PM to join (The Rearing Stallion) Lucy looks for a friend

[Lucy Tides]

Winter 73 AV

Lucy walked down the torch-lit corridor with haste. She hadn't walked very far into the castle before her stomach rumbled in anger. She hated the gnawing feeling of emptiness tugging on her insides. Quickly looking around, she spotted a red and white sign with a rearing stallion that read 'tavern'. Without a second thought she walked in with her head held high. Dim lighting greeted her along with many wooden chairs and tables filled with strangers. She glanced to one side and noticed the bar. Her eyes followed it from one wall to the other. 'Well I guess the best place to sit without bothering others would be there.'

Lucy leaned against the wooden counter and eased into one of the chairs. She gently slung off her black cloak to reveal a light blue shirt that seemed dim in the lighting. On the other hand her eyes seemed to catch every bit of light and reflect it like the ocean. By habit she slung one long black curl over her right shoulder and placed her elbow on the counter before slumping her chin into her palm. In her community they would take this as a sign that she is bored. 'I want to meet someone but I'm not sure I can find the words at this point.' That's when she heard the soft crackling of fire.

She lifted her head and let her hand fall to her side when she noticed the massive fireplace at the end of the tavern. 'Wish I chose somewhere near there. Oh well.' She turned her attention back to the bar wondering if she should order something.

[Adilliana]

After being shipwrecked earlier in the winter Adilliana had spent many days in Syliras. She had been lucky in the fact that on the day of her arrival she had made a good friend, a Kelvic named Lupa who had been willing to offer her shelter. The friendship have proven valuable as Lupa had helped her navigate the familiar surroundings of the walled city. Thus she had found The Rearing Stallion a tavern who food she had grown fond of.

Today Adilliana lucky and have found a free table near the fireplace. Warmed by its glowing embers she had taken off the worn leather cloak and now sat on a well-worn faded red shirt and an equally worn Black pants, a tattered headband securing long brown locks away from her face. Having ordered her food she now sat back and entertained herself by watching the other patrons as they entered and exited by the front door.

Adilliana was shocked however as a familiar face entered. She watched as the tall, muscular form of a female Svefran cross the tavern's floor. Long flowing black curls framing the pale skin of the girls face drawing the attention to a tattoo that adorned her forehead bottle-nose dolphin.

Even though she racked her memory, Adilliana could not remember the girl's name but she was certain they had met before. Adilliana stood up, and crossed over to the isolated corner table where the woman sat. She hesitated for a moment uncertain whether the company would be welcome but soon found her voice.

"Hello, can I invite you to join me at my table, sister.” She nervously asked as both pairs of blue eyes met.

[Lucy Tides]

Lucy could feel someone's warm gaze on her. She glanced around the room and found that the person who was staring at her had started to walk over. She had a tattered headband that reminded her of someone whose name was on the tip of her tongue yet she couldn't spit it out. She silently cursed herself and waited until the woman came to her table.

"Hello, can I invite you to join me at my table, sister.”

Lucy caught on to the nervousness in her thick common accent. 'Some who has the looks of a svefra but is fluent in common? Now I really want to know who she is.' Lucy smiled warmly at the girl hoping this would calm her down. "It'd be my honor." She said and stood up revealing white pants that seemed to contrast with the dark black boots she was wearing. These also did not help her height but gave her an extra inch.

"Lead the way." Lucy said as she grabbed her dark cloak and pushed the wooden chair into it's table. 'I wonder what her name is...'

[Adilliana]

Adilliana smiled as the fellow Svefra accepted her invitation. Turning a way she led them back to the table at the fireplace. Taking the seat. She had previously occupied she indicated at the several spare ones from which Lucy to choose.

"Please make yourself comfortable." She sighed she simply could not remember the girl's name so after a moment’s pause, she added. "I feel we've met before but if this is so I am able to recall your name.” Feeling very sheepish. She waited for her companions response.

[Lucy Tides]

Lucy let out a slight sigh of delight realizing her familiar companion's table was right next to the fireplace. She watched as the woman sat down and then waved to the rest of the seats but of course the most appealing one was right next to the fire. Lucy swung her coat from her right shoulder down on to the chair next to the woman then sat down. She felt the warmth of the fire on her back and couldn't help but remember the summer sun on the seas and smile.

"No worry, I'm Lucy of Tides and I feel like I've met you somewhere too. My memory is bad. Sorry." She said with slight pause in between each word trying to remember all the common she knew. Her accent sounded Kontinesse though. She looked at the familiar face once more but shook her head. "Your name?" She asked.

[Adilliana]

Adilliana watch as the girl she now knew to be Lucy enjoyed the welcome warmth of the fireplace. While she could still not remember where she had seen but his face before it was not something that worried Adilliana. Floating around on the Suvan Sea Adilliana had met with many Svefran pods. Returning with his smile, Adilliana laugh

"I do not think of that memory on your part, more the fact that we are so numerous." Adilliana reached over the table offering her hand.

