Back to Prime again <Private>

Jade Alanon · December 18, 2006, 04:05 PM

Sunrise 27th Brightening of Melora, Winter, Era XIII Post Fractum

Jade made her way to the The Crown Inn and Tavern, she was exhausted after many days of travel, but was happy to be back in Alleria Prime. Her hair had grown a bit more since she had last been in Prime and now she had gained a job as a personal guard to Govenor Roland Moonstar. At last her skills with the staff had come in handy other then womping on drunks who annoyed her.

She walked soundlessly through the streets, her dark green cloak over her shoulders, the hood up, covering both her ears from the cold and her face from sight. The air was cold, the snow fell lightly as she walked. She had made new friends in Primus and Natura and planned to return there soon enough. Also she would soon visit Govenor Moonstar at his home once her affairs were in order.

Her boots crunched over the thick layer of snow on the streets of Prime, she looked down an alley and smiled, she had some strange adventures in alleys, one of which had almost killed someone, not her proudest moment. She looked in the sky and smiled to herself, the sunrise was a glorious one, the sky lit up with bright colors of red and orange, mixed with the darkness, much like herself in a way.

Jade had seen her share of sunrises, though not many as pretty as this one. The most beautiful she had ever seen had been in Natura.

Her emerald eyes glowed faintly in the early brightening. She shivered and pulled her cloak closer to her body. She was almost to the Inn. It took her a few moments, but she finally made it to the Crown Inn and Tavern, the warm lights inside seemed so inviting.

She entered the building, the sound of laughter made her smile again. Govenor Moonstar had said that it would be free to stay where she liked and the Carmelyn Province would pay for it. So she went to the front desk and gained herself a nice room.

She had but a few items with her, so she went to her room and got everything set up. Her room had a ncie sized bed with soft pillows and blankets and a canopy. A beside dresser sat beside it. She set her small bag on the bed and took off the cloak she wore, it was warm enough in the Inn that she need only wear her brown hunting outfit.

She walked out of the room and locked the door behind her, she had left most of her possessions in her room except a few crowns for a drink or two. She walked down the stairs into the tavern, sitting at a table in the corner, watching everyone around her, she dared not take her staff with her, not wanting anyone to think her dangerous. Despite her normal trust issues, she could use a friend to talk to right about now.

Gardolan · December 19, 2006, 07:02 AM

Gardolan had a special morning - he had no work to do. His master, Sabine, had some kind of a special project at the workshop and Gardolan was supposed to go back to help him and the other carpenters at the afternoon. He didn't know much about the project and he was exited to hear more about it. Right now, however, he would enjoy a moment at the Crown. He used to be there at nights, but he was fond to meet the regulars of the mornings.

He was dressed as usual, wearing brown leather trousers and a tunic. Under it he had his worn cotton shirt. The people at Crown weren't that different from the ones he had seen at nights, but one of the customers stood out from the crowd. One might say that Gardolan was surprised, when he saw Jade sitting at one of the tables. He thought he had already forgotten her, but now the memories of that miserable night in Kalendryas came freshly back into his mind. It felt like he had knewn her for eras, but the truth was that they had only met once.

This time he was eager to meet her, but he didn't know how to approach. After standing frozen and staring foolishly for a while he simply smiled at her momentarily, as to show he still remembered her, and turned his gaze away. He walked to the front desk, sat down and ordered a cup of tea. He kept his face strictly away from her and tried to look as calm as possible, but at the same time fighting intensely with his emotions.

The cup of tea came pretty fast, maybe even a bit too fast. He paid it right away, stood up and walked to the table where Jade was sitting. He was smiling calmly all the time, shifting his gaze sharply between the nearly splashing tea and Jade. He sat gently at the free chair and said with a grin on his face: "Serale, mylady. You still remember me?"

Jade Alanon · December 19, 2006, 11:43 AM

Jade had stayed in the Tavern longer then she had expected, in front of her sat a half drunk cold cider and a small tray of cookies. She had watched two bar brawls go on and shook her head as they were hauled away. Silly what alchohal did to a man or even a woman.

She brushed the crumbs from her shirt and took another sip of cider, though it had a bitter taste to it since it had gone cold. She saw a flash of brown in front of her and she looked up to see Gardolan sit in the empty chair in front of her. It seemed that he still resided there after all this time, it had been a while since she had seen him and had thought he would have forgotten her.

