Reflections on a hunt well executed

[Anonymous]

The morning sun filtered through the trees under which the young Soldier of Adela now stood. In his left, and preferred hand, the young warrior held a hunting knife, its sharpest edge coated thickly in the blood of his quarry. The blade was not raised, he held it by his side. For today, his steel had done its work, as had he.

For as long as he could remember Rend had lived his life as though time were of no consequence. Hours would stretch in his mind as years as he played in the Courtyard of the Castle with the other noble children. Everpresent in his mind was the watchful eyes of his mother. How he had loved her. Often he would pause, just to turn and catch her gaze as she looked down on them from one of the many viewing balconeys. But as he grew, Rend found he had less time for play, as the chores of a noble life began to burrow into the life he knew. And as the hours of study and work began to mount, Rend found himself wishing that it would end, just so that he may return to the playful life of luxury he had enjoyed as a youth.

Rend learned, the hard way, to be careful what you wish for.

Had this been a fictional tale, Rend would have expected it to rain on the day that everything changed. But this was not fiction, and the sun shone as brightly on this day as it did any other.
He had been walking through the Courtyard, the same Courtyard that held so many memories of better times, when he heard the first of the screams. Rend did not hesitate before breaking into a run. After what seemed like an age, he reached his family's quarters, and felt the blood rush from his face.
Before him was his father, an advisor and magical consultant of the Court, crouched over the fallen and broken body of his mother. Before the furrow of confusion could form across his youthful features, his pale azure eyes darted to a figure at the rear of the room. And there they fell upon the beautiful face of his father's mistress, one of the many palour maids.
Rend would later learn of his father's notorious and numerous acts of adultery within the Castle staff. He would also learn that his mother had been aware of his misdeeds for many years now, and that on every occassion her heart had broken just a little more.
But neither of these lit the fires of Rend's heart like the next thing he would learn.
His mother had entered the room to find his father committing this most heinous of acts, and she could stand no more. Taking the nearest object to hand, a bronze candle stick, she had advanced upon the writhing couple. But Rend's father had sensed the attack, and without thought had lashed out with a magical attack. The attack, fueled by passion and adrenaline had been too much, and Rend's mother, had died where she fell.

The aftermath was as brutal as the events themselves. The De'Lacor family were stripped of their nobility. Rend was denied his birthrights and sent from the castle. His father however, was hanged for his crimes.

But pity was shown to poor rend, at the time only 15 years of age. There were those who had known him from birth, and knew him to have done no wrong. They could not, with any surety send the boy away to fend for himself, and so, they allowed him to enlist as a soldier. At first the charity of those he knew left a bitter taste in Rend's mouth. He detested the Soldier's lifestyle, and every day hated his father a little more.

Yet, with time, Rend, now 19 and nearing his physical peak, had come to appreciate all that had happened. He had learned skills. Skills he would use to further himself, and seek the retribution that he felt he was owed, and reclaim the birthright stolen from him.

His father's mistakes would not be his. And time would show this to be true.

Rend sighed as he cut the last of the pelt from the fallen hog at his feet. He figured the meat would provide a fine meal, and he may even be able to sell the fur. Casting his eyes skyward, Rend nodded to himself before slinging the beast over his left shoulder and heading into the village square.

[Anonymous]

It was in her nature to travel - to find something of interest and perhaps stay for awhile, and then she'd feel the need to continue on to somewhere else. She was, by nature, a nomad. And she strived to gather all she could, touch as many places as she possibly could before travelling back, remembering the places she had left along with the memories. Then again, it had become a rare occurance for her to think of those times now, her mind often on other things, or if nothing at all.

Tully had come from the streams edge, a basket of fish in her right hand, their colors of silver and gray flickering as the light cast across them. She pulled on a ribbon, tighting it's hold on the messy brown hair she currently possessed, keeping it taut. She was relaxing - sort of. It wasn't like she wasn't in trouble with a certain group of people. But it was hard to put herself in a disguise when she wasn't the most normal looking people.

Thus, she wore a dark brown frock with cream colored trimmings and sleeves, shoulders, and collar, criss-crossing ties down the front. Over her left shoulder was a sack of sorts, holding her life. She was quite happy to move languidly, now and again she tugged the sleeves and fixed the high collar of the frock, it bothering her greatly. Even the boots she was so accustomed to wearing were bothering her. Her body temperture wasn't used to this height. It had been a long while where she wore something that covered everything but her face and hands.

Tully thought she recognized the man with a boar slung over his shoulder. She could have sworn so - then again, she was only seeing him by the back of the head and.. well, she decided to see if it was him anyway.

"Hey!" She raised her voice a few notches, it easy and calm as she always was.

And then she trotted to keep up with him, belatedly realizing it wasn't who she thought it was. Her gait caught for a moment and she laughed at herself. She sighed and and raised a brow over an eye that was quite similar to that of a cat's.

"Oi! I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else!" She gave a smile, brushing a tendril from her face.


[sorry it sucks ><; still developing this character =/]

[Anonymous]

Right now was just one of those times...the times when, surprisingly, you find yourself curiously free of anything to do, despite having thought just moments ago that you were going to be horribly busy. Ravvyn was encountering a time like this. She was usually very busy, either with customers at her small seamstress shop, or off on a sudden call with a patient who needed her healing abilities. However this morning when she woke up, the 18 year old girl found that she had already finished the last of her repairs for the day. Thus, she had decided to use this sudden free time to take a little walk through the quiet streets of Adela.

