Open Meeting the Locals, Finding the Best

[Alevadra Druva]

Spring 25th, 514AV

For Alevadra, the boat could not have arrived soon enough. Being sea faring was not something the knight enjoyed in any regard. The past 40 some days were full of unease and an insatiable desire for land. The few times they boat docked up to let a few passengers depart and restock on a few things were minor blessings for Ale, a few bells where her legs could feel the ease of stable ground beneath her.

The dislike of boats was not something she vocalized, while a few other patrons were rather happy to let everyone else know of their discomfort and dislike, Ale silently bore the malice for the damned wooden contraption. Luckily for the knight, she fully intending on just riding back to Syliras rather than take the boat back, damned the 10 or so days longer it would take her to get home! At least her stomach wouldn’t feel like it was floating!

The sailors were kind, as were most of the passengers, happy to hold a conversation and even play a few simple games with the knight. Of course, the fun and games came to an end early in Spring, and while Ale was beyond overjoyed to be reaching land, she had to admit that the company she had surrounded herself with would indeed be missed! A cheerful lot, the group of them, the Druva wished them well and said her goodbyes before departing the ship to the port of Riverfall.

The outpost was outside of Riverfall, along the road, but she had been informed that it wouldn’t be unwise to familiarize herself with the city prior to reaching the outpost—after all, if she needed anything, Riverfall was where she’d be going. Ale had learned, that above all, nothing was as helpful as knowing where things were in the city, who to go to if your armor had a dent, if there was a knick in your blade, if your horse wasn’t eating her apples with the same vigor as before… Knowing who the best were and who would be the most helpful was the most important thing when in a new city.

The port was busy at the mid-morning bell, bodies moving on and off of boats, carrying boxes and bags, families and singles going about their day. Tukant was commonly spoken, and Ale didn’t know a lick of it, common was also heard, and luckily she knew that. “Hey! You! With the queer hair!” Brown eyes moved to a stout human male with a large bald spot on the crown of his head. “You look like you got off on the wrong stop!” His beady eyes narrowed upon her and Ale simply shook her head. “Oh, no.” The woman forced a smile. “Getting my land legs back before heading into the city.” He eyed her a moment before nodding. Ale carried her armor in a few bags, as well as some clothes and weapons, the man seemed rather curious at what all she carried. “What’re you here for?” Ale’s brow cocked slightly, was this the dock master? She looked about and spotted a large Akalak male directing—ah, so that would be a no. “The Sylrian knight outpost outside of Riverfall, I was assigned to it for part of the Spring.” The man seemed a little uneasy but nodded. “Ah, best way to get there is take the East gate once you’re in the city.” He nodded and moved on without another word.

The knight didn’t spend much longer on the docks before hefting the heavy bag of metal over her shoulder and assuring her sword was secured about her waist. The long bow was strapped on her back and secured as well. She moved quickly and awkwardly between the throngs of people until she was out of the docks and in the city. To say it was beautiful was an understatement. Ale was used to Syliras, the great castle-like city with it’s beauty in the stone work and longevity of the structure. The beauty in Riverfall came from the buildings, the people and the falls that the cities name spoke of. A moment of stunned awe as she looked about from the entrance to the city from sea. Well, at least all those uneasy days on the boat were worth this view!

A slight jostle from someone passing her by ruffled Ale back to the real world, as she moved about, determined to explore and learn all she could from the city before going to her post.

[Orabelle Deepseeker]

It was the first time Orabelle did not want to leave her bed. She felt sick and very uneased. Her face would turn green from time to time and before she knew it, she was puking all over her floors. Chela Marie, her sweet niece, would try to find someone around the house who could help her clean the mess. Each time she would ask for help, the same person would answer her call. The lovely konti Nia was used to being called on now, preparing herself with a bucket and mop. The last she came in, she excused Orabelle from her chores and muttered something. Orabelle felt bad enough that she had to come in and clean up after her already, she didn't want to stop doing chores -although she hates it- at this point. She needed to repay Nia for her kindness.


She stayed curled up on her bed, which somehow held Orabelle, Chela and their two dogs. Come on Orabelle you cannot stay here forever! She began to force herself out of bed. Although it was the crack of dawn, Chela and the dogs bored themselves to sleep. It was the first time being stuck in the house all day. Chela Marie would tell you in a heartbeat how boring it is in the house."Come on." Orabelle shook Chela, the small rocking of the bed seemed to wake Dots up. The imperial watcher quickly raised her head and put a paw over Chela Marie."Come on, come on!" Orabelle shook the young girl some more until she peeped out of one eye.



