MooiEen

The Curse of Strahd

I'm back, myself. Had a terribly busy week with an unexpected work trip, but I should be able to come back to a better schedule.

Also! Left the reply as open as possible just in case anyone wanted to roleplay the discussion, the night, or jump to the next day. Whatever you prefer!

The Curse of Strahd

Kealsha nodded along Arrigal's explanation, now understanding better the sense and the need for the mission. She wasn't one to really go head first into this kind of dangers, but she couldn't make that decision by herself. And if she knew something about her companions, it was that they tended to be more interested in adventure than herself. But also that they drew far more blood than their enemies, so she considered it good enough. She'd go with whatever the group decided.

As soon as the old man left the tavern, Kealsha turned again to the group, her face looking down, hiding the conversation from the tavern keeper now that she knew the woman also had to do with this. She had to ask. "Well, so... After that... What are we going to do?" She asked, openly. "Is this the kind of mission we should take? A caravan, such a long trip... I mean, the pay is good, but..." She tried, looking for the others opinion. She is not against it, not completely, but has some respect for that kind of responsibility.

Whatever the outcome of the discussion, she is going to try and enjoy the ale of the tavern, and even the company of Lucia or any other person from the village. She knows it's not easy, and some looks from the others feel more than menacing, but a night of fun is still one of her goals. Judging by the general ambiance of the place, the night will come to an end sooner than she likes, but at a good time for resting enough to start the trip the next day. After the hearty breakfast, Kealsha will have just enough energy to play her cards with the people in the caravan, going to talk to the ancient woman as soon as she beckons her. The devil knows more from his age than his demonic nature, after all.

The Curse of Strahd

Hey! I just wanted to pop in and say that I'm still around in this RP, but I've been travelling for work and haven't found the time to write. I'm hoping to get back on track this week, if everything goes alright. Sorry for that!

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Me! Sorry I took so long, these days have been busier than expected and with limited access to a PC. But it's there!

I left it open for you to choose some place to sit, but take into consideration that it was a pretty serious and harsh professor the one that arraged it.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Lauren Millie Austen

Lauren frowned, the anger of her housemate making reason, but the ginger didn't see it useful for them to get angry at that. Only to try and do what they could, studying on their own. And even if their classmates were basically useless, she trusted her own abilities and her work to do everything.

"Yeah, it's a mess, but too late to really solve it" Lauren said, trying to sound peaceful. It was better not to keep discussing something that didn't have a real solution. "We'll see how it goes"

"And you are in for a ride, then" she answered the exchange student, an image of professor Blackwell in her mind. "Our potions professor is competent, and actually pretty good in what he does, but..." she stopped, trying to think of a softer way to say what she thought of him "he is not really nice. Usually, it's better to keep out of his sight, just in case. He is quick to give away punishments and take points" she admitted.

She started walking and going down the stairs, getting to the dungeons as soon as possible, not really wanting to be late. Lauren led the way, soon finding the classroom and, thankfully, finding it almost completely empty. Very few students were there, sitting, some of them in unusual seats for them. She started walking to a bench, before a voice she didn't expect stopped her completely. "Where are you going, Miss Austen? The summer made you forget how to read?" the tall and dark figure that was their professor appeared in one of the side doors, arms crossed and his usual frown in place. "Take a look at the blackboard"

The ginger muttered a "Yes professor Blackwell" before going to the front of the class to check the board, seeing that their names were written in a map of the class seating places. Well, just perfect.

@medalliah @Psycho Sushi

The Curse of Strahd

"For sure" the tiefling answers, her best smile in place. Bartenders were one of the best friends to keep around in any town, always talking to people, being with others, and handling the most important stuff for men: the drinks. Not a bad ally to have. But now was not the moment to focus on that, a more important task at hand. The look that man gave her was one to try and understand what she could do, weighting her in, exploring her. Well, let the man see what he needed. As long as they received the money, Kealsha didn't care that much about the method.

A jerk of his head indicated Kealsha where to go, and she stood up, taking care of getting her drink, and moved to the booth the man signaled. "Makes sense, though I don't know which kind of task would need this kind of secrecy" Kealsha answered, sitting on the booth and leaning back, taking just another sip before setting her glass on the table. She looked outside for a second, searching for Roxy, not really wanting to start all of this negotiating without the rest of the party. But she still could try to fish some more information.

"While the others get here..." she started, leaning a little on the table. "Let's be honest. This is not exactly the mission that you are talking about, right? Any other team or authority could do that rescue, any other party, no need for the intel to travel as far as to get to us. What is the catch?"

