Completed Three Is Certainly A Crowd (Jorin Ertihan)

[Rinya]

”No offense Jorin, but you’ve always been kind of transparent—at least to me. It will just be worse now. And as much as I may hate it, being treated like a pet is becoming a normal around here. I know you hate it though.” Rinya could feel the fade of exhaustion slightly as she teased Jorin. The idea that he was kicked out of several taverns as well didn’t come as much of a surprise either honestly. It wasn’t difficult for her to enjoy Jorin’s personality, but she could see many of the more serious Akalak unable to discern his acting and genuine spark for entertainment. Pressing her lips against his shoulder, she tried her best not to laugh, but she couldn’t hold it in. Her whole body vibrated with her failed attempt. ”Oh… Oh I’m sorry.” Rinya felt her checks redden, though it was something she was growing accustom to being around him. She blushed a lot more than she’d like with Jorin. ”It’s not stupid, but honestly I doubt Rhys would care. Hell, he could probably get us in anywhere. He’s young, but apparently very popular.” She faked a swoon, before giggling again. After a long moment, she realized something was missing. Jorin was touching her with both hands… where was his book? Granted he didn’t have it the last time they saw each other, but he seemed glued to that book most of the time. As she opened her mouth to speak, she noticed they had arrived. Tilting her head a little, it took her a moment to realize… she hadn’t eaten in a tavern for over a year. She almost exclusively hunted or bought fish from butcher. Rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, she glanced nervously at Jorin. Any exhaustion she felt dissipated. Not that Rhys gave her a chance to say anything. Almost immediately he latched onto her free hand and yanked her inside straight towards a table in the back. If she hadn’t been holding onto Jorin’s hand in the first place, he might’ve been left behind. ”Nice! Sit here, I have the perfect thing in mind. Plus the waitress owes me one.” He winked before strolling off towards the kitchen. Grumbling under her breath she finally let go of Jorin’s hand and flopped into a chair rather unlady like fashion. The Akalak was going to kill her, she was sure of it. Her fingers began tapping the table top in a nervous habit almost immediately. She didn’t like being indoors much, no matter how nice the establishment. But she let her mind drift in an attempt to relax. At least she didn’t have to worry about falling asleep. ”Uhm… Jorin? Where is your poetry book? Don’t you usually bring it with you?” Wincing slightly, her voice sounded strained. She didn’t have anything to worry about, but she couldn’t help her eyes drifting from anywhere but their own table. Her last visit in a tavern had ended up with her father ripping some man’s throat out.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 73, 513 AV

Truthfully, Jorin was just glad that Rinya seemed to cheer up a bit. He did not like the fact that she'd been so exhausted. Why would they make her go on double shifts? Couldn't they have gotten one of the Akalaks to do it? Sure, Rinya was tough, but that didn't mean she had an inexhaustible supply of energy!

Jorin just smiled when Rinya laughed at him telling her that he was thrown out of some of the taverns. His smile broadened when she blushed prettily, obviously embarrassed to have laughed at him. Jorin honestly didn't care, as long as he got to see her smile, any amount of embarrassment was worth it. He almost didn't notice when they'd arrived, but Rhys grabbed Rinya's free hand and dashed off, making a rather amusing chain with Jorin bringing up the rear. Having seated them at a table, Rhys excused himself and went to the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.

Jorin felt ... something, from Rinya. She did not seem comfortable being here. Beyond the fact that Jorin could feel tension from the bond, she was drumming the table in a nervous way, and she seemed to be looking everywhere else but at their table. Her voice seemed slightly strained when she asked, "Uhm… Jorin? Where is your poetry book? Don’t you usually bring it with you?"

Jorin winced when she asked, and couldn't help the pang of depression and sadness over his lost book. He'd hoped she wouldn't notice, but he supposed she knew him so well now, that it would be a false hope. How to explain that day? Jorin didn't even know where to start. And Rhys could be back any chime.

"I ... I lost it, Rinya. Or rather it got destroyed ... about five days ago. During that big storm? It's ... a long story. I'll tell you later when we have more time alone together, I promise."

