Relisha continues to look at herself in the mirror as Thanara speaks. When she finally mentions Ameiko, though, the tiefling blushes again and laughs awkwardly.
"Ameiko? Why would it matter ...? I mean, I don't ..." she questions in a overly casual voice. Looking up and seeing the expression on Thanara's face stifles her protestations and she looks back to the mirror. "It doesn't matter," she says sadly after a moment. "I'm not worthy of someone like her."
Rising from the chair, her clothing shifts back to almost what it was before. The blouse and skirt seem to fit a little better and is there a hint of decorative stitching on the edges?
"Thank you for thinking of me, Thanara. You really are a beautiful person." With that, she gives the woman a quick hug and makes her way back downstairs to return home.
"Ye have not paid forr the food and the liquorr, and I believe if ye ask forr a bedrroom to rrest, Ameiko vill also prrovide ye... so ye do get paid, just not in coins." Olaff points out as he drinks another gulp of his mug.
"I had no choice o' coming herre... see, me motherr vas varrisian, vhile me fatherr vas an ulfen. His blood vas probably strrongerr, forr anyone neverr even thought I vas not a full-blooded ulfen. As it happens, she passed avay, but beforre she did, she made me vow to brring herr home, to Sandpoint, and not to rreturrn to Hagrreach."
Olaff muses to himself for a couple minutes. "Ye see, I vas like ye... a defenderr o' me people, fightin' the goat-f~&*errs of Irrrisen. If ye arre thinkin' o' movin' avay, I'll take yer job..."
”About time someone else sees it,” Thanara says with a wink. She shifts her outfit into a slightly different configuration, this time a strip of decorative fabric across her breasts in a criss-cross pattern with fancy trim, and a matching knee length skirt of matching material that hangs at an angle coming up to mid thigh on her right leg. Small arcs of electricity occasionally dance across her bare midriff as she catches up to Relisha.
”Remember, though. That skin tone will only last about an hour. If you want it to last longer, you’ll have to step aside with me and have me refresh it,” she says with a wink. Despite the lack of a breeze, her hair seems to blow in the wind, like it somehow always does.
She tugs at her hair over her face. "You're Ahreni, right?"
"Yes." Ahreni replies, a little surprised that the girl knows her name. But by the time she's plucked up the courage to actually respond the girl has gone and some sort of altercation has taken place at the bar and all the pretty girls have left.
The only one left is Sandru's brother, eating and drinking in large amounts and yelling boorishly. Although he is everything that Ahreni dislikes about people, loud and crude, Sandru had asked her to try and be friendly so that dark haired woman takes her drink and sits down next to the blonde warrior - clinking her mug against his in the gesture that Sandru said was called a 'bread'.
"I'll think about it," the tiefling says as she takes her leave of the beautiful woman.
~~~~~
The elation that Ralisha felt at Thanara's attention lasted all the way to her family home and through the doorway.
"Relisha, what is wrong with your face?" her mother declared meeting her in the common room.
Relisha's shoulders slumped and her clothes reverted to their original appearance. "I-I think it was the sun," she stammered back a reply.
"Oh dear, that's never happened before. I hope it's not another sign of your corruption," Redoranda said, clucking her tongue as she approached her daughter. One hand reached out to pull the strands of brown hair over the single golden eye. "Please tell me you weren't walking around like that in town?"
"No, Mama," the tiefling responded, her eyes dropping to the ground.
"So, how is Kara and the new baby?" the woman asked as she straightened the flatware set out for the evening meal.
"They're fine now. The little boy was breech, and Kara lost a lot of blood - it was taxing, but I managed to keep the balance," Relisha answered, a hint of pride slipping into her voice. It didn't take more than a moment before she realized her mistake. The stinging of her skin from the slap her mother delivered wasn't a new sensation and she knew the appropriate response. Dropping to her knees and focusing her eyes on the ground, she muttered a quiet prayer to the Dawnflower for forgiveness as her mother addressed her.
"You did nothing other than pervert the very world you exist in! The Everlight herself in her infinite forgiveness is allowing you to balance out the foulness you carry!" her mother raged. "That's three strokes for pride! And I smell ale on you so I know you stopped at the tavern."
