----------------------------------------------
SOMEWHERE IN RESPITE'S STREETS - EARLY AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Erika is wandering from shop to shop, not really searching for anything so much as greeting the merchants as she goes... maaaybe looking for a pretty dress for the evening, not that she wants to give good impression to Mirriam though she sort of DOES want to do that. The okapi is in a cheery and anticipatory mood overall.
Nesseth wanders through the streets as well, though doing nothing more than just musing on recent things, like the talk he'd had with Tarbin earlier in the day about Melia for one... and also his mind occasionally wanders back to a certain 'incident' at the bathhouse he'd had with Erika and Mirriam the other afternoon. Whenever his mind wanders in that direction, he's quite grateful that his scales conceal the blush on his cheeks.
Erika perks up upon seeing Nesseth: "Hi!" She takes several hasty steps towards the lizard, grinning: "Hope Plume didn't give you too hard time after that last..."
Nesseth sees Erika walking towards him and happily waves in turn as the two close the distance. He smiles warmly as he comes to a stop, though it turns a little sheepish as he shakes his head. "Nah... they didn't give me a hard time. They mostly just got annoyed that I, uh... could have strained myself with all the vigorous activity."
Erika blinks, then lets out a laugh: "Okay, that sounds about right with them." She looks at Nesseth and blushes slightly: "...fun vigorous activity."
Nesseth chuckles and nods. "Yeah... yeah, that's about what I figured they'd say, though I was still worried about being lectured." He meets Erika's look and smiles, "Really fun vigorous activity, definitely."
Erika lets out a giggle, her blush not quite vanishing: "Yup..." She glances aside, humming: "I'm also seeing Mirriam tonight at Minnow... maybe not quite a date, but sort of a date...?" She's uncertain, although her smile is anything but.
Nesseth tilts his head curiously, interest sparking in his eyes. "Oh? That sounds like fun. You must have left a fun impression at the bathhouse if Mirriam's intending it as a date." He smirks a little, "If you two don't mind an interruption some time during the evening, I might stop by the Minnow as well."
Erika giggles nervously: "I mean, it's an open bar." She looks aside, smiling demurely: "I... I am uncertain if Mirriam meant it as a date or just us hanging out, but... like, where's the line, right? After what we already did?"
Nesseth shrugs a little at the question. "Really... it's wherever you two think it's best to settle things. Like... us? We could be anywhere from an actual couple to just friends that, uh... have some more intimate fun together, you know? Might be an opportunity to figure out what Mirriam meant it to be."
Erika shrugs with a smile: "I have no idea! But I intend to find out, and..." She smiles warmly: "I... p-probably would not mind something more serious either..."
Nesseth hums curiously. "With... me, you mean?" He chuckles a bit and smiles softly, "Well... remember that thing I'd said last month when we talked outside of Plume's clinic?"
Erika blinks: "Uhm. Sorry... meant Mirriam more, but..." She pauses, musing on this for a split-second: "...maybe you too. I don't know. I thought my destiny was to be with a single guy and now... I have no idea anymore."
Nesseth blinks, realizing he misunderstood. "Ahh, whoops, sorry. I, uh... guess I misunderstood that." He smiles sheepishly, "I mean, if you think you're meant to be with just Mirriam, I'd say go for it! But... heh, if you two think there's space for me in there, well... the bathhouse thing should probably give you an idea of what I think of you both, hm?"
Erika giggles, blushing: "I mean, I can't really claim that if something... anything comes of this, it's going to be by excluding you entirely...?" She shakes her head: "I have no idea!"
Nesseth can't help but chuckle along with Erika. "That's entirely fair. It definitely seems like something worth figuring out, though!" He shrugs a little, tossing a little wink at Erika as he does so, "How serious or not serious all this is with any of the three of us is something we all have to figure out. But I think I've already figured out my opinion on you and Mirriam."
Erika gives Nesseth a curious look: "...aaaand what's that opinion?~"
Nesseth smiles. "Well, you're both extremely fun to spend time with, and very, very sexy~" He chuckles again, "In addition to all of the things I'd said before when we talked at the clinic last."
Erika grins with a blush: "W-weelll, since it's YOU saying it, I guess I have to believe such a honest, straightforward guard..."
Nesseth hums and nods. "If I can say one thing about me, it's that I'm honest with my thoughts."
