The Old Guesthouse

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
Common room - Mid October

When she asked when he had to work tomorrow, Urion blinked. "Oh.. right, work. That's a thing.." He seemed to recall, with a faint laugh at himself for forgetting about that. "But I don't go in until the evening," He assured her, smiling. "You know.. about the time most places are closing up. That's when folks all seem to want to go to the tavern to relax and have a few drinks after a long day at work, I guess." He shrugged. "I only come here to play the music, myself. I'm not a drinking sort of guy." He explained with a little smile, though he wasn't sure whether he should go into all of that.

When she mentioned she liked reading, he smiled, mentally adding the library onto the list of places to show her, and then.. she mentioned magic. He was a bit surprised to hear that, and held back a grin as he considered saying that he already knew she was good at magic, since she'd cast a spell on his heart. But he thought it might come off as silly or cheesy, and didn't want to have her thinking he was ridiculous. The trick she did with the spoon, however, was impressive. He grinned as the spoon seemed to vanish. "Wow, you're pretty good." He told her. "The only disappearing trick I can do is, well.. make the food disappear." He shrugged, realizing that might be a bit of a silly joke as well. But he'd said it and could not take it back, now.

Her giggle was almost like music to his ears, and he smiled wider to hear it. But her statement that it was nothing like his music.. that made him blush lightly. "Oh.. it's not that great, I'm sure." he laughed softly. "I mean, just about anyone can play music, but doing magic?" He grinned. "That's a lot more special, I think." He smiled at her. "And I have no doubt that you are a very special lady." He added sincerely.

Hearing the name of the song that she mentioned, he smiled again and nodded. "Indeed, I do." He answered, happy to hear that it was one that he knew how to play pretty well. He glanced toward where he had been playing, before, and back to her with a slightly remorseful sigh. "My break will be over soon.." He informed her regretfully. While he enjoyed playing his lute, tonight, he wanted nothing more than to remain and talk with Meluiel for the rest of the evening.

[Arnyn]

Common room, mid October
Private with @Rillewen

She slanted her head when he said work was a thing. Indeed, it was, she mused as she looked at him rather thoughtfully. She seemed to want to commit his face to memory. Her gaze also rested momentarily on the string around his neck that was partially visible above the collar of his shirt - but not long enough for him to take notice. She laughed at his joke about making food disappear, and then enjoyed the blush on his cheeks after her compliment.

"My magic doesn't bring much joy to people, though," she said with a little shrug. "But your music does. I think that's where the real magic lies," she told him quietly but sweetly, her big brown eyes looking at him. "And it would not do for me to lay claim to you... and deprive the rest of the place of the joy you can still bring them." Her smile returned then. "It would not be fair. At least I will be able to enjoy your playing as well, if not your conversation."

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
Common room - Mid October

He smiled to hear her speak of his playing in such a way. Magic. That seemed somehow.. like a far more complimentary term than anyone had ever used to describe it. He smiled, delighted to hear that she had enjoyed it so much. And.. well, yes. She was right. It was time he returned to his job. Especially, if he wanted to get paid. And he definitely wanted to have enough money to spend on this gorgeous woman, tomorrow. He certainly wouldn't want to make her have to pay for her own food at the bakery! And if they went anywhere else, who knows what other treasures he might want to buy for her.

"Right." He sighed softly, but continued smiling as she made very valid points about how it wouldn't be fair to the others to deprive them of the joy of music. "I guess I'll.. go do that then." He decided, though he couldn't help stalling a tiny bit. He got up and reached a hand toward her. "It's been a delight to meet you, Meluiel." When she reached to take his hand, he placed a light kiss on the back of it, while his gray-blue eyes remained locked onto hers, smiling happily. "I look forward to tomorrow..." He said, then thought of an additional, possible idea. "If.. you are still here when I finish work, perhaps.. you'd let me walk you home? The city could be dangerous for a lady walking alone," He added with some concern about her safety, but also.. hopeful for a chance to talk with her more. Even if it was only brief.

After deciding on a time to meet the next day, he nodded happily and began to return toward where they were waiting on him to resume playing. Walking backward, slowly, he smiled at her as the distance between them grew more and more. He nearly bumped into a table or two along the way, until he finally turned with some reluctance and went to go back to where he had been playing when she walked in. Then, blinking as he glanced at himself and realized that his hands were empty, he let out a slightly sheepish laugh as he realized he'd forgotten to grab his instrument!

It would be easy for an observer to assume he had purposes left it behind so as to have an excuse to go back and get it, but he had honestly, genuinely, simply forgotten everything except for the beautiful Meluiel. A little embarrassed, he hastened back to her table to grab his lute. "Might help if I bring this along," He mentioned with a little grin, as he retrieved the instrument from where he had stowed it when he first arrived at the table.

Once he was back in place to play, he glanced toward her with a smile as he began to play his first song; the Rogue's Heart. The time until he could see her again would feel like ages, but at least he could enjoy the knowledge that she was there, enjoying his music, for as long as she was willing to stay and listen.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

The streets outside of the window were dark. So was most of the room. The space was only partially lit by the two candles she'd lit after her arrival. Shadow reigned here, this evening.

Meluiel's dark eyes slowly took in the room's details. The shirt hanging neatly over the back of the other chair. The empty water glass on the side table near the bed, which he'd clearly made himself. The room breathed Ûrion, just by the small details left here and there. He was still playing in the common room, even though she could not hear it from up here. He'd be wrapping up soon, however, and her expectation was that - if he didn't see her downstairs - he would soon make his way to his room. Even though he had no reason to expect her to be waiting for him.

After meeting him just a few weeks prior, things had gone fast for them. The obvious mutual interest had developed into that fresh and exciting phase of new romance in a matter of a few days. Meluiel had caught herself smiling and simply enjoying herself more than she'd done in a long time. More than she'd done in years, even. Ûrion was young, enthusiastic and kind - and he would fall over his own feet just to get her to smile.

As the candle flickered, the shadows moved over her face, her eyes soft and her lips smiling at the thought. Meluiel huddled deeper into the thick lining of fur trimmed along the top of her winter cloak. She hadn't wanted to light a fire, and the room was cold. Hopefully, he would come to his room sooner rather than later.

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
Common room, then his room
Early November

The past few weeks felt like a whirlwind, and Urion still could hardly believe that such a gorgeous woman would even speak to him, let alone spend time with him. It almost felt like a dream. Like he would wake up at any moment, and find that it had all been some marvelous fantasy that his mind had conjured up while he slept.

His financial situation ought to be proof enough that he was not dreaming, of course. He had lost track of how much money he had ended up spending on Meluiel, but he justified it in his mind as 'worth it'. After all, if a gift from him made her smile, then why not? If he saw her admiring something in a shop window, and it was within his means to buy it... well, he somehow always failed to mention that the money he spent was really supposed to be for rent. He had fallen a little behind on that for this month, but he could always catch it up with the next payday.

As a result.. well, despite Melui pulling a few strings to help him get into some better places, playing a few nights a week, he still found it necessary to play here, in the days in between those.. to keep those pesky ends meeting together. Soon, he figured, he'd make his big break and money wouldn't be much of a problem anymore (except, of course, if he kept spending it all on Melui, which was quite probable).

While she didn't come hear him play every single night, he always hoped to see her in the crowd. He was a bit disappointed on the nights when she wasn't, but he also understood that she likely had other things to do. She did have relatives who lived in the city, and was presumably here to visit them, after all. He still had yet to meet her uncle that she spoke of, but perhaps he would, eventually.

As he finally concluded his last tune for the evening, he smiled as the regular patrons who were there applauded. He was tired, having been playing for a few hours now, and so he was ready to go up to his room. Lute in hand, he had a few words with the owner of the inn, promising to have the rent money by the end of the week. Then he set off up the stairs, hoping perhaps he'd see her tomorrow, even though they hadn't made any particular plans for that day.

Unlocking the door with his key, he was preparing to lean his lute up in the corner when he stopped and blinked. Why were there candles lit? Then, as his eyes adjusted to the light a bit better, his gaze landed on... her. Though puzzled, a smile lit his face. "Melui?" He asked, in surprise. "What are you doing in here? Also.. how did you get in here?" he looked back at the door, trying to remember whether he had actually remembered to lock the door when he left the room earlier. But no, he was certain he'd locked it. He looked back at her curiously, wondering if this might be some more of her 'magic tricks'.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

She looked at the door expectantly when she heard the key in the lock. She greeted Ûrion with a closed-lipped smile and happy eyes. He looked as well as sounded surprised, and she slanted her head as her smile widened at his questions. "What am I doing in here?" she repeated, her tone incredulous as she rose to her feet and swiftly approached him to wrap her arms around him and rest her cheek on his shoulder. "Waiting for you." After taking a deep breath, she pulled back a little so she could look into his steely blue eyes.

"I... I hope you don't mind my intrusion," she began, sounding a bit unsure of whether or not he would in fact mind. "It was just that... I wasn't feeling up to spending time in a crowded common room," she explained, her tone apologetic. "I've been running errands for my uncle all day, and it involved negotiating several trade deals, so..." She rolled her eyes. "I'd quite had it with people in general by the time I'd finished." She lifted up the heels of her feet, to stand on her toes and give Ûrion a soft kiss on the lips. "Obviously, you're the exception, Ûri," she told him quietly, a half smile still on her lips.

Her doe-like brown eyes looked into his, a blend of happiness and some kind of hesitant uncertainty. She shivered slightly. "I didn't want to waste any of the wood on a fire without you actually being here, so I only lit those two candles."

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
Common room, then his room
Early November

Urion instinctively wrapped his arms around her, smiling as she said she had been waiting on him. Well, of course, she would be, but he still wasn't quite sure how she had gotten in here... but all of those thoughts slipped off into oblivion as she suddenly seemed worried that he would mind, and explained about how she had been dealing with people all day, and so on.

He smiled softly. "Of course, I don't mind," He assured her, deciding the 'how' didn't actually matter. He was just pleased that he would not have to go the whole day without seeing her at all. He relished the brief kiss, then his soft smile widened a bit when she assured him that he was the exception from the people she didn't want to see. "I'm honored, then." He half-joked, though he really was glad that she hadn't included him in the group of people she wanted to avoid.

When she shivered and spoke of not wanting to 'waste' wood, he shook his head. "For you, it would never be a waste," He assured her, lightly clasping her hands in his for a moment. "Let me light the fire, and we can sit and talk without shivering to death," He suggested. "It is pretty cold in here." He stepped away from her with a little reluctance and went to the small fireplace to get it going. "I guess it's all the stone in the city, but I didn't expect it to be so cold once winter came," He mentioned as he adjusted the logs a little to make sure it was ready for a fire, figuring he could use one of the candles to light it.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

For you , it would never be a waste. Meluiel's smile was grateful as the words sunk in, and she nodded quietly, the same smile on her lips and in her eyes after he suggested lighting the fire. "Yes, thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. His manners were, as always, top notch. She watched him as he stepped away to the fireplace, before her eyes darted around the room again.
The Guesthouse was not the most expensive inn in the city - far from it, but it was still decent. Clean and comfortable. Still, with everything he had been buying for her, it didn't seem like money was much of an issue at all. When she'd asked him about it, he'd given some silly, lovestruck reply about how he was 'the richest man in the city since he'd managed to win her heart'. She'd rolled her eyes at that, but hadn't failed to note he hadn't followed up with any kind of serious reply afterward.

Her gaze returned to him. "I'm glad when I'm in the city in winter," she spoke softly. "Somehow it feels warmer to me, with all the people hustling and bustling about." While he was adjusting the logs, she followed in his footsteps and softly brushed one hand through his hair from behind him, while the other touched both sides of her face briefly. She waited for him to get the fire going and until he rose to stand again and face her. He'd notice a blush."Sometimes," she began, hesitantly, as she looked down to the floor for a few heartbeats while her hand found his and she laced their fingers together. When she looked up at him again, she first took a deep breath. "The right person can warm you better than a fire can," she hinted, before biting her lip with a half smile. "But... you wanted to sit?" she asked quietly. "And... talk?"

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
His room at the inn
Early November

He smiled as he felt her hands playing with his hair, and had to resist the temptation to leave off from what he was doing, to turn and face her. It would only take a moment to get the fire going, he could wait that long before kissing her again, or holding her. Once a cheery little blaze had begun to grow in the fireplace, he stood and turned back to her with a smile.

In the merry little glow from the newly made fire, he was curious to notice a little blush about her face, though he thought it could just be his imagination. The firelight was a little reddish, after all, but he wasn't sure. He was intrigued by what she had said about the city feeling warmer. "Really?" He asked with genuine interest. "I guess that's the difference between growing up in a city, and growing up on a farm," He commented, though quickly became distracted from that train of thought at her next words.

