[Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You [Completed]

A tavern dedicated to the rougher sort of patron and seedier sort of business

Fellsgard is the foundation of Khy'eras' history and through reconstruction, it is now a vibrant and lively city. People reside here due to mild climate, opportunities, and safety and stability. Adventures often start from Fellsgard. Read more...
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Artemis Black
Character
Black of the Night
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04
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Artemis Black »

He nodded as she reinforced her desire to pay him fairly. That was always a coin toss with the sorts of people the Goose worked with. Though often a bad deal would never happen again, assuming the defaulter returned. "Of course, nothing like the comfort of home," he said with a twinge of sadness followed by an immediate rebound at the chance to escort her in the chilly night air.

Artemis felt a smile play over his lips as her eyes roamed over him. He kept himself from adjusting his stance, but only just. Then he watched her gulp down the drink with his eyes wide in shock. He was surprised she was still standing, given the hearty drink of kick in the teeth she'd just downed. "You've just had enough for at least two frailer men," he said as he prepared to catch her if she stumbled.

When Nyx intervened, Artemis began to wonder if the familiar was providing resistance to her charge, or if the drink was simply working its magic slowly. "Course she likes me. Darkness loves thieves," he laughed as the bird nuzzled his head. "I'll need to teach her to fetch you jewels and coin, earn her keep."

He offered his arm to her, "We shall, and perhaps at some point, we can give them something to talk about." He flicked the door open deftly and pushed it aside with his foot. Leading the Witch a short way down the hall, he motioned to a thinner stairwell. "Your clothes should be down here, in the second kitchen. Don't worry, few folks visit, and at this time of night, it's likely only Deb."

They reached the mostly stone room, a tightly packed larder, and prep table, with a medium-sized cookfire crackling in the corner. Deborah sat with a leg curled up atop an upturned barrel. "Oh, wasn't expecting you so soon," she said in her regular softness. "The fire guttered and wouldn't start for a while, so these things are still soaked through. You'd catch your death in the night air." The girl had a concerned look in her eyes as she looked at Katarya.
Word count: 359
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Katarya Frost
Character
Witch
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04
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Katarya Frost »

Kat took his arm gratefully, suddenly feeling a tad unsteady on her feet, and smiled when Nyx hopped over to her shoulder.

Her very own familiar! And it was showing signs of definite intelligence. She would have to study a lot more if she was to fully understand what it was to have one, and what this raven could do. At Artemis' offer to teach the bird to steal, Kat nodded, pragmatically. "Well, it might be a skill worth something if she knows what to retrieve." She said, as they made their way out of the bathroom. "I'm not entirely sure what she'll be capable of, but she'll still have a raven's instincts, I think. So teaching her to fetch something ..." Kat nodded. "Yes, if you would be so kind. I'm sure it would amuse Nyx as well."

The raven chattered it's assent, making Kat laugh.

The alcohol and disarmed her, somewhat. While normally she would not be caught dead on a man's arm wearing a white linen dress, she seemed comfortable, laughing as they strode into the tavern.

When Deb greeted them and expressed concern over Kat's well being, the young witch smiled in response. "That's very kind of you. But I have to open the store in a few hours, so should really head home. Mr. Black has agreed to see me to my door, so I should be fine. Though if you have a spare shawl ... I can have it returned first thing in the morning?"

She gave no thought to how this might look; Katarya Frost on the arm of a man like Artemis. Besides, even if she did, she would be delighted at the shocked look on people's faces. She liked keeping people guessing, though this time, it didn't feel like a game. She actually was having a good time. Maybe the ale had a part to play in that!

With the shawl round her shoulders, Nyx on her shoulder and her arm linked with Artemis (which was a blessing, for her feet were not doing exactly what they were told to), the two stepped out into the cold night's air. She shivered slightly, but the ale kept a warm feeling in her stomach.

Her boots tapped the road as they walked, lit by the sparse lamps of the city. It was quiet and still, and the moon was now low in the sky, peeking out between houses and shops as they passed.

