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Charlotte burst through the door, breathing heavily as she quickly looked around the bar in a bit of a mad panic, expecting to find the place in ruins she was pleasantly surprised to see that it just looked like any other night, if anything it looked better than any other night since the place looked much cleaner.

She was soon Followed by Veritas who also took quick stock of the state of the bar, both concern and surprise making an odd expression materialize on her face. They both stood in the door side by side, neither saying a word as they tried to get their breath back as they had been running for quite a while..

They got some curious glances from the few remaining patrons of the evening, who probably knew just why the pair where red in the face. Of course it was due to the event earlier on, having heard Angelo's version of events through a friend of a friend of Charlotte's they had rushed back fearing the worst.

Veritas quickly marched up to the bar, not being as worn as Charlotte who took a little rest before following, still turning over the story she had heard in her head, and trying to quite figure out how this place was so tidy if the story was genuine.

Veritas stared expressionless at the back of the man behind the bad, who currently was cleaning some glasses, either ignoring her stare or just not having noticed her yet as he worked away. Her voice came out, low and full of authority, making her sound somewhat threatening. "Firnis."

Firnis turned, an ugly black mark the size of an apple having flared up just below the right hand corner of his mouth. Seemingly ignorant of the pain that he must be feeling, he put on a smile and approached the almost vacant bar that currently only seated the priestly man still drinking his water. "Ah, how may I help you Veri and Lady Charlotte?"

Veritas was for a moment disarmed, clearly having not expected him to use to correct form of address for Charlotte, which brought a smile to Charlotte's lips as it was a rare sight to see, Veritas being surprised.. "What happened here?" Veritas demanded after a quick moment.

Charlotte looked to him, and felt a small measure of guilt regarding that nasty mark upon his face, cringing as she thought of how much it must be hurting. "Are you alright?" She asked, she had a sneaking suspicion that she knew what had happened, so she wasn't too eager to hear him answer Veri, so in a futile bid to change the subject she added. "What are you doing behind there anyway?" Motioning to the bar.

Firnis sighed, pouring a drink and sending it sliding down the bar, only to have it grabbed up by a scaled hand and with a distant thanks. "Well to put it bluntly, leaving a pub unattended will cause unnecessary damage and mess, that I had just cleaned." He resumed washing some glasses, as if to emphasis that. "And as for what happened, I believe the one who did this was a debt collector or some such, but without you present I asked him to leave, and then I showed him the door a little more forcefully when he declined."

Veritas narrowed her eyes, looking from both the now fidgeting Charlotte, to the calm bartender. "That is not what his friends are spreading in town, they claim you and some others attacked him for his money when he came to ask for donations to his organization." Charlotte already knew Veritas was taking that story with a pinch of salt so to speak, and she too knew it was at least a half-truth if anything, being that Angelo was no saint and was probably the cause of his current condition.

Firnis shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you, your clientele have mostly left for this evening, and I doubt they would back me up." He shrugged. "Since you can detect lies though, I shouldn't think you would need a second witness." Firnis took a breath before looking at Veritas, eye to eye and speaking in a monotone, emotionless voice. "I gave him his chance to leave, he struck me, I retaliated alone and made him crawl out to humiliate him."

Having probably expected a lie or for him to withhold the truth Charlotte watched the two of them stare each other down. Expecting an explosion of anger or violence at having heard such an obvious lie, after all Angelo was a minotaur, and a big one at that. However instead Veritas looked to Charlotte with a bewildered expression, placing an arm on-one of the robed girl's shoulders. "Firnis, please close up the bar, we need to talk privately."

With that Firnis rang the final call bell, and without any complaint the inns last few customers filtered out the door. It didn't take long for the place to empty, the priest leaving last after thanking Firnis for his good service. Firnis just nodded and replied. "Please come again."

Once the place was empty Charlotte had a quick look around and saw Firnis did seem to have a point. His presence during service had certainly seemed to help with keeping the place from turning into a complete mess all over again. She took a seat at the bar next to Veritas looking somewhat uncomfortable. "So care to explain why your bartender got assaulted?" Veritas asked, there was an edge to her voice, making Charlotte wince as though she where being interrogated. "Sorry, but please I have to know." She quickly added softening the tone of her voice.

