The Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn, Vorland, 1436 ATC
Nestled in the shadow of a great volcano sat a homely tavern. Inside the tavern sat a black haired beauty with medium golden eyes. All titty, six feet tall, a nice bouncy ass. Her name was Ceirra Dusk, and she had a bad habit of stumbling into places she ought not to. She was dressed to emphasize that beauty. Her amazingly long legs,were exposed as her dress was hiked up to her knees, the ends dripping with melted snow. "Oh, for Kore's sake. This is a bloody fuckin' mess, that's all this is.'' She muttered, brows furrowing into a deep, angry wrinkle. Fuck winter. Nothing good ever came from it. All you got was hypothermia and pointy nipples. She huffed, scooping up her skirts to her thighs and waddling to the bar. "Hello lovies," She purred, her voice surprisingly high pitched. Plopping her round rear down onto a stool, she let her skirts fall with a good thuwmp. "Drinks all around, yeah?"
Venser eyed some drunk woman at the bar spouting nonsense. He exhaled greenish white smoke from his cigar then jumped at the woman's impact on the lower floor. ''By the void what's been going... Welcome to the Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn! And what would you like sir?'' He looked to the girl who requested something with rum and waved her off. ''Can I interest you in my signature drink, Pink Footed Booby? It doesn't have rum in it but I can tell you it's the best drink you'll ever put in your mouth.'' Like most nights, it was decently busy, and he had trouble paying attention to most patrons.
A regular named Hanna made as if to speak. She wanted to assure Venser she was as confused as he was, but her words were silenced by the sight of the woman showing a great deal of cleavage who had sat down beside her. She gulped and the drank more wine.
Wiggling her brows at the lass next to her, Ceirra made grabby hands towards the bar keep. "Love, wet my aching whistle, won't you? Anything with a high alcohol contact will do." She winked at the wandering eyes, a grin splitting her face. "I'm looking to get a little foolish tonight."
Hanna stretched languorously thinking it was high time she took to her bed but enjoying the companionship at the bar too much to move right.
Jezebel pulled a few strands of loose hair out of her face as she entered the building, shivering a bit from the cool air she had left outside. She should have brought a shawl, but, it didn't dawn on her until it was far too late. She looked around the building, smiling at all of the eyes on her as she walked up the stairs, her hips swaying from side to side in perfect rhythm. She raised a brow as she saw Ceirra, rolling her eyes as she noticed how drunk she already was. "I thought we were trying to cut back on the drinking, Legs," She murmured in Ceirra's ear as she finally made her way up the stairs and to the bar. She realized that all of the seats were full, and wandered over to one of the empty tables. Sliding down into the seat, she smoothed out her dress skirt, her eyes scanning the room as she waited for a reply from her.
The bearded bartender cracked his neck and rubbed his hands together. ''Time to get to work.'' He snapped his fingers and summoned two snaky, shadowy hands beside him, then he began to list off a few ingredients for the shadow tendrils to get. ''Lemon juice, grenadine, and whiskey sour mix.'' He grabbed two silver cocktail mixers and slammed them down on the bar, grabbing a bottle of vodka and a two other bottles, one being whiskey sour mix. He mixed the three into one cocktail mixer with ice and added a drop of an unknown glowing pink liquid from a vial on his belt. He shook it up for a few long moments and then dumped it into a glass, resulting in a glowing neon pink drink. ''Ta da! Pink Footed Booby! Not the actual name. I just like to say booby.'' He passed it to the tall golden eyed woman and smiled, brushing back his messy black hair with a green tint to it. ''Five silver ma'am!'' He turned to the other woman and said, ''Gimme a minute to finish your rum cocktail.''
Hanna rose, bidding a drunken adieu to the company she went to her bed.
The handsome barkeep grabbed three different kinds of rum off the shelves and had the shadow tendrils put the other ingredients back, mixing the three into the other cocktail mixer followed by lemon juice and grenadine. ''Ice.'' He told one of the shadow tendrils, who dumped a fistful of ice into the cocktail mixer. He picked up the cocktail mixer and shook it for a bit, straining it into a glass and passing it to Khal ''There ya go ma'am. Four silver.'' He cleared his throat and leaned against the bar, looking out to everyone. ''Anyone need anything? I may have missed som- What the fuck did I do with my cigar...''
