Tomi, with a Grin

Eh, what can Tomi do for yeh? ((NWN character Tomi "Grin" Undergallows, sideblog))

[angelmadeflesh]

halflingdeath​:

fenny58​:

Scorto blinks, looked towards Tomi, glanced back at the man who Tomi had hit with the snowball. And frowned unsure what was going on exactly. At least Tomi sounds happy, that’s good.

“Sorry” He said again, he glanced back at Tomi. Blinking more.

“My ears are not sharp….but don’t touch them.” He said after a second. And he’s not being serious he just didn’t want Tomi getting in trouble.

Scorto after a moment tried to smile looking at the man again.

“Would you like to play with us?” He asked softly a bit hopefully.

He’s confused by the man’s comment.

“Quick folk?” He asked, before glancing back at Tomi…wondering if Tomi understood what was being said. Was it another word for halfling?

This was about the point that Tomi stood once more, still clutching the icy missile in his fingers.

Tomi looked at the man. Then he looked at Scorto. Then the man again. A devious smile began to grow on the wily halfling’s face as he tossed the ball up and down in his right palm.

“Yeah! Come play and see how light these feet really are. Last one to deck the drow with a snowball is an owlbear’s uncle?” He wiggled his eyebrows at Scorto playfully, then sent his gaze back over to the stranger. “What say you, m'lord?”

Still wearing his neutral expression, Fin brings a hand to his chin, appearing to rub it pensively, then turns his head so as to appear to study the halfling, but in reality using the opportunity to wink the eye that only the drow can see. 

In the same even tones, he continues, “…the imprudence of challenging someone to a sport where having bigger hands–”

Fin drops into a crouch as the impassivity drops from his voice. He brings both hands together, scooping up a mound of snow between them, then in the same motion compacting it to a ball of approximately the size of the halfling’s head. The not at all compact improvised missile is already shedding when he shifts it into one hand.

“–grants a clear advantage!” Fin declares as he sends the big but loose snowball at the halfling.

[fenny58-deactivated20240927]

Scorto stared at Tomi, blinking several times. Why was Tomi wanting to hit him with more snowballs? But it was all part of the game right?

Scorto looks at the man Tomi had hit with a snowball who was talking, he saw the wink. Then watched as the man made a big snowball and threw it at Tomi.

Scorto blinks for a moment before moving to make his own snowball. Carefully packing it into a firm ball…at least he thinks he did. It’s not as big as the man ball, but not to small.

Scorto blinks at Tomi before throwing the snowball, it might hit Tomi, he’s not exactly sure it will.

Scorto glanced at the man again, paused before smiling a small smile, and making another snowball, he carefully threw it not wanting to hurt the man, and threw to hopefully hit the man on the shoulder.

Before Scorto moved and ducks behind the nearest bush much like Tomi had. He peeked out not sure if he even hit anyone, but he’s smiling now.

[halflingdeath]

Fully expecting a rain of snow on his dark friend, Tomi stood there snickering and perfecting the lump of snow in his hands - only to get assaulted with two snowballs in the face seconds later, from two different directions at the same time. WHAP, WHAP.

"Ack!!" He shook clumps of snow off of his head and spat out semi-melted ice crystals. "Aw, why you little--" Cackling madly, he darted from behind his hide-out to attempt to pitch his prepared snowball while on the run. The halfling was quick, but his trajectory was quite flawed and the clump of snow sailed two feet from his intended aasimar target. It exploded uselessly against a tree and Tomi ducked behind a shop sign, cursing.

His voice called out indignantly, "I meant to do that!!"

A loose hastily-made snowball shot from the side of the sign and impacted against the bush, also missing the drow entirely.

"Ah, bloody hells." He peeked out from behind the sign, pouting like a child denied a cookie.

[angelmadeflesh]

halflingdeath​:

fenny58​:

Scorto quietly watched for a minute, bitting his bottom lip nervously before stepping from his hiding spot. Moving to stand between the stranger and where he thought Tomi was.

“Sorry, it’s just a game….Tomi was trying to hit me again.”

At least he’s pretty sure Tomi had ment to hit him again. Not that he wanted to be hit again, but he didn’t want Tomi in trouble either.

“Sorry” He said softly, curling his toes in his boots.

