CALLI: MAKING THE ROUNDS
(Obviously, like the others, there'd been more games between the last ones and this! My fellow players provided their own responses to my interactions and I consolidated them together and turned it into a short. This takes place between adventure logs 8 and 8.1)
Calli had put everything she had left into her performance. For a time, lost in the music, the stress and uncertainties of life are forgotten, and Trots Inn had proven to be an excellent audience. She even loved it when Trinia joined her for a duet, made only slightly strange by her disguise as Taylan the Dragon Boy. When her set had finished she gathered up the money dropped in her cup and bought drinks for everyone in the room. She needed a joyous night surrounded by people.
While waiting for the barman to finish pouring for everyone else before asking for her own, she spied Trevor heading towards the stairs leading to the rooms, and jogged over to intercept him. "Trev, I hope my playing wasn't so bad you'd rather run away than sit with me!"
The large greenskin granted her one of his tusky smiles, “Oh no Miss Calli. No no. As always your performance was..er majestic, sublime! I'm just heading off to bed. We big guys need our energy you see!”
“I was hoping I'd finally have a chance to start getting to know you better. We're far from the city's troubles. For one night, you don't have to bounce at the door or right wrongs. What do you get up to in the calm hours?” Her face was open and earnest, genuinely interested in his reply.
“Oh err... not much. Just, you know, read a book, visit my friend Otto at the church, play the orphans and er well just keep myself to myself really. Working in a pub means you don't get much time for meself, if you know what I mean.” He slowly resumed moving towards the stairs.
"Ah, and here I stand between you and a little bit of solitude. Apologies, I'll leave you to it. Hopefully the ride home will be smoother, and you can tell me about what you're reading." Calli grinned up at him, hiding the disappointment. She'd find a way to connect with him eventually.
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Returning to the bar she slid in next to Trinia. They collected their drinks and found a spot to stand and chat.
Calli, frustrated at another failure to connect with Trevor, questioned the pixie-cropped artist instead. "Your song on the road was a bit more advanced than mine, it was excellent. Do you have much real-world experience with relationships? Either adventuring group or romantic?"
Trinia blushed and admits to having a few relationships. She proceeds to give Calli an overview of her personal history. She's a bit naive, no adventuring experience until now. Grew up in an orphanage. Liked pulling practical jokes on others which meant she never got adopted and wasn't best liked. She really hoped the King's portrait would be a turning point, but it's arguably been the worst thing in her life. She expressed how impressed she was with The Flowers and likes the idea of illustrating their stories.
Calli's heart breaks to think a mischievous girl like herself would have been ostracized for it. She was saddened to find yet another friend having had to grow up without parents of their own, and inwardly laments how widespread that seemed to be. A brief bitter thought of her father’s prolific breeding crossed her mind. She pushed all that away and continued, "I need advice, and I hope you'll honor me with your honesty. Some of my party and I have drastically different backgrounds, and this keeps being brought up by them sometimes in insulting ways. I can't control my past any more than they can! I let it slide and try to laugh it off, but is it going to be like this forever? Is there anything I can do to seem less like an outsider? Things I tried so far haven't seemed to work. I mean, at least they seem to trust me now. But I want them to like me, too."
Trinia was a bit confused by a rich young socialite basically saying, ‘Why don't people like me,’ but she answered kindly. “They probably don't realize their words hurt you. Sometimes rough humour is used as a way to be friends. Plus, they're guys. Guys are odd that way. They insult people as a way of showing affection."
Calli furrowed her brows. "They what?!" Her mind reaches back over her interactions with the group, and then to the boys at school, and further back to her own brother, when he was still a light in her life to rely upon. "Oh, blast. How did I miss that? I think in my excitement at being included I forgot that men are just boys who survived long enough." She suddenly felt even more childish and out of her depths, but at least Trinia had gifted her a raft.
"Thank you. I could not see the forest for the trees. Between your art and your way with people I feel wherever you go next you'll have a much better time of it. You deserve to shine." Calli thought on all the painter had been through. "You've had such a rough go of it. Is there anyone you need me to pass any messages to in town? Anything you had to leave behind that you'd like me to send on for you? Just name it."
Trinia thought for a while. "There's no one special, I didn't have many close friends. And I'd already resigned myself to leaving all my things behind. I can always pick up more paints. But tell me more about your adventures! I want to see them in my head. The Flowers of Korvosa! What images that name conjures in my mind! "
Calli grinned and began giving Trinia animated descriptions of their mystical summoning by Zellara, some of their more comical interactions, and a few of the horrific creatures they'd bested. She made use of her magic to create silent images depicting some of the most iconic fights for the artist. Calli was careful, however, to leave out many details that were best kept out of public knowledge. She described her companions, their talents and their personalities. She beamed with pride at the amount of good they've done in such a short time. "I can only imagine what else we'll do, but I know it's going to be glorious. Write to me when you settle. Use a pen name, of course, and I can send you updates occasionally, if you'd like?"
Trinia is delighted at the suggestion and starts looking into the middle distance. It is the look of someone gazing into a vision only they can see but her hands start sketching details in the air as if with brush strokes.
