Borderlands II - This is the OLD game thread

[Stik]

The singer's first set is about half a dozen songs. The reaction of the audience improves with each one, as she learns their tastes and chooses the appropriate songs. The last song is a humorous one about a lady - well, a woman, anyway - who lives in a seaport town, and it points out that if so many sailors to have a girl in every port, then port town girls must also have a man on every ship.

The song is quite well-received and she leaves the stage with the crowd cheering for more, promising to return shortly.
There is a plate of food awaiting her as she takes her place at the table where her two companions are seated. The two men are sufficiently dangerous-looking to scare off, by means of little more than a sharp look, anyone looking to get too close to her.

Angel makes her way to the table. The two young men stare at her, attempting to stare her down. There is a quiet thump as further of the two, who had been leaning his chair back on two legs, shifts his weight to bring the chair down on all four. Beyond that, they make no move.

[OOC] Is Bastian heading over too? [/OOC]

[Ismaels-Legacy]

[OOC: But of course he is! ]

Bastian waits for her to become relaxed and begin her meal. No sense in ambushing her prior to that! He waits very calmly beside the table with a smile on his face, giving her time to acknowledge his presence. He glances over and sees Angel stride up, followed by the bodyguard's chair thumping to the ground at her approach.

"No need for concern, sir, I can vouch for her." Bastian says with a genuine smile and a conspiratorial wink.

[Stik]

"And who vouches for you, friend?" says the nearer man. He hasn't made a move towards any of his weapons, in fact, one hand still holds a tankard, but he has lifted his other hand off the tabletop where it had been resting.

"We're not for hire - none of us," says the other. "But the lady does take requests, so if there is a song or story you want to hear..."

The bard watches the exchange, her expression midway between amusement and concern, but does not speak. Instead, she munches some grapes.

Seeing them up close, the resemblance between the bard and her two companions is unmistakable - they must be family of some degree.

[Tempest]

Elias chuckles as he looks on from the bar.

I have a feeling that being rude will only egg Bastion on...

[Ismaels-Legacy]

"Liquitus, himself, vouches for me!" Bastian says with a measure of assurance and a broad sweeping of his arms. "Well....most of the time." He waits a moment for some measure of amusement and when he receives none, he continues on. "I am, in fact, here to request a story, and if you do not find it too presumptuous, I would like to hear your story. A talented artist such as the beautiful lady here must have had opportunity to travel far and wide, along with her fine guardians, surely must have some insights on a wide array of places and a few anecdotes to share! Legends are fine and all, but I'd like to hear a bit more about the coast."


[OOC: slowly working my way into getting some info on our actual quest! Well....that and attempting to subtly hit on the bard]

[Jenara]

Angel who has stood quietly with her arms at her sides until now. The shiny hilt of her weapon displayed. She did not react to the obvious show of force in anyway, standing her ground. Granted she she couldn't take them both at once, but that is not her plan.

"As my friend here says we come seeking knowledge from and obviously well traveled source.. I would also like to thank you for reminding me of my mothers people.. She used to sing such songs when i was but a girl.."

Grabbing a chair she sits without being invited.. "What do you know of the elves of old? Of their passing? Are songs sung of those that refused to take the journey to other lands beyond the sea?"

[Stik]

Although they still have made no show of force, the men look very focused, and very capable of such. The nearer one leans forward in his chair a bit, and begins to rise, saying: "Liquitus isn't here..."

Before he reaches his feet the bard speaks: "While I appreciate the compliment, I must unfortunately disappoint you." Her speaking voice is sweet and strong, but her manner is a bit shy. Seeing her up close, without the power of the stage upon her, you are struck by how young she actually is - not yet out of her teens. "We have not yet seen much of the coast. We are newcomers to this area, here to visit family."

As Angel takes a seat, unbidden, the tension in the two men cranks up another notch, but the lady maintains her cool. "I know little of your mother's people first hand. That song was taught to me by an uncle of mine, who lived with the elves in the Adri Forest."

[Jenara]

Angel stops, her face aghast, realising the bold move she has made, not something she would normally do. "I... I am sorry, how rude of me, I did not mean.... I was caught up in the lovely songs, you moved me in a way I haven't felt in years..." The shyness she has displayed in the last few days is evident once more.

