[color=gray] [center][b][color=limegreen][h1]Kazumin Nagasa[/h1][/color][/b] [img]https://i.ibb.co/YX1sZZL/download.png[/img] [/center] [color=limegreen]Time: [/color] Evening, 2nd [color=limegreen]Location: [/color] Tough Tavern [color=limegreen]Interactions:[/color] [@potter] Lady Olivia/Percy, [@Lava Alckon] Drake [color=limegreen]Mentions:[/color] [@princess] Charlotte [@Tpartywithzombi] Ariella [@Tae] Kaliope [@Reusablesword] Roman [hr] The cowlicked blonde felt the uncomfortable quiet overtaking the tavern when he spotted Charlotte and Drake standing just by the door having seemingly just reentered. He nearly lifted a hand to wave in greeting, but the loud thud of the door slamming beind them warned him against it. His eyes widened in shocked disbelief upon taking notice of the massive bald brute leaning against the door, locked, no barred by the imposing manner he stood just behind his friends leaving the color to drain from his face. Before he could think to process what he saw of the huge oxen sized intruder; the silence had drawn over instantly like a cold veil. The dreadful quiet was shortly interrupted by another set of heavy thuds of footfalls from the stairs to the next floor. Turning his wide eyes trembling with anxiety and near confused panic as he saw the crossbows held in the arms of those standing at the stairs while the other lazily lounged on the railing beam treating the whole thing like an amusing show. [color=peachpuff]“Hands on the tables!”[/color] he shouted, voice pitching. [color=peachpuff]“Palms down, fingers spread where we can see ’em—now! Now!”[ [/color] The sudden pitching shout made his body jolt in place and his lax grip on the spoon tightened till his knuckles stuck out sharply white. With a gasped huff through his nose he then relutctantly slid back down onto his seat and placed his hands down against the hard wood; rough and old against his sweat slicked palm, some flakes and bits of crumbs and droplets of booze stained his hands as he sat there staring down bitterly with a nervous chewing of his lip. He could do little else but sit there and try to focus on his breathing as the horrific situation continued to unfold around them. More and more of them kept creeping out from the shadows, revealing that this was no small time group of punk gangs or small times thieves. These guys, whoever they were came prepared…planned this for them to have been lurking this whole time…what made them choose now? A loud booming bang of a pistol cut his thoughts shorts replacing it with a pained ringing and a shocked panicked gasp. A flash struck his eyes following the reverberating shot forced to feel as if he was back at Calbert’s dining room and for a moment swore he felt a burning pain in his forehead. Fast as it came, the memory flickered away, falling away to see his trembling left hand clutching at Olive’s wrist. He had been squeezing gently seeking comfort. He gulped as recognition dawned and gently peeled his hand free to rest back on the table. The ringing of his ears soon faded only to be assaulted by his somewhat haggard breathing before being muffled by the panicked breathing shared by plenty others giving the tavern a thickly air of despair that dwarfed that of the feast. Taking a moment longer to get the frantic beating of his heart while having to hear the greasy skinny shithead mock them about listening.*[b] [color=limegreen]That lanky stick-twat![/color][/b]* Kazu fumed wanting to punch the trigger happy bastard. Turning away from Marius not wanting to look at the greasy trigger-happy rat face for any longer than necessary. In turning he would hear laughter coming from the bar and found himself gritting his teeth with a harder grip on the spoon still in his right at the sight of the poor barmaid held personally hostage. Kazu’s body sat rigid trembling between rage and fear as the woman further goaded them to do as told. Just then a roaring blast of heat filled the room drawing attention to the hearth where a mighty fire had burned. There, another woman stood nearby the crackling flames, the air about her body whirled about almost wickedly. What happened next made little sense as the world around the tavern appeared to fade away; darkness blanketed the windows, no more like a black curtain akin to theater curtains. Shifting to study over the windows, where he could once peer out only saw emptiness and any sounds without were muffled. They were not only held hostage, but trapped.