Hay is for Horses...even Flying Ones {Open}

[Brina]

A bead of sweat trickled off Brina's forehead as flung the old hay over her shoulder. She paused for a moment, panting heavily, and wiped her brow. As she went to grab the harden staff, she winced and gave a whimper of pain. Her hands were shaking. Slowly, she turned her palm over to access the damage. The daily duties of being a squire were getting to her and she was weary. Sometimes she thought that she might just snap in two like a twig. She had hoped that the years of training had prepared her but judging by the blisters on her hands, it hadn't.

Quickly she scanned around the empty stables, looking for any spare fabric. Finding nothing, she started to rip the hem of her tunic. She gathered the access cloth and started to tightly wind them around her hands. Brina clenched her eyes in pain, biting her lip as hot tears threatened to escape. Over and over, she kept muttering to herself, "Calluses.....Calluses...." Reaching back out for the pitchfork now that her hands were bound, she cautiously tested it out with a few firm grips.

'It isn't heaven, but it sure feels a lot better...', she thought to herself with a smile.

Humming a little tune, Brina threw the last of the hay out of the stall. She turned to the pegasus in the next stall (who had been eying her curiously this whole time) and gave a wolfish grin. "See! Told ya I could do it!" The pegasus flicked his tail and waved his ears to the side. Sticking her tongue out at the uninterested nemesis, she laughed and scurried over.Reaching into her pockets, she pulled out a few crumbly oats and offered them in good faith. The pegasus quickly gobbled the crunchy treat, gumming at her sweaty, bound hand. Giggling, she rubbed the horse's head, reaching under his mouth for his sweet spot.

She still was in disbelief. They were similar to the other horses she had been around, but their wings were something else. Powerful. Deadly even. The pegasus turned away seeing that there were no more treats to be had and Brina picked back up her forgotten pitchfork. Brina had gotten sent away from the training yard. The lances were too heavy for her and she kept dropping them and the older girls had laughed.

But she knew why the training master had sent her her to muck out the stalls. Already she could feel her arms becoming stronger. She needed to keep working harder. Brina knew she was small and not a very good fighter, she was going to change that. She just knew it. Even if it meant working longer and harder than anyone else. Interrupting her motivational pep talk, her stomach gave a loud grumble. Well, she supposed that she might need to eat first before becoming a knight.

[Oya]

"Loose", spoke Oya as one of his pirate buddies tossed a disk into the air. The warrior shot an arrow hoping to intercept it. Instead he missed and sent another landing into the open field.

"Third miss today", spoke the man as he handed Oya the disk.

"Ah shut up", spoke Oya with annoyance. "It is not like archer is my main form of combat. I just took it up not to long ago."

"Excuses, excuses, lose!" On command Oya threw the disk and like a pro the marksman split the disk clean into two. A perfect shot, it made Oya's misses look all the more armature.

"Whatever I am taking a break", spoke Oya as he left the archery range. The warrior had to save some face. Currently Oya was hanging out in Ilia till the incident in the plains boiled over, or at least till it was safe to get back at sea. The winds and currents did not favor a trip back to the isles and there were still plenty of angry saceans who wanted his head for what he did at the city of heroes. Sure he was one of the people to slay the demon king, but that did not matter if you were one of the people helping him beforehand. In Ilia however things were calm. They had heard about the city of Heroes, but not many of them fought in it or got any of the major details. There were a few mercenaries from Ilia that had fought on Hargus side. Those guys were like Oya, keeping there heads down and trying to act like they had nothing to do with it.

"Hey Oya lets get a bit at the tavern", spoke the Warriors archer friend as he walked out the range. The duo moved to fill there stomachs.

[Brina]

Placing a hand on her stomach, Brina let the gurgling pulse through her fingertips. She glanced behind her and gave a quick nod at her handiwork and job well done. There were a few hours yet til last bell. She had time to get away. Smacking bits of dried mud off her tunic and picking out hay caught in her hair, she headed out towards the market streets.

Edessa had a few watering holes tucked into corners or adjacent to the inns. When Brina had first arrived, she took some time exploring her new home. Accidentally she had walked into what looked like a pub. It was not. It was a brothel. Brina had never turned so red, she ran out as fast as her skinny legs could carry her. Just thinking about it caused a rosy tinge crawl up her neck.

