up in the A I R ]]open[[

[Nerys Lamia]

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The young witch sighed, sitting dejectedly at her tiny stall on streets of Rosae Crucis. How long had she been here and just what had she done with herself?

As of now, the answer was simple: nothing. She had achieved nothing. In fact, she was devastated at the smiles and waves of acknowledgment passed in her direction as she walked. Nerys had helped far too many people. She was a failure.

And now, she was out of money. Driven to desperation, she had given in to one of her many secret desires. Street performing.

As it turned out, unfortunately, Nerys lacked the talent for it.

She had broken a man's watch just that morning and although she apologized profusely and he had forgiven her, the incident left her feeling worse than before. Although it should have made the blonde feel better, having just ruined the property of an Outsider. "I suppose I have enough food for dinner tonight...." she contemplated softly to herself.

"Maybe if you only drink water..." That much was true. Both Lunarian and familiar sighed in disappointment. Their prospects did not look particularly good. It seemed as though they would have to put yet another meal on their seemingly endless tab.

((OOC: Nerys is back! I'm bringing Verbena and some new characters in as soon as I can get back into this character. One step at a time. ^^ ))[/color]

[Sablerose]

As had been her habit since shortly after arriving at the Castle, Calla spent part of her days now wandering the streets of Venus, trying to learn more about the city and its people. Most days it was actually rather boring, with little happening more than dealing with a few stares or some comments about her and Greystreak. Sometimes, though, she encountered someone or something interesting; maybe she made an acquaintance or two. More rarely, however, she actually encountered a person or situation that led to a memorable event.

For the last couple of days, however, she had been in conference with the ambassadorial staff from her homeland of Laurelmoon. She had her meeting soon with the her counterpart here, Princess Anactoria IV, and they were determined to make sure she was prepared. History, Royal bloodlines, etiquette, the current political situations... It all made her head swim. She was quietly relieved when they finally let her go for the day in the late afternoon.

Now, with Greystreak pacing her casual stroll, Calla made her way through the renewed area of Rosae Crucis. She had to give the city credit for its efforts. From what she had been told, it had gone from one of the worst areas of Venus to something far more civil, if still a tad rough around the edges. But as far as she was concerned, if it was away from her tutors, she'd be willing to deal with a far more rugged area.

Her mood brightened even more when she saw a face she recognized. Well, a face and a body of feathers.

"Nerys? Nerys, is that you?" she asked the rather despondent-looking woman in one of the stalls? "Are you all right?"

[Nerys Lamia]

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Nerys had been in a rather unseemly position when she heard her name called. Boredom had quickly taken over, replacing the young woman's mild depression. And with boredom came strangeness.

She sat upside-down on the uncomfortable wooden stool behind the stall, her legs propped up against the wall and her head resting on the stall itself. Fortunately, she had the decency to recognize that this position itself would have been awkward, and had placed her dress and petticoats conveniently to hide any unwelcome images.

The young witch had been drowning out her familiar, mocking her strange position. It had quickly become a speech on responsibility.

Color rushed to Nerys' face as she attempted to turn over at the sound of her name. It hadn't been a wise move. She fell over, the stool clattering against the stone streets of Rosae Crucis. "Hi..." the face that greeted her as she hurried to pull herself up was familiar and she struggled for the name. "...Sablerose? It's been so long. How are you?"

Despite her obvious excitement, and embarrassment, at once again being in the acquaintance of the other woman, her voice remained soft and even.

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((OOC: Sorry for another bad post. Writer's block has caused Nerys to veer slightly off-character. She's acting drunk. >.< ))

[Sablerose]

((No problem. I actually was going to chalk it up to a lack of food, though Calla doesn't know about that yet.))

As soon as she fell, Calla was on her knees at her side. "Yes, Nerys, it's me." She looked her friend over, though with the additional critical eye of someone trained to heal. "It's been a while, hasn't it? I was wondering if I'd see you again. I was certainly hoping for it." She smiled down at her, but her mind was busy analyzing the signs.

She's looking pretty weak, unfocused, and she's a bit thinner than I remember, even if it's been some time between encounters. Calla gave a mental frown. Malnutrition at minimum. Maybe worse. I know things had been a bit rough for her, but I had no idea it was this bad!

"Listen, I was about to get some dinner and was hoping to see what was around here. You and Al are both welcome to join Grey and myself. I'd really love to catch up and know what's been going on with you." Not to mention make sure that you get a good meal, she added mentally, but kept that particular thought from even Greystreak. Granted, he knew that she was likely to make such an offer. Whatever his feelings about her country of origin, he was still wise enough to know when not to lecture Calla about things such as this. Additionally, he could feel the echoes of his concern for her welfare.

