Remembering Asrafil's "recklessly early" self, Ortix tried to show up just as early to so he wouldn't keep him waiting. While trying to match his newfound and unlikely friend, Ortix overdid it. He had just arrived one entire hour earlier than the quests starting time. Instead of logging off, however, he decided to chat with some NPCs and explore the tavern. The tavern was two stories tall; Floor one was the bar and social area while floor 2 contained the living quarters. In front the tavern had a rather small wooden door which was not big enough to cover the door way. There were a few extra inches between the door and the door frame on both the top and the bottom. With just a light push it noisily creaked open, though this was hardly even noticed over the roar of all the tavern-goers enjoying themselves. There were all different kinds of people there: short, tall, fat, skinny, Felis, Faerin, and Human alike all coming together in this homey melting pot of a tavern. Ortix decided that it was in his best interests to join in on the fun. He sat down at a stool in front of the bartender who kindly asked him what he wanted to drink. He was a large, mustachioed man with a hearty look on his face. Ortix simply requested a water, which were on the house, and the man obliged. The bartender zipped over to another customer vying for his attention allowing Ortix's eyes to shift to the man to his right, another Felis. "So what's the deal with that hole in the back" asked Ortix sipping his water. The other Felis looked him up and down, sizing him up, until finally replying: "I dunno, my guess is there's this fat mole down there that the owner tosses all his scraps to. I generally try to stay away from it though so I have no real idea just guesses." Ortix gave the man an obligatory smile as thanks and finished his water, leaving the cup on the counter for the bartender to collect. "Welp, let's go have a look at this hole." Ortix said to himself. He hopped up out of his seat and strolled back out of the front door. On his way around back, a older woman on the front porch called to him: "Don't go diggin' round that hole, ya hear?! It'll swallow a guy like you up whole! Tell that to all your other adventurer friends that've been showin' up 'round 'ere" Ortix knew she had said this out care and returned her cautions with a polite lie and casual grin. "Okay ma'am, I won't." He insisted as he continued around to the back. "Now, which one of these bushes is the one with the hole?" Ortix began rustling bush after bush until he found it. After unearthing the bottomless pit, Ortix began to think that maybe the old woman was right? The hole was large enough to accommodate for at least 2 average sized humans. So basically, it was plenty of room for Asrafil and himself. "Now I just gotta wait for the little guy to get over here." Ortix said while plopping himself down on the ground beside the hole. He knew Asrafil would arrive very soon because the time was one half hour from their designated meeting time. @Asrafil Ryva
-BGM- Another yawn, another early afternoon chore. This time however, Asrafil was not contacted by an NPC client. Instead, on his day off from adventuring and exploring, which he had intended to use napping, he'd been contacted by a prior questmate and sorta-kinda-friend. Things were complicated. Ortix was brusque but interesting despite his blunt nature. Asrafil was jealous of his height but enjoyed the Felis' company nonetheless. That said, it isn't like they've said very much to each other in a bit. Awaking to a request to meet at a tavern first sounded like an amazing idea, Harry logged onto his computer nigh instantly and got on to see what his new 'online friend' was up to, but found that Asrafil was far from this tavern when he logged on. The stroll was enduring but relaxing. Sunshine for miles and friendly travelers along the roadsides. Asrafil even managed to hitch a ride with a carriage carrying livestock further into town. A few hours passed, arriving just past noon. Even with the traffic and meeting times being arranged, Asrafil found himself at the misaligned doorframe of the tavern about twenty minutes before the arranged meeting time. Punctual, as usual. Or, so he thought, until he stepped inside to see the tavern bustling and full and extremely loud. He blinked, his eyes peering into what seemed like an abyss of hearty but noisy people, traits that Asrafil found to be joyous atmospherically but not in such abundance. He ran his gloved hands over the bartop, trying to get the attention of the barkeep. Asrafil himself was actually just a bit too short to see over the countertop standing flat, so he perked onto his tip-toes instead. He was met with immediate service, and when his first question was "tall Felis, little bit strange in the head probably?", they directed him to the back of the inn where a small yard lay, and there sat two unordinary things: a rather odd looking rabbit hole, and Ortix. "Working hard or...?" Asrafil assumed Ortix was familiar with the rest of the phrase, cutting himself off and too plopping himself down by the edge of the hole, peering down. "So, this is what you called me to the tavern for? I thought we were gonna go drinking. Y'know, merriment and all that jazz?" Asrafil lazily placed a hand behind himself for a support while the other gesticulated as if he was both tired and annoyed. In the end he was neither, just kind of wanted to hang out. That said, the peculiarity of the rabbit hole piqued his interest now that he's seen it up close. "So what's the deal? We hopping down this thing or what?" As if already preparing himself, Asrafil tossed his legs over the side and let them dangle loosely. By legs, it was more like just passed the ankle was actually within the circumference of the hole itself. He looked at Ortix, shrugging and awaiting orders. He was chief of this request, if you could even call it that. More like mutual self-destruction, if Asrafil had to put it one-way. @Ortix Farlin
