Rawr (Leif Mini-plot)|Obsidian | Humontis

[Darastrix]

Leif trudged through the market, a dark scowl on his face. It was an unusual expression for the bard, and the people who recognised him from either his tavern performances or his general loitering around looked at him with varying degrees of surprise. His expression and his hunched-over posture didn't exactly present an inviting picture, though, so he wasn't approached. That didn't help his mood. As much as he didn't want to talk to anyone, the least they could do was offer.

They probably think they're too good to talk to me, too.

He'd heard them talking earlier. A different them, but by then it didn't matter. They were all part of "them."


Why does he even bother wintering here? Nobody wants him around."

"It's kind of pathetic, really. How can he not know that people buy him drinks at the tavern just so he'll shut up?"

"Maybe that's his plan--to get everyone to get him drunk enough to forget how much of an ugly waste of space he is."


Leif's scowl deepened at the memory of the conversation he'd overhead. So much for it being a good day. He was just going to try some new concoction of herbs and chat with people until evening, and now that was shot to hell. Who wanted to chat up folks who didn't want you there? And the stuff he'd tried wasn't really even doing anything that he could tell.

He kept glaring into the distance, grumping to himself, until he ended up bumping shoulders with someone walking in the opposite direction. His head whipped around at the unwanted contact.

"Watch where the hell you're going," he snapped.

[Kender Bard]

Mikhail peered at Leif, starting to retort, "Why don't you- Leif?" He recognized the other man. He would have normally not remembered the name, but it was unusual enough on a Fire that it had stuck in his memory.

[Darastrix]

"Mikhail." Leif didn't sound happy to see him, but a bit of the vitriol left his tone. Still, he eyed the priest suspiciously. "Have you been talking behind my back to them, too?"

[Kender Bard]

"Huh?" Mikhail looked at Leif in puzzlement. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I was passing through Obsidian to settle an account." He gestured vaguely to the empty air behind himself. "It went surprisingly smooth. What have you been up to lately?"

[Darastrix]

"The usual," Leif stated, only slightly mollified. "Summer topside, winter here. Playing taverns." He scowled again. "But apparently, I'm not wanted. Pathetic waste of space, I hear. Folks buy me drinks so I'll shut up." He gave a quiet snort and crossed his arms over his chest. "Too bad for them; I don't drink that much."

[Kender Bard]

Mikhail raised his brows. "Well that's not very kind of them." Ah, so that's why he's sore today. "You shouldn't let some drunks talking in their cups get under your skin."

[Darastrix]

"It wasn't drunks," Leif said. "I know better'n most folks not to pay them much mind. This was a couple of women in the market."

[Kender Bard]

"Hens clucking, hardly better," Mikhail retorted. "Ah, look, I'm in no particular rush and you seem to be having a poor day. Why don't I buy you something to eat? I have a bit of coin."

[Darastrix]

For a moment, it seemed as though Leif might refuse, as his usual affability warred with his current mood. In the end, though, he sighed and gave a small nod. "All right," he agreed. Then, "Thanks."

[Kender Bard]

Mikhail smiled. "It's no trouble." And then he shot a mildly annoyed look over his shoulder. "Oh shut up," he muttered to the air. "Forces! The next Spirit Night can't come soon enough so I can get some damn peace and quiet again."

He sighed. "Oh don't mind me. One of my new spirits is quite the talker... And very opinionated. Can't wait to track his sister down." He started walking. "Where would you like to go?"

[Darastrix]

"Stone Slab," Leif said, naming a middling restaurant where the tables and seating were essentially, well, stone slabs. The food was decent and filling, if not very fine. As they walked, he shot a suspicious glance behind Mikhail. Forces only knew what the spirits were saying about him behind his back.

Frowning, he faced forward again and rubbed his forehead. "I'm never buying anything from him again," he muttered.

[Kender Bard]

Mikhail gave Leif a puzzled glance. "Who?" he asked. "And what?" He glanced around the Stone Slab when they arrived and smiled; he liked the look of the place. He sniffed the air experimentally. Good; the place didn't smell like a dump.

[Darastrix]

"Someone I bought herbs from," Leif said as he plunked himself down on a rough stone bench. "He said it was some new stuff grown from Firegem seeds and it's supposed to make you feel good. I haven't been able to tell I took anything unless this headache I'm getting is part of it."

While Leif talked, a dark-haired serving girl approached. "You gents here for a meal or just drinks? Lunch today is buttered bread, cheese, pickles, ham, and an ale."

[Kender Bard]

"I'll have that," Mikhail replied. "And the same for you, aye Leif? As for what you said... It does indeed sound like you got swindled."

[Darastrix]

Leif gave a nod to the serving girl, who headed off to get their food. "Wouldn't be the first time," he said. "I know who's good to buy from, but it's always hit or miss with new people and products."

At a nearby table, a trio of men raised their voices in laughter as they talked and bantered amongst themselves. Leif's shoulders tightened and he cast a sour look in their direction. "They could at least make fun of me to my face," he muttered.