A Surprise at the Golden Egg (Open to all!)

[Xinnai]

Riri introuduced herself and listened to the pleasant, if idle, conversation. She smiled and laughed and batted her eyelashes at the appropriate intervals, playing it up just a little. It was all a game. Just a silly little game, but she'd play her part in it nonetheless. Nothing else was being asked of her, after all.

The game, however, took an upleasant little turn. A wholly unexpected one. The man they'd just met, Girrard, crashed to the floor and her brown tried to catch him. The woman clutched at the bar behind her, eyes wide and mouth slack with her shock. Miranda's screams reverberated in her head, before she realized she was voicing her own.

Riri joined the other woman, hands fluttering nervously. What to do? What to do? And then the other woman fainted and Riri was left alone by the body of the once fine man. She swayed on the spot, the shock overwhelming her. What was going on?

[dragon]

D'ray only stared for a moment as the man crumbled to the floor. It was something unreal. He was alive and kicking one minute, now he was motionless on the floor. However, his state of shock didn't last long as piercing screams and mumbled voices broke through. D'ray was quick to gather his wits then.

"Hey Love, you mind taking care of the lady?", he quickly asked his at the time partner. Whether or not she was registered what he said didn't matter. D'ray knelt by the man and looked him over. He had to be dead, but how? Was it some disease? Was he sick before he got here? Was it foul play? He did notice this happened not long after ordering a drink. One couldn't help but notice such a detail if they were as close as D'ray and some of the others were. The brownrider couldn't say anything for sure. All he knew is that this man was motionless on the floor. "Someone get a healer or something!", D'ray shouted aloud so people could hear him. Oh, what good would that do? It's not like a healer could revive the dead. But D'ray really didn't know what to think. He hadn't exactly been in this situation before. People didn't just fall over and die without warning on a daily basis. Atleast not around D'ray. Oh where was his happy smile now? His flirtatious smirks? His witty words and comical personality? How did one make light of such a serious situation? Well. One couldn't, really. That just wouldn't be proper.

[Alsivor]

Stepping closer, Y'vor's own shock wore off quickly and he had the presence of mind to reach out to Serienth.

We need the healer from the Weyr, he told his brown simply as he hunkered down across from D'ray and looked at Girrard's supine form. Eyes lifted to Riri and Miranda and he spoke soothingly: "It'll be all right ladies, just try to take a deep breath or two and --" and Miranda was fainting too. "Ah, shells," he said with a little sigh, then fixed Riri with a steady look, breathe deep," he reminded her and moved over to see to Miranda, taking up one of her hands and chafing her wrists.

The healer from the Weyr? What for, Y'vor?
Someone here is sick or dead, so bespeak the wingleader and request that someone bring the healer.
Oh, well sure! That does sound serious, Y'vor.

Y'vor suppressed the physical snort that wanted to pass through his nostrils at his brown's attitude. Still he could feel Serienth reaching out and knew that he was doing what he'd been asked to do.

[Invisible]

The commotion at the bar was an annoyance to several people who continued their game as if nothing were happening. When one dealer tried to leave the table and see what was happening he was fixed with a firm gaze by one of the players, an attractive blonde dressed better than most, until he dealt the next hand. Life went on except where it did not.

Where it did not was at the bar where Girrard was well and truly dead. A fat blustering man pushed through the crowd and in a drunken slur said, “I’m a healer. Let me through already, dammit!” He shoved his way to the front and looked at the scene. Mostly he looked at Miranda on the ground. Although look is the polite word since that ‘look’ mostly took in her rear under her dress and the legs exposed in her fall. He slowly knelt on the ground and then ignored Girrard. “Man’s dead,” he said before reaching for Miranda. Only to find Y’vor in his way. The rider got a scowl. “I’m a healer,” the fat man said again trying to get the rider away so he might cop a feel in the interest of helping the lady.

Miranda, not knowing the horror awaiting her, began to stir. “Oh, Girrard,” she said woozily and then opened her eyes to look right at what used to be Girrard. This time when she screamed the healer slapped her across her pretty face. “I expect no one’ll be leaving for awhile,” the healer said which caused some to look up and notice the two doors leading out blocked by large, somewhat scary looking men. Again he looked up this time taking in all those right in front including the two riders. “You’re in trouble now, fellows. Best get your stories in order.”

[soulfire]

Diron had fully intended to stay out of trouble today. He had come in with a pocket full of marks and had proceeded to lose every one but his very last. Somehow he had won his last game, winning back everything he had just lost, plus a little more.

He had just been getting ready to hit the tables again with his winnings when he'd heard screaming. He hadn't thought much of it at first. Probably just someone who'd either won a fortune or lost their life's savings - more likely the later. Screams weren't all that uncommon around here.

