barley break

mike — 05/08/2022

The Beggar and Flagon was completely dead, and thank the patrons, too.

Eamon skittered about the dining floor, wrapped tobacco wobbling from the corner of his mouth, wrapping twine around every chair set up on the top of one of the tables. These fucking monsters. Marie-Victoire was in a tizzy, shrieking in his ear about how yet again, forces beyond her control, or his control, or Prothero's control for that matter, were threatening her establishment. As if her establishment was the only thing being threatened. Eamon scoffed to himself, tying a practiced bowline around the legs of four chairs, bonding them to one another in case of emergency.

Emergency. As if a gigantic boar made of goop plodding around the Sunless Jungle hadn't been enough. Now, there was apparently a gigantic triangle floating about Ivras, threatening to zap anyone who came too close. Vivi was beside herself, and as annoying as it was to hear his wife's shrill complaints, he had compassion for her. She may well be traumatized. The last time monsters struck, a great worm had blown her way through the heart of Faline, and though the Beggar had remained untouched, it had never been a sure thing. He sighed, pulling the knot taut and moving to put the chairs atop the next table.

One regular customer hadn't gotten the memo that the Beggar was about to be closed. Byblis. Eamon kept moving furniture as she talked and talked to his back, puffing hands-free on his cigarette. He had no clue what the hell she was saying, but in his experience with Byblis, it rarely mattered.

"Aye. Right." he threw her a response, knowing it would keep her here long enough to buy another bowl of something. Get Vivi another check. That would make her happy. She could use the lift. (303)

tiyre — 05/08/2022

There were always interesting people in this place, and Byblis always went home feeling lighter than when she left. It might just be her wallet - and Alcippe kept telling her to not bring it all, especially not in one purse - amc she wasn't sure how that hacienda because she knew she didn't tip too much (but really, what's too much when they're doing a fantastic job and telling her fun places to go? ). It wasn't something she lingered on, though; money was nice, but she mostly just liked spending it on others. And fish. That's what she had started taking to Eamon about - if he knew what a skeleton fish might like to eat. She'd found one on the beach, hot it all nice in her main aquarium, but it wasn't eating. It was swimming,  though, so it wasn't dead and she'd decided to name it François.

But then she heard Eamon's wife taking about the monsters so she stared along if Eamon had seen any monster fish. Or monster squirrels. Or monster kale. Babs still want sure what she felt about kale, but it looked pretty. Especially people kale. Would a purple kale monster be pretty?

Eventually she looked around,  realizing that no one else was really there.  "Eamon!" she gasped, excited and touched by the kindness she decided he was showing. "Are you throwing someone a surprise party so everyone is hiding? That's really sweet of you! I won't give it away when they come in." (252)

Apel — 05/09/2022

The street felt strangely empty. Usually, this part of the city was bustling with activity and crowds of people, a perfect place to go when one wanted to burn a bout of restless energy; something Swan had a lot of, right now. Nobody had wanted to entertain his offer of a sparring match among Enn’s people, and he had no other tasks to do, so wandering the city was the next best thing.

Wandering the city and finding someone else to bother would have been even better. He eyed the closed windows and doors of the nearest building with a frown, wings rustling stiffly behind him. According to the sign, it was a tavern—The Beggar and Flagon—but it looked as empty as the rest of the street, which was weird. People ought to be inside getting drunk, weren’t they? Peering into the window, he tilted his head like a bird; there was at least someone in there; maybe he could ask what was up.

Without thinking further, he went to the door, and as it wasn’t locked, he opened it and took a half-step inside, leaning on the handle. For a moment, he just squinted at the scene inside. Furniture, neatly tied up, and a man with a funny hat hastily scrambling around; a woman by the bar with a drink. Or at least she looked like she ought to have one.

“Hey,” Swan called out without a preamble. “You two. Why’s this so empty?” He paused, then frowned at the tied chair on top of one of the tables. “Is there going to be a storm or what?” (269)

zom🐝 — 05/09/2022

Deo had seen the monster. Well, he'd seen a glimpse of it as it bobbed over the buildings that shadowed the coastline and then immediately turned the other direction. He had muttered something to himself that he hadn't really seen it, it really wasn't there, or maybe - maybe - it was a bird. He had left his glasses at home ("forgotten," he would claim, when really, they just cramped his style), so for all he knew, it could have been a funny looking cloud.

