Kiera's dark eyes fluttered open, finding herself awakening in the inn room that she had bought for that first night. The King and Queen had, of course, offered her a guest room in the palace - an offer that she had decided to take them up on. She rose from the bed and gracefully moved about the room, bathing herself briefly before putting on the
new dress that she had picked up in the market on her way back to the inn. It was black and lovely, just as she was, and she paused before the mirror to admire herself before gathering together her belongings. She didn't have much, but what she had was of the utmost importance. The rest of her belongings had been left in her small home in Monadalia, which was locked and protected by a number of magical wards. She'd not dare let anyone steal the magical tomes and artifacts that she kept.
Once she was sure that there was nothing askew in the room and she had gathered all of her belongings, she left her room. She politely handed the room key back to the innkeeper behind the desk, giving them a curt thanks for the room, and then she made her way out of the inn. The sun was just rising over the town, and the town was beginning to fill up with people. Merchants with their goods were making their ways to their little stalls, the bakery she passed smelt strongly of fresh bread, and people - including herself - were starting to go about their days.
She stopped by one stall that had finished being set up, and she bought a bread roll, a pear, and a bottle of milk (-10g). She did need to eat, after all, and any decent mage knew that the first meal of the day was the most important. She seated herself on a bench and ate the bread roll, the occasional stares from passers-by not escaping her notice. She was accustomed to being stared at - it was why she had been such a recluse back in her old Kingdom, up until the war. She'd hidden away in her home, sent her young apprentice to buy her groceries from the market, and spoken only to those who sought her out for her expertise and aid. She seemed to be doing quite the opposite now - she was buying herself goods in the market, and she had sought out somebody who needed her aid.
She ate her pear, sipping the milk as she went, and then she tossed the core into one of the town trash bins. She admired that there were bins around the city dedicated to the disposal of trash - it showed that the King and Queen cared about the hygiene and cleanliness of their town and people. Standing from the bench, with her bag slung over her shoulder, she began to walk in the direction of the castle. She held the milk bottle in one hand and the bread roll in the other, taking occasional sips or nibbles as she walked on.
Elbauthin smiled at the other man, shaking his head as Crofton inquired as to whether or not he had a guest room. The house was small and humble, which was perfect for Elbauthin, but it wasn't perfect for entertaining company. Company wasn't something Elbauthin had often, but tonight he did, and he had to accommodate the other man as best as he could. He paused thoughtfully, eyeing the sofa and debating whether or not it would be a comfortable place for Crofton to sleep through the night.
Let me get some more blankets and pillows for the sofa, Elbauthin said finally. It occurred to him that he hadn't quite answered the other man's question so much as he had glossed over it and given an indirect answer, but it was no matter. He turned and headed into his own bedroom, opening up the doors of the small closet and pulling a short stack of blankets from the top shelf. He carried them out to the living room and set them down on the couch, figuring he'd let Crofton organize them as he wished in order to make himself the most comfortable.
It does get cold here at night, so I tend to cast a warmth enchantment over the house before I go to bed, Elbauthin said, gazing into the other man's dark eyes.
If it gets too warm for your comfort, just come and let me know and I'll weaken the enchantment for you. Is there anything else you'll be needing?
Rahil smiled at the sight of Venilia, clad in such a beautiful blue gown. It caressed and rippled around her body in a way that was flattering, yet modest at the same time. The turquoise colour looked stunning on her, and the simple knot into which she'd tied her dark hair showed off the unique, exquisite beauty of her face.
You look lovely, Rahil said to her as she approached.
Lovely enough that I almost forget you were covered in blood and dirt not long ago. Do you want to talk about what happened? Were you attacked? He doubted she'd done anything beneath the law - she was mysterious, but she didn't seem like a criminal. Although, Rahil could easily have just been blinded by his feelings towards her - he knew that he was developing them, after all, and wouldn't waste his time lying to himself. Whether or not she felt anything for him, of course, Rahil had no way of knowing. Taking her on as staff, though, would let him see her more - even if it was just to drink in the beauty of her before she left, he wanted to see her as much as he could. Getting to know her wouldn't be a bad thing, though, and maybe - just maybe - she would return his feelings. For now, though, he wanted to focus on making sure she was alright. She hadn't looked as though the blood was her own - perhaps she was a skilled fighter and had easily overcome her attacker? Perhaps she was some kind of secret creature, like a werewolf or a vampire, and she'd been out on a hunt? But no, such creatures fed at night, not in broad daylight - Venilia couldn't be anything but the human she appeared to be.