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Calli moved around the room, meeting people, accepting praise, hearing their stories, and sharing in laughter and drinks. She landed eventually back at Nightingale’s table, and slid in next to him so both of their backs were to the wall. They shared a familiar nod and then Gale looked back out over the room.
"I'm so glad we're friends again. I've been up to so much that it'll take me days to get you up to speed! But I'd like to begin by letting you know I've spent a bit more time with a certain redhead. One with wit as sharp as a whip? She asked after you." Calli watched his face hoping to sense his reactions, but after so many years together as much as she knew him, he had grown adept at shielding himself when she got too forward.
Nightingale breathed deeply, his eyes scanning the clientele. A warmth filled him, knowing their relationship is changed, but he believes it’s stronger and better for it. His pride in her is overwhelming. Here she is holding together a group of strangers on a mission of true importance. It’s only then he realizes she had been speaking- he had been so lost in his thoughts. “Hmmm sorry??”
"Stand down, Nightingale. Take a night off! Or at least relax until your shift on watch, anyway. I'm assuming you all will still want to do that, even here. And maybe that's smart. But you deserve a few hours to yourself at least! What I was saying most cleverly that you entirely ignored was that I spoke with Katrina. She wanted to know about you." Calli lowered her voice for the next line, "And I overlooked the fact that she told me you basically gave her permission for her late night visit to the restaurant, because she seemed genuinely interested."
Nightingale laughed quietly to himself, "When did you become the person chaperoning me? I promise this is the most relaxed I’ve been since the riots started. We are here with friends." He smiled an honest and open smile, one that he had only shared with Calliandra in the last 5 years. "As for The Flame, I didn’t want you to get caught up in that mess. She had already robbed the place while you performed, you would have been caught in the scandal. I couldn’t have that, better for her to return later."
Nightingale lapsed into silence for a moment watching the revelry around the bar."The Flame could be a useful contact, nothing more, nothing less. But one we should be careful with. If she is like her namesake she wont care who or what she burns'"
"I'm glad to hear you're thinking clearly, I can't say I trust her much, myself. But look at who we're allied with, now. There are people in Korvosa with the potential to do great things simply held back by opportunity and circumstance. Maybe she's one of them? Don't write her off, just yet. And perhaps it couldn't hurt to entertain the possibility of something more? She is a beauty." Calli grew serious and stared into her tankard. "Now that revenge is out of the way, maybe you can begin to find some healing? It doesn't have to be fast or serious just... something. She might be a good start."
Nightingale sighed softly at Calli's words, placed his tankard down, and turned his full attention to her. “She may have uses and maybe I am judging her a little harshly, that is fair. But I’m sorry Calli, I don’t think there will ever be room for romance in my life again. I squandered the most beautiful relationship and paid the price for that." His eyes harden and his smile retreated, leaving his face in a frown. "And, yes, our vengeance is finished, but there is still so much justice needed in this land, so many who haven’t had their revenge and those who still need to be judged and punished..."
Calli placed one of her hands on his and searched his eyes. "How can you say you squandered it? You both loved each other fiercely and completely. She was stolen from you, you did not drive her away. And while you will always keep her in your heart, she wouldn't have wanted you to give up on the idea of ever finding something like that joy again." His protégé wished she had a spell to help heal his soul. Something about that last bit worried her. "And we can't personally right every wrong in the city. It's important to embrace the good parts so we keep perspective on what we're fighting for and don't lose ourselves in the process."
The mood was entirely lower than she had intended, so she grinned conspiratorially, and nudged him with an elbow. "I am led to understand certain activities require quite a bit of stamina, you could think of it as part of your endless training routines!"
A burst of laughter errupted from Nightingale at this comment. “And where would a young lady like your self learn such things? Spending too much time at the Rest, are we? Let me just say, I know I could, and I’m allowed to move on. But I don’t feel I can. I don’t feel like I want to. Rose is my life and my world." Smiling softly with the good memories brought to mind, he gently held the hand Calli had given him. "But just because I’m old and set in my ways doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue your heart’s desire... or is it just desire?" He winked at her playfully.
Her green eyes darted inadvertently towards Byron, then back to her drink. She struggled to find the words to summarise the conflicting thoughts and emotions that had been distracting her more often of late. "If I had someone in mind, I would certainly be interested in continuing my education in such matters. You know I haven't seriously considered it before, but with everything going on, I am acutely aware of how fleeting time is. I want to enjoy living and all the delights that come with it!" She felt the warmth of the alcohol intensify and knew she must be blushing again at discussing this with her protector. Her hairclip kept it hidden away with her birthmark, as intended.
"But I wouldn't want to risk jeopardizing... there's a lot to consider. And even if I am interested it doesn't mean that interest is returned. There's a lot I don't know, yet. Though knowing you would encourage your young charge to pursue such activity and not try to scare off the one who caught her eye does help clear one of the obstacles I was concerned about." She gave an awkward chuckle and took a swig.
Nightingale looked at Calli knowingly, a small smile playing over his lips. “I’ve spent years with you... I’ve watched you through every crush. I know the signs.' He chuckled again softly, the sound lost in the noise of the inn. “If he is what will bring you joy, what kind of paren.... friend would I be not to support it? But if he hurts you, I will kill him. Go Calli, life is short.”