"I am Adilliana East-wind of Lia Peal’s pod. We encountered bad weather some weeks ago and I was cast overboard. Made my way to the city hoping to meet up with my pod. What takes you away from the sea Lucy?" She asked in a conversational tone.

It was not often that a Svefra would choose to leave the sea that the reasons for doing so were numerous. She could not help but wonder why the older Svefra was alone as pods rarely separated.

[Lucy Tides]

Lucy shook Adilliana's hand vigorously and laughed at the statement because of the truth it held. When she introduced herself the name seemed to bring some sort of memory back but not one that Lucy could hold onto long enough before Adilliana asked her last question. She looked down at the table and began to tap not knowing where to start.

"Well, like anyone my age just getting a handle on sailing and fishing, I was sent to this city to replenish supplies for the main ship. It only took me a few days to find what I was looking for before I set out again." Lucy said and paused for a moment before she continued.

"When I went back to the main ship with Rue, a fellow bottle-nosed dolphin that guided from the ship to the mainland, there was nothing left but this." Lucy said with her voice in a slight quiver as she held up her left hand to reveal the silver ring.

"On a plank of wood. That was all that was left of the Tides. There had been a storm coming but my pod mother Lacey thought it was nothing big." Lucy said trying to choke back tears. She kept her eyes down not wanting to look at anyone in her state.

"Guess she was wrong." Lucy said and a tear rolled down her left cheek. She quickly wiped it away and sighed.

[Adilliana]

Adilliana smiled at her hand was grasped firmly and listened as Lucy told the tale of how she ended up in Syliras. The mention of this supply runs Adilliana simply nodded as they were often necessary as few Svefra ships had enough space for extensive provisions. As the numbers of a pod fluctuated the Svefra would retrofit their ships with extra living quarters.

As Lucy paused a sense of dread passed over Adilliana, alluding to the fact that this tale would not have happy ending. Adilliana's heart ached for Lucy as her suspicions proved true. Storms were always hard to judge as they seem to take on a life of their own. This was little comfort for one who had lost the whole family.

Adilliana shifted seats placing herself on Lucy's left. After quickly scanning the room to see that she still had a clear line of sight to the front door. Adilliana hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder. It was hard to know what to say to the old girl. But the uneasy silence that surrounded the table, made it clear that something had to be said so careful consideration Adilliana chose her words and hope that her empathy with be portrayed by them.

"I feel your sorrow at having lost your pod but they have returned to Laviku embrace. The fact that you were not taken in itself shows that Laviku must have great love for you. While mother and sisters may pass our father Laviku will always remain."

Adilliana squeeze Lucy's shoulder hoping to impart some comfort in the action that the words may not have imparted. She turned her gaze away, allowing Lucy a moment to collect herself.

[Lucy Tides]

Lucy watched curiously as the girl moved to a chair closer to hers before speaking.

"I feel your sorrow at having lost your pod but they have returned to Laviku embrace. The fact that you were not taken in itself shows that Laviku must have great love for you. While mother and sisters may pass our father Laviku will always remain."

Lucy then felt Adilliana squeeze her shoulder which gave her much more comfort then the words because she was just used to action rather than speaking. She smiled at the woman now considering her a friend.

"Thank you." She said her voice sounding very much like her Svefra mother's.

"All I really want to do now is gather enough people and mizas to go on a great adventure. I want to learn every language starting with becoming fluent in common. I want to learn everything I can so maybe I can make a mark on this world." She said in part common and in part fratava motion giving in to her lack of knowledge for common. She bit her lip and began taping on the table hoping that Adilliana could point her in some direction that would help.

[Adilliana]

Adilliana smile happy that Lucy would not dwell on the past she believed life was simply too short. She listened with interest as Lucy told her of her dreams and how she planned to make them a reality. There were impressive goals, not that different from her own intentions. She too had an interest in learning other languages which would hopefully one day allow her to translate the parts of her mother's Journal, she could not yet recognise.

As a child Adilliana had not had the same carefree nature of the other members of her pod. They had chased the horizon whilst Adilliana Chase knowledge. While it was true it was possible that Adilliana would meet up with her pod in the city she had no real desire to re-join them as they have viewed her as an outsider. More than likely Adilliana would have been ‘requested’ to join another pod now that she was of age. Felt she had met a kindred spirit in Lucy, but did not wish to press her luck.

"Well, I can help you as far as common is concerned, it was the language that was most spoken by pod. There are also a few places I can show you where you make your find some work." Adilliana smiled as the waitress at brought an extra plate upon which the food Adilliana had ordered has been split into two servings

"But we can talk about that later. First, let's enjoy this meal before it gets cold."