Author: Silver Star, Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:53 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

"It's fine," Ernest said. "I'm just rather clueless when it comes to writing. The idea of metaphors and stuff never even occurred to me." She thought about the idea of being in a story or a song. That would be incredible.

She laughed slightly, wondering briefly what would happen if she took him at face value and decided to see how much she could tell before he died of boredom. She decided against it. Knowing her luck, the barkeep would get angry and tell her to leave about ten minutes in. "The island, then. Well, my uncle was an adventurer when I was little. He told me one day that he'd found an island, and that he'd claimed it for me, so I went to find it." She left out the part about her uncle being dead, preferring not to talk about it.

"My first adventure? Well… there was the time I got a bounty on my head for stealing oranges, but I'm not sure that really counts. My first real adventure… that was probably the time I got kidnapped by the Fratians up in Laeto Rainforest. I guess it was about a year ago now. They tried to haul off a caravan I was in, but they got betrayed and we all ended up stuck in the woods together. It was pretty crazy."

"As for the goddesses thing, I honestly was hardly even involved. I was there. I saw almost all of it, but I didn't really do much." She paused. "I considered trying to kill a goddess at one point. Never actually tried, though." She turned to see the serving girl staring at her oddly. "I'll have an ale, too, please," she said as if she hadn't been talking about anything stranger than the weather. 

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Sun Jun 4, 2017 12:29 AM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Her sudden reaction made him realize he went over the top. "I don't, but if I ever do make a story or a song about you, I think it's polite of me to ask. You can never know what someone wants." He said. He had gotten himself a mug of ale and let Ernest pick for herself. 

"That's exactly what I wanted to know." He scribbled down something. "Don't worry, you can never tell too much. You mentioned an island, would you be alright with telling me something about it? Why is it important to you?" He paused, taking a sip of his drink. Her perspective on cities made him think. The freedom is something hard to find, as you have to work and earn your money, but it had its benefits.

"Other than that, could you tell about your very first adventure? Was it before or after you started traveling? Or, we could just skip to the goddesses part, if you want to. I'm not gonna make you tell me anything" If this goes well, he might even make a short, simplified epic. He'd prefer if he could see what happened instead of hearing about it, but travelers don't trust very easily, preferring solitude over unknown company.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sat Jun 3, 2017 6:43 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Ernest almost choked on her meat pie. Poetical metaphor? Who did this guy think she was? A storywriter? "No poetical metaphors," she said. "You'll have to add those yourself, if you want them." She grinned as he put the pouch of coins on the table. She wasn't complaining. It was never smart to pass up free food or drink.

"I'll trust you on what's important to a story," she said. "I started adventuring… well, I guess it was because I had no choice. I didn't really have anywhere else I could go. I was looking for an island, originally. But, now, I just like it out there. It's easier to live out in the wild than try to stay in the cities. It's nicer out there. No one gets mad if you have to take a few things to survive. And, well, there's always the chance of discovery out there. Men built cities. They know them. They don't know the wilderness. So there's something for me to do."

She realized abruptly that she was rambling, which was strange because she almost never rambled. "Sorry. I might have gotten a bit off topic there. Is that what you wanted to know?"

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Tue May 30, 2017 12:58 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

"I don't have a story about the divines yet, how peculiar…" He said, clearly surprised by Ernest, a mention of an immortal being wasn't such a common thing in the presence of drunkards. Not in that context anyway. "However, it's always the smartest to start with the beginning, unless you're looking for a poetical metaphor to deepen the meaning of your story, but I digress…"

"Since the weather isn't letting us out, we might as well start now and here. Just, it's unhealthy talking with a dry throat…" He signaled the barmaid to come over by raising his hand, dropping a pouch on the table afterwards. "Don't worry, I'll be paying. It's hard to be broke when you've barely had time to spend, let alone see the road long enough to be mugged." 

"The most important thing to every story would be the why. Why have you started and kept traveling? An aspiration for great deeds and glory perhaps, or maybe a tragedy that took away everything you had?" He already set aside his loot, a parchment and quill in his hands. His eagerness might have seem unnatural to those unfamiliar with the eccentric, but a noble history and interest in arts truly did make him a peculiar fellow. "Or maybe something less dramatic? Were you bored with the simple life or was it the wish to see the world?"

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon May 29, 2017 4:33 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Tarian's noticeable interest in Vilpamolan didn't slip past Ernest unnoticed. "To be honest, I was only there because I got lost," she said. "I was exploring Virens Forest and got turned around. It was an… interesting place. I didn't care for it much, though." She had not enjoyed her time in that city, although it had been quite an adventure. It was not a place she would want to go back to.

