They finally reached Arri, the jewel of the desert. Cymbel was surprised at how quickly the journey across the desert had passed, though the shade cast from his friend contributed a great deal. As he approached the gate he saw the guards, armed and ready with glaives. Their red and green eyes seemed to bore through him, and he instinctively tensed up. It was just a routine inspection, he told himself. It wasn't like they knew he was in disguise or anything. Passing through the gates he relaxed once the guards were out of sight. His next reaction was one of amazement when he looked down. The streets really were paved with precious metals. He wondered how Vinsue felt about them, as dragons liked treasures.

"So this is Sularia. It's so…lively. I'm a bit surprised at how comfortable the temperature is for a desert city." He pulled down his hood and shaded his eyes as he looked around. Everything seemed to glitter in many lights and colors. And indeed there were few men seen on the streets aside from travelers. "Since you've been here before, how about you give me a tour?" He cracked a smile, feeling a bit awkward and happy at the same time.

As they approached the gate she noticed the two women and looked at the ground. She did not like city guards of any sort and they usually did not like her but in this city she did not yet have a price on her head so it should go well. And it did, they got past the women and onto the streets of precious metals with no problem. Though on the way to the gate she felt like her friend was slightly troubled by the guards like herself but she shrugged it off, as she would not want to tell why she did not like them either.

She showed no interest in the streets for the simple fact of who she ran into last time she was here. Once she had cause to really hate and or fear someone she usually avoided them the best she could. As of now there were no signs of the demon and she was quite glad for it. The past of that in itself was a long one that she usually did not share. She now does not trust gold she seen the demon by and will not touch it. It took way too long to remove the last curse and she did not want a repeat of it. She shook the thought as she did not see him and was more than glad for it.

“Yea, the temperature is surprisingly bearable in the city.” She said as she looked at him and away from the others. “I am nowhere near the best tor guide here for both stays were rushed for many reasons but I guess I do know a few places.” She said and led the way to the fountain which was full of coins. “Each coin represents a wish, hope, of dream. Or so that’s what I was told.” She said before sitting on the side.

"Almost like a wishing well then." He peered into the water and saw there were many coins resting at the bottom. "There must be many people with a wish they desire to have granted." He stood before the fountain for a while, in thought. Fishing out a single silver crescent, he flipped it into the water. Did the gods listen to the wishes of the fey? It wouldn't hurt to try at least. Cymbel had many things he would like to have granted, but a single coin should suffice for all of them.

"Whenever you are ready, I'll be right behind you. It would be a good learning experience for both of us." He looked at his reflection in the water to check that his glamour spell was in full working order, and look a handful of water. He poured it over his hands to cool himself off. The water from the fountain was surprisingly cool, not lukewarm as he had expected. Sularia truly was a city of wonder, in his eyes.

"yea," she responded to the wishing well coming. She looked at the water and the coins as Cymbel did his thing and made a wish. after a bit she got up and started walking. she was a bit tired from both the walk and the transformation she had done twice. "How bout we get something to eat i have heard that there are nice taverns hear and most the cooler stuff happens after dark." 

She shook her head trying to keep awake than went to the fountain and wet her face. than turned to her friend "up to you"

"Yes, we probably should. We have traveled for quite some time, after all. I'd also like to try the region's famous rose water." Cymbel had heard of Arriese rose water. It was a drink, rather than a cosmetic and it was something the lords and ladies enjoyed as a way to show off their wealth. Normally they had mixed other herbs and fruit juices with it, so this was his first time drinking it by itself. Admiring the architecture as they walked, he tried to see how many different styles he could name in his mind. After the meal he planned to visit the rose gardens while it was still day, so he could compare the experience when he revisited them at night.  

she walked along beside him as they found there way threw the busy streets. she slowly raised her guard as she entered the tavern and ordered the special and a thing of ale. she would have tried the rose water but did not want to chance a new food to her body at the moment. she knew that certain foods did real weird stuff to her and she did not want to be sick at the moment. 

after a bit she looked around the almost empty place and wondered if it was always like this. than turned back to her friend. "So what brought you out this far anyways." it was weird to think that her friend was the same person as before the desert as he was hear but then again she knew a few that would do that. Than a wild thought struck her. "It was you at the party wasn't it. you were the man that asked if i was enjoying the night." she asked knowing most people in that town would not have done that even if it was a friendly festival.

Entering the tavern, Cymbel ordered the special and some rose water. When it came to paying the bill he could feel a twinge of pain at the amount of silver, but he did come here for their city's specialty drink. The place was spacious, clean, and had a good ambiance. When Vinsue asked him his reasons for traveling, he gave his answer. "I've only heard of these places in books or rumors, so I thought I should at least see them for myself. The world is a much larger place than I have imagined, and I would rather not be ignorant."

Then she mentioned the party. Although he did not show any disturbance in his face he felt the back of his neck go cold. Did she finally realize it? He had thought his technique had been foolproof. He had even learned how to distort his scent. Surely she couldn't have noticed. The guilt from his deception was resurfacing and it was making him uncomfortable. "…So you were approached by somebody that night? But didn't you see me before the lights in the sky were fired?" Was she going to be angry with him? He was worried, worried that he'd lose the trust he had just earned. For the first time in many years, Cymbel was truly scared.

Vinsue smiled as his first response for she traveled many places for the same reason. Rumors and stories were fun to investigate just sometimes she needed to read up on the places more. she bowed her head with a frown as he asked about the man that had approached her. "Yea, something like that. It was just weird that someone approached me." she said a bit disappointed for she was almost sure it was him corse than again one of her friends may have been a bit curious and shifted to see if she was really there. 

She would not be mad for she may have did the same thing if she did not want to be known for what she did at the party. she looked up as there meals. and mixed up there drinks but she corrected it once the server left. She quickly tried the meat. it was some type of desert rabbit and tasted good. she had not had rabbit since she was small and liked the taste.

"…I see." He fidgeted, now feeling worse. When the food he ordered came, he squeezed the cup of rosewater as if he was wringing a sponge. He did not start eating after his food arrived, and waited for a few minutes after Vinsue had began eating hers. His appetite wouldn't return until he confessed, so he awkwardly stared at his drink for a while before speaking up. 

"…I'm sorry." As he said the words he grasped the cup tighter to keep his hands from shaking. He could feel a lump forming in his throat, and it was hard to keep the anxiety from overwhelming him. His voice trembled, but he pushed himself to continue. "I…I've lied to you. The truth is, I spoke with you twice that night. I didn't think that someone would be looking for me–so when you said you were waiting for someone…" His throat tightened and now he could barely speak. Looking down at his food he waited. Waited for the sound of shocked surprise or indignation. He couldn't look her in the eye, not after admitting what he had done.

he was quick to become uncomfortable and she felt a bit bad for bringing it up. she stopped eating as he imitated the truth. it was an awkward moment as she thought about it. she was right it was him but he seemed to think it was a big deal. "It's ok." she said than took a sip of her drink. "That's one of the least types of trickeries that has been played on me and it was not like you were hiding from me." she than took another bite of her meal and a sip of her drink..

She was not mad or surprised now that she knew the truth. She understood what he was doing was simply keeping a low profile. She wondered what he would think if she told him of the pirate haven and her past and name there. She had so many outlaw friends that a simple disguise would faze her.