The Old Guesthouse

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen and Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th. Date night.

He glanced her way more than a few times while they were eating, partly to reassure himself that she was enjoying herself. And partly because this still felt very surreal. If he had not managed to almost scare Iole away with a thoughtless detail he was trying very hard since not to wonder about, Gil might have believed that he was sat somewhere, imagining this entire occasion. Their first dinner. Their first .. date. His first .. ever. Why had he been stupid enough to admit that last out loud !? At least she had not outright laughed at him. She must have dated plenty, a girl so attractive, a soul that gentle ..

“That was nice,” Iole announced, laying down her cutlery as is proper, once she saw that her company had come to the end of his eating as well. As though she had not been chasing the last crumbs about her plate, and fearing she must look like some gluttonous thing to be so set on sparing not a single crumb, for the last nearly ten minutes. Was it better manners to have left some small morsel and imply she had a delicacy about her appetite or would it be rude to not enjoy what he had taken the initiative to choose for them ?


“I’m glad that you have enjoyed it,” the valet fell to typical. And then panicked. “Not that it is necessarily over,” he added. “Unless you ..”

“We have no excuse now not to make with awkward small talk,” she acknowledged, with a small smile. It might have been teasing although the softness of the suggestion sounded more melancholy.

“It does seem to be the one thing that we have in common,” he conceded, straightening his own cutlery which was already positioned perfectly in place.

“Besides the poetry,” Iole saved him, with a timely reminder.

“There is that,” he agreed. And though he might have scribbled countless verses in his spare time upon any scrap of paper he might find .. suddenly there was not a single solitary rhyme he could conjure to his name. “And well, I still have yet to steal you into a dance.”

The suggestion, the return to what was clearly a want on his part raised a meek blush on the young woman’s cheek. “The next time, he gives us something lyric-less,” she countered, laying fate to find chance.

The Belfalasian sought to keep his calm and somehow managed a subtle gesture of accordance with his chin.



“Until then, maybe ..” he began. Just as she found words of her own ..

“Well, we …”

The pair each turned their gaze from one another in mutual embarrassment, and perhaps amusement at their equally poor timing. The gentleman then turned his right hand over to present the palm, and indicate the lady should speak first. Drawing back in her seat, self consciously, Iole shook her head and took white teeth to sit upon her lower lip.


“I was going to ask, in the meantime, after your employment,” Gil rallied the confidence to try a subject which might prove less provocative. “We both work for the same employer, but I could not say I really understand what that shop of her's is really all about.” There did not really ever seem to be that many customers, he held off from remarking. “Do you enjoy your work there ?” seemed a safer substitute. “Or is there some other profession you have always wanted to trial instead ?”

“I ..” Iole faltered even as she floundered with the flurry of attention. The last time a man had seemed this attentive and interested about her life .. well, he had been .. Blue eyes closed momentarily.

“That was a lot of asking all at once, wasn’t it ?” the young man realised, slightly belatedly to her begrudging nod.

[Ercassie]

Roselly and Sorrela Korsey,
with Diona Darthor and Unalmis Raxelilta
Same place, same umm … date

Neither the Guard or the Ranger bothered themselves over their quite unexpected, not to mention undesired, company. Not unless it was the commitment they practiced in ignoring the girls entirely. The act of exchanging a whispered progress report between them, without being overheard was taking up the entirety of Sorrel and Nal’s combined attention. In addition to each of them having eyes with as much subtlety as they could manage .. toward at least two other tables in the Inn. Their own table .. not so much at all. Their meals were eagerly and enthusiastically consumed by the two younger girls thus. To a resounding chorus of satisfied reviews, Until there was little left to keep the intrusion.

“Lovely” Rose concluded. “If I had known the food here was this good, I would have applied to be barstaff years ago. Maybe I should transfer ..” The maid looked for her friend’s response and followed Diona’s brown eyes toward their distraction. She then wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and cleared her throat. Nudging the entertainer beside her with a swift dig against the other girl’s arm. The look that was returned to her declared that they had come to the same conclusion. And with no more food or drink at hand to keep them occupied ..


“Are you two here on a date then ?” Rose did not waste time on discretion, waving a hand delicately between the pair opposite her.

“They wouldn’t,” Diona put in her opinion, with an almost aghast tone of disbelief. Even as she smiled, undeniably.

“I don’t know. I mean, the signs are all here. Dinner, music, ..”

“But isn’t he already … ?” the singer laid a lone index finger over her lips, as though deep in thought. But with no real mind at all of keeping her assumptions to herself.

“You’re right,” Roselly agreed, with an understanding shake of her head, as though the two communicated on some telepathic level which did not require finishing their sentences. “And from what I’ve read in her diary, she’s far more interested in ..”


“What are you even doing here ?” Sorrela broke out of her private conversation, to meet her sister’s demands. Or at the very least stall that younger sibling’s prattling. The two girls grinned in twinned amusement and no hint of any remorse or embarrassment.

“Keys, please,” Rose held out her hand, and wiggled the fingers for further encouragement. Sorrela rolled her eyes before she ever thought on complying.

“Did you get locked out ? Again ?” the Guard assumed. “I swear there must be lost keys to our house all about the city at the rate that you ..”

“Oh no, no no no,” the protestations were delivered with fast blinking expressions of innocence. Which were highly suspect. “I need your keys, to your place,” Rose explained. And her sister continued only to gape at her, as though she both understood and really did not, all at once.


“Is Sorrel helping you in your 'secret mission' ?” Diona tilted her head and supposed, of Unalmis; whispering the last part loud enough that everyone could still hear her. “I mean, between the two of you, double the resources and the experience and all of that ?”

“Why would I give you the keys to my place ?” Sorrela meanwhile drew all eyes from their small collective toward a promise of some relative drama. “The last time you were in my home, uninvited I might add, and having stolen my keys .. I am still finding all of the ..”

“A Guard really should be more responsible than to lose her keys,” Rose interjected, in a glance up from where she had been checking the state of her fingernails upon her extended hand.

“Did you just .. growl ?” Nal was struggling to keep a straight face but he stiffened away from too evident amusement when Sorrela then directed her frustration at him. “Erm no, actually. We’re just .. here as friends,” he turned back to reply to Diona as though they weren’t bearing witness to a sibling showdown at close quarters.

The singer shrugged and turned back to watch the musical entertainment. Lazily observing the blonde musician who she’d never seen before. Or .. “She was at the masquerade !” Diona suddenly realised, recognised Renia’s own singing talent. And glanced with a little more intrigue towards Trev. So he must have been the Hawk then .. she surmised, thoughtfully.


“I really don’t see what the problem is. I mean, You’re here. And all that free space is just sitting there, not being used. And everyone else is at home. It’s crazy crowded there ! We need some privacy !” Rose had begun to pucker up her lower lip, a feat which had handed her advantage before now. But not with her elder sister.

“A thousand times no,” Sorrel tried to make herself clear. “I have never known somebody who cleans, as their actual job, to make such a mess ! There’s no way. I work hard to afford that place. If you two want privacy, go to Dee’s .. ”

“It’s dad’s night off. He’s home tonight,” Diona put in, still surprised by the fact. Usually she and her father lived like ships that passed in the night. But these days, he’d been having days off, actual rota’d schedules which offered a diverse spread of shifts at different hours. Something was definitely going on with the City Guards. There was change happening there .. “And this is my only night off this week ..” she remembered to support her friend's plea.


“If you think I am going to let you mess up my private things, and .. read my diary ?!” Sorrel had reverted her wrath back to under her breath mutters, but the decline in volume did nothing to suggest she was any more agreeable now. “It’s not my problem Rose. You have a job, both of you. Why don’t you get your own space ?”

“Because then who would ever marry me ?” the maid wanted to know, genuinely. “Fine, we’ll just stay here then. I'm sure you two will want to hear all about that high-collared toff who was making such an oaf of himself at the Bells last night.”

“Oh he was an absolute toff. ‘Slumming it'. So terribly drunk and so very out of his depth ! We had SUCH fun with him !” Diona put in amidst giggles, joining the conversation even as Unalmis looked to share a stunned expression of “can you believe this ?” in Trev’s direction. A table’s full company of beautiful young women and he wanted nothing more than to crawl beneath the table and avoid their bickering. Taking the opportunity to spy on Iole, over the growing din all about him, he might have smiled to note that that young woman was conducting herself quite happily .. possibly .. with Gil. It was hard to be sure. At least she had stopped hyperventilating in the washroom now.


“It was something,” Roselly concluded, in a sulk as she glared daggers at her sadly unco-operative sister. “Maybe you can go home and tell your diary all about it. It’s not like there is anything worth reporting in there of your own ..”

“Go. Now.” Sorrel delivered warning. “Before I have you arrested.”

“Oh, for what ?” she was challenged in turn.

“Trespassing, theft, vandalism, .. ” the Guard began to count off the offences on fingers that she raised in solemn turn. It worked. Extending a hand out for Diona to join her, Roselly found her feet, then turned on her heel and ferociously stalked out of the room.

“Dinner was lovely. Good luck !” her friend called out, as she was trailed off and away. Sorrel sat in silence as her breathing started to slow back to steady. Rose had read her diary ? Her diary ?!!!


Blowing a sigh of some astoundment out of his mouth, Nal calmly tucked the now emptied chairs back under their table and considered the emptied plates which the girls had left them with. He sat back without comment on the departed or the words that had been flung at them at the last. But he could not help himself from lowering one hand into a pocket. Fingers winding around what he knew was stowed there. An old necklace chain, with a small leaf-like jewel strung on it’s length. His secret mission, the mysterious girl from the Masquerade ... Though clearly, all girls were a mystery, as tonight had already demonstrated.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

Lucion chuckled. "Parents often do not enjoy their children pointing out to them what they most definitely would not want their children to do themselves," he agreed with a nod.

It did not appear that he was the only one with nerves. Turhtfully, he was relieved to be reminded that this date was not exactly a normal setting for Eryn to engage in, either. "I prefer walking to riding," he repeated something he had already told her, earlier - but he was not annoyed at the need for repetition. If anything, he was concerned at her possible response to it, now. Perhaps it would sink in this time, and she would realize more than before that their interests did not exactly seem to... align.

"I would love to take a walk with you," he was therefore quick to supply. "Either out on the Pelennor or here, in the city proper." After partaking in some more liquid courage, he figured he might as well take a chance, now. "Another one of the things I like to do - is dance." He held out a hand to her, across the table, although he remained seated, for now. "Would you care to? Right now?"

---

She was getting the sense he was chiding her for not yet having delivered his stepson to him... yet. Running a bit late... She swallowed, although she hid it well. "I am sure he will," she instead agreed pleasantly, right before the nobleman started veering off into a different direction. One which now made her question if he had been complaining, earlier, and had only been searching clumsily for a way to communicate 'in code'.

"Perhaps he is waiting for you in his room? He may have been waiting a while, two," she suggested, her tone sounding entirely serious and genuine, before smiling politely at his question. "A bit of both and a bit of neither," she laughed lightly. "I was not a local, originally. I suppose I have become one, though, over the years." She glanced at him in the way any woman trying to get a sense of someone else, might. "Where are you from, sir? By what you have said, I am not sure where I should place you?"

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)

Hearing that there was indeed a smith shop, Cali smiled, but her smile grew more amused as Mourgan added that it wasn't as 'glorious' as the armory where she worked these days. She took a bite of her food while listening to his answer about the fences, and wondered just what sort of work fence repair involved, and whether she could assist him in it. She'd certainly offer, and if there really was any need for smith work, she'd certainly be able to help in that regard.

His assurance that they would be chaperoned, made her smile soften a little. The fact that it was his mother made her glad. "Oh, good. I like your mother." She declared, recalling how they had talked together while Cali visited Mourgan at the houses of healing, while he was injured. As well as the times since then when Cali had stopped in to get sweets from the bakery.

While he was explaining the procedure for asking for days off, Cali's attention was diverted toward the rather abrupt departure of Iole, from the table she was sitting at with her date. While Cali still heard what Mourgan said, her gaze was fixed upon where Iole had rushed off to the washroom. Followed quickly by Sorrel. Cali's gaze flicked toward Gil, who remained at the table looking baffled, even as Nal plopped himself down in Iole's abandoned seat. "Right," Cali nodded absently, answering Mourgan. "I'll do that then." She was currently far more worried about what had made Iole flee the room, but moments later, after Trev had begun singing another song, Iole returned with Sorrel, and everything seemed to settle back to how it had been. Cali relaxed again.

"Sorry," She turned back to Mourgan apologetically. "I thought I was going to be needed, for a moment there, but it looks like everything's alright now." She explained with a little nod to indicate her friend/sister. "Your farm sounds lovely. I'd enjoy going see it." She smiled and sipped her drink, observing the look of pride in his eyes as he spoke of the farm. "Just let me know what dates to ask for, and I'll fill out the request form. I'd love to see your farm. And I was just teasing about you plotting to put me to work," She grinned. "I really wouldn't mind helping out, if there's anything I can do."

---

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

Xyler couldn't help a little grin as she declared that the healer work 'fit him'. "Thanks." He chose not to continue the line of topic about the capture and such. He'd avoided telling much about that during the journey to Minas Tirith, and he still didn't quite want to discuss it. Not in what could be considered a first date, and in a place so crowded that the tables on either side of them could probably hear everything they said.

He smiled back at her when she mentioned having never looked into dancing lessons before. "Me either, really. I mean, there definitely was nothing like that back in Wyndhorne, but in Edoras, maybe? I never checked. Maybe there is. Or," He leaned forward with a slightly mischievous grin, "Maybe we'll learn to dance really well, and then go home and everyone else will see us dancing and be jealous because they don't know how, and we'll be the only Rohirrim who know how to dance Gondor-style." He laughed at the almost ridiculous thought, and sat back to start on his food.

He smiled and nodded while he was chewing, when she mentioned the idea of returning with so many new, or bettered, skills. "And you, too." he added, after he'd swallowed. "You could probably go home with a lot of new skills, if you wanted to." He mentioned. "Who knows what sort of things there are around here, for you to learn? You should definitely look into learning anything that interests you. Things that you might not be able to learn, back home."

---

@Arnyn

Eryn, sitting with Lucion

As soon as he answered, Eryn felt that she could have slapped a hand to her forehead, feeling embarrassed to recall that she'd already asked him that. Oops. Too late now. It was sort of strange, this whole.. getting to know each other stage. She was far more used to talking with people she'd known for ages. For instance... she never had to ask Nal if he enjoyed doing this or that, because she mostly already knew all his favorite activities, and the things he didn't like doing. She knew his favorite foods, and...

