"I would enjoy that Copper," Zelaria says, and rises. "Present company excluded, I am not wholly comfortable here, and if I could avoid speaking to this Foxglove, all the better," she admits, and smiles at the drake. "Than you for the offer. Do you have a destination in mind?"
Vulf tilts his head confusedly as he looks at Aria's unfinished steak and then nods slowly. At the little wyrmling's words he quirks an eyebrow first at it then he turns and looks at Rohan for some explanation but seeing no harm he shrugs and flashes a smile at Aria before digging in on her steak. The fighting yesterday had left him famished and he felt the spirits entombed in his tattoos hunger as well. He would never turn down food when he needed it so much.
"Thanks. I don't have any particular place in mind. Somewhere quiet without a lot of people to disturb us since we're celebrities. If Foxglove shows up, big brother and Vulf can handle him."He replies as he hops off the chair he was sitting at to let her lead the way. Rohan just looks back at Vulf for a second before resuming eating.
"Better to keep moving then," Zelaria agrees, and eases them out of the Rusty Dragon and towards the docks. "There are many who work at the docks, but, working men are unlikely to pay us any heed, I think," she says and smiles softly.
"Sounds good to me, Aria." When they get to the docks, he decides to ask the million gold piece question. "I noticed you're acting a little different today. What's wrong? You're not smiling as much, and I like it when you smile. Your smiling makes me smile, Aria. Is it about this Foxglove guy? Or maybe something that woman said?" He asks with genuine concern.`
Zelaria licks her lower lip and considers Copper's words silently while they walk. "It's my magics," she answers after a time. "I almost lost control of my self last night, holding too much of it for so long. My Master has warned me that gathering and holding too much power within myself will tempt me to draw even more.
"In the histories of my people it is said that we once had a home. We were slaves to great magicians who summoned so much power that they destroyed themselves. It is a fear of mine, and my Master, that pursuit of that power will lead me to the dark places our people have escaped from," she continues, and spares him a glance, "to the shadows."
Zelaria draws a sharp inhale. "I lost control of my magics again this morning, thinking of Vulf. I believe I know now why my Master cautioned against entering into relationships during my training," she says and blushes.
Zelaria shakes her head after a moment. "The girl simply angered me for a moment. She gives every impression of thinking nothing of Florin's heart, and seeking only to tease him. We both know he is kindly, but a fool. I do not wish to see him harmed by another."
Copper listens intently. "I see. Well, relationships are a part of life. It is very hard to avoid them. Trust me, Rohan's tried to avoid me sometimes. I know you'll learn to handle it." He chuckles."Well, some lessons are best learned the hard way. Florin might be better for it. He will get over her and move on. He seems to be the type. Is that all that's bothering you? Seems like there is more."
"There is more, to be sure," Zelaria answers, "but for Vulf's ears alone."
Zelaria stretches, lifting her arms above her head and looks to the sky and finally back down to Copper and smiles. "I had not anticipated that inaction would make me heroic," she muses. "Compared to you, and the other combatants, I feel as though my contribution mattered very little, like watching the tournament to determine the champion of Sandpoint. Though my spells easily disable enemies, I cannot dispatch them.
"I've always wanted to be accorded a heroine in my own right," she somewhat sings, "but I had not prepared myself for that eventuality. By the end of the day, it is likely that I will have recovered my self," she tells Copper.
He nods his head in understanding."You're a hero just like any of us. You just go about heroing in a different way. I have faith in your magic, you'll grow stronger just like the rest of us. We all will. You'll be an arcane terror in no time, sending swarms of meteors to terrorize the populace. I promise. And when that time comes, you'll be ready." Copper gives her a reassuring hug.
Zelaria returns Copper's hug. Very different from Eugeni and Ethan, but some things are the same, she hums appreciatively.
"Thank you, Copper," she says brightly. "I must admit that you and Rohan remind me of my own brothers. I wish he would open his heart as well, as I can see that there is pain within his that mirrors my own. I believe Desna may have intended us to meet."
