if he’d also been a student, not in Khaggon of course probably in Itresa. Rex stopped for a minute outside the cafe wondering if he had time for a pot of tea before he had to go report back to Abad about some potted plants. 

Rex winced as he heard a grating sound he saw a person drop their pile books and Rexly made a quick dive to save one.  Rexly let out a sigh of relief managing to catch one book in his hands. He walked over to Hanna picking up another off the ground.  “Here I managed to catch one before it hit the ground. This one,” Rexly pointed to a book bound in a green cover. “Should be fine, I promise my hands are clean.”

[gallowbird]

[gallowbird]

suffocating-air‌:

“Noted.” Ventis was not upset that He had put them down, not when they bought them a drink. “Conversation then, tell me what you are doing here drinking about.” Ventis knew no one drank for nothing…there was always something.

“I work for favors if the favor is worth it. Considering I have no one to answer to anymore….why not work for myself?”

“Oh I’m here for work. My boss has me collecting some things from the tailors. You have no idea how ridiculous some of it is. Not even I could pull some of this stuff off. The usual family drama coupled in with that.” Rexly was normally tight lipped but he’d had one to many and he was starting to slur his words. Did he care? Absolutely not. “Why you here? Doubt it’s as boring as why I’m here.” 

Rexly nodded. He was still working for the thieves guild. He’d worked for himself for a long time but found that the routine of the guild was good for him. “Oh I used to work for myself, long time ago now but it was liberating.”