The tall temptress grinned, thumbing her coins before tossing them onto the bar. "I love saying booby, too." Ceirra wrapped her thin fingers around her drink and slipped off to join her dear, dear friend. "Why, Jezebel. It's been ages. I haven't seen you since, well, yesterday." Settling onto a stool with all the caution of an old woman, she flashed the girl a grin. The two were peas in a pod, though, they often squabbled like siblings. The cigar, left unattended on the bar, she slipped between her lips, the smoke curling above her head in neat little patterns. "I say I'm cutting back on a lot of things... Alcohol, sex, thieving tendencies... You of all people should know that's all talk."
The bearded bartender's light green cigar had an earthly smell and taste to it, with a hint of citrus. And it would quickly make her throat dry, but also dull her senses and calm things. The glowing pink drink itself would begin to warm her from the inside when she tasted it, and when she did she would find it tasted exactly like a strawberry starburst. Only liquid.
"Of course. I'm glad you've been cutting back on the sex however. Wouldn't want to catch anything else, now would we?" The demoness Jezebel Dusk asked, smirking. "Besides, your daughters want to know if they should be expecting to see you in another nine months or so, it's been a while, no?"
"You're so full of shit, it's a miracle it isn't spilling out of that mouth of yours. 'Course, a hearty chunk of man meat is usually stuffing that whole, among others, isn't it?" Ceirra rolled her burnt golden eyes. "Isn't wise to joke about children. ''Sides. What if it hurt my feelings for you to say such things? I can't have children. You know that. Broke my mother's dark, shriveled up heart." She, the trained alcoholic she was, threw back her drink in one long, slow pull. Shuddering with the bite of the alcohol, she grinned. "How's your life then, demon?"
''You may.'' Venser said rapping his fingers on the bar and then brushing back his messy black hair that had a slight green tint to it, waiting for an order. He took the time to examine all the patrons present, how great in number they were. ''Now is a good time to recruit...'' He thought fumbling around in the many pouches of his belt.
Roselie had made it very clear to Venser over the years that there was a no smoking policy in the Dragon's Head. And having to run the bar alone most days, Venser treated it like his own dojo. Which he was, being the head bartender when Roselie was not present. He would just flat out disregard the no smoking rules. He clapped his hands and summoned the shadow tendrils. ''Open the windows.'' They did so and Venser pushed the coins back to the girl. ''Keep em, the man right there paid for you and everyone else.'' He said sliding the sack of gold to him, throwing it to another snakey shadow hand. ''Put that in my room.''
A wave of serene calm washed over her, though it did little to mute the sexual ferocity growing low in her stomach. The tall temptress was used to an usually high libido, but, jeez, this was ridiculous. "Aye, lovey, what in the name of The God King's firm cock did you put in that drink?" She lifted herself from the table and reclaimed her spot at the bar.
Venser began to pour himself a glass of the glowing neon pink drink from the silver cocktail mixer as he looked to the woman, raising a brow. He highly suspected she was a succubus, which he always welcomed in here. The handsome barkeep did love the succubi race very much so. ''What did I put in it? Well, vodka, whiskey sour, watermelon pucker, and a secret ingredient I shouldn't be talking about.'' He replied grabbing a metal tankard, walking over to a barrel at the end of the bar and dunking it into a bunch of turquoise liquid that had somewhat of a sparkle to it for some reason. ''Blue Lagoon, six silver.'' He said passing it to the man.
Gia giggled at the stranger who watched her hips swaying while she made her way up to the front door to the tavern before blowing a kiss towards him. She pressed her hands against the door, opening up enough so she could squeeze her body in. She bit down on her bottom lip, pulling her skirt up as she climbed the staircase to reach her cousin Ceirra. "Oh hello dear, I've been searching for you for quiet some time."
Eyes threatening to do a complete three sixty in her skull, Ceirra's face fell into a deep frown at her cousin's arrival. "Maybe it's been a task for you because I have no interest in being found." Scooting her stool away from Gia, she gave the bar keep a desperate look. "Something stronger. I want to black out and possibly asphyxiate on my own vomit. Liver damage at the least, please, my love."
