Closed Unwanted Company (Aaryn | Nai'a)

[Erekez]

89th Day of Winter, 512 AV The streets were relatively noisy today. The docks had got a new shipment of cargo in earlier in the morning ad were busy storing it away for the time being. The shops were busy tending to customers, both arriving and leaving, as they tried their best to provide a service to more than one person at once. Similarly, there just seemed to be more people out today than most days, irrespective of the blight still lingering around the city. Or is that why it is so busy? Everyone rushing around because they don't want to be out for too long and risk illness. It made no difference today. The sunlight had a warm touch across his skin, as if Syna herself was reaching out. Whether she truly was or not, Erekez did not know. All he did know was that, if it was this busy, he needed to get down to the World's End Grotto quickly, before all the seats to be had were taken. As usual, Lisaelis had wanted to know where and why he was going to ask for another half day. The elderly woman had become something similar to a surrogate mother to Erekez. It was a pleasant feeling to think that she actually cared for him and looked out for him. It had only been a few days now since the Winter Ball, and Erekez was already taking Nai'a out for a meal. She had mentioned she liked fish on their first meeting with Moonraker. Surely an inn near the docks would stock some sort of fish on the menu, even if there was a ration on food. I probably should've found out before agreeing on the Grotto. He had told Nai'a that he would meet her down there after she managed to convince Mistress Claira to give her the remainder of the day off, hopefully with two seats for them. It wouldn't really be ideal to eat whilst standing, neither did he want to be beaten up by her again after agreeing to this. The new medical book he had just finished would hopefully be enough of an incentive. Erekez quickened his pace as he continued down the streets, weaving in and out of the crowds. Unfortunately, there was the occasional person who would refuse to make any attempt at moving out of his way, even if he was already squishing himself smaller through the crowds. I'm only two feet wide, it's not like you can't see me coming you arrogant-- And now he was stuck behind slow-walkers. If Semele had any mercy, she'd swallow them. It wasn't that she wasn't merciful, just that she wasn't like that. Erekez pushed through the first opening he could, expressing his apologies as he did, but they wouldn't move faster. The familiar scent of the salt ocean air became more apparent as Erekez approached the docks, heading for the Grotto. It was a nice little inn for travellers that had been built rather uniquely than most others. Erekez admired way the stonework had been placed, standing out from the uniform construction of most other buildings in Zeltiva. Now wasn't the time to admire buildings. Erekez needed to secure some seats, else he'd have to deal with Nai'a when she arrived. He had no idea how long that would be.

[Aaryn Broadbent]

How long had he been here?

He felt like he'd gotten a seat early on in the day, before the massive press of people had arrived. What were they doing out? Didn't they know there was a blight on? Aaryn didn't fear the illness, nor did he fear the seemingly inevitable death that accompanied it. He took a long drink of his kelp beer and sat the mug back down on the table. The taste was terrible, but he'd grown to love it over the years.

He'd managed to keep his table free of anyone so far with hateful glances and the perpetual mess that seemed to follow writers. The table was cluttered with his quill, ink vial, journal, and of course his drink. He took another sip, shuddered, and leaned back in his chair. Around him the crowd seemed to roar. The Grotto was amazingly loud, full of tense laughter and pretend joviality. The people were scared, but they were too proud to show it.

Aaryn admired the stubborn attitude of the mob. They showed the strength of humanity. When this blight ended they would thank the Gods, when they should be thanking themselves. Aaryn couldn't remember the last time he'd offered thanks to the Gods. Perhaps it had been the day of his wedding, or the birth of his son. It didn't matter now though. The Gods received no words from Aaryn Broadbent, thanks or otherwise.

He laughed bitterly to himself and took another drink of his beer, eyes scanning the room. He'd been trying to write, but the Grotto was too loud for it at the moment. He'd just have to keep drinking if that were the case. Hopefully he'd manage to stay by himself.