He glanced at their joined hands and smiled slightly, then looked up at her. Was that.. a hint? Was she suggesting something, or was that only his own wishful thinking reading more into the comment than she'd intended? He definitely didn't want to push her into anything, or seem like he was pressuring her. He was just happy to spend any time with her, but, he also didn't want to be oblivious if she was suggesting something more...

Clearing his throat softly, a bit awkwardly, he gently brought her hand up and kissed her fingers softly. "If you have something else in mind, I like to be open-minded," He smiled, happily gazing at her lovely brown eyes as he waited to find out whether he was right, or.. possibly way off in his guess.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

Her lips parted as she continued to look into his eyes, although she did not reply right away. "Ûri... I came to your room," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "So we could be alone." She swallowed and put her free hand on his chest with the lightest touch she could conjure. "In private," she added, not shying away from his gaze.

While she didn't doubt he would go along with anything she suggested, it was still about creating the right atmosphere. She wanted him to experience the moment to its fullest extent. His heart beating fast and hard in his chest.His blood rushing through his veins. His mind ablur.

All because of her.

Removing her hand from his chest, she slowly unclasped her cloak and pushed it back, so it fell to the floorboards behind her. She moved to kiss him again. "You are warmer than my cloak," she spoke quietly. "I'd prefer to have you wrapped around me." Her fingers played with the string around his neck. "Want to unlace my dress, Ûri?" she asked him, as she looked him in the eyes and loosened his collar.

What could there be left for him to misunderstand?

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
His room at the inn
Early November

Her reply definitely got his heart racing, and it didn't take long before she had removed any possible doubt about what she 'had in mind'. He swallowed, letting his blue gaze meet her brown one, but all of his words seemed tied up somewhere in his mind for the moment. A small, slow nod would have to suffice, as Melui pointed out why she had come to his room.

Still tongue-tied, he moved his arms around her, gladly holding her close to him as she shed her cloak and kissed him. He had definitely not misinterpreted anything about her suggestion. Urion let his eyes close briefly as he savored the kiss, feeling almost as if he must be caught up in some wonderful dream. But if it was, then he didn't want to wake up. Her soft-spoken question made him open his eyes again, gazing into hers with eagerness. He found his voice again as he nodded. "Absolutely," He murmured in reply, as a slight grin spread onto his face.

"I.. uh, heard something in the common room today," He mentioned absently, while she turned so that he could get to the laces at the back of her dress. "There's a ball coming up in a little over a month.. Midwinter Ball. It's supposed to be very fancy," He had immediately thought about Melui when he heard about it. "I was wondering, would you be interested in going to that?" With him, of course... he just didn't feel it necessary to add that part.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

She smiled in reply to the slow grin that mastered his features, pleased that he had seemed to be at a loss for words for a while. And amused by his murmured 'Absolutely'. Melui was mildly surprised that, when she turned around, he broached a different subject. The Midwinter Ball, no less. "I would," she replied, knowing what he meant, knowing that she would indeed attend, and also knowing there was no way they would be attending it together. "I'd love to go," she said, turning back around when it felt like he was done. She gathered his hands in hers and stepped back toward the bed, guiding him along with her.

***

Her hand rested on the arm he had wrapped over her side, the side of her thumb tracing a little path along his skin as they lay in the bed. Basking in what they had just shared. Or at least, he clearly was. Perhaps... perhaps, she was, too. Since she was lying on her side, turned away from him, and he was snuggled up against her back, he couldn't see the thoughtful and even hesitant expression on her face.

If she were completely honest? She'd gathered enough intelligence several days ago, to know what needed to be done. He had the right height, right eyes, right age, he looked like the sketch she'd received - that had been easy to determine. In the meanwhile, she'd learned he'd left home at the right time, he refused alcohol. He wore a medallion that fit the description. His manners were just as you would have expected from a young nobleman who actually meant to live his best life. He had no contact with anyone from back home and avoided giving much detail about his background, which made perfect sense for someone trying to hide who they were. What he had told her, fit perfectly: his dad had died when he was young, his mother had remarried. The name he was using, was almost too similar for it to even be considered a fake one. His accent betrayed he was from Lamedon - or at least from nearby. He was a frequent customer of the bakery that she'd been given the address to.

It was about as clear-cut as it could get.

Yet... that did not make it any easier.

She had gotten to know her target, this time. And this time... her target was, by all she had seen and experienced, a stand-up guy. Someone who meant well. Someone who just wanted to be happy, but not in spite of others' happiness. He wasn't selfish. He was always so happy around her. So kind to her. It was... an unusual experience. Certainly, there had been plenty of men who'd treated her gallantly so they might yield certain returns. And, certainly, there had also been plenty of men who didn't even care about putting up much of a front. But this one? It was undeniable that he really liked her. He wanted a genuine connection with her. Had she really ever had a genuine connection? With anyone?

She'd been close to finishing up the contract several times now. But each time, he had done or said something that had stayed her hand. Next time, she'd told herself. But she could not keep this going. The longer she waited, the harder it was going to become. And she did not have a choice. It was him, or her. Uncle or not... the Hand did not discriminate.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked, turning her head slightly at first, and then shifting around all the way to face him with a soft smile. "Because I am. Your fault," she teased with a little grin.

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
His room at the inn
Early November

'Cloud nine' surely couldn't be better than where he was right now. Urion wore a soft smile as he caressed her hair lightly, and kissed her. "I'm perfectly content staying right here," He grinned. "But I can go get you something?" He offered immediately after. "Some water, or.. whatever you like." He wasn't sure if anything like that would be accessible to him, with the tavern part of the inn being closed for the evening, but he would get her whatever he could, if she asked.

When she confirmed that water would be alright, he nodded and kissed her lightly again. "I'll have to go downstairs to get it, but I'll be right back," He promised her before slipping out of bed to get dressed hastily. The sooner he went to get her a pitcher of water, the sooner he could be back with her. As he was getting dressed, a small, lightweight object in the pocket of his trousers bounced lightly against his leg, reminding him of the costly little trinket he had been carrying around for at least a week or so, trying to work up his nerve.

Pausing, he debated inwardly. Was this a good time? He had intended on doing something more romantic, but.. all things considered, why not just go for it? He slid his hand into his pocket, closing his hand around the small ring. He hoped he'd gotten the right size. Taking a deep breath, he moved back toward her. "Melui?" He began, trying to tell himself there was no reason why she should give him a negative answer.. especially after tonight. "I know this could probably wait until I return," he gave a soft laugh, "but.. well, I've been wanting to ask you something.. I've been trying to wait for the perfect moment," He grinned. "But, I figure it doesn't get much more perfect than this..." he couldn't help a big smile as he recalled the blissful moments they had recently shared, then cleared his throat while giving her a chance to react however she would.

He took a seat on the edge of the bed near her. Taking her nearest hand gently, he lightly kissed the back of it before looking into her eyes. This wasn't the ideal way he would have chosen to go about this, but he was feeling particularly confident right now. After giving a little pause, he let the words spill out. "Meluiel, I've loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you," He told her softly, smiling. "And, I've only come to love you more as I get to know you." He battled against his nerves for a moment, then held his other hand out to her, opening the palm to let her see what he held out to her. A simple ring. Not anything extraordinarily expensive, and probably one of the lower priced options available at the jewelry shop, but it the best he could afford with his income, especially with all that he'd been spending on her for other things. It was clearly more than a common trinket, however. "I know it isn't the best ring, but.. someday, I'll have plenty of money, and I'll buy you any ring you could ask for, with all the diamonds you could want.." he promised, before thinking maybe he should make his question a bit clearer.

"What I'm trying to ask is..." He took a deep breath. "Will you marry me?"

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

She returned his kiss with a little smile. She knew what was coming. She knew what had to be done. If she was going to finally cut the cord tonight, then she could not risk him running into anyone downstairs and mentioning she might be up here. There could be no trace of her. No one had seen her come in. No one would see her go out. It was the perfect time. From that perspective, at least.

Not so much from every other perspective. This was the very first time that she'd been... conflicted. Why did he have to be so sweet to her?

While he was pulling some clothes on, she rolled over toward the edge of the bed and dropped her arm to brush along the bottom of the frame. Then she sat up in the bed, pulling the sheet up with her to hold it in front of her. In quite the feigned impression she still had any modesty left to guard. She watched Ûrion's sudden pause and the way his hand slipped into his pocket. Among her peers, a hand slipped into a pocket mostly meant trouble. Yet she knew she had nothing to fear from this young man. It made her... sad? She would feel better if he had been trying to fool her. But he hadn't. He was the fool. And she was the one who was pulling his strings.

"Yes?" she asked, her smile sweet, her eyes wide. A strange feeling was creeping up on her. Mentally, she frowned. What was he doing? As he spoke, his words were laced with deep emotion, his eyes brimming with utter happiness. Am I really going to dim those eyes? Her eyes grew wider as he continued. The perfect moment? As he sat down next to her and kissed her hand, she suddenly realized what he might be doing. All the signs were pointing to it. Her heart warmed and then fell. Oh, no. No, no, no... He couldn't Who in their right mind would ask someone they'd only met three weeks ago? Who in their right mind would ever ask her?

"Ûri..." she began, right before he opened his hand to show her the ring on his palm, turning her silent. It was simple but well made, and there was a beauty in its simplicity. She stared at it as she listened to him promising her a more beautiful ring when he'd have more funds at his disposal. Promising her whatever she wanted. The ring went out of focus as her eyes misted over. If I'd been a normal woman... If I'd been raised differently. If I wasn't bound the way I am. Maybe. It was not that she loved him the way he loved her. But she had grown fond of him. She had come to care for him.

Her eyes lifted to his, finding that genuine and open gaze he always tended to have. Meluiel shifted closer to him, to wrap the arm of the hand he'd been holding around his neck. To kiss him on the lips. A tear escaped her eyes, easily mistaken for happiness. "Thank you, Ûrion," she mumbled against his skin. "For everything." He had given her more than he would ever know. This silly young lute player. This lovestruck fool. This lovely specimen of a man. She kissed him again.
Something cold, hard and sharp touched her skin as she slipped it between them with her other hand. She pushed it toward him with a sudden jerk, in an upward angle, right between two of his ribs. Aiming for the heart. Finding the heart.

At least... at least she had brought him happiness these past weeks. She kept her eyes closed, her lips still on his, not ready to see the light leaving his own. At least... his last night had been enjoyable. Finally, she pulled back slightly, so she could look at his face. His arms were still around her, but she could feel them sagging down, slowly. The fingertips of her free hand touched the side of his face. "I'm sorry," she whispered. And she meant it. She really wished it didn't have to be like this. But it did. The harsh tang of reality was not like the dreamy illusion they'd been living when they were together.

[Rillewen]

(private with @Arnyn)

Ûrion
His room at the inn
Early November

There was no joyous 'yes!', but then neither was there any 'sorry, but no' to his question. Instead, she seemed overwhelmed with emotion as she leaned in and hugged him, kissing him. He couldn't help but smile, returning her kiss happily. That seemed positive, right? He wasn't entirely sure why she was telling him thank you. Was that her version of a 'yes'?

He was preparing to prompt a bit clearer answer out of her, but then she was kissing him again. After this, he thought absently, enjoying the moment. And then, suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his chest, like none he'd ever experienced before. He drew in a sharp breath suddenly, his arms tensing around her slightly. As much as he enjoyed kissing her, he had to draw away after a moment, wincing. "Ahh.. ow, Melui," He gasped softly, trying to alert her to the fact something was wrong with him. He shouldn't have this strange pain in his chest. What was going on?

Looking down at himself as his arms slid, slowly, down from around Melui, Urion's eyes widened in shock to see a knife hilt sticking out of his ribs. What!? A little blood had already began oozing out from around the knife on his left side. The ring dropped from his trembling hand as he brought it to the wound, initially thinking to put pressure on the spot, but it that also hurt. He brought his hand up before his face, staring at the blood on it. Panic began to set in at the realization he had been stabbed, but he couldn't understand why.

He was so stunned, he almost didn't hear the whispered 'I'm sorry' that fell from Melui's lips. Urion looked up at her, blue eyes round with shock, confusion written all over his face. "Melui..? What.. why?" His breathing grew more rapid in his panic, then a wince of further pain interrupted him from his inquiry. Coming to the realization that he must be dying, Urion brought a shaking hand up toward Melui, seeking to take her hand that she had used to touch his face. "Please..." He mumbled.

Several thoughts flashed through his mind in the last few seconds, but he didn't manage to utter any of them before he began to fade from consciousness. His family might never find out what happened to him. If they did, they wouldn't understand why. He didn't even understand why. In his last moments, Urion's thoughts drifted over the past couple of weeks and the wonderful times he'd had with Meluiel, and then at last his vision went dark, and he was gone.