Blushing faintly as she caught herself thinking a little more about Nal than about the young man seated across from her, Eryn tried very hard not to notice the former changing to a different table, and then those two girls... wait, weren't they the two from the masquerade?

Trying hard to ignore that, Eryn smiled at Lucion. "A walk would be nice. I could show you around, if you'd like. Since you're new to the area, and I'm not, I could show you to all the best spots, especially in the Pelennor." She smiled more eagerly at that idea. "You could meet Hattie, too. She's a bundle of energy, so she'd love to come along, if you didn't mind?" She laughed. "You did say you like dogs, right?" She was pretty sure he'd mentioned that at the masquerade. And Eryn felt far more comfortable having Hattie along for any such walks, alone with a guy she barely knew. Hattie may be small, but she was an excellent protector, as Eryn had learned.

As he added that he enjoyed dancing, Eryn couldn't help but smile. Especially when he asked if she'd like to dance, right now! Slightly surprised, Eryn smiled and took his hand. "I'd love to!" She agreed, feeling quite flattered. She had only learned how to dance.. maybe a month ago? And she was finding that it was very enjoyable. Especially when spinning and twirling was involved. She smiled as she let him lead the way toward an open space, where Xyler and Hadassa had recently been dancing.

---

He listened closely as she suggested that his son could be waiting in his room. And therefore, he picked up the slight emphasis on the word 'two', which everyone else would have heard as 'too'. Unless he'd simply heard what he wanted to hear... maybe he ought to confirm it somehow. "Ah, that is a possibility," he agreed, as if the thought hadn't occurred until now. "I should have thought of that," he shook his head at himself, as if feeling a bit silly for not having thought of such a simple possibility.

Listening with interest to her reply, he smiled slightly. "Well, then you must enjoy living in the White City, if you have stayed long enough to consider yourself as having 'become local'." He answered pleasantly. "As for me, I am only here for a short time, and will be returning home in a day or two. I came with my family, for the masquerade," He explained, as if she did not already know all of that. I've only been to the city a few times before. For my children, it is their first time being here, so they're both very eager to explore and see everything, according to their own interests." He gave a quiet laugh. "I'm afraid my own interests are somewhat different from theirs, so it's been somewhat difficult to coordinate times to meet with either of them. Which is why I am here, now."

He sipped his drink, taking a moment's pause as if considering his options. "I think I'll give it a few more minutes to see if he shows up, and then if not, I'll check to see if he might be in his room, like you mentioned." He mentioned in a thoughtful tone, giving himself a reason to go off toward the rooms, while not rushing off immediately to do so. In the meanwhile, he observed some of the activity in the room, as if watching for his son. So many young couples, and yet none of them familiar. None of the young men here looked anything like the one he wanted to find. He held back a sigh, and took another sip of his drink.

---

As he saw Iole return to the room, Trev couldn't help but smile a little as he sang. He was glad to see that it had worked. Whatever had been said between she and Gil, it must not have been so bad that she refused to come back, anyway. He was glad to see that she had regained her composure enough to resume sitting with the guy.

He also did not miss the glance that Nal gave him, while he and Sorrel's table had been invaded by those other two. He gave a subtle, sympathic shake of his head as he observed his brother's plight, but he could do nothing about it. Fortunately for Nal, the invaders soon abandoned them once the food had run out. Nal's food. Trev could have rolled his eyes, if he hadn't been keeping his focus on the song he was singing.

As the last line of the song was sung, Trev took a few seconds to pause, take a drink, and look around to gauge the mood of the room. One dancing couple had returned to their table, to eat. Another had finished eating, and were coming out to dance. And Iole and Gil had finished eating, apparently. Remembering that he'd seen him offer her a dance earlier, and that she had refused, Trev was somewhat curious if she might change her mind now that she'd gotten over whatever that trouble had been, earlier, and now that she'd finished eating.

After setting his glass back down, he readied his instrument again, and started to play another wordless melody, trying to contribute to the dancing atmosphere beginning to blossom in the room. While he played, he slowly let his gaze roam to check on each of the pairings that held his interest. Cali and Mourgan were talking over at one table. Iole and Gil, another. Nal and Sorrel, over there, keeping an eye on Iole. He gave a little smile to his shyer sister, hoping to encourage her to take this second chance at dancing.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

"I love dogs," he told her, smiling happily at the easy way she agreed they could go take a walk together. "And I would also enjoy you showing me around," he ventured. His face lit up entirely, however, when she accepted his offer to dance. Lucion rose from his seat, and even though the chair scraping backwards over the floor made more noise than he'd liked, he still tried to be smooth as he got to his feet and moved to her side ofthe table to help her with her chair as necessary, before guiding her to a spot with a bit more room. Where another couple had been dancing, earlier - but who had now reclaimed their seats to conquer their dinner.

Lucion turned to Eryn and held her in a very respectable fashion as he started them off into an equally respectable dance. It was a simple routine, beginners' steps, and his posture - while correct - was relaxed in a way that would tell the room he was quite comfortable with the movements. Even if he was nervous about the young lady he was guiding along the floor with him.

He couldn't get rid of the smile on his face as he did so, nor could he think of a particular reason why he should want to. So his smile remained where it was, softening and brightening at irregular intervals. People might look at them, he knew. But what should he care about that? They were not the first people to take to a dance. And where there was music like this, there should be dancing. The war was over, after all. Was this not exactly the sort of thing they could all have, if they wanted?

---

He would be returning to his estate in a day or two. Then they did not have much time for him to tell her whatever it was he wished to tell her. She had not gotten the impression that the news was bad, at the masquerade. If there was any news. Perhaps all he wanted was...

She drank from her wine and smiled pleasantly. A facade, to hide her inner doubts and turmoil. Survival, her mind whispered, sounding like Meren's voice. Think about survival. As you always have.

"I am sure you will find the time," she said, as if trying to reassure him. She would have to make the time for him, she knew. Now. She needed to remain in his good graces. He was the reason she still drew breath. One wrong word to the Hand from Lord Torthon Talven - and she was done for, after her failure with Urion.

She offered him a smile and encouraging nod when he said he would give it a few more minutes before he would go to 'his son's room to see if he was there'. "Splendid," she lied through her teeth, as easily as she could cut through butter, before drinking from her wine again. Liquid courage.

When they had first met, and when the contract had been negotiated, she had been relieved at the lord's relatively decent age, at his physique and handsome face. Even more so, he had been to her liking. Later, she had been grateful to him, for sparing her life in the face of the Hand's ire.

Yet now, when she thought of meeting him in her room later, she felt none of those things. Instead, she felt... reluctance. Opposition, even. Brown eyes stared into the swirling red wine of her glass. What choice did she have, however? Survival was the goal. It always had been.

"Apologies," she offered a bit more quietly to the man, and she pushed what was left of her wine toward the barkeep. "Add it to my bill, please," she requested kindly of the man, before rising from the bar stool and softly brushing at the skirt of her dress. A gesture that looked attractive even though she truly was not even trying, at the moment. "I am more tired than I imagined, when I made my way down here," she admitted apologetically as she offered the man, whom she pretended was a stranger while she knew all about him, a little smile and a slight curtsy. "Enjoy the rest of your evening. I hope your son does, two." One eyebrow raised slightly at the last word, before she turned to walk to the stairway - her hips swaying in that oh-so-subtle way. For she knew - or assumed - he would be watching.

And this was a man she had to keep happy.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen, with Gildolen
Evening of December 27th.

Iole was not sure what she had thought would happen, once the food was finished with. To ward off the awkwardness a little while longer, she lifted her wine glass and tilted it gently toward her lips before stalling in the act, contemplating whether she might dare. It couldn’t be drugged, not like the last time. Because she had seen the landlady bring the bottle out and pour a glass for each of them. Unless Gildolen had slipped something into hers, while she was in the wash room …. A faint smile sought to appear reassuring as the young woman forced herself to remember, not why she had fled from the table. But why she had agreed to come back ..

She dared the wine, and the fruity cordial was potent, but in a pleasant way. Not being familiar with wine though, she wondered suddenly, belatedly, if it would stain her teeth as red as the claret offering. One hand rose self-consciously to veil her mouth. Would it be entirely rude to return so soon to the washroom ? He seemed the type to be too polite to even mention if she had stained herself into the state of a clown. And she was not sure whether she preferred that to the utter honesty of her brothers, who would have told her without delay. It was a dilemma ..


She could answer him, of course. It might distract her, if not he, from concern over things beyond her control. The question he had asked was not wholly invasive. Especially for someone who had clearly committed to getting to know her, rather than simply observe her. Iole’s mind recalled the sweet verse which had tumbled from his lips so easily. And tried to consider the man across the table as though she had never met him before tonight. Her concern over being too open with this virtual stranger, was set strangely at odds with what she had always been taught. To be polite, to answer accordingly when asked …

And then Trevadir took up with a wordless melody, and Iole caught the way Gil’s teeth lodged in his lower lip. As though he was wondering if it would be too much to ask a third time, and risk rejection yet again.


Lowering her glass, the young woman exchanged it at the table for a napkin, which she pressed against her mouth as subtly as she could manage. Blue eyes noted the lack of a mess when she returned it back down to rest. And so she rose, if only because dancing would spare both of them more nervous conversation.

Ilisys had helped her pick out this dress, some months before. As part of their ongoing attempt to get past the man who was always the matter, it seemed. She had chosen it partly because of the fluid way it moved, when she lilted into a soft sashay .. and this was a lovely composition. Yes, she decided, even before Gil recovered from his surprise at her actions. She did rather want to dance. Dancing she could manage.

---

Gildolen Lhacrist with Iole

The young man was fighting his own private battle, of a want to learn everything there was to know about this mysterious and alluring maiden, without frightening her away. He had previously tried to explain his obsession over Iole to her brother, as a sort of fascination, like a person would indulge in birdwatching. And verily it did seem that even now he had her here, so close at hand, she might stir at his any too clumsy a move, and take flight. The understanding that he had already nearly lost her once tonight courted with his knowledge of social expectation. He must be a gentleman, even though his birth had only ever led him to wait upon and observe them, with just as much intrigue.

As she debated the wine, he panicked whether choosing to accept the landlady’s recommendation had been a mistake. Did she not enjoy the beverage ? Tides, did she think that he was trying to intoxicate her ? But whatever had inspired her pause, which may in truth have simply been a measured calm, Iole sipped from the humble tavern chalice with all the elegance of a queen. Gildolen smiled to behold it, so naturally, that he did not have the time to wonder whether such an expression might now alarm her.


He must be bold, he remembered. But not … too pressing. It was difficult. And she had swatted away his latest attempt at seizing on the few facts he did know about her, his try to learn more .. denied; rendering him back to his seat. And unsure how to proceed. He did not rightly even register that the music had altered, until brown eyes blinked to note his lady find her feet, and this time extend her small hand towards him. An inviting notion, a positive indication, whatever it was, he would be a fool to refuse. And though shock had stunned him for a second or two, the valet almost fell over his own feet to rise, and receive the grace which she was offering.

They did not match, if one cared about such things. For her fetching gown was a drench of deep sapphire blue, perfectly designed to urge her bright eyes into life. Whereas he, in the gold and black, felt like a rather oversized wasp. Still he managed to hold her hand over his, and lead them both to the space which was serving as a dance floor.


It was no great hall, such as those he had seen before, and imagined in dreams. It was not even the recent grandeur of the city’s Midwinter Masquerade, which he had yearned to take her to. But it was now, and it was her, and it was perfect in that sense. Because that was all that mattered any more. As the musician spelled his instrument into a soft spinning melody, Gil set his one hand just behind Iole’s waist, and raised the other to a side of him, for balance.

She found it, claimed it, made a contact that of the two of them it was odd for him to almost panic at. But clearly they did even dancing differently here. If he could tear his gaze from her, he might have thought to compare what the other couples (for there were by now a few) were doing. But Iole was smiling, and she was dancing with him, smiling. And he felt as wonder-struck as though he was seeing the splendour of the sun for the first time.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

There were now other people dancing, and Hadassa looked at them as she munched on the first couple morsels of the food. Then she leaned slightly towards Xyler and whispered: "Now, if we DO get to dancing really well we might not only be able to make other Rohirrim envious... We could set up the dancing lessons and earned a lot of money." She than chuckled softly and winked as if to indicate that her words were not all that serious.

Xyler's further words required some thought of her, and she used the time to also eat some more of the delicious food before she ventured an answer. "You know, you just might be right," she admitted then. "I definitely should use the time here more purposefully; who knows if there will be many more chances."

"Would you travel here some other time again to make sure your skills are up to date?" she asked after a pause. But then again she was not sure if she would be assigned to come along anyway. "I could definitely get used to travelling," she laughed lightly.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

"Would you quit the cavalry, and become a dance instructor?" He asked her with a little laugh, teasing of course. "Or, would you rather just have a dance lesson business, on the side?" He wondered, curious what she might say to that. "At least, if we went into that business together, then if any of our students ended up getting hurt, there'd be a healer right there."

He smiled at her before taking a bite of his food. He was fairly sure they were both just joking about starting dancing lessons. He honestly didn't think he'd be able to get good enough at it in a year's time, to offer lessons to anyone else. Perhaps so, but not likely. He nodded in agreement at her mention of using their time well while they were here. This was a very rare and unique opportunity for them both, after all. The very first healer-exchange between Rohan and Gondor, as far as he knew. And for her, to be allowed to stay along the whole time, that was quite fortunate! He was mostly glad that it had been her, and not some stranger.

"Hmm, travel here again?" He asked, after swallowing his mouthful of food. "Maybe, though I'm not sure if it would be for that reason." He shrugged. "But to visit friends, yes." He observed one such friend even now, dancing with some guy. He was a bit surprised by that, truthfully. "Huh, weird. I could've sworn she was crazy about someone else," He muttered, recalling when he had met his two Gondorian friends, and the way Eryn had looked at Nal. But that was going on a year ago, he supposed. Things could change.

---

@Arnyn

Eryn, dancing with Lucion

Eryn was quite pleased to have the opportunity to dance here. A part of her had somehow thought that once the masquerade was over, she wouldn't have another opportunity to practice, and yet, this was the second time she'd had a chance to, since the masquerade. She smiled as Lucion guided her through the steps, which were easy enough for her to follow without much effort.

"What sights would you be interested in, if we take a walk in the Pelennor?" She asked curiously. "There's orchards, and farms, and streams, and woods, and... well, all different sorts of things." She informed him with a little smile. "Of course, on foot, you can't really go all that far," She added. Which was probably a good thing, come to think of it. Considering the last time she'd rode off far from home. "But there's still plenty of nice things to see within walking distance." She added, before he might begin to think such a tour would be dull.