So, the girl made her way to the village square, her full-length, forest green cotton dress swirling lightly as she moved. Her comfortable leather boots kept her feet protected and dry against the well-worn road. Her startlingly blue eyes scanned her surroundings in a curious manner, ever watching for the signs of something interesting that may happen. There weren't many people out and about just yet, as it was still early, but Ravvyn did notice an Adelian soldier and another woman nearby. She stopped to watch them, shaking a whisp of her deep brown hair out of her face.

Ravvyn let out an amused laugh as the woman called out to the soldier, only to realize that she had mistaken him for someone else. Deciding on impulse to join in the conversation, she stepped forward, smiling at the two people before her. Eyes twinkling, she looked first to Tully, speaking with the amusement obvious in her tone. "Now that we've established that this fine gentleman here isn't who you thought he was, I suppose the question is whether he should be honored or insulted by being mistaken for your accquantaince. If it is the latter, than I suppose he may feel very grateful for the mistake, but if it is the former, than perhaps he shall show us that his real identity can be just as marvelous as that of the one he was mistaken for." Finishing her little statement, Ravvyn laughed again, feeling in a generally pleasant mood today. From what she had seen of Tully, she thought it likely that the other woman would be amused as well, but she was curious as to the reaction of Rend after being approached suddenly by two strangers in the square.

Giving a polite, graceful curtsey to the both of them, Ravvyn spoke again. "I am dreadfully sorry if I have interrupted anything, but sometimes I feel that my mouth has a mind of its own! My name is Ravvyn Mandala, I'm a seamstress and healer in this village. May I have the pleasure of knowing your names as well, at the very least so that I will not mistake either of you for anyone else in the future?" She looked between the two of them, a contented smile on her face as she breathed in the fresh morning air.

[Anonymous]

His toned left bicep, covered in blood, pressed tightly against the body of the boar as Rend's arm held it in place on his shoulder. The boar's pelt was draped about his shoulders and tied in a knot about his sternum. His once white shirt, sleeveless and generally used as an undergarment, was now crimson with the blood of his prey. His right hand weilded his large hunting knife with a hint of unfamiliarity, that would have been undetected by all save those with the keenest of observance.

Rend flicked an eyebrow and started to turn to left at the sound of the voice. It had caught him by surprise. And for that he felt a pang of frustration. He was a soldier. A trained man. Held in higher regard than mere commoners. What good was a soldier if they were unaware of their surroundings to the point that they could be taken by surprise by the most innocent of bypassers?

But his frustration was forgotten as he came face to face with the stranger. The first thing he noticed were her eyes, always it was the eyes with Rend. His mouth was open, ready to reply to her friendly greeting when she corrected herself.

Rend lowered his azure eyes to his shirt front, stained with animal blood as it was, and shook a few sweat heavy strands of dusty blonde hair from before his eyes. He sniffed once and raised his head to met her eyes once more.

"Not at all." He said with the slightest smile, "There is no need to apologise m'lady. Company such as yours is always welcome." His voice was soft, but possessed of a great strength that was at this point unused. It was the voice of a noble birth, with words of a common 'naturalness'. Crisply spoken, without the pretentiousness of the upper class.

Rend had barely spoken when he found his attention diverted to yet another young woman.

Must be something about this part of the forest... He thought with an inward smile.

He had to supress a chuckle at the thought of anyone referring to him as 'fine' at this point, even a gentleman would be a stretch he reckoned. What with him standing there covered in the blood of a freshly slain animal. He supposed it was his strong military boots and tough standard soldier's trousers that might give him away.

Rend lowered his head slightly with respect, as he had for the first. He had been raised with noble hands, and some manners were so ingrained there were nearly instinct now. When he leveled his gaze he turned to the first girl briefly before looking again to Ravvyn,

"I must say," He spoke again, with the same smooth yet masculine tones, "that this is the most apologising I have ever heard in two introductions. I for one, am not sorry in the slightest. The pleasure is all mine."

And with that, Rend absently twirled his hunting knife so as to hold the flat of the blade against his forearm, and swept his right arm out before him in an elegant half bow. The hog carcass on his back made the move slightly more difficult than was customary.

"I am Rend De'Lacor. Soldier of the Kingdom at your lovely ladies' service. I was on my way back to town, however should either or both of you require escort for the day, I consider it both my duty and pleasure to accompany you whence your travels should take you."

And with that, Rend wiped the back of his right hand across his left cheek in an attempt to wipe away some sweat. All he succeeded in doing, was marking his face with another line of pig blood. And yet for all the mess in which he currently found himself, behind his pale blue eyes burned a righetous heart of gold. The warmth of which, oft found itself drawn to his mouth. And, as the case was at this moment, his smiles.

[Anonymous]

At the moment, those eyes were becoming more and more catlike as the clouds gave way to the piercings of the sun - the pupils slitting to adjust themselves to the sudden invasion. That was something she could not help - for all her aliases she always had the same eyes, in which she often wore a hat and wig and different clothing. And it was such a fine day, in such fine company, that she was quite reluctant to give them the name of the disguise she had taken up, and all the additionals that were attached.

The smell of pig blood revolted her, compelled her, and urged her stomach to pang her. She was an omnivore - perhaps more carniverous than herbivore, and the smell of pig, well, it made her slightly hungry. And the lifeless fish in the basket, with their glazed dead eyes, and she knew that they would become one of the most delectable things she had yet to make.