She started getting Chela dress. Slipping a white dress on her then brushing her thick hair. A bucket sitting besides her. A woman in the house's profession was fishing, she had a dozen buckets she would take and leave so she decided to give one to her neighbor, Orabelle."It'd make fine chum for the fishes." She began laughing and the svefran too wanted to laugh. But she didn't know if that was a joke or not.


She got herself ready too. Brushing out her own hair since she was too week to do anything else. She carefully put on foundation but that was it. Nothing to dramatic or explicit today for her. She even put on one of her dresses but it was the one that didn't come from Red Diamonds Fashion. If you knew her, you'd know that this wasn't her.


The towns people took one look at her and knew something was wrong. Orabelle has gotten to know a lot of the very colorful people of Riverfall and liked them very much, and they liked her "Ora!", they would call,"You look-my gods are you okay?" They would look like they just saw a zith. It was an unsual sight, Orabelle without her light pink pomade or red blush.


She continued her walk among town. Lingering behind Chela, who was skipping ahead with Beauty on one side and Dots on the other. The silkena pranced too being only a pup herself.

They continued walking until they came across a woman. Brown hair and something draped across her shoulder. Dots was the first to alert Orabelle that she was unfamiliar with her rapid barking. Beauty being the disobedient dog she decided to sniff the woman."Beauty here!" Orabelle yelled in Fratava. She was trying to teach them commands in all the languages she knows.

She studied the woman before saying,"I'm very sorry about my dog. She's a bit of a handful."

[Alevadra Druva]

A nudge about her calf turned Ale’s head to look at the cause. Beside her was a dog, while another—not too far off—began to bark. Well, it had been a while since Ale had a decent bath, so such a reaction wasn’t unfounded. A woman called out in a language Ale had heard in passing but didn’t understand a lick of. ‘Ship talk’ Was how she remembered it. Ale’s attention moved to the woman, dark hair and warm skin—To the knight, she was lovely, however, she’d never seen her before so the subtle cues that something was not quite right were lost on her.

They observed each other for a moment, Ale’s eyes shifting to the young child that was with the woman and dogs. She was a lovely child, curling hair and bright eyes—surely she was capable of some mischief. Brown eyes returned to the woman as she spoke up. “Oh,”[/purple] She waved a hand idly, hefting the bag on her shoulder to a better position. [color=purple] “It’s no bother to me. Dogs are smart, just protecting it’s owners.” She smiled slightly, attention shifting from the dogs to the woman. “I’m Alevadra Druva,” She offered up. “Just off the boat and, ah, a little lost.”

The knight took a few steps towards Ora, in order to be within decent speaking range. “Would you, by chance, know where some of the necessities are? Blacksmith…? Where the best fruits are sold? “ The bag she carried clinked as the weight shifted. “I’m to be watching the Kabrin road outside of Riverfall for a portion of Spring, though it would be nice to know where things are if I need them in a rush.” Ale paused, looking to the young girl—She wasn’t particularly good with children, perhaps that was due to her constant desire for knighthood, even as a child. “If you’re not busy, I can just take a general direction and wander about awhile,”

Ale would probably find what she was looking for eventually, but why not cut out the extra wandering and in the process get a bit more information about the city? Of course—that wasn’t necessarily what was going to happen. The knight needed to be at her post before sunset, set up and assure that everything was in good condition before beginning the rather monotonous job of patrol the following morning. The idea of knowing where some delightful breads and fruits were was—well, delightful.

[Orabelle Deepseeker]

"Yeah, but it's not so much me their trying to protect." Orabelle tried to give the woman a smile but just couldn't seem to have the strength to. She just tried to continue her sentence with a bit of cheer."It's the young one here. I think they think she's a little puppy." Orabelle wrapped one arm around Chela." No but in all seriousness I think they respect my niece more then they respect me." She tried to laugh but it began to sound more like a croak. Man, there was something really wrong with her.


She reached out to shake Alevadra's hand. She had a strong grip for a woman. One a lot stronger then the Svefran's own. It was one with power and will, this woman was something special. Something Orabelle had never encounter before."I'm Orabelle Deepseeker. Parton my appearance for today, I'm feeling different today." She nodded and tried again to smile. It wasn't her best smile but it was a welcoming one."I could tell, I could assist, take you to your destination and all."


