Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Wed Aug 1, 2018 2:55 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

There was a whining noise as Walter reached down to pull the gray and white fox out from beneath the bed. "Shh, Greyson. What is it?" The fox rolled over on its back and looked up, whimpering and fussing. Then he heard a voice in his mind, and saw Eden was up too. "Eden? How's your stomach? Is your head hurting less?" It had been an uneventful couple of hours, keeping an eye on them both. Greyson had been tossing and turning on the floor, making grumbling and high-pitched whines. Finally he had settled down an hour into his fit, and fell asleep. Walter almost joined him, but was woken up when one of the inn's staff knocked asking if anybody wanted room service. He declined, and tried to muffle Greyson so they wouldn't think about checking.

Noticing the manticore was gone, he wasn't sure if it had left when he nodded off or was still in the room. Eden's stomach gave a growl, and Walter realized it was well past morning. Glancing at his fox looking expectantly at him, he put the two together. "You're looking a lot better now. I think it's time we all had some food–and no more drinks." He gave the fox a stern look, to which Greyson averted his gaze. "You'd better not think about trying to eat everything you see that looks or smells new, Greyson." The room was cleaned up, and the bucket was set aside for housekeeping to retrieve later.

Setting Greyson on his feet, the tracker stood up and began fixing up the window he had covered up while Eden was recovering. The shadows out on the streets were short, so only half of the day had passed. That left some time for him to stock up before heading back to Canelux.

Author: Eden, Posted: Sun Jul 8, 2018 7:33 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

A small nod came from the girl, though her tongue tasting the air still showed the unfondness of the sweet medicine. It did not linger too long on her tongue, but it was still enough to let her know it simply existed until she went for the cup of water again to push it away. However, with her head still feeling so heavy, she took a moment to rest her back along the wall the bed was pushed upon, but the soft flooring the bed gave made it nearly impossible to get truly settled, finding herself sliding down and rolling over as if she was hit with a sudden sleep spell. Not exactly the most comfortable position, to say the least…

As soon as she seemed to have fallen asleep, the manticore the rested itself in the room gave out a large yawn before its body began to fade away, vanishing into the aether as if it was never there. Then again, the entity itself was more of a spirit, leaving the sleeping Eden alone with the man and his fox spirit alone as she slept the hours away… Well, more specially about two hours. A long nap for sure, but it was certainly enough that when she pushed herself back up, her skull wasn't pounding as hard as it used to.

Pushing herself back up, Her fingers went back to the latch that held closed the metal collar and undid it once more, following her breathing exercises, though struggling to keep focused when her stomach spoke up. The first time it snapped her out, she saw the man still by her side. "… You still here?" echoed to him as she tilted her head in confusion.

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Sun Jul 1, 2018 3:03 AM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Walter let out a sigh of relief when Eden managed to keep the concoction down. Hopefully she'd start feeling better afterwards. "Maybe it should've watered it down before giving it you." The tracker said sheepishly. He'd thought that something sweet would make the medicine easier to swallow, but forgot that was his human side talking. Most carnivorous beasts didn't have much of a sweet tooth unless they developed one. Most foods were an acquired taste, the same went for alcohol. Taking a seat on the bed, he took out the second bottle. Now a bit wiser, he poured only half and mixed the rest with water in a bowl he then placed on the floor. Greyson was crawling under the bed, whimpering and still feeling awful from the hangover. Luckily he didn't drink so much as to vomit, but it was bad to hear him so uncomfortable.

"Come on, I know your head hurts but you need water. Just a few sips, I won't push you." He coaxed the bicolored fox out from its retreat with a strip of dried meat, and Greyson tentatively lapped up some of the watered-down medicine. Hiding back into the shade of the bed's underside, that was probably as much as he could take for the time being. It was now moving towards midday, and he could see the brightness of the light change as it filtered through the bed sheet. So far neither of them had breakfast, but with both Greyson and Eden still recovering he wasn't sure if now was a good time to give them food. "Feeling any better?" He asked her. "Whenever your stomach stops throwing a protest, I'll get us some food. Something easy to digest to not upset it again."

