When the rains come.. (Aliara)

by **Berend** on March 12th, 2015, 4:32 pm

It was midday, but inside the Pig’s Foot there was very little in the way of natural light. There was a storm brewing outside, hiding the sun’s light while rain showered and winds howled, beating at the weathered structure of the place. Berend could hear it all clearly from where he leaned by the entrance, occasionally getting sprayed a bit when someone barged in. He didn’t move though, because at least he had a corner behind him. The place was over-crowded, more so than usual, with most taking to standing by the bar for a drink, or by the door to see if it would ever let up out there. There wasn’t a seat not filled in the place, nor was there an idle hand.

Surprisingly, it had been a little quiet, with only a handful of fights breaking out, and usually over small things like a seat or something spilled. He didn’t have a seat, nor was he on the staff so he didn’t worry to much about it, but still occasionally he would look up from the dregs of his ale to watch anything that might trouble. Mostly though, he tried getting one of the women to come over to refill his cup. If he moved, someone was sure to take his comfortable little nook away from him, spray and all. So he leaned back against the wall, swirling the last little bit he had left around while calling out whenever one of the girls got near. One look at him though, and they moved on to other patrons, which only made him tighten his grip on the cup as he gave them the meanest look he could imagine.

He didn’t move from his spot though, and instead ended up releasing a frustrated sigh. It was getting boring in here, with him wondering why he even came all the way out here. Cause the common room didn’t have much in the way of drink was the obvious excuse, but against this press of people, he was quickly reconsidering his decision. With everyone all pent up together, it felt like only a matter of time before trouble would be coming his way, his fault or not, and why should he risk that for shyke service cause corner or not, it was coming. He could feel it.

Putting one foot in front of the other, he made of the bar, walking in the wake of someone just entering so as to make his way with little fuss. The press of flesh was even tighter her, but the man before him squeezed in, so he gave it a try, managing to get an arm through to the bar keep. Berend felt the cup taken away, and a miza pressed into his hand which he promptly closed his fingers around before extracting himself from the mess of people. His eyes settled on the exit, and stashing away the coin, he made for it. The rain poured, whipping almost sideways in the wind which had him hesitating a bit, but he kept walking. Better the danger you know then these folks at your back.

by **Aliara Cantrell** on March 13th, 2015, 8:52 am

Pigs Foot Tavern, 3rd of Spring 515AV

Spring, it was supposed to be the season of new beginnings and life but all it seemed to be was the season of rain, the very rain that was drenching Aliara from head to petching toe. Frowning deeply Aliara shivered, it was large cold rain making it worst for her mood. Every stepped splashed with either water in her shoes or water on the road, her leather jacket stopped some rain but Aliara still was miserable.

Today was going to be the day that Aliara was going to buy her rope and find somewhere to practice, the night before Aliara had asked a few of the sailors for a place to practice and most of them had suggested the old mansion that had burnt down, it would be a great idea if it wasn't raining enough to fill a dried lake. Rolling her eyes Aliara continued to pad along in the rain, it was like the start of a sad story or at least a sad person. Aliara was certainly that miserable that people would use her as the main character, or at least she wished.

It was a simple Left then right and she would only be a few streets away from The Drunken Fish, her home away from home but somehow she ended up staring into the windows of the Pigs Foot tavern. Even if it was a dingy, dark place the light inside was inviting, it sure as hell would be warming in there than outside.

With closer inspection Aliara saw how many people were actually in there, the servers were having to push their way through the crowd. A mental battle had began, she wanted to be warm and to start to dry, to not have her hair clinging to her face and to have her clothes not clinging to her skin. Fighting against being watched by unknown men and being pressed against such men.

A large gust of wind was what changed her mind, groaning Aliara moved towards the door and pushed. That was when she ran face first into a man departing. Falling to the ground Aliara pushed all her hair back from her face and frowned.

“Sorry.”

by **Berend** on March 21st, 2015, 3:03 am

Maybe he had been too intent on getting out, but he hadn’t seen her coming. Not even a glimpse, or patter of feet, just suddenly she was there where he was about to walk. Suddenly she was falling, and his foot slipped on something slick, sending him stumbling as well. His hands went for the threshold to catch himself, but still he landed hard on his knees. Clenching his jaw briefly, he looked up at the woman.

