When everyone next sees Armin, he carries on his back not the odd club-spear he had wielded the night before, but a sword of rather impressive size. He does not have much to say on the matter, other than his belief that it was better suited for the challenges they were sure to encounter in the Stolen Lands. After reuniting with Aeon and putting the confines of the city behind him, Armin is more at ease. The Kellid(?) is still hardly the talkative sort, but he is far from an inept conversationalist. With little in the way of explanation, he departs with the others, feeling that it was only logical to do so. Of course, that was not the only reason he was still with them.
As they travel, Armin tosses the occasional glance in Arielle's direction, whenever he thinks that she isn't looking. At times he finds himself struggling to remember exactly why she was accompanying them, but it was an issue that quickly grew easier and easier to brush aside. He thought that there was someone else, but... perhaps he had been mistaken. Regardless, he could not deny that he felt the urge to protect the young girl.
Armin regards the sign indicating the presence of the nearby town with a furrowed brow, weighing their options. He felt that he could keep on going, if he truly desired to do so. However, he was not oblivious to the fact that the same could not necessarily be said of his companions. Above that, he had no desire to do anything that might betray his true nature to them. That... was still not something that he felt he could discuss, even if he did find them trustworthy.
"This fog is becoming rather troublesome," he remarks, using the rather convenient excuse. "We should rest in town for the night."
Roswitha slogs along beside her mule, occasionally chatting up other travelers to find their destination and business. She seems genuinely interested in the others, whether as people or competitors, it's tough to tell.
When the conversation is scarce, she falls quiet, watching Arielle and Miyari. Finally, her curiousity expands beyond the bounds of her common sense.
Drawing near Miyari, she says quietly, but with a smile, "I hope it's not rude of me to ask, but I'm not used to seeing interracial adoptions. How did you come to adopt a human child? Feel free to tell me it's none of my business, but I'm sure it's a fascinating story."
"Oh, Nivakta's Crossing is not too far. It has a lot of outdoorsy types, I am sure that you will like it, Kalica," remarks Miyari, "There will be plenty of people you can talk to about hunting, or fishing, or anything else, really... Me, I would like to visit it. A stranger is just a friend you haven't met!"
For the majority of the trip thus far, Miyari has been acting quite friendly, particularly towards Arielle since she knows that the girl is likely feeling the tremendous loss of what seemed like a parental figure. It reminded her of when her own father passed, though his passing was quiet and a death hardly befitting of the warrior he was, but fitting the gentle man that he had become. She recalled that in that time, she wished to always have someone who she could lean on or talk to if she needed and so she made herself available to Arielle for just that, in case she wished for the same.
The stopwatch only further reminded her of her father, who had become an engineer in the last legs of his life, when he settled in a sleepy town with his daughter. He was often found working on clockwork devices and offered many times to show his daughter the trade that he had picked up. Miyari thought it was boring, a trade skill that could be worthwhile later on, but with the broken pocket watch now in her possession, she wondered if perhaps that was an error with far reaching consequences. Could he have been preparing her for something? The thought seemed absurd, and yet...
Miyari shakes her head to pull herself out of her reverie as Roswitha's question. "Adoption?" she repeats, blinking slowly, "Arielle's guardian, Corinne, something happened to her and she asked me to take care of Arielle. Do you not remember her? Some things have been escaping me, but I've been trying to write down everything I can remember." The catfolk speaks softly so Arielle does not hear, so the girl is not reminded of her loss more than she needs to be.
"Corinne sacrificed herself to protect Arielle and us but... not just herself, it's as if history itself has forgotten her. Perhaps it is the fate of her kind to be forgotten..." Miyari crosses her arms around herself and a shiver passes through her body. She looks up.
"This mist is thick, bad conditions for travelling, and I would not mind staying in a warm bed once more before we end up in the wilds. I agree with you, Armin, it seems like a good idea to spend a little time there until our visibility returns. We'll want to be good and ready."
