A Party of One at a Table for Five

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Deidric looked a bit disappointed to find out that most people avoided the mana gorge, though he supposed it made sense, he was mostly interested in it because of it's reputation for unexplored depths and if a lot of people went its depths would not be unexplored. Though as he ponders this their new cloven hooved companion joins them at the table and he smiles. "Well it is a pleasure to meet you Iris." He says with a nod before downing his fifth drink.

Though as the two exchanged greetings and wit Deidric soon realized he had said something incorrectly. "I apologize, does dibs mean something different here? This southern tongue seems rife with innuendo I have never even considered." He admits as he gets a sixth and keeps going.

I feel like I'm being weighed and judged. Deidric thinks to himself as he looks at the pair surrounding him. Though he had to admit he enjoyed the attention a little.

As Iris mentions she got a job he listened curiously, this kind of thing usually let one know more about the individual affected. Though as she did not go into detail he decided to ask. "What are you going to be doing?"

Then when suddenly asked how he and Roxanne met and knew each other he says simply. "Roxanne and I just met, but she has been regaling with takes of the city. What about yourself?"

[Roxanne]

Roxanne sipped her new glass of wine, listening to Iris. She chuckled a bit, grinning as Iris insisted that Deidric should consider himself lucky if the half demon claimed him. “I see you haven’t forgotten our night at the springs then, Iris, and I’m assuming you’re not just referring to my good nature,” she replied, laughing and giving Deidric a wink to clue him in.

Her laughter continued as Deidric chimed in, questioning how dibs worked in Nova and seeming to marvel at the innuendos. “Dibs can mean a lot of things, including your harmless notion. It’s just that Iris and I added our own meaning. We don’t mean any harm though, at least I don’t, and I’m assuming she doesn’t, but if it bothers you, I do apologize,” she said, working to keep the grin off her face, though her lavender eyes still fairly sparkled.

The half demon lapsed into a brief silence then, drinking her wine as Deidric spoke. She looked at Iris expectantly when he asked her what she would be doing, as Roxanne was also curious. Iris’s question about how the two of them met caught her a bit off guard. Was it not obvious that they didn’t know each other? She nodded as Deidric answered, smiling.

Iris seemed to have some interest in Deidric herself, with the right amount of alcohol and provocation this might just turn out to be an interesting night. Roxanne rather doubted it though and was only slightly disappointed. The company was rather enjoyable, regardless.

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A pleasure to meet you too Deidric!. Iris grinned as she took a gulp of her own drink. They were ahead of her, that much she knew, but it wouldn’t take her long to catch up. She turned her yellow eyes to Roxy, laughing. No I have not. What could possibly have been forgetful about that night? I mean, honestly. Iris wagged her eyebrows jokingly, sticking out her tongue in amusement.

As the question of “dibs” was brought up, Iris smirked. No innuendo intended, I apologize. She winked again, still teasing, but also sorry for having confused him.

On the question about her job arose, Iris grinned, her excitement peaking. I got hired as a personal body guard for a duke. We’d met previously and he liked how I operate and decided I was good enough to protect him. She kept Adrain’s out for the time being; she didn’t know who all knew about his “promotion.”

Oh, duh, of course. Sorry, I’m a little dense on how people act with each other. Last time I assumed a couple had just met here, they were a long time couple. She scratched the back of her head nervously. But it made her feel a little better knowing she wasn’t the odd one out; no one here knew each other that well.

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"That night?" Deidric asks as he tilts his head. It sounded like an interesting story, though neither seemed particularly inclined to clarify. Then he seems to come to a conclusion. "Oh, I see, excuse me for the interruption."

Things were starting to make more sense now, the reason Roxanne had no compunctions about suggesting the hot spring with him were that she was interested in ladies. When Iris apologized he simply shook his head. "No, it is no trouble I would hate to be in the 'dibs' you two have seemed to have placed." He replies looking at the two of them with a knowing smile.

"Well I suppose this joke has been over used at this point." He admits before taking another swig and leaning back so that only two legs of the stood touched the ground. "If you are respectively a merc and a body guard then the two of you must be reasonably strong. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to meat on the field at some point." He says with a grin, though he also would not mind a group to work with.