Erika nods in agreement: "That you are! Besides, I agree with you, so you're right." Her logic is flawless... if somewhat flawed. "I guess I have to figure out with Mirriam where we stand. At least I think we'll stay standing tonight. Probably."
Nesseth chuckles again, being quite accustomed to Erika's 'flawless' logic. "Yeah, unless you two wind up eating dinner at the Minnow, then you'll both be sitting." He hums thoughtfully, "...Here's an idea, then. I'm probably going to stop by the Minnow anyway to get a small meal. If Mirriam's intending it to be a proper one-on-one date, just enjoy it! If she just meant it to be a hangout, one of you can catch my attention, and we can figure things out from there."
Erika nods slowly: "...that could work. I mean, work for what goal? Not sure. But if nothing else, should be fun? Just uh, maybe not the sort of fun we had, but you get the idea. The other sort of fun, with less water and sex involved? That sort."
Nesseth nods, understanding. "Yup! A nice actual hangout together over good food and drinks."
Erika hums: "Yeah, Minnow doesn't really do the 'bad food' thing."
Nesseth taps his chin thoughtfully. "You know, I can't really think of any times that I ate anything that wasn't delicious there." He smiles at Erika after a moment, "But yeah, if it's just you and Mirriam tonight, I hope you two have a good time."
Erika smiles brightly: "I hope so too! Join us if..." She waves her hand: "Well, if something. I'm not sure what's in that roo's mind, but I intend to find out!"
Nesseth grins in turn. "I'll join if you two want me there, more or less." He shrugs a bit, "If not, then we can always chat later on."
Erika shrugs again, smiling: "Indeed! It's not like I don't see you both like... most every day, anyway. Whatever happens is prooobably not going to stay much of a secret."
Nesseth chuckles and nods. "Probably not. If I'm not there, then I'll probably hear about whatever happened within the first five minutes of talking to you or Mirriam the next day. We just love chit-chat."
Erika sticks her tongue out: "Maybe a little." She hums, recalling why she was wandering in the first place: "Now, what to wear...?"
Nesseth tilts his head. "Oh? You're trying to find something to wear for tonight, I take it?"
Erika nods with a blush and grin: "Y-yeah. Realized I don't really have much in terms of... well, you know. Pretty."
Nesseth hums, then smiles after just a moment of consideration. "Want some help finding something, then? I don't really have an eye for fashion, but I might be able to help you choose something, at least?"
Erika shrugs: "Sure! Not sure what I'm even looking for, so your tracking skills might help!"
Nesseth nods, then dramatically points down the lane. "Right, onward to fashion, then!" He manages to hold the pose for about a second, before he breaks with a partially stifled laugh.
Erika laughs at/with Nesseth: "Onward! I have no idea what I'm doing here either!" The two head onto try and finding something pretty for Erika... for better or for worse, since it's pretty much one fashion blind leading another.
Nesseth waits for Erika to start moving, then gives her a brief, companionable hug as the two head down the lane, now on an adventure to find the okapi a good dress... not that either are especially sharp in the ways of fashion.
----------------------------------------------
RESPITE MARKETPLACE - AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Calgwen has taken a bit of a walk, entering into the Marketplace to spend a day introducing himself to the local merchants and making his name known. He's an affiable fellow, making fast friends with most of them. Today he's wearing a fine green suit top with dark pants and sleeves, and a fashionable sash tied around his waist, walking towards the edge of the market with his tail held up just off the ground, and his feathery wings folded over top of his shoulders.
Ninell is wandering the marketplace, mostly just looking for merchants that might be selling anything sweet, while also just chatting with anyone willing to chat about the incidents with the Saurs and other tangential topics. He's currently dressed in the finery of a noble (though his bearing is a bit less so as he talks), mostly standing out by way of the deep red color that dominates most of his outfit.
Calgwen spots Ninell rather easily in that red suit. Certainly he's a striking figure, just a tad taller than Calgwen himself, there's a certain striking similarity between the two of them, enough to draw Calgwen towards him. He waits for Ninell to finish his current conversation and turn away before clearing his throat and calling out, "Hail there, friend!"
Ninell pauses in his turn, his movements fluid and precise as he looks towards the person calling to him. He blinks and quickly notes their rather pristine appearance and responds by raising a hand, palm out, in greeting. "Hello there! Do you require something of me?"
