Private Tales There Will Come A Reckoning

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

By all the gods, could she go on and on. He wasn't annoyed by it, nor was there anything negative about it. She loved her family. By all accounts, it was rather picturesque. He was almost jealous of it. No father leaving for quests to aid strangers or doing anything dangerous, no haunted nights that led to the death of a sibling, no cold mother due to the losses.

He would just smile. Her whole happy demeanor was pure, solicited, genuine. His was merely a facade to help the days go by without too much question. "They sound wonderful." He would respond with a glance. "Perhaps one day, ill be able to meet them... your parents, and your sister. Ill even try to be on my best behavior." He joked.

They ride had been pleasant, peaceful, and thankfully without too much craziness. So once they wound through the path and happened upon Pinewood, he would whistle. "Well ill be, Lady Pirian. Ain-Isn't this quite the view." He corrected himself. He wasn't sure why, but he did. Maybe he was getting nervous?

Once they reached the stables, or at least their version of one, he would kick his left leg up and over the head of his courser in a rather flashy dismount that he had seen his brother do. He had been practicing it at the Academy stables while he waited for her. And it was pulled off famously.

Landing gracefully, he stepped over to her saddle and offered up his hand. "M'lady." He would say with a grin before his free hand moved to support her waist as he gently carried her down from the saddle, and set her down on the earth. "Welcome, to the bustling metropolis of Pinewood." His grin shifted to a smirk and his hands still held their earlier placements. Realizing that, he would quickly with draw them.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"I would very much enjoy having my family host you, Drastus," Kristen said. "The Academy, being such as it is, isn't so conducive for making friends. And thus, those that are made stand out all the brighter."

Along the road they went, entering the quiet village (which very much enjoyed the security of being within the shadow of the Academy) and heading to the local stables to hitch up their mounts.

She had been prepared to dismount herself. Always this came with a slight nervousness ever since she'd gotten her shin caught on the saddle horn once and had quite the spill--and not to mention a face-full of mud. She actually did want the practice of it, but when Drastus came over and offered his hand she was delighted nevertheless. Kristen slipped her hand into his as she had with her instructors and let him offer his gentle support. For a tiny moment, the Pinewood stables had stood in for the Pirian stables of her yesteryears.

"My gratitude, Drastus!" Kristen said, smiling, offering him a small, half-curtesy when her feet were on the ground. His hand slipped away from her waist after it had lingered and she politely did not notice. Instead, she giggled at his comment. "Yes, a bustling metropolis indeed. Oh but we must resist the sights and splendors and keep our minds focused upon our task: a good meal and a good rest! Shall we?"

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

She was delighted by his offer! Success! Maybe his brother wasn't so dumb after all? "Oh yeah, no problem Kristen." He would say with his well-polished grin. She curtsied, he bowed, she smiled and his heart nearly skipped a beat.

He needed to pump the brakes a bit, re-evaluate his life choices. She was by all accounts perfect, aside from being his planar opposite.. and despite all of that, he knew more about her than any other initiate. Maybe that's why. Building familiarity. Yeah, that was it.

Then she giggled. By the gods, she knew what she was doing! She had to, right?! Oh shit, it was his turn to say something or else he would be standing there like a lost baboon. "Da-err.. Drats.. guess we'll have to hit this fine city on our way back. Make up for the lost experiences." He said with a smile. Shit. He was doing it again. Censoring himself.

"Business, then pleasure, or leisure." He would say with as posh a voice as he could muster once again. "And given today's business is concluded, I say we find the other two." Shit. That came out wrong. Nope, he was gonna run with it. He just broadened that smile and offered his arm, they were away from the Academy, they wouldn't be judged here. "Shall we, m'lady?"

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen hesitated a moment when the arm was offered. 'Twas a simple and courteous gesture, but one not completely devoid of connotation, especially where a young man of suitor's age was concerned. Even a touch more so than especially, since he'd mentioned pleasure and leisure. Oh but she didn't want to be rude! And once already had she rebuked the offer, and as well she didn't want to be appear cold or standoff-ish. She liked Drastus--he was approachable, charming, charismatic, and many other qualities that a majority of their peers lacked--and didn't want him to feel slighted.

Oh, what was the trouble with accepting his arm just this once?

"Indeed," she said, taking gentle hold of Drastus's elbow with two hands. It wasn't so different from the polite escorts of her relatives when she was younger.

