Should I say farewell? (private|Kella please)

[Eyvind Redbeard]

2nd Darkening of the Third Cycle in the Month of Junctior in the season of Autumn; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII Post Fractum.

Location: a garden somewhere in the Merchant District

It was a calm and gentle night. A soft and fresh breeze could be felt by those who wandered outside. The stars could be seen clearer than usual by those who would look up. Sitting in the grass in the middle of a small opening among the trees Eyvind was looking up, his hands holding his body as he looked almost mesmerized to the shinny dots in the sky. He couldn’t remember a night such as this since his childhood, but when did he have the time to look up and enjoy the nocturnal sky? Life was too busy for such things, but still he managed to get a moment to relax and take pleasure just by looking. The darkness around him was cuddle and embraced him like the arms of a loved one.

He was alone, for the time being, but he was waiting for someone. Someone he didn’t know that well, someone who had interested his lonely mind. Eyvind wasn’t someone of quick feelings, except in combat where he could enraged beyond recognition in a matter of second, but that was something common among his kind, at least he had been told so since he had never been in a large scale battle. But he was not in battle he was here to meet someone, if that person would show up. He hoped she would, it was probably his last chance to see her.

Not used to such occurrences Eyvind wasn’t wearing any special clothes or jewellery except for his torc. His woollen shirt’s sleeves were folded so he could feel the breeze.

“What a beautiful night…” he said as if thinking out loud.

[Kella Greeran]

"Pfff, If you like that sort of thing."
Came the quick response.
"Too saccharine for my taste."

Kella stood with her arms folded across her chest, she wore civilian clothes in dark blue. The only thing notable about her costume was its plainness, crinkled pants tucked into boots and a light, long sleeved jerkin. The garb of her former life had scarred her. Bright colors made her squirm.

"Gentler women get weak with sighs and turn maudlin from terrible verse on evenings like these. I, however, am quite suspicious of a pretty night, especially when a fellow asks me to meet him on one."

An appreciative glance was spared for the garden, though. Even Kella liked growing things with petals all bunched together in sweet folds. A fragrant bloom was a hard thing to resist.
Her smile was ever wry, but her posture became slightly softer.

"I'm assuming this is a little farewell, because you are going to miss me terribly after they ship me off to Pox-ia." She waved her hand dismissingly and said, "Or whatever they call it."

Casually, Kella found a place to sit, maintaining a discreet distance between her and Eyvind.
"But if you ever miss me something fierce, I suggest you go to the Crown and find a feisty tavern girl to insult you. It will be like old times."
She gave a quick, raffish smile that crept into her eyes a bit.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Kella's voice came from behind him. She was using her sarcasm as usual. Turning his head over his shoulder to look at her Eyvind watched her feminine form moving out of the shadows.

"I really do like this sort of things, I just don't have the time to look up oftenly." he replied to her first comment.

Eyvind followed Kella's moves with his blue eyes as she walked toward him and took a sit close by not too close though, it seemed his eyes were an ocean of secrets waiting to be sailed and discovered.

"You are a strong woman Kella, be sure of that." he said "And the name his Paxia, it is being rebuilt...I have got some information from a merchant...it can be a dangerous place." Eyvind said slowly. As he didn't want to show a weak spot he continued with haste "But you are a Legionnaire aren't you?" the red haired man smiled as he said that. His eyes were now looking up again. "I will miss you indeed Kella, but not because of what you show on the surface...I will miss the chance of knowing who you are, the one underneath the sarcasm and all those nasty jokes, the true woman."

Eyvind took a glance at Kella.

"Have I ever told you that you have a nice smile? A true Vagaran smile indeed!"

He gave her a warm smile then leant back and rested his head on the soft grass. A leaf tickled his ear, taking the leaf and placing it over his belly Eyvind crossed his arms behind his head and kept looking to the shinning stars.

[Kella Greeran]

Kella grinned despite herself when complimented about her smile. For all her clever retorts and suspicions of sentiment, Kella was still a girl who liked to be told she was pretty now and again. Compliments wouldn't get you far, unlike many girls, but, if sincere, it would at least get you a moment of grace.

"I believe you just did, Captain Alleria. Thank you."

Her legs unfolded a bit, and she propped her chin on her knee, momentarily contemplative. The evening was pleasant and the garden was nestled in the soft hums of subdued nature. It conjured up memories of light summer evenings with her family. Their faces all lit up by a bonfire talking and squawking with the other circus folk. They were bright and piping in so many tones, a jumbled nest of birds. Kella thought of she and her brother stealing off with the musician's pear-shaped guitar to write stupid songs and count the day's crowns. They'd stack the coins atop another, pretending they were rich misers with towers of gold.

