Two atypical Goblins
The TarRaCe, shortly before lunch.
The TarRaCe is warm and pleasant refuge from the nasty weather outside, the cold, chilly rain and howling wind having chased most people indoors.
With a light crowd, the staff has more time for cleaning and setup, and the place is filled with the sound of cleaning and chatter.
The Gobbo works the lift behind the bar, shifting fresh alcohol to the shelves, and beer casks underneath the metal bar itself, humming a a little tune under her breath.
GAME: Culix rolls stealth: (17)+17: 34
Culix slips into the TarRaCe as quiet as a mouse, on the coat-tails of another customer, keeping underfoot and out of sight. She casts a furtive glance around, and spots her target after a moment. She creeps on towards the bar, slipping around the counter and keeping out of sight as she creeps along until she draws near enough to Irshya to launch her dastardly attack.
Biding her time until Irshya doesn't have anything breakable in her hands, Culix grabs the sharky gobber around the middle, and leans over her shoulder to steal a peck on the cheek. "Boo!" she greets with a giggle and a squeeze.
Nothing breakable, per se, but the cask she's hefting drops to the floor and rolls away, while she squeaks in surprise. "You sneaky Gobbo!", she says, a tone of anger there in her voice.
But she turns in the other Goblin's arms, and wraps her own around Culix, squishing her into a hug. Irshya pecks delicately at both of Culix' cheeks. "Damn near gave me a heart attack! I am definitely going to put a bell collar on you." She giggles then, squeezing firmly.
"Your cheeks are cold, hon. Would you like some tea or cider to warm up?"
Eirik wanders in with his black python draped around his neck, wearing his black hide armor with crimson accents worn his pendant is tucked into his armor today as he enters the TarRace. "Well how we doin' today?" He asks as he finds a seat at the bar.
Culix laughs and shakes her head, "Bet I could still sneak up on you." she teases, and gives one last peck before releasing Irshya from the hug. She heads over to go arrest the roll of the cask, being helpful after being a troublemaker, and begin rolling it back to where it ought to bee. "Cider sounds good." she says then. "I got something to show you." she adds after a moment, hefting the cask back upright once it's in position.
She pokes her head around the bar when Eirik makes his way in, "Oh, customer." she observes. And offers a little finger waggle of a wave his way. "Cold cheeks. Colder hands." she answers his query, and demonstrates by placing one such cold hand on the back of Irshya's neck to share the chill.
Huffing, Irshya crosses her arms. "Then I'll find bigger and louder bells.", she says with a snort. "Cider it is!" The pool-shark is busy with that as Eirik walks in. Moments later, she offers up a mug of hot cider. "Careful, it's hot, blow on it a little?"
Irshya's expression brightens as the prospect of Culix offering up something new, and she turns towards the bar to see Eirik there. "Oh." Her expression sours ever so subtly. "It's you again." A smile returns, somewhat strained. "What can I get for y-- EEEEEEEEEEEEK!" The pool-shark nearly jumps out of her skin.
Eirik smiles and strokes Jormungand's head. "Ah come on don't be like that, I was actually coming by for a drink, some food and to give you an apology. Look see I'm not displaying my pendant or anything." He says before looking to Culix and offering a hand. "I'm Eirik, a pleasure ta meetcha." His gave back on Irshya. "What's the specials for today?" He asks smiling really trying to put the misunderstanding behind them.
Culix laughs again at Irshya's reaction, but takes the hot cider when its offered, cupping it with both hands to begin disarming the deadly weapon the weather has made of them. She cants her head to the side slightly, picking up on the awkward air. "Culix." she replies, and takes one hand from her cup to offer a fairly limp handshake. "What pendant?" she wonders.
The pool-shark turns on Culix, reaching up the gently pinch the other Gobbo's cheeks, stretching them slightly. "Jerk.", she says with a laugh. Turning back to Eirik, she lets out a huff of breath. "Fiiine. What would you like to drink?"
While awaiting his answer to that, she pulls a fresh glass from the pile under the bartop. "I'm not sure if we'll have any specials today, with the poor weather outside, we may not have many customers today. Those we do get will probably want something hot, so today we have beef stew, chicken noodle soup, and Rueben sandwiches. Hot cider, coffee, tea and cocoa as usual, as well as all the cold ale and beer."
Eirik smiles and leans back a moment. "OK how about a bowl of beef stew and a Reuben, and to drink I'll go with...hot cider, followed by a beer." He says with a smile. "Well a pleasure to meet you Culix." He says his hand shake firm but friendly after he drops the shake he fishes out his coin pouch to pay for the meal and beverages.
