Closed And So We Meet Again [Tourmal]

[Jasper Rainsong]

10th of Winter,513AV

Jasper wasn't entirely sure what she was doing, or why she was doing it, for that matter. It was nearing mid-afternoon and she was leaning against the outer wall of a tavern, eyeing people as they walked past and returning curious glances with glares. She was waiting for a Knight, or a Squire, or really anyone carrying any type of weapon. Sighing she glanced down to the white dog sitting patiently at her feet. Pips ears perked up at his masters attention and his tail whacked at the ground a few times. Some of the tension seeped out of her shoulders as he moved to sit on her foot. Jasper looked up just in time to see a burly older man passing with a heavy broadsword hanging off his hip.

"Excuse me!" she called loudly in Common, stepping forward quickly and cutting the man off. He took a step back to look at her, disgruntled. "Could you help me with some directions sir?" She asked. The mans look of shocked confusion faded and he nodded agreeably.
"Of course miss, where do you need to go?" Jasper frowned and shrugged her shoulders. "To be honest its less that I need directions and more that I needed to find someone." She continued quickly as the mans confused look started to return. "He's a weapon smith, I noticed your sword and decide that you were my best bet..." Jasper trailed of and bit her lip as she looked down at her feet, attempting to look innocent. The man sighed and she looked up, eyes bright. "Well, the largest smith we have is The Ironworks, your best bet is to look there, they employ the majority of the metalworkers. It's that way." He replied pointing. Jasper smiled at him. "Thank you." She murmured before turning and hurrying away, Pip close at her heels.

It took Jasper less than half a bell to find The Ironworks and she only had to stop and ask for directions (actual directions this time) twice. She took that as a sign of success for someone who had been in a city with actual buildings all of three times. She stopped at the door and struggled with herself for a moment. I haven't seen Tourmal for what? Three years? Nearly four? He probably doesn't even remember me, and if he does he probably remembers me as some annoying little girl who bugged him every chance she got! Jasper frowned and looked down at Pip, his big brown puppy eyes seemed sympathetic. Jasper took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, her resolve hardening. That's enough dithering like a brat with mud on her dress. she scolded herself, marching forward and shouldering the door to the smiths open. The man behind the counter glanced up at her as she entered and straightened, mouth opening. "I'm looking for Tourmal Firemane." She cut him off, glancing around as though she might see him lurking around the entrance. "Does he work here?" She questioned. The man furrowed his brows at her in irritation. "It's important." Jasper added. The man rolled his eyes, turning away. "I'll go get him." He mumbled, opening a door behind the counter. Jasper turned away as he left and put her hand over her face in surprise. I didn't really expect him to be here! I didn't think this through to what I'd say if he was actually here! She groaned and ran a hand through her hair before letting it drop to her tulwar, the action familiar and mildly comforting. "I'm so screwed." She grumbled to herself as she waited, idily wondering if she could leave without looking suspicious.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 10, 513 AV The morning was a tough one. Tourmal was tasked to craft 5 axes. They had to be done in 5 days. It was a common occurrence for him. Normally, he and the others were tasked to make long swords. Being a staple for he new squires. There had been a large increase lately. For some reason many people thought it would be best to aid in the defense of the fortress city of Syliras. Tourmal was hammering away at the ax head. Hammering one side into a curved blade. They were normal war axes with small heads. One side with a curved blade and the other had a spike. The design was simple, he had been given it the day before so he could think out how he would form the metal. The first head had taken a long time to get hot enough to form. Much longer than the swords. However once heated it kept its heat much longer too, until he thinned it out a bit. He had yet to shape the back end into the spike. So for now it was still square and blunt. But the blade was mostly done. Tourmal plunged the blade back into the forge and hit the bellows for a few chimes warming the hot steel. Then he continued his work. Hammering here and there. Until it had fit the design he was given. Tink, tink, tink, tonk. When he hit the blade its softness made a lower sound than when he tapped the anvil. He like many others kept their own rhythm as they hammered away at their projects. The rhythmic tapping helped pass the time sometimes putting the smiths into a trance. And as hey worked the bells passed like chimes and chimes like ticks. They would take breaks to compare their work with their designs. All except for the best of them that is. Those would sometimes work off the cuff. Coming up with their design as they worked, making custom pieces. Tourmal was no exception he followed the designs given to him and once his work was better he would be allowed to make custom pieces too. Generally you had to be an expert at least to do so. Which was something that he would have loved to attain. He had only met a few experts and only one master in his craft. But that would soon end with him rising to their ranks. The man hammered away elongating the cutting edge of the ax more and more. Taking breaks only to hold it up to the design. He didn't want to make it too thin or long. If he did it would be useless and his work would end up taking much longer than he anticipated. 'Five axes in Five days.' He thought shaking his head. The man hammered a few more times and held it up to the paper. “Good” he said The blade was where he wanted it to be. “Firemane!” one of the men shouted. “Firemane!” Tourmal looked up towards the voice calling his name. The man stopped approaching and waved the Drykas over. Tourmal stopped his work and lay it down on his work bench. He would continue it later. He walked over to the other man calling his name when he was close enough. The other said “Ye've got a visitor.” He motioned over to the entrance. Tourmal wondered who it could be. Orion? Alevadra, that hot knight he met seven days past. “She is a looker too.” Tourmal was sure it was Alevadra, and was surprised considering she had not been the least affected by his advances at the tavern. Maybe she had a change of heart, or maybe she needed some work done to her weapon. He hoped it was the former and hurried to the sales room. When he walked in he wore a smile expecting to see the blue haired knight. But when he looked at the face on the woman in front of him, his smile vanished being replaced with a look of confusion. He stared for a few ticks. “Jasper?” He he kept his gaze fixed on her. “Is that really you?” He came from behind the counter. “What are you doing here?” He paused then it hit him, something must be wrong. “Is everything ok?” He motioned for her to come to him “Come here.” And opened his arms for a hug. The once girl had grown into a beautiful woman yet he still had more friendly feelings than romantic at the moment. It had been a few years since they had seen each other, the two had spent most of a summer training in their weapons, because at that time she wanted to be part of the Watch. Since then he had not seen hide nor hair of her when he returned to Endrykas she had already left somewhere else. And now here she is out of nowhere. He was lost in how to take this situation. All he wanted to do was comfort her, sure that she felt lost and alone after whatever it was she had gone through.

