Feb 25 07:00:46 107 PA - Meeting new arrivals for coffee

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sat Feb 25 07:00:46 107 PA.

The Merchant's Plaza is always teeming with people and is in many respects one of Kingsdale's centers of activity. Several city blocks in size, it is a sprawling collection of structures both ramshackle and sturdy. One might find a elven mystic (offering psycic counselling services at that) sitting in a lean-to made of logs and brush right next to a chemically treated concrete structure that houses an automobile service station. Sometimes these structures are single-establishment buildings but there are several 'strip mall' style buildings that hold several different stores.

There are always people of all shapes, sizes, races and colors coming and going which makes both pedestrian and vehicle traffic heavy. The only exception to this is the Merchant's Plaza Park where those weary of mercantile pursuits can stop and take a rest.

It is said that anything can be found here, but that is largely a falsification. One can find -almost- anything here, except offensive (Read: MDC) weaponry. For that, one must go to The Gunnery in the south of the city. But anything else can absolutely be found here and not just items either. Of note is that the Merchant's Plaza is heavily patrolled by the KDPD who step in whenever problems occur but many believe the area still rife with criminals and pickpockets and wouldn't be caught dead in a dark alleyway here.

The air is crisp enough almost to crackle between whippings of the frigid wind across anything that gets in it's way. The way the clouds are piling up and darkening does not bode well for things staying dry and unburied. Even as that thought starts, the first few flakes are bourn to you on the wind's howl. The first quarter moon hangs overhead.

Auranna has just come from the city gates and is looking around with a bit of wonder. She really isn't used to being in a city. She wrinkles her nose at some things, but still, she hasn't even been in any of the tribal forts that some of the tribes man.

Erica is staying out of the cold wind by being close to the coffee shop and using it to shelter her from the wind. She looks up and notices the woman walking in from the gates. She hums softly to herself as she watches the other woman look around. "You looking for something? Need directions or something?"

Auranna looks over at the woman and raises a brow, "I am looking around, I am new here, I do not know where anything is." she says as she glances around and then moves closer to the woman so she doesn't have to yell.

Erica nods her head to herself as she watches the other woman walk closer. "Well welcome to Kingsdale. This is a good place to shop if you want. And the coffee shop behind me is a good place to have a drink." She says as she nods to the building she is leaning against. "Also over there is a bar. You can get some booze in there." She raises a hand and points out the Nut and Bolt bar.

Auranna shakes her head, "I rarely drink." she says as she looks at her again and nods, "I doubt there are many places here I would want to trade or buy things from." she says though there is a hint of flush to her cheeks, "Thank you for your welcome."

Erica offers Auranna a warm smile. "Well what about coffee or tea? Do you drink those? I think there are a few places around in town that might have some furs or something you might want." She shrugs her shoulders quickly. "You are welcome. I always like meeting new people."

Auranna nods, "I do drink tea and sometimes coffee," she says softly. She looks at her for a moment, she seems a bit friendly, she is not used to that and being shy it does make her just a little nervous. "Well I do okay, mostly will be looking for a place to stay, plan on working out of here with this as a base, while a do a few things and help where I am needed."

Erica keeps smiling at Auranna while she nods back at the coffee shop. "Well do you want to come in out of the weather and we can have some tea? It is a bit warmer inside. Oh there are a couple nice places to live around here. I have an apartment not too far to the south of here. What kind of work or things are you trying to do?"

Auranna looks at her, "I am a Totem Warrior, I am to my people what a Cyberknight is to yours I think, I protect and help."

Erica blinks at the statement and nods her head slowly. "That is good. Those that are sworn to protect and help serve the highest calling there is." She nods back at the coffee shop and smiles. "But that didn't answer my question. Do you want to come in and have a cup of tea?"

This is a little coffee house, a single room for the public with a store room out the back. Four long, wooden tables with matching high-backed benches are in a row, intended to be shared with complete strangers. Low lamps hang over each of them, barely adding light to the smoke filled room. The scent of coffees and teas mingle in the air with the pipe smoke that floats near the ceiling, the groups of old men settled at the furthest bench puffing as they haggle to settle the wrongs of the world. A counter keeps the customers away from the ancient stove, and the kettle on its top adds steam to the mix in the air. Bags of coffee beans and loose tea run the length of the wall behind the counter and other treats, such as chocolate are on show on the shelves above them. Owned by Roy, a burly retired mercenary with a large beard and an equally large resource of patience, the coffee shop is known as a place of warm welcome and friendly discourse.

