Food and Warmth

[maiden]

At last Ostia! Her original path had been to Etruria but the area between there and Sacae seemed to risky to continue travelling down. While this was a smaller area it was known that these cities ruled by lords lacked the one thing they intended to avoid, bandits! Some how Rayl and herself had the misfortune of attracting those bandits, and the poor cleric had in a sense been molested by those men's eyes.

Persephone had done the deed of asking for directions, since a man asking often lead to belief they were in desperate situations. Heck if her father would ever ask directions, he'd kindly remind his wife he had the instincts of a wolf, while she would only sigh and roll her eyes and sneaking into the air to figure out where he had gotten lost. Down the street and to the left in Ostia they would be brought to an inn, one that had stables where Rayl and Persephone's steeds could rest for the evening.

Meals would be bought with the rooms but that was just a minor detail. They would get beds and a meal for the evening, and Persephone could sigh a bit in relief to see a bed again. One had to remember the luxery she had been living in before deciding to take the path of mercenary duty. The inn would be their setting, and Persephone had since snuck an apple out for Ayriss to eat already in thanks for the help this day. Persephone had returned to sit herself down at a table, and ordered her first meal since leaving home.

"At last..." She sighed happily as the food was brought out.

[Rayl Torien]

Beds...something the cavlier had missed, as he sat down facing across from Persephone,"Lady Persephone...due to which of recent events I do believe we should seek shelter within another group, safety in numbers...and also, I can tell this is a new experience for you, being surrounded by us common, possibly drunken, folk, dining on food that probably isn't as great as you would feast on in your great halls up in castle Ilia, sleeping in makeshift beds...heh, you in for a biiig surprise!" it was obvious he was both annoyed and yet happy, as he was really describing what he experienced often and rather enjoyed...not the luxurious part, but the crude and yet comfortable part,"So...is this your first time in an inn like this...?" he asked, as he held up a hand, a mug being placed before him, as well as a plate with some meat on it, which was rather burned,"You know...when I was a kid, often dreamed of living a life of glory and fortune, living as a king amongst men...but...then I'd miss out on all this-"

It was right here someone, ducking under a punch, knocking over the cavalier's mug, who then watched as the brawl ensued, and he rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help but laugh, as this was the real reason why he loved inns so much: random fighting,"Excuse me for a moment..." he nodded to them both, before he walked into the fray, disappearing amidst the chaos, to order another drink: like he really would get into a fight with the wound in his side, but he decided to keep that hidden from the others, not wanting them to worry, as he headed on back with his new drink, before finding him meal gone,"...Ok, which one of you ate that...?" he complained, before chugging the contents of the mug, then wiping his face with his arm, before realising the two ladies infront of him, who probably wern't used to poor manners,"Oh...uhh...sorry...?"

[Alcibie]

A town was nice, but those other two still were not up to full health and had easily brushed off needing to be healed and instead went straight on with their business. Alcibie had stayed in the lobby of the inn for a while. She had been tempted to find the church, but she really did not want to go out at night.

She was shocked they had a place open rooms. All she had to do was heal the boy who had broken his arm and free board for the three of them. She wanted to heal the girl too, but she resorted to just telling her to buy things on her next shopping trip. It seemed the two of them were getting married next month.

The boy was to inherit the local carpentry shop, which is a good marriage for an inn in this shape. It was not a bad place, it just needed some work. The girl whose future husband she heal was now talking her ear off. She was seriously making Alcibie consider never getting married. If Alcibie turned into that before her wedding she just was not going to…ever.

“Oh, I am sorry I mean you came from Etruria, and you healed my Jonny. You must be tired. Oh there are your friends!” The girl pulled me off of the chair and over to the other two. Why does not one give me a choice in anything? She dropped my off beside the two of them and ran away. I saw her twirl around a few times and I just sighed. She was energetic. Free room and a meal, you would think I had healed then entire town. Obviously one groom was more important, especially a carpenter with two working hands.

Now I was sitting in between my two guards in the middle of this place. I have lived every day up until now just fine, but it appeared these two thought differently. I swear if I got up right now they would both follow after me. Rayl was drinking a tad to fast for my likings and the bar tender had completely ignored my request for gin. Bah I guess the old man was right certain expectations come with being a cleric.

…Salad he brought me a salad…

I do not care about the ale, or the stealing, or the fighting, but so help me I want MEAT!

OOC:...Dang.

