Singles' Night (Open)

[Soren Kvistson]

"You are free to choose,"

Vhalar 57, 719

Soren was not working for Singles Night. He decided he'd be a patron. He suspected that there would be an increase of people who didn't come here regularly, so he wanted to get a different vantage point. All of his regulars knew him and knew him well. It was occasionally nice to pass under the radar. And who knows, maybe he could have some fun tonight as well.

He'd even cleaned himself up after work. He cleaned himself impeccably every morning, but he'd done so again, and was wearing a new outfit just for this event. He had Charlize pick it out for him, as she was the youngest and most in tune with Raelia's current sense of fashion. It was the finest that money could buy around these parts, and while he knew his tavern wasn't the nicest venue around, he didn't mind stepping it up every once in a while.

After all, he was moving up in the world, and was planning to dress for the job he wanted, not the one he had. He was wearing a fresh, white linen long sleeve shirt, a black silk vest and matching trousers. He kept the buttons at his chest undone, had a few rings on his fingers, and a fine leather cord on his wrist. He sat comfortably at a table, a green flagon in front of him, full of his Noatun Blue Stout. He wasn't bothering with food tonight.

He looked toward the door, seeing Delilah there, greeting people with the appropriate flagon as they entered. He had all of his employees dress to seduce tonight. The woman had their bosoms raised and on prominent display, their hair done up by professionals, and makeup applied. The men were in nice shirts and slacks, and everyone was properly cleaned, readied, and smiling. This was not the tavern's first Singles' Night. The staff knew how it would go, and he expected various members of the staff to take long lunch breaks sometime tonight. He didn't mind. Happy customers continued to drink and return.

Billiam was running the bar in the front room, with Delilah and Harold running the tables. In the back room, Charlize ran the bar, with all three of the triplets running the tables. Tonight was more a night about fun than anything else. Everyone needed to let their hair down, meet new people, have a beer, and get fucked. Soren took a sip of his beer, looking around, waiting for the night to truly begin, as the sun just went down, so the singles would start flocking in.

The Ox's Bellow Tavern Calendar Entry

Vhalar 57th - Singles Night - Once the suns go down, anyone who shows up alone to the tavern will be given a colored wooden flagon based on how they answer the barmaids' question. Single people will receive a red flagon, and the first drink is free. People looking to just have some fun will receive a green flagon, and will receive 50% off the first drink from the Limited Supply Drinks. All others will receive a standard flagon. There will be several rooms reserved for hourly use, with hourly cleaning.
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"But you are not free from the consequences."

[Abra]

A bar? Him? The thought was incredulous to Abra who didn’t care for alcohol. Yet he had been advised to show up to this “Single’s Night” in order to mingle around and socialize a little. Having so many tangles in such a small space always made it tantalizingly painful to resist using Empathy… “Don’t even think about it,” he lectured in his thoughts while walking down the street. He was nearly there and was making sure he had some coin on him. He was dressed in a black coat with matching pants and a grey shirt. His hair was finger combed his hair to one side and his facial hair was unshaven for about a week. He thought he looked okay, but he hadn’t the care that others might have to look his best.

Abra walked in all by himself and saw that the bar was doing well for itself. He supposed any business in Raelia had to do somewhat well but whoever owned this place knew what he was doing. Abra found it hard to take in everything without being shoved along by the people coming in behind him. A short conversation with a barmaid later and he had a red flagon in his hand and was on a bee line straight for the booze.

“Something mild please,” he said to Billiam with a polite smile. His nervousness was easily hidden within his emotional tangle. He couldn’t use magic on anyone in here but he could at least use it on himself.

“You look so nervous,” a girl said, putting her hand on his shoulder, “just drink! Let loose!”

“I look nervous?” Abra asked, confused because he was quite sure he took care of that emotion. “Well then, I guess I will drink then.” He downed the “free” drink and quickly purchased another for both himself and the woman next to him. It took exactly these two drinks for him to go from a reserved Empath to a loose lipped happy-go-lucky fool. Perhaps he could manage to have a bit of fun tonight.

[Victor Amielle]

They’d told him that he needed to get out more, and he’d said that he’d give it a try.

Now that he stood in front of the Ox’s Bellow, Victor considered that to be a bad idea though. Before his brother had ruined his life, he’d quite enjoyed flirting and getting drunk every now and then, but he didn’t think that he’d be a particularly good conversationalist now.

Having your brother’s employees throw the body of your lover that they had executed in a violent manner in front of your feet tended to do that to you.

