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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 9, 2012 2:51:56 GMT -5
The underground of Cressa perhaps wasn't the most sightly of places in all of Avalas, but it certainly was one of the safest places for all types of people. Getting underground and into the sewers wasn't really the challenging part for finding refuge from the law in Cressa - it was finding A Whore's Pussy, the safe haven to thieves and sinister people. Most ordinary folks who attempted to maze their way through the dank, cold corridors of the sewers often ended up soaked, filthy and lost. However, if one did manage to find the location of A Whore's Pussy, they'd be pleased to know it wasn't uninviting and chilly like the rest of the sewers.
The tavern sat inside a massive, retired cistern below the bustling city of Cressa. This particular cistern had been closed down many years ago, due to deficiencies in the output system. The door has a distinct wooden sign hanging outside the wood door, with a faded black cat painted on. On the outer edges of the waterproof cistern, cobblestone walkways had lined the water catches, with a massive round plate in the direct center. On the far left wall of the tavern's main hall, a heavy reinforced door lead into blocked off sewage lines, and the elusive tavern owner, Mag had created rooms to stay, as well as sanctity for illicit dealings.
The center plate boasted old wooden tables and chairs, with a bar across the left walkway, against the wall. On the outer edges, old cushioned chairs and wooden tables sat, creating a more private environment for patrons. In the openings of the old cistern, fires were kept casting light into the entire hall, as well as warmth. The rounded walls were laced with all manners of interesting stones that reflect in the light of the fire, many different colors. While glass ornaments hang from the arches inside the cistern, decorating the open ceilings of the tavern. Swinging wooden doors on the far back wall lead into the kitchen, that often had an assortment of wonderful smells drifting around inside the bar area. In the old water catches, colorful stones and clean water reflects into the hall of A Whore's Pussy.
Tonight, the tavern was particularly busy. The noise of laughter, a fiddle and yelling echoed throughout the massive cistern. In the far sides of the tavern, deals were being made, and gambling was to be had. At the bar stood portly man, waving his hand at some scrawny little customer who was shouting at him. He growled a few curses, before stalking off back towards the kitchen doors. As soon as he disappeared, and Mag appeared from the door leading to the backrooms. He sauntered over the stone walkway, heading for the bar.
The tall, burly man slid behind the bar, nodding at the man who had been previously serving alcohol. Just as he reached for a faded bottle of wine, on the wall shelf, Jonas, his barmaid approached.
"Some guy was complaining to Gregor about the soup." She said casually, pressing the latch on the ale keg, allowing the lukewarm liquid to spill into a dented metal mug. "Mmkay," Mag replied, acknowledging the barmaid with a nod. He turned, facing her and poured some wine into an old cup. She couldn't help but smirk at him, before weaving between two patrons to serve the ale she had just poured. Mag heaved a sigh before sipping at the wine, watching as Jonas disappeared towards the middle of the cistern.
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 9, 2012 20:51:23 GMT -5
"Pew... It stinks." Kamui mumbled to himself, holding his sleeve over his mouth and nose, and using his prehensile tail in a vain effort to fan some of the smell away. Sakurako beside him did not look very pleased either. This particular evening found the drifter and his animal companions meandering through the sewers and catacombs beneath Cressa, and their sensitive noses were doing them no favors in such a place. "Stupid guards... and we were just on my way to find somethin' for supper..." Kamui continued muttering aloud. Not long ago he had opted to squeeze into a nearby storm drain rather than start a commotion with the city watch. Now his stomach was rumbling loudly, for not even the stench of raw sewage could deter his appetite.
Soon he came to a fork in the tunnels, and it was just then that he caught a faint whiff of something else, nearly masked by the stench. Intrigued, he turned down the path where the new scent seemed to be coming from. The closer he got to it, the more distinct it became, and soon he realized there it was more than one smell. "People... and food? ...Ale? I'm not imagining this, am I?" He and Sakurako shared a quizzical look. Yibbles, riding upon the wolfdog's back, was dozing lightly. The trio continued on, following the smell through the winding tunnels, getting closer and closer to the source. Soon enough they came to a stop in front of a door, and looking up, Kamui noted the cat sign hanging above it. "Well, how about that." By now he was close enough to not only smell the tavern, but hear the noises coming from the other side of the door. He pushed the door open and slipped inside, Sakurako just behind him.