Ralisha nodded wordlessly.
"The good people of this town do not deserve to have to look at your contaminated flesh. That's another stroke for forcing yourself upon them."
"But Mother, they ..." Ralisha began to protest.
"And that's another stroke for defying your mother! Do not bring more punishment upon yourself, my daughter."
The tiefling remained silent.
"Very well. Get too it then. There's no need to trouble your father with your moans so make sure you're finished before he gets home."
Ralisha rose without a word and made her way to the small side room off the main living area that had been arranged as a chapel. She closed the door and pulled her blouse off over her head. Reaching up to its dedicated place on the wall, she took down the scourge that rested there. The tiny gemstones set in the many tails glittered in the candlelight as she shook it out. She knelt down in front of the small statue of the Dawnflower and begin the first of five prayers of penance.
In the common room outside the family chapel Redoranda smiled in satisfaction at the first sound of leather striking flesh and the muffled sound of pain that followed.
"Hello." Ahreni replies, surprised that another pretty girl decided to sit with her. She sticks her hand out and tries to remember her manners. "Ahreni. You're pretty."
About thirty minutes had passed before Thanara returned alone to the Rusty Dragon. She looked over and saw Shay sitting with Olaff, who she had no desire to be near at the moment after his tantrum. Particularly after having to clean ion Shay’s mess. Ameiko and Kendra were still chatting, so Thanara made her way over to the woman who had tended to Ameiko’s horse. She slid in opposite her, trying to disregard the smell, and said ”Hey.”
For some reason, Thanara actually blushed at the unexpected and abrupt compliment. ”Uhm, thanks. So...you fixed Amei’s horse, huh?” Thanara’s head turned briefly as another small group of local regulars came into the Rusty, but turned her attention back to this Ahreni. ”Thanara Scarnetti. I don’t recall seeing you around...”
Shalelu shrugs to the Ulfen man, he had a point that while she didn't get paid she did have free room and board. When he talks about his mothers passing her eyes soften a bit, she knew what it was to loose a parent too soon but she didn't say anything on the matter. When he later mentions the possibility of taking her job she abruptly laughs "Oh... sorry, no offense but I've been defending this town for probably longer than you've been alive. Even if I left, I always come back and as I said the town seems to have its destiny much more in hand then it had in the past."
Trying not to be excessively rude like Ameiko often gets on her about she adds "I'm sure you'll find something soon enough..."
When Thanara slinks back into the Dragon she calls over to her, interrupting her conversation with the kind of wild looking woman "All better now?"
”Yeah, Shay!” Thanara calls back, ”Just cleaning up your mess as usual!” she adds with a curt look of frustration sent her elven companion’s way.
Shalelu rolls her eyes as she ribs back at Thanara "Well, I'm happy to leave the talking to you while the big girls, like myself, actually go deal with real issues and do something useful."
She pulls over one of the empty chairs at the table to kick up her feet and relax a bit while her food and booze settle.
Ameiko disappears into the backroom for a short time, returning with two plates of generously heaped meat of some kind. She weaves her way around the room and deposits them on a table with the two traveling merchants who have been waiting patiently for a bit. Making her way back towards the front of the room she walks by Shalelu and lightly smacks her hand. ”What have I told you about being nice to my customers? If you keep showing them that they are welcome as the Sandpoint Devil, I’m going to be forced to return to adventuring to pay the bills!”
Looking back at Shalelu she ribs her friend ”Maybe a little gobble has got the best of you and causing your attitude to overtly hostile today? Hmm?”
Looking around the room again, she asks the general group ”Speaking of goblins... Has Sheriff Hemlock made an appearance yet? He told me yesterday that he’d be by to talk about reinstating the goblin bounties again. Appears a lot of travelers have been having issues along the Lost Coast Road.”
Turning to Ahreni, she raises her voice and asks ”Did your group have trouble coming in with any goblins?”
”Sounds like our local goblin hunter has been dropping the ball...who was that again?” Thanara says, shooting Shalelu an attitude-filled look.
