Closed Not in the Job Description (Viper)

[Wanda Endust]

Was it just her, or did the man's shoulder's slump a little when she'd offered for him to come along in the morning? Either way, his voice was cheery enough and Wanda pushed aside her momentary doubt. "Sounds like a plan! I'm usually out and about around the sixth or seventh bell, so I'll see ya then." She nodded enthusiastically, though he wouldn't have been able to see anyway.

I'll probably miss meeting so many new friends like this, she mused, listening as the man continued on with his in-a-nutshell description of Zeltiva. The wanderlust bug had bitten her, though she wasn't quite sure where it was she wanted to visit. But, oddly enough, the crows and dense population of the city would probably be one of the things she missed most. Of course, I can't leave until Mom get's better.

Wanda chuckled at the fellow's lighthearted complaint about the Zeltivan alcohol selection. "Sounds like a nightmare," she chortled. "Good thing I don't drink!"

Confident and pleased that she'd made a new friend -- in her own mind, at least -- she was surprised with how swiftly closing time had rolled around. While slightly loath to say goodbye, Wanda was cheered by the fact that she'd meet the fellow in the morning to continue their conversation.

As she was about to bring their meeting to a close, 'Aeyan' beat her to the punch. "I should probably let you get finish closing shop so you can get home at a decent bell."

"Eh, you're right," she nodded, standing as he did the same. A smile decorated her face as the man stretched his shoulders, admiring her handiwork. "Thanks for the compliment! But you should see what some of the other masseuses can do! I swear, their hands are magic."

She brought her hand to her chin, calculating his fee in her head. "Well it's only been, what, maybe half a bell? I'd say that's..." she counted on her fingers, gaze flitting to the ceiling as she recalled the price list. "Two gold and five silver mizas!" she announced confidently. "I can take it right now, or you could just drop it at the reception counter on your way out."

She eyed her supplies, planning the quickest way to pack everything up, and turned back to the man with a broad grin. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Aeyan!" she chirped. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

OOCSorry if I sound a little off in this post! I had a headache, but couldn't delay any longer! :) You can go ahead and lead it into the next day if you like.

[Viper]

An eyebrow raised at her comment about not drinking. "Really? Like you don't drink at all? Huh. Shame that is. Still, whatever floats your boat I suppose. Probably better for your health anyway." He finished with a light chuckle. "As for the other masseuses. Perhaps I will. Though I do tend to be a creature of habit and generally stick to a good thing when I've found it." He winked casually before putting a hand in his money bag to pull out the coin she mentioned.

"Here ya go. 3 gold mizahs. Keep the difference." He said in a friendly tone as he bowed slightly to her. "Thanks again. And I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning." With that, he finally exited the room and headed for his camp outside the city.

----

Day 66, Summer, 513 AV

It had been a long night. Viper struggled with what he was about to do. He was no slaver....yet his people needed help. And it had been decided this was the 'right' course of action. A sigh escaped him. But was it...? What would the people he had befriended during his time here, think of him if they found out? He forced the unpleasant thoughts from his mind, and tried to get a few winks of sleep. Tossing and turning all night, he was glad when the sun began to rise the next day. He no longer had to force himself to stay asleep. Quickly getting dressed for the day, he packed up his few belongings for the ride back to Endrykas.

The sounds of a rooster could be heard in the distance, seemingly beckoning the sun to rise over the horizon. Viper took a deep breath as he rode toward the city gates, soon arriving at just a few minutes before the 6th bell. Well this is it...we really going to go through with this? he chided himself. Catching sight of the kind woman he had met the day before approaching, he frowned slightly while she was to far away to notice. Too late to turn back now. he reluctantly conceded.

As she got closer, he forced a smile on his face before dismounting and giving her a wave. "Good morning to you Wanda! I trust you had a pleasant evening?" He said in as chipper of a voice as he could muster...

[Wanda Endust]

Wanda yawned. The sounds of illness -- hacking, coughing, wheezing -- from her bedridden mother had kept the girl up for most of the night, as well as the neighbors, most likely. Over the past season, such exhaustion had become a common state for Wanda, though she hid it easily underneath her bright exterior.

Yet as the days passed, her mother's condition grew worse, and Wanda found it more and more difficult to deal with the situation. During the day, her tendency was to push her troubles to the back of her mind. Then, when she came home to the darkness of the family's apartment -- where she might as well have been alone -- her worries surfaced.