Zelaria pauses in a less busy spot on the docks and looks out over the sea in silence for a few moments. It is said She lost Her gifts of prophecy when Aroden died, but Her dreams sometimes hold true. Why is it that I did not dream of any of my companions? she wonders. After a number of beats of silence, she looks to Copper and smiles almost apologetically. "We should return, hmm? I do not believe that Foxglove gentleman will endure being made to wait too long, and we both are aware of Vulf's temper."
"Well when I said he is odd around pretty women, I meant you as well. Though in this case, its a little different, I'm not sure how. He's very complicated and you two do share some qualities to say the least.The rest, you should ask him yourself. We should head back though. I don't know what those two would do without us."
Zelaria and Copper return to the Rusty Dragon. Assuming that the Foxglove gentleman has not yet arrived, Zelaria will pull up a chair beside Vulf and before sitting beside him lean and whisper in his ear softly.
"I believe we need to speak of a good many things, and soon. Before I lose my courage to."
Copper takes his old seat next to Rohan at the table. He starts eating off his plate before he is batted away. The summoner instead orders some sweets for his best friend."I'm pretty sure you're just a walking bag of holding." To which the drake shrugs. Rohan nods his head towards Zelaria as if to ask if everything is alright. Copper nods up and down to say yes.
Vulf nods to Zelaria and stands pushing his chair back and then holding Aria's hand helping her to her feet. "Lead on Zelaria" he smiles and then looks to the rest of the party. "We will just be outside."
Trust him to be literal, Zelaria hums, and then laughs softly. "Please excuse us," she begs the group, sparing a smile for Copper.
"Do you always sleep in the nude, or is that only when you are in the company of women?" she inquires softly, her tone indicating something like a jest. "My Master warned about entering into relationships. It was simple when none appeared to have any interest beyond manifold attractions," Zelaria inhales sharply andbites her lower lip, flushing.
You are too vague, coward, her mind seethes.
"I like you," she says simply.
"Were we among my people...this is hard to explain. Vulf sighs unsure of how to proceed...He draws in another heavy breath before proceeding.
"I like you... I would have made a wreath of intent but the flowers here. They do not mean the same." He shrugs hoping she understands his meaning.
Zelaria's blush fades and she lets her hand down from Vulf's face and nods. "I understand," she answers softly. "Our people, though different, are also similar. Among mine, family was of primary importance when choosing a mate. We," Zelaria pauses and glances towards the street for a moment, nervously. "We rarely wed outsiders."
"We have much to learn about each other, yet. You do not speak my mother's tongue, or I yours," she recognizes, and looks at him again, though not into his eyes. "Perhaps we may start with those?"
" We can talk more about this later maybe after we have met this man, but we need to find the little man with the beard. I don't feel right without everyone together."
With that said Vulf takes Zelaria's hand and leads her back into the tavern looking for the rest of the party.
Zelaria follows Vulf in a sort of a daze, her tattoos having flared to life with the kiss still radiate fuchsia, as though her magics are doing her blushing for her.
Her mind is working furiously, tearing through images she has seen in her life of lovers entwined: her parents, Iolana and Bjørn, her distant cousins and their torrid affairs lacking in sensibility and in honor. She had always told herself that it was not her way, that Desna's calling was higher than her personal freedoms. Had she not been groomed to replace the Eldest?
Zelaria sits when bidden and looks out among the crowd without really seeing, her tattoos still radiating with her innate power.
The Courtesan, she wonders, the masked lady whose purpose is unknown, in Vulf's future. Might it be me? Or Desna?
Aldern Foxglove enters the Rusty Dragon soon after Zelaria and Vulf return. He first heads to the bar but quickly changes course when he sees that the heroes have a table. He sweeps up to the table with a grandiose bow. "Aldern Foxglove at your service, the mighty Heroes of Sandpoint." He smiles a friendly smile and sits, unbidden at your table. "Forgive me for being so out of sorts last night, as I was extremely distressed at the loss of my prized hunting dogs and the possibility of my own death and/or dismemberment. Little did I know I would be rescued by such brave, and dare I say Beautiful men and women." He nods at Zelaria at the last point, his dark eyes glittering with mirth and cheer. "I only came down to town to do a little boar hunting. Speaking of which, I still am intending to do so tomorrow, would you fine gentlemen, or the Arcane Lady Zelaria, care to accompany me? I can't promise we'll find a nice boar but I can promise we'll all have a rousing good time. I would love to see how you real adventurers handle your blades when it's only your honor and not your lives on the line." Aldern's speech is quick and flighty, hardly giving you time to get a word in edgewise until the young noble sits back for a response.
