[center][h3] [color=peru]Stratya[/color], [color=#8D3B72]Kalliope[/color], [color=D0B4EC]Charlotte[/color], [color=8FBC8B]Olivia[/color], [color=limegreen]Kazumin[/color], [color=greenyellow]Drake[/color],  [color=slateblue]Ariella[/color] & [color=f26522]Roman[/color][/h3]

[color=peru][h3]Part 1[/h3][/color][/center][color=lightgray]
[hr]


Before Stratya could fully reply, the tavern exploded with song. A beautiful voice rose above the drunken roar, and Charlotte’s gaze followed it immediately. 


Kalliope.


Charlotte’s stomach tightened as the events of the banquet replayed in her mind, and she looked away quickly, forcing a polite smile as Kalliope spun and danced atop the tables.


When the gorgeous redhead finally collapsed into their booth and into Stratya’s lap, Charlotte’s grip on her glass whitened before she recovered with a light laugh.


Ariella slipped in quietly, bare feet brushing the tavern floor with soft, hesitant steps that drew more than a few puzzled looks from the patrons nearby. The boards were cold and sticky beneath her toes, and she grimaced faintly at the sensation, tucking her feet quickly under the bench the moment she slid into an open seat. Her presence went largely unnoticed amid the laughter and song, which suited her just fine.


Her eyes, however, were anything but still. They drifted across the crowd, searching the smoke and sway of bodies for a familiar figure. For a heartbeat, she thought she caught a glimpse, but when the man turned, the illusion broke. Just another stranger with too much ale. A tiny sigh escaped her, half relief, half disappointment, before she focused her attention back.

Olivia’s attention was stolen from the group. While peering around the tavern, her gaze settled on the window. Then, like a flash, a raven peered straight back at her and caused Olivia to jump about a foot into the air. Her knee banged into the table, and she inhaled sharply. It wasn’t a mistake–that was the familiar. Her gaze narrowed, and pain in her jaw reminded her of gritting her teeth too tightly. She bit her lip and acted as though there had been a spider she was shooing away politely. 


She scooted closer into the booth to hopefully remain out of the damned bird’s view. Her gaze found Lottie’s, and briefly, she noticed the whitening of her knuckles once Kalliope joined. Without knowing the circumstances, she reached under the table and squeezed her leg in a comforting way. Liv then repositioned herself and glanced at the now-filled booth.


Kalliope had landed with a joyful, reckless thud, her own tankard still clutched in her hand. She tossed her fiery hair back, green eyes sparkling with the leftover excitement of the dance, and grinned at the Captain’s surprise. She leaned in close, a soft laugh escaping her throat, her voice husky from singing. [color=#8D3B72]“Indeed, happy birthday!”[/color] She purred, her lips hovering near Stratya’s cheek as she planted a confident kiss. The Captain gave a little giggle, enjoying the attention.


Stratya continued her retelling in that moment, and so Charlotte focused in on that and tried to forget about the gnawing idea that she had kissed the man the woman in her lap had been [i]seeing[/i], only just nights ago. Luckily, Captain’s Durmand story was rather shocking and jolted her out of her thoughts. 


[color=peru] “[abbr=the old scunner tells me ‘I follow you’ like that’s not creepy, and come to find out he’s been following me since he saw me find Darryn Fletcher’s remains, like that did something for him]t’ ol’ scunner tells me ‘I follow you’ like [i]tha’s[/i] nae crreepy, ‘n come ta fynd ou’, e’s been followin’ me since ‘e saw me [i]find Darryn Fletcher’s remains[/i], like [i]tha’[/i] did somethin’ for ‘im.[/abbr]”[/color] Stratya gave a shudder and took another sip of her mead,[color=peru] “I left ‘im in Pinebrrook, so tha’s ‘ow tha’ went. Yourrs any bet’er?”[/color]


[color=D0B4EC]”I—...Good heavens, Captain, he’s been stalking you!? I daresay I’d have left him face-down in Pinebrook too.”[/color] Charlotte’s brows knit together as she processed the rest. [color=D0B4EC]“And I do hope you don’t mean the remains of a [i]corpse[/i]—”[/color] She suddenly did a double take and added with bewilderment, [color=D0B4EC]“And who on Eromora is Darryn Fletcher?”[/color]


The name made Drake frown. He did not share his thoughts but from what he read on the case — that stable boy had been dealt the worst hand one could be dealt. The lord adopted a quick change of expression before raising a brow at Stratya. [color=greenyellow]”That sounds pretty serious, Captain. I’m fairly certain such zealotry warrants legal action, no?”[/color]


A set of mugs filled with beer, some spilled with a sloshing spray, followed by raucous laughter, the tempo of the shanty still in his bouncing steps.” [color=limegreen] Aye! What a grand shanty that was, miss![/color]” Kazu exclaimed through laughter, half out of breath. “[color=limegreen]Had me bouncing and giddy, so I thought I brought some fresh booze as thanks..the rest for parched throats![/color]” Nodding his head, face slick with sweat from dancing to the uproarious music. A quick swipe of his forehead, leading into swiping  up a mug, and he took a chug, catching the last bits of a conversation.”[color=limegreen]  What’s this Darryn Fletcher about, if ya-, you don’t mind me joining in?[/color]” Wiping the beer stache with his arm as he perused the table to spot Charlotte and started to greet her, but saw her strangely tense.