“Bahahahahahh!” Tomi could not hold in his amusement any more than he could contain his mischievous spirit. He fell once more behind the bush and kicked his legs while in the throes of mirth. “I– you just– hahahahhhahah!” He rocked on his back and pointed with unrestrained glee at the stranger.

“You saw the look on his face, Scorto? And he–” the halfling snorted loudly and wiped away a tear, grinning from ear to ear.

“Er. Sorry bout that, eh m'lord? All in good fun!” Beaming still, he shifted to lay on his side and began to pat a clump of snow between his palms. “Come on, have a li'l giggle!”

Then he jerked his chin in Scorto’s direction and called, “You too, sharp-ears! C'maaaahn! Don’t look so serious now!”

The man’s gaze shifts between the two shorter individuals. 

“You know…,” he begins in even tones, his expression unreadable, “I would think that a member of the quick folk, with wits rumored to be as quick as their feet, would appreciate…”

[fenny58-deactivated20240927]

Scorto blinks, looked towards Tomi, glanced back at the man who Tomi had hit with the snowball. And frowned unsure what was going on exactly. At least Tomi sounds happy, that’s good.

“Sorry” He said again, he glanced back at Tomi. Blinking more.

“My ears are not sharp….but don’t touch them.” He said after a second. And he’s not being serious he just didn’t want Tomi getting in trouble.

Scorto after a moment tried to smile looking at the man again.

“Would you like to play with us?” He asked softly a bit hopefully.

He’s confused by the man’s comment.

“Quick folk?” He asked, before glancing back at Tomi…wondering if Tomi understood what was being said. Was it another word for halfling?

[halflingdeath]

This was about the point that Tomi stood once more, still clutching the icy missile in his fingers.

Tomi looked at the man. Then he looked at Scorto. Then the man again. A devious smile began to grow on the wily halfling's face as he tossed the ball up and down in his right palm.

"Yeah! Come play and see how light these feet really are. Last one to deck the drow with a snowball is an owlbear's uncle?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Scorto playfully, then sent his gaze back over to the stranger. "What say you, m'lord?"

[halflingdeath]

@fenny58

Tomi pitches a snowball at Scorto.

[fenny58-deactivated20240927]

Scorto scrambled back for a second, hands going for his knives before realizing it was a snowball that hit him.

Scorto shivers not liking the snow already on the ground, and definitely not on him….he looked up and blinks at Tomi.

He glanced down at the snow frowning slightly. He moved picking some up, he frowned more before making it into a ball. He glanced at Tomi again before throwing the snowball at him and moving to hide behind the closet tree he could find. He picked out, the snow wouldn’t hurt Tomi if he’d hit him right?

[halflingdeath]

“Wuhp!!” yelped Tomi, ducking suddenly behind his hidey-hole bush. While his reflexes were quite fast, the snowball brushed the tips of his unruly hair as he dropped down to a squat. “That all you got?” he called back with all the bravado of a fool soon to have a face full of ice.

Idly sticking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth, he hastily worked to scoop up a handful of snow and packed it into a firm ball. Like a gopher popping from a burrow he shot up, and slung his arm way back…

…Before tossing the ball high into the air…

…Directly into a passing stranger.

“Ah, shite.”

@angelmadeflesh

[angelmadeflesh]

The snowball strikes with a muted “thump” against a heavy cloak. 

“I thought it was called ‘Neverwinter’,” Fin comments dryly as he shakes his cloak. Most of the snow falls off, but a smattering of white remains on the thick red fabric embroidered with soaring cranes. 

@fenny58

[fenny58-deactivated20240927]

Scorto quietly watched for a minute, bitting his bottom lip nervously before stepping from his hiding spot. Moving to stand between the stranger and where he thought Tomi was.

“Sorry, it’s just a game….Tomi was trying to hit me again.”

At least he’s pretty sure Tomi had ment to hit him again. Not that he wanted to be hit again, but he didn’t want Tomi in trouble either.

“Sorry” He said softly, curling his toes in his boots.

[halflingdeath]

"Bahahahahahh!" Tomi could not hold in his amusement any more than he could contain his mischievous spirit. He fell once more behind the bush and kicked his legs while in the throes of mirth. "I-- you just-- hahahahhhahah!" He rocked on his back and pointed with unrestrained glee at the stranger.