Zelaria's eyes widen at the description of herself as beautiful by this handsome stranger. Why would such a man look to heroes to replace his dogs? she wonders. Is he afraid of the boar? What honor is there in warriors butchering an animal? Still, it would be nice to do something together...
"I believe we might be able to accommodate you," Zelaria answers politiely. "Would we be gone from the city for a very long time?"
"No, no... just a half hours ride into the Tickwood, a couple hours of hunting and then the ride back. Since I have plenty of food myself I usually sell any big catches cheaply to Ameiko here, she's a darling and a wonderful cook." Aldern winks over at Miss Kaijutsu, who rolls her eyes as soon as he looks away. "I'd be happy to rent you all horses so that we need not walk."
"I am not a skilled rider," Zelaria says softly. "If you have so much food, why must you hunt?" she asks, genuinely curious. "How is it honorable to butcher animals that mean us no harm?"
Zelaria bites her lip, realizing that she is asking too many questions, and wonders if she has been too rude about them, and how this gentleman will respond to a silly little girl making inquiries of him.
Rohan glares a bit at Aldern when he shamelessly hits on Zelaria and then again when he does to to Ameiko."He wants to hunt them for sport. I read that's what nobles like him do for fun. They have more than they need and they hunt to amuse themselves. There is no honor in it." He comments. He clearly does not like this man. "So why should we grace you with our presence? Why do you deserve to be in the company of Copperscale the Scourge of Goblins!?" Copper asks him, playing up the last sentence.
Zelaria's Sense Motive
Zelaria recognizes Rohan's anger, but cannot discern its cause. She knows only that she doesn't wish to see her friend upset. She grips Vulf's hand slightly harder, the initial flush of her tattoos fading to a dull blue color with her determination to maintain her composure, though her violet eyes might be seen to burn as she observes the proceedings.
Aldern balks slightly at Rohan's angry tone. "Well I do not have to hunt, but it is indeed fun. Besides, I leave on my own coin, find and kill a creature, ask for less coin than it cost to hunt it from Miss Kaijutsu, and then she sells it to these people," He sweeps one well-attired hand around the bar to indicate, "For far less than they would have taken to buy a meal normally, because the meat will go bad if no one eats it." He shifts his attentions to Zelaria, obviously offended by Rohan's rebuke. "I help to feed these people in a way I enjoy. No one is hurt but the animal, and I do not take pleasure in being overly cruel. I kill the animal in the quickest, cleanest way I can manage. I suppose if you do not wish to join me, I will not force your hand, but perhaps a dinner instead? I own a rather prominent mansion I stay in when I am down from Magnimmar that is a short walk outside of town."
Why is it so important to leave Sandpoint? Zelaria wonders.
Zelaria's Sense Motive on Aldren
"I would be delighted, provided my companions can accompany me," Zelaria answers. She looks to Rohan and Copper apologetically. "I believe each of us may benefit from being treated in a less public venue."
Vulf squeezes Zelaria's fingers and slips his won between hers before looking up at the man, he was slightly confused by the mans high speech but decided to remain silent lest his own feelings for any man flirting with Zelaria show in his voice and manner, like they had outside the dueling ring.
Florin watches anxiously on as the two ladies talk but as Zelaria walks back it becomes obvious that he is going to be none the wiser as to the girls name. ”My sincerest apologies Rohan but I fear I am to take this walk alone however I promise I will lay the groundwork for next time.” Florin gulps down his ale and walks over to the anonymous lady. Fixing his smile he casually drops his arms behind his back grabbing his index and middle finger, bringing his chin up high and rolling is shoulders back. ”M’lady, alas I have failed in both of your tasks what with all the excitement last night I could not learn your name. However I shall call you the sun for to compare you to anything less radiant would be doing you a disservice. So my solar prey what is your name?”
"Fine." Is the only thing Rohan can muster at this moment. He still has some hostility for this man, but is keeping it in check.
