Completed Blowing Off Steam

[Ricky Maze]

”This is very generous of you Mr. Maze. I did not mean for you to pay for mine. Though I suppose I will just have to pay you back one day. Maybe come steal you away from your duties and take you out for lunch or dinner?” said Nai'a as they took their seats. "I like the idea lass, and just so we're clear; ye don't owe me anythin. After all it be for you since we couldn't catch the pickpocket." Ricky assured her as he took his first bite, the steaming hot fish almost scolded his mouth. The cold however felt a little less chilling however when he finally managed to swallow the food down, its heat radiated warmth down his chest and into the pit of his belly. It was food like this that made winter weather in Zeltiva seem less bad. ”I am used to eating fish raw, this looks so much better.” Nai'a said before she took a bite out of her's. ”This is delicious!” Ricky then made the connection about what she said. The fact that she ususlly ate fish raw meant she wasn't exactly human, because from Ricky's understanding raw fish usually made humans sick. He wasn't sure if she was a Kelvic though as the evidence wasn't fully present. He would have to know more before he could say anything. When Nai'a made the noises that signified she enjoyed her fish though, Ricky couldn't help but feel he did the right thing. He indulged into his fish a bit more and enjoyed its fine salty taste as much as Nai'a did, just not as noisily of course. When they both would finish their meal was when he finally spoke. "Don't know 'bout ya but that hit the spot for me." Ricky admitted as he rubbed his belly, after a stretch and yawn he looked to Nai'a with a grin. "So tell me about yer self."

[Nai'a]

Nai’a listened to the man, wanting to comment but the fish was just too delicious to tear away from. So she sat there silent for a moment, taking rather unlady like bites, and then finished the fish. That fish was really good, and she committed this place to memory, she would be a frequent customer it seemed. When she was through with the fish she looked over at the man, a light blush on her face at her rather rude behavior, she could not help it though the fish was just too good to tear herself away from it.

Nai’a cleared her throat giving the man a warm smile, ”Well, you may not think I owe you, but I do. There for we shall be having lunch together, and next time it will be on me.” Nai’a gave him a friendly wink, and chuckled lightly. The man had asked her a question after he completed his meal, rubbing his belly saying it hit the spot, and asked her to tell him more about herself. Not many people cared to really ask this question it seemed, but she was glad he did, she did so like to get to know people.

”Well there isn’t much to tell. I am a healer working at the infirmary right now. Uhmm.. Nai’a tapped her chin with her index finger as she thought about what to say about herself Oh! I am a Kelvic if you were wondering. I like fish, Nai’a gestured at her hair when she made the kelvic comment, then laughed melodically when she mentioned she liked fish. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about me Mr. Maze?” Nai’a asked the question in a soft voice, a warm smile on her face, ”This isn’t just one way though, you need to tell me about yourself as well.”

It seemed her day had taken a turn for the better, in which Nai’a was pleasantly surprised and happy for. She had expected to just take a stroll and calm her racing mind, but fate had other plans, and flung her quite literally towards meeting Ricky Maze, the kind Wave Guard who bought her delicious fish.

[Ricky Maze]

”Well there isn’t much to tell. I am a healer working at the Infirmiry right now. Uhmm..." Nai'a paused for a moment to think, and Ricky couldn't help the smile. 'A healer,' he thought, 'That's always good.' "Oh! I am a Kelvic if you were wondering. I like fish," She pointed out the extreme pink in her hair. "Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about me Mr. Maze? This isn’t just one way though, you need to tell me about yourself as well.” Ricky laughed a bit, and thought where he could begin. He was never really good at self descriptions most of the time, he normally just left it up to his friends to figure him out. Such was the way of the natural, they handle things as they come and go. Of course lately its been harder to handle things than before, probably because he was still in grief. Strange how one bubbly person can make even that seem distant for a short amount of time. "Uh, oh boy!" He chuckled as he rubbed his forehead in thought. Finally he found something to start with. "I had the idea that ye were Kelvic cause of the raw fish thing," He chuckled, "the pink hair though is another thing that threw me off too. Um... I enjoy eatin salmon mostly." It was a random idea that sounded better in his head, after he said it he couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "I'm terrible at this kinda thing." He admitted with a grin. "How long have ya lived here? That'd be a good startin point."