Culix keeps an eye on Eirik for a moment, peering at him over the rim of her cup as she takes a cautious sip of the hot beverage. Still a liiitle bit too warm, but she plays it cool and doesn't ho-ah-oh-ah with a mouth half full of cider. "Oh, that thing I wanted to show you?" she says then to Irshya, and sets her cup down taking a step away. She lifts her arms, posing, and then snaps her fingers. Her blouse and bodice turn into a white cotton shirt, loose fitting, with lacing up the front and on the cuffs.
She holds the pose for a moment, and then snaps her fingers again and the shirt is replaced with a grey tunic extending to mid-thigh, with peg-and-loop buttons running at an angle across the chest. One more snap, and it goes back to her usual outfit. "And that's not even the best bit. Can I borrow a knife?" she asks.
Irshya's distracted for several moments watching Culix' outfit change several times. "Oh, how're you managing that?", she wonders with a grin. "A hat of disguise? Or ... hm, well, can't be the sleeves, can it?" Rummaging under the bartop, the pool-shark offers up a dagger to the grey-skinned Goblin.
She quickly pours an ale, and cider, for Eirik, placing the glass and mug before him. "One moment..", she says to the two. Running over to the kitchen door, located at the back of the main room, she leans on the door and hollers, "A b stew and a Rueben sarnie!" There's an acknowledgement, and she saunters back to the bar.
Eirik smiles and nods his head taking a sip of the beer first. He slides a few coins across the bar to pay for his meal and drinks and a bit extra for Irshya. "Thank you....Wow that's really cool! Definitely would come in handy." He says as Jormungand hisses. "Oh calm down food orders been placed well be eating soon my friend."
Culix shakes her head, "Not a hat or the sleeves." she says as she takes the dagger, and then plunges it into her own belly- protected only by thin layers of leather and cloth. Except it stops, the tip unable to penetrate. "It's my mithril shirt. I got it enchanted." she says then, stabbing at herself ineffectively a few more times. "I got a shift on underneath, mind, even mithril chafes if you're not careful." she grins and then hands the dagger back. She grabs her cup of cider once more and takes a sip.
She turns and eyeballs the snake that's hissing. "Hope your friend knows bigger things have tried to eat me and failed. I'm spiky." she offers cautiously, clearly not much of a snake lover.
Irshya's eyes widen as Culix goes to stab herself in the belly, and looks relieved when it doesn't penetrate. She pokes hard at the other Goblin's stomach, and whistles. "An enchanted mithril shirt. Chainmail? Impressive." She snorts and laughs, "Indeed, metal tends to chafe at the skin, this I well know. I use scale mail, and that requires padding underneath. You'll regret not having that padding." She giggles lightly and shakes her head.
The dagger's secreted under the bartop once more. "How're you doing?", she wonders of Culix, softly.
Irshya's ears perk up at the sound of coin, and the coins are quickly scooped up and hidden away. "So what brings you about on such a poor day outside, Eirik?"
Eirik smiles at Culix. "Impressive, I prefer hide armor myself, though I can understand the desire for metal." He says as he strokes Jormungand's head he chuckles a bit. "No need to worry Jormungand doesn't attack unless you're a threat to him or myself." Another sip of beer as he turns back to look at Irshya. "Well I'm a druid, I do like nature regardless of weather, I was heading back to my room and decided it was a good idea to get some food and drink, and have some conversation."
Culix smiles slightly, and then in a soft tone says, "Doing well. Made up my mind about stuff." with a small half-shrug. She nods over at Eirik, "I used to mostly use leather, till I got the coin together for mithral. Hardly even feels like I'm wearing it." she adds. She wrinkles her nose a bit at the talk of weather, "I like this sort of weather more than when the sun's out. Sensitive eyes." she takes another sip from her cider, now pleasantly warm and drinkable, so she takes another sip promptly afterwards.
"Well, I prefer sunnier days, but I also prefer to be in the water. Keeps my skin from drying out.", the Gobbo replies to Eirik. "And days like today are usually slow days with few customers. Nice of you to stop by."
Glancing at Culix, Irshya smiles and moves to hug at her. "And how do you feel about that then? Do you want my help with anything?"