Hangovers were hard to judge on how long they'd last. Some people got over it in a few hours, others took a whole day. He still had enough coin on him if she needed more time to rest, and she might recover faster with bed rest than outside. And if she needed anything else, it'd be easier to find in the city limits. Water was probably the best thing the beastkin woman needed now. In the rare times when he'd woken up with a hangover, it helped make his head pound less. After those times he swore off alcohol for months, not even wanting to smell or taste it. Eden was probably having it worse as she downed so much on an empty stomach.  

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:41 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

While the sound of Greyson heading in was comforting, it was nearly impossible to really tell what he was saying. All she could tell was that there was now a bucket in front of her, a glass of water, and the sheet she slept on was now over the window, blocking out the morning sun. A good thing, too, considering how sensitive her eyes suddenly became to the light. However, as fast he was in, the werewolf was out, leaving the fox spirit next to her. But why was she left with a bucket in the first place? Her mind could hardly process what need there was for it until the feeling in her throat pushed up against her even harder this time, causing her to vomit forward.

While some of it still landed on the floor at the first time though, it was clear it was meant to control the mess that was coming out of a place where it should not. After a few more passes, she was finally able to get her breath back, even though saliva was dropping from her mouth, ears were flat on her head, and tail laid dead on the floor. Her throat was covered in bile, and its lingering taste was anything but pleasant. Only guessing that was the reason for the water, she was sure to chug it down to help wash it away before clasping her shackle collar back closed once more before she felt like she was going to white out once more.

By the time Greyson had returned. Eden had pulled herself back into bed, trying to keep the room from spinning, though she was able to stir herself back up when he did, taking the small bottle she was given. Eyeing him, she assumed it was for the best before swigging it down right quick, though was quick to cough up a bit of a storm from what she took it. It was sweet alright, and her palette had not been accustomed to the taste, making the bitter cover of most medicine actually seem worse than without it. Still, she drink it all, though stuck her tongue out at the bottle when she was finished.

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:03 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Leaving his room with Greyson hidden well inside his bag, he went to check on how Eden was doing. Listening at the door, when he didn't hear anything he knocked loudly. "Eden? You alright?" She might not even be awake, seeing how much she drank the night before. Maybe it would be better to let her sleep it off. It was then he heard a hair-raising howl, and grimaced. The hangover must be kicking in right about now. That meant she was awake, unfortunately. She definitely wasn't feeling well, so he went downstairs to ask for a few things. A bucket, for starters–especially for someone's first hangover. She'd need water too, just as much as the bucket. Asking for someone working at the inn to open her door for him, he gave them his thanks. He had to say that she was family to keep them from making faces, or else run the risk of getting into trouble himself. In hindsight he probably shouldn't have locked her in the room.

Bringing the bucket over in front of her, he put the clean water aside. Taking a sheet to cover up the window so it would be less bright, he quietly whispered to the hungover beastkin woman. "I'll be back soon Eden. I'm going to ask around and see if anybody has something so you'll feel better. I need to get some for Greyson too for being just as sick." Scratching his head, he was guilty. He should've stopped her after the third one instead of letting her keep going. Gingerly lifting the white and grey fox out of his bag, he set the whimpering animal on the floor by the bucket. With that done, he closed the door gently to not aggravate their headaches.

The market was open, and for once it was good he was up so early. Looking around all the stalls with herbs and medicines, he asked an elf woman what he soon learned to be an absurd question. "Pardon ma'am, but do you have anything for curing a hangover?" The woman's face had a look of disbelief, which was covered up very well as raised eyebrows. "A cure for a…hangover you say? I'm afraid we don't have anything like that." Disappointed, he sighed. "Oh, I see. Thanks for your time." As he turned to find if anywhere else had what he needed, the woman interrupted. "I wouldn't bother asking the other shops for it either. Now sir, it isn't that we don't have any in stock–it's because there is no such thing as a cure for hangovers. I can sell you something to relieve headaches and nausea, which I assume is what you want?"

Giving his best smile despite his embarrassment, he nodded. "I'd like that, please. How much?" He came back with two bottles of some sort of liquid concoction, and his coin pocket fifty crescents lighter. A steep price, but he was desperate to try anything at this point. Coming back to see how Eden was doing, he uncorked a bottle and took a whiff. It was sweet, but not too strong-smelling. Hopefully it would work.