She goes to rise, but seeing the Lady relax she continues, "My Mother hailed from the Adri Forest, she sang me the song of Tandien (the Elven song she sang about the forest) to get me to sleep when I was little.."

"Have you by any chance heard the Tale of Lorion and Londe? It is the tale of a young Elven woman who falls in love with a Human Soilder. And the tragic end that befalls them? I would sing it, but alas my skill lies with my blade, not my voice..."

[ooc]Angel wouldn't normally do this, lets just say she is feeling truthful to her heart...[/ooc]

"Oh, you are travelling you say? Where are you headed if I May be so bold as you ask?"

[ooc]I know this is a lot, just wanted to say it all, you can spilt it if you wish[/ooc]

[Stik]

"I seem to have hit a nerve, lady, with the song of Tandien. If it brought you displeasure, forgive me, and allow me to perform another of your choosing to make it up to you.

"As to the tale of Lorion and Londe, I am vaguely familiar with it, but as a story, not a song. It is quite fitting for it to be a song of Adri, for the situation it recounts seems to be a popular thing there. The 'uncle' I spoke of had a human father and an elven mother. Such marriages are often tragic, as the elven partner almost always outlives the human."

At Angel's question as to the bard's travel plans, one of the men speaks up. "We don't often tell strangers where we are headed. It makes for less trouble that way."

[Jenara]

"The song of Tandien makes me long for the trees, and the open forests, a nice memory, I assure you."
Feeling more comfortable, she smiles quickly, "May I buy you and your friends a Drink, as a Thank you?" She regrets saying it as soon as she says the words, more of her money, gone, this little trip was costing her a fortune...

"Vanimle sila tiri A’maelamin.." She begins, her voice breaking "As I said, I have no skill for words, it is haunting never the less..."

"I understand your reluctance to share your plans I merely asked on the chance we may be headed in the same direction? A group of Eleven is far less attractive to attackers than Three, don't you think?"

(The little lost girl inside her is crying to leave, to go and hide, but the truth is making her stay...)

[Ismaels-Legacy]

For the first time in the trip, Bastian starts to nervously shuffle a bit. He places a hand on Angel's shoulder and says softly, "I think we may be interrupting them." Looking to the singer Bastian apologizes, "I'm sorry to bother you, your performance was quite entertaining and a wonderful way to spend the evening."

[Jenara]

Angel Nods, and sighs, "Sorry to Intrude, your songs are lovely, I look forward to hearing more soon..." With that she stands, nods to the two bodyguards and turns as if to leave.

[ooc]She will wait to see what the Bard has to say before she goes anywhere.[/ooc]

[Tempest]

Elias frowns as the conversation unfolds, but is careful to avert his gaze when Angel gets up, pretending that he'd not paid attention.

Wonder what that was about.

[Stik]

"Again, I thank you for the compliment. If you think of something you wish to hear, please tell one of the boys," she says, and then returns to her snack.
The "boys" gradually subside, returning to a more relaxed state - vigilant, but not hostile. Eventually the bard finishes her food and returns to the stage, this time singing some local songs, much to the enjoyment of the crowd.

====================

The remainder of the evening is more or less uneventful. Strangely, for a tavern catering to adventurers, there are no bar fights (although there is nearly one, involving two dwarves, three men, and a waitress), no mysterious deliveries (although a waitress does show up at your table with a meal for a different one), and no secret doors disgorging thieves (although a cat wanders into the taproom and is chased out by the bartender).

Morning finds you well rested and sitting in a room well-lighted by many open shutters, smelling fresh baked goods and bacon.

The bard and her companions are dressed for travel. The men are in well-made mail - serviceable, but not flashy - with helms and shields nearby their table in addition to their baggage. The bard is in a mail vest and wears a what is either a small sword or a very long knife on her belt. The trio are eating a hearty breakfast and talking quietly.

[Jenara]

Angel holds her head, trying not to match any of the other patrons gaze as she steps down into the bar, her hair is tied back in a severe ponytail. She is once again dressed in her armor, sword at her side.

She attempts to slide into a table unnoticed, only pausing for one moment to glance a look at the Bard.

What did I do last night? What came over me? She thought to herself, last nights dreams were concerning, she'd had them before, but she'd pushed it to the back of her mind...

Hiding in the chair she waited for the others to appear..