As he looks at the pair he ponders the group and comes to a startling realization. "You know, I do not think this is going to be strong enough to get a good buzz going, is there someplace with a stronger brew? Or a distillery around?" He asks curiously thinking of his congac decanter sitting back on the fireplace at his home in the north.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne laughed along with Iris, remembering the ladies night in the springs and shook her head. "None of the other women that were there, that's for sure," she agreed, still laughing. Deidric's comment stilled her laughter as she looked at him curiously, wondering what he meant. Once he got to the part about the dibs, Roxanne's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, Deidric... You think, me and Iris..?," she questioned, then shook her head, a wry chuckle escaping her lips. "No, you've got it all wrong. You see, last time I went to the hot springs, I happened upon a bunch of other women, including Iris. It was sort of a ladies night out, if you would. I'm very much into men, though. That innuendo was definitely meant for you," Roxanne explained, amused.

Iris's answer concerned her job stole the half demon's attention. "That sounds pretty similar to what I do, almost. Not really, though. Good for you though! Congratulations on your new job!," Roxanne said, her thoughts clearly a little muddled by all the wine, thought her speech was still quite articulate. To make her point, she raised her glass, knocking it against Iris's and draining the rest of the contents. Deidric added his two cents on the matter, which earned him a confused look from the red head before she shrugged. "I have not heard that joke, but yes 'reasonably' strong would be an apt description. You don't really want to meet me on the field, unless we're on the same side," Roxanne said, giving her knew friend a wicked grin.

Deidric's quest for stronger spirits had Roxanne pausing, thinking a moment. "Well, they do have plenty of whiskey and such here, you need only to ask. As for a brewery or distillery, I have no idea, honestly," she said, shrugging. She wasn't particularly concerned about stronger drink. "I might have to slow down, honestly. I still have to fly back home," Roxanne mused aloud, not minding her slip.

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Iris looked at Deidric as he seemed to put a puzzle together in his head. A laugh burst from her lips as he came to his conclusion. She was so busy laughing, that when Roxy explained otherwise, she couldn’t help but laugh more. When she was finally able to talk, her voice was highly amused. Oh my friend, I tried. But she speaks the truth; only men for her. Iris jested, still in high sprints at the thought of someone assuming such a thing. A ladies night out indeed. To fill you in a smidge, one by one a group of women decided to take a springs date for themselves, and all ended up in the same place. For some it got heated, for others, not so much. Iris laughed again shaking her head at the memory.

Turning to the conversation of her job, Iris grinned, clinking her glass with Roxy. Thank you! He’s a good guy, so it’s not like I’ll be working for some stuck up prissy asshole, so thank the gods for that. Should be fun. Iris threw her glass back, chugging some of the contents, but didn’t quite finish the drink.

Back home, I was considered a Lone Warrior, or a Wandering Soldier, as I left my tribe to fight in what I believed in, so I think that makes me at least reasonably strong; women of my species don’t fight typically. She left it there, knowing neither of the two had seen her in action, and thus couldn’t really know her skills.

I’m not familiar with this city yet, not in the slightest, so I’m afraid I can’t answer that either. Iris shrugged, not caring whether they stayed or went, and drank the rest of her glass, ordering another. Fly home eh? Iris tilted her head, catching the comment.

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Deidric watches the pair and their very different reactions to his conclusion regarding the hot springs. Well now, I certainly did not expect this. He admits to himself as both of them come forward with surprising responses. "A whiskey please." He asks before saying anything himself.

"I flattered Roxanne, but you do not really know me, is it not a bit early to be suddenly laying claim?" He asks as his drink comes and he downs it before calling for another. Deidric was not showing any outward signs of inebriation which clearly marked him as inhuman at this point. As he listens to the two talk he reflects on the irony of serving another, it involved improving you own lot by placing someone else's well-being before your own. Though his attention is suddenly drawn to Roxanne's comment about the field.