[Jasper Rainsong]

At the sight of Tourmal Jaspers chest felt suddenly tight. She rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder. "God's I've missed you!"She sighed, pulling back slightly to cast an eye over him. He looked the same, mostly, maybe a bit broader in the shoulders."I... I didn't really know where to go... I couldn't stay in Endrykas, I just couldn't stand it there anymore." She glanced up at him, a small frown pulling at her lips. "I really did miss you. I wasn't even sure you'd still be living here."

Rubbing her face she stepped back, folding her arms across her chest and looking away. She had felt tired before, but seeing Tourmal now was doing wonders on her mood. She smiled gently and ran a hand through her hair. "So, long time no see, huh? How's everything going?" She asked, taking a step back. She wondered if she was welcome here, or was she an annoyance from his past that he didn't want to deal with. What if he has a family? She wondered, frown returning. I don't want to mess with his life... Seeming to ignore his owners concerns Pip wondered forward, dutifully sniffing Tourmal's shoes before jumping up to beg for a pat.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 10, 513 AV The woman ran forward and wrapped her arms around the mans neck. “I've missed yeh too.” She leaned back and looked him over. “What do you think? Like what you see.” He smiled. He listened to her as she explained how she had left Endrykas, and then reiterated how she missed him and how she didn't know if he was still here or not. “Yes I'm still here everything is going to be fine. The woman backed up in a defensive position arms crossed. Tourmal wondered what was going on in her head something seemed wrong. “Yea, it's been a while. Everything is fine, doing the same thing as always. Lots a hammering.” The large man said. 'Iron women and mead' he thought to himself. This was something he did not plan to share with Jasper. She looked up to him kinda. Truth be told he wanted her to look up to him, and because of that he didn't share his less than respectable reputation with her. “You look great!” he said surprised “All grown up” He gave her another look over. “And filled out I see.” That last part just kinda escaped without him realizing it. She had filled out. Last time he saw her she was still forming into a beautiful woman. Now she was finished. A master piece is he ever did see one. Her slight curves had become more exaggerated. Nice hip to waist ratio and her bosom was larger in size too. Her legs were more full. And her bottom still perky, just more filled out. “Wow.” The man said with a sigh. As Jasper frowned Tourmal shook his head realizing he had gotten off topic. “I'm sorry where are my manners? How are you doing?” He asked earnestly thinking, 'Yeh can stay with me.' Just then he noticed the dog that was in their company. It came forward and sniffed him. “And who is this?” The smith knelt down and gave him a good scratching behind the ears. “What's yer name fella?” he said before scratching the dog along its jaw line and down its neck. “Yeh like that donchya.” After he was done he stood up straight. “Well we can stand here all night and stare at each other or we can catch up at the Rearing Stallion.” He said. “It's me favorite place ta unwind.” he looked at her. “But first.” The man walked out of the room for a bit and put most tools away leaving his unfinished ax on the work bench to cool down naturally. He would pick up the task tomorrow and no one would bother with his work. This might put him behind a bit but it was worth it. The man returned with his hood, cloak, gloves, scarf and brooch. Then threw the cloak over his shoulders fastening it with his golden brooch he got from his father, then he threw his hood over his head attaching it to his cloak. Lowered his hood and wrapped his scarf around his neck and donned his gloves. “Yeh ready?” He said as he grabbed her hand.

[Jasper Rainsong]

Jasper smiled gently, shoulders relaxing slowly and face warming with the complements and her blush turned on full blast at the murmured 'Wow." Though it had been a fair while since the two had seen each other she hadn't spent much time socializing with any one other than her family, and certainly no other men that were interested in her.