But now, as the sun rose, Wanda couldn't help but smile. Syna would provide, and all would be well in the end.

The young blonde traipsed along, having already made her way out of the city gates and onto the road. Dirt and grass crunched beneath her thinly covered toes, her short cotton dress swinging in time with both the breeze and the sway of her gait. Her hazel eyes traced the pathway, and a delicate hand flew up in an enthusiastic greeting when she spotted the man from the night before.

"I'm doing great!" she chirped in reply to his greeting. She hadn't noticed before, but the relief she felt at meeting him told her that she must have feared he wouldn't show up. "Syna's always most stunning in the morning, don'tcha think?" She cast a fleeting gesture to the rising sun. "The colors are more happy than they are in the evening." She paused, considering, then, "Oh! Did you have a good night? Sleeping the the city can be a bit on-and-off at times if you're not accustomed to it," she mused. "What with all the noises and all."

[Viper]

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. She was a very happy person, that was for sure. He half wondered where she found the energy in the morning to be so pleasantly cheery. Approaching her now, he nodded to her and glanced back at the rising sun. "Aye it is that. Always a nice way to start the morning." His smile faded some when she asked about his night. He shrugged his shoulders and finally responded in a noticeably less happy tone. "As for last night...tossed and turned. Still having a hard time with all the aforementioned "noises". But I digress, we should get on with our excursion. Wouldn't want to waste the morning here in the city."

He leaned over a bit and offered a hand out for her. "So, would you care to ride since you don't get to as much? Or do you prefer to simply walk?" He really hoped she would choose the first choice, as that really would make this getaway a whole lot easier. Not to mention, he could get farther out from the city before she realized something was amiss.

His mind began to prick his conscious once again. Come on Viper....how can you really be going through with this?! She seems like a wonderful person, and you're about to ruin her life. But what of Endrykas? Am I supposed to stand by and do nothing to help them? Surely there are other ways to help! And so the quarreling with himself went back and forth within his mind. Only a fleeting shift in his gaze away from hers betrayed his inner conflict. But he quickly controlled himself enough, to lock eyes with her again and smile.

"Either way is fine with me. I just figured I'd give you a shot to see more of the surrounding city before we have to return." Great...you're even turning into a more convincing liar! Congratulations! Silence! This was going to be a very...difficult kidnapping it would seem...

[Wanda Endust]

Ah, so the "noises" had kept him awake as well. Wanda momentarily considered confessing to her mother's issues and thus their shared sleep complications, but decided against it. There was no reason to push her personal problems upon this nice fellow. And it was a cheerful day!

Yet a shadow of less-than-cheerfulness passed across her face, then faded at his next suggestion, replaced by pleasant surprise and near disbelief. "You mean I could actually ride --" she gestured unceremoniously at the man's mount, "him?" At least, she figured the horse was male. "I've... I've never ridden a horse before," she pointed out, and eyebrow cocked in uncertainty. Of course, always up to try something new, Wanda took the man's offered hand with no hesitation.

"I just figured I'd give you a shot to see more of the surrounding city before we have to return."

She nodded at his explanation. "That makes sense. I never considered taking a horse before. But I guess it gives you a chance to absorb the scenery," she thought out loud. "Since you wouldn't have to worry about watching your step and greeting the grass with your face." She chuckled, using the leverage of her companion, as well as the foothold, to swing herself onto the beast.

Wanda probably should have sat sidesaddle, considering her clothing choice, but she knew very little about horses and simply copied the way she'd seen most others ride. Besides, she was too excited by the experience to care all too much about being ladylike.

"He seems pretty well-mannered," she observed, patting the horse as she stabilized her balance with a hand on the man's shoulder. "But I don't really know much about them. Y'know, the parents never really let me around them. Scared I'd spook 'em, I guess! Do you like horses?"

[Viper]

Viper gave a light chuckle when he noticed her surprise to his offer. "Well of course. You didn't really think I was going to let you walk while I rode did you?" His tone was obviously teasing some. Surprisingly pleasant considering his current plan and true feelings on it. Pulling her up behind him, he continued to laugh at her reflection on being able to see without worry of getting personal with the grass. "Aye, there is definitely that benefit as well."

An eyebrow raised when she mentioned the reason her parents had not let her around horses. "Ah. Well that is a shame. Just a little bit of training and anyone can safely move around and work with horses." While he spoke, he headed off in the direction of the Avitar River. Lots of beautiful fields, followed by the meandering river. But more importantly where he was concerned, the path way did pass any of the Sylirian outposts which lay more to the north and south of the city.