---

This time, as the lady spoke the word 'two', he was sure he'd heard an emphasis. So, it couldn't be his imagination. He smiled politely as the lady excused herself to leave, under the guise that she was tired. He gave a little nod. "I hope you have a pleasant evening as well, miss." He returned, with a respectful bow of his head as the lady took her leave. "Thank you for speaking with me."

He was still turned to face the rest of the room, under the guise of looking for his son, so when the lady began to walk away, it wasn't at all difficult to keep her in the edge of his vision, appreciating the view. After that, the difficult part was waiting until a reasonable enough time had passed before he would make his own way to the guest rooms.

He gave a sigh as he turned back to the bar, sipping his drink. He smiled, asking the bartender a couple of things about whether he'd seen his son, and gave a description of his actual son. As it turned out, the young man had visited the bar here at some point last night, which didn't surprise the father. After thanking the man, he took a bit of time to finish his drink, leisurely. Finally, he announced that he was going to check to see if his son might be waiting in his room. He paid for his drink, leaving a tip for the man, then set off toward the rooms. To look for his son, obviously. Nothing else.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

Lucion tilted his head when Eryn asked what sights he'd be interested in. As she spoke, he couldn't help but be amused. He debated briefly whether or not to mention anything. But he was going to live only once, wasn't he?

"I know one sight that'll be there, no matter where you will take me on this walk," Lucion thus told her. He twirled her, and once she was back in his arms, he added: "And since that is the one I am primarily interested in, the rest does not matter all that much. I gladly put myself in your hands, Eryn."

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

Hadassa's dark eyes laughed even as she spoke very seriously: "I would certainly go for a business on the side just in case it fails and the invested resources are lost. It would require investment to rent a place for a serious dance instructor would not go teaching in the field among horses. And a healer who is always present would definitely be a plus." She looked over at Xyler with a straight face and then laughed softly eventually, a bit too self conscious to let out a hearty laughter in a public place.

"I guess even I could get leave for two weeks to visit here," she mused, "Though I doubt it would happen more than once a year."

She then leaned in to hear Xyler's muttering and looked towards Eryn.

"You think?..." she whispered conspiratorially. "She was all for Unalmis?"

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen dancing with Gildolen Lhacrist
Evening of December 27th.

Her free hand trialled a touch at his waist, as though Iole dared her bare skin in a dash over a candle’s flame. But there was no hurt to be found there, no burn. And in the moment that her fingers fled from clasping at his torso for her anchor, the young woman sent them back there to make good an apology. Warmth she found, but not too great a heat, nor any move on his part to seize any inch of her. Gil’s brown eyes glanced down to observe in some awe still as she experimented with how much she wished to bring them together. And as she caught him looking, blue eyes dove to conceal a blush in her downward turned cheek. But his free hand encouraged that sweet face to rise, upon the invite but not pressing insistence of merely two fingers. And the pair locked eyes, not in surprising at how they were come together, but in one another’s eyes.


The music was perfect, and if Iole might have spared a moment in her thoughts for her very considerate brother, right now, she would remind herself to thank him later. Still, it was everything to take a slow, gentle whorl about the floor, with no mind to where their feet might find next. She felt as though they reclined on a lazy rowboat in a softly lapping river, with her partner steady at his oar. Whereas he .. Gil felt himself fallen unto the verses he had read a thousand times. Of Elu Thingol, coming upon Melian in some enchanted forest, and forgetting all else, including his own existence.

It came so easy, with no great flamboyant design, or romping revels. They rode a fluid waltz of instinct, and though their entire bodies embodied the melody, both the young man and the young woman felt only the small .. tiny really .. point of contact where they touched. As though so slender a tether wielded a strength that belied all expectation.


Her brow found his shoulder before she ever thought if it were a good idea. She had danced before of course, but mostly with her brothers. And they romped, they made it fun. She had always felt safe with them, but then she had known them forever. She had never expected to feel so swiftly so safe with a relative stranger. But then there were times when her handsome dance partner threw out phrases to make her believe he’d stepped right out of the most romantic scenes she’d ever imagined. If he was hers, then he would not hurt her. Right ? The song was almost over before she remembered that she had come here tonight, to tell the young Belfalasian, as politely as she could, of course, that she did not wish to engage in any sorts of relations, that she was not ready .. that the very concept had been ruined for her ….

There were no words to take from the soothing ambience. It felt as though words were no longer required. All of her consciously thought out excuses had abandoned her.

[Ercassie]

Unalmis Raxelilta and Sorrela Korsey
Same date as above. Although at a table/not dancing

“Looks like it is going well,” Sorrela mused, as her eyes trailed at least one of the couples around what had turned into an impromptu dancefloor. If her gaze hardened when it considered the bruised valet, it could not help soften when it fell upon the peaceful smile of his dance partner.

“I told you he was good,” Nal’s reply was telling at how aptly he was not paying attention. To what his company was alluding to. Which was not to say that his remark was anything but approving of the musician’s latest performance. But spying on the dance between Iole and Gil, he could not help noting the alternate showcase. From what was certainly, although still quite surprisingly .. Eryn .. and whoever that strange young man might be. The Ranger had come with thoughts toward keeping tabs on one dear female acquaintance, and ended up with his attention divided between two.


“Who is that ? Have you ever seen him before ?” he wondered aloud, before he realised he had done so.

“The valet ? Well, I hit him in the face, the last time,” the Guard reminded him, of the young man he was not even looking at for now. Every other pairing in the room had raised a gladness in Unalmis, except one. And it was not the one he had been expecting; not even with Iole’s panicked dash toward the washroom earlier. “He’s growing on me,” Sorrel decided, with a turn back to find her emptied drink.

“Not Gil. No. The one dancing with Eryn,” Nal was forced to focus and then lean across the table so that he could quietly correct his dining partner. Her confusion then mirrored his own, although for entirely different reasons.

“Who is Eryn ?” the Recruit returned, in an equally quiet although rather more urgent whisper.

“The redhead ..” he raised a hand, to utter his description behind, so that nobody who might chance to be spying on them would note what he shared. Pointing out the pretty young girl .. in her pink dress .. would have been far quicker, although rather less subtle. A nock of his head sideways was made to look as though he was proposing that they too, perhaps should take to the floor. A closer look might be productive … “You know Eryn,” Nal couldn’t believe he was having to remind his friend. “She helped you and Iole hang the birthday banners for Cali, while the rest of us were at the masquerade ..” The Prompt was delivered, still quiet but more potent in it’s cue. “She spent the night afterwards .. at the girls' house ..” he pressed her to confirm what he had been told by his sisters.


Together the two of them glanced at Eryn, twirling in the hold of Lucion. And then Sorrel sat back against her seat, unsure as though Nal had apparently lost his mind. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she informed him, matter of fact. “I’m not saying that ‘Eryn’ didn’t spend the night at the girls' house, but she wasn’t any part of Iole and I making up banners and decorations. I'm not an imbecile. It was only days ago. I would have remembered.”

As they each considered this, dancing together was amongst the last things on either of the pair’s mind.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

Xyler considered the possibility of doing a dance lesson business, and the thought of having to rent a building. "I dunno, we could just clear some ground and throw up a tent," He grinned. "Or, for that matter, we could use someone's barn. Why shouldn't a proper dance instructor be willing to teach people to dance, with horses around and all?" He shrugged, half-joking. "Maybe we could try to have a barn dance or something? Might be fun."

As for making another trip to Gondor, though, he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I think... you'd need more than two weeks for that trip," He told her. "Remember how long it took us to travel here? Of course.. we did take the long way, but still." He shrugged. "I think even if you took the shortest possible route, by the time you got here, you wouldn't have much time to spend doing anything."

It was really very fortunate that they had both gotten the opportunity to spend an entire year here. He was happily enjoying his time here, especially since he'd been able to spend a lot of time with Hadassa. At the moment, he looked over at their mutual friend, dancing with a stranger. It wasn't surprising that he didn't recognize the guy, since Xyler was the newcomer here in Gondor, but he was surprised to see that Eryn seemed to be on a date with this guy. "I don't know." He answered Hadassa in a matching whisper. "Sure seemed like it to me," He hesitated as he thought about how she had asked him to assist her with something for the masquerade.

As they were both nearly done eating by this point, he asked, "Want to resume dancing, after we've eaten?" He leaned forward slightly. "Maybe we might get Eryn to introduce her friend?"

---

@Arnyn

Eryn, dancing with Lucion

Eryn found herself blushing lightly as he said he was mostly interested in her, and therefore didn't really mind where they went. What a charming guy! She smiled up at him as he twirled her. She was really enjoying herself this evening. Much more than she had expected. She was also sort of glad to see that other people had begun dancing, so it wasn't just the two of them, or that might have made her feel slightly awkward.

"You're a good dancer, Lucion." Eryn mentioned, or at least it seemed that way to her. "Did I tell you that I only learned to dance especially for the masquerade?" She asked, a little shy about admitting that, but she wasn't sure why she felt that way. She'd never been a very shy person, and she was usually pretty bold about most things. But somehow, when it came to this type of stuff, she didn't feel very sure of herself. She didn't know if she would be considered 'good' at dancing, and it was weird, because she'd never really thought much about dancing until... well, until the Midsummer festival, she supposed. When she and Nal had danced. There she went, thinking about him again. She forced herself to put him out of her mind, and smiled at Lucion as they danced.

---

Trev & Renia

Trev smiled slightly as his fingers moved over the strings, enjoying how happy many of the couples looked as they danced. Particularly Iole and Gil, which was possibly the most surprising of them all. Knowing his sister's preference when it came to dancing music, he continued playing the wordless melody continuously for a long time, just to ensure that there was plenty of time for them to spend together, dancing like that.

But he also didn't want to bore the people by playing the same tune over and over. And there was another song he wanted to play. Even though the thought of it made him very nervous. It was a bit closer to his heart than some of the others, as it was one he had written during the moments when he was finally getting to come home. He had never sung it in front of anyone before, not even Renia. Not even Iole, nor Cali, who he was living with. And while he wanted to sing it for the first time tonight, it also made him feel very anxious to do so, without having first heard his friend's thoughts on it. Maybe he should sing it around them, first? But he'd planned on singing it tonight. Actually, he had come close to singing it a few times, other times that he had played at various taverns since his return, but he had always kept putting it off. If he kept doing that, it'd never get sung and he'd never know how other people liked it. As his fingers played the strings of his grandfather's zither, repeating the same bars, his mind raced around in circles for a little bit, arguing this way and that about whether to go for it.

The opening lines might not fit with the setting, he told himself, worrying about how it might be received. And yet, other lines might feel perfect to the present crowd, many of whom were hoping for budding romance, some of whom may have had prior romances that left them with broken hearts. Or not romances, which had broken hearts in other ways, he thought, with a brief glance toward Cali, who had recently cried on his shoulder at the masquerade, before eventually moving on to enjoy the rest of the night, not healed, but with hope in sight. And now, here she was with Mourgan, at the start of something new, by the looks of it. And Iole... also looked as if she was recovering, as if she had hope of healing from her trauma, perhaps. Maybe this song would be well-received, at least by his closest friends. Trev took a deep breath, knowing he had better make up his mind and do something else besides repeating that same tune yet again. And for a moment, he debated whether to make a sort of.. introduction of the song? Tell the people about how he had come to write it, and how he had written it at a time when hope had been given to him after being out of reach for a long time... But he felt way too awkward to start talking to the crowd like that, especially about something so personal. If anyone wanted to know more about any of his songs, they could ask him later, and he would tell them as much or little as he wished to tell them.

Without missing a beat, the tune flowed smoothly into another. Renia glanced curiously at Trev as he played a pretty tune which she had never heard before, curious what song was about to come forth. Then she was briefly distracted as the barkeep tapped her arm to whisper to her, to inform her that they could take a break to eat, after that song, because he didn't want them to have to play and sing hungry. She nodded slightly with a smile, before turning her attention back to listening to Trev.

He went through the melody for a few bars, giving the dancers more time to dance while he worked up his nerve to start singing, and to make the song public which had, until now, been kept only to himself. Finally, after playing through the first part of the melody, he circled back to the beginning of the song and began singing, softly at first,

"Right now your heart is still breaking,"

Trev kept his gaze focused intently on his instrument, in case anyone might be giving him funny looks.

"Right now you're falling apart,"

He remembered that feeling far too well...

And I know the road that you're facing,

Feels like a step in the dark,"

His thoughts flashed back to the night when he had first met Macardil in that tavern, when he had decided to trust a stranger, without having any proper reason to trust him. Despite having had so many bad things happen because of trusting the wrong person, in the past...

He swallowed, then continued singing, hoping that people would enjoy the song, and tried not focus too much on whether the words fit with the crowd's romantic aspirations.

"And it feels... hopeless," He closed his eyes as he recalled so many hopeless moments during those years aboard Dev's ship, and yet more while working at the tavern in Harlond. Wishing he could go home, but feeling that he could never do so.

"How long 'til you feel the healing?
How long 'til it's in the past?
And when do you ever start feeling
That you can let go, oh, and still know?"

He took a breath before the chorus. Eyes still closed, he tried to ignore the knowledge that there were other people there, pushed away the nervousness as well as he could, and simply focused on singing. There was a different level of feeling and emotion in his voice now as he let go of his reservations and anxiety, and just sang.

"You're gonna fight back to life, gonna breathe again!
It's gonna be a climb,
Up from the ashes and back on your feet again!
That's where you'll find,
Hope is rising,
Hope is rising!"

Trev smiled faintly to himself as he remembered the wonderful, exciting feeling of finally returning home after several years of... well, self-exhile, mostly. The excitement and nervousness he'd felt when approaching the city again after so long, the feeling of hope, that he would actually be able to stay. For good.

"One day you're gonna see clearly,"

As Trev moved into the second verse, he ventured to look out at his audience, thinking back to those moments when his eyes had been opened to all the lies and twisted facts that Dev and his crew had convinced him of. And the relief he had felt when he learned that he could go back to his old life. That he could stop wishing and longing to go home, and simply be home again.

"One day your heart's gonna find,
That buried beneath all the grieving
The sun has been waiting to shine!
And in that moment, you're gonna know that...

"You're gonna fight back to life, gonna breathe again!
It's gonna be a climb,
Up from the ashes and back on your feet again!
That's where you'll find,
Hope is rising,
Hope is rising!"

"Oh, oh,
Look, the light is breaking in,
Oh, oh,
If you'll just hold on 'til then..."

He thought of so many times when he'd felt so hopeless, it had been all he could do to simply hold on and keep going. How it had felt like he was drowning in despair, until that day when he finally came home again, and it was clear that he would be able to stay. He drew in a breath before going through the chorus again.