He turned away from the door, looked at the street behind him, shuddered a bit because it was cold and dark and changed his mind again. He wasn’t particularly interested in returning home freezing and with an empty stomach either, so he decided to enter after all.

Besides, maybe he’d temporarily forget the catastrophe that his life had become if he only drank enough.

Despite his somewhat questionable mental state, the Transmuter was dressed well and looked quite presentable. He was still a Blessed of Delroth, and he was still a noble lord of Lysoria, and thus looking like he’d slept in the gutter (and smelling that way, too!) wouldn’t do.

He still had a small amount of pride and vanity left.

At present, he was wearing a well-tailored olive-green coat with subtle embroidery at the edges, a fine black silk shirt, black pants and black ankle boots, he’d brushed his black hair, and he’d even trimmed his facial hair which was something that he hadn’t done in a while.

“Thank you”, he said to Deliliah, smiling softy, as she handed him a red flagon, and walked into the common room, looking at the men and women that were all dressed in a rather seductive manner and seemed to be in an extraordinarily good mood.

Maybe, he decided and downed the free drink he’d been given in one go because a few gulps just wouldn’t achieve the desired effect, this here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

[Sarya]

Sarya

This was a very different kind of event to the ones she was used to.

Sarya didn't spend much time socialising with those around her. If they weren't a part of the rangers it was rare she took interest in them. That wasn't to say she disliked them, not by any stretch. But being in the woods was all she ever had much desire to do. That being said, however, this tavern was somewhat familiar to her. This was where she had been for the expedition through the woods, where she had met a few of the familiar faces in Melrath. Some she might dare to call friends, at least to a light degree. Perhaps it was that which gave her the confidence to be here today. This was, after all, Soren's tavern. At least she had one familiar face that would be in here. Or so she hoped.

As she entered the door her eyes glanced around, being greeted in the same manner as everyone else by Delilah. Sarya smiled politely to the woman as she entered, being handed a red flagon and walking in, taking her free drink immediately and finding a seat at the bar. There were many people around, talking to one another. Yet for the time being the girl waited for someone to approach her. She was wearing a modest but nice dress, nothing too fancy yet much nicer than she would normally wear. It felt strange to dress for anything more than the wilderness around her. Looking nice had never been a priority, not in the way that she would need to tonight.

To give her at least some comfort the girl kept her Embla on, as well as her becoming tattoos being on display. At the very least, she had that sense of comfort. Whether she was in the Myrkvior Forest or a tavern for a Singles Night, her Spark and prestige went with her. The thought of that helped keep her nerves calm. As did the drink in her hand. While alcohol wasn't common practice for her, she was familiar enough with it to know it would make it easier to enjoy the night with less tension. So, she took her first drink, having half of the flagon before deciding to slow down a little. Her tolerance for drink was low, she knew that much. It would only take a few drinks for her to start to feel the impact of them. Best not to humiliate herself by getting too drunk just yet.

Patiently, Sarya waited for the time being, seeing who would approach her rather than taking the brave step and approaching someone else first.

[Abra]

The laughs were good between Abra and the woman he was conversing with… up Victor walked in. She excused herself and left the Empath wondering what that guy had that he didn’t. Even with his blurred vision he could see that Victor was more fashionable, less cookie cutter. “This is what you get for getting your hopes up,” Abra thought with a scowl. A torrent of rage, jealousy, and anguish built up over a matter of seconds which caused his expression to turn sour. It only took a few moments for his spark to reset his emotions, but anyone with a keen eye would have seen the brief loss of control. Keeping himself in check was immeasurably more difficult when he was drunk.

“Be calm, be cool,” he coaxed himself. He held his empty flagon loosely at his side and looked around the room. There were many others to talk to, and if he was lucky he would get to have a word with the owner before the night was done. Sarya quickly caught his eye and as nobody had approached her yet, it was time to give it another go.

“Hi,” he said to her. He had a whole speech prepared that felt jumbled up in his head. He looked her over and remembered, “oh right, I came over to say hi and ask what those tattoos symbolize? I’ve…” he had to pause to think again. This time he couldn’t remember so his embarrassment was growing by the second. “Anyways I like them. Do you want a drink?” Red faced and nervous, Abra still smiled at Sarya confidently and hoped for the best.

[Sariah]

"I didn't care about any of it, but now that I think about it; maybe I should've. I didn't want to be there, nor did I want her to be there as well. But that's when it all began, I'm sure of it... the first night that led to all of this...."