Author: Eden, Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 2:15 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

As the night rolled by,, it felt as if her body was floating down a stream… her sleeping breath was turned into the ripples of the waves, her body lazily floating through. There was nothing to get a hold of to control herself, but the feeling was calm… relaxing. The drift in the water was very lazy and nothing to worry about. The rest of the world outside of that bubble was an incoherent mess of blur. Not even the river ahead was clear, but it did not matter. The flow of the water was taking her mind away from any form of worry.

The deeper she fell into her sleep, the lighter her feet felt, causing her to feel as if she was taking a current up a hill. How was never really a bother. Her mind swam with it, accepting it as fact as she drifted through. Time was not even an element in her mind as she was caught in the waves of the dream waters… until the waters started to turn a bit. Muddling and chatter from outside in the early morning as people readied for their daily tasked turned into the sound of rapids, causing her body to now roll and spin in the growing current. Her body was flowing faster as her feet were now getting heavy, making her feel as if she had started falling. Faster and faster she fell as more weight drew to her feet before the image of the ground came to her.

CLA-DUNK

Her body rolled off the bed and landed her on the solid floor, waking her up roughly with a groan in her voice. Her head was feeling cramped and her stomach was rolling like a wheel. The morning sun was barely breaking into her window, but it was plenty enough to cause a howl of pain and agony to leave her lips. The pain in her head was like she was thrown into an anvil, and her collar felt as tight as ever, forcing her to unlatch it and let it dangle around her throat, trying to get her breath while fighting the feeling of something trying to push out the other way,

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Wed May 9, 2018 7:15 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Walter himself stumbled into his room after locking the door to Eden's behind him. He so badly wanted to crawl under the sheets and stretch out in his beast form, but he wasn't sure if this place had people to wake guests up in the mornings. Screaming and being chased out wasn't something he wanted to think of, so he fell on the soft bed still clothed and slightly smelling of alcohol. Both the wolf and he were tired…so very tired. The fox was snoring away with its mouth open, its snout and head sticking out from his bag. Time flew as he and his fox slept the hours away long into the dark hours of the morning. Waking up from an afternoon doze left him disoriented, and the alcohol added to that. He was hungry, and when he looked out the window the tracker was disappointed that there weren't any places open for him to grab a bite to eat. The chirping of crickets and sounds of the night told him he'd missed supper time, and would have to wait for the people to wake up once the sun was shining.

Fishing around in his belongings, he found some old travel rations he still had. "Almost forgot…I was supposed to stock up on supplies again before this bunny business happened. I'll have to wait after I'm in Iria or elsewhere for that." As hospitable the elves had been, he didn't think they would lower their prices for solving their magical predicament. He'd have to tough things out until he passed through the savanna or Nisshoki. The savanna was rich with herds a hunter could live off of, and he had a friend in Nisshoki where he could stay a few nights. It was a good thing that polecat's husband lived so close by. A whimper from under the bed had him close to the ground, peering into the space under the mattress. The fox was now suffering the effects of a hangover from being too greedy in tasting the drinks. It was pretty obvious–he must've crawled down there because everywhere else was too bright.

"What're you doing under there? Come on, here. It might not make the headache much but your stomach'll feel better." Tossing a piece of dried deer jerky to the fox, it shuffled over and snapped the piece up, gnawing on it between its whines of discomfort. Rubbing his own eyes, he bit into a dry cornmeal cake and tried to wait out the time. Oh what he'd do for a nice plate of eggs and potatoes… Now with the fox, he'd be hunting for two after today. Looking at the fox's coloring, it had streaks of grey in its white fur. They were mostly around its face, and a bit on its back, so it wouldn't do well on its own in the wilds. Coloring like that would work better for the snowy mountains than green forests. "What am I going to do with you, Greyson?" The fox's ears perked up as he spoke to it. "Do you like that? How's 'Greyson' sound? I'm not good with names, so I can't think up anything fancy like the others would. Hopefully you won't mind."

