Wait for It (Myst/Open)

[Claire]

Claire had foolishly thought it would be easier than this. Summers in her city always had the lower districts crawling with rich people, foolishly trying to drink in taverns in an attempt to look tough or to haplessly trying to find wisdom among the apparent wisdom of the poor men of the street and students. Luckily in some ways Nova was the same and just as stupid.

It was only men that she mugged. The women, even the ones that seemed to be foolish and catty birds, she left alone. Ambushing carriages on the highways was a good way to earn a reputation it seemed, a figure in dark clothes and a mask to hide her identity and race entirely that was more than willing to knock down a peg any rich man that was foolish enough to traverse into the forest or the third district. Soon she found herself with things she had no use for- trunks of clothes for men and women alike, jewelry, gold. She had a suspicion that Core was pleased, he seemed to be every time she spoke with him about her progress and she could feel it whenever she managed to successfully pull off a mugging. But she still couldn’t find her mark.

Mysteria. Court Magician, according to those she had questioned about her. A pale and curvy and scary woman with hair the color of dusk. Violet even, some said, and Claire couldn’t help but think of that beautiful woman she ran across in the taverns so long ago.

Another lifetime ago, it felt like.

Those were the thoughts going through her mind as Claire made her usual trek back into the tavern that day. Clearly she hadn’t been in the space to mug anyone today, dressed as she was like a woman. The dress was simple, a creamy white with long laced sleeves, a surcoat of deeper blue over it, patterned delicately with cross-stitches of plant life in bands across the surcoat. She’d fished it from a trunk that she’d gotten off a carriage, one of the few things in it that fit her. She missed her long hair desperately as time had gone on, so her shaggy hair was hidden in a long tailed hood that capped over her shoulders. The only weapon she carried on her was a simple dagger, in case she did run into this woman or run afoul of someone who recognized her. She could do enough damage like that.

Music filled her ears as she stepped inside, travelling bards from another county- singing in the common tongue for this country but in an accent she recognized. There were people clustered around the musicians but Claire pushed around, scanning the crowd for familiar faces as she made her way to the bar. Her usual ale was ordered as she settled back to watch for another night, waiting for a woman that might never show.

[Mysteria]

The last day of the festival; one that brought little joy to the Kray woman who silently made her way down to the Third district from the Castle. Her attire hidden under a heavy black hooded cloak to make it some what easier for her to sneak past any of the noble eyes that would recognize her within a crowd. The street's full of people, young and old dancing around large bonfires that lit up the entire kingdom of Nova from the castle to the outer wall. A beautiful sight; though Mysteria paid little attention to what was going on around her. The first night out of the Castle's hospital ward and Mysteria is barely lifting her gaze up from the cobbled street.

Her destination; The Gallow's Inn where she could go and drink, get some fresh air or something to help settle her restless mind. Her mood not improving as she walked and pondered through the events that had happened within the past week. Roland being collared during his wedding with Severine's only daughter, Aveline, which then Severine found out about and crashed at the end. A thought that made Mysteria's blood boil and her pace quicken to the Tavern. A low growl escaping as she quietly raged about the whole thing in her head.

It was all too soon!! The Collar's were not complete and yet Fate went ahead and used a prototype with out even thinking of the consequences! Mysteria hissed at the thought; Her emotions becoming flustered as she recalled Fate's actions after the following night after the wedding. Her left arm suddenly burning with a phantom pain of it being pulled; followed by a haunting memory of the sound of muscles being torn and HIS words burning into her thoughts like a hot iron. The feeling almost robbing her of her senses until a familiar street came into view.. Thank the gods, The Gallow's Inn was finally in sight!

An for once Mysteria was out of breath before reaching the establishment as she picked up her feet and ran the rest of the way. Her cheeks red as she stopped at the front door to catch her breath, thankfully taking this moment to compose herself before entering the Tavern that she was beginning to call her 'second' home. Upon entering she noticed a few familiar faces but said nothing or did anything to acknowledge their existence. Instead she only acknowledged the bar tender who waved his hand and held up one or two fingers to gesture how much she wanted to drink. Mysteria nodded at his gesture and continued on her way towards the back of the building where a few empty tables could be seen. The music filling up the place with a lively beat as she weaved passed the crowded drunks to a empty table up against the back wall of the tavern.

[Deleted]

Again with the burnt loafs! The kitchen was a wreck! The cook was late and above all, Coal had no idea where the bloody freaken bread paddle was kept!! From the start this morning things had been going rough. The cook hadn't shown up to work and most of the girls that worked didn't seem to want to wait on the customers. A complete and total nightmare to the newly appointed Bar Tender who was now playing chief. Thick clouds of smoke filtering out into the main seating area of the tavern from the doors behind the bar. The violent coughs of one now pissed off employee now audible to at least those sitting at the bar. The bar tender who was orginally behind the bar, no where to be seen at the time.

With a stumble in his step, Coal came through the kitchen doors with a look of horror on his face. His cigarette hanging loosely on his lips as he stared out into the main lobby of the tavern. " Goddess on high, I told that girl to watch the bread. " He grumbled under his breath, taking a puff from his cigarette before spitting it out and stomping the remains. With what looked like mixed feelings of anger and remorse Coal moved over to a window close to the bar front. Opened the latches and then with out little thought chunked the burnt bread out the kitchen window and into the streets below. Not worthy enough for humans, but at least it would be 'consumable' for the live stock.... With a slump in his step Coal made his way behind the bar; his navy blue eyes glaring at the waitress who realized her mistake while trying to sneak past back into the kitchen.

He nearly missed the new customer coming into the tavern; catching the sign with the person's fingers just in time before more customers began settling up at the bar. A raised brow at the familiar finger signs with a bent smile. " A jug of wine to the table in the back, usual tab rebecca!" Coal called out to one of the bar maidens to fill in the order that his most common customer would order. The girl nodding with a smile before pulling a jug off the shelf and a cup before running off to the table where Mysteria sat down. Meanwhile Coal turned back to the bar, approaching each person who sat on a bench for another re-fill. When he got to the end of the bar he stop in front of a rustic copper tone looking woman. A smile on his face as he placed both hands on the bar. " Would you like another refill lass or are you done for the day? If you need a bed, food, or drink let me know. " Coal spoke very cheerfully, playing out the roll of the bar tender that was always there to serve.

(( I hope this is alright for me joining in. ))