Completed [Kelp Bar] Day after the Ball

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin's expression lifted as Valo spoke, his word distracting her from her from more unpleasant memories that came sweeping in. She could hear perhaps an sense of lacking enthusiasm in his voice but still regardless he answered. She relaxed, smiling as she listened, ears listening to the man that was obviously more than just a simple artist.
"I suppose it is a disappointment, surrounding yourself with the still version of the world without once thinking of the vast life that lies beyond the walls," she paused collect her thoughts "Perhaps you will one day show them the better beauties of the land through different means than painting."
She was pleasantly surprised when he spoke of her culture, and so listened to his words. She gave a smile, nodding to every word he said.

"The sailors of the sea of grass, I know them well, only because one of my brothers' were interested in their women," she smiled "He always was a chaser of skirts."
She gave a small laugh, and looked towards Valo a weight lifting off her shoulders "I do miss them, a lot. My brothers, they are precious to me, despite the lot of them being wild and unpredictable without them I would not be who I am today. I still owe them more than I could ever give back."
She exhaled, her hands resting on her lap. She looked out across the bar, her eyes softening as pleasant memories came in, of sun and warmth, of the swaying grass the shouts of fun and laughter. Weylin caught herself in the dream again, and so reluctantly pulled herself from it.

"What of you?" she returned her attention solely to Valo "What of your family? Or is it a subject you do not like sharing?"

[Valo]

"The beauty about family is that they do things for you without expecting payment." he smiled, his eyes drifting off in something like a dream state. His head filled with pleasant memories of his own before their eyes met again.

"What of you?" she returned her attention solely to Valo "What of your family? Or is it a subject you do not like sharing?"

His face was suddenly lit up by an even greater smile, one that showed his white teeth and coiled the skin about his eyes somewhat. But a true smile. Not a polite one but one full of joy. And upon seeing this smile, many may think that they had never truly seen the Inarta smile before.

"Au contraire." he chuckled. "They are as close to my heart as your own family is to your's. My mother was a wonderful woman and the only thing softer than her heart perhaps, were the feathers of baby wind eagles. There's a very strict social structure in my home city, with the Dek at the very bottom, slaves of a sort. My mother would look after many Dek and allow them to stay in our house and feed them. There's not a second woman like her in the whole of Mizahar. She brought me and my sisters up all on her own." When it came to the topic of his family Valo could speak for hours, but for the purpose of the conversation he tried to condense the information. "I have two sisters. Twins, tree years younger than me. Very clever and hard working girls."

Valo ran his fingers though his hair which by now settled like curtains around his face. He didn't like that, for the very straight nature of his fiery locks had too much tidiness to it and he revelled in disorder. Not many people would guess that from the way he dressed, so tidy like a gentleman should be, but his favourite kind of beauty was the untamed one.

"How about your brothers. How many were there?" he asked, moving his hand on the counter several inches in her direction, causing his entire body to shift and face her.

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin listened carefully to Valo, taking note of his fondness towards his family, the way his words rolled out so freely, a trait she admired in the man, and then there was his own curiosity about her, his own interest coming out.
"How about your brothers. How many were there?"

"Six," Weylin flashed a grin "All older than me. The oldest by thirteen, the youngest by five years. Thus making me the 'baby' of the family. They were all giants in comparison to me, built like the strongest of trees and hearts stronger than any beast. They were protective over me, taught me how to ride, to hunt, to shoot with a bow."
She paused for breath her thoughts buzzing with excitement, of things to share with Valo. So many adventures to tell but so little time.
"My older brothers are also the fault of my more masculine name. My drunken father thought he was to have a seventh son," she laughed "but alas, as you see I am not. My mother was always angry with him for that, said it never gave me a chance to be a lady, made me more of a man that a woman. She tried time and again, but after a while she stopped, no point in making me change my stripes and all."
She looked distant for a moment, her mind elsewhere as she thought of home and the freedom of the plains. A smile flickered on her lips "They would be preparing for the spring hunt, and I suppose Cormag should be married now."

She exhaled, and leaned back, thinking of what she left behind, and those that she had abandoned. Her brow creased, she let go of the memories that took hold of her, and turned her attention to Valo "That is my family."

[Valo]

"Genders and titles don't make a person. Besides I love your name." he said almost as quickly as she had finished. It was something very important to him and it angered him when the way a person behaved was imposed on them by something so trivial. Society in fact was at fault. Being a liberal person, he believed that anyone has the right to do whatever made them happy, regardless of gender, title or social position. It was something his mother taught him, then reinforced by his travels around Mizahar. A man as cultured as he was, could not help but withhold broad horizons.