"You saw the look on his face, Scorto? And he--" the halfling snorted loudly and wiped away a tear, grinning from ear to ear.

"Er. Sorry bout that, eh m'lord? All in good fun!" Beaming still, he shifted to lay on his side and began to pat a clump of snow between his palms. "Come on, have a li'l giggle!"

Then he jerked his chin in Scorto's direction and called, "You too, sharp-ears! C'maaaahn! Don't look so serious now!"

[halflingdeath]

@fenny58

Tomi pitches a snowball at Scorto.

[fenny58-deactivated20240927]

Scorto scrambled back for a second, hands going for his knives before realizing it was a snowball that hit him.

Scorto shivers not liking the snow already on the ground, and definitely not on him....he looked up and blinks at Tomi.

He glanced down at the snow frowning slightly. He moved picking some up, he frowned more before making it into a ball. He glanced at Tomi again before throwing the snowball at him and moving to hide behind the closet tree he could find. He picked out, the snow wouldn't hurt Tomi if he'd hit him right?

[halflingdeath]

"Wuhp!!" yelped Tomi, ducking suddenly behind his hidey-hole bush. While his reflexes were quite fast, the snowball brushed the tips of his unruly hair as he dropped down to a squat. "That all you got?" he called back with all the bravado of a fool soon to have a face full of ice.

Idly sticking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth, he hastily worked to scoop up a handful of snow and packed it into a firm ball. Like a gopher popping from a burrow he shot up, and slung his arm way back...

...Before tossing the ball high into the air...

...Directly into a passing stranger.

"Ah, shite."

@angelmadeflesh

[halflingdeath]

@fenny58

Tomi pitches a snowball at Scorto.

[dungeons-and-drawing]

POV: You’re a barkeep, and a halfling asks you for whiskey and milk??…Won’t that curdle?

[dungeons-and-drawing]

Also: with the reference image bc its fucking funny

[halflingdeath]

fenny58​:

halflingdeath​:

Tomi gave Scorto some more space as the drow rose from his rest, eyes flicking to the belt full of knives. Yeah, not quite his soothing cuppa tea first thing in the morning, but his elven companion seemed to regain clarity as he sat up. To some degree, anyways.

Tomi raised an eyebrow and scratched at his burgundy locks of hair. “He sounds like a delightful miss, he does.” Meanwhile, he processed what he’d just heard - his mum never let him hug her? What kind of mum was she anyways? His new mum seemed to at least give the poor rapscallion something to cheer about.

Scorto finched brushing his hair before he went on still smiling.

“To be honest I didn’t know, that someone like Mama existed, my mother matron was like any other female drow, I was her first born, but she didn’t want a son. Males are seen as mostly useless and I wasn’t wanted, it didn’t help that I’ve always been frail, and was sick a lot through out childhood. I had to learn to work even when sick, if I didn’t I would be punished, that could be anything from not being allowed food, to mother matrons snake headed whip. I’ve been caring for my sister since I was five. And cooking since I was ten. I’m not strong like other drow and I’m small even for a male. But I still wanted mother matron to be proud of me, I only know of her being proud of me one time, a high priestess had a party. All the males in the city where called to attend, out of all of them she picked me. I was so happy, to be honest I don’t know exactly what happened I got made to drink a whole bottle of mushroom wine, and woke up in my bed at home. But Mother Matron was pleased with me for a while.”

Scorto smiled agian.

“But Mama is different Mama let’s me hug him, and has not hit me once! And Mama is so very wise to, he could have chosen anybody but he adopted me, I’m so grateful for that. And I care deeply for him. And Mama likes the gifts I bring him, I gave him so of my poison to use if he needs to. I love Mama so much, I’m so lucky to have him!”

Scorto looks at Tomi smiling wide and happy.

Tomi’s expression throughout this admission resembled one’s reaction to stumbling into a public Calimshite outhouse in the summer. A thoroughly used public outhouse. Eventually he shook his head, blinking, and suppressed a shudder as he grinned unconvincingly. He rubbed his neck, cleared his throat, and fished for something, anything, to say.