[maiden]

Persephone stared at the food for a moment, what sort of meal was this. What manner had been cooked? Looked like it was a meal meant for the hounds back home. However as a Lady of Ilia she retained her manners and dignity by not saying a single word about it. Her eyes were simply fixated on it trying to decipher what had been used as the key ingrediants, and she looked towards Sir Rayl with a curious expression what he was up to. This was a mistake on her behalf it would seem, as he was indulging upon the 'fine drinks' and 'warm hospitality' the place had to offer.

The pegasus knight it could be said, was biting her tongue at all of this. Had her mother every once ended up in a place like this during her travels? If so she hadn't mentioned it, or it had been such a terrible memory she had repressed in the back of her mind so it was to never come out once more.

As Rayl walked away she watched the quick handed cleric perform a nice little switcharoo with the meals, and Persephone said not a word. In place of the steak was now a salad in its place. Looking up at the man who was whiping his mouth with his sleeve, a white brow quarked slightly, "You can assume this is my first time in such a place," Her eyes shifted to the cleric for a moment as sudden cat-calls and whistles were heard, So help me if they so much as touch me...

On the outside she remained pleasant but that inner sanity of hers was starting to be chistled away at by this room. Had fighting the bandits been a safer choice then this, "I am not used to men indulging in such activities of bonding, where I come from two mean beating each other means an entirely different thing then friendship." Refering to the fight that had gone from two angry drunk men, to two men now sobbing blaming the world for their problems and confiding in each other. What a strange place the world was. Though as the tavern wench passed by Persephone's eyes widened a little, she was strutting around with a top that was too small, and certain features were way to accented.

Ilia must be a town full of saints compared to Ostia

[Rayl Torien]

Rayl stared at the salad that now sat before him, before frowning,"Hey..." then looking over to his mel that was now before the cleric, he was about to take it back, when he too watched the lady go by, then shook his head, remembering the whole uniform incident, and decided to just stop and watched the expression on her face, reading her like a book,"Lady Persephone, are you alright...? Do you per chance believe that you are...too good for people like myself...?" he was now testing her, to see how she would react to a question like that, before watching the fighting again, and, without looking back to them, he continued," and if either of you are asked who you are, just say your my siblings, just so, well...I don't want them to hound you like a hunter does his prey, alright? Unless...you like that sort of thing..." he was often annoyed by such incidents, as he quickly switched his plate back with the cleric's,"Oh, and if your traveling with me, you should know one thing: don't try to steal my meals and especially my cook book, alright?" he smirked, before he stood up from the table, taking his plate with him, just incase, before walking over the bartender, but due to all the fighting, you couldn't hear him, but you could tell he was yelling...

a moment later, a plate of meat was before the cleric, as Rayl then headed up the stairs to find their rooms...mybe now they could get their much needed rest, and then they could possibly find another group of mercenaries to join up with...

[Alcibie]

The Knight was looking to her. She just smiled back, too slow. Her speed had been the key to the entire maneuver and she had to say she was proud of herself. The church always talked about places like this. Full of sin, lust, and in Alcibie’s opinion pure entertainment. I mean where else could she see the poor Pegasus Knight turn a shade of purple while gaping at the bar maid. She would be sure to recommend a certain combination of herbs promoting weight loss for that girl.

“I have no interest in your cook book, Rayl. I just do not like people deciding things for me.” Seems Alcibie was wrong. Rayl just gave her another look taking the plate and leaving. Alcibie smiled and the bad girl came up to her.

“Hey there cutie…” The bar maid was talking to her. The girl had to be joking. There was a perfectly half drunk knight who had just left and she was hitting on me. Tell me there was a hunk of a man standing behind me because I refuse to believe the girl was talking to me. “So tell me is healing all that your staff can do?” Woah! Back off lady, your boobs do not need to be in my face.

“Sorry all I can do is heal wounds, but I am sure some of these upstanding gentlemen would be more than happy to help you with your other needs.” Get the heck away from me or I will show you what my heal staff can do. I will beat you with it. The girl seemed to pout at me and I smirked.

“Told you so, you prick.” The girl called out getting out of my face. “Give me my money.” The bar maid walked over to another man who gave her a few coins which magically disappeared into a bag between her *cough*. Seems the girl won some sort of bet. It would be nice to get some more money or at least work up some skills. Wait…I wonder if there is an Arena here. Probably go look for one tomorrow. If Rayl could move tomorrow…I wonder if I could swipe some of his booze too…

The bar maid looked back to me and I looked at Persephone. I was getting out of here and back to the room. I did not want anyone following me. I guess I should invest in a darker robe for down the line. White is not the color to make a stealth exit in.