As Brina walked down the cobbled road, her head bobbed back and forth, ribbons waving in the wind. Pulling open the heavy oak door, she stepped in the tavern. She scooted into a greasy booth and waited for the pudgy barkeep to stop by. It was still early in the afternoon so there weren't many customers, just some of the morning regulars. She liked the place though, it reminded her of all the trips she had taken with her father. People watching and people asking and people talking and people bugging were some of Brina's favorite activities. However she learned very quickly that apparently there was a huge difference approaching people without her father lurking behind her. Funny enough, most people didn't like to be bothered.

She had made friends with the barmaid, a portly woman named Madge. Her stories made Brina laugh and she gave great hugs that squeezed so hard, you'd forget to breath. Madge was a bear of a woman with brassy curls and a mole right off the center of her cheek. At night when the fights were too rowdy, you could always count on her being the first to dive in.

Madge tottered over to Brina, throwing a wink, "Don't suppose you'll be running away from those big, ole 'orses?"

Brina grinned and shook her head vigorously, absentmindedly picking a stray straw out from behind her ear.

"Fancy you'll be hungry then, letme fletch somthin' "

Just as Madge whisked off to the kitchens, the small copper bell above the door tinkled and Brina looked over to find a youth with bright, orange hair enter the pub.

[Oya]

Oya walked into the tavern and as he expected all eyes turned toward him. The orange hair youth barely the age of 16 carried on his shoulders a mighty warhammer that was almost as large as he was. The massive club made mercenaries gawk and guards sear. The mighty weapon on his shoulders was Xigshaw, the holy hammer of Etrulia. In sacae Oya was as iconic as the hammer he wielded. It was one of the main reason why he could not stay in the plains. His weapon of choice gave him away far to easily. Following shortly behind was the ever common archer Tom. He was a simple man with brown hair and small eyes. He was only four years older in Oya, but the age gap was large enough that people though that he may be Oya's father. Though that was due to his poor drinking habits and many a year out at sea. Unlike Oya he was not a picture of bishonen good looks.

"Ever the attention grabber", spoke Tom with jealousy. Oya shrugged his comment off. It was not like Oya wanted to be the center of attention. He would rather be a normal tavern goer, but Xigshaw prevented that. The spirit that empowered in the hammer probably enjoyed the attention. He was always a glory hog.

"Not my fault", spoke Oya. "Personally I would rather have it were nobody knows I am here, but Xigshaw prevents that from happening."

"Well that is the price you pay for a magical hammer that gives you super strengthen", spoke Tom as he chose the Duo's booth. It was directly across from a young girl that he was taking a liking too. The lecherous look he was giving the yong lade made even Oya's stomach turn.

"She is too young for you", spoke Oya as he slapped the man in the back of the head. He then placed his hammer onto the ground and took a seat across from his friend. "Hey can we get two orders of baked chicken", shouted Oya to a waiter turning the attention away from the small act of violence he committed.

"Hypocrite", spoke Tom as he rubbed the back of his head. Oya's blow had diverted his eyes and turned the subject. "If I remember correctly there is a pretty sizable gap between you and your sweetheart", spoke Tom.

"True enough, but I dated up not down", spoke Oya. "Have some more pride."

[Brina]

Brina's jaw dropped to the floor as she eyed the warhammer named Xigshaw. The boy looked only a few years older than her, but it appeared he was already a hero. Judging by the whispers at the tables around her, his exploits must have been legendary. She didn't recognize him, but coming from such a small town news took longer to reach them, especially during the winter months.

Placing her head in her hands, she wistfully thought all the adventures he must had been on. Perhaps he was a hero from the bandit war? But he looked too young..... or maybe he was a champion? Did he fight off 200 bonewalkers? Or maybe saved a town from a tarvos raid? Or..or..maybe he was Kraft himself!?!? 'Stop Brina, now that's just crazy.'  She was completely enamored. So much so, that Brina didn't even notice the other man that had walked in with him.