When Ameiko scolds her Shalelu just shakes her head and adds "Well I guess it's good I'm not around that often..." At the mention of goblins getting the best of her she points to the bandage across her abdomen "Really? Goblins doing this... to me... HA!" She rolls her eyes and continues "Those little snot-nosed buggers wouldn't stand a chance, no this was something much more dangerous. I'll tell you about it later, but yes it does hurt, it has hurt for a few weeks now and it is barely getting better so excuse me if I'm not all rainbows and sunshine while I am nursing my wounds from almost dying..."
When Thanara throws in her snide comment Shalelu glares at her "Well I can't be around all the time and I thought the sheriff had things under control. I go away for a few weeks and things turn to hell?" To finish it off she adds "In any case, who are you to talk Than... I don't see you doing anything to help while you are too busy brooding and complaining about your daddy..."
Ameiko just rolls her eyes at Shalelu’s retort to Thanara. There’s no changing this one. Not that she’s wrong, of course.
The owner of the Rusty Dragon holds up her hands defensively when Shalelu points to her injuries. ”There is no doubt goblins fear the name of Shalelu Andosana. Rumor has it even the bugbears are nowhere to be seen these days around here.”
Putting her elbows on the counter she leans in and whispers ”Don’t you miss it a little bit though? Thrill of the hunt? Chasing and being chased? All those stories you told about your buddy Bruthazmus. I thought you’d never stop talking about that one!
Ameiko almost seems envious at the thought of going adventuring again, mentioning it with a twinkle in her eye.
Shalelu nods and grins "I do indeed, it's actually one of the reasons I came back into town Ameiko. A lot has happened over the last couple of years and their has been no shortage of pain from that directed at you. Sandpoint is doing well for itself now and it is safer than it has ever been. Maybe it would be good for you to take a break and go do something new for a bit?" She grins as she continues "You and I would make a good team to get into a little bit of trouble seeking out some adventure."
She shifts in her seat and a pained look crosses her face as one of her injuries obviously hurt her, but she forces a smile as she continues "I mean I'm not in the best shape, but I can manage and what better way to heal up then to get back out there and get all those muscles working again right?"
Ameiko collapses into a chair beside Shalelu with a long, drawn out sigh. ”Yes, I know. I am so thankful to be surrounded by those that are here to protect me. Wouldn’t it be grand? I have often longed to do something beyond the Dragon one day.”
”One day.” repeats in a softer voice, starting to trail off as she begins to remember why she stopped adventuring in the first place.
Memories of the past come flooding back however as she recalls event surrounding her last stint at adventuring. She clears her throat and snaps out of the daydream. ”It’s too dangerous. Besides, I haven’t had a proper adventure in quite some time I’m afraid. My ability to do anything other than play a song, carve up some meat and serve ale are in the past. It seems my skill sets these days are serving customers and putting up with grumpy elves with broken ribs.”
When Shalelu grimaces in pain, Ameiko cuts her fantasy short and rises to her feet and plants her hands squarely on her hips with a very concerned lookt. ”That’s it, I’m going to go find a healer for you and you’re going to let them take a look at you. We all know you are tough, but you probably have some broken ribs or something and should be getting proper attention. The last thing you need right now is more adventuring!.”
”Who will it be? You want Hannah? Father Zantus? Or maybe you want me to bring that innocent girl back you smacked the hand of earlier for trying to help? Yes, I saw that.”
Shalelu let's out a deep sigh and looks Ameiko squarely in the eyes. She had been nursing these wounds for weeks and they weren't really getting any better, she was lucky she even made it back to Sandpoint after her brutal battle. As the two stare at each other for a moment she finally relents and grumbles "Fine... I'd prefer the Father. No offense to the girl, I know she was only trying to help but I think whatever this is, it is beyond her."
She points an accusatory finger at Ameiko and adds "Don't think you changing the subject though is going to be the end of our little talk... I'm serious you need a break from the mundane."
Hands still on her hips, Ameiko nods in approval when Shalelu relents. ”Not everyone is as talented as you Shalelu. Remember you are likely one of the oldest ones in the room and have a century of experience to draw from. Relisha a meant well and frankly I think you owe her an apology. You all but chased her out of here earlier. She’s just a kid, Shay.”
Turning to Kendra she shouts ”I’m going to fetch the good Father, hopefully he’s available and I’ll be back soon.”