[maiden]

Her meal was something that she still couldn't quite bring herself to eat yet. Simply poking at it with the utensil she was expected to eat with it. Sighing a little then looking towards Rayl at his question her eyes widened a little in surprise at such a question. Too good for people like himself? Persephone considered herself above no one, but certain human behaviors like this drinking and brawling she didn't understand. Her father had always told her men who lost came to places like this to drown their sorrows, or find a good fight to vent their stress."Rayl...I said nothing of the sort." Feeling almost accused at that point of holding such thoughts, a frown crossing her pretty face

Bad things happened in to women here she worried. They were always horror stories and then Persephone at this point would remember the incident with her skirt. Once more that awkward blush crept up as she glanced around the room at all the men, she needed to get upstairs with out attracting too much attention.

Her eyes soon turned to Alcibie who had a similiar look upon her face, the escape to the room was needed. She rose to her feet looking to Alcibie to go ahead and go first as Persephone was grabbing her lance she had tucked under the table. Let them get close when she carried with with in her hands eh? "We should retire also.." She suggested to Alcibie trying to remain formal as if not trying to flee for her life from the situation so no one would catch onto the act.

[Alcibie]

Alcibie walked beside Persephone out of the establishment. No one came too close to the two of them, although the girl beside her knuckles had turned white. Alcibie had placed her hand on Persephone’s shoulder. “Come on, the beds upstairs are calling our names.” The cleric pulled the other one upstairs who appeared to relax.

Sleep had come quickly. Maybe in the morning they would do something spectacular, but right now. Sleep was the only thing on the clerics mind.

The precious night hours had ended far too quickly in the cleric’s opinion, but then again the sun had yet to break over the horizon. She groaned flipping over trying to go back to sleep. She knew it was useless. She was an early riser. She tossed the sheets from a top of her and suited back up grabbing the staff and heading down stairs. She was not going to disturb the Pegasus Knight’s sleep she needed it. Maybe Rayl would wake up soon or the sun might come up. Until then she would settle down stairs and watch the early morning sky.

[Rayl Torien]

(OOC: Those posts are scaring me Alcibie o.o; and I am not some oxen to be sent to an arena to make money! >:[ and you'll let her sleep, but not ME?!?!)

Rayl had forced sleep out of his mind, deciding he should stay up and keep watch of the two, what with everything happening. He sighed as he looked down at the empty mug in his hand: holy crap, how many did he drink already...? six...seven...ten?! "Wow...I gotta cut back..." he shook his head, everything seeming to be blurry, as he tried to take a seat, but stumbled and fell over on the floor falling asleep in a snap...the sad part being that he was standing guard in the hallway, as people stepped over him to get to their rooms...

In the morning, he got up with a groan, his eyes red from lack of sleep: he woke up alot in the night, and the dreams of short skirts was creepy beyond all reason: once he fully sobered up, he'd go talk to persephone about that, as he staggered down the stairs, passing Alcibie, then sitting down at a table, planting his face down and onto the surface of it, and began talking," Hey Alcibie, I'd like to ask you something..." he held up a hand, and yet another mug was handed to him, and he lifted his head up to stare at it,"If you did something that made someone else comfortable, but were having trouble finding a way to-" he drank the drink that was before him, which must have been one too many, then continued,"-put on your shoes and go flying on a chicken." he then rested his head on the table again, falling asleep yet again, though the whole skirt thing woke him up yet again.

[Alcibie]

[OOC: Roommate says to post anyways, and an ox? I need a Yax for all the gold I want to carry back ^___^]

Alcibie head snapped up at the sound of foot steps. I was the knight a little worse off for wear. She had stepped over him on the way down. The man had tried to keep watch. Whenever they left again they were going to have to start taking shifts. She had not even thought of that being in an inn and all.

The Cavalier fell into the seat beside her. The man automatically handed him a mug. Alcibie shot the man the most deadly glare. She was not going to have a drunken Cavalier before the sun even fully rose. He asked her a slurred question then passed out again. The Cleric stole the ale. Waving the bar tender over and ordering odd ingredients form the man.

He left as the passed out man spoke in his sleep. By the time the Cavalier shot up his drink was no longer ale, but a concoction the healer cooked up. Preferably the man would not be too sick.

“Good morning sunshine!” The Cleric smiled to her companion, she was more than happy to have him around taking a sip of her commandeered booze.