Charlotte lay her hands on her lap, clenching her robe tightly as she looked down at the floor. She composed herself as best as she could before beginning. "I-It started a few weeks ago..." Charlotte began, deciding she may as well tell the whole truth, especially with Veri present. "Angelo just showed up and asked for a donation, so I have him some money. Then the next day he came and demanded the same amount for protection money. I questioned him but he threatened to bring in the clan head if I refused..."

Charlotte looked up at Firnis, he had a look of concern on his face, but there was something else there, something in his pale blue eyes that made her feel uncomfortable for some reason. She quickly realized he might see her face, so she quickly pulled her hood down to cover it. "T-The clan head of masterpiece is a old friend of mine, but if I refused a request from her and she let me off for it, I would put her into a difficult position so I had to keep paying..."

Firnis' face betrayed none of the usual symptoms of disgust or pity a glance at her face normally brought about, which probably meant he hadn't seen it. Charlotte was thankful for that at least. Instead he still wore that cold look of concern tinged with something she couldn't quite figure out. "So in other words, he is going to use this to get himself a mob to come around and teach me a lesson I suppose?" His voice was the same expressionless tone he had used on Veritas earlier, if anything it seemed to be tainted with a hint of humor.

Veritas nodded, having kept quiet to listen to all Charlotte had to say before coming to any conclusions. "So if this is the case I shall prepare documentation and some funds to get Firnis to another circle,then I will deal with this Angelo character." She said in an authoritative tone. "Unless you have any other ideas?" She asked, looking to Charlotte.

Charlotte held her gaze to the floor knowing Veritas was suggesting she talk to her friend, as Masterpiece was supposed to be a clan that held fealty to her family. However she didnt want to get her friend into trouble, especially now of all times as recently there had been rumors flying around about how Masterpiece was considering changing their leader.

Fortunately for her however, Firnis spoke up, shrugging as he got back to work. "I wouldn't worry about it, I have this under control." For most people that would sound like boating or false confidence, but there was just something in how he said it that made it sound like a forgone conclusion. "I suppose someone will be around to pick me up shortly if this Masterpiece is even half as effecient as people claim." Before Charlotte or Veritas could ask what he was talking about there were three loud knocks on the door causing a wry smile to appear on his face..

Firnis straightened his attire before heading to the door. "I suppose that will be my escort, please don't let the bar get into a state while I'm away, I had a good night so far." He said to the confused pair as he opened the door to be greeted by a rather large beast, another minotaur much like Angelo, however this one was at least three or four feet taller than him.

It looked down at Firnis with an expression of disdain, as though he had just stepped in something unpleasant. "You will come with me to answer for what transpired earlier." It said in a gruff voice, something in the way it stood made Charlotte think this beast would be more than happy if Firnis gave it reason to attack.

Instead Firnis just shrugged. "Ok, I assume that carriage outside is for me then?" He asked looking past the imposing creature. His face gave nothing away to how he felt about this current situation, with both his expression and voice betraying no emotion as he waited for a reply. The minotaur simply nodded and Firnis stepped out, saying farewell to Veritas and Charlotte with a quick wave as he headed out to the carriage.

Veritas and Charlotte both stayed where they where, they couldn't really interfere since as far as masterpiece knew, Firnis had slighted them badly. So causing a fuss now wouldst help matters, and besides they had only met Firnis for a short time so they had no reason to aid him, or even feel bad for what happened to him. At least that was what Charlotte was thinking as she tried to quell the guilt in her chest.

The minotaur gave a small bow of his head to Charlotte before closing the door, and they shortly heard the sound of the carriage's wheels on the cobble road moving away into the distance as both Charlotte and Veritas sat in silence for a while. Not really having much to say about what had just transpired, Veritas got herself a glass of water and began to drink calmly as though nothing had happened.

Charlotte however felt somewhat awful, turning things over in her head as she tried to chase away her guilty conscience. Sure Angelo wouldn't have come back if she hadnt paid him, but Firnis should have too! Firnis shouldn't have even been behind the bar, though it had worked in her favor. She needed to get supplies ordered, but she shouldn't have left someone alone ot look after the place!

Arguments and counter arguments swirled in her head, giving her a small migraine. At that moment though Veritas said something that gave Charlotte a clear path to follow, and brought forwards a somewhat unpleasant revaluation. "Its a shame, I was curious to learn how you got him here, even if it was an accident." She said, thinking aloud.