Truthfully, Jorin had no real desire to relive that day. It wasn't his happiest memory, for sure, and he could still recall how he felt, when he had looked down, and saw the ink running from the pages, seasons worth of drawings and poetry, gone in a chime...

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he placed a calming hand on Rinya's, which had been tapping a relentless tattoo on the table.

"Are you alright, Rinya?" he asked, concerned. "You seem very nervous - if it's Rhys and I you are worried about, I promise you I won't do anything rash. I may never see him again, but you have to deal with him every day." Copying Rinya's movements, he rubbed the back of her hand. It was calming, he found, and he smiled at her. "If we need to, we can leave, ask for our food to be delivered outside. I'm sure they won't mind..."

[Rinya]

It took a moment for Rinya to sort through his words. He looked so… broken over the loss of his book. Had it been anyone else she might have thought less of him. Her own sadness at the thought of him losing every poem he ever wrote—including the ones he probably wrote when they met up—was gone. It was something he could never get back either. Her own concern over his feelings at least was a distraction to her own. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. Thinking back from days ago, she could remember the sharp feelings she could feel wavering off him now, only more acute. Rinya had known at the time that they had come from him, but this was the first she had seen him since the amphitheater. As Jorin rested his hand on hers, she felt worse for asking… even if there was no way of knowing what his pain was over. Pursing her lips slightly, she shrugged. ”I will be fine.” And she meant it. Really there was no reason to freak out in a tavern simply because she had bad memories of one from seasons ago. ”And you don’t have to tell me. Losing something so precious to you—“ Rinya’s shoulders sagged a little, feeling some weight of her day coming back over her. It was something better left unsaid at any rate. She got the gist of what happened, that was all that mattered. Rinya scooted her chair closer to Jorin, she pulled her hand away. Wrapping both her arms around one of his, she pulled it to her chest before resting her head back on his shoulder. ”Bad memories all around…” She murmured just as Rhys came back. He raised a brow at her current position, but he wisely decided it would be better to keep his mouth shut. Apparently he wasn’t as stupid as she thought him to be. He placed a tray of simple bread and cheese on the table, assumingly more for him than her. There was ale for each of them as well, but she ignored it. It didn’t taste right and burned the back of throat the only time she had tried it, so she stayed away from the stuff in general. Reluctantly Rinya pulled away from Jorin and tore a piece of the large hunk of cheese resting next to the bread. She examined it for a moment before pulling smaller bits to pop into her mouth. Rhys watched her for a moment, before nodding slightly and turning to Jorin. ”So kiddo… You’ve got quite the brain there. What is it you do exactly?” Rinya shot Rhys a sharp glare. It seemed it was Rhys' turn to start throwing the punches. And here she thought he was immune. But he just shot her his self proclaimed charming smile, oddly faked by the looks of it and turned his attention back to Jorin. What in the world was he up to?

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 73, 513 AV

Jorin was glad to hear that Rinya would be fine. Truthfully, he was willing to make a scene, willing to be kicked out of the White Crane like all the others, if it meant making Rinya comfortable again. He honestly didn't care about his reputation. It was tarnished enough from all those failed attempts, what was one more establishment? Fortunately, Rinya seemed to mean what she said. He did not feel as much discomfort from her as she said it. Good.

Jorin was a bit surprised when she scooted over, and took his arm in hers, leaning her head against his shoulder. Her body felt warm and soft, and he smiled as he rested his cheek on the top of her head.

"Bad memories all around…"

Jorin had wanted to tell her that perhaps they could replace them with good memories, until Rhys came back. Jorin could feel his hackles rising again. That man had a talent for bad timing.

At least he brought food, which Jorin gratefully accepted. He was not nearly as hungry as he was sure Rinya would be, so he only took a small portion of cheese and chewed it thoughtfully. He pointedly refused to eat the bread, or drink the ale. Breaking bread and sharing ale, at least among actors, was a symbol of friendship. And Rhys and he were not friends.