"Well now, that only makes me more excited, if both of you are strong then that means that it is more likely I wiil..." However he trails off and his grin which had become wide and excited slowly returned to a more neutral expression, "Well I should probably not wish to fight my friends in a life or death situation." He concludes as he takes another drink of whiskey.

Then he burps, and a small flash of fire comes out.Deidric turns his head and does a good job of hiding it but there was no way that people who were sitting with him would not notice.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne watched Iris with amusement as the satyress burst into laughter, joining in herself. It really was rather amusing. The blonde's comment, after the laughter had died down a bit, earned her a grin from the half demon. She listened as Iris further explained the night at the springs, nodding in agreement and sipping her wine. It had been quite an interesting night. She'd never seen so many ladies gathered in one place before.

Deidric's comment captured her attention and she looked at him, grinning. "It's never too early for claims," she said, laughing and clearly kidding at this point. "Besides, I hope to get the chance to get to know you better, so you never know. You're a very intriguing...man," she said, honestly and hesitating at the word 'man'. It was clear she knew he was something other than human, but that she also hadn't figured out what.

The half demon grinned again, looking back to her other companion, as Iris spoke of the man she was working for now. "He certainly sounds like it and it sounds like you got lucky. I wish you success with your new job, Iris," Roxanne said, smiling. She was curious who the man was, but knew better than to ask. This was followed with an interesting revelation that only seemed to excite Deidric further. She raised an eyebrow as he trailed off and when he finally finished, it was only that much more mysterious but she couldn't argue with the logic. "That's very brave of you, Iris. It speaks highly of your character," she commented, sipping her wine again. "I shouldn't want to fight my friends in that situation either, Deidric. A match for fun is not out of the question, though," she added, smiling wistfully. The last time she'd sparred with anyone for fun had been with Rivers.

Iris's comment about the city snapped her out of the memory and she looked at the satyr for a moment, thinking. "I could show you around the city, if you want. I know it fairly well, along with most of the outer lands though those would take a while to explore with you on foot," she offered, finally finishing off her wine. Roxanne had lost count of how many she'd had at this point. She stared at the empty glass, frowning a little, before shrugging and ordering a refill. She wasn't feeling it yet, so she thought it was probably not enough to impair her.

Roxanne looked back up as Iris caught her slip, laughing. "Come now, Iris. Surely you remember my arrival at the springs? Surely you've guessed by now what I am?" she teased the other woman, grinning in amusement. She didn't really much care if someone said it aloud, at this point anyway. Hers wasn't the only slip though. Deidric's burp caught her nose before it caught her eyes, the smell of the flame mixed with the alcohol a bit alarming. Once she realized what had happened, her face settled into a questioning glance, one delicate eyebrow raised as she looked at him. "Looks like I'm not the only one with secrets tonight," she commented, her voice barely above a whisper but she was sure both of her companions could hear it just fine.

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Iris stayed out of their flirtations for the time being, not wanting to interfere just in case Roxanne was serious. Besides, it seemed like Deidric was being evasive for her anyhow. She smirked when Roxanne left a space before saying “man”, as her own senses had declared to her that the man before her was something other than human, but nothing she’d ever come across in her own world; she wasn’t familiar with the different species in this world yet.

Thanks Red! I’m excited for it, he told me I get to bash some skulls so thats gonna be great. Iris jested, though she was only some what joking. When Roxy commented on Iris’s past, she shrugged. Eh, I think it just proves that you can be different if you want to. Iris threw back the rest of her drink, ordering a new one of the same kind.

Actually, I would greatly appreciate that; so far I’m only really familiar with two or three people from this world, you being one of them. I recognize a face now and then, but no one I ever stop to talk to. So that would be great if you could find the time. Iris agreed whole heartedly, needing to know more about the city than the third district. She’d found the springs easy enough, but that was just forest exploration.

She turned to Deidric as her drink arrived a grin on her face. I agree with Roxy, sparring is never out of the question. Iris had to wonder why he trailed off; had he been envisioning them fighting life or death? Although it would certainly be interesting, Iris had no interest in throwing herself into something like that just yet. She thanked the bar keep and took her drink, taking a large sip from the get go.

