Open Off to work!

[Nost]

Spring 14th, 513 AV

It was a bright morning, proper of the spring season. Trees, flowers and other plants were flourishing, the sun was shining.

The warble of birds making their nests could be heard from Nost's room. What a lovely way to start a day of work, where anything could happen.

Wake up you lazy bastard. he thought as he gathered enough will to stand up.

He had recently reached an age where he could finally start his journey, and follow the path of his father. Yet, everyone must start somewhere, and it was time for him. He didn't have any money left, so he applied a job in the Bohrnn & GoldWoerth, a local toy store.

Well, there's no reason to not wake up!

His limbs stretched as he stood up from his comfortable bed. The cold weather from the winter had left already, so it was easier for him, both physically and psichologically, to leave from his house every day. The winter always came with a season of depression since the death of his father, and now, totally alone, he had no one to take care of him. This was not a big deal, since he didn't require to eat much, but it still felt good when someone was there for him.

An old wardrobe standing in front of a wall was more than enough for his clothes. He walked to it, opened it, retired his clothes from it, and then proceeded to wear his simple, yet somewhat elegant attire. He headed to his mirror, and combed his hair, until he felt good with his hairstyle.

He wasn't hungry, so he didn't feel the need to eat but, anyway, he grabbed a fruit from a bowl he had, in case he got hungry on his way to the workshop.

Finally ready, he opened the door. Even if the sun was shining, it was still dark, compared to what it would get later. The smell of the ocean impregnated his nose, causing a low smile.

He started walking, but not really fast. He didn't have any hurry.
It was still early, and Jaavolin Yyntent Bohrnn, his now boss, told him he would see him in late.

Perhaps he would meet someone. That would be great.

[Lexa Maze]

Lexa had a habit of waking up too early lately. The first time she awoke from a pretty terrifying dream was many bells before the sun would rise. Lexa went back to sleep again, only to have the same dream. After this had happened a few times, Lexa would grumble and get herself up. She liked to sleep in the mornings, but this was ridiculous. There was only so many times you could gasp awake sweating before you had to stay awake. She moved over to the dresser she had stored her few possessions and Grabbed a white tunic, and a pair of worn trousers. She yawned and stretched, and figured she couldn't be bothered to brush her hair. Instead she just tied it back in a high pony tail. She down on her bed again after that, not quite awake yet, and considered leaving. "Ugh it's too early" She thought aloud. She trekked downstairs finally to enjoy another bland meal at the Inn. She took her time eating, but eventually she worked up the motivation to leave the Inn. After a while of fairly aimless walking she found herself near by the sea. It was a pleasant place to walk. Realising she didn't know where she was actually going, Lexa would stop and look out at the docks. Soon enough she would notice that there was a young man walking not far behind where she stood. He was coming her was, and he had a smile on his face as he looked out to the sea. Lexa shouldn't be too noticeable without her Katana. She had learnt to leave it at home, only bringing it along if she was going to east street. She didn't have a reason to do that now anyway. Anyway, The man hadn't seemed to have seen her yet. Maybe he would stop, maybe he wouldn't.

[Nost]

At some point of this unusual, but very satisfying promenade, he ended up facing the ocean.

The docks weren't as busy as they often were, so the view was more serene, and clearer. Seagulls could be seen flying around, perhaps looking for something to eat, or just wandering aimlessly.

Nearby, Nost felt the gaze of someone. There was a young woman looking at the sea. He was about to walk away, but something made him stop.

You cannot flee from your problems anymore.
A voice inside his head was speaking, and he just paid attention to it, standing still, looking at the green waves of the infinite, deep sea.
It is time for you to face reality. Do you think you can just live for your own? Look at you! The fact that you are still alive is a miracle! You cannot be alone anymore. You need a friend.

He started walking slowly towards the girl, until he was next to her, at a safe distance, where he could talk to her, but do not represent a threat.

"A wonderful view, don't you think?" He said, looking at the ocean, smiling. "My name is Nost", he turned his head to her.

Afterwards, he was surprised of what he had done.

How was I able to do that?! he thought. I guess I was inspired because of the sea.

[Lexa Maze]

Lexa was happy he'd replied. She didn't want to be anti-social, and indifferent anymore. Still, she kept her face neutral only glancing at him before turning back to the sea and said "Yes. It's nice" She said "I'm glad that I decided to visit this city. It's a nice place." Lexa looked at the boy "I'm Lexa." She told him, giving him a small smile. She turned toward him again and thought he had a kind appearance. He was a little wimpy looking, Lexa thought, but he didn't look like a bad guy "Do you live in Zeltiva? I've been here for a couple of days. Still trying to find everything" She chuckled. She was in a mixed mood today. She though maybe she just felt a little bored. She was still a little unnerved from the nightmares really. Maybe this person would take her mind off it all. She hoped to. Her thoughts were taken up with assassin's, her past, slavers. Nothing good really. It took a lot off effort to look happy. Lexa knew that too well. But she wasn't a bad actor.

