The Hogs Head, Seeking Answers

The Hogs Head, Seeking Answers

NATHALIE LUPIN
Nathalie entered the Hog's Head as it was the only place that she might find one of her uncle's council. Her spells had gotten worse. The vampiress nodded to the bartender as she sat down. Smiling as he gave her a bloody Mary as it was the only drink that he could hide the needed medicine, true blood.

Looking around as Nat noticed wizards leaving in a quick rush.

Still smiling as she said, “Sorry, I keep forgetting that most that enter this place know what me being dressed like this used to mean. I swear I'm not on the hunt.”

The bartender pointed to her outfit as he said, “Then explain why you are wearing that? Or why your eyes are ice-blue, Nat?”

Nathalie looked at her all black tight-leather outfit and chuckled as she answered, “I didn't really think about what I had picked, Tom. My eyes are this way because somebody has been leaving Black Roses for my god-daughter to find. I guess it has me concerned.”

Tom shook his head as he said as calmly as he could to a lady vampire, “Nat, most might buy that line but you forget I have known you too long. You are on the hunt and we both know it. Or you would not have brought that! And you know it! So cut the crap and tell me who has made the mistake of getting on your wrong side cousin! Unless it is that great-uncle of yours? If it is then I can tell you he never steps foot in here while I am tending the bar.”

Nathalie smiled as she said, “Relax Tom, I am hoping I don't have to use my weapons, especially my crossbow. I am looking for one of Artemis' council and preferably not that ex of mine or my great-uncle, cousin. I just want to talk to them as I have two problems. The first is the Black Roses, Rosa is getting. Could she be being marked?”

Her cousin relaxed, though in actuality, the vampiress was his grandmother's cousin on their father's side. Smiling as he said, “And the second?”

“The second is something is happening to me Tom. I have been getting spells of dizziness and headaches. My eyes are ice-blue because I am having one now. I want to know if he had anything to do with it. Him or Victor?”

Nat had been so busy explaining that she did not know when the man had sat down. She didn't even know how much he had overheard. Tom noticed that Nat's eyes were getting dark ice blue. He didn't care if this guy was Shadow's nephew, Nat was family. At least Nathalie had no idea that he took his orders from Shadow. At least until now, for if Nat decided that Corbin was a threat, then he was on his own. Nat was blood, Corbin wasn't! It was that simple at least unless Shadow showed.

(OCC: Tom the Bartender is not being RPG-ed, nor is Victor (Nathalie's ex. Gabriel had taken her from Victor (a vampire and her intended))

CORBIN MACAIRGEAD

(Quote:Nat had been so busy explaining that she did not know when the man had sat down. She didn't even know how much he had overheard. )

Corbin sat patiently in his usual spot by the bar. Tom had been so preoccupied with the woman next to him that he hadn't bothered to ask the mercenary for his order.... Then again, Tom never did seem to take a liking to him. It didn't surprise Corbin but then again very little did anymore. Ignoring them, he went back to business; that is, he was peering through a catalog of mixed weaponry. While normally he would do an Internet search of his favorite armory sites for both modern and history pieces, today he got the chance to look through a series of weaponry offered in the wizarding world. He made a few marks to items that caught his fancy and made mental remarks about pieces that, while looked interesting in the moving pictures of the brochure, were definitely useless decorations. He had been so caught up in the catalog that he didn't notice the other two until he felt an awkward silence. Looking up he noticed both the woman and Tom were staring at him.

(Quote: Nat's eyes were getting dark ice blue.)

"You know." Corbin said to the woman, noticing the change in color of her eyes, "I have never understood when someone said they met a gal with a 'twinkle in her eye' until now. I have to say it matches the attire."

Turning to Tom, Corbin continued. "Ah Tommy ol boyo! seems like a slow day in paradise. Now the people 'round here keep talking about some beverage called a butterbeer. You wouldn't by chance have any stashed someplace for my leveraging pleasure would you?"