She noticed his excitement as soon as he started talking about stories. "I suppose I have a few I could tell," she said. "What kind of stories do you want to hear?" She paused, thinking for a moment. "Battles? Adventures?" A mischievous grin crossed her face. "Goddesses?"

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Mon May 29, 2017 5:22 AM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

A common goal is the dream for those looking for companionship, especially those having trouble with self-defense. Tarian, however, didn't want to force anything, so he decided to let things happen on their own before acting. He did hope for his lone travels to end, it made the uneventful road even duller.

"Four years…" Tarian seemed to faze out for a moment. Four years is a long time, and he couldn't even imagine what it would be to travel that long. As weak as he was, typical noble, there were even more dangers, and his starting point was a really poor choice. Ancense ruins are a trap even for the experienced, but Tarian had only begun to explore the world without the aid of books. But the stories, he could already see it. A pathetic musician discovered ancient treasures deep within the mountains… It's a shame it won't work out that way, unless he gets really lucky.

"You must lead a dangerous life to have been to those places. Vilpamolan… I can only envy you though, the skills and trades you can learn in that city might even outweigh the danger it presents." He said. Those who think can easily see he is interested in the shady arts ever so slightly. "The things I envy the most, however, is the stories you might have. I would love to know what adventures you had. Would you mind sharing them with me? Maybe over a drink?" He had a confident smile on his face, slightly cocky, but not unpleasantly so.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sun May 28, 2017 4:20 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

"We share a common goal, then," Ernest said, a slight grin spreading across her face. "I want to see everywhere someday, too." She was actually quite surprised to have met someone else who loved exploring. There were few enough of them out there.

"As for me," she said, "I started wandering about four years ago." She knew she was telling some things that she didn't say a lot, but she was kind of excited to meet another explorer. "And, really, I never know where I'm going. I might go check out the mountains to the north, or, if I can, maybe go to Egjora Island. It all depends, really. I don't plan. I've learned that I always get knocked off course if I try to plan where to go, so I've just stopped bothering."

She grinned a little bit more. "As for where I've been… a lot of places. Recently, out in Varaz. And in Vilpamolan. Then, here. But I've been all over."

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 11:53 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Tarian was happy that she had given him a name. To him, it was a sign of trust. Of course, he had given aliases before so he should know people aren't always honest, but she had no reason to lie. It was just an accidental meeting at a tavern.

"My travels begun recently, so I haven't been travelling long. There haven't been many interesting places I've seen yet, mostly roads and taverns, but I want to travel all over Canelux. I have come here to rest before I reach Adeluna City." He said. "However, I have heard some rumors about caves in the Mountains…" He paused for air and glanced toward the ongoing fight, visibly disappointed it was still going on. "However, on a larger scale, I want to go everywhere, Adeluna, Canelux, even into areas barely accessible to mortals."

"What about you? Where are you going, and when did you start roaming?" He smiled. Maybe there's enough material for a story here. Maybe even a song! Adventurers truly are the most interesting people.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 4:13 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Ernest watched him continue playing his instrument. He seemed quite good, from her limited knowledge of instruments. She was only half-paying attention as he talked, being much more interested in his instrument. A part of her wished she had a skill like that.

She gave a half-second pause before responding to his question, noticing that he had turned all of his attention towards her. "I'm Ernest," she said. He had given her his name, so at least if he pulled something, she could try to find him. Unless he was using an alias, of course.

"So, where have you been travelling of late?" she asked. She always loved new information and stories. "Anywhere particularly interesting?"

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Wed May 24, 2017 9:51 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

"It's not nice at all unless you have a roof over your head. But, it has to pass eventually…" He replied. "As for the fight, I really hope it does. Performing is one of those things I live for, and it always makes me feel so energized."  Now finished with tuning the lute, his fingers quietly danced over the strings, and while no sound came out of it, the speed was a show on its own. He was confident enough to close his eyes as he ran up and down the lute, and he didn't give any sign of making a mistake. Not that anyone would notice as no notes were actually played.

"I always preferred travelers to settler folk. They're so much more diverse and… Oh, could you forgive me rudeness, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Tarian, at your service." He said, bowing his head a little in a sign of respect. "What should I call you, miss..?" He seemed very interested in her, stopping his quiet performance, diverting his full attention and waiting for an answer.

