ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴏꜰ ᴀꜱʜᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴍɪ-ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇᴅ ʀᴏʟᴇᴘʟᴀʏ discussion
Mod
The door swung open sharply, but Venus leapt ahead to grab it before it collided with the wall and announced her presence to all here. Not that they hadn't already noticed her. Not that she was inconspicuous in any way, shape, or form. Her tattoos saw to that.
Ven closed the dark wood door with a gentle touch and spun on her heel in the same motion. She frequented the bar enough for the barman to know her face, though I'd be surprised if anyone could forget it. She simply passed him a few coins and they'd prepare her usual affair. Pretty good service, she had to admit. That's why she kept coming back.
Ven took her usual place in a dark corner where the lighting was filtered and dim, removed from the general presence of the bar. She was never one for for popularity or curious stares, and these days it seemed all the worse. Ever since the Crimsons took control, it seemed everyone knew her or wanted to. She hated it with a passion.
Now, she just wanted to be anonymous. Every move she made seemed strained and sluggish. Ven was exhausted from a day of meetings, followed by a rigorous sparring session with one of the knights. Her limbs felt leaden, but it was nothing like the sore aching she'd be hit with tomorrow. No matter, a drink would fix her right up. The server came by on cue and Ven reclined, propping her feet up on the chair adjacent as she tipped the cup back. In a moment, she lowered it and quietly watched the surrounding townsfolk as they watched her, gaze sharp.
((Sorry!! I fell asleep lol but I’m here now))Leaning across the wooden counter of the bar, Vada was busy coaxing two already slurring men to have another round of rum. Her finger traced one of their arms and her voice melted like butter as she spoke.
“Oh come on dear, another sip won’t hurt…”
When the door swung open abruptly Vada allowed only her eyes to travel and meet whoever was letting the light in. She recognized them immediately. Her heart began to thump loudly, she was almost sure it was visible and would pop right out of her chest.
It was the same woman that she had heard whispers about each time they entered the bar. Venus, the Crimsons own secretary of defense. Vada was almost sure the woman would slice her head clean off if they found out who she really was…
Vada straightened up, and swallowing her anxiety she steadied herself. She knew she had to be calm. If she wanted to keep her act going long enough to find some refuge with any surviving royals, she had to stick it out. In fact she knew she had to be bold. Maybe Venus would be her way in.
The woman grabbed a pitcher of foamy beer that was slid to her by the barman. The two drunks whined and called after her as she took it and left. She slinked around the tables in the bar, ignoring the usual whistles and catcalls. Vada would usually stop to see if they were thirsty for something besides liquor, but not today. Now she was on a mission.
She moved slowly, her eyes half lidded, her skin shining golden under the candle light. Walking by Venus’s table in the far corner, she took stock of the woman. Certainly small in stature but just as intimidating as any burly soldier would be. The woman’s tattoos and cold demeanor only drew Vada in. Back in the days of the old crown, she could remember fancying the more exotic and rough around the edges type, taking them on as lovers. At the thought of this, she let out a short low chuckle. Oh how she missed being a dutchess.
Vada eyed the table and their drink, trying to discern if they needed a refill. The woman leaned over the table, placing her hand on the edge, still holding the pitcher in the other hand. She was sure her dress was hiking up a bit in the back, her bosom pushing up in the tight corset. She let her eyes slowly trail up their painted body to meet their eyes.
“Drinking alone again darling? I think you need some company…”
Ven watched the goings-on with a thoughtful expression, absentmindedly twisting a lock of raven black hair around her finger. While naturally curious of conversations and the interesting lives people led, she was simultaneously gauging the temperature of the crowd, so to speak.
Ever since the Crimson upheaval, Ven found herself to be alert, on-guard, every waking moment. Of course, anyone plotting against the safety of the country or her Crimsons wouldn't do so in public, nor with her obvious presence around, but she could still get a feeling for potential underlying currents of deception.
And though it technically wasn't her job description and would be a job better suited for some unknown spy planted in there midst, Ven would hardly sit around at the castle all day dressing up and playing new royalty. That was why she trained with the knights until it hurt. That was why she escaped to the bar and drank the pain away. Perhaps there was a bit of sailor left in her.