However, when bouncers started pushing their way through, Diron stood up and took notice. Somebody was on the ground, looking in rather bad shape. He returned to his game, but kept an eye on the proceedings around the body. Someone with the markings of a healer came in not long after. The healer prodded the body a little, but seemed to just give up. Someone was dead, then?

Diron's eyes flickered around the room as he took in everyone gathered around the tables. Murder? Or a heart attack maybe? He finished up his game and bowed out of the next round, wanting to get closer to the action. Casually making his way towards the bar, he paused near the gathering of people. Movement out of the corner of his eye attracted his attention and Diron looked up to see the doors being blocked by two particularly large men. He tried to push down the stab of panic that arose from being trapped inside this place. For once, the commotion hadn't been caused by him. He didn't have anything to worry about.

[dragon]

The fat man was mostly ignored by D'ray. For once, a lady wasn't his dominant interest. More curious to him was the dead man on the ground. This didn't seem a natural death. Wasn't that obvious? D'ray wasn't too sure. But he could only go by gut feeling. A feeling that become more obvious when he noticed the doors were blocked and the fat man was saying something about getting stories straight. Well, this certainly didn't look a good turn about.

D'ray gave a skeptical look then eyed Y'vor. Perhaps the man had better understanding than he did. He'd certainly hope so. D'ray wasn't completely sure of this situation and it was only looking downhill from here.

[Alsivor]

Y'vor scooted over obligingly though he rolled his eyes a little at the drunken 'healer's' manner and looked up at D'ray quizzically. The slap from the fat man pursed the brownrider's lips and he cleared his throat lightly. "No need to manhandle the lady, sir," he drawled out politely, unconcerned about having a story or getting one straight, since his mostly consisted of 'win at cards, get a drink, watch man die.'

Still he straightened and leaned against the bar, posture casual, waiting for whatever happened next, since the casino doors had just become a non-exit.

Serienth? Bespeak the wingleader again and let him know that we might be stuck in here because the man has died and they're going to ask questions. There was a slight pause as he considered things and tried to remember which dragon looked to D'ray. Hm. If there are other Telgar dragons out there, touch base, will you? Figure out if any of the riders know anything.

Serienth listened closely, his thoughts shifting restlessly. He didn't like the idea of his rider being stuck inside. They will let you out soon, won't they Y'vor? But ... I will ask. The brown turned his thoughts to nearby dragons, repeating his rider's request.

[Invisible]

The healer was busy trying to calm the hyperventilating Miranda. That condition did interesting things to her chest that the fat man was enjoying getting to see firsthand. When Y’vor spoke he looked at the rider and informed him, “Calms them down when they’re hysterical.” Although he may as well have said ‘they like it’ because that is what sounded like in his current tone of voice. Miranda was sniffling in what she believed to be a ladylike fashion while the group around the corpse got thicker.

It was unclear who had the doors blocked as no one appeared to try to take charge. The doors were just blocked. Some people might notice other large, intimidating men congregating near them. Not doing anything, but several of them moved for the corpse and Diron’s nerves must have been noticed because a couple of men moved towards him as well. And still through all this people continued to game. The table where, it seems, the healer had abandoned his place was involved in an argument about continuing without him or not as it was his bet. Finally the haughty blonde who had been ignoring the corpse and screaming shoved the healer’s cards towards the dealer. “Start over,” she demanded and whomever she was she had enough pull the dealer did just that.

There was a rustle of noise and activity behind the bar as the bartender gathered up all the glasses near the ‘accident’ and dropped them into a tub.

[Xinnai]

Riri wanted to get out. She wanted to get away. There was no possibility of it now. The doors were blocked and several men, men who were at least three times her size, were congregating. She was panicking. She wanted to get away from this.

Apparently, this man had not died from natural causes. Or even honorable ones.

Dark eyes where wheeling as the girl stumbled back. This was no longer a game. This wasn't fun any longer. This was dangerous, very dangerous. She stumbled again, looking for something. Anything. She found it in D'ray.

Fingers clamped at his arm, eyes wide with her anxiety. She was shaking now, little tremors that rocked her entire body. "Please, please. Can we go? Surely we can go." He was a dragon rider! Surely he could do something!

[dragon]

Pharoth was nearby the casino, he'd taken his rider to where he wanted to go and now he slept lazily nearby. The slumbering beast was disturbed, however, by another brown. The brown was familiar as one of Telgar's, but Pharoth, in his sleepy state, couldn't place the name. Pharoth did, however, have enough clarity to touch his rider's mind and ascertain the situation, pausing for a number of moments to do so. My D'ray can't say for certain, but he's convinced this man didn't die of natural causes and he's quite concerned that this situation is getting worse by the moment. The big brown finally answered Y'vor's.

