Closed [Avalis' Gift] Does Fortune smile on you?

[Nyria Ly'Mata]

The 89th of Spring, 515 AV... Nyria stepped out from her apartment and into the long dimly light hallway, lit only by torches which hung upon the walls, she wondered if they ever went out but shook the idea from her mind, she had only been her a few days and already she was asking questions she'd find answers to soon enough. She pulled her cloak tighter around her form as she made her way down to the shop, the owner of which had been kind enough to draw her a route to on a small map of the city. Following the directions as best she could, Nyria eventually arrived at the small shop, tucked away in a small alleyway, the wooden door slightly ajar with the sweet scent of incense teasing at her sense of smell, there was a small window next to the door, the glass was patterned with swirls which made peering into the shop more difficult, there was also a sort of fabric draped over the window, at the moment it was held back, allowing light to entire the shop. Nyria gently entered the shop and the scent of incense was far stronger than anticipated, since from the outside it only teased the nose but from within it the smell grabbed the nose and plucked the hairs out. Nyria let out a weak cough, in a feeble attempt to mask her disliking of the scent. "Don't worry, you'll not be smelling it for long, little Star." Nyria looked around to see a woman sitting, crossed legged behind a rather low table, her busom was sat on an inviting bed of pillows, however so it didn't seem as uncomfortable. "May I ask why it is so strong?" The woman chuckled, her dark hair hidden under a red bandanna and the unhidden was down in a three-knot plait which she had resting over her shoulder, her wrist was adorned with bracelets of rope, gold and silver, her fingers boasted multiple jewelled rings. "Wallace Richesse, the proud owner, thought it would be more authentic this way." The woman shuffled a deck of tarot cards and spread them out in front of her, she picked one out and observed it before looking past it at Nyria. "The cards tell me, you're the new girl," The woman picked herself up and approached a second table. "Please, sit here." Nyria nodded to the woman and took her seat on the cushions, comfortable like she predicted. "Did a card really tell you that?" Nyria asked, her tone sceptical and her smile polite. "No, Wallace did. But it's refreshing to see someone who isn't so eager to believe my lies." She gave Nyria a smile and then took the seat in front of her and placed her hand out. "Show me what you can do?" Nyria took the woman's hand timidly, before running her fingers along the creases of her palm and closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. As she focused on the woman, time seemed to slow significantly as visions of a past not Nyria's revealed itself to her. There was a ship, a family, a break down of relationships and a man, who offered her help, but merely abused her vulnerability and then a vision of her looking at Nyria. Nyria broke the connection when she saw herself, "You are a Svefra, born on the sea and raised there too, there was no qualms, your family was happy until some event, revolving your family disregarding you and casting you out, I do not know what for but they cast you out. Then a merchant ship found you and the owner promised to make you safe, but he didn't and that was all I could see." There was a pain look in the woman's eye but she nodded and let out a breath, "You certainly have the skill at reading someone's past, I just hope you can read their future just as well." She picked herself up and returned to her nest of cushion. "But I do not have the time to test you, we have a guest." Nyria surprised she hadn't heard anyone enter, looked to the door to see if anyone was there, but there wasn't she looked over at her co-worker with eyebrows knotted until she heard the door gently open and a bell ring.

[Garland]

After their little expedition into Saena's labyrinth, he had been quite happy to have gotten out alive, but still... As much as he worried about his life, he couldn't stop thinking about April and his child. He would have hated himself if he let his child grow up without a father, like his own parents before him.

He had forgotten about the time he had a reading with Moxie, but he had remembered when he left the labyrinth. She had said that he had lost love and that was true, but she also said that he would find love in the future, and that worried him. Had he not already found it? Was Moxie mistaken? Is April not the one? He was confused and wondered if his feelings for April were just feelings of duty to their unborn child and not of love.

Moxie would probably just say the same thing again if he asked her, so he decided to try and get a second opinion from someone else. He had heard of a small shop that deals with fortune readings and such, and the young squire was intrigued.

