Open [Port] A Morning Adventure

[Briza]

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38th Summer, 514AV

She nodded as se turned towards the direction she needed to take, of course she was going to lead, was there another option? She started off the way that the map had indicated, sliding past the walls of several buildings, and coming a dead stop infron of what appeared to be the tavern.
She tilted her head slightly to the side, a quirk that she'd developed as a child to hear things better. She listened in fascination to the falls as they crash to life on the rocks, and the hustle and bustle of workers as they went about their labouring.

She pushed on the door gently and entered, holding it ajar for Drefan, whom she hoped was still following her. She gazed in delight at the red lanterns that littered the place, their light was welcome in a warming way.
There seemed to be a few people about, but she was pleasantly surprised to see a comfortable table. Letting the door go, and momentarily forgetting of Drefan, and potentionally causing him injury, she skipped, child-like over to the table and chairs and sunk down greatfully into it, earning a glance from a woman behind the bar, obviously human, but surprisingly with red hair.
Briza shrugged it off, perhaps normal humans had red hair too? Who was to know.

"So what do you want?" She asked into the air, staring at the menu.

Ale, mug 4 cm
Ale, gallon 2 sm
Bread, per loaf 2 cm
Cheese, hunk 1 sm
Meals, poor 2 sm / day
Meals, decent 5 sm / day
Meals, good 2 gm / day
Meat, chunk 4 sm
Rations, trail 5 sm / day
Wine, common 3 sm / pitcher
Wine, fine 10 gm / bottle

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[Drefan]

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38th of Summer, 514 AV

Drefan had followed her indeed, and he easily slipped into the chair across from her. He glanced around curiously; this inn was no different from the one's he had been at previously, but it wasn't the same one as the one that his friend Koyu had brought him to. He found it a bit more homey, a little cozier, the red light giving the place a warm and inviting air.

"I'll have whatever you're having." He said, glancing over the list on the table. "You would know better than I what sort of food here tastes best.. though a glass of ale wouldn't go amiss." He folded his hands, glancing around the tavern as he hummed slightly to himself, in a cheerful mood.
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[Briza]

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38th Summer 514AV

She grinned from behind the menu, in truth she had no idea what would taste better, but in her limited experience of taverns she often found that the priceyer the meal, the better the meal. She did a rough calculation in her head of her monies, and glanced back over the menu as the red haired woman approached.
"Have you decided what you'd like?" She asked, giving Briza a once over with her eyes.
"Yes, I believe we have, We'll have two decent meals, a mug of ale for my friend here, and a pitcher of common wine for myself, make it half decent would you?" She smiled up at the woman as she placed the menu back on the table and looked about the tavern. The woman wrote down their orders and wandered back to the bar, and presumiably the kitchen behind it.

Briza turned her attention back to Drefan "So, would you fancy a stroll after this meal? I'd like to not get unfit as I could eating meals at this place," she gazed into his eyes, trying to sense his hidden emotions, was he happy or sad? Or was he frustrated with being in this lovely little tavern and not out on one of those water dwelling monstrosities?


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[Drefan]

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38th of Summer, 514 AV

Drefan could feel her eyes upon him, and gave a small smile to her, to show he was not displeased with the inn. He enjoyed the sea, but he never felt quite as home there as on good solid earth. "I'd love a stroll in the park, Lady Briza." He continued to gaze at her, curious about her story. He was in a rather good mood, for once, the presence of his cheery companion making him a bit more open than usual. "It'd been a while since I've seen greenery, and I do miss the sight of trees and grass." He gave a wistful smile.
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[Briza]

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38th Summer, 514AV

Briza grinned at his use of the word 'lady', what a silly terminology to use, she was far from being a lady. Ladies didn't spend more of their lives flying on eagles, or travelling by horse in God forsaken places.

"Yes, the fresh air would be pleasant," she replied, staring off into space, momentarily lost in her thoughts. She was brought back to ground by the woman returning, balancing their meals and drinks. It seemed that for today, a decent meal was basically a stew and bread. As they were placed before them, Briza grabbed up the spoon and dug in, moaning in satisfaction at the quality of the meal. "If this is only decent, I'd be amazed at good!" She exclaimed, dipping a chunk of bread into the hot meal and devouring it as well. She'd forgotten how hungry she was.

Her thoughts turned again to the park, and she pulled the map back out of her pack, perusing it briefly and instilling the directions in her mind. "It's really not far from here," she stated around a mouthful of food, most unlady like.
She then proceeded to giggle in a childish way as she rerolled the parchment and pushed it back into it's section of her pack.

The meal was indeed good, and with the wine to wet her pallet, it rolled down her throat in a most satisfying manner. She glanced at Drefan to make sure he was enjoying his as much as she was hers.




