Legion (Episode 2)

Kris allows herself to be swept up by Tajuri's enthusiasm. She picks up her own drink and follows in the gliding Moonfolk's wake.

Entering the dining and event area of the elite portion of The Runeblade, Tajuri and Jael see the same young Human female playing violin, as they had seen earlier. She has pale skin and jet black hair, except for a couple long white streaks in her forelocks. She is playing near a table to their immediate Left.

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Kris, on the other hand, sees her friend, Tamblyn, in the violinist. She has not seen Tamblyn since graduating the academy nearly five years ago and thought she would never see her again. The realization of the familiar tune now makes complete sense.

Stopping dead in her tracks, Kris stares in disbelief. 'Tamblyn'. The name falls from her lips. With all her restraint to keep from rushing directly to the playing minstrel, Kris moves forward and sits down at the table closest to the young violinist.

Tajuri takes Jael's hand and they join Kris at the table. 'I have the feeling the two of you have met before?' She whispers, leaning in to the young woman's ear. 'Call it intuition.'

Kris nods. She is all choked up and fighting back tears. Seeing Tamblyn again is a miracle. Kris expected to never see her roommate from the academy ever again after the teleportation incident that had transported her to from the realm she had been brought up in with the hag and flung into the one where she had met Killian. It had been nearly five years since she and Tamblyn had said their goodbyes the night after the graduation ceremonies.

Now, here in this city out of time, the impossible was reality. Tamblyn was standing only feet away from her and playing as sweetly as always. She looked up and tried to catch the violinist's eyes in her own. Would her old friend recognize her?

While the violinist is performing, Tajuri and Jael notice the occupants of some of the other tables in the dining area. Two of these groupings stand out. The first comprises the vampire, Sanguinor, in conversation with a bald and tattooed male who also appears to be a vampire and behind this individual stands a female tiefling, arms folded and leaning against the wall. The second group consists to two more barely clothed females, a tiefling and a pale humanoid, fawning over a bald unattractive human male with a long nose.


As quickly as her number is finishes, Tamblyn turns to Kris and throws her arms around the young Champion. "Kris! Is it really you?! You've changed—well, a little bit. Love your hair!"

Kris returns Tamblyn hug and holds her tight for a moment. "You look the same as remember, dear friend." She responds in kind. "I didn't know at start whether you'd recognize me with the white hair. Do you really like it?" She releases her old friend and brushes a hand along her own temple and pulling back a lock of her hair. "I have missed you. We should catch up when you have the time."

"I would like that very much, Kris." Tamblyn agrees. "After my sets? Maybe? If you have some time?"

She forces herself to pull away, straightens up, and moves a short distance to begin her next tune.

"I will make the time for you." Kris promises. "I would love nothing more than to spend some quality time with you after the performances."

During Tamblyn's set, the dark-haired waitress who had been seen earlier, bringing out drinks to the dining area on a tray, approaches the table and crouches down between Tajuri and Kris. "Is there anything I can get for you ladies at the moment?"

"Another round of drinks, please and one for the minstrel as well." Tajuri conveys to the waitress and gestures for the woman to draw closer. "Who is the bald one with Sanguinor? We're new to T'Lorn and have never seen him before."

Without giving a tell by turning to look in the direction of the table with Sanguinor and the other vampire, Megan answers, "That is Vryth Streck. He is the major partner in The Runeblade. The female standing behind him is Daashar, our head of security and his chief enforcer."

The waitress resumes her upright stance and smiles. "I will be right back with your drinks. We do have food stuffs as well, if you get hungry."

Kris attempts to stay aware of her surroundings, but in truth, her attention is focused on Tamblyn and the memories of their past moments together at the academy. She engages in light conversation with Tajuri and Jael while awaiting her friend's next break.

Between her sets, Tamblyn rejoins Kris and the others at the table. "Thanks for the drink." She says, holding it up toward them all, as she is not sure who to thank personally. "I have another set coming up and then the pit fights begin." She looks over to Kris and places her free hand lightly over that of her old friend. "We could ditch then and catch up, if you'd like?"

Kris nods. "Let's do that. Spending some time with you means more to me than satisfying curiosity about all the offerings available here at the Runeblade. There is always another night to explore, should events allow." She grasps the tips of Tamblyn's fingers lightly that are lain over her hand. "I have a room at the palace."

"That sounds prefect, Kris." Tamblyn agrees, with a smile. "You don't think it will be problem if you bring a guest into the palace, do you?"

She casts a glance toward Tajuri and Jael, as if to include them in her question.

Tajuri enjoys the company of Kris and her friend, Tamblyn, and the music while they wile away the evening with drinks and conversation. She occasionally steels a glance to the others in the posh VIP areas of the Runeblade, because she generally likes people watching. In particular, she gives some focus to the table with Sanguinor and Streck, as well as the one with the intimate companions-for-hire and, what Taj assumes, is their handler, Master Kleg.

The evening moves along without incident and soon Tamblyn has finished her sets and returns to the table with her violin. She places it in its case and smiles to Kris, before turning to both Tajuri and Jael. "It was good meeting the both of you. I have a feeling we will cross paths again during your stay in the city."

She looks again to Kris and Blue. "I am ready, if you are?"

In agreement, the two friends and the familiar depart, leaving Tajuri and Jael at the table.

No sooner had Kris and Tamblyn departed from the dining area, when a small man with a mustache appeared from the doorway nearest the arena seating section and stops near its center. Tajuri and Jael recall his name is Tom. Tom opens his arms wide and holds them up, while announcing loudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Sluts and Monsters! Behold! The fights begin in five minutes. Everyone grab a seat while you can! Bets can be taken my yours truly before each match! Enjoy!"

The Tiefling standing against the wall behind the bald male at the table with Saguinor moves and exits the room by way of a door along the northwest and the rest stand and begin migrating to the seats overlooking the pit.

Eager to see what's next, Tajuri takes Jael's hand, picks up her drink, and follows along to the viewing seats to find a good couple of them together to watch.