Calgwen grins, taking the hand and shaking firmly. "Nothing in particular, save for an introduction! I'm Calgwen Ariston Singequill, formerly of Sarn, presently of Respite Falls."
Ninell blinks in bemusement as his raised hand is pulled into an earnest handshake, though as Calgwen starts his introduction, the long name immediately gives away to Ninell that he's dealing with a noble." He hums and nods, dipping his head as fitting for a knight speaking with someone of a technically higher station, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Calgwen. I am Ninell, a knight of Eukune."
Calgwen seems rather excited by the introduction, and if there's any sense of station to him, he certainly doesn't carry it with him. "Eukune? Ah, another city? Country? Continent? Fascinating! You shall have to allow me to buy you lunch some day and tell me all about it! We can compare lineage!"
Ninell chuckles quietly in amusement, a bit of a smile on his face. "Eukune, another country to the southeast of Aephix, isolated by and large more by our own hand than any natural reason." He nods at Calgwen's offer, seeming... put at ease by the fact that this nobleman is anything but stuffy, "As for your offer... I will happily accept."
Calgwen bows his head, "Ah! Wonderful. I'm rather new in town, but it would seem I'm not the only one. A great deal of folks seem to be new here, brought by the allure of a new town and new opportunities. Have you come seeking some great fortune and fame?"
Ninell shakes his head at the question posed. "No, I am here because I have been sent by my country to find the root cause of some problems that have been plaguing the land as of late. I am but one of several of my kind sent out to look, and my own search has led me here, to Respite Falls."
Calgwen lifts an arm to place his fist against his chin in thought. "Oh dear... I am sorry to hear that. I've certainly heard that this city has had its share of recent hardships, what with this 'war', and I keep hearing tales of a 'Dragon'... mighty awkward that. One merchant was even afraid that I was somehow this dragon come back to wreak havok!"
Ninell hums, nodding along until he hears Calgwen mention the dragon, when his gaze sharpens a bit. "Wait for a moment, please. You mentioned a dragon. Do you have information about that? I believe this dragon may be related to the goings on around Eukune, so any information I may gather will be very helpful."
Calgwen shakes his head, "Little of my own experience, I'm afraid. Only what I've heard from the servants around the Manor and some of the rumors around here. A great white reptile with massive wings," His own wings rise up, extending out for emphasis, "Swooped down out of the east, but was foiled by the town's magic shield. Magic-tech? Ah, I am not terribly used to the new terminology."
Ninell spends a few moments ruminating the details that Calgwen does know, lifting a hand to his chin and rubbing at it as he thinks. He mutters to himself as he correlates the information with what he knew before he'd set out. "Hm... that would roughly match the descriptions from home..." He blinks, realizing Calgwen's still talking, then nods, "Ah, yes... magitech."
Calgwen chuckles, "We used to just have 'magic'. Now folks see fit to force it into tubes and metal? The lighting at night is rather nice, I suppose, but a good lantern was just as beautiful..." He catches himself, "Ah, your pardon. I do sometimes ramble on."
Ninell waves a hand dismissively. "Quite all right, Sir Calgwen. It would seem to be more for the sake of convenience than any other reason that magitech exists. Eukune has only just recently begun to integrate it into things, so I am afraid most of it is well beyond me."
Calgwen hums, "Me as well, I'm afraid. Still though... I certainly see the convenience. And please, just Calgwen is fine."
Ninell pauses for the shortest of moments, then nods. "Then Calgwen it is." He smiles a bit, "I hope you do not mind me saying, but it is... quite refreshing to speak with a noble that does not act... well... overly noble, if my meaning is clear."
Calgwen chuckles, "Ah, Sarn nobility is quite... stuffy at times, I agree. I've always found that it is Nobility's duty to earn respect, not to demand it."
Ninell hums. "Mmh... a nice change from what is expected in numerous places, I have found. I am... quite comforted that Eukune is not the only place with nobles who are perhaps a bit too self-important."
Calgwen chuckles, "You might enjoy travelling to Vamas. They don't have nobility, such as I understand it. But, ah, your duty first, yes? Been a long time since Sarn had Knights, come to think of it..."
Ninell leans his head back a bit in surprise at both bits of information. "Is that so? What do Sarn and Vamas do for general defense of the realm, then?"