"I will happily stop in town," Roswitha agrees, though the information about Arielle brings a crease between her perfectly-manicured eyebrows, "Camping is enjoyable enough, but everything gets sticky in the fog."
The youth had been softly talking all the way from the city to Nivakta's Crossing, just trying to get to know the others. Nervously explaining that they were born in the Greenbelt before coming to town and that the group should probably start at Olegs Trading Post.
"Corinne, was that her name? I remember someone from a dream... although me sleep ain't been too grand. Hopefully it'll be better in another tavern." Ali says softly as they approach the town.
As the party draws near town, the parallels with - and difference from - her visions of last night bring a strange, dreamlike feeling to the proceeding, only made stronger by the gathering fog.
Roswith smiled as the herald trumpets blared, and the strong-voiced duo shouted the tidings ahead of the procession. "Make way! Make way for Queen Roswitha of the Greenbelt! Queen of the Reclaimed Lands! Make way!" Her palfrey's gait was slow and gentle so the cheering crowds had time to drink in the sight of the royal party, from the sparkling emeralds at the points of her traveling crown to the silk slipper peeping from under her skirt hem, and all the way down the trailing fringe of her almost absurdly long sleeve drapes. She smiled at her consort, who, oddly, smiled back despite the lack of a face.
"Just around this bend, Your Majesty," purred her advisor from her other side, a strangely familiar cat-like woman with a little girl clutched in her arms, the pair riding double on a pale horse. Behind the cat-woman's mount strode a giant teddy bear, guts festooning its claws. Roswitha hastily looked straight ahead.
"I know this road well. Won't they be happy to see me again? Won't they be surprised? Won't they be proud?" Roswitha smiled again in anticipation of a joyous welcome as they rounded the bend, ready to see the familiar spires of her home again, gleaming in the sun atop the hill.
But the towers that came into view between the trees were a dark ruin, their protecting wall a smear of tumbled stone. Suddenly, she was alone at the crooked front doors, trailing sleeves and train catching on snags and encumbering her frantic pushing at the ruined portal. She slipped through the opening, peering through the sudden gloaming for some hint of cause or remaining life, but there was nothing. The blackened stairway led to the gaping sky where the walls had fallen, and as she craned her neck to look up to the towers, a nacreous moon peered through a vacant window, grinning at her like a skull.
She had wakened with a start, clutching her pack where it lay beside her on the bed, heart pounding.
It's only a dream. The message came today that all was well. Nothing could happen. For heaven's sake, I'm the one venturing out alone. Go back to sleep, Roswitha.
And she had, and had forgotten all about it until the fog and the road approaching town brought the nightmare to mind.
"Oh, good, the town. It's... it's about time we got here. It's been a long day. I'm sure we'll all sleep well tonight," Roswitha offers in a somewhat shaky voice.
Despite the short legs Glen doesn't seem to have difficulty keeping up with the others. As they travel he's happy to talk with whomever initiates a conversation, but he sticks very close to Arielle's side.
When the talk of adopting the girl comes up Glen turns quiet thinking to himself. Adopting a child certainly wasn't what they expected when they left Issia. Glen said he'd be there as well, at least he could take some of the responsibility. Though it's not like he was any better prepared to raise a human child, most people would say neither he nor Miyari were much more than children themselves. He wondered if Arielle would see him as a father figure, or just some strange ugly green man that was always around being seen as a father seemed much more frightening. Miyari was his business partner, not a romantic partner, which Glen understood was the norm for adoptions, a catfolk and a goblin did that make them the strangest family in history? The thought struck Glen hard enough to stop him in his tracks. What does a goblin know about raising a human child, or any child for that matter? What if he influences the girl in the wrong way? Glen starts walking again before getting run over by the people behind him.
"C... Corinne, yes. Glen normally has a good memory, but must admit it is difficult for him to remember details of Arielle's companion as well... Though now it is up to us to protect Arielle
Looking towards Arielle, he's sure Miyari isn't any more ready to be raising a child than he is... what kind of chance does this little girl have?