''And the Pink Footed Booby isn't huh? Well good thing that the Blue Lagoon is the strongest thing we have available here, seconded by Winter's Dragonfire Whiskey.'' Venser said grabbing two tankards to dump in the barrel, as he filled them he muttered. 'Which I'm not allowed to sell...'' He set tone tankard down in front of the man, and the other in front of the supposed succubus. He was about to ask her name but a woman had come to speak to her first. ''How bout for your lovely friend here? The same for her?''
Gia Dusk rolled her eyes before chuckling. "I'd like to have the same please, whatever she's drinking," she stated as well towards the bar keep. "I didn't know my cousin Legs here was going to be an angry drunk today."
"I'm not angry. I'm absolutely serene." Throwing a handful of coins on the bar, the tall temptress sighed. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy her family's presence, it's just she often felt like the second fiddle around them. Not that she necessarily minded, but eventually it became really, really annoying. Thankful for the drink, she busied her hands and her ill-tempered tongue with it.
Venser nodded in affirmation and proceeded to get Gia a tankard of Blue Lagoon too. ''She's only had one from drink from what I saw. And she pocketed one of my Culleros...'' He said setting the tankard of the turquoise liquid down in front of Gia, swiping the coins away. ''Six gold from you, miss.'' He looked to the two who were family and asked, ''So, what are your names?''
The tall temptress smiled, thumbing her tankard. "Ceirra Prytania Dusk, and that cigar you abandoned on the bar top begged me to take it in. I couldn't abandon an orphan like that. Would be heartless of me."
"Thank you, and it doesn't take much for her, or anyone in our family for that matter," One of the demon girls giggled a bit, taking a sip from the tankard. "My name is Gia, by the way. Gia Dusk. She replied to his question, pulling out a bag full of coins and setting them on the counter.
''Consider it a gift then, my fair lady.'' He said with a chuckle raising his glass of Pink Footed Booby to his lips. ''True, those things deserve to be enjoyed. Especially while drinking or laying around and relaxing.'' He looked to Gia and said, ''Well good! I love women who can't hold their drinks well. Anyone really, I mean, people are a lot more fun when drink. You get me? I know that drinking a lot on duty.'' He swished the drink around in his glass and said, ''Drinking... And lust. No one can match me in such things. I am the god of tits and wine and brandy and ale and mead and cider and sprites and whiskey and wine and... What haven't I said yet?'' He gave a small smile, raising his thick attack eyebrows a few times.
Gia raised a brow at the bar keep as he rambled on, "I believe you said it all," she murmured before taking another drink.
"Oh, baby, I love when you talk dirty like that." Ceirra Dusk grinned, sipping from her drink like the classy woman she was. "Tell us more. What's your name, darling?"
Downstairs, Roseanna walked into the tavern and looked it over with a bored expression. The four foot nine dhampir headed up to the bar and spoke in a clipped tone. "Red meat. Rare as possible. Bloody! Ale." Before more or less slamming coins to pay for it on the counter. The woman sat nearly as stiffly as she moved and had overly large deep blue eyes and the aura of someone who practiced black magic regularly.
''I don't think I have.'' Venser said in response to Gia, clearing his throat for something... Interesting. He clapped his hands twice, summoning a snaky, shadowy hand. ''Go get her some of that elk that was hunted earlier today. A rare steak.'' The bearded bartender proceeded to pour her a tankard of ale and passed it to the woman. ''Two silver.'' He looked to the tall temptress and put a finger on her lips. ''My name? Well, my dear... Hush those lips and I'll you about myself...''
She glanced over the man and sneered before turning to the barkeep. "For a plate o' rare meat and an ale? That's bloody robbery!" She toss silver down in the place of a bunch of coppers. "It'd better be rare as hell and FRESH." She snarled.
He took his finger off Ceirra's lips and spun around behind the bar. ''No onesssssssssssssssss slick like Venser, no ones quick like Venser, no ones dick is incredibly thick and big like Venser's! There's no one in this town half as manly! Perfect, a pure paragon! You can ask any Alex, Sanna or Thorny. And they'll tell you whose they'd rather be onnnnnnnnnnn!'' He disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke and reappeared atop the bar with waving back and forth, a swagger in his step with a glass of his signature drink in hand. ''No ones been there like Venser, No ones hunky like Venser , No ones got a lovely smile like Venser! As a specimen yes I’m awe inspiringgggggggggggggg! Give five bravos and twelve encores! Venser is the best and the rest are all prickssssssssss!''