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[Drefan]

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37th of Summer, 514 AV

Drefan was digging into his food, making a pleased noise as he took large bites. He ate quickly, enjoying the flavor, while maintaining proper habits. After finishing off a piece of toast, he glanced over his cup of ale, sipping it as he allowed the peice to settle in his stomach. "This is quite good." He smiled, his blue eyes shining with delight as he began to eat the stew. "I wouldnt mind spending my gold here." He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring its flavor. "as for a walk, I would be delighted. Its not often I get the company of such a beautiful lady." He winked, with a chuckle, to show he was teasing her.

"So, Lady Briza. Tell me a bit about yourself. It's not often I run into one of my own kind, and I do not often have the luxury of conversation at sea." He gave her a light smile.

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[Briza]

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38th Summer, 514 AV

Her meal was finished, and the serving lady returned again to clear away the things, and seek payment. Briza dug into her coin purse and handed over the appropriate change. "It was wonderful, thank you," she told the lady, receiving what may have been a rare smile.

Briza turned back to Drefan, just in time to catch his comment. Her cheeks turned rosey red in return, compliments were not the usual for her. Living in Skyinarta, and being a rider meant that she was an equal, not a pretty lady to lavish compliments on.

His next question took her off guard. What is there to tell aside from the heartache and pain of the past year?

"Let us walk whilst we talk," she said softly, standing up from the table and making her way out the door, knowing that Drefan was close behind. She rounded the corner, travelled down the road and entered the magnificent gardens of Semele Park.

"I was much the same as other children, learning what I could when I could and working when needed. I was chosen by an Eagle when I was still quite young, I had an affinity for flying and riding. His name was Aska," she sighed lightly, a single tear betraying her as it rolled down her cheek. "He was beautiful, the most patient of the lost, and perhaps the most fearsome when provoked," her eyes misted over as she remembered his beautiful, silken feathers, ruffled by the morning breeze.

"We had... An accident," she finished, the tears now free flowing. She found herself a bench and sat down hard, her gaze on the colourful flowers.


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[Drefan]

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38th of Summer, 514 AV

Drefan's eyes widended, and his jaw dropped. He instantly regretted asking about it, but he knew not what to say. He knew her pain, and knew it well... Images flashed in his mind of his own eagle, his companion... Vashi.

He didnt quite know what to do, so he did all he could think of. He knelt down in front of her, his height putting his head on the same level as hers, and he reached out, resting his hand gently on her shoulder, hesitating, before pulling her into a comforting embrace. He made soothing noises, the kind he used to make to calm the roused animals back home all those years ago, as his hand gently stroked her russet hair.

"I'm sorry, Briza." He whispered. "Truly, I am." He felt guilt rise in his heart. Here she had bared her past to him, and he hadnt told her anything about it. Indeed, his pain was further in the past than hers, yet he couldn't bring himself to tell her outright. At least not that moment. Perhaps in the future, he'd be able to bare his soul as she had. But for now, even as he felt guilt and pain at seeing his new friend cry, he felt a kinship with her. a knowledge that he was not alone, that at least there was another, like him, able to understand his hidden pains.


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[Briza]

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38th Summer, 514AV

Briza felt herself embraced, a strange feeling. She remembered a similar feeling from long ago, an embrace of another...
The tears were free flowing, and a wash of new memories did nothing to slow the downpour. She felt silly, like a foolish little girl who'd just received her first critisism. Crying was unsightly, it left eyes swollen red, a nose blocked by fluid and a voice as raspy as the midday air. She'd just heard the 12th bell, and couldn't believe so much time had passed already.

She raised her head away from Drefan's shoulder, sniffling as she wiped tears away from her cheeks, slowly building a dam against the waterwall.
"It's difficult, remember," she admitted. The keen sense of loss that she'd lived with for seasons felt torn ashunder again, but the hurt healed quicker, embraced as she was by her new found friend.

She pulled herself full away from him, rising to standing once more. Why should she mope around when there was such splendour to see here in these beautiful gardens.
She gave him a small smile as she dusted her pants off, and turned towards the path leading further inwards. "Come, we should explore whilst we are here," she stated, beginning to wander off in a random direction.


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[Drefan]

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38 of Summer, 514 AV

Drefan looked at her, concerned. For the brief moments she remained in his arms, he stroked her hair, attempting to soothe her. He knew how this felt, and knew the pain. But he also knew, she was a strong woman. And he admired and respected that, and as she stood, pulling away, he stood too. The deep tolls of the bell signalling the hour caused his eyebrows to raise in surprise, had it been that late already?

He gave her a nod, approving of her decision to explore. The park was indeed beautiful, the lush trees and tall plants wonderfully enhanced by small waterworks fountains here and there; and the beauty of the scene when struck by the sun's rays actually allowed him to smile.

"Let us explore, then." He nodded, giving her a smile in return as he watched her wander off. He began to follow her, however, he stopped... Perhaps she would like some time to be alone with her thoughts? He hadn't meant to bring up such a painful topic.... He sighed, shrugging, as he followed her. Onward, to see new things.


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