Pinewood Lake was a small town, and one that leaned into its particular niche. It was an Academy village through and through, and with so many Initiates and Proctors traveling the road in either direction, the village had a proper Inn where otherwise there might well have been none at all. The Academy Way was largely-sized for a village so small for the reason aforementioned. They did not lack for patrons.

Inside, the innkeeper of the lobby was genial and welcoming, but not overly so. His eyes hinted of him being a quick study, the way he scanned both Kristen and Drastus with rapidity. "Welcome to the Way," he said. His smile was thin, but friendly enough. "They're trusting you now, are they?"

"Why, yes," Kristen said, somewhat taken aback by the directness, but surely the innkeep had seen many an Initiate come through. He knew much of the goings-on from what he could glean, it would seem. "'Tis all rather exciting, I must admit."

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

He noticed the inner turmoil she experienced before she accepted the offer. Were there any real signs or flashy movements to give it away? No. Just the kindred experience felt by another who had those same struggles everyday for years. So when she finally did accept he would grace her with a warm smile and made every effort to ensure the gesture remained as gentlemanly as possible.

The innkeeper seemed well enough, but he also acted like he knew way too much. It was bothersome. So when Kristen agreed with what he was saying, he offered her a perked brow. He was definitely the least trusting of the two. But the jig was up, he would have to try to do some damage control.

Thankfully, his hands had remained under the counter, which allowed him some freedom to retrieve his gloves and pull them on without too much of a scene. When he spoke, his once jubilant Visage would disappear as if the innkeeper had said something wrong and his tone would model after Ventress. Two gloved hands would rest on the counter. "One room, extra pillows.. I take it food is served here too?" He asked giving the area a quick look around. "Name, Strayder. Preferably a room overlooking the lake. We will be paying upon our departure. We will not pay for terrible service.."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

The innkeep nodded in his sagely, knowing manner. "Of course, Initiate. My son Eldras is a fine cook, and he's got a mind for what you all tend to like--and don't much get--down south. You'll have yourself a good meal tonight."

Kristen turned her head in a half-glance when Drastus gave a false name. Mayhap it was good practice when abroad, but here? She wasn't...entirely sure. Had he noticed something that she hadn't? Best to not make a fool of him by spilling out her own name then, much less that she was of House Pirian. It would do the innkeeper no disservice if their true names never graced his ears, though, so it seemed...fine?

Oh! A room overlooking the lake, what a stellar idea! She did fancy going down to the Lake itself, for it lay right behind the inn. A small time spent relaxing at the water's edge sounded lovely. Certainly something to preemptively balance out whatever troubles they would encounter in Vel Numera.

The innkeeper nodded. "You needn't worry, Initiate. The Way prides itself on catering to Vel Anir's finest. You defend us all--it's the least we can do in return."

The innkeeper, not at all bothered by the stipulation of delayed payment, turned and ran a finger along the wall behind him, where the keys to the rooms upstairs dangled from small hooks. He let a small "Ah" and grabbed one and gave the keyring to Drastus. "I think you'll appreciate the view in this one."

"Thank you, that shall be all for now," Kristen said, smiling cordially. "May you have a pleasant evening!"

Another of those sagely nods. "You as well, Initiates."

And, on the way up the stairs, Kristen at last took proper notice of the gloves Drastus had come to be wearing.

"Oh, white gloves," she commented. "That is rather bold, I must say, to bring such a garment into the field. Why, I am of course fond of my House's colors, but I find myself constantly embattled with cleaning the stains from my white tabard!"

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Drast would offer a thankful smile to the innkeeper before taking the key from them. "My thanks. I'm sure we both look forward to his food." A nod and then he turned for the stairs, one hand gently resting at Kristen's lower back before ushering her for the stairs.

When she began to head up them, the hand withdrew. "Huh?" Gloves? Oh yeah. He would begin to pull them free. "Ventress gave these to me. Only gloves I wear. She saw me touching the barren ground. And uhh, I don't think these have ever gotten dirty."

Reaching the room, he would use the key to open the door for her and let her head in. "So how's the view?" he asked as he set his things down by the bed and pulled several pillows off before dropping them on the ground. "I'll uhh, sleep on the floor. You take the bed." He offered.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Ventress? Oh that must be another Initiate, one with whom Kristen had somehow not managed to become acquainted--acquainted, at least, in so far as being able to match a name to a face, for that was usually as far as it went in the Academy.