Tully found him charming - casting aside the messiness of his current condition - she smiled in reply to him. While maybe she would have blushed if she wasn't who she was, and who she was could be such a complicated thing. And things were just bound to get more and more complicated as the time between the trio lulled on.

With her sensitive hearing she had come to realize that while he seemed like a soldier - his clothing displayed that - his voice held something... commanding? It reminded her of nobility, but she couldn't be certain. Afterall, she wasn't the best to judge by clothes or voice, her own aliases had forced her to become insecure at her own desicions about others.

Tully hadn't anticipated the arrival of a new person - but it didn't bother her in the slightest. She preferred it - it'd be more interesting with a larger amount of people. Her mind travelled to her current task, trying to focus on it long enough so it wouldn't slip from her constant stream of thoughts. Her hazel eyes always found something else of interest, bad or good, she knew not. Ravvyn's introduction reminded herself of her own hyperactivity and she couldn't help but laugh, raising a hand to cover her mouth in a feminine gesture.

"If you are not sorry, I suppose I shouldn't be ashamed to say I am not either," she said with a smile.

"I am Chesna Harnet.. I'm a traveller so I don't quite know what to do, but my brother seems quite familiar with this place - then again, he observes more than I do... I'm glad to meet the both of you," she responded, using one of her aliases, as she was in that disguise.

With his bow she felt obligated to curtsy - this character was very polite and cheerful, and so she curtsied, the pig blood drawing her eyes as she couldn't help but give a small smile. Her eyes drifted to Ravvyn, determined to register her within her mind, smiling at her in the way she did - friendly.

"Ah.. Mr. De'Lacor, where in town are you going too? I was to go make a meal," she raised her fish, "And I do have enough for all of us... You two, my brother and myself," she said, smiling and glancing between them.

She would have told Rend that he could come and wash himself up at her house, but she wasn't sure where he was going  - especially with a boar. Thus, she wasn't quite sure how to talk and form it into a proper sentence that'd explain everything she wanted too.

Hazel eyes flitted between the duo, her arm through the handle of the basket as she finally became settled in the stupid dress she wore. What would there desicion be?

[Anonymous]

Ravvyn could not help but laugh merrily as the two before her greeted her in such welcoming ways. Rend’s smile especially cheered her; he seemed such a kind and considerate character. She was glad to see that he had one of the types of smiles that reach the eyes, a genuine smile. Upon observing the eyes of the other female, Chesna as she had introduced herself, Ravvyn took note of the slightly...strange shape of them. She would almost call them the eyes of a feline, and was tempted to ask about them, but decided against it. If Chesna wanted to bring it up, she would, but it may very well be that the other female preferred not to call attention to these kinds of things.

Ravvyn could certainly sympathize, if the latter were the case. She wasn’t exactly a normal human being either. In fact, she technically couldn’t even be called human; she was a half-blood. The other half of her being was the part that brought her strange powers, powers that some people weren’t comfortable with at all. Rather than run the risk of being rejected by the other inhabitants of Adela, Ravvyn had chosen to conceal the rest of her identity. It was easier that way.

Drawing her attention back to the conversation at hand, the girl laughed out loud again as Rend swept his elegant bow...or at least, it was intended to be elegant, she supposed. The boar riding his back like an abnormal sort of sack ruined the effect just a bit. Then the poor man “ruined� his dignity even more by wiping his face with a partially bloodstained hand, leaving smears of the red substance across his visage.

“Well, if neither of you are sorry, than I certainly see no reason why I should be!� the girl commented in response to Chesna and Rend’s statements. “And as I have no prior engagements, I would love to accompany you into town. A meal sounds lovely, and how could I refuse such noble offers for escort and dining?�

As an afterthought, glancing at the boar across the man’s back, she added, “However, perhaps first we should escort you to somewhere where you can safely place your bleeding friend there, Rend...he seems to be impeding your progress!�

Ending her last words on a cheerful, half-joking note, Ravvyn awaited the response of her two newfound...friends, perhaps? Yes, perhaps they were. Friends were a novelty Ravvyn had not quite accomplished yet in this town, so perhaps it was about time that she fixed that.

[Anonymous]

Rend raised his eyebrows as a friendly smile spread across his face. He sniffed the air once and looked to Chesna.

"I was to head to the markets, and offer the meat to a few merchants I know." He tited his head to the side, motioning to the carcass he carried, as though they had not noticed it yet. "But if you are offering to cook for me, how could I possibly refuse?"

Rend had to laugh at Ravvyn's comment, she was right. It certainly was.

"M'Lady, it is usually I who does the escorting in these situations, but should you two lovely ladies wish to accompany me on a slight detour before Miss Chesna leads us to her home, I would be most appreciative."

He smiled at the pair and tapped his thigh with the flat side of his hunting knife, an absent habit he was not even aware of. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. It had been a tough morning for him and he would give anything to clean himself. He had not expected to bump into company, but such were the pleasant surprises of everyday life.

[Anonymous]

Chesna, or Tully, was thankful for Ravvyn's statements. She had said exactly what she had wanted to say. This was why it was never good for her to go out alone anymore. Her mind could never properly put together what she wanted to say. Oh well, Ravvyn was doing a fine job of doing it, thus Chesna's appreciation and likeness for the other girl grew. And plus, Ravvyn was oddly enough like her that she just couldn't help to like her. If only she wasn't in this character she could be so much more herself!

