Somewhere unknown and dark a single red light blinks. It's low frequency emanation doesn't illuminate much, but, as it's the only light in this whatever it is, it lances out. It flashes for an undetermined time as there is not cycle of the outside to even begin to get an idea of how long. Each flash, roughly 10 seconds in circuit, could be all there is in the universe, each flash could be a day to the figure in the dark as it watches, unsure of what exactly the light means. All it knows is that the light only exposes something dark and flat that the light rests upon in its sharp square housing. It didn't really have any concept of shapes, but this was comforting to it in both simplicity and perfection. If this was all there was in it's universe, then it was content, except this wasn't all there was. The flashing light still didn't illuminate much, but, it being to only light, it illuminated everything to someone who had lived their entire life in this darkness. The entire world was a strobe of information disseminated out in only a second in ten.

The being was inside something else that seperated it from the source of the light and, though it didn't know why, it did know deep down in its cells that it couldn't stay here forever. Forever, what even was forever? It was a concept that the being was only now beginning to realize. It was also feeling a new feeling, though what it was wasn't registered until many many more heartbeats of the light later.

It was. . . hunger.

---

Our story beings at humble beginnings, in a tavern as almost all stories begin, but this one is different: This tavern is under a deep gloom. While normally there would be laughing and drinking, there's downcast eyes and quiet mutterings. The serving ladies and lads don't worry about getting pinched or grabbed, but they don't expect much in the way of tips either. Everytime the door opens, the patrons and workers alike look to see who might be coming through and if bad news was coming with them.

OCC: Go ahead and introduce your characters as you enter the bar.

The heavy wooden door scraped open, and a single female traveler stepped into the tavern from the chilly, overcast night air. Her gaze rolled across the room, then fixed on an empty table at the side wall. She moved to it with purpose, carefully avoiding the gaze of the patrons as she walked. Once there, she stood still, inspecting the table and surrounding area carefully; evidently satisfied, she swung a battered backpack off of her shoulders, and let it slide to the floor. She then placed a chair over it, with its back to the wall, and sat down, facing the center of the inn with the table to her left. There, she waited for one of the servers to come to her.

"Food please," she said simply, when one finally arrived; before digging out a pair of silver and placing them on the table next to her. "And... a bed?"

Katrina drew eyes wherever she went, and this tavern was no exception. The massive woman had to crouch a bit to get into the door, but she did so and rose up in a smooth motion that brought her head almost, but not quite, to the ceiling. Walking over to the bar, she took a seat on one of the stools without any sign of fear, speaking once the bartender noticed her.

"Something to eat and drink, please. And if this place has rooms that'll fit me, I'd like one."

Seemed many of the people she was destined to meet drew eyes for one reason or another.  She was for this reason fully covered with a drawn cloak to hide as much as she could as she was bade to by those that raised her.  Still cloak while it could muffle it could not really hide the stench either.  Not that it stunk as in actuality it was quite enticing.

Her eyes themselves were wide and open as she was fascinated with the world never really having a chance to explore it.  And this was going to be an adventure.  She just hope she had enough for the night as gold to her was a concept she could still not grasp fully.  It also did not help that she could not see very well so for that reason until she gets her bearings she finds a table in the corner so she can watch and learn.

The heavy wooden door was slightly lifted up so it did not scrape the floor.  This was usually the sign of someone local.  The door opened carefully and a slim looking human entered.  However very quickly it became clear this was not true.
A set of pointed ears and clean face told of elven background.
However what stood out was a set of faded brown wings.  The sort that appeared in old books and art work usually with the words Angel underneath them.  However in the books the wings where white.  The creatures wings where clearly mid brown.  The words "Look here friends.  We got some sort of fallen angel here." was not an uncommon thing to hear for Moonlight.

The man flexed his wings slightly to remove some water off them.  He looks around.  He let out a sigh of relief on seeing Katrina.
He walks over and sits close to her but far enough away to make it clear he was not joining her or would be talking to her.
He looks at the bartender.  "It's my monthly visit to town.  So a meal and a spot to rest and meditate tonight please.  I am not looking for any trouble as usual either."

The barkeep, a gruff looking man with only one eye, the other completely covered in skin making him look like some off center cyclops, watches the door as each person enters in turn, suspicion for some, recognition for others. Several different people also enter, a dwarf with a large pack, a created with nothing put an ax on his back, as well as several other odd mutants come in and out. An elderly couple, two avian looking animen, finish their meal and stand to leave to only be replaced a few moments later, the table not even being cleared before they sit down, but not too long after. The place is busy, but the same suppressed feeling covers the inn, almost like the whole town is afraid to speak more than above a whisper.



A young man with only one arm comes over and offers points to the menu besides the bar, "What meal would you like to have? A bed is easy enough. It's 1 silver a night, 5 if you want a fireplace."



"I'm sure we can find somethin'," he says in a gruff voice as he cleans the earthen and wooden cups behind the bar with a bit of salt and spit, "Will cost ya an extra silver if you don't want a fireplace. If'n you do, it'll just be 5 instead. I have a menu right there," he points a hand encrusted and dried out by years of working with the salt, "so just tell me what you want and if'n it'll be a double portion."

An older portly elven woman walks over the Ocean and begins to pick up the dirty dishes on the table from the patrons that had vacated. Pushing them into a large basket on her hip. "What are you havin'?" she asks in a wet voice as her jowls quiver with the movement.



The bartender turns his gaze to the bird elf animan and snorts. "That be fine, but remember what happened last time? Just be careful with those wings of yers. Don't want to replace the plates you broke. You know the price Moonlight, so how about ya tell me what you want to eat." The ones that had made catcalls at the birdelf got a single eyed glare at them for their troubles. Though Sige wasn't the innkeeper, he was in change of the bar area, and he had bodily thrown out several patrons for starting fights and wasn't above busting heads with his gnarled cane if need be.