He raised a brow, curious about what kind of conversation he had interrupted, then face-palmed, having forgotten his manners.”[color=limegreen] Ach! Sorry, shoulda have asked how you fine folks were doing and the name’s Kazumin for any new folks or needing reminding. Can’t be drinking right with strangers, can we?[/color]” An awkward chuckle and rubbing of his neck.” [color=limegreen]And Aye, good to see ya enjoying the drunk festivities, Lady Charlotte![/color]” A shuffling quick wave of the hand, a brief look of concern in his furrowed brows, then he gave a smile to cover it up, wanting to listen for now. 


Charlotte immediately beamed and reached over to take his hand affectionately, her hand brushing his before resting atop it with gentle affection. [color=D0B4EC]“Kazumin! I’m ever so glad you’ve joined us. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”[/color]


He grinned back at the beaming Charlotte, returning a gentle squeeze of thanks.” Aw, shucks, and miss drinking with my pals? Though I thought I saw Olivia, but then she poofed.” Chuckling until he realized his hand was still sweaty and awkwardly pulled his hand free, rubbing it against his pant leg.” Er, sorry bout the clammy hands..got too riled up from dancing…”


Drake smirked as the familiar lad came up to greet the table. [color=greenyellow]”Well hello young fellow. Enjoying that drink are we? Good.”[/color] He gave a soft pat on Kazumin’s back. Drake cast a glance at Ariella. [color=greenyellow]”Are you privvy to any of these events or am I slow on the uptake? I heard of the Fletcher boy but this new-aged creep is…unsettling at my core…”[/color] 


Struggling with how to save face, just as Kazu felt a pat to his back, pulling his attention to see Drake. He looked at the man with reprieved delight.” [color=limegreen] Aye, so there ya got to! And best I enjoyed it, seeing as this round is technically on you.[/color]” Nodding, giving the man a jolly pat on the back with a bit more strength than intended, nearly pushing him.”[color=limegreen] So the thanks go to ya..oh and.[/color]” He leaned close,r patting his chest.”[color=limegreen] For your uh..timing too.[/color]” He whispered without elaborating, then, with a thumbs u,p pulled away, seeing him turn to speak to Ari and moved around the table to let them chat. 


Ariella simply shrugged and shook her head [color=slateblue]“No, nothing”[/color] at least nothing she could remember. 


Olivia's gaze rested on Kazumin. A blush crept up her cheeks and she quickly sipped her drink to hide it.  [color=8FBC8B]“Shit. Sorry, I was in a daydream. Hi everyone,”[/color] She greeted, then set her mug on the table. Tension rose inside of her, and as it did, so did her heart rate. What if she messed up?


Kazu had started looking around the table, thinking where to sit, when the missing Olive spoke up, spotting her drinking and reached a hand out with an excited wave. “So that’s where ya went! Looks like daydream land worked up a good thirst, drinking before greeting.” Strolling with a playful hope into a sliding drop of the chair.


”[color=limegreen] Oof, my legs are burning so good to be off the feet. Hope ya don’t mind me takin this seat?[/color]” Shifting to get himself settled, and leaned his elbows against the table, his right hand hugging the stein before him. He leaned in a way to let him take in most of the table, the atmosphere a mix of dour with the topic of conversation and carefree.” [color=limegreen]Aye, got quite the group gathered. Can’t ask for better, the talk may be a bit unpleasant, I’ll give that. Hope you're enjoying yourself, *Lady Olivia.*[/color]” Turning his head back to her with a grin, saying her name in a mock sophisticated teasing manner.


Kalliope took a slow, deep swig of her tankard, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous sort of glee. [color=#8D3B72]“Legal action?”[/color] She mocked, the word tasting sour. [color=#8D3B72]“If the Captain wants him to disappear, I’d be happy to ensure the creep vanishes for good. I’m remarkably good at making things like ‘Bleedin’ Donal’ cease to be a problem.”[/color] She flashed Stratya a vicious, unhinged smile, tapping her tankard playfully against the Captain's chest. 


