News and Drinks

[Vluharqih]

CREDIT

Alex shuffled along, keeping a careful eye on the searchers. They rapidly gained on the slow moving duo, but they were passed without a second glance.

Alex didn’t answer Rey’s question, instead leading her through the streets. They moved slowly for a break, Alex mutley shaking her head whenever Rey would try and start a conversation.

At last, Alex stopped in an alley, straightening up and dropping her disguise and turning to face Rey. "What was that all about? By Aelig’s balls, how did I get tangled up in that?”

Her voice was harsh, barely above a whisper, but she made sure to keep from being threatening. Whatever this woman did, Alex wanted to know why.

"What exactly happened before I showed up?”

[Rey'na]

Rey'na looked taken back by the sudden harsh tone form Alex. She didn't understand what she had done. Yes, she had attempted to poison the drunk man, but it was the two other men that had started the situation. She was just a bystandeer, going about her day. After all, it was just doing what Lissira would have wanted.
"Well, a man was beside me in the bar, drunk, and I decided to buy him some shots to assist him with his goal" she confessed, not telling the full truth. "A better question would be - what was with that cloud? What is it?" Rey'na tilted her head curiously. She was certain it was a poison of some sort, almost positive. But what was it, and why was it with Alex at the bar?

"That was a poison, right? Or something of the sort. Why did you have it, may I ask?" she said politely. She felt little to no emotion about this situation. She'd tried to poison a man, been caught and escaped. Perhaps she could never go in to that bar again, at worst, but that was it. It wasn't as if she enjoyed being surrounded by drunk men that smelt like they'd been rolling through sewers for the past trials. She wasn't missing out on much.

Finally, she would look to Alex. "I'm sorry you got mixed up in this, truly. But it's over now, is it not? What more is there to worry about? We got away, and neither of us are locked up - or dead" she said, again being polite.

[Vluharqih]

CREDIT

Alex's shoulders relaxed as Rey spoke.

That's it?

She had thought, based on the reaction of the bartender, that something serious had happened. But the man's choices were his own, and she hadn't forced him to drink it. Besides, based on what she could remember of him, it likely wasn't the first time he had thrown up in an alley.

"That's it?" Alex's tone was incredulous, and an eyebrow remained raised over her left eye.

She let out a sigh and looked Rey over carefully. It was hardly like she was spilling anything that drastic, but still, the fewer people who knew about her, the better.

Alex shrugged her shoulders, and smiled at the woman, backing off to stand a little further away.

"No, that wasn't poison. You think I'd be that careless? As much as I didn't like that, I didn't really feel like killing those two, and even if I had, that cloud surrounded me. I'd have to be the most incompetent poisoner ever to manage that," Alex snorted derisively.

"But yeah, close enough. It's barkskin, a binding reagent that's damned hard to find here for some reason."
Alex sighed again and rubbed a weary hand across her face. "I appreciate the apology, for all the good it does now. I suppose there's no lasting harm and it's not like they'd ever recognize me again." She looked over at Rey, squinting her eyes slightly. "What were you doing buying him drinks? Were you trying to make him sick?"

The sound of stomping boots paused at the end of the alley, and a guard peered down, cocking his head curiously at the sight of the two women. Alex prepared herself to run, but he passed by without incident, and she turned back to Rey.

"Well us standing here isn't suspicious at all. Let's get back onto the streets."

[Rey'na]

Rey nodded when she asked if that was it, keeping her back upright and formal. "That was it, yes" she replied simply.
Rey looked curious. Was this woman a master with poison? She spoke like one, confident in her own abilities. Although, most people were - even if they were lacking. It was a comfort method, something to make them feel less inadequate. It made it hard to tell the difference between true masters and self-proclaimed ones. She tilted her head to the woman, curious.
"So you use poison?" Rey asked, quietly. It was a personal question, one she already knew the answer to. But curiosity overwhelmed her entirely. If this woman was as good as she said, perhaps Rey could learn a thing or two. SHe didn't want to ask, though. She didn't want to make herself look inferior to this woman, or anyone for that fact.

Rey'na pondered. If this woman used poison, she wouldn't be too surprised to hear Rey was trying to give him alcohol poisoning, would she? It was a risk she would have to take if she were to earn this woman's trust. She couldn't keep up a lie for long.
"No, he was already going to be sick, I didn't need to do that. I was....trying to kill him. Not for a personal reason, but he was there. It was sloppy, and risky. But I saw my chance and I took it" she explained. She kept herself wary in case Alex attacked her. She'd taken another big risk, telling someone she was trying to kill people.