They didn't cost a lot for a reading he heard, but he would know when he got there, he had his armor on and was not on any assignment or patrol, in fact after his ordeal in the labyrinth, his patron ordered him to rest for a few days, but the squire felt fine despite the injuries he had sustained.

He had lost his way for a few chimes, mostly because he had not been to these parts of Syliras for a long time, most of his patrols led him to the docks or the bazaar, but eventually he had found it.

He had used his nose to find the building, the smell of burning incense could be smelt from a block away. He sighed, it seemed like he was really going to do this. He trusted Moxie's predictions, but he would like to be sure. He took a deep breath and opened the door, letting the bell ring above him.

"Hello? I'm here for a reading if you don't mind of course." He said and looked over to two ladies sat across each other, he could see one was a Konti, and another had the looks of a seafarer, but it seemed she had been on land for a long time.

[Nyria Ly'Mata]

Nyria turned to see the newest member to the shop, he was young and dark of hair, he seemed slightly timid to entering the shop. "Hello? I'm here for a reading if you don't mind of course." Nyria looked over at the bejewelled woman, she rose from her nest and glided over to the young man. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and welcomed him into the shop. "Why ever would we mind?" She smiled at him, her bright eyes piercing. "If you so wish to know what fortune has for you, we have no right to stop you from asking." She lead him to Nyria and set him on the cushion just infront of her. The woman nodded to Nyria and smiled at the young one, before returning to her nest to play with a set of cards. Nyria took the young boy's hand in her's, his hand was dry and rough, the calluses revealing to her he worked hard for his chance to be a knight. She ran her finger along the crease and over a callus or two, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting her concentration focus on the man before her. The visions showed her a maze, a girl heavy with children, and a bond of strong love. "A journey, through a place of puzzle and loss. A Labyrinth. Fear for a woman and those of which are yet unborn, boy and girl, love they know. For he returned, no need for mother, daughter or son to fear. But father knows he may not provide." Nyria opened her eyes and looked at the young squire, "A father of two to be and only a squire, times must be hard for you." Nyria looked over at the Svefra who was watching her closely, trying to determine if the man had believed what Nyria told him. "Keep your coin, you need it more." At Nyria's words the other fortune teller's head flew up, suddenly more interested in the conversation than playing with her deck, yet her hands remained on the deck, shuffling them without concentration. She shook her head at Nyria and set the cards down, she replaced them with a cup which had a steam arising from it. "This reading is on me."

[Garland]

Garland stared dumbfounded at her readings. It is true that they did go to the labyrinth earlier in the season but there was no way she could have known that, but what really confused him was what she said after.

What did she mean by "boy and girl". Did she mean "boy or girl" Was it just a slip of the tongue? Garland was even more confused than when he came in. His heart was beating fast, she was right, he didn't know if he will be a good father or be able to provide for his family, but even worse was the fact that there was a possibility of not just having one child, but twins!

"Ummm... A-Are you sure it'll be twins? A boy and a girl?" He asked with a look of disbelief in his face. He was happy to have two children on the way, but he was also very very nervous, even more-so than before, he wouldn't just be failing two people but three! A son and a daughter!

"Keep your coin, you need it more."

Garland took out his coin purse despite Nyria's words. "N-No no. I'll pay for it, just because my future isn't so bright, doesn't mean that you should pay for me. I insist." He said and took out the necessary money and placed it down on the table.