Her eyes, well, being Chesna was open she wouldn't mind being called upon it. Unless, of course, it was by someone she didn't want to notice that similiarity that was held in all of her little characters. It would surely cause a problem in escaping unwanted attention, and becoming a suspect. Which was something no one, especially her, could afford.

She smiled at Rend and Ravvyn, nodding to them. They were allowing her to cook for them! How fun. They were quickly winning her over and they probably didn't even realize it. Given the chance to satisfy a person's hunger with her cooking, well, it just made her all the more happy.

"I certainly wouldn't mind. What a wonderful day this has turned out to be," she said, adding her comment.

"And Mr. De'Lacor, I'm sure my brother has a shirt you could have once you clean up at our house," she said with a smile - she was almost sure he'd appreciate cleaning himself up from the boar's blood.

The shifted the basket of the fish to the other arm, smiling still at them. Yes, that boar certainly did look like it would be a problem. Even more for her - she was only 5 foot so how she looked at it it seemed it'd be horribly troubling to carry around. And they were holding him up she gestured.

"So, lead the way," she said, smiling and looking to Ravvyn, and then to the ground.

(bah, not the best, it's hard to type, fingers numb xD)

[Anonymous]

Rend turned to Chesna and smiled, his right thumb brushing against the side of his shirt,

"Yes. Thank you M'Lady, a fresh shirt would be much appreciated."

With that, Rend nodded and began the walk to town with his two companions with him.

(OOC: If you feel like filling this space with conversation, go for it, just gonna try and speed things up here a little if no one minds...)

The three of them entered town from the forestry to the West, leaving peaceful tranquility to behind them for the speedy tempo of the village square.

Rend moved quickly, though he was ever watchful for his two delicate companions, he would hate to lose them. And so they traversed the masses of people moving to and fro, going hither and thither about thier daily businesses. People with baskets perched atop their head moved through the streets with eerie ease. An ease, Rend seemed to be possessed of as he made his way through the crowds and down a non-descrept alley.

Lining the walls of the alley was what appeared to be nearly one hundred shanty-styled stalls, each apparently selling a plethora of varying wares. There was everything from household goods, to hunting equipment, to good luck charms. Rend moved between them and their various clientel without so much as blinking an eye, though he did periodically turn his head to check the women were with him.

Finally he came upon a small stall, lined with fish and other meat produce. And with one swift dropping of his shoulder, Rend threw the skinned boar down on the counter. A small man, with dark tanned skin and a scruffy black goatee beard turned at the sound of the meat hitting his tabletop. The look of anxiety and frustration quickly vanished from his face however as he set his eyes upon Rend.

"Ah hello my good friend, it is good to see you again."

"Likewise." Said Rend, brushing his hands against his shirt. "Anyway," He said, casting a warm grin to his companions before looking back to the shopkeep, "I'll see you same time next week. I... was going to keep the hide if you don't mind."

And with a wave of his hand the shopkeeper shooed Rend and Co away, smiling as he did, greatful as ever for Rend's gift.

And so he stood, hunting knife sheathed in his belt, before the two woman, and cast his eyes to Chesna,

"Lead the way M'Lady. My service, is yours." And with that he turned to Ravvyn, "And yours too of course."


(OOC: Sorry if the post standard is a bit weak, we jsut had our work christmas lunch and i've had a few wines and feeling very liberal. :-))

[Anonymous]

(lol! No problem, it's okay. :D)

Following her two new acquaintences quite happily, with a soft reminding pang that she had lied to them, she examined the occupants of the village more closely. It didn't bother her too much that she had lied - it's just they were apparently kind people. And maybe that's why she had invited them to make food for them, as it was in character for the disguise, but still, she felt a deeper desire to do so other than the familiar excitement of cooking.

Moving with her feline grace after them, her hands clapsed firmly around the handle of the basket. They moved through the alley and then they were passing stalls where Rend surrendered the boar. She found it was her turn and she gave a soft laugh, perhaps of surprise, and smiled at them. Brushing back a loose brown tendril she backed up a few steps.

"Follow me," she said invitingly, turning and moving with a bounce in her step as she twisted through a throng of people, glancing behind her.

Back through the alley, down a quiet street, across a busy intersection of sorts, and then down another quiet street. She turned to a door and rested her hand against it, her mind a tumble of thoughts. She trailed her fingers over the grain of the door too the handle then took hold of them with her glimmering cat eyes.

"Please, bear with me for a few seconds. I must check if it's in any dissarray. I never know what my brother does when I leave," she added a small laugh and grinned cheerily as she slid inside, shutting the door behind her.

It had taken her a full 5 minutes to clean up everything, wake up Maeryn and tell her to dress as Flaxon, and find a clean shirt and set the fish in the sink, Flaxon, or Maeryn, takin got the kitchen as she situated the wig on her head. Then Tully quickly turned and trotted back to the door, quickly fixing herself, swinging the door back open.

"I'm so sorry - my brother had disrupted the entire house. I don't know how he does it in such a short time!" She moved to the side, allowing them entrance into the quaint, docile home fit for that street.