With a sidelong glance at Shalelu she speaks to the room at large and adds ”Oh, and no more ale for our friendly neighborhood elf until she publicly apologizes to Relisha.”
Turning to face the ranger, she pats her shoulder gently while offering her one of her trademark I’m serious. expressions.
”Thanara. Be a dear and go and fetch Relishia so that Shalelu here can offer her deepest condolences.”
Turning towards Kendra she waves, ”Okay, I’m off. Back later.”
Shalelu puts her hands on her face and pushes at the her temples with her two fingers in frustration. She takes a deep breath and gives Amieko a half-hearted nod. Her friend was right, she did own Relisha an apology but she didn't give them out often and she didn't like it when she did. Even so, whatever was ailing her was making everything worse and she knew it so the least she could do is apologize to the girl she scarred off.
Taking her feet off the other chair where she was lounging she sat up tall in her seat as she waited for either Ameiko and Father Zantus or the girl to return.
Thanara gives Shay a look of “Told ya!” as she looks to Ahreni and says ”’Scuse me. Gotta go get a healthy portion of come-upins for Shalelu, there,” with a mischievous smirk as she saunters out of the inn alongside Ameiko.
”What’s her deal? I mean, I can be a b$%~+, but she’s got it in spades,” she rants as she walks with her friend.
_________
There is a gentle knock on the front door.
While Ameiko is all tough on Shalelu to her face, Thanara gets a different side of her friend once they are out of earshot. ”We can’t understand the hardships that Shalelu has endured through the years. Most of us have twenty or thirty good years do the hard work that is required before our bodies break down. She’s been out doing Gods knows what to protect Varisia for no other reason than someone has to do it four four or five of our lifetimes. All of that is protecting us, without us even asking for it. We are forever in her debt.”
She walks along the road with Thanara, trying to figure out how to describe a creature like Shalelu. There just isn’t the words to do her justice.
”Shalelu is a woman of few words and does not like to delve into her personal life, preferring to stick to stories pertaining to things that involve bad creatures getting shot in the face with arrows.”
Not wanting to delve too far into her personal affairs she ends with. ”This last trip was especially hard physically as well as emotionally. She hasn’t opened up about the details to me yet, but whatever happened must have been simply outrageous. She’s never been injured this badly that I can recall. She isn’t admitting it, but she’s definitely going to need some care and feeding over the next few weeks.”
Looking at the crossroad ahead, she points north towards the cathedral. ”Ok, I’m going to see if I can’t do anything about that exact thing. I hope your able to get that other healer to come back. Despite her injuries, Shalelu could use a lesson in humility now and again.”
She waves as she continues on her way.
Thanara's knock is answered quickly as the door opens to reveal an older version of Relisha - Redoranda Tamm. Her face is reasonably attractive, forgiving the harsh knot her hair is pulled back in.
"Yes?" she questions pleasantly.
When Relisha is requested, the woman's face show confusion as she looks down to note that Thanara is, in fact, not pregnant. "Why would you ...? One moment," she says before closing the door. A minute later and the girl herself steps outside and closes the door behind her.
Her clothes have reverted to their original look along with her hair. Her visible eye looks red and puffy.
"What are you doing here?" she asks quietly.
Olaff, who has been quietly drinking his mug of ale for the past few minutes, finishes it before addressing Shalelu. "So, it looks like therre is vorrk forr me in the end... huntin' goblins... and it appearrs it is up to the sherriff to decide if I can do it orr not, not ye."
"Also, if yerr doin' it forr so lon', perrhaps it is time forr ye to rretirre and let those youngerr to take the job." He then points to her wounds, joking. "It appearrs ye arre gettin' sloverr vith yerr age..."
Thanara looks at Relisha with a look of concern. ”I suppose the question is, what happened to you!?!?” she asks, brushing her hair back from her face to see just what has happened.
Relisha starts as Thanara pushes her hair aside and quickly moves to pull it back in place. Her gold eye has a similar appearance. It's clear that she's been crying.
"N-nothing happened," she says defensively. "Why are you here? What do you want?" she questions again.
Thanara’s eyes narrowed and she turned her gaze towards the door behind Relisha. ”Come on, Ameiko wanted me to come and get ya. Shalelu’s gonna suck it up and apologize.”