*[color=limegreen] You..you got to be kidding?! They got a got damn magic user too?! Fucking cheats![/color]* The blonde scowled as he glared back at the magic caster as he understood that she needed to be dealt with before anything else. Sounds of chairs scraping called his attention to see Charlotte and Drake had joined at the table giving him a bit of relief to see they were unharmed even if unsettled by the wicked enjoyment their kidnappers were displaying. Shifting his gaze to Olive where his furrowed brows soften, the sight of Maelen’s dark magic reminded of those dark tendrils. He feared their use of magic might have her think the only way to fight back was to use hers, but he didn’t want her to risk it. Not with witch hunters on the prowl now. He wanted, no needed to think of a plan. Something to at least help her if convincing her against wasn’t possible. As he mused, a rather plain and unassuming man had stepped forth from the shadows of the center pilla amidst hushed sobs and terrified whispers. The man hardly appeared much, but his eyes..his eyes screamed danger. Each step he took was slow, deliberate and each footfall caused those nearby to flinch fearing a possible lunge. While he had done that, he failed to see Marius make way for the dockman and only till he heard the pained scream of the man that he shifted, nearly having to turn away from the table to do so. An action he came to regret as the spine chilling crack of fingers snapping echoed cruelly mingled with the poor man’s pleading screams. On the tortuous cracking screams and gurgling pops went; all the while the sick lanky fuck savored and relished in the dockman’s suffering. All just to demonstrate why they should keep hands down. The acrid stench of piss soon filled the air from unknown patrons mingling with the coppery blood now freshly spilled. Yet, the worse was far from over for a terrified male had foolishly stood up. A mere glimpse of the guy’s face told him enough of what he was thinking.” Wait stop ya id-” Kazu tried to rush out the call, but too overwhelmed by terror the man had sprinted. For a moment he expected another gunfire to ring out and ducked his head wanting to be prepared this time. But no such bang came. What befelled the guy would prove far worse as the sickening cracking crunch of bones rattled out. A spine tingling shuddering gasp as his eyes widened with stunned horror witnessing the man held up in the air, his body folded and bent in ways no human reasonably should have been. The visage of the man’s contorted face forever wrought in painful terror burned into his eyes as he watched the lifeless body get flung to the side like a sack of spoiled potatoes. It took all his efforts to gulp down the sickening bile threatening to bubble its way up. Unable to cover his mouth left him gulping through his mouth as the nauseous smells was almost too much for his roiling stomach. A mercy he had yet properly eaten. Glancing the corpse as it sagged and dropped with a meaty, gross thump feeling fury and disgust at the aloof manner of disposal. Unable to stomach the sight any longer and turned away and laid eyes on Char; the sight of her fear struck face streaked with tears pushed the sick ill from his stomach, enraging him in its place. And after she had recently endured being hex, now this? As if whatever dark things plaguing her hadn’t been enough. Then his worries went to Olivia who witnessed a dead body once before though this time doubted any chance of a revival. Gritting his teeth so tightly causing a bead of blood to drip from his bit lip hating his uselessness. It irked him having to listen to the man who announced himself as Garren prattle on about stealing goods and belongings while acting like this was just a silly little game and to carry on with their drinking merrymaking. A sentiment that had since been lost though one individual managed to hold onto the drunken energy. Lady Ariella whom barely could sit still, the huge tankard proved too much for the young woman, evident she wasnt’ accustom to drinking. Were it any other night, he would have cheered and joined in her drunken antics and for a moment was able to almost forget the vile things witnessed. How he wanted nothing more than to continue the merriment and games like drunken day was intended. Instead, all he felt was frustrating and horrified disgust. Then a burst of shivering discomfort overcame him as he caught Moira muttering something while studying in his direction. What she said he failed to catch, but it gave him a cold shiver down his spine. [color=#8fbc8b]“Ignore her. Do not respond." [/color] Olviia’s abrupt words cut through the discomfort to which he would respond with a weak nod gulping nervously.”