Their arrival was due... Yet the well dressed lady behind Sariah added the finishing touches to her hair, which had been braided back into a knotted ponytail. Her outfit for the night consisted of an evergreen dress with sleeves that slightly draped her hands. Underneath consisted of a secondary underdress for the purposes of layers, what with the air bound to be chilly tonight, as Sariah and her mother strolled together towards the tavern. Selene had donned an outfit much similar except in black attire instead, more or less to retain her 'widowed' status at this event. While the tenacious woman would've easily shun visiting this establishment, she also felt this was the perfect opportunity to show off her daughter.

As they walked together Selene remained insistent on her daughter, checking her at a constant to make sure she walked proper. "Shoulders up Sariah, your back must remain straight at all times." The serious mother reminded as they reached the entrance, Sariah the first to enter with Selene lurking behind her. How her mother must have deteste coming here, and yet to find hopefully a potential 'suitor' here wasn't something she could pass up. While poor Sariah however felt differently, as most nights she preferred to come here without certain company. There were only a few people she could really allow herself to feel at ease around, and even then she struggled to avoid worrying over silly uncertainties.

"Good evenin' m' ladies." Harold greeted the both of them as they walked within the lobby. "And what are we lookin' for to-trial?" He inquired curiously as Selene quickly stepped up to answer.

"I'm not inclined to participate ser, but my daughter however shall do so instead." As she spoke Sariah looked away towards the tables in hopes of seeing someone she knew, and right away she could easily spot Soren amongst the tables. Green flagon in hand as he looked to be interested in just the general crowd, not yet noticing Sariah since they'd only just walked in moments ago. "Can you tell me what the significance of the colors are?" Selene's voice somehow cut into her thoughts like always, bringing Sari's attention to the widowed lady once more as she caught on quickly.

"Green. I would like the green one." Selene looked to Sariah a little surprised, with a spark of suspicion that brewed with judgement. "Please." That's what was missing. Thank the bloody cosmos that worked, for Selene looked a little more satisfied and then looked back to Harold.

"I suppose my daughter knows everything already," she chuckled slightly with a sharp glance back to Sari, "we'll both take some Appiden if you have it available, one in a wine glass and the other in this 'green flagon' for my daughter."

"Right away m' lady." Harold gestured a slight bow; though whether to entertain her mother or tease Sariah remained uncertain. Selene looked back to Sariah and led onward towards the more cleaner and tidy side, which wasn't to say that the other area wasn't so bad either. Tonight they looked to really have clean the place up, and while it pleased Sariah to recognize a few faces; she ultimately struggled to find comfort against the numbers she didn't. Right as they found their table moments later, Harold brought to them the drinks Selene had requested from him.

"Thank you ser." Selene praised him respectively as her daughter echoed her statement softly. It had been the green flagon she received, therefore if she could avoid letting her mother know for the rest of the evening... then maybe she could get away with it. "Come now Sariah sit, we've much to learn in the time we're here." Sariah hardly showed resistance, much less temperament, as she took to sit in that uncomfortable straight pose. Unfortunately no books were going to save her from tonight, but if she could get away from her mother somehow; then maybe that could make things a little easier also.

"Sariah", "Follower", "NPC"

[Soren Kvistson]

"You are free to choose,"

Soren looked around, seeing that the red flagon was clearly the popular one tonight. People looking for relationships. Interesting. He wondered if the next one would be the same. Perhaps the season of harvest had people considering families and children more than just another fling in the night. And it seemed that there was a particularly high number of wallflowers tonight.

He'd have to do something about that.

He caught Billiam's eye and the man came over, "Yeah boss?"

Soren smiled up at the man, "Geraldine and Felicity workin in the kitchen?"

"Yes sir."

"Have them come out and sing for us tonight, tell 'em I'll give them and the other cooks overtime. Something people can dance to."

"Sounds good boss."

Billiam turned and left to fetch the two cooks. Both were young women, seventeen and eighteen arcs, and both could belt it out with the best of them. Geraldine could hit the low notes but had a massive power in her voice, and knew all the best bawdy tavern songs, whereas Felicity could reach those highs like no other, and knew all the Melrathi classics. They were the perfect duo.

A couple moments later, the two came out, and Billiam started helping clear empty tables. The women smiled at the crowd, and in practiced unison, "Ladies and gentlemen, fighters and farmers, lovers and friends, we welcome you to our songs."

