[The Leap of Faith] Farewells are not always farewells (open)

[Saka Rosedl]

First of Cryxatum i
n the Season of Spring,
Era XV

[frame]
-=| THE LEAP OF FAITH |=-

"Welcome to the Leap of Faith! Try out Flame Tongue, it'll burn your throat, make your cheeks rouge and your belly burn till you cry for your mama!"

The largest inn and tavern of Demios provided entertainment, drinks, merriment, and adequate lodgings for all its patrons. A raised stage stood in the back of the tavern area for entertainers: bards, jugglers, and poets. On occasion, bored patrons gave a shot at telling tales of their latest wench conquests and tales of dragons. Loud, raucous, and merry, the Leap of Faith's dining room is always crowded and full of noisy, happy customers.

The second floor of the Leap of Faith consisted of twelve rooms, with one suite room for the occasional wealthy patron. The prices were fair, and despite the raucous environment downstairs, the rooms were clean and safe.

For the hungry customer, there was a stack of oily, dog-eared menus on a teeny tiny pedestal near the entrance. A friendly sign next to them read: SEAT YOURSELF! Once this was done, waitresses in matching white and blue uniforms tended to every patron's needs.

Bluloo, a Lutran with flaming red britches served drinks at the bar. "Care for a Fire Tongue? Or need a room? Ask Helgga over there," said Bluloo before he pointed to a large blond lady with bloodshot eyes and more muscles than a mare.

Try our specialties, the Flame Tongue and the Dragon Boat! All meals come with water, tea, milk, or juice. Soup of the Day, 2c cup, 5c bowl Solaria: Tomato Dianara: Clam Chowder Ioannolia: Cream of Mushroom Carmelyana: Beef and Vegetable Aslanica: Broccoli and Cheese Thera: Onion Srennia: Lobster Bisque Orodisia: Cream of Spinach Kuras: Chicken Lunaria: Corn Chowder ROSYUN (Brunch) Granola Bowl, 3c Crunchy, crispy granola in peach yogurt, topped with bananas and strawberries. Pancake Platter, 5c Four buttermilk pancakes topped with sweet syrup, powdered sugar, blueberries, and bananas. Grilled Sandwiches, 3c Tomato and Gouda Cheese Asparagus and Goat Cheese Chicken and Mushroom Eggplant and Zucchini Assorted Baked Goods, 5s - 1c PRACENDA (Dinner) Chef's Salad, 4c A hefty bowl of freshly picked greens, shredded vegetables, sliced ham, diced chicken, and croutons, tossed in your choice of oil and vinegar, honey mustard, or creamy herb dressing. Dragon Boat, 8c Freshly sliced raw fish straight from the morning catch: tuna, salmon, mackerel, and octopus. Served with a spicy sauce. Filet Mignon, 12c The finest cut of steak wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection. Served with steamed carrots and squash, savory mashed potatoes, and creamy gravy. Chicken and Treasure Rice, 6c Lean chicken breast with The Leap of Faith's famous treasure rice, golden grains spotted with spices and scallops and peas. Seafood Medley, 9c Lobster tails with white wine sauce, grilled scallops, mussels, and jumbo shrimp. Rack of Lamb, 11c Tender lamb with country-style potatoes drizzled with a tangy black pepper sauce. Earthly Delight, 8c Roasted chicken with a vegetable medley: potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions. DESSERTS Fairy Bananas, 2c Grilled bananas dusted with cinnamon-sugar, served atop a mound of vanilla ice cream. Slice of Apple Pie, 3c Cinnamon-spotted, caramel-topped, warm apple pie served with vanilla ice cream. Melting Chocolate Cake, 3c Rich, gooey chocolate cake that seems like it's melting on the inside! Served with vanilla ice cream. DRINKS Flame Tongue, 8s glass Ale, 1c pint Light Beer, 5s pint Dark Beer, 1c pint Brandy, 3c pint Honey Mead, 2c pint Cider, 1c pint Light Rum, 2c pint Dark Rum, 6c pint Spiced Wine, 3c pint Local Wine, 2c glass Fine Charismean Wine, 7c glass LODGING Pauper's Room, 1c brightening, 10c cycle Commoner's Room, 3c brightening, 30c cycle Deluxe Suite: 200c cycle full service, private bath

The day was rather bright, not in the sunlight but in Saka's heart and dreams, for this brighting he would leave Demios and his title Prefect behind. So here he was at the inn having an glass of Charismean wine as he wacthed people talking and sharing tales. Why would Saka drink in the daytime, it was simple. He would be gone by nightfall as he had to go see other things.