"Tell me," she said, as they walked. "While I go back to my little place above the shop; where does the enigmatic Artemis Black, call his home?" She asked, conversationally.
Word count: 438
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Artemis Black
Character
Black of the Night
Level
04
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Artemis Black »

Artemis felt the wild shift in Katarya's balance and firmed his arm as the alcohol finally hit her. He smiled as she chatted with her familiar amiably. Clearly, birds were easier to get to know than horrors made of bone. "Course, can't deny Beaky," he said, offering the bird a blueberry he'd tucked away.

The thief was surprised for a moment when she mentioned a shop, but then he reconsidered. He doubted the teeth had been cheap, and he knew his own services were more than ale money. When she mentioned a shawl he added to the retreating Deborah, "My heavy cloak as well please."

Deborah returned with the shawl, and Artemis' prepared cloak, one lined with several daggers and a blackjack. "I can send Arty out to collect the shawl and pay in the morning, or you can come back here after you've closed up. Don't bother about the delay," she said, offering a bright smile to the Witch.

Artemis felt his muscles brace as they stepped into the cool night, dangers often lurked in the transition from candle to moonlight. Thankfully, there was nothing but the cool cobble and a chill breeze. His voice caught when she asked about his home. "Ehrm-" he stuttered, before clearing throat. "It varies. When there's room at the Goose, I can rest there." He swept his hand out at the city around them. "Other nights, a church, or the spare room of the more giving folks."

He offered Katarya a wane smile. "As I said before we began, a career man. That doesn't tend to lead to the sort of income that promises a warm bed." He forcibly brightened his expression as he went on, "You though, you've got a shop, you said. That's wonderful. Hopefully, Beaky doesn't get too curious and wreck the place." His laugh was faint and hollow. He always tried to avoid this part of spending time with women, and he was beginning to remember why.
Word count: 328
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Katarya Frost
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Witch
Level
04
46 / 46 HP
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Katarya Frost »

Despite the alcohol, and the heady feeling of their exciting, playful back and forth, Katarya frowned as he spoke. She hadn't considered that he might not have a place of his own. Perhaps she took her own good fortune for granted ...

"Well," she said, as they walked. "That simply won't do, at all." The proud way she spoke was very much like the Katarya Frost that caused lesser men to scurry off with their tails between their legs. "I have a perfectly good, if a little small downstairs in my shop. It's where I hold my consultations and there is a cot in it." She gave his arm a small squeeze. She spoke so brusquely, as she didn't want to appear to be pitying him. She had a feeling he, just like her, would not appreciate being pitied at all. "But only for tonight, mind. And you must promise to remain downstairs." She said, with a slight smile. "Any unwelcome visitors into my home and they tend to wish they had gone elsewhere." She didn't look at him, while she said it but: "But only if you feel comfortable doing so." She added, at last.

Nyx squawked on her shoulder, and Kat glanced up at one of the houses. A man, holding a lamp was peering down at them. He was a rather large man, probably in his late fifties ... it was Karl's father. 'Drat!'. No doubt word of her walking through the streets in the early hours with a strange man would be on everyone's lips by morning, and she was not looking forward to the interrogation and inevitable scalding from Cora.

She turned her head away and lifted her chin as they walked. Let them talk! When had she ever cared what people think? As long as they were sufficiently scared of her, she was satisfied ... Karl might be a problem, though. She shook her head, as if to rid herself of thinking about him.

When they reached the shop, she stopped at the door. Instead of taking out any keys, she placed her palm over the lock and whispered something strange. With a click, she opened the door and smiled to Artemis. "Makes it harder for thieves to pick, if it's enchanted." She explained. Then glanced inside. "The cot is yours for the night, and breakfast in a few hours. I won't push you, because if anyone tried to do the same to me, I know what my reaction would be, and I doubt we're not too dissimilar!
Word count: 422
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Artemis Black
Character
Black of the Night
Level
04
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36 / 36 MP
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Artemis Black »

Artemis stumbled and visibly flinched when she started talking about her spare cot. He was used to this sort of thing, folks would always speak with concern and offer a handout. When the time came though, the door would be shut, the food not fit to eat, or the bed in the frozen crawlspace. His mouth started to beg off before his mind had even caught the full sentence. "No, I'm-," he said before he caught up.

