[Lolah Magic]

She arrived at night, unintentionally - but perhaps that was a good thing. The journey was long, and involved many transitions, connections and re-connections. Upon arriving, Hiro felt strange, this place was familiar - yet new. She didn't know where to start, or if starting would be possible. The place was frankly deserted. But she needed help, answers - she couldn't do this alone.

She checked into an anonymous inn, nothing flashy - palaces and throne halls were a world away, another lifetime. She was a scholarly creature of universities now - at least she hoped she was. She washed and changed out of her travel stained clothes before making her way to the common area. A few sad looking strangers stared into their tankards or picked miserably at the plain food before them. No one she recognized, but yet - would she even recognize them if she saw them? Who was she expecting to be here? The Keeper? Prophet? Innomi? She suspected they were long dead.

Shaking off panic and the urge to return to her room and get some rest before beginning, she ordered a glass of the local ale and bowl of indifferent looking broth that bubbled on the stove and sat in a corner, making notes in her note book as she ate, as she waited for someone to arrive.

[Red]

The inn door swung open not long after the latest entrant, and in stepped a 7-foot-tall figure, although you wouldn't be able to tell, since he was hunched over. Once inside the building, why he was hunched was evident: his outstretched arm was holding the brown travelling cloak out over a much smaller figure, a young woman. She stepped out from under his towering frame, lowered her cloak hood, and shook her long blonde-white hair out. It shimmered in the low firelight almost like diamonds. The tall male stood straight - or, as straight as possible considering how low the inn roof was. He glanced around whilst shedding his cloak and hanging it on the nearby cloak stand. The woman was already ahead of him, and stepped up to the bar, ordering two glasses of red wine.

As the bartender busied himself cleaning the glasses first under the steady stare of the tall man, the woman strode over to the nearest spare table and swiftly sat herself in a threadbare armchair. The man followed her into the next armchair, handing her one glass. They clinked the glasses, and drank.

[Lolah Magic]

Hirondelle watched the entrance of the couple with interest, the big guy looked a bit of a lout - but showed such gentleness to the tiny female that she sensed that was just a side effect of his height. She wondered about their relationship. Was he a bodyguard? a lover? they looked too different to be family but in this world, she knew, anything was possible. Narrowing her eyes at the cascade of hair that fell from the woman's hood she mourned for the thousandth time that she hadn't been born blonde. Nothing signifies beauty and grace like blonde hair, she thought her hand going unconsciously to her own jet black straight locks, which is probably why I had to rule with fear... and lots of weapons. She shook her head to clear the past and remind herself that she was a scholar now and focus on the task at hand.

The final blow came as the lady order ordered red wine. Damn they sell wine, why am I drinking this muck? Hirondelle thought to herself. At least it gives me an opening. She stood and went over to the bar to order herself a glass, smiling at the couple as she passed their table.

[Oreta]

Time will tell.... He knew, and so well. He'd seen more than his share, welcoming it all. It was time to welcome back old habits, and familiar actions, as well. It never hurt...nothing did.

Somewhere in the corner, he'd been there the whole time. Nothing to notice, which he let on. His face was toward the swill he'd been served, and 'enjoyed' without the slightest complaint. There'd always been worse. There always would be. The taste could not bland the flavor of a reunion....

Staring out from under messy, tar-black hair, the man continued to take in the scene...his small, rough, grungy-looking form not liable to catch attention. At least...not the attention his red eyes would....

[melas zepheos]

Dreamily Niamh wondered through the common room collecting the dirty glasses and plates from the tables dotted around the room. Her sandy hair was pulled back in a pony tail, but the wispy hairs were inching their way free, destroying any hope of looking neat. A blast of cold air blew over Niamh with the entrance of the new people just as her arms were getting full, and as much as she wanted to look she knew she would get in trouble if she wasn’t quickly back in the kitchen.

[Lolah Magic]

She cursed under her breath as wine slopped messily down the side of her glass which she was raising to her lips. Why was she so nervous? Why did she feel like she was being watched? Her eyes followed the woman as she returned to the kitchen weighed down with glasses. Okay calm down, you just have to go over and introduce yourself, if they don't want your company they will let you know soon enough. She composed herself and walked with purpose toward the intriguing couple - holding her wine glass with measured steadiness determined not to let a trembling hand betray her.

When she got to the table she paused for the perfect amount of time and spoke softly. "Excuse me but I was wondering if I might join you for a while. I am a scholar and I have travelled a fair distance. I find myself somewhat lonely on my first night in a strange place and would appreciate the chance of a little company before I retire."

[Red]

The woman approached, and the tall man glanced up as she spoke. His stony grey eyes looked up from the blonde woman he had walked in with, and straight into the stranger's from under his thick-set brow. For a moment, he analysed her, then his strong jawline softened as he smiled faintly.