[Nai'a]

Nai’a smiled, a warm smile that seemed to brighten her face, at the laugh of Ricky. She watch him rub his forehead, then he commented on her rather random description of herself. ”Yes, well. My pink hair throws a lot of people off, or turns people against me for some reason. That is why I keep my hood up most of the time, hiding it.” Nai’a spoke softly, then listened as Ricky went on to describe himself.

Nai’a laughed melodically, a warm laugh, it seemed Ricky was as horrible as she was at describing herself to others. It made her feel less nervous about talking about herself though, knowing this man was just as bad as she was.

”Salmon is delicious. Which I love all fish though. And no worries I am not so good at this type of thing either, so we will struggle and learn together, yes?” Nai’a told the man this to make the moment a little less awkward, it was always awkward to be telling someone about yourself that you just met.

Ricky moved on to ask her another question, saying that it was a good starting point, Nai’a nodded in agreement and looked over at the man, ”Well I just arrived her not to long ago. In the Winter season, I think around the second week of Winter. So I have not been here long. I came from Riverfall. What about yourself, how long have you been here?” Nai’a kept the smile on her face. She felt pretty good about her answer, it coming out better then she thought it would. Sometimes things in her head sounded great, but when she put words to thoughts they sometimes failed.

[Ricky Maze]

The way Nai'a agreed she too was terrible at self explanations made Ricky feel more comfortable around her, a part of him that somehow felt natural again seem to just grow inside. It almost felt as though it had never left him to begin with, maybe because she was a Kelvic of course. The fascinating creatures had always been curious to him ever since he met his first Kelvic, who he hadn't seen in several years now that he thought about it. Time has a habit of pulling away friends and bringing new ones in. "Well I just arrived her not to long ago. In the Winter season, I think around the second week of Winter. So I have not been here long. I came from Riverfall. What about yourself, how long have you been here?” Nai'a explained as she smiled at him. Ricky couldn't fight the warm feeling inside she brought. "I've lived in Zeltiva since I was a wee lad, but got back home from a trip last season. My dog and I were tryin to get to Wind Reach, but decided to come home after the Djed Storm." The warmness dulled down, and became mixed with a sorrow he tried so hard to forget. It seemed no matter how bright a soul would be, Ricky would still find his to be haunted by the dark torment of sorrow. "He passed away...trying to save me." He confided as he looked to the ground, and hoped Nai'a wouldn't see the pain and regret in his eyes. He had done a good job finding himself a distraction today, even more so now that he got to know a bit about a new aquaintance. Yet it all seemed to be in vain as far as avoiding these feelings went, for Ricky still hated himself for not being able to make a difference; for failing to save a lost companion.

[Nai'a]

Nai’a could see why people would want their children to live here. It was such a great opportunity for younger generations. This city offered so much to people, it was a little astounding. Nai’a’s warm smile faltered slightly when she saw pain flash across Ricky’s face when he talked about his companion who had died saving his life. Nai’a knew more than most an animal’s love to their friend, or what some would say owner.

She was a little shocked that this man whom she just met confided in her so easily. About something that was so tragic and emotionally painful. She knew all too what it felt like to lose someone you loved and cared about deeply. She lost her bond mate not too long ago, someone who she cared for immensely.

Nai’a was not sure what to say, but she gave it her best shot anyways, ”An animal’s love is one that is hard to be replaced. Most people think of animals as brainless and emotionless, that is how people view me.”