"You're gonna fight back to life, gonna breathe again!
It's gonna be a climb,
Up from the ashes and back on your feet again!
That's where you'll find,
Hope is rising,
Hope is rising!"

He repeated the last two lines, more softly,

"Hope is rising,
Hope is rising!"

And with that, he let his fingers play a few final notes of the melody as he took a few breaths, smiling as he felt his heart swell with the happiness of being home, and to have his closest friends here tonight to hear him sing that one for the first time, even if he was still pretty nervous about it.


(Hope Is Rising - credit goes to Mark Schultz, who actually wrote it in RL.)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

While Eryn didn't reply to his statement, which still felt risky - some women did not appreciate such things, after all, or did not know what to do with such compliments - she did smile in that lovely way she had. Lucion couldn't help but smile a little at the little blush that swept across her cheeks.

He shook his head lightly at her own compliment. "That is very nice of you to say, but to be fair... I am only good at the basics," he admitted. "Good enough to make it look easy, I guess," he added with a little grin as he gazed down at her and turned them round and round in the dance. His eyebrows lifted a little when she said she'd only learned for the masquerade. "Then you must be a natural," he threw another compliment her way, and he found he couldn't bring himself to look away from those lovely eyes of hers. Those were exactly the same as they had been at the masquerade. "I love your hazel eyes," he said quietly, bringing their joined hands in toward them, close to (but not touching) his chest. He felt like he could look at her eyes for hours, and not be bored.

[Ercassie]

Iole Ishen dancing with Gildolen Lhacrist
Evening of December 27th.

If she in fact realised that Trevadir had purposely drawn out his instrumental number, Iole was content to enjoy the generosity of their musician. In favour of lingering in the calm sway a while longer. Gildolen’s right hand still hovered at her waist, occasionally brushing against the fabric of her dress like a light rain-fall. She had raised her head from resting on his shoulder now, in favour of rediscovering the young man’s face. There was after all, a concern for just a moment, that she might else fall to sleep right there.

Their other, interwoven, fingers came undone in the same moment, his shadowing hers, to part in an unspoken protest. But he did not grasp in greedy pursuit of her. He lowered his hands, waited, as though his limbs had no purpose if it were not to please her. She set the tips of her fingers in a hover instead above his shoulder, calling brown eyes to note it, even as the young man took his freed arm back in a fold behind his back. Very gentleman-like. And before she realised what she was doing, the young woman had raised up her other hand, to gently brush his bruised cheek. As though she might be able to soothe the hurt which had been done to him, in her name.


That was when her brother brought his lyrics into play. And this time the words were no interference, but a voice to what her mind already was full of. The song gave her permission to be hesitant, perhaps conveyed all of her reservations as though the lyrics were a conversation that their silence shared, without a single word of their own. And though she had come still now, just apart from him, she did not turn, she did not leave. She gazed up in some wonder at the hope which her brother’s singing narrated. The valet smiled, nervously, and she dropped her chin so that dark hair fell to frame her face. Only to raise it up again in a quiet consideration come from wide blue eyes. They stood there for the remnant of that musical spell, in quiet reflection of one another, as though the other couples who had taken to the dance floor simply flitted about their periphery, like snowflakes in a storm that was not cold. But warm, and soft and safe, and ..

As the last beats of the melody faded to a conclusion, Gil ducked his chin in a subtle head bow. And as though she was a puppet of some dream, Iole curtsied, properly ignoring the fact that she maybe never had done in her life before now. Still he smiled, offered up his arm, and she hesitated only a moment before laying her hand over his. Like fresh dew. As they looked to resume their seats, their touch, as before, could be barely considered as contact. But that some feeling pulsed in the small space of air between his fingers and hers. It hummed with a hope that only hearts could rightly hear.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Unalmis Raxelilta and Sorrela Korsey
Same date as above. Although at a table/not dancing

As the music turned and the stranger on the dancefloor twirled Eryn around, and around, .. Unalmis was barely conscious of twisting the worn cup in his hand. Until Sorrel reached over and took it away from him.

“You’re supposed to be bothered about your sister,” the Guard reminded him, when he startled at her intervention. And gestured in responding bewilderment to where both Cali and Iole seemed to be very much enjoying themselves. “Don’t you want to know what sent her speeding to the washroom ?” his company persisted. And when she earned only a resigned expression for her concern, Sorrel leaned in closer across the table. “Apparently his mother ..” there was no need for her to express aloud who she meant, “works for .. that false Lord. The Umbarian ..”

“Oh. I knew that already,” Nal frowned. “But you have it not quite right. His mother went to work for the family who he claimed that he is related to,” the Ranger corrected his friend’s assumption, and then checked nobody was eaves dropping when he whispered. “Isys told me.” It seemed like a kindness to quell Sorrel's protective instincts. And it was no worry for the young man to trust his dining companion with this particular secret. He had known Sorrela his entire life, and she was as trustworthy with anything confidential as certain of her sisters was not.


“And neither one of you did not think to forewarn Iole of such a thing ?” The Guard recruit herself, sat back in her seat, unimpressed. “The news seems to have been quite a shock.”

“If Mister Belf here had any true nefarious alliance with that snake, he would not have told her about it at all, would he ?” the young man supposed, apparently unbothered. “He’s being honest. I take that as a good sign. And she came back, after she found out, .. which can’t be bad either.”

“You let her go through that upset for no good cause,” Sorrel rolled her eyes.

“I promised that I would not interfere,” he reminded her. And formed a small surprise as she seemed unconvinced by this explanation. “If I had told her that .. it would seem as though I was trying to put her off him,” he was forced to clarify further. “Before she’d even given him a chance. But look, she came here. And they spoke about it themselves with no prompting or demands for explanation. She can’t go the rest of her life never going anywhere or meeting anybody else, just because of one bad thing. If we all did that, no one would ever leave their home in the morning. It would be like letting evil .. win.” A move to drink from his glass for dramatic emphasis was ruined by the fact that it was already emptied. “I’d much rather see her win. Isn’t that the point ? Did you come here to watch her give up, or to get what she deserves ?”


The Guard turned away from Nal and found the subjects of their conversation stood still in the middle of the floor together, as though they had forgotten how to dance, or do anything else except look at one another.

“What do you make of that then ?” she returned, seeking to make sense out of the scene itself. And Unalmis looked, as directed, but failed to offer any opinion. As though he had forgotten how to speak. Which was just as unusual. And the Guard forgot herself long enough to throw her hands up at the entire room in despair.


There was something, about that guy dancing with Eryn. The Ranger could not think of what, or where he might have seen him before. Until he watched the fellow spin his friend into a twirl. And then he forgot the man entirely. As Trevadir’s song served up a sentimental backdrop, Unalmis reached unconsciously to divert his hands with the empty cup once more. But when he found it, some failure in focus and coordination saw him render it sidelong, so that it rolled off the table. This time Sorrel did not save it, and the young man ventured down to retrieve the drinking vessel from where it had rolled underneath their table. Finding it, the fact that it was empty .. recalled a pre-existing disappointment rather than relief. And as he found his way back to his seat, the scene .. the soundtrack .. it was as though he had fallen into a future he'd always known was coming but had not realised it was here already.

Trev performing his own work, before an appreciative crowd, just like he’d always talked about. Cali caught up in the throes of talking shop .. with a guy, just like she’d told them would never happen. Iole entranced by the very sort of guy he’d always known she should end up with, and Eryn .. Eryn looking as unlike the Eryn he’d always known .. as he had ever seen her.


“What is it with girls and spinning ?” he sighed, with a slow shake of his head, as though the female species had got together and decided to torment him. Still somehow he could not look away. Because it hit him that he might be ready for .. everything else happening in the room right now. Except that. His fingers found the necklace which Diona had entrusted him to return .. to it's mystery owner. His thoughts returned to the half dazed, half dreamlike memory now of the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen ... spinning .. with another man at the masquerade. And then it was his head spinning.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Eryn, dancing with Lucion

Eryn's smile grew as they turned around in the dance floor. "I don't know about being a natural," she said with a little laugh. She was enjoying this, even if they didn't have as much room as they'd had at the masquerade. In fact, it halfway reminded her of the midsummer festival, when she had danced.. for the first time. If one could call it dancing, when most of what they had done was spinning around and around...

Lucion's comment about her eyes brought her attention back to him, with some surprise. "Really?" She smiled at the compliment to her eyes. "Thank you." She added softly, smiling back at him. "You have very nice eyes, too, Lucion. And this is very nice," she added, meaning the dancing, the evening, the dinner.. all of it. Her first date was turning out to be very nice, she decided happily.

---

@Ercassie

Trev & Renia

As he brought the song to an end, Trev was glad to see people were still dancing, still enjoying the evening. And, to his even greater pleasure, his sister seemed to be enjoying it far more than he had expected to see. That brought a genuine smile to his face. His other sister he couldn't see as well, but he thought she might be brushing at her eyes. He was careful not to look too long over there, so not to risk embarrassing Cali.

As he began to play the notes of another wordless melody, Renia leaned in to whisper in his ear. Letting him know that the innkeeper had said they could take a break now. Trev nodded to show that he heard, but he continued to play until he had finished that song, to give them a little bit longer to dance.

Then, when he had finished that tune, he put his zither away in its case before grabbing Renia's hand. Together, they bowed to the audience with smiles. The innkeeper came over to speak to him briefly, partly to tell him how much he enjoyed the music and looked forward to whatever they would do after their break, then told them to find a seat and enjoy their dinner. He also asked if they knew what they'd like to eat. Trev still found it a little hard to believe that the innkeeper here was so generous, compared to the jerk at the Siren's Embrace that he used to work for. After thanking the man, Trev thought for a moment while letting Renia give her food order, then he asked for a salad. After the innkeeper went to relay their requests to the kitchen, Trev went looking for a table. Most of them seemed occupied, however...

Instead, Trev made his way over to Nal's table, figuring he might as well say hello to his brother. "Breaktime, for food." He explained as he came near enough to exchange words without having to call across the room or something. "Looks like things are going well, huh?" He asked quietly, with a glance toward Iole and Gil, before turning to offer a (slightly nervous) smile toward Sorrella. "Thanks, by the way. For... whatever you did or said that convinced her to come back." He told her.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

"Barn dancing," Hadassa said thoughtfully and then laughed as she continued some more along the lines of dancing business. "You know, some people say that horses can be taught to dance. Maybe once I have successfully taught Sugar some dance moves I might be officially ready to teach people. Because... if I manage to teach a horse to dance, it should be much easier with people." She laughed again heartily, though she honestly thought that teaching Sugar some tricks might be a fun thing to do.

She chewed on another morsel or two of the delicious food while Xyler reminded her of the time they had taken to travel. "Yes, I guess you are right, two weeks might not be enough, and I figure I wouldn't get another year off that soon anyway," she admitted. Perhaps she could get a month off after a lengthy and exemplary service.

"I would definitely not mind another dance, if you are game," she flashed a grin at her friend.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Unalmis Raxelilta and Sorrela Korsey
Eve of Dec 27th. On a ‘not-date’. Observing others.

“Sit,” Unalmis encouraged the musical duo, extending a chair with one leg toward his brother. “It really did, sounded very good,” he then agreed. As Sorrel shook her head with less energy now, though no less despair.

“Your brother is a little away with the clouds this evening,” she confided in the musician, without properly apologising for her friend’s confusion. And if the young woman suspected the cause, such as his diverted obsession toward another couple, for example .. she did not mention it now in greater company. “But you were very good, and you are not the only one who noticed .. you know,” Sorrel assured Trev, glancing as subtly as she was able back toward Gil and Iole. “They do seem to have had a surprisingly good time. Most of the time,” she added, more quietly. Excepting of course for the brief instance when Iole nearly fled the scene. “She wanted to come back, I think. As soon as she had left. He knows why ..” she jabbed too wide and easily missed Nal with her fork.


At that, Nal seemed to return mentally to the table, but just mouthed a silent ‘I’ll tell you later,’ towards Trev to explain. He was not going to risk ruining the evening any further by mentioning certain Umbarians in any more detail. Particularly those who were off picking oakum at the Prince’s pleasure, hopefully for the next fifty years. If the Belfs did not hang the liar outright …

“I only warned her that crying would make her eyes all puffy.” Sorrel concluded her accounting of resolving Iole’s upset. And Nal rediscovered his humour, although not quite quick enough to remark about Sorrel having made some other peoples’ eyes puffy ..

“And here I didn’t think that you could top your performance at the Masquerade,” he admitted to Renia instead. “But somehow you absolutely did. And that last song,” the young man met his brother’s eye. And nodded pointedly, to mark his approval. It might have induced too much of a personal response to ask where ‘that’ had come from, but it had certainly left an impression.

---

Dessy ‘Hart’ with Malus Aldis
Eve of Dec 27th. Quite star struck ..

“Can I just say ?” Malus presented beside their table, without any further warning, and one hand dragging his wife behind him. “You two are bloody brilliant,” he grinned, and held out his hand toward Trevadir. “I’m so glad we came. Are you going to be playing here regular now ?”

“Hello, I’m Dessy. He’s Malus,” the undertaker’s wife offered a greeting to Renia as her husband seemed to be far too excited to have troubled over introductions. “And I swear we will not keep you from your rest," she added pointedly, with a small pull at her husband's oblivious hand. "But yes, you were both very good,” she awarded the entertainers.


“Did you see though, who is over there ?” Malus did his utmost to steer Nal’s attention to where Xyler and Hadassa were sitting. “Are they not in fact the ones who you wanted to ask .. about the .. oh ..”

The frantic motion of Nal’s hand across his own throat, led their gathered company to quiet. A little too late. “Not here,” the Ranger tried to clarify, without stating aloud he did not wish to speak of his quest yet again .. where Iole or Cali might overhear. Besides that, the two Rohirrim looked to be having far too good a time, that any should not want to interrupt them tonight. “Is Cali alright, could you see ?” he altered the subject with a whisper, and a glance toward Trev. But when Nal took his own eyes over, to see if his view of the smith and her company was any better now, than it had been before .. his eye fell upon the other couple instead.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

Xyler grinned a bit at the image of dancing horses. "I bet, if anyone could teach a horse to do that, it would be you." He declared, quite sure that she was a far superior horse person than himself. "I can't even quite imagine what that would look like, to be honest." He laughed. "So, if you do manage it, maybe you could make a show of it. Charge people to see your dancing horse." He suggested, amused at the thought.

As for getting the time off, Xyler nodded in understanding. "Yeah, best make the most of this visit while we're here." He agreed. "I still can't believe the good luck that you had, getting a whole year of leave." He really was happy about that, because not only was he able to get this great visit time, but he could spend a lot of it with her, too!

