[ P ] Nightcall

Eternal love only exists in distress

What den of sinners and vagabonds has he wandered into now? One that reeks of rebellion and feels wracked with the foreboding sense of misfortune and a quietly simmering desire for revolution. Is that so? Who then, among them, would be the one to welcome him into the fold? His presence must go unnoticed for now, and he slips through the bodies of the crowd and chatter, snaking his way along the darkened corners. This? This feels like a home. The salted brine of seawater tinges the air, thick with the scent of piss and alcohol. Part of him misses the way sand feels beneath his toes, the way a burning desert sun bores down on his back. And yet another part still misses the muffled chatter of a deep wood. But this? This is familiar territory, and he need not cry over spilled milk. Here is where his living will be made and where deals be doled out.


Eventually, he finds a place where he find some physical comfort, the clanging din of drunken revelry almost fading in the background-- a quiet corner to nurse his drink in peace, thick with honey that still clings to the walls of of the makeshift carrier. The berries are tart on his tongue and he delights in the bitter burn down his throat before heaving out a sigh and leaning back against the stone wall to relax. But he cannot spend his time forever in solitude--in order to succeed in life, one must make proper acquaintances. And so he'd finish his bitter drought, and welcome the company.

@Nicharion

He woke up some time ago in the back of the tavern, immediately groaning at the throbbing headache that held his skull in a vice grip. It wasn’t common for him to drink to the point of passing out, but Nicharion was at times prone to excess – in all things, really. Since then, he’s managed to go out to hydrate and freshen up a bit, then back inside to get some more berries to treat his hangover with. Now he was just trying to piece himself together.. The time was nigh to go to more civilized regions of Rionnach and get some work done. Thieves and scoundrels, sadly, make for poor marks; they’re much less gullible and far more likely to have just traded their valuables away for various kinds of enjoyment. Tomorrow, perhaps.

As much as he would have liked that to be the case, the dark and quiet corners weren’t exclusively his territory. Most kept to the lively center, but some lingered here, either to conduct graver dealings or to have more control in whose company they had to endure – Nicharion being the latter case, usually. His fiery eyes followed a male who was just starting to make himself comfortable a short distance away, a most.. curious looking one. Whether his own presence was overlooked or simply ignored, the red brute couldn’t tell. Not that it matters, in the end he’d move to take a seat next to the stranger without care for invite regardless.

“Can’t recall seeing your face around here before.” And it was a face he surely would have remembered. Up close, he could see it clearly – the torn muzzle that on one side revealed all teeth in a macabre grin. Groovy. “First time?” he asked, offering a lazy smile. While he’d rather be in a more presentable state, Nicharion knew he could pull off a rugged look rather well. Doesn’t matter much either way, this was just a distraction, something to make him forget about his headache for at least a moment.



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table ▶▶claerie. artwork▶▶raven

Eternal love only exists in distress

His jaws unhinge slowly and steadily, an almost creaking click given as they snap back shut and clatter against each other, bone against bone as he exhales then and a plume of steam spills from the gaps in his mouth and causes the tenuous strands of tattered flesh and muscle to quiver wetly. And after he takes a moment to compose himself--the way sounds bounce and refract off of the walls and off of the bodies around them-- he lets his sightless gaze turn to rest upon his newfound company, tongue rolling out to clean the remnants of his sticky honeyed liquor from his whiskers before he speaks,"Ah, so obvious is it? One who knows the faces of all those undesirables who shuffle about in this matchbox?" he asks, amusement already seeping into the jovial lilt of his tone.

He waves a paw, lifting it before tucking it beneath his chin to relax against the stone in a manner almost comically languid,"And yet you have me at a disadvantage, as I know not your name nor face. Not too surprising considering," he almost giggles, but manages to force it back down,"Though your scent is unfamiliar just as well. Only recently have I come here, and perhaps you may carry the information I seek. Not for free, of course, not how the game is played." his nails click back along the stone, tapping in rhythmic fashion as he turns his face towards the ceiling as if the words he wishes to speak next can be found along the stonework,"To whom do I owe the pleasure? Best for me to make friends now."Indeed, always better for him to have fingers he can stretch out to find things, and best for him to begin cultivating that reach from the get-go.