Inside, it was modest with only necessities. She looked at the shirt and compared it to Rend's build mentally, raising an eyebrow. Flaxon, her brother, poked in his head. If you didn't know who he was, the desicion of gender was almost indistinguishable. Sharp blue eyes, deeply tanned skin at a level probably 6 foot 3. Brushing a light brown tendril back towards his ponytail.

"Hey. Don't even say anything, Chesna. Sir, perhaps I have a tunic or something. But meanwhile, let me show you to the bathroom, eh?" He said, smiling cheerily as he entered the hallway, revealing him to be feminine with his slenderness.

"Eh, I'm Flaxon," he said after his short pause as he lead the way down the hall and turning to the right, pushing through the door.

He, in a flourishing gesture, pointed to a basin. He pumped some water into it, grabbed a towel, wash rag, and soap, resting it near to the basin. He then turned to Rend, raising his eyebrows. Why did he not think that any of his things would fit the other man? He paused for a few more seconds and "hmmed" before leaving and coming back with a large tunic.

"This should fit... I can't find an' undershirt. I'll have to look again. Just go to the kitchen when you're down - it's at the end of the hall from when you enter the house," he said and disappeared.

Meanwhile, Chesna had encouraged Ravvyn to follow her downt he hall to the kitchen where she had been making clean and fast work of the fish, gutting them with precision, having offered Ravvyn a seat at the table in the adjacent, open dinning room. She grabbed an assortment of things and chopped and mixed, easily shifting about to use the stove and other things, pulling out more food.

Faxon appeared, leaning against the wall of the kitchen. He nodded to Ravvyn with a generous smile and watched his supposed sister. He shifted, a new undershirt in his hands. He'd wait for Rend to come out.

(oii, apologize for any power playing or whatever. like Rend, just movin' it along)

[Anonymous]

((OOC: Eeep! Sooo sorry for the lateness...my parents dragged me off on an impromptu relative-visiting spree, so I had no computer access...I'm back now though! :D ))

Ravvyn followed Rend as they wove through the village, nodding and smiling whenever she saw one of her customers or patients along the way. She allowed half of her attention to wander to her surroundings; she loved this town. It always seemed so alive, but in a sort of peaceful way. The girl was slightly startled by the sudden stop to drop off the boar, but she smiled at the friendly shopkeeper anyways.

And then, she and Rend were following Chesna to the other woman's home, again weaving through the streets and alleyways. Ravvyn kept a bit more of her attention on the road this time, not wanting to bump into anyone upon arrival. These two would probably just laugh-they didn't seem the type to offend easily-but Ravvyn still preferred to avoid clumsy moments like that.

Soon the trio arrived at Chesna's house, and Ravvyn studied it curiously. The house seemed cheerful, befitting the inhabitants...or at least Chesna. Ravvyn had yet to meet the woman's brother, so she couldn't quite make that assumption yet. As Chesna excused herself briefly to clean, Ravvyn replied with a cheerful, "Take your time, I'm perfectly content out here!", scanning the air for signs of bird life as she waited.

Chesna returned soon enough, and Ravvyn laughed merrily along with her, replying with a, "I suppose that's one of life's great mysteries, one that will never be solved by the sisters of the world!"

Inside, the girl was soon introduced to Faxon, Chesna's brother. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Faxon. I'm Ravvyn, by the way," she said, accompanying her words with a quick curtsey, gracefully and mostly subconciously. Then she quickly followed after her hostess, taking the offered seat with a smile. She considered offering Chesna her help, but it seemed that the other girl had everything down to a system, and Ravvyn probably couldn't make things go any faster.

Instead, she smiled up at Faxon in a friendly sort of way, deciding to start a conversation. "So, Faxon, do you have any interesting stories to regale us womenfolk with?" she asked casually.

[Anonymous]

Rend walked with the two women, his head held high, proud to be performing what he considered to be his duty. Escorting these girls to Chesna's residence was just about the most honourable thing he could be doing at this moment, what with there being no sort of military matters to attend to.

Rend stood with Ravvyn as the two of them waited outside, answering Chesna's words with little more than a dignified nod of his sweat covered head. He could feel liquid slowly tracing its way down his back and arms. He was not entire sure that the liquid he could feel was sweat. He turned his head to Ravvyn and watched her quietly, a slight smile on his face.

He was about to say something to her when the door to the house before them was flung open and their host was there ushering them inside. Without a second's hestitation, Rend unshouldered the skin of his boar and placed it outside the front door, giving a slight glance up and down the street as though confirming in his mind that it would be safe to leave it there. Rend said nothing as he crossed the threshold, his heavy military boots thudding on the floor with each step.

Although a soldier himself, Rend looked up at Flaxon, figuring the fellow could probably make a decent soldier himself, he certainly had the build for it, being at least a few inches taller than Rend. Rend knew that his body had taken years of sculpting and training. There was more to a warrior than sheer height.

His eyes darting first from Chesna to Flaxon, Rend found himself slightly overwhelmed with the whirlwind situation that was swirling about him. It seemed as though the entire place was abuzz with activity, whatever the reality was. And so he followed Flaxon down the hall, his rough hands already pulling at the base of his blood stained shirt.

"And I Rend, health and happiness to you Flaxon." He said, going to offer his hand to shake, before looking at the blood covering it and instead providing an apologetic smile. As Flaxon indicated the workings of the bathroom, a gesture Rend found rather odd, as though he Rend, had never seen a bathroom before? The idea brought a smile to his face.

