Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 21, 2014 22:50:54 GMT -5
Rehjul had not felt the length of the sun's rays shine so unbrokenly for little over a year. The warmth of the light shone strangely upon Rehjul's face as he stepped once more upon steady ground, departing from the oak-made behemoth that had brought him such a long way. The wooden path leading from boat to shore moaned beneath his feet, and the feet of those that walked beside him. The ride to the mainland had proven relatively calm, though that was in relation to voyages typically made across the northern seas, of which very few could be described as particularly easy. The boat continued to bob gently in the bay behind him, while the rest of its passengers either swarmed from the expanse of its deck or hurried swiftly down the length of the boardwalk only to disappear in the streets beyond. Rehjul slipped away from the crowd to take inventory of his belongings. The pack slid easily off his back, and he plopped it on the ground before digging within. Inside of the leather container he found his wallet, still depressingly barren, in addition to a tome he'd found laying about the bunk of some random passenger. The passenger may have not been particularly random - it may have been his bunk mate, but it was an easy enough mistake. Ignoring these two, he claimed his most valuable possessions. From within his pack, he pulled free two boots, each crafted of finely tanned black leather and laced with various golden inscriptions. The cuff of the boots were dyed a royal blue, and their heels were molded in a way that provided their wearers with a sense of sturdiness. It was in a moment of blind passion that he'd spent the five gold pieces on the pieces of apparel and one that he'd not come to entirely regret, yet. They'd spent most of the trip within the bag for fear of thievery aboard the ship, and as such, it was with great enthusiasm that the man exchanged his old and deteriorating shoes for the pair of fine boots. He dropped his old shoes where they lay before heading back into the bustle of the crowd. The sailing had been smooth and the sun was enjoyable enough, but his mind was now returned to the reasoning for his being here. Thinking perhaps too much on the subject and not enough on his surroundings, he felt himself jostle into a body in front of him. "Sorry." The apology was mechanical, offered as more of a formality than it was a sincerity. His mind was elsewhere still.
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Post by Aria on Aug 26, 2014 16:59:03 GMT -5
She'd woken up early - right at the crack of dawn- to prepare the shop for the new day. News traveled through the town the previous night that there was a ship on the horizon, a ship that was more than likely headed for the dock on which she resided. Aria had jumped out of bed, tended to her still sleeping grandmother, and roused the other women who lived in the old building with her. She had spent her morning scrubbing the floors and wiping off the tables that were still dirty from the previous nights' shenanigans. There was another rowdy man last night, drunk off mead, who had been harassing one of her girls. The man had, in his drunkenness, forcefully grabbed a girl and demanded from her a free show while he tried to pull up her dress As she sometimes was forced to do, she threw him out and advised the other customers to get a move on paying for their services lest they be kicked out as well. The shards of glass from the mug he'd broken remained on the floor and cut her finger as she gently dropped a few pieces into the bucket. Once the glass was dealt with, she scrubbed the spot and stood, grabbing the dirty water and heading to the front to discard of it. Aira stepped out onto the now busy streets and was just about to throw out the water when a tall and sturdy man walked straight into her. Caught very much off guard she let out a yelp as she fell hard onto the dusty ground, water soaking her clothes through. "Hey, ever think to watch where you're going and have the courtesy to mean what you say?" She yelled after him, anger slipping in her voice. Her thoughts had been lingering on the man from last night. She stood up then, clothes wet and heavy now, her long chestnut hair sticking to her face. Her green eyes flashed at him, following and assessing his every move.