"I'm okay," she answered to his query, shuffling her feet slightly. "everything here is so different from home though, I'm kind of overwhelmed." She admitted, pushing her hair behind her ear and looking at her feet. "Ah, this is Pip." She said, smiling fondly as the dogs eyes drifted shut with pleasure at the attention he was receiving.

"Sure." She replied, smiling gently in agreement, eager to have some time to socialise and relax in his familiar presence. She waited patiently and pulled her own scarf from where it was hanging out of her pocket. She wound it around her neck and pulled her coat tighter as she followed him as she was lead outside.

"So, how have you been, personally, since the last time we saw each other?" She asked curiously, tugging on his hand to ensure he was listening. "How does life compare here?" She wondered, looking up at him expectantly.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 10, 513 AV Jasper said she was fine, and spoke of her feeling of Syliras. “Yeh Syliras can do that to yeh. I felt the same when I came here.” When he started petting and talking to the dog, she told the man it's name. “Pip” that's fitting. The woman was ok with the two leaving to the Stallion. As he returned she was all ready to go. He grabbed her hand and the two walked outside. Jasper asked how he was doing personally. He wasn't sure what the “personally” meant. But either way he wouldn't get too in depth of his lingering desire to find someone he can settle down with. Mainly because his other side which enjoyed physical interaction with the opposite sex completely overshadowed it. “I'm doing just fine here. Me job is great just got it back, and I'm meetin new people...” Tourmal's face grew just a bit more serious then. “Get's a bit lonely from time to time, but nothing I can't handle.” he said with a smile. “It's much colder, thas fer sure.” He looked at her. “I get a lot of work done so I can get better at me job.” The man paused uncomfortably. Unsure what to say next. “The mead is a bit weak, but it does the job.” The two walked through the stone corridors. Turning here and there. At one point Tourmal said, “Sorry for not asking you how you are personally, I'd rather keep talking inside where it's warm.” They kept walking quickly. Until they approached the building. When they got closer the color of the sign became visible and shortly they could see the stallion emblazoned on its face. The man reached for the door nob and upon opening it the warmth rushed out blasting his face nearly burning, it had gotten so cold. The sun had set and the temperature was plummeting. He held the door open for Jasper and then shut it behind her. When he turned around everyone was looking at him a few recognized his face others didn't. Those closest to the door scowled at him for letting the cold in. He stared back daring them to do something. His stature saved him many times from being messed with and thankfully this was one of those times. “There, at the bar.” He pointed. “The two seats. Let's sit there” He said. The man dropped his hood and unwound his scarf from around his neck after taking off his gloves. He kept his cloak on and put the rest in a pocket on the inside of it. The two sat down and Tourmal looked at Jasper. “Would you like a drink?” He said pulling out one gm and placing it on the counter. “or maybe something to eat?”

[Jasper Rainsong]

Jasper smiled gently, nodding and laughing when he mentioned the mead. "I'll keep that in mind." She replied smirking. She was beginning to loosen up now that she was with Tourmal, he was familiar and stable and she knew she could rely on him and trust him. Surprisingly enough to Jasper he hadn't changed as much as she had feared.

Despite this Jasper still felt odd and enclosed in the stone passages of Syliras, after growing up in Endrykas and spending the majority of the past year travelling the sudden and complete loss of wide open planes the difference was nearly jarring.

Jasper observed the handful of glares directed at them impassively. These Sylirans might like to this they're tough and scary, but they've got nothing on a angry Strider. She thought to herself. Untangling her scarf Jasper shoved it into her pocket and perched herself at the bar carefully, taking in her surroundings quickly. "A drink would certainly be welcome." She replied, reaching for her own coin purse to pay her share as the bartender approached them.

[Tourmal Firemane]

Tourmal, Winter 10, 513 AV The woman slowly grew less tense as they continued on their trip to the tavern. Tourmal was relieved. He didn't want the mood of their encounter to be tense. It felt good having someone familiar around again. Besides Orion an old drinking friend of his he hadn't many people he could rely on in the city. When Jasper said she wanted a drink and reached for her coin purse. The man reached over and pressed his hand atop hers. He shook his head “Let me treat you... Really.” He looked at the woman. “You have made a long trip the least I can do is buy you a few drinks.” He motioned for the bartender and waited for him to come near. As he was waiting. The man looked at the familiar face he had seen so long ago. “Wow, It has been a while now hasn't it? You were working on joining the Watch, and I was still just working on me smithing back then.” He looked back and the tender was walking their way. “Split the coin between the two of us and tell me when we run out please.” Tourmal turned to Jasper “What would you like to drink?” “I'll have the usual” He told the bartender. After the man got their orders he walked back taking the gold coin with him tucking it in a pocket then continued with his work. The smith turned back to his friend, “What ever happened to joining the Watch?” The man asked in all earnestness eyes focused on the woman next to him ears open, as he listened carefully.