Though the way they had met was kind of hard to forget and it seemed as though he was happy to see her. A smile appeared on her face. "Yes Gardolan, I do remember you."

It seemed he was drinking tea and she was glad, men were a lot better company when they did not smell of booze. "It is good to see you again after so long, how have you been?" She was glad that she had met up with him, now she had a friend to talk with. Her emerald eyes glittered with mischief. "I promise I don't have another bucket of water." She tilted her head and smiled.

Gardolan · December 19, 2006, 01:43 PM

"I hoped so..." he said and watched her carefully. She looked perhaps even more beautiful than when they first met. Even though some time had passed since she drenched him, Gardolan hadn't completely recovered from it. Something from his childhood was tormenting him, pushing him towards a revenge he wanted not to do.

"I hoped you didn't come here to drench me again.." he smiled "You see.. That would have been almost awkward. But you know... I've been working at the Pal.. err.. for a... Uhh.." he was lying again, but he was sure that she would see through him. Even though he used to boast a lot, he was never good at lying. "I'm a carpenter's apprentice." he continued submissively. "Not that great job, but I like it. I've been thinking about going back to the seas, but then again, no.. Let's just say that I have some bad memories. Instead, I'd like to do something related, like, to build a ship. Yes. That is a project of mine... A big project though - Really, it is! I'm working on it, just you wait..."

"Umm.. Ok. Another thing you aren't going to believe." he took a short sip of tea and continued, waiting eagerly for her reaction: "I haven't been drinking that much lately. In fact, I haven't even tasted wine since you left." he started to grin "but I still haven't given up singing. [starts to sing] I have been a good soldier... [laughs] I bet you know that song.. But I've sung other songs too. Better songs. I've even wrote some songs myself! Hmm.. Perhaps my next song is going to tell about one... err... exceptionally beatiful woman who... had this habit of lurking at the docks and.. attacking unarmed men." he grinned again, but then fell a bit more serious. "Uhh... To be honest, I've kind of... missed you." he looked straight at his eyes and breathed.

"Where have you been?"

Jade Alanon · December 19, 2006, 02:00 PM

She blushed when he spoke of a beautiful woman who attacked unarmed men. "I left that night and journeyed to Primus Guadeo, truly an interesting place, however it didn't have the same spice that Allera Prime does."

"I also gained a job while I was there. I am a personal guard to Govenor Roland Moonstar." She grinned happily, obviously proud of her new job.

She noticed that he had started to lie about where he worked, but stopped and told the truth. It sounded as though he was going to say he worked at the palace. Building a ship sounded like an enormous task to take on, but since he had once been a sailor, perhaps he was one who could actually do it.

She smiled when he began singing. She had remembered that song for it had been the one he had sung when she first met him. She was glad to hear that he no longer drunk wine since she had met him, perhaps her punishment had been enough for him to get a distaste of it or perhaps he was afraid that he would have another punishment if he happened along a young woman drunk. "I do not lurk around docks nor am I exceptionally beautiful." She smiled, though she didn't deny attacking unarmed men, though he should probably add to that fact that most of the unarmed men deserved it.

She couldn't believe he said he missed her. She smiled. "You missed the woman who dumped water on you, but why?"

Gardolan · December 20, 2006, 07:22 AM

The woman was working as a personal guard to a Governor! No wonder she wasn't scared of him at that murky night. Gardolan was starting to fear she might actually be someone working for the law. Especially if she had any connections with the city guards. Gardolan hadn't commited any major crimes yet, so he could still be relaxed.

Gardolan smiled "Oh, don't get me wrong, I didn't say I missed the woman who drenched me. I missed that adorably quilty one." He knew he was almost taunting her, but tried not to show it. He didn't want to hurt her though, just to push her on the edge. After a while he leant forwards and continued with a playing voice "And besides, Alleria Prime hasn't been that spicy at all."

"Maybe it's just because I'm spending too much time at the workshop... You see, imagine a room full of old bearded men, all silently carving, measuring, shaping, rubbing their beards, sawing, cutting, sanding and joining pieces of wood - trying to get them work and look exactly right. After you've done it for several months, you kind of get used to it. That's the scary part." after a short pause he continued "Indeed, I guess I just missed the spirit of yours."