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Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 26, 2014 22:03:52 GMT -5
Having already moved past the woman, Rehjul turned at her words only to find himself taken slightly aback. Previously, she'd appeared an admittedly short-framed lady, though glancing at her now, the visage was hardly more than that of a child. Which, in turn, made Rehjul feel old. The docks hardly seemed the place for a younger woman, though he was new to this land - perhaps its customs differed so drastically. In any case, not much could be done for it. Seeing the lady fall, he made to offer a hand to help the girl to her feet, but in the few moments he'd taken to register the person, she'd managed to pick herself up. After a moment of silence, a smile spread across his face, fueled primarily by the lady's tone and accusation. "Oh, my lady," He remarked with an overly sympathetic sincerity. "If I did not mean it, I'm sure I would not say it." His eyes darted to her clothing; the dirt and wet was obviously newer, though the stains hinted at signs of hard times. Taking her for an orphan, he removed his coin purse from his pack and swiftly removed three silver coins from it, making to offer them to the girl. "For your troubles." The smile remained plastered across his face, though dispersed once he remembered he had nowhere to stay for the night. He'd intended to make his way to the larger settlement of Haven as swiftly as possible, but needed to detail his course in heavier fashion before again heading out. The chance to make more coin would also not go unappreciated. Hoping to find such at a local tavern or inn, he asked the orphan-girl; "Do you know of a nearby place to stay the night? Preferably with tolerable rates. The cheaper the better." The last of the words drifted off as the man gazed into his purse.
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Post by Aria on Aug 26, 2014 22:34:15 GMT -5
Aria took a minute to consider his question. She knew right away his remark was a sarcastic one; something she didn't much appreciate. Despite this, she quickly smiled at the man. While picking herself up she'd noticed that this man wasn't particularly impressive, he was dressed in the regular worn clothing of a sailor save for his footwear. The man was wearing magnificent black leather boots with a beautiful gold design, which clearly cost more than the rest of his belongings. Figuring him to be a fast spender, she took his coins. "I work at this inn here," She gestured toward the building she'd just walked out of. "Perhaps I could talk to the owner and see if there's a room available for you." Business is business, I guess, she thought to herself. If she got a few silver coins from this inconvenience, then surely allowing him a bed alone wouldn't hurt. Aria turned around and stepped back into the dusty light of the lobby, holding the door open for the man. Some of her girls were finishing up the morning cleaning while others had taken a few seats at a table, chatting amongst themselves. A few of the ladies turned their heads as Aria re-entered the building, some gasping in surprise at her sudden change of appearance. "Is there a name I can call you by?"
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Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 26, 2014 23:34:55 GMT -5
"So you aren't some poor street urchin, then." Rehjul winked at the girl. A brief words of thanks was extended to the lady for being kind enough to hold the door for him before following her into the building, waving gleefully at the female company waiting within the structure's interior. The sudden question triggered an old sense of self-awareness within the man's mind. "Uh..." The decision of whether or not to give the girl his true name bounced thoroughly between the walls of the man's head as the two walked through the building's lobby. He berated himself for still harboring the sense of paranoia instilled in him so long ago and shook his head slightly as he offered the girl an answer. "You can call me Rehjul." He flashed her a brief smile before proceeding to seat himself at one of the room's few empty tables. He sat himself near enough from the room's other occupants so as not to disturb any ongoing conversations, though near enough to overhear whatever may be being said. He hoped to glean at least some local news or useful gossip in his time here, that might help him ascertain where he should set out to next, or at the very least aid him in finding some more coin. "And how should I refer to you? What name were you given?" He fell back into the chair, spreading his legs across the floor. Though he made an obvious show of relaxation as he spoke, his eyes continued to mirror the girl's movement. One ear patiently awaited her response while the other skimmed through the words of those seated nearby.
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Post by Aria on Aug 27, 2014 19:54:34 GMT -5
"Heaven's no." Aria replyed quickly, absentmindedly, as Rehjul stepped passed her and slipped onto a seat at a nearby table. She caught eye contact with one of the girls in the corner and, through silent and long established communication, the girl stood to grab a few glasses of mead. Aria took a seat across from the newcomer, continuing to watch him closely. He made to look comfortable, bored almost, but there was something in his expression that hinted to a deep rooted distrust or nervousness. She couldn't quite tell which it was, but she had a feeling she'd find out later.
