The Night Silent (attn: Phineas & Matty)

[Chris]

Murdock knew all too well what it was like to want to forget everything. He hadn’t turned to drink, not being one to find the answers in the bottom of a glass. No, he’d instead turned in on himself, but he wasn’t going to get into that now. A bit of old fashioned alcoholism might be just the ticket for the night, and make sitting here with two Soldiers cramping his style, a little more bearable. Murdock clicked hid fingers for more ales to be sent their way, seeing as the Soldier seemed intent on getting as much into his body as possible before the pies appeared.

Much to Murdock’s delight, they had not two but four pies. Sure, two of them were fruit pies, but he might well appreciate them more after he’d eaten something more substantial. Besides which, now there was enough that he supposed he could share, if he had to. At least he wasn’t paying for them. “Thank you,” he said to the serving girl, but his tone said he cared little for whether or not her hide would be in trouble, and the Dedicated was already turning to the pies-

“Oi!” he smacked Zeen’s hand away, “do you bloody well mind? I’m taking the first slice.” Which he proceeded to do, making sure he got the one that looked the nicest. The beef and potato filling looked alright, but was more delicious to him because he was rather hungry and he’d been made to wait longer than he would have liked. “Alright, now you can help yourselves,” he said, and that was permission for the two men to dig in. He knew what it was like to be hungry and no, it was a bad idea to miss a meal what with how hard the Grey Tower worked a man. Pie for everyone!

He was quite content to eat in silence, not caring if it was awkward for the Soldiers. He was enjoying himself and really that was the main thing. There was more ale so Zeen could feel dramatic and drink his life away, and Phineas could... Murdock didn’t know what his problem was and he didn’t care to find out either, but it seemed like he had ants in his pants or something. If he was more interested he might have enquired further but as it was, he was content to simply provide some more ale to occupy their hands.

“Have either of you any skill with dice?” he asked them, deciding that the scarred Soldier crying into his drink and the muscled Soldier eyefucking him were being decidedly too dull. “Let’s see if there’s a game going for a few Grey Tower men. After this pie, of course. I’d look myself but, bad leg and all.” The fruit pies were actually rather tasty, all in all. He happily ate away and nodded his head towards the far corner of the room where he could see some hunched shoulders and mutterings going on. “Those men are either organising a murder or playing a game of something, and either way we should find out what.”

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan was a rule follower, for the most part. She couldn't help it, though, as the daughter of an Asha'man and Warder of the Grey Tower, and Great Great Granddaughter to the Amyrlin Seat. As a Novice, she worked hard, and didn't pull pranks on others. There were a group of Novices and Accepted who gave her a hard time because of her family ties. They, and many of the other learning ranks assumed she was boring since she never stepped out of line. Their assumptions were not entirely accurate.

As an Accepted, Tia had a great deal more freedom than she had as a Novice. It had been months since she'd been raised, and while she and her brother had explored Hama Valon during the day, part of her was curious what it was like at night. Einion was busy with something, and the few friends Tia did have were all also busy. Undeterred, though, she opted to visit the town on her own, and see where the night took her. The sound of a lute caught her ear as she walked along one of the streets. Looking ahead, she saw the sign for the Golden Battlements, and shrugged to herself as she decided to investigate further.

Riahana, Tia's mother, had an appreciation for music, and was known to sing from time to time. The Mistress of Arms impressed her love of music on her children. While Tia wasn't musical in terms of playing an instrument, or singing, she had an ear for it, and enjoyed listening to the Gleemen who would go through Duron. It had been ages since she'd heard live music, and what was coming from the Golden Battlements sounded lovely.

Stepping inside, Tia noticed the inn's common room was crowded. Most of the patrons seemed to be in a good mood, and the bard who was playing the lute was currently playing a lively tune that had a number of people tapping their feet. She couldn't help the smile as she stepped over to the bar.

"What can I get fer ye, lass?" the barkeep asked.

Tia scanned the room, and saw most had mugs of what she guessed was ale. Nodding towards one of the mugs, she said, "An Ale?" She couldn't help framing the request as a question. She hadn't ordered a drink before. Tonight looked as if it was going to be a night of many firsts.