As the rather feminine looking lad left the room, Rend pulled his shirt over his head and examined himself in the looking glass. Casting a few cursory glances about the place, Rend carefully placed his dirty shirt on the floor of the bathroom in an outoftheway place. And then Flaxon was back, and Rend ran his eyes over the tunic. Large, but it did look comfortable. Shrugging, Rend thanked the lad kindly for his troubles and took the soap and wash rag in his hands once he had shut the door.

Rend took a few moments during his cleaning, to examine himself in the looking glass. He winced slightly as he ran his hand over yet another 'battle' wound, the hog having taken its pound of flesh from him before giving in. Rend did what he could to ease the discomfort, but at the end of the day there was not much to it. Most of the cuts and gashes had already formed small scabs and there was not much more for them now but to heal of their own accord.

He splashed some water on his face and cleaned it as best he could. Once most of the dirt and grime had been removed, Rend's face was rather smooth. He had shaved this morning, and ran his hand absently over his hairless chin. There was something about that feeling that always made him smile, and feel, somehow dignified. He shook his head and looked down at the tunic in spite of himself, his bright white teeth shining slightly. With a flick of his neck, he moved his still damp fringe from his eyes and moved one hand through the hair about his ears. It was thick hair, thick and dusty blonde.

Once he had donned the tunic, Rend opened the door and with not a little caution made his way down the hall to the kitchen as Flaxon had suggested. In his right hand he carried his sullied shirt. He took a few seconds to examine the room before casting his eyes first on Ravyyn, seated at the table, then Chesna, busily cooking away.

"Begging your pardon M'Lady, but could I trouble you further for a place to put this? I would be loathe to leave it where it may intrude upon your fine home. And the blood really must be removed else I fear it will stain." He smiled hopefully and not a little abashedly, his eyes flicking once to Ravvyn again before moving to Chesna's own, unique eyes.

[Anonymous]

Ravvyn found herself laughing again as Rend came back into the room, asking politely, and almost apologetically, for somewhere to take care of his bloodstained shirt. At least Faxon seemed to have managed to find something clean for Rend to wear in the meantime. She regarded him thoughtfully with her deep, startlingly blue eyes as he spoke to Chesna, and she caught his gaze when his attention flicked momentarily from Chesna to herself. At this point, she allowed her eyes to move to something else a bit to the side of him, pretending that she had been studying that the whole time.

Once Rend's attention went back to Chesna, Ravvyn looked back at him again, a very slight blush creeping into her face. She had no reason to feel abashed for having looked at Rend; after all, he had looked at her too. However, catching his gaze like that had suddenly made her feel all flustered, and she had no idea why.

Okay, so maybe that wasn't entirely true...she had some sort of idea why. Rend was male after all, and not a bad looking one at all. He seemed to be kind and thoughtful as well, not to mention his very serious regard for the laws of chivalry. Ravvyn's eyes twinkled, and she stifled the urge to giggle a bit...was she starting to get a crush on her escort? Surely not...

Ravvyn turned her attention to herself, realizing that her hair was coming out of the knot she had tied it in at the back of her neck. With well-practiced, subconcious movements of her hands, she pulled the rest of her hair free, allowing it to cascade down to her waist. Then she re-gathered the dark brown tresses, wrapping them back into an elegant knot and securing them with a quick movement of her hand.

That small task done, the girl gave a contented sigh and returned to scanning the room with her eyes, curiously studying all the items, waiting for a response from Faxon, Chesna, or Rend.

[Anonymous]

Thank god Rend had come back before he had to come up with some bewitching story to share to them. He gave a vague grin, rescued by Rend even if he didn't know it. He snapped out the white undershirt and his sharp blue eyes suddenly seemed sharper, like knives as they grazed along the shirt and he sniffed - Boar blood. His eyes shifted to Rend and he assessed him very quickly, perhaps for a second time that night.

"I guess ya don't need this, hm?" Faxon said with a grin as he simply dropped the shirt to floor and it made not a sound.

"Faxon, pick that up. And tend to Rend's shirt, hm? Be careful, I beg of you... Truthfully, he works wonders with blood on clothing, but he has such a temper," she said, offering an explaination.

Faxon rolled his eyes as he kicked up the shirt, snatching it and leisurely walking over to the Rend, taking the shirt as his eyes flickered over it. He glanced at Chesna, a brow arching high over his caculating eye.

"You know, we haven't had boar in the longest while. Perhaps you'd manage to get off your ass and hunt, eh?" He laughed and left the room.

"Haha, Faxon..." she muttered with a smile as she quickly let everything cook.

She turned to look at them, smiling very lightly.

"Well, sit down Rend, make yourself comfortable... Ah, what would you two like to drink?" She asked, turning back around and flipping things.

Faxon came back for a moment and elbowed his sister lightly when he passed. He glanced at the innerworkings of the fish and sighed. He looked around and frowned deeply before grabbing a sack from a cabinent and dumping it all into the bag. He nudged his sister again as he left back the way down the hall to tend to Rend's shirt once more.

"Crazy boy," she shook her head, eyes rolling.

[Anonymous]

Rend cast his eyes to the fallen shirt Flaxon had brought for him, before reaching down and taking it in his hands. Though he made no move to wear the shirt himself, he felt it better to place it on the back of his chair rather than leave it on the floor where it had lain. He was not uncomfortable in exposing his toned midsection, the open front of the tunic leaving none to the imagination. He thanked the lad for his service and smiled at Chesna before taking his seat, right next to Ravvyn.

