@Allie: "I understand, go and enjoy the festival, just be sure that start of sunset, you all are at the consecration, it would mean a lot to the town after everything" she smiled to the girl and nodded to the others before a cute halflings girl beckoned her attention to the man at the corner. Placimg a glass of water before the half-orc so he would relax, she went to see about the other patron. "I'll talk to you all later." she waved to them and made her way over to Finn.
Allie gives Amieko a puzzled look as she sees to her other patron.
"What did she mean by, 'after everything'?" she asks no one in particular.
Still not completely understanding Common speech, Emilio turns his head and says "You not like," under his breath, hoping Ameiko will forgive him.
He keeps his head turned and eats quietly, the food being something he likes and hasn't had before, until he realize the others are trying to talk to him. He thinks before he speaks, knowing that a good first impression is the key to making friends.
"My name is Emilio Cross. I uh...just got into town. And um, I didn't mean to make a mess. I've never tasted that before. I prefer the drinks back with my tri--" He stops himself, thinking a savage barbarian might be looked down on in this society. "I mean, I prefer a mix of water, powdered cocoa, and honey. Something I um...grew up on." He's not lying, as that was the only drink besides river water his tribe drank.
Emilio listens somewhat intently into the story Lera tells. He's never been outside his forests for very long, so tale of something else beyond even this large town is incredable to him.
When Tru approaches the group, Emilio stays quiet, waiting for the bald man to notice him.
Hearing that Lera studies ancient cultures, he figures this might be a chance for him to get some information.
"Uh, Lera? Do you know what this is?" He pulls the neckless he got from his real father's body out from under his shirt a little, the metal glinting in the light.
After his question is answered, he puts the symbol back under his shirt. "I like." He gives a nod to her, hoping she understood what he meant. When he hears that they are headed off to the rest of the festivals, he quickly speaks. "I join? Uhh, I mean, I have questions, and I want to learn about this town. I join you and you help me answer questions?"
"Can I come along?" Allie asks with great interest. "I would love to see the kind of work you do, and I wouldn't mind seeing more of the festival..."
Having Allie join them wasn't really Lera's call as TruStrike was the one who offered to show Lera the outer perimeter of The Old Light. She waited for the white-bearded assistant to answer the younger girl.
"...just be sure that start of sunset, you all are at the consecration, it would mean a lot to the town after everything."
Lera bowed her head in assent and politely asked, "Where is the consecration to be held, Ameiko?"
Hearing that Lera studies ancient cultures, he figures this might be a chance for him to get some information.
"Uh, Lera? Do you know what this is?" He pulls the necklace he got from his real father's body out from under his shirt a little, the metal glinting in the light.
Lera was a little surprised by Emilio when he started speaking after his initial outburst over the mead and then subsequent silence.
"It is understandable to have a favourite drink. I like tea, myself.", she replied to him with a warm smile.
When the half-orc handed his necklace over for inspection, Lera turned it over, hoping to notice any particular inscription or metal source etc to give him a suitable but swift answer as to what the necklace represented. "I will have a look, give me a moment, please."
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@Lera: "In front of the Cathedral, You should talk to Father Zantus about the shrine of Shelyn. He is the head of all the facets of the Cathedral, not just Desna." she smiled to her as she went to speak with the man who askedfor her. She also placed a forgiving hand on Emilio's shoulder, she understood well. Then continued on her way.
@Lera: "In front of the Cathedral, You should talk to Father Zantus about the shrine of Shelyn. He is the head of all the facets of the Cathedral, not just Desna." she smiled to her
"That is useful to know, Ameiko. If we encounter the good priest during our walk about the ruin and festival, I shall stop and speak with him. If not, I will make a visit to his church in the morning. Thank you, again. You have been kind in your attention to strangers."
He gives a nod to her, hoping she understood what he meant. When he hears that they are headed off to the rest of the festivals, he quickly speaks. "I join? Uhh, I mean, I have questions, and I want to learn about this town. I join you and you help me answer questions?"
Looking over at the white-bearded assistant, Lera smiled and responded to Emilio,
"If TruStrike has no issue with it, then I don't have a problem with you and Allie coming along with us."
