• Mature • The Jerk Merc

[Eternity]

Vhalar 16 722

The sound of lively music and cups tapping together filled the bar on a crisp autumn afternoon. Eternity had gone there to steal a bit of coin but she instead found herself sitting at the edge of her seat. Her and a handful of other guests had gotten enthralled with the war stories that a mercenary named Henry was telling. He talked of having survived many battles and nobody questioned him because he certainly looked the part. He was tall, blue skinned, and muscular. He wore armor that was absolutely covered with signs of wear. The armor looked like it had been broken and repaired a dozen times. He also had no less than three weapons on him. A shortsword, a longsword, and a knife. All of them were sheathed except the knife which the mercenary waved around as he told his stories. In reality he was nothing but a run of the mill mercenary who happened to have a knack for making up stories on the spot.

“And then I killed the mage with this very knife! He burst into flames, he did.” He said to finish his last story for the night. He’d talked enough and now wanted only to drink until he passed out.

Eternity fawned over men like Henry. That is to say, people she perceived as being powerful. She waited until the small crowd dispersed and watched Henry the whole while. She had so many questions to ask but she didn’t want to be annoying. She could also tell that he didn’t want to talk anymore because he went to sit by himself. So, she devised a plan to seduce him into giving her some attention. She brought Henry a pitcher of beer and said, “I loved your stories Henry. You have such an exciting life battling beasts and magicians. Going to war sounds oh so dangerous and you’ve survived all that. You must be an amazing swordsman!”

“I sure am,” Henry said with a grin. “It’s not all about how good you are with a blade. It’s about wit and teamwork.”

“You jest, anyone who killed a magician must be in a league of their own,” Eternity said. “How do you manage to do them in before they can get you? Can’t they just vanish from thin air before you stab them? Do you have some kind of trick to avoid getting hurt by them?”

Henry downed the pitcher while thinking about a response. When he set it back down he said, “I don’t care who you are, a knife to the head is enough to kill just about anything. As for my tricks, it all boils down to experience.” He did not give any specifics because he had never gone up against a magician before, let alone kill one. In the few times he had ever run into one he had made sure to flee first and ask questions later.

“Really?” Eternity asked in amazement, “wow. Hey I guess you’re right, if a magician is just a person then a hit like that probably would do them in. I wish I was strong enough to kill a magician. Believe it or not I actually went through a phase recently where I did a lot of training at a gymnasium. I even practiced with a dagger.” She pulled up her shirt just enough for her weapon to be visible. “I’m still not very good though,” she finished off with a laugh.

Henry patted her on the back and said, “don’t sell yourself short. Even someone like you could do some serious work with a blade.”

“No way, I could hardly hold it right up until recently. The only thing I’m strong enough to cut through is a bag of hay.” Eternity frowned at the bad memories of her training. She could only hope that some day she would be able to get better.

“Aw, don’t be sad. For what it’s worth you don’t have to be all that strong to use a blade that small. I don’t care how weak you are, stabbing someone’s eye out is going to do some major damage. When I get into a fight I’m not trying to cut through armor unless I have to. Enough of battle talk, I’ve had my fill of stories for the night. I’m renting a room just down the street by the way. You’re free to join me if you promise no more talks of swords and battles.”

“Oh, so you think I’m easy to get just because I liked your stories, huh,” Eternity teased. She hadn’t made up her mind whether she wanted to get with him or not. As much as she loved everything about the man, he wasn’t physically attractive to her. He was more like a cool uncle rather than boyfriend material. Also, he didn’t seem to have anything of value that she could steal off of him. She had never stolen anything from an armored person before, mostly out of fear and also partly because it looked incredibly difficult to get her fingers underneath the armor where she assumed valuables were stored. If she went off with Henry then she would be basically gambling with her time.

“Well, yes, if I have to be frank. You’re the one bringing me drinks and you seem to be entertained.” He put his arm around Eternity and continued, “I can show you a good time don’t you worry about that.”