[Jenn]

Zeen

Grey eyes were baleful as he stared down the Dedicated, Zeen flexing his hand out in the vain effort to assuage some of the sting for being so unceremoniously rapped across his knuckles. No he did not 'bloody well mind' at all but he did not answer; it seemed the wiser course of action to keep his thoughts to himself.

He looked around the common room, noting with detached curiosity that his head swam and his thoughts were muddled, a clear sign that he had been drinking too much ale, too quickly. Or, that the inverse was true: that he was, in fact, not consuming enough ale, quickly enough. The scar that slashed across his forehead creased slightly as his brows lowered. He... was not making sense. Clearly, the answer lay in more ale. Less ale? More food? Pie. He shook his head abruptly.

Finally, the Dedicated graciously allowed them to help themselves to the pies on the table. Absently, Zeen reached towards one of the meat and potato ones again. True to his word, Murdock did not slap away his hand this time and through bleary eyes, the Amadician managed to pile a quarter of the savory pie onto his plate without spilling or dropping any. Light only knew what the Dedicated would say to that.

As he ate, the world gradually returned to clarity and focus, the tingling warmth in his fingers the only indication that he had ever starting drinking in the first place. He glanced contemplatively at the fresh mugs of ale, shrugging inwardly before reaching for the fullest one. He glanced between Phineas and Murdock; Zeen would have much prefered it if the Dedicated directed his pie-fueled displeasure towards the other man instead of him. Grey eyes dropped to the cane leaning ever-so-casually against the table. He spun the mug between his hands before throwing back his head, draining the mug, settling it back down on the table with a loud thump of sound.

"Have either of you any skill with dice?” That... was not what the scarred man had expected to be asked. Zeen blinked at Murdock. “Let’s see if there’s a game going for a few Grey Tower men. After this pie, of course. I’d look myself but, bad leg and all. Those men are either organising a murder or playing a game of something, and either way we should find out what.”

"Skill," Zeen mused out loud. "I have a little with dice. Moreso with murder," he answered blithely, oddly amused. He flashed teeth at his fellow Soldier and the Dedicated. "I shall see if they are inclined to share." He pushed himself to his feet, startling several of the patrons behind him as he straightened to his full height. Light, I will not bite you, came the irritable thought, the Amadician yanking his shirt straight, leaving the horrendous black coat where it hung, draped over the back of his chair.

As he made his way towards the group that Murdock had indicated, an out of place flash of white caught his eye. He glanced up, surprise coming to his face, chased by a slow smile. That... he knew the girl. Or well, he was acquainted with the girl, remembering her quite clearly from their oddly refreshing encounter in the Channeling Yards.

Zeen pushed his way directly to her, setting his elbows down on the bar as he gave her a disarming smile. "Accepted Tia. Would you like to join us?" A thrust of his chin indicated the table where Phineas and Murdock still sat. "Join us afterward," he clarified. "The Dedicated wishes me to investigate that table over there, in the throes of what looks to be a dice game. I am not certain if our fellow Soldier will come see for himself as well, but what do you say?" Or a murder plot. His lips quirked up in amusement. Either way, it would be entertaining. "Care to accompany me?"

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan

As Tia waited for her ale, she looked around the common room once again. Lit by lanterns and light from the massive hearth, there was a warm glow about the room, though it was far from dark. The men and women gathered at the Inn wore simple clothes, suggesting they were some of the many hard workers that made Hama Valon tick. Off in one corner was a group of men all bent over and looking intently at the floor. When a cheer went up, Tia realized they were playing a game of dice.

“Here ye go, lass” the red faced bar keep exclaimed as he set the mug in front of Tia. “Go easy on it, iffin’ ye’ve never had ale before, eh? Don’t wanna see a pretty thing like yerself gettin’ taken advantage of by some of the brutes we have in tonight.”

Before Tia could reply, though, the very large man was at the other end of the bar attending another patron. She looked to the mug in front of her and picked it up somewhat tentatively before giving it a sniff and taking a sip. She resisted the urge to make a sour face, though the taste of the stuff left a bit to be desired. Just as she was about to take another sip, a pair of elbows appeared beside her.

Looking up, and up a bit more, Tia recognized the man. . .the Soldier who was next to her, and returned his smile with one of her own, “Soldier Zeen!” She almost asked how it was he was out of the Tower, given the rules on Novices and Soldiers leaving the grounds, but then she looked to where he ‘chin pointed’ and saw a Dedicated sitting at their table that held a lot of pie, or what was left of pie.

