Vine
She ducked her eyes from the elf's question. She wasn't a leader to say who was to stay and who to go. She felt the dark woman's focus on her like a needle and did her best to pull in close, to hide anything interesting about herself, quiet and still, like a mouse when a hawk passes over. And then it passed and the noble woman spoke, unnaturally soothing, earning the instant trust and admiration of the villagers. Vine shivered.
She tried to take stock of the situation.
Luther had moved fast enough, and the blond elf had moved very well indeed. Mika was a wall - maybe not much for subtlety, but she couldn't be expected to beat someone's head in with a hammer, so she appreciated those who could. The understanding of the quick and the dead was well understood with her new companions, so that, at least, was good. Which left the dark noblewoman.
As Poppa used to say, with some friends you count your fingers twice after you shake their hands. Vine had the feeling she might eat them while you smiled at her.
The group broke up, and she considered the news of another stranger, yet to announce themselves, but why else would they be here than to go on the job?
Luther brushed past her with the grand plan of finding a meal and a bed. The gathering broke up, dissolving like salt in rain, and the elf whispered in her ear, using the confusion to mask the comment well.
"You will have to tell me what got you so rattled."
Vine didn't acknowledge the request, but did make sure she knew where the other woman had headed. From the looks of it, the baths would be popular this evening. For her part, she would rather be dipped in tar than willingly give up the chance to have a real bath.
Vine returned to the main room, grateful that the villagers were mostly focusing on the red haired woman or the pert minstrel, both of whom were encouraging the more carnal thoughts of their audiences. She tucked herself at Luther's table after retrieving her half finished bowl of stew.
When the maid stopped by to bring food and drink for Luther, she asked for a hot bath to be prepared for her as well. The girl blushed to the roots of her hair, "It would be my pleasure m'lady. Do you require any other service that I can do for you?"
Vine wondered what sorts of services the maids of the inn usually offered. Or thought that outlanders would require of them.
"Just very hot water and a few extra bath sheets, if you please." she shrugged her wings, making the lump under her cloak bunch up for the moment, "Most robes are of little use to me, "I'm afraid."
She smiled at the girl and shook her head softly as she left to serve Mika and the elf in the bathing chamber. She looked to Luther and lifted her cup in a small salute. "I hope you don't mind if I join you while my bath is readied."
She ducked her eyes from the elf's question. She wasn't a leader to say who was to stay and who to go. She felt the dark woman's focus on her like a needle and did her best to pull in close, to hide anything interesting about herself, quiet and still, like a mouse when a hawk passes over. And then it passed and the noble woman spoke, unnaturally soothing, earning the instant trust and admiration of the villagers. Vine shivered.
She tried to take stock of the situation.
Luther had moved fast enough, and the blond elf had moved very well indeed. Mika was a wall - maybe not much for subtlety, but she couldn't be expected to beat someone's head in with a hammer, so she appreciated those who could. The understanding of the quick and the dead was well understood with her new companions, so that, at least, was good. Which left the dark noblewoman.
As Poppa used to say, with some friends you count your fingers twice after you shake their hands. Vine had the feeling she might eat them while you smiled at her.
The group broke up, and she considered the news of another stranger, yet to announce themselves, but why else would they be here than to go on the job?
Luther brushed past her with the grand plan of finding a meal and a bed. The gathering broke up, dissolving like salt in rain, and the elf whispered in her ear, using the confusion to mask the comment well.
"You will have to tell me what got you so rattled."
Vine didn't acknowledge the request, but did make sure she knew where the other woman had headed. From the looks of it, the baths would be popular this evening. For her part, she would rather be dipped in tar than willingly give up the chance to have a real bath.
Vine returned to the main room, grateful that the villagers were mostly focusing on the red haired woman or the pert minstrel, both of whom were encouraging the more carnal thoughts of their audiences. She tucked herself at Luther's table after retrieving her half finished bowl of stew.
When the maid stopped by to bring food and drink for Luther, she asked for a hot bath to be prepared for her as well. The girl blushed to the roots of her hair, "It would be my pleasure m'lady. Do you require any other service that I can do for you?"
Vine wondered what sorts of services the maids of the inn usually offered. Or thought that outlanders would require of them.
"Just very hot water and a few extra bath sheets, if you please." she shrugged her wings, making the lump under her cloak bunch up for the moment, "Most robes are of little use to me, "I'm afraid."
She smiled at the girl and shook her head softly as she left to serve Mika and the elf in the bathing chamber. She looked to Luther and lifted her cup in a small salute. "I hope you don't mind if I join you while my bath is readied."