Salina and the Visitor

[Dobian]

//This is a story role play I did with Vala's player back in October, and finally got around to posting it. It was a lot of fun. Vala's contributions are in italics. Enjoy.

*A sealed letter addressed to Vala is waiting at the Griffon in Great Gaunt, the wax stamp on the back imprinted with an "S"*

Dear Vala,

You may have been wondering where I went. Well, I flew the coup, as they say. I left Cormyr a couple of weeks ago, and am now somewhere along the Sword Coast as you read this. I love the coast...I suppose that is why the tattoo on my right arm is blue waves. I am sorry I did not get a chance to say goodbye, but it was a spur of the moment decision. I had just had a long conversation with Erynne, and took a long look at where I had been and where I was going. Sitting in Dhedluk and drinking myself into oblivion, I decided, was not a path I wanted to take. But it was more than just that. It was time for me to move on, and find out who I have truly become.

In the short time I got to know you, I became very fond of you, as you know. You remind me of myself when I first arrived in Cormyr. Full of promise, but also misunderstood, and trying to find your way. It is part of what drew me to you. You are a dragonkin, and I took joy in seeing you adjust to the changes inside you, accepting your true nature. Again, it reminded me of myself, as I have been one who has been trying to understand my own true nature for many years now. I hope that in the time we have known each other, I played a small part in helping you along with your transition. I will miss you very much, in fact I do already. I hope that one day you may come out to the Sword Coast. If you want to reach me, just send a correspondence to the Dire Boar Inn in Baldur's Gate. I check for messages there regularly.

I sincerely hope that this is a "so long" and not a "farewell", and that we see each other again one day. Do take care of yourself, and know that I love you.

Yours,
Salina

[Dobian]

He walks into Dire Boar Inn, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the door frame as he enters, his clothes ragged and dirty from what looks to be days on the road. He walks up to the bar, his limp prominent, leaning on a long stick with blood stains on it and a bronze dragon scale tied to the top. Rapping on the bar with a gloved hand, a huge bulge is very noticeable under his robe extending from just over his head and reaching almost to the floor. His 6' 7" frame looks too fragile to hold him upright, yet he moves with ease. His hood hides his face in the shadows. The only thing that can be seen are long sharp teeth as he smiles at the bartender.

"What do you have for a poor ol' soul traveling down this lonely road called life?" he says, his smile to the bartender hinting to the fact that the man is anything but old as he takes his drink tosses a few coins onto the bar. "I'll take a room as well."

Turning, he sits on the barstool next to him and looks around. The intent stare of his eyes can be felt but not seen, his thick Calimshan accent giving away where he is from.

"I am looking for a flaming haired beauty," he announces to everyone but to noone special, his eyes always scanning the room. "She is a pretty elven girl," smiling to himself as he remembers something.

Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a parchment, and walking from table to table he shows a perfect sketch of a woman lying on a bed with silky looking cloth covering her middle, her eyes closed with a small smile playing across her lips. She appears to be sleeping. On the bottom of the picture is an elegant "V" with dragon wings extending from either side of it, making it appear like it is about to fly off the parchment.

"If any see's the beauty please tell her a letter awaits her here," he says, holding up a letter on which is written "Salina at the Dire Boar Inn" on the front, and a bronze wax seal on the back with the flying "V" etched in the center. He then places the letter back in his pocket.

Walking back to bar he picks up his drink, and taking a key that had been layed by the glass, he slowly walks across the room, turning to look back he nods to no one and climbs the steps with much trouble, pulling his leg up behind him with each step.

[Dobian]

The door opened, and a diminutive hooded figure walked into the Dire Boar Inn. Wearing fresh red robes with a shiny gold trim, the figure stopped for a moment and quietly scanned the room, before tossing the hood back. Salina's red mane fell out, longer now than it was when she was in Cormyr, and she shook it out, her gem green eyes taking in the bar and the lone man seated there.

"Hello Gus," she said, walking up and taking a seat next to him.

"G'day Sal," Gus said, regarding her with steel blue eyes set in a cragged and weathered face. Gus was an older man with graying hair cut short, and a handlebar mustache. He sat at the bar in his usual attire of a leather vest with no shirt and a nasty hunting knife sheathed on his side. "Keepin' busy?"

The bartender placed Salina's usual drink down, a spiced rum with pineapple imported from the Chult. "Yes," she said, turning to him. "I spent most of the day teaching the local militia how to deal with a liche. They pay pretty good money for just a few hours of lecturing and some demonstrations."