@Nicharion

Truly, the stranger’s ‘expression’ was nothing short of interesting. While it’s nothing out of ordinary for a wolf to show some teeth, the contours of a snarl are so different, always rigid and tense. This was composed with relaxed smooth lines.. and yet, as a result eerie and unsettling, rather than peaceful. “All? Hardly. Just the eye-catching ones.” Nicharion had no care for the everyday common riffraff. Contrary to what his track record might suggest, he wasn’t really a people’s person, rarely enjoying company for the sake of company. It was hard not to make exceptions for the unusual, however. The red brute had a certain fondness for anything, or anyone, unique.

It wasn’t until it has been all but pointed out that he realized the other male was blind. An embarrassing oversight, but he couldn’t blame himself much for it. The black wolf carried himself with confidence that belied his condition, and.. few would dare come here with such a handicap, too. Such a shame. Having no opportunity to be admired is a disappointment for any vain beast. Nicharion nibbled at his berries as he listened, coming to the conclusion that the stranger must like the sound of his own voice. A verbose conversation was hardly favorable, on account of his headache.. but on second thought, he decided that it was better to do a lot of listening than a lot of talking. “Perhaps.” he agreed, just a little bit curious what it is that this oddball might be seeking. The red brute wasn’t really in the information business, if anything he was more likely to approach it as a customer. In his line of work, knowing a mark well can be very beneficial.

“Should I charge you for that question too, then?” Nicharion smirked, throwing in a little bit of humor. No need to be so official, is there? “Name’s Nicharion. Fair warning though, I don’t make friends easily.” He wasn’t being dismissive, it was just a plain, objective fact. It wasn’t common for others to hold his interest for long.. usually it was through sex that was good enough to keep him going back for more. That’s probably saying something about him, but he wasn’t about to dwell on it. “So, what do you want to know?”


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table ▶▶claerie. artwork▶▶raven

Eternal love only exists in distress

A soft chuckle floats from between his lips, somehow heard over the noisy din of the racket behind them. While his eyes are blinded, his attention seems solely focused on Nicharion, unblinking and unmoving. He does not shy away even a bit, his entire countenance set upon him as if the glazed orbs in his skull would reflect his thoughts back to him. Perhaps he does not know how unsettling it is to be 'stared' at--or stared through. ...Then again, perhaps he is fully aware. One can never be sure with him. Her wriggles his toes a bit as he speaks, nails lightly clicking against the stone. Despite the stillness of his head and shoulders, the rest of his body seems unable to sit still--a sinuous ebb and flow underneath his skin like insects threatening to break free at any time--though really it is just the rise and fall of his rib cage, the muscle underneath rippling with each tiny shift of his weight. And where, moments ago, his voice was a playful and boisterous lilt, it now has become a soft, slightly husky murmur--perhaps made only for their ears.
"Oh, don't be silly. I'm sure you're plenty fine at making the right kinds of friends." Another chuckle falls from him then, and he ends it with a wistful sigh before lowering his head slightly in what could have been some mockery of a bow,"An eye for an eye. A name for a name seems a fair price. I'm Mercury. Charmed." his eyes half-lid as his thoughts run away for a moment-- how to poke and prod? Which is the correct question to ask? "I'm new, surely noted. I seek information on a missing person-- a little bit of stardust. perhaps drawn in by the fae. Fae are quite prevalent in these parts, no? I'm certain finding my way into the castle will pose little trouble but ah, to seek a lost star is far more difficult. Have you heard tell of a new fae child?" His inquiry is followed by his attention sharpening again-- a pinpoint focus as he eagerly anticipates the answer-- whether it be an affirmative or not.

@Nicharion

Some would be uneasy with such company, perhaps even among the thieves who gathered here. Nicharion, however, had no habit of getting easily fazed. There was little he’d find difficult to stomach, yet many things were more trouble than he’d like to be associated with. In the end, morality of a pragmatist isn’t so different from someone good-natured. It is merely more.. opportunistic. “Well.. there is a ‘kind’, alright.” he admitted, smirking to himself. Indeed, it was so much easier for him to be sociable when he was.. interested in someone’s ‘company’. Even now, he was letting his eyes roam, perhaps even more boldly than he normally would on account of Mercury’s blindness. Though perhaps he shouldn’t; superstitious as it might seem, he’s heard blind wolves have a way of sensing such things.

