Thomas
*When they last were in the tavern, it was rowdy as all hell. Now, as they entered the Tavern's interior, it was much more relaxed. People were still talking loudly but not yelling, and the bard on stage played a merry jaunt upon his flute. Daggar looked up from his station and smiled when he saw Björn.* **"Ach, lad! You look like a true Goliath now! And Ves, why you look bonnie."** *He spoke strangely, but his intentions were pure as quicksilver. He gestured for them to sit at one of the empty tables while he finished serving another customer.*

*Björn waved as he entered, laughing at the compliment as he placed his hand on Ves' shoulder for a moment. Björn felt and seemed calm, the enchantment still lingering slightly. It was his first time having a spell cast on him, after all. He pulled out a chair for Ves first.* "My Lady..." *He teased, pulling the chair out in a mockery of a Gentleman's fashion and etiquette. He crudely plonked himself down at the table as Varnis took off his coat and hung it - with his cane - on the back of his chair.*

*Up close and in the light, Varnis could be seen more clearly than before. His eyes were a dulled orange tone, his hair flowed and hung nicely around his ears, cut to never go further than his lobes. His getup was a short-sleeved white button shirt and suit pants. He seemed out of place with the duo in his company. The strangest thing about him was the strange sheen two points on his head had, covered by his hair pretty well. The other thing were his... Well, they had to be tattoos. They covered his hands, arms and seemed to go up his sleeves... How far did they go?*

**"Now, while we wait for menus, I'll make myself clear to you, Ves, like I have your rather brutishly sized lover."** *It didn't sound like the tone of an insult... But...* **"You see, Björn has willingly divulged his past, and your involvement in it. I know all about Dazvaz from his point of view - do not be alarmed. I will explain if you permit me so.**

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Vivian
Seeing Daggar again actually did make Ves smile and wave. She liked the cheerful Dwarf and his blunt mannerisms. They were ushered to a table and Björn even pulled out a seat for her! "Thank you," She whispered. Ves' entire face was turning red now as she climbed into the slightly-too-big chair. Her feet didn't quite touch the floor and dangled in the air. Her tail curled around her side as she smoothed her dress out.

She took the moment to study Varnis in the improved lighting. It didn't matter. She didn't like what she saw. He was handsome, but odd in ways that made her scales bristle. What about him made her distrust him? Ves wasn't entirely sure, but her instincts were warning her to be wary.

And for good reason, it seemed. With every word Varnis spoke, her amber eyes grew a little bit wider. She stared at him in silence, then turned towards Björn with panic in her gaze. She opened her mouth, then closed it again before the words could be uttered. Instead she shook her head as though to clear away her thoughts. Varnis knew too much. He had surely cast some devious spell on Björn. Why else would the Goliath, her trusted friend and lover, give away everything to a total stranger? It just didn't make sense.

*Stop,* She commanded herself. She was letting her intrusive thoughts win. She knew from experience that bonds could form quickly. She and Björn were evidence of that. Perhaps the same could be said of this odd man. She would give him the chance to explain everything. Still silent, she nodded for him to continue. 

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Thomas
**"Thank you... Now, I will continue. I noticed you both in town today while looking for book supplies and research material. It was then I saw a rip in Björn's tunic when he was dancing with that child. I knew I had recognised the symbol - a slave tattoo from the Sablemoon clan. Turns out, that is where Björn came from. I explained that I came from a troubled background, and so I sympathise with him."** *He spoke matter-of-factly about it all, sparing the blabber for the necessary details. He absently moved his hair to one side as he itched the base of something black on his head before continuing, not hearing any objections.*

**"I ran into Mr Björn as I was slipping in for a bath and a bite to eat. I recognised his tattoo and struck up a conversation - after I folded his clothes for him... He didn't know how to and he asked me."** *Björn shrugged nervously, admitting his side of the story.* "I liked how his clothes looked square and smooth."
**"Anywho, we spoke in the Bathhouse and while the whole ordeal ruined my appetite, I felt it best to make a friend of him, especially after he told me about you - a Kobold with a rare trait. I had to see for myself. Not every day you meet someone as unique as you both after all. I told him that if he had a meal with me, granted you don't kill me here - I will direct you to Gantrick. I am not heading there myself, but I know of its direction. Plus... I am starving for some good eating."**