"This is new..." He said to himself, glancing around at the tavern's unique layout as he made his way toward the bar. He would be lying if he said it was first time in Cressa's underground, but it had been some decades since his last visit. Mercifully, the odor of the sewers wasn't so bad inside the cistern turned tavern. From the location and look of the other patrons, and that almost everyone seemed to be carrying a weapon or three, he had an inkling this was no friendly neighborhood pub. No one seemed to care about his sword or the bound scythe on his back though, which suited him just fine. A few people were glancing oddly at Yibbles riding atop Sakurako though, but the wolfdog paid them no mind. Kamui stared for a moment at the glass and stones which reflected the firelight, finding them to be rather pretty. But only for a moment, as his attention was quickly drawn by the delicious smells emanating from the kitchen. He sat down at the bar, dropping his rucksack at his feet. Sakurako sat down nearby, letting the still dozing piglet slide gently to the floor. Kamui eagerly reached into his pocket and produced a threadbare coin purse. Turning it upside down over on the counter, only a single, lonely copper coin fell from it. Not even enough for a mug of ale, much less a meal. "...Crap."
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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 9, 2012 23:05:46 GMT -5
Mag gulped down the remainder of his wine, before setting the old cup on the edge of the back shelf. A patron sitting at the far end of the bar counter waved him down for an ale. As he opened the keg, pouring a cup, the familiar silence that occurred with every patron who walked through the door, pervaded the cistern. Mag was almost certain that the tavern got somewhat quieter each time the door leading in opened because the criminals of all sorts never knew if there was a raid storming in. He glanced up and moved down the bar, setting the mug on the counter. The noise grew again, which meant whoever had just entered his tavern didn't appear to be a threat.
The man leaned against the counter, his muscled arms bulging under his black tunic and white undershirt. He scratched at his stubble with his dirty hand, before tapping the top of the counter. His silvery blue eyes scanned the cistern, but then Jonas swept in front of him, blocking his view.
"Hey. Uh, some...guy just came in... he has a pig and a wolf with him.." She said softly, looking around carefully. Only just then, the man who Jonas had been referring to came up to the bar. She sighed, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. She had to deal with drunks, perverts, and all sorts of other mannered patrons. But this was downright unusual. People didn't bring pets in here, well except Lady of course, but even then that was just a cat. Not a pig, much less a wolf. Mag nodded at his barmaid, smirking at her.
."It's 'kay darling," He said gently, with a grin. With that, the woman moved away from the bar, glancing nervously at the animals as she wandered off. Mag watched as the man sank into a seat in front of his counter. The man couldn't help but wearily eye the animals, but both seemed well behaved thus far. After a moment, he turned, grabbing a mug and poured out some ale for the new patron, completely unaware that the man couldn't pay.
"Here ya' are sir." Mag said, dropping the mug infront of Kamui, the ale sloshing around in the cup. "Your friends aren't gonna hurt none of my people here, are they?" He asked casually, nodding at Sakurako and Yibbles. [/right]
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 10, 2012 2:58:04 GMT -5
"Hrm?" Kamui looked up as the man behind the bar placed a mug before him. He glanced down at the lonely coin, then at the man again. Maybe the man didn't realize that was all he had, or maybe he had taken pity on him. Either way, he didn't question it. Before anything could be said, he took up the mug and drained it almost instantaneously. "Hey, thanks, man." He said, wiping his mouth on the back of hand, then grinned appreciatively at Mag. Following the other man's nod toward his companions, he shook his head and said, "Nah, ya' don't have to worry about them." The wolfdog was now looking right back at Mag with icy blue eyes, as wary of him as he was of her.
He motioned to the rest of the tavern, "This is an interestin' place here. Gotta say, it's a rather pleasant surprise while roamin' the underground. And something over there in the kitchen there smells mighty fine..."