[Nyria Ly'Mata]

Nyria looked as the squire looked at her with great astonishment, he had either not heard of the pregnancy or was shocked at the information Nyria was able to give him. She sat patiently, awaiting his response, naturally any without the skill to foresee events not yet past would be cautious to believe the words and also spend a great deal of time processing the information they had just heard. "Ummm... A-Are you sure it'll be twins? A boy and a girl?" He finally spoke, eyes filled with disbelief, but also a slight glimmer of joy, she notice his hand shake nervously, the news would worry any man, for the complications were far greater for twins and no doubt unless a noble, having twins was never a smooth passing, and even if it was a smooth passing, raising twins wouldn't be the cheapest thing ever. Nyria traced her fingers over Garland’s palm once more, ensuring the information she was sharing was most definitely correct, would not be fair to give him a fright and have the information be false. ”I am, you are to have a daughter and a son, both of whom will love you and make you proud.” Nyria looked back up at the squire, with a peaceful smile. "N-No no. I'll pay for it, just because my future isn't so bright, doesn't mean that you should pay for me. I insist." Nyria rolled her eyes, with a slight shake of her head, a few of her white strands escaping the bun and falling down by her cheek, and a chuckle escaping her lips. ”There is no brighter future than that of a father-to-be, your fortune will turn and you will provide for you family, I know this because your hands are the hands of a hardworking man, I imagine, you would do anything for your children.” Nyria looked at the 4 golden coins Garland had placed on the table before her and she scooped them up, ”Please, let this city give back to you once. You work for nothing but a bed and food, use this money on yourself and your family.” She placed the coins in the open hand before her and closed the hand around it, with a pat of her hand and a smile.

[Garland]

"We can argue about this all day, but it looks like you've made up your mind..." He took the coin and put it back into his purse, he looked up to the Konti fortune teller. "But I still won't accept that I haven't paid my dues. So... Ummm... A favor? From me? Or... I dunno..."

He sat there, thinking of a way to repay the girl's kindness. He didn't even know her name yet. "Oh, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Garland, squire of Sera Catherine Ashe." He said and shook the girl's hand. "Still, I won't leave without giving some form of payment." He paused thinking of some way to pay for the hospitality and kindness she has given.

"What do you propose?" He asked and looked to the Konti and then the Sverfa. "I hope you don't mind that I get a free reading, seems a bit cheaty but I do know how hardheaded a few Konti are, they're as fierce as they are beautiful, a bit like Sverfa." He said, almost like he was flirting with both of them, but he was just giving out compliments.

With the new knowledge of having twins in his mind, he was actually quite curious as to how they would grow up, and more importantly, how their mother would fare with the children, but asking for another reading would seem like he was taking advantage. Still he had no clue on how to pay this girl back.

[Nyria Ly'Mata]

"We can argue about this all day, but it looks like you've made up your mind..." The young squire took his coin back and a small smile tugged at the corners of Nyria's lips. "But I still won't accept that I haven't paid my dues. So... Ummm... A favor? From me? Or... I dunno..." Nyria watched the squire struggle to think of a way to repay her, but Nyria simply shook her head. "This is how the city repays you for your selfless work, you are unpaid and yet put yourself in danger to protect the city. Do not squander the little money you have, but if a favour would make you feel better, do not forget us when you ascend the ranks of the Knights, sir..." Nyria smiled at the squire, she had failed to get his name and yet her she was knowing more about his life than he did. "Oh, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Garland, squire of Sera Catherine Ashe." Nyria bowed her head as a sign of respect to learning his name, and was caught by surprise when his hand enclosed around hers and he shook them. "It is a pleasure, Sir Garland, I am Nyria Ly'Mata of the White Isles, as your people call it. "Still, I won't leave without giving some form of payment." Nyria rolled her eyes at the squire with a slight chuckle. "What do you propose?" "Honestly, you are not indebted to me. I have simply shown you what any person should show you. Respect and kindness."Nyria bowed her head once again, unlike the Konti Isles, the customs of Knights confused her, to her, Garland was just as noteworthy and respectful as a captain was. She looked up as he addressed the other fortune teller. "I hope you don't mind that I get a free reading, seems a bit cheaty but I do know how hardheaded a few Konti are, they're as fierce as they are beautiful, a bit like Sverfa." The woman let out an amused cackle, with a flick of her wrist. "There's nothing fierce about those lunar headed loons." She retorted and went back to the cards, chuckling to herself and repeating Garland's words. "You have made my day, Squire Garland." Nyria could her the bite in her tone, she seemed to use squire as a bad thing, whether an insult to Nyria's respect and humble nature, or an attack on his status among the Knights, Nyria knew not. "But, if she refuses the coin, I will take it, after all, she has no say in who gets what sort of discount or 'cheaty' free ones. If you are finished, please, you know where the door is." The woman flourished her hand in the direction of the door and Nyria gave her a fierce stare but the woman did not once look up from her cards, so Nyria took a piece of parchment and quickly scribbled a note and quietly slipped it into his purse. The note reading: Meet me by the docks, when the sun hits the water.