[Arnyn]

Meluiel
Ûrion's room - Early November
Private with @Rillewen

Those clear, innocent eyes, looking down at the knife. Her knife. He was the one who'd been stabbed. But her own heart... was not undamaged. The ring fell from his hands, tumbling down onto the sheets, then sliding onto the wooden floorboards of the room. The sound was sad and loud in the painful silence. She couldn't answer the questions that he managed to get out in between his panicked, brief gulps of air. She did take his shaking hand in hers, however. Her eyes filled with tears as she nodded at him, as if reassuring him that she could help him. Slowly but surely, she moved to sit behind him, her one hand still holding his, resting his back against her front as she pulled the knife back out. As the blood left him in a sudden rush, he sagged against her completely. It only took a few more seconds.

Tears fell from her eyes as she shifted back further and gently lowered him onto the bed. She blinked, her eyes wide, trying to get rid of the sadness. This was... ridiculous. She'd never felt this badly about completing an assignment before. Even if most of her assignments were deals, negotiations and - well, let's call it customer relations... This was not her first contract. She shook her head, as if that would help. And looked away.

She went through the room to pick up any and all evidence and sign of her presence and got dressed. Then she ransacked the wardrobe and the nightstand, pulling out Ûrion's belongings and taking with her anything that held value. This was to look like a cruel robbery. Finally, she dropped a half crumpled up page from a book at the library about Belfalasian noble families. The page was about the Taurhebors, and she'd scribbled something on the edge of the pag - a 4 line poem that spoke of home. Since there would be no other clues... the City's authorities would doubtlessly contact the one in charge of the estate, on the off chance he could identify the young man. After all, did the family not have a missing son about this age?

Meluiel swallowed. Her throat felt swollen as she quietly closed the door behind her.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

The room was unexpectedly crowded. And noisy, of course, due to how many people were in there, but Renia didn't mind that too much. She glanced around, smiling at the cheery, busy atmosphere in the inn’s common room. She had just arrived in the city, and found the place full of folk from near and far. Apparently, the ball had drawn in more people from distant regions of Gondor than she had anticipated. In fact, she was informed at the front desk that there were no rooms available, though they apologized for the inconvenience. She shrugged and decided to at least get a meal before moving on in her search.

She had hoped there would be a musician working tonight, but she was disappointed in that regard. So much for her idea of watching to see whether the musician here might be the one she was hoping to locate. At least the food was not disappointing, so that was some consolation, but she ate alone, and thought about her ‘mission’ while she was eating. She only had a short amount of time in which to locate him, and she had to be cautious about who she spoke to. Knowing her friend’s reluctance about guards, she didn’t want to risk involving any of them.

When the waitress returned to check if she was finished, or if she wanted anything else, Renia decided she might as well ask a few questions that might help her. She’d spoken with the girl, Annie, when she first brought her food, and had found her quite friendly. “Everything was great, thanks.” She responded cheerfully. “Except, I am a bit disappointed there’s no music.” She gave a slightly sad smile.

“Ah.. well, we’ve got a few who come and play on different nights, but none really work on a steady schedule anymore. I guess no one was booked for tonight.” Annie shrugged. “Of course, most have been umm, reluctant to work here, since the murder.” She added in hushed tones.

Renia blinked at that. “Murder?” She questioned, surprised, curious, and a little alarmed.

The waitress’ eyes widened. “Ohhh, it was terrible! I feel so bad for Rosie, finding the poor guy like that.” She shuddered at the thought of being the one to find that scene. “I think I would’ve quit on the spot, if I’d been the one to find that."

“That does sound terrible,” Renia frowned. “But what’s that have to do with musicians not wanting to work here on a regular basis?” Renia asked slowly, almost as if she feared the answer.

Annie blinked at her before realizing she’d left that detail out. “Oh! You must be new to town. Well, see, he was the last musician we had here, who’d played here regularly. He lived here at the inn for months, nearly a year I think, and we all really liked him.” She smiled sadly. “I used to tease him all the time, about his girlfriend being too pretty for him, you know, just silly stuff.” She shook her head a little and sighed. “It was really sad, you know. He was such a nice guy.” She sighed. “A really good musician, too. I miss his playing..” She paused, and leaned in a little closer. “You know.. rumor has it, if you listen really close, at night, you can still hear some of his favorite songs, echoing down the hall from the room where he was killed.” She imparted this ‘secret’ in a whisper.

Renia frowned as she sat back, fighting a sense of dread at this news. She swallowed. “I’m sorry to hear that...” She took a slow breath, trying to calm herself. It wasn’t him, right? It couldn’t be… could it? But.. maybe it could be. Almost a year.. that was roughly the amount of time that Trev had been parted from his father’s ship, right? And she knew he had grown up in Minas Tirith, and that he was supposed to be living here now… She drew in another deep breath. “Annie,” Renia paused. “..Um.. did this musician friend of yours.. he didn’t happen to play the flute, did he?” Though reluctant to ask, she somehow got the words out while trying not to look as worried as she felt.

Annie blinked in surprise, mishearing her a bit due to the background noise from various other folks chatting and laughing and such. “How did you know? He was really good, too. He even sang really well.” She smiled a bit sadly.

Renia swallowed, fighting a surge of panic threatening to swell up in her, as Annie begun gathering up the empty dishes. "What did this fellow look like?" She asked tentatively.

Annie paused. "Hmm, about.. twenty or so, dark hair. Good looking, I guess.. why?"

Renia hesitated. "I.. I'm just curious, in case.. you know, his ghost is lurking around." She answered, going off the supposed rumor about a haunting. "Can you tell me anything else? Anything to help identify him, if I see him?"

Annie paused, thinking, then shrugged. “Well.. I didn’t know him all that well... But..” She bit her lip lightly, thinking. “You know, I think I saw someone around here who might be able to tell you more..” She peered around the room, then spotted her. “Ah, yes, that woman over there." She indicated a lady sitting a few tables over, then leaned in closer to Renia, dropping her voice a bit to a confiding tone, "They were pretty close, you know. She used to come in here all the time and listen to him play, waiting for him to be done for the evening." She shook her head at the tragedy of it. "Poor lady. She took it so hard when he died. I didn't expect to see her come back here, but.. anyway... she'd know the most about him. If she'll talk to you," She added uncertainly. It would be understandable if the lady did not want to discuss the matter, of course. She might not appreciate the talk of hauntings and such. With a little shrug, Annie set off to take the dishes to the kitchen.

Renia watched her leave, feeling slightly stunned. And confused.. and.. something else. It couldn't be him. It couldn't be... but what if it was? She bit her lip, fighting inwardly. Looking over at the woman Annie had indicated, she hesitated. The woman was quite beautiful. The kind of woman most guys would probably fall over themselves to spend time with. But not Trev.. right? Had she been mistaken about their relationship together? Was she actually feeling jealous, without even knowing all the facts? Renia mentally scolded herself for jumping to conclusions. She wasn't even sure what sort of relationship had existed between the murdered musician and that woman over there. Trev had told her he had a couple of female friends he considered like his sisters, that they'd all grown up together in this city. One was living in Pelargir last he'd heard, and the other in Dol Amroth, but that didn't mean they hadn't come back here. Maybe the woman was one of them?

Renia debated with herself for a long moment before eventually taking a deep breath. It would be better to go and find out, than to spend a lot of time searching only to learn.. that it was in vain. Standing from her table, the young woman tried to steel herself, before moving as steadily as she could manage, toward the other table. She realized that some people may not like to be approached by total strangers, especially if they were grieving over the loss of someone close to them. She tried to keep that in mind as she approached the other woman's table. "Hello," She began with a somewhat forced smile, faint though it was. She made sure that she was facing the other woman, so that there was no question that Renia was speaking to her. "I, umm, wondered if I could speak with you a moment?"

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

This had been the inn the Hand suggested she stay at, now. The one where she'd be confronted with her failure. She wasn't blind, though, it was more than that. Her employer was not petty. It was a test more than anything else. A way for him to gauge whether or not her assignment had affected her more than it should.

She'd kept up the pretense. Both ways. To the Hand, it did not affect her at all. To the rest of the outside world, it had devastated her. The truth was to be found in neither, although the real location of her feelings was difficult to ascertain since she was refusing to give it much honest thought.

"Hello."

She blinked, surprised by the intrusion, especially since the voice was... female. That did not happen often, unless it belonged to an employee. And she knew all of the employees' voices by now. Assessing the young lady's features, the faint smile, the blonde color of her hair, the blue eyes, 'Meluiel' slanted her head. Could she speak with her?"Hello," she said with an uncertain smile. "Well, sure, but... do I know you?" she questioned.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

She wasn't quite sure what her plan was, nor how she ought to actually go about this. After all, how does one go about such a delicate matter without possibly upsetting someone further than they already were?

The other woman's question was simple enough. "No," Renia shook her head slightly, and hesitated. "I'm sorry to bother you. My name's Renia." Even if she never saw this woman again, she figured it would help this difficult conversation a little, if they at least knew what to call each other, right? And she'd never been shy about giving her name to people.

But now... now came the difficult part. She drew in a slow breath, then slid into the empty seat in front of her. She'd said they could talk, and while she hadn't specifically invited Renia to sit, she thought this conversation might be less awkward if she wasn't standing while the other woman was seated. Somehow, bringing herself down on the same eye level made it less.. something. Whatever.

Now, what? Renia didn't usually beat around the bushes, but this seemed like a matter requiring delicacy. That was not really her strong suit, so she had to think.. which was difficult because all she could think about was the possibility that her efforts to warn Trev had been for nothing. Had she been too late? It wasn't in Dev's plan for Trev to be murdered, but perhaps one of the angered crew members had gotten to him?

"So.. uh, first, I want to say, I'm really sorry about your loss.. the.. waitress," She vaguely motioned toward where Annie was serving drinks to another table, "told me about the musician.. said you were close with him." She took a deep, slightly shaky breath, and hoped she was handling this the right way. "I'm also sorry to bother you, and I know this is probably the last thing you want to talk about, but it's really important."

Clearing her throat lightly, Renia went on, letting the words sort of come out in a rush before the woman decided to tell her to go away and leave her alone, "Thing is, I'm trying to find a friend of mine, and.. I have reason to believe that they might be the same person." Her voice trembled a little at the last bit, and her anxiety was starting to show through despite her attempt at keeping a friendly appearance. She tried to steel herself to ask what she was trying to ask. "So... I was hoping maybe you could help me.. to be sure. I really hope it isn't.. but I need to know." There. She'd said what she needed to say. Squeezing her hands tightly together in her lap, Renia watched the other woman a little anxiously, hoping she would be kind enough to help her out with this matter.

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

She nodded slowly when Renia gave her name. "Meluiel," she returned the favor in kind, since that was how she was known here. It was curious how Renia chose to sit down, but Meluiel did not protest. Her interest was piqued. For a woman to join her? This never happened.

The first thing Renia told her, caught her off guard. Even though it was hard to forget, staying here, she did not like being confronted with what had transpired. What she had told the Hand had been no more than a mistaken identity - but what was in reality... No. No, she wasn't going to go there.

Her beautiful eyes were roofed by a frown. "You're right, it is the last thing I want to talk about," she agreed quietly. Honestly, she wanted nothing more than to forget. But the tight feeling in her chest didn't let her. Not to mention the black and blue patches her boss had left all over her after it had become clear she had failed to deliver the correct target. They'd still hurt when they'd turned to green, then yellow. And were only starting to fade fully in the past week.
Her demeanour changed minutely, however, when Renia said she was trying to find a friend and she thought that friend might be Urion. "I hope that he is not the same person, then." Meluiel swallowed and straightened her shoulders. She could do this.

"Well, what do you want to know? Or what can you tell me about your friend?" They had to start somewhere.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

She nodded in response to the name that the other woman gave. Meluiel, that was not one that she'd heard Trev speak of before. But she also could easily imagine he might not have told her about everyone that he knew from back home. Now that she was sitting here, talking with her, Renia noticed that Meluiel seemed a bit older than she had initially taken her for.

It was no surprise to hear the way the woman agreed that it was, indeed, the last thing she wanted to talk about. But, fortunately, she seemed to soften when Renia had finished explaining. That was a good sign, hopefully. She drew in a slow breath, trying to think of how to begin. What could she tell Meluiel about him? She tried to imagine what Trev's situation might be. "Well," She hesitated. "Annie's description fit him well enough; around twenty, dark haired, good looking, played and sang extremely well.." She shrugged and bit her lip briefly. "But that's.. rather vague, you know. It could fit most guys around here.. so," Sighing, she looked away for a moment to try and gather her thoughts.

If Trev were trying to hide from his father.. and if he had any idea about what his father had planned, he would definitely be hiding.. then it would be pretty dumb of him to go around announcing to people who he was, giving his right name, or letting people know he'd been a sailor. If there was any way he could hide those details, he would.. right? So, she avoided those details.

