The door was flung open in a rush of air. Lightning flashed upon the dark threshold, where a short, stout figure stood.
"Cloud-hic-Angel! Where's my ale?" his booming voice rang throughout the pub.
A small, brown-haired woman tossed her head and glared at the man who had addressed her. She was half-elven, and it was noticeable through her slightly pointed ears, and petite body. Her eyes were a soft brown, set above a small exquisite nose, and sweet pink lips. Her 5'3" frame was delicately curved, and she wore a simple, but pretty gown of dark plum. She now turned to the dwarf that had called her and sighed.
"Neb, you've had six pints of ale already," Cloudy said, glaring at him.
"Haven't!" the wild-haired dwarf yelled. "That was-hic-only my fifth-hic-or fourth…" He collapsed into a chair, the many chains around his neck rattling. His hair, beard, and eyes were black, and his shoulders were nearly as broad as he was tall. He wore chain-mail armor, and carried a gleaming warhammer.
Cloudy IceAngel glanced carelessly at the sleeping dwarf and turned back to the customer in front of her. He was a tall human, with wavy dark hair, and cold blue eyes. His bared forearms were muscular and led to broad shoulders under a strong jaw. He wore a dark blue tunic, and brown pants with black leather boots. His arm casually rested on the hilt of a two-handed sword that gleamed with a magical aura. Although he did not lift it, his pose gave a warning to any who dared to interrupt.
Cloudy turned to him with a charming smile. "I'm sorry for the distraction Azure. What were you saying?"
Azure Wolfe smiled nonchalantly and drawled, "'Tis alright Cloudy. That fool doesn't have enough sense to keep himself sober. I was telling you about the time I took on three ogres in a pit ring. A mage as well, one of them was. I circled him slowly, and one of them tried to get behind me, but…"
As Azure boasted loudly, across the pub a pair sat, whispering quietly. One was a young elven girl, about 13 or 14. She was tall for an elf, at 5'5", and her long, silky copper hair flowed over daintily pointed ears. Her mouth and nose were finely shaped, under dark brows and a creamy complexion. She wore an emerald green waitresses gown, and tied back her longhair with a ribbon. Her blue-green eyes were now focused on the tall man addressing Cloudy, and she frowned.
"What's the matter Sharra?" her companion asked. He was a slim elven boy, probably just an inch taller than Sharra herself. At around 14, there were just the faintest traces of hair on his face. The hair on his head was a curly brown, and his eyes were like milk chocolate. The nimble hands that stuck out of his tunic were tanned, like his face, and he wore patched breeches and worn brown boots.
His name was Cody Sepiro, and his usually cheery face now looked worried over Sharra's unusual silence. He had known her all his life, since they were small children, and Cloudy, Sharra's aunt, had taken him in. He never knew where his parents were, or if they were dead. At least Sharra knew what had happened to her mother and father, he thought, glancing at her enviously. Then he realized she was answering him, and was shaken out of his reverie.
"…it's that man, Azure. He seems so…insincere, but he's got Aunt completely under his spell. I suppose I'm just being paranoid, but it doesn't seem right."
Cody glanced over at the handsome figure leaning comfortably over the bar. He certainly seemed quite pompous, and self-confident. If Shield saw any man, especially this good-looking one, leaning that close to Cloudy, well, heads would roll! Lord Shield and Lady Cloudy were Sharra's aunt and uncle, and the owners of the Ironworks Tavern, where he now sat. Lord Shield was rarely present in the bar, but was usually wrapped up in his spells, but when seen in public, he had eyes only for his lovely wife.
"Don't worry, Sharra. It looks to me like Cloudy's got him charmed, not the other way around. If I were that bloke, though, I'd watch out for Lord Shield. He doesn't like to see anyone so comfortable around Cloudy." Cody said with a grin.
"Uncle's working on a new spell, so he's not likely to come out tonight. But I suppose you're right," Sharra agreed.
As Cody and Sharra resumed their normal conversation, the tavern door was thrust open again. A tall, elegantly dresses young man strode in. He was half-elven, with dark blond hair, and icy sky blue eyes. He wore a royal blue tunic under a midnight-blue cape. His black breeches were of an expensive material, and his boots looked recently shined. He looked just 17 years old, but carried himself like a lord. His steely eyes traveled coldly over the patrons of the pub, and his eyes came to rest on Sharra. His eyebrows lifted slightly, and he paused, waiting.
Sharra glanced up and caught his eye. Sighing, she stood up and walked over to him.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" she said, exasperated.
The newcomer didn't answer for a moment, then smiling, almost condescendingly, at the pretty elf in front of him, he replied, "Just a glass of wine, lass, and perhaps you'd care to talk with me a bit." He smiled again and strolled over to a table in the corner.
Kazara, Sharra's friend, and the other waitress, raised her delicate eyebrows at Sharra. She was half-human, half-halfling, and very smart as well as pretty. She had thick, curly brown hair, and a rosy face. At 15, though just 4 feet tall, she was able to handle any rough customers in the tavern. Sharra rolled her eyes back at her, and Kaz, as she was called, laughed silently. Sharra poured wine into a crystal glass, and with an apologetic look at Cody, glided over to the handsome young man in the corner.
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Lil' Angel 
Sword Saint and Enchantress of the HADB Clan
The Lady Lioness of Castle Kerhelm
Waitress at Cloudy's Cafe and the Promised Land
Official Restrainer of Table Dancers
PeaceKeeping Force, Intelligence Division