[Flashback] Good views on bad places [Edvard_Lecklaen]

[Fraha]

Timestamp: 35th of Spring Location: The rearing Stallion Time: 13:00 (after lunch) Fraha sighed, i wasn't like her to drink ale at that hour, it wasn't like her to drink at all. But lately, sicne she came in Syliras or better, sicne she knew Astraea she kind of started to have some ale or vine form time to time. Sitting at the counter, black sandals on the bar chair's support, black large trousers Fraha was spinning the mug and looked at the physic force aplied to the fluid in slight contsant wonder. Looked from the back the first thing one would notice on Fraha were the two Wakizashi's placed on her special belt on the back, in the kidney area. Higher a belly short top would show some of her copper skin before the black cloth covering the highest part of her body. The neck would be hidden by long black hair kept steady bi a brown headband giving Fraha a somewhat pirate look. A lot had happened on the past days to Fraha, she had to deal with different things, she knew people, good and bad ones. She battled and was held in arms in a forest. Fraha's head was trying to figure out what could it mean. It's been some days now that Fraha was wondering what would she do in life. What's her goal a part of travelling. She was so deep in her thoughts that didn't pay attention to the ale she was spinning in the mug. The reaction was that she spilled some on her left hand and the right elbow, which was on the counter in order to hold the head. Fraha "woke up" a silent Dammit! went out of Fraha's mouth as she quickly glanced around to look if no one has seed or looking. She didn't really look, she just made the movement with the eyes. Quickly she placed the wet part of the hand on her lips and silently sipped the ale off while running the elbow slowly on the counter in order to get rid of the pair of drips on it.

[Edvard Lecklaen]

The day had its ups and downs, he'd be the first to admit, but overall Edvard couldn't complain. After an hour or two outside the walls practicing with his bow, few things sounded better to him than a flagon of ale or two, even a bite to eat. His clothing, though quite suited to outdoor work, weren't terribly flattering, his shirt being little more than a potato sack with sleeves sticking to his frame from the sweat he'd worked up, his sack cloth trousers were rather baggy, allowing for good ventilation, and his boots were little more than they seemed - just good boots. He was rather happy he'd decided to forgo the gambeson today; partially that there was no need for it, and second that the thing just trapped and held heat like nothing else he'd ever worn! Lords above knew that thing could be death of him some day, but were he ever in a tight spot, the thing might do him some good... Closing the heavy door of the Stallion behind him, Ed's right arm felt rather loose, no thanks to his practice. Turning about to look into the tavern, he was assaulted with a barrage of sights, many an individual enjoy a meal, company, or simply some time to themselves. Taking care to be sure that the bow on his back didn't hit anyone or anything, Edvard navigated through the throngs of patrons, searching for a seat that would suit him and his equipment. He preferred to avoid tables, considering that he was by himself, as he'd rather not take up more than was needed, he soon set his eyes on the bar, and began to gradually maneuver towards such. Within a few seconds, he'd made it there, but not without a close call with a server as he neared the bar. Barely avoiding the young man with some quick thinking on Ed's part, as the server had come about a table directly into his path, and Edvard slipping to his left hastily, not wanting to spill any of the drinks he carried, which would've surely cost money Ed didn't feel keen to spend. In his haste to avoid spending unnecessary coin, he collided with a patron who he had failed to notice in the corner of his eye, a young woman, obviously not from Sylira, who seemed quite well armed. His immediate concern was, of course, to ensure that she was neither upset nor injured by his now-clumsy maneuver, however it soon dawned on him that she might also take offense, especially with the two rather foreign blades she bore. Regardless, he apologized almost immediately, though he was cautious to get too close. "I-I'm terribly sorry, I didn't mean to... well, run into you." He glanced behind him quickly, making sure to avoid any further accidents, though his gaze soon returned to the woman he'd bumped into, and her blades. The thought soon occurred to him, "I can pay for your drink, if you like." Perhaps it seemed out of place, but it was the least he could do for running into her.

[Fraha]