He smiled at he thought back on his first time in Demios and how lost he felt, and now how much he felt at ease and home. His mother was right, this island did him wonders yet he had to leave but he would be back within a few seasons, better. Both a better person and mage.

[Eben Bloodhawk]

Eben Bloodhawk was out and about, shopping along the streets of Demios, looking for a particular item - a weapon to be exact - when out of the blue his stomach began groaning. Had he really forgotten his morning meal? He imagined it was possible, since that was usually the only reason his belly would make such a noise at this time of the brightening. So, glancing up and then down the current block he was standing on, he surveyed the area for an eatery or inn. As luck would have it, he was standing not too far from a rather impressive looking establishment, one that most likely had a dining hall or bar where he could get a quick bite to eat.

Advancing on the building, the young man saw that it was indeed an inn, The Leap of Faith to be exact. Making his way through the heavy, double doors, Eben took note of the sign that was posted just inside of the entrance. Following the simple instructions, he helped himself to a tattered menu and then to a table. He spied an available one close to the bar and swiftly made his over to it. Slinging his travel back over the back of the nearest chair, he took a seat, and quickly began looking over the menu.

Being a budding chef himself, Eben's eyes roamed over the list of dishes, wondering how each was prepared, while also attempting to figure out the key ingredients. He had to admit, several of the dishes sounded rather tempting, however, at this point, troll stew sounded pretty good to him too. It didn't really matter what he consumed, as long as it was hot and filling.

Placing the menu down, he scanned the room. It appeared that he wasn't the only one in need of a tasty meal or a refreshing drink. The bar was nearly full and all but two tables were taken.

Eben was still rather new to Demios, so, none of the faces of the patrons looked all that familiar to him. Yet, he had to admit, one personage in particular caught his attention right away. It was that of a young elf, sitting all alone, looking overly cheerful and eager, as if he knew something wonderful that the rest of the room had no knowledge of.

I wonder what's causing his particular state of happiness, Eben inwardly pondered as he sat silently waiting for one of the servers to come and take his order. He looks ready to take on the entire Kingdom.

[Saka Rosedl]

The man he saw that came in, he looked somewhat familiar but most people did to Saka, being the leader of law and such people came to him all the time, so after a bit everyone looked familiar.

He just drink-ed his tea as he watched the man move around then he moved back to his talk with the waitress that was near him about his trip away from Demios and where he was heading. Just out of town for awhile due to training.

Then she left to the other people, still on the clock working getting tips and getting orders. Normal day in a normal city, maybe that was what was bugging the city even small was full of people he was still bored. He got a new job that was in the government even with his lack of background in Law and yet that helped then he was bored once more. His life was lacking arcana, that is what he loved in life forming and doing magic and playing with things that were past his reach.

He would come back to Demios but he would not be the same person. He would be better then any mage at the school. Better then anyone in spells and ideas. But for now he was just a normal person as he drink-ed his tea smiling as if he knew every secret on everything.

[Eben Bloodhawk]

Eben ended up ordering a grilled chicken and mushroom sandwich for his rosyun, along with a honey mead for his drink. He decided to keep it simple. Filling up on a heavy meal at this time of the brightening would probably be a bad choice. It would most likely sit like a stone in his stomach, which wasn't a good feeling in the least.

As he sat and waited for his meal, Eben's attention was drawn back to the elf he first took note of upon entering the tavern. Once again, he appeared overly happy. Was he drunk or simply thrilled to be alive? It was hard to tell. But then Eben overheard him speaking with one of the serving girls and an explanation came into play.