NAT
(Quote: "You know." Corbin said to the woman, noticing the change in color of her eyes, "I have never understood when someone said they met a gal with a 'twinkle in her eye' until now. I have to say it matches the attire.")

Nathalie laughed as she thought the man to be harmless. He was a flirt nothing more. The vampiress realized that she needed to clear the man's idea that she was available. She turned back to Tom as she said as she noticed her cousin's look, “It is okay Tom, he might have picked the wrong woman to flirt with but since my husband is still at work, the man will leave in one piece.” She hoped he would understand the settle message and find another girl to flirt with. Tom was more protective of her where this man was concerned and Nat had began to wonder why.

(Quote: Turning to Tom, Corbin continued. "Ah Tommy ol boyo! seems like a slow day in paradise. Now the people 'round here keep talking about some beverage called a butterbeer. You wouldn't by chance have any stashed someplace for my leveraging pleasure would you?")

Tom was getting irritated by Corbin not taking the out Nathalie had presented. His eyes showed his emotions as he said, “Your uncle is not here so either leave or find a table.”

Nat shook her head as she said sternly, “Tom, he just asked for a butterbeer. My cousin taught you better manners than that. Unless some of who we were talking about are here?”

To Corbin, Nathalie said, “Excuse Tom, he just worries when I come dress like this. Butterbeer is for third years. Have you ever had a Cream Soda?”

Tom shook his head as he brought the Butterbeer. Placing it in front of Corbin as Tom whispered in Corbin's ear, “Your uncle would not last two seconds against her so Keep that in Mind MacAiread. She is in no mood to deal with your kind.” Tom was concerned about what Nathalie had said about her spells.

Tom gave a grin as he went back in front of Nat and asked, “Have you told Tarik or Gabriel?” Tom saw as Nathalie shook her head and said, "No, and neither are you Tom. Not until I learn more about why it is happening. Just let me know when one of my old friends comes in."

(OCC: Tom is not being RPGed at the moment.)

CORBIN
(Quote: “It is okay Tom, he might have picked the wrong woman to flirt with but since my husband is still at work, the man will leave in one piece.”)

Corbin shifted in his seat and awarded Nat his most winning grin. "Actually I'd say I picked the right Woman to complement. Means I can have a nice bar conversation without any worry of misinterpretation or expectations. Besides, flattery gets you everywhere. Especially if the person being flattered just so happens to be dressed like she'd ready to make a hit." Corbin ended that last part with a casual raise of his right brow.

(Quote: Tom was getting irritated by Corbin not taking the out Nathalie had presented. His eyes showed his emotions as he said, “Your uncle is not here so either leave or find a table.”)

Uncle! Corbin loathed the word but refocused the energy into widening his grin into a warm smile. "But I'm thirsty good sir, you wouldn't throw out a poor fellow into the meek cruel world outside without at least one small drink to steel his heart and lift his spirits?"

(Quote: Nat shook her head as she said sternly, “Tom, he just asked for a butterbeer. My cousin taught you better manners than that. Unless some of who we were talking about are here?”

To Corbin, Nathalie said, “Excuse Tom, he just worries when I come dress like this. Butterbeer is for third years. Have you ever had a Cream Soda?”)

As Nat reprehended Tom, Corbin couldn't resist feigning an innocent look at the barkeep. He quickly revered back to normal as the vampiress returned her attention to him. "I've had cream soda before. Some were better than others but still one must expand one's boundaries".

(Quote: Tom shook his head as he brought the Butterbeer. Placing it in front of Corbin as Tom whispered in Corbin's ear, “Your uncle would not last two seconds against her so Keep that in Mind MacAiread. She is in no mood to deal with your kind.”)

"That Yankee Doodle dimwit is about as much my 'uncle' as the bedamned queen." He growled quietly back in response. "we're distant cousins and that's all we'll ever be..."

Corbin returned to his normal demeanor, "... Thank you kindly sir for this most gracious of drinks." He turned to Nat and whispered "he probably spat in it but I'd have deserved it in any case." he took a deep swig and found the taste interesting. It clearly wasn't quite a soda, but it hit the spot all the same. a few more swigs and he downed the vessel.

