#bluebardofhappiness

[neverhangd]

…she hadn’t managed a single one of his columns, and here he is managing three of others. That feels strangely unequal to her. For all her jokes about it, is she really so simple a woman? Or is Tryck simply so experienced a person?

“…the, ah. ‘Need’ thing’s nothing to do with romance.” Not that it matters, really, but she feels the need to comment on something and very little comes to mind that won’t inevitably devolve into an attempt face things she’s been leaving alone in the dark on purpose. “‘S’more about, like. Work. Or like, survival shite? The…need to feel…indispensable.” Or at least that’s how she’s explained it on the few occasions she’s been forced to glance its way before.

[nezumivc103221]

“Aren’t you cold?”

@bluebardofhappiness

"I commend your excellent observation skills, sincerely," Nezumi quipped sarcastically through chattering teeth. His gaze was fierce — and irritated. "I had a run in with an ice elemental, if you must know," he huffed and began to peel off his soaked cloak; his hands were shivering uncontrollably, and he couldn't bring himself to rein them in — he was helpless to the elements, and he hated how exposed it made him feel.

"Now, are you done sticking your nose into my business, or does my dagger ought to remind you the meaning of personal space?" Nezumi grumbled, then added, quieter and to himself: "People like you grate my nerves; I don't see a reason why you should concern yourself with my state of being, don't you have yours?"

And if Tryck was still standing there, Nezumi barked: "I could give you a handful of problems in case you need something to occupy yourself with while I get changed!" His hand flicked and Nezumi threw a small dagger. It swooshed past Tryck and embedded into the wooden wall behind him.

[nezumivc103221]

❛ i’ll be your dirty little secret, if that’s what you’re into. ❜

@bluebardofhappiness

“It’s less a matter of personal preference and more one of pragmatism. I do not dabble in feeble concepts like wants and desires if I can help it; nor do I partake in seeking frail companionship — other people are what ultimately becomes our undoing, you’ll be wise to remember that.”

Nezumi directed a pointed look at the bard; his eyes matched the colour of his blades and were just as sharp and unyielding. They were eyes that showed no emotion and betrayed no thought.

“But, as much as I would love to share all this wisdom, unpaid,” Nezumi gestured vaguely, sounding as if he was on the edge of a sigh that never came. “I haven’t come here without a reason. You have something I want — a skill I would like to purchase.”

Producing a pouch of coin, Nezumi threw it at the table between them. The heavy gold rattled, bound in leather.

“Your reputation precedes you, I heard you can charm your way in and out of anywhere, and I just happen to be in need of a — charmer.”

Of course, Nezumi could attempt to use his own skills, though admittedly not as good as a trained professional, he knew his looks could get him many places, but why would he debase himself in such a manner when he could hire someone to do it for him?

[whomuses]

"The music is a different kind of noise. It's good noise." (to Gale)

overstimulated

"Hm; I suppose I can understand." he mused. He didn't always get it, the way others minds worked. But he rarely could withstand silence himself; his head could be pounding, but the delicate notes of a piano or well-played violin could provide a gentleness that allowed his brain to work fully. Sometimes silence was far worse; it would pound and press through his mind, overwhelming... "Although I would think a quiet space right now would ease you somewhat more? If you wish, I can always... create a little area for us. A simple illusion..?"

[soulswearied]

"You're shaking like a leaf." (to bor)

@bluebardofhappiness

"I'm sorry...I...I'm sorry...you had to see that..." his tail whipped back and forth, his teeth chattering harshly. "I'm sorry...I...I couldn't help it...I thought I saw...there's...Khent was here, I swear it..." the hideout beneath waukeen's rest was decimated, Bor's blades coated with blood and a faraway look in his eyes. Perhaps he'd escaped, but there was no doubt he'd seen the horrid grizzled elf that had kept himself and so many others captive for those long years...

[warwaited]

[ ETHEL. ] A starter where our muses are exploring the area around Aunt Ethel’s house. (for rakatak)

Knee-deep water. Brings back memories. Rakatak’s third combat tutor had been a one-armed hobgoblin who had formerly been mounted cavalry, managing to survive being pulled from his horse by a billhook and the subsequent fight that followed. He had worked her hard, forcing her to endure the worst-case scenario before she was permitted to train the “easy” way. After all, sparring in a rice paddy was a stellar way to teach an overconfident youth to mind her footwork.

She doesn’t feel like she’s learning much here, though, except perhaps the habitat of new and interesting diseases. The empress to be glances back at her companions, then forward into the murk with body language communicating pretty clearly that she doesn’t think forging further is in their best interests. “This place reeks. Moreover, it doesn’t look as if you could take anything heavier than a horse through this muck, and even that would be pushing it. Are you all truly so desperate to meet this medicine woman?”

[warwaited]

[ HARPIES. ] A starter where our muses save the tiefling child from the harpies. (for student)

“No encore,” she says curtly, in an undertone soft enough that the joke could be meant only for her. The feathered beast that had tried to make off with one of the refugees squawks in a mix of indignation and pain, one wing caught in her grasp in a twist that can only end one way. She increases the torque, the shrillness of the harpy’s cry scaling up in turn until there’s a sharp snap and she takes the opportunity to bring a foot down on its head while it’s… distracted.

Her eyes meet the bard’s. She pauses a moment, then lets the wing in her grip drop alongside the body of what it’s attached to. “A forced landing clearly wasn’t in its plans. I have you to thank.” She would have been stuck throwing rocks otherwise, and who knows how long that would have taken.

[dicethrow]

❛ stop asking me if I’m ok I’ll literally make out with you. ❜ (to Finn)

@bluebardofhappiness | unhinged sentence starters

Finn stared at Tryck for a moment, caught completely off guard, before bursting out into laughter. Shaking his head, he waved a finger at the bard, his grin wide and teasing.

"Ah, I know what’s wrong with ye—you’re fucking thirsty, that’s what."

Although he implied the other meaning of thirsty, on purpose, he reached over, grabbed a nearby bottle, and tossed it to Tryck with a cheeky smirk. "There. Have a drink and calm yerself, lover boy."

Leaning back, Finn’s laughter lingered, his brown eyes glinting with mischief. "Though I’ll admit, that’s the most creative way I’ve heard someone dodge a question."