The room was modest. Incredibly modest. So modest that the innkeeper seemed to have forgotten that the two of them required two beds! Or mayhap it was simply that the Academy Way only had single bed rooms (given their typical clientele, such made a ghastly amount of sense). Maybe the fault was Kristen's own for not elucidating the particulars. Or--oh my! What if, because she and Drastus had entered the establishment with her holding his arm, the innkeeper had assumed...one bed?

Regardless, Drastus provided a gentleman's solution. It troubled her that circumstances conspired to leave Drastus on the hardwood floor, but his offer (made without hesitation!) was rather endearing, Kristen's reaction coming through with a shy smile and little aversion of her eyes.

She had indeed crossed the gap of the room to the window. The tips of her fingers touched the glass as she looked out, a small look of wonder as the silver shine of the lake danced in thousands of tiny little motions, the nightly breeze disturbing the water's surface and making it so.

"It's gorgeous!" she said. She looked back. "'Tis all too easy, given the endless petitioning for our attention by life's demands, to leave unappreciated the simple beauties of our world."

Kristen looked out the window again, eyes filled with a sort of longing for a moment--until she remembered something.

She looked back to Drastus again. "Oh! I mean to go down to the water's edge, to recline and bask in the calm of night and the serenity of our surroundings. Just for a little while. Would you care to join me?"

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Chivalry paid dividends. At least in a way that would mean nothing to anyone but him. She smiled and looked away, and he just offered her a grin. After all, she was holding his arm and clutching her metaphorical pearls in the other hand. It was.. endearing. Cute.

"Yeah it is." Drast said agreeing with her. He may have had a direct line to the Abyss, but he wasn't some edge lord wierdo who hated nature. He loved it, it brought a peace that he would never know, because his soul wanted power. This, was the perfect medium. "Thats why we gotta set aside a little time each day."

He noticed that longing look at the beach and was about to ask her, when she did the unspeakable! She asked him. First. The surprise would shift into a genuine smile she had never seen him make before. "Yeah, we can even bring the food and make a picnic out of it.. its a date."

He glanced into one of the mirrors, he had gotten a little disheveled from travel. "Shall we wash up before hand, rid ourselves of the grime of the road? There's a nice tub, I can draw us a bath.. if you like." In his mind, they had all showered together before and she had seen him very up close and very detailed before. So it seemed harmless to him and not at all intimate. He hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Oh, a picnic, I'd not even considered that!" Kristen said, turning from the window and willfully paying more attention to that than the phrasing of the excursion to the lake as a courting. Her right hand held her left down by her waist, and she stood with pristine posture.

And a bath before bed, always a lovely experience. Certainly they had fair fortunes to reach the Way tonight, rather than having to "rough it" out in a night at camp. Such nights would come, surely (as they most certainly did whilst she trekked lost with Edric through the deserts of Amol-Kalit), and yes, they were quite good for hardening and honing her ability to endure.

But, as she came to realize, she mustn't cast away all love for comforts big and small. Zael, for all his cavalier ways and hard-headedness, had a good colloquial saying on the matter: work hard, play hard.

"If you should like to bathe first, I could go downstairs and inform Eldras that we would each like to sample his cooking."

And then, once done, the night air and the splash of stars upon the lake's water would make for an excellent retreat.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Drast would smile at her approval of the picnic and truthfully didn't think much of the refusal for the double bath. "Nono. You go first. One might be more comfortable anyways." He'd laugh. After all, spatial awareness wasn't his strongest suit. Nor were manners, or math.. yeah, he just kinda liked to fight and kill things. Oh and drink.

"Absolutely not. I will draw you a bath, as it is something the Tal'deneshaars are known for, amazing bath drawing." If that was a thing, his family likely wasn't, but it was something that Drast picked up from his brother. After all, the ladies loved his oldest brother. "Then I will go put in food requests, if there is anything in particular you would like. I want you to lock the door after I leave, just in case. And uhh... if I have to wait for you to finish to get back in, that's fine too."

Besides, he needed to grab some things from his saddle bag that she hadn't seen. And maybe get something from a nearby shop. "How does that sound? I'll get the picnic set up while you bathe.. I'll be quick when its my turn."