About the time she had agreed about having another dance, though, he noticed that the musicians had gone to sit down. "Hmm, should we wait and see if they're going to do anymore music, or just dance without any?" He asked quietly, ready to do whichever she preferred. As he was asking, he thought he noticed someone motion toward their table, but then he stopped before Xyler was sure about it.

---

Trev & Renia

"You sure?" Trev checked, when Nal suggested that he sit, but since he had pushed a chair out toward them, he took that as a yes. "Thanks." He smiled, both at the offer of a chair, and the compliment to the music. Holding the chair out, he motioned for Renia to take that one, and helped her with it before he went to claim the other available chair.

He gave a slow nod in answer to Sorrel's not quite explanation, then glanced over at Nal questioningly. He tried to follow his gaze to see what had him so distracted.

"Thanks!" Renia answered for him, as Trev had become almost as distracted as his brother. Rolling her eyes slightly, she tapped his leg with her shoe, under the table. "Nice to see you again." She added with a smile at Sorrela.

Trev turned his attention back to the guardwoman. "Yes, thank you." He echoed, smiling at the compliment to the music. He gave a nod in reply to her added comment about Iole, glad to hear that they'd had a good time. "It looks that way," he agreed happily. It was a little hard to believe that both of his sisters were here, on a date with guys, and enjoying themselves. What was the world coming to?

As Sorrel pointed toward his brother and declared that 'he knows why' Iole wanted to come back, Trev glanced over, but he nodded when he saw Nal's silent words, and turned back to Sorrel. "Well, thanks for.. being there. For her." he concluded, with a little glance toward the pair in question. "He seems like a good guy." He shrugged, glad that Iole was giving him a chance.

Renia turned to Nal, smiling at his compliment. "Thanks! You know, I was sort of nervous about singing in front of people, at first." She admitted. "Both at the masquerade, and tonight. But after I got over that, it was really fun! But I can't take credit for the songs," She added. "Trev wrote all the songs. Oh, except for the one about Nimrodel," She added, remembering that one.

"But you sang it beautifully," Trev pointed out to her. "And you can actually take credit for the one," He reminded her, before turning to the others. "She wrote it-"

"I wrote a poem, and it wasn't the best one." Renia rolled her eyes as she corrected him, and informed Nal and Sorrel; "He made some adjustments and turned it into a great song."

"Uh.. no." Trev disagreed. "She wrote a great poem, I made a few very small adjustments and added music." Trev insisted, as Renia smiled. "That was the one, 'I hope you dance'," He explained for the other two, with a little smile at Nal for the comment about 'the last song'. "That one," he began saying, just before another couple unexpectedly joined them, surprising Trev. He looked up and smiled, taking the other guy's outstretched hand. "Thank you," He grinned at their complimentary words as he shook his hand. "Hi, Dessy, and.. Malus?" he grinned in surprise. "I didn't recognize you. How are you? Um... Trev, in case you didn't remember," He added, realizing he'd been gone for a few years and the guy might not really remember him. "This is Renia," he added, indicating the blond singer at the table.

"Hello!" Renia greeted them cheerily. "And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the music." She glanced at Trev curiously. "That is a good question, by the way. Will we be able to do this regularly?" She wondered, looking at Trev for an answer.

"Uh... maybe? That would depend on him," He answered his question, with a nod toward the innkeeper/owner who was approaching their table with Trev and Renia's meals. While Nal and Malus were discussing something, Trev thanked the innkeeper for his salad.

He started on his salad while the other two were talking about something else. But when Nal asked about Cali, Trev gave a small shake of his head while he finished chewing. "I couldn't really see her well," He explained, once he had an empty mouth. "She's with Mourgan, but that's all I know." That was about all he could really answer about that.

Renia leaned forward slightly on the table. "I caught a glimpse of her," She answered. "I think she enjoyed the song. A lot. Just like everyone did. It was a excellent song, Trev. I've never heard that one before, is it new?"

"Sort of.." He answered, slightly self-conscious but also sort of pleased. "I.. got the inspiration for that one, the day I learned I'd be coming home." He explained quietly, leaving the rest vague. Those who knew the story there, would already know why that was significant. Those who didn't know, he'd rather keep it that way. "I've had the words written for a while, and the tune. I just.. I wanted to be able to play the music on the zither well enough to play in public, you know? So I could sing it. Because I can't sing and play the flute, and.. singing it without music would be.. less impressive." He shrugged and resumed eating his salad.

"Well, I think everyone was suitably impressed." She grinned at Trev's apparent shyness about the subject, while glancing at the others there. "Right?"

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

When the music stopped, Lucion drew Eryn to a slow halt. He gave her a smile before looking over at the musicians, who were just bowing. Polite as he was, Lucion still regretted reclaiming his hands to clap for the young man and young lady who had been supplying them with tunes and songs. It was a special craft, to his mind. For song and music could bring about such emotions in people. It was a valuable gift.

He carefully took Eryn's hand to guide her back to their table, then. "Would you like something else to drink?" he offered her, while holding her chair for her and helping her close the distance to the table again. While he reclaimed his own seat, he thought about how she'd told him she lived out in the Pelennor. "I'm glad to hear you're enjoying yourself," he first said, smiling. "And as much as I would like the evening to go on for a good while longer - believe me - my mother did raise me well," he said with a pleasant smile. "Do you have to be home by a certain hour?" He wondered out loud. "Do you need an escort to walk you home, later? I must say I am not terribly keen on letting you go home alone, late in the evening. Especially all the way out to the Pelennor." He shrugged self-consciously. "Although, I can imagine you also might not want a man you've only spoken to twice, really, to accompany you..."

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Unalmis Raxelilta and Sorrela Korsey
Now sitting with Trevadir and Renia,
as Dessy ‘Hart’ and Malus Aldis ready to make their exit.
Eve of Dec 27th. During the break in musical entertainment.

It was difficult not to smile as the two musicians argued playfully over one another being owed applause. “He does at that,” Nal wholeheartedly agreed, when Renia lauded Trev’s skill at turning verse into a melody. “Although he seems more inspired than ever to do so, now he has a proper partner in rhyme,” the Ranger dropped his amusement at his brother’s evident new ‘inspiration’.

“I remember,” Malus assured the flutist, as Dessy took Renia’s hand and assured the blonde that it was nice to meet her. Her husband was focused on the answers offered to his question meanwhile. “Well you can count on us coming again,” he confirmed. “I wonder, you two do awfully well with very soulful songs. Have you ever considered singing at funerals ?”

“He’s an undertaker,” Dessy put in, laying a hand softly on her husband’s shoulder, before Renia or Sorrel believed the young man to be quite odd. The younger couple made their excuses to leave though, soon after the enquiry was satisfied, for they had work in the morning, a long walk up a mountain to get home first, and the understanding that yawning would be frowned upon, in the company of any clients they would see the next day, after too late a night.


“Your Gramps would be really proud,” Nal assured Trev about the zither’s debut. He nodded his understanding, as his brother mentioned the song he’d written, and .. when .. but he allowed the explanations to fade, for Sorrel was still present. Although the young Guard herself had turned her attention to inspect the other couples who were still around, while their entertainers fell upon some well-earned refreshments.

But as Gildolen paid his table’s bill, and began to wrap Iole carefully into her winter coat, Sorrela started up where she sat, and glanced with pointed concern towards Unalmis. As though they two ere in fact on some sort of stakeout and their targets were making a break for it, instead of simply observing the young gentleman aiding his date toward a moon-eyed stroll.


“I’ll be right back,” Nal uttered, over an abrupt screech of his chair’s legs against the inn floor. And as though he had just been reminded of the need, the young man followed example, paid for his and Sorrela’s food and drink (which Roselly and Diona had in fact ‘kindly’ consumed most of). He then gestured over toward Xyler and Hadassa’s table with as much subtlety as could be managed, and paid their bill as well. It had been his invitation after all which had brought the friends to this expenditure, and he still owed the young Rohir for a meal enjoyed in Edoras, which he had not forgotten. The innkeeper had nodded, understanding, and went back about his business.

“I’ll make sure she gets home alright,” Nal’s ‘date’ informed him, even as he returned to her and the musicians. “I guess they think the music is finished for this evening,” she hoped. That it was not in fact a case of Iole wanting to escape for other reasons.


“Hope she doesn’t end up smacking the poor guy again,” Nal confided to Trev and Renia, as first the quiet couple, and then their very tall pursuit, braved the cool evening outside. While the Guard recruit could surely provide an intimidating figure, for her vocation, stealth was not really a quality in Sorrela’s tool kit. Focus was clearly lacking in Nal’s own abilities this evening however, for despite his comment being aimed at the now dining musicians, his brown eyes were aimed toward Cali, who he could still see rather less well than he could spy on another couple, sat beyond the smith.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

"Now I have a new goal - to teach Sugar some dancing skills," Hadassa laughed, even though she now thought that it was well worth investigating because she grew curious if it was possible.

She leaned back slightly against the back of her chair as she let her gaze wander around establishment idly before returning it to Xyler, as she said: "Well, yes, this is definitely some good luck, though it kinda counts as an assignment - I have to make sure nothing befalls you." A mischievous grin played on her lips. "I think I might not be that diligent in my task because I don't really shadow you wherever you go. Don't tell my commanders."

When her friend asked if they should dance without music now that the musicians had stepped away, Hadassa looked around again and then said: "I don't know. I think it might be a bit awkward to dance without music. Don't you think?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Eryn with Lucion

Would she like something else to drink? Eryn couldn't even remember if she'd finished the drink she had. Their dishes had been cleared from the table, though, so it didn't really matter. "Thank you, but I'm alright." She decided, smiling at Lucion as he helped her with the chair. It was sort of flattering, although strange at the same time. It made her feel like she was still at the masquerade, or something. Even if she didn't really need the help with the chair.

She was a little caught by surprise though, at his next question. It was then that she remembered that she had an early shift at the houses of healing, in the morning. "Oh, yes, I suppose I should be going home soon." She realized, letting out a small sigh. She'd been having a nice evening, and it seemed like a shame to have to go already. But she also figured her family would expect her home at the usual time. "I have to be at the houses of healing in the morning," She explained. "So, I'll have to get all my chores done early."

It surprised her though when Lucion asked if she needed an escort home. And then she paused, torn between this dilemma. Ordinarily, she wouldn't mind telling him that she'd be fine walking home alone. Or, to accept the offer of walking her home. But now, she hesitated. Several thoughts flitted through her mind, but she couldn't take forever to decide. "I'll be alright," She assured him with a smile. "I've walked home alone plenty of times, later than this. And I have plenty of friends around, too." She added, motioning toward a few tables. "If it would make you feel better, I could ask one of them to walk with me?"

---

@Ercassie

Trev & Renia

It was sort of reassuring to know that the younger man had not forgotten who he was. Trev smiled to hear that Malus remembered him, but the smile sort of froze in a bit of surprise at the question that followed. Singing... for funerals? He blinked, mostly caught off guard at being asked, not because it seemed like such a strange request.

The question was definitely odd, and Renia definitely did not expect that. She gave Malus an odd look and was just about to ask 'what?', when Dessy explained. "Ah.." She nodded slowly before focusing on eating her food.

"Uh.. Wow. Um, I hadn't ever thought about it, to be honest?" Trev admitted to Malus, shrugging. "Maybe I'd consider it?" He was willing to consider it, anyway. Malus had been practically adopted by Iole's father, which made him like Iole's little brother. And Iole was Trev's blood sister, which made them all like family. It was sort of funny to think about all of the connections, really... "Maybe we can talk about it sometime, if you want."

Soon, the other couple excused themselves to leave, and then it was just them at the table again. Trev was about to ask his friend if that was his cousin who'd just left, when Nal mentioned his grandpa being proud. The words made him smile slightly, because that was the one grandparent that he had never had the chance to meet. And it was nice to think that he would be pleased to hear Trev play the instrument he had loved. "Thanks." The gratitude was expressed quietly, but no less genuinely.

As Gil and Iole made their exit. Trev watched as Nal went over to pay his tab, and then returned to the table while Sorrela went to follow Gil and Iole. He snickered at Nal's comment. "From what I've been seeing, Iole would be upset if she did that." He answered with a little grin.

Noting Nal's lack of attention, Trev glanced over to try and follow his line of sight. Seeing that he seemed to be looking at Cali, Trev returned his attention to his salad, and soon finished it. "I probably should get back up there," He decided, pushing his plate away, then looked at Renia. "Ready?"

"Ready!" She smiled brightly, though she glanced over at Nal. "Hey, don't worry. She's fine," She told him quietly, seeing that he appeared to be looking over at Cali. Then she hopped up and followed Trev back to the front, to resume the music for the evening.

---

@Pele Alarion

Xyler

"Do you think horses can actually dance?" Xyler wondered, trying to imagine it. "Maybe like.. in their own way, I guess. Hopping around, rearing up or something," He pondered the thought, trying to think of the various motions he had seen horses do. "Well, whatever the case, I bet you'd enjoy the challenge." He shrugged and sat back in his seat. "I suppose some music would make the dancing better," He agreed.

He smiled again though, as she mentioned her assignment. "Well, I guess we'll have to make sure to spend more time together." He decided. "Otherwise, I might have to report your negligence." He added in a pretend serious tone, with a little smile threatening to appear despite his attempt at looking and sounding serious.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

It was sounding like their evening together was almost over. Especially once she declined his offer to walk her home. "I understand," he said slowly, "but yes, I would feel better if... one of your friends walked you." Even if she wanted to be a ranger, she was no ranger yet.

She wanted to be a ranger.

That was still... so weird. He'd been much more enamoured with the idea of a healer, than a ranger. The latter simply seemed... like asking for trouble. And Lucion was not a man who liked to invite trouble. It was probably best, then, that he would not be walking her home. For he had some thinking to do, of his own. Given everything Eryn had told him tonight.

He made sure to plan in their next meeting, however, before either of them rose. And he also made sure to insist on paying their bill in full - as if there could be any question of that. "It was nice meeting you, Eryn," he said genuinely as he took her hand in his, for this had been a nicer and more entertaining evening than the large majority of evenings he had so far spent in the White City. He brushed his lips against the back of her hand. Politely. But the contact was unmistakable, nonetheless.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Eryn with Lucion

The fact that he was so concerned about her made her smile slightly. "Then, I will ask one of them," She assured him. Perhaps, in days to come, she would introduce him to some of her friends. And her family. The thought of that made her a little nervous. What would her dad say about her dating someone? She had no idea how her family might react to this, and to Lucion. He was a very nice guy, of course, but she knew her father pretty well. And she had a feeling he was going to say she was too young to be dating or whatever. That, of course, was part of the reason she didn't think it would be a good idea to have Lucion walk her home, because she could guess how her father might react to that. Plus, as he said, she barely knew him yet. And while she didn't mind spending time with him here in this well-populated place, surrounded by friends, a part of her felt that it would not be smart to go off alone, at night, walking down an isolated road toward her home.