The little investigator almost misses the question about the town completely lost in thought, but slowly nods "Yes... there will be numerous opportunities for camping, it will be difficult to travel with this fog anyway."
The first night of camping Kalica has a terrible dream. She is in a tavern. Humans all around her. Laughing, mocking one another and just plain being obnoxious. Then one of them sitting at the bar comes over to her to ask her about her "funny ears." He reaches out with one hand to touch them throwing himself off balance which causes him to slosh some of his drink all over her leather armor.
She is so furious that all she sees is red. She instinctively reaches for her sword but tries to fight the urge to cut this defenselessness man down where he stands. No, I must not. He is only drunk. She whispers angrily within her mind trying to fight back the urge to kill the man. But just as she takes control of her anger she hears a lute playing softly in the background by the fireplace. Those strings, sound so familiar yet haunting. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she pushes her way through the endless crowd of drunks to only witness the horror...of the whistling man ...grinning back at her. He winks at her and then the whistling starts....and the room breaks out into chaos.
Kalica jumps from her sleep looking around the camp in the darkness to see her comrades asleep while the embers from the fire glow softly in the fire pit.
I must be diligent in my scouting. I will not let this happen to us yet again! She says softly with determination underneath her breath.
After the first night the party will see very little of Kalica. She will be scouting ahead, looking for tracks and using her skills to bring supplies and food back to the camp. She will be so diligent in her personal quest to keep everyone safe that it becomes an obsession of sorts.
Kalica stands quietly with her companions staring off in the distance towards the town with concern painted all over her face while they mention the very idea of sleeping in yet ....another Inn.
"If you all wish to sleep in that town, be..my.. guest but I won't be joining you. I do not wish to be trapped yet again within four walls." She then gestures towards the forest. "I am at home within the forest and here I will remain." She stands defiantly next to Blossom while crossing her arms across her chest in protest to the very idea of stepping one foot into... that filthy, human, town.
"You'll be alright, out here on your own?" asks Miyari, looking around. "Things can sneak up rather quickly out of the mist. For those creatures with sharp noses and sharper teeth... mist is little obstacle!"
The catfolk's ears swivel around a bit as she speaks, making herself become a bit more anxious. "Perhaps a compromise? I'm sure there is somewhere that you can sleep outdoor in the town if you wish, and you might not feel so confined. Is it just the feeling of confinement that bothers you? I do not wish to put you in situations that put you ill at ease in the future, so it would be best to get to know one another!"
"Do not worry about me Miyari," Kalica replies confidently,"I am well aware of the dangers that lurk outside. I will be fine." She tries her best to reassure her with a warm smile.
"Enjoy your Inn. I will be waiting for you out here."
"But..." Roswitha stares uncomprehending at the elf. "But there are beds in there, at the Inn. Comfortable beds. And walls around. Probably fewer bugs. Probably. And food! At least come in and eat?"
"Well I'm going to the Inn. It sounds nice." Ali says hopeful of getting a better nights sleep. Then he leans to one side and says softly to Kalica; 'I've got some spare cash if that's what's worrying you. He taps his hip softly with a faint jingle of a purse with too few coins - but enough.
The village of Nivatka's Crossing comes into view out of the gloomy fog. Bright braziers and torches several feet out from the wall help burn away the mist leaving fairly decent visibility all around the tall wooden palisade. Two raised platform make towers on each side of the gate. Archers and lookouts look down on the party while four guardsmen are just allowing the last of the four horsemen and women glimpsed before enter the gate through a sally port inset on the main gate to allow limited access without opening the gate wide unnecessarily.
"Ho! Travellers," one of the older guardsmen calls out. "Looking for entry into Nivatka's Crossing for passage or lodging?"
"We're just passing through," replies Miyari to the guardsman in her most pleasant tone, "Finding an inn to stay the night and have a couple meals at is our main priority and we'd be on our way in the morning, but ultimately, we do need to pass through to get to the Greenbelt."