As he spoke, he would dig through his pack, obscuring the contents from view before pulling out a medium sized pouch, and opened it to make sure he grabbed the right thing. Perfect. She might smell the faint scent of lavender in the air before he pulled the drawstrings tight. Rising back to his feet, he would roll his shoulders and crack the joints before striding into the bathroom and starting the bath. He whistled a tune as he waited for the water to warm up before dropping the plug. "Hey Kristen, how high do you prefer the water?" Didn't matter what he liked, he'd just drain the water and start again.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

My, it was rather easy to forget tonight that she was an Initiate of the Dreadlord Academy, had been for over a year running, and was at present engaged in the pursuit of yet another mission. Relaxing horse riding, being called Lady Pirian, pleasant and charming company--why, should she be at all surprised that the illusion of never having left her noble life felt so strong?

How does that sound?

Kristen placed a hand on her chest and bowed her head in gratitude, smiling. "It sounds lovely, Drastus. Very well. I appreciate your small gesture of deference in allowing me the first bath."

And what a luxury this was! Their very own private bathroom connected to their room. Given the Way's clientele, surely this was an inn room reserved primarily for traveling Proctors. Oh, was that lavender?

"Is that lavender?" Kristen said, giving voice to the thought right after she'd had it. She stood by the portal to the bathroom, heading turning this way and that, a sniff here and a sniff there. Was that another of Drastus's magical talents? Mayhap--she couldn't fathom why he might be traveling with lavender scented oil.

"Oh, yes, I quite like to submerge myself up to the neck." She let out a small, guilty laugh, scratching the back of her head in much the same manner. "Though such was an easier task only a few short years ago. When I was...well, short, ha ha. Ha..."

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Drastus was crouched beside the tubs and withdrew a small vial. Oil first, petals near the top, Valdr had always taught him. He wasn't sure how his brother had even known, but it was something he was suddenly taking advantage of.

"Oh yeah, love lavender." He said as he glanced her way with a smile. It then dawned on him it might be weird that be traveled with lavender oils. "It uhh.." he shrugs. "..makes me think of home." He mused lightly. "My mom has this lavender garden. Been ages since I seen it."

He would grow quiet and she would see some sort of hidden pain flash over his features. But as quick as it has appeared, it had dissipated. He would laugh at her joke and shake his head as if she had just said something wild. "I'll try to get as close to the neck as possib-" he cut himself off and sighed. "That came out way off." He laughed again. "I got the height, don't worry." He flashed her a grin and when the water hit three quarters, he would dry off his hands and procure some lavender petals and sprinkle them into the tub. At least a dozen of them. "Come over here and tell me what you think, yeah?"

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

That was so sweet! Drastus carrying a small little reminder of his mother like that.

But oh, now she had gone and done it. Inadvertently she'd inspired feelings of homesickness in him, so she surmised from that fleeting tightness in his expression. In both of them she should say. Talk of Drastus's mother and her lavender garden had prompted forth little cherished memories Kristen had with her own mother. Most prominently, one in which mother herself had dismissed the handmaids and washed Kristen's hair herself (after a rainy day playing outside in which she and Amelia had returned with a most unbecoming coat of mud on their clothes and, yes, in their hair).

Fortunately, it didn't last long.

Kristen rounded the portal, one hand lightly leaning against the jamb and the retracted curtain. Oh, what a treat! The petals would have been more surprising than the oil, if not for awareness now of the nostalgic lavender garden.

She stepped forward and gripped the polished wooden edge of the tub, then traced her finger along the surface of the water. She couldn't help the giddy smile which followed. The Academy was...well, baths were apparently something of novelty. "Showers," these contraptions which made it as though it were raining within a narrow stall, were the norm. You had to stand (stand!) and scrub quickly, for once the overhanging container ran out of water, you were done, ushered along by whichever attending Proctor was keeping you on-time. It was all a thoroughly unpleasant experience.

"I'd nearly forgotten that such lavish experiences could exist," Kristen said, glancing over. "Seems a shame that travel along the open road and mayhap a night or two spent at camp might erode this fragrance before long, but--" She straightened up and beamed and thudded her fists on her hips, "I shall endeavor to be extra careful on our journey, such that I may enter Vel Numera with the pleasant scent of lavender yet!"

"Oh! And please tell Eldras that I would be delighted to partake of whatever the house is serving tonight. I would not presume to be picky when thus far he and his father have been naught but accommodating."

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

There was just something about her smile when she felt the warmth of the water. It was mystifying, nay breathtaking, and he started to smile dumbly before pulling gaze away.

When he looked back he laughed at her heroic decree. "Whats sad is we needed to hit the road and be away from the academy to be reminded of such pleasantries." He shrugged. "I'm sure you will do just fine in maintaining the scent." He meant it as a compliment, though it really wasn't one he understood.