"It is all true, Ves. He wanted to meet us both and 'pick our brains'...Which apparently means learn from us." *Just as he finished telling her that, Daggar walked over with a tray holding two flagons of mead.*
**"Two meads, fresh n foamy! Sorry posh lad I haven't met ya so I don't know yer usual."**
**"Oh, just anything from grapes will do me."**
**"Right on, posh boy. Now, Björn, what about some grub?"**
*Björn paused before thinking...* "Hunter's Chicken... Please."
**"Right..."** *He began to scribble on a notepad.* **"And you, posh one?"**

**"Oh, no I don't want anything to eat. I'll just foot the bill."**
**"Swore I heard you say you were starvin' but I don't get paid to ask twice. What about you Ves?**

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Vivian
With her permission, Varnis began talking. And by the gods, could he talk! He went on and on and on... He made leaps of logic and assumptions of varying degrees. He just *Happened* To run into Björn after spotting him on the street and *Instantly* Knowing where he was from. Yes, it sounded very suspicious to Ves. Still, she did not interrupt and instead let the man babble on. He certainly had a high opinion of himself, she noted. But nothing he was saying made her believe Björn *Wasn't* Under a spell. 

Then Daggar came along with the mead and Ves took her mug without glancing up. Her eyes were still on Varnis and they were cold now. When asked what she wanted to eat, Ves muttered "The same as Björn, please," Without so much of a glance at the Dwarf. She waited quietly until Daggar disappeared again. Only once he was gone did she finally speak.

"Strange. You *Did* Say, multiple times, that you were hungry. And now you refuse food." Her expression hardened and she clenched her jaw. Her mind immediately leaped to worst case scenarios. What if he was some horrible monster? A vampire, perhaps, ready to pounce and feed on *Them!* No... Vampires couldn't walk in the sunlight, right? And there were still beams of light filtering through the city at sunset. But had she seen any of them fall across Varnis on the way to the Frogleg? And what did she know about vampires anyway?

She wanted someone to blame. She was angry and scared and hurt. How *Much* Had Björn shared with this man? He knew they were lovers, he knew she had a rare trait - though he did not say what it was. He knew their travels from Dasvaz. She had to assume Björn had told him *Everything.*

Enough of this. Ves set her mead down quietly and leaned forward. She spoke softly, so he would have to lean forward as well to hear her. "I don't think I trust you, Varnis Baragon, esquire. I think you're hiding something. I think you have Björn under some kind of spell, be it magic or your own natural charisma. I believe my beloved wants to trust in people, and you seemed trustworthy. But something's off about you and I don't like it."

There was no threat following these words. What could she do anyway? She was only one tiny Kobold and apparently unarmed. She had her claws at least and she could bite. If only looks could kill then the problem would have already been dealt with. 

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Thomas
**"Oh uh... Right, two hunter's chickens..."** *The way Ves was acting made Daggar uncomfortable, his eyes darted between her and Varnis before leaving the space. Varnis, however... The hope in his eyes died out, leaving a cold stare that could have killed someone.* **"I knew it'd come to this... Fuck it always does doesn't it."** *Varnis slowly stood up and placed his index finger into the middle of the table.* **"With these words, I compel the truth from all parties."** *The finger pulsed with gold energy, as did the table, chairs and all three of them. No one seemed to notice it...*