"So kiddo ... you’ve got quite the brain there. What is it you do exactly?"

Jorin groaned inside. Well of course Rhys would know about his employment woes. Any Akalak who frequented any of the taverns in Riverfall would know, if they had any observational skills whatsoever. And while the man might look silly at times, he was clearly a keen observer. As for frequenting taverns - Jorin noted that some of the female waitresses were glancing at Rhys. Yeah. Almost certainly.

Plastering a smile on his face, Jorin simply shrugged. "Oh, I do this and that. For the moment, I use this brain to create art for art's sake. Though I can assure you, you'll be seeing the results at the Amphitheater in the very near future."

And Jorin said it with absolute conviction. Rinya believed in him, and he could not let her down. He would act at the Amphitheater, no matter what. He'd find a way. Thinking back to all those days he'd gone into the employment office, always coming out empty-handed ... Jorin smiled again.

"Just bread, cheese and ale? I doubt Rinya would be able to regain her energy on just that. Shall I order us the actual meal?"

[Rinya]

Rinya was reaching across the table for a slice of bread Rhys was currently cutting as Jorin mention the amphitheater. Her hand froze as she glanced at the man sitting next to her. Jorin hadn’t mentioned anything about getting a job, though she already knew where he wanted to work. The amphitheater was perfect for him if they should take him, but honestly she couldn’t see a reason why they wouldn’t. Jolting out of her thoughts, she snagged the bread and leaned back in her chair in a slouch. "Just bread, cheese and ale? I doubt Rinya would be able to regain her energy on just that. Shall I order us the actual meal?" Rhys chuckled and shook his head. Leaning forward he rested his forearms against the table, making his height nearly invisible. But he looked far more intimidating however. Rhys was all muscle, and while he was capable of using it Seymantis was much more comfortable with violence. Rinya vaguely wondered if they kept pushing each other if Seymantis would make an appearance. The thought didn’t do much to settle her stomach. ”Being partners with duckling here—“ ”Osprey Rhys—” ”I am rather privy to know her eating habits. Pet here isn’t much for heavy kinds of food. Besides if she is as tired as she says, I’ll bet ten Mizas that she won’t eat much after that bread.” The smug smirk on Rhys’ face made her want to slap him... a lot. It also made her want to prove him wrong, but already the bread felt heavy on her stomach. She really should have insisted on going straight home. ”Anyway, with fall on the approach are you going to be able to provide for Rinya? I mean there is a whole host of things that she—“ Was that what Rhys was getting at? Geez his ego was worse than she thought. Standing up so quickly her chair fell backwards with a loud slam; she came around the other end of the table and grabbed Rhys by his bicep. While he could have easily resisted, he seemed to have gotten the reaction he wanted out of her. He stood with a sly smile and let her drag him to the opposite side of the room where she proceeded to poke him in the chest in an obvious furious tone. Rinya did not have to hiss insults at him long. Rhys’ response wasn’t very long either however. He leaned forward, whispering in her ear for less than a chime before he patted her on the back and sauntered out of the tavern. Rinya stood in the corner for a moment seemingly in shock before shuffling back over to the table and sat in the chair Rhys abandoned. Her face felt entirely too red, but she wasn’t so sure if it was her anger, or a reaction to what Rhys said to her. ”Sorry he...” Groaning she let her head fall into her hands. ”He’s... just himself I guess. Rinya mumbled, still looking to be in shock. More thoughts she didn't want to deal with.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 73, 513 AV

It was with supreme effort that Jorin did not smack himself in the face with his palm. Of course. Rinya was tired, not hungry, there was a difference. Mentally kicking himself, he listened to Rhys continue to speak of Rinya as though she were some sort of pet who needed to be fed a certain diet. Jorin found his smile harder and harder to hold. You're an actor, Jorin, he told himself. You can do this. It's not any harder than your other acting gigs.

Except it was harder. Jorin could take Rinya occasionally tossing off the odd statement about being treated like a pet. It upset him, but not that much, mainly because he didn't sense that much distress in her. But to be constantly exposed to it like this ... Jorin shut his eyes for a brief moment, calming his mind. He would not give Rhys the pleasure of knowing how much he was getting under his skin.