“Yeah, I geddit, you love your new mum. Aren’t you lot a happy li’l family, eh? Two... two peas in a pod. And all that. Your old matron miss can piss off. Er. Now I think we got different matters to attend to, uh... not that I ain’t right enchanted hearing ‘bout your fond memories.” Oh Brandobaris, lend me strength. Tomi wrinkled his nose and scratched at his unruly hair. And he thought he met some crazy misses in his misadventures. I’ll take the medusa, thanks.

“Woulda considered breakfast but er... on second thought, think I’m still full from last night. Heh.” It takes a lot to put a halfling off his appetite, and by Nasher’s shiny dome, this guy accomplished it. “How far along the road are we anyway?”

[somethingherbal]

horns this fangs that you know what’s actually the pinnacle of character design. a completely ridiculous amount of belts.

[somethingherbal]

LEATHER STRAPS. BUCKLES. CLASPS. HARNESSES. TENS OF TINY BAGS AND POUCHES AND POTION VIALS ATTACHED TO EVERY POSSIBLE SURFACE

[dr-archeville]

@woahrebexxa (bec @ #vax4pax)  “september is bisexuality awareness month. all bisexual rogues have disadvantage on stealth checks sorry that’s the rules”

[shortvideosandstuff]

[the-absolute-best-posts]

[organicslut]

[crowsent]

remember, this is for a DOOR lock.

remember that when picking a DOOR lock, you have to apply a little bit of pressure to your tension wrench (the thing that you use to turn the knob). too little or too much and you wont be able to pick the door open. you can use anything for the tension wrench. a bobby pin. bits of wire. a paper clip. etc.

its best to be completely silent when youre picking locks bc theres this small ‘click’ when youre picking that you might miss if youre using headphones or listening to music.

.

if youre picking one of these

you jam something thin and long above one of the rotation dials and you push up on the shackle.

. if its one of these

you get yourself some shims. (or make one. you can make shims out of fucking soda cans), you wiggle them in the tiny space between the shackle and the body of the lock, and you pop these suckers open.

. for a chain deadbolt,

you get something flexible but sturdy and you just push this fucker down

. for one of these rotating combination locks

you can also shim this motherfucker open. jam your shims between the shackle and the body and pry it unlocked. if, for some reason, you dont wanna shim it open, maybe you dont have a shim or you just like a challenge, this bitch can be decoded ridiculously easy. heres what you do:

spin this bitch to the right about two or three times to “reset” it. then you pull up on the shackle a bit, and turn it right slowly until you hear a click. your number is two spaces further. then you turn left 360 degrees until you land on the right number again, and start turning this motherfucker left until it stops. when it stops, turn right. if its loose, its the wrong number, keep going left. if its not loose, you have the right number, and you turn right all the way until this bitch pops

.

now you know how to pick several common locks!!!!! congratulations!!!!

[dndaddyissues]

is there anything cooler, anything sexier than a character twirling a knife between their fingers while sitting on a window sill ? is there anything truly more sublime?

[faefoolery-deactivated20220405]

Advice on Writing Thieves, Assassins, or Other Stealthy Characters

I’ve put a lot of research into this, and I’ve seen a lot of great rogue-like characters, where the author was clearly unsure as to how they perform their criminal activities. If you feel the need to ask why I know this stuff, my main writings are for a book series called “A Thief’s War,” which should be more than enough explanation. I swear I’m not personally a thief.

Anyway, here we go:

Lockpicking:

I’ve seen some stories where characters grab a paperclip, and boom, no lock can stop them. I’ve also seen some where master thieves take a hammer and smash the lock.

A lock has a series of tumblers in it, each of which need to click into place for it to unlock. A key’s design is usual exactly what it must be to get these tumblers into the proper position.

There are a wide array of shapes and sizes for lockpicks, and if you’re going to go around picking locks, you’re going to need more than one. There is no universal lockpick. Furthermore, for some reason a lot of people don’t include the secondary locking tool: a lock wrench. This is used to turn the the lock, and to keep the tumblers in place once you’ve appropriately placed them with the lockpick.

A lockpicker will know that a tumbler is in place when they hear it click, but the noise is usually quiet, so they’ll often have their ear close to the door.

Can you pick a lock with a paperclip? Yes, but it’s hard as hell, and a paperclip won’t fit into all locks. Not to mention it’s a pain turning the lock once the tumblers are in place.