In the background, she could hear the girls whispering about the strange man she was sitting with. A surprise to the others, no doubt- Aria didn't take to her own customers too often. Usually she let the girls handle the services while she handled the payments and too-handy men. Their other subject of conversation, one she just barely caught over the din of pots clanking and low roar of the world outside, was the drunken man who'd assaulted a worker the previous night. There were some praises for Aria's tough exterior and clever actions that made the man leave, others wondered how long it would take before someone would be too much for her. Considering this herself, Aria wondered briefly whether there would be someone willing to act as guard for herself and the others; someone who could handle a stronger man without as much difficulty. Her eyes drifted from the neighboring table back to the face of the man she'd run into outside.
"My name is Aria," she said suddenly, forgetting that he'd asked her for her name as well, quickly sticking out her hand and taking Rehjul's in a firm and confident shake. She only released his hand when Vi, one of her oldest and most loyal friends and workers sauntered over with their glasses of mead.
"Thanks, Vi." She nodded to the girl, flashing her a warm smile despite the concern that showed in her eyes.
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Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 27, 2014 21:29:35 GMT -5
Rehjul made no small mental note of how the older lady obediently stood at the mere gaze of this younger girl. "Aria." He flit the name around the tip of his tongue, testing its feel. He decided it flowed well. "Nice. It seems to be well-worn around here." He tilted his head toward the lady, raising an eyebrow in accusation. The pieces of conversation drifting through the room did not escape him, though he decided them to not be worth bringing up at the moment. However, they did allow him to make what he assumed to be a fairly accurate assumption of what the place was. This too he did not feel currently relevant, and chose to ignore. He leaned into the table, resting his elbows upon its surface and ignored the glances cast their way. He shuddered internally, realizing what the women inhabitants likely took him to be as his perspective of the situation altered rapidly. He'd followed a child into a whorehouse. Even with his typically stable composure, he could not stop himself from suffering the slightest cringe as he accepted the girl's handshake. It was surprisingly firm, both for her age and gender. "Your father seems to have taught you the importance of a handshake." He smiled, attempting to extract more information from the girl as the mead arrived. "Aren't you a bit young to be drinking?" He laughed, not hesitating to accept the mug offered to him. He drank deeply of the amber liquid within.
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Post by Aria on Aug 27, 2014 22:48:28 GMT -5
Aria couldn't hold back a smile as she saw the reality of the situation register in Rehjul's face. She was sure how suspicious he thought he must look to others right now; a grown man who'd accompanied a young teen into a place of pleasure. He must not realize how common situations like this are in a town like this.. Aria reached for the mug and took a few gulps of the liquid herself, feeling the heat travel down her throat and settle at the bottom of her stomach before replying. "It's old, certainly. But we work hard to keep things," She suppressed a laugh then, with a small cough- a clearing of the throat. "sanitary." She looked around the room now, at the faded walls with the wallpaper that was now peeling at the corners, at the scratched and scuffed floors that she always worked hard to scrub clean the morning after a long and messy night. "My father taught me many things. Maybe I can use that knowledge to renew the old life in the walls." She expressed, just now realizing how dingy the place may have seemed to an outsider. To her, it always felt like home; comfortable, cozy. She sat, somber at the thought of her grandpa, who had become the father figure in her life after her parents died. It was true; he'd taught her many things from how to best care for plants to how to balance her expenses. She sipped from the mug, her gaze shifting up to meet the eyes of her guest. Laughing with him, she chose not to reply to his prod at her age. Rather curious, she decide to see how much information he would reveal to her. They sat quietly for a few minutes, drinking from their mugs before she decided to speak again. "Where is it you're traveling from?" Nodding towards his clothing, which were clean but bleached by sun and starched from the ocean wind. In the background the girls entertained a few men who had already made their way inside the store, doing no more than glancing once in the two's direction before busying themselves with the other women. Aria waited patiently for his response.