One overt movement caught her eye -- a maid weaving through the tables with an effortless grace, equipped with a pitcher and her fair looks. After a moment, Ven realized she was the final destination. She sighed internally, but blanked her face of any annoyance and instead adopted a faint trace of a grin.
The woman was familiar, but perhaps it was simply from Ven's frequent visits to the bar. She was usually good with names and faces, but here was an exception. The nights spent at the bar all seemed to run together in an addled haze, though Ven rarely allowed herself to get drunk. Just enough to spice up the world a bit. Just enough to dull the monotony of reality.
Ven flicked a dark braid over her shoulder and replied airily, "Well I disagree." She took another long swig of her drink then slid the mug towards the barmaid for a refill. "If the company here is all as boisterous as those picaroons, I'll pass." Her gaze was caught in the woman's dark eyes and she spied an intelligence there that intrigued her.
((No problem!! I totally feel you, life has been insane lately))Vada straightened up, placing a hand on her hip, jostling the beer pitcher as she faked a childish pout.
“Oh such a killjoy! Hmph, can’t blame you though, they are are a bunch of nincompoops.”
Vada rested her body against the wooden boarded wall next to the corner table. Her face became half shrouded by her brown curls, her eyes still examining Venus. She then turned her gave back to the crowded bar.
Men and women alike acting foolish, laughing obnoxiously, saying vulgar things and drinking themselves dead. And yet for all of them Vada found a softness in her heart. Not only because she came to know them working, but because… these used to be her people…
The woman supposed she’d play along with the grumpy secretary of defense’s disdain, so she pointed into the crowd.
“See that sod over there? He’s still lives with his mum, drinks all day on her dime… and that one? Broken heart, drinks to drown it all, begs me to lay with him just to feel something…. And her? Well that young one shouldn’t even be here, she’s smart, she could really have a future but…”
Sighing, Vada sunk her shoulders deeper into the wall, jutting her one hip out more.
She chugged straight out the pitcher, refreshing herself with ease.
“All these people you know… they’re all so interesting, they all have such intricately interwoven lives. Suppose that’s why I like an idiot once in a while. Suppose I care a bit…”
Sensing that she was letting her emotions getting too heavy, Vada laughed sharply, and straightened up glancing at Venus.
“That is when they’re not trying to get under my skirt! Well whatever, I can see you want your space. You just holler if you need something, aye captain?”
Vada winked and began to turn to leave.
Venus tilted her head slightly at the woman's words, trying to guess where the conversation was heading. She followed her point and glanced at the subjects of conversation in turn, but kept her focus of attention the barmaid.
The people were curious in their own way, but this woman was much more interesting. Perhaps it was just because she wasn't staggering about in a drunk coma, but that was enough for Ven.
She had seen more than her fair share of hopeless drunks drowning themselves in liquor to escape their problems. While she had learned to overlook them, it seemed this woman didn't share the same views. She cared for them, similar to how Ven cared for the knights. That at least was something to respect. ...Even if her other pastimes weren't quite so noble.
"I'm not a--" Ven automatically began to correct the woman that she was not, in fact, a captain, but did it even matter? She dropped the sentence with indifference. As long as they didn't call her a traitor, she didn't care what titles people deigned to give her.
As the woman turned away, Venus leaned forward in her seat, bare arms resting on the table. "Hey wait a minute, don't go." She wanted space, yes, but this mental stimulation was a bit more enjoyable.
The secretary glanced at her empty cup and nudged it towards her with an easy grin. "First," she counted off on her fingers, "I'm still waiting on a refill. And second, you didn't tell me your name."
Vada glanced back over her shoulder, a sly smile tugging at her lips.’Got ‘em…’ she thought, quite pleased with herself.
The woman turned and refilled Venus’s glass, humming as she did. Though she appeared serene on the outside, her heart was still pounding. This conversation had the capability to make or break her. She had to be careful not to slip up, she would either gain some semblance of protection from the Crimsons or doom herself with just one wrong word. She needed to make nice.
“I’m Vada,” she replied softly, allowing her eyes to flutter up and meet the other woman’s gaze again.
“I already know who you are. Pretty certain everyone here does. Must be fun, being the talk of the town. Being famous. Protecting our great kingdom one slash of your sword at a time. Or uh, whatever weapons you all use.”