@Lera: she does not recognize it in any fashion.
After an initial inspection and some deep contemplation, Lera gave a low sigh and returned the necklace to Emilio.
"I am sorry, Emilio, but at present I am unable to determine the nature of your necklace. I will, however, aid you to the best of my ability in uncovering the truth of it. If you would like my help, that is."
TruStrike laughs at the thought that he is now playing tour guide, but is willing none the less. "A fine idea friends. Let us finish our meal and depart so that some other lucky soul can have our seat".
Emilio is happy to hear he will be joining a group of people with like minded goals.
He finishes his free meal, enjoying the strange yet spicy taste, and waits for his new companions to ready themselves.
Don't worry, Father. I will find out what your necklace piece means.
Upon TruStrike's urging, Lera returned to her half-finished fish meal and silent contemplation of Emilio's necklace.
As she ate, she drew her eyes around the room/inn, hoping to spy anything unusual or interesting.
Upon her fill, she looked to the others, ready to leave The Rusty Dragon and begin their walk to the site of The Old Light.
Allie gives Amieko a puzzled look as she sees to her other patron.
"What did she mean by, 'after everything'?" she asks no one in particular.
The halflings girl looked up the the shapely female with an appraising eye before answering,"Five years ago a series of events impacted Sandpoint, even before Tru got her, the one I will say was the fire that took some buildings, namely the old church and the lives of the previous father of the church and his beautiful daughter."
"Ohh, that's so sad," Allie replies in a somewhat melancholy tone. "So the festival is to celebrate what...the building of a new church?"
@Allie:"That and be able to move on emotionally as a community." she nodded,"So the people trying to celebrate the hardest are trying to finally move on."
After the Halfling serving girl explained the importance of attending the consecration ceremony, Lera added quietly,
"It must have been quite a loss to the community. We still have much to learn. Had the fire been deliberately set or was it an act of nature?"
@lera:"Sadly, we don't know, we can only hope it was an accident, what cruel person would burn a good man and his daughter alive" she frown and hugged herself tight at the thought.
After hearing the Halfling girl's words, Lera's mind began scratching at the surface of the mysterious fire...She did not like leaving things unanswered.
"It would take a certain evil to perpetrate such a thing...May the gods be ever watchful." And us, Lera mused to herself.
@Lera: The halflings lass nodded and began to give prayer to Shelyn, hand touching the holy symbol tattooed to her breast."Well, we are moving on and happily so, may we find beauty in all things."
@lera: Shelyn's symbol is fully exposed on her left breast, she does not hide the symbol of her goddess. Its beautifully done, so she desires to show it off all she can.
"Please excuse my forwardness, but that is a beautiful mark. My mother was one of Shelyn's most faithful. It warms me to see another. May I ask your name? I am Lera."
@Lera: The short redhead halflings smiled brightly at hearing this, "It warms my heart to hear that, and sad at the same time of the loss... but she is with Shelyn now I am sure. I'm Ruby, Ruby Shortwick. It is a pleasure to meet you, are you a follower of The Eternal Rose?"
"It is nice to meet you, Ruby. You have a pretty name."
Lera pondered her next words. She believed in the gods, and understood Shelyn most of all because of her mother. However, Lera was not attached to one god over another and she did not want to offend the Halfling girl with her candid disclosure. Lera answered measuredly, hoping her answer would suffice, "I believe Shelyn watches over me and helps to guide my hand. I am not a strict follower, but I do have sufficient reverence of the gods." She gave the serving girl a sincere smile.
"Reverence and understanding are enough, I am pleased to hear that. Know that you may always talk to me about anything. I believe this will be the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship" she laughed softly and shook her head a bit, using her finger to tuck her red locks behind her ear after the shake."At a later time we can go to the cathedral together and pray for your mother, that is if you would like it."
Finn bows in his rakish, charming way as Ameiko comes over. He sees past her that the two girls, the orc, and bearded one all leave together. Thinking that sounds like the beginning of a joke, he smiles his best, winningest smile, at the hostess.
