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[Berend]

Berend didn’t have to make his own fires, living where he was in his small Sunset Quarter apartment, where the common room regularly had a fire stoked in the evening so he couldn’t quite puzzle out why the twigs refused to catch alight. Sparks showered on them continually, like a drizzling downpour and yet the wood remained unaffected. There was the soft crunch of footsteps between his clacking, giving him reason to stop at his play as he looked up to lay eyes on her once more. He shrugged a bit timidly, looking back at what he had collected, and frowning. Where he hesitated though, she moved with purpose surprising him with the dead leaves that made him feel a little more lost. It hadn’t occurred to him to try and see if something else might have caught fire better, but apparently here it was with him looking as dumbfounded as ever. Firming his grip on the flint and steel, he clacked once more and for several moments was afraid that it would not catch the fire until it did just that. A small flame at first, almost invisible against the dark mass till it started smoking and the leaves began to blacken. The smell made itself apparent next, smelling sharp and bitter, but making him smile all the same at the promise it held. Next the twigs went up in flames, and more wood was added to the growing conflagration till the feeling in his fingers came back on pins and needles. “Whew.. You know I didn’t realize how good this would be till now” He said, his breath steaming in the air as he took to rubbing his hands together vigorously by the fire while keeping a stern watch over it. It was still young, and the effort of it’s creation had him more than a bit worried over it. There was still more than a little bit of cold in him he’d rather like flushed out, and his clothing felt stiff with frost. That, and the rabbit smelled delicious, crackling over the flames as it was with oily fat occasionally dripping down to the tune of a spattering hiss. It certainly smelled better than any of the fare he could have gotten back at the Sunset Quarters, where no doubt it was miserably cold and congealed porridge was on the menu. The fire at least seemed in good hands though, and noting her gesture, he moved to take a seat beside her, and despite himself, he could’t help but glance back at the fire suspicious of it’s foretold fickleness. Berend did manage to look away after that, turning towards her to say: “Indeed, I feel a bit accomplished for once, though you’ve done most of the work. I’m a little out of my element out here, but back in the city perhaps I could return the favor.” The balance must be maintained after all. “I’m between jobs at the present, no constant work laboring of late with fresher, stronger hands to compete with. I get by though, well enough I suppose doing this and that when quickness is desired. Perhaps I could show you around, and point you to a safe place to stay if you haven’t any yet. Been in the commons all my life, and it would please me to return your kindness” Off roughing it out here on the outskirts, he had no idea on where to begin or inclination to work at it for that matter for there were not too many places to break into out here, and he’d heard tell that the folk in these parts had more than a little bit of grit to them that made him shudder to even think about his prospects here. In the commons though, where he was most comfortable, perhaps he could show a more flattering side, and prove to her that he could be useful as well as a valuable ally instead of being the liability he felt like out here in strange lands. Here, he knew not how to act, but back in the center, it would all be alright with him not having to trip over these strange standards of conducting himself that he heard a tale or two of. “Oh we might as well cook that one too, for I know nothing of preparing the thing, and nor do I know anyone I might trade it to for a reasonable bargain” Berend scratched his chin and got up at the thought, moving over to the rabbit but hesitating before he picked it up. It laying there stiffly, with eyes wide open and fur all matted did not make for the most pleasant prospect of picking it up, but he’d already come over her so he gritted his teeth, and snatched it up. It hadn’t been there long, but already its body was cold, and hard, its’ greasy fur making it truly an awkward thing to hold. He bore it all the same, and soon was back beside her with it gingerly in hand. “That being of course if you don’t mind giving him the same treatment” Let not it be said that he assumed to presume upon certain actions from people. Carefully, he placed the creature on the ground for her to decide.

[Jenna Wyne]

Jenna smiled and took the rabbit taking the dagger to it and began her process. She cut around the feet and began to peel up the fur. Slowly pulling at it and parting it from the rabbit. She smiled up at Berend and just kept it up peeling at the fur slowly from the rabbit taking care to be careful not to rip or tear it. Jenna giggled as she cut around the head and slowly got it off, the other hare was surely ready by the time she finished as she peeled just that little bit more. It was off, she put it in her bag and handed the rabbit to him as she took off the spit and giggled setting it in the ground and cutting off a piece and tasting it. "mmmm" She smiled and watched for him to do whatever he was going to do with the other hare. She was rather curious really. " Well I don't mind some help in the city, I have been too afraid to venture from my apartment or out here really. " She cut off another piece and handed it to Berend, as she cut some more placing them on her pack, since it was the next best thing to a clean surface. Jenna smiled and soon the rabbit was just a carcus and a pile of meat. She smiled and gestured for him to help himself. She didn't eat much so she just picked while watching him.

[Berend]

He breathed in deep though his nose as his eyes took in her butchery of the rabbit, tasting on the breeze the one that crackled over the fire. There was a grumble from his stomach despite its turning over earlier with all the excitement causing him to look at the spit to see that the meat was starting to look as good as it smelled. It browned and crisped just like that rat had in the hearth room a couple of seasons past. Might even be a lot less stringy. His eyes wandered over back towards the girl when he caught a some movement in the corner of his eye, and he saw that she was handing him the furless creature. A hand went out, and took the offered rabbit, only to promptly put it onto the grass between him. It had left his fingers feeling rather tacky and wet, so he ran his hand hard through the snowy turf on his right a few times till the stickiness had left him, then taking the time to dry his hand out on the front of his tunic. In all of this, the woman had spoken, and Berend looked up appropriately to acknowledge her though she said nothing that begged an answer just yet. He noticed then that the rabbit was apparently done cooking because she was carving away at it. “Well I don’t expect there to be many more bells of good daylight left, so if your to get knowing your way around, best we start off now” He had hesitated only moments to comment, his eyes flickering from hers, to the food, and back again. Taking the offered morsel in silence, he did away with it in one bite before he pushed himself up onto his feet. Little clods of dirt and snow had wedged themselves in the stiff creases of his breeches, so he busied himself with their removal while he thought of what to say next. “So, what do you say about me escorting you back home and on the morrow, I show you around proper” Still dusting away at a knee that wasn’t going to get any cleaner, he wouldn’t have seen any expression from her but he’d hear any response of hers well enough. After a few moments of that, with him deciding it was enough, he’d grab his pack of the ground to sling over his shoulder, looking over at her finally in anticipation. His stomach growled.