Relisha frowns. "I don't need to be there for Shalelu to apologize to you. Why would I need ...?" Her question trails off, her eyes go wide and her hands go to her mouth. "Ameiko wanted ...? She wanted me to come?"
The girl's astonishment is clear.
"Do I ...?" she begins but then closes her eyes for a moment and her clothes alter slightly to what Thanara saw before - neater stitching, better fitting, decorations on the edges. Her eyes open again. "Do I look ok?" she asks in a breathless voice.
”Yeah, you look fine,” Thanara says. And whatever your crying about will just add some guilt an Shale-b%$+&. So...win.
She walks quietly with Rel back to the tavern, remaining quiet in case she wanted to talk, but really didn’t care too much if she didn’t.
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As the pair of women make their way back to the Rusty Dragon, Relisha turns over possibilities in head as to why Ameiko would ask her to return to the tavern. The closer they get to the establishment, the more outlandish the fantasies become. Far-fetched enough that by the time they reach the entrance, Ameiko is whisking her away on horseback for a romantic declaration of love and elopement.
She shakes her head to bring herself back to reality and she follows Thanara into the tavern.
Shalelu holds her tongue as the Ulfen man attempts to crack a joke, not wanting to have to appologize to someone else. Shortly after she sees Thanara return with the offended girl. As Relisha comes inside Shalelu calls out to her ”Girl.. yes you, the shy one I barked at earlier, come here.”
Relisha seems to shrink in on herself as all the eyes turn to her.
I already apologized, she thinks. What more does she want of me?
She swallows visibly and after ensuring that her eye is covered by her hair, she steps tentatively over to stand in front of the elf.
"Yes, Miss Andosana? What is it that you require of me?" she asks, her eyes fixed on the ale-stained floor. "I am sorry that I overstepped earlier. I promise I won't step out of place again."
Shalelu puts her hand on the table and uses it to help push herself up to standing and winces as she does. Taking a moment she balances herself and steps over to Rel. gently she places her hand on Rel’s chin and slowly lifts her head to meet Shalelu’s eyes, then gently let’s go. ”I know you were just trying to help, but as you saw it didn’t really do much. I don’t exactly know why I’m not healing properly but I’m sure it has something to do with the last foe I dispatched.”
She pauses and let’s out a deep breath before continuing ”I’m sorry for barking at you and being rude.” She extends her hand to shake on the apology.
The girl looks down at the hand and quickly glances around in an attempt to determine if she's being made the object of a joke. Unable to see anything untoward in the situation she reaches out to take the hand in hers. A smile creeps on to her face and she looks up at the elf.
"If you'd like, I can take a more thorough look at your injuries. Perhaps I can help," she says finally.
Shalelu takes Rel’s hand with a firm grasp and gives it a shake then nods ”Good. While I appreciate the offer, Ameiko already went to ask Father Zantus for aid. Your welcome to join me for a drink though, now that we’ve made up.” She slowly makes her way back to her seat and waves over some wine.
At the mention of the tavern-owner, Relisha's eyes search the room in spite of the fact that she's just been told that the woman isn't there. "Uh... do you know when she'll be back?"
A moment later the offer of a drink sinks in. "Oh, umm ..." she stammers with a grimace of remembered pain. "I probably shouldn't. My mother wouldn't ... I mean, I really shouldn't impose." She glances at the gathered people enviously.
They don't look offended by me being here. But Mother will be so angry.
She glances back at Shalelu again.
She invited me to stay. Turning that down would be rude. Mother said that we should never be rude.
"Ok," she says with a nod. "I'll join you for one drink."
”She should be back soon. In the meantime, sit and enjoy some wine, your a big girl, no need to worry about your mother...” Shalelu gets a glass for herself and leaves the other sitting there for Rel to take.
Relisha looks at the glass in front of her with trepidation. She glances around the tavern nervously as if worried someone might be spying on her before reaching out and taking the drink gently. She looks around again before taking a small sip. Her eyes close in pleasure and a much larger sip follows.
By the time Shalelu returns to the table the glass in front of the tiefling is empty.