Walter reached under the bed to scratch behind Greyson's ears, and the fox was looking a bit better. "No more drinks at the tavern, hear? Just look at what one did to you. You only get a sip at best–no more." Time seemed to crawl on by at a tortoise's pace until he could hear people leaving their homes. Finally, he could get some food.

Author: Eden, Posted: Mon May 7, 2018 4:17 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

The sounds around her were beginning to slur quite a bit as well as her vision, so most of his warnings were washed away. However, the tap, at the very least, caught her attention to look up at him with a beet-red face and eyes that struggled to hold any point of focus. Only guessing what was going on, she tried to pull herself from her seat, but her balance was certainly not stable, her tail working overtime to ensure she did not fall straight over. Her strength was also gone as she tried to pick up the massive weapon, only for it to remain rested on the floor, hardly budging an inch now at her attempts. Seeing this, the manticore rose up and headed over to her side and took the blade by mouth, heaving it up for her.

Her attention was elsewhere while it seemed Walter spoke to the bartender about something else before being led down the blurry tunnel. A wall opened up into a new space before getting led further in, before finally laid down on a soft material. She felt herself sink down into it, the texture working itself around her. It was so soft, it was nearly uncomfortable for how much she rested tensely against a tree, but the drink aided with its comforts, letting the work blur before turning black. There, she laid unconscious, falling asleep near instantly and as limp as a doll. While her face was still reddened from the drink, her lips were broken open if only a small bit while the kimono she used to wipe off her combat sweat laid ragged, easily exposing the tight cloth underneath her.

With the beastkin asleep, the manticore rested the weapon near the door before settling himself down near the window of the inn room, only to look at Walter to see what he would do after Eden had settled.

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Thu May 3, 2018 7:00 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

"Hm…well I'm not entirely sure. Probably a beastkin, then." Walter was trying to guess based on what he had seen from Eden. She always had her ears and tail, but he had never seen her transform into a tiger completely. Even he didn't know the details on what a lycanthorpe exactly was other than shape-shifting into a beast naturally. Sparrowhawk himself wasn't a lycanthorpe, yet he could change into multiple shapes, taking on forms of many animals. It seemed more difficult to explain than he expected. "Names are just names in the end, what really matters is who you are and not what you are."

Now that Eden was feeling less stressed, she was drinking rather quickly. Walter didn't realize it at first being a bit buzzed himself, but soon he noticed she was downing them faster. As the alcohol loosened her tongue, she told him about her life as a slave. She was kept to fight, and people bet money on the fights from what he could gather. Her former owner forced her to be silent, and only do as told. In that sort of situation, she didn't have much of a choice. The metal collar around her neck told him that too. It looked so heavy, and she couldn't break it off or remove it on her own. Eventually enough was enough. Eden admitted that she killed her owner and broke free, running away from living like a chained dog. Even after she ran away other people still tried to catch her and bring her back. But luckily she met some good people on the way, and they helped her keep her hard-fought freedom. 

By now Eden was through several drinks and her face was red. Drinking so much in a short time without food meant it went straight to her head. She said something interesting that caught his attention. A man who smelled like a bear? Walter had met only one other person who had the same beast blood in them as he did. Come to think of it, didn't he remember that scent of a bear too? This person, this man–sounded a lot like the one he had called his father and teacher for years. Only someone who had strong powers of a druid could give a blessing to another, especially one granting the ability to speak to beasts. Back when they fought the rabbit, she had said something similar. A druid god, who had the blood of a bear; maybe the drink was getting to him too.

Nodding, he moved the now sleeping fox lying on the counter. "I hear you, Eden. You should probably find a place to sleep soon." He chuckled. "Looks like I forgot to tell you to drink more slowly. Even if those sweet ones aren't as strong as the bad-smelling drinks, washing down several will be just the same." He could still stand, and the drink was starting to wear off on him. As long as he was careful and walked slowly he could get the two to someplace comfortable before they toppled. Slinging the drunk fox over his shoulder in his bag, he tapped her arm.   

Author: Eden, Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 4:12 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Eden blinked as he tanked about who he was, and what threats came attached to it. While the threats were never on that end, she did understand the other half: walking the line of the animals and humans as if it was a normal thing to do… At least should have been normal, as the metal collar did not really help much. Still, after taking another drink, her hand went up to feel the fur in her ear. It was strange how he said he walked the line, yet did not look any different from many other two legs. Well, except the ears compared to the rest of the folk in the area. "So… I lycanthrope?" she asked, as if completely oblivious on what her own race was even called.