Refocusing his attention back to Wanda he said in an almost proud voice considering it dealt with his family heritage. "Oh very much so! I've been riding since I was a small boy. My whole family actually are very much so interested in our horses. They are what allow us to more easily get to places to hunt after all. But really our horses are more than that to us. They are our best friends." He leaned forward a bit in his seat and patted the neck of his Strider. "Isn't that right boy?"

His horse neighed happily in response as they moved farther away from the city. It was then he began to realize how...open he was being. He'd have to be careful, lest this woman unknowingly discover who he is and where he truly comes from before they are far enough away. Trying to change the subject back to her, he asked, "So Wanda. What made you get into being a masseuse?"

[Wanda Endust]

It was a foreign sensation, sitting atop another living thing. Wanda had never thought anything much of the hooved beasts before, and she wasn't quite sure what to make of the experience. I guess you get used to the bumpiness, she supposed, noting "Aeyan"'s own ease.

The horse mosied along, and Wanda listened intently as the man described his family's relationship with the creatures. "Sounds like a nice way to grow up," she smiled. It was difficult to imagine a life like that -- being raised to be so closely attached to an animal.

She would've gone on to ask more questions -- What's his horse's name? Where was he raised where they had such an odd custom? -- but the man had continued before she could formulate her thoughts into words.

"So Wanda. What made you get into being a masseuse?"

His sudden change of subject caught her off guard, but she supposed that it was only fair to share more about herself after prying. "I don't really remember if it was one thing..." she began, looking across the landscape as she pondered. "I decided I wanted to do it a couple seasons after my dad -- " she hesitated, "passed." She didn't typically try to hide from her father's death, or even feel uneasy talking about it. She simply hadn't spoken of it in a while.

"I was feeling pretty sick, so I searched around for ways to relieve nausea and stumbled across some massage techniques!" She smiled but shifted, uncomfortable at having to leave out the reason she'd been feeling nauseous that day -- overgiving.

Then she broke into grin. "I guess it's like your family's thing? You guys feel connected to horses, I feel connected to massage? I dunno, it just kinda called to me." It was a bit of a stretch to compare the two, but it made sense in her own mind.

... but then her stomach rumbled.

"Oh," she gasped. If Wanda were easily embarrassed, she would have been just then. "I, uh, forgot to eat breakfast," she admitted sheepishly, casting a whimsical gaze ahead of the pair. "I guess we should turn back to town and get something." There was a reluctant note to her voice before she turned her attention back to the man. "Did you eat?"

[Viper]

Viper listened carefully to her words. Partly out of actual interest but also to try and detect any suspicions she might have about him. He half wondered if he was just being overly paranoid though. His nerves, just getting the better of him. After all, it's not like he had done anything...yet...His brain was screaming at him. It's not too late! Just turn around, go back and let her go. Nobody will be the wiser. His ability to force these thoughts to the back of his mind was quickly waining. He didn't HAVE to do this...surely he could help his people some other way. Then there was the people he had met here in Syliras. His friends, his...

Her pause, and then completion of her admition to her father's death brought his attention back to the conversation. He knew that kind of pain. The pain of losing a close loved one. It seemed lately, he couldn't hardly meet anyone without hearing a tale of some such loss. Such a depressing thing how so many seemed to have lost so much at relatively young ages. His mouth opened slightly as he sought out the right words to say. In the end, the only thing he could immediately come up with were the normal words of solace."I'm sorry to hear about your father...I too have lost loved ones. So I know how you feel." Then another thought came to mind. Something from his own experience in such matters."It is good you have found something to turn your focus onto though. I'm sure you find that it helps to at least deal with the loss better."

Not wishing to dwell on the topic any longer, he simply listened as she went on. "Aye, I can see that. Whatever makes you happy. In the end, that's really all that matters."

It was her final request and question that brought him almost to a point of being frozen. This was it... Does he turn back, or does he proceed with his sinister plan? Finding himself momentarily stricken and unable to decide a thought flashed through his mind. Rotating around some, he moved a hand to hold her there while his other hand reached into his pack. Amoment later, an apple appeared in his grasp along with a slightly out of place smirk. "Here ya go. We can go back in just a bit, I just wanted to take ya as far as the river since I'm assuming you don't get out this far. Sound ok?"

