The Reunion of Childhood Friends

[Zen]

Her father had been the one who forced Hoi into being a barmaid at the Miner's Pickaxe tavern. To this divergence of her career path, Hoi took it none too well. Her mother didn't like it either but when she uttered a word to protest, her husband's hand met her cheek. To protect her mother, Hoi begrudgingly took the job. Every night she would be at the tavern, giving drinks to the miners who left work and to any travelers that came through their town. This was the only solace Hoi could find with her work. Listening to the stories of faraway folk and all of their adventures - this was her drink of choice. However it gave her great pangs because then she would be reminded that she could have pursued that way of life if only her parents allowed her to stay in school.

Unlike the rest of her family, Hoi possessed magical powers. Her mother claimed it was because of Hoi's birth. Both Hoi's parents were stranded at sea when her mother suddenly went into labor. Their boat was slowly capsizing when the baby was born, and thanks to a miracle, a massive wave brought the family of three to shore and into this mysterious land. Hoi found this tale oddly amusing since she was named after the ocean and her powers centered mainly around water.

"Heard the news yet Hoi?" asked Rita, the owner of the tavern. She had lush brunette hair that fell in ringlets around her face.

"What news?"

"Got some soldiers coming home tonight. Definitely gonna be busy. You know what they're like don't you?"

"Rowdy and talkative," came Hoi's curt reply.

"Aye, and they haven't laid eyes on a lady in god knows how long. Make sure you have your knife handy, in case one of them tries to be brave."

Hoi's hand patted her thigh. Underneath her skirts was a dagger that she kept handy for such events like this.

"You tidy up and be ready. I'll be in the back taking inventory."

 

[Kino]

The sun had just started to set when the small horse drawn convoy rolled into town. Three wagons carrying a group of soldiers and their belongings rolled into the middle of town and stopped to unload some of it's passengers. Seven of the men hopped off of the wagons with belongings in hand, and turned to give their goodbyes to the remaining men on the wagons before they began moving again, headed off to the next town until all of them made it home.

The Seven of them were greeted by various townsfolk. Mostly their families, but also the families of those who had not returned. Only seven out of nearly thirty men came home, and with them, the burden of informing the families of those who had not. They had all been drafted into service 8 long years ago to fight the war. Though they had achieved victory, it had not come without a hefty price. Some time was spent being greeted, and delivering condolences to those less fortunate of families.

It wasn't long though until the men were treated to a well deserved time of relaxation and merriment. A few were pulled away by reunited lovers for a night of private celebration. The rest made their way to the local Tavern. The Four of them entered as one of the younger soldiers gave out a loud celebratory shout, letting everyone know that they had returned victorious. The others simply entered with a hardy smile, just happy to finally be back. They were still wearing their uniforms, making it impossible not to be recognized by the locals, who all immediately stood up in the tavern and greeted them with a round of applause and praise. Two of them appeared to be soaking it all up, bathing in the praise and attention. The other two, Mason and Riley, seemed a bit uncomfortable with it. They didn't feel like being praised for being soldiers. Perhaps they deserved it, but they might disagree. They had been drafted the earliest in the town, and saw all the horrors that war had to offer. Those who knew him would recognize that Mason's younger brother Kipp, who had also been drafted at the same time, was not with them.

After the locals quieted down and took their seats, letting the tavern get back to business, Mason and Riley made their way over to the bar, and took a seat next to eachother. They had only been acquaintances before they got drafted, but the war had made them into close friends.

 

[Zen]

As expected, the tavern was in an uproar when the soldiers came home. Hoi winced as the cacophony rose to unbearable levels. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rita poke her head out of the inventory room to see who all had come home. The woman's face was expressionless; she had lost her son in the war as well and Hoi knew how much it hurt to see the rest of the families reunited with their loved ones.

"Aw to hell with it, we'll pay for a round or three for you soldiers. Think of it as a welcome home gift!"

And off Hoi was, loading up tankards, pints, and pitchers full to the brim with drinks. Within the chaos however she made sure to keep tabs on who was paying for what drink. Rita was very adamant on making sure every drink that went out was paid for, not that Hoi could blame her. She'd seen what the brewery had to go through to make the drinks.

Hoi wasn't quite sure what it was that made her look up, she was busy making drinks after all, but her gaze rose and she locked eyes with someone familiar.

"Mason?"

Mason Cross, the man she took for dead years and years ago. She almost didn't recognize him, after all the last time they spoke he didn't look so... Hardened. She remembering him looking much more cheery. Back then the both of them were the best of friends, practicing their magic with each other or going out to the lake to swim, or hunting for their families. To Hoi that past was highly cherished. It was the war that tore them apart and Hoi remembered that being the staring point for her miserable life.

Before another word could be spoken between the two of them, two other people walked in. It was Hoi's father and an officer. The officer came as no surprise to the townsfolk, but Hoi was always apprehensive. Unlike the soldiers who were a rowdy bunch, the officers tended to be cold and hard. It was hard to make a sale with such people, let alone talk. The two of them strolled over next to Mason and Riley and without even batting an eyelash at his daughter, Hoi's father, Lo Fu, ordered drinks. Aware that Mason and his comrade were watching her work, Hoi covered the bruise on her upper temple with her hair.
[SPOILI]

[/SPOILI]

 

[Zen]

(After some verbal roleplay. >.>)

When Mason finishing warning the town guard about Lo Fu's presence the guards were left in disbelief. While they had all admitted that Lo Fu had a temper to him, they never would have thought the old mage would chain up his daughter. But after Mason's insistence the guards agreed to keep a watchful eye out.

And back at Mason's home Hoi was busy absorbing every single word from her book, every now and then glancing up at her mother. The elder woman looked like she was resting peacefully, but Hoi's book warned her that a patient could make a turn for the worst. Mason checked up on the two of them every now and then, Hoi barely acknowledging that he was in the room. But after several hours and a crick in her neck, Hoi decided to take a break and walked out to the living room.

"I'm almost positive it's an enchanted sickness."