“Petch that” Gripping the frame, he pulled himself up, wobbling a bit when he got around to standing. “Petch it all, my fault or yours..”

Berend turned his back to her at that, thinking better of going back outside. It was hard pressing back through though, and more than one boot found his shin. After the first time, he took it slower, being a bit more guarded with his tender legs as he walked up to the bar.

“Something strong, yea?” He tried calling out over the din, waving a hand. No one even pretended to look his way, at least, not when he was looking. Fishing out a miza, he tried that instead, and spared a glance back towards the door, or if she followed him, he would look at her. Someone took the coin, him turning to see who only to see plenty of people behind the counter whom could have easily done it. “Strong” Berend repeated, feeling a little foolish while he looked around a little now to make sure he hadn’t just been robbed by one of his fellow patrons.

A futile measure, there were too many faces, too many hands with this or that for him to be properly sure. If the woman hadn’t followed him to the counter, he’d look for her now, though he didn’t expect to make her out in the middle of all of this with only the light of a few torches to go by. However, had she followed him, he would look at her again, clearing his throat before speaking.

“So which is it?”

oocI kept it kind of short, cause I ran into a lot of what if's, so if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a pm. Also, sorry for taking so long!

by **Aliara Cantrell** on March 31st, 2015, 8:27 am

‘Petch it all?’ huh? what was the man on about, for one thing Aliara was confused about whether she should feel offended or hurt. The man wasnt all that tall, like at all, Aliara was a lot taller than the average person standing at only an inch off of 6’ foot but he even was shorter than the average person she saw. It made her smile slightly, he was also a mess of blonde hair similar to her own, which was always in her face. Another thing Aliara noticed was his green eyes, they were an amazing shade that Aliara had always seemed to like. It was when he then turned around that Aliara frowned, he was leaving? not even holding the door for her? Jerk.

Aliara pushed herself up slowly and groaned, she was certainly going to be sick later as it was she was soaked to the bone. Passing through the door Aliara was immediately faced with the crowd of people reminding herself that it was still better than outside she shrugged off her coat.

That was when she saw her shirt was soaked through and of course she had worn the white one. Aliara could almost scream in annoyance, it was going see through! Shrugging her soaking coat back on Aliara crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the ground.

Pushing her way through the crowd Aliara kept her eyes to the floor hoping no one would notice her shirt, even as it was to get through to the bar she had to squeeze through so many people she didnt know which was an accident and which was someone actually trying to cop a feel. Either way Aliara was bright red by the time she literally ‘popped’ out of the crowd.

Groaning audibly Aliara continued to blush so deeply that she could feel the heat coming off her face, why was she so stupid! she should have worn a different shirt! no she was trapped in the most embarrassing situation and the most uncomfortable, the longer she stayed in this wet jacket the more chance she had of getting sick. When the man turned again Aliara had a better chance to look at him thats when she realise he looked no older than her! Raising her eyebrows at his question Aliara just glared and shivered.

“What?!”

by **Berend** on April 5th, 2015, 1:43 am

Berend hesitated a moment before releasing a drawn out sigh, scratching at a few wispy hairs on his chin that he liked to call stubble. Of course she had followed him, and now he needed to figure out what was required to settle this issue. He had hoped that maybe she might have been so put off as to avoid him altogether, but such was his lot tonight. His eye remained on hers for now, too distracted by circumstances to remember about checking her for any weapons in her hand. The thought was there, he did knock into her after all, but he wasn’t paying it any attention for the moment. His mind was on his possibly filched coin. Still, he had the composure to say something to answer her frustration.

“Something warm, or something strong?”

It was asked in that same tone as before, and without waiting for a response, he turned to the bar to gesture again. Berend got a wooden mug in response, pressed into his hand while he was looking the other way though he turned immediately to look at it. It was plain like the other cups in this place, and turning it over to look into its dark contents, he could see it wasn’t water but not much else in the flickering torchlight.

“Another, and make sure it softens the chill yea?” He called out as he held the cup up, and had a proper sniff of it. His nose promptly wrinkled at the smell which was nothing like ale, but a lot like how the earth smells after a good rain. “Make that two, and stop being funny alright?” At least it didn't look like he'd been taken for a fool. In a place like this, that might invite more trouble than it would avoid.