Once again Ahreni is caught unprepared for the flurry of comings and goings around her and doesn't have a chance to respond until the comings and goings have subsides. The elf apologises to the tiefling, the human girl who likes to show off seems to be smirking and Ahreni is thoroughly confused and wishing for the horses - they're much easier to get along with and far less confusing.
She drains the last of her ale and gets up, heading for the stable-yard when a strange smell catches her nose. She stops and sniffs a few times.
'Blood.' Turning round she follows her nose, right into the tiefling girl's back.
'I should... no. Not my business.'
Unable to decide what to do she dithers, rather closer than she should be to Relisha's unaware back.
Relisha feels Ahreni's eyes upon her but attempts to ignore her. After a few moments, though, the attention becomes too much and she turns to the woman. "What? What is it? Shalelu invited me - I'm allowed to be here. I've only had one drink." She takes a deep breath. "I'm not bothering anyone." The last portion almost seems spoken to convince herself.
While they are talking, the front door slams open and a disgruntled Ameiko struts in. She makes her way to Relisha, looking in her direction. At the last second she turns to face the ranger. ”Father Zantus said he’ll see you at the temple tomorrow morning. Apparently there were some complications with Kara’s child and his presence was requested for some reason. Seemed strange to me.”
Shrugging she turns to Relisha, ”You deliverered the baby, right? What happened? What went wrong?”
Changing the subject and adding another question on top of that she places her hand on Relisha’s back and leans in to ask sincerely ”Did she apologize?”
Changing the subject and adding another question on top of that she places her hand on Relisha’s back and leans in to ask sincerely ”Did she apologize?”
Ahreni's hand flashes out and grasps Ameiko's wrist just before it makes contact. The connection is momentary, just long enough to redirect the tien's hand to the tiefling's shoulder before she lets go.
"No. No bother." Ahreni replies. "Just... I need to... talk. With you. Not here." With that rather abrupt statement delivered she steps back and then heads for the stables.
Relisha turns from Ahreni at the mention of Kara and her baby.
Her normal hesitancy in Ameiko's presence is quickly replaced with concern. "Yes, I delivered him earlier this afternoon," she answers in response to the question directed to her. "He was a breech and I had a hard time turning him around and then she kept bleeding so I had to ... I had to use magic to keep her safe." One hand moves to her abdomen. "They were both fine when I left," she adds her brow furrowing in worry.
She looks at Ahreni strangely when she intercepts the woman's hand. "Yes," she answers. "She didn't need to, but she did."
Her eyes follow the tomboy as she leaves.
Once Relisha finishes her conversation with Ameiko, she excuses herself to exit out the stable door.
She takes a moment to say hello to 'Patches' and 'Lady' before approaching Ahreni. "W-what did you want to talk about?" she asks.
Ameiko is caught by surprise at Ahreni’s movement, not expecting her to grab her wrist. She looks at her confused and stammers for a moment. ”Uhm. Okay?”
When she walks off, she turns to Shalelu and Relisha and says ”That’s good to hear. I wonder what happened after you left?”
She watches Relisha walk out too and looks to Shalelu, confused. ”What was that about?”
Thanara shrugs. ”Who knows. Shay has a way with people, ya know?”
Putting her hands on her hips, she gives Shalelu a stern look. ”What did you do now?! I leave you alone for one hour.”
Shalelu just shakes her head as she watches the back and forth between the others. When Ameiko questions her she puts her glass of wine down and simply stated ”Whatever all that was, it had nothing to do with me...” She shrugs and goes back to her glass of wine.
Once Relisha finishes her conversation with Ameiko, she excuses herself to exit out the stable door.
She takes a moment to say hello to 'Patches' and 'Lady' before approaching Ahreni. "W-what did you want to talk about?" she asks.
Ahreni can be found with Patches, her head resting on the horses long muzzle as she murmurs inarticulate sounds into his ears. She steps back as Relisha arrives to let her perform her own greeting and starts fidgeting with a piece of tack, strapping and re-strapping the buckles.
"Someone hurt you." She says eventually. "You smell like blood and not nice like earlier. Sandru says not to talk about things like that with other people, but horses don't tell secrets so I come here to ask you. What happened? I could help?"