But as he walked, he started to notice the… emptiness. Shops were closed, the streets were quiet. Not even the birds sang in window sills. There was a dread that settled in the pit of his stomach, then, one that spread coldly through his blood. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t look behind him to find out either.

Instead, the sound of a voice caught his attention, and he didn’t even pause to look at the establishment’s name before he scurried across the street and stumbled inside (ducking under the man’s arm without even a second of eye contact, muttering repeated ”sorry, sorry, sorry,”s under his breath).

He finally released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding as he was met by the warmth of indoor air and, undoubtedly, the stares of strangers. His gaze quickly scanned the stacked tables and tied chairs, though, and that brief moment of relief was quickly chased away as he looked first to the woman at the bar, then to the man with the chairs, and lastly to the stranger he had rudely passed.

“There’s uh- uh-” Deo struggled to find his words, his hands fumbling together in dizzying nervous energy. He took in another breath, letting it out through his teeth with a hasty, “Hi, I’ve never been to Faline before so maybe this is normal, but…” He glanced toward a window, “There’s a thing just… floating… out there.” (322)

mike — 05/09/2022

Eamon set the next chair aright and took off his hat, smoothing back his hair and the kelp that grew from his scalp, both damp. At mention of a party, he couldn't indulge Byblis's chatter anymore. "What?! No, Babs, there's no party!" He turned to face her and continue his admonishment just to notice that another foolhardy customer had made an entrance. "Fuck me," he muttered.

"Funny you should ask that, mate," He said, righting his hat and swaggering up to the winged mage who had questioned him, irritated to have been lumped in with Byblis. "I've no idea what sort of rock you people have been living under as of late, but I were just explainin' to Byblis here that this establishment is closed, temporarily, for the foreseeable future, on account of the- For fuck's sake!"

Another stranger darted in under the arm of the first, sputtering away, clearly terrified by the recent sight of a floating figure. "Yes, yes," he said, "The shape, we've all seen it." He looked back at the winged man and gestured to the frightened one. "You see? Why the hell'd you think the entire street's closed?"

Eamon had a choice ahead of him. If the young man's words were true, the monster was close, and sending all his uninvited guests out now could be the end of them. At least Vivi was still in the tavern somewhere -- at least she had been, last time he saw her. But three strangers? That could be a liability.

They could also be the only place on their street that was still cashing in on a bunch of captive customers. He passed his tongue over his teeth in thought.

"Right," he said suddenly, "Shut the door there, hurry up! Lock it behind you, then!" He turned from the winged man as he barked the directive, walking back toward Byblis. "I advise all of you to stay here until the monster has passed over." He climbed behind the bar and pulled the tap once, twice, three times, and four. He took a sip and licked the foam from his lip, eyeing his company. "First round is on the house, but you'll pay me for my trouble." (367)

tiyre — 05/09/2022

Eamon turned towards her, claiming there was no party, but then more people came! Oh, Eamon. So incredibly sneaky! She didn't know why he hadn't invited her to be one of the sneaky people, cause she was real good at making sure people hot to know happy things, but maybe.... maybe she was the one who was going to have the surprise party! What were they celebrating? Finding a new fish? Oh, she hoped Eamon had gotten her a new fish - no. She needed to be smart. She hoped he got her a new fishtank, because she wouldn't crowd the fish she had and really just needed one.

He started being silly with the others who came in, who looked absolutely like best friends she didn't know yet. She beamed at them, died blue and pink hair fluttering as she practically vibrated with excitement. "This is better than the first monster I saw. I was with one of my friends, and we ran around and got really good cardio, but then we got separated when a building collapsed on me and I haven't seen her again. But I met a new friend, and we hang out sometimes, and it's so fun to meet new friends! That's what monsters are for - to bring people together and 'expand your social tube'!" She turned back to Eamon, saluting him with a salute that would have made Vidar cackle. "What can I do to help, sirman Eamon man?" (244)

Apel — 05/10/2022

When there suddenly was a man sneaking up under Swan’s outstretched arm, Swan almost elbowed him in the head by instinct, but managed to hold back, attention shifting back to the first man, the one with the funny hat.