Vada stood leaning one shoulder on the wall, crossing one foot over the other in a relaxed position.
She remembered what it was like to be the name on everyone’s tongue. Everywhere you went, a trail of eyes following, people shouting after you for your attention. It never got tiring for her. She loved the showing off of it all. Being a royal parading through the street, having flowers and gifts thrown at you. The adoration of all her subjects. To her it was everything.
And now she had nothing.
Vada was empty, a lowly barmaid searching for scraps in every empty glass and paid for fling. What she would give to be herself again. To be Yasmine, Dutchess of Renoa. Sweet Renoa…
Woman hid all her sadness and anger, letting her expression be one of ease and lightness. She had to stay calm.
Vada, hm? Venus noted the lack of a mentioned surname, though whether that was intentional or just a normality, she wasn't sure. Maybe she was overthinking things again.
The secretary traced her finger around the rim of her glass, staring into its amber contents. Of course the woman -- Vada -- knew who she was. There was a slight taste of disappointment in that. Though even without the exotic marks trailing up her body, she wasn't skilled at living under the radar. Sailor's weren't known for their invisibility.
But the woman couldn't be more wrong. Venus hated the popularity for a number of reason, first being that no one cared who she was when Ven was a nobody. Now that she was an 'almighty member of the cabinet' (view spoiler), people were suddenly infatuated with her.
Then again, some recognition was nice for a change.
Ven shrugged, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. "It's alright," she said simply, unwilling to go into much more detail with a villager, much less someone she'd met five minutes ago. "And the knights do most of the slashing and protecting. I just get to boss them around." She grinned somewhat impishly, as that was one of the rare parts of her job that she could get used to.
Ven raised the glass to her lips again, but paused, gesturing to the rest of the bar. "Don't let me keep you if there's work to be done. Wouldn't want to rock the boat more than's been done."
“Oh but staying here is much more fun! I hate to work. And I think you’d miss me if I left…”Vada laughed to herself. Really she didn’t hate working, she just hated working in such a meaningless place like this.
She missed the labor of politics and the economy, ending the day with a big gala after securing trades for her people.
Now she just passed out beer.
Sometimes it was a joy yes, still getting to party and fool around. But there was no achievement in it. Nothing was real.
“You know I like that in a woman, strength. Knowing you’re in charge and letting anyone that dares question it be damned. I think us girls gotta remember how sharp we really are.”
Vada tilted her head, her thoughts laced with curiosity. She didn’t mind really if Venus wanted her to go. At this point, Vada wasn’t being shaken off without a good effort.
“What made you fancy being a fighter anyway? Were you always the warrior type?”
Venus raised an eyebrow. She'd miss the company of an intellectually competent person, but she wasn't sure she'd miss Vada herself. The night was still young, however. Anything could happen.
She eyed the woman closely once again, wondering what she was getting at. Ven did believe woman should be in power, which was one of the reasons she supported Queen Aubree. She had never cared for the ex-King Adrian's patriarchy, especially when her ship went down. That was an avenue best left alone, however, so she shook her head to clear the thoughts away.
She raised her eyes to the low ceiling and hesitated a moment, gathering her thoughts. Venus was not an open person. "I... Well, I was taught combat when I was small. First to protect myself, then to protect others." She thumped her glass on the hard wood table, that and her flat expression saying the topic was closed.
Vada, on the other hand, was still a mystery to her. "And you? Why work at a place like this when I'm sure someone like you could find a better establishment?"
The bar wasn't necessarily a bad place, but it was still a bar full od drunkards.
Vada watched Venus’s mannerisms closely, gleaning the right times to either push or pull away from any topic. Though she was keen to know more about the secretary of defense’s past, she saw that it wasn’t a matter to keep pressing.The barmaid idly played with the drops of water on the side of the beer pitcher. She contemplated how to answer Venus’s question. She knew the best liars told the truth, so that’s what she intended to do.
“Suppose I once aspired to greater things. Life just… had different plans for me. And it’s not so bad here really, free booze and lousy company. And I can just barely make ends meet.”
Vada shrugged. She didn’t like to look at everything as all positive or all negative. But it was a struggle to not miss the better life she had. A life of opulence and influence. Power.