He sat comfortably, his hands resting on his knees as he looked about the kitchen, and the girl beside him. He offered her a smile should he catch her eye before looking back up to his most gracious host.

"If it is of no trouble, I would thank you for a water." He raised his eyebrows as he voiced his answer to her offer, ever careful never to intrude or cross any social boundaries. It was the price one paid for a youth lost to the ways of the Noble.

Noticing that both his host and her brother were busily tending to his comfortability, Rend could not help but feel slightly inadequate. He realised that he was indeed, a guest, but he could not shake the feeling that there was something he should be doing, something he could be doing, to help. Figuring however, that his hostess would more than likely reply with something along the lines of 'make yourself comfortable', Rend figured, there was something he could do.

Rend turned to Ravvyn and smiled.

"You said earlier that you own a shop..." He said, blinking, clearly a little stuck for conversation but willing to make the effort. Rend smiled and shrugged a little before he went on.

"Is it here in the village? How long have you had it?"

[Anonymous]

Ravvyn couldn't help but laugh a bit at the brother-sister exchange between Chesna and Faxon...it was just so fun to watch siblings and their good-natured teasing. The two were obviously close, and seemed to send each other looks full of secret meanings only the two of them would understand. Almost like a private language, or a mutual secret...Ravvyn somewhat envied this closeness. There was a sudden sharp pain in the girl's heart, as her memory allowed itself to wander temporarily back into her childhood, with her mother and father...

Ravvyn shook her head slightly, freeing her mind of those thoughts. Her hostess had just asked her a question! "Oh, I'll also take some water, Chesna, if you don't mind. Thank you very much for your extensive hospitality!" A grateful smile was sent the other girl's way, and then Ravvyn caught the sight of Rend looking her way out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she returned the smile with a very genuine, friendly one of her own.

And now Rend was asking her about her own life here in the village. Ravvyn settled back in her chair, feeling very relaxed, as she opened her mouth to answer. "Yes, I do indeed have a shop in the village...or rather, just a bit outside of the main village. I have a small seamstress shop off in the woods to the east, in a forest glen just a short ways out. There's a dirt path, so my customers don't get lost. I'm a healer as well, whenever anyone has need of that sort of assistance...although that is more something I do because I can, not because I expect payment."

This was true; healing was something Ravvyn did as a sort of community service, although most of her patients wouldn't hear of letting her leave empty handed. Generally, she recieved payment in the way of fresh produce, freshly-killed game, or perhaps goods made by the wife of the family. This was certainly enough for her; she was paid decently through her seamstress work, and wouldn't dream of asking for money before agreeing to heal someone. The idea was simply absurd.

Realizing that there was a second part to the question, Ravvyn continued. "How long have I had the shop? Oh, about two years I would say, since I was sixteen. I enjoy my work; it certainly gives me something to do during the days, at least when I'm not wandering about Adela."

Her own little story finished, Ravvyn decided to learn a little bit about her newest friends. "So, Rend, Chesna, how long have you two been working here in Adela? Rend, I know you are a soldier, but since when? And Chesna, I'm afraid I really have no idea what you do." Finishing her questions, the girl allowed her attention to wander very briefly to Rend's exposed midsection, averting her eyes quickly back to meet his with a smile, pretending her attention had never wavered in the least.

[Anonymous]

Chesna's systematic cooking was working well for her. In fact, she felt she was almost done. She offered them a smile and gathered four cups and waited patiently for her brother. He returned into the kitchen, yawning broadly and loudly. He didn't do things for attention... well, okay, maybe just a little. But he didn't really like not making noise. I mean, being silent was such a bore.

"Fill these cups, please," she asked him.

"Geez, you're working me to the bone, sis," he complained playfully, taking the cups, leaving and coming back and setting them on the table.

Chesna gathered the plates and set the table, moving off back to her previous position and listening to her two guests quietly. She filled a plate with the pieces of fish, her stomach rumbling softly, followed by a sharp pang. Ah, it'd be great to eat, she thought. She turned abruptly and almost collided with Faxon, but she swiftly moved out of the way, flashing her brother a brief frown before crossing to the table and setting down the plate filled with the food.

Faxon breathed a slow sigh, relieved that Chesna had avoided a crash. But he also hoped the two guests wouldn't notice. It had been a movement too quick, a feline grace that the rare human had. He hoped they didn't see it or thought nothing of it. But they seemed like two rather intelligent people... Either way, he decided against mentioning anything as he grabbed utensils for each of them, setting them down lightly. He easily grabbed some bread from the counter, a warmed loaf and set it on the table as well.

He settled at the farthest point from them all, letting Chesna take the seat closer to them. They were her guests after all.

"Oh, well, Ravvyn, you may get alot of business from a few of our friends if you're a healer... And perhaps even some work for your seamstress job," she said cheerily.

"Me? Well, any odd job, really. Me and my brother don't stay in many places that long so we don't hold anything steady. We do all sorts of jobs. It's amazing what you can do when you're desperate," she replied with equal cheerfulness.

Faxon was quiet as he sliced himself a piece of bread and forked two slices of fish onto his plate. He munched quietly, pushing back a loose brand strand from his face.

(ugh, sorry ><; it's late.)

