alternativewriting | Passages Inn OTA

There are Inns out there that exist between worlds and dimensions. They show up just when you need a place to stay, your car having stalled out a mile away or the unexpected rainstorm suddenly starts dropping torrents of water. Or sometimes you’re wandering around the streets in a city and need a place to stay and you spot the door to this Inn which looks friendly and inviting. Going in, things are just a bit off. The patrons are perhaps not quite human; the man behind the desk smiles a bit oddly. However he tells you that you’re in luck. There’s just one room left and you can have it.

But, when you leave the next morning and turn around to see what it’s called, the inn is gone. When you ask people about it, they look at you funny as if they have no idea what you’re talking about. There was never an inn there, they tell you.

And yet you may still have the key in your pocket, the leftover from dinner, a note from a girl you spoke to, just some little token that says well, maybe you’re not completely crazy.

The Passages Inn is one of those Inns.

Built in the middle of an interdimensional nexus it can reach any time or place or space. You just need to find the door and you can come in. If you’re lucky you can find the door again.

Just remember, first Tuesdays are Viking Night and second Thursdays are Poetry Slam.

The proprietor of the Inn is Alec Troven

element_wizard All questions and concerns may be addressed to him.

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Maerwyn is surprised when she walks inside, both sets of her eyes taking in the surroundings. A building she hadn't expected, a place she doesn't know, and a choice to enter, see what she could see about it. Not knowing isn't exactly a new condition for her, though. That isn't part of her.

It seems like a warm place, though she doesn't exactly need it--despite the rain outside, she's completely dry. Both of her. Probably for the better since her dress is light and her arms are bare. She would probably be freezing if she'd been soaked by the rain.

She doesn't seem too unapproachable, at least. Just...curious. This place is fascinating, if unexpected. But it has been a while since she's seen something--or someone--so interesting.

When she speaks, it's in turns. First one, then the other.

"It's a new place."

"A strange place."

"A place I wasn't."

"But a place I am."

"A choice made."

"And not made."

Maybe she's a little stranger than the place.

Twins. And such interesting twins at that. They catch Ashkari's attention right off the bat. Standing up from his seat in the bar, he wandered over a picture perfect image of a Hollywood heart-throb, with golden eyes and the feel of the undead lingering around him. What else would one expect, from a god of the Undead?

"Ah. My lady, I see you're new here, may I perhaps be of service?" he asked, addressing both of them as one entity. It's clear to him, at least, they are one.

Both of them turned to look at the man, disconcertingly in sync, and she stared for a moment, not really sure what she was trying to decide about him. Still, she'd made her choice and now she had to live with its consequences. If anyone knew that, she did.

"That depends."

"On several things."

"What services are you offering?"

"And what will they cost me?"

There was a triplet goddess that Ashkari met once who did the same thing. It had been a very interesting night and he was upset when he heard she faded away. Perhaps one day he'd be able to bring her back. That would be in the future. Here, on the other hand...

"An offer of a drink and an explanation of where you are and for what they'd cost you - the pleasure of your company."

That was surprising. And she looked it, too, for half a breath, before she smiled, not quite laughing. Oh but this one was quite a show. And the entertainment was almost worth it.

"Most don't find my company pleasurable."

"You must be a strange one."

Of course he's a show; he's an actor and a god. That's par for course. He continued to smile at her. "I can't imagine why. You seem to be perfectly delightful to me. Clearly they don't have any taste whatsoever," he said lightly. "You can call me Ashkari, if you'd like."

She didn't comment on the anyone's taste--that wasn't her place. They had the choice of whether or not to enjoy--or even bother to seek--her company. She knew how uncomfortable she could make people. She really didn't mind. Most of the time.

"A strange name."

"One I haven't heard before."

"What would you like to be called?"

He tilted his head briefly, a slight quirk of a smile. "Ashkari is fine. I'm sort of bored of Ashley right now. As for my name... I'm told it means shadow in the language my father and the others spoke before they came to Earth."

No one spoke the Old Language any more. He knew a few bits and pieces because he grew up before the severing being of the first generation that was born on Earth and the adults still spoke it then. They never spoke of the Old World but he knew that his father and uncle did long to return out into the stars.

"What may I call you?"

He didn't ask for her name. You never ask for a creature of power's name. It was rude.

Shadow...an interesting meaning for an interesting name. One she couldn't help but wonder on. Why that name for this man? It hinted at so many fascinating things that she still somehow can't even begin to guess at. Exciting, in a way.

"Ashkari, then."

"You may call me Maerwyn."

There were many reasons, some having to do with when he was born and some having to do with his place in the pantheon. A god of the undead tended to work within the shadows, after all.

"Maerwyn. That sounds Celtic?" he asked.

She contemplated the man in front of her for a moment, raising an eyebrow. It was hard to know what to think. And probing further would be rude.

"No."

"If you don't know my name, you don't know my home."

Passages Inn OTA

Maerwyn, the Lady of Choices

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