"Anyway, with fall on the approach are you going to be able to provide for Rinya? I mean there is a whole host of things that she—"

That was as far as Rhys got before Rinya stood abruptly, knocking over chair with a loud clatter. She dragged Rhys over to a corner and hissed at him, and Rhys simply leaned over and whispered something in Rinya's ear. Jorin felt a jolt, as though and electric shock went through his heart. What had he told her? Jorin wanted to know, but the shocked look on Rinya's face made him pause. Dare he ask what Rhys had whispered?

"Sorry he ... He’s... just himself I guess." Rinya groaned. Jorin sighed. This evening was clearly over. Leaning over and righting Rinya's chair, he threw one arm around her shoulders, and rubbed her bicep with his hand.

"I won't ask you what Rhys said to you," Jorin told her quietly, as he led them out of the restaurant, but not before dropping payment on the table. "Whatever it was, I'm sure if you think I should know, you'll tell me in due time."

As the walked out of the White Crane, Jorin smiled to see that night had fallen. The stars were beginning to wink in the sky.

"Come on, Rinya, I'll walk you home," Jorin offered. As they walked in silence, Jorin felt the need to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Rinya. All of that ... none of it would have happened if I hadn't shown up. I don't know what I was thinking ... and then I had to go and make it worse by getting into a pissing match with Rhys. It's just, whenever he calls you 'Pet' it drives me up the wall! I know you said he didn't mean it, but the way he looks at you ... I think maybe he does."

Jorin sighed. It didn't matter, anyway. As long as they were alone together now, none of it mattered. Looking up at the night sky, he noticed a bright star had come out.

"Oh! Look, Rinya!" he cried, pointing at it.

"Cheva's Light. It's said she put it up there to remind the people below that true love was the only love worth having." Jorin smiled. "My mother told me that. She taught me the stars. Said that if I knew the names of the stars, I'd never be lost. All I'd have to do is look up, and see the same stars she's seeing."

He turned to Rinya and smiled. "The same stars you're seeing." he added.

[Rinya]

Dropping her hands from her face, she let Jorin lead her out of the tavern. Rhys words echoed in the back of her mind. Of all things for him to bring up it had to be now? Her entire body felt like someone had filled it with metal. Moving was so hard, if Jorin hadn’t been there to lead she probably would have just let herself nest it out on top of a building. At least it was summer and that wouldn’t have left her in too much trouble. Except her things probably would be missing by morning. Huffing out a sigh she shook her head, trying to clear it but it seemed like everything was stuck in some kind of web. What was worse she could barely hear Jorin over all her own muddled thoughts. It took a ridiculous amount of focus to finally hone in on his words. He was apologizing again. It certainly wasn’t his fault that Rhys was an idiot, and despite how the night was ending she was happy to see him. Rinya would be hard pressed to even admit to Jorin that she missed him when he wasn’t around. But she seemed unable to get any words out to reassure him that she didn’t mind. She felt almost mute—and numb. Which she was half grateful for, she didn’t need to worry Jorin anymore than he was already. "Oh! Look, Rinya!"” Rinya jumped beneath his arm, eyes flying straight to his face. Only he wasn’t looking at her, he was pointing at the sky. Frowning slightly, she turned to look up at the star. She didn’t know anything about the gods and goddesses. But the way Jorin described them from his mother’s point of view sounded amazing. But it still left her feeling hollow. Crossing her arms over her chest, she had a feeling it would be awhile before the feeling would subside as it was. Tilting her head to look at him, she couldn’t pull a smile for him, but she gazed at him softly for a long while before she finally spoke. ”What would your parents think if you brought a Kelvic home?” The question startled her slightly. It wasn’t what she had meant to say. But she really couldn’t take that kind of a question back. Biting down on her bottom lip she shifted to face Jorin. She might as well finish the thought. ”I mean... I don’t doubt that they could see me as a person but... Would your mother consider me a—a distraction keeping you from that... that feeling you described? Cheva’s light?” Averting her eyes from him, she looked back at the star. ”Maybe that wouldn’t matter. Sometimes being the pet really is easier of the two options. After all it’s not worth hurting someone over is it? No matter how good at some point, it will have to...” Rinya felt like her thoughts were vague even to her. Running her fingers over the back of her neck she wondered what kind of dreams she was going to have now. She was thankful that she didn’t have to work the next day, or she would probably go crazy. ”It doesn’t matter. You’re young enough.” Technically she was young as well, but she felt older. Maybe it was her father’s influence on her as child.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 73, 513 AV