“Now that the Crimsons are in charge in sure things will turn around for me. Who knows, I could get a break after all!”
The woman forced a beaming smile. Really it made her blood boil to speak kindly of the Crimson rats, but it was her only way to seem amicable to Venus and her cabinet.
Venus's fingers subconsciously traced a marking on her arm as Vada spoke. She knew all too well how fate threw a wrench in life's plans, upsetting the future as it was hoped for. In that, she could relate.
She hid an amused expression, noting how each gave cagey half-answers. No deceit on her part, and none from Vada as far as she could tell, but neither responded with a satisfying conclusion. Ven supposed it was only fair, but she had no intentions of revealing more of herself, and so assumed she'd get little more out of the woman.
She wouldn't miss a chance to promote their cause though. Ven nodded and her smile spoke of a well-practiced speech. "Welfare for the people is one of the things the Crimsons are here to do," she spoke, her voice earnest but also with a hint of recitation. She'd said it a lot lately, evidently.
"With the new queen there will be new opportunities and advancements. No one will have to suffer under a scallywag like the old king or his crew ever again." That part, she was determined to carry out personally.
Her bit done, Venus kicked her feet up on the table and took another swig of the beer, feeling the haze beginning to roll in. She returned her gaze to meet Vada's eyes, wondering again who this girl was. She seemed so...different from the rest. It was a nice change of pace.
Vada caught the sort of cleaned up, scripted slice of oral propaganda and almost scoffed. It was stuff like that she didn’t look back on fondly, the need for dolled up speeches and talking points. It was the kind of appearance keeping as a ruler that irked her. And hearing it from a Crimson head made it even more irritating.“Well I’m eager to see the improvements.” She stated shortly, with a nod and a faked smile.
New queen, new opportunities… it all seemed like crap to her. These people didn’t know how to run a kingdom! In Vada’s opinion they were all a bunch of chickens running around with too many eggs up their bums and no heads. They just caused a lot of trouble, and bloodshed.
However, the woman had to admit, the old king Adrian was a damn brute. She thought on their interactions before, he definitely despised her and Vada found him to be a complete blockhead. If only he weren’t so cruel, so stubborn. Perhaps then those who were really capable of ruling could have continued on.
Vada saw an opportunity to try to glean some knowledge of what the Crimsons knew, if they had any leads on where the other ex royalty could be hiding out. And well, she might be in their line of sight as well. The last thing she needed was to get found out. But she had to know, where are the others?
Leaning in towards Venus’s table like a schoolgirl gossiping, Vada made her eyes a bit wide and lowered her voice as she spoke;
“Oh the old royalty, sure does make me nervous, being that I supported the Crimsons from the start. You know, I know it’s none of my business but, has there been any talk of where they might be? I suppose as the secretary of defense you’re concerned with tracking them down? I sure hope they don’t come back.”
Unfortunately, that question made Venus clam up immediately. She'd had a few drinks, but nowhere near enough to loosen her tongue. Crimson business like this was confidential to the public, especially something so serious as the escaped royals. Ven still blamed herself for them all getting away. How hadn't the Crimsons caught at least one of them? And how did they still evade capture? Unless they'd fled Amandla, they would be found sooner or later. She hoped for sooner.
Ven set her jaw and responded shortly, "They won't be coming back except in chains, and the knights are on their trail as we speak." Yet another topic ended by her secrecy. At least this time it was a matter of national instead of personal.
Venus's glass was empty for the second time that night, but she turned it over. Any more and it might get a little dangerous... She'd spare the bar the trouble.
The barmaids stomach dropped hearing mentions of chains and bloodthirsty knights searching for the members of the fallen crown. It made Vada feel ill to think of any of her cousins, friends or herself being caught and punished. It felt wrong. She felt angry. And for a moment she wanted to let the act go and scream at Venus for being so wicked.But she didn’t.
Vada sighed, letting the tension out. She didn’t get the information she wanted, but at least it didn’t appear they knew about her yet.
Trying to find the will to continue buttering up the tattooed woman, Vada smiled warmly.
“I’m sure you’ll find them. I don’t know you but I’ve heard you’re a great warrior, and leader, and you’ve got allies in us village folk as well. We’ll be on the lookout.”