And yet, while those mutilated lips might make for an interesting kiss, the red brute wasn’t entirely in the mood today. A disposition that was only reinforced when Mercury’s query touched a subject he wasn’t particularly fond of. “You’re not exactly barking up the right tree.” Nicharion said dryly. The guild has a large population of outlanders who wouldn’t be familiar with local beliefs, and the Highlands were too far away and remote to interest most thieves. This particular thief, however, cared to know just enough to be able to avoid what he disliked. “But you’re in luck. I happen to enjoy the mountains now and then.” The last time he’d gone there, he met Ransom. That has certainly proved to be an enjoyable time.. “Just as I detest the fanatical preaching of the fae worshipers. And both can be found in the Highlands. Fae Forest in particular I make sure to steer clear of, it’s along the way to the mountains but you can go around.” Just the thought of it soured his mood. It’s hard to come across a more annoying type than religious believers. Always telling others how to live their lives.. not to mention that the notion of some higher powers existing is positively irksome.

“Haven’t heard nothing about a lost kid, though. You can consider this one free – a gift, to a new friendship” Nicharion took a bite of his berries, as if he was making a toast. It was a calculated move; there was nothing he needed to know at the moment, but there might be in the future.. and he didn't exactly offer much, so mere gratitude might serve him better than whatever else Mercury might be able to offer. Well, better than most things, but.. he still didn’t feel up for the effort of seductive incitement.



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table ▶▶claerie. artwork▶▶raven

Eternal love only exists in distress

His chuckle seems to echo from somewhere inside his chest. While the raucous din of ruffians chatters on behind them, somehow, his voice finds its way to bounce off of the walls and echo as if in an empty room. "Don't be so quick to cast aside rumor and superstition. While myth and legends may be mere tall tales, there are many and more that have their roots firmly planted in reality. You would do well to be wary around places where people oft tell tales of fae and others. Could be that it is not the fair folk who are the reason wanderers get lost in the fog." He warns, perhaps offhandedly. Though his tone may suggest otherwise, for while he may not be a fanatical believer in the Fae, he is certainly a man who knows more of myth and magic than one might rightfully need to. Besides, he is a zealot in other ways, an absolute madman to those who would hear his tale. Still, he was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, and he propped his paw up beneath his lightly-bearded chin. "Mm, gift considered. As I am new here, I have little to offer you in return but my skills if the time calls for them." His nails lightly tap along the edges of the stone, and he gestures towards the entrance of the caverns. "I'll be making my way in that direction, then. If you need me for anything, just call. I'll find a way to find you." he winks, somewhat amusing for a blind man.

@Nicharion

A weary sigh fell from his lips in response to the blind man’s words. As a rule, Nicharion wasn’t eager to go out of his way to believe in things he hasn’t seen for himself. That said, he also knew things might not always be quite so simple. Thing is, he didn’t care. It didn’t matter to him if others’ beliefs were true or false. Either way, they were trouble. “Let’s just say that after my homeland, I know to steer clear of matters of faith, false or otherwise. Especially otherwise.” No words or events could change that, the red-eyed brute just wanted to live his life the way he liked it – down to earth and enjoying all things materialistic.

Now that business was concluded, Mercury spoke of being on his way. Understandable, yet.. so very disagreeable. “As you’re new, I would insist you stay a while longer. I get you’re in a hurry, but it is far. You’ll travel better well-rested.” Nicharion leaned a bit closer to the other, wearing a crooked grin. Now this here was a subject that he was far more partial to discussing. “Besides, business and pleasure go hand in hand here. I’m sure you could find someone to your taste..” Whatever that might be, for a blind wolf. His voice trailed off suggestively as his gaze shifted to the other patrons scattered about the tavern. Of course, the unsaid implication was that he also was available for company under.. less professional terms.

The decision to keep Mercury from leaving so quickly was a rather impulsive one. There wasn’t that much natural chemistry between them, so far at least.. but there was a certain charm to the way the blind wolf carried himself. And as with any other charm, Nicharion wouldn’t object to having.. a taste.



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table ▶▶claerie. artwork▶▶raven