**"Okay...** *The man sat back down at the table, pulling one leg over the other with his hands.* **"All three of us now exist within a zone of truth. Try to lie to me and you'll feel the resistance to blatantly tell one. I am going to speak and tell you the truth, then you two can."** *It was then that Varnis slipped all his rings off from his hands and laid his necklace - that was under his shirt - on the table, to show he had no enchantments.* **"My name is Varnis Baragon, esquire. Where I come from doesn't matter as I do not like to think of my home life. I am an Incubus. I feed from admiration primarily, as well as lust but... I do not like using that. I have taken off all my rings to show I am no manner of undead, nor does the sun on my face bother me one bit. Under my head of hair are two black horns you have undoubtedly seen by now. I wish to be a writer and a mage of great renown, so I can pursue my passions and have a safe supply of energy that harms no one... Now Björn, you try."**

"Uhh... My name is Björn Ursa but I know it isn't my real name. I am an escaped slave from the Sablemoon Clan who got my unborn child and his mother killed from my own stupidity. I am travelling with Ves who means a lot to me and I like when she strokes my face. I asked Varnis to calm me with a spell so I wouldn't worry about where you had gone because I was scared to be alone. I didn't change my und

Erwear and it kinda itches... The fuck?"
**"Now, Ves. If that doesn't tell you I am telling the truth, I don't know what will. This spell lasts for 10 minutes to the second... So ask away if you need more from me."**

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Vivian
Her eyes burned with a surprising intensity and Ves' lip curled. She stood up when Varnis did - it was fight or flight now - but it was too late. He cast his spell and Ves flinched away from the golden energy. She clenched her hands into small fists and bit down hard on the inside of her cheek. Rage filled her as she remained standing, listening to his confession as her blood boiled. 

Poor Björn! He was under the spell, same as she, and his awkward confession served as proof of its success. But only once both men were both did she speak. 

"My name is simply Ves and you think that casting a spell on me and my lover is the best way to earn trust?!" She spat. Her tail lashed behind her in her anger. "I am simply Ves and if I had the strength or magical ability, I'd challenge you. But I am simply Ves and I have nothing of the sort." Her long ears were folded back against her skull as she babbled under the truth spell. Tears pricked at her eyes, threatening to spill, frustration and anger pushing her to the edge. 

Ves struggled against the spell. She tried turning it around on him. Maybe if she kept the focus on him, her own secrets wouldn't come bubbling to the surface. "Do you mean to harm us? Are you going to *Feed* Off of us? I won't let you hurt Björn. I'll kill you, somehow, if you try." Her eyes darted around briefly. There was a knife at a nearby table. If she was fast enough she could reach it...

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Thomas
*He listened to her as he raised his brows and looked at Ves. Björn reached out a hand and placed it on hers.* "Ves... Breathe, look at me - hey, look at me. You do not need to defend me. Breathe..."
**"I understand your worry. No I do not wish to feed on you, or Björn. I wanted to meet someone with your traits... Here."** *Varnis produced a book from his bag. It was unfished and filled with loose pages. The front read - The Souls of Lucidien, an interview with mortality by Varnis Baragon. Should Ves choose to look through it, she would find messy research notes on bestiaries, race catalogues and measurements, his interviews with Elves and Dwarves - even Daggar's name is in the book!*

**"That is my life's work."** *He said, slipping his rings back on and tying his necklace back around his neck.* **"...I was similar to Björn, once. However, my prison parameters were... Domestic in nature. I don't like sharing it but if that is what it takes to show I mean no harm I don't know what will, okay? I'm a fucking good guy and I am sick of people like you who look down on me. You think I asked to be born to take lust?! Think I get off on it, huh Ves?!** *His fist hit the table, sending a shooting pain through his arm. He winced and shook his head, wiping a tear from his eye.*

**"Forgive my outburst for it was unseemly. I like to keep an air of professionalism. You have every right to judge me, but know I didn't judge either of you."** *Björn looked at them both in their fits of aggression, somehow the only calm person at the table. He took a swig of his mead, before saying.* "Being bald makes me want a sheep on my head. I felt it was relevant to share."