She stared longingly into the young boy's eyes, drowning in the turquoise pools. He was somebody for certain. The type of someone bards wrote songs about and would be remembered for eons to come. His beautiful face would be etched into marble, forever gracing the palace halls as timeless as...*PLUNK* Madge bumbled in front of Brina's view, her hefty chest now juxtaposed with that Adonis.

Brina scowled, pouting as she looked what Madge had brought her. On a tin plate was the heel of a crusty, brown bread baked fresh that morning, brushed with honey and herbs, and a handle of meaty stew with red potatoes and fat carrot slices. Brina's mouth watered from the smells, she hadn't eaten since her meager breakfast that morning. Next to the soup bowl Madge had left a pitcher of some dark liquid. Cautiously Brina brought it to her lips. The moment it touched her tongue she sputtered, her teeth clenched refusing the foul substance down. Gripping the table top until her knuckles turned stark white, she swallowed the horrible concoction. Immediately Brina hiccuped and she quickly she covered her mouth in embarrassment. 

Just then she felt a pair of a eyes on her as the handsome youth and his friend sat down. The haggard man stared at Brina in a way that made her want to turn away. He was looking at her the way a lion looks upon a fresh kill, as if she was prey. She didn't like the way he was ogling her. It felt wrong...and very unchivalrous. She decided then and there that the war hammer man must be a villain to be in the company with the likes of him. Refusing to break eye contact, Brina reached for the tankard and took a gulp, fighting against the grimace that threatened to cross her face. This had the effect of giving her a wonky scowl as she stood up and stomped over the next booth.

Slamming her hands on the tabletop, she faced the ashen man and began spouting "Listen! I don't care who you are, even if you are Gotoh himself! You don't get to look at me that way! I am not dinner! Do it again and  I'll....I'll...I'll stab out your eyes with this soup spoon! Got it!?" Still crazed on a rampage, she turned to Oya, wagging a finger at him, "And you! I bet you chose the wrong side of the war! You don't even look like Kraft!" With that Brina turned heel, giving a 'hmpft' and stomped angrily to her booth grabbing her supper. She marched right over to the bar, her nose high in the air. 

[Oya]

"What in the world just happen", spoke Oya. The young warrior's face was filled with a expression of puzzlement and delight. Oya, despite his acting when he first hit land, had very little experiences with young girls around his age. Most of the time he hung around older women and since he grew up on a pirate ship did not have many little girls running around. So when the young girl suddenly came up to the duo and threaten to stab Tom's eye out with a spoon Oya was enthralled with observations.

Tom on the other hand was pissed. "What was that", he shouted as he jumped from his seat. If they were out at sea he would have kicked her overboard. However they were not out at sea and there was rules that he had to follow in the city. Tom's violence would not be accepted here, that was a hands down. For once however Tom got what he wanted. All the eyes in the tavern were on him. The disgust and puzzlement from his fellow patrons caused a feeling of embarrassment to rise up in the pit of his stomach. "Whatever not worth the trouble", spoke Tom as he took a seat back into his chair.

There was a brief moment of silence between Tom and Oya. The pirate stared at him with a face of wanderlust you would only see on a small child. Oya gaze shifted back and forth between him and the young girl who threaten to stab out his eye. Finally Oya opened his mouth to speak ,but Tom cut him off. "No", he spoke as he pointed a spoon at Oya. He did not even let the young man get his question off. "Just no", he spoke again. "I know what you are going to ask."

Oya's expression turned back to normal, but the twinkle in his eye told the archer that it was not over. "Told you older women were a better choice", spoke Oya suddenly breaking the silence.

"Shut up", spoke Tom as he slammed his forehead onto the table. Today had turned into a bad day for him. He just wanted there food to arrive and to get drunk. Oya however had different plans. The young warrior suddenly rose from his seat and began to walk off. He left Xigshaw behind giving Tom a clear notion that Oya was not going far. "Where are you going", asked Tom, but at this point the Oya's destination was clear.

"To get clarification", spoke the pirate as he walked over to the young girls booth. Oya had so many questions that he wanted to ask. So many things he wanted answered. There was the thing with her talking about sides in a war. The things about Kraft, and the fact that she threaten to stab Tom's eye out with a spoon. Oya could barely hold it all in. Rather than ask if he may take a seat Oya simply slid in on the chair sitting in front of the young maiden. "So why a spoon", asked Oya starting off with his first question.