[color=limegreen] Ya said it..got no inkling too.[/color]” He whispered softly with a nod averting his gaze to the barmaid, frowning at the whimpering fear she expressed beneath her captor’s hold. Shaking his head, pity in his eyes for the barmaid when yet another figure stepped out further increasing their numbers frustratingly so. And another larger male this time at that, while not big as the Ox, this guy seemed to be built in power and his eyes showed a smarter gaze than the bulkier one. His nose curled hearing the man tease and heckle the table over drinks. Here they had come to drink, but even in that this group found a way to enjoy whatever cruel, sick game they were up to. For it wasn’t enough to use magic to seal them off from the world, but to force them to drink as well? Kazu couldn’t believe his ears and wanted to think this whole thing to be a dream. A nightmare a more apt description and there seemed no end to the terror in sight. A heavy swishy thump of tankard plopped before him, the same done to each patron. The blonde stared down at the rippling reflection of his face contorted in defiant fury.* [b][color=limegreen]Those…..fucking….bastards…as if their toying with us wasn’t bad enough…to besmirch the memory of drunken day?![/color][/b]* This was one insult too many; after putting up with Calbert’s bullshit apology meal and his family threatenened..his friends terrified and innocents killed. Then to defile the fun of drinking by forcing them? Even as he felt the squeezing pressure around his neck and gasped out from the initial shock, Kazu still refused to budge. Glaring down at the mug, at his own reflection where his nose flared and huffed through muffled gags. His throat burned, his hands clenched, his face reddened, his chocolate brown eyes frothed as the beating of his heart drummed louder and louder through his resistance. [color=#8fbc8b]“Everyone,”[/color] she murmured to the group, barely moving her lips, eyes fixed dutifully on the scarred wood,[color=#8fbc8b] “hands flat. Do what they say. That mage owns the room—no heroics yet.”[/color] His head shifted partially to show he heard his best friend taking charge like he knew and was afraid she would do. Yet, hearing her gave him confidence that they could get through this, but the thought of denied enjoyment of drinking for them..for everyone in this bar. Hadn’t everyone here already had it bad enough? This was suppose to be the one night…the one damn time that folks could let loose..to forget their qualms and problems, the bullshit forced onto them by spoiled rotten nobles. It was absolute horse shit and he refused to let these monsters have their way completely. He had never been one to tolerate others telling him what to do well especially when it was done merely for superiority and flexing. [color=#8fbc8b]“Drink,” [/color] *[b][color=limegreen] Drink? H-how…can I be expected to drink..this..this isn’t right….drinking and sharing was meant to bring folks together..not…not this….[/color][/b]* His nose curled and wrinkled as if he couldn’t stomach the tankard before him. Tears filled his eyes, whether from the invisible choking or from his great disdain for holding drunk day hostage as well. Thoughts of Olivia and Char getting hurt plagued his mind and with the way his friend spoke, she was probably working up some plans with her magic but not yet…not as long as they’re working together so closely. Closing his eyes fighting through the choking discomfort and for some idea or plan..anything that could distract them if even a few of them it could increase their chances. As he ruminated over what to do, just then Kali had chimed up with an attempt to convince them to let her handle the serving. His head perked up at this prospect seeing the potential ways this could help them slip each other things though that’s assuming they accepted her little game. Game? Scratching at his chin in a pondering manner. [color=greenyellow]”If I may.”[/color] Drake paused, his hands fully stretched back onto the table as requested. [color=greenyellow]”The bravado and theatrics are plenty enough proof that you all control the room. While such games are entertaining I cannot help but bring to light one major flaw in this arrangement.”