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Vivian
She turned her eyes towards Björn, the rage fading a little as she met his gaze. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "I would die for you, Björn," She tried to explain, more truth bubbling forth. The scarlet of her scales was beginning to spread and she ducked her head to avoid looking at him. She knew he didn't want to hear such a thing. She thought it would upset him.

Her eyes shifted to the book Varnis held. It meant nothing to her - she couldn't make sense of the letters and notes, only the sketches. "I'm illiterate," She began to explain, cringing as yet another truth came out. But when Varnis raised his voice and slammed his fist onto the table, Ves bristled once again. "I don't *Know* What to think! I don't even know you, Varnis! You could be capable of the worst kinds of evil and I wouldn't know!"

"I am a Kobold. I am small and weak and *Clever.* I am wanted for freeing slaves in Dasvaz, for helping people like Björn. I would be a fool to trust anyone so easily. And look. My suspicions were right. You aren't what you seem to be! Now I... I just don't know whether or not I can trust you." Her shoulders slumped and slowly she sat back down in her chair. Her ears drooped and she sighed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so quick to judge. I'm just defensive of what I have now." Her eyes lifted and moved to Björn. "I don't want to lose him."

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Thomas
*As both parties sat in silence... Björn spoke up, calm as calm couod be.* "Ves. You and I know what it is like to be used. So does he. He hid his own race from us out of fear of persecution... I've met one of his kind before. A Succubi. She was a slave like me. They made her hair short to expose her horns for what they were, filed one down when she rebelled. That is why I trust him. I have seen that exact look in another person, who was just as human as he."

"As for you, Varnis. You expected any differently from a Kobold and a Goliath? I'm not smart but it seems dumb to do so. Your book is true, I can read it and see that much. It's too much work for a facade. However, you should have expected a reaction like this." *He looked at them both for but a moment.* "I plan to go to Gantrick. I plan even if I go alone or if Ves comes with me. I plan to meet my people and learn their ways... And learn my abilities in true Goliath fashion."

"Ves, you won't lose me. You should, however be ashamed of yourself for your prejudice. It was hypocritical of you and while justified, was not the shining example of the beautiful and caring woman I described in the Bathhouse. Varnis, you should have thought your plan through. It was a folly - a gamble to try and use this way to show honesty. Your efforts are commendable, but you should have been outright from the start. I understand why not..." *He paused for a moment, letting the two sit in silence and contemplate his words. He wasn't even sure what he said himself... It was then that Daggar brought over two steaming plates and a bottle of wine with a glass.* "Ooh, look! Food!"

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Vivian
She was filled with shame and disappointment in herself. Ves' head dropped and she nodded her understanding and agreement. Björn's words rang true. How could she have been so foolish? So blinded by mistrust and suspicion? This wasn't like her. She wasn't filled with such darkness. What was *Wrong* With her? 

There was something else bothering her. Björn planned to go to Gantrick - with or *Without* Her. He would leave her behind? She couldn't imagine going anywhere without him. Did he not feel the same? Was he so willing to abandon her? Her heart twisted painfully in her chest. No. She was reading too much into it. Björn wouldn't abandon her. He had just said as much and they were under the truth spell.

"I'm sorry, Varnis," She said sincerely, sorrowfully. Then she looked up with a soft frown. "I need some air and a moment to think. Please, excuse me." She stood quietly, stepping around Daggar with a murmured apology, and made her way to the tavern's entrance. Stepping out into the quiet night, Ves turned and moved into a nearby alley and out of sight.

The darkness was welcoming. Ves leaned back against the stone wall and let herself slowly slide into a sitting position. She forgot about her pretty new dress and now sat with her knees to her chest in the dirt. Her heart felt heavy and she felt incredibly lonely. She had never been chastised before, had never disappointed anyone. She had never been close enough to someone *To* Disappoint them. Even her parents and siblings had been distant. There was no familial warmth or love among them. So it was an entirely new feeling and one she did not like.

Wrapping her arms around her legs, Ves settled her chin on her knees. She lifted her eyes towards the sky, studying the stars in contemplative silence. 

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