[Brina]

As soon as Brina slid back into her booth, Madge gave her a surlily look from across the tavern. She supposed it probably wasn't good for business that she was threatening customers, especially these customers. Brina gave a sheepish smile back to the woman. She couldn't help it! How was she suppose to just sit there and let that crazy old man and then that stupid boy and his stupid eyes and....sod it, she had made her piece.

Ripping off chunks of the earthen bread, she dipped them into the stew, letting them soak in the juices before popping them in her mouth. Madge's tavern was nothing to write home about, but her cooking certainly was. Haphazardly she pushed the tankard away from her. It must have been some sort of ale, though it was far stronger than anything her father had let her drink. Besides, she wasn't fond of the hiccups.

Sopping up the last of the stew, she ate her final bite, and leaned back against the worn wood satiated. Brina jumped as the pirate sat across from her unannounced. Of course, she had no idea he was a pirate. Sitting up a little straighter, she raised her nose firmly in air and gave a light scowl.

She answered him curtly with a huff, "Because of the scooping ability of course! You can't scoop an eyeball with a blade! Well..I suppose you somewhat could, but never the less! It's not the same!"

Cautiously Brina met eyes with the young boy across her. "Soo...you knick that?", she asked gesturing towards the giant war hammer.

[Oya]

Oh she corrected herself, that was good. That meant Oya did not have to do it for her. Cutting and scooping eyes out was a pirates profession. Oya once saw his mother do it with a sweep of her hand. She was skilled like that, but that was another thought for another time. "Scooping... yes I can see why you would need a spoon then", spoke Oya playing along. After he asked his question she asked her own. "So a question for a question and answer for a answer", spoke Oya. "I can play this game. I have plenty of questions."

Oya leaned back in the seat and turned toward his mighty war hammer. The Warrior began to speak, but stopped. Instead he walked back across the tavern and simply picked the massive club up with one arm and carried it back over to were the two were sitting before. "Yes I do wield this thing and I use it in battle. Most people think it is just for show, but no it a viable weapon. Xigshaw, the name of this mighty club is enchanted with powerful magic that increases the strength of the one who wields it. So theoretically anybody can use it, well anybody Xigshaw considers to be its master or gets a pass from me", spoke Oya as he offered the handle to the maiden. Is she accepted she would be amonst the elite few Oya had let hold his mighty war club. So far only one other person had felt the magic of xishaw serge through there body and strengthening there very muscles.

"So let me ask you a question. Why was my name mention along with fighting for the wrong side of the War? What war were you talking about? I don't really remember any wars going on around here. Well except for that Bern/Ilia civil war, but that is miles away."

Oya wanted to know if she knew who he was. He doubted it, but she might, or people might. The city of heroes was far away, but that did not mean word had not reached this far. Oya had reached here and as a result somebody else could have well carrying news of the siege and of the massive club wielding warrior.

[Brina]

Fidgeting against the weathered wood, Brina shifted her eyes back and forth. She couldn't understand why this boy was still talking to her. He didn't seem like he was upset at all. In fact, he seemed more quizzical than anything. Somehow him not lashing back out at her made her feel more uncomfortable. This was unexpected, and she felt ill prepared. Sucking in a deep breath, she met Oya's eye with an exasperated sigh and the biggest look of indifference she could muster.

"That's what I just said! Scooping!" Grabbing a spoon, she gestured it for emphasis and gave him a look like he was the simplest creature she'd ever come across. Of course, Brina had no idea why she had mentioned a soup spoon, but he didn't need to know that. It was the nearest weapon she could think of. She had completely forgot the astronomical weapon that was at least 6 hands taller than her.

Brina shifted again feeling exposed. 'A game? To what end...? What other questions did he have?' , she thought to herself looking for his angle.

Unable to find any ulterior motives, or horrible, deathly outcomes by going along, Brina decided to play nice. But having only fourteen years of age, she wasn't really wise about this sort of thing. She shot a toothy grin and clapped him firmly on the back. "Ok! Let's play a game sneaky stranger! But, I gotta warn you I am very good. You won't win..." She said giving a beady-eyed glare and a nod of confirmation.