"My friend may not be using his real name." She ventured, speaking slowly, a little unsure whether she ought to even be saying that. But she figured she ought to explain why she didn't just come out and ask about him by name. "I think.. he might be fleeing from someone meaning him harm," She explained softly, looking back at the woman. "And if he isn't, then it's all the more urgent that I find him quickly, and warn him. I believe he may have arrived in Minas Tirith a few months ago.. or, at least, he's been away from the last place that I knew him to be for over a year now, and that's about how long it's been since I've heard from him..." She tried to review that sentence in her head to determine whether it was confusing or not. "He's very polite.. he loves poetry, and anything to do with music.. and he likes dancing." She tried to think of something more useful. "He comes from a poor family, I think..."

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

Her interest was not only piqued, but held. This young woman's friend might not be using his real name, hm?

The more Renia said, the more Meluiel couldn't believe her ears. Fleeing from someone? He would have arrived a few months ago, or about a year? That all fit. Could it really be that this Renia was going to give her a new lead?

But when Renia went on about poetry, music and dancing, the hope fell. Torthon - Lord Talven - had told her that his stepson wasn't all that into poetry or music or dancing. So unless that had changed a great deal... No, if Renia was looking for a musician, as Urion had been, then she could not possibly be looking for Anurion Taurhebor. She should have known from the moment Renia said the word musician.

Of course, that didn't mean Renia wasn't actually looking for Urion. "I never got the impression that he was using a false name," Meluiel said slowly. Not that she could possibly blame him if he had. "But yes, Urion was very polite." A slight smile mastered her face. "And poetic, and musical." Lowering her eyes from Renia, Meluiel blinked at the table. "And we did dance," she added quietly. After a moment of silence, she swallowed and looked back up at the blonde in front of her. "He never spoke much of his family. He said he didn't drink any alcohol because of his dad."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

Renia bit her lip lightly, realizing how difficult this must be for the other woman. She had lost someone she had been close with. Renia, however, was growing more and more concerned that that person might also be someone she had been close with. And there weren't many of those.

In her lap, the fingers of one hand wrung the fingers of the other as she struggled inwardly with her emotions. One part of her wanted to apologize and leave Meluiel alone, but hte other part was desperate to find some sort of clue that would tell her that this 'Urion' was not the young man she knew as Trev. It struck her, suddenly, that he may have used a fake name whilst traveling around with his pirate father. Perhaps, upon returning to the city, he had reverted back to a different name? She blinked as that possibility went through her head.

The more Meluiel spoke of Urion, the more dread began to fill Renia's heart. It sounded an awful lot like Trev. Even down to the 'not drinking' thing. She bit her lip and blinked again. It couldn't be him. She had no use for tears, yet she could feel them, tingling at the corners of her eyes. 'It can't be him!' After swallowing through a tight throat, Renia let out a slightly shaky breath. "He.. my friend.. doesn't drink either." She uttered in a near whisper. She cleared her throat, recalling one difference. "Not.. because of his father, though.. at least, that isn't what he told me," She added slowly, thoughtful. Then, her heart clenched again. "It had to do with his best friend's father.." She swallowed again. "a friend he calls brother." If he had been putting together some sort of false background for whatever reason, then.. he could easily have decided to claim this friend as a real brother, and simply decide to call the friend's dad his own. Especially, since.. "I think he would rather consider his own father to be dead..." She mentioned thoughtfully. "They don't get along very well, and I can't really blame him for that." She frowned.

Taking a moment to think of something else that might help, she rested her elbows on the table, forming a peak with her hands folded, and rested her chin on those. Inwardly, she was fighting a surging storm of panic at the way so much of this was matching up. Please, no. Not Trev. She closed her eyes briefly, thinking, then opened them and offered another little tidbit. "He has strong beliefs in the Valar.. his favorite is Ulmo." She smiled weakly. "He once told me about these musical shells that Ulmo uses, and how he controls the water and stuff like that." She bit her lip, hesitating as she watched the other woman for a reaction.

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

There was something she recognized in the woman sitting across from her. She had seen it more than once, in people standing before the Hand. Within herself as she had stood before him, or when she'd heard those heavy footsteps down the hall outside of her bedroom. When she'd been forced to face other agents of the Hand in sparring. Too many times to count.

"I'm sorry," Meluiel said genuinely. "I really hope Uri was not also your friend..." She slanted her head. "You seem to be... on a bit of a wild goose chase, Renia. How well a friend is he? Are you two very close?" She had decided not to use the past tense, even if Renia's friend might turn out to be Urion. "I only ask, because... I can hardly imagine Uri being a womanizer," she mumbled quietly. "Even if they both did not drink, and even if I haven't really heard anything that eliminates the possibility of your friend and Urion being the same person. Uri... he mentioned Ulmo, from time to time, too." When she saw the look in Renia's eyes, she was quick to add: "But that could be a musician's thing, could it not?"

She gave Renia a sad, but at the same time encouraging look. "They are probably not the same person. What are the chances, in a city as large as this?" She thought of what else she might be able to say. "Was your friend a bit too liberal with his money?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

The question of how close she was with him caught her a bit by surprise. Renia hesitated to answer, at first, which allowed the other woman to finish her explanation of why she asked it. Slowly, she let her arms fold onto the tabletop and let out a breath slowly. "Even wild geese can be caught," She muttered, with a small shrug. "I know it's not an easy task, but I have to try." She explained, trying not to despair.

She managed a small smile. "I would say we're very close," She answered quietly, addressing the woman's question. "Close enough that I would be.. devastated if.." She inwardly cringed as she caught herself, realizing that must be exactly what Meluiel was enduring, already. Outwardly, she glanced down to her arms and cleared her throat softly. Still, Renia began to feel a slight glimmer of hope. If Meluiel and this guy Urion were that close, then it surely couldn't be Trev. "No.. my friend is certainly no womanizer," she confirmed, looking back up again. "But.. I have not heard from him in a long time." She added more quietly.

Despite the faint hope flickering inside, for a brief moment, when Meluiel mentioned that Uri had mentioned Ulmo at times, Renia's doubt flared up once again. But she nodded slightly as Meluiel pointed out how likely it was that many musicians probably favored that particular Vala. "Yeah, probably, I guess." She answered, nodding. Hoping, yet still feeling that bit of uncertainty lingering. What were the chances? She wasn't sure how to answer that, knowing that Trev was from this city, and that, as far as she had heard, he was supposed to be living here now. Considering that, and the fact that he had apparently upset his crewmates to the point many of them wanted him dead... she felt that the chances were rather high that he could have been murdered. But the chances of him having met and fallen in love with another woman..?

As much as she wanted to tell herself that wouldn't happen, and that he felt the same toward her as she did toward him.. she couldn't help noticing how very beautiful the woman in front of her happened to be. Renia wasn't sure she could really claim to be beautiful, and she had to admit; after over a year without any contact whatsoever, there had been that little thought nagging at the back of her mind, wondering if he'd stopped writing because he had found someone else. But no, she reminded herself, she now knew why he had not contacted her; in fact, he had tried to, but his father had found his messages and had kept her from getting them.

While she was swiftly thinking over these things, Renia was caught off guard, again, by the next question. Was he too liberal with his money? A quiet little snort slipped out before she could stop herself, and she immediately hoped that Meluiel had not taken offense to that. "What money?" She offered a wry smile before following up with a brief explanation. "He rarely has any. Usually, just what he earns from playing, you know, at places like this," She nodded in general toward the room.

Another idea came to her. "If you don't mind me asking... what happened to Urion's instrument, after..?" She didn't know why she hadn't thought of this sooner. "My friend.. um, he's always got his with him, you see. It's rather special to him.. it was a gift from someone very close to him.. a friend who died, and he'd never, ever part with it... he doesn't even like for anyone else to handle it." She recalled quite well the time that he had once snatched it back from her when she picked it up, simply to suggest that he play something. "I've seen it often enough to recognize it, if.. it is the same one." She added a little hesitantly. She recalled that Annie had said that Meluiel had often sat and watched the musician while he played, waiting for him to finish. "Or, maybe you could describe it, if taking a look is not possible?"

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

Very close? Well. She would have liked to claim that Urion and Renia's friend, then, could not be the same. She would like to believe that. Yet with all she knew of the world, of people, of men - could she? Even if Urion had shown her nothing but kindness and devotion? Even if he had always appeared so boyishly sincere?

Could she really believe that there was no possibility for that perception to whip around and lash her in the face? It had done so several times before. It might just do so again, now.

So she steeled herself as the conversation with the blonde young woman in front of her continued.

"Urion played in different places. He made a decent living while he was here," she offered. If he hadn't been spending so much on her, he would have been able to save up by now. To her own surprise, Meluiel had encouraged him a few times not to part with his money for her sake - but he would have none of it.
The question about his instrument made her turn wide eyes on Renia. The play had to be sold, didn't it? "I... It was taken from his room, the night he..." Meluiel lowered her gaze to the table. "The guards told me his whole room had been ransacked."

A light frown settled on her face. "I wouldn't really know how to describe it. I know it was special to him, but... it was made of wood, it had strings... it was a lovely piece, but..." She kept her eyes down, and did not even have to try this time, as she remembered him playing in a crowded room, with those pale blue eyes focused only on her. Oh. "Renia - were his eyes blue?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

Hearing that the slain musician's instrument had been stolen was regretful indeed. If this was Trev, well, his flute was probably worth a lot, she guessed, but his family and friends would surely have rather been able to hold onto it, and treasure it. Even if this Urion was not the young man that she knew, she felt saddened to hear this, after Meluiel had said that the instrument was special to him. "Oh.. I'm sorry," She answered softly, genuinely.

The next moment, her sympathy was replaced by confusion. "Strings?" She questioned, frowning slightly in confusion. She knew a flute could be made of wood, but what sort of flute had strings? "I'm sorry.. strings? How.." She couldn't help asking, before hesitating. Had she misunderstood something? "I thought.." She paused with a little frown, then continued, "I thought Annie said that he played the flute?"

About that time, Renia became distracted by Meluiel's own question to her. Were his eyes blue? First, she couldn't help noting the use of past tense, which she was.. not very enthused about to be honest. And second, she had to marvel at herself for not having thought to mention eye color before! She sat up slightly straighter. "Blue? No," She answered with a fresh wave of hope stirring up inside. "No, his are brown.. dark brown. Are.. were.. Urion's blue?" She asked in return, as delicately as she could manage. Finally, maybe they had found some clues to help them determine this matter.

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

As soon as Renia said she thought Annie had said Urion had played the flute, Meluiel managed a smile.

"No, not the flute," Meluiel denied. "The lute. With strings. And Urion's eyes were a very light blue. He was not your friend," she confirmed, making it as clear as she could with what she now knew. At least the woman across from her could still cling to hope. That was nice.

"I'm sorry to say I have not seen a brown-eyed musician playing the flute. Otherwise I would gladly point you in the right direction."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

Renia's own blue eyes widened at this new bit of information. "Oh..." She glanced toward where the waitress was, and back to Meluiel. "I'm so sorry.. I guess, it was so noisy in here, I thought she said.." She felt bad now for bothering Meluiel with all of this. "...why would someone name two instruments to have such similar names?" She wondered, mildly frustrated at herself about this misunderstanding, but also marveling at the absurdity of the situation. She sank back into her seat with a little sigh, relieved beyond words to know that it was not Trev who had been murdered.

But at the same time, she felt really bad now for having put Meluiel through this conversation at all. Briefly putting a hand over her face, Renia drew in a slow breath before straightening again, her hand sliding down to rest in her lap again. "I really appreciate your help in sorting this out," She told her genuinely. "I'm very relieved to hear that," She said, about it not being her friend. Not only was she relieved because that meant he was (hopefully) not dead, but also.. it meant she could dismiss any concerns about Trev having lost interest in her or anything of the sort. She felt a little guilty for even thinking such a thing of him.

"Also.." She went on, "I really am very sorry for your loss." She understood quite well how devastating that must be. "I apologize if this was.. difficult for you." She didn't really know of anything else to say, because what could she say, really? Nothing Renia could say would change the fact that she'd lost her friend, this guy Urion. She nodded slightly to show her appreciation for Meluiel's information, that she had not seen anyone who matched Trev's description. "Thank you." She gave a mildly disappointed smile at that, but it wasn't to be helped. She might have said 'if you do, let me know please' but there was not really anywhere she could have her send such information, so it would be pointless.

And this meant she had wasted both of their times, and she still had no leads to help her locate Trev. Renia sighed softly, considering for a moment whether to ask one more thing. "I don't suppose you know of any houses in the city that has a treehouse?" She asked, not really expecting any sort of lead there, but it couldn't hurt to ask. She didn't have time to go on a tour of the city and try to search every yard, and besides.. what if there were several? She might find one and assume it to be the right one, and the correct one might be on the other end of the city.