After her warning and then small hedge, he realized she wasn't trying to offer selfish charity. She was actually trying to help him, give him a warm bed, without all the extra trappings of false kindness. She'd even given him a way to beg off without hurting her over much. His mind slowly churned, the gears grinding distractedly, as he kept a watch for anything untoward.

Eventually, he just nodded half-heartedly and mumbled an agreement before giving himself a shake. He'd have a warm bed to sleep in. Sure there'd be the temptation to take a peek, but she was a Spook, who knew what horrific flaying of his soul would happen.

He noticed the looming watcher in the windows immediately and dipped his far hand into his cloak to grip the blackjack. His closer hand he prepared to push Katarya down. The woman's expression changed as she noticed the man too. Artemis coiled his muscles for a fight, but they simply passed by. Perhaps it was some sort of acquaintance, with a habit of looming in the night while staring menacingly.

By the time they'd made it to the shop, the thief had forgotten the strange man in favor of pondering what security the Witch had. He watched Katarya open the clearly enchanted lock and smiled. "What about the windows?" he asked more to himself than her. She pointed him to his sleeping space, and he balked again. The full understanding of what was happening, locking his thoughts for a moment. "I'll... yeah thanks. Have a - uh," he stuttered, and then shook himself. "Thanks, Kat. Sleep well, I promise not to rearrange everything to hide the missing pieces," he finally said with a wink.
Word count: 363
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Katarya Frost
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Witch
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04
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Katarya Frost »

Kat couldn't help but laugh as he spoke about the windows. "Let's just say, I wouldn't recommend trying them out!"

The young witch watched him as she made her offer. It was gone in an instant, but there had seemed to be something that washed over his features ... insecurity, perhaps? Almost as if he didn't trust the offer. She wondered what kind of life this man had lived, that he would react so? She felt a sudden wave of affection, a wave that had nothing to do with physical attraction, but at the hint of something inside him that, like her, was more vulnerable than he, also like her, never showed the world.

She nodded as he accepted, and gave a short laugh at his jest. "I'd be careful what you touch; you're as likely to wind up covered in scabs if you touch any of the herbs or medicines I store in there." Her boots tapped the wooden floor, and Nyx hopped from her shoulder to the counter top as they passed. She opened the door to the consultation room. It was snug, but it was clean and smelled of sage and thyme, herbs she used in all her cleaning. The cot was raised off the floor (pregnant clients could hardly be expected to get up off the floor after a consultation), and it came complete with a pillow for his head and a thin sheet. "The sheet should be enough. It gets quite warm in here on a night."

She stood aside and let him step in. For a moment, she felt like she wanted to to say something, but she didn't know what! So she nodded her head. "There's a lamp on the side if you need it ... sleep well, Artemis" She said, turning away. "Nyx ..." The raven flew to her shoulder, letting out a low cawing sound at Artemis before the two vanished up the stairs to Kat's own little flat.

***

Although it didn't take long for her to fall asleep, she was surprised that she didn't fall unconscious the moment she had hit the pillow. Instead she reflected on the night's events, her fingers stroking Nyx's chest, who was sleeping next to her on her pillow. Letting Mr. Black stay in her consultation room?! That was most unlike her. She couldn't help but wonder at the man; he seemed to bring something out in her that she didn't realise she particularly had: a real desire to get to know someone ... to get to know him.

***

Being a witch had it's perks. It had to, or else one wouldn't risk going through the practising of the illegal art if it didn't pay off in some way. So Kat took advantage when she awoke a few hours later, yawning and grumpy. From her bedside table, she took forth a small vial and drank from it. After grimacing at the taste (not all medicine could be made nicer), she allowed the stimulant to course through her, and she took a deep breath, feeling almost immediately invigorated.