Looking towards Kalica the little goblinoid speaks up "Glen does not want to dismiss your reservations regarding this town...you have a bad feeling about it? Or could be something we are not seeing." He squints towards the town, but doesn't see anything amiss "He does not want one of our group separated, he'd prefer none of us are left alone. However he also cannot deny the value a town brings, information, lodging and a good hot meal may be much harder to come by as we proceed on our journey."
He scratches behind a droopy ear pensively "If you do not wish to spend the night within the town walls Glen will respect that, he will stay with you out here, but will you at least come in long enough for him to get something to eat?"
Coming to the gate the ugly little stump looks up at the archers and guardsmen "Good evening Glen was hoping to get something hot to eat, but may not spend then night. You seem to have relatively tight security, is entry and exit normally restricted?"
The guardsman blinks a little at the sight of the party once they come into the light, but simply shrugs (he's probably seen stranger groups).
"Well, I ain't gonna disabuse ya of giving custom to the inn, but let Old Gerhard set you straight." The man gestures towards the gate to indicate beyond.
"'Passage' means crossing the bridge to Nomen Heights. That be through the village and down out the back over the bridge."
He then points off to one side to indicate the road the party just left but continuing on west like the original direction they had traveled.
"The Greenbelt's still much further west and then south from here. I'm sure you just got turned around in the mist. But regardless, come on in to Nivakta's Crossing," Old Gerhard adds with a kind smile for Miyari's sweet youth. Lowering his voice he adds,
"I would recommend the Pig & Steer. Not too expensive and the bedding's changed daily. The Meadhorn is for those expecting a lot more and willing to pay for it even if it's all overpriced this far out." He gives Miyari a wink. "As for the Cattle's Son...best steer away from that lot. They are not likely to take kindly to those they ain't seen before." This time the old timer's eye are filled with meaning.
With that Old Gerhard turns back towards his fellows and, at his gesture, one of the other guards opens the sally port wide for the expedition to pass into Nivakta's Crossing.
Coming to the gate the ugly little stump looks up at the archers and guardsmen "Good evening Glen was hoping to get something hot to eat, but may not spend then night. You seem to have relatively tight security, is entry and exit normally restricted?"
Peering down at the odd little...person (halfling? Who can say in this light?), Old Gerhard replies, "Good even' to you, sir." Indicating the fortifications, he says,
"Usually the gates stand open by day, but we're a little stricter at night. Especially with these inauspicious conditions," he waves a gloved hand at the mist. "We're getting on to bandit season now. Every year or two some sorry group or another comes along thinking the village will be easy pickings being so far from the larger cities. And every time, we learn them otherwise."
Gerhard smiles, the crows feet at the corners' of his eyes indicating he has enjoyed much laughter in his years.
"Don't you worry. They put me out here on account I'm a good judge of who ain't right. I don't let nobody in that shouldn't belong." The man stands straight and thumps the chest of his leather armor with pride.
Miyari nods towards Old Gerhard and says, while still keeping a pleasant tone, "The Pig & Steer sounds good to me, I'll happily trust your recommendation, I'm certain you know the town better than I do! I love towns like these ones, I grew up in one myself, but if there's anywhere else I should avoid while visiting, I would appreciate the advice."
She turns her eyes back towards Arielle and then to Kalica, indicating to the elf, "Old Gerhard here says that it is bandit season... I'm afraid it may be best if you at least come within the walls so that we do not spend one of our last nights in warm beds up and worrying about you all alone out here. But you do not need to set foot in an inn if it is too confining for you?" She wears an expression of concern.
"Umm..." Roswitha hums thoughtfully, then whispers to Miyari, "You know, anybody who accosts her out here is more likely deserving of being sliced into ribbons than some poor drunken, lonely lout within the walls..." She desists at Miyari's look, then says brightly to the group in general, "Yes, bedding changed nightly sounds promising, though it's most likely naught but cattle fodder. Come along with us, Kalica. We'll be safer for your company, I'm sure."