She hesitated when Alevadra asked about a blacksmith. Orabelle didn't really recall one in town. As for fruit, she knew what place sold the best."Ma'am I don't recall ever seeing a blacksmith. But I believe I could ask around. Fruit? You've come to the best place! There's plenty fruit. I would love to show you."I know exactly where that's at." She paused realizing she had almost cute the woman off."Of course, well, of you don't mind, instead of having fruit, how about we eat somewhere? We could chat about Riverfall. Plus, I bet you haven't had a decent meal since you left your current location."



There was a part of her that really wanted to help this woman. But there was another part, a rather nosy one, that wanted to find out who she was and where she came from. Orabelle hoped she would take up her offer. A regular meal is a lot more pleasing then some fruit."I'll pay."

[Alevadra Druva]

“Ah… but you know what that means?” Ale looked from the dogs to the little girl. “They know you can handle yourself, you don’t need defending.” It was either that or they saw her as a lost cause, at which point it was up to Kelwyn to watch over the woman. Ale tried to be optimistic, and often, creatures knew who to worry about—That had been Ale’s experience with pack-oriented animals.

Ale watched the woman closely, picking up on a few things that seemed off. Her attempt to smile fell flat, it was clear she tried, but something just didn’t click, and the smile could not lighten her face. Ale’s brows knit for a moment, concern washing over her features for a moment while the woman continued to talk. “Well, animals will respect who they want, no point in forcing it, at least you don’t have to worry about the youngin’, she’ll always be safe with these two around.” The woman tried to laugh, but that come out with a strange, strangled-frog sort of sound.

“I’m sorry, don’t take this the wrong way, Orabelle, but are you alright?” She took a step forward, as if ready to catch the woman if she were to start to fall over—which didn’t seem to be entirely implausible. The knight returned the smile and nodded. “Nothing would make me happier right now, Ms. Deepseeker,” The woman stated with a rather chipper tone.

“Food?” She paused a moment, thinking of the food she’d been eating for the entirety of the trip. “So long as by food you are not talking about hard bread and dried meat… Yes, I would love to have something to eat.” She looked over the woman for a moment. “Are you feeling well enough to go around? I understand if you’d like to go rest, with not feeling all that right.” That was more-or-less how Ale had felt for the majority of the boat ride, her stomach was rarely settled enough for her to fully eat a meal. It was as if she was ill for the whole ride, and then, once they were docked, all the twisting and turning within her gut vanished.

“Oh, no, no.” The woman waved off the offer. “I would love to get something to eat; however, it will be my treat. After all, you’re seeing me about and making sure I don’t get lost for eternity. It’s the least I can do for your gracious offer.” The woman insisted. “Just show me where to go, don’t worry about the bill. I’m here for work, so it is not as if I would go without pay while I am here.”

[Orabelle Deepseeker]

"What?" She asked curiously."What does it mean?"

Orabelle only fought once. The large Denusk man showed her how to throw a few punches and how to block. But that doesn't mean she was able to defend herself."Oh, I would say all that... but maybe they know that I'm a nakivak." She joked. But in all seriousness, the akalaks would die for a nakivak. Protect them with all their might and defend them no matter what. Nakivaks carried the future of Riverfall, and that was more important then anything else.


Orabelle was happy to have Anir in her life. He was a great man and an even greater tavan. Not to mention a few other things. The akalak was everything Orabelle wanted, she hoped she could give him a child soon to make him a great father too."I guess you can't, but it would be nice to have control over that." She put her arm around Chela and weakly smiled."Children mean the world to me. I think that's all I can ask of the two. Protect my niece and in exchange some food. Sounds fair to me." She laughed a bit too, but at Ale's laugh.

Orabelle rubbed her temples and sighed."I wish I could lie and say that I was. But I'm not, I have a small virus and I can't figure out why." She shook her head."But I can manage to get through this day.


"Hard bread? Dried meat? That's no way a lady should eat! A beautiful young woman like yourself shouldn't even look twice at food like that." She didn't want to leave this woman here by herself, trying to find her way around town."Yes! I need to eat right now anyway. I feel starved right now, like I could eat a whole buffet table!" Orabelle's stomach began to growl, proving her point. She was just as hungry as the knight in front of her."Me too!"Chela chimed in with her squeaky voice,"I can eat a whole cow!"

"If you insist, right this way!" Orabelle turned around and tried to find the nearest tavern.