In the middle of her reverie, Kella blinked and took a sharp breath, waking herself up.

Can't let your thoughts meander too much. Otherwise you'll start to miss things.

Kella swatted her memories until they were corralled back into the proper pens of her mind.

She closed the gate on her memories by beginning to talk about the present moment.

"Thanks for your concern. I've heard Paxia is a little unsteady. But what will be will be."
She gave a shrug and half smile, acknowledging what little control she had when destiny struck.

"But you give me too much credit implying there's grander things under bits of teasing and sarcasm. I am rather attached to my sarcasm. I got it, and my eyes, from my father."
Kella stretched her legs out.
"And the 'true woman' sounds too grave for daily use. I think I'd only bring that one out for big choices or crises."
Her look sparked with a dash of the impish.
"Or maybe just terribly fancy parties where there's clever, rich men to be found."

A spirit of mirth was tightly twined through Kella, it took the darkest and fieriest of moments to stomp it out. And even then, her perspective of life was always just a little wry. But the girl had to have principles considering where she was and what trajectory her life was on.

"So are you to stay and beat the poor new recruits into submission? If there's a girl with a dash of personality, do be fair to her on my account. I'd like to think there's more of me in the legion."

She paused, allowing Eyvind time to respond before a foreign look of thoughtfulness smoothed her expression. Her eyes were not entirely calm, there was always that flitting gleam, but they did grow softer.
"You seem so eager to do well, Eyvind. What is it that you really want in the Legion?"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

"And isn't life a big choice?" Eyvind asked with a smile as he turned his head to Kella. "And I will make sure every special girl is treated with respect, perhaps I could send them to you in the future!" he gave a little laugh "You know, so they can learn a bit more." the Vagaran winked.

Kella's last question was something that caught Eyvind off guard. Her voice...her eyes...and she had said his name...how could he not answer to her? He had a mission, a hidden and dangerous one. A mission he had been ordered not to tell to a living soul, something he wouldn't tell except for a person of his family. But there he was, near the abyss, about to answer Kella, about to tell her his plans, his personnal agenda. It took him a while to respond, with a deep breath he started.

"Failure is not an option in my life right now, Kella. If I fail a single thing in all those I must do all my efforts will become worthless and my doom will be certain. I can't tell you much Kella, too much information could place you at great stake, something I don't want to happen since...since you are what you are. What I really want in the Legion Kella, is the Legion itself. I want to be someone, I want to command my own men, to train them properly, to teach them how to act as an unit as not as individuals. I want my men to be the best and I want to earn something from it. In following Officer's training I hope to, in time, have a Legion of my own. Then...justice..." Eyvind paused his speech, he had been looking to Kella all the time, he really didn't know why but he had.

[Kella Greeran]

In the pause between Eyvind's statements Kella interjected,
"I think of life more as thousands of little choices, occasionally disrupted by a grand one. It's more a mountain of pebbles than a wall of stones."

There was some reluctance, or at least some careful deliberation in Eyvind's expression. It was a big question, she admitted to herself, but the answer was one that should be in mind. The reason for being in the legion would have to be ever present considering the circumstances they were thrown into. Without personal purpose, the training and monotony could grind a soldier's spirit into paste.

Kella had not expected him to keep her gaze the whole time, at the end of the answer she glanced away allowing her thoughts a moment to breathe.

"That's a very solemn answer, Captain Alleria. Doom and failure are austere words."
Kella perched her chin on her hand. Her half lidded eyes looked towards the earth as she began to speak.
"Failure is not so bad a thing, though. All great people have failed at some point. They just kept at it despite."

She quirked her head to the side, as her tone lightened slightly.
"But all you want is the Legion itself. That's not asking too much."
She gave a quick smile.
"And you want to be someone? I didn't know you ceased to be someone. The mess hall gossip is entirely beyond me sometime, but I'd like to think I'd know if that happened. Plus if you cease to be I have dibs on any of your stored rations."

It was an answer of levity in response to Eyvind's gravity. In a strange way, though, what was expressed was wiser than the words belied.

Kella paused a moment before continuing.
"Justice is a fine thing to want. But I won't pretend to understand how your pursuit of it could put me at great stake. Your business is your own."

Like a scolding older sister Kella added, "Just don't do anything stupid or immoral, Captain Alleria. I don't want to be known as the Legion of fiendish idiots."
It was meant teasingly, as Kella didn't really think Eyvind would go off the deep end anytime soon.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

A smile came across Eyvind's face when Kella finished her statements with her comment. Eyvind couldn't remember being so alive or at least enjoying a conversation with someone this much since he had left his village. There he used to talk with the elders because most of them loved telling tales and Eyvind loved to hear them.