"Any chance I can get another?"

(Quote: "No, and neither are you Tom. Not until I learn more about why it is happening. Just let me know when one of my old friends comes in.")

"May I be of any assistance?" the mercenary volunteered. "Not that I'm in the habit of prying or anything but seeing as I'll be living here for a while I might as well make myself a useful member of the community."

NAT
(Quote: Corbin shifted in his seat and awarded Nat his most winning grin. "Actually I'd say I picked the right Woman to complement. Means I can have a nice bar conversation without any worry of misinterpretation or expectations. Besides, flattery gets you everywhere. Especially if the person being flattered just so happens to be dressed like she'd ready to make a hit." Corbin ended that last part with a casual raise of his right brow.)

Nathalie chuckled as she listened to this strange man as she said, “Suit yourself.”

(Quote: Uncle! Corbin loathed the word but refocused the energy into widening his grin into a warm smile. "But I'm thirsty good sir, you wouldn't throw out a poor fellow into the meek cruel world outside without at least one small drink to steel his heart and lift his spirits?")

Nat watch this strange man interact with her cousin. Nathalie realized that for some reason Tom was not real thrilled about this guy being in Hog’s Head.

(Quote: As Nat reprimanded Tom, Corbin couldn't resist feigning an innocent look at the barkeep. He quickly reverted back to normal as the vampiress returned her attention to him. "I've had cream soda before. Some were better then others but still one must expand one's boundaries".)

Nat smiled as she said, “Butterbeer is a lot like a very rich Cream Soda.”

(Quote: "That Yankee Doodle dimwit is about as much my 'uncle' as the bedamned queen." He growled quietly back in response. "we're distant cousins and that's all we'll ever be...")

The vampiress chuckled as she said trying to get Tom to ease up, “Sounds like how I feel about at least one of my relatives.”

(Quote: Corbin returned to his normal demeanor, "... Thank you kindly sir for this most gracious of drinks." He turned to Nat and whispered "he probably spat in it but I'd have deserved it in any case." he took a deep swig and found the taste interesting. It clearly wasn't quite a soda, but it hit the spot all the same. a few more swigs and he downed the vessel.

"Any chance I can get another?")

Tom shook his head as he went and got another Butterbeer. Placing it in front of Corbin, he said, “Do yourself a favor. What she says in here, it don’t find its way back to the Yankee as you call him. If you get my meaning!”

(Quote: "May I be of any assistance?" the mercenary volunteered. "Not that I'm in the habit of prying or anything but seeing as I'll be living here for a while I might as well make myself a useful member of the community.")

Nat grinned as she said, “Not unless you know any vampires? Name is Nathalie Dalia Lupin and yours?” She had heard all of this man’s conversation with her cousin and knew at least some of his name. Nat just wanted not to appear rude.

CORBIN
(Quote: “Nice to meet you Mr. Airgead and does this Yankee have a name?”, Nat asked casually)

"Dick..." Corbin Said without hesitation. "But he hates when I shorten it so I just call him Yank. Come to think of it, he hates that too. I don't see what he gets worked up over, it's a suiting name. wouldn't you agree Tom, he looks like a Dick?"

"And please just Corbin. Mr. Airgead sounds too much like I'm in trouble." He gave a genuine laugh.

(Quote: Nathalie grinned as she said laughing, “I am one but at the moment just needing to find one of my maternal uncle’s clan to find out a little information.”)

"Ah, explains the attire and the mood eyes. Family reunions must truly suck..." Corbin caught himself then quickly amended. "Oops, no offense. I just mean it's apparent you guys aren't quite on talking terms."

He quickly took another swig before continuing. "So may I inquire further into the subject? or too personal?"

(Quote: “Anything I could help you with?”)

"Hardly" he responded "I found this and was curious to have a look see. I'm not going to lie, there are a few interesting things in here, but most are too impractical or just for show. Give me a good quality weapon any day."