In spite of herself a small smile formed at the corners of her mouth. The dhamphir liked odd people. Always had.
Ceirra Dusk clapped wildly, her face split in a wide, laughing grin. Bouncing in her seat, she yelped out an "Encore!" Though she suspected he owed royalties to the original owners of that tune, she appreciated his show very much. It wasn't often she came upon a man with a humor similar to her own. It warmed her black little heart. "Venser, you absolute dream, you. You are entirely too entertaining. You must sing for us again, my love. You must." She laughed to herself, relaxing back in her seat. She needed another drink. Fast.
''No onesssssssssssssssss handsome like Venser, No ones charming like Venser, No ones muscles are incredibly strong like Venser’s! In a sparring match nobody spars like Venser! For there’s no man as lusty and amazing! As you see I’ve got plenty of face time to spare! There’s no lying, he’s clearly no weakling. No ma’am I give it my all I solemnly swearrrrrrrrrrrrrr….!'' He held that note for a while and flexed his arms for Ceirra. Venser himself was a man in his early thirties, with fair skin, messy black hair that was tinted green, a neatly trimmed beard, and unnatural serpent like eyes. He hopped off the bar and playfully flicked her nose. ''I am an absolute dream...'' He said as the shadow tendrils set down a plate of very rare steak, bloody down in front of the woman as she enjoyed her ale. ''So,'' He said with a pause straightening himself. ''What brings you to my comfortable little dojo, Ceirra?''
Meanwhile, the dhamphir tore into the steak. It was good...not quite what she needed but it would do. She wasn't the type to go in and just announce that she needed blood... Not many places carried it and fankly it could frighten the locals.
Ceirra Dusk leaned forward, her chin balanced in her hand, burnt golden eyes glazed over from the cigar she had snatched and the multitude of alcoholic beverages sitting comfortably in her stomach. "My love, I've been wandering your damned forest for quite a long time. A woman like myself can only go so long without the lusty company of others. So many bloodsuckers here tonight..." She winked, though a great mop of hair flopped down and covered her face. She was hammered, as announced by the flush in her cheeks and the slight slur to her speech. "Plus, I heard the alcohol was strong here. That, I see, was not a lie."
''It must feel terrible. Being derived of both things for such a while...'' He refilled her Blue Lagoon, moving a bit to the left away from the girl who pretty much tore her steak to shreds. ''Well, good thing you're here at the Dragon's Head. Ya know, I got this saying,'' He said with a pauses gesturing to the drink he had in his hand. ''One I invented like I did this drink. Sex everyday keeps the gloom away.''
"It's a complication." Roseanna said dryly before taking a swig, looking up from her meal "You have more meat?"
Ceirra laughed, sliding her fingers through her hair to push it back in place. "Well, love," she purred, avoiding the bloody scene next to her, "If your sex is anything like your drinks, I'm sure it hits the spot."
The Dhampir felt her eyes drawn to it before roughly throwing a bandage at the man's head. "Would you wrap that up? It's not sanitary to let it bleed."
''Oh it is indeed...'' Venser said with a seductive growl looking deep into her burnt eyes, matched his slitted emeralds. Clapping twice again, the shadow tendrils took the woman's plate away and replaced it with a clean one, with another fresh, bloody rare steak on it. ''Since you've been wandering, I take you need board?''
Roseanne the dhampir nodded and confirmed. "I am." -Before tearing into the steak and placing more coin on the counter.
Ceirra leaned forward now, hands folded in her lap, breasts pushed into the lime light. His growl stirred something inside her, her own eyes slitting like those of a snake. "Something like that, yes. If you've got room, I won't be staying long. A day or two, perhaps."
''A day or two? Shame.'' Venser bent down to retrieve the room cards and chuckled. ''Not a good way to let it out of your system!'' He called standing back up, searching through the room cards. ''What the void...''
"That is the most idiotic thing I have heard today you moron. Intoxication does not work that way." Roseanna snapped at him.
Ceirra chuckled, low and soft. "Maybe three, maybe longer, if the company is right." Shifting in her seat, she wiggled uncomfortably. The damn bodice of this dress was far too tight, not that she had packed any roomier clothes in her pack. Hell, all she had left was another soft, blue dress and her leather play outfit, which, unfortunately, was not suitable for a crowded atmosphere.