 

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Wed May 24, 2017 7:46 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Ernest watched him, playing with his instrument, with some interest. Music had been one of those things she never really got to see much of - one of the reasons she had been somewhat upset when the fight started. "They'll probably stop fighting eventually," she said. "Maybe it'll be early enough that you can still compete." She wondered if he was any good. Maybe if the fight died down really early, she could watch him perform. Unlikely, though. She didn't expect the barkeep to let her stay much longer.

A small part of her still got worried whenever anyone asked her questions, but there really wasn't any reason to worry. People were curious. She knew that, it just bugged her. "I suppose both, actually," she answered. "I don't usually visit inns. Too much fighting." And money, but she wasn't going to mention that. "But, yes, I'm a traveller."

The rain pounded even harder on the windows, and Ernest frowned. It wasn't going to be a good night, tonight. "The weather isn't very nice, is it?" she commented.

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 9:37 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Tarian would nod as a sign of appreciation, sitting down and taking the lute off his back and onto his lap. "I came for food, drink and a good time. Traveling alone can be quite a dull task. Ofcourse, I wanted to compete too, but…" He glanced towards the fight, continuing "It seems that that won't be possible tonight." He looked down towards the lute, fiddling with the instrument, playing a few very quiet chords.

After a short moment of silence, he looked at her again. "What about you?" He asked. "Are you traveling too, or is tonight just a break from the regular life?" Still brushing the strings of the lute, he tried tuning it slightly better. The unfortunate weather was never good news for an uncovered instrument.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Mon May 22, 2017 6:04 PM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Ernest had seen the man walk in, but she hadn't taken much notice of him. He hadn't seemed a threat at the time. Now that he approached her, she scrutinized him more carefully. He seemed nice enough, although Ernest knew better than to trust someone on looks alone. Still, she didn't think he would be a major threat to her.

She smiled, trying to match his expression. "You're not intruding," she said. "I don't mind." Still, she didn't loosen her grip on her dagger, hidden under the table. "So, what brings you here on this night? I don't think I've seen you around before." Not that she knew a lot of the people in the Winking Mermaid. However, she had been around Adeluna a few times, and she didn't recognize him from anywhere she'd been.

Author: OzirisXP, Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 11:00 AM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Tarian's first visit to The Winking Mermaid had gone quite well so far. He was used to visiting inns, and this one was no different. It was cozy and warm, and it sheltered him from outside weather. Being a bard, he just couldn't resist the singing contest. Eagerly awaiting his turn, he was very disappointed when a fight broke out, postponing the whole competition, maybe even cancelling it for the night.

Like anyone in their right mind, he wanted to get away from the fight, or at least be somewhere where they won't see him. After scanning the room several times, looking left and right, he saw lonely table in the farthest part of the room, although occupied by a young human. Even though he didn't want to be an unwanted guest, it was simply the best solution and he really didn't want to deal with drunks tonight.

He carefully approached the table, trying not to appear like another aggressive sailor. "Excuse me, may I sit at your table, miss? I wouldn't want to intrude, by any means…" The Half-Elf had a noble posture, although he didn't seem arrogant as others of blue blood, and his smile seemed to give away only honesty and good intentions.

Author: Silver Star, Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 10:14 AM, Post Subject: A Chance Meeting [P]

Ernest didn't make it a habit to visit taverns. She found them to be rather a waste of her time and money, and often rather dangerous, as there were usually fights, and, if not that, people who would recognize her. She didn't have many enemies, but she found it good practice to be on the lookout anyway. There were always people who would try to prey on the defenceless. 

So, she sat as far in the corner as she could, eating a meat pie and subtly watching every person who came in or out. At the first sign of trouble, she would be gone, but, for now, she was safe. She supposed that eventually she would have to leave - even if she'd had the money for a room, she had other things to spend it on - but it was raining and rather cold outside and she was loath to leave the warmth of the room as long as it was available. 

The barkeep called out for entries to the singing contest, and Ernest unconsciously tightened her grip on her dagger. Contests usually meant fights, and fights meant trouble. Perhaps she should leave now. But it was so nice in here. There was no need to leave yet.

Three songs later, she heard the shouts, and saw people starting to throw punches. Now she had to leave. Of course, though, the fight had broken out directly in her path to the doorway. She was stuck here now, unless she wanted to try to cut through the knot of men all hitting each other. No, that would be a very bad idea. She stayed where she was, hoping quietly that she would remain unnoticed.