But they had made plans to meet again, in the daytime. With Hattie. They could spend more time together, then. She could get to know him better. She was looking forward to it, in fact. It seemed that he was also looking forward to it, as he made sure to discuss the particulars of when and where they would meet. And then he went to pay for their meal. Having never had a date before, Eryn wasn't entirely sure whether she should expect to pay for her own, or not... but it seemed that he took care of it. Well, that was very nice of him!

As they both stood up from the table, and he reached to take her hand, Eryn was not quite sure what she expected, but she would have been more inclined to expect a handshake, not a kiss to the hand. When he did the latter, however, a light blush rose to her face, but so did a small smile. "You, too," She answered, before realizing that wasn't quite as eloquent as what she had meant to say. "I mean," Her blush increased slightly as she tried to rephrase it. "This has been a lovely evening, and it was very nice to meet you, Lucion." She smiled at him, then added a little more. "Thank you.. you know, for dinner.. and for the dance, and... everything."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December

Her blush was pretty. He couldn't deny enjoying it. However... It felt a little awkward, standing there in the middle of the guesthouse, saying goodbye. Leaving first. Was the guy supposed to leave first? Lucion didn't think so. But she had refused his offer to walk her home. Understandably. She had friends here, whom she'd ask to walk her. So... he had to leave first. Even though he had been taught differently.

"Well, um," he began, after she thanked him, "You are welcome. Bye, then... and I will see you soon." And since he was not sure what else to say, or whether there was anything more to say at all, he retrieved his outerwear, donned it, and hesitantly stepped out into the dark and cold of the late evening.

(exit Lucion)

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen @Arnyn

Unalmis Raxelilta. Mischief managed.
Eve of Dec 27th.

Unalmis had allowed for Trev and Renia to complete their refreshments without his full attention upon them. There was not much in the way of conversation he could offer to his brother, besides the sort of smalltalk neither would be interested in. Anything more confidential was impossible while the singer was at their side. And who knew how long the musicians would be permitted to take a break from their performing ? He certainly did not wish to cost them their dinner now by distracting them. Besides, if he concentrated on questions, he would lose his focus on the actual source of his confusion. But as evident as his preoccupation was, at least it was assumed that he was obsessed with a wholly different couple than he actually was.

It was not as though he was not interested in what was happening with Cali and Mourgan of course. But he had no qualms on that front. He may have been fervently hoping that his room mate would not tell him ‘all about it’ later .. but he trusted the other Ranger implicitly. His comrade was no danger to his sister. If anything, it was more likely to be the other way around, the way that the Smith wielded her tools !


So he noted the departure of the musicians from his table, with a half hearted “Right,” and did not glance after them, until after they had already abandoned him. And it was in the midst of the entertainment readying to start up again, and a flurry of new patrons who had been enticed in from the cold to enjoy the guesthouse .. that the young man realised he was taking up an entire table all to himself now, while newly arrived people were looking about for space to sit down.

Seeking out his warmer coating , Nal thus rose, in the same moment that Eryn and Lucion did, across the way. And brown eyes noted the exchange between them. Nothing jaw dropping or astounding, if it wasn’t for the fact that he would never have expected .. her … to be doing with that sort of thing. The two of them, perhaps, sat together as friends, all whispering and laughing as they watched some other poor loved up couple doing just that sort of thing .. that was much more likely. And yet, here they were. Or there she was, to be more precise. Looking as unlike herself as she was also inescapably Eryn. The blush on her cheek made the fact undeniable. For how often had he noted that sweet glow about her ? It was so wholesome and innocent. Adorable especially when it appeared when she was doing something .. daring. Like this ? No. Why did it feel .. different .. or wrong .. now ? Because she was with .. that .. him ? A frown punctured Nal’s brow. Who was that guy anyway ? Noone he had asked seemed to know.


He did not note as his seat was filled, by an eager new patron as soon as it was made available. He did not glance back toward where Cali and Mourgan were obliviously occupied. He dared not venture a look toward Xyler and Hadassa, lest he draw their notice and that entirely involved young couple might prematurely discover that their meal was already paid for. Or that Malus had twice nearly dropped Unalmis in it, by loudly raising the subject of a certain secret mission he still had to ask the Rohirrim about. Not tonight. No, best slip out. Iole was safe. Sorrel was satisfied. Xyler had been compensated. Cali was comfortable. And Trevadir was readying to impress a second wave of audience.

Unalmis stumbled out of the Guesthouse, bereft of any further purpose in loitering there, save to do exactly the same thing that Sorrela had done not long ago. In the name of concern. In the name of confusion. In the name of someone who was cared for, but had not asked for any intervention. He had promised Duinion that he would protect Eryn. That was likely where this sense of righteous responsibility was coming from. But that had been five years ago. And she was .. she was not the same girl now that she had been back then.


The cold of the eve outside pierced Nal almost immediately, and he froze his feet not far from the front steps. As though he had found himself now in a strange land that he did not recognise. He stared a moment at the outside of the door, imagined charging back in and then trying to explain to even himself why he felt such a need to do that. In the end, he backed into the alley just off the street, as the strange young man (Lucion exited the Guesthouse. The growing deep of the hour wove a darkness which easily swaddled the Ranger from the muted reach of the street lights. But even observing the unfamiliar fellow now so closely, so clandestinely, gave him no cause to justify the sense of disquiet.

He had left, the stranger had left. And Eryn had .. not left with him ? The fact ought to have allowed Nal to relax. As she clearly was not vanishing into the night with a man that nobody knew. Should he go back in ? Should he leave ? Why was he questioning .. any of this ? In the shadow, in the silence, Unalmis laid his brow calmly against the frigid stone of the alley wall, and told himself to pull himself together. Anyone would think his mind was addled from drink, but he’d not supped any alcohol at all. Whatever else had intoxicated him, he could not imagine. Maybe if he stood still and quiet for a moment, he would feel better. The cool climes were numbing and the night was a sleep of sorts that promised soothing peace.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn
@Pele Alarion

Eryn, no longer with Lucion

"Bye, Lucion." Eryn smiled, watching as he departed from the inn's common room. She suddenly began to feel a little unsure. Was he upset, that she had not wanted him to walk her home? There was something about their parting that had seemed just... a little awkward. Maybe it was a sense, somehow, that he didn't seem comfortable with it. Or maybe it was all in her imagination. Whatever.

She slid into her chair and thought for a moment, glancing around. Then she picked up the flowers out of the glass of water, smiling faintly as she thought about how nice it was of him to have gotten her flowers. Absently, she looked around as the door opened a few times, letting people in and out. She really should be getting back home, she realized. Her father would be wondering, and she was supposed to be at the houses of healing early.

Looking around, however, Eryn noticed a slight problem with her promise to Lucion. Cali and Mourgan were sitting not far from her, and she knew them alright. Cali, especially. But she didn't want to intrude on their date. Plus, neither were heading out to the Pelennor, she figured, since Cali lived on the third and Mourgan was Nal's roommate, so he'd be going up to the ranger barracks. No, she wasn't about to go ask that friend to walk her home.

Next, she looked toward Xyler and Hadassa. Also on a date, and also looking quite involved in their own discussion, whatever that might be. She wasn't sure where Hadassa was staying, but she knew that Xyler had a room with in the Houses of Healing living area. A few of the healers, nurses, and other staff lived there, and so it had made the most sense for him to live there during his stay, as well. But Hadassa... Eryn thought for a moment, wondering about that. Was Hadassa staying at an inn, somewhere? She didn't even know where the cavalry girl was keeping her horse, she realized. Xyler had put his in a stable, but earlier today, Eryn had, after making sure her aunt and uncle were alright with it, offered to let Dusty pasture with Smoke and Buttercup. He had not had a chance to bring him out yet, though. And she hadn't really had much chance to talk with Hadassa so far, but she figured on extending that offer to her, too.

But the same problem applied to them, tonight. She didn't want to intrude. So, she looked around for anyone else she might know. While she sort of knew Nal's friend Trev, he was busy with the singing, and would be until late. Later than Eryn wanted to stay. And Iole had already left, too. Eryn sat back with a little sigh, realizing that maybe, she might have to give in and ask Nal. Even though she was still sort of upset with him. She wasn't quite sure what to say, or if she wanted to talk to him, after the whole... masquerade thing. She frowned, recalling how he'd ditched her for those other girls, and she still felt rather confused about it. Because he had seemed like he was very interested in her, until... something changed. But what?

Shaking her head slightly, Eryn realized that none of this really mattered right now, anyway. Because Nal was gone, too. She bit her lip as she came to that realization, feeling... a bit more disappointed than she had expected to feel. In fact, she felt more saddened to notice that he was gone, than she had felt when Lucion left. Was that right? Shouldn't she feel more disappointment about her date leaving? She looked at the flowers, thinking about him again. He was nice. Polite. A good dancer. He was very sweet, and she was looking forward to seeing him again. To getting to know him better. And he didn't call her a kid, like a certain other person.

She sighed. Well, she couldn't just sit here all night thinking about their differences. She needed to get home. And yet, she also didn't want to break her promise to Lucion. But, she reminded herself, she'd only told him she'd ask someone. Eryn got up slowly and looked around, thoughtful about that. She didn't exactly specify what she would ask one of her friends, did she? And why did the place seem like it was getting more crowded? Right, people were coming in, looking for tables. She moved away from hers, taking her flowers with her as she crossed the room.

"Hi, Xyler, Hadassa." Eryn greeted them with a little smile.

"Hello, Eryn!" Xyler greeted her back.

"It's nice to see you both here. I hope you're enjoying the evening. I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner or anything, but I was wondering, Xyler, if you wanted to bring Dusty over tonight, or tomorrow, or another day?" She asked.

"Oh.. not tonight. It's kind of late, so I'm sure your family would rather not deal with all that tonight." He answered, figuring it'd be better all-around if they waited until daytime for that. "But thank you. I'm sure Dusty'll be fine in the stall until tomorrow."

"That's fine, I just wanted to check whether you had any plans to go out to the Pelennor tonight, that's all." Eryn assured him.

"Nope. Not tonight," He shook his head. "Too cold and too dark to be going out there when I don't have to. I've already paid for the stall for the night, anyway." He shrugged. "Besides, I figured I'd walk Hadassa home when we leave here," he added with a glance toward her to check if she was alright with that.

Eryn smiled and nodded slightly. "Well, I don't want to hold up your evening or anything, but I was going to tell you, too, Hadassa," She turned to her. "We've got lots of field and all at our place, and there's plenty of room if you want to let Sugar stay with our horses while you're here, instead of a stable in town. My aunt and uncle have already said it's alright, and we have plenty of hay stored up for the winter, and all that. I thought it'd save you some expenses, anyway." She explained. "If you do want to, just let me know. I'll see you around, alright?"

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

"Never know, perhaps it is possible to teach horses some steps. I might try with Sugar. Though should probably learn more dancing myself," Hadassa said, laughing lightly. For some reason she found herself feeling very much at ease with Xyler and laughing more than she ever remembered doing so. Was the assignment of watching his back meant to feel this easy? "Oh... don't report on me, for what will I say to explain myself?" she grinned and then shrugged lightly. "Suppose keeping an eye on you more often would be good means for no complaints."

Then Eryn came along to their table, and Hadassa smiled at her. "Hello," she greeted back, and then listened to the all-things-horse talk with interest.

"Oh," she joined the conversation excitedly. "Is it really a possibility for me to have my horse with yours? I'm sure she would prefer it to city stables. I might also help with all the horses, perhaps."

She did not say anything about Xyler seeing her home though - for the way would not be long at all; she was staying in the Guesthouse after all. Though she now almost regretted that it was so.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

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Eryn & Xyler

Eryn smiled at Hadassa's question about whether it would be possible. "Of course," She wouldn't have offered if it wasn't alright. "I already asked my aunt and uncle, and they don't mind. We have plenty of field, and our two horses would love the company of others." She was pretty sure they would, anyway.

"Yeah, I'm sure the horses would enjoy that a lot better than being in a stall all day," Xyler agreed with Hadassa. "I mean, I'm not really sure why all these city folk don't just have their horses out in the pasture," he added, thoughtful. "But then, do they have any other option?" he asked.

Eryn shook her head slowly. "I don't think so." She realized. "Maybe someone should open a horse boarding place in the Pelennor, so the horses can be in the fields until someone needs them." She thought that seemed like a great idea, but she figured it would need to be someone else to start that up, since Eryn didn't have the funds or the land to do it, herself. As Hadassa suggested maybe helping with the horses, Eryn smiled. "Yeah, that'd be great, if you want." She agreed. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." She added, waving as she moved back from their table. She didn't want to disrupt their date. "Have a good night."

Xyler watched Eryn go grab her cloak from the peg by the door, then she was gone. "I haven't even been out to see her place, but she says there's a lot of pasture for the cows." He mentioned. "I should get out to the Pelennor at some point, to keep Dusty from getting too bored." he mentioned. "I'd like to explore it some, anyway. Maybe you and I could go riding, one day?" He suggested. "I'll have to look at what my schedule is like at the healing houses, though."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trainee Trastion Leithor
January 15th

It had been eleven days since the rest of the rangers left. Trastion was missing them a lot, already, and to be honest.. he felt a little left out. He was taking care of things, of course. Giving Narsule, Mael, and Gaeroch plenty of attention, while also attending to his duties. Keeping up with his training. Working on whatever other training he could work on. And yet, it wasn't the same. The morning routine with Arnyn wasn't the same without her. Sleeping in the barracks alone was.. weird, since both Mourgan and Nal were off at sea with everyone else. And today should have been his regular sparring session with Kaylin. They would have normally gotten a drink afterward before returning to the upper levels.

With a sigh, Trastion stepped into the Guesthouse, alone this time. Sure, Kaylin was gone, but he was cold after spending a long time out in the cold, so he figured he might as well come in, warm up, have a hot drink, and try not to act like he'd never see his 'sister' again. But honestly, maybe this mass absence of his new ranger family, was reminding him a little bit of losing his natural family. He had no idea whether he would ever see his real sister again. He could only try to cherish the brief moments he had spent with her at the masquerade, without her even knowing that it was him. And now, his pretend sister had gone, and...

He drew a deep breath and tried to tell himself that it was only training. They weren't going off on the dangerous mission yet. There was little reason to think that they would encounter any serious danger just yet, so he should stop worrying. After slowly peeling out of his coat, gloves, hat, and scarf, Trastion hung all of the above on a hook by the door before going to the counter. "A hot chocolate, please." He requested.

