Khajit has stories if you have time - 21/06/23 - Calla Prim

After the Naming Ceremony, Loaferstan teleports the party-goers back to Portal Plaza. Calla says her goodbyes and dawdles while the rest of the adventurers go about their day. When it's just her and the Tabaxi left, an awkward pause is broken by a puzzled query,

"Before you go back to... your place... someone mentioned a coven... In the Feydark? I don't suppose you could tell me all about that? I'm happy to buy you a drink or two at the Dragon if you'd like".
“Sure, if you like,” the Tabaxi replies mid-shrug. “Loaferstan never says no to a drink!”

It is when the pints are poured and they are settled in the corner of the Three-Headed Dragon, right in front of a mounted head of a sapphire dragon, that he takes a sip of his drink, wipes the foam moustache from his face and asks: “So, what do you want to know?”

Calla responds immediately, "Literally everything. Start at the beginning maybe?"

She garners a slow blink in response, "The beginning of... a coven?" The knight asks, confusion reflecting in big blue eyes. "I don't know! I assume they come from Hells, but I never asked!"

Calla tries very hard not to roll her eyes, instead ticking off fingers on her other hand: "How did you hear about it, where in the Feydark, what kind of coven, who was in it, why..." she takes a beat to bite back 'did you think it was a good idea', and instead, "did you need to make a bargain with them?"

The Tabaxi frowns. "The mage shouldn't talk to Loaferstan like she caught him catching fishes from the fish tank. Nobody has caught Loaferstan doing that for over a decade now!" He says proudly. "Respect Loaferstan's life choices, and he will respect you," he adds with a steely glint in blue eyes. "But. The mage bought Loaferstan drink, so he's obliged to say something," he sighs. "Independent people of Feywild know each other. Makes it easier to stay away from the courts. This coven doesn't like to be found. Hide away. But Loaferstan found them. Loaferstan always finds good deals. That one was good. Mutually beneficial," he says, scratching his white throat with dignity. "That's it. You want more information, buy Loaferstan another beer, or speak nicely."

Calla closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and then meets Loaferstan's gaze. "You're right, I'm... it's been a long day. Let me buy you two drinks. I'll be right back". As she gets to the bar she's muttering her frustration that Mittens' people should be so alike, under her breath, in Primordial. Recent investments have made her coin purse unpleasantly light, but that too will be worth it. When she returns, an unseen servant is carrying a tray with two drinks for Loaferstan and a small glass of wine of her own. "Please, I would like more information".

Loaferstan assesses the drinks, then Calla, and nods. "Alright then. Loaferstan is not surprised the mage wants to know about them. They're also scholars, of sorts. You'd like them. It's a small coven, half a dozen hags at most. They call themselves Acies Obscura. They dwell in the swamp, just south of a big lake with crystals… Emerald Lake they call it? They like being on their own, learning things, not looking for deals. But Loaferstan wanted to travel between planes, and the Dancing Lady can't give that. And the hags can, so we swapped for a year."

“You swapped for a year?" the Arcanist's tone is suspicious at best, "What did you give them?”

“My dreams,” Loaferstan replies.

Calla's been trying her best to be polite and friendly, but her face suddenly freezes, faint words barely making their way out "You gave them your... but that's..." she stands up suddenly, knocking her chair over backwards, spilling her glass of wine across the table as she drops it.

"Terribly sorry. This has been a big mistake. I..."

A moment later she regains her composure. Her eyes, one still slitted like Loaferstan's, both go cold. Her voice is now tense but unfailingly civil. The effect is very much that of an inn slamming its doors and windows closed. Shuttering them. Dropping bars into place.

"You've been very helpful. Thank you. If you should ever need any help from me you'll find me in Aeschera. Which is where I'm from. Just in case you needed to know that. Enjoy your drinks. Goodbye". Even before she's finished turning on her heel to leave the building she's cast the spell known as Intellect Fortress. 

Loaferstan seems surprised, but doesn’t dwell on it too much. As Calla storms off, he shrugs and returns to enjoying his beer as if nothing happened. 

As she passes the bar on the way out, she slides two gold to the innkeep. "That Tabaxi, the one sat there. Fill up his drinks until this runs out".

Once outside, Calla stumbles again, feysteps into the nearest alley, and starts to hyperventilate.