Rey noticed the guard, then nodded. "Come on, let's go" she said, starting towards the street, avoiding the direction of the guards.
"So, where do we go now?"

[Vluharqih]

CREDIT

Alex looked over at Rey, her brow furrowing low over her eyes. "Yes, I know my way around poison. Use it, when the occasion calls for it.” What did the woman expect?

She was confused, however, as to why the woman would have tried to randomly poison the drunk in the bar. And of all the poisons, to use more alcohol? Alex had never even heard of someone dying from drinking too much. Every time she had seen someone drink too much, they simply vomited everywhere and woke with a splitting headache.

As a Yludih, she was spared that, but conversely she never experienced the “drunk” feeling that so many seemed to crave.

Sloppy and risky mirrored Alex’s thoughts exactly. What was the woman thinking? She was lucky Alex had happened along, or else it could’ve gone far worse. ”Can someone even die from too much alcohol? I thought they would just vomit it out,” Alex said, thinking.

When back on the open streets, Alex led Rey down some streets aimlessly as she puzzled over some thoughts. Normally, she would’ve wanted to spend at least a dozen bits thinking over all the ramifications, but impatience welled up inside of her.

”Okay. I think you could use some tips, unless you plan on repeating that rather obvious performance? Think of what would’ve happened if the man had died. You gave me your name where the bartender could hear, and he saw your face. It wouldn’t be long before they were after you,” Alex said in a calm tone. ”So why don’t you lead the way.”

[Rey'na]

Rey pondered if someone could die of alcohol. She could have sworn they could, she was certain of it in fact. But she doubted herself. This woman seemed much better with poison than she did, so if she wasn't sure then perhaps Rey was imagining things. She frowned.
"I thought they could, but you know better than I do" Rey admitted. "I'm somewhat new to the world of poison. Well, not entirely true, but I'm only now branching out and trying more than just small things. Pushing my boundaries, and such."

Rey nodded, understanding. Perhaps she had been clumsier than she thought. She disliked the idea that she was doing something wrong, but mistakes were bound to be made. Still, she had to make her 'mother' proud. Lissira was counting on her, and Rey wouldn't let her down. With that thought, she let the conversation fall silent for a minute or two, making her way to the house.
"If you're willing to teach me, I'd be more than grateful to learn. I don't have much to make poison with at my house, though, so we may want to go somewhere else - if you know a place? If not, we can buy some things on the way I suppose. Anything works" Rey offered. "For now though, let's go back to my house and work out what's best to do."

Rey's mind wandered as they walked. She thought of how great she might one day be with poison, feared even. Lissira would be so incredibly proud, and Rey would be able to do anything her mother asked for. She would be powerful beyond imagination. It was all she'd worked for during the past Arcs.
She looked to Vluh, smiling. "I owe you a lot. If there's anything you need, ever, let me know."

[Andráska Venora]

Such a Beautiful Thread . . .

• A good thread, straight to the point and simple. I enjoyed the curious reasoning behind Rey'na's attempt to kill a man, and Vluh's mistake. I thought it was interesting how quickly Rey'na dismissed Vluh's conversation about nobles and just got up to leave. Then things got a bit more interesting.
  
  Also, Vluh, not sure if you notice this, but your PC has a curious way of avoiding giving her name. lol I have to wonder if this is intentional or not. Either way, good stuff. If I missed anything (completely possible. I have low Detection skill xD), just shoot me a PM. :)

Vluharqih

Rating

5/5/5

Story: 5
Collaboration: 5
Structure: 5

Knowledges

Poison: Barkskin Powder
Detection: Deciding Which Approach Is Best For Successful Conversation
Tactics: Every Man For Himself
Subterfuge Creating A Fake Backstory
Rey'na: Takes Risks
Teaching: How To Critique Mistakes

Loot

-1sn for bartender tip

Fame

N/A

Rey'na

Rating

5/5/5

Story: 5
Collaboration: 5
Structure: 5

Knowledges

Psychology: Those Who Wish To Die Just Need Some Help
Psychology: Some Books Have Many Covers
Detection: Overly Friendly People Are Suspicious
Persuasion: Promises Reassure Others
Tactics: Working Together Is Better
Subterfuge: Use An Alias

Loot

+1 Devotion For Lisirra (Attempting To Do Her Will)

Fame

-1 General Bad Deed
(Trying To Poison/Kill A Man)

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. . . I brought it a treat.

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