 With code locks, a lot of movies or books show someone pressing their ear closely to the lock, whilst turning it, and listening for a click when it hits the right number. This actually works. These are the most useless goddamn locks in history.

Now, if you’re writing modern day, with smart locks and various other such tech, I’m afraid I can’t help. I haven’t studied that as much. Though, the previous advice will help for most locks, and that information still applies to basically all types of lock that aren’t incredibly expensive.

Sneaking:

The dashing rogue slips through the shadows, his cloak billowing behind him, and somehow none of the dozen patrolling guards walking right by happen to notice him.

Yeah, that’s not how it works.

Sneaking involves a lot of remaining very still, knowing your surroundings, and holding your breath.

A thief infiltrating a house will scout it out, usually for weeks in advance. Sometimes they’ll pose as various businessmen, and try to get the owners of the house let them in for a while so they can study the ins and outs of it. Cracking open a window isn’t quiet, and you need to know what doors will creak and what doors won’t.

If you’re trying to sneak, you need to try and stick near furniture and heavy objects. The floor isn’t nearly as likely to creak when you’re near these. Furthermore, you need to step lightly, and wear the appropriate footwear. Usually some cloth wrapping’s around one’s feet will help to be quiet, but avoid any shoes that might make clacking noises, or sound like they’re peeling off the floor when they move. A thief will also never scuff their feet, if they’re any good at sneaking.

Black clothing only helps you sneak if it’s dark, and your surroundings aren’t bright coloured. If you’re in a city of white buildings and marble, you’ll want matching attire. This is just for if you’re skulking about a city, though. Just make sure you don’t stand out. However, dark clothing will greatly help you not be seen from a distance when it’s night.

If a thief suspects someone is nearby, they should always try to locate a nearby hiding spot, and remain perfectly still. Do not move, and hold a thief will hold their breath if they start getting anxious, as heavy breathing could easily give someone away.

Many stories also don’t seem to account for the fact that various rogues and criminals have shadows, too. Even a quick and subtle movement of a shadow might be enough to give away one’s presence. It’s really, really hard to actually sneak up on someone due to this, and several other factors. Most people will actually feel tense, and usually catch wind of it if someone is sneaking up behind them, as even very quiet sounds and movements like breathing will subconsciously register to people if you get too close.

I’m a master assassin, and I carry a goddamn greatsword:

There is a reason they would use daggers. Assassins didn’t usually sneak into the king’s bedchamber in the dead of night, without being seen once. There are guards. A long hallway with two guards standing in front of the door at the end, there is absolutely no way to slip past that.

They would usually have to get into the building during the day, disguised as a servant, or even another guard. They’d have to wait for the perfect opportunity to sneak into that nobleman’s bedchamber, midday when he was absent, and then wait in there for hours.

If the assassin is sneaking in at night, they rarely go through the interior of the building. Just like a thief, they’ll get the layout of the building, and then they’ll usually enter through a window, or wherever is closest to the target. If they don’t have those guard patrols memorised, they’re screwed.

But you know what’s not subtle? An assassin carrying around a scimitar, or some flashy crossbow. If you’re going to sneak past people, you need a weapon no one will see, and that you can probably hide if someone decides to search you.

Fingerprints:

This is mainly relevant for modern era stories, and I just wanted to say that I’ve seen a few shows where a criminal isn’t wearing gloves throughout the whole thing. You always wear gloves, you never leave the murder weapon. If you touched something without gloves, you may as well take it with you to avoid risk.

Slipping out of Handcuffs:

This usually requires dislocating your fingers. Ouch. But, if the one cuffing or tying up the thief isn’t paying too much attention, you can keep your hands at an appropriate angle that the cuffs will not go on correctly, or the ropes not pulled tight enough, and you can probably slip out of them.

Who needs masks when you have shadowy hoods?

Guess what the easiest facial feature to notice in the dark is? If you guessed eyes, then you’re right. But, if you’re blending in, and your eyes are veiled by the hood that’s somehow not obscuring your vision while you crane your neck downwards to ensure that it covers your face, then people are usually still going to be able to see your lips, which stand out the second most of any feature on a person.

Yes, a hood is good if you’re trying to blend in. But it’s not good for making sure people don’t see your face. Wear a damned mask.

This is all I’ve got, for now. Hope it helps someone!