Amused, Tia grabbed her mug of ale and looked back to Zeen, “I would love to accompany you, Zeen. I think the evening will be more entertaining when shared with company than on my own, don’t you?” Her grin broadened, as she nodded, “Lead the way!”

[Jon]

Phineas

Phineas’s stomach started rumbling as the serving girl set down all the pies that had come their way. The extra wait had only served to sharpen his hunger further, and his mouth watered at the smell of meat and potatoes mixed with the various fruit fillings. Certainly, no one pie had all of those fillings, but the aromas of all the pies blended together into a cacophony of smell that Phineas found delicious. Blood and ashes, he was hungry. Just a little bit longer. Zeen reached for the first slice, and Murdock slapped his hand away—obtaining the first slice for himself. Phin waited his turn, but when the Dedicated indicated that they could eat, he took a good quarter of the meat and potatoes pie. He was a big guy. He ate a lot. Plus, he missed dinner. Shoveling back his food, he didn’t look up when Murdock spoke again, but he was listening. He started eating faster as Murdock spoke. There was most certainly a game of dice. He didn’t have a lot money, but the Dedicated appeared too. Perhaps, that was how he made his coin. He smiled wryly at the comment about murder. The only murder he wanted to commit was the murder of this pie, which he was just about finished consuming. Phineas heard Zeen get up before he finished his pie. Scarfing down the last few bites, he wiped his face before standing up and looking for the other Soldier. “Thank you, Murdock,” he said before leaving. “That was delicious. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a man to see about some dice.” He paused before adding offhandedly, “or murder, whichever becomes more enjoyable.” Phin saw Zeen heading for the corner where he could see a few tables of men huddled around each group’s table. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he could hear dice rattling if he really tried. Starting after Zeen, he watched him veer off course at the sight of an Accepted. Light, what was she doing here? This place was not the best place for someone like her, and her presence here meant another person to carry tales to the Tower. The Master of Soldiers would most definitely hear about their excursion. Phin would be in trouble. Rather than follow Zeen, Phineas made his way to the four gambling tables. Three had dice games while one had a game of cards, which surprised him. Phin still wore his black coat, having left in a hurry, but the men were too engaged in their games to notice him. He could see that the dice-tosser at one table appeared to be doing better than the others, but they all had piles of copper and silver flowing on the table from each toss. Phineas felt a little uncomfortable. He had never done this before, so he decided to sit back and watch the wagering—determined to figure out how it all worked. He looked up, though, to Murdock, Zeen, and the Accepted he didn’t know. He waved over the Dedicated and the Soldier. The Accepted, as far as he was concerned, could come or go as she pleased. He knew better than to suggest that she do anything other than what she wished.

[Chris]

Murdock leaned back in his seat and felt rather more satisfied than he had before, thanks to the pie in his belly. It was more than that though, it was the fact that he hadn’t paid for them. And there were four pies, which was about... three more than he could eat. No matter, they were all tasty.

The Dedicated let out a chuckle at the scarred man’s question. Of course, many of the Soldiers were apt in the rather uncouth art of murder, and only some had skill with dice as well. He smiled at the lad and his own smile, watching as he lumbered to his feet and stomped away. He would have eaten all the pie without my divine intervention, Murdock thought grimly. Not on my watch. He looked on as the man seemed more inclined to head towards the bar instead. “What in the- that’s not the dice table!” he began to complain indignantly, but then he saw that she was talking to a woman, and he stilled his tongue. It seemed they knew one another, and this familiarity was a grave injustice to the other Soldier. Phineas was quick to follow along, though much to Murdock’s surprise the man went over towards the dice table.

None of the gambling men seemed to mind what the Soldier did, so when he beckoned for them to join Murdock gave a small nod and held up a finger. He would be right along, but there was still half a fruit pie left and if they were all going to be distracted by the dice game, he could spend some quality time with it before they realised what he was doing. Ordering more ale, Murdock undid his belt a notch. As a rather thin man, he could stand to eat more pie. Free pie was the best sort of pie there was. If anything went wrong, well, there was an Accepted there as well and she could smile their way out of trouble, at least until Murdock hit them with his stick. It wouldn’t actually resort to murder, not in Hama Valon, though he supposed that it would have been an interesting study were that the case.