"A fine establishment, m'lady. Fine indeed. And you're a sight for sore eyes yourself. Please, sit."He motions for the Tien beauty to sit beside him if she would.
"I am new in town and wanted to meet the local priest, Zantus, is it? We share the faith..." he shows his silver holy symbol of Lady Luck. "...and I'd like to find out what kind of priest he is. Friendly to outsiders? Accepting of new ideas? Good to his flock? What can you tell me about him, and about yourself?" He tips a wink in an obviously flirtatious way.
Staying quiet during Lera and Ruby's conversation, so as not to ruin his reputation any further, Emilio holds his tongue as long as he can, until the question on his mind burns a hole in his tongue.
"Why are you so small? Are you a child with the face of an adult or something?"
@Finn: "A flatterer eh? That will get you everywhere... sometimes." Ameiko grinned a bit as she took a seat beside the man, "Father Zantus is a good man, very friendly and welcoming, he is new to it still after five years, so I would assume he would be an accepting man, he feels the type. He is a great man to his people and the town, we owe him a great debt helping us through these troubled times, but he is still feeling his way about it. As for me, I am Ameiko, owner of this fine establishment and an honest working woman who makes it through each day and catering to travelers. As for more about me, you'll have to figure that out." she winked herself, charm oozing from her. "But are you asking about Zantus so that you can help the Cathedral? You would be quite welcome, I am quite sure."
@Emilio: "I'm a halfling, have you never met one before? Truthfully I wouldn't be surprised, we are careful about where we show up if we can help it" she laughed pretty heartily at that, it seemed the question helped lighten up her mood even more after the discussion of the fire.
"Reverence and understanding are enough, I am pleased to hear that. Know that you may always talk to me about anything. I believe this will be the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship" she laughed softly and shook her head a bit, using her finger to tuck her red locks behind her ear after the shake."At a later time we can go to the cathedral together and pray for your mother, that is if you would like it."
"Ameiko told me to go meet with Father Zantus at the Cathedral. If you aren't working, perhaps you may come along with me? I was hoping to visit Shelyn's shrine by The Old Light and pay my respects there." Lera watched the amiable red-haired Halfling with a hopeful smile on her face.
"It would be good to have a friend in Sandpoint, Ruby. Thank you."
Lera almost spluttered aloud at Emilio's question. It was amusing, but Lera had wondered how it would be taken by the Halfling. Happily, Ruby had not taken offence at all and explained the reason for her short stature to the Half-Orc. She wondered what else the Half-Orc would ask ... almost expecting the unexpected with him.
Allie approaches Amieko, as the group appears to leave.
"Excuse me for interrupting, Mistress Amieko," she says, giving a shy smile to the tall young man standing with her. "I was hoping I might be able to fill my waterskin before we return to the festival. Would that be okay?"
@Lera:"Actually my shift is endimg, hence why I am free chattimg so much. I would like to go with you if that is okay, And I know the feeling Lera." she curtsied in her barwench outfit with a giggle.
@Allie:"Of course Allie, Ruby looks like she is leavimg, so you can ask her before she goes. I'm sure she won't mind" Ameiko smiled to her."Have fun now okay, and don't get into too much trouble now."
"Thanks!" Allie says to Amieko, then gives a wink to the man, as she returns to Lera and Ruby.
"Ruby, I know you're about to leave, but could you fill this for me? Amieko said you could help me," she says to the halfling, proffering her waterskin. "I wouldn't object to something a little stronger than water, if you have it," she whispers with a wink and a conspiratorial smile.
@Allie:"Sure thing darlin'" Ruby made her way behind the counter, disappearing behind it as Allie could hear the sounds of liquid moving. Then returned with a full waterskin,"I gave you some of the good stuff, this one in particular is a bit of an experiment Ameiko and I are playimg with. Its worked up so far, so I hope you like it." she winked back to her.
Still completely confused, Emilio returns his attention to his new companions, even though a thought crosses his mind.
There's more of these half-lings? How many? What good are they if they are so short they can't hit someone's neck in one swing? The gods must be crazy.