Erica holds the door open for Auranna to walk through. She keeps smiling warmly as she walks up to the counter. "Any prefrence for what tea you might like? My name is Erica by the way."

Auranna smiles, "Just anything will be fine, I am going by Auranna." she says softly and offers her hand.

Erica nods her head as she orders a pot of green tea. "Well it is nice to meet you Auranna. I always like meeting new people." She takes the two cups of tea over to a table and pours the tea. She takes a seat and scoots one of the cups over to where Auranna can sit.

Auranna smiles a little and sits. She takes the cup and takes a small sip, "I do too, but I always end up saying the wrong thing, so while I meet new people, rarely make new friends."

Erica raises her cup up and blows on it softly to cool it before taking a little sip. "Well I'll try not to take anything you say personally then. I am sure you don't mean to offend." She looks up and offers the other woman a quick smile. "So what brings you to Kingdale?"

Auranna looks at her and takes another sip, "Well I was tracking and it brought me to this area. My quarry is near here I think, and Cougar has decided that there are other things for me to do here as well."

Erica takes a little nod despite a look of slight confusion on her face. "And what were you tracking? Something dangerous?" She blows again on her cup and takes another sip of her tea. "So is the Cougar your totem animal? Totem is the right word right?"

Auranna nods, "Yes, a stone giant." she says and shakes her head. She looks away for a moment pain and anger on her face and focuses on breathing. "Yes, Cougar is my totem and the spirit I am bound to."

Erica frowns and gnaws on her lower lip for a moment before speaking. "Well be careful. May I ask why you are hunting this stone giant? And do you need any help? I might be able to assist you." She offers as her frown turns back into a smile.

Auranna takes a deep breath. "A group was attacking my people, my betrothed and I went to scout and came across a pair. We fought, we killed one, wounded and drove off the other. But Star Fire was killed." she shakes her head and is shaking a bit as she says it, "I owe the giant a debt I will see paid."

Erica frowns again as she shakes her head slightly. "Oh Auranna I'm sorry. That is horrible. Your betrothed was obviously very brave. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

Auranna smiles, "Well he was like I was but slightly different." she says and takes a deep breath, "He was the only one I have ever loved, I have been focused on my training so much and people rarely like me." she shakes her head a bit, "Well you would have to not run away when I fight. A young man I met after stabling my horse, did when I took my fighting form."

Erica reaches out and pats Auranna's hand in a comforting manner if the other woman allows her to. "Well I have fought both a dragon and a giant spider demon. While I do get frightened I do not let my fear make me run away. If you do need help please call upon me."

Auranna looks at her for a moment, "Maybe I will show you my fighting form, do you know much about Totem Warriors?" she asks and looks at the hand patting hers.

Erica pats Auranna's hand for a moment before moving back to cradle her cup of tea. She takes a long sip from her tea before setting her cup back down. "I don't really know much about them know. I just know that the Totem is usually some animal. I am from the north east. A place called Lazlo, so I do not have much experience with your people." She picks up the pot of tea and pours herself some more tea and gestures to Auranna with the pot. "Would you like some more?"

Auranna smiles a little, "I would like some more," she says and then takes a breath, "Unlike some of my people I am closer to my totem. I have given up part of myself and the Totem filled what was empty. My skin is hard like armor and I am stronger than I look, I can also take the form of a cougar, or should I be truly needed, take the form of a Giant COugar."

Erica raises the pot of tea and pours some more hot tea into Auranna's cup. "Oh my that must be quite a sight. How big of a Cougar are you when you take that form? I would like to see it, but I don't think this is the place to do it. You might scare everybody."

Auranna blushes just a little, "I stand about five feet high at the shoulder and fifteen feet long." she says and then nods as she looks around, "The regular form is much smaller but it is still a cougar." she looks at her and smiles. She is proud of the fact.

Erica whistles softly as she nods her head slowly. "Wow that is indeed one very big cat. Very impressive to see I am sure. Is there a limit to how long you can stay in either one of those forms?" She asks with obvious interest. "Cause it might be fun to be a cougar all day."

Auranna shakes her head, "No, it just takes energy to change forms, I can remain in a form indefinitely and even still speak normally." she takes a sip of her tea.