[aliveria]

a big ass thieves cant collection for my dnd game. some of it inspired by all those ‘hobo symbols’ and stuff you can find on the internet 

[whitepeopletwitter]

[halflingdeath]

Road to Icewind Dale (closed starter w/fenny58)

[halflingdeath]

illindriel‌:

Scorto blinked sleepy up at Tomi, his voice was still sleepy sounding he sat up and rubbed his eyes, yawning. Scorto blinked and focused on Tomi.

“What did you say about Mama?”

He asked still rubbing his eyes, and looked at Tomi. Even though he was still sleepy and rubbing his eyes he somehow still gave Tomi a smile that was not the most comforting. Scorto got up and moved to pick up his belt with his knives on it and just like every day he put it on before doing anything else, he was brushing his hair when he looked back at Tomi.

Still waiting on an answer to his question.

Scorto then blinked, realizing what Tomi had said.

“Oh sorry, I thought you had said something bad about my Mama, but you’re right I love my Mama very much, he’s a wonderful Mama, I’m just happy he’d wanted me, he lets me hug him I never got to give my mother matron a hug. And Mama is one of the kiindess people I know, and he’s really, really smart.”

Scorto is smiling a happy one now. He likes talking about his Mama

Somewhere far off from the traveling pair, Illindriel sneezed for the first time in years. He blinked in astonishment.

“I… I did not know I could still do that,” he told the two-headed bone golem in his room.

Cecil did not answer.

Tomi gave Scorto some more space as the drow rose from his rest, eyes flicking to the belt full of knives. Yeah, not quite his soothing cuppa tea first thing in the morning, but his elven companion seemed to regain clarity as he sat up. To some degree, anyways.

Tomi raised an eyebrow and scratched at his burgundy locks of hair. “He sounds like a delightful miss, he does.” Meanwhile, he processed what he’d just heard - his mum never let him hug her? What kind of mum was she anyways? His new mum seemed to at least give the poor rapscallion something to cheer about.

[argumate]

love to be paid a leather pouch heavy with coin that makes a satisfying clink as the mysterious stranger sets it down meaningfully on the oaken table

[neverwinterforgottenhero]

There's a faint sustained yelling in the background that turns louder until Rith would find herself suddenly tackled by a redheaded halfling. "C'MERE YOU...!" Tomi laughs, clinging to her like a koala dressed in leathers.

The paladin shivered slightly. The day was bright but the wind was still quite cold for the end of winter. She adjusted her cape better, trying to cover her neck as much as she could. All her winter clothes were dirty and her good friend Ferha had proposed to wash it on her laundry day. She had to insist a bit before Rith accepted, but that was true that those needed a good wash. And that she didn’t have time to take care of it these past few days. Or was it weeks? 

So she had took her last shirt, and some old pants. Needless to say both were quite worn out and, even though not dirty, some places were thinner than it should be. Still the fabric had kept its color and lasted for a long time. But surely it was not the most appropriate for that cold weather. Now she regretted not listening to Eroenin when she pestered her to go and buy some clothes last time the tailor was visiting. Next time. It was always next time. 

So today was her market day, and luckily for once, Eroenin’s list wasn’t as long as her arm. She already got some stuff, and only needed to buy a few apple for a pie. Then she would quickly go home, drink something hot, and maybe for once, relax and read a book. Something like that yes. That was the plan. 

Depsite the cold, the market was as busy as usual, and she navigated slowly into the crowd. She was trying to go to the fruits vendor but there was too many old ladies, servants, for the most part, to go near its booth. Not paying much attention to anything else, she didn’t hear the scream at first, but fell a heavy impact on her back. Almost out of air, Rith tried to keep her balance but her feet slipped on the wet cobblestones. She almost fell on a man that pushed her back, but then an other passer by walked right before her nose, stopping her momentum. 

So she fell on her bottom, she wasn’t hurt. Her pride was. But the paladin managed to keep her groceries intact and that was the most important. She turned around, expecting some kind of prank, or a child. 

“You better take care of were you’re …going…? Tomi?! “ 

For sure Rith was shocked. After all these years… No it couldn’t be. For once, the world seemed to stop as she watched her old companion. Obviously people were looking at them, but most didn’t pay them much attention. They were more interested in getting those vegetables for a bargain. 

“What, who? I mean, how? Is that really you?” 