Calgwen shrugs, "I can't say for Vamas. They used to have a coalitiion, and merchant navy to protect trade lines. Sarn has an army at the call to our Queen..." He hums a moment, making a sign of respect for the dead. His wings, having fallen from their dramatic flair, fold back in and drape back over his shoulders. "Eukune has had need of its military in recent years?"
Ninell sighs and nods at the last question. "Yes. My homeland was only recently united under a single leader. Before then, we were a mixture of smaller states vying for territory and power." He shakes his head a little, "And to think... one of the first challenges the new leader faces is a dragon threatening to drown the land in torrential rainfall..."
Calgwen steps forward and puts a hand on Ninell's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I can do to help, but as we are kindred of some kind, it seems the least I can do to offer whatever aid I can reasonably offer."
Ninell gracefully acknowledges the consolation with a slow dip of his head, and he lightly pats Calgwen's hand in thanks. "The sincere sympathy and that little bit of information you knew is more than enough, Calgwen. My homeland will survive, even if the rainfall does make life difficult for many." He smiles a bit more readily as he lowers his hand again, "Having a few friendly faces so far from home will do much to make this duty much more bearable."
Calgwen withdraws his hand after a moment and bows his head. "It's a new home for me, but there seem to be no shortage of friendly faces, Ninell."
Ninell: "Of that, I am glad to be finding out first-hand. To hear confirmation of that from another like myself... it certainly makes Respite Falls feel more welcoming."
Calgwen laughs, "I would have doubted finding more like myself, though you're quite different in many ways, here as well! Curious, isn't it?"
Ninell laughs as well. "Indeed. The world is quite a large place, but sometimes it feels very small when things of this manner occur." He grins a little, not wanting to put off anyone by how... toothy his grin can actually get, "Curious, but I do not find myself disagreeing with the results."
Calgwen hums, "Nor do I. I am already making some inroads with the local businesses, and found one of my ancestral kin... I do wonder how far back the break is. The lack of wings... but increased fur. Ah! Someday I shall have to journey to Eukune to learn more."
Ninell chuckles as he glances over his shoulder where wings would be if he had any, then eyes Calgwen's wings in turn. "I can say with certainty that, now we are slowly opening up now that we are a united people, you would be welcomed quite openly. Many of us do not know much of the world beyond our shores, but we are also curious to know more."
Calgwen: "And I am always happy to share! I fancy myself something of an adventurer, though that is in part only a title. I haven't the stomach for such dangerous exploits as soldiering or knighthood. But I do like to visit new places and meet new people... still, Respite is to be my home for the time being. But someday."
Ninell smiles a bit, nodding at Calgwen's assessment. "Knighthood is equal parts extraordinarily dangerous and boring. Some days, we spend all day simply standing in place, guarding an empty stretch of hallway. Other days, well..." He spreads his arms out a bit and looks around, "We go hunting for the source of a dragon attacking the land."
Calgwen nods in turn, "I'm just good with people. And almost as good with money. Not so good at hunting, and never found much pleasure in the 'sport hunting' of some nobles."
Ninell hums, reassessing Calgwen as he gets a better look at his clothing. "Hmm... something of a merchant noble, hm? Or business... Not one of those landed nobles who prefer letting others work." He smiles a bit more brightly and gently claps Calgwen on the shoulder, "I think we shall get along just fine, Calgwen."
Calgwen shakes his head, "I have worked for nearly everything I have. Several times over... and I intend to do the same here in Respite." He pauses. "I had best be off. I do have some schedule to keep, after all! But this has been a delight, Ninell. If you have need of me again, Ask for me at the gate of the Bouquet Estate, just at the edge of town."
Ninell takes a moment to file the name of the estate away in his mind. "The Bouquet Estate. I will remember that, Calgwen, thank you." He stands up straighter and dips into a practiced bow, "I wish you a pleasant afternoon, and thank you for taking the time to stop for a talk."
Calgwen returns the bow in kind, "Ah, but thank you! I certainly look forward to our next meeting. Good luck with your hunt!" He rises from his bow, glancing up at the sun to check the time, then heading off towards his next appointment with a casual gait, taking the time to wave and greet folks along the way, his rather genial demeanor hopefully leaving a rather good impression of him as he goes about town.
Ninell rises from his own bow and watches with a bit of amusement as Calgwen goes on his way. Some part of him can't help but muse on how he can be so openly friendly and yet still a noble that doesn't get taken advantage of in business. But, clearly, he's well off enough that he likely has more to him than Ninell suspects.