D'ray stood up as he heard the fat healer's explanation and understood all too well the implications in his tone. He then turned to the woman clinging to him. "Calm down Love. Just stick to me and nothin' bad'll come about", D'ray said in such a soothing and charming tone, followed with a wink. You found trouble again didn't you? Pharoth's formally near-dormant presence now trumpted strong and politely in his mind. Afraid so. Some guy I was talkin' to died here and now th' place is closed off. Looks like trouble's brewin'. Pretty sure the guy didn't die naturally. The brown huffed. I wake up and you're already knee deep in trouble. Typical. The brown's voice was silenced as his focus was directed elsewhere and D'ray was left without the comfort of his dragon's voice.

However, his focus was also directed elsewhere as the bartender made some sort of noise. D'ray simply turned from it then decided he'd make his attempt at returning to the weyr. "Well. Looks like I'm gonna have to report back to J'fel for this'n. You know? The weyrleader of Telgar an' all?", D'ray said in such a jovial, yet awkward manner as he headed for the door, arm in arm with the girl that was clinging to him. Was the lazy D'ray going to use dragonrider duty as an excuse? Yes indeed.

[Alsivor]

Yes, so Y'vor has said, one dead man Serienth replied to Pharoth, mind still questing outward for anything more useful. I don't like the idea of him bein' stuck in there, the duty sepia-toned brown continued, discontent sharpening the scent of rotting leaves in his mind. With a huff, he lifted off his perch and sailed downward towards the casino doors and planted himself there, staring fixedly as if he could get them to open by will alone.

Inside, Y'vor just shrugged at the healer's claims. "Cold water works too," he noted and leaned back against the bar again, adopting a casual posture as he eyed the beefies by the door again, while his gaze tracked to the woman demanding that the game go on. His head shook a little, but he didn't move away, not the time to be causing ripples. Which is why D'ray's sudden move for the door brought his brows lifting upward.

Y'vor wonders if yours has lost his marbles tryin' to leave right now. Ain't like we can't just tell the whole Weyr what's goin' on, you and me.

[Invisible]

The men at the door stared impassively at D’ray and his arm candy. They did not move and they did not speak. A door opened somewhere and soon a tiny man appeared hurrying towards the scene. He conferred with the bartender and then made his way to where D’ray was. “In a hurry are you? I think neither of you will be leaving until we’ve spoken.” He had a nervous way of talking and his left eye twitched with every third word. “Your friend,” a jerk of a long boned hand towards where Y’vor was as he said this, “He is in no hurry to run back.” Attention now focuses on the woman D’ray is with. “Or perhaps you do so at the behest of this young woman?” Twitch, twitch goes his eye before he smiles a slight, thin smile. “You two will go sit. If you’re wanting to get your stories straight now is the time. I believe,” one long finger tapped his chin. “Yes, I believe if you are a rider your dragon might inform the weyr. But keep in mind this is not the property of Telgar Weyr. Your J’fel is not in charge here.”

The little man looked around again and gestured to Y’vor. “You there, rider. Would you care to explain what happened?” He gave the healer a look that made it plain he had no interest in hearing what that man said. Which was good because he was trying to give Miranda a thorough going over to make sure she as ok. And Miranda was trying to get away from the check up, but since she was entangled in her gown she was not having a whole lot of luck.

[dragon]

D'ray looked at the twitchy man with an amused expression. "I always aim to please the ladies", D'ray's charming response. Part truth, but honestly he wanted out. He didn't like the scene and it was really interrupting personal time with his lady friend. D'ray shrugged his shoulders, however, giving up on the idea that he'd ever get to leave and have his fun. Oh how he hated to have his fun ruined. He gave the woman an apologetic smile and shrug as he made his way back to sit.

My rider never had any marbles to begin with. But this scene's got him nervous. Also, it doesn't help that he's anxious for some alone time with his new female friend. Pharoth explained his rider's actions casually as he shifted his position and rested his head on his dragonic paws. The brown grumbled to himself. His rider was such a hassle sometimes.

[Alsivor]

Another little shake of Y'vor's head followed as D'ray and his arm candy continued for the door. The appearance of Twitchy drew his gaze and he observed the small man's motions carefully. All of this was just pretty darned odd on the tails of a decent day of gaming. Then he was being asked for an accounting and the brownrider straightened up a little. "Came over to the bar to get a drink, that guy," his thumb indicated dead Girrard, "was here already with her," his thumb switched focus to Miranda. "He took a swig and started to fall over. D'ray here tried to keep him from falling."

His voice was level, matter-of-fact: Y'vor didn't have a blessed thing to hide and only the truth as he saw it to offer.