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Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 28, 2014 0:29:04 GMT -5
It was obvious the girl was much more comfortable than he in situations such as these, and Rehjul found himself pondering for a moment how frequently a scenario similar to this played itself out. Ignoring her laughter, Rehjul finished draining the contents of his mug before setting the empty container near the table's edge, should some person be hospitable enough to refill it. The warmth instilled in him from the liquid's presence was reassuring, and he felt himself calming as the drink settled in his stomach. "North." He responded to the girl's question. While the answer was vague, the statement didn't provide much leniency - there were but few hospitable cities in the upper portions of the world, and fewer still that had docks of their own. However, given the relation that the Throne had with magic and the rest of the world's uncertain attitude toward those that wielded the stuff, the man wasn't keen on letting such information slip in such a place as public as this. Rehjul listened quietly as Aria spoke, following her gaze as it took in all the various aspects of the room. While not of substantial quality by the standards of the common inn, for what it was, the place was exceptionally clean - all things considered. Noticing the sudden attention paid to his attire, Rehjul felt himself grow self-aware of how long it had been since he had enjoyed a proper bath, and found the slightest sense of inspiration stir within, spawned by the thought of being able to enjoy such a thing later that evening. "And what of you, then? Does your family hail originally from this area?" Rehjul's eyes met the girl's as he posed the question.
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Post by Aria on Aug 28, 2014 14:52:47 GMT -5
"I've moved around," She replied nonchalantly. "spent most of my time in Mollis. A pleasant place, but not too large. I grew tired of it and came here in search of things more fleeting." A lie of course. It was true she'd spent time in Mollis, but it was more like her entire life rather than just a portion of it. Her motives for moving away from the area were put in place partly because of her craving for adventure, but not completely. She'd decided not to mention her grandmother.
"Well, I'd better head to work. Might I show you where you'll be staying?" Aria stood, making her way gracefully through the lobby and into a narrow passage. It was darker here, the doors on the walls separated by small oil lamps, half burning, half left unlit. A few of the doors were open, revealing little glimpses into the windows of the inhabitants' lives. Reading a book on a chair, washing the previous night's dirt off of ones face, signing and sealing a letter ready to be sent off that afternoon. It amazed Aria, realizing how different yet similar their lives were, entwined in a beautifully crafted story by Fate. It wasn't chance that brought these men into her midst, it was Fate- she expected as much of the man following behind her as well. What secrets did he hold, what wonders? What words did he exchange with his most intimate friends, colleagues, lovers?
It was these thoughts that always floated into her head whenever she met someone new, especially someone living as nomadic a life as a sailor. It was these thoughts she was pondering now, just when she reached the next available room.
"Here we are!" Aria said, taking the door knob in her hand and pushing the door open with a quiet creak. She stepped into a wonderfully lit room, a bed stood on the left side wall and was accompanied by a vanity. Sitting atop the vanity were two small pitchers; one held water for washing while the other held a bouquet of wildflowers handpicked by yours truly. A quilt handmade by a local vendor was draped over the back of a wooden chair on the right side of the room.
"I'm afraid it's not quite your style but it should suit you just fine, in terms of usefulness. If you need anything, feel free to stop by my room." She gestured to the closed door just a few paces further down the hall, then made to leave Rehjul to his own company.
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Dear girl, time was the only thing that never fell on your side.
Posts: 89
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Post by Rehjul on Aug 28, 2014 15:32:14 GMT -5
Rehjul's eyes squinted as Aria rehearsed the earlier portions of her life. The telling was oddly specific, and he found himself curious as to what sort of past she felt best to hide away from the rest of the world. "Traveling such a long distance at such an early age surely couldn't have been an easy thing to do." The words were posed moreso as a question than a statement. However, before the words ever left his mouth Rehjul saw that the girl had slipped into the recesses of her own mind and realized his question would find no answer. He silently followed the girl as she continued to lead the way to whatever room awaited him, allowing her to remain encompassed by her thoughts. "It's... Quaint." Genuine sincerity managed to etch its way into the man's voice; the room was conditioned much more fashionably than he'd expected. While curious as to what his style was, he felt a more pressing question arise within his mind. "I thought you'd need to speak with the owner, about the room's availability?" He tossed his pack down beside the length of the bed before moving into the hall again to await the girl's response, a sly smile spreading across his face.
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Post by Aria on Aug 28, 2014 16:10:51 GMT -5
"Oh I'm sure she'll be okay with it!" Aria replied before gliding back down the hallway, flashing a knowing smile and a quick wink at Rehjul before disappearing into the bursting daylight of the lobby.
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