Zelaria grips Vulf's hand a little harder at Rohan's aggressive dismissal of Aldern. As her Mama had said, there seemed very little inherently bad about the gentleman. He seemed silly, and full of dreams, but his heart appeared to her to be full of good intent. She saw no reason to treat him with any less kindness than they afforded Florin beyond their initial grievance with his foolish practices. Even so, hunting was not a sport Zelaria imagined herself enjoying.
S.V.
The girl smiles cheekily. "Nay, my Knight, for to call me the sun, while flattery of the highest regard, is quite simply unneeded. Perhaps you failed to defeat the dwarf on the field, but now you stand triumphant from a night of true battle." She reaches forward and lightly cradles the gorget that has been dented by a goblin blade. "And suffered a wound in saving both your prey, and all that she knows. For that, my Knight, you have earned my name. I am Shayliss Vinder, daughter of Vin Vinder. You may have heard of him, as he owns the general store here in town." She unbuckles your gorget and pulls it toward herself. "And perhaps you can earn more through another task. My father has been very... distracted lately by my sister. She has been caught well... shacking up... with one of the men who works in the mill." Shayliss's smile is infectious and her dancing backward steps entreat you to follow. "As such, he has not been keeping the store in good condition. There are rats down there now. I swear I saw one the size of a goblin scurry from behind the barrels the other day. I am a lady of many talents but alas, battle is not one of them. Perhaps you could help me clear them away as I repair this, or find another to match with your armor."
Aldern
Aldern beams at Zelaria's agreement. He seems a slight bit less enthusiastic about Rohan's tacit agreement, but still is obviously glad to mend fences, and looks quizically at Vulf's silence. "The invitation is, of course, open to all, should Father Dorrak or the Hunter choose to come along." Foxglove stands, then drops into an overly elaborate bow. After dropping a substantial tip in silver upon the table and nodding to Florin on the way out, he makes his exit.
Zelaria follows Aldern's exit with her eyes, and sees Florin being pulled away by his mystery lady. The sight saddens her for a brief moment, to see how easily the young knight is swayed by passion, and she-
Zelaria shakes her head slowly. "Well then, I believe we have dawdled here long enough. I meant commune at the altar to Desna and give thanks to Father Dorrak," Zelaria squeezes Vulf's hand and draws it to her lips to deliver a soft kiss to his fingers. "If you will excuse me just a moment, I will leave word with Lady Ameiko about our intent should the Flower Knight wish to find us later," she says and rises to perform her self appointed duty.
Rohan just nods his head in agreement as she leaves to tell Ameiko about their departure.
Florin allows himself to be lead with Shayliss doe-eyed.
As the Lady Ameiko was busy tending to her clients, Zelaria leaves word of her intent with the girl behind the bar. Goblin raiders had spoiled her plans for dinner the previous evening, and she wished to see her companions gathered under one roof, enjoying her hospitality. The appointment seemed all the more poignant since Zelaria had achieved heroine status over night, a title that fit ill on her slender shoulders still. Zelaria asks the girl to convey to Florin the time which she believes that supper should be prepared, and to convey that he should bring no gifts, and while she hopes that he would not bring company, she certainly would not refuse him an escort. Not that I would have to like her, though...
Zelaria takes Vulf's hand again at the table and leads the quartet to the cathedral. She is not particularly astonished to find that the altars to Abadar, Erastil and Iomedae are quite crowded this morning, as their concerns were those of the city, family and leadership, but is quite disheartened to see the collection of rogues and Sczarni praying at the altar to Desna. A look of distaste narrows her violet eyes, and she shakes her head, and seeks out the altar to Torag, the smith, and Father Dorrak. She tells him about their experience with Aldern Foxglove, and the invitation to the hunt they refused, and also of the invitation to dinner the next evening.
"I have the impression from him that he credits me solely with his rescue, it was unnerving at first," she admits, "especially as I was only the stubborn girl who refused to leave the storehouse, and not the one who directed us there."
Zelaria blinks and looks to her hand twined in Vulf's. "I have resided in Sandpoint for almost ten years, and never once has this man sought me out. His interest now seems to me... disingenuous. Although I am certain it is not particularly nice to say so," Zelaria looks to Dorrak hopefully.