For the first song, Geraldine would sing, while Felicity would use her voice without lyrics to keep the beat. They sang a song that was meant to get a night started, boots tapping, drinks pouring, and people mingling. It was not yet a dance song, that would come after. For in Melrath, everything had a proper traditional way, and one never started the night with dancing.

"In the arc of the spirits, five hundred and six
We set sail from the fair Strosdyn.
We were bound far away with a cargo of bricks
For the fine forests of Desnind.

She's an elegant craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft
And oh, how the wind spirits drove her.
She had twenty-three masts and she stood several blasts
And we called her the Melrath Dover.

There was Jergen Helgson from the banks of the Vynmur,
There was Yoren from Fensalir.
There was Stofe who was scared stiff of work
And a chap from Noatun called Bormir.

There was Disa Lundgren who was drunk as a rule
And fighting Ana from all over.
And your lass Shea from the Banks Svariella
was skipper of the Melrath Dover.

We had one million bags of the best Argon rags,
We had two million barrels of bone
We had three million bales of old nanny goat tails
We had four million barrels packets of stone

We had five million hogs, we had six million dogs,
And seven million barrels of porter.
We had eight million sides of old blind horses hides
In the hold of the Melrath Dover.

We had sailed seven arcs when the measles broke out
And the ship lost her way in a fog.
And the whole of the crew was reduced unto two,
'Twas myself and the captain's old dog.

Then the ship struck a rock Spirits what a shock
we nearly tumbled over,
Turned nine times around, and the poor dog was drowned
I'm the last of the Melrath Dover."

Once they finished the song, they gave a couple minutes for people to buy booze, shower them in compliments, and the like. Meanwhile Soren had seen that Sarya and Sariah had both arrived, the latter with her mother. That was the surprise. Even more surprising was the green flagon in Sariah's hand. He cocked an eyebrow in her direction, when he decided to facilitate a plan that was forming. He whistled at a man across the way, who came over. Soren knew him, a semi regular. "Oy, I know you got eyes on Charlize. I'll tell you something that will help you get a look at her pair if you do me a favor."

The man practically tripped over himself agreeing to Soren's request. Soon, the man wound through the crowd, approaching Sariah's mum, "Well, hello there, pretty lady. Can I buy you a drink?" The man was paid to simply annoy and distract the woman as much as possible, freeing up Sariah to do as she chose. And just about the time of his arrival at their table, did the singers speak up once more.

"Grab a partner, we got a dance now. A Melrathi Swing."

Soren drained his flagon, standing up, looking around. He wasn't about to go chasing a partner, someone could come to him. He knew someone would bite. He looked good, and he knew it. He walked to the dancing floor, and assumed the starting pose of the Melrathi swing, left hand out, his face toward it, his other hand extended in the opposite direction. Many others began to line up similarly. The Melrathi Swing was a vigorous, energetic, and close contact dance, a favorite among traditionalists and outlanders alike. It was great for stirring up the hearts and loins of people, and it was a fairly easy dance to do, not requiring much skill, just enthusiasm and an appreciation for quite close proximity.

"But you are not free from the consequences."

[Larkin]

Larkin had heard of the Singles Night from a client, he rarely spent any time to himself and he decided to come as he'd at least get a free drink out of it. It was already lively when he arrived, taking the red flagon he was handed with a polite smile and walking in, standing to the side and watching the people around him. He was no stranger to drinking, but he knew he wouldn't stay sober long if he drank more than two, so he slowly sipped out of the flagon he was given, he didn't want to pay for another anyway. He hadn't been in many taverns on his own though and didn't drink regularly.

He wore his usual clothes, though without a jacket and with his less buttons done on his shirt than he usually would, Larkin had decided that he looked good before he left his house, though he supposed other people would decide that now he was there. He knew better than to hope to actually get a relationship with any man or woman worth the time out of visiting a tavern and talking for one night, but he hoped to meet some people who would either be potential clients or friends. That he was sure he could manage with the large amount of people who were there.

He looked up, excited when he heard one of the singers say to find a partner, and searched for someone who wasn't already dancing. He noticed a woman, young but slightly older than himself, who seemed to be alone, and walked up to Sariah with a smile. "Want to dance with me? I'm Larkin by the way, what's your name?" He held a hand out to her and chuckled slightly. "You seem a little bored sitting there."

