3258/Darts and Dunmer

Darts and Dunmer
Date of Scene:	23 October 2015
Location:	Dun Realtai
Synopsis:	The Nerevarine visits Dun Realtai. Yari cleans house at darts. Race and homes are discussed.
Cast of Characters:	691, 876

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Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari Takane has been a frequent visitor to Dun Realtai for some time, though mostly for one part King Arthur's amazing ability to draw in unlikely people, and another the amazing baths they host. These days? A few more personal events have anchored herself to the village, and thus she's all but obligated to check out the local watering hole.

Imagine your generic medieval tavern, all wood and stables and plenty of inn rooms and free-flowing local ale to meet your heart's content. Plus one Multiversal addition.

Namely, gambling and a dart board. Yari Takane isn't about to leave her new foster child without a good stock of living expenses, and the chance to earn some local currency is welcome. There's been a darts competition going on for the past two hours, and the one-armed ninja has been utterly cleaning house. Even after her eigth beer, she's still managed to hit every single target near dead-on. There's a pile of coin purses right next to her, and the half-smashed ninja is all smiles and flicking of tail.

"...If anyone else would like to try their luck, please, I'd love a challenge."

One or two villagers are sobbing. Most are just glaring at the Au'Ra.

Nerevarine (876) has posed:
     Ever since Tamriel's unification, the Nerevarine has begun to take relief at those worlds with similarity to his own. It's comforting to know that, as diverse as the Multiverse is, there are still some places with a degree of familiarity--even if he's never been to these places before. He's accepted with some resignation that horses are a far more widespread choice of steed than guar--he can't deny the animals' greater tolerance for cold climes has been a blessing. Maybe he'll even get used to how skittish they are. Maybe.

     Dun Realtai, to a traveled Dunmer's eye, looks like any Imperial or Breton hamlet you'd find elsewhere. Likewise, Imperial or Breton architects would likely have some corrections to point out for the traveled Dunmer's eye. As Talis slows his steed to a canter, his distinctive armor draws looks, as it always has. Head held high, he rides to the stables and tethers his steed, dismounting with practiced grace.

     It's a small blessing that the signs over the local establishments bear pictures denoting their services. It'd be a hassle to have to learn the local dialect just to knock back a few mugs of whatever passes for booze here. He approaches the tavern, and removes his helmet.

     If the armor drew glances, Talis ashen-grey skin and hot-coal red eyes will certainly draw them. A hush falls over the tavern as the dour elf enters.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Talis' armor most certainly draws stairs, and then the tavern seens hushed. Yari's deep enough in her cups that things like amazement don't seem to bother her all that much in the crowd of drinkers. No, Talis, to her simply seems someone from her world clad in particularly gaudy armor as he pulls off that helmet. Part of her shudders at the pure color and brightness of it all. Then she thinks of a certain Knight of the Round Table here and his golden suit.

No, this elf is far less gaudy in her eyes. The one-armed Au'Ra chuckles, breaking the silence.

"...Welcome to Dun Realtai, traveller. Please forgive my blunt tongue, but, are you a Duskwight Elezan? So similar, I'm intrigued..." Comes the ninja.

That might just break the ice, and suddenly the tavern is once more alive with activity. Yari motions the man to her table, and soon enough, a tavern wench will attend to him!

Nerevarine (876) has posed:
     Talis gawks at Yari--not because there's anything particularly unusual about her. The horns don't catch his eye, nor does he dwell upon her missing arm. It's hard to tell what exactly has him so befuddled--and then he laughs. It sounds at first like he's coughing, but then it becomes apparent that no, his voice is just /that raspy./ "I'm sorry," he says. "I've never met someone so... Well, I've never had such a positive reaction. I'm a Dunmer. The other races of Tamriel call us Dark Elves." He cradles his helmet under one arm, the bright red mohawk bristling slightly at his touch.

     Talis approaches Yari and takes a seat at her table. He sets the helmet and his shield down in the corner, so as to keep them away from unaware and likely well-meaning feet. When the wench approaches, he asks a few questions of her--what the local brew is, mainly. He seems disappointed in her response, but not surprised. The elf makes a request for a mug of mead.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
One eye closes, her head tilts, but then Yari smiles a bit.

Quick to laugh. She can appreciate that, despite the voice.

"'Dunmer'? Ah, my apologies, I'm not familiar. It's just that you look similar to a certain people of my world. Though the humans do often use the term 'Dark Elf'. I'm not familiar with Tamriel, should I assume the same that 'Hydaelyn' isn't familiar, Sir?" Her tone is quiet, but there's a simplistic tone of authority and ingrained formality. Some form of current or former military officer, perhaps?

She rubs her hand through her hair.

"I take it, then, that you're used to negative reactions as well? We Au'Ra have that problem. Quite a few think we're related to dragons, as foolish as that is."