"Aye, clean bedding sounds great." Ali replies softly, thinking it might be the last time for a soft bed in a while. He nods at the guard; "Grand to see a fine lad like thee-self keeping a look out over t' town."
Ali starts to get ready to head off to Old Gerhards' Inn and a relaxing night.
"The Pig & Steer, then," Armin says in agreement, grinning wryly. "Hopefully it will fare better than the last inn we spent the night in."
He glances over at Kalica as the others try to placate her, but says nothing. Having traveled through the wilds himself, he certainly felt more at home outdoors than he did in some stuffy town. But more importantly, he had learned that safety - and strength - could be found in numbers.
Everyone who has chosen to enter Nivakta's Crossing proceeds through the sally port without any further delay. The Pig & Steer and the Meadhorn inns are only a distance beyond. Just ahead what is most likely the four horsemen and women seen entering the village ahead of the expedition seem to be having a brisk discussion. Gestures towards both of the two inns seem to indicate a disagreement on where to stay? Otherwise due to the late hour, only a few townsfolk and maybe some of the staff from the inns are out in the night. on the main thoroughfare of the village. The mist obscures much of the town, but pinpricks of light can be seen. A larger bonfire seems to mark the village square where the path ahead leads. Th smell of woodsmoke, people, and animals is muted by the fog which is probably just as well.
Arielle says nothing, her head down, making her face hard to see under the rather worn hood of her little cloak.
"Don't the four horsemen ahead of us look familiar?" Roswitha murmurs to the group entering the sally port. She peeks under Arielle's hood, giving the little girl an encouraging smile. "We're almost to the Inn, sweetheart. You can rest and eat there. It's been a long day, hasn't it?"
The girl looks up, her large brown eyes difficult to discern in the low light.
"You're a very nice lady, Miss Razweefa. Bubbles likes you."
"Uh, I'm glad to hear that." Roswitha's stomach clenched as she recalls the Bubbles of her dream. "Really glad. And I will be glad to get a hot dinner and soft bed soon. We had a long walk. I am glad Miss Kalica let you ride Blossom. Even Flower and Stem are ready to stop." She keeps an eye on the group ahead as they approach the Pig & Steer.
Glen moves along into the town, hopefully they could convince Kalica to stay within the walls, the pleasant man at the gate had mentioned bandit season, staying just outside the town would provide an incredibly easy target for a bandit group.
"Something does seem familiar about that group..." The little goblinoid agrees peering at them through the fog. "They may choose to stay at the same inn, perhaps we'll see them inside. It will be good to take a break and get something to eat." He smiles up at Arielle and Roswitha.
Kalica lets out a heavy sigh and then acknowledges her companies with a defeated tone. "Perhaps, all of you are right. I will go to the Inn." She gently pats Blossom. "Blossom could use a good feed and a brush down. Hopefully they have a stable."
She then looks over at Arielle and asks, "Have you enjoyed your time with Blossom? I think she really likes you!" She smiles warmly at the girl trying to lift her spirits and then proceeds to lead Blossom towards the Inn that everyone chose.
The orphan looks back and forth between the adults present. For a brief moment there is a sense of happiness that comes from her, and she strokes Blossom's mane. She nods at Kalica to let her know she did indeed enjoy the time.
The feeling fades, and the night and the fog again seem to loom around the town as if enclosing it off from the rest of the world.
Ali elbows Kalica in the ribs; "They have booze there, maybe someone as dapper as that Llewyn." He adds in a soft cheerful tone, with a glance to the melancholic Arielle.
"Horsemen?" Ali queries Roswitha and Glen; whilst he squints into the murk ahead. "Oh, aye... they do look a trifle familiar. Tho' I don't reckon there's many about tha' can call us friends? Maybe that Veliar?" He adds a trifle hopefully.