“Closed? A shape? No we haven’t, the fuck are you talking about…” He turned to the newcomer. “A thing, floating? What.” He threw his hands up in the air, frowning. “How am I supposed to know! Didn’t expect a, a… shape of all things! What does that even mean. I thought there was going to be a storm or something.”

He did close the door, though, but didn’t lock it; he could already feel a sort of creeping disquiet along his spine at the thought of being in this enclosed space, full of strangers. Hunching his wings behind him, he subtly made sure he had a knife within easy reach—better safe than sorry—and he squinted at the other three people, especially the older man and the blabbering woman. She seemed awfully excited about something.

“A monster, huh,” he said, gesturing out the window, but he did follow the man to the bar, all while he was craning his neck as if to observe the whole room at once, before his red eyes settled on one of the mugs of ale. “A shape is a monster?” (224)

zom🐝 — 05/11/2022

Deo blinked, a foot shifting back as the man under the hat seemed to brush off his concern and started barking orders. Surprisingly, it did bring down his anxiety, his gaze moving from him to the awfully excited woman at the bar as she rambled on about monsters and friends. Deo clung to one little detail, though- monsters.

He remembered hearing about the archmage-turned-worm and the unrest that came with it. He had only moved to Mead by the time Faline had been mostly cleaned up, but from the stories... His lips pressed together, complexed. These two seemed so... casual about it. Perhaps it wasn't as big of a deal as he was led to believe.

His attention shifted to the man with wings as he closed the door, brow narrowing as he noticed the door hadn't been locked too. He hesitated only briefly before he chose to follow the pair to the bar (reaching to turn the bolt on the door as he passed), and was quick to slide up onto a bar stool. Deo reached for one of the mugs and pulled it into his grasp, staring down into the foam as he listened to the birdman's question.

"And I thought the worm was strange," He said with a soft chuckle, before he motioned towards the colorful woman with a wave of his hand. "But yes! How can we help? If there's anything else to be done, that is." (241)

mike — 05/12/2022

Eamon surveyed the motley crew he'd acquired by accident. A tall, dark-haired and handsome man with great black wings and red eyes, like a sexy vampire. A rather fancy young lad, couldn't be much older than twenty, scared out of his wits, out of place in the big city. And, naturally, his pal Byblis.

He blinked at them all with heavy lids and took another sip of his ale.

"That's right, a monster," he said, addressing the winged man, pushing one of the mugs closer to him with two fingers. "G'wan, it's not poison. And it's not just a shape. Apparently it's what remains of a somewhat geometrical mage, and it's spittin' bolts at ships on the bay. Whole harbor's closed down out there on account of it." He looked over at the others, who seemed in want of a job. "You want to help me? Drink your free drinks and order more so I'm not at a loss for havin' ya."

He sniffed and looked around at the empty tavern. Half of the chairs were still on their feet, but he had run out of energy to care. "Welcome to the Beggar and Flagon, I suppose. Eamon O'Mara, part-owner." He reached under him -- he knew he'd left it somewhere -- aha. His lute. He plucked a casual tune, entertaining his fingers as he waited out the shape's shadow. "Who are you people -- not you, I know you --" he gestured to Byblis with an elbow -- "And what are you doin' wandering the streets during our third apocalypse this month?" (258)

tiyre — 05/12/2022

Many friends. Many, many new friends. People coming together, learning, growing, preparing. Boarding up doors (as though that would stop anything). Praying to deities (as though they heard anything). Singing and dancing and.... oh, Byblis just loved it.

She wouldn't tell anyone unless she forgot and did tell someone, but she loved when monsters came. It was sad that she couldn't meet the monsters anymore, but the way the people came together, to fight or to flee...