"What would your parents think if you brought a Kelvic home?"

Jorin jolted slightly at this question. Where had that come from? Was Rinya asking what he thought she ... before he could formulate a response, Rinya had turned to him and continued.

"I mean... I don’t doubt that they could see me as a person but... Would your mother consider me a—a distraction keeping you from that... that feeling you described? Cheva’s light?" She looked away. "Maybe that wouldn’t matter. Sometimes being the pet really is easier of the two options. After all it’s not worth hurting someone over is it? No matter how good at some point, it will have to..."

Jorin had really had enough of Rinya seeing herself as a pet. Perhaps this was how she felt when he ... hmm. Perhaps that was it.

"It doesn’t matter. You’re young enough."

Jorin grabbed Rinya by the shoulders gently but firmly, and turned her to face him.

"Rinya," he began, "Remember how frustrated you were when I kept talking about how I had so little give you, when I kept saying I would love nothing more than to bond with you but I thought you deserved better? I think I finally understand how you feel." Jorin sighed quietly.

"Rhys can do whatever he wants. Say whatever he wants. It was absurd of me to take any of what he did or said seriously anyway. Please, look at me Rinya ... I need you to believe what I am about to say." Jorin waited for her to do just that.

"As far as I'm concerned, you are Cheva's Light. To me, anyway. The brightest star in the sky. The beacon to lead me home. All other stars move across the night sky, but not you. You're the one constant. I know my mother would feel the same way. My father ... if he didn't feel that way, I doubt he and my mother would have married. Despite his mathematics, despite his reasons and rationality in the end the two of them, I think, share the same soul."

Jorin took a breath.

"Rinya, something is bothering you. Your heart's a swirling mass of emotions right now, and even though I don't specifically know what it is, I can feel it." Jorin looked about. They seemed to be on a deserted street, there weren't many people out this late at night. "I know I said I wouldn't ask but ... what did Rhys say to you?" Jorin sighed. "I've never seen you so ... shocked. Look, remember when I said that, if you ever got in trouble, we'd handle it together? Please, Rinya, don't shut me out..."

[Rinya]