After dressing (she was glad to be back in her dark colours; a pleasing dress with a high neckline, and her hair braided back with a purple ribbon), she slipped on her boots and headed downstairs. No doubt Artemis would have taken off before she could say 'good morning'. She'd hardly been quiet as she moved around the upstairs flat.

However, when she opened the door to she small room, she looked down at a still very much asleep Artemis and couldn't help but smile. Awake he was full of quips and jokes, having the swagger and charm of a sweet talking scoundrel ... but asleep ... He looked so much younger as he rested. His scars, clothing, weapons ... all of them spoke of a man with more world experience than she, by a long way! But as he slept, his face hd an almost ... boyish quality. It was rather endearing.

Nyx had not followed her downstairs; she wouldn't have the raven in the shop as it would simply bring too may questions, and so she had let the bird go for a fly over the city. Letting her go was strange; though she knew the bird would be back (Nyx was bound to Kat's will, after all), she wished she could have had her sit on her shoulder all day. She felt almost like a proud parent.

But the store would be open in an hour. She stepped away quietly, going back upstairs and gathering some fruit, cheese and bread from her pantry, which she placed on a wooden plate and returned to Artemis. She cleared her throat in an attempt to wake him .. but it didn't work. She frowned and placed the plate on the table next to her client register book. She reached down and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a small shake. "Artemis," she said, not too loudly. "Artemis?"
Word count: 822
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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Artemis Black
Character
Black of the Night
Level
04
48 / 48 HP
36 / 36 MP
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Artemis Black »

Artemis felt a blanket of numbness fall on him when he spotted the cot. It practically glowed with inviting comfort. He waved his hand absently as she mentioned the lamp and only came to when he heard his name. He turned to smile at Katarya, but she was already gone. Chuckling wryly, he sat on the end of the cot and shucked his boots. Then he turned to lift the sheet and simply fell atop it instead. His last thoughts before he succumbed were hazy memories of a garden from his youth.



He was dreaming of bread, steaming and fresh-baked, drizzled with honey, taken off the chest of a gorgeous naked woman. Then there was a great cackling raven, and his mind spiraled into panicked confusion. There was a touch, a sound, and then his muscles tightened and the dream raven cawed.

He rolled, flicking the knife into his palm with the twist of his body. His hand shot outward, directing the blade to the center of mass for the blurred shape that stood over him. He let out a strangled yelp as he snapped fully awake. He'd just thrown a - he flicked his fingers down hard, brushing the hilt of the dagger in flight.

The blade whispered, not an inch from Katarya's stomach, to sink deep into the wall with a deafening thunk. Artemis' face was a deathly pale, and he held his fingers like claws, his mouth a rictus of terror. Though his body was rigid, his mind raced relentlessly. Of course, he'd gone and ruined everything as soon as the opportunity presented itself. This was what always happened. The terrors and the knives kept him alive but took any solace.
Word count: 284
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Katarya Frost
Character
Witch
Level
04
46 / 46 HP
40 / 40 MP
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Class: Wizard
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Joined: September 27th, 2019, 12:09 am
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Katarya Frost »

Kat gasped in shock and stood frozen as the blade thudded into the wall just an inch from her. After a few seconds, she let out a long breath, her eyes wide and her heart thudding in her chest. On her skin, the amulet that warned her of danger near burned her in its heat, though it quickly faded. Whatever he had just done, the magic of the amulet seemed to suggest he wasn't going to do it again.

She turned her head slowly to the knife, then back to him. The change in him had been so jarring ... one minute he had seemed so peaceful, so boyish, then his face had turned to stone as he had moved, faster than she had ever seen anyone move, to launch the knife that now stuck out of the wall of her consultation room. Lastly, there was a look on his face that seemed ... shocked? The colour had drained from him, just as it must have from her.