’Don’t have to look too far, I’ll just go grab a mirror.’ She thought to herself.
Thank goodness she was fortunate enough to have dressed so ridiculously in her past role as Dutchess. It seemed without her peacock feathers, poofy satin dresses, powdered face and curls piled a mile high, she was easy to hide.
Seeing that Venus turned her cup over, Vada stood up straight, acting as an obliging servant.
“Is there anything else I can get for you darling or…”
This was usually the part where surly drunkards would ask her to pop her corset off for them, but she assumed that wasn’t the way to coax Venus into giving more details.
Venus was lost in her thoughts for a moment, mulling over the situation. She had told Vada that the ex-royals wouldn't come back, but in all honesty, she didn't know. The Crimsons were so new at this whole "ruling a country" thing that she feared it wouldn't take much to topple them. Not if she could help it, but the fact remained that the royals were a threat to the peace and they had to be dealt with as soon as possible.
As Vada spoke again, Ven was snapped out of her thoughts. Though the woman's words were welcome after such a long day, she wasn't as taken in by the flattery. Venus couldn't help but feel they were out of place. Maybe she was just overthinking it again. Her mind was frustratingly in a haze.
She shook her head, partly to fight the fog but also in response. "I'm good, thanks." Well, she was good in the liquor department. If Vada could deliver one of the royals to her doorstep, she'd feel so much better, but that was an impossibility.
"Sorry to waste your time with all this idle chat. If you hear any news, see that it gets to me, savvy?" She paused, then added, "And if you're ever in need of a better job, try the palace. I might be willing to put in a good word for you..." Ven gave the woman a semi-genuine grin.
“Really? You mean that?” Vada’s voice held an anxious excitement. That was exactly what she was looking for! A way in. If she could somehow get right under the Crimsons noses, wedge herself in and get back some power, she could start to plant the seeds of revenge herself. And being able to stop being a badmaid for would a nice change of pace. It was so risky, yes, but could be worth every bit of danger.
Realizing that she was perhaps getting ahead of herself, showing too much interest, Vada smiled softly.
“Well I appreciate the offer, I know I’ve got more to me than I look. Thank you for letting me blabber on with you, it was an honor to meet secretary. Good evening.”
With the beer pitcher in one hand, and her over pinching her dress with two fingers, Vada gave a little curtsy. Though it pained her to act so civil to a Crimson that wanted her kind dead, she felt it was the best action to seal the conversation with some class.
Like a royal would.
Walking away, Vada was gave out a hefty laugh as the drunkards cheered for her return. Slamming the beer pitcher on the table, she wrapped hers around two of their shoulders and joined their loud ruckus.
"Of course." Venus nodded, amused by the woman's reaction. It seemed she was taken by the offer. She hadn't known the barmaid long, but she appeared to be a hard worker, and that would go far in any job. "Fair winds, Vada," Venus replied, dipping her head as she slipped into her old way of speaking.
She would bet that anyone who could survive this rowdy bar would thrive in the palace atmosphere. It seemed like Vada was more than capable, and if the Crimsons were here to make things better for the common people, what better place to start?
Venus reclined in the chair a moment after the woman had left, eyes closed as she fought back the haze. It usually took a bit more than two cups to take her down, but her exhaustion fed into her inability.
As she pushed up from the table, Ven cast another glance to the woman. The least she could do was put in a good word for her at the castle. If Vada wasn't fit for the job, she'd be turned away and there was no harm done. If there was a chance she would make it -- for the palace was always hiring -- beyond it being a better environment, she'd be paid more than the pennies she got here. It was a win-win, right?
Venus swept her braids over her shoulders and straightened up, blinking away the fox and stretching out her sore muscles. Her limb had gone stiff with the inactivity.. Her eyes followed Vada a moment, then she strode out of the bar, this time oblivious to the stares. She allowed herself a small smile before wiping her face clean again. The encounter had gone better than expected, and with any luck, it would continue to do so.
Mod
Miriam wished she drank. She was surrounded by drunk people, the smell of alcohol prominent in her nose, making her want to vomit, and if she just had a few shots, then none of it would be a problem. The only issue was, she was a stupid drunk. She said stuff she’d regret; she confessed stuff she never wanted to tell anyone.