COLE

Frank Cole didn't like coming to Hogsmeade, the place was too small and you couldn't not get noticed. He was a mercenary and being noticed was not necessarily a good thing. Two reasons had brought him to this small berg, near the Hogwarts School. One, Tom the owner and bartender of The Hogs Head was known to be talking to a Vampiress who was dressed to hunt. Nat normally worked at the Tea Shoppe but when she was on the hunt, she stayed away from there. Hank was a long standing informant and friend of Cole's. There were people who would not want him talking freely about certain subjects, as he sometimes did when he was talking with friends or family. Nat and he were related. Cole wasn't quite sure how, but he knew there was a connection.

The second reason he had decided to step out of the dark mercenary world was the fact someone was looking for weapons, weapons the young ones at the school might be able to use. Cole had a soft spot for the boys and girls at the school. Even though he could be bought most of the time by the highest bidder, he picked and chose the jobs he wanted to take. He also had decided to help protect the school when he could. If the man sitting at the bar with Nat was the one looking for weapons, Cole wanted to find out what his interest was in arming the children.

Cole took a table as far as way from the bar as he could, off in the corner near the front window. He could see the whole bar and anyone from outside from his point. He also had a port key in his pocket incase he needed to leave quickly. Signaling Tom to bring him a drink, he leaned back in his chair to watch the two subjects of interest.

NAT

(Quote: Dick..." Corbin Said without hesitation. "But he hates when I shorten it so I just call him Yank. Come to think of it, he hates that too. I don't see what he gets worked up over, it's a suiting name. wouldn't you agree Tom, he looks like a Dick?")

Nat listened but had a feeling for reasons of their own both Tom and Mr. Airgead had chosen not to give her the Yankee’s name. She would just have to show up more and hope to catch the guy.

(Quote: "And please just Corbin. Mr Airgead sounds too much like I'm in trouble." He gave a genuine laugh.)

“Okay Corbin it is,” Nathalie said calmly. She then smiled as she said, “Then call me Nat or Nathalie. Corbin, will you answer me something?” Nathalie saw Tom ask her to leave it alone.

Nathalie asked, “Why is my cousin Tom so worried about you telling your uncle about me? Also I would hate to uncover that you were a part of whatever that something is.” She really liked the man named Corbin but her cousin was being leaned on by somebody. Nat was determined to find out and dealing with the situation.

(Quote: "Ah, explains the attire and the mood eyes. Family reunions must truly suck...")

Nathalie had to laugh.

Corbin caught himself then quickly amended. "Oops, no offense. I just mean it's apparent you guys aren't quite on talking terms.")

Nathalie smiled as she said, “No but it was my choice. My uncle still believes I will come home though minus my husband.” She shook her head as she knew even with these spells, Nathalie would never go back.

(Quote: He quickly took another swig before continuing. "So may I inquire further into the subject? or too personal?")

Nathalie just nodded as she said, “Ask away as it does not bother me.”


(Quote: "Hardly" he responded "I found this and was curious to have a look see. I'm not going to lie, there are a few interesting things in here, but most are too impractical or just for show. Give me a good quality weapon any day.")

Nathalie nodded as she pulled her sword from her back. She handed it to Tom saying, “Put this somewhere close but safe Tom. I want you to relax. I have no plan to make war with that side of my family. I just won’t go back Tom.”


(Quote: Cole took a table as far as way from the bar as he could, off in the corner near the front window.)

The sound was followed by a man walking to a table close to the front window.


(Quote: Signaling Tom to bring him a drink, he leaned back in his chair to watch the two subjects of interest.)

Nathalie watched as Tom walked to the table. She heard her cousin ask what the man wanted. She noticed that Tom was nervous. She turned to Corbin and asked if he would like to sit at a table.

CORBIN

(Quote: “Okay Corbin it is.”, Nathalie said calmly. She then smiled as she said, “Then call me Nat or Nathalie. Corbin, will you answer me something?” Nathalie saw Tom ask her to leave it alone.)

"Sure." Corbin responded going for his drink again. "Ask away."