He was talking too much already, but it seemed that she was still listening. He was curious of what was happening outside the Prime - after all, he had no idea how to get out before he had a visa. "Tell me, how has it really been outside the Alleria Prime?", he asked.

Jade Alanon · December 20, 2006, 07:40 AM

Jade put her chin on her hand and listened attentively to Gardolan. She had to admit, the thought he had her conjure in her mind did seem rather boring, good thing she would never be a carpenter. She did like listening to his voice though.

She tried to hide a small blush again, this man had a way of making her turn red so easily. She knew he was taunting her, not trying to be mean in any way, and it made her smile.

So he had missed her stubborn spirit, well she would just have hang around him a bit until he gets his fill of it, probably wouldn't take long, she hadn't met a man yet that could handle her.

"The winter's are so harsh anywhere else, I came upon two or three snowstorms on the way to Natura. I first went to Primus Guadeo, what a large place that was. That is where I met Alphonsus the bard and Govenor Moonstar, who offered me a job since he said I was good with my staff." She smiled tauntingly. Her turn to taunt a bit. "Now I have a bigger job then just thumping drunks, though there are a select few that are special enough to get the water treatment."

"Then I traveled to Natura, a truly beautiful and peaceful place, I will probably go there again pretty soon."

"Although both places were quite splendid, I had a yearning to return here, I don't know quite why, but I did." She gave him a warm smile, a smile that brightened her emerald eyes.

Gardolan · December 20, 2006, 08:27 AM

Primus Gaudeo and Natura? They were both quite far away. Gardolan had seen most of the coastal towns of Allerian Empire, but he had never ventured into heartlands. She was about to go there again. Gardolan really needed a visa. And it sounded like she had a good job too.

"Now I have a bigger job then just thumping drunks, though are a select few that are special enough to get the water treatment." she said. Gardolan laughed shortly and smiled a bit. She was getting cruel too.

"Although both places were quite splendid, I had a yearning to return here, I don't know quite why, but I did."

Gardolan smiled back for a while and continued "I'd like to get moving too. Maybe I'll just go back to the seas." he thought for a while, would there be any captain there who would still take him? He used to have kind of a bad reputation - he was usually called either a drunkard or a pirate. That's why they would probably like to see him repairing their ships. "No, I'll be happy as a shipwright." he smiled cunningly.

He had already drank most of his tea. An ale would do good, but he had already said he didn't drink. He turned quickly his thoughts away from alcohol. "Will you be staying here for long?", he asked.

Jade Alanon · December 20, 2006, 12:09 PM

Jade always wondered about the seas, she had never been to them, though someday she was sure she would. "I have never been near any of the seas before, though they do fascinate me. Perhaps someday I will go visit them, if I can find someone to take me."

"For how long I will be staying, I am not sure, it all depends on what is here for me. I have made some good friends in Natura and Primus, also I have a friend or two here, including you." She smiled. "Really I am the kind of girl looking for excitement and adventure."

"Also I am in search of a place, a small ruined village. I need to find it soon." She didn't go into detail as to why she needed to find it, she knew she would need help, but she would wait until someone offered.

"So I guess I will stay here as long as I find something to do."

She thought back to when she had doused him. "I can't believe you never sought any sort of revenge against me, I mean you never even made me beg."

Jade sat back in her seat and smiled, perhaps after they finished talking, she would go out and walk amongst the garden, although nothing bloomed and it was late at night, she wished to go for a walk to clear her head.

Gardolan · December 20, 2006, 04:50 PM

Revenge? He had been planning that so long, but had realized that he didn't want to hurt her. So, he would get the necessary revenge done by taunting her and watching her blush. In fact, he simply loved to look at her.

"Revenge?" he took a short pause and looked at her surprised. "I couldn't. Not to you, mylady." he smiled. "Or perhaps I have already gotten what I want.. another way. You see, revenge isn't always the best option." he smiled again and watched her trying to figure out what he was talking about.