[Alevadra Druva]

Ale had never heard of a Nakivak. So informing the knight of that tidbit left more questions than answers. “Uh, not to sound like an unwashed buffoon, but… What exactly is a Nakivak?” She probably would sound foolish, perhaps she needed to spend less time training and more time trying to learn about the world as it really was. “Animals are smart, they know more than they let on. At least, sometimes it feels like that.” Perhaps Ale had simply encountered a Kelvic a few times and not realized it.

“Sounds more than fair. Not only do they get food, but surely you play with them, don’t you?” Ale asked the young girl with a smile. “When I was a girl I used to give my parent’s horses sweets all the time, they ended up liking me better.” Ale shared with the charming little one. Brown eyes returned to Orabelle. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about when it comes to her wellbeing.”

“Hmm, perhaps the changing of the seasons? I’ve seen plenty of souls with the endurance of an ox become sniffling messes ones the air begins to warm and the forests come back to life. I hope it’s a passing thing, nothing that will keep you out of it for long.” Ale knew all of nothing about medicine, she knew it was better to throw up when one needed to then try and keep it in. Ale knew that if your nose was bleeding to lean forward and let the blood fall to the ground while squeezing the life out of it. Other than that, Ale was all but useless with medical attention. “Some fresh air may do you some good.”

Alevadra laughed at Orabelle’s repulsion to her diet. “Oh, more often than not that is what I eat. Better to eat than to starve, regardless of its palatability.” Ale didn’t consider herself beautiful and the compliment put her off kilter slightly. She knew she was attractive in some regard, but in a rather unconventional manner. Her hair and dress weren’t things that sent others wooing after her. Which was fine for Alevadra, she had no desire for romantic endeavors—they never seemed to end well.

“A whole cow?” Ale said exasperatedly. “My! I better watch my plate, or you may eat my whole meal before I get a bite.” She teased the little girl with a smile, her attention moving back to Orabelle as the dark-skinned woman spoke. “Lead on!” She hefted her bag and the sound of clinking metal followed as she began to walk after her. Ale followed the woman until they reached a tavern, it looked nicer, like a classier Rearing Stallion back in Syliras. So long as there was food—Ale wouldn’t care.

“Oh, it smells good,” She said hungrily, pulling open the door and letting the entourage enter before she did.

[Orabelle Deepseeker]

It was very hard explaining the nakivak system to women who come to Riverfall for personal reason. Orabelle, who wanted to have a child of her own at any risk, thought it was a perfect opportunity for her."Well they're kind of like surrogate mothers." She began to explain."The Akalaks here... are very kind and powerful. Too powerful." She didn't want to make the nakivak system seem as glamorous then it really is." Even as children, the akalak are powerful. Which is why humans, and eypharians have miscarriages or... deaths." She took a hand and brushed back a strand of hair."I seem to be both..."

She liked that she went back to animals. Orabelle didn't want to dwell on the two races she carried."I don't have too much experience with land animals. But on the sea, we had Tavans. Very smart marine animals that were a bigger help to the pods then the pods were to them."

At the same time, Chela and Orabelle reaches out for each other. Chela was tiny enough to be carried on Orabelle's back without really weighing her down. Orabelle's illness seem to go away for a quick second, and maybe it was because of how happy she was feeling."Each and everyday." Chela nodded."I love animals." The two half-eypharians seem to think the same thing when the knight mentioned horses, but Chela spoke out,"There's a nice konti woman who has a lot of horses. I like horses." Chela smiled.

Pain seem to wash over her as the women reminded her she was still sick. The reminder brought it right back, she was jinx."Maybe you're right. I could be allergic to one of my favorite seasons." Orabelle teased, or at least she tried."I was thinking the same thing, fresh air always does me good."


"I don't mean to sound arrogant but I rather starve then to eat either one." She tried to laugh off just a little of what she just said."Food is suppose to be appetizing and appeal your taste buds. I don't think I could stomach such a thing." She could tell her compliment.affected her greatly. Whether the woman has insecurities or just never saw herself as beautiful, both were tragic and Orabelle hated when women denied such a thing.

"Yeah, watch your plate.because I just might eat that too." The little girl reach a hand out for Ale and pretended to claw at her. The girl also began making a funny animals noise.


The group walked for just a couple belles before coming across the Sapphire star. The place seem to grab the knight's attention as she quickly walked in, greeted by an akontak woman."It's lovely here and right now, not as packed. Pick a seat and we could have something to eat."

OOCIf you don't like this location, please tell me