[color=#8D3B72]“But more to the point,”[/color] she said, her voice dropping into a dark, conspiratorial murmur. [color=#8D3B72]“All I’m saying is, if the old ghoul gets off on finding dead boys, maybe he should become one himself. We could make sure he’s just as cold and inspiring as that corpse.”[/color]

[color=D0B4EC]“Well. That’s certainly one way to… resolve matters.”[/color] Charlotte murmured into her mug.


Kazu, overhearing the casual way Kalliope spoke of making this Donald vanish quietly, tapped at the stein, unsettled. The way she did so was unnerving enough to know there was a stalker going around seeking corpses. A cold, discomforting shudder ran down him that even a sip of booze did little to warm him up.


Ari reached for the nearest stein of beer, her arms outstretched towards an enormous one, clearly meant for someone with much broader shoulders. She slowly hauled it toward herself with both hands as some beer swished and sloshed out the sides. The mug was practically the size of her head. She blinked down at it, considering, then shrugged and took a sip anyway. The foam stuck to her upper lip, leaving her with a ridiculous white moustache she didn’t notice until a passing server gave her a pointed look. Ariella quickly swiped at her mouth, cheeks flushing pink as she muttered under her breath.


From her quiet corner, she observed the unfolding chaos. Charlotte’s strained smile when Kalliope collapsed into Stratya’s lap, Olivia’s startled jump at the window, Kazu’s sweaty enthusiasm as he bounced into the group like a human drum. She didn’t say a word, but her gaze flicked between them all, collecting little pieces of the story like scattered breadcrumbs.


When Kalliope started speaking of corpses and making men “disappear,” Ariella’s brows knit, though she didn’t interrupt. She simply took another long sip of her beer, trying and failing not to choke when the redhead suggested turning a man into a corpse himself. 


Olivia looked over at Ariella. [color=8FBC8B]” Easy. You okay?”[/color] she asked.  Ari looked at Olivia with a grateful grin. 


Olivia then slid over her water to Ariella, then retreated with her hand. The concern in her eyes was evident, and she offered her a sweet smile. Her reaction to Kalliope was wide-eyed, but otherwise, she remained quiet.  [color=8FBC8B][i]Holy shit![/i][/color]


Distracted by the ongoing conversation when he heard some of the commotion and shifted to find Olive helping Ari, who had been choking. His eyes widened in shock upon noticing the stein she drank from, and he was split between impressed and crazy.* [b][color=limegreen]Whew, a ballsy one she is, but respect it! [/color][/b]* 


Stratya was taking a turn at her own stein when Kalliop suggested something a little bit less than noble. She balked and set her pint down, steadying herself before she caught mead down her windpipe.[color=peru] “N-n..nae, naaaee..”[/color] she coughed a little bit, taking another sip to wash away whatever had caught,[color=peru] “[abbr=that’s.. very kind of you,  luv. I think we’ve got enough mysterious disappearances going around, though.]‘at’s.. very kynd of ye, luv. I think we’ve go’ enough mysterrious disappearrances goin’ ‘rround, though.[/abbr]”[/color] Whew. This was quite the woman that had fallen into her lap. Ready to do things Stratya couldn’t condone, but she’d look past that for now.


Ari’s expression was a mix of faint amusement, gratitude, and underlying wariness. Her hand rested lightly on the table, her gaze occasionally flitting back to the tavern’s doorway as though hoping, even now, that Callum might walk through it; at least she would have one friendly face in the crowd beside her brother. But as the laughter and voices swelled around her, she resigned herself to simply watching, sipping from the oversized stein that dwarfed her face, and trying not to look like she might float away if the room got any louder. She was grateful to Oliva, though. 


The Captain took a breath,[color=peru] “I made i’ clea’ tae ‘im that I will nae tolerra’e ‘is stalkin’. I’ve alrready inforrmed my stewar’ an’ t’ guarrds.”[/color] Her eyes landed on Lady Charlotte, then Lord Drake. Drake had been witness to Princess Anastasia’s announcement of the murder, but had he been informed previously?


At any rate, Lady Charlotte was yet out of the loop on this one.[color=peru] “Yerr question, Lady Charlotte.”[/color] The hand that had been across Kalliope’s lap went to her waist and gave a little squeeze as the Captain leaned back in her seat.[color=peru] “Aye, a corrpse. Darryn Fletcher was t’ castle’s stable boy. It was a rratherr grruesome fynd,”[/color] she gave a dry, mirthless chuckle,[color=peru] “s’ good we’rre nae ea’in’. I foun’ t’ lad’s ‘ead be’ind t’ stables, wit’ou’ ‘is body.”[/color]
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