A sigh, a shrug, and then she sits up after one more deft dart throw. One final challenger sighs and eposits a bag of coins on the table. Yari scoops them up.

She wasn't even looking.

"But I've been in good fortune today, as you can see, so let's not dwell on misfortunes. Allow me to introduce myself."

Yari stands up, and gives a deep bow.

"Ensign Yari Takane, Confederate Elite Forces and semi-resident of Dun Realtai. It's a pleasure, Mister...?" She hucks a few coins his way for the meade. She's feeling personable today.

Nerevarine (876) has posed:
     "Talis, of Great House Indoril." He catches the coins, clearly appreciative, and stands to return her bow. Sitting back down, he allows his hands to rest upon the table. His right hand bears a ring with a crescent moon and a star. It glimmers faintly in the light of the tavern. "Union Ally."

     "It's probably better that you don't know my people. These days most of them are dreadfully stupid and ignorant. Barely better than the ignorant outlanders who scowl at them and spread rumors. But you're right--we should set an example and focus on good fortune."

     It's hard to get a read on him. The body language is relaxed, but the face looks prone to exploding with volcanic anger--the brow in particular is quite severe. 'Knight' would be a decent guess indeed, though even as garish as his armor is, it does display marked differences than the heavy plate favored by knights in these parts.

     'Paladin' or 'crusader' would be apt guesses, given the gleaming armor and the symbols--whatever they mean--that occupy much of his armor and the heraldry of his shield. The mace at his side, as well, is often a mainstay of clerics and holy men--but his posture, again, seems almost all wrong for that.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari runs her hand through her hair again, a common gensture for the woman it seems.

"Is that so?" Union ally, or his kind's ignorance?

"Ignorance is a horrible condition for any race, and it seems so common. We Au'Ra aren't that long removed. I won't deny, what's the term? 'Baggage'. But enough of that."

A shrug.

"The moon is beautiful tonight." She smiles widely. It seems that 'Union' only bothers her slightly. This /is/ technically Union territory, and yet neutral ground.

Clearly, the man is a forthright warrior, at least by his grab and demeanor. Otherwise, it's too strange to tell for her. It'd be a pain to stab through so much metal.

"Can you tell me anything of your home, Mister Talis? Feel free to refuse. I understand our...allegiances might make polite discourse slightly jaded, but in the spirit of this place, I'd prefer good relations. Whatever discipline can be gained from war, this place is peaceful, and I would keep to that kind of spirit."

Nerevarine (876) has posed:
     Talis eyes the ring on his finger with something like fatigue. The comment about the moon seems to have reminded him of its presence, and for a moment, he seems tired. Old.

     "Admirable attitude," he admits, coming back to the fore. "You've nothing to fear from me, outlander. I respect actions, not words, and so far, your actions have been charitable and kind."

     "I'm from the province of Vvardenfell, in Morrowind, which is a nation of Tamriel. It's the ancestral home of my people, and I miss it dearly. What would you like to know?"

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
There's a slight sigh of relief. His words ring true to the ninja, and she finally smiles fully.

"Good. Actions, nn? I try to be respectful. The man who gave me my true skills once said that no matter what war or conflict you engage with another person, it's simply a conflict of values. A true warrior, whether they fight with a blunt blade or a silent dagger, can attain the same honor for those they serve." Then, a shrug.

"But he was an old Au'Ri, I can't confirm or deny those words at my age."

She seems to perk up. "Peace, then. I think that's what Miss Saber is striving for, so I'll abide by that."

The lands soar past her head plainly, and she shakes her head in plain ignorance. Then a flick of a tail, and then shes' devouring her glass.

"I'm utterly ignorant. Give me the basics if you can. What peoples rule, and reside in it. What kind of government? Do you possess aetheric...apoligies, 'magical' specialists in your lands?"

Nerevarine (876) has posed:
     "The basics, then."

     "Morrowind is, and in practice, always has been ruled by the Grand Council of Great Houses. When we were part of the Cyrodiilic Empire, we had a king, somtimes a queen, but they were political puppets. When we broke off two hundred years ago, that position was dissolved."

     "There are five Great Houses: Redoran, Telvanni, Indoril, Dres, and Hla--... Sadras." There's clearly a story behind that correction, but Talis doesn't seem intent on telling it. "Each house controls a different geographic portion of Morrowind, and Morrowind is largely Dunmer in terms of population. We're a very... insular people. Western ways, accents, appearances, all mark someone as an outlander, and outlanders have to work harder to earn our respect. It's a historical thing."

     "In Tamriel, and thus, in Morrowind, everyone has some kind of natural connection to magic. The thing is, not everyone has enough to make anything of it. The stars someone was born under, their race, their lineage, all of that affects someone's potential for aptitude with magic. There are different schools of magic, and I myself have some magical training. It was a job requirement."

     "But, it's getting late and I need to reserve a room at the inn. If you're still here in the morning I'd be happy to discuss more with you."