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[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Sunday, November 8th
Day 161
Evening

I'd been on the road for a month before I scented a town up ahead. When I saw the “Welcome to Excolo” sign I think I almost cried I was so tired of walking, but then I burst out laughing when I saw the population part crossed out several times and “oh fuck it”written in black paint over the numbers. Sounded like my kinda town. I've put enough distance between me and them, besides, I don't think they'll bother trying to track me. Justin might, the selfish prick, this whole thing is his fault. I mean, is a little self control and consideration too much to ask for? He better hope he doesn't find me or I'll show him the real meaning of bitch.

Its been days since I've changed, or eaten for that matter. So when I catch the scent of food being cooked, my stomach grumbles. The smell leads me to a place called “The Miskatonic” Stuffing a hand in my pocket I sigh, pulling out what I have. Almost out of funds. But lucky me, there's a “Waitress Needed” sign in the window. Now that I can do. I go inside, talk to the owner, do a little test run serving some food. (holy shit she's fast and that green wall..yeeeah.) When I leave, not only do I have myself a job, but a little more cash in my pocket too. One job isn't gonna cut it though, winter is coming, no crops, less money to spend on dining out. I head towards Silk Road to see whats there and freeze in front of the bakery, hoping what my nose tells me is wrong.God, please not another one. Opening my mouth,I inhale deeply. Its too faint to tell for sure, but I'm not gonna go in to check. Fuck That. Now I need a drink. Wonder what the legal age is around here? Oh well, never hurts to try. I nearly burst out laughing when I ask a man passing by where the nearest bar is and giving me an odd look, he points down the road and says”The Tavern of Hell is right down there, just past the Sacred Whore.” He smells like he bathed in rum, so I take his word. And “Sacred Whore?” and“Tavern of Hell”? What the hell kind of town is this?

I find the tavern right where the man said and coincidentally, also has a now hiring sign. Not many people inside as I give the barman a smile and take a seat at the bar, and order a beer. No funny looks or questions, he brings it right to me. I think I like this place already. I smile again and thank him, asking about the open job. ”My name is Thomas. You'll have to talk to Verdandi, the owner about the job. She should be around soon."”He says and I thank him again, telling him I'll be right here as I look around the room. This should be a good place to scope out the townsfolk and get a better feel for the place.Holy shit is that a jukebox over there? That and electricity. I must be in heaven.

[OPEN] [CLOSED]

Comments

[norn-verdandi.livejournal.com]

Melania and Verite toast with me to new things and I smile as Melania asks, "Has the carnival been here long?" Verite replies, "A long time, months. Been here all summer. An it looks like we'll be here all winter as well." She doesn't sound happy about it and I wonder why. I sympathize as I say, "Hopefully, it'll turn out for the better. This'll be my first winter in Excolo so I don't even know what to tell anyone to expect. Having new friends though, that makes it easier to face."

I reply to Melania's question and Verite adds, "It ain't so bad early in the evening when there's lots of people round, but later on it gets nasty." I nod, agreeing with her as I drink a whiskey shot and take another sip of cider. Melania's curious as she asks, "What kinds of.." and I smile at her, ready to answer when she shakes her head and continues, "So pretty much like most towns then. I'll be careful."

"Please do and let me know if questions come up. You'd be surprised how much you find out about a town from working in a tavern." I smile, catching Melania's sharp scent again, placing it this time, wolf, and I cheerfully continue, "For example, did you know that I've heard there are wolves in town? Some of them are said to shift from human to wolf." I look at Melania, sweet smile and another shot in hand as I add, "Have you ever heard such a thing?"

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

We all toast to new things and then Verite answers my question about the carnival "A long time, months. Been here all summer. An it looks like we'll be here all winter as well.

My eyes widen a little, "Wow, They must've been raking in the cash to have stayed so long. Never seen a Carnival running in the winter before," I smile and nod at what Verdandi said, though like her, I have no clue what winter will be like around here, "yeah, hopefully it will turn out for the better," I blink and shake my head, realizing what Verite said, "Wait, you said, 'we'. You from the carnival too? That must've been wicked cool, what did ya do?" I ask, smiling over my glass as I take a sip. Fuck,I'm feeling a little buzzed, I'm probably gonna have to fake drunk soon.

"It ain't so bad early in the evening when there's lots of people round, but later on it gets nasty." Verite adds to Verdandis' warning and in response to my own comment about it being like most towns. I nod. "Yeah, they all seem to crawl out of the woodwork at night."

"Please do and let me know if questions come up. You'd be surprised how much you find out about a town from working in a tavern." Laughing, I nod, and then give her a knowing smile, "Oh I bet I wouldn't." The shit people say when drunk.....My god.Verdandi continues"For example, did you know that I've heard there are wolves in town? Some of them are said to shift from human to wolf." she says with that smile full of sunshine again. shitshitshitshitSHIT She knows, and fuck knows how I manage to swallow my drink and hold my smile."Have you ever heard such a thing?" "Mhm." I snicker, "Usually along with tales of vampires, zombies, and fairies," I grin, "Why, people saying ya got them running round here too? And how much have they drank?" I ask in good humor. If she knows and is hiring me anyway, that's great, but don't need the whole world looking for us.But maybe she's trying to warn me there are others here. Oh yeah, we'll be talking about this later. "I'll watch my ass," I say, giving her a grateful smile. Hopefully telling her, I got it.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, it'll turn out for the better. This'll be my first winter in Excolo so I don't even know what to tell anyone to expect. Having new friends though, that makes it easier to face. Verdandi says optimistically and I nod. Than Melania goeso n about how much the money the carnival musta made and I can feel my mood slide even farther down.Wait, you said, 'we'. You from the carnival too? That must've been wicked cool, what did ya do? She's smiling innocently an tipsily at me. I force myself to smile back. "Yup. I grew up with the carnival. My family runs the bar tent. L'Heure Vert it's called. I been helping Mama run it for years. I also did hairdressing an stuff for the performers." I find enough good memories in that for my smile to be real enough.

Melania tries to get the last word in on the night time stuff with, Yeah, they all seem to crawl out of the woodwork at night.

But Verdandi goes on to mention something real weird. For example, did you know that I've heard there are wolves in town? Some of them are said to shift from human to wolf.Have you ever heard such a thing? She says it with such a sweet smile too. going to have to watch her for that.

Melania gets real nervous at that but tries to cover it by laughing, Usually along with tales of vampires, zombies, and fairies,Why, people saying ya got them running round here too? And how much have they drank?I'll watch my ass,

huh, maybe I'm only imagined her getting so tense. Melania, I gotta finda nick for her, has gone back to being relaxed again. I lean forward pushing my mug over towards Verdandi.

"Mug's empty c'n I get another drink?" I say giving her a wide eyed cute look.