Berend turned towards her with that said, and held out the cup. “Not really my kind of swill, but your welcome to it starting you off. Cost me a pretty miza, so make sure its good!” He managed a bit of a smirk at that, whether she took the cup or not, and moved back a bit along the bar to make some space. “More than welcome to join this throng too if you like to be particularly quiet with your next demand” Better to get it over and done with so he could get on with his night. Shame things had to start off so ruff, but maybe he could make up for his losses here on the streets later.

by **Aliara Cantrell** on April 20th, 2015, 12:33 am

LHe seemed no older then her, the thought swirled around in her head, she rarely saw people of her own age around in the streets. It was almost refreshing, her sea blue eyes studied his frame and his face. She couldn’t see any weapons but she was distracted by her constant bone wrecking shivering. Keeping her arms crossed tightly to hide her shirt she frowned slightly at the question, there was an option? Funny.

“Both.”

It was a tad curt but Aliara didn’t care at this point, she was to preoccupied watching those around her for any signs that they would take advantage and strip her of her jacket and laugh. Her mind drifted to her Kukri in her boot.

She awkwardly gripped the cup, still attempting to keep her dignity, this was embarrassing to have this happen to her now of all times, when the bar is so full and so crowed. Taking a sip of the murky liquid Aliara felt the warm burn of the drink as it slid down her throat. At least it provided some warmth.

Taking another sip Aliara could feel it battling the icy feeling that was on her skin. It wasn’t very tasty however it was what she needed. Taking a mental note of the taste Alaira looked towards the crowded bar, she couldn’t even see the barkeep between the mass of bodies. The guy moved back to give her room to move into a gap in the crowd with him. Polite, Almost apart from the demand part.

“Aliara,”

by **Berend** on April 26th, 2015, 1:21 am

“Berend” He muttered rubbing a hand across his face as a man set two mugs in front of them, and then took a drink while glancing over at her. She is not her, was never her, or she would have mentioned it by now. “I’ve been here a while before this…” If she hadn’t grabbed for the mug yet, he’d slide it closer to her now. “so mayhaps be my wits are a little muddled” He took another drink, and twisted around to face her more directly, a little cider dribbling out of the corners of his mouth. “But I’ll make up for it, don’t you worry” So who was she and how?

His eyes strayed for a moment, causing a trace of red to brighten his cheeks before he looked back towards the bar, setting down his now emptied cup with a thunk. The inn keep was on hand this time to refresh his mug, and Berend gave him a silver rim for his trouble. He did not waste a moment either, draining the cup before daring to face her again. There was a game of dice going on over her shoulder, and he watched that instead of making eye contact. “At least I stayed. Could’ve went anywhere and left you in the dirt, but I kept to this stinking place” That last bit coming out softly as he suddenly wondered about that inn keep. No matter, what has been said has been.

“To start, you can borrow my cloak for a copper rim. Its rough spun, but better than nothing” He didn’t immediately move to take it off though, but did focus in on her face again, cheeks still tinged scarlet. “Or you could try getting close to the fire, see if it does anything for you. I could even find you a place, but for that I’d like to see gold. Some rough types over that way”

by **Aliara Cantrell** on April 26th, 2015, 5:18 am

A smile crept upon Aliara’s face as Berend cheeks began to burn, she was making someone blush? The thought made something bubble inside of her belly. Maybe he wasn't such a jerk, placing her empty mug on the bar Aliara retrieved the second mug and giggled softly. It was nice to just drink and relax with someone even if it was him making up for pushing her in the mud, her back was probably black now that she thought of it. Shaking her head at his comments she couldn't help but laugh at the drink dribbling down his chin, it was a light airy laugh that she hadn't laughed in a long time. It was almost care free.

Meeting his eyes Aliara could see his cheeks get pinker, Smiling wider Aliara rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. He was an odd ball but he was certainly lightening her mood. It was when he made the remark that he had stayed that Aliara frowned, he could have so why did he? she wasn't particularly the girl you stay to clean up. Deciding to ignore the remark to keep her high spirits Aliara just smiled and took another drink of her ale. He was blabbering on to her and Aliara just laughed,

“Its not that i’m cold, more that my shirt isn't particularly the shirt you’d want around me-”

She cut her sentence short as her eyes widened and she blushed a deep pink, she had just drawn attention to something she wished remained a secret. Aliara cursed inside her head and looked down at the floor. The next comment took her off guard however.