[halflingdeath]

neverwinterforgottenhero‌:

“Luv? That’s new, but I could get used to it.”

She looked at him playfully. A smile on her face she felt a strong warmth growing in her whole body. It felt good seeing him like that, following her like old days. She wasn’t sure rogue’s honor was real, but she counted on her own determination to make him talk. 

“Beware, I might take you on your word for that! The tavern* isn’t too far, I doubt we’ll run into trouble for once.”

She caught herself chuckling, and tried to repress it. What was it, that feeling that grew like a burning flame in her heart? A slight blush on the cheeks, the paladin walked at a good pace, arriving soon enough to the inn she had in mind. Her heart was beating fast, but she ignored it and opened the door. 

That place was as welcoming as ever. Near the market place, it was run by two married gnomes. Maids, servants, waitressess,merchants, labourers and mine workers mingled here. There were chairs and tables to accomodate all races, there were few humans here but many halflings, elves, gnomes, dwarves frequented the establishment. The walls were covered by dark panelling and exotic wallpaper. The windows were decorated with pretty colored glass and the bar itself was a piece of art. 

Maybe not the kind of place Tomi used to visit. Was it a bad idea? But Rith felt good here, the patrons were nice and everyone was chatting quietly. They also had a good stock of refined teas, wines, as well as the more common beers. She knew she could come and read a book, noone would ever bother her here. 

A tacit rule of the establisement was not to talk about work, and of course not bothering other customers. It was a nice change from the taverns she visited on the road. And, even if she knew people noticed her, they never said anything to her. Here she could just be Rith. And it was refreshing. 

“Well, I hope you’ll like it here, I can pay for both don’t worry.”

One of the patrons was at the bar, Ighald, and he nodded to salute her. His dark hair was tied properly in a perfect bun Eroenin would have approved of. Seeing Tomi behind he didn’t even frowned, keeping his impeccable neutral face. Rith went to her usual place, a little table for two in a corner, near the smallest round window. 

The wooden chair was garnished with a thick cushion, all chairs had different cushions in fact, each with its own color. Rith’s one was a dark gold embroidered with light pink flowers with dark leaves. Now Rith slightly regretted her choice, she didn’t want Tomi to mock her or anything. At least very few people were here at his hour.

“Hem well…what do you want to drink? They have the greatest beer here, that’s why I come here, of course!” 

For sure it was nothing like the dusty inns, with questionnable food and music… But they were in Neverwinter and the city was quite prosperous now. She could enjoy a little more comfort without feeling guilty no?

(*tavern is a loose term here, I was thinking of a medieval fantasy coffee shop)

When Rith mentioned a tavern, Tomi had fully expected a rowdy establishment he’d already been hoisted out of by the scruff of his neck like a displaced mutt. But this? This was smaller, cozier, a little more posh. Probably less lenience for shenanigans - that would mean he’d have to behave for his Lady’s sake. He fought the trickster impulse to make an exception, opting instead to stuff his hands in his suspiciously full pockets, smiling brightly and disarmingly.

Hazel eyes were drawn upwards to Rith to see her shoulders visibly relaxing on entrance to the shop. She must’ve been here quite a few times to make her feel comfortable enough to leave the weight of her duty at the door! Now that was impressive. It was a good look on her too - he always thought Rith should be relaxing more, but maybe he was biased by his own modus operandi. Tomi hopped into a chair at the table she chose and leaned back, arms folded behind his head in a carefree manner.

“Pay for both, eh? I like that tune you’re singin’!” he remarked with his signature wily grin. “Certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at a good pint roight ‘bout now.” That is, if they even served alcohol here. The more he cased his surroundings, the less sure he was of the likelihood that they may.

Thankfully they did, and he gestured amicably at Rith. “I’ll ‘ave what you’re ‘avin’. If they make a beer you like then I gotta see its authenticity for meself, I do!”

Tomi’s eyes roamed up and down Rith’s seated figure either in a manner like he was zeroing in on her belongings, or drinking in the sight of a good friend he hadn’t seen in years. The only hint he gave that it wasn’t so much her jewels he was focused on, was the lack of avarice in the light of his eyes.

“You’re lookin’ well,” he commented. “What’s been goin’ on the last couple years? Still hangin’ around with our merry li’l band?”