What HAUNTS These Walls (open)

[>Flighty<]

^{"There are nights when the wolves are silent, and only the moon howls."}

Shadows clung to the walls and crept across the floor; creating entire alcoves of darkness that seemed to defy physics entirely. The shadows were impenetrable in some places despite the vast array of the golden-orange lighting that was haphazardly placed all around. Murmurs and whispers drifted from the shadowy places, from the various patrons that gathered in the darkness. There were a few here and there that sat in the light, as well, but this place was far more about hiding than it was about socializing.

Several subtly beautiful creatures drifted here and there, discreetly taking orders from the dozens of guests. They were all exceptionally well trained and able to spot which guests would prefer to be waited upon by each of them. Reo had spared no expense when it came to the staff of A Potion and a Prayer. Her patrons were often powerful, dangerous, or hunted and sometimes all of the above. Their needs were often less than clear and her staff was quite capable of knowing and fulfilling those needs.

Still, Reo was here every night; behind the bar; brewing much more than ale and making sure her patrons were well cared for. She was, admittedly there to enforce the laws of her domain as well. A Potion and a Prayer was a sanctuary, a place of absolute neutrality. Anyone that entered this place with anything other than peaceful intent toward any of her patrons had to answer to her. No one had tested her law in some time, not since the first months that this place had opened. Still she was always here, always watching over.

Of course, outside these walls she had no authority, but within them no one had authority over her word. You see, this was not just any building within this strange realm, this building was a part of her in many ways; an extension of her soul. At first, when Ibiel had helped her get started it was just another bar, and she had her rules, but they were not easy to enforce when the leadership of the cities of Dimension Warp wouldn’t even come near this place. Still, she had held her own against most of the threats that came.

It was several months later that she had met a patron who was there to help her, instead of the other way around. He said his name was Reynard and he taught her more about herself than she had thought possible. He taught her a great many more of her abilities than she had ever imagined. And with one of those abilities she had carved this placed; her own demesne, her own realm, a dimensional representation of her heart and soul. The small bar she owned in Rutherford was still there; but it was only the entrance. Now there were multiple levels all coiled about an open, spiraling staircase. In this place she was able to truly protect her patrons.

When she had asked Reynard what he wanted out of all the knowledge she had gained, he had simply smiled and asked that she continue to do her good work and then he left. She hadn’t seen him again since. That was ten years ago. Reo had never strayed from her promise to everyone that entered this place looking for help. And every now and then someone came here seeking something only she could help them with.

It was one of those times tonight. The hair along her spine stood on end and a cool tingling caused goosebumps to rise across her flesh. She smiled softly and looked up from her brewing just as she added the final ingredient. It flashed vivid green and then quieted as her eyes watched the spiraling staircase; waiting.
"speech here"