"Ma'am, it would be our pleasure," he said quietly. "Please, have a seat." He stood and motioned to an empty armchair opposite the blonde woman. "My name is Hunter, and this is my good friend, Maia." The blonde woman, Maia, tilted her head towards the stranger, her almost white eyes swiftly taking the new lady in.

[Oreta]

((Going to leave Rehael as he is in FotM -- at current -- so as not to spoil anything. :P ))

Unsure -- which had become his normal state of being -- how he'd wandered to this particular in, Rehael entered, nevertheless. He felt drawn, without knowing why, to enter. Which was odd, considering he didn't need to eat, drink or sleep. Either way, he was inside now, and had begun looking over the customers and workers already present...at least, the part of them he could see. Their lives were all glowing as bright as could be expected...save one person, back in a corner.

Uncertain if he'd cause a panic -- looking like a walking statue, exuding a soft, light-blue radiance from his joints and eyes -- he cautiously stepped in. The bar held no interest -- he couldn't drink away any of his troubles, if he couldn't drink. Instead, he opted to see if he could still feel the warmth of the fire....

[Lolah Magic]

Thank you, permit me first to collect my things. She set her glass on the table in front of the empty chair that Hunter had indicated and went to get her book and bag from her former nook. See that wasn't so hard was it? She still felt a slight nervousness but was reassured by the warmth in Hunter's voice. All she had to do now was use her time wisely, and hope the conversation proved fruitful.

She quickly returned to the couple with a smile and took her chair, aware that another stranger had entered and taken his place by the fire, she noted his rather oddly ethereal appearance but pulled her eyes back to her current hosts. I appreciate this, I had no idea what manner of lodging I had chosen and felt vulnerable sitting alone. She took a sip of her wine and relaxed visibly. And I will be honest I have been sent by my academy to do a little research on the people of these parts, though I doubt you are of these parts..? Leaving that statement open, she crossed her legs, her leather breetches creaking slightly. If you have any questions to ask of me, I will gladly answer them, I have nothing to hide. Well aside from a demon-riddled realm and eons of mass murder, she thought wryly.

[Red]

Hunter smiled gently as the 'academic' hurredly collected her things and sat opposite him. Maia watched with sparkling eyes. His large hand rested gently on the arm of her chair, not as that of a lover, but that of a guardian, a protector. Calm, calculating eyes watched her face intently, but not fiercely.

"No indeed, you are right, we are not from around here," Hunter said, with a small chuckle. "But, first, you haven't given me," he paused and looked at Maia, "-us, the honour of knowing your name."

Meanwhile, Maia, still listening carefully, was watching as familiar faces showed themselves. Niamh had vanished into the kitchens, and Rehael had just made an appearance. But, Maia was bound by her upbringing to wait to be excused, before she left the table, and the conversation with the as yet unnamed stranger.

[Lolah Magic]

Hiro smiled, a rose blush colouring her naturally pallid complex and making her appear more human than was usually the case. Forgive me, I am Hirondelle - but please call me Hiro. The omission was oddly pleasing and she repaid Hunter's gentle reprimand with unplanned honesty. I am so used to being known I forget that in most of this world I am no-one. I was a... she paused to find an appropriate phrase... leader of a tribe. But illness forced me to retire from that realm, and I undertook a new journey - that of learning. It is refreshing, to find a new purpose - wouldn't you agree? We are our thoughts and our actions so if we remain stationary and without inspiration, even in luxurious circumstances we are doomed to become less. She looked carefully at Hunter and Maia in turn, hoping this statement would resonate with their experience. If it is possible to share a little of your journey's story I would be interested to hear it.

[Red]

Hunter kept the gentle smile on his face, enjoying this conversation more than he'd expected. Maia remained silent next to him. Since the events of the past few years, she had never been good around strangers. He didn't blame her.

"Hiro, I am pleased to be acquainted with such a studious being as yourself." His look and voice was sincere. "You see, where I come from, many of the studious beings have long fled. My land is one of war and blood at present." Hunter's eyes flickered down to his hands, now curled in his lap, the wine glass forgotten on the table. "I, too, am used to be well-known in my land. A few here know who I am - General Hunter Conri, Chief Commander of the Lirgealian Armed Forces. But that life is forgotten here - somewhat gladly. As I'm sure you can imagine, it carries a heavy burden."

For a moment, silence fell over his shoulders. Then he glanced up at Hiro again, his grey eyes sparkling. "Forgive me, I dwell on memories that should be forgotten." Hunter glanced at Maia, seeing her watch Rehael. "I'm not sure what of our story you wish to hear. We have travelled far together, and seen many things that I wish I hadn't. We are but two of our party. Two more are here, but the rest have gone." A hand idly laid across Maia's arm, fingertips stroking the small hairs, like you'd pet a cat. "Please, ask any question of us."