She started to protest as Oya walked away, but her eyes popped wide open when he came back with the Xigshaw. Brina tried very hard not to look impressed, though her eyes were glazed over in admiration. Magical weapons weren't exactly in abundance in Carrhae, let alone one that seemed to have a mind of it's own. How could anyone not be in awe of it's might. As the boy offered the holy weapon, Brina reached out with tentative fingers before stopping herself and crossing her arms, shoving treacherous hands into the crooks beneath her shoulders. She gave a tut and rolled her eyes, "No you dummy, where'd you knick it? You know? Steal it from?" Brina gave him a once over, raising her brows in question, "Did you really use it in battle? Didn't anyone recognize it?" A sly grin crossed Brina's face like she had just found the treasure trove. She threw her hands on her hips with a gleam in her eye and said in a sing-songsy voice, "I bet it's your father's!" Somehow Brina refused to believe that someone so close to her age could really be a great warrior.

Crinkling her nose, Brina tried to come up with a proper explanation. "You really just don't get it. Besides whatever side you're on must be the wrong side", she said giggling loudly behind her hand.

[Minerva]

The blunette sat quietly at the bar, her hands folded around a glass of whiskey and her eyes roving about, looking for any suckers she could seduce, milk dry, and leave by the side of the road. There were a couple candidates, but nothing that stood out as really having 'a-class' potential. A pity. She expected more out of her homeland... Usually there were rich Ilians to play with just milling about. Not today... Oh?

Minerva hadn't even had a chance to begin drinking her whiskey when there was a loud outburst... Oh look, it was that little girl she'd seen before. What a prude... And to think that the toughies had been eyeing her up? It made Minerva sick. She decided to take matters into her own hands and show that little kid how a real woman deals with men... Not gouging eyes out with a spoon, just... Spooning.

"Hey... Leave the little girl alone. Can't you see there's bigger fish to fry?"

Winking, Minerva slid in next to the ogler and flashed him as seductive smile.

"I can guarantee that you'll need more than a spoon if you're going to be doing any real scooping..."

Minerva smirked at the younger girl, raising her eyebrow and chuckling softly to herself. This would be quite the easy game... And if the giant hammer the leader of these chumps carried was any indication, they probably were either pirates, bandits, or mercs. Either way, they'd have coin... And personnel. New Sharks. What a great opportunity!

[Oya]

"What in the world is Oya up too", spoke Tom as he watched Oya grab his hammer and walk back over to the booth with the young girl. Oya always said he liked older women and his hook up with Willow proved it. Now however he was talking to this young girl like she was the last air to the kingdom of Bern. He was sure Willow would love to know about this, but he was not going to be the one to tell her. She would probably blow his face off for just talking about the possibility of Oya cheating on her.

Suddenly a much older and much more mature woman walked up and began to talk to Tom. The archer however was not really in the mood. All of his mojo got killed when the little twirp offered to spoon out his eye. Though she did have a excellent rack. Then again he saw them before, but he could not put his finger on it. "Scooping", spoke Tom as he looked her up and down. "Now what do you mean by that I wonder", he spoke.

While Tom was being played for the fool Oya was dealing with the curious wonder. It seemed she had no idea about the war in the south. He thought she might have heard something about it, but it was just posturing. Though he still wanted to know why his name and Kraft were in the same sentence.

"Well first off Xigshaw is not stolen", spoke Oya as he spun the weapon around in his hand and placed it firmly on the ground without breaking anything. "If such a weapon was stolen then I would not be able to wield it. Xigshaw does not take kindly to thieves and would reject giving them the power to even hold the mighty hammer. I can lend Xigshaw to people. However it is only for a short amount of time. After a few minutes or so Xigshaw would start to remove its blessing and the hammer would plant itself into the ground. Also I am pretty sure I was fighting for the right side. Especially considering the fact that the other side was run by a horrible demon abomination with wing and a army of undead", spoke Oya. He was sure the maiden would not believe him. Shoot Oya barely believed himself.