Oh gods help me...I'm pathetic. This has got to be the worst kidnapping attempt ever! At least so far they had escaped the city with no issues. Now if only he could keep her in the dark for his original intention for just a little while longer as he waits to see which side of his reasonings wins out...

[Wanda Endust]

The comforting words he'd offered were nothing new to Wanda -- people were always sorry when another's loved one died. What they had to be sorry about, Wanda wasn't sure. So she simply donned a lopsided smile and shrugged.

She raised a brow at his momentary pause after she'd voiced her hunger, unaware of his brief inner conflict. As he turned to his pack she peered over the man's shoulder, eager to see what he might produce. Food? Her grin broadened in delight as he offered her the fruit. "Well, that's awfully fortunate! Maybe I should hang around you more often,"she laughed. "That is, if you always happen to have something to eat!"

"Seriously though, thanks a bunch." It wasn't ordinary for a stranger to give free food to another. Though she certainly didn't consider her new friend a stranger. After all, they had known each other for more than five chimes, and that was enough for Wanda to become well acquainted with the fellow. Right?

Having found breakfast in her hands, Wanda only needed a split tick to contemplate his suggestion before nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me!" He was right, she really hadn't ever gone as far as the river before. In fact, they'd already made it farther from the city than she'd ever been able to on her own.

Really, at this point, his eagerness to keep her out should have made her suspicious. But he was such nice person: of course she had nothing to fear from him. Even his steed, which continued to side on at a comfortable pace, seemed so friendly. And the promise of exploration certainly didn't hinder her gung-ho attitude.

"Hey!" she exclaimed around a mouthful of apple. An idea had popped into that little blonde made of hers."Have you been anywhere besides that one place -- Zeltiva?" While she was in the company of a traveler she might as well glean as much information about the world outside of Syliras as she could, since she didn't often get the chance.

"If you tell me, I'll share a story," she bribed playfully, wiggling her eyebrows and elbowing his side.

[Viper]

Viper laughed jovially at her comment regarding staying around for the food. "Well if you find that impressive, I'll have to have you try some of my hunter's stew sometime....just don't ask what's in it." A snicker managed to escape his lips as he thought about all the different things he has added to his stew when out in the wild. Beggars couldn't be choosers after all. Though usually it was pretty good stuff, every now and again he'd find a failed item that he'd remember to NEVER use again. He really should probably just call it Hunter's Surprise Stew, the recipe changed so often. Pulling his thoughts back to the conversation he smirked, "But ya. Being prepared is pretty much necessity when out in the wild so much. ...And you're welcome." He finished with a soft laugh.

When she confirmed it was alright for him to proceed onward toward the river, his smile faded slightly. Being brought back to the reality of things had a way of doing that. He simply nodded with what remained of his smile and trotted forward. In truth it was her next query that wiped the smile out completely from his face. Though he had turned his gaze purposely so she wouldn't notice the gesture. A gentle nudge to his side and her playful tone, were enough to bring back as smirk as he thoughts about his next words very carefully. Playing for a few more seconds of time, he joked in as teasing of a manner as he could muster, "Hmmm...ok. But it better be a good one."

Viper paused, thinking on what he wanted to tell her. In truth, nothing on this topic. But the simple fact of the matter was she was going to figure out something was amiss soon if he kept being so secretive. He didn't have much more time left anyway, but he was grasping for every second here. "I'm afraid there is not much in the way of interesting places I can tell you about though. You see, I tend to be more of the country boy kind of person. My time here in Syliras has probably been the longest I have ever stayed in or so close to a big city in all my life."

Another pause broke into his story while he pondered on what else to say. He knew his last "story" would do nothing to slick her seemingly insatiable curiosity. So after another long moment he continued, cautiously. But still trying to maintain a casual tone and demeanor. "I did spend some time in Cyphrus. Beautiful country actually. Though full of many dangerous predators. Also a lot less trees out in the Sea of Grass. ...Obviously. But there are some beautiful winding rivers, and the lack of trees does provide one with many beautiful long range vistas and sunset viewings. I will say that has been one thing about getting used to this area. Having to learn all over about what to keep an eye out for has been interesting. It's kind of why I'm staying in Syliras. At least until I get better acclimated to the local wildlife."

Taking a breath, he turned to her with a smile, hoping that was enough of a still vague answer to satisfy her for now. And to keep her from asking another question so soon, he quickly followed up with his own comment for her. "Ok! Now it's your turn. I believe you promised me a story of your own, hmm?"