I know you’re not human Roxy, that much is certain, but I never came across someone like you in my world, so although I know you’re different, I don’t have the word for it. For either of you actually. Iris cocked an eyebrow as she watched Deidric try to conceal a burp, flames bursting from his mouth. Interesting. When she had spoken, she had toned down her overly enthusiastic voice, not sure if either of her friends wanted people hearing them, but by how Deidric was hiding himself, Iris had the feeling he definitely didn’t want people finding him out.

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Deidric smirks at the comment that it was never too early to stake one's claim. Now there is a sentiment I can agree with, even if it feels strange being the one that claim is staked upon. He thinks to himself as he takes another drink of whiskey. "I am going to be in the city for a while so I would certainly enjoy having a friend who seems to know so much about the area, also you can hold your liquor, an important quality to have as one of my friends." He tells Roxanne as he takes another swig.

As the pair talk about Iris's new job Deidric thinks about what is being said. "Hmmm, well if you need help knocking heads at some point feel free to let me know. I am in the market for work right now, at least in between sight seeing." He explains then grins at Roxanne, "and with that in mind I would love a tour of the city. I have not had a chance to look around much myself and I keep getting distracted by the food."

In response to the comments on Iris's past and the praise of her character Deidric raises his glass, "it takes strength to stand against custom, and it takes bravery to decide when to leave. That's why I am here." He says and then turns back to his drink. Though as he takes another swig a smile breaks across his face.

"I would love to spar at some point if you two are interested." He suggests, though an air of danger suddenly settles around him as he smiles, and he would trigger any danger sense or blood lust senses around. Though the air of menace dissipates as quickly as it emerged following his burp and the comments of the other two.

"Alright, I might not exactly be human, but I'm afraid I would rather not talk about the matters of the north." He explains before taking another swig.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne grinned back at Deidric as he smirked at her. His reply wasn't surprising and Roxanne was actually glad to hear it, though she did laugh a bit when he got to the part about her holding her liquor. Demon blood made it hard for her to drunk, unless she was really trying or drank like a whole keg. "Thanks Deidric," she said, holding up her glass and giving him a nod. To help illustrate his point though, she downed the rest of her current wine glass, still trying to remember how many she'd had. Worse case scenario, she ended up renting a room for the night.

Iris continued talking about her job and Roxanne listened, smiling. She didn't have much more to say about it and didn't want to offer her assistance as Deidric did. She felt like Iris could handle herself pretty well. Besides, it went without saying, at least for the half demon, that if she was in an area with Iris and the satyr needed help, of course she would assist her.

Both her new companions decided they wanted tours of the city and Roxanne smiled. "Well, I guess the next question is, do you both want one at the same time or would you prefer individual tours?" she offered, swirling her wine in her glass a bit. Her hands were starting to get bored.

Iris seemed as excited by the idea of sparring as Deidric did, though after he spoke up a noticeable wave of danger began rolling off him. Roxanne shivered in what was obviously pleasure, not fear, and gave him a wicked grin. She could almost smell it for a moment, before it faded and that intrigued her. Her reaction was not normal by any means, but then neither was she. Danger was enticing to her, exciting even. "We'll have to arrange that sometime. We can take turns amongst the three of us. It'll be fun," she suggested.

Roxanne gave Iris a curious look as she admitted she had no idea what Roxanne was, though she shifted her glance to Deidric when Iris did. She didn't have a word for him either, yet. His comment made it a close case. He wasn't talking about it, but he did admit he wasn't human. Roxanne was sure she'd figure it out eventually. She turned her attention back to Iris, smiling. "Well Iris, I won't make you try to puzzle this out on your own. I have no problems talking about it, and besides it's probably better that you two know anyway. That way you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want to continue spending time with me. I won't be offended if you don't," she said, musing. She thoughtful, more than anything, not upset at the idea in the slightest. "It's not exactly right to say that I'm not human. I'm half human, but I'm also half demon," the red head admitted, quietly. None of the bar patrons would be able to hear her, but she knew that the two drinking with her would easily.