“I’m good, thanks,” Eternity said as she struggled to push his arm away. It was in that moment that Eternity realized just how bad he smelled. She also noticed that his teeth were rotting away in his mouth. The illusion that Henry had painted around him was now gone as Eternity saw him as a disgusting pig.

Henry reluctantly let her go and muttered, “piss off then you teasing harlot.”

“What did you just call me?” Eternity spat back. She spit on the floor and pointed at him as she walked away. “you called me a harlot didn’t you?”

Henry chuckled and said, “no offense meant. There’s nothing wrong with being a whore.”

Eternity shouted, “I am NOT a whore! I’m not afraid to fight you old man.” She wasn’t afraid because she felt like she was owed some revenge and she doubted anyone would blame her for hitting him after that insult. She clenched her fist into a tight ball and felt ready to throw a punch. It took all of her discipline to avoid throwing the first blow because she liked this place and stole from the patrons here regularly. It seemed like a waste to throw all that away for a brief moment of happiness.

Henry eyed her fist and asked, “you really want to do this? Look at me, you’re not going to hurt me on your best day. You really ought not to pick fights with your clientele.”

“Clientele? That’s the last straw,” Eternity said as she started stomping over to get her punch in.

The bartender could tell that things were getting heated, though he couldn’t exactly hear their conversation from across the bar. As if on cue he shouted, “alright break it up. One of you’s needs to leave right now.”

Henry waved and got up. “I was about to leave anyways,” he said as he effortlessly pushed Eternity out of the way. The bar had quieted down so he didn’t need to yell anymore. Henry smirked at Eternity and walked out. Soon after the music started back up again and it was like Henry had never been there.

Eternity sat for a few minutes and tried to switch her focus off of the heated exchange and onto the music. She recognized it and sang along with the lyrics that she knew. The song was a light hearted one about a bird and the wind. It wasn’t her kind of song, it was more suited to her parent’s generation but she appreciated good music all the same. Her voice was terribly off key but she didn’t care. All she could do was try her best to sing along. She rarely sang, if ever but her feelings had gotten hurt and the singing helped relieve some stress. At times she felt like she was more shouting than singing. She was completely oblivious to the funny looks she got from a couple who sat nearby who could tell just how bad she was.

Oddly enough singing calmed Eternity’s mood. Thoughts of following Henry to his inn and exacting revenge had completely faded from her mind, which was good because Henry had waited outside for several bits in case Eternity actually wanted to fight him. While he wouldn’t hit a woman in front of everyone, he had no issue doing it in private. Singing kept Eternity safe that night and by the end of it her voice was hoarse. She didn’t care that she didn’t make off with any money that night and was actually excited for the next night so she could sing again. Something told her that the memory of Henry was going to bother her for some time to come.

[Pig Boy]

RPG Rewards:

Eternity

• Renown: 5
• XP: 10
• Knowledges:
  • Singing: x2
  • Discipline: holding back a punch
  • Socialization: Offering a beer to get someone to talk to you
  • Meditation: Singing to relieve stress

Link to Review Request on the Forum:

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes: Heya, so right off the top you set the scene well. There's atmosphere here that is descriptive, lively, and paints a clear picture. Eternity starts out the thread fawning over an adventurous man named Henry. I will say it was a little jarring in the narrative when it states that he didn't really kill a magician. I already surmised this was not the case, but to be told from an omniscient point of view took me out of Eternity's pov. Just a little disruptive to the flow of the story. Otherwise not a problem.

I think you played Eternity's disillusionment at Henry's pick-up attempt well here. And it escalated quickly at that, with him eventually calling her a whore and getting her properly riled so she'd fight him.

Good writing overall.

P. S. There is an issue here though, in that you've identified a knowledge that is not quite in line with the skill you've ascribed it to. In this case the Intimidation knowledge you requested, Intimidation: Declaring that you're not afraid of someone. Isn't really related to any skill. It's just a statement.