The Menagerie Tavern

[Dominic]

Dominic stopped playing to drink and sighed with contentment, turning to face Chaz. His eyes opened halfway, lazy and emphasizing his smile.

"You know...when I first met you I'd have told you that I didn't really get connected to places. And I still don't. Oh there's wonders out there, and I've been searching for all of them. But..." He paused, wistfulness washing over his face.

"Every rule needs an exception and there's...something...about this place that brought me back. Maybe it's that ley line you found all those years ago." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and chuckled "Or maybe it's just the people. Any other people still hang around? Like that old stick in the mud, Grant I think his name was?"

[Marlena]

Marlena laid her fingers gently over the coins he placed on the table, drawing them closer to her as she nods, watching him stand to move away.

As do I.

Thank you again, Grayell. Enjoy the rest of your evening.

She collected the coins into the center of her palm, upturning it as she curls her fingers to brush the tips over them as she lifts her free hand to wave over the tavern maid for one more drink. This would be the last before she saw about the room, the night before was catching up on her and the promise of a warm bed was calling her.

She ordered and the maid returned quickly, leaving Marlena to drink quietly on her own, watching the tavern, the people within it. That suited her perfectly.

[Chaz]

He shook his head, looking into his mug.

Haven't seen Grant. Grayell is still around, the metal mage works in the library, the Captain's, well...the Captain.

He looked off distantly, tapping his brass fingers on the table.

That ley line. Never did figure out how to work it. Not that the residents would have taken to it very well.

Nikole stared.

Wonders? What kind of wonders?

[Kiko]

Kiko knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, exactly where the Wolf was headed; not that anyone else in the tavern could follow him. For a big guy he was remarkably invisible when he wanted to be. Still, she knew where he had gone. The time when she needed her eyes to follow him was history.

But, she played the game. If only because it made his eyes gleam. A shiver ran through her from the inside out when his hands fell on her shoulders. Oh yes, she definitely enjoyed the look on his face when he "caught" her.

Her eyes spilled out along the powerful muscles of his arms then went back up to his face.

Oh? If something were so dear to me I would keep track of it. Are you sure it is that important?

[Grayell]

He smiled, his eyes kind and always enamoured; and slid down to rest on a knee, his arms winding about her sides loosely. He brushed his nose over her cheek, found her hands and cradled them in his, then sighed blissfully.

Oh yes. But it was stolen from me.

[Kiko]

Kiko tossed a quick glance around the room. Her pale cheeks were flushed while the hackles on the back of her neck stood up. She wanted to stuff a hand over his mouth or pull him off his knee. The guards, no; the Sentinels were twisting all their heads in their direction.

Stolen? Well, then that would be a matter for the law.

Kiko gave a him a pointed look in the direction of the crowded Sentinel table.

[Grayell]

Grayell glanced in their direction, gave them a glare that had them look away; and then shook his head. Still smiling, he leaned to her side, studying her face.

Oh no, they don't do that sort of thing. Besides, I know you happen to have it. There's only one problem.

[Dominic]

A sigh crept out of the musician at the revalation that the ley line was a bit of a bust.

"Shame. The whole sound amplification idea was a nice one. Maybe some other way, some other time. I kept asking around out there and everyone just said to just buy a bigger instrument or a horn or something." He shrugged again.

He noticed other familiar voices, one of which brings back acute memories of getting smacked around in a sunlit field. But he puts those memories aside for a moment to address Nikole.

"Well. I met a unicorn." he says bluntly.

[Kiko]

Kiko's eyes sharpened. What in the world did he have hiding inside that thick skull of his? Well, sooner or later it would come out. The gleam in his eyes was back.

A problem?

Her voice was louder than before. Whether or not it could be heard much past the table, though? Well, that would require exceptional ears.

[Grayell]

Grayell shuffled to be at her side then, uncaring for other eyes or what people might think. Bugger them all, this was his woman and he would shout it to the world. He presses his face to her, buried it in her neck and wound his arms tight about her waist.

Yes. I do not want my heart back.

[Chaz]

Chaz waved his finger idly, remembering the "speakers" he'd been working on.

No no, I can still do that. Just need a different power source. I still have the prototype in my workshop, somewhere...

He trailed off, thinking, as Nikole gasped and leaned on the table, eyes wide. Clearly this was the most important thing to happen to her in a long while.

A unicorn?! Tell me tell me! What color was it? Can they change colors? What was its name? Was it a boy or a girl unicorn?

[Kiko]

Kiko's murmured "oh" was lost against the side of his face. The tavern denizens' looks and thoughts no longer mattered. His arms came around her and for those first few seconds she was way more interested in reacquainting her senses with him than anything they might say.

Her fingers drifted up to run alongside his jaw. The bristle of rough skin roused the wolf, too. She could feel her stretch out, wake up, and take notice inside. Suddenly, there were too many clothes between them and not near enough skin.

No. Not skin. She wanted to feel claws, teeth, and fur. But, she held on to her sanity long enough to form a reply.

A good thing. You would have quite a battle on your hands otherwise.

[Grayell]

He nodded, nuzzling her neck. She could feel him smiling against her, finger absently pawing at he side. He growled a little, a hushed whisper of noise that bespoke of his contentment and appetite... and then he looked up, almost as if waking from a deep sleep to something pleasant.

Hm. You're not drinking. Tell me then... why are we in this tavern instead of our bed?

[Kiko]

She laughed outloud at that. Why were they in this tavern? Hell, why were they in town? This place was too crowded, too noisy, and too full of walls to be satisfying. Kiko rocked up on the balls of her feet.

I can't for the life of me think of the reason why. But, I bet I can beat you home.

[Grayell]

Grayell grinned then and looked to the door. He tightened his belt, rolled his sleeves up, then gave her a smile that flashed eager teeth. A hand extended formally, waving to the doorway.

Ladies first. And I'll see that bet.