He popped up to his feet, hands drumming along the polished wood. "Alrighty, you are good to go. Enjoy your bath, Lady Pirian." He would say with a bow. He would head for the doorway, pausing long enough to lean against the frame.

"Alright. I'll put in two orders for food and ill be back soonish. Lock the door behind me, okay. We may be in a land of law and order, but brigands still roam." She would be able to note a small hint of worry for her in his voice. "If, you hear something, dump Rupert's bones out on the floor and cut your hand. Blood on his lips. He'll wake up and protect you." He would slap the door frame lightly before shooting her a wink. "Enjoy the bath, ill be back soon."

With that, he was out the door and heading down the hall.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Lady Pirian. It only became clear how much she missed that when someone uttered it. Drastus and Delaney were the only ones--every other instance of someone at the Academy calling her "Lady" came with a venomous derision or a mocking air. Mayhap one could say that this was another of such pleasantries only to be enjoyed away from the Academy.

With Drastus departing downstairs, the door locked, and the knowledge of Rupert the guardian, Kristen drew the curtain to the bathroom and disrobed. She eased herself into the water, biting her bottom lip all the while. Ohhhhh...Holy Sentinel...Blessed Guardian of Time...this was exquisite.

As she liked, she sank into the water up to her neck.

And while she enjoyed it, this seldom luxury, she couldn't help but to think of its opposite. Hardship. When first she had come to the Academy she was a newborn fawn, timid and barely standing on weak, scrawny legs. In many ways she still was that baby deer, but she had survived her first year. She had done things and gone places she never would have imagined. Yet she still had a long way to go. A long way, and in half the time of her peers.

Work hard. Play hard.

In Vel Numera, she needed to work hard. And in the coming years, keeping that same spirit, she could prove Edric and Noel and the rest of the naysayers wrong. That she was a real Dreadlord.

* * * * *​

Splashing. Wet dripping. Small patters of feet and the shuffle of washcloths and the rustle of clothes.

Then the curtain to the bathroom was slid open and Kristen stepped back into the bedroom proper, her hair still a trifle damp.

"Your turn, Drastus."

And then, the lovely night air awaited.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Drastus had moved quick. Orders were placed, a timetable given, and then he was on to the stables. A nod to the stablehand and Drast was into the bay with his borrowed mare, where he successfully fished out a parcel, then scrambled back to the Way.

A small basket was purchased, a blanket, too. Quick stops completed, he woud beeline for the inn door. Just before he entered, he noticed a neary rose bush and plucked a singular white rose from it and cruised for the kitchens.

Halfway to dinner. He would leave the basket and the blanket with them before heading back for the stairs and took them two at a time until he found himself before their suite of sorts. She would hear the door to the room open just beyond the bathroom door, close, then re-lock. "Just me, Kris." He would shout for her to hear.

The rose was tucked away, the parcel too, and then he began to gather some clothes. Once gathered, he had kicked of his boots, pulled his socks free, and removed his shirt.

Just in time for him to hear her call out to him. When he turned to face her she would notice something... very new, that definitely wasn't there during the Punishment Game weeks before: the skin on his left arm looked almost raw, with signs of torture splayed along the limb and onto the torso. Many of the tattoos that had once been there looked significantly faded and some looked fresher still. "Oh-hey." He offered, not even thinking about it. He would step past her and enter the bathroom. "How was it?" The clothes were set down on the counter, the drain clog was pulled and the bath remade. "Twenty til dinner is ready!" He would yell to her, in case she hadn't followed him to talk.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen's brow twitched with a slight anxiety upon seeing Drastus's left arm. Had that...always been that way? Like the burns? No. No, she didn't think so. She said nothing of it, not wanting to broach the subject at present and potentially ruin the good cheer of the evening. She filed it away, making a note to bring it up whilst on the road, or whilst they were in Vel Numera.

How was it?

"Marvelous!" Kristen called from the bedroom. She sat down on the bed, leaning over and reaching into her traveling pack that she'd left beside it. Ah. There they were. Her comb and her brush. Neither were so cumbersome as to be reasonably excluded from her traveling gear, and keeping one's hair in orderly shape was always good.

Oh, and dinner was already well sorted. Brilliant!

She started to comb her hair--which, when let loose from her usual ponytail, was rather long and plentiful.