"And I guess there are some things for you to do here. At least, I know one drunkard who definately needs protection." he was almost laughing, but he stopped. Something was obviously bothering her. He couldn't ask straight, it would have felt uncomfortable, so he continued with a soft voice "If it wouldn't be now, I'd take you to the sea, but I guess I can't take a fine lady to the seas on a weather like this. But if we meet nearer the summer, I'd happily take you there. I honestly don't think there is anything greater than sailing free at the ocean."

He wasn't sure what was happening. What was he talking about! Taking her out to the sea? No! He couldn't be talking nonsense like that - he never fell in love - he never was sentimental... "Why was he suddenly so soft!" he kept asking himself. What was really so special about this woman?

OOC: And I thought English is easy...

Jade Alanon · December 20, 2006, 05:45 PM

She couldn't help but blush again when he called her a fine lady. No other man had this kind of power over her emotions, why him? He was a smooth talker, that was for sure and an easy person to talk to, when he wasn't drunk that was. He made her blush so easily.

She gave a mischevious smile. "Protection huh, well I don't do any job for free." She gave a little laugh. Did he mean that he wanted her there longer or wanted her with him?

She had to admit, she was confused on what he meant about revenge, she tilted her head to side and tried to think."What else would you seek other then vengence?"

She saw a bit of conflict in his eyes and she wondered what it all meant. She herself was feeling some odd emotions. She liked being with this man, even though they had a rough start, even though he had been a drunkard and she usually didn't allow herself to be around drunkards, he seemed different. Could she be feeling..... She shook her head. No, she couldn't be in love, it wasn't possible, was it?

Gardolan · December 20, 2006, 06:37 PM

"What else would you seek other then vengence?"

Gardolan shrugged his shoulders. What did he actually seek? Yes, that was a good question. He wasn't so sure of himself. Did he seek adventure? For sure, he was always searching for one, but this time it was dangerous. He kept thinking the correct answer. But after all, he knew it all the time. He just didn't want to admit it. Maybe he was falling in love? No, he was already neck-deep.

He leant towards Jade and leant on his arms. He rubbed his chin a bit, like thinking, and turned back to look at her. He took a deep breath and started to smile. "I like to see you blush." he said. She would certainly do that now. He almost did it himself.

Jade Alanon · December 20, 2006, 11:42 PM

His responce to her question surprised her and once again had her blushing. She set her elbow on the table and set her head on her hand, looking up at him with a bit of question in her emerald eyes. Dare she ask about his feelings for her, was she imagining the whole thing?

She was unsure of how she felt herself, to love meant to trust and she was not one who trusted well. The question she asked herself was, could she bring herself to trust this man, she had only met him twice, the first time had seemed like a total disaster and the second time was overwhelming her.

If she did allow herself to trust him, then she would risk getting hurt, was she willing to take that chance?

She smiled and leaned forward a bit. "It seems that you are very good at making me blush, now stop before you turn me permanently red." She had an undertone of laughter in her words.

She didn't think there was anything else he could do to turn her any more redder.

Gardolan · December 21, 2006, 11:32 AM

Gardolan smiled and looked at her. He found it hard to say anything more. He was as uncertain as she was. He wanted to break the barrier between them, but had no courage to do that. What was she thinking? She was probably thinking the same, trying to figure out what the other had in mind. It was a very confusing, but also, very enjoyable moment.

After drinking the rest of the tea and exchanging some looks looks he continued smiling "Well, in that case.. I might as well let you be for a while." he started to laugh and his eyes blinked a little "I do like what I see, but I wish not turn you red permanently." He paused for a while to see her reaction. His heart was pounding faster than it had done for a while. "Are you staying at the Inn? I might want to see you later, perhaps today, after I'm done at the workshop?"

Jade Alanon · December 21, 2006, 12:18 PM

Jade thought for a minute before looking at him and smiling. "Yes, I will be staying at the Inn for a good while and as I can think of, I have no plans." She was glad he was giving her an out so she could go and clear her mind, try and sort her feelings out. She would go outside after she finished speaking with him and walk around for a while.

"Other then perhaps going to the Mercantile district, I should be at the Inn all day resting." She would be going and getting the dress that she had ordered at the Stich in Time soon enough, perhaps now she had a reason to wear it.

She only hoped he didn't hear the rapid beating of her heart. "What workshop do you work at, if you don't mind me asking." She wanted to get to know him better before making any rash desicions.