He love the way she spoke, not only by the sound of her voice but the very fond manner with which she formed her sentences. An eloquent manner, which he found very appealing in people and a warm manner. She seemed to have so much to tell and minute by minute he found him self growing closer to her, wishing to know everything about her.

"My name, Valo, means light." he smiled. "It's neither a masculine nor a feminine name. Mother was going to call me white light, but it's a habit within the Inarta culture to name children with short, simple terms, so light I became. Having no father, she expected me to grow up rather feminine in nature, as you can see. No wonder the name she had chosen for me had no gender imposed on it."

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin blushed when he mentioned a love for her name, an element of perhaps shyness sweeping over her. She was not expecting Valo to speak both openly and so quickly. She could see honesty in him, and for a moment she saw herself from what existed a time ago, challenging and strong willed in thoughts. It gave her a moments reassurance but also a wondering in on what was Valo's ultimate goal in concerns of involving her. But those questions for now could wait. She blinked and spoke slowly.

"Thank you," Weylin paused "Mine means 'Son of the Wolf', a name of one who supposedly noble and strong, without fear and full of valour. A warrior's name."
For a moment her eyes fell upon her hands, and for a while she stared at them, contemplating a thought that was deep within her mind. She clenched them quickly and forced herself into returning to her leaned back position.
"But I suppose, you are right. Gender and titles do not make a person," it was almost as if she had simply surrendered to the thought or perhaps a sudden lack of will, "You make a person through action. Not a name."

[Valo]

He noticed a sudden drop of energy within her, a clenching of fists. An expression of deep pondering in her face. Was there something bothering her?A thought perhaps? An action, as she mentioned? It was none of Valo's business really but he wondered none the less. "Is everything all right?" he asked, his eyes almost desperate to regain that connection. "Did I say something wrong Weylin?"

his fingers plaid with the mug again. He found that whenever he was deeply concerned or nervous, he would fiddle with something. It calmed him down. and perhaps it was the reason that he kept his hair so long so that he would have no shortage of things to fiddle with.

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin swallowed and looked towards Valo. For a moment she hesitated, searching herself for an answer to give. Her lips wavered, her hand slowly tapping the bar top before sharply stopping.
"No, no," she shook her head "You said nothing wrong Valo."
She made herself smile, but behind it memories of a darker nature played. She deliberately looked away, no longer able to make eye contact with the man, lest she break the hold of self control she had.
"It is nothing."

[Valo]

It was so obvious that not all was good with her. And the way she denied it made him grow sure about his premonitions. Such a lovely woman she was. He could not possibly refrain from at least trying to comfort her, so he moved just a little closer to her, his head cooked to one side and a gentle expression upon him. Not a smile yet not a frown either, just gentleness. "Weylin." he spoke softly, reaching for her hand, his voice very soft. Her name had a certain ring to it when he spoke it."You know I won't force you to sit here and open up to me if you so choose. But if you need a soul to confide in, all I ask is that I may be that soul. I hate to see you in such turmoil."

[Weylin Quickshot]

Weylin looked upon him a serious contemplating look on her face, and then leaned close. She slid her own hand towards his, giving a soft smile as a finger brushed briefly against his. She took in a deep breath, and brought her head forward so it was level to his.
"Tell me Valo, have you ever failed?" her voice was a whisper in his ear "Have you ever failed so badly that forever more you only see blood on your hands? That you see only the face of a coward, of one without honour despite the words of others, of one who could do nothing whilst the rest of your hunting party was torn to shreds?"
Her voice had turned to that of a low hiss, her hand clenched into a trembling fist. Her head sunk and rested on his shoulder.
"Sorry Valo," she exhaled "It is just... You understand, no?"

[Valo]

Their hands met and for a brief moment he thought everything was going to be all right. But it was not so. And as she spoke, his lips parted ever so slightly, the sorrow of her words penetrating deep into his mind.

The truth is, yes he did fail. But time heals all wounds, as he learned, he could live with that failure, even shutting it out and not thinking about it. Work helped and visiting the child at the orphanage helped and all the little things he could do to occupy his thought helped. In fact he found himself drowning completely in his work to shut out the uncertain nature of his failure. For he didn't really know if his perceptions were true and he had no way of finding out now. All he could do is live on and pretend like nothing had happened.

Her head sunk and rested on his shoulder, an exhale as more words flowed out of her. An apology? She had no reason to apologise. But instead of telling her that, he wrapped his arms around her softly, running his fingers though her hair in a slow soothing motion. He held her close and pressed his lips against her hair, only then finally speaking, his voice low and quiet and soft. "I understand." he said ever so simply. For the moment he merely wanted to hold her. To do anything, if there was anything to do, to make her feel better.