"As for the question if Xigshaw was noticed. Well the mighty hammer has been far out of the play of battle for a long time. The weapon was not used for at least a century before I began to wield it. The two of his however are starting to make a name for ourselves in the world. We go hand and hand. Those who see Xigshaw remember the young man carying the club and those who remember the young man remember his mighty war club. "

It was while Oya was in the middle of his speech about his mighty hammer that he notice Tom talking to the blue haired woman. At first he paid her no mind, but Tom's eyes told of his mental search for answer. Suddenly it hit Oya were the duo had seen her. It was during the week long seige of the city of Heroes. She was in the third platoon in the north. Or that is what Oya heard when they were talking about people showing there stuff. She had lead a group of mages and did some good work at the northern gate.

"Third Platoon, Northern Gate", shouted Oya before he turned to ask his next and final question. "So since gave you a answer to your question I think it is my turn to ask again. Why was my name, or well me, Oh! It was then that Oya realized that he had in fact never given her his name. Sorry about that I never gave you my name." The orange hair young lad rubbed the back of his head as he then moved into his introduction. "My name is Oya. Oya of the Western Isles. Now I would like to know why was the name Kraft and my face in the same sentence. I barely know you and have said or done nothing to you, but you would insult me by comparing me to a old man. Truly I am wounded."

[Brina]

Raising her brow, Brina resisted the urge to feel the man's head to see if he had a temperature. An army of undead sounded highly suspicious. She squinted her eyes and glared quizzically. It seemed this person could only draw two emotions out of her; awe and skepticism. Maybe this man was just unconsciously lying, as in he just had a sort of tick or some vivid hallucinations. Silly as it sounded, she liked this poor soul. Reaching up she gave Oya a kind pat on his arm with a slow smile.

"Yes....it's a very nice hammer. You two are definitely a sight together."

Perhaps there was a soul trapped inside the weapon that was responsible for this stranger...

Brina sharply turned her head towards the female voice and nodded her head vigorously. ''At least some one knew about the fish!'

"My father always says 'don't cry fish before they're caught' though I still haven't figured out how to do that yet." Shrugging her shoulders she grinned vibrantly at the woman. "Who are you? Are you friends with these hooligans? You should carry a big spoon around them. They seem like they need it...especially him", she said while pointing manically at Tom. Leaning over she whispered loudly in her ear, "He might eat people!"

Cocking her head, Brina attempted to understand what Oya had called out to the blue-haired woman. Oh that was why the boy was so strange! He was from the Western Isles. Of course! Now it all made sense. Thrusting her hand out, she grabbed Oya's hand to shake it vigorously, "Nice to meet you Oya of the Western Isles! I am Brina! I am training to be a Pegasus Knight!"

Almost instantly Brina turned bright red. "Uhhhh...well...you see...umm...Well he wasn't always old..and when he was younger, he was young...and oh just never mind!", she snapped, "It's just too complicated for you to understand so there's no need for you to be wounded" and smiled brightly. "Are you still planning on eating lunch? If your associate will keep his eyeballs in his head, I'll be happy to eat with you."

[Minerva]

Third Platoon. Northern Gate.

Who was that man with the giant fancy pipe? How had he recognized her and pinned her to the northern section of the Siege? He must have been a fellow raider… And if he was from the Isles, there was only one group of seafarers they’d known…

”One of Nya’s Raiders…? Here?”

Minerva rose, her eyes sparkling and narrowed. She thought all of the Bandits had been mostly eradicated by the hordes of monsters that had swamped the battlefield. That was interesting. Oya of Nya’s Raiders…

Wait, what? Fish? What was that incomprehensible prepubescent prude talking about?

Hooligans… Spoon… Cannibals?

The naïveté of the girl was tremendous. It overwhelmed Minerva, and the blunette slowly started laughing. At first it was a chortle, then a polite chuckle, then a full out fit of asphyxiating laughter.

”Oh, dear baby. You have so much to learn… And you need to grow if you’re going to be going around advertising like that. You’ve got to have assets. Money in the bank, if you will.”

Rubbing Brina’s back, the blunette shook her head. This was no more than a girl, really, but she had no way of telling simply from the sound of her voice. But if that guy had been checking a mere girl out… Yuck.