[Arnyn]

Common room, December 20th
Private with @Rillewen

Meluiel shook her head at Renia's apology. As if to say it was alright. Even though she had not enjoyed revisiting Urion's death this way, being unofficially forced to stay here by the Hand meant she wasn't really able to put it from her mind anyway. She shrugged at Renia's question about the instruments. Whyever would she know? It seemed uninspired, sure. But who was she to complain about the naming of instruments?

"I am glad for you," Meluiel said a bit more quietly. And she was. She would not wish grief on anyone, despite the way she had been raised or the contracts she had completed. The important thing was not to let the Hand or his agents in on the fact she still had a heart. It had been buried much deeper, before Urion had slung a cord around it and pulled it up the well, so to speak, through his attentions, his kindness and his overall manner with her. To be honest, it did not facilitate things. At all.

A slow nod was most of the reply Renia got when the blonde apologized again. "I'm sorry, but no," she responded in reply to the question about treehouses. Trying to think of something that might at least help Renia along the tiniest bit, she frowned slightly. She didn't like the feeling of not being able to give the woman across from her at least a lead to follow. Wasn't there something she could offer that might be useful?
"Did you know there was an event tomorrow? The Midwinter Masquerade? It should have a whole collection of musicians. If your friend is good and has been playing in the city, he might even be hired to play. And even if not, I should say any musician would have trouble staying away for the whole evening, given the musical repertoire."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Renia
Dec 20 - in the common room

Just as she suspected, the woman did not know anything about treehouses. Ah well, she hadn't expected this to be easy. She offered a little smile and shrug. "Couldn't hurt to have asked, right?" She sighed softly, standing. "Thanks, anyway."

But as Meluiel spoke up again, Renia paused to hear her question. Ah.. the dance. She smiled faintly and nodded in reply. "Yeah, I do know about that," She answered, though she still appreciated the information being offered. "That's.. sort of my backup plan," She admitted with a little smile. "I'd really much rather find him before then, but.. if nothing else, I hope to find him there. I feel like that's the sort of thing he wouldn't pass up.. but thanks for telling me, in case I didn't know." She thought that was quite nice of her, and smiled a bit more cheerily at the woman. "Even though it wasn't under the best circumstances, it was nice to meet you and talk with you, Meluiel. I wish you the best." She told her sincerely. Waving to her in farewell, Renia set off for the door. She'd taken up enough of Meluiel's time, as well as her own. And while Meluiel may not have anything pressing to do, Renia certainly did.

As she stepped out into the cool evening air, Renia let out a little sigh, thinking about her plan. It clearly was not working very well, and she worried that the more she began asking around, the more likely she was to draw attention to her search.. and that might not be a good thing. Frowning a little, she decided that maybe she'd be better off if she didn't ask around at too many tavern type places.. besides, she might end up in a similar sort of conversation repeatedly, as folks told her about the unfortunate murdered musician. Shaking her head slightly to herself, Renia decided her best option was to simply plan on going to the dance and hope that she could find him there, which meant she'd need to finish decorating her dress and mask. With that thought in mind, she set off to get started on that, so she'd have them both ready in time for the dance.

[Isolde Alarion]

Mourgan- Common Room area

early December

His expression turned curious when Trev seemed he was surprised she hadn't told him. Told him what? The question nearly came out of his mouth as he watched him seem to hesitate in answering him. He listened to him explain, slowly nodding his head in answer when asked if he knew she had a twin brother and that he had died. He let Trev continue. Finding out the dance was on his birthday he let a deep breath and to hear her birthday was the next day caused it to turn into a sigh.

"That has to be hard on her." He couldn't even imagine what she must be going through on those days. His thoughts turned back to the dance as Trev continued. "Maybe I can help keep her mind off things at the dance.? Suppose I should find something to wear too." He briefly looked at what he was wearing. "Don't think they'll let me through the doors in these." He offered a small grin.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Trevadir - common room area
Early December

Trev took a slightly exaggerated look at Mourgan's clothes, pretending to consider it for a moment before shaking his head. "Nah, probably need something nicer." He grinned a little teasingly. "And a mask. I hear they won't let you in without one. But anyway.. so." He cleared his throat and shrugged. "I hope that helps you a bit. And, I hope things work out." Looking down at his glass, he debated for a moment before mentioning, "I've never really seen Cali interested in any guys before, so it was.. really strange when I saw you ask her to dance, back at the Midsummer thing. I was even more surprised when she accepted." He smiled slightly. "At the time I had no idea who you were, and to be honest, I was.. ready to jump to her defense if necessary. But, now... well, you seem alright." He said with a little grin.

Going back to the topic of the dance, and Mourgan mentioning that maybe he could keep Cali's mind off of the things that be bothering her, Trev sipped his lemonade quietly while thinking how to respond to that. "Keeping her mind off the sad stuff is good. Definitely good." He added. He wasn't sure what to expect from Cali, when that day came around, but he wanted to do what he could to make sure she wasn't upset or sad. "I just hope she won't back out at the last minute.." He frowned, thinking out loud. "No, I'll do whatever I can to make sure she doesn't." He nodded to himself.

He looked up at Mourgan. "Good luck, Mourgan. I hope you and Cali have a nice time at the dance. I wish I could expect to see my girl there, but..it's not likely." He sighed, feeling a little disappointment at that. "Well. Anyway..." He decided it wasn't really a topic to trouble Mourgan with, especially since he was worried about his own troubles. "I think I better get back to playing," He figured his break was just about over, surely, and finished off his lemonade. "Nice talking with you. I'll see you around, alright?" He smiled as he left his table to return to the front, readying his flute as he walked.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen – Because there be mention of your character.

Roselly Korsey, and also Diona Darthor
(Not) Cleaning one of the guest rooms. Upstairs.
22nd December – The morning after the Masquerade - PRIVATE

“Sakes, aren’t you done yet ?!”

If Diona was stood on watch, it was because she wasn’t supposed to be in the guest rooms, any more than her friend was supposed to be trying on the guests’ belongings. But if she stood by while Rose did this, then Rose would let her sleep here while she cleaned the rest of the room. A ‘cleaning in progress’ sign on the door was as good an alibi as any. And far kinder to the hopes of rest than going home when her father was also working nights. She ought not to have gone to work after the Masquerade but it was not like the First Circle ever really slept ..


“Perfection can not be rushed,” the cleaner herself protested, almost indignantly although she did not even pause in her admiration at the mirror. “I’m just seeing what it looks like on me. And if the person who owns these jewels really cared about them, she would be wearing them. And if she has too many to wear all at once .. well, nobody should have this many. How could they ever get about with their day if they had to stop and chose each morning, which one of these they should wear ?”

“That makes a lot of sense,” her friend put in, peeking through the gap made by the almost closed door.

“Its not like I’m stealing any of it,” Rose continued, tilting her head to view a pair of earrings from differing angles. “Here, help me with this clasp would you ?”


Abandoning her ‘post’ to assist her friend, Diona released the small clasp on the necklace that Rose was wearing, withdrawing it so that her friend could try on something else. All of the pieces that the guest here owned looked more expensive than the simple pendant which the cleaner had worn into the room.

“You’re wearing this ?” she realised, holding it up in one hand so that she could watch it spin on it’s chain.

“Nope,” her friend popped back, honestly with mischief about her brown eyes. “I’m wearing thiiiisssss” Rose tossed her hair, set her eyelashes to a fury and in every way she knew how … flirted with the enormous looking glass, courtesy of a balled golden orb that glittered on a gleaming but delicate stream of pearls. There was no chance that she would ever be able to afford jewellery such as this, nor would it last long without getting broken if she somehow could afford it, for her many sisters all wanting to try it on would surely break it. But there were many people in the city for seasonal parties and dinners and this was at least the third room today that she had found something so alluring.

Turning back to see her friend still pondering upon the plainer pendant, Roselly sighed. “You can have it if you want. I told my mother that it was given me at the masquerade. But now she’s fussing that I oughtn’t accept gifts from men I just met.” Pinching her cheeks, the young woman attempted a seductive pout, before “As if she was never so impetuous,” fell bitterly from her plumped lips.


“Well, you were given it by someone at the masquerade,” Diona chimed in, with amusement, holding the pendant up for scrutiny in front of her throat, without rightly setting it on properly. “I expect that little princess who handed it to you has been driven back off to her castle by the sea by now.”

“So keep it,” Rose blinked. “She didn’t want it. We have no idea who it really belonged to. And I haven’t seen any posters put up all around town, searching for it. Have you ?”

Her friend, leaping upon the bed where she laid out on her stomach, kicked her heels in the air behind her, .. and was forced to admit that she had not. “Maybe the person who lost it has gone home to their castle as well ?” she sighed.

“Well my sister’s a Guard, and so is your father. If you really want to make it into some great quest and find out who really ..”


“I know who it belongs to,” Diona did not look happy to be in the possession of this knowledge. “I mean, I don’t know her name. But it was .. I saw the girl in pink wearing it. The one with the face of flowers.”

“But we don’t know her name, or anything,” Rose reminded her. “You’re sure it was her ? I can’t say as I even noticed ..”

“I noticed ..” she was assured. And shrugged in response. “And we know who she was dancing with. Maybe she told him who she was.”


Slapping her latest ‘try-on’ back down on the table, Roselly rolled her eyes. “The whole point of the thing was not to know who anybody was,” she explained. In case this needed explaining. “You should wear it. You’re bound to see him sooner or later and then if he knows, he can tell you.”

“Sooner might be better,” Diona set the necklace in place around her throat, and trailed the strange stone along it’s thread. “In case the owner leaves town first otherwise. I’ll write him today. I mean, if my father finds this at home, he’ll start asking which man gave it me then and some poor fool will end up arrested !”

“I still can’t believe he actually found someone who matched the made-up description you gave him last time !” Rose laughed, as she put the guest’s selection of jewellery back into the drawer where she had found it. “Right. I’ll hang the sign. Time to move next door. Boss wants this whole corridor done by noon. If anyone comes in, .. what do we say ?” She raised an eyebrow expectantly.

Rising to her feet, Diona suddenly came over all confused and raised one hand feebly toward her forehead. “Oh, I must have .. dear me ! I must have swooned ..I don’t seem to be able to stand … help … me ?” As she reached out in a forlorn manner toward her hysterical friend, the entertainer seemed to actually fall, but instead whipped her head up and crossed her legs where she stood, expecting for applause.

“Very good,” Rose commended her efforts. “They will take you for me with that apron on. Here ..” Throwing a dust cloth, she giggled as it covered her friend’s face. Just before that friend embarked on a second rendition of her ‘swoon’, just in case practice was required.

At any rate if anyone should come in here and find her now, they’d see the cleaner had not got around to straightening up the bed ..

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Meetings and Matchmakings



Sorrela Korsey with Unalmis Raxelilta,
Of an evening. In December.

The young man’s fingers drummed along the edge of the table, even while he gazed in quite another direction. The young woman who was sat directly across from him, brought her hand down smoothly like a smothering landslide to close over his fidgeting, rallying two startled brown eyes to turn and behold her.

“You haven’t even looked to read the menu yet,” Sorrel observed, pointedly handing over the reading material with her free hand towards his.

“Well no,” Unalmis drew his other out from under her hold and solemnly accepted the menu. “But that’s not exactly what we came here for, is it ?” he felt obliged to remind his accomplice. He couldn’t remember the last time he had gone out to eat. It felt so .. strange. But of course sitting here with Sorrel of all people was no less unusual. Edgor had already given the unusual pairing a knowing look. Their respective fathers drank here together every Friday afternoon. But the younger generation ? Not so much.


“It might soon be the reason I leave ..” the Guard recruit warned the young Ranger. “If you get us thrown out .. I mean, if you don’t want anyone to notice us .. Don’t they teach you about camouflage and undercover ?” her tone was incredulous, switching from suggestion to disbelief.

“What are you worried about, anyway; that somebody will see us together ?” He raised both eyebrows and threatened to laugh aloud, until she tapped the table herself suddenly.

“Shhh .. I think they’re coming ..”

---

Dessy ‘Hart’ with Malus Aldis
That same evening in December.

A second young couple entered the inn then, both of them at the same time, and glanced first about the unfamiliar surroundings and then toward one another. The location seemed to meet their approval at any rate, and they sat down at a table deliberately far on the other side of the inn from the odd couple who they were under strict instruction not to sit with. That would make it all entirely too obvious. Though as the cheerful undertaker noted his wife’s cousin, he waved all the same. Until he was pulled into a closeted conversation of their own.

Edgor, again, glanced from the one table to the other, and then took the menu his wife handed him and delivered it to their latest patrons. The evening was still early, and the entertainment had not even arrived yet.