Edgor gave him a startled glance, his gaze lingering on the side of Trastion's face for a moment. "What happened to you?" He inquired, having not seen the trainee since it had happened.

Trastion brought his hand up to lightly touch the rash on his face, grimacing slightly. "Poison ivy." He lamented, sticking with the same story every time anyone asked. "No rush on the chocolate, by the way. I'll be over here," Trastion waved toward some empty tables in the corner, then made his way over to one of them. He hoped to avoid any further questions about his rash, and he very much regretted that it was in a place so obvious. At least when Relic had poured Mourgan's stash on him, most of it had ended up on his chest and back, and whatever had spread up his skin toward his neck had been easily hidden by his shirt collar. But this.. it was right on his face, and impossible to hide. Sigh.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Meluiel
January 15th

Once she'd seen, through the window, that Trastion had moved away from the bar, she came in. It had been hard to tell whether the young man would go to the Wayfarers or the Guesthouseor nowhere at all - since that red-headed ranger had taken him to both places without really following any kind of pattern when she'd still been in the city, and since Trastion hadn't even gone to one of the inns after his previous session at the ranger training grounds. But today, he had. And he had chosen the Guesthouse. And today, Jade had come prepared for exactly that opportunity.

She left her hood up until she had claimed a seat at the counter, only pushing it down slowly once nothing but her back would be visible to her target. Edgor quickly spotted her upon his return from the kitchen, and the lines in his face softened immediately. The poor man had developed a soft spot for her, after the whole debacle with Urion. Honestly, Jade felt badly about it. If he were to ever find out that she had been the one responsible for it, it would be such a shock to the poor man that his hair might turn white overnight.

But -as it was- Edgor had no idea that she was the culprit. And so he approached her, his voice gentler than with anyone else, as if he did not wish to spook a small kitten who'd lost its mother. "Hello, Melui," he offered quietly, with a careful smile. "What can I get for you today, dear?"

She offered him a small smile in return, barely lifting her eyes to him for longer than a second. "I don't know yet. What are people asking for today?"

Edgor tilted his head, his smile growing a little as he tried to sound a bit more animated. "Well, it's cold out, so the warm drink orders are a thing again today. It's a bit on the early side for most people to really start drinking. Regular ale always moves well, too, however."

She looked up at him, looking in doubt. "Warm drinks?" she picked up on the only option he'd given that was non alcoholic. The one that 'Trastion' would have ordered. But a hot drink could still mean loads of things. After a moment's thought, she added: "What was your last order then?"

"Hot chocolate," Edgor confided. "It's probably just about done."

Her voice lowered, only barely audible. "Urion loved that, too."

"Do you want one?" the innkeeper suggested sympathetically. "The young man who ordered it said there was no rush. I can give you the first one. Make him another."

She smiled a little weakly. "Thanks, Edgor."

Soon, one mug of steaming hot chocolate was in front of her. Once Edgor returned to the kitchen, to heat more milk and melt more chocolate, she added the contents of a small vial to the mug with no more than a few deft movements. Then she slowly slid it over to the side. And waited for the serving girl to come back to the bar. "Edgor said the young man who just sat down, ordered this," she told the girl, when the latter put down her tray on the counter next to her and bid her a chipper 'hello'. Given how familiar the girl was with Meluiel, she didn't question it. "Got it!" the girl replied in a sing-song tone, before plucking up the mug and taking it to the back corner.

It was tempting to turn and watch the hot chocolate's trajectory. But Jade told herself that she couldn't. Not yet. So she kept her back firmly turned to the room.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Trainee Trastion Leithor
January 15th

Setting down his gear in the empty chair beside him, Trastion stretched his legs out under the table and got comfortable while he waited for his drink to come. He stared off toward the fireplace with a little sigh, wondering what his comrades were doing right now. He hoped they were alright. What if they ran into rough water? Or what if they ran into pirates, before they planned on it?

With many days left still before they returned, Trastion couldn't help but worry about them. He absently began to rub his face, before remembering that he wasn't supposed to scratch at it. Swiftly stopping, he folded his hands in his lap under the table. His attention was suddenly drawn back toward the room as a bit of commotion occurred...

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No sooner had Eryn opened the door to allow Brooke to enter the Guesthouse's common room, than Hattie and Chewy barged their way excitedly past both girls, as if Hattie intended to show her new friend around.

Hattie, being eager to show off the training that Nal had been working with her about, immediately made a beeline for the one person in the room that she knew; Trastion. Chewy bounded happily after, as if Hattie was going to introduce him around. She ran right in front of the serving girl, causing her to gasp as she hastily stepped back to avoid tripping over the unexpected dog, but she didn't see the other one, coming right behind Hattie.

"Chewy, no! Come back!" Brooke called after him uselessly, cringing as she saw the trajectory her dog was taking; he plowed right under the serving girl's legs, knocking her down on her way toward a table with a mug on a tray. The poor girl let out a shriek as she crashed to the floor, mug, tray and all.

"Oh no!" Eryn hastened toward the serving girl and kneeled down to help her clean up, while Brooke hurried to try and capture the dogs. "Sorry about that, are you alright?" Eryn asked, helping pick up the pieces of a broken mug, then helped her up. The girl assured her she was fine, then went to grab a mop and toss away the broken mug, and let Edgor know to make up another hot chocolate.

Trastion watched all of this with wide eyes, seeing it all happen without being able to do anything to stop it. His mouth dropped open as he watched Hattie and some other dog cause chaos, practically knocking the serving girl's feet out from under her. Hattie, completely heedless of the trail of destruction in their wake, led her new doggy friend over. "Hey there," He greeted the two with amusement as he petted Hattie, then held out his hand to let the unfamiliar dog sniff at him.

Hesitating briefly, Brooke glanced toward the window before approaching the table. "I'm sorry," Brooke told the young man, embarrassed as she caught the end of the trailing leash while Chewy was distracted by sniffing the stranger's hand thoroughly. "He just gets excited, but he isn't vicious." She assured him shyly.

"No problem." Trastion assured her with a friendly smile.

"Hey, Trastion." Eryn greeted him as she peeked under a table to find Hattie. "Where did she get off to?" She wondered, puzzled.

"Um, behind you," Trastion frowned. "I think she's trying to drink what was meant to be my hot chocolate."

Eryn hastily spun around. "Hattieee." She sighed in exasperation, then went over to try and capture the silly dog. "You're not supposed to have chocolate." She informed her, as Hattie dodged away from her reaching arms, apparently deciding that it was time to play a game of 'don't let the human grab you'.

Meanwhile, Brooke tugged Chewy away from Trastion and approached the counter to speak to the man there. "I'm so sorry, sir.. we'll pay for the damaged mug, I promise..." She assured him apologetically. "Also, um.. we were coming here hoping to get a couple cups of chocolate too, if it's not too much trouble..."

[Ercassie]

Ospiel Iuliel, Jan 15th.
Shadowing the girls and their dogs

There were places in the world where she would not be observed, not because she did not go there but because few eyes were keen enough to observe her there. Admittedly some of those places were also where few of sound mind would deign to go in the first place. But that is beside the point. Ospiel wore camouflage as a skin when she was scouting. Today she was not scouting. In this inn, on this day, her assignment was to be as seen as she could manage. And while allowing for her more Elvish features to be marked by astounded eyes would doubtless gain her the usual slackjawed audience, the goal was not to stand here as spectacle. Questions were distractions she did not wish to be forced to dispel. Interaction was akin to interference. Thankfully, her icy demeanour did much to discourage the locals from embarking on more than a speechless stare. Of awe. Of terror. Of confusion. She did not rightly care what they might think of her. So long as they knew she was here. That those she shadowed were watched. Were followed. Were safeguarded.


Having eschewed her typical armour, Ospiel was garbed in more casual dress of a woman of Gondor. She had been forced to endure a ‘fitting’ with the housekeeper, Lotte in order to try and mask her most alarming tendencies. The piercing gaze and altered gait were less easy to disguise, but she had learned long ago that in a drinking house, most folk tended more attention toward their elixirs than their company. The bow and quiver she had refused to be parted from, for it was known that guards and rangers frequented this metropolis. Her weapon would be allowed. She had been introduced to the gate guards. And she knew that damage could be accomplished with the sort of weapons that could never be confiscated regardless.

She had lived amidst the Secondborn before of course, in Hithlum, on Tol Noldore. Neither instance could really be counted as an experience to draw on here. She was charged with watching the girls, well .. one officially. But the other fell quite certainly into her line of intrigue. Not only because Eryn had been targeted before, by persons nefarious, but because she, like Brooke, had been placed under a protection that they had never asked for. Because those who had found cause and need to want them safe, had been forced far from where keeping watch themselves was possible. And so this was the plan. She was the plan. She could keep a better watch than those who cared about the children regardless. She was not compromised by the emotional attachments that others were.


The dogs might be the exception. She enjoyed them and their simple needs. Their unquestionable loyalty. They had even been known to raise a thin-lipped smile on her otherwise moon face. When they did not come bounding over to engage with her, that was, whilst she was working. Hattie in particular had been specifically trained by Unalmis to sniff out people who were spying or following Eryn. Chewy had grown rather more used to her in their shared quarters at the house, at least, and it seemed that the two hounds were now contented enough with the Elf that they at least did not deem her a cause for alarm. Only for potential attention and amusement. Which was still often far from ideal, but also far from a cause to slay them in the name of the assignment.

She entered, and undressed the inn with swift eyes, noting much, saying nothing. And though she never took a scrutinising orbit of the warm establishment with her high booted gait, she might as well have. It served her alibi to purchase a brew of some sort, and she had been entrusted with enough coin that she did not need to use her knife to settle the debt of a tall glass of milk. As the seasonal chill affected her less that most others in the city, Ospiel took up a seat close to the door. Her long dark hair was shaken loose as much to serve as a veil of sorts for her new seat of vigilance, as also to convince the Innkeeper that she was happy, settled, and he need not bother her by coming over every few minutes to ask if there was anything more that he might do for her.


She was Ospiel. She did not want for help. She did not really want anything to drink either but at least the milk was nutritious, unlike most things found in such a haunt. And sipping from it with a frequency enough to work for alibi, was far more effective to her goal here than sitting and sharing gossip and laughter with the young humans she was here to oversee.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...

"Oh," Hadassa responded with relief at the assurances from Eryn that she had gotten permissions and all to accommodate two more horses. "I would definitely love to work with the horses, though the city is also very enticing in its own way." She flashed a hearty grin and then added a bit thoughtfully: "You know, I haven't even seen that many horses here; I doubt they are of that much use here in the city of stone. An occasional working horse or war horse, but that's about it."

When Eryn took her leave, she looked after the other girl briefly and then turned her attention back to Xyler.

"I figure we will see the place soon enough if we are to bring our horses out there," Hadassa said, "And it'd be great stuff for us to go adventure a bit, exercise our horses, and all that. Assuming we don't get lost. Though I figure the walled fields are not exactly like endless meadows and we'd run into a wall sooner or later if we lose our way." She laughed merrily at the prospect and then shrugged lightly. At any rate, it looked like the options for what she could do were multiplying, and it made her excited.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen @Ercassie

Meluiel
January 15th

Jade was still trying not to look back toward 'Trastion Leithor', and was successful at it, when two young women accompanied by two dogs entered the Guesthouse.

And, despite the presence of a criminal in the establishment, it were the canines who caused mayhem to erupt - in under a minute of their arrival.

Regardless, it must be admitted by all that - whatever chaos the dogs had brought - that chaos had foiled the aforementioned criminal's intentions. For the drink which secretly contained alcohol, and enough of it to reasonably expect that it would result in the death of a certain young man - was now splattered all over the floor and the lefs of the serving girl.

The noise and commotion caused Edgor to return from the kitchen, and the serving girl was standing right next to Jade as she explained to him what had happened. It was easy for Jade, meanwhile, to put on a pair of wide, startled eyes. For not only had she jumped slightly in her seat at the noise, she was honestly frightened. About yet another failed attempt.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to convince the Hand that she was on the contract and was not trying to procrastinate. It was impossible to admit, after Urion, that she had already failed to take out Trastion - twice. If the Hand were to discover that, he would deem her unsuitable to continue her work at not only finalizing contracts (assassination), but also at brokering contracts (client acquisition) and client retention (soft pressure to stay on as a business partner of the Hand). And... what would happen to her, then? Besides the obvious physical punishment that would be forthcoming, would she still be granted any of the freedoms which she now had? More likely than not, the answer would be 'no'. More likely than not, she would be kept indoors. Reduced to no more than a trophy to hand out to those who currently held the Hand's favor. With the keeping of the books as her only reprieve.

She swore mentally, even as Edgor and the serving girl were speaking. And even as, on the serving girl's other side, one of the young women whom at least one of the dogs belonged to, came to apologize and ask for more hot chocolate.

With all these people now at the bar, the odds of her managing to slip alcohol into her target's replacement drink were... Jade's eyes swept over the rest of the establishment that she could observe with no more than a minute turn of the head. Thus landing on an even more unexpected sight than that of two dogs causing her murder weapon to get splashed all over the floor. Was that... an Elf?

Well, crap. Weren't Elves supposed to be superobservant or something? As in, they had exceptional eyesight and what not?

Jade found it was more difficult now to fight her urge to throw over the bar stool next to her, than it had been not to look over her shoulder toward her target, earlier. Varda's Stars! She'd never been this unlucky with a contract before! Instead of success, now she would simply have to come up with a way to leave the common room without it sounding suspicious, and without drawing too much attention to herself.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Ercassie

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January 15th

As Brooke talked with the innkeeper to place her and Eryn's order, she noticed him suddenly get distracted by something behind her. Curious, she glanced over her shoulder and saw that Ospiel had come inside as well. She wasn't surprised, but she did glance briefly around and saw that others in the room were, and not just the innkeeper. Chewy started toward the elf with the intention of greeting her, but Brooke hastily pulled him back with a tight grip on his leash. "No, Chewy. Sit," She told him softly. He looked at her, then toward Hattie as if he were tempted to join her. "Sit," She repeated, lightly pressing on his lower back to encourage it. After a moment he did as she asked. Brooke smiled and rubbed around his ears. "Good boy, Chewy."

The sound of Brooke's voice nearby, talking to her dog, drew Edgor's attention back to the customer at hand, and he recovered quickly to assure her that he'd have a mug of chocolate for everyone in no time. Fortunately, he'd made a large pot of it, anticipating many customers wanting a hot drink on this cold winter day.

"Oh.. and a large bowl of water, please?" Brooke remembered, glancing down at her dog who, having managed his mischief for the moment, was leaning contentedly against her with his tail wagging across the floor as he sat by her, his tongue hanging out as he looked expectantly at the man. Edgor nodded and set off into the kitchen to take care of the requests.