"Life spent fighting," would have been her next response after a moment of silence, mulling over her own thoughts. "Each day, fight for food. Fight for comfort. Do good, get scraps. Do bad, get none." She took another drink in, and her cheeks were already starting to glow. "Fang man always tell voice useless. Fight instead. Punished for words… One night, Eden lost it. Eden break free. Take weapon. Take life…" It was a natural instinct for her to remove the discomfort, but it was the only time she had actually fought someone for their life. Every match before then it was looked down upon. Talk about "losing money" for doing so, like the slave owners had deals with each other or whatever.

Another drink was downed as she kept going. "Ran way from cage. Into trees. Not safe though. Others gave chase. Rizka come save. Rizka brought to man who smelled bear. He touch head, and this happen…" It was clear her thoughts were beginning to ramble now as her face stayed red, her head hanging low.

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 11:04 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

"Easy now…you don't belong to anybody anymore. People out there will judge you before they even know what kind of person you really are. But you don't need to listen." While the bartender was away, he took the return to normalcy in the tavern as a chance to share some personal experience. "I've dealt with it too–having people talk me down and sometimes give me death threats. It wasn't fair, but it's not even close to what you've been through. I'm something they call a lycanthorpe–some places use different words for it. 'Shifter', 'skin-walker', 'werewolf'…" The last one was said with hesitation. "It means I'm both man and beast, together." When the elf returned with a new drink, he waited until he went to attend to other patrons.

"People get scared when they hear that word. But not everybody who can turn into an animal acts the same way. My father was born with this, and the same goes for me. We walk in the middle between the two sides. It's different from something that looks more like a wolf on two legs. We don't attack everything in madness. We're a touch closer to people like you." Thinking about the fight, he figured that was why he could hear Eden like the hari and the other animals that helped her. With a chuckle, he scratched the ears of the now sleepy fox familiar on the counter. "So that's how I can hear you, even when others can't." The wolf heard her voice, even when it didn't make a sound. Animals didn't always have to vocalize to communicate. Using scent and body language, they already had plenty to say.

He didn't pry further into asking Eden how it all happened. She would tell him if she felt comfortable doing so, just as he told her about what he was. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 10:24 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

The bartender's heart was pounding when the barmate made him an offer with some decorative words attached to them, but the decoration was not exactly fluff. They were outsiders, yes, but strong ones indeed. The near-impossible weapon that rested on the floor next to the beastkin's seat, the scars that had decorated her body from years of physical combat, and… was that… fur growing on the back of her hands? Either way, she looked like she was ready to pounce and take out his own throat. "Y-Yes sir. Not a problem. I will get on it right away. We don't want conflict here." He scrambled back to his feet to work on it immediately.

Once he was distracted, Eden felt something rest on her back, though in her rage, she was quick to jump. However, it was Walter who touched her who had no aura of malice or conflict on him. More it was that of comfort, trying to calm the girl down. While her breathing was still heavy, she was quick to work her nerves to let her tail loosen up before taking her seat once more. She sat in silence to calm herself before once again latching the collar back closed once more. However, it did not settle the itch that irritated her throat. So much strain she placed on her voice… one that she had not used in so long, it burned worse than the ale.

The moment the glass was set in front of her, Eden was quick to pick it up and swallowing it all down, using it to fight off whatever feeling of irritation that lingered there, before slamming it down on the counter and looking up at the bartender. "Oh, uh right. Another one. T-This one will be on the house," he told her before getting a new mixture going.

"… He hold me no longer," escaped her as her fingers traced the emblem on the collar once more.

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:48 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

The elf made the one mistake every beast knew not to do–challenge another's freedom. Among beasts there were no laws, but there was order. You acknowledged that order, whether it be rank or seniority. And if one did not agree with how the order was arranged, they would prove their position through strength or other means. But regardless, a beast's actions were their own. They were no one's slave. Even when they followed the pack hierarchy it was out of freedom. Nobody else but Walter picked up on that near-fatal mistake until the manticore was reacting along with Eden. 