With a polite smile, Dessy accepted the offering and put her index finger to her lip in a deliberate show of selecting something to eat. Malus sat on his hands before he surrendered to the temptation of waving at their friend again.

“Remind me, why it is we don’t just go over and sit with them ?” he muttered under his breath.

“Because it’s a date,” he was duly informed. “It's a nice thing to do. Besides, I'm told the music is supposed to be very good here.”

As a frown of confusion struck the young man and he struggled to work out if they were supposedly here on an official date night, or her cousin was, the menu was passed across the table to hide his bewilderment behind.


“The food is good too,” Unalmis put in, before he could remember that he ought not. But as he dodged a hiss of displeasure from his own ‘date’, he rolled his eyes and sighed. “Don’t ‘Shhh’ at me. They’re not even here yet ! It’s only ..”

“I can see who it is,” Sorrel sighed. “How many people exactly did you tell to come tonight ?”

"I .. could not possibly say .." he confessed. And his alibi groaned, wondering why she had ever agreed to this. Until finally ... she saw them.

---

Iole Ishen arriving with Gildolen Lhacrist
As above. The self same evening in December.

The Inn where she had been so many times before .. was tonight so terrifying to venture within, that she might be in another country. Until a slow glance about the place awarded the shop assistant a keen view of who else was in attendance. Then she was far less anxious and more confused. Thankfully it was yet cold enough outside for the slight blush about her cheeks to be blamed on the weather.

“May I take your coat ?” her company asked, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, since he had not met any of her friends or extended family before now. In fact he had never been inside of an inn before. His invitation had initially been extended with bold thoughts of them dining at a restaurant called the Tharamereth, on the Fourth Circle. But his companion this evening had suggested they come here instead. And he had been so happy that she had agreed to come with him at all, that he would have agreed to take her anywhere. But the courtesies of an inn were lost on the young gentleman, so far from home. And while he did not blush, it was impossible for anyone with eyes to ignore the shades of bruising which still lingered about the Belfalasian's (rather less swollen by now) left eye.


“Thankyou,” Iole spoke quietly, in a world of not knowing what to expect from .. any of this. Was it a coincidence that so many people she knew were here, now ? Or was that not why she had elected to choose this location in the first place ?

Unsure where the cloakroom was here, or whether there even was a cloakroom, Gil cloaked the back of his lady"s chair with her coat. That small gesture of etiquette then accomplished, the third young pair to turn up of this evening took their seats properly at a third table, though no effort was made to broach contact with the other patrons. Edgor leant his head in to mutter something to his wife this time, at the bar, which saw the woman smile. Somehow she kept that agreeable expression as she brought over a menu, taking her due turn.


And then the room was a silence of six individuals .. all trying to look like they were deciding what to eat. As though that was the reason any of them had come here this evening. Besides the food here being reputedly very good. And the music, that too. That in particular was said to be excellent here.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Trevadir & Renia
On a particular evening in late December

Walking into the inn, Trev was smiling as he looked at the blond-haired young woman at his side, arm linked with his as she laughed softly about something he'd been saying. At his side, his flute hung from the leather holster which Cali had fashioned for him, and he carried another instrument in a case.

"So... you play here?" Renia asked, mildly surprised as she glanced around. Remembering, all too clearly, the conversation she'd had with Meluiel just before the masquerade.

"Sometimes, yeah." He answered, then gave a tiny nod as he caught sight of Nal, seated at a table with a young woman.. the guard lady, whom Iole had befriended. And, not far away, Iole herself was sitting at another table, with a young man. Trev eyed him briefly.

"You weren't kidding when you said 'everyone' comes here," Renia observed. "Isn't that your friend.."
"Yep," Trev turning to Renia with a smile. "I wouldn't be surprised if we end up seeing more of my friends, before the night's done." He added. "Come on, we'd best go talk to Edgor," He told her quietly, escorting her toward the front where the bartender and his wife were ready to serve customers, so he could have a brief word with them before getting to 'work'.

---

@Arnyn @Ercassie

Eryn
Same evening... purely by chance.

Stepping into the common room of the guesthouse, Eryn glanced around a little nervously, while she absently twirled a small, pink flower. She had to wonder if she was being crazy for even agreeing to meet this guy.. a total stranger she'd only met at the dance. But he had been nice, so why not? And, to her surprise as her gaze swept about the inn, Eryn discovered that there were plenty of familiar faces around, in case anything undesirable were to happen. She had not expected that.

Turning away from where Nal was sitting with some other girl, Eryn struggled for a moment, inwardly. Telling herself that she oughtn't feel jealous that he was with someone else. After all.. she was here to meet with someone else, too. She held back a little sigh, then tucked the flower behind her ear and went onto tiptoe to look for Lucion. It seemed that he had not arrived yet, however. So, she went across to the room to find an empty table, because she really didn't want to risk Nal overhearing any of their conversation. In fact, she found her face feeling a bit warm as she thought about that, and hoped that he would not discover that she was the girl he had danced with at the ball.. and had ditched in favor of another girl...

No. No thinking about that. She pushed that thought firmly away into a back corner of her mind and tried to lock the figurative door, because she did not want to be upset by that yet again. She wanted to have a nice time with Lucion, get to know him a bit more, and if all went well this evening, then maybe they'd end up spending more time together in the near future.

---

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

The Guesthouse Inn was nothing like the place the Masquerade had been held in, but Xyler was a little excited about this. Since Nal had approached him with this plan of his, he had been a mixture of nervous and excited and unsure, but he had spoken to Hadassa, asking if she would want to do it. He was worried she might be reluctant, so he was quite glad when she'd agreed to join him for an evening meal here at the Guesthouse. Whether it was a date, or a pretend date, he was not entirely sure... he figured he ought to leave that up to her. As for himself, he was hoping for the former, but if she preferred the latter, he would try to accept that.

After stepping inside, he scanned the room, but the first familiar face he saw was that of their Gondorian friend. Xyler smiled and waved to Nal, then let his gaze roam the rest of the room. Next, he found Eryn sitting alone at a table across the room, looking around a bit forlornly, but something about her suggested to him that she was waiting on someone. Interesting. He decided not to bother her, although he did try to catch her eye and wave. Hadassa, however, did not seem to be here yet, so Xyler took another glance around before he went to find an empty table to wait for her.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

Hadassa
December something...

She had thoroughly enjoyed the masquerade and thought that now the daily routine would come, though it was still very different here in the White City. But it turned out that more excitement was about to follow sooner rather than later. Xyler had asked her to join him for supper, though at the root of it the whole thing seemed to be some conspiracy cooked up by their friend Unalmis. Yet, she took to preparing as best she could.

When she finally left the room she had been renting from the Guesthouse to come down to the common area, Hadassa was wearing a flowing green dress with sleeves reaching down slightly below elbow, though it was no much to her masquerade attire in fanciness. It did, however, make her look more like a civilised young woman rather than one running wild along with horses, and she had adorned it with a golden-coloured belt in combination with a simple bracelet that still matched it in colour. Her dark hair was gathered up in a single braid and rested on her back.

She stopped midway on her way down the stairs to look around the room, searching for familiar faces until she located Xyler. Then she made it straight for the table he had chosen, and greeted him merrily when she had reached him. "Hi!" she said flashing a hearty smile. "I hope you have not been waiting long?"

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Xyler
Late December

Xyler had hardly had time to get situated in his chair, when Hadassa came hurrying over to join him. He quickly hopped up from his chair, as his grandmother had taught him that a young man ought to stand when a lady came over. "Not at all!" He replied, quite pleased to see her.

He smiled, admiring how very pretty she looked in this dress, though it wasn't so fancy and expensive as the one from the other night, he still found it impressive how nice she looked when she dressed up. He was starting to think this trip to Gondor had been a very good idea!

Coming around to the other side of the table, he smiled at her as he pulled out a chair for her to sit in. "You look very nice," He told her quite sincerely. "Did you have a nice day, today?" He wondered what she might have been doing today, while he was off learning at the houses of healing.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

Hadassa
December something...

When Xyler stood to greet her, Hadassa wondered for a moment or two if he was about to suggest going elsewhere, but then she realised that it was a part and parcel of his polite attentions. Secretly, she was glad that she had been too slow to act on the thought of simply plopping down in one of the chairs for perhaps that would not have been very becoming of her. Yet, she was not used to being treated so nicely, and a gentle blush crept up her cheeks when he added a compliment to the whole setup.

"Thank you," Hadassa responded as she gathered the skirt of her dress slightly to sit down in the offered chair. "The day has been quite all right, I've been doing a few random things around the city."

She looked up at Xyler with a smile as she returned the question, "And you? Going on about your healer business?"

[Arnyn]

Lucion
The same evening in December

He had to admit... he was nervous. Not about the pink handkerchief peeking out of his breast pocket, as he and the Wildflower had agreed he would, so he would be easily recognizable for her. No, he didn't really care about what people might think about that. He was nervous about actually seeing her again. That lovely young lady, with the mesmerizing black hair, those sweet eyes. So beautiful and so utterly unaware of it. And so mindful of everything she said and did.

He'd dressed nicely for the occasion, wanting to make a good impressionon her, but given the location he hadn't exaggerated. He'd spent most of his time cleaning the ink from his hands, after work. He didn't want her to think he didn't clean his hands properly, no matter how hard it was to remove all the ink. Somehow that seemed like something she might believe was important. His light brown eyes quickly scanned the guesthouse's common room once he had entered, looking for the flower they had agreed she'd be wearing. When he saw no young lady with dark hair sitting by herself, first he assumed she had yet to arrive. But then he caught the only young lady sitting by herself. With the flower he was looking for, tucked behind an ear.

Her hair was a shade of red, though. And however lovely its colour was, it took him by surprise. He wouldn't have figured that ladies might change their haircolour for an event like the masquerade, besides wearing a mask. He had to admit, he'd been thinking about those dark tresses of hair more than he cared to admit... It was that flower, right? Yes, there was no denying it. Wrapping his head around the surprise, his eyes fell to his hand, holding a small bouquet of pink wildflowers that bloomed in winter. He smiled softly. Well. What did haircolour matter, anyway?

He still wore the smile as he approached the table. He halted in front of it, giving the redhead a small bow. "Miss Wildflower?" he asked quietly, nodding at the flower behind her ear, and pulling the pink handkerchief from his breast pocket, to wrap it around the stems of the bouquet in his hand, his fingers deftly tying it together.
"For you..." he offered, stepping closer and holding the flowers out to her.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Trevadir & Renia
On a particular evening in late December

After speaking for a moment with Edgor, he gave a little nod and looked around at the rather crowded room. He saw several familiar faces, and somehow couldn't help wondering if a certain ranger was the cause for it. But whatever. He smiled at Renia and drew in a slow breath.

"Nervous?" She whispered, noticing the hint of hesitancy in his eyes.

"Just a bit," He shrugged slightly but smiled, keeping his voice down. "Don't worry. I've played for much tougher crowds," He grinned, but he wasn't joking in the slightest. As Renia took a seat on one of the barstools, Trev readied his flute. He'd left the dagger somewhere safe, tonight, as he had no intention of needing it. After taking a small sip of the lemonade Edgor set on the counter for him, Trev started playing a wordless melody. The tune was soft and slow, and had a pretty, flowing sort of feel to it. Given the number of couples around the place, he suspected that might be more appreciated, especially as the first song he played for the evening.

Renia remained quiet and listened as he played, her attention all on him, smiling softly as she enjoyed the melody, though she occasionally glanced around to see if the diners were enjoying it, too.

---

@Arnyn @Ercassie

Eryn
Same evening... purely by chance.

Eryn had her hands clasped in her lap, trying not to feel nervous. When Lucion had asked about meeting her, she'd tried to give him at least some warning that she might not appear the same, but she'd tried to be vague about it. She had assured him that she didn't think he would recognize her, unless she wore the flower in her hair. So, she checked a couple of times while she waited, making sure that it hadn't fallen out. Would he be able to see it easily enough?

Lucion had not been hiding his identity, at the masquerade, so it was not tremendously difficult for Eryn to recognize him, even if he hadn't had the pink handkerchief. When he entered, she smiled faintly, watching to see how long it would take for him to locate her. At last, he approached her table, as some flute music started playing. To her surprise, he had brought a bunch of flowers for her! Eryn blinked in surprise as a little smile spread across her face. "Yes, it's me, Lucion." She accepted the bouquet, looking down at them, then up at him. "Thank you, that was really sweet of you." She smiled, though for the moment, she was a bit unsure what to do with them.

Without her gloves from the masquerade, if he were to take notice of her hands, he might observe that her nails were trimmed short, and she had telltale archery callouses on the fingers of one hand. Her hands told of a person who had done her share of chores; that she was certainly not some fine lady in a palace who never had to do any sort of work. It suddenly occurred to her that he only knew her masquerade name, and hastened to correct that. "Although, now that the masquerade is over," She smiled slightly, "you can call me Eryn."