Charlotte shot up with a start, her heart almost skipping a beat at her realization. "Veritas, I will need an escort into the town first thing in the morning." She said in a tone that would have given Veritas' authoritative tone a run for it's money. "I will also need any vassals available with me as well, I intend to make an impression when I visit masterpiece tomorrow."

Veritas stood to attention. "I'll see it done." She stood like a knight before her lord. "Might I ask as to why we are putting such effort into regaining a human soul? I am certain the other vassals will ask." She spoke respectfully, as she did whenever her lady Charlotte would give orders as her liege, which was a rare occurrence so she probably knew it had to be important. It was also clear in her expression she was relieved they where doing this, after all Charlotte knew how much Veritas hated to lease anyone in peril.

Charlotte nodded, looking around at the spotless bar, when he had seen her face that had been recondition. Though Firnis probably didn't quite know himself or he probably would have mentioned it. She wasnt surprised it was vague to him, after all, what happened back then probably eclipsed the memory of her that day. She closed her eyes casting herself back to that day Veritas had brought her back to with her musing. "Even if it was an accident."

"I believe I know how he came to be here, and it is due to nothing more than my own foolishness." Charlotte spoke. "If he is who my memory leads me to believe I owe him, at the very least, my help, and even my father said the family would help him whenever he needed it."

Veritas nodded, the ghost of an expression of curiosity upon her features, but she held her tongue. She knew all too well that if Charlotte had wanted to speak about he thoughts, she would have. "I shall make preparations, then retire for the remainder of the night, as should you Lady Charlotte."

Charlotte considered protesting that she should help, but knew from experience that if Veritas doesn't ask for help, you will only slow her down, so instead she nodded and bade her friend goodnight. Heading up the stairs and to her quarters, Gazing around her lavish room as she thought things over, glad once again she had the foresight many years ago to cover the mirrors in fabric, as she changed out of her heavy robes and fell onto her bed.

She probably wouldn't sleep, she thought. The words echoing around her head, making her remember less than pleasant memories. However the more she dwelled on it the more her mind slipped back a little further and further, the ominous words being drowned out by some of her fondest memories of her childhood. Her eyes closed and soon she slept a fitful sleep, as no matter how fond the memory of that time, those words still echoed ever so slightly. "Even if it was an accident."

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Charlotte burst through the door, breathing heavily as she quickly looked around the bar in a bit of a mad panic, expecting to find the place in ruins she was pleasantly surprised to see that it just looked like any other night, if anything it looked better than any other night since the place looked much cleaner.

She was soon Followed by Veritas who also took quick stock of the state of the bar, both concern and surprise making an odd expression materialize on her face. They both stood in the door side by side, neither saying a word as they tried to get their breath back as they had been running for quite a while..

They got some curious glances from the few remaining patrons of the evening, who probably knew just why the pair where red in the face. Of course it was due to the event earlier on, having heard Angelo's version of events through a friend of a friend of Charlotte's they had rushed back fearing the worst.

Veritas quickly marched up to the bar, not being as worn as Charlotte who took a little rest before following, still turning over the story she had heard in her head, and trying to quite figure out how this place was so tidy if the story was genuine.

Veritas stared expressionless at the back of the man behind the bad, who currently was cleaning some glasses, either ignoring her stare or just not having noticed her yet as he worked away. Her voice came out, low and full of authority, making her sound somewhat threatening. "Firnis."

Firnis turned, an ugly black mark the size of an apple having flared up just below the right hand corner of his mouth. Seemingly ignorant of the pain that he must be feeling, he put on a smile and approached the almost vacant bar that currently only seated the priestly man still drinking his water. "Ah, how may I help you Veri and Lady Charlotte?"

Veritas was for a moment disarmed, clearly having not expected him to use to correct form of address for Charlotte, which brought a smile to Charlotte's lips as it was a rare sight to see, Veritas being surprised.. "What happened here?" Veritas demanded after a quick moment.

Charlotte looked to him, and felt a small measure of guilt regarding that nasty mark upon his face, cringing as she thought of how much it must be hurting. "Are you alright?" She asked, she had a sneaking suspicion that she knew what had happened, so she wasn't too eager to hear him answer Veri, so in a futile bid to change the subject she added. "What are you doing behind there anyway?" Motioning to the bar.