He could see her tail bristle, and could feel the hackles rise. If she had been a beast instead of a beastkin, that high elf wouldn't be standing anymore. The man kept digging himself deeper, failing to realize how thin the ice was underneath. Walter didn't know much about Eden having only met her recently. He himself didn't hang around highly populated places with people, for his own reasons. Enslavement, being forced to fight as a gladiator, and the abuse that entailed in her earlier years were unknown to him. The elf's carelessness informed the lycanthorpe of something very important, and he quickly realized what was going on. If that was a slave collar and not some form of weighty restraint, then that meant Eden herself had been subjected to a life worse than an animal. There was nothing more dangerous than a cornered beast.

The manticore cut the man off and drew everyone's attention. She was angry, provoked. Right now was a terrible time to agitate her. Leaning over, he looked at the terrified elf with begrudging pity. "So maybe she used to be a slave. Is there a problem with that? If she was a slave, then she wouldn't be walking in and paying for her own drink without complaining, would she? Oh and by the look on her face, I think she'd like a drink with a little less venom in it. It's the least you can do after we helped deal with the rabbit." He was well aware that the elves held magic in high regard and the fact that left them near-helpless to defend against something that interfered with it. They had left the brunt of the fighting to outsiders, and if they hadn't turned things around their city wouldn't still be standing. Even personal pride had its limits.

"Something sweet with less alcohol would do nicely. She's probably paid you plenty for fixing her order." He left the mug of spiced ale for the spirit fox which decided it wanted to have another go at the drink again. Climbing up onto the counter, the creature stuck its muzzle into the mug drinking greedily. With the manticore in the room, nobody dared to say anything. Walter pulled the ale away for a moment to take a swig for himself before handing it back to his fox.

He'd thrown a burning coal into the elf's hands, figuratively speaking. He could either eat his own words and take the blow to his pride, or risk tarnishing his people's already less-than-stellar reputation. Did he really want people to think of Sidhiel as an island of ungrateful wretches? 

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:35 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Its amazing what can happen when an imposing figure enters the scene. Eyes are drawn to it, captivating their view and making people question their next actions. However, once it shows no form of real malice or threat, the effect fades away and start to meld with the background. Kind of hard for a manticore to blend in with humanoids, but it showing a tranquil nature was certainly something to bring peace to mind. It showed no real threat. No danger unless you provoked it…

Or the one it followed.

As the peace melded together, the bartender could not help but watch the show that was before him: a beastkin choking on ale she bought, now hissing at the drink while a barmate tried to comfort her. She clearly had no idea what she ordered as he had no idea what she wanted. Not a word left her lips stating her interests or pointing to anything in particular. She just dropped coin and looked at him as if expecting him to follow up… and that metal collar…

"I am sure everything would have been fine if her Master was with her, wouldn't you say?" the bartender stated boldly, Eden's ears flicking to his words. Master and slave… two words she heard often with her. Words she not knew the meaning of until fairly recently, and thus could anchor faces to. Still, her hand was drawn to the emblem that resided on the cast metal. "Still, I bet he is a bold man, letting her move around so freely and handling her own silver when she understands so little of its value. Makes you wonder what he has to keep her from running awa–"

"HE HOLD ME NO LONGER!" were words that he wanted to shout out, but knew she lacked the ability to properly tell it. Still, her eyes shifted from hatred to the drink to damnation at the bartender as the manticore made its presence known once more. It took a mere flap of its wings to draw attention to it once more before standing up.

"I-I see… Yes… this must be his lea–" the manticore's roar was plenty enough to strip the nervous voice away. Eden's breath was getting rough as she stared daggers into his eyes before her hand began to move upwards, reaching out for the latch to the collar that resided around her neck before pulling it open, leaving enough room for her throat to take in more air while also showing the scars that developed from wearing it for so long in its original form… when it was essentially forged around her.