"Forgive me, but did you just say that you're thinking of heading off to Jaedaxia?" Eben questioned the elf, making sure that a bit of warmth was mixed in with his words. He didn't want to sound confrontational in the least. "I just came from there. It's a beautiful city. Have you ever been before?"

[Saka Rosedl]

"Come do sit, and aye I am going to that city. I been there once but going back for well the same reasons. Heading out this darkening or next brigthening and well rather happy about it, due to I can see new things and sounds." He said as he emptied his glass.

"You look rather familiar, new to town?" He asked as he studied the man more in detail now. He looked like a man that traveled alot, and fighting. For good or ill. The smells around the inn were touching his noise even as he tired to take note of Ebens scent, something he did when he saw a new person in case his eyes ever failed him.

[Eben Bloodhawk]

"The name is Eben Bloodhawk," the young Baijani offered as he moved to take a seat with the elf at the bar, "and, yes, I'm rather new to Demios, but perhaps you've seen me wandering around here and there. I always try to make an effort to learn my surroundings as best I can. However, as of late, my focus has been rather set on one particular location, the Crystal Gardens to be exact. I just took up a position at the new spa, which should be opening very soon."

Eben paused just then as a serving girl furnished him with his drink.

"Thank you," he simply replied, before turning back to the elf. "So, Jaedaxia, eh? That's nice. I hope you have better luck there than I did," Eben was quick to add just before he lifted his mug to take a sip of his mead. "Better luck, indeed," he repeated as he returned his mug to the counter. “Things got pretty sticky for me, but, then again, it was kind of my own doing. You know how affairs of the heart can turn rather sour, rather quickly? Well, let’s just say I nearly broke my neck trying to keep up with how quickly things fell apart.”

[Altriak]

Altriak had recently decided to make a personal celebration for his new found job under the guidance of Klue Malinconico. The plump gnome had spent the past few eras dipping into his personal savings and had allowed his talents of gadgeteering go to waste in the land of nonutilization. To Altriak's absolute joy, Mr. Malinconico had fixed both the gnome's financial and occupational problems by placing the gnome on his team.

Unfortunately, the rotund gnome had very few occasions to celebrate, and was thus unaccustomed to the word "moderation". As such, the gnome found himself drunk off his buttocks, swaying left and right in his seat, trying to figure out why everyone was moving around so much.

To anyone looking at the plump, foot tall figure, they would see that Altriak was a rather colorful creature. The gnome was dressed in bright blue pants and shirt, with a matching pointy hat atop his head, slightly covered with a contrasting pink cloak. On his right shoulder sat Pudgy, a fat golden hamster that gently nibbled on a piece of carrot. The gnome was possibly the most eccentric site within the Leap of Faith...and the site would only get even more eccentric.

It was the moment where Saka and Eben, two patrons totally unfamiliar to the gnome, started to strike up a conversation that Altriak had decided to announce his celebration. His reasoning was that if you're going to celebrate, you couldn't do it on your own. Celebrations required people, and lots of them. With this thought in mind, he walked towards and onto the stage where many of the bards jugglers and poets entertained. Being such a small figure, he escaped most people's notice, even as he swayed back and forth in order to remain standing.

"Peeplz of Demniosshhh..." he began squealing once on stage, sounding much like a talking mouse. "Aiiiie....Aiiiie jusshht wantchyOOOOO...to knowww that Kluuuee....*hic*"

The colorful gnome smacked his lips a couple of times, proceeding to sway to his left before catching himself near the end of the stage.

"Klluuueeee Malin....Maliff......Malinn....Conf....Malinomonpi ckle....ishhh the beshtest perrshhhhhhhhon. *hic*. IIiin the weerld.. *hic*.
.....
.....
*Thump*

No longer on the stage, the gnome had fallen face first onto the ground in front of him. Luckily for Pudgy the hamster, the gnome served as a cushion, breaking his fall. If hamsters could make faces, Pudgy's face would show absolute disappointment and embarassment.