Firnis sighed, pouring a drink and sending it sliding down the bar, only to have it grabbed up by a scaled hand and with a distant thanks. "Well to put it bluntly, leaving a pub unattended will cause unnecessary damage and mess, that I had just cleaned." He resumed washing some glasses, as if to emphasis that. "And as for what happened, I believe the one who did this was a debt collector or some such, but without you present I asked him to leave, and then I showed him the door a little more forcefully when he declined."

Veritas narrowed her eyes, looking from both the now fidgeting Charlotte, to the calm bartender. "That is not what his friends are spreading in town, they claim you and some others attacked him for his money when he came to ask for donations to his organization." Charlotte already knew Veritas was taking that story with a pinch of salt so to speak, and she too knew it was at least a half-truth if anything, being that Angelo was no saint and was probably the cause of his current condition.

Firnis shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you, your clientele have mostly left for this evening, and I doubt they would back me up." He shrugged. "Since you can detect lies though, I shouldn't think you would need a second witness." Firnis took a breath before looking at Veritas, eye to eye and speaking in a monotone, emotionless voice. "I gave him his chance to leave, he struck me, I retaliated alone and made him crawl out to humiliate him."

Having probably expected a lie or for him to withhold the truth Charlotte watched the two of them stare each other down. Expecting an explosion of anger or violence at having heard such an obvious lie, after all Angelo was a minotaur, and a big one at that. However instead Veritas looked to Charlotte with a bewildered expression, placing an arm on-one of the robed girl's shoulders. "Firnis, please close up the bar, we need to talk privately."

With that Firnis rang the final call bell, and without any complaint the inns last few customers filtered out the door. It didn't take long for the place to empty, the priest leaving last after thanking Firnis for his good service. Firnis just nodded and replied. "Please come again."

Once the place was empty Charlotte had a quick look around and saw Firnis did seem to have a point. His presence during service had certainly seemed to help with keeping the place from turning into a complete mess all over again. She took a seat at the bar next to Veritas looking somewhat uncomfortable. "So care to explain why your bartender got assaulted?" Veritas asked, there was an edge to her voice, making Charlotte wince as though she where being interrogated. "Sorry, but please I have to know." She quickly added softening the tone of her voice.

Charlotte lay her hands on her lap, clenching her robe tightly as she looked down at the floor. She composed herself as best as she could before beginning. "I-It started a few weeks ago..." Charlotte began, deciding she may as well tell the whole truth, especially with Veri present. "Angelo just showed up and asked for a donation, so I have him some money. Then the next day he came and demanded the same amount for protection money. I questioned him but he threatened to bring in the clan head if I refused..."

Charlotte looked up at Firnis, he had a look of concern on his face, but there was something else there, something in his pale blue eyes that made her feel uncomfortable for some reason. She quickly realized he might see her face, so she quickly pulled her hood down to cover it. "T-The clan head of masterpiece is a old friend of mine, but if I refused a request from her and she let me off for it, I would put her into a difficult position so I had to keep paying..."

Firnis' face betrayed none of the usual symptoms of disgust or pity a glance at her face normally brought about, which probably meant he hadn't seen it. Charlotte was thankful for that at least. Instead he still wore that cold look of concern tinged with something she couldn't quite figure out. "So in other words, he is going to use this to get himself a mob to come around and teach me a lesson I suppose?" His voice was the same expressionless tone he had used on Veritas earlier, if anything it seemed to be tainted with a hint of humor.

Veritas nodded, having kept quiet to listen to all Charlotte had to say before coming to any conclusions. "So if this is the case I shall prepare documentation and some funds to get Firnis to another circle,then I will deal with this Angelo character." She said in an authoritative tone. "Unless you have any other ideas?" She asked, looking to Charlotte.

Charlotte held her gaze to the floor knowing Veritas was suggesting she talk to her friend, as Masterpiece was supposed to be a clan that held fealty to her family. However she didnt want to get her friend into trouble, especially now of all times as recently there had been rumors flying around about how Masterpiece was considering changing their leader.

Fortunately for her however, Firnis spoke up, shrugging as he got back to work. "I wouldn't worry about it, I have this under control." For most people that would sound like boating or false confidence, but there was just something in how he said it that made it sound like a forgone conclusion. "I suppose someone will be around to pick me up shortly if this Masterpiece is even half as effecient as people claim." Before Charlotte or Veritas could ask what he was talking about there were three loud knocks on the door causing a wry smile to appear on his face..