Emilio pulls his dagger out, looking over the smooth blade. He bites into the lower part of the blade near the handle, then puts the blade back. He tastes a little blood as the knife cut the inside of his cheek. He mutters something in Orc.
@Emilio:"Why did you do that? You could hurt yourself as you did, that's not a good thing to do, Mr. half-Orc. You should never hurt yourself intentionally. I don't know the orc kind much, but you could get diseases and infections! It could kill you! You should be careful, we be lost an actual good looking half-orc." she frowned and shook her head.
Emilio feels himself do something he's never done before. He's blushing a little. No one has ever called him good looking before. The only thing he's been called is pathetic, worthless, weak, and a number of other things that, in good taste, will not be written.
He clears his throat, still a little confused, but thankful. "Uh...I like, and my name is Emilio. Emilio Cross." he says to his complimentor.
@Emilio:
"A pleasure Emilio" Ruby curtsied to him as well."But can you promise you won't do that again. Wouldn't want anything to happen to you now, darlin'"
"I uh...." He looks down to her as she curtsied. "I..pro...mise?" He hope he's convincing her, since he's never heard the word "promise" before.
@Emilio: She looked at him very unconvinced."Now I'm just gonna have to check up on you now and again to make sure you don't do it again." her brillant green eyes shimmered with determination! Shelyn would guide her in this! As her hand on her breast, touching the tattoo, she gave a prayer for that very assistance.
"So be it." Emilio feels himself smile for the first time in what feels like eons. Maybe it will be a good thing he came into town.
"So then." He stands up, a good head and a half taller than everyone else. "Shall we pilla--I mean uh...go?"
@Emilio: Ruby nodded a bit excitedly, wanting to get to know her new friends even more,"Oh it shall be!"
Lera had been silently observing the flirtation between Ruby and Emilio but she did not outwardly remark upon it. She attempted to give them a semblance of privacy by turning her head slightly away but she found the conversation amusing and a small smile played at her lips. Emilio seemed more at ease in Ruby's presence.
When Ruby returned with the filled waterskin, Lera turned her attention to Allie. "Do you know who that gentleman is talking with Ameiko? Did he introduce himself when you wandered over there?"
"He's cuuute, isn't he?" Allie says, giving the taller woman a playful nudge with her shoulder. "I didn't catch his name, but I could invite him to tag along with us, if you wish."
It was the first time she'd been nudged by a female over such a thing and Lera found it quietly amusing. She had noted the gentleman not for his fair face (although he possessed one) but for the certain air about him and he had watched them with an earnest (albeit subtle) interest just after had had entered the inn and settled in a seat.
"If you'd like to invite him, then please go ahead, Allie. I believe TruStrike will not mind if we add yet another to his tour." Lera turned a warm smile to the white-bearded man who was waiting on them to leave The Rusty Dragon.
Allie puts her fingers to her lips and blows as sudden, sharp whistle.
"Hey, cute fella! Wanna come take in the festivities with us?" Allie says to Finn, with an inviting smile.
"You can thank me later," she whispers to Lera with a mischevious wink.
Lera inwardly cringed at the lack of proprietary and subtlety displayed by Allie. She's an excitable one, Lera mused silently. Lera did not want to draw undue attention to herself or their newly formed band of acquaintances.
Thank her? Lera was perplexed as to why she would be thanking Allie over such a display. Lera was more measured in her approach when it came to people and gatherings.
Quietly, under her breath, she addressed Allie, "I meant you should approach his table again, not whistle and call from across the room. And you said he was cute, not I." Lera's olive skin was a little flushed from Allie's forwardness and her presumption.
Lera shook her head and laughed softly for a moment -- hoping to cover her reticence. She lifted her face squarely and looked at the man across the space, awaiting his reaction/response.
TruStrike ponders, momentarily, of grabbing the archeologist and making for the door...
@Lera:"As I see it, it could go either way, see what strikes each other's fancy. But he is interesting for sure, and likely a wonderful addition to the tour" she smiled and placed a hand on Lera's leg, since it was all she could reach.