[Jenna Wyne]

Jenna giggled and put away her things and got up making her way to his side throwing snow on the fire. She smiled as it went out and she slid his dagger in her pocket, a reminder of him if nothing else. She would try to slip it back to him without him realizing it. " So, my new friend, I hope you don't hold against me what happened earlier.. I just am afraid of what the town might think of me. " She said wondering if he even had an idea of what she actually was instead of a mage. Jenna took his hand and smiled being a bit carefree for once she walked hand in hand with him dragging him to keep up with her pace if he tried to slow. "I would love to be shown around, I don't really venture much in the city. I would love a chance to get to know it better. If you really don't mind." She smiled and kept walking, it was starting to get dark. He had called it. Jenna turned and looked at him " You know if you figured out how to trap, I would buy the fur from you if you ever needed work." She said hinting that perhaps he didn't need to rely on the dock for work. It was after all something she could do as she needed more furs and she hadn't found anyone to buy some from really other than a merchant here or there.

[Berend]

While she got ready, he adjusted the strap of his back so it hung more comfortably off of his shoulder, and then concerned himself with making sure everything else was in place. It all was, except for his dagger of course, which left him feeling a little off balance. He could see it now, if only just briefly before she tucked it away. Berend stared at the spot for a few moments, before looking up, and shrugging slightly. “Course I won’t, and I hope you don’t hold a grudge all the same. I just didn’t know how to react, ya know? Never met one of yer kind before..” His voice trailed off, a little softer as he shuffled his feet, and looked out onto the field beyond. Away from this outcropping, the wind would howl, bite, and probably worse, for sparse as this shelter was, it was still a shield of sorts. What warmth he had enjoyed from the fire would be lost, replace by a bitter cold that would make old bruises ache once more. All that, and more. Berend couldn’t wait. Her hand touched his, and he hesitated for a moment to grasp it in return before he remembered they were being pleasant right now. Then his held hers gingerly in return, with him letter her take the lead. After all, she’d know best where she kept her quarters, and perhaps, she didn’t want him knowing the specifics of her residence. Maybe even she’d want him to close his eyes, he thought chewing on his lips as glanced over at her, but decided against it, figuring if she wanted that, she would tell him. She certainly wasn’t the shy type. “Never thought about all that, suppose I could ask around” He wanted to look away when she looked at him, but he just bit his lip harder, withstanding the urge. They had come to an agreement after all. It was expected of him to play his part. So, instead of looking away, his mouth curled into a small grin. “What kind of animals roam these parts anyways?” His eyes didn’t stray from hers as he said it, but he did wonder about the wild parts they were leaving behind him. From what he had just seen, they seemed as dangerous as the stories told them to be. Could it be that there were other mages like her out there? “Never go out of the Quarter or Commons really, so are places out there really as strange as they tell it?”

[Jenna Wyne]

"What do you mean places out there? " Jenna asked with a laugh. It was strange to hear about the world like this. " I mean as long as you don't venture too far from civilization you are fine, it gets a little scary farther out. I only flew over it and thus didn't have to worry. I would be careful if you ventured far, I know that it is rather dangerous out in the wilds for those that aren't like me and even I have to be careful." She said remembering the collar that use to reside on her neck. Jenna cringed at the thought. She hated when she thought back to her life as a slave. " You should see hares.. and other small critters. " She said looking at him wondering what he thought of her. She smiled and slipped his dagger in his pack, trying to be stealthy about it but surely he noticed. So she blushed. " Didn't want to be called a thief. " She said with a smile as she walked forward awkwardly. " I know.. Kelvics are an interesting bunch, Many of us are even kept as slaves.. which is why I am so wary of people knowing. Jenna had to admit he was nice and well it seemed today had ended well after all. " I am glad we could become friends, I will admit you are my first friend I have made since coming here, It is nice to know you. Please stop by anytime. " She said trying to keep the mood up.

[Berend]

He watched the ground for a while now as he listened, his thumbs tucked into the waist band of his breeches now. It wasn't much farther now, and soon he'd have a mug to wash this all down. Close enough even that he didn't need to see to know the way. They were heading in the right direction and that was enough. The walk was even almost comfortable with that small breeze that came and went occasionally. "So your saying to see anything I best grow wings like you do?" Berend said as he looked up at the sky. "eh.. but what do I know of elsewhere?" She moved closer now so he glanced over to see what she was doing, and slowed down when he saw. "Don't need to worry about anything like that! Wouldn't have been stolen anyways so long as you be having it.." He chewed his lip, and glanced back to make sure everything was secure on his pack. "Is that what sort of mage you are? A kelvic?" With that last word he put more than a little emphasis on as he sounded out the familiar word. Where would I have overheard that? Looking over, he tried meeting her eyes now as he started walking more casually again. "You too. It pays to know people here, though you probably already figured that out... and I'm glad your the forgiving sort."