"Aye, so did they catch on?," Gus said, twisting his mustache.

"Well, if the liche doesn't kill them, then I would say yes. If it does, then I'm out of a job," she said, and they both laughed.

"Ya know, there was a man in here last night lookin' for ya," Gus said, taking a drink of his ale.

"Really...who?"

"Dunno. He was real tall and was limpin', and looked like he had sumthin' stuffed down his back," Gus replied. "He also had these pointy teeth. So the feller was showin' this picture of ya around the bar, all uh....well...," Gus trailed off and coughed, averting his eyes.

Salina stated at him. "All what?"

"Ain't important...but on the bottom was the letter 'V' looked like, with wings on the end," he said. "Oh, and the man said he had a letter for ya, and then he went upstairs to one of the rooms."

"And is he still there?," Salina asked, curious.

"Dunno. I s'pose, unless he went out for the day. I only been here since around noon," he said. "Oh, and I almost forgot, he had this walkin' stick, ya know, because he was limpin', and it had a dragon scale on top."

"What color?"

"Oh it was kinda metal lookin', bronzish I guess," Gus said.

"Thanks Gus." Salina took a sip of her drink and looked idly at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. A letter 'V' with wings, she thought. A man with pointy teeth, and something on his back. And a bronze dragon scale. A little smile crossed her lips.

"And I must see that drawing," she mused, finishing the rest of her drink.

[Dobian]

I got the order of the entries straightened out, start at the top again, lol.

[Dobian]

The door leading up to the rooms opens, and a large man ducks to avoid hitting his head. His purple and black robes are fresh and clean, the elegantly stitched brass colored dragon shining brightly against the dark purple cloth of the robe. A black cord tied around his slender waist has long dark auburn locks of hair woven into the ends hanging freely, his hood hangs low over his face. His ungloved hand holding tightly to the now clean walking stick, he walks down the stairs slowly, always leading with his left foot one step at a time.

When he reaches the bottom of the steps he leans on his walking stick, and unwraps the cord from his wrist letting the brass scale hang freely again. Pushing back his hood slightly his eyes are easily visible. His gold eyes scan the room, resting on the red haired beauty sitting at the table in front of him, smiling. You cant help notice his long sharp perfectly white teeth against the harshness of his dark brass coloring. He limps over to the table, and leans down resting his hand on it. Brass scales sparkle in the light, his long nails sharp and pointed. Tilting his head as he leans his stick against the table he looks Salina in the eyes. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a parchment laying it front of her.

"Look at this drawing, lass, and tell me who it is that you see?" he says.

He doesn’t bother to wait for her answer. The drawing is a mirror image of Salina, no denying that the skilled artist had captured her very soul with charcoal.

"A young girl paid to have this delivered here, and I paid the messenger double to be able to see you and hand-deliver it myself. I must say it was well worth it. You are as beautiful in person as you are here," he says, his long clawed finger carefully tapping the drawing on the table

The man pushes the drawing towards Salina, then picking up his walking stick he limps his way over to the bar, looking over his choices he orders.

"Beef...don’t bother putting it on the fire, I’ll take it raw, and make it a thick one, kind sir," he says.

Turning, he watches at Salina half-smiling as his eyes look her up and down. Taking the stool to his right he unties the belt around his waist, removing the cloak, and he lays them over the bar. The dragonkin's huge large brass wings stretch out from his back, the length of the bar disappearing from view. He nods to the empty stool at his left. Taking an envelope from the large pocket of his robe he waves it teasingly in Salina’s direction. Slowly he closes his wings, and behind him on the bar a candle is lit, a vase with a red rose sits beside a plate of the inn's best choices of food, and beside the meal a drink mixed to Salina‘s liking. Another plate sits next to it with a large slab of raw beef.

"My dear, you were much more then just a friend, you were and are loved and missed. A romantic dinner was missed, but not forgotten", the mysterious dragonkin said, lowering his head in respect in Salina’s direction.

"Well dear," he continued, "is your butt glued to that chair or are you going to come and enjoy the meal that was sent over the miles just for you?"

[Dobian]

Salina got up and walked over to the bar, taking the seat next to the dragonkin. Before her was a perfectly cooked prime rib with grilled asparagus spears an freshly-baked bread. Nodding to her host, she picked up her knife and fork and took her first bite. It was delicious. Salina's eyes kept moving between the man, the rose, and the drawing, while she ate quietly.

