Changelings part I: 27 Charity Street

[steveflam]

Gorn belches profusely at Catherine's arrival and orders more ale. He isn't ready to leave yet. "Come n sit with us fer a brew, Catherine. You too, Helmut."

The Caliban orders ales for everyone and lights up another cigar, exhaling it and relaxing. "This is Rupert. That's Catherine an Helmut I think is his name. We all live in same house by the way, Rupert. N we don't need any removals there fer now. If we does I'll let yer know, buddy. Hey Catherine, what does that scar on Helmut's head mean?" No tact whatsoever, he is pointing at the Falkovnians forehead scar.

[VAN]

Catherine scowls a bit when Gorn invited them to stay but stays. She barelly touch her ale though since she is sure that will be really strong and she wants to be alert in a place like this. She doesn't like at all what said Gorn about Rupert and she knows very well what the man is doing. Trying to be nice and naive she says to Rupert:

"I'm glad to meet you Rupert. What do you intend by removal?"

Then turns to Gorn and says:

"His name is Halfierd not Helmut and the symbol at his head is a symbol of Falkovnians soldiers or something like that I'm not very familiar with it but have seen it couple times. But I do know that they are proud to have it and it's better show respect and not mock him or that symbol. Finish your ale so we can leave, it's getting late and we had a long day. The others will expect us at home for sure."

She pronounces her last word trying to bluff. She doesn't want Rupert to know that they will be alone at the house during the night.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Helfried follows Catherine to the table where the pale man-thing is sitting with another man. He takes note of any exits and eyes each patron thoroughly. When his eyes make there way back to the table he notices the witch-touched has ordered a round of ale.
He maneuvers around the table to have a better view of the door.
So far he had not seen a single soul in full armor as he was. He felt out of place and a bit like a target. His hand idly pass over the handle of the heavy mace worn at his belt. About the closest thing the soldier had to a nervous habit.
He noticed not many carried weapons either. Well, weapons as he would recognize them anyway. Nothing like the battleaxe at his back. Did these people not have an army?
Lost in thought he comes to noticing the pale man-thing is once again gesturing at the brand at his forehead. What was his greasy fingered fascination with the hawk? Helfried wasn't quite sure why but he was beginning to feel angry. His eyes look once again to the patrons of the tavern. They were no doubt worthless curs but there would be serious consequences if any of them were hurt and if he were to try and right this...man-thing...there would no doubt be a blood bath.
Helfried turns his attention to Catherine, though keeping eye contact with the Caliban. In a calm and clear voice he says, "Ich weiß, man kann nicht verstehen mich, aber ich hoffe du verstehst was ich meine. Dieses Tier besteht auf beleidigen mich und es ist ihm gelungen. Ich werde nicht dulden, sein Vergehen nicht mehr. Ich werde draußen warten, was Business können wir hier haben, zu beenden."
With that he heads to the door and stands beside it keeping an eye on the group while he waits.

[VAN]

Catherine looks at Halfierd and doesn't hide that he understands nothing of what he said! But when she sees him standing by the door thinks that he wants to leave.

"See Gorn, Halfrierd wants to leave too, so say good bye to your friend Rupert and come with us. It's getting dark and we don't know this city, we might need your help if something happens to us. I don't think you would like that, right?"

As speaking Catherine wears her sweetest smile and her look is the one of a lady in distress. She hopes she can convince Gorn to follow them.

[kintire]

Many eyes follow the pair as they enter the inn, especially Catherine, but the Innkeeper's seem especially intense. When Helfried makes his speech, most eyes turn rapidly back to their own business, clearly no one wants trouble with the formidable-looking man.

Both Catherine and Helfried, however, notice that the innkeeper's gaze seems still fixed on her, smile broad but not at all reassuring, eyes seeming slightly hungry.

Rupert, on the other hand, gives an amiable smile

"Removals, my dear. Furniture and possessions moved from one house to another. Porterage, really, although with a speciality in breakables."

As she expresses her intention to leave he nods

"That's wise ma'am. Moving around the Bowels by night isn't sensible. I'm leaving shortly myself. In fact, why don't I walk you home?"

[VAN]

Catherine have met people like them before and knows very well what these looks meant. So she makes sure her cloak is closed tight and turning to Rupert says:

"Thank you Mr Rupert, I do appreciate your concern but I'm sure Gorn is capable to protect me."

Then her gaze goes to the other patrons and then back to Rupert.

"And I'm sure he knows very well how to use his chain if needed..."

With that he moves to the door saying:

"Coming Gorn?"