Vulf enjoys the day walking about with his companions, his hand hardly leaving Zelaria's but at the sight of the cathedral Vulf balks gaping up at the immense structure. He hand not seen much of it last night but now in the daylight he was struck buy how large it actually was.
"What is this place?" At his companions replies he wonders at the mindsets of city folk. Why would anyone need such a structure to commune with their gods?
Shayliss leads Florin playfully through the streets toward her father's store, the whole time complaining of 'rats'. Strangely, even the store's basement seems rather clean. The reason for her deception comes clear as she plants a sound kiss upon Florin's lips, the first of many it seems.
After about five minutes of kisses and whatever else, large, heavy booted feet begin to sound on the wooden stairs. Luckily, Floring hears before they hit the bottom and come into view.
After speaking to Father Dorrak and informing him of her intent to hold the dinner promised yesterday evening today, Zelaria leads Rohan, Vulf and Copper to market to pick up a number of things for dinner in the evening. She consults Copper about a meal that they can prepare together, and if any are foolish enough to offer them free food she will gently refuse and insist that she has coin enough to pay for her purchases. She has no intention of exploiting their new "fame" to rob merchants of their profits, especially in such a time of chaos.
Zelaria will also duck into a shop rather quickly to purchase a number of new outfits for herself, to replace the dress that was ruined by goblins, but will not ask the boys to join her on this errand. She will also buy a fit of ribbon and thread for embroidery, and try to be done as quickly as possible, so that she can join up with the boys for the walk back to Iolana's.
She assists Copper with making food in the evening, and when guests start to arrive, will play her part as a hostess, making sure everyone is comfortable and has adequate refreshment before they settle down to eat. Afterward she will encourage anyone willing to share their story of how they came to Sandpoint.
In the night, when most have retired, Zelaria will pull Vulf aside for the chat that they spoke of earlier, taking it outside, among Desna's spheres, if weather allows.
Rohan is rather quiet on the grocery trip. Most likely stewing about the meeting with Aldern. He will offer to help pay for some of the ingredients mainly since the majority of it will be eaten by Copper. For his part, the little drake is quite the chef. His culinary passion goes beyond just eating. He takes some a recipe for lamb and adds his own twist to them. You notice the normally inattentive goblin slayer pays close attention when he is cooking. He is of course happy to be alongside Aria. When it comes to story telling time, Rohan will tell of how they worked on a ship for the last few months. They've been traveling the Inner Sea until they heard word of a certain fateful festival.
”I can hear footsteps perhaps your father has returned it would be most…unfortunate for him to catch us like this.”
Florin attempts to gather his modesty ducking behind any large obstacle he can find to dress and encouraging Shayliss to do likewise.
Shayliss, quite quickly lost on any romance, grabs her shirt and begins to dress in as quick a manner as possible. The footsteps pause at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for a moment, then enter the door to the workshop. "Shay? Are you here my only obedient daughter?" He asks, looking around.
Florin, luckily, happens to be entirely out of the huge mans sight as he looks around. "Over here father." calls Shayliss, now dressed hurriedly. "I was just picking up some wood for the fire." She grabs some wood and begins talking to him as they head upstairs. "What happened to you at market? I thought you'd be gone all day." She asks him with a bit of a whine.
"Nay, Nay... that damn grocer has angered me again. I think I'll stay here and mind the store the rest of the day." Is the last thing Florin hears before the voices drift into gibberish up the stairs.
Florin finishes dressing and stows his armour in his pack and quickly drafts a letter.
My Dearest Shayliss.
It is with a heavy heart that I must leave you in this manner however I think that my introduction to your father should be under more formal circumstances our time together this day has stolen my heart. I look forwards to seeing you again soon. I shall stop by the shop on the morrow.
Till then I will be your obedient servant
Your Knight of Flowers
Florin Du Poisse.
Florin then seals the letter with wax and addresses it to Shyliss.
Making sure there he has everything he leaves the letter on the floor where he had been hiding and moves to the stairs quietly Florin makes with all haste through the shop out of the door and into the street as fast as is possible hopefully getting out of view of the shop.