(Quote: Nathalie asked, “Why is my cousin Tom so worried about you telling your uncle about me? Also I would hate to uncover that you were a part of whatever that something is.” She really liked the man named Corbin but her cousin was being leaned on by somebody. Nat was determined to find out and dealing with the situation.)

Corbin kept drinking down the remainder of his butter beer and motioned for a refill. "Oh that? Dick's sort of... well... a dick really. The man can't keep it in his pants. Any pretty thing he sees he chases persistently. All sorts of young ladies. doesn't matter what age really. He's nothing but a degenerate skirt hound."

Thinking more on the subject, Corbin added. "Of course now I can see why Tom is a little protective. Let's just say that yank has no problems voicing his dislike at, well, non humans as he likes to call them. Doesn't need an excuse to pick a fight with any in the area."

(Quote: Nathalie smiled as she said, “No but it was my choice. My uncle still believes I will come home though minus my husband.” She shook her head as she knew even with these spells, Nathalie would never go back)

"Been there, sans the husband of course." the mercenary replied knowingly. "I had to leave my family under similar circumstances. Had to make that decision to pursue my passions.

(Quote: Nathalie just nodded as she said, “Ask away as it does not bother me.”)

"Obviously relations are strained at best with your family, so what would make you so eager to get back in touch? Doubtful its happy news."

(Quote: Nathalie watched as Tom walked to the table. She heard her cousin ask what the man wanted. She noticed that Tom was nervous. She turned to Corbin and asked if he would like to sit at a table)

Corbin peered over at the man. Whoever he was, he was not even bothering to hide the fact that they were the subject of his interest. "Well I doubt that's your husband. so either that's the man you've been waiting for, in which case I'll be happy to join you." Corbin Downed his butterbeer again and knocked on the table for another.

"Or else you plan on picking a fight, in which case I'm all too happy to join you." Corbin slid from his chair and motioned with his hand. "After you."

COLE

(QuoteSignaling Tom to bring him a drink, he leaned back in his chair to watch the two subjects of interest.)

The woman was a vampiress and she was looking for information. Information was one of Cole's specialties. His small army could hold their own in most fights he choose to enter, but his primary goal was to amass information. That was where the money was. His computer system on the Isle of Perdition, his private island paradise, was always cataloging information. Maybe if she asked nicely he might consider helping her. He knew who she was and he knew who her relatives were. Trading information would be the best plan with her.

The man was different though. Cole had been able to find out he was a Merc, highly paid in most circles. The question was why was he in town. Cole had placed the school under his protection because of some of the children there. He didn't like dangerous people being in the town, at least not ones he had not met and talked to.

(Quote: Nathalie watched as Tom walked to the table. She heard her cousin ask what the man wanted. She noticed that Tom was nervous... )

Cole looked at Tom and nodded toward the two people at the bar, silently asking for information.

Tom shook his head and whispered, "You know Nat so nothing new there. She says she is not on the hunt but she is dressed for it, and her eyes are glacial blue. The guy is just someone passing through, Tom tried to lie, knowing it wasn't going to work.

"Lying to me Tom only creates problems. Get me a wine from the top shelf and you can report to me later when we will talk more privately. If I need back up please send a message to the island through the closed channel. Now go." Cole waved him away with a sweep of his hand.

(Quote: Corbin kept drinking down the remainder of his butter beer and motioned for a refill......Corbin peered over at the man)

The two of them had taken a table not far from his. He needed to get the attention of Mr. Corbin Airgead. Cole reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out two dirks, one a newer model and one a specialty model, which could be considered an antique and used primary by the French Foreign Legion. Mr. Airgead had served with them for a number of years and he was known to like blades. He wasn't sure Nat would follow if the man came to his table but he hoped so. He looked at his watch to let them know he didn't plan on being there much longer. If they wanted to talk with him it needed to be soon. This town was just too small to hang around for any length of time, especially in daylight.

(OOC: Tom is an administration character used to further the story.)

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Weapons:
an assortment of kabar knives
a set of throwing blades
cross bow
and a pair of automatic handguns