[steveflam]

Gorn downs his next ale in one swoop and belches loudly, rudely. "Yeah, I'm comin'. Hey Rupert. If I got some spare time I'll pop by 'n help yer out if yer need a hand, pal. Take it easy, my man." He shakes the man's hand warmly and stands up. " 'N yeah I kin use mah chain if I need to, but I prefer ta jest use my hands an get in a good ole scrap Catherine. BAHAHAHAAHHAHHA!!! Awright, let's go."

He exits the Inn and grins at the Falkovnian as he exits, winking.

[VAN]

Catherine feels much better when they leave the inn, she doesn't like it at all. Once out she says:

"Gorn, please stop mocking Halfierd. I know that the bird at his forehead is funny for you but for him is rather important. So just let it go and lets head back to our house. And by the way your friend Rupert isn't the man you think he is, he is most probably a thief...the removals he said are thefts. He breaks in houses and removes things. So better stay away from him and this inn. We are new to this city and the last thing we need is get in troubles with the law. Oh and I think I know why we are here. To investigate a mystery about our house. Apparetnly there is a legend that is haunted...I will tell you everything when we are back home, these streets aren't safe."

As walking Catherine keeps looking around in order to see if they are followed.

[steveflam]

Gorn turns around and looks at Catherine. He points a finger at her as he speaks, voice loud and angry. "I AIN'T MAKIN FUN OF HIM. I JUST WINKED FRIENDLY LIKE. GET OVER IT AN LETS MOVE ON AWREADY. IF I WANTED TER GIT IN A SCRAP WITH HIM, IT'D AWREADY HAVE HAPPENED. AN I DON'T CARE IF YER A DAME, I'LL KIK YER ASS ALL OVER THE PLACE TO MAKE MY POINT. GOT IT? GOOD. NOW I'M THIRSTY AN WANT ALE. YER NOT MY BOSS N TELL ME WHUT TER DO. I'LL BE BACK LATER."

He turns and heads back to the Inn.

[VAN]

Catherine smiles when the calliban left, she knew very well who was the actual boss here and that wasn't Gorn. She has taken all the decision so far and she was the only reason Halfierd is still with them and is sure that if is a fight the falkovnian will take her side and not Gorn's. Also she has met many people and knew that deep down Gorn knew she was right about everything she said so far and he was trying to protest just to save his ego. Without lose her smile turns to Halfierd and says even if she knows he will not understand:

"Come my friend, he will come back when he is calm and when he has proven to himself that he is "man enough". I just hope he doesn't get into troubles. This city isn't Pont, we are strangers and we should never forget that. Even if for me is remarkable how a man like Gorn could survive in a city like Pont... he is easy to read like an open book and believes whatever people tell him!"

Catherine sighs and motions to Halfierd to move but she keeps an eye around as walking.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Helfried watches the two as Gorn gives a heated statement that he may never understand. Catherine, obviously upset by the exchange, turns and speaks to Helfried as Gorn storms off.
He listens, not understanding her words one bit, but paying close attention to body language and tone of voice.
After she has finished and the have started off, Helfried calmly speaks says, "Das erste, was in den Morgen Ich mag, um über die Einstellung eines Übersetzers sehen würde." He then gestures with his hand covering his mouth and slowly pulls it away in an offering gesture before.
After a minute or two of silence, Helfried turns and says to her,"Frau, kann ich nicht wie die Hexe geboren auch nicht, aber vielleicht ist es kein Zufall, dass er hier bei uns ist. Wir müssen wahrscheinlich seine Fähigkeiten in unserer Untersuchung." pointing at the two of them and showing two fingers. He then points back towards the way the came and adds a thirds finger.

[kintire]

As the group parts, dusk is beginning to fall, and with it a steady drizzle begins again. The streets are busy once more, but in a different way: everybody seems to be hurrying. When Gorn gets back to the inn, Rupert is gone and the only people not leaving are those who will be staying, either in a room or face down on the floor. Lights are twinkling on in the windows, glimpses of cozy cheer, but the contrast makes the gathering gloom all the more dreary and forbidding

[VAN]

Catherine shakes her head and shrugs. The only thing she understand is that he said something about her and himself and since he points the way they came from Catherine thinks he said that they should return. So just says:

"Hope you said we should return."

As walking she notices that everyone seem in a certain rush to leave the street and go their houses. Catherine makes a mental note of that and she starts walking a bit faster as well. Pointing the people around them she says:

"I think walk by the street during the night isn't very safe here Halfierd."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Helfried hastily stops Catherine as she makes to head back the way they came. He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. He then looks at her again and waves his arms in front of him in a warding gesture. He then waves his hand in the direction they were heading and nods in encouragement. He then starts heading in the direction they were going before he confused the lady and looks to make sure that she is coming along.

[VAN]

Catherine quirks an eyebrow not sure of what Halfierd wanted to say but believes that he wants stop her of going first. So she does follow him saying:

"Ah well, lead the way my friend."