So, the entire night, she laughed along with her friends while keeping a hand over her water that she paid three dollars for. Three whole dollars! For water. A basic necessity of life. It was ridiculous, but Miriam bought it with no complaint plus fifty percent tip. She was filthy rich anyways- it’s not like she should be complaining here.
The healer had been at the bar for over two hours now. She was tired, and sweaty, and hungry, but her friends were having the times of their lives, and she couldn’t ruin that. So, she did her best to stay quiet, and smile and nod. It’s not that she wasn’t having fun- she loved her friends. She had just been having too much fun recently. And when you knew just about everyone in town, it was difficult to stay away from social things even for a few days. With that, and work, which had been twice as hard with all the riots recently, she was dead tired. Well, nothing a little caffeine and concealer couldn’t fix.
At one point during the night, the stink of beer got stronger, and mixed with a strange cologne that made her cringe. It got stronger and stronger until a tall man was right next to her with a smile that triggered her fight or flight. But she switched herself to polite mode and smiled up at the man. She knew who he was. Luke Nelson, nice enough guy, but rather arrogant. That trait seemed to only worsen when he was drunk.
Before she could even open her mouth to say hi, she felt his arms sneak around her waist, and it might as well have been a snake or something. She tensed, her breath quickening, his toothy smile seeming more like venomous fangs, ready to strike. The only difference was you didn’t have to be polite to snakes.
“Luke!” she said, voice strained, and sweat dripping down her forehead. “Luke, wow, it is so nice to see you again.” She cleared her throat and moved a little further away from him. He just moved closer and tried to make conversation. It was boring and self-obsessed, but Miriam could barely focus on the irritatingness (that’s not even a word, but she didn’t really care) of it all with him all over her. He droned on about something or other for a few more minutes before she couldn’t take it and had to bolt. Damn her friends, damn Luke, and damn this bar. She was going home. She stood abruptly and bid her friends goodbye. Before she could even take a step away, she felt a hand grab hers and she was pushed against the wall. His voice was like chalk on a board against her ear. “Why don’t you stay for dessert?”
And then she broke her composure and slapped him, hard across the face. It felt wonderful. But now he was angry.
The tip of Aren Blackwell's sword dragged on the dirty floor of the bar as he entered, his cowl covering most of his face. He flipped his hood back, breathing in deeply and shaking the rain from his hands. He glanced around the tavern, instinctively scouting out potential threats and exit points before stepping up to the bartender and asking for a drink. Annaliya would've teased him for the weakness of the alcohol, but she'd left him near the armor shop where she'd planned to get her leather armor more body tight if possible.
The smallest smile ghosted across his lips at the thought of his sister- dangerous and terrifying at times, and oddly girlish and innocent at others. He hadn't been sure what to make of her when she'd shown up at the castle, begging for a job, having escaped Isra. He'd been terrified that she would have been furious with him for abandoning her at the brother, unaware of his attempts to earn enough money to free her, but she'd just hugged him and wept in his arms after he'd asked if she was alright. Quickly afterwards, however, she'd recovered her senses and was interrogating him with sharp spirit. Once he'd told her the truth, she'd kissed his cheeks and fallen asleep on her shoulders.
Aren took a drink from his cup before noticing a large man tuck his arms around an uncomfortable looking girl's waist.
Aren set down his drink, watching the two carefully, before stepping over- when the large man pinned the girl against a wall. The girl slapped the man, and the man raised his hand to hit her, but Aren caught it easily.
Annaliya would have chopped the man's hands off then and there.
But Aren calmly said, "That is not so curteous" instead.
Mod
Miriam gasped, flinching and reached up to deflect the blow. But it never came. She hesitantly removed her hands and opened her eyes. There was a man there, taller and evidently stronger than Luke. The once prideful and smug man trembled and apologized profusely before running off. Miram’s slumped against the wall, relief flooding throughout her. She would be okay. Hopefully, as long as this man (who she didn’t recognize- strange) wasn’t about to attack her as well.
“Thank you so much,” she said. She had been so worked up; she had forgotten to thank the man! Bad, Miriam. Be polite, be thankful, be perfect. As much as she wanted to go home, now she felt entitled to stay and talk, at least to be courteous.