Armin brings Aeon to a slow trot once they have entered the town, giving him ample time to survey their surroundings. It is not until he overhears the others that he turns his gaze forward, inspecting the riders in front of them more carefully. Indeed, they did look a little familiar. Not a terribly unusual coincidence, but it could prove to be terribly unpleasant, depending on who they were.
Miyari sniffs the air lightly, tilting her head back with a squint as she glances around and takes note of the horsemen up ahead. There's something at the edge of her perception, so she peers back through her memory to try and recall the relevance of what she is seeing.
Ruvius smells slightly of fresh skin and resignation. Clearly he has received healing, no doubt after the duel that must have occurred. One of the women has his smell on him, slightly. She has likely been fussing over him or otherwise touching him frequently. She is nervous and displaying smells of fear. The other woman exudes a smell of one who is dangerous. The sword hilt peeking out of her cloak gives evidence of this. The last male smells of uncertainty and fear as well.
"Oh, it's t' lad that lost tha' duel in t' street. And his lass and chum...." He ponders slightly in the murk; "As from looks o' it there eloping, like in a story-tale." There's a slightly wistful note of melancholy to his soft voice as memories of mothers' fairy stories flood back to his. Of beautiful princesses and heroic errant-knights that would do anything for their love.
As one foot slips on the slick paving stones, Ali is brought back into the grim reality and then a dour thought saunters across the mind, as a shadow from the swamps mire. ""Hope no-one's after them? Should we check? I wouldn't feel reet letting 'em get waylayed while doing nowt."
"Ah," Armin says simply, after taking a moment to recollect the duel in question. Having accepted Brokk's invitation, he had not seen the contest through to its conclusion. "So he is alive, then. I was under the impression that their sort dueled to the death."
Glancing at Ali, he adds a shake of his head. "If they are trying to be inconspicuous, I wager that our presence would only draw unwanted attention. Besides that, they are not our concern."
"I agree with Armin...Ali. It is best we leave them alone and focus on our own affairs." She nods approvingly towards Armin and continues leading Blossom towards the Inn.
She says also in a hushed tone. "It is best we don't draw attention to ourselves either. We are a strange lot and we already bring unwanted attention in our mere appearance." Kalica looks on towards the Inn begrudgingly not looking forward to yet another Inn with...more humans.
"Our interactions with these duelists have not gone terribly well thus far. Glen is inclined to avoid stirring up trouble."
Looking to Ali the little goblin adds "That is not to say our assistance cannot be provided if it's needed, but it may be best not to thrust it upon them."
Miyari sniffs the air lightly still and says in a hushed tone, mostly for Glen to hear, but loud enough that any of her companions can hear her take, "Right, that is the duelist... seems like he's been healed recently, and he is close to that young woman... Their smell is all over each other. "Make sense, based on what Ali said."
She continues: "Her and the other man seem like they're afraid of something, or maybe nervous? And then... the other woman... seems dominant. Strong. Do you think they are the owners of one of the other charters or something, or have some other business out here? It would make sense to be nervous in that case. What do you think, Glen?"
While the catfolk's nose is fairly sharp, she's aware that her friend's mind is sharper, and is interested in hearing his take.
The party begins to move towards the Pig & Steer without any trouble. A young man approaches and identifies himself as one of the stablehands. He offers to get the animals settled. His offer appears genuine and trustworthy.
The two men of the four seem to notice the expedition members. One does not pay much mind, but the other attempts to catch the others' attention and whispers something hurriedly.
Inside, the Pig & Steer is very rustic in style. Busy but homey. Unlike the Dragon's Rest, this inn is much more subdued. Travellers weary from the road make soft conversation over their meals and tankards. The general murmurs seem to be one of relief. The one surprise is that most of the staff appears to be halflings. At least the food is sure to be delicious.
An older female halfling approaches, wiping her hands on a rag she tucks back into an apron pocket.
"What can I do you fer?" she asks cheerily.