"...hardly working? hahaha..." Ortix happily finished the famous line, now united with his rabbit-hole-exploring-partner. He watched Asrafil gaze into the hole. It put a grin on Ortix's face because he knew exactly what the Faerin was feeling. He looked up as Asrafil started speaking. "Oh god, I'm not even old enough to drink!... Oh wait, I'm actually 24 in game so... maybe? Actually, you probably can't get drunk in game anyways. Nonetheless, I invited you to join in this here 'instance.' I guess we just hop in and explore..." After saying this, Ortix noticed Asrafil looked almost disappointing at first. Then, after another look into the hole, he had a change of heart. "Right! Let's get in that hole already!" Ortix hopped to his feet, a smile from ear to ear, and looked to Asrafil. "See ya' down there!" Ortix leaped into the pit after gesturing Asrafil to follow. @Asrafil Ryva @Hecatus
Upon descending into the hole, your visuals distort slightly as the fabric between space and time warp. Given a second or so, your sight clears as a dimly lit room comes into view. The walls are scattered with various shelves lined with books and a single oil lamp can be seen on the opposite side of the room. Sitting next to that lamp in a rather comfy looking chair appears to be an oversized, thin and gaunt looking bunny dressed in what appears to be a purple tuxedo. (It’s statute mirrors most closely to those of the fae race.) Upon further inspection, there appears to be a door situated behind the sole chair in the room. The creature pauses mid page flip of the tome it’s currently browsing, only to look up at the pair with a glint of surprise in his eyes. “Wonderful! Oh how wonderful. It’s been years since I’ve had some proper guests. Please forgive the mess. In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting any visitors – not that I’ve got an adequate amount of furnishings for the two of you anyway.” The strange figure shuffles over and raises a paw to eagerly shake both of your hands with an uncanny vigor. His nose twitches with pleasure as it wriggles uncontrollably. That said, despite his desperate appearance, it appears as though a surprising bit of strength still remains in this old hare’s bones. “Well? To what reason do I owe such a lovely visit from you two gents? I’d love to offer you some crumpets, but I’m afraid the tin’s been empty since last year…” The creature’s stomach rumbles uncontrollably after this last sentence as he clutches his gut with an embarrassed expression. @Ortix Farlin @Asrafil Ryva
Even though he descended only moments after Ortix, it felt like a lifetime before the small Faerin actually found himself somewhere with flat ground. And even as he did, he sensed something extraordinary from this room. Extraordinary eccentricity. That was basically it, because what spooked Asrafil more than anything on first glance was that there was actually a room down the rabbit hole, and not actual rabbits— Scratch that. Asrafil's neck nearly snapped in whiplash as his head turned to look over at the large suited bunny spoke. He damn nearly fell on his side, then actually fell on his ass and started to crawl backwards from the bunny. His eyes were wide and somewhat terrified because for whatever reason, the sight of actually noticeably harmful creatures only gave him a percentage of the shivers he was experiencing now. He wanted to recede into himself, but had to show some air of composure... or at least gather the remaining percentage he might have. He pushed himself to his feet, dusting off his blouse and cardigan, as well as the stitch of the tights at his thigh. He rolled his shoulders and eyed the bunny down, missing only about half of what he had said. "Erm, we're here because—" Asrafil blinked, stopping himself mid-sentence, not even feigning a trail off but instead turning his head directly to Ortix and peering at him. His eyes were daggers and pinned to the blades they said "So, why are we here anyways?" In the time he started to send that message, Asrafil reached a hand out to the paw of the bunny, still fiercely keeping his eyes locked on Ortix awaiting a response. For reference, Asrafil likely would have never shook the hand of the strange creature if he wasn't wearing gloves all the time. @Ortix Farlin @Hecatus (Wasn't sure if should ping @Hec for every post or not)
Plummeting down the dark whole, Ortix managed to land on his feet - and in an unfamiliar (or unexpected at the least) place.Retaking a normal stance when Asrafil plopped down beside him. Suddenly, they heard a voice - It sounded rather old-timey, Ortix thought. He then turned around only to see a rabbit-man, dressed quite nice. A first, an expression of amazement overtook Ortix, then as he remembered it was a game, returned to normal. He scrutinized the room thoroughly, making sure to notice every thing he could, like a door that rested behind what appeared to be the rabbit-man's desk. Ortix could tell Asrafil was not pleased by this outcome by his penetrating stare. The rabbit-man spoke again. "A WHOLE YEAR?! You mean to say you haven't eaten in that long?" Asrafil unexpectedly also replied. Though by Asrafil's penetrating glare, it seemed his response was more directed at Ortix himself. Ortix pondered the question and then looked up to the over-sized rabbit. "Well, why are we here Mr. Rabbit?" @Asrafil Ryva @Hecatus