[Garland]

Garland gave a sly smile to the older Sverfa woman. "Of course, 4 GM? Right?" She then looked back to Nyria with a look that seemed like he had won something, though it was mostly his pride that made him smile, if he had more sense or less pride he would have just taken the free reading and left.

He pulled out the gold and gave it to the Sverfa. He noticed a bit of paper in his coin purse, he would look at it later. He stood up from his seat and gave a small bow to the two ladies. "Thank you for the reading, ladies. I hope you two have a nice day."

With that he walked off towards the door, he pulled the door open and walked out into the street. The blue sky seemed brighter, the sun seemed lighter, everything seemed... less dreary than usual.

He pulled out the piece of paper that was slipped into his coin purse. He flipped the letter open and read the words carefully.

'Meet me by the docks, when the sun hits the water.' Hmmm? Rather cryptic, but alright. Nyria... I'll meet with you... Wait... where in the docks? Oh petch it, I'll wait on the main road the leads into the docks later.

With that, he folded up the note and walked off. Now he had a problem... He has two kids incoming and he still has to figure out a name for the two. Well, at least he'll have something to think about while he waits at the docks or while he's on patrol.

-Later at Sundown-

The docks were as busy as ever, there were a lot of Sverfa here and there. The sea winds blew into Garland's face, he was not a fan of sailing like the Sverfa were, but he did love the wind from the sea. It was always so fresh and so lively, unlike the air in the city which seemed like it was rotten or stale.

Garland was leaning on an old lamppost, another squire was busy lighting them up for the night with a stick with a lit candle on one end. He gave a small nod to Garland and he returned to his duties.

There were large burly redheaded sailors from all around, some were loading crates and barrels into their respective ships while others were getting off their ships and heading off to get a drunk.

Nighttime was the time where some people's day were ending, but to others nighttime is the time where the days were just starting, drinking with friends and such, having a good time, maybe a small brawl or two before the knights break it up.

Garland was looking out to the sea, watching the falling sun being swallowed up by the large body of water, it gave the sea an orange color along with a regular dark blue of the sea. It looked like an egg yolk being gently mixed with some sort of blue liquid.

He was too distracted by his thoughts and the beautiful scenery in front of him. He needed a name for a girl and a boy. He was drawing a total blank for both of them, he had thought all day about the fortune, about his future kids, what their names would be, but nothing was coming up.

He waited for the Konti fortune teller to show up, but he was content if she didn't show either. He had too much on his mind, and he would be able to stay up late because his thoughts wouldn't let hims sleep either.

[Nyria Ly'Mata]