"Nnn… Nnnnn…" Sounds were escaping her lips, clearly strained as she fought to get it out. Her voice was cracked as it ached a single word: "No…"

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 11:03 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

He nodded in agreement. That was the best way to sum up how they all felt after the fight. Tired. He figured after this a nice soak in those local hot springs would help melt the soreness in his body away. Walter knew the way, having explored the forest and mountainside some while taking a reprieve. He had even found a few more secluded pools for some well-needed peace and quiet. The wolf was tired too, and with the bottom of his tankard in sight he would soon be heading there. The spirit fox gave a disappointed grunt as it was no longer able to sneak a sip from the tracker's vessel. Its ears perked up when the bartender set down a full mug of something else nearby. A perfect opportunity to take a few licks before running off. Everybody else was tasting this liquid, so it must be delicious.

Seeing Eden's reaction to the drink made Walter choke on his mead a little. It wasn't nice to laugh, but he could tell she probably hadn't tasted alcohol before. The tiger woman ordered something, shown by her putting money down. But as she was mute to all except beasts, she couldn't tell the bartender to give her something else. He stifled a chuckle and looked aside after seeing the fur on her tail stand on end. With his tankard empty, he gave himself a few moments to keep his mild amusement to himself. Nobody else could hear her, so he did his best to explain the situation.

"Eden, let me see what you have in there." Pulling the mug close, he took a whiff. Pushing it back, he coughed and fanned his nose. Not the best idea, but it did help him understand what she'd been given. It was something he'd smelled before, but thankfully steered clear of. "Ale…mixed with some other things. Strong stuff even when they water it down. No wonder it hurt like embers." When his nose recovered, he caught the fox sticking its face into it. Lapping up a few mouthfuls, it twitched and shook as it didn't like the taste either. Hacking and gagging, the little creature ducked back under the counter where it tried to get the horrible taste off its tongue. "That's what you get for being too nosy for your own good." He sighed, before returning to the beastkin.

Neither of them would be drinking it anytime soon, so he took the chance to teach her about alcohol. "Feeling a little better? It stings bad when you first take it in, but after a while it stops unless you drink another mouthful. Sometimes you will see people drinking something from mugs and containers like these here." He motioned to the tankard and mug. "What they're drinking is called 'alcohol'. It has a lot of different types and names–ale, beer, gin, wine–to name a few. They all taste like this, and have a similar smell. If you notice, it's…almost stinging and makes your nose feel uncomfortable. It doesn't stink but it hurts if you smell it too long. Try sniffing it a little, so you can remember it. When you buy a drink, if it smells like this you know it will burn your throat."

That was a mistake he himself had learned from, many times. His first taste of ale sent him down on the floor, feeling like he was drinking some kind of noxious brew. He still didn't like it after all these years, but most places thinned it out  enough so it wasn't as painful. And places that sold better drinks didn't have ones that burned so bad either.

Author: Eden, Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:15 AM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

Eden watched as the man look down at the coins before him, as if she was such a commoner that he would know her order by memory. No, she was a random folk visiting for the first time with the spirit of a manticore tailing behind her, yawning as if some bored lion. It was not trashing the place, so it was fine… right? Still, the man decided to go on and count the coin before resting the drink in front of the woman along with a small cloth so she would not need to strip to wipe away her sweat.

"… Tired," was her reply as she curled the drink into her fingers, bringing it up to her nose to sniff its contents. "Hari sad for no meal, but enjoyed fight to spare. Others simply went home."

Everyone else were taking in the contents of this drink, which translated in her head that it was safe to drink before taking a large swallow of it, but only one before she began to choke and cough on it, ale dripping from the sides of her mouth as she gasped her air and being the most verbal she has ever been in front of Walter via a growling hiss at the mug. Her ears laid flat on her head as her tail stuck out high and frilled to a poofy state. "WHY YOU HURT?!" she yelled at the drink. "WHY MAKE THROAT LIKE HEAT BALL?!" It wasn't even as warm as a heat ball, but it hurt just the same!

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 2:02 AM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

The sudden hush was enough to pull his attention away and for the small fox to wriggle out of his grasp. Both lycanthorpe and beast turned to see what was causing the unexpected quiet, and were met with a spectacular sight. Walter recognized the tiger woman from earlier, dragging along her weapon like it was nothing. But what truly stole the show was the massive chimeric creature behind. It had the body of a lion, and wings of a bat. Blinking to make sure it wasn't the drink going straight to his head, he was sure he did indeed see the beast. The fox even stopped fussing at the sight of the large lion-bat hybrid. It wasn't causing a commotion, so it must be another of those peculiar spirit animals following everyone these days. Now that he noticed, the fox itself seemed to be one as well.