Eirik chuckles and nods. "Well as a Druid I stick with my hide armor." He smiles and thinks a bit. "So sensitive eyes and dry skin issues. Are this traits common amongst your people or are they just uniquely you two?" Eirik asks curiously. "Forgive me that was rather forward, I just don't know much about Goblins and like to learn."
Culix shrugs, "Hey whatever floats your boat." she offers and then ponders the questions. "No, I don't think either of us are all that typical." she grins. "Most gobbers don't have cute shark tails." she observes.
She returns the hug, "Mmm, I don't know. Just be with me, I guess?" she asks.
"No, I think we're atypical for the breed. My lineage is ... interesting to say the least, and she's undergoing a transformation." Irshya blinks, and her cheeks flush a pale lavender in colour. "N.no, most don't have cute shark tails."
The pool-shark vanishes under the counter, and two blue hands reach out and yank Culix underneath as well. Where there's whispering and giggling.
Eirik chuckles and laughs. "I'm merely a half Mal hence my interest." He says with a laugh. "I have a few typical and not so typical traits of my ancestry. " And the mention of cute shark tails and he's Laughing. "Awww that's adorable, I'm sure it is rather cute." but then they're gone and whispering and he's just sitting sipping on the hot cider now.
Culix squeaks in alarm as she's dragged away, and almost spills her Cider as she does. She disappears for a few moments, but finally manages to escape, clawing her way back towards her drink. "Most gobbers I know like fire a lot more than either of us. Although, I'm starting to gain an appreciation for it." she says then, and pokes Irshya under the table with her toe.
"Hmm, it's not cute, how could you say if you've not seen it?" Irshya peers out from under the bartop, and frowns slightly at Eirik. Her mouth opens wide then, showing off not just an array of triangular, shark-like teeth, but rows of such teeth, waiting their turn to shine. The maw closes with a clack of teeth, and then Eirik's stew and sandwich arrive, carried by an Oruch woman. She shoos the two Goblins away a bit, and the Oruch takes over the bartending just as several customers arrive, all dripping and looking for something hot.
Irshya tugs on Culix lightly. "Fire is appropriate at certain times, yes. I prefer lightning more, though."
Buttoning up a white shirt, a ruddy sith-makar steps out of the kitchen. Buttoning and unbuttoning, since it is hard to get those buttons straight sometimes. "Now, where is fire not appropriate?" The red ribboned sith-makar asks with a wide toothed grin.
"Snake, Daggers, Sharkie." Aelwyn greets, before he moves to lean against the countertop. Two buttons still unbuttoned from his ruddy chest. "Is Sharkie treating our honored patrons well?"
Eirik smiles laughs and raises his arms to show he meant no offense. "I was merely meaning that since someone who knows you so well said such I'm sure it's not false." Laughing his food arrives. "Snake who's snake? Jormungand I think our new friend is greeting you.:
Culix grins, "Liar~" she teases Irshya then when she claims her tail is not cute. "Mmm, well fire makes nice dancing shadows." she says then and grins. "Kinda remind me of me." she adds. She offers a wave over at Aelwyn as he heads on in. "She's treating me just fine." she adds to Aelwyn. "'sides, she owns the place, she can do what she likes, right?" and sticks her tongue out at him.
Out from the front doors and pushing them in steps inside a large egalrin, who dips their hat through the door before straightening back up in the main room. Reithak stretches and takes a wander into the building, leaning down against the bar counter. "So, two gobbers, a makari, a half elf and a bird walk into the bar. Where's the punchline, and is there any left? I could really go for some punch." The slightly singed egalrin laughs loudly.
Irshya cheeks suddenly flush a deep, mottled purple as she jumps a few inches off the ground, letting out a squeak. She goes back to hiding under the bartop. The barkeep, the previously mentioned Oruch woman, snorts and laughs. "We've hot apple cider, if you like?", she offers to Reithak with a grin.
The concealed proprietor of the establishment complains, "It's not cute!" Little blue hands reach out once more, and tickle at Culix's side.
"Grab my behind, will you...?"
Aelwyn glances over the counter when Irshya goes back to hiding. "Hmmh, should this one have asked whether the patrons have been treating Sharkie well, instead?" He asks, with a low rumbling chuckle, "Since it seems someone is getting tortured."
Eyes roll back over towards Eirik, he flashes his sharp teeth. "Snake and the snake," Aelwyn says, before leaning closer towards the grey half-elf. "Should this one greet Jormungad as well?" Twin forked tongue flickers.
When Reithak steps in, he straightens and flips open a menu. "Tch, Fashion. Rough night?"
