Hunting For The Lady|Raynham, Reave

[Skittlebug]

"What and have someone always telling me what to do? That's..." where I am now... He cuts off awkwardly and looks down at the table, realizing what he was saying.

[Kender Bard]

Kiri's eyes flooded with tears. She really had done it this time.

"I never meant for this to happen," Kiri said, voice close to breaking down into sobs. "Everyone back home was afraid I'd ensnare them and now I see why! Ohhh they didn't say they were and they were nice enough, but you could tell sometimes. And then they all turned on me for that supposed ensnarement murder and they didn't even think twice if it was really me or not!"

She put her palms against her eyes. "I wish I was never born a Clear!"

[Skittlebug]

Neil drops his head into his hands for a moment, dammit, what am I supposed to do now? He looks glances around the room, hoping that no one was paying attention, that's just what they needed. For once, he actually finds himself wishing that Altair was here, he'd likely know what to do.

He can't think of a think to say that might help either, 'stop Kiri, we can talk about you ruining my life another time' doesn't quite seem to cut it.

[Kender Bard]

There was one man looking over with a queer look, as if he wasn't sure if he should say or do anything. But most everyone ignored them.

Kiri regained her composure, though it wasn't easy. She swallowed back her shame and grief and guilt, scrubbed at her eyes. They were still a little red and shiny but she didn't cry.

"We need more money," she mumbled. She drank heavily of the strongwine that the barmaid brought, almost choking on it. That made her eyes water even more, but she didn't care. Leaving her mug half empty, she fumbled for her pack. "Do they have music in Morilanta?" she asked.

[Skittlebug]

Neil blinks at her, "Music? Yeah," he starts to ask what that has to do with anything but thinks better of it, this is better than her crying, "why?"

[Kender Bard]

"It seems funny," she said quietly. "I can't picture a land of murderers and thieves and worse raising their voice in song. Next you'll tell me you can actually sing or play a song." With that, she pulled out her flute and slid out of her seat, approaching the bartender. The two exchanged words and then Kiri took a spot near the bar and began to play on her flute, a sweet but melancholy tune. As she played, an empty mug was passed around and people dropped a coin, or not, into it and passed it on.

She repeated this for five songs before finally stopping, weary. She took the mug and returned to her pack and her wine, upending the mug into her coin purse. A fair amount of coppers and bits poured out.

[Skittlebug]

Kiri is already walking away before Neil can think of something to say to that. "Course I can't sing," he grumbles into his mug before doing his best to drain it. He turns to watch while she plays and has to admit that she's pretty good.

When she comes back and empties the mug he raises a brow, "I hope you don't expect me to do something like that..."

[Kender Bard]

"Of course not," she answered with a touch of scorn. "I've trained much of my life to be skilled at the flute. I was the village bard... back home." That made her sad, so she quickly pushed the thought away. "Your skill lies in protecting me. Altair in his navigating and also his bow, and me..." Her mouth twisted. "In keeping men on leashes and playing a pretty song. What an assortment we make." She started drinking lustily of her strongwine again.

By the time she'd drained the mug, she was a little light headed. "We need to find somewhere to sleep," she declared. "If my evil 'twin' is in Reave, she's found a damn good hiding spot."

[Skittlebug]

Neil resists the urge to point out that Kiri could keep women on leashes just as well if she wanted to. He simply shakes his head at her swift mood changes and watches her down her drink. At least annoyed is better than crying.

"Well I can at least point out every tavern and inn in the area now, are we looking for cheap and serviceable?"

[Kender Bard]

Kiri chewed her lip. "Cheap is good," she agreed. "I'd rather not have to sleep in filth, but... Well we'll see what we can afford. You point out places while we fetch Altair from his task."

[Skittlebug]

Neil nods and drains his own mug, glad to have something else to focus on. "Right then, shall we?"

[Kender Bard]

Kiri nodded and headed out of the tavern with Neil. "I sent him to appraise the stores and stalls here," she explained. "To know how much things might cost when we move on." As she made her way to the market area, she asked Neil, "Where do you think we should head next if she's not here?"

[Skittlebug]

Neil chews at his lip, thinking, "It's hard to say, we're in the middle of a half dozen nations." He glances to Kiri, "If we can't get a lead, some information from someone, I wouldn't be surprised if we can't find her."

[Kender Bard]

Kiri's voice was tight as she said, "We have to. Somehow, someway. If we don't, I can never go home and that is not an option."

If she couldn't go home, where would she go? What would she do? "But we may want to linger here or... Maybe in Ilyamen? That's a trading center, there's bound to be information there...."

[Skittlebug]

Neil is quick to agree, realizing that what he'd said was upsetting, "Yes of course, if we don't find anything here first, right?"