"In my case failure means death, and pain or even death to all those close to me...and you are close to me Kella, as a friend..." he said while turning his head to the stars once more "My business may be mine but it will affect everything around us, you will see..." Eyvind left his last sentence open as if more could be said. In fact more could be said, he just wasn't willing too. He had to keep his secrets even from those he...those who were close to him. It was the best way to keep them safe. If Kella knew his plans she would probably report him or join him, being the second option the most probable, at least in Eyvind's mind.

After a long moment of silence Eyvind continued "Kella...don't call me Captain Alleria, I don't really understand why you call me that you know?" a smile could be seen in his face as he spoke "Use my real name, after all you know it!" he turned his head to Kella again and winked.

[Kella Greeran]

Kella pressed her fingertips together, ruminating over Eyvind's cryptic explanation. After the silence was heavy in the air, she eventually spoke.

"Well if failure means death, especially mine, my best advice is to only fight battles you can win. I'm quite partial to things like breathing, eating and taking up space."
Her eyes narrowed a bit, as if she was peering at something.

"You're being purposefully evasive, though. Can't say I mind, at the moment. I just hope you're considering well all that you plan. Sometimes even good plots have a way of turning on their masters."

The silence returned until Eyvind complained about his nickname. She knew it was wicked of her to grin at his mild consternation, but she couldn't help herself.

"I feel like I'm ruining the fun if I explain your title of Captain Alleria, but I'll ease your mind. The name refers to your tendencies to be first, eager and willing, like you're starving for a chance."

Kella held up her hands in a non-committal way and gave a shrug.
"But if you insist on your real name... My memory is hazy. One too many blows from a training sword, and your winking habit has distracted me. RedFace was it? Or Big Red?"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

"I hope the plot doesn't turn on me..." Eyvind whispered

After listenning to Kella's explanation of his nickname Eyvind turned to her and held his body on his elbow. With a smile he said "The name is Redbeard! I have earned it after defeating a raiding party that was attacking my village. And my face only turns red when I am drunk and that doesn't happen oftenly!" he laughed "And you know my name! You have said it before..." Eyvind remembered the day of Selhaim's festival.

"Tell me about you Kella, where are you from? And above all, why the Legion?" Eyvind grinned as he made the question, he wouldn't be the only one giving answers tonight.

[Kella Greeran]

"Selhaim… Selhaim… 'Fraid I'm drawing a blank."

Kella was awful, they both knew her memory was actually excellent.

"But a red-faced drunk, that is something to remember. The Vagaran glow as my father called it."

Eyvind's direct questions were met with a raised eyebrow. She was not keen on handing out personal information like plaken, especially to someone who was beginning to weave himself into various plots.
Because she begrudgingly considered Eyvind a friend she would be somewhat gracious. However, he had been a bit of an ass in that rioter business, but then she had already reamed him for that.

Her scattered upbringing was valuable, there was little that could be found to connect her to anything. That which was most dear to her was always on the move and consistently disguised.

"About me?" Kella looked up as if wracking her brain for the list she gave slowly, like a little girl answering idle questions from an adult.
"Well I like sweet wines, a thick Magupan for dessert, my favorite color is indigo, and my favorite tattoo is this one."

Kella rolled up her sleeve showing the underside of her pale forearm where a slim red blossom's vine was tangled in the tendrils of bright morning glories. Their colors were varying in shades and depth with the created play of light and shadow, and the shape of the design had an excited flourish, as if the artists was swept away by a still blooming creation.
As quickly as the tattoo was shown, it was hidden again. Kella was no longer in the business of being stared at.

"You know I'm Vagaran, but I'm not really 'from' anywhere. My parent's work moved the family around a lot."

Her tone became only a smidge more serious.
"Hence the Legion, some stability, consistent pay, training in what I like and the chance to do something exciting with consequences that matter. I'm a simple creature."

She gave a sly smile.
"Plus, I thought I could make the face of the military a little prettier."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

"Certainly the face of the military has became prettier and prettier every passing day thanks to you" Eyvind said in a soft tone.

Eyvind crossed his legs and sat while looking to the grass on the ground. His hands were together on his lap as if praying and his breath was calm and slow, barely heard though, being the movement of his chest the only sign of it.

"Kella" he smiled as he said the name "What do you think about dinner? Do you have plans when you return, if you ever return?" his question was that of someone who cares about and someone who is shy. "Because I would like to take you to some special place and...you know! Give you something, I was thinking in a wooden statue." he laughed a bit as he tried a look at Kella "I have heard Pegasi Woods was a nice place where to spend a calm day, maybe one day we can go there...what do you think?" Eyvind was nervous and that could be seen even by the dumbest troll!