[Rayl Torien]

Rayl stared at her, a puzzled look on his face," Oh good...don't tell me we didn't do what I think we did-" he looked around frantically,"You are one crazy lady Alcibie...Gah...I need some ale..." he stared over at Alcibie, before taking the drink from her, and handing her the drink that had been put before him,"...Don't try to take a man's booze, holy lady, and for the record: if you wind up having a child, I had nothing to do with it...unless of course I am thining of a different reason for you to call me 'sunshine'...and you shouldn't drink if your a member of the clergy...sinner..." how the hell he had actually figured out that she had his ale would probably never ever be figured out, as he chugged the rest of it, before waving over the innkeeper,"I am giving you permission to hit my sinner of a sister upside the head if she tries to get a drink from here, alright?" the man nodded as he walked away, as the drunken knight looked over to the cleric,and lightly hit her upside the head,"You are a sinner...and don't deserve to have the honor of being a healer...doubt you have any honor whats-so-ever." he then stood up from the table, failing to not knock it over, as he then stumbled of, numerous swear words easily heard under his breath...

he was SO not a morning person...

He left the inn, where he was almost immediently shown the way to the arena, his weapon thrust into his hand, and he was pushed into the sandy batleground, stained with the blood of corpses of days gone by. His enemy was thrust in the same way: Strangely a pegasus knight. as Rayl was given a horse to ride, he began thinking of Persephone, who was also a rider of winged mounts, before he charged forward, weapon at the ready...even when drunk, battle wouldn't be a problem...

A young boy at this time went running into the inn flailing his arms about," Hey everyone, they have two mounted knights in combat in the arena!" he smiled before sitting down at a table near the mess was that Rayl had so kindly left behind, then looking over to Alcibie," I bet not even you could heal the loser in this one...a Pegasus Knight against a cavalier...easy bet if you ask me..." at the entire conversation of the arena, everyone, including the bartender and innkeeper, ran out of the inn to watch, leaving the inn completely deserted, save for the sleeping Persephone, and of course the cleric

[maiden]

The two of them had headed out leaving the pegasus knight to her sleep, which was probably for the best. Curled up in the blankets she had been cacooning herself with in them during her sleep to warm herself up. Though she was used to cold Ilia nights, the sheets were rather thin. Having slept in a small white gown she had packed, the sheets were her only real protection.

Finally she stirred after a few minutes getting up having felt the sun peering through the window onto her. "mmm" She mumbled a little before getting up off her feet rather happily having gotten a full nights sleep. Putting on her armor and regular clothing, and having tamed her hair with everything found herself presentable enough to go down stairs, "Morning..." She said softly.

[Alcibie]

Alcibie twitched visibly he did not just take the alcohol away from her. He did not even drink the concoction she had prepared either. Now he all but stumbled from the table. She had been very tempted to hold out her staff. She took a sniff of the drink. It was not as odorless as it usually was. She shrugged it off. She watched as the Cavalier was taken by the hand by a very animate woman and led away. She should probably follow the man, but yet again white is not a background color. Now she was debating with herself whether or not she should wake up Persephone. She did not need to. Seeing the Pegasus Knight had presented her half awake self before her.

“Good Morning Sunshine!” Alcibie called out and unique sounding voice. Hopefully the knight was awake enough to come with her to the arena. She should probably grab some food just incase. Her heal staff was already beside her, and searching the kitchen would not hurt. She was defiantly going after the cavalier though, she was not about to let her guard die.

[maiden]

"Up already?' She inquired with a rather curious expression still working off the sleep that kept her sluggish in the morning. "Is our hung over friend still out cold?"

There was no way he wouldn't be absolutely suffering with the amount he had been consuming the night before. Running her fingers through her hair she looked around the tavern area quietly, it was so peaceful compared to what she had seen last night, how lovely. People of this semi-desolate place came here to drink away as they rebuilt their lives, what had happened here though.

"Any plans for this morning?"

[Alcibie]

“Following our hung over companion...” Alcibie moved behind the abandoned counter grabbing some nick-knacks and herbs from behind the counter. She felt a little like a thief, but she was going to pay them back for it…probably. It might not be money, but she would heal the silly bride and her entire family if she had to before they left.

She tossed some more odd things in her bag turning back to Persephone. “We should probably eat while we walk.” The cleric said looking to the sleepy knight. “I am not exactly sure where the arena is and the signs might not be accurate in the rebuilding process.” Alcibie shifted her bag and smiled. “Plus sir knight is going to need my help fairly soon.”