Fraha could feel her elbow sticking to the counter with dry ale It won't go off without water or saliva, and i can't lick my own elbow in public can't I? she looked at the counter boards to check if nobody's looking as the thought of trying to lick it away popped in her mind. Eyes wide, she raised the elbow and lowed the head as much as possible noticing that she couldn't absolutely reach it. Immediatly dropping it back on the counter Fraha acted with nonchalance as she felt stupid as hell for trying. Lowing the head Fraha grabbed the mug again, slightly wet on some parts and raised it in order to have a great sip. She could feel the scent of it and from the previous sip she had in mind the taste. A thing Fraha will renember is to pay attention to her surroundings. In fact she swore she could barely hear boots bumping the floor close to her. In fact, right before the drink would raech her lip Fraha was hit on the back by an unedentified object. This made her to loose control and lean forward with the body, she gasped as the lip, squeezed between the mug and the left lateral incisor, went cutted. The second conseguence was that the fluid remained still when the mug ant forward causing, thanks to laws of physics, the ale to spill over Fraha. Most went on Fraha's upper lip and some on the cheeks and everzthing floated down on her clother, wetting slightly the trousers and leaving some drops on the belly. Fraha spread the eyes, surprised by so many things happening immediatly planted strongly the mug on the counter while the right hand went to clean the face from the Ale. She rubbed it away with the back of her hand as anger grew into her. Still a drop falling from the board of her cheek Fraha listened to the punctual apology of what sounded a man. Telling herself that it was an accident Fraha tried to push the anger away and turned around the head to see a blond, blue-eyed handsome man. Fraha's shoulders were low as she turned the head and the waist to him. She looked at him with a smirk but with serious eyes, just in case she could react bad in case it was a joke to humiliate her. But he seemed honest so she relaxed the eyes allowing a bright joke expression. It's ok said Fraha calmly yet quickly I love to spill ale on my clothes, it makes me look like a good, reccomandable person. She run two fingers on her cheek and lead them to the lips, all this looking at the counter but making it visible to him. I still have some drink left here, but I could use a towel added she in the end jokily. It wasn't like her to ask something, normally she would apologyze back and go to clean herself alone.

[Edvard Lecklaen]

"Well, I might have to start doing so myself!" Smiling at her joke, he still felt bad for running into her so suddenly, especially now that he saw she'd spilled her drink on herself. But it seemed that she wasn't the type to run him through for bumping into her, and he relaxed somewhat, the slight spring in his legs giving way now that it seemed that he wouldn't have to distance himself from her. "Well, I could see if the server could get you one." Edvard then introduced himself, smirking as he did, making light of the situation, "I'm Edvard, something of a woodsman by trade. I don't often bump into people, but I had to make an exception this time." Despite the joking nature of the statement, it had some truth behind it. Even if she was a foreigner she was rather attractive, her tanned skin complimented her round face and contrasted with her dark clothing and hair. It almost made him feel rather out of place, clad in his dirty and worn work clothes and surely neither smelling or looking his best. Still, he couldn't just leave her be, thanks to both his 'quick thinking' and the conversation. So he approached the bar, taking a seat beside her, though he scooted the stool a ways from her, not wanting to crowd the woman. "Not to pry, but it seems like you're not from around here..." Offering a glance to the two blades she bore and then back to her eyes, he continued, "So just where are you from?" The tavern still continued with its usual din, no better or worse off for the chance encounter, though Edvard still hoped that he could grab some ale without having to come back later.

[Fraha]

Fraha listened to him, smiling at his words. He was a guy with sense of humor and had good manners so she had to be a good person, Fraha in all her gullibleness was sure of that. I'm Fraha answered she quickly as the man spoke his own name. She giggled at his joke covering her mouth with the right hand, not wanting to seem cheeky so suddenly. The server, who saw the situation, gave Fraha a green towel, smiling at her, it wasn't the first time she was there. Thank you said quetly Fraha as she leaned back and started to rub, here and there the towel on her thighs. heh, despite i'm here since half year now mt skin betrays my cover. Said Fraha ironically, looking at what she was doing and glancing shortly at Edvard. But yeah, i'm actually from Yahebah, Eyktol region, i travelled here. Done with the drying Fraha palced the towel on the counter and the head on the palm of the left hand as she turned in Edvard's direction, legs crossed 45 degrees between him and the counter So it's Ed right? how old are you? asked Fraha with a half smile, pushed by her natural and constant will of comunication and curiosity. She was getting cheeky, and it wasn't like her. But it was ok, since she felt respectful towards him.

[Edvard Lecklaen]

It was good to see that she wasn't terribly upset by the encounter, despite the mess, as people who offer a laugh or two are rarely holding hostility. Fraha, who soon attained a towel from one of the waiters, began to dry herself off, and Edvard soon waved down the same server for a mug of ale, sliding a silver miza forward on the bar, dug out of one of his trouser pockets. Looking at the bar before him, he turned to her as she answered his question, replying with names of places he'd yet to learn about, save for only being mentioned in the texts regarding the Syliran Knights, their quests, and the times before the Valterrian. Yahebah, Eyktol... such names were foreign to him. Foreign enough that the trip must've been quite a trek, not a name as well known as Sunberth. Though that wasn't to say it didn't interest him, such information might prove to be of use some day. However, in his thoughts of such far away lands, she asked questions of her own, regarding him. "Yes, Ed's one of my more common names," Smiling as he replied, he saw that she'd turned to face him, "gets to be something of a pain to say Edvard in a pinch." The second question was a bit harder to answer, not because he didn't want to say, rather that he didn't exactly know how old he was. "I think I'm about twenty, my parents never told me what my birthday was." She had a rather interesting glint in her eye, one that seemed to betray more than her posture or voice. "You don't mind my asking your age, do you Fraha?" The waiter soon returned with his drink, and with a small sip, he returned his eyes to Fraha, rather curious himself concerning not only her, but from whence she came.