She heard his slip, and felt a sweet pain in her heart for him. It was an understandable slip, considering their relationship over the years. She felt in some ways he had been a better father than her own. Her eyebrows raised at his threat, though. “None of that, please! If it goes wrong I’ll still get a good story to work with. You stay out of it!” She squeezed his hand and took hers back in order to change the subject drastically. She began animatedly telling him everything he’d missed out on in her life.
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The common room cleared out as everyone retreated to their beds for the evening. Byron had arranged watches with them, as she suspected and hoped would happen. After such a fraught day, what with dealing with (or not dealing with) Lady Eudicot, the transportation of Sabina, the Goblin attack on the party, the knowledge a green dragon might be after them, and the nagging feeling that a Hound of Tindalos is stalking them, Byron wasn’t ready to let his guard down. He took first shift, setting himself in a chair by the dying light of the hearth fire to watch over the Inn. He watched the landlord close and lock up his establishment, bid the fellow a good night and began his vigil.
Calli waited until everyone else was in bed before slipping back out to rejoin him by the fire. She sat in the silence for a bit before breaking it, "Zellara said I may die, and I do keep getting close. Skirting Death seems to be a hobby of mine for half my life now, and I didn't even know I was doing it. There are things I wanted to have experienced before that, though. The Flowers are doing a very good job helping me work on that list. I thought I had plenty of time. I hope I still do." She was talking at the fire, words a bit more uncertain and hesitant than she normally sounded. "Do you have anything in particular you hope to achieve or have experienced before the end comes for you?"
Byron initially doesn't reply, stretching the silence out. Then splitting his vigil between the door, the windows, and Calli he comments, "Working with Gaedren I thought I'd be dead by now, so I haven't given much thought to what comes next.”
She looked at him out the corner of her eyes and then back to the fire. "I'm glad you're still here." She almost continues, but nothing immediately followed.
"And I, too, am pleased you have not 'skirted with death' too closely.” Byron continued, “and you sing so well?” Then he went back to watching the door, the windows.
"What else is a songbird for?” Calli smiled, and sensing his attention elsewhere turned to watch him. “It feels strange suddenly having so much freedom. You were marvelous on the horse today, you suit it well." A pause and then, "between your notoriety as a fighter and your riding, you must have more than a few admirers. Anyone special at the moment?" Having said it she looks back at the fire, her hands fidgeting a bit at her sleeves.
Byron replied, “Yes and No, not at the moment,” and again the warrior is surprised at this young woman's ability to get him to talk, to divulge thoughts and feelings that he wouldn't normally share with anyone. He thinks to himself, ‘is this bewitchment , should he be more cautious?’ But this young woman has risked her very life protecting him in the Warrens and that kind of risk builds a special bond. Placing another log on the fire to keep the flames alive the taciturn warrior continued, “I have no 'admirers' in the way that you mean, but it's not well known outside of Ruby's but there is someone special in my life and she's a little half orc girl called Greta.” Byron again looked out the window questioning the wisdom of sharing with this woman this protective almost 'fatherly' feeling he has to the child. It exposes him, showing a possible weakness that could not only hurt him but more importantly endanger the young child that has stolen his heart. He sat in the silence listening to the fire and Calli's breathing as he considered the weight of the words he'd just shared.
"Oh! You continue to surprise me, Bear. That's quite sweet. Thank you for trusting me with that." She remembered the other bouncer at Ruby's, wonders about the story there, but knew not to push too hard all at once. That could wait. She steeled herself and made the next sentences tumble out.
"I don't have anyone, either. Not in that way. I always felt anyone who tried was more interested in my connections than myself. It would be nice to be kissed one day by someone who just wanted to kiss me. Not someone making political arrangements. Just for the fun of it." Having managed, she takes a breath. She thinks for a moment and carried on, "Did you ever feel that under Gaedren, or as the champion fighter? People using your position without considering your own desires? I could imagine that had its own set of expectations."
“No...” reluctant to venture into that dark place Byron continued, “You feared me or you killed me. No one wanted to use me to get to Gaedren.” Byron lapsed back into silence. The dying light and crackling sound of the fire the only back drop.
She met his eyes, then. "I think we're both doing really well for ourselves, now that we're making our own choices. I quite like having you around."
She sensed that was more than enough progress for one night with the reticent barbarian, and was suddenly tired from a long, tense day. She wasn't sure what would come of the seed she'd planted, or if he even noticed. But some of the nervous urgency in her chest had relaxed. He wasn't seeing anyone. She could work with that.
"I'll turn in and let you enjoy the rare peace. Sleep well, Byron."
"Indeed I'll see you in the morning." With that Byron smiled, “thanks for sharing the fire.”
Calliandra quietly slipped back into the room she was sharing with Trinia for the night and climbed under the covers. Trinia, likely worn out from weeks of unimaginable stress and terror on the run for her life, was sleeping like the dead. She listened to the slow, heavy breathing, and blessedly was not long in joining her.