The Curse of Strahd

Kealsha raised a careful eyecrow, not used to being treated that well thanks to her appearence, most people mostly reserving their right to coward and run away. "Oh, that is very nice of you, Ms Salazar" she started, taking her time to take a small sip from the drink. It was always good to look and act nice with tavernkeepers, no need to get into trouble with the person serving your food and drink. "I'm afraid there are few tales from my home, or at least few that may be interesting. Here as you see me, I grew up in a common village" she explained, a grin on her face, playing her most charismatic cards. "But I can answer some questions you may have, if I've encountered the answers during out trip. And it's Kealsha, a pleasure to meet you" she extended a hand to the woman.

Even during conversation, the tiefling had an eye on her companion, knowing fully well that they weren't there to only rest. And lucky that she did, a man apparently taking the guilt of taking the adventurers to the place, the comment falling in her ears and making her turn in her seat at the bar. Better to pay attention there, even if she still had part of her mind in her conversation with Ms. Salazar. And she usually preferred to get the lizardfolk to negotiate. Or more like threaten, scare the people away, intimidate a little, only for her to appear to save the poor soul playing the 'good adventurer'. Scared people reacted far better to supposed saviours than people without any other care, so for her it was better to play the nice tiefling right after Gawzarth did his thing. Usually, existing, people were scared easily.

So, shapeshifters, huh? What a mess. And what an uninteresting adventure. And what a weird plan, why would the shapeshifters want kids for? Well, she was being paid for rescuing the kids, not asking questions. And she was not being paid yet, so that was the first thing to do. "We are working together, that's true" she started, making her appearence known, but still not leaving the bar. She took just another sip of the wine, quite nice, and waited just enough to give some drama to the scene. "The others decided to take a look around, didn't mind checking the place before entering. But we are allowed to start talking business, right Gawzarth?"

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Lauren Millie Austen

Well, what a mess in just a few minutes. Lauren hated pixies, and couldn't understand why the professor would use them just again. It had very few things to do with really being able to defend themselves. Though seeing the state of some of her classmates, maybe it was better than nothing.

As the class was dismissed, the ginger brushed off some of the dust on her clothes, and gathered her things with a sigh. She looked up, the exchange student approaching her. "Well, not so sure about fun. But yeah, the professor didn't look happy" she complained, shouldering her bag and moving to leave the desk and get closer to the entrance. "But seeing that we have a different DADA professor every year, it's understandable that we may be in for some work. I really hope we are able to get to a better level before exams."

Before walking to the door, she thought for a moment. "Oh, also, I have potions now, which class do you have next? Maybe I should walk you there, the castle is the worst to move around if you are not familiar" Lauren offered, knowing fully well how annoying it was to try and look for the classes in the beginning.

The Curse of Strahd

Kealsha had always hated staying still, the repetitiveness of routine. That fit completely with her favour for adventure, risks, fighting, all of the fight for the fair outcome that ended up being her job. Still young for a Tiefling, her fingers always itched to do something, hit something, play with something, and travelling usually fit that. But not this journey, day after day of only walking, barely exchanging a few words with the party, even if they had some fun. But something was lacking, too much silence and too few scraps for her liking. Her body ached for some use and some movement other than travelling.

But thankfully, they were finally reaching some kind of destination. It was about time to get somewhere, and Kealsha fought a smile while they walked the last meters for the biggest and only stone building of the small village. She could already smell the food, feel the excitement of somewhere new, of news to be found. And oh, the mead! Her heart craved some fun. Maybe even try to play some cards with the villagers. Or, to hell with it, even cheat at the cards!

It was time to leave the snow, and the crankiness of the great lizard, behind. Her mate unfortunately didn't like the cold, and the weather hadn's been to his liking, leaving him restless, worried, even paranoid. And that meant being far too close to the receiving end of an insult, a death stare, a kick or even a weapon, the unfortunate times that Kealsha had tried some kind of joke. Tough crowd, this one, not easy to laugh while even your snot could be freezing. But thankfully that door opened, and the noise of the tavern promised also the warmth of good food and a small fire.

She wasn't as desperate for the fire as the reptilian, but Kealsha had her own priorities. She still kept her eye on the lizard, but made her own way to the bar, sitting on one of the stools before removing her cloak, showing just a tad more of her reddish skin, unbothered by the looks she may get. As if the horns and her amber eyes kept anything about her heritage hidden. Trying to get the attention of someone from the service here, she waited taking a look around, her eyes roaming the room, analysing it just enough to have enough information to choose if she was staying sober tonight or not, and with who. Unfortunately, the place seemed much more boring that she had been hoping, and decided to try and see where it may go. Maybe today was a day of sobriety, and maybe it was better to bet against some villagers and get just enough gold for more mead in the longer run. She'll see, oh, decisions, decisions. For now, she'd keep warming up, waiting for the others to also have some rest before deciding the important things

The Curse of Strahd

I'll slid just in time for that, then @CajunRobinHood