[Fraha]

Fraha turned away as Ed watched her in the eyes some time, shy. He knew how to talk and that made Fraha think that he wasn't a bum or a beggar but probably an ordinary person, or maybe even a rich one that has gone training. Or working something that surely requied physical labour, Fraha could tell that by the scent. I'm 18 lied Fraha, she was 17 but hated to look smaller and had to keep it up to not have problems in the tavern. They never told him? thought Fraha as she raised an eyebrow in wonder Probably an orphan then, or else.. concluded Fraha in her mind, not wanting to mind other's personal business. What brings you to the Stallion during the day? asked Fraha, out of nowhere as her personal thoughts came back in her mind. She shortly renembered her parents, mama, papa, Mahal and Rohal. She wondered how were they, if fine or not. were they searching her? She realized she was beggining to day dream and to return to reality took two sips of ale, by grabbing it with her thin and long fingers and holding it tightly. She glanced at Ed than around her, as if she was making sure nobody was around. It was inteded as a joke and before her mouth would disappear behind the mug a smile could have been seen.

[Edvard Lecklaen]

Seeing that his gaze caused her some discomfort, he averted his eyes, turning back to his own mug. In taking another draw of the ale, she answered, telling him that she was only a year or two his junior. Being that he wasn't look at her at the time of her saying such, he'd no way to tell if she was lying, and such took it at face value. She looked the part, and he really had no reason to suspect that she would lie to him, after all, there was little to gain by such. As she finished her question, she seemed to take on a distant look, and though it puzzled Edvard for a moment, he took it in stride and answered her question, smirking as he did. "As opposed to coming here at night? I had been practicing a deal outside of the walls with my bow," He soon gestured with his head to the weapon on his back, "and I figured it'd be nice to get in out of the sun for a piece. Besides, my arms could do with the rest." With a glance, he could've sworn he saw her smile, soon retorting with the same question. "And might I ask you the same?" His mind wandered, the mention of training outside causing him to think, mostly of training and how tiresome it could get. Though he began to wonder, no thanks to the occasional odd glance on his part, on the functionality of her clothing. Given that her skin bore such a noticeably darker hue, she surely came from a land bathed with the sun, but if that was so, wouldn't dark clothing be terribly uncomfortable? Odd, though the, for lack of a better term, exposing nature of the garment likely helped alleviate the stifling effect of the garment's shade. Soon he caught himself, shaking away his thoughts and avoiding Fraha's gaze with something of an embarrassed look on his face, his cheeks betraying his thoughts, though he regained his composure a few moments thereafter.

[Fraha]

Fraha liked his speech, it was somewhat capturing. He actually was training, with the bow as she supposed. Archery was a nice art but never interested her too much. She always tought about it as something too difficult compared to the good old melee combat. I would never have the calm and patience to use a bow Said she looking at the mug But to return to the topic, i don't know, i'm just here to meditate, things happen to me lately, things make me think Said she seriously and calmly. She felt stared for a second and as she turned she saw her interlocutor looking away, but a slight red colour flushed his cheeks, Fraha learned enough with Ethan to know what it could mean and simply giggled as her eyes made their way back to the counter. She didn't know what to tell, what to add, the thoughts were coming back and she was falling in them again. What's your goal in life? asked she to avoid leaving an emptyness in the conversation.

[Edvard Lecklaen]

She had answered, something to the end that she couldn't use a bow, while his thoughts had been elsewhere. Not exactly a point of pride with Edvard, but still, what's done is done, but with something of a giggle to his side, he looked back to her just as she looked to the bar before her. An odd individual, but it wasn't an odd occurrence to find such a person in Syliras - truly one of the hubs of the world - a foreigner far from their home. Returning his attention back to his ale, he began to ponder just how unique Syliras was, and whether a place like it existed elsewhere in the world. Though he hadn't long to think before Fraha inquired again, this time concerning his life's goals. It was somewhat obvious, even from the tone of the question that it was intended to avoid a lull in conversation, Well, from idle talk to the meaning of my life... Taking a moment to decide just how to answer the question, he began slowly, with a nonchalant edge to his voice, "My goal in life..." Allowing something of a smile to creep onto his face as he shot her a glance, not wanting to seem to avoid the question, "I haven't given it that much thought. I had always thought I would just be a woodsman, or whatever it is that I am." Though, with a thought, it seemed that his expression changed as he looked to her, not just his face, but his overall posture, "But, I've often indulged the fancy that I might wind up a knight some day... were they in need of an archer." As he finished he began to slide back into the state he was before he mentioned the Order, sighing as he turned to the mug before him, "But I'd doubt such."