"I would like some wine please and a table for my companions and I" Kalica responds pleasantly to the older female halfing. She quickly remembers to ask for rooms, "And oh, do you have some rooms for the night? We are weary from the road and could use some rest." She smiles warmly comforted by the fact the place is not ran by...humans.
The halfling lady nods almost before Kalica is done speaking, and she sets off already leading the way to a table.
"The name's Gherie, and I's the owner of the Pig & Steer. If yer food ain't the best ya had and yer beds ain't comfortable, ya come see me. I'll send my girl Marthem to yer table in a bit. She'll get yer wine and beer. Food's carrot and tater soup, and we got piggy roast fer the meats. Course we gots bread, too."
She turns and sizes up the group. "Three girls, three boys, and the wee lass? Four silver a room plus five copper for each head beyond two a room. Y'all be needing two I'm guessing, if ya don't mind sharing a bed or putting one on the floor. We can get ya some extra blankets no charge. That'll be nine altogether fer the rooms. One silver each for the meals, and that gets breakfast in the morn. Brings ya to fifteen coin."
Gherie looks hard up at Armin, Glen, and Ali. Frowning she seems to come to a conclusion. She waggles a meaty finger at them.
"Lassy can sleep fer free in with the ladies. And I ain't gonna budge from that. What'er ya do outside these walls is yer business, but here at the Pig & Steer, a young lass like Arielle here is hands off, ya hear?"
For a moment, surprise crosses her face and she looks a tad unsettled. Gherie glances at the girl, and then she smiles.
"I think we got some cookies baking, too. I'll throw some in with all yer dinners. Make sure you give Marthem the proper amount."
With that the stout halfling woman bustles off towards the kitchens.
With a shake of his head, causing the lengthening fringe to slip across his dark eyes, Ali concludes that Armin is at least partially correct. However he'd done so much to try and ensure that the youthful duellist didn't throw away his life in the gutter. Then the rest of the group concur with Armins' assessment, whilst Miyari's statement draws a blush to Ali's cheeks from the implications.
Though as they walk through the murk, Ali tries to check if anyone is following the other group or lying in wait for an ambush.
Ruefully concluding that it's unlikely that he'll be able to directly help the others again, especially given his lack of worldly knowledge or political nous. So distracted is he that he only faintly acknowledges the servers, though her soft brogue and charms warms him nearly as much as the kindly hearth of the pleasant inn.
"Yes, I think two rooms would be suitable. Glen, Ali and Armin in one, and then Kalica, Roswitha and I in the other with Arielle," says Miyari, glancing to Glen, "You should have enough gold from what we had left to cover that, yes?"
She looks to Arielle and says, "If you'd like, you can sleep in the bed with me. Or if you'd prefer something else, just let me know, and I'm sure that we can accomodate." The catfolk's ears flick lightly and she nods along to the rest of the halfling's words. "We do appreciate your hospitality and cookies sound wonderful." She closes her eyes contentedly for a moment and then says to Arielle, "I wonder what sort of cookies they'll have."
Roswitha leans in to hear Ali and Armin's discussion about the four newcomers ahead of them. "They ended up dueling in the streets, seriously? I heard them arguing at the inn, but figured it was all hot air." She thinks for a moment, then ventures, "Did any of you see them fight? Were they good with a blade? Maybe they would be handy to have along with us, or at least nearby on the road, in a mutual protection pact?" Though, she thinks, if they offended somebody who is after them now, they might be a liability. In which case, we can simply avoid going to their aid.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At the Inn, she nods acquiescence to the room terms and sits down to the stew with an appetite born of fresh air and long exercise. Amazing how good the plainest food tastes when you're really hungry, she thinks, tucking in eagerly and trying to keep her spoonfuls slow and measured to avoid gobbling like the common folk at other tables.
She perks up at Miyari's talk of cookies to Arielle. "Maybe they'll have milk, as well. Did you ever have warm cookies and milk, Arielle? There's nothing better!" Though she speaks to try to cheer the silent child, the thought cheers her, as well, and her smile at the orphan is a happy one.