Rinya couldn’t help but stare at Jorin. His way with words shocked her to the core. Yet somehow despite all of his words she realized he hadn’t actually understood the meaning of hers. It did not disappoint her in the least, expecting him to understand her when she barely knew the meaning herself would have been ridiculous. With him call her his light she truly wished she could help him understand that she wasn’t the best choice, not at all over her racial status or personality, but because of something far more permanent. ”Jorin…” She grinned at him weakly, shaking her head slightly. Lifting her hands to frame his face, she was astounded by how special he really was. A slight chuckle escaped her despite all the feelings in her chest ready to burst out of her. How did she make him understand? ”Being a pet is a title. For you I would not mind being your pet… even if you hate the idea as such.” She let herself get stern for the last part. There was no point in him arguing about it, it was after all a moot point. ”And that is not at all what bothers me. You… I am not a decent choice for star Jorin.” Jorin meant stars so metaphorically beautiful, while Rinya suppressed much harder thoughts. ”Rhys is… so much more observant than I originally thought. All that talk and bluster for one purpose. Maybe it was because he’s not used to seeing me be nice to anyone. You would be the first… at least in front of him anyways. But what he meant to be reassuring and encouraging… it’s something I cannot do, for anyone. Not even you.” Stroking his face with the tips of her fingers as she spoke, she finally let them fall back to her side with a halfhearted attempt at a shrug. ”You are young for your race is what I meant. I am young for mine. But they are not… compatible in that way.” Frowning again, she realized that didn’t sound right. ”The price of seeing the world in a different way I suppose. We may never get to see the people we care about get the things they want in life. Their dreams, their future families… granted the whole world is dangerous, anyone’s life can change at a drop of rain but—“ Rhys words echoed in her head again and she lost her train of thought. She huffed in annoyance, biting her tongue as frustration started to well up over everything else. ”I am not used to handling such emotions, much less feeling anyone else’s. I don’t mean to worry you. I am not in trouble Jorin, well at least not in any sort of physical issue. By any rate, I am glad to hear your parents are such opposites in some ways.” Clasping her hands behind her back, she started to walk again. So many things to think about and say and none of the words to say them, perhaps if she were lucky she might end up mirroring his capability for words. So instead she trailed down a different road that would not include her. ”Once you get your job I suppose the only natural thing left to do is find you a suitable female. You have many qualities Jorin that one would find attractive. You are confidant, and very smart. Humble in your own way and in the same reflection so very bright with your humor... quite handsome too.” Rinya smirked as she glanced over at him to spot his reaction. He had always listed her qualities, but she realized she rarely said anything back. Not that she never thought about it. She could feel the creep of red riding up her cheeks again. Just her luck. Either way she had to steer the conversation away from her emotions. It was better that way for both of them.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 73, 513 AV

Jorin's smile fell slightly, when Rinya seemed to be pulling away. Despite their closeness, he could feel ... distance between them, like she had put up an invisible wall. Her feelings became muted, even though they didn't disappear entirely, and he would have smirked at the irony that now she was the one saying she wasn't a good enough choice, except this was not the time for that.

When Rinya clasped her hands behind her and strolled off, before turning and mentioning, "Once you get your job I suppose the only natural thing left to do is find you a suitable female. You have many qualities Jorin that one would find attractive. You are confidant, and very smart. Humble in your own way and in the same reflection so very bright with your humor... quite handsome too."

Jorin decided he had to make her understand. So, taking a deep breath, he jogged over and returned her smile.

"I'm glad you think so, Rinya," he said. Jorin looked Rinya right in the eye. He found it was easy to lose himself in them, but it was also easier to make sure she didn't miss his point.

"There's a weakness, to having such fancy words," he confessed with a grimace. "Sometimes, you lose your meaning in all the poetry. So no more poetry, no more elegance. This time I will say it plain, so that there can't be any misunderstanding. You are right, after I find work, I will want to look for a suitable female."

Jorin paused, and then smiled gently down at Rinya. "Except I've already found her. And she's beautiful, and smart, and independent, and strong. She's everything I could ever want, everything I could ever need. And if all she needs is time, I will wait, for as long as it takes. I can be stubborn like that."

Jorin threw Rinya a lopsided grin. "Although I'm sure she knows that already. Rinya, you know me. For me, beauty isn't what you look like, beauty is who you are. Yes, you're very pretty, but that's not why I chose you. And it isn't just because we're bonded either, although I'm sure it helps. I spent five years on the road, acting with my troupe, and in all that time, you're the first person I've met who's had the spark, whose very soul is alive with life and art. I think it was what drew me to you in the first place, and it only grows with time."

Jorin looked down, suddenly weary. He wondered if Rinya even returned these feelings he was having. What if she didn't? He remembered the crushing feeling he'd felt when Farline had turned him down. He'd been so hopeful, as he spoke with her, and they had been such good friends ... in the end she had wanted to stay friends. Jorin learned then, that just because you felt it, didn't mean they felt it too.

"I know this is a big deal, Rinya. It's not something to take lightly, you're right. And I don't expect you to answer right away. But you know I don't say things I don't mean. I will wait for your answer for as long as it takes. And I will accept it, no matter what it is. For today, all I ask is you think about it. Can you do that for me?"