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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 13, 2012 2:19:40 GMT -5
"Sure, sure." Mag nodded, still wearily eying the wolfdog and pig. "Well good, I don't need no troubles in here with a bunch of drunk armed men and women around..." He muttered, before grabbing a grimy cloth from under the bar counter. He wiped up any ale that had splashed upon the faded wooden counter top. After the man finished cleaning up, he dropped the cloth back beneath the counter, before realizing Kamui had said something.
"Hm? Oh this ol' place." He smiled charmingly, and leaned against the counter in front of his patron. "Well, I certainly like it better under here, then up there." Mag said gestured the roof of the cistern with a slight frown. "It's quieter down 'ere. No one to bother the place...no guards either..." He mumbled, more to himself than anything.
"Eh, the kitchen?" He glanced towards the double doors before flagging Jonas down. She swept towards them, her curvy body swaying with the long blue skirts of her dress. Jonas wiped her hands on her white apron and sidled up next to Kamui. "What can I do for ya'?" She asked Kamui, with a somewhat cheery smile. It was the best she could manage, having some stranger with his animals in the tavern.
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 13, 2012 3:56:48 GMT -5
Sakurako continued to look right back at Mag for a moment. But then she silently got up, turned her back to him, and sat down again. The man was beginning to annoy her with his staring. Yibbles was still dozing, laying on his back. His little hooves waving in the air, as the piglet were running somewhere in its dream.
"Believe you me, I don't want any trouble either." Kamui said shaking his head. That was why the trio had ended up in the underground in the first place, avoiding trouble with the city watch. Supper was all that he really wanted at the moment. He grinned, catching the other man's mumbling. "No guards? I'll certainly not complain about that."
He looked mildly surprised when the other man called the barmaid over. The man must not have noticed the coin and empty purse, or else he was far more charitable than most tavern owners. Looking up at her, he found her to be pretty, but noticed her discomfort. It was a reaction he was quite familiar with though. He smiled genially at Jonas, and said, "Well, we'd like some supper, but, well..." He suddenly slumped his shoulders and made a small whining noise, "I'm broke..." Putting his forehead down on the counter, rubbing his growling belly, and pushed the lone copper piece forward with the tip of his tail.
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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 13, 2012 21:20:49 GMT -5
Jonas stared as Kamui slumped over in his chair, pressing his forehead against the top of the bar. She glanced up at Mag, hoping the tavern owner would step in about now. Mag's face seemed indifferent to Kamui's suffering. The tavern owner eyed the coin as it was pushed forward by his patron's tail.
"An' ya waited until now to tell me this?" Mag said, lowering his head to the counter top. He straightened, scratching at his stubble thoughtfully. "Eh, he's skinny enough. Go fetch Lady, Jonas." Mag said with a wave of his hand. Jonas' eyes widened and she looked reluctantly at Kamui. "Are you sure Mag?" The barmaid asked carefully. Mag nodded, certainty shining in his eyes. She sighed. "All right then." The woman sauntered off towards the heavily reinforced door, that led into the backrooms of the tavern.
"This copper ain't gonna cover your ale. If you're willing to work it off, my cook will gladly put some food in front of ya'." Mag said, turning to grab his personal cup. He filled the cup with some mead that sat in a cask under the bar. The man sipped at his mead slowly, staring at Kamui with indifference. "It isn't gonn' be easy though." He added sharply.
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 14, 2012 0:50:00 GMT -5
Kamui glanced up to meet Mag's eyes as he leaned down. "It's not like I was hidin' the purse or anythin'." He gave a small wave of his hand. "It's emptier than a... than a... empty... thing..." He was too hungry at the moment to think of a proper metaphor. 'Lady?' He glanced sidelong at the barmaid as she moved toward the heavy door. He wondered if that was the tavern's owner. Or maybe their bouncer. It wouldn't be the first time he was tossed out for having no money.
The man behind the bar presented another option, however. Kamui's face lit up, and he quickly snapped his head up and straightened his back. "You've got a deal!" He said with a grin. "Just tell me what needs doin' around here, an' I'm your man. I know my way around a broom, an' I'm a mean pot scrubber."