“Roughtypes? Youd want to protect me? That is so sweet of you! Most men know not to bother with me…”

To prove her point Aliara swooped down and pulled the Kukri out of her boot, carefully to keep her jacket closed, and let the blade catch the glint of the candles. Sliding it back into her boot she smiled slightly and peered over the crowd at the men he was referring.

“Hang on… I work with them…”

Aliara pulled a face. That was even worst.

by **Berend** on April 29th, 2015, 2:30 am

Bringing a empty cup to his lips, Berend smiled as he considered what she said, trying with some effort to keep his eyes on hers. “Well, my cloak won’t cling to you either” The words came out before he had much chance to think about it, and now, he was glad for the cup in the way. It gave a funny lilt to his words, but at least it shielded some of his uncomfortableness from her. “Not that I’ve been particularly looking of course” He set aside the cup before looking back over the bar, wondering about ordering another drink, but he held off on that till he heard what she had to say on what to do.

If he was going to have to go into that group, he’d rather not be too impaired, and yet it seems he shouldn’t have worried as the lady seemed to have come prepared by her tone. His eyes followed her movements as he leaned in closer, but he was quick to move back into place when she produced her blade so quick. “Thats a funny looking dagger you got there. It work well?” He thought of his own dagger, tucked by the small of his back into the waist of his breeches, and quite inconvenient to get a hold of if he needed it. Made him think he should probably be more polite with this one, because she sounded a good deal more confident with hers than he felt with his.

Berend resisted looking at the group though, still caught up in her display, and the uncomfortably new information of her actually knowing those folks. “Wait, you know.. Well shyke, I certainly didn’t mean anything by my looking. I blame it on the drinking, a real problem it is, ye know?” His sentences came out half mumbled as he pushed away from the bar, and took a moment to look around a bit to make sure no one was coming his way. “Yea, yea, nothing by it.. Anyways, I’m going to get some fresh air. I’ll be outside when you think on how I might make it up to you, you know?”

Hesitantly, he started moving away towards the door, occasionally looking around. It suddenly was quite hot in the room, and his cheeks burned as he slowly backed away, reluctant to look away from her till he was at the threshold, the sound of rain so loud in its hammering against the door that it was hard to make out what anyone was saying. Which made it a better place to settle up things with her as she’d be less like to call her friends on him, and with that in mind, he would step outside after a brief wave to her if she did not follow him to the door.

Maybe he could run if things got out of hand.

by **Aliara Cantrell** on May 7th, 2015, 4:16 am

Mortified Aliara pulled her jacket closer and frowned softly, so it was obvious. Crossing her arms tightly Aliara moved her gaze to behind the bar. The pig’s foot was set up differently to the Drunken Fish, the bar at the pig’s foot had beautiful glasses and bottles behind the keeps head but at the Drunken fish they would probably be smashed by the keep at some point.

“N-no thanks…”

Aliara noticed his attention to her blade and the frown slowly turned into a smile filled with mischief, if only he knew about her cutlass. Think back to her favourite blade Aliara wondered if she should have brought it with her. She wasn’t as skilled with her Kukri and the blade still felt awkward in her hands. This boy, Berend, was a weird one. He would be making cracks about Aliara’s shirt and then he would concave on his own confidence so when he pushed away from the bar Aliara frowned again.

“Oi?”

Her words were lost in the crowd as she watched him walk out, he didn’t take her eyes off her till he was at the door, unable to help herself Aliara blushed. Turning back to the bar Aliara screamed over the general noise at the keep and made an order. Turning back to the door Aliara began to ponder, was this what is was like to hang out with someone her own age? Smiling again Aliara decided she liked it.

A tap on her shoulder informed her that her meal was ready. Dumping a few silver miza’s on the bar Aliara grabbed the plate and began to elbow her way to the door. There was a little voice in her head that suggested maybe he ran off? Maybe Aliara had offended him. The closer she got to the door the louder the rain became, it was as if the rain was chucks of ice with the way the exploded on the ground. Finally pushing her way out of the door Aliara was surprised there wasn’t a pop or some sort. Looking down at her meal of meat, gravy and bread Aliara was relieve to see it still intact and looking delicious.

“Berend?”

A was a quiet call as Aliara began to look around hoping to see the boy with the stubborn hair.

PM to join When the rains come.. (Aliara)