[Kella Greeran]

Kella rolled her eyes at Eyvind's compliment, but she smiled nonethless. She wasn't entirely heartless, the fellow was trying.

The tall Vagaran then seemed to go into meditation or something of the sort, and Kella could only watch curiously as he mustered up the right thing to say.

Even still, it came out in a bit of a jumble, hastened by nervousness.
Anyone would feel at least a little sorry for Captain Alleria, with his wits muddied by a surprising shyness. The man was trained to split his enemies in twain with the edge of a sword or gore them on spears. He'd chosen a profession where he'd be knee deep in violence and gore, and death loomed close on every task, but asking a woman to dinner floored him.

Kella was mildly puzzled by his request, especially about the statue, what in Aeternia did that refer to...

"Dinner, wooden statues, woods?" She asked. After a hot second, her face displayed an understanding her mind had come to much earlier.

Her trademark smile was a little softer around the edges and her look was a mite kinder.
"Why, Redbeard, are you trying to woo me?"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

From the corner of his eye Eyvind could see Kella smiling a bit while making him the question. Oh Gods! He never felt so nervous in his life! Not even when fighting the White wolf! Nor when repelling those pirates all alone back in the frozen North! This woman was fire and he was about to get burned. Still he was brave, a little bit at least. Starting with a mumble Eyvind tried to speak, he couldn't, a moment of pause. "Move soldier! She is waiting! If you don't answer you will never know what could have happened!" a voice said in his head, it resembled Shield Daekin Pennington, Eyvind was not sure.

"Well...I am not actually wooing you...well...I am." he finally said "Yes, I am wooing you." he looked to the woman in front of him and saw what he thought to be an angel, a smile appeared in his face, not a large one, it was a gentle and soft smile, one of those one has when thinking in those close to his heart.

[Kella Greeran]

Kella wanted to laugh so desperately at Eyvind's clumsy answers, not because she was cruel, but because he didn't quite seem to know what he was doing. It was downright funny watching him fumble to a conclusion, even endearing.

But right now, he was looking at her with a very strange expression, almost serene and a little too happy. Kella glanced over her shoulder to make sure, she was the only one there.
No, the moony eyes were meant for her.

It struck her as a little odd, considering their interactions were either markedly violent or consisted of her teasing him mercilessly. These Vagaran men must be incredibly resilient, or have very strange courtship behaviors. If he handed her a shiny object as a token to begin courtship, she couldn't say it would surprise her.

The focus had shifted to her, and Kella knew that she was supposed to come up with some sort of a response. At the moment, her brain was processing the eloquent turn of phrase:

Diana's thumbs! Now what, smarty pants?

"I don't think I'm the sort of lady you want to woo, Redbeard."
Kella gave a little smile.
"Perhaps the scarcity of girls around here has influenced your taste, but I can promise there will be more. And most not so harsh."

The cogs in Kella's brain were humming along in their revolutions. Poor fella had no idea what he was about to step in. He didn't quite know what she was about. Decency bid her give full warning. If left to her, she'd chew him up and spit him out, but Eyvind seemed a rather good fellow not deserving of such a move.

"I'm a bit of a free bird at the moment. I can't be paired to anyone just yet."

Her look became lighter.
"So I'd love to go out for ale with the Legion, but dinner and pretty forests may just overwhelm me."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Eyvind's hair fell on his face when he looked down covering it. A serene voice came from underneath the shadow the hair created.

"My intention isn't that of keep in a place you or bind you to a person. I just think we could try to know each other better and...have some fun while doing so."

Eyvind looked up again with the same moony eyes. In the middle of all his hair the eyes seemed that of a hunter, a wolf. Blue piercing eyes, filled with a purpose, maybe two, maybe more who could know? In Eyvind's mind he had only two main purposes, achieve his goal in the gigantic masterplan he was part of and to know what Kella felt about him. The Vagaran wasn't a man who used to lean toward emotions, trying to be rational all the time, even when the only rationality available was that of the sword's edge. But now reason wasn't with him, he would give up of everything for a chance, a chance he would thank the Gods if received.

"Kella...you are one of a kind. I wouldn't like to lose the chance of making you happy..."

Pulling his hair back so his face could be seen once more Eyvind stood up and gave two or three steps in the direction of a nearby tree. With his backs turned to Kella he spoted something. A flower, something strange, although not unseen, in this season. The flower wasn't the most beautiful in the world, it had dark blue petals with a little touch of violet around the edges, the middle was yellow, a strong yellow. Picking it Eyvind tied the stem to make a ring with it. Turning back to Kella he smiled.

"I have a present for you!" returning to her he continued "Give me your hand..." his smile shown how happy he was, something rare for someone with his duties and obligations.