”I won’t be needing much food, but I’ll stay and drink… First, though, I believe Oya and I are due for a brief walk… Hmm, honeybunch?”

Minerva beckoned to Oya. They needed to talk…

[Oya]

"Eat people", spoke Tomas with surprise and disgust. Suddenly the sniper face twisted back to normal and a devious grin crossed his face. "Yeah I do eat people", he spoke taking her insult and making it his own. "Come over her little girl and I will chop you to bits and serve you up with some black soup."

"Alright that is enough Tom", spoke Oya as he looked at the man. The stare told him to stop acting like a child. Only a fool would get rattled up by a childish insult from such a young woman. Tomas grunted and leaned back into his chair, just in time too. The moment he did so the waitress returned with his and Oya's food. Rather than wait till they were finished Tomas pulled out a bag of coins and paid the woman right there. It was his way of saying $%^& you to the little girl without having to say it. Aka I have more coin than you do.

This woman was strange. Oya had been all around Bern, lycia, Nabata, and even some islands located off the coasts, but he had never meet anybody so willingly to touch him. When she grabbed his hands and began to shake Oya's face was covered with a image of surprise and excitement. It made him wonder if all the young girls from Ilia were like this. Oya had very little experiences with the land of snow. Sure he had crossed blades with some of the people from here, but he never really knew anybody on a personal level who lived here for some time. Even less was his interaction with young females and young men. Most of the people he knew were older and more cutthroat. She was Oya's first true image into innocents. It was entertaining.

"A Pegasus Knight", spoke Oya with surprise. In the back of his mind he remembered the first pegasus knight he ever encountered. It was a fair lass from the nation of snow. She had a chip on her shoulder and a love for gold. Oya planted a axe into her skull if he remembered correctly. It was just about where Brina's hair line split into two pig tails. "I have seen a few peggies, I mean Pegasus Knights", spoke Oya. The pirate could not help but fall back to there cruel nickname given out at sea. "They are fearsome warriors and skilled with there mounts. I have to ask how far are you in your training? Have you started to ride yet", spoke Oya.

The pirate was going to begin to dine on his food while he talked and shared answers, but for some reason the other woman wanted to speak to him. Maybe it was because he mention her position in the war or maybe it was because she though he had more coin, but clearly she wanted something. The young warrior let out a strong sigh. "Excuse me for a moment", he spoke as he rose from his seat. He left Xigshaw next to his chair as a symbol that he would return. "Tomas behave yourself", spoke Oya as he began to walk off.

"Yes Mom", spoke Tomas with annoyance as he was left with the brash pigtail brat who threaten to scoop his eye out with a spoon. The very though made him angry, but the taste of his food made him even more. It was bitter, and he knew the cook probably did it on purpose.

"So what do you want to talk about", spoke Oya as he followed the maiden. "If you think you can get some coin out of me then forget it. I already have a bed warmer and I don't need a temptress moving around."

[Minerva]

"No, I have no interest in sleeping with you. I just want to offer a warning...

Most people wouldn't take the knowledge that we fought for Hargus too kindly. You're acting as if it's a badge of honor... But I'm willing to bet there are bounties on your head, and probably mine. Lay low, Oya, lay low. We have to stay out of the limelight until everything dies down a bit. I don't want my cover blown by some stupid glory-seeking pirate with a big club, and I'm pretty sure you don't want me to blow your cover either.

So how about we go back in there and both agree that we never saw each other at the City of Heroes, hmm? That damned Sacaean nightmare can just go straight into the history textbooks, and I'll go back to my normal life. So will you.

Just... Be smart, huh? I don't intend to have my head on a pole, and I doubt you want yours on a pole either. So we should just lay low. I trust that you have enough sense not to go boasting about it. I mean, in all fairness, we lost.

So hush, dearie. Stay out of sight and out of mind. Maybe after a while we can exaggerate our exploits and use them as good tavern stories. But for now, do us all a favor and just shut up about the whole City of Heroes."

Minerva shook her head. She didn't want to hear about that stupid city ever again.

And with that, she left, turning on her heel and disappearing into the streets without another glance.

[Exit Thread]