Moonlight pushed two silver coins across to the barkeeper.
Vegetable Stew and a Mug of Beer will do. In one of them great irony of life.  Build like a predator Moolight people very rarely eat meet.
He always over paid for his food and space to meditate.  Their was little love lost between Moonlight's people and the people of the town.  Even the mutants.  It had even come to a mob going after them once or twice.  However trying to take on a group of wing creature that hide in a forest and make fine bows was not the best idea unless you plan your move carefully.  Mob rule is never planned or careful.

Moonlight was able to afford the money.  He sold arrows in the market and took on odd jobs that only someone with a set of wings and a bit of strength could do.  Why he did this nobody was clear but for a few days each month he would come to town and offer his services for a few coins.

OOC:  Subject to GM happy with back history.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Ocean still mainly listens to what is going on around mainly as two reasons.  She is new to the world and also new to money.  So she listens to what was taught to her and that is to listen.

After a bit of time she learns enough that she gets up and walks toward the bar to make her request, "Excuse me.  If I may request a room and potentially some food."  If anyone points out the menu, "I am sorry I can not read very far."  Anyone that looks will see her eyes are slightly cloudy.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

In reply to Mutant Master (msg # 6):

Sylvia hadn't noticed the menu board when she'd come in, but now that it had been pointed out she studied it intently.

"Vegetable stew," she said, then glanced at the young man. "But could I have the cider instead of the beer please? Yes to the bed, and a fireplace is not necessary." She lifted the two silver from the table and handed them over. A small smile graced her lips, looking somewhat out of place but still softening the cold edge of her features. "Thank you."

Once he was gone, her gaze floated around the room aimlessly, taking in the muted energy of its inhabitants. A frown of recognition flickered across her face as she noted the winged elf sitting at the bar, and although the expression was quickly gone, her eyes occasionally darted back to his vicinity. When the Created entered, her body went tense; after a few moments, however, as no one else reacted to its presence, she slowly relaxed -- although not as much as she had before.

Katrina considered. She'd eaten here many times and knew the menu well. "One portion of eggs and cabbage, one of vegetable stew, and let's have a double-mug of beer for the drink," she said. "And I'll go for the cheaper room. Just somewhere to rest where I won't be tripping over relatives." Katrina thought she really should be getting her own house. She was an adult now, after all, a full partner in the farm, and the place had been starting to feel claustrophobic even before...well, things started happening. Of course, with the darkness over the town, there wasn't any time or strength for raising a new house either.

She looked over at Ocean as she heard the anigirl speak, catching the slight milkiness in her eyes. "Here," she said, and softly read each line of the menu out to her. "The vegetable stew is good and filling, and we've got decent beer this season." She gave the foxgirl a quick once-over, smiling at her. That scent was rather nice...

He takes your money and returns with the requested food. "So what are you doing in town this time? I hear Osterson was impressed with the last shipment and might be looking to order much more if your clan is interested."



OCC: Of course.




"Oh no deary," he says following behind Ocean, "Do you need it read to you or just need to be closer?"

Sylvia gets her order just as she requested and, since she was aware of the created, noticed the android take a seat and then stare for an uncomfortable amount of time at each patron. It doesn't order anything to eat or drink, but just sits at a table, his head turning as it stares.

Katrina also got her large portions as the barkeep talks to the winged elf, but does say, "I'll have to get an order in for some. With the current situation, I can't keep it in stock, so all you can produce will get bought I'm sure."

"After y'all meals, I'll get Hildo to arrange your rooms."

Moonlight takes the beer, sips it then puts it back on the table.  He answers the barman in a low voice.
That is good to hear.  The forest like most things has it limits.  A small, regular supply is we feel the way forward. 

The elf stirs his soup.  Looks at it thoughtfully.
Plus it is nice not to make your own food once in a while.

After a pause he adds.

Hows business?

[Private to GM: Moonlight always slips an extra coin to the barman under his bow.  Most of what barman says would be mundane stuff about the inn but dropped in maybe something useful to the elf.  The two would be deliberately offish to each other but barman knows the winged elf keep their word and respect life.  I decided to make him (them) LN and will come up with a code of conduct.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Sat 18 Dec 2021.

"If it can be closer it would be fine." 

If the request is complied with.

"Stewed mutton and dried mushrooms sounds really good.  But I don't think the beverage would work.  I would love some tea or if you do not have that mead I think should be safe."  She says thinking of what would be best for her and not get her in any trouble.

Once the order is done she looks for an open seat at the bar.

Sylvia slowly ate, still letting her gaze wander the room. She kept an eye on the Created, as well as on the winged elf she thought she recognized. For the most part, however, she just let her gaze drift, idly getting a feel for the townsfolk here.

Katrina nodded to the barkeep. "Thanks." She began to quietly eat her meal.

People are constantly streaming in and out of the bar area. A young family of animen leave to only be replaced by an elderly halfling couple. The noise level is still hushed however with few really wanting to start fights, though the alcohol and everyone being armed.

Suddenly the Created stands, knocking the table forward with a screech of protest. His chair clatters to the floor audibly in the hushed room. What little conversation that was going on abruptly stops at this cummotion. Striding quickly, the android walks straight at Sylvia, its arms at his side, it's face a blank canvas that could have emotion, but doesn't.

Stopping at Sylvia with his inhuman speed, it blurts loudly, "Are you a great warrior?" His eyes are locked on hers as he awaits her answer.