[Sariah]

Reluctantly after they'd taken their seats Sariah had watched the crowd, as many with colored flagons gathered on this nice for the sake of a good time. As a couple of the employees came out to set the mood, Sariah noticed that Artur had arrived fashionably late to the scene. He'd come in with his hair and beard fully combed out, the attire he wore that of a patched up suit which clearly marked his financial status. Nevertheless Sariah warmed up at the sight of him, an immediate smile cast at the baker as he came in to receive his flagon. He quickly glanced to see what everyone else had, clearly a little nervous about the event entirely.

The moment he spotted Sariah though, which she noticed, she quickly pretended to hold her flagon; a finger tapping against it a few times for him to hopefully catch on. He did it would seem as he too received the flagon after getting his answer, a pleased look on her face as he moved towards the bar without a second glance her way. "Oh look Sari, Artur's here as well. Must be looking for a potential candidate as well."

"Yes mother." The daughter did her best not to roll her eyes, let alone sound uninterested with the woman.

"The poor man will need some advice on proper clothing beforehand though." The longsleeve cotton shirt worn underneath a wooly looking vest... There was no doubt he likely found it from his father's closet at best. Sariah felt for him truly and not because of how difficult his situation was, but because others like her mother judged him for it just as well.

"Well, hello there, pretty lady. Can I buy you a drink?"

"I beg your pardon?!" Sariah looked from the bar towards her mother, who clearly sounded edgy and uncomfortable with the approach. The man in question seemed to insist on asking Selene though, as it was clear he didn't seem to catch on with her disinterest. Sariah worried that if the event carried on, then Selene herself might just cause a scene with the man in question. Yet it was the perfect time to slip away, all she would have to do is...

"Huh?" A stranger had walked up to her and asked if she'd cared to dance, an idea she didn't aptly consider in that particular moment of course. Dancing meant everyone would see her, including her mother, and while she would've loved to get away from Selene... the Melrathi Swing didn't seem like the best dance to do it with. However with Selene about to scold the man and the only opportunity to get away being now, she felt that it was either risk it with this man or perhaps... Artur was a ways away but maybe he'd step into the picture when the time was right. "Sariah," she answered in return, "and I suppose a dance couldn't hurt." She tried not be so bashful about it, as dancing would be the last thing on her mind tonight. But there was nothing wrong with having a bit of fun, even if her mother would scold her later for such a thing.

Thus Sariah rose to accept the hand of this individual, and proceeded to walk along side Larkin as they went out onto the dance floor. Soren was there already as well as a bunch of others lined up, and Sariah could only hope he received the signal that she gave him. It was that look of 'help me' she often had, especially when a drunkard bothered her while reading a tome alone.

"Sariah", "Follower", "NPC"

[Victor Amielle]

The Transmuter was just thinking about ordering a second drink as he didn’t feel quite drunk enough for what was happening that evening yet, when a young woman approached his table. He looked up at her and smiled, unaware of the man that she had previously sat with and how mad he was that she had left, still holding the empty glass in his right hand.

She was beautiful, he decided, with bright blue eyes, blonde hair and the traditional markings of the Melrathi, and she was as different from Jonathan as someone could possibly be which was exactly what he was looking for. He didn’t want to be reminded of him, not now.

She was soft and feminine, she was fair, and her face was devoid of the mutations that the Aberrant had had. She was most likely not even a mage.

He gestured for her to sit with him just as the two girls began to sing which effectively put an end to the attempt at conversation that he had been about to make. It was for the better. He was, he suddenly realized, seriously out of practice and had no idea what he was supposed to say.

The song was beautiful though, and the girls sang well. Once they were done, he applauded – he had enjoyed himself - and then he turned to the woman that sat with him again.

“Do you want anything?” he asked – he was more than willing to buy her a drink or two that night - before he rose from his chair and bowed to her as a noble lord would bow to a lady. He was out of practice when it came to flirting – he hadn’t been with anybody since the Aberrant had been murdered – but he still remembered how a gentleman ought to comport himself.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked her and extended his right hand towards her in order to take her to where a few couples had already lined up. He had never been particularly interested in dancing and whatever other activities nobles commonly engaged in before. He had spent much of his youth in Lysoria exploring the wilderness or reading books about faraway countries, hoping that he would be able to visit them one trial, much to the chagrin of his brother and lord.

The dance seemed to be easy enough though, and tonight he actually wanted to dance. He wanted to lose himself in the music for a while and forget everything around him, and he didn’t want to return to his cold and lonely home. “What is your name, by the way?” he asked the woman as he assumed the starting pose. “I’m Victor”, he introduced himself, which was probably not the most original way of starting a conversation with a beautiful woman, he realized. It would do though, for the time being.