Nai’a looked away from Ricky, and into the far off distance ahead of them, ”Do not blame yourself for his death. He knew what he was doing and would not have done so if he did not love you. Animal’s are different from humans, in that they make decisions with their heart and not their minds. They act on their emotions for others, not for themselves. I am so sorry for your lost. It is hard to get past losing someone whom you loved and cared for so dearly.” Nai’a sighed softly,”But sometimes it is best to relish on the love you shared with them, the great memories you made with one another, knowing that they are in a better place now. A place without pain.”

Nai’a was not sure if her words would reach the man, or if they would even help. She herself was hard to console when she lost her bond mate, it was a connection that was severed in his death, that made her feel like a piece of herself died with him, a piece that she may never be able to find again. Nai’a looked back over at Ricky, and she did what she thought was right, and hugged the man briefly. She was not the best when it came to emotions of others, but she still tried to show them care and comfort.

[Ricky Maze]

Coming from Nai'a it almost seemed to be a whole different side of her, a part that was serious and hidden due to the same nature of a loss she too must've suffered. The way she gave her view point of how an animal felt and acted, it truly was an eye opener to hear about it. However there still existed that hidden border within Ricky, and it always remained a barricade against the wisdom his friends gave. However even when he received the hug from Nai'a something within him loosened. The same warm feeling that once became overwhelmed by the stirring darkness within, now became warmer as it was now equal against the pain and regret. For some reason Ricky couldn't explain it, but Nai'a had this way of cheering him up even when he was too depressed. Too flustered to shrug off and hide away the pain he felt. He wanted to thank her, to somehow show appreciation for being a friend in such a short time. There was really nothing he could do though. Nothing to show how he truly appreciate her being there. All Ricky could do was try and smile. Bring out the fake that made the facade a never ending process. Pride demanded above all he be able to keep the smile on, but when he couldn't help but think on what she said he felt a little bit finally sink in. This resulted in a manner to withhold his sob, but in the end the inevitable tears soon surfaced to run free before her. Whether she would still be hugging him or trying to comfort him, Ricky couldn't find the will to speak in front of her; he was ashamed. Ashamed that he wasn't being the person he wanted to be, ashamed for be a broken man before another person. The would be no judgement on what Nai'a did next, only the crying shame of regret would come from Ricky.

[Nai'a]

The reaction she received from the man was that of shock, she did not expect him to start crying. The tears that slid down his cheeks seemed to break her heart a little at a time. She did not like seeing people cry, she hated to see people hurt, she always wanted to help. This time was no different of course, so she wrapped her arms back around Ricky, moving his head on her shoulder. She was not going to leave this man to cry alone, to be drowned by his sorrow. She rubbed his back softly, and whispered in his ear, ”Its okay, let it all out… Crying helps, it’s better to get it out then hold it in.” Nai’a’s voice was like a soft coo in his ear.

She stayed there beside Ricky, holding him gently in her arms, letting the man cry on her. Eventually he would stop crying, having to go back to work. When that time came she would part ways with the man, although it would be reluctantly, she would do so. Sometimes after a good cry one needed to be alone to get the emotions right inside. Nai’a knew this better then some, emotions could kill you if you let them.

[Delirium]

Experience Rewards

Ricky :

Experience

Observation	1xp
Interrogation	2xp
Rhetoric	2 xp

Lores:
Friend: Nai'a the lovely distraction
Nai'a's cheerful nature
recognition of Kelvic though behaviour

Nai'a :

Experience

Observation	1xp
Rhetoric	3xp

Lores:
Victim of pick pocketing
Nervousness of those in authority
Friend: Ricky Maze the kind Wave Guard
Ricky's loss
Additional stuff
-5GM stolen

Notes: Fantastic thread you guys. Nai'a, I loved to see how your character cheered Ricky up. Also her dolphin traits shined though much to my amusement. Yay for fish! Ricky, your character is a true gentleman

If you have any queries with the grading, pleas don't hesitate to PM me