''Well it alllll depends on the person!'' Being located where the tavern was located, the red rubber suit with rubber nipples and an oversized codpiece was far from suitable. And most saw it as unusual. ''Ah! By the void... We have a lot more people staying here than I thought.'' He passed a small, silver key to Ceirra Dusk. ''Ten silver a night. Right hall, sixth door on the left. And I happen to be right across the hall...''
Roseanna shrugged. "I am from a land sevral weeks travel from here. My uncle and his men taught me... How do YOU know how to fight?" She then rounded on the one that was like her. "Misjudge?! Hardly! Do you KNOW what you ae doing aside from causing your hunger to grow, endangering yourself, and creating a mess?! ABSLOUTELY NOTHING! Gods have you ANY concept of what someone like ME can do with just a drop of your blood? What someone worse than me WOULD do? Obviously not!"
Eyeing the mouthpiece next to her, Ceirra slid from her stool. "Well, my love, I ought to take my things to my room." She dropped a hefty pouch on the bar top, enough silver for four or five nights. She smoothed her gown, a naughty grin curling the edges of her lips upwards. "I certainly hope I won't find myself lonely this evening."
''Remember, I'm right across the hall.'' Venser said with a sly smile swiping the gold away. ''By the void what time is it...'' He handed the shadow tendrils the room cards and walked over to the open window, closing it to block the cold air. It was pitch black out. ''Heh... Note to self. Buy a clock to hang somewhere in here...''
Ceirra Dusk, warm all over from the alcohol and that ridiculous man's reminder, stumbled off to find her room, her beautiful long legs giving her lengthy strides. Crowds be damned, she was changing into something more comfortable. Perhaps by fault of the alcohol or her own natural ability to get lost, she just couldn't find her room. Instead, she sat down on one of the staircases and started pulling chunks of black leather out of a deep red sack. If she had to strip in the open, well, the alcohol told her it was alright to do so.
Roselie Talemn had be absent from the tavern for quite awhile, she had wanted to get an order for certain berries and sadly had to travel to do so, and wanted to put it in before the weather got too bad to travel in plus in her growing condition she didn't think her off and on lover Atsu would like her straying too far from the tavern. She did leave him a note saying where had gone and the estimated time coming home, but knew he still would be worried about her and would make sure she was alright once she got back. The carriage she took made its way slowly up the dirt road and to the back of the tavern, Old Joe opened its door for her as she emerged from it taking a deep breath pulling the hood over her head as she walked to the tavern entering through the backdoor that led through the kitchen and pantry area. Still a bit cold she left her teal fur trimmed coat on over her dress, and headed upstairs to the bar grabbing an apple along the way and munching on it looking around.
Roseanna glanced at him coldly. "Oh poor you. Shall I fetch you a tissue, then? Your lot is what YOU make it. Get over yourself. If one side despises you then find a new one. Christ it doesn't matter who or what hates you so long as you stand for what's right."
''Hey boss!'' Venser yelled, appearing out of a puff of thick red smoke in front of his boss. ''I don't believe Atsuma is up! Or... I dunno. He might have gone out to the town. I dunno honestly. I thought he was with you!''
Only a short moment later, the six foot tall temptress who was all legs returned, boots cradled in her arms. Otherwise fully clothed in her so called 'play outfit', black leathers that clung to her skin, she made her way back to the bar. Making sure she looked good for the handsome barkeep before claiming the seat she had previously occupied.
"Wrong is death, destruction, and the things that haunt the darkness ripping apart those that cannot defend themselves. Do not fight for fame, fortune, acceptance, or gain...you'll never find them. Instead stand as a light where there s shadow. So what if they hate you? They live. Someone get the idiot a steak... He needs to replenish a few things, I'll pay." The dhampir said coldly. "The thing is the best I can do is defend those who are what I cannot be. Nice, innocent, and good. I need nothing from them and expect no care nor acceptance. Why should I need it? I do the best I can and move on."
''Evening Venser.'' Came a slightly muffled response, as Roselie chewed on her apple, nodding to him.
Clearing her throat, Ceirra set a couple silver pieces on the bar. "Something a little less strong this time, perhaps?"