---

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

Smiling slightly, Xyler helped her with scooting the chair in a bit closer to the table, then went around back to his own chair. "Glad to hear that it's been good." He answered, a bit curious about the 'random things' but decided not to ask. "Yeah, a bit of 'healer business', then did a little exploring. Stopped in to see how Dusty's doing, that sort of stuff." He spotted someone coming over with a couple of menus, and smiled as he thanked them.

"I haven't eaten at this place before," Xyler mentioned, curious as someone started playing some music on a flute. "Unalmis says the music is supposed to be great, here, though." He glanced around and spotted their friend, grinning toward him. He took a look at the menu briefly before looking back up at Hadassa. "Did I tell you that you look nice?" He asked, suddenly uncertain if he'd spoken that out loud or not.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen sitting with Gildolen Lhacrist
Some evening in December.

Despite having unwrapped her winter coat, Iole was glad to note the warmth from the large fire already beginning to heat the room. Her dress was fit for the seasonal climes of course, without falling about her too heavily, and she was satisfied with how the sapphire hue enhanced the blue of her eyes. So that any proper jewellery would appear almost superfluous in decoration. She did not wish to be robbed after all. Not that there was any danger of that, with so many good friends in attendance. But she had worn sensible boots for the occasion, as a halfhearted promise to Cali that she should be able to kick and/or run if the need should arise. As though the poor man who had asked her here had not already suffered enough. She could not meet his handsome brown eyes without confronting the remnants of bruising that orbited one of them.

That was her fault. Paranoid, traumatised, afraid … He had done nothing wrong and this .. was what he got ? He deserved better.


Aware that Trevadir had just walked Renia in however, and Eryn had shown up also not long after .. this was all beginning to feel like a secret-planned party, where nobody quite wanted to be the first to shout “Surprise !” There was no doubt in her mind that this was no sort of coincidence, although her prime suspect for conspiring such a scenario was too busy whispering with Sorrel to face her attention. The mischief was undeniable, as were the good intentions. And whatever may come of it, the young woman ducked her eyes in a silent smile and had to admit. She never had felt so safeguarded. And that made the young woman feel as though .. maybe she was not so crazy. She wasn’t the only one who had thought .. maybe .. that he might be .. like the last time ? She had not known the most favourable experience with men. Besides her brothers. But they were both at hand. It was going to be difficult but it was going to be alright. She’d just explain. She just .. had no idea quite how to do that.



He had never done this sort of thing before. Not recreation-ed in a public house, nor spent time alone with any woman who was not his employer or fellow staff. Ever since he had migrated to Minas Tirith, he’d known his life would be different. He had not expected this. He had not been looking for .. her.

Gildolen had spent a good deal of time looking AT her of course. And his hand resisted the temptation to rise and cover his eye. His shame. He had frightened her, and shocked himself with such ungentlemanly behaviour. The notes he had sent her. The eyes which had trailed her every step. He had been under the impression that such acts ought to have made the young lady aware of his interest, flattered her that she had garnered attention perhaps. But no. She’d fled. And her friend had jumped out and punched him in the face, bent him over a low wall and threatened to arrest him for stalking and harassment. Women were clearly very different here.


Gil had worn the only clothes he had which did not assign him to House Azrubel. Technically they were leftovers from when he’d worked for Lord Heledir Estennin. And seeing as his guest had elected to dress in a fetching shade of blue .. his usual uniform would have seemed more fitting perhaps. He would have matched her. But no, in trying to prove he was here of his own accord, rather than at the say of his employers .. he had erred. The black and yellow gave off a striking contrast of course, that had always worked well with his own dark eyes, dark hair .. but as much as he ought to have felt more at home in the garb he’d worn for far more of his life .. all that he could think was that he resembled a shadow, skulking opposite some shining gem. The woman with the eyes like a clear morning sky ..

The other woman, standing at hand was evidently waiting .. after having handed both of them a menu. A menu .. He had never given even a food order in his life ! He was far more used to being the one stood there, waiting to be told what was required. But this .. he would have to figure it out on his own. And he had an expectant audience, it seemed.


The menu was a new idea, that Edgor had put into place due to so many visitors about the city at the moment. His regulars had no need for such a thing of course, for the Guesthouse’s kitchen was a creature of habit which knew what it did well, and did not see a need to deviate. Tired though of waiting about while out-of-towners debated over their choices had convinced the custodian to try this new approach. When things got busy he had no time for hanging around at each table separately. His wife did not mind the opportunity to take a closer glance in to what was occurring at each table. But this one .. the young things seemed to have no idea what to do.

“I’ll come back in a little while, when you’ve had some time to decide,” she concluded. And left them to it. Somehow, both the lady and the gentleman looked almost alarmed that she was abandoning them.

[Arnyn]

Lucion
The same evening in December

He was glad to see her smile. That meant she liked the gesture. Smiling in return, happy that she accepted the flowers and thought it was sweet, instead of turning up her nose at them. There was plenty of room on the table for her to put them. "They will not last very long," he admitted as he claimed the seat opposite from her. "But the florist said they should be fine for a few days, if you put them in some water at home," he offered up the knowledge the lady had imparted on him at the store.

"Eryn," he repeated, smiling at her. "Well... it's nice to meet you... again." Her hair really was lovely. The colour might be even prettier than the simple black. And it was still so beautifully long. Her dress was nice, too, and he felt it was encouraging that Eryn had chosen to wear something that wasn't quite like everyday clothing. Just like he'd done.

When the music started, he looked toward the musician appreciatively. "Do you come here often?" he asked his date, although he looked like he could chide himself for the question, immediately once he had spoken it. "Well," he laughed quietly, "so much for an original opening question," he jested at his own words. "I suppose I am... a bit nervous," he admitted. "I only meant - have you been here enough to hear him play?" He had, although he wasn't sure what the young man's name was.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen

Hadassa
December something...

"Exploring! That sounds good after work, or learning, or both," Hadassa responded, glad that Xyler could have time for himself too after all. "And what did Dusty say about the accommodation? And about me sneaking in some treats for him and for Sugar?"

She then looked at the menu before her, and back up at Xyler when he repeated that she looked nice. "You did indeed say that, but I suppose all us womenfolk like to hear it many times over," she gently laughed away the blush that crept up her cheeks again.

"Oh, and I have made a habit of eating most of my breakfast here at least," she turned back to the matter of food. "Also trying to strike a deal that I could do some chores around here in return for room and board so I could perhaps save more money for other things."

[Ercassie]

Sorrela Korsey with Unalmis Raxelilta,
Of an evening. In December.

Unalmis gave back an acknowledging grin to Trev’s nod, when the musicians arrived. Tonight after all was not simply about ensuring that Iole was not left uncomfortably alone with a strange man. There was the matter of showing support for his best friend’s burgeoning career, and recently revealed relationship as well. The Ranger had been introduced to Renia, albeit rather briefly, at Cali’s birthday dinner. When sadly circumstances had insisted that he leave the festivities rather earlier than he might have done if it could have been helped. The pair at the bar looked more comfortable and familiar tonight, poised to perform for the room. And whatsoever Nal did not yet know about this mysterious sailor girl, he did already know that she had been maybe the single positive experience which the flutist had known in the last however many years at sea. That was a good place to start from, if there were any at all.

Xyler was the next to arrive, followed shortly in from the cold by a pretty girl in a green dress. And no sooner had Nal decided to invite him over to join them, until Hadassa arrived, he saw his young Rohir friend rush to rise and pull out a chair. For the girl in green: Hadassa herself ! The Rider looked much different tonight than he had ever seen her. Maybe having a dress from the Masquerade from which she wanted to get her money’s worth, or perhaps life in such a big city was affecting her more towards fashion.


“I’m beginning to think we’re under dressed,” Sorrel remarked, smoothing down her plain brown skirt rather self-consciously. Given how she was seated, it was hard to tell whether she was wearing trousers or simply the least flouncy sort of garment any young woman could obtain. Her tan shirt was equally plain but neat and formal enough, beneath a soft leather bodice which matched the shade of her skirt yet somehow failed to give rise to any flattering silhouette on the tall woman.

“For sitting ? Or for supping ?” was the distracted and half-amused response that she received. Which was not surprising, since it did not look as though the young Ranger had put much thought into his own costume for the evening either. His blue-grey shirt was clean, or rather any marks that betrayed recent mending were concealed beneath a darker wool cloak. This latter was clearly too large for him, and might even have been mistook for a very small horse blanket if he had not been wearing it, to prove it’s function. It had nonetheless shrouded him from the snow and the shivers for long enough to walk down all six circles. The devastated hems of his dark trousers were camouflaged into the matching dark boots which were the smartest piece of wear he could boast, part of his uniform. But none of this seemed to bother the young man in the slightest. In fact, having recalled that there was a something which he required to ask .. maybe both of the Rohirrim couple, Unalmis was only paused from rising, by a strong willed shake of Sorrel’s head.


“You can not greet and make notice of everyone else here except for Iole. She’s not stupid,” the Guard Recruit put in, quietly but pointedly. And so as a few others had by this time begun to also slowly find the warmth of the public house as well, Nal did not even turn to look in their direction.

“I’m pretty sure she’d be grateful for my distraction actually,” Nal disagreed. Just as Malus had also noticed the Rohirrim sitting close by, and leaned out from his own seat, trying to whisper something unintelligible across the room to his kinsman.

“Oh for goodness sake,” Sorrel muttered as she leant back in her seat. A glance back toward Iole and this Gildolen fellow caused her to tilt her head slightly though in consideration. “They’re not even saying anything to one another ..” she frowned, unsure whether this ought be a cause for concern. Had she ruined their budding relationship before it had a chance to bloom ? Did she ought to ? The first strains of a musical backdrop drew her from these concerns, and her companion from his distractions, as Trevadir injected a calming ambience to warm the cosy common room.


The custodian’s wife caught them both by surprise, as she returned to those patrons who’d had the longest time to consider the menu. To her delight, she was informed that they would both like the pottage stew, each with a roll of bread please. And before she could wager a guess that the children of two very regular customers would also like an ale apiece, the younger generation surprised her by ordering coffee. It would cool while they ate, and not dominate their tastebuds until after they had finished up their meal.

---

Dessy 'Hart' with Malus Aldis

“What was that about ?” Dessy had tired of pretending that she was unaffected by her husband paying more mind to folks who weren’t even sitting with them.

“Oh, I just know Nal had something he’s meant to find out the next time he saw his friends from Rohan. I think that’s them over there,” Malus explained. “Have you chosen what you want to eat ?”


His wife tugged the menu down so that it no longer stood up in her husband’s hands, no longer dividing them. “You choose,” she decided. “I know that whatever you select I will enjoy.”

“As you say then,” the young man did not argue. Nor take much time in flagging down the inn keeper’s wife and insisting that they would have ‘whatever they’re having’, as he indicated Unalmis and Sorrela. “With your most potent red wine,” he called out as an after thought, just to be sure. “Living dangerously,” he grinned, and tugged on his short beard as though he were a far more feral young man than his dark, but refined long coat he had carelessly flung over the back of his chair might suggest. His wife met the challenge and smiled, meeting him in dare as her fingers gripped embroidered cuffs closely against a deeper dusk shaded kirtle.


“So there is .. ” she began, and was cut off by a triumphant

“I knew it !” which arose like a hiss of smoke out of her husband’s mouth.

“What do you know ?” she demanded, leaning across the table to meet him, intently.

“What you are about to ask me,” she was assured. In the most vague of all manners possible.

“Which is .. ?”


“That’s alright. You can say it,” Malus teased. Taking his arms across the table as well, to seize her hands in his and hold there. Eyes met, over a pair of reflecting smiles. Until finally the young woman surrendered.

“My father’s friends are in town,” she admitted. “And the lady is quite keen on herbs and things outdoors. Her nieces are friends of mine back from when I lived in Bree. And he has come up with the idea of us all undertaking .. an easy little mountain trek. Some sort of picnic thing with nice views and ..”

“You wish to go with them, and make up time with your friends ?” Malus realised, even as he sat teeth on his lower lip. With a small nod of her head, Dessy admitted that he had in fact guessed right, as soon as ever she had told him all about it. But would he be agreeable to the plan ? The musician's flute had drawn her husband's attention before he could offer his opinion, on anything but the music. "The music here is very good," the undertaker mumbled, remembering, as his wife turned in her chair to find the source of the soothing sound for herself.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Trevadir & Renia
On a particular evening in late December

After concluding the wordless melody, Trev quickly cleaned the moisture from inside his flute using a new handkerchief. There was a brief pause between music as he did so, but soon another started as he gave a nod to Renia, then started to play *another tune. This was one she would recognize, as they had sort of come up with it together during the time they'd spent stranded on an island for a while.