“How can I thank you? A drink? I’m really so grateful.” And she was- none of what she said was a lie. Miriam shuddered to think about what would have happened had he not been there. But she really, really wanted to be in her bed. He was a stranger to her- a rare thing. He had dark hair that rested above his shoulders, a cloak covering his body. He was tall, much taller than her, with a dark expression (which didn’t take away from his objective handsomeness). He looked a couple years older than her. The only similarities they had in common physically was their light skin and blue eyes. He had nice blue eyes.
He looked dangerous. Dangerous enough to hurt her if he wanted, and she really hoped he didn’t want to. She held out a hand and smiled at him, a genuine smile. “I’m Miriam. I haven't seen you around before. What’s your name?” Some of the tiredness had left, replaced by anxiety. Now she was a bit calmer and had her wits about her. Thank goodness.
Aren smiled, trying to soften his ragged features. The girl was clearly still terrified, and he was doing his best to send her fear away. He held out his hand, hoping his figure retained at least something gentlemanly. She clearly didn't recognize him as the head guard of the ex-royals, and for that he thanked whichever diety was watching over him. Things always got infinitley more complicated when that happened."I would not object to a drink- and I don't often come down this way. My sister wanted a companion on her way to the way to the blacksmith," he offered in way of subtle consolation that he was not another stranger come to antagonize her. "You may call me Aren."
He watched her carefully, quietly and respectfully admiring her beauty. There was something both delicate and strong about her features that caught hold of him.
Mod
Miriam grinned and shook his hand with a light touch. "It's wonderful to meet you, Aren." She called to the bartender for two drinks and pulled up chairs for the both of them." Do you live far? I assumed you weren't from around here since I don't recognize you. It's lovely to meet knew faces, though." Miriam took a sip of her champagne, the drink loosening some of her nerves from the night.
Aren wasn't as scary as she had once thought. Sure, he was tall and had a grumpy and gruff exterior, but she could tell he wasn't a threat to her. He seemed kind, kind enough to help her out at least. She could see his attempts to seem less intimidating, which she appreciated. She needed less intimidation in her life.
(OH MY GOSH IM SO SORRY I TOTALLY THOUGHT I REPLIED)
Mod
"It's wonderful to meet you as well, Miriam, although I wish it had been on kinder terms," Aren answered, taking a seat and flicking his cloak over the chair. He took the drink and twirled the cup, watching the alcohol swirl around. He considered the question, watching Miriam to try to gauge who she truly was. She truly was beautiful- not that it mattered. "Thank you. I'm not too far- I just don't come out to town often, and when I do, I keep to myself. I'm not necessarily popular."
He rubbed his face and flexed his hands around his cup.
Mod
Miriam took another small sip of her drink. "Well, I'm happy you were there. Some of these guys can be bastards." She huffed and shook her head. "I owe you, Aren. Truly." She listened to his response and hummed, thinking. "If you don't come to town much, what has made you come around this time? Don't get me wrong- I'm glad you did. And now, you're one person more popular." Miriam smiled, flipping her hair out of her face and over her shoulder.
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((omg im so sorry i mustve missed the notif!))
Aren allowed himself a genuine smile, which softened his face considerably. "They are. You don't owe me anything," he assured her, taking a drink and wiping his short beard. "My sister doesn't enjoy being alone in this part of town- not that she can't handle herself, it's that our mother lives near here, and neither of us enjoy her presence very much. And thank you- I appreciate it."
He rubbed the back of his head. "And you? what are you doing in such an awful part of town? Surely you don't belong here."
((dont mind me being the LITERAL worst at replying ugh))
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Miriam took another sip, smiling. It wasn't often she felt she could talk to someone without feeling like they wanted something from her. And yes, she felt like she owed him, but if Aren really didn't come around here that much, letting loose a little couldn't hurt, right? "Oh, I live about ten minutes from here," she said. "It's not as awful as it seems, I promise. If you know the place and people like I do, it's quite endearing. Sure, it can get loud and violent around here, but" she laughed lightly, "-that seems to be the case for everything these days." She felt a cold breeze on the back of her neck and shivered, taking down her hair from its holding and letting it fall around her shoulders.