Eirik chuckles shaking his head. "Oh no I, just didn't realize Snake had become my nickname." He teases as he laughs at the gobbos and their antics. "Though my new friend I do speak your mother tongue as well. Always enjoyed languages." Eirik says with a chuckle before taking a large bite of his Reuben and turning to look at Reithak. "Well hello, I'm Eirik I'm new here to this city." Looking back to the Gobbos he laughs and teases them. "Do I not see correctly or is it busier? And you two said it wouldn't be that busy.”
"Are you kidding? It was incredible!" The large egalrin laughs. "There was celebration abound and, well, yeah, it was a rough day." She finishes with another chuckle. "But not spirit dampening! And in my expert opinion Irshya is a certified cutie, whatever bit you're talking about with her."
The egalrin doffs her hat and gives a wide sweeping bow. "Name's Reithak, nice to meet ya! I'm new in this city too, but it's a real hoot, and not just because of the bustling aeirie hereabouts."
Culix yelps and squirms at the counterattack from Irshya, dodging away from the tickling digits. "Hey!" she complains, and tackles Irshya to arrest the hands. Her head leans out, "See, they know what they're talking about." indicating Reithak. Aelwyn gets a retort- "I always treat her well." which seems at odds with her current attempts to pin Irshya's hands while sitting ontop of her.
As Aelwyn looks over the bartop, a wee blue finger attempts to poke itself into one of the Sith's nostrils. The tackle prevents the finger from getting more than the first knuckle deep before Irshya is knocked to the floor. "Pfff, Aelwyn is staff. So one more person isn't exactly a crowd, Eirik.", the pool-shark says from below.
The Gobbo is able to keep one hand mobile, and this she teases Culix with, as well as attempting more nostrilling of Aelwyn.
"Hmmh?" Aelwyn says, turning towards Shark-Gobbo - and then wrinkles his nose as he was about to get nostrilled again. "Tch! The staff is not her toy either!" Continuing to shield his snout, he steps away from the counter. "Treat her well and secure, Daggers," He suggests whilst rumbling and rubbing at his snout.
"A party? Tch, a crime." Aelwyn laments as he spreads his hands at Reithak. "That seemed to be a party of a lifetime. Or at least the week." He flicks his tail then with a grin. "Should this one ask for details?"
The Dragoon then turns his attention towards Eirik. The ruddy sith-makar then clicks his tongue and throatily rumbles in Draconic, <"Attracted to danguages, or just the kind that carries scales?"> Another flash of his teeth. "Or just serpentine taste?"
Eirik smirks and gives a bow to Reithak. "Well met, and careful I got a chomper threat for insinuating her cuteness." He laughs before looking over to Aelwyn. Eirik replies in Draconic. "Well in truth I forgot Aelwyn here was an employee." He says wotb a laugh to Irshya. "But well one more is more coin for you is it not?:
"Well, I'll keep an eye out just in case." Reithak chuckles. "It would be nice to know draconic, I was really hoping I could learn it, but that speaker I met was more focused on practicing her tradespeak, and that felt more important. I could give you more details Aelwyn, but best to leave some to the imagination, Right?"
Culix continues her playful grappling, trying to catch Irshya's hands- and eventually managing it, for a moment. With the hands captured, she leans down and gives the other goblin a kiss on the end of her nose, and then hops off her and out of tickling range. "I got something else to show you, too." she tells Irshya. "I'll come find you after work, alright?" she says and winks, "Later, gator." she offers Aelwyn, and the others with whom she is less familiar get a wave before grabbing her cup of still fairly warm cider and making her escape, pilfering the cup in the process.
Irshya struggles to her feet, to give a parting hug to the other Goblin. "Oh, I hope it's more fanciness! You've learned a lot recently, it's amazing! Be careful, and see you soon, hon. I'll be here." She waves to Culix, and then offers a wave to the others gathered.
Aelwyn flashes his teeth at Eirik, before tapping Eirik's ankles with his tail. "Tch. Come talk to this one with tongues." He rumbles in amusement, before watching Irshya and Culix battle come to its natural conclusion. He bows his head towards the both of them, as they depart.
"Hmmh, hopeless kin." The menu gets flopped open and then he turns towards the very tall egalrin, holding out the menu. "Then perhaps this one shall do his best to pry the details whilst serving the today's special, shouldn't he?" He asks, with a near threatening display of sharp teeth. "Look over the menu, and this one shall bring the glasses." He suggests, before heading away to do his actual job - serving people.