Post by Toby on Jun 2, 2012 23:47:19 GMT -5
Ah. Drakborough. Sweet, delightful, apparently-rebuilt-since-the-last-time-he-was-here Drakborough. When Tobias arrived, it was like walking down memory lane...well, minus the screams, the death, the destruction, and the subsequent exile and such. He spent the first afternoon simply walking around town, rucksack thrown over his shoulder, a neutral little smile on his face. It was as much a re-familiarization exercise as it was a test run of his new persona - to see if anyone local would recognize him or not. Underneath his welcoming visage, chills were coursing down his spine. He was waiting for the recognition that never came. Seconds - minutes - then hours of wandering, and not a single soul knew him. Perfection.
Tobias Selther had been a wanted man. As far as the world knew - he was a corpse - and he had no intention for that to change.
So it was that when he walked into Joker's Bar, asking about a job, he introduced himself as, "Harvey Rhodes, damn good to meet'cha!" It was the first conversation he'd had in years that didn't involve any sort of threats, curses, or forced manipulation. In fact, it was probably the most truthful he had been in some time, blatant lies about his past and his name aside. It was true that he was a wanderer, and it was true he had once gone to the school, and it was true that he was looking to stay for a while - have a fresh start. One quick mix of a Hungarian Horn-cocktail and a handshake later, and Harvey was set up with a Bartending position and a small bunk in the basement - at least until a better-suiting residence could be found.
Fast forward two weeks, toss in an Imperius Curse and the sudden retirement / departure of the previous owner, and Harvey Rhodes was Joker's up-and coming new proprietor and barkeep.
While new faces are always worth looking into - and an amusing showman was doubly so - the sudden change in ownership would of course be the topic of local gossip. However, in light of the slightly odd circumstances, "Harvey" was a hit: finding a way to charm both the students and the Drakborough locals alike, cheerfully singing karaoke just off-key enough to show he was unpracticed but not unpleasant, and always willing to help out with anything even outside of the Bar. By all accounts, he was a good and decent guy, and a delight to have move into town.
They were gullible.
He was playing the waiting game. That was it. The budding relationships, the plucky attitude, the damnable singing...all unpleasant but necessary. His only sanctuary was his innermost thoughts, the only place he could really be himself. His dreams were sweet - filled with memories of conquest and darkness. Dreams of Shadows and Ravens and the unknown. Dreams of the eventual reaping of rewards and abandonment of this faux-life. But, as stated, it was all part of the long game. Patience was his saving grace. He would keep the part for a few years at most, discretely gather up every last scrap of hidden 'gold' that was to be found in the ruins and perhaps the school. Then, he'd vanish. Simple as that. In the meantime, he'd build a rapport, make a bit of money, and no one would be the wiser. After all - Tobias was dead. Harvey Rhodes was alive and well.
So it was that Harvey was working, easing into a comfortable schedule, always keeping busy, finding some way to help out here and there. He had changed radically since the last time he had lived anywhere near Drakborough. The pale, dark-haired, thin, gothic-fashioned, ghastly teen was long gone. The man currently polishing cups at the bar in the late afternoon was bright eyed, cheerful. His head was shaven, though he sported a fairly stylish blond goatee and mustache combination. He was moderately tanned, and was definitely sporting an athlete's build. He was wearing comfortable, worn-in jeans, heavy-looking black boots, and a bright orange Led Zeppelin T-shirt with a trendy black vest over it. True to barkeeping fashion and tradition, there was a towel thrown over his shoulder. Would it ever be used? Probably not, but it was there all the same.
This was his station, for now. Serving drinks. Keeping the Students happy, entertained, and helping with school, and keeping the teachers and adults drunk enough to not remember anything.........the tips weren't bad either.
So it was, that Joker's had a bright new sign reading, "UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, COME ON IN!"
Tobias Selther had been a wanted man. As far as the world knew - he was a corpse - and he had no intention for that to change.
So it was that when he walked into Joker's Bar, asking about a job, he introduced himself as, "Harvey Rhodes, damn good to meet'cha!" It was the first conversation he'd had in years that didn't involve any sort of threats, curses, or forced manipulation. In fact, it was probably the most truthful he had been in some time, blatant lies about his past and his name aside. It was true that he was a wanderer, and it was true he had once gone to the school, and it was true that he was looking to stay for a while - have a fresh start. One quick mix of a Hungarian Horn-cocktail and a handshake later, and Harvey was set up with a Bartending position and a small bunk in the basement - at least until a better-suiting residence could be found.
Fast forward two weeks, toss in an Imperius Curse and the sudden retirement / departure of the previous owner, and Harvey Rhodes was Joker's up-and coming new proprietor and barkeep.
While new faces are always worth looking into - and an amusing showman was doubly so - the sudden change in ownership would of course be the topic of local gossip. However, in light of the slightly odd circumstances, "Harvey" was a hit: finding a way to charm both the students and the Drakborough locals alike, cheerfully singing karaoke just off-key enough to show he was unpracticed but not unpleasant, and always willing to help out with anything even outside of the Bar. By all accounts, he was a good and decent guy, and a delight to have move into town.
They were gullible.
He was playing the waiting game. That was it. The budding relationships, the plucky attitude, the damnable singing...all unpleasant but necessary. His only sanctuary was his innermost thoughts, the only place he could really be himself. His dreams were sweet - filled with memories of conquest and darkness. Dreams of Shadows and Ravens and the unknown. Dreams of the eventual reaping of rewards and abandonment of this faux-life. But, as stated, it was all part of the long game. Patience was his saving grace. He would keep the part for a few years at most, discretely gather up every last scrap of hidden 'gold' that was to be found in the ruins and perhaps the school. Then, he'd vanish. Simple as that. In the meantime, he'd build a rapport, make a bit of money, and no one would be the wiser. After all - Tobias was dead. Harvey Rhodes was alive and well.
So it was that Harvey was working, easing into a comfortable schedule, always keeping busy, finding some way to help out here and there. He had changed radically since the last time he had lived anywhere near Drakborough. The pale, dark-haired, thin, gothic-fashioned, ghastly teen was long gone. The man currently polishing cups at the bar in the late afternoon was bright eyed, cheerful. His head was shaven, though he sported a fairly stylish blond goatee and mustache combination. He was moderately tanned, and was definitely sporting an athlete's build. He was wearing comfortable, worn-in jeans, heavy-looking black boots, and a bright orange Led Zeppelin T-shirt with a trendy black vest over it. True to barkeeping fashion and tradition, there was a towel thrown over his shoulder. Would it ever be used? Probably not, but it was there all the same.
This was his station, for now. Serving drinks. Keeping the Students happy, entertained, and helping with school, and keeping the teachers and adults drunk enough to not remember anything.........the tips weren't bad either.
So it was, that Joker's had a bright new sign reading, "UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, COME ON IN!"