[/color] Again a voice spoke up; this time it was Drake and the way he managed to maintain his composure had been impressive as it was surprising. The man’s training in discipline were something to praise despite its risky bravado to do so in its own right. What he said was true as well. If this were all meant to be a robbery then what need for all these theatrics and going through the trouble of this magic kidnapping? It made the killing of the man running a clear sign of malicious fun since there was no way of escape either way. [color=greenyellow]”Killing or maiming us is the same as taking the key to a treasure vault and throwing it down the river. Unless your goal isn’t riches, but something else.” [/color]Drake continued. [color=greenyellow]”Some powerful connections lie beyond this room. Something that some poultry spell cannot snuff out…So I just wanted to kindly request we settle things amicably. For all your sakes and ours.” [/color] The things Drake said he agreed and wanted to cheer the gentleman on were it not for him still gagging due to his stubborn refusal. Yet, as Drake spoke of settling things amicably and Kali attempt to suggest a game that he had a feeling these folks wanted entertainment much as whatever their goal was. Taking this to mind, Kazu wrestled with what he was going to do. There wasn’t much he was good at, but drinking was his one thing hardly any at home or in the kingdoms that could match him. Shifting his gaze briefly to Drake, his request of whiskey demonstrating his tolerance proving him perfect to partake in his game then to Roman who by size alone would surely be a great boon. Still, fear gripped him, his lower body trembling. Yet, it was not towards the kidnappers but the person besides him that scared him especially so. Giving a side eye in Olives direction with a nervous gulp doubting she would approve or care for him putting himself at risk. But…looking down to his hands where he saw the gripped spoon and released it to reveal stinging red grooves left from the metal digging from squeezing too relentlessly. Peering at the marred palm and saw in it his determination. With stubborn ferocity, Kazu grasped the handle of his tankard giving a firm grip using the stinging pain to push down his fears. And with a grunt lifted it mightily bending his upper body back and with three hearty gulps *Gulp* *Gulp* *Gulp* He had drained the tankard in seconds then slammed the tankard down with a hearty belch let loose.” [color=limegreen]Ahhh! Hear hear to that, Drake! A mighty fine brew this joint’s got too![/color]” Kazu guffawed with a chuckling hiccup sending some beer spittle from his unwiped lip.” [color=limegreen]Aye, why else would they choose this fine establishment..and to go to all these efforts just for us patrons? Guess we know where the real party’s at.[/color]” The blonde nodding turning his tankard in his hand watching it as if it was the most fascinating thing int he room while leaning against the table in a relax manner.” [color=limegreen]Though, to handle things amicably like our good friend here suggests…well hardly fair if we’re the only ones doing the drinking, no?[/color]” Tilting his head with a click of the tongue.”[color=limegreen] Since we’ll be stuck together for a while and if the aim’s to keep us calm and docile.[/color]” Tapping a finger against the handle pausing to peek his friends for worry of what they might be expressing before carrying on.” Why not add to the lovely lady’s suggestion and have us some drinking games to pass the time?” A thudded thunk of his empty tankard dropped forward in offering for refill.” [color=limegreen]Do mind I know y’all be busy but no sense to having all of you stuck bored and the hard work while we drink blissfully away.[/color]” Sitting back up and leaning forward.”[color=limegreen] By the way, one pence coin, two..er three balls of lint, a half-eaten bag jelly beans and a coupon to pudding palace.[/color]” Kazu stated with a cheeky grin.” [color=limegreen]That’s the contents of my pockets for any of you curious. Feel free to check and take what ya want..though I do ask to leave me the coupon, just one more spot away from a free mega bowl![/color]” Shaking his head laughing trying to maintain his casual composure.” [color=limegreen]Doesn’t matter who really and since you’re our dear hosts the games can be up to y’all..so..who’s game?[/color]” He asked with a raised brow of determination; gulping down the overwhelming trembling of his legs hidden under the table. The game didn’t matter and more how many he could hope to rope in and if lucky can manage to get a few them tipsy or drunk. And with Kali serving, the chance of creating opening may increase. He just had to hope their need for thrills and overconfidence might get to their heads…and even surviving this he might have to survive Olivia’s anger afterwards. Best he get wasted before anything else went down. [/color]