Vulf wanders quietly along Zelaria's grocery shopping and notes with interest the numerous stalls lining the market. Several times shope keepers approach him to give him food, never one to refuse, he takes them and shares them with his companions occationally sneaking glances at Zelaria.
When she goes into the clothes shop he would try and follow but Rohan seems to laugh and tells him not to and Vulf just remains outside slightly perplexed wondering why he couldnt go inside.
As he watches Zelaria and the little dragonling cook he can barely contain his stomach rumbling and instead focuses on the tales Rohan and the wyrmling tell wondeirng about these ships. he had never been near the ocean and wondered what it would look like. These houses on the water intrigued him and wondered what it would be like to be on one. The forests of his homeland contained many rivers but none big enough to need what Rohan called a ship.
Later at night Vulf feels Zelaria pull on his arm and he allows her to pull him outside. he looks down at her after they stare up at the stars the galre of the towns lights dimming down even as they watch to see the night sky seem to explode in light as the stars and the moon replace the sun in the reign of the sky.
"Everything is so new here. I have been in towns before but this place is so huge, how do you like it here? Your people were travlelers yes? It must be different than life here, I would like to learn more of your ways...well mostly more about you Aria."
"Ah, yes, the change was... difficult," Zelaria manages after a considerable pause. "It is much quieter here. Out along the ways, we have animals, and there are always men and women singing and playing to entertain the guard. Only the Eldest and our children are allowed to sleep the duration. Few are... as idle as Aldern."
Zelaria looks up at Vulf hopefully at the mention of the noble gentleman, searching for any signs of aggression . She takes his hand with her tattooed one and uses it to trace the lines of her tattoo underneath her eye. "Who my people were live here," she says, and then places her free hand on her chest, "and here, like my magics, and Desna's grace," she says softly.
Zelaria's tattoos begin glowing softly, a pale purple color like lilacs that is reflected in her eyes. "That is why I called you out here tonight. Just yesterday I was a peer, and now some afford me the title of hero. My control," the color of Zelaria's tattoos shift from purple, to fuchsia and finally settle on red, "is not great, and it is an important function of my magics."
Copper seeing Vulf's obvious confusion giggles and tell's him that it is a female thing and leave it at that.
Dorrak hosts a gathering for the local Dwarves of Sandpoint and any other fans of Torag that are about town.
Originally, he was hoping to hold the meeting at the Red Dog Smithy. Unfortunately Das Korvut who insisted his dogs would be upset by a group gathering though, having met them, Dorrak suspects that's untrue. Not wanting to start an argument, he's seen Das in a bad mood, he politely agreed to hold the service on the grounds just outside the Cathedral.
He reads from the Hammer and Tongs selected entries regarding the hardening and purification of metals by pounding out impurities. He likens this to the current events - community being the metal and impurities being the goblins. Becoming more granular and personal, he asks each member in attendance to consider ways they could drive out their own impurities to become a stronger more positive presence in the lives of those around them.
That aside, he deflects as much of the praise and attention as possible, assuring townsfolk that he considers it his duty to stand against such threats to protect others, even at the cost of his own life. He meets up with the rest of the crew for meals, etc.
The gathering is attended not only by dwarves but by many of the people of town. Many of them leave nodding or talking quietly. Each of them seems introspective afterward.
Two days pass, the people of Sandpoint calm down a bit after the goblin attack. Your fame fades, though it is still obviously present. Your dinner with Foxglove goes well, with him being an entirely kindly gentleman, regaling you with tales of his hunts and generally being very hard to really dislike, though some of you try very hard. The world of Golarion turns and the people begin to settle into their normal routine. Florin and Shayliss meat a few more times in secret, a romance that has so far not been the talk of the town, due to their secrecy. Rohan continues to flirt with Miss Kaijutsu, which she appears to return slightly, but is always too busy for Rohan to feel comfortable pursuing it any further. Dorrak gains a following and even a few conversions as he becomes a moral center for the town in thier moments of crisis.
Thus, it's no surprise that on the beautiful morning on the fourth day after the goblin attack, Amele Barett begins pounding at Father Dorrak's door frantically.