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@tagged

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we must be K I L L E R S

CHILDREN OF THE WILD ONES

Iris shrugged, I don’t mind if pretty boy joins us. I mean, the more the merriment right? - did I say that right? I heard a local say it in a similar context, but frankly, I have no idea. Iris rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, still new to Nova and its languages. 

When sparring was still being discussed Iris nodded along enthusiastically. She wanted a chance to try out her new shield in addition to keeping her sword skills up to par. She hadn’t used them all that much recently, not really needing them. Fun indeed. She chimed in. 

Iris pouted lightly as Deidric refused to inform them of what exactly he was, but she didn’t pry. Some people just didn’t like spreading the knowledge, and that was okay. Thankfully, Roxy didn’t have the same thought process, and allowed Iris to know what she was. But she was confused as to why Roxy was adding a disclaimer, whatever her race, she was still a great person as far as Iris could tell. 

Demon.. The word rolled off her tongue naturally. Oh yes. We have those in my world as well, but they look nothing like you. Our demons were shadow monsters, lurking in the night. Or, in some cases, beasts sent out by Hades from the underworld to drag his victims back to depths of Tartarus. So it looks like you got the better deal. Iris smiled, seeing no reason why she’d want to stop associating with the red head.

WHERE DO WE HAVE LEFT TO R U N ?

ulla

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"Hurrah, I will gladly join in the quest to explore this town. It seems like it'll be fun." Deidric cheers and then takes another swig of liquor. Both of this pair seemed pretty amusing and he was sure whatever trouble they managed to get upto in town would be equally entertaining.

"As for the sparing, how about in a few days we setup a match? Is there anywhere in the area that is good for this kind of thing? Sparing can get a bit destructive for the scenery." He mentions as a wide grin splits his face revealing pearly white teeth. He noticed the shiver of excitement Roxanne displayed and found himself wondering if she derived some additional enjoyment from danger, he'd certainly met some who did, but he filed the observation away, he certainly was in to position to judge.

As Iris seemed disappointed by his refusal he was about to say something placating when Roxanne explained what she was and his eyebrows lifted slightly. "Half demons are pretty uncommon, I think you are the first one I have met." He comments in genuine surprise. Though as Iris explains what demons are in her world his brow creases.

"The way you speak, what world is it that you are from?" He asks curiously.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne nodded, sipping her wine again, and smiling as both Iris and Deidric agreed to tour together. It sounded like it would be quite the adventure with the three of them. Iris’s answer was the most amusing though and the half demon couldn’t help but laugh a little. “That’s almost right. I believe the saying is ‘the more, the merrier’. The person you heard say it must have been drunk,” she said, still smiling easily.

Deidric’s question about a safe place to spare and suggestion to set up a meet of sorts brought a thoughtful look to Roxanne’s face. She could think of a good place for such a thing. “That sounds like a good idea and I think I know just the place. There’s a meadow just past the crystal springs that has plenty of room. Locals call it Willows Meadow,” she suggested.

At this point, her inability to sit still combined with the buzz the alcohol was finally producing lowered her judgement. She conjured a tiny flame in her hand and began to dance it across her palms, bouncing it off her fingertips for a few moments. Eventually, she began to change its shape, the red orange fire shifting into a tiny rabbit, a squirrel, a kitten.

Roxanne watched the dancing flame as she listened to Iris comment on her revelation and explain what demons were like from her world. She chuckled wryly as the satyr mentioned that she didn’t look like a demon. Deidric also seemed interested and surprised, having apparently never met someone like her before. That wasn’t all the surprising. She hadn’t met many of her own kind, either.

“Well, you see, the reason I don’t look like a demon right now is because I choose not to. I actually have three different forms, though I rarely go full demon. In my experience, it’s a rare breed here and I’ve been in Teair, in one form or another, all my life,” she answered, laughing a little. Feyurlun was basically Teair and so it counted well enough. She glanced at Deidric when he asked Iris where she was from. Roxanne had already pegged her for Fated and the question caused an interesting combination of curiosity and caution to settled in her lavender eyes as she turned them on the satyr.