Her hands gripped the plate with white knuckles, and it trembled somewhat. "Well," she said, swallowing and a little breathless. "That isn't normally how we say 'good morning' in these parts ..." She placed the plate down on the desk, lest her trembling hands drop the food on the floor. She moved slowly ... she wasn't entirely sure (even with her cooling amulet) what was happening, or indeed, what just happened! "But if throwing knives is your way of an early morning greeting is customary ... may I request you throw it in another direction, in future?" Her words might have been flippant, but her posture and tone were taut, like a wild thing ready to take flight. Even her movements were slow and deliberate. Was she scared? "Artemis ...?" She said, softly. She didn't know what to say; she was merely seeing if the man she knew was with her, or had been replaced by the kind of man who threw knives at people bearing breakfast.
Word count: 329
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
User avatar
Artemis Black
Character
Black of the Night
Level
04
48 / 48 HP
36 / 36 MP
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Class: Rogue
Posts: 358
Joined: September 30th, 2019, 12:06 am
Has thanked: 13 times
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Artemis Black »

He'd missed, gods thank his stupid fingers. He heard her words as if through a heavy door. They were muffled, and only as his heart slowed and sound returned, did he realize the ringing in his ears. "I-" he said, trying to get his body fully back under control. Then she said his name and something snapped. Everything was calm, quiet again. Suddenly, on a flash of a thought, he jumped to his feet and hugged the Witch tightly.

The hug lingered for a moment, him unwittingly breathing in the scent of her hair. Then he released her and almost lept away to collect his dagger. He mumbled as he moved, "Deb says hugs make things better." He reached down to remove the dagger from the wall, concentrating on the action intently to avoid thinking about all the other horrific things he'd done in the past few minutes.

As the moments ticked by, he felt ever more awkward. The blade was very firmly lodged in the wood, and, despite a few hours rest, his aching muscles were unable to shift it. "I've - well, I can't seem to get this out for the moment," he said with a sigh as he turned to face her.

It was then that he actually noticed the food platter Katarya'd had placed on the desk. The small desperate urchin inside him overrode his more composed thought, and he strode across the room with confidence. He popped a morsel of cheese into his mouth, then immediately gagged at the intense taste. After a moment of wrangling, he swallowed the cheese and turned to the Witch, his eyes slightly teary. "Thank you for the food. What do I owe you?" he asked in a scratchy whisper.
Word count: 290
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Katarya Frost
Character
Witch
Level
04
46 / 46 HP
40 / 40 MP
0p / 0g / 0s / 35c
Race: Human
Class: Wizard
Posts: 315
Joined: September 27th, 2019, 12:09 am
Has thanked: 37 times
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Re: [Mature] The Velvet Goose - For What Ails You

Post by Katarya Frost »

Kat's body stiffened at he hugged her. It was not that it wasn't welcome, in fact the urge to wrap her arms around him was almost over-powering, but he pulled back before the instinct led to her actually doing it. She was grateful that she hadn't ... but chided herself for being so unconsciously determined to be so aloof all the time! "Deb is full of surprisingly sound advice," she managed to say.

Glancing at the dagger, she gave a rueful laugh. "Well ... I doubt it will make my patients particuly comfortable! She watched as he ate the cheese. Her body relaxed, and she let out a long breath. "For a moment there, my life flashed before my eyes ... I can't say that it was particularly interesting." She joked, trying to dispel any tension she felt. It worked. A little.

At his question, she smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. She even dared to comment: "Do you really live such a life where any kindness, however small, comes with a price?" She asked. Kat gave him a smile. "Hospitality in a home should not come with a copper requirement, Artemis. I'm just sorry I don't have anything proper in for breakfast."

She sat down on the chair she would normally sit when listening to her patients problems and complaints. She did so because her legs felt like jelly, and she didn't want to drop to the floor like some swooning maiden from one of those ridiculous books. "I open up in an hour," she explained. "I'm afraid you'll have to go, by then." From her tone, she sounded regretful. "You don't want to be in here when some sailor drops his trousers and asks why he has a rash ... it's not exactly the highlight of my day, and I doubt it wouldn't be yours either ... I think." She smiled at him.

"Where will you go? If you don't mind me asking, of course." Was she asking out of concern? Curiosity? Or was she asking so she would know where she might find him, again? Even she wasn't completely sure.
Word count: 349
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"Now is the Time, now is Hour, mine is the Magic, mine is the Power"
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