"I didn't pose for that, you know," she said between mouthfuls.

"A shame, I would have enjoyed watching the session," the dragonkin said. "So that is not what you look like?," he smirked, letting his eyes travel up and down her body, beautifully displayed in a clinging red dress.

Smiling briefly, Salina continued to eat, glancing occasionally at the letter her host had placed beside her on the bar. When she finished, the bartender took her plate and returned with a sumptuous bread pudding for dessert. Salina's mouth watered, but her eyes kept returning to the envelope.

"You are going to burn a hole in it the way you keep staring at it," the dragonkin grinned, showing his pointy teeth.

"Who would do all of this?," Salina mused.

"Come now, my dear, don't play so innocent. You know as well as I who would do this and why," he said, tearing off a mouthful of raw meat with his sharp teeth. "the curiosity must be killing you to find what that letter says."

Salina took a few more bites of her pudding, and looked again at the rose, then the drawing, mesmerized by her likeness so beautifully and provocatively displayed. She absentmindedly tapped her finger on the letter, then looked at it thoughtfully. After taking a last swallow of her drink, she picked it up, turned it over, and broke the seal. As she pulled the letter out, a whiff of jasmine perfume filled the air. Salina breathed in the aroma and closed her eyes for a moment, then unfolded the letter, and began to read...

[Dobian]

My dear sweet Salina,

I understand why you would feel you needed to move on, but to leave as you did without finding me first and giving me a chance to say goodbye in person broke my heart, and to hear all the things that Aris had to say hurt even more. If it is only a child you wish to have I can understand that as well, and I wish I could give you that dream, but to marry him, Salina darling, you are better then that. I was honest with you about my partners I wish you could have trusted me enough to have been honest with me about him. To think you had left him and were done with him...and have to stand there listening to him telling me you shared his bed nightly and there were plans being made to go through with the wedding, and your talks about a child...was really hard for me to swallow. I never felt so driven to kill someone in my life as I was today.

I hope you are enjoying your romantic dinner, sorry I was not able to enjoy it with you, but the thought is what counts, right? It's going to be hard here without you. I’ll miss your smile, and your ever so sweet lips. Your scent that always made me smile, when it alerted me you were near.

As much as I would love for you to come back, it’s not safe for you here. Aris is insane, and I do not want to see you get hurt. He will do whatever he can to keep you, even though he shrugs and acts like he doesn’t care. His plans state otherwise.

Take care my love, and when I am able I will come visit you, and maybe we can share this romantic dinner together next time. Always remember Salina, I love you.

Vala

PS. If you wish to write me you can send the letter back with the hin who delivered this to you. I paid him well to await your response, and his return trip back home to Shally, which is where I have moved to now.

[Dobian]

Salina read the first lines of Vala's letter, her eager expression turning to a frown, and then a scowl. The dragonkin studied her as she read, noting the mood change but saying nothing as he ate the last of his meat. Salina finished the letter, then went back to the top and read it again, before putting it down in front of her.

"Aris?," she said, in an amused tone. "Aris?," now with a perplexed inflection. "Aris...," now dismayed. "Aris...," annoyed. "Aris...," her eyes flashing, her cheeks starting to puff. The air around her suddenly distorted in a sort of heat pattern and began to crackle as the blood mage's magic energy started surging. Glasses and silverware on the bar counter began to shake.

"ARIS!!!," she screamed, and the whole bar shook.

Glasses and bottles fell from the shelves behind the counter, as the barkeep haplessly tried to catch them. Most fell to the floor, shattering. The mirror behind the bar cracked, a long jagged line slicing through it. Tables and chairs around the bar trembled and rocked, and overheard chandeliers swung precipitously as if there was an earthquake. The few customers in the bar dove under tables and covered their heads. Even the dragonkin, initially mesmerized by this display, thought better of it and covered himself with his enormous wings lest the roof cave in on him.

At last, the moment passed, the room grew quiet again, and Salina calmed herself. She sat brooding as one last glass fell from the shelf behind the bar and broke on the floor. The barkeep poked his head up from behind the counter and surveyed the damage.

"Sorry about that, Heinrik," Salina said. "I will of course cover all the damages."

The dragonkin unfolded his wings and sat upright again. "An impressive display," he complimented. "I take it the letter was not to your liking?"

Salina ignored him for a moment and picked the letter up again, reading it again slowly. Her anger was replaced by a profound sadness, and her frown returned. "I'm sorry, Vala," she whispered, her eyes becoming wet.