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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 14, 2012 1:01:08 GMT -5
"Emptier than a empty thing, huh?" Mag raised a brow at the man, setting his mead down on the counter. The tavern owner folded his arms and a crooked grin emerged on his face. "Well, I'm glad we have an accord." He paused for a moment, snickering to himself. "I can't say those skill sets will come particularly handy fer this job though." Mag added, his grin growing a little bit. It was as if he knew something Kamui didn't. "An' what did ya' want for dinner there?" He asked, glancing towards the kitchen doors.
"I can have my cook get something started for you." Mag said finishing off his mead. "Or we got a house special of potato soup right now an' some fresh bread." He offered. "Whatever suits your fancy. An' plenty of drink here too," Mag added, gesturing the back wall that had shelves of different wines, as well as ales and meads.
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 14, 2012 2:53:21 GMT -5
"Hm?" He wondered a bit at the other man's snickering, tilting his head slightly. But he did not give it much thought, more preoccupied with the thought of eating at the moment. He glanced toward the kitchen longingly, taking in the scents wafting from it. He could smell the soup and bread already, even if Mag hadn't said anything.
He looked back at the other man, "Whatever suits my fancy, you said? Or perhaps more accurately, whatever your cook can make?"
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Post by Malus Grimm on Nov 14, 2012 3:19:07 GMT -5
"That's what I said, anything my cook can make. In fact, let me go an' get him." Mag said with a dismissive wave of his hand. He moved from behind the counter, heading around the sides water lines towards the kitchen doors. The tavern owner pushed open the swinging wooden doors, entering his kitchen.
The floors were the same old stone that had been placed in the cistern. There were two indents in the wall, much like the cistern where water used to flow from outside. These open spots in the wall were used for fires for cooking, one had a spit rotating a duck and the other had been built into an oven. On the far wall of the kitchen there was a large counter, which was obviously used for prepping food. Lining the adjacent wall was four wood burning stoves, only two of which were being used currently, one for a massive stew pot, and the other for a smaller stew pot. Above the counters and stoves were various cupboards, storing dishes, spices and jarred goods. On the wall adjacent to the open spit and oven was a door, leading into the storage room.
In the middle of the large kitchen was a counter island, with cupboard space. Standing over the counter was a portly man, who was working a pile of dough in his fat fingers. His pale skin gleamed in the light of the fire and lamps that illuminated the warm kitchen. The man wiped his hands on his grease stained apron, glancing over at Mag with his shining green eyes. "What can I do fer ya' boss?" The man asked with a grin before brushing the strands of his black hair from his face with his forearm.
"We got a customer, he ain't payin'. But he'll be working it off. I want you to go see what he wants to eat," Mag said standing near the doorway. "The more you feed him, the longer he'll be working here." He added with a sly grin. Gregor nodded understanding exactly what Mag meant. "Got'cha boss, I'll take care of it." With that, the pair left the kitchen, heading towards the bar. "Eh, the one with the funny tail?" Gregor muttered, pointing a stubby finger in Kamui's direction. Mag nodded silently, before slinking behind the bar casually.
"A'right, mister, I'm the cook and boss says yer hungry. What can I do fer ya'?" Gregor asked, standing only a few feet from the seat Kamui was in. [/right]
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Post by »Kamui Syvil VII on Nov 14, 2012 20:05:13 GMT -5
Kamui nodded as Mag went to fetch the cook. But a wolfish expression crept onto his face when the other man was gone. "Whatever we fancy, did ya' hear that, Sak? Fufufu..." He rubbed his hands together. The wolfdog turned her head to look at him, and gave a happy wag of her tail. All three members of the little group enjoyed eating.
When Gregor emerged from the kitchen, Kamui spotted him immediately. He observed the heavyset man with a look that bordered on reverence, as he did with most people that worked with food. In a completely serious manner, he said, "...If it's not too much trouble, sir, could we please have an order of everything? An' that house special as an appetizer?"
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