Title: Corinthia's Hostel
Author: Pheme
Date: May 15, 2004
A couple of Mongrel women working a fruit stand on the bridge bazaar chatter back and forth, trading idle gossip to pass the time.
"And I told Leeza flat out that if her man ever came home at such an hour with such a racket to wake my babies again, I'd get old Edgar to get him fired from his docks job. The lout even woke up little Midge and she sleeps through anything." Rhonda, a plump woman with dark hair and a ruddy complexion speaks with indignation while stacking apples onto the display.
Tittering with a high pitched giggle, Marnie, the younger and thinner of the two says, "Leeza'll toss him out for good if he loses his job like that. She almost did the same last year when he got fired from workin' for that Empyrean merchant down the bridge." Fiddling with her reddish hair rather than stacking apples like she she should, she thinks a moment then squeals, "Oh! Did you see that Corinthia's is back open?"
Rhonda frowns a little bit as she keeps working, "You mean that boarding house at the north end of Mongrel Town? Didn't that burn down a couple months ago? Some drunkard tried to light a fire in his room even though he didn't have a fire place."
Marnie continues playing with her hair while eyeing a handsome young man at a nearby produce booth, "Ayup, that's the one. She gots it all fixed up now and everything. Few people are pissed 'cause she raised her charge for a room, but she's still got that open room where you can get a bunk cheap. I stayed there when me mum tossed me out. Was better'n than the stinky Bottoms at least."
Giving a snort, Rhonda gives a gap-toothed grin, "Maybe I can tell Leeza and she'll have somewhere to send her man when I get him fired."
Both women descend into laughter before starting another topic to gossip about.
(OOC: Cortinthia's Hostel is now open in Mongrel Town. The second floor has Men's and Women's dormitories where anyone can get a cheap bed. Both rooms are okay to @link yourself to. There's also a third floor with those with a little bit more money can have a room of their own. It'd be something small, but we can get your home set up there. If you've got questions, please give me, Pheme, a shout.)
Title: A New Owner for The Crossing
Author: Adonis
Date: May 21, 2004
'pina, have you heard about the latest from the Pons yet? Seems that upscale tavern, hotel, and ... house of questionable activity, The Crossing, has new management. I saw several large carts pull up to it yesterday afternoon just heaping with new furniture. And then that roguish young fellow, Dominus Adonis Fortuna, alighted from one cart, with a bevvy of tittering young ladies in tow. Interviewing new staff, is he? Given his House's reputation, I wonder ...
'pina? Where do you think you're going? We've only begun to gossip! Wha? Why that silly girl. I haven't a clue what got into her head, but she just took out of here like a bolt of lightning. Something about 'putting in an application', but she said she needed less clothing. Oh, well, you're still here. Let me tell you the latest that I heard from my favorite towel boy in the baths ...
Title: Fish in Thariaka Cafe
Author: Kedar
Date: May 22, 2004
From a conversation between two Varati merchants in the Qajar District of Irha-Esh:
"Did you see the incident with that Atlantean just down the street from here?"
"What do you mean, Nassur?"
"So you haven't seen it. This blue fish-woman walked into the Theriaka Caf. All alone and haughty like a Pasha. It didn't take long that she stormed out again. And, take this, an Agni-Haidar was on her heels."
"No! You mean she challenged a Lion of Fire? Did they dump her corpse back into the sea?"
"Well, the story went over a bit differently. I am not sure what happened in there, but that Agni-Haidar just grabbed her and talked to her. That other Kshatri woman...Niviah something Zulyat, she tried to interfere. That did not go over well with the Black Guard. You wouldn't believe how quickly she was shoved off. But that Atlantean...he stuck with her. They went off together later. I think I saw her wanting to seduce him. Outrageous. Strange fellows, both of them."
"The ocean-folk were always eerie. It's odd making deals with them, you know? And the Agni-Haidar...they make me shiver. Do you know which one that was?"
"The Lion? One of the commanders. The short one, you know? I think Kedar is his name."
"Kedar? Oh yeah, I know that one. He stayed long enough in our vara. Helped us a lot, but even though some concubines were offered to him as gift, he didn't bother with any one of them. Isn't that odd?"
"Well, now you know why? Guess he likes fishes in bed better than our women."
"Right. Say that in front of him and he'll have your head. Better not go insulting the Black Guard, Nassur."
Title: New barmaid at the Crossing
Author: Tara
Date: May 27, 2004
The Crossing:
"Who's the new barmaid, Gaius?"
Gaius looks up from his drink to study the mongrel in question, something he's been doing quite a bit. "Mm. I wish I knew. Dominus Adonis has taste, for all she's a mongrel. A pretty one, she is. I wonder what else she does for him?"
The Naughty Nereus:
"Hey, Lukas. Yer on early. Whatcha done with Tara?"
The stocky Varati puts down the mug he's cleaning. "Oh, we ain't good enough for her any more. Gone to work at the Crossing!"
Title: Party Gossip
Author: Andreas
Date: May 27, 2004
"Did you see her?"
"Who?"
"Antonia Tritonides: that young domina with the ghastly curls..."
"Oh. Yes. She seemed to have cleaned up remarkably nicely for the party, though. Enough to get a crowd of young Praetorians around her, and that dreadful Andreas Fortuna's attention. Did you know she left with him?"
"Mm. I saw: and returned without him."
"Smart girl."
Title: Big Parade!
Author: Aeolus
Date: May 27, 2004
The order comes down from the Praefect's office and spreads quickly among the ranks: The praefect wishes to see the entire garrison of Parnassus in parade review in the coming days, and the entire city is invited to see them!
This, of course, means that armor must sparkle in the sun and weapons must not have a speck of dirt on them. Optios inspect troops now each day for cleanliness and ceterions work in their spare time cleaning sandals and seeing that their linens are washed.
Word also has it that the officers and selected rank-and-file members of the Guard (i.e. the player characters) will be invited to a smaller reception following the parade with the Praefect so that he might become more familiar with his officer corps.
It should be quite the show as velites march and servitors fly in perfect formation! Bring the kids and significant others, for it is a sight in the forum not to be missed!
(OOC: This will take place next Wednesday at 6:00 pm Eastern with reception following parade. All are invited to attend the parade and all Guard members are invited to the reception. Come out and support the Guard in the Forum!)
Title: More Fish in Irha-Esh
Author: Kedar
Date: May 28, 2004
Two days ago, a squadron of well-armed Atlanteans, accompanied by an escort of the Black Guard, have been seen traveling from the Pons Pactum straight into the center of the Irha-Esh. At the Kshatri quarter, the most Agni-Haidar spread out to roam the streets in search of something. The remaining soldiers and the Atlanteans were observed to enter the mansion of Vayu Khalida. While it is not known what happened in that House, the group left after quite some time to return to their respective homes.
Some claim that another Atlantean woman was with the group on the way back screaming and fighting, but others refute this rumors, for what would an esteemed person like Vayu Khalida do inviting screaming candala to his house.
A different rumor says that the high-priestess of the Marches accompanied the Atlantean squadron, but that one is just as ridiculous as the first. Or is it?
(OOC: This post comes a bit late, but better than never. Big kudos to Okalani, Nymosyne, Palani, Kekipi, Nasi and Vayu for the great scene.)