Firnis straightened his attire before heading to the door. "I suppose that will be my escort, please don't let the bar get into a state while I'm away, I had a good night so far." He said to the confused pair as he opened the door to be greeted by a rather large beast, another minotaur much like Angelo, however this one was at least three or four feet taller than him.

It looked down at Firnis with an expression of disdain, as though he had just stepped in something unpleasant. "You will come with me to answer for what transpired earlier." It said in a gruff voice, something in the way it stood made Charlotte think this beast would be more than happy if Firnis gave it reason to attack.

Instead Firnis just shrugged. "Ok, I assume that carriage outside is for me then?" He asked looking past the imposing creature. His face gave nothing away to how he felt about this current situation, with both his expression and voice betraying no emotion as he waited for a reply. The minotaur simply nodded and Firnis stepped out, saying farewell to Veritas and Charlotte with a quick wave as he headed out to the carriage.

Veritas and Charlotte both stayed where they where, they couldn't really interfere since as far as masterpiece knew, Firnis had slighted them badly. So causing a fuss now wouldst help matters, and besides they had only met Firnis for a short time so they had no reason to aid him, or even feel bad for what happened to him. At least that was what Charlotte was thinking as she tried to quell the guilt in her chest.

The minotaur gave a small bow of his head to Charlotte before closing the door, and they shortly heard the sound of the carriage's wheels on the cobble road moving away into the distance as both Charlotte and Veritas sat in silence for a while. Not really having much to say about what had just transpired, Veritas got herself a glass of water and began to drink calmly as though nothing had happened.

Charlotte however felt somewhat awful, turning things over in her head as she tried to chase away her guilty conscience. Sure Angelo wouldn't have come back if she hadnt paid him, but Firnis should have too! Firnis shouldn't have even been behind the bar, though it had worked in her favor. She needed to get supplies ordered, but she shouldn't have left someone alone ot look after the place!

Arguments and counter arguments swirled in her head, giving her a small migraine. At that moment though Veritas said something that gave Charlotte a clear path to follow, and brought forwards a somewhat unpleasant revaluation. "Its a shame, I was curious to learn how you got him here, even if it was an accident." She said, thinking aloud.

Charlotte shot up with a start, her heart almost skipping a beat at her realization. "Veritas, I will need an escort into the town first thing in the morning." She said in a tone that would have given Veritas' authoritative tone a run for it's money. "I will also need any vassals available with me as well, I intend to make an impression when I visit masterpiece tomorrow."

Veritas stood to attention. "I'll see it done." She stood like a knight before her lord. "Might I ask as to why we are putting such effort into regaining a human soul? I am certain the other vassals will ask." She spoke respectfully, as she did whenever her lady Charlotte would give orders as her liege, which was a rare occurrence so she probably knew it had to be important. It was also clear in her expression she was relieved they where doing this, after all Charlotte knew how much Veritas hated to lease anyone in peril.

Charlotte nodded, looking around at the spotless bar, when he had seen her face that had been recondition. Though Firnis probably didn't quite know himself or he probably would have mentioned it. She wasnt surprised it was vague to him, after all, what happened back then probably eclipsed the memory of her that day. She closed her eyes casting herself back to that day Veritas had brought her back to with her musing. "Even if it was an accident."

"I believe I know how he came to be here, and it is due to nothing more than my own foolishness." Charlotte spoke. "If he is who my memory leads me to believe I owe him, at the very least, my help, and even my father said the family would help him whenever he needed it."

Veritas nodded, the ghost of an expression of curiosity upon her features, but she held her tongue. She knew all too well that if Charlotte had wanted to speak about he thoughts, she would have. "I shall make preparations, then retire for the remainder of the night, as should you Lady Charlotte."

Charlotte considered protesting that she should help, but knew from experience that if Veritas doesn't ask for help, you will only slow her down, so instead she nodded and bade her friend goodnight. Heading up the stairs and to her quarters, Gazing around her lavish room as she thought things over, glad once again she had the foresight many years ago to cover the mirrors in fabric, as she changed out of her heavy robes and fell onto her bed.

She probably wouldn't sleep, she thought. The words echoing around her head, making her remember less than pleasant memories. However the more she dwelled on it the more her mind slipped back a little further and further, the ominous words being drowned out by some of her fondest memories of her childhood. Her eyes closed and soon she slept a fitful sleep, as no matter how fond the memory of that time, those words still echoed ever so slightly. "Even if it was an accident."