[Anonymous]

OOC: No problem :-)

IC:

Rend quietly listened to Ravvyn's revelations of her work and abilities. His mind darting to the various wounds the bore had left him with. While having scars did not exactly bother the youth, they were always something one could do without. He briefly wondered at what sort of healing methods she employed. He did not ask though. Instead he casually watched his hosts go about preparing the meal.

However he looked away as the two nearly collided, his attention moving to Ravvyn but a moment before. He tried to catch her eye and offered a smile that was, without him meaning it to be so, painful.

"I've been a soldier for four years now." He held her gaze for a moment, and for the time it appeared as though that was all he would say.
But then he continued,
"I was forced to enlist upon the passing of my parents." There was a flash of anger from deep within as he spoke the last word. He knew not, and cared less, whether the emotion could be read by others. The thoughts of his past pained him so. He moved forwards in his timeline. The intensity in his eyes easing somewhat, he found Ravvyn's presence soothing.

"I had completed my initiation after a year. My circumstances allowed me to finish early. So, I have been a soldier for three years. Good time for it to," He said, his smile genuinely beginning to return, "Since there is not much in the way of threats to the Kingdom, I find alot of time on my hands."
He cast his eyes back to Ravvyn's, and held her gaze a little longer than he thought appropriate for an escort. From within he felt a pang of guilt, he was a soldier. He should act like one.

Rend creased his brow upward and smiled as Chesna produced their meal.

"Many thanks to ye, my host." As Chesna went to sit, Rend half stood in his place, the legs of the chair grinding noisily as he did so. Once she was seated, Rend himself sat. The years of proper breeding would never completely leave him, and he knew it in his heart.

He found himself cast another glance at Ravvyn before reaching over and taking the bread plate, he held it toward the Seamstress/Healer and cast his gaze down appropriately.

"After you, M'Lady.

Once he had taken what he felt was a polite amount of food, Rend turned his attention to Chesna,

"The two of you travel often then? Tell me, to what places have you ventured?" His azure eyes shone with genuine anticipation.

[Anonymous]

Ravvyn's stomach gave a barely audible grumble as Chesna set out the food and beverages, and the girl found herself feeling increasingly thankful to her hostess for preparing this meal. She watched Chesna moving about in all the necessary preparations, when suddenly she saw the impending collision between Faxon and his sister...which never came.

Ravvyn blinked, running the brief moment through her mind again. Surely no one could move out of the way that fast...or rather, no human could. The girl gave a small smile; maybe she and her hostess had a bit more in common than their both being female. However, she let the moment pass, and allowed the siblings to believe the impossible movement was unnoticed by the guests.

It did seem like Rend had not noticed, as he kept trying to catch her eye. Another faint blush tried its very hardest to creep into Ravvyn's cheeks, which she attempted to disguise by turning back to Chesna with a smile. "Oh? Do you happen to have the type of friends who tend to get themselves into accidents? Send them to me and I'll patch them right up...no questions asked, if they prefer to keep the nature of these accidents in the dark. And I wouldn't turn down some more work in the seamstress side of things either!"

When Rend began to speak of his soldier's work, Ravvyn turned her attention back to him, and instantly noticed the strong flashes of emotions in his eyes and expression...to say the least, his memories seemed to be painful. However, as she matched his gaze, he seemed to calm down significantly, and neither of them looked away for quite a while...the blush was trying to come back again. Ravvyn's pulse started quickening a bit, and she shook herself mentally. Rend was certainly having an effect on her...and she was finding that the effect was not an unwelcome one.

The girl was shaken out of her thoughts as her escort offered her the bread, and she gladly took a portion of it with a murmured thanks to both Chesna and Faxon for providing the food, and to Rend for offering it. Once everyone was served and their hostess had taken the first bite, Ravvyn started eating as well, listening to the conversation in a state of relaxation.

[Anonymous]

"Oh my, we've been to quite alot of places. Not many here though... We're still rather new around these parts. We come from a very far place away, and we've seen many of the places their and the places in between here and there... I couldn't tell you there names or why we went there, just a nomadic urge, I suppose. No reason," Chesna said, remembering the places - a vivid video playing in her head.

"The tropical places, I must say, were my favorites. But volcanic eruptions are extremely scary. It's almost upsetting that the tribes believe that it's a god, rather that what it is," she said, her real personality glimmering through her facade for just a moment.

"But they're beautiful with their exotic plants... I remember the one tropical place - had this huge magnificient rainbow colored birds. They were rare though - but in the morning the streaked the sky, and a cloud would be up, and all it would be would be blurs of pinks, blues, purples, reds, yellows, oranges.... It was like something surreal," she breathed, her eyes distant.

"But the mountainous ranges of the countries... Jagged peaks against a crisp blue sky... That's more Flaxon, than me. But I suppose the beauty is all the same, although the mountains look so much more unforgiving," she murmured.

"That's how the world is. So unforgiving," Flaxon said lazily, taking a bite of his food and leaning back in his chair, tilting his head back.

"And Ravvyn, our friends get into alot of shit," Flaxon said, nodding.

"Clothes torn, bloodied and poisoned. They're more injured and sick than they are good half the time," he said with a soft sigh, as if he was said they were always in such poor condition.

And yet, poor Ravvyn and Rend didn't realize they were talking about themselves. Because, really, the duo only had eachother as friends and, well, they were always hurt and injured and sick and poisoned from their endeavers. Jeez.