Calla just hoped that Nerys would not let pride stand in the way of her health and accept the Druid's offer.

[Nerys Lamia]

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She could practically feel Al's mouth water and the prospect of food. Nerys sincerely hoped that no one else had noticed, since the strange little bird couldn't actually eat. It was her own hunger that was doing it. It wasn't that she hadn't eaten. She just hadn't eaten well...or much at all.

Business had not been good. Most likely because of a combination of the young witch's penchant for breaking watches and her obvious national background. Pride in her people prevented Nerys from hiding the large family-crested pin that adorned her dresses.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile, the expression once again falling just short of her differently colored eyes. "Ask if she'll pay for dinner, too!" Al was shameless.

Nerys hadn't reached quite that level of desperation. "That sounds wonderful. I would love to hear how you've been as well," she said, her delight sincere. People had grown more accustomed to the strange Lunarian who roamed the city streets in search of mischief, but not all faces had been friendly. It was a welcome change.

And who knew? Maybe along the way, the blonde would find some way of getting into trouble...?

She stepped away from the booth, the small white bird on her shoulder glowing a faint blue. No one was going to touch the disheveled piece of wood now. In fact, no one but Nerys would be able to get within five feet of the tumbling stand. With a satisfied smile, she turned, her attention once again fully on Sablerose.

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[Sablerose]

Calla had to admit that the spell was a handy one. Though she had a spell similar, it was more for wooded areas, rather than a city. "I'm not really familiar with this area of town. Do you happen to know a good restaurant?" Nerys seemed to be willing to agree to dinner, so Calla figured that she'd give the woman a chance to make the choice where they ate.

[Nerys Lamia]

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Did she know of any places? She knew of plenty, as well as plenty that she hadn't been to before, due to more than her abysmal financial situation. Nerys tilted her head slightly to the side, thinking on where to go. A visual map of the city formed in the back of her mind as she tried to think of the best places to go with the other girl.

She hadn't seen Sablerose in a long time and would have liked to have gone someplace nice, though the strange need to do so was curious.

Suddenly, a smile broke onto her lips and she clasped her hands together. Al fluttered, discontented with the sudden move. "I know a great place! There's a restaurant just down the road...I've been told that they have wonderful soup. And they make fresh bread...." She had, of course, never been there before.

A smile on her lips, Al returned to the blonde's shoulder before she started excitedly in the supposed direction of the restaurant. "Wait..." she paused for a moment, "...does that sound alright with you...?" The realization that she wasn't sure what sort of foods in which Sablerose would be interested had suddenly dawned on the young witch.

((OOC: So...I could have sworn that I posted this before. My bad. =( ))[/color]

[Sablerose]

"It sounds wonderful," Calla said with a nod. "Warm bread with some butter or honey..." She closed her eyes and could feel her mouth begin to water. "I'm looking forward to it already. Let's get moving!"

((Sorry, just a little uncreative tonight.))

[Nerys Lamia]

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Warm bread and butter? That was all? Well, it seemed as though Sablerose didn't have any expectations for fancy or expensive food. That was comforting. Although it would have been nice to have been pampered for one meal again, just as she had once been on Lunaria. But she was in Terre de Conte now.

She could tell that Sablerose was excited about the prospects of food. Clearly, Nerys wasn't the only one who was hungry.

Without the benefit of forethought, the young witch reached out for the other girl's hand, wrapping it in both of hers and leading in the direction of the restaurant.

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((OOC: I apologize for my lack of creativity in my posts lately as well. =( ))[/color]

[Sablerose]

Greystreak took a bit of a lead, trying to clear some room for the ladies. Not surprisingly, most people were more than willing step aside when a wolf strolled confidently down the street.

"He does have a way with people," Calla joked. Generally, she didn't like to let Greystreak intimidate average citizens, but this time it was just easier to let him do the job. "I don't think we'll have to worry about crowds." Granted, Nerys' race was just as likely to keep people at a distance as well. But Calla didn't care about such prejudices in most cases. Nerys did not seem to act like many of her people, and so far she had not been anything but sweet to the Druid. But something tickled at the back of her mind. An idea that just need to time to germinate.

A way to help both Nerys and someone else of the Druid's acquaintance.

"How much further?" she asked after they had traveled a bit further.

[Nerys Lamia]

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"He does, doesn't he? Must be convenient," she said with the hint of a laugh behind her voice and a gentle smile on her lips. Nerys wasn't oblivious to the fact that the wolf cleared a path through the crowd. She also wasn't oblivious to the fact that crowds tended to clear for her as well. However, that had always seemed natural. As the crowned princess, crowds had always parted and gazes had always been locked in her direction. Though the nature of those gazes had changed since she had left Lunaria.