Honestly, it deserved a party.

So Eamon was exactly right! Having everyone come in to the Beggar and Flagon, and meet new people... oh! Maybe it wasn't a surprise party but a mixer! All the other regulars were gone, but they all knew each other. They were best friends already - or, at least, they were best friends with Babs! Eamon was so smart. She should tell everyone she met that Eamon was very smart.

She faux-pouted when Eamon told her not to introduce herself, but that was okay because he was right! He did know her. "They don't know me, though! So I can tell them who I am while you work on tuning your lute!" Sometimes it sounded funny, and he never seemed to notice. Byblid was learning how to play the fife so she could try to make the lute sound happier, but she wasn't very good yet. Vidar would tell her when she was good. Vidar also said that practicing in an open forest was a more fantastic idea than on her ship because music sometimes makes boats fall over, and the happy girl didn't think that was a good idea. How the pirate would hear her play, though, and tell her when she was good was a fantastic question that she always forgot to ask. "I'm Byblis! Sometimes I visit Eamon so he doesn't look so sad, and we go on adventures. One time we ran into a rock, but that was mostly me. I think it moved, but Eamon said it probably didn't and it was just that I was moving faster than my eyes. That sounds silly, but Eamon sirman sir is really smart so he probably knows what he's talking about. Maybe it's the same kind of thing as having eyes too big for your stomach? Eyes seem so small, but they also don't seem that fast, so that makes sense. Sometimes I say that I'm supposed to be at work, because I enjoy work, but my boss is really cool and let's me visit places when my work is done. I really like your wings," she added, pausing just long enough to catch her breath "Can you fly with them? Someone told me that Eamon had ears big enough to fly with, but he's never shown me if he can or not." (467)

Apel — 05/14/2022

When he heard the bolt, he hunched his wings unhappily and threw a dirty glance at the other man, but then looked back at the mug offered by the hat man—Eamon—and took it. Unless it was really strong stuff, alcohol never seemed to have much effect on him; he took a careful mouthful first, but it wasn’t too bad, and so downed half the mug in one go.

He could feel his attention immediately start to wander as the woman began talking; something about rocks and eyes and… he had no idea. When she mentioned wings, he blinked, turned to her, staring for a moment as he caught up with what she said.

“Eh? Yes,” he replied bluntly. “Works just fine as long as there is space…” he shifted his weight, moved a wing as if to unfold it, then grinned wide—though not especially friendly—and reached out to give her a quick swat with the tip of his wing. “...Not enough in here, though.”

When Eamon got out his lute, Swan straightened, watching his dancing fingers intently, for a moment mesmerized by the clear tones coming out of the instrument. “I’m Swan,” he said, after a pause. What was he doing? Nothing, really, which was how he spent his time when Enn didn’t need him around. “And I wasn’t really doing anything. At most I was gonna see if there was a market today.”

Again, his gaze was drawn to the lute. “Who are you two then?” he asked, addressing the other two, but didn’t turn to look at them, still focused on Eamon’s playing. (265)

zom🐝 — 05/20/2022

Deo happily listened as their offer to help was brushed off with the ramblings of the overly excited woman - now known as Byblis. he found it amusing, at the very least, chuckling softly over his mug. His fingers wrapped tightly around its base as he slowly sipped at it, happy to push his feet against the legs of his bar stool and simply observe.

The man named Swan was an interesting one- both with his mannerisms and stunning wings. Deo had wings himself, but he had been advised to keep them hidden when in public… he assumed the monsters had something to do with it. He hadn't pried much, happily obliging if it meant keeping wandering eyes off of him.

He'd found himself lost in thought until the lute began, its gentle melody pulling his attention back to the present. And suddenly, it was his turn to speak.

Deo shifted in his seat, setting his mug back down on the bar. "I'm Deo," He murmured his greeting, brow knitting together as he turned his attention to Eamon, leaning slightly on his seat so he could see around Byblis. "I'm sorry, did you say third apocalypse?" He'd always been bad with what was a joke and what was not- but with the shape floating around in the sky, Deo felt it wasn't that far off. (224)