[Nost]

"Why, yes! I do live here" Nost answered. It was nice to have a friendly conversation once in a while.

Meanwhile, he was looking at her, discretely. She wasn't really tall, yet she had an imposing appereance.
She was strong, perhaps stronger than him, something that wasn't difficult to achieve.

She seems to be a nice girl. Don't ruin this, as you usually do! Just have a nice walk, get to know each other, and then maybe you will see her again.

"Do you..." he faltered "Do you want to walk a while? I can show you the city, if you want me to...

You seem too nervous. Correct it, now!

"Perhaps a cup of tea at the Quill's rest?"

That's better.

[Lexa Maze]

Lexa considered him for a moment. It was a nice feeling, to be invited somewhere. Not a week ago, Lexa had felt like the most irrelevant person on the planet. An antisocial warrior who could fight, but couldn't do much else. She noticed she smiled a lot more now. Things were going well. Nost stuttered on his words at the beginning, causing Lexa a little amusement, but he seemed to snap himself out of his original nervousness, as he finished his preposition. Lexa nodded "Why not?" She said "I don't have anything to do this morning. And I love the Quills rest. It was the first place I went when I arrived, actually." She moved a little away from the docks so as to let him fall into step beside her "It'd be nice to have some company this time. Do you like to Draw, or write?"

[Nost]

"Yes, I do draw". He answered to the lady. "It's part of my job".

Great, now you are talking about job, like the boring person you are.

Nost made a disgusted face, but erased it fast enough before anyone would notice. It was the first time he went with someone to the Quill's Rest, and he didn't want to ruin it this way.

"Are you interested in any art form?"

Good, at least you aren't talking about your boring, meaningless life. Get to know each other, and probably you won't seem as pathetic as you always do.

Even though he was going to the artistic resting centre of the city, a place where he always felt comfortable and calmed, this time with some company, there was something bugging him. He felt he was being followed. Carefully, he turned his head, expecting to find the responsible.

Nothing.

[Lexa Maze]

"Oh? Where do you work?" She said "I draw too. I mean, I've only just started with little ink drawings. I went there the first day I got here" She though about that day and smiled. She hadn't felt good afterwards, but that was because she had gotten herself caught up in her past. She did find peace in drawing things. It was fun. Maybe she wasn't very good at it yet. She could never draw something in detail. But she did love it. It was something new she had learnt to do. Maybe Nost could give her some pointers. She really was getting better at being friendly huh. She hadn't seemed unpleasant once. But it was still early. She guessed maybe it was because there was no threat. She didn't see anything to be tence or guarded about with him. Maybe she was getting to slack. After all, strangers could be anything, no matter how they looked. But Lexa thought she'd be ok. Wow, she really was paranoid, huh. Speaking of paranoid... When she saw Nost look around behind him she casually turned her head as well "Did you see something?" She asked him raising an eyebrow.

[Nost]

"Oh... it's nothing. I just thought I heard something."

Idiot, you now look suspicious!

Nost was too busy listening to the complaining of his subconscious self, that he barely paid attention to what Lexa said. He was distant, even more than he used to be, for some reason. Maybe because the voices were mean again. He was already used to them actually helping. Anyway, he did listened Lexa when she asked about his job.

"I work at the Bohrnn & GoldWoerth". He said, in a polite way.

And what if she doesn't know what the Bohrnn & GoldWoerth is, stupid?

"It's the local toy-store". He completed his phrase. "But... enough about me. Tell me a little more about yourself".

As he finished talking, they where already at the Quill's Rest, the place for poets, musicians, and everyone who enjoys a good cup of tea.

[Lexa Maze]

"About myself..." She repeated looking up into the sky as she walked "Well, I travel around a lot. I fight a lot. And recently I've found a particular interest in drawing." She sighed "Sorry, I don't know what to tell you. You've gotta be specific you know?" They entered the Quills rest as she said that last sentence. Lexa distracted herself from talking a moment to go find a table. It was a little busier than the last time she'd been here.But when she was here last it had been quite early morning. Lexa sat down in one to the nooks and waited for Nost to sit down as well "Nost, do you want some tea? I can buy you some if you'd like." She was making a bit of an effort to be nice. Usually Lexa was pretty Sullen, and more than a little awkward. Now that she thought about it, her face was a little expressionless, even as she offered him a drink. She should change that "It wouldn't be any trouble" She tried a friendly smile She was curious about this boy. He reminded her a lot of the youngest of her older brothers. Although Haymish was different in that he would always make a fool of himself trying to seem brave. Nost wasn't a loud mouth. I wonder what sort of person Nost is. He looks like the quiet-shy type. But he'd walked up to her and asked if she wanted to drink tea with him hadn't he? She realised that she could never do something like that. Lexa was too awkward for that.