She was grateful for the attention focused on the large wolf rather than on herself. It was a nice change.

Self-conscious, the blonde released her friend's hand, occasionally pointing Greystreak in a different direction when they were going the wrong way. "No, we aren't far. In fact..." she stopped short and Al took off from her shoulder, fluttering in front of the wolf as a signal to stop. "It's right here."

It was a restaurant pub by the name of Roisin Dubh. It wasn't the most beautiful place in the city, but it was certainly passingly acceptable. "Is this...alright? I know it's not the nicest place in the city...."

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[Sablerose]

"...But it's someplace to eat," Calla finished for Nerys, as she gave her friend's shoulder a squeeze. "I've eaten nuts and berries in the wilderness and hunted my own game with little more than a few sticks and some string, as a Druid. Compared to those methods, this place is more than excellent in appearance. "Come on. Let's see if they'll seat us quickly."

As if to reinforce the need, Calla's stomach gave a rather audible grumble.

Calla opened the door to Roisin Dubh, and she let Nerys and Al enter. However, she was right on her heels. Calla knew that Nerys' nationality would likely be some trouble for the pair, but there were ways around that.

[Nerys Lamia]

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Nerys smiled at the reassuring hand against her shoulder. Although many people in the city had gotten used to her, particularly in the Inn where she stayed, most had tried to avoid anything more than a passing 'hello' with the young witch.

The door held open, the blonde strode through. Heads turned in their direction as a bell above the door chimed softly. Some curious stares quickly turned malevolent. "No pets allowed," she said, casting her glance in the directions of Al and Greystreak. Why should she care that a disgusting witch was in the restaurant?

Money was money, and even Lunarian money was accepted.

It was Nerys' turn to frown. "They aren't pets...they're familiars..." she stated quietly. And still, the woman continued to glance skeptically at the two animals.

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[Sablerose]

If I may? Grey sent to Calla, who simply nodded and smiled.

In the proprietor's head, a voice sounded, as if clearing its throat. Greystreak padded forward a couple of steps. Then, with deliberate slowness, he sat. He met the woman's eyes with his own yellow ones. First of all, let me state, for the record, I am no one's pet, and neither is Al here. We are what are, as the young woman stated, familiars. The look on the woman's face as she found the wolf speaking to her mind was something that Calla had seen quite often. Many made the mistake of assuming that because Greystreak was a wolf in form, her was a wolf in a mind and instinct. Now, that said, just because neither of us can use a spoon or a knife does not mean that we are uncivilized. Despite that handicap, I am a rather fastidious eater.

Calla hid her smile. Greystreak certainly was neater than any other wolf she had known, but fastidious was not the word she would have used. The woman was obviously shocked, but did her best to maintain her composure. From the looks on the other faces in the room, Grey had not just been 'speaking' to her. Also, consider this, my good lady. With Al and myself, you now have two extra customers, for whom our two-legged associates can pay for. Additionally, for myself, at least, you do not have to spend extra time cooking your meat. At this point, he looked around the room, while offering everyone his wolf grin. And I can eat quite a lot.

"That, I'm afraid, is all to true," Calla confirmed with a sigh. From the sound of it, this meal was going to be expensive. Being a princess did have its advantages when it came to money, at least. There were a few smiles from some patrons, who, it seemed, were quite aware of just how much a wolf or wolf crossbreed could eat. "So, ma'am, which shall it be? Are we offered a meal for the four of us, or do you get money from none of us for turning us away?"

[Nerys Lamia]

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Nerys was surprised by the voice echoing in her head. Al shook furiously, unnerved by the intrusion. So, this was what other familiars felt like. It was strange, two voices vibrating through her soul. A hand moved to the small bird, comforting it.

Terrified faces stared in their direction and the frightened waitress led the group toward a small, dimly lit booth in the very back of the restaurant. Chairs screeched against unpolished wooden floors as guests moved to clear a path for the strange guests.

The appeal of the money apparently overpowered her fear of the wolf. Or maybe it was fear that compelled her to seat them and tentatively offer menus.

"So, Greystreak needs to eat?" Nerys asked curiously. Calla's familiar was apparently very different than the familiars of the Lunarians. "You speak extremely well," she said, addressing the wolf. "Perhaps you could give Al some pointers."

Shaken though she was, the nightingale could detect an insult. Feathers met with the back of the blonde's head who winced slightly, not out of pain but because of how sudden the motion had been. "See anything you like?" she asked her friend, hoping to change the subject before she should inadvertently insult her familiar.

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