[Erekez]

The scene inside was one that Erekez had hoped to avoid. The inn was full with all kinds of patrons and accompanied by as much noise of varying types and volumes. Drunken and sober laughter, general chatter and anything else that required talking. Erekez noticed there were a couple of games going on at tables. Some for fun and others for winnings. That was what he assumed at the very least. Dragging his eyes away from scanning the room of its customers, Erekez now spent his efforts trying to locate a seat for himself and Nai'a. There was no point finding one on its own, it defeated the point of the two getting something to eat together. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be any space anywhere. I should've warned Lisaelis earlier. Had I done so, I wouldn't have spent time doing it today and there might've been a few seats left. It looked as though Erekez was going to have some explaining to do when his bondmate finally arrived. Erekez continued looking, in hopes of finding some seats, although he wasn't expecting to. Instead, he spent some time thinking up alternatives that he could suggest, until he noticed a writer sat at a table by himself, drinking. Erekez was aware that some writers preferred to be left alone as they worked, but surely you wouldn't come out to such a noisy inn if that were the case. He was the only one at his table, perhaps he wouldn't mind the company. There was never any harm in a question, and you didn't know if you didn't ask. That was exactly what he intended on doing, hoping his luck would come through. Approaching the table, Erekez got a feeling that he had seen this person somewhere before. He wasn't able to get a full view of his face, but the partial views he managed to see gave some impressions of familiarity. "Excuse me, would you mind if me and my friend joined you when she arrived?" Erekez asked in a fairly neutral voice. It was a question that could simply be replied with a yes or no answer. Although, from this distance, Erekez thought he'd finally understood why he thought he had seen this man. He had, at the Winter Ball a few nights back. He had already asked the question, it was too late now. Oh no, not you.

[Aaryn Broadbent]

Aaryn kept his eyes on his journal throughout the man's question, cursing inwardly to himself. He shut the book slowly and sat his quill down on the cover, leaning back in his chair to examine his unwanted guest. He reached for his mug and took a long drink, staring at the man over the rim. The alcohol burned his throat before settling warmly in his stomach. He replaced the mug on the table.

"Yes."

That was it. No need to be long-winded about it. Aaryn smiled falsely, the grin of a shark, too many teeth showing. It never touched his eyes. He reached for the kelp beer again, and took another drink.

"Though really, I admire the efforts. I'm sure it never crossed your mind that one of the many around us who remain standing had already asked that question. Nice and self-confident aren't you?" Aaryn asked, still smiling. Perhaps the big man would simply walk away and leave him in peace. He doubted it, but it was worth a shot.

"Now, why don't you let what I've said sink in to...wherever it is you do your thinking and we'll be done with one another."

Aaryn reopened his journal, took another drink, and picked up his quill.

[Erekez]

Erekez scowled at Aaryn. Not for the answer he gave to his question, but to his belittling of him. Erekez usually shrugged off any comments made at him, but what he couldn't understand was the need to attack him personally for asking a question. That insincere smile that Aaryn held as he continued to look at Erekez angered him even more. "There is no harm in asking a question, neither is there any harm in giving an honest answer. Harm is only caused by the attitude of either individual." Erekez hissed at him. "I don't know what's gotten you into a perpetually bad mood, but I know I have done nothing to cause it. Personally, I'd prefer you take your issues out on whoever deserves it, rather than taking it out on anyone who dares approach you. Perhaps you can explain your need to attack me after a simple question?" From what time he had spent conversing with the man at the Winter Ball, Erekez knew that Aaryn would be able to manage an answer. What he was unsure was if that answer would be another attack, or an actual justification, though he could not see how anyone could justify what was said. It would be interesting to hear his response to it. Erekez took note of the items that had been lain across the table from the corner of his eyes. He was determined not to look away from Aaryn as he spoke, hoping to get an idea of what he was thinking at the time, but also because he assumed that Aaryn would say something against him looking away. He'll probably say something about you holding his gaze. Erekez knew almost nothing about the man that sat before him, it was all the more reason to be prepared. The items across the table were various tools used by writers like Erekez, only Aaryn seemed to have a larger selection of items. It looked like Aaryn wrote as a part of living, as opposed to as a hobby as Erekez did. Erekez waited for Aaryn to reply, unsure if he would give him the courtesy of looking up from his book as he spoke.