As she heard the first few notes, Renia smiled. He was playing one for her to sing along with. She knew it. And she felt a little nervous. Sure, she'd sang in front of the people at the masquerade, but she'd been wearing a mask then, and there had been a deliberate cause for her to do it, then. But she wasn't one to back down, so she took a deep breath in and waited for the right moment before she began to sing, softly at first.

"On this night the pale moon flies
Through the endless starry skies,"

As she sang, she kept her gaze on Trev, not even bothering to look around the room to find out if anyone else was even paying attention. Her nervousness melted away the more she sang, and her voice gained more volume as her confidence grew stronger.

"So hold me close,
Feel the rhythm of my heart
Echoing far
Take my hand
Lead me where two souls could soar
Oh-oh, so far away
And so near!"

Looking at Trev as she paused between verses, she could see that although he couldn't use his mouth to smile, due to his flute, his eyes were showing his happiness. And that was enough to make her enjoy this just as much as him. She was smiling a little, herself, as she launched into the next verse, and felt no more hesitance about singing in this crowded room.

"I have seen your eyes before,
In another life, I lived
In innocence,
I imagined you fly
Close to the stars
Here I am,
Waiting for the moon to rise
Oh-oh, so far away
And so near..."

Trev couldn't help but be aware of his friends seated around the common room, as well as a few people he iddn't know. But he'd done this often enough by now not to get stage fright or 'butterflies' in his stomach. His gaze remained fixed on Renia, happily listening to how well she sang along with his playing. Enjoying the way her voice went with the notes of his flute. He planned to do a few songs with his other instrument so that he could also sing, but first... well, to be honest, he had wanted to show off how lovely she could sing. To his friends, to the patrons of the Guesthouse, and to everyone who might happen to hear.

She held off from singing for a few measures, so that the flute was the focal point of the ears. Strange, now that Macardil had been teaching him to read sheet music, he thought about the music differently.

After letting Trev's flute carry the tune for a little bit, Renia resumed singing the last verse as she heard certain notes that were a signal to her to do so.

"I have found eternity
In the way you look at me!
On feathеred wings
Chase my spirit far and wide,
Agеless and free!
Take me there!
Always towards that place of peace,
Oh-oh, so far away and so near!"

*song borrowed from Erutan

---

@Arnyn @Ercassie

Eryn with Lucion

Taking a second look at the flowers, Eryn was somewhat surprised to realize he had bought them, and had not simply gathered them from wherever he could find some flowers growing. While she knew that people did that.. especially city folk, it was a bit of a strange concept to her, to buy flowers. Still, the fact that he had spent money to get her pretty flowers made her smile. The fact that they matched her dress rather well was also a nice coincidence. "Thank you." She carefully laid the bouquet down to the side of the table, so they wouldn't be in the way, and turned to smile at Lucion. "My aunt has plenty of vases, I'm sure I can find one to put them in, once I get home." She assured him. She was a little bit curious whether he had already noticed that she was no longer using her fake Rohirric accent, or if it had not quite clicked yet for him.

"I agree," She grinned. "It is nice to meet you.. again." She smiled. Although he had given his name and had talked to her quite openly at the masquerade, about himself and everything, it was still not quite the same as meeting him here without the mask. And he was rather good-looking, too, she couldn't help but notice.

His question caught her off guard slightly, and she hesitated about replying. Long enough for him to amend the question slightly. She grinned and shook her head slightly. "It's fine. I.. I am too," She admitted. "But as for your questions, well.. sort of yes, and sort of no." She would definitely have to explain that, so she did. "I have come to this place often, but not to eat or anything. She wasn't really trying to hide who she was, anymore, so she explained. "My aunt and uncle own a dairy farm in the Pelennor, and I've lived with them for several years now. For a while, I used to deliver milk and cheese and all the other dairy things all over the city, and this is one of the places I delivered stuff to."

She looked toward the front, taking a look at the musician as he started on another song. "I've never seen him here, before, but I do know who he is." She commented, sitting back in her seat curiously. "Actually, he's a very close friend of one of my friends, but I've only met him casually once or twice." She paused. "He's really good, though." Then, as the blond lady next to him began singing, she realized something. "Oh!" She exclaimed softly, leaning closer to Lucion so not to disturb the singers. "They were the ones who sang that song..." She whispered excitedly. "At the masquerade, I mean.. were you there then?"

---

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

Oblivious of the interest awarded them from two different couples seated at tables near them, Xyler laughed softly in answer to the question about Dusty. "He said he's way too comfortable, and getting very spoiled on all this grain and apples and sugar and things. He's eager for a bit of exercise, as soon as I can get a chance to take him out to the fields for a while." He smiled a bit teasingly. "But I'm not too eager to go off into unknown lands, alone. What do you think? Could Sugar use some exercise, too?" He thought that might be a nice chance to spend more time with her.

Hearing that he had already said she looked nice, Xyler tried to keep from blushing at the realization that he'd repeated himself. Oops. But at least she didn't seem to mind the repetition of the compliment, so he relaxed a little and smiled. "Well.. it's true." He shrugged, taking a look at the menu, while enjoying the music in the background.

Then, he looked up at Hadassa again in curiosity to hear that she was trying to.. get a job here? "Oh, really? How is that going?" He asked, intrigued. A cavalry soldier, working in a tavern? He wasn't sure what to think of that. "Well, if you've been eating her regularly.. is there anything on here that you recommend?" He asked, motioning to the menu. "Or.." he paused, then leaned a little closer, hoping his question wouldn't offend her, but he felt it important to ask. "Can you read the Gondorian's language?" He asked softly, so that it wouldn't carry beyond their table, with sincere concern. Her accent was certainly stronger than his, and he got the idea she had spent far less time trying to learn any of the Gondorian's language, and therefore, he didn't know if learning their language in written form was one of the things she had ever bothered with before coming here. And if not, he thought it would be good to know now, rather than at a less opportune moment when it could come up and be embarrassing or awkward for her.

[Arnyn]

Lucion
The same evening in December

He was trying not to be too obvious about taking in this new appearance of Lady Wildflower... Eryn. But, apart from the difference in hair colour, he couldn't help but notice how her hands looks very much different from how he'd thought. Hands which... knew work. Unexpected... but not at all unwelcome. Lucion was a hard worker, himself. He could definitely appreciate that in a lady, too. It spoke of her character, didn't it?

When Eryn revealed she lived with her aunt and uncle, on a farm in the Pelennor, and how she used to deliver dairy products all over the city, he nodded with both surprise and intrigue. She had looked every bit the part of a young noblewoman at the dance, both in looks and manners - yet now it was revealed she was a farmer's niece, no stranger to the life of common folk. And however different she looked - and sounded, for that matter - she was still friendly and polite. And her eyes... her eyes were still the same. "I never would have guessed," he offered, "from how you appeared at the masquerade, that you lived on a farm." The admission came a bit hesitantly. "Not that it is a bad thing," he hastened to add, and wondered whether he should ask about her parents. If she'd lived with them for a few years now... what had happened to her mother and father?

His thoughts were interrupted by her realization about the musicians. Because the young man was not the only one involved in the evening's entertainment, apparently. The young blonde lady had begun to sing, and Eryn's excited whisper as she leaned in closer linked the two entertainers present here tonight to a couple who'd sang a song at the masquerade. "Oh!" Lucion reacted, surprised. "I think you're right... Yes, I was already there then. It was a lovely song. So..." he searched for the right word a moment. "Heartfelt. If you know what I mean?" He looked at the pair in quiet wonder. "Tonight is no different," he added, just loud enough for Eryn to hear. Those two... seemed very much in sync. Very much in tune with each other. It was like she was singing to the flutist. In fact, for some reason Lucion felt sure that she was.

After a while, Lucion's eyes veered away from the singer and the flutist. Back to Eryn. In that lovely pink dress. "Thank you, by the way... for agreeing to meet me, this evening. Does your... family... know about this?" He wondered if her uncle or aunt had agreed to her meeting someone barely more than a stranger, all by herself. She was old enough, but still young. She looked younger, today, than she had at the dance. He was clearly older... But by how much, he wondered? Three years? Four? Five?!

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Eryn with Lucion

Eryn gave a little smile. "Well.. good." She answered, before shyly divulging a little admission. "I was trying not to let anyone I know, know who I was." She gave a slight shrug. "There's just a few people I.. didn't want to recognize me." While Lucion's focus was on the musician/singer, her gaze drifted slightly past him and focused on another young man, seat at another table, for just a second. She wasn't sure who that was he was sitting with, but she tried not to feel bothered by it. Instead, she turned her focus toward the musicians as well.

"Yes, I know what you mean," She agreed with him, nodding. "From what little I know of him," She added, "apparently, he writes a lot of his own songs. So, I'd guess that he probably wrote this one." She mentioned thoughtfully, basing her guess on what she'd heard of the flutist from their mutual friends; Nal as well as Cali. She propped her head in her hand as her elbow rested on the table, listening to the song with a little smile.

Lucion's 'thank you' caught her a bit by surprise, and she returned her gaze to him as she sat straighter and folded her hands on the table in front of her. "Well, I could thank you for asking me to dance," She pointed out with a soft laugh. "But, you're welcome." She smiled, then considered the question of her family. "I told my father and my aunt that I would be having dinner with someone, so they wouldn't be waiting for me dinner." She explained. She may have said the word 'friend', and she may have also neglected to mention that it was a male friend, but that was unimportant. "Are you worried?" She asked with a little grin. "That my father will disapprove of me having dinner with you, or something?" She was teasing lightly. She really had no idea whether he would approve or not.. it wasn't really something that had ever come up before.

[Arnyn]

Lucion
The same evening in December

"I don't think anyone could have recognized you," Lucion told her. "With the different hair, the face paint... the accent." He regarded her curiously. "Not from Rohan, I take it?" Technically it was still possible,he supposed, even if her aunt and uncle had a farm on the Pelennor and if she'd been living there for a number of years. Better to ask than to make the wrong assumption...

He blinked when he looked back at her, and he saw she had her elbow on the table, head resting on her hand. Not exactly in line with restaurant etiquette... but she did look cute doing it. It distracted him from what she was saying about the musician writing songs of his own. Soon enough, her hands were folded in front of her on the table. Eryn spoke of her father then, and part of Lucion relaxed. Okay. No sad orphan story then. He was kind of relieved about that. That at least this young lady had been spared such a fate - one whihc many had suffered, after Gondor living next to the Shadow for so long.

"Dinner with someone?" he teased back. "And they did not want specifics? They must trust you a great deal." At her question of whether he was worried about her father, he shrugged. "Not worried. But it would be preferable if he approved, rather than disapproved. From what I know,fathers are usually much more protective of daughters than they are of sons."

A lady brought over the menu, and Lucion turned her attention to Eryn. "Ladies first," he said with a kind smile. Even though he already knew what he wanted.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Eryn with Lucion

A small grin came to her face as he mentioned that he doubted anyone could have recognized her. "Thank you. I... actually danced with someone I know quite well, and I don't think he ever knew it was me, so I do think you're right about that." As he asked about her being from Rohan, she shook her head. "No, I only borrowed the accent to throw off anyone who might know me," She explained. "But, I have been there before." She smiled slightly. "And two friends that I met there, are actually here in the city, now." She blinked as her gaze caught sight of them. "Here in this room tonight, in fact." She noticed, observing the two sitting together at a table. Dressed a bit nicer than usual. Interesting.

"Yes, someone... unless you don't consider yourself 'someone'?" She replied with a laugh, then shrugged. "Yes, my family trusts me." She answered. "There's no reason why they shouldn't." She decided not to mention that she knew how to defend herself if necessary. And, anyway, she also didn't think she had enough skills to boast of, yet. "Anyway, I also only just found out recently that a friend I had from a few years ago still lives here in the city.. when I thought she'd moved. So, I also told my father I would be going to see if I could find her, after I got done with work." She added. "I just... decided it might be easiest to skip all the questions, for now." She explained, not quite sure why she felt a bit self-conscious about telling her father that she was meeting a young man. Perhaps, it was because she had only just met him.

She didn't get a chance to respond to that any further, before the lady arrived with menus. Eryn smiled. "Thanks. How's things going, tonight? Looks like it's a little busy." She commented, a little curious about the menu, which had never been a thing before, that she knew of. Smiling at Lucion when he declared 'ladies first', she looked back at the innkeeper's wife. "Could I have a glass of water, please?" She asked, before taking a quick look at the menu. It only took her a few seconds to decide, once she saw an option for creamy potato soup in a bowl made of bread. She asked for that, and a cup of hot chocolate. She smiled at Lucion as she handed the menu back to the lady. "Your turn, now."