''We need to chat, Roselie. I've hired help, good help without asking you first because I'm often alone and I get so busy some days. And... I need a raise.'' Venser said to Roselie. A snaky, shadowy hand set a bottle of cider down in front of the tall temptress. Venser's usual preferred brand he had overstocked at this tavern.
Rose blinked a few times, looking to Venser nodding that she was alright with him getting help for himself. ''A raise?''
"Much thanks, love," The tall temptress smiled at the shadowed hand, flicking an extra cold piece in its direction. She kept her gaze away from the woman who had snapped at her, careful not to attract any more of the woman's temper. Ceirra, simply enough, was not the fighting type. She much preferred the quiet, fun atmosphere the tavern had had earlier in the day.
''Yeah. A raise. I work hard here, everyday, alone with only the shadow tendrils to help. They do a good job, but still. Actual workers are much better for the sake of conversation and... Personality.'' Venser explained. ''And I know it's a lot to ask, especially with the new barmaids I hired on to help out around here.'' Looking at the bar, to a new woman who had found herself talking to the gorgeous golden eyed beauty.
Ceirra grinned, obviously pleased with the compliment. Damned flirt. Soul finding a familiar presence, she scooted her seat closer to the apparently elven woman. "Bloody pissing match we've got here. Panties all twisted up in a wad over who's more disadvantaged."
''Huhu… Seems to be." She drew her attention to the girl next to her, Ceirra. "I never properly introduced myself. Khalyst, call my Khal if you want." She held out her hand, while the other threw four coins out to the bar table, and grabbed ahold of the cocktail, sipping it politely. Her skin was made perfect, and was obviously touched by the sun, though she did not have the glow humans often had. Hers was more of an airbrush type of effect, though, her perfection wasn’t something you could just rub away with some soapy water. Her lips were what stood out about her skin the most, they were quite pink. Although being on the more chubbish side, her waist was quite small to compare. The rest was actually quite busty. Her body was decorated in beautiful leather. Even with the bra absent, which she usually never wore, she was perky. Her dark hair was quite long, even with it being tired in a ponytail around itself, it still hung down her back. She had a liking towards piercings, and she had many on her, and in possession. She had about nine of each ear. Her eyes were much like ice. A crystal blue, shimmering even with no light.
The shadow tendrils manifested themselves into a silhouette version of the head bartender himself, with the suit, shoulder pad, battle skirt, shoulder cape, and everything. It fixed the ''Hurricane'' Venser had served her earlier and passed it to Khal. Venser teleported himself to Roselie again, leaning up against the wall and said, ''I am looking to buy a home. A proper home... A farm north of here, over the border of Vorland and in the capital Pryldahn. For my children, and for my lovers. For us, as a family.''
Roselie clicked her tongue at him. ''Venser, if you need the money for something that important, your children or something like that... I understand completely. And when I count the tavern's earning as a whole, do inventory, I'll see what I can do.'' She offered a kind, almost motherly smile and looked to her new patrons.
"Ceirra Dusk," she purred, clasping her hand around Khal's. "It is a dream to meet you, Khal."
''Oh, thank you Roselie. Thank you! I appreciate it greatly.'' Venser said with a calm smile, nodding his head as the woman walked away, picking up the coin jar from off the shelf behind him and walking off.
Khal gave out a petite squeal of excitement. "Your touch entices me. I bite, if you're not careful, love." She twiddled her thumbs beneath Ceirra's, all while holding eye contact with her. "'Tender, do you sell food for particular individuals?" She rose Ceirra's hands with her own, placing kisses upon her knuckles.
With a wicked sort of grin and a mischievous wink, Ceirra wiggled her brows. "I have always liked a nibble here or there." She laughed, light and airy, giving the girl's hands a gentle squeeze.
''Yes we do!'' The shadow version of Venser nodded in affirmation. Before the real one appeared out of a puff of thick red smoke in it's place. ''Shadow tendrils will serve! Well, the owner is here... But, yeah. Have a lovely rest of the night folks! I have to go check on a few things.'' The emerald eyed bartender locked eyes with Ceirra for a long moment. ''I'll be seeing you soon...'' He then disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke that quickly disappeared.
Ceirra licked her lips. ''I can't wait to taste him...'' Reaching a hand into her dress and pinching a nipple hard until her eyes watered a bit in painful pleasure.