While Brooke was taking care of their drink requests, Eryn was engrossed in a game of dodge with Hattie. Each time she reached for her, the dog would dart off to another spot, clearly enjoying this supposed game. She did, at least, manage to keep her away from the spill while the serving girl was cleaning up the mess. But Hattie could dart under tables and race off to another corner of the room faster than Eryn could keep up, with no concern about if she bothered any other customers in the process.

After watching Eryn attempt several times to capture Hattie, Trastion laughed lightly and got up to assist her. He got up from his table, but he then he became very distracted when he an elf entered shortly behind Eryn and her friend. He stopped in surprise, then swiftly reminded himself not to stare. With a brief nod as a polite greeting, he then continued toward the redhaired girl as she kneeled to peer under an empty table, where Hattie had taken refuge. "Can I help?" He asked, amused.

"Please, yes." Eryn answered, sighing. "I think she's missing Nal. Maybe she thinks if she makes enough trouble, he'll turn up to try and get her under control," She mentioned with amusement. Yet, at the same time, she could totally understand, because she missed him a lot too.

"I'll move around to the other side and try to chase her out toward you. Maybe between us, we can catch her," He suggested, since he didn't have much else to do while he waited for his hot chocolate.

Feeling a little self-conscious as she held Chewy's leash in one hand, clasping her elbow in the other, Brooke glanced around a little awkwardly. She was just standing here at the counter, and she felt like she was out of place. The closest person to her was a lady who looked uncomfortable. She glanced at her tentatively, hoping that they weren't the reason for it. "Sorry.." She mumbled shyly, then looked away, watching while Eryn and Trastion tried to team up to capture Hattie. Feeling like she was in the way, Brooke moved away from the bar counter, tugging lightly on Chewy's leash as she went toward Eryn and her friend. She stood off to the side, watching while they tried to corner the smaller dog. Chewy barked excitedly as Hattie ran right between the other two and went to sniff around the spot where the chocolate had been spilled.

Eryn sighed and looked after her in exasperation. "She needs to run around the field instead of in here."

"Why'd you bring her into town, then?" Trastion wondered.

"I didn't, she followed Aunt Aggie when she drove the milk cart into town." She explained. "Then she saw me when I passed, leaving from the houses of healing, and I was on my way to meet Brooke and Chewy, so.. yeah."

Brooke hesitated slightly before speaking up tentatively, "Um... so, couldn't you just.. ask her to find someone? I mean.. didn't you say she's been learning that sort of thing? Maybe you could send her right toward him?" She suggested, indicating Trastion. "Cause.. I think, the more you try to catch her, the more she'll try to keep playing, right?"

"Hey, that's a good idea." Eryn grinned, sitting back on her heels. "Hattie! Find Trastion!" She said enthusiastically.

Trastion grinned at the idea and moved away from the table hoping Hattie would be drawn toward him.

Hattie tilted her head and looked intrigued by this change in the 'game', and watched the humans to see what they were going to do now.

"Find him, Hattie! Find." Eryn encouraged, although she had not been around all that much while Nal was working on this new trick, so she wasn't certain of how he went about it. Hopefully that was right.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen @Ercassie

Meluiel
January 15th

When the young woman offered a meek apology, Jade offered her a quick, closed-lipped smile. The kind of smile people threw around when they wanted to say: "that's alright" - but where you didn't really know, as the recipient, whether they were honestly genuine or simply being polite.

Soon enough, the young lady stepped away from the bar and Edgor brought over the second mug of chocolate. "You can send it to one of other guests," Jade told him quietly. "If you don't mind, I..." she fell silent, her eyes falling to the top of the bar, below her hands.

Edgor wasn't sure what to say for a moment, but then he nodded. "Sure, dear, it's no trouble." He had so many orders of hot chocolate in at the moment, one less wasn't undoing any of his work. "I'll see you soon. You take care, a'ight?"

"Alright," she promised, and as she got up from her seat she made sure to keep her back mostly to the part of the room where she could hear Trastion and cast a glimpse here and there from her peripheral vision. He was busy with the young women and the dogs - being so darned helpful again - so this seemed like a very good moment to exit. Especially given the presence of the Elf - who might be more likely to pick up on anything unusual than the typical Gondorian. She pulled up her hood before she headed to the door, and kept repeating to herself not to rush but not to dawdle either, until her hand pulled open the door and she found herself - undiscovered - on the other side.

Her first attempt had involved the wrong target.
Fail.
Her second attempt had been foiled by the correct target using safety measures he had not used before.
Double fail.
Her third attempt had been ruined by... canines.
Triple fail.

She needed to remedy this. Soon. Jade wasn't one for suicidal tendencies, after all.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Ercassie

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January 15th

When Hattie came to 'find' him, Trastion smiled as he began scratching around her ears, telling her what a good girl she is.

Soon, a bowl of water was placed down for both dogs to enjoy, and a few meat scraps were donated as well, which helped to entice them to settle down and behave.

Two more mugs of hot chocolate joined the first, and Trastion allowed the two girls to choose first before he took the last remaining one. "Would you ladies like to join me? I'm only here for a few minutes before I return to the barracks to clean up. But I wouldn't mind some company." he mentioned, as he was actually a bit bored of having no one really to talk with.

Eryn glanced at Brooke to see if she had any objection.

"You're.. the guy who's taking care of Gwestion and Gladhron's horses, right?" Brooke asked.

"Yeah, that's right." He smiled.

She glanced at Chewy, then at Ospiel briefly before nodding. "I guess.. sure."

As they all took their mugs over to join him, Brooke added, "I'm sorry your first cup was ruined.."

"Wasn't really your fault." Trastion shrugged it off, then grinned. "Besides, the day was kind of dull until you and your dogs came in." He laughed. "It definitely livened up things, right?" He didn't mention that he seemed to be having a bit of bad luck lately.

"Trastion's roommates with Nal," Eryn mentioned, helping Brooke to make connections about who's who. "And he's also just started training at the houses of healing, right?" She checked, pretty sure she'd seen him around.

"I'm only doing the basic requirement, for now." He answered. "I'm not sure if I'll try to do anymore after that. Maybe." He shrugged. "It's useful stuff, I guess." He blew over the top of his drink to help cool it before taking a sip. "So, what sort of plans do you two have, today?" He wondered, just out of curiosity.

Eryn grinned. "We're going to try and make a sort of.. doggy obstacle course, for training and stuff." She explained. "I'm not really sure how we're going to go about it, but it should be fun to try."

Trastion glanced at the dogs in amusement, then smiled. "That sounds like fun. If I didn't have some other training and stuff to do, I'd ask if I could help. Alas.. duties." He sighed.

"We might be working on it for a few days." Eryn mentioned. "So, who knows. And it could even be a project that is sort of.. ongoing. I thought.. maybe when Nal gets back, he'd be interested in seeing it. I hope I can train Hattie to go through the course well enough to show him how it all works," She laughed lightly.

"Good luck with it." Trastion smiled at the image of the girls trying to teach their dogs such tricks. "And, are you enjoying the city, Miss Brooke?" He asked, recalling she was not from around here.

"Oh.. yes." She answered, a little surprised he asked. "It's lovely here. Though, I've spent most of my time in the library, so far." She admitted. "But I've also done a bit of exploring, with my sister. It seems very nice. I do need to make another trip to that book repair shop, too, to see if they've finished with my book."

"Oh, sorry your book needed repairs. I hope it'll be ready for you soon." He figured that if anyone would know a good recommendation for a place to take a book, it'd be Arnyn.

"Thanks. It's been days now, so I hope they've finished." She was really quite anxious to get her book back, but it had been in very.. very bad condition. She didn't really want to get into that topic any further, though.

"I should take you and Aislin around sometime," Eryn mentioned to Brooke. "Give you both a proper tour. I know the city pretty well, after all the years I spent delivering milk all over it." She grinned. "I can show you some good shops, too. Like, I'm not sure if you know, but you can buy scrap meat stuff, at the butcher shop, for your dog." She mentioned. "It might be cheaper for you than whatever you've been doing? But then, that might not be a problem for you." She shrugged, remembering where the other girl was staying.

"No, I didn't know that," Brooke shook her head. "It might be worth checking out, I suppose." She shrugged. "Maybe we could find a time when you and Aislin are available, and we could all go touring the city." She suggested. "I mean.. if Ospiel wouldn't mind," She added with a subtle look past the other two. She had positioned herself at the table so that she could easily see Ospiel, and vice versa.

"We definitely should." Eryn agreed. "Not tomorrow though. I've already promised to help Trastion with riding horses." She said with a smile at him. "We still need to find a third person to join us, though."

"Do you ride?" Trastion asked Brooke, hoping perhaps she might be the third person to help with that.

She shook her head. "No.. sorry." She answered, with a slightly uncomfortable fidget. "Aislin might, if she isn't busy." She offered, instead. "But me.. no."

"Ah, well. I had to ask." He shrugged. "So, tell me more about this dog obstacle course idea?" He asked, bringing the topic back to something that they both seemed excited about.

They continued to talk about various ideas and plans for the course while they drank their hot chocolate. Once the last cup had been emptied, Trastion bid the girls farewell and good luck with their plans. Then, he went to the counter to settle with Edgor. "I'll pay for the young lady's drinks, too." He informed him in a quiet tone. "Including the broken mug," He added.

Edgor raised an eyebrow. "The young lady with the big dog said she would pay it," he mentioned, meaning that Trastion didn't have to.

"I know. But it's only gentlemanly, right?" He shrugged. "Besides, they brightened my day and made things far less dull for a while." Trastion grinned. Even though it resulted in having to wait longer for his drink, at least it gave him someone to talk to. "And I have enough to cover it." He added. He wasn't sure what Brooke's money situation was like.

"Suit yourself," Edgor said, and gave him a price to cover it all.

Trastion handed over the money, then put on his cloak as he headed to the door.

Brooke and Eryn were gathering their things, and when they went to the counter to pay their tab, they were surprised to hear that it had already been paid. "You didn't have to do that." Eryn told him, catching up to Trastion at the door.

"I hope you aren't offended. I know I didn't have to, I wanted to." He shrugged.

"Well.. thank you. That was very kind of you."

Trastion smiled and held the door for them. "Enjoy your project, ladies. And I hope you dogs enjoy the result." He added with amusement to the canines, before looking at Brooke. "And I hope you enjoy your stay in the White City, Ms Brooke." He mentioned to her.

"Thank you." Brooke wasn't sure what else to say. "I apologize again about your drink.."

"Don't worry about it." He said. "Have a good day."

"See you tomorrow, Trastion." Eryn waved, then she and Brooke headed off down the street, while Trastion took off up the street, in the other direction. Brooke glanced back once, just to see if she could catch a glimpse of the elf whom she knew would be following, but whether she saw her or not, she knew she would be there.


(end RP)

[Ercassie]

Ospiel Iuliel, Jan 15th.
Shadowing the girls and their dogs

From across the room, Ospiel caught all of the attributes that were spoke of the young man, without even remotely trying. Whereas Eryn may have been only intending to ‘explain’ him to Brooke, there were many alibis and interesting facts which were thrown out to paint a picture of their polite company. The greatest intrigue of course was the odd markings upon the young man’s face which, naturally, none of the girls at hand was bold enough to ask about. So either there was a story there that they all already knew, which was unlikely given the amount of information being introduced to Brooke, or this was yet another case of mortals not remarking on the only interesting thing at hand. Etiquette or the like was bound to be to blame. Because she could not imagine that their collective eyesight was so bad that no one else had noticed. Brooke’s own subtle gesture of approval to their new friend meant that the Elf could embark on a calm tasting of her milk, which turned out to be palatable.

Dismissive of any other’s gaze that came her way, the archer’s own grey eyes had small cause to stare for the duration of her brief visit. Ospiel had learned, some ages ago, how untruthful any given word or mask of emotion can be. A heartbeat on the other hand, was harder to stifle or slow. The smallest fidgety ticks of a person tapping one foot or crushing their own knuckles .. all spoke as loudly to her as any grand proclamation of excitement or alarm. But of course the unexpected anarchy provided by the dogs had clearly caused much startlement and surprise.


The invitation of a city tour to come then drew a small narrowing of her eyes, as she considered their ever growing number, and the notion of a horse ride equally encouraged immediate brainstorming on whether she could borrow the absent Belfalasian’s horse, to follow suit .. So much that Ospiel embarked on a silent conversation with her own thoughts for a time then, and was spared from any lasting focus upon the more mundane chatter of the children's dog plans.

The amount of time they had allotted to the drinking and socialising seemed hardly a blink’s worth. And then the small party were set off and separated to their own devices. Their noise, or noisy animals more likely, having apparently driven out the only other patron in the whole establishment before them. But doubtless the memory of such a chaotic episode would give the staff something to speak of with much amusement until they were next called to attend new customers.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Xyler
With Hadassa

"Yeah, most of the horses I think are in stables," Xyler answered Hadassa's comment about not seeing many of them. "I know Eryn said the rangers have a stash of them," He added with a little grin at his choice of wording. "And, until tomorrow, I have Dusty in a stable on the first level. There's plenty of other horses, there. I think there might be another stable on the second level. I think a lot of merchants use them for pulling wagons, bringing goods into the market and whatnot." He shrugged. He hadn't really heard much more than that. And then, the major inns had their own stables, for their guests to use.

When she reminded him about the Rammas, Xyler laughed. "True. I am far more used to Rohan's open lands. You could ride for days and not run into a wall, so it would be easy to get lost if you don't have a good sense of direction." Not that he'd ever done that, for he was still not very confident in riding. He often had trouble with his horse not listening to what he told him to do, and he wasn't sure he wanted to risk getting stranded out in a field, days from home. This trip, to Gondor, was definitely the furthest he'd ever gone, and it would be a long while before he would be returning. Hopefully, maybe, by then.. he would've gotten a bit better at riding. It was a little embarrassing being such a poor rider, being Rohirric and all.

"Well," He leaned back in his seat. "This has been a lot of fun, you know." He smiled. "Dancing, and talking with you." He thought for a moment. "I'm really very glad that it was you, assigned to come with me. I've enjoyed spending more time with you, traveling with you, and all the fun we've had so far since arriving in Minas Tirith." It had taken him a little time to get adjusted to the way of life here, but now that he was more settled in, he was hoping to do a lot more exploring of the city.

But that was for another day, probably. It was rather late, tonight, so they probably both needed to get some sleep. "I meant it when I said I'd walk you home, by the way," He added. "I mean, I know you probably know more than I do about fighting, and it's probably unlikely that we'll run into any muggers," He laughed slightly. "But I'd like to walk with you, just to see that you get to wherever you're going."