The dragonkin regarded her without empathy, merely curious. "So do you plan to reply?," he asked.

Salina merely nodded. "You know, we never made formal introductions. I am Sa'lina Nu'ari Caffyn. You may call me Salina."

"Talos," the dragonkin replied, lifting her hand with his talons and kissing it politely if a bit forward. Although for a dragonkin, the gesture was quite restrained. The truth was, after the display he had just witnessed. Talos had already reconsidered taking Salina there on the bar, though she now excited him more than ever.

"Talos..," Salina said. "I do have a response to this letter, but I am not sure yet how I wish to deliver it. Are you in town long?"

"As long as you wish, my dear," Talos smiled, showing his pointy teeth once more.

"I won't keep you long, just a few days at the most," Salina replied.

"A pity."

Salina smiled and nodded. "I have things to tend to, and much to think about," she said. With that, she got up and left the ruined bar, her green eyes thoughtful and her expression serious.

[Dobian]

Talos looks over to Heinrik, and tosses a large pouch onto the bar.

"There should be enough here to not only cover the damages but to build a whole new inn if you wish, and If you ask me - which I’m sure you will - it is way past time for a rebuild," he says. "Now if you would, kind sir, I would like another steak and this time add some potatoes...and I would like some of that pudding too. In fact, I want lots of that pudding and a pie or two, I don’t care what kind they are. While you’re at, it get everyone a round of whatever drinks they want."

The dragonkin stops and scans the inn a moment, as everyone stares in disbelief at all the damages done. "...Make that two."

He waves his hand muttering something in draconic, and all the broken glass behind the bar starts to float up into the air, swirling around in a large cloud over the bar in a wonderful display of blue, purple, and pink fog. All of a sudden there is a large flash of light and a loud snap fills the bar, glasses suddenly sitting back on the shelves.

"You are most welcome," he nods, settling back into his stool waiting for his food to brought to him.

Picking up the picture, frowning as he studies her body again before rolling it up carefully and putting it back in his pocket, he mutters, "I really thought she would want to keep this."

Talos stands and looks to Heinrik again. "Can you send my food up to my room? I have many things I need to get done before the little beauty returns. If she returns before I come down send her on up to my room, and prepare whatever she wishes to eat and deliver that as well." Oh," he adds, "and this should cover the bill for the rest of my stay and the little beauty's as well for at least a few months."

The dragonkin tosses another handful of coins onto the bar next to the pouch. "And don’t think you are going to cheat me either, I already figured out how many nights she has paid for and she better get it," he finishes, ascending the stairs.

Opening the door to his room, he examines it before closing the door and locking it. He planned to be back long before her food was ready. Holding up his walking stick, he mutters a few words and the brass scale begins to glow. Two bright flashes of light suddenly appear the room.

A woman suddenly materializes, disoriented, and she takes a few stumbling steps and falls onto the bed.

"What the hells am I doing here, and who the hell are you?" she exclaims. "This better not be some trick of Aris’ to get rid of me!", roaring at the top of her lungs, now.

He stands before the woman now, laughing at her anger.

"Look princess, I brought you here because your letter has upset the flaming haired beauty. I don’t know what you wrote, but if you ask me, and I know you will, this Aris is a big sod of nothing but trouble..."

Hearing a sudden knock on the door, he turns around and heads for it.

"Don’t you move now, I took the liberty of ordering you some food."

Returning with a large tray of delicacies, he smiles.

"Now you should eat, then bathe, and get some rest before she returns. I’m sure you want to be all pretty and fresh for Salina," he says. Now go on, stop staring at your food and eat, Vala, unless you would prefer to bathe first. I’m sure the little lady doesn’t want to walk in here and see you covered in all that blood."

"Who the hell are you? And how do you know my name? How do you know Salina?" she says, confused.

Talos takes the picture out of his pocket and lays it next to her on the bed.

'How did you get this? What happened to the little hin? Who the hell are you?"

The dragonkin sighs heavily.

"The hin is fine. I paid him double what you paid him so I could meet the lovely Salina who had upset you so much," he offers. "I know your real father, and he’s worried about you and only wishes to make sure you are happy. Now come on, we don’t have much time left."

Picking her up off the bed he carries her to the bathroom, sitting her down on her feet and drawing a warm bath for her.

"Don’t make me carry again young lady," he says, limping his way out of the room closing the door behind him.