Taking another drink from his tankard, he eyed the beastkin's actions following her arrival. A handful of coins clattered on the tabletop. He had figured out that she herself could not make her voice heard physically, being mute outside of speaking to the spirits of beasts through a god's blessing. The bartender was still shaken by the large hybrid beast, and wasn't sure what she wanted. The man chose to pick a drink for her based on the amount of money she had put down, and handed it to her in a tankard in exchange. The conversation in the tavern slowly resumed as the numbing effects of the strong drink was smoothing over any strangeness seen by the patrons. 

The fox, being the size of a large housecat, was back to its antics. It was now poking out from underneath the table, pushing its nose towards Walter's tankard. It was still very much interested in tasting what the man was partaking in, and Walter was just as careful to keep it out of the animal's reach. Whines of begging came from the little white-furred creature, its face and body marked with stray strands of darker grey. Its brown eyes were like glass beads, eagerly roving about for any unnoticed scraps for it to lap up.

"Eden, here to take a well-deserved rest from the fighting? How are your friends?" He was referring to the animals and beasts she had called to her aid while engaging the rampaging rabbit.

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:14 AM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

The door to the tavern opened once more, introducing Eden to the sounds of celebration and relaxation. However, the more she stepped in and the more her presence was acknowledged, the more silent the tavern became. It was not because of the beastkin clothed in torn and tattered kimono from the fierce battle just moments ago. It was not because of the weapon that rested upon her shoulder that should have been meant to hold the tavern up. It was also not the metal collar around her neck that had brought her so much trouble in the past.

None of that really mattered when a ghostly image of a manticore followed her in with massive paws, chest, and wings simply phasing through the wall nonchalantly and kept close to the female's tail!

However, she did not care if it was noisy or quiet. All she wanted was to not be agitated as she rested, catching her breath. She burned so much energy on a single rabbit that she was dripping with sweat, not caring how others reacted when she took off the kimono top, exposing the tight clother underneath as she wiped the sweat away before taking a seat at the bar. "H-How can I h-help you?" the bartender asked nervously as the large manticore settled down on his paws as if it was simply a large house cat… with a lion's mane and demon wings.

Resting her weapon on the floor via its "tip", Eden dug through her pockets and pulled out several silver coins and dropped them on the table. That's how it worked, right? Trade in these disks for services? She still didn't get an entire grasp on the situation, but she had seen it enough… hopefully…

Author: Wilderwald, Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 8:50 PM, Post Subject: Time to Unwind [P][Event]

"Thank the gods it's over." With a sigh of relief, he plopped down into a chair with a tankard of honey mead in his hand. It had been a long day, and finally things were right again. And to think it was all due to a little spirit creature who wanted to meet its soul partner. It was a good excuse to drink, especially to wash away all the stress. He needed something strong to calm himself down after what had happened. Fortunately for him, the drinks served here were far better than anything he had tasted elsewhere. There were mixtures of flavors he felt dancing on his tongue, and it was hard to restrain himself from taking it by the mouthful. Holding it in his mouth for as long as he could, Walter was trying to make it last. As enjoyable as it was, too much would still make the wolf tip over. There was a small fox that had snuck in the merriment, and it had been following the tracker for a while already. And when he finally sat down for a drink, it sprang on him.

"Oof!" Something with a furry coat smothered the top half of his face. It was hard to breathe, but he was picking up a scent he remembered. Slightly musky but not pungent…a woodchuck? No, too small. A badger? Not likely. It wasn't a skunk, nor was it a wildcat. Putting his tankard down so he could get a better hold on the thing, his hand caught the tip of a fluffy tail. With a yelp, it was pulled off and dangled before him. "How'd you get in here? This isn't a place for you to go running about." The fox whined as it swung back and forth, eyeing the cups and tankards. "You're an odd one, you know that? I've never heard of animals taking a shine to strong drinks. I wouldn't suggest taking any–it tastes worse than it smells."