Nyria bowed her head to Garland as he left the shop, and once he had, Nyria came to regret offering the free reading. ”Oh have a free reading on me?” The svefra woman exclaimed, thrusting her hands in the air, in an attempt to make Nyria flinch, to see if she was frightened of her. ”This is not a church, we do not do this for free, my dear.” The svefra pointed in Nyria’s face, as if she was telling some child of for breaking a ceramic bowl, but Nyria’s face remained as calm as the sea after a storm. ”I will be informing master Richesse of this and he can deal with you.” Nyria finally looked the woman in the eye and shook her head. ”You would not do that to your worst enemy.” Nyria told the woman, she knew he was the only reason she remained in the city, else she’d find her family and apologise for what it was she did. ”He frightens you more than those creatures out on the sea. I promise it won’t happen again, I merely wished to help the poor boy.” The woman looked wide eyed at Nyria as she spoke, her mouth slightly ajar as she listened. ”And… and it best not.” She simply replied before taking her seat and dealing the cards over and over again. Some time later Nyria left the store before her Svefra co-worker had, she seemed to want to tidy somethings up and lock the shop herself than leave it to the new girl, but Nyria felt no insult at her lack of experience in the tidying and locking of the store as she headed towards the dock. Naturally, she was drawn to the water, she hadn’t been near the sea since Nyka and she wished to smell the scent of the salt, hear the gentle lapping of calm waves and feel the cool wash over her, even if it was just a spray from some waves but it was better than nothing. Nyria picked up her pace, excited by the prospect of getting to be near the sea again, she tugged her white cloak closer to her flesh as she followed the sounds and scent typical to a dock. She had arrived slightly earlier than expected and decided to take full advantage of that fact, whilst stripping down and diving right into the water was ill advised, she could indulge in removing her boots, rolling up her trousers and sitting with her feet in the water, she felt somewhat relaxed as she awaited the squire, even with the overly curious eyes watching her. After a short while of simply sitting, the sun finally sank into the water, a sight to behold no matter who you thought you were, taking this as her cue, Nyria lifted herself up and head for the main road, not too far off she spotted the young squire from afar and called out to him. ”Ser Garland!” Her free hand, waving to him. She picked up her pace and approach him with a smile.”I thought you might not come, the message was bare.” Nyria smiled with relief, even if he didn’t it wouldn’t have been a wasted venture but still, it was nice he did. She reached into her pouch and retrieved a small sum of coins. ”I believe these are yours.” She dropped them into his hands and smiled, she awaited him to argue but it would be in vain, as Nyria had no intentions of accepting the coin.

[Garland]

Garland had not noticed the Konti walk up to him. He was surprised by her sudden appearance, she had blended into the scenery of the falling sun, giving a shadow that made it hard for him to see her.

It was a wonder why he didn't notice her before, but his mind was preoccupied and he could have walked off the dock and would only notice when he finally hits the water. He gave a soft smile and watched as she put the gold into his hand.

He gave a defeated sigh and pocketed the money. "Alright, you win. I'll keep the money, but you get a personal favor from me, anything you want." He smiled warmly at her, he fidgeted with his fingers a bit.

"So... Have you been here long? In Syliras I mean. I can show you around the city if you want, or... hmmm... I could give you a few lessons in unarmed combat, but I don't think you would like that. " He paused, besides fighting, he had no other skills that could be useful in everyday life. He looked a bit sad at that thought.

He couldn't even make a simple pot of soup without giving himself indigestion. It's a miracle that he's even still alive. "Do you have family?" He asked suddenly, it was a touchy subject for him but still, he felt like it might be a good subject to try and get to know her. "I-I mean if you don't want to talk about your family, that's fine too! I was just wondering, but if it's too personal I understand."

He blushed at his own idiocy, he blabbed on about his question being a bit too personal, but the more he talked the more awkward he became. He coughed into his hand and tried to hide his red face. "S-Sorry, it's just... Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm not very good with talking, I'll be honest. I just... mess up when I talk with someone new, well... sometimes, mostly the ones that are a bit too... Ummm... What's the word?"

Beautiful? Stunning? Sweet? Welcoming? Yeah, welcoming, that doesn't sound as creepy, right?

"I get all flustered when I talk to someone... so welcoming? Eh... That sounded better in my head. Gods... I'm making a fool of myself aren't I? I should probably just shut up and leave. Oh! No no no, I should walk you home, that would be rude of me to just leave, unless you want me to leave, of course. Why can't I stop talking? I'm just going on and on and on, and this is starting to look strange. Ummm... I'm sorry?"