"Indulge my curiosity, if you would, Drastus," she called. Combing, combing in a gentle rhythm. "You provided the scent of lavender for my bath, which I must say I thoroughly enjoyed. What of you?" She giggled a little. "What of you and other boys, hmm? I haven't the faintest clue. Is it something you enjoy, Drastus? Scented baths? And if so, what kind of scent do you use?"

Scented baths were of course a fair enough luxury--especially so for Initiates of the Academy, nigh alien a concept to most of their peers, perhaps. But she wondered nonetheless. She knew quite a lot of feminine washroom particulars, but of boys and men? Something of a mystery. Other than shaving, that is, but that was so ubiquitous and noticeable a practice that it hardly counted.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

As he worked he couldn't help but smile as she let known her most recent curiosities. The water was perfect and he hadn't added nearly as much lavender to his bath as he had hers. Just enough for a fresh scent. Then he got real nekkid and wrapped a towel around his waist. She would just hear the water stop and then his footsteps.

Reaching the portal, he leaned against the doorframe, one leg into the main room so she could see the towel clad leg. "Alright, curiosity indulging indeed... Well, honestly? My brother taught me to carry such niceties should I ever find myself in the presence of a beautiful lady." he offered with a shrug. "So I do." when she giggled, he would grin. "Well, I don't know about other guys, but as you know, I am very confident in my masculinity and sometimes I like to smell really nice. So the lavender acts as a treat for me too. Especially since its been such a long time since I been home. My usual, is something muskier. I think most of the guys use it. But you throw lavender scent at them and they scream." he said with a laugh.

Another wink before he disappeared back through the portal, leaving the door partially open. There would be a faint splash as he climbed into the tub.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As promised he was quick, though she could hear him singing some merry sounding tune. After some time, another splash of water as he exited the bath, then pulled the clog. Towel once more wrapped around his waist, he would exit the bathroom once more, at speed before pausing and shaking his head. "Basket head." cursing silently, he hurried back into the bathroom and dried himself quickly before pulling his clothes on.

Another few minutes later and he would emerge once again. Black tunic with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and top four buttons undone, purple vest, black greaves tucked into black boots. "Alrighty, ready for that picnic?" he asked with a grin. He would pat himself down once more and make sure he had the key in hand. "Meet me down by the lake and pick a good spot and I'll grab the food?" he would ask, tucking something into a pouch at his belt.

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

During Drastus's enlightening of the washroom practices of the rougher sex, a small warmth came to Kristen's cheeks when he implied that she was the beautiful lady (or at least one of them) for whom the niceties were used. Would she ever tire of it, being called so? She thought not, oh no. It was perhaps one of the simplest of pleasures, and she very much liked it. Some of her female peers at the Academy might balk at it, some might be indifferent, but Kristen enjoyed every instance of the compliment without exception.

As Drastus returned into the washroom and the light splash sounded his entering of the bath, Kristen put a finger to her chin and mused to herself, "I wonder which of the other boys at the Academy would scream at the scent of lavender...?"

* * * * *​

Kristen had her hair combed and brushed and tied back into its ponytail, bangs just how she liked them, by the time Drastus finished his bath. He came out in just a towel first, giving Kristen again a brief glimpse of the rawness on his left side. Then he returned in earnest.

She stood from the bed. Made a show of looking over herself, down at her doublet and her arming pants and twisting her feet on the tips of her toes each in turn to look at her boots in their fullness. "Why, it's almost a shame that I've but these less than casual and certainly less than cozy garments to wear. Alas, such is life, and fantasies of a fair dress for the occasion shall remain there in the land of whimsy."

A quick and simple plan.

Kristen clapped her hands together, smiling. "Perfect! I'll find us a wonderful spot with a gorgeous view!"

And out they went.

* * * * *​

Whilst Drastus was meeting with Eldras, Kristen stepped out of the Way and around to the backside of the Inn and made her way down the short and gentle slope to the bank of the lake. She ran a hand through her hair, awed momentarily at elemental majesty of the lake's silver expanse and the soft lapping and splashing of the water.

She walked along the bank, through some tall, knee-high grass and a few patches of weeds, until she found a slightly elevated shelf of land, flat (perhaps man-made for some long ago purpose, such was its exactness), and with much shorter blades of grass. There were even three rocks of varying largeness on this shelf of land, where they might sit upon or lounge against. Or, creatively, utilize a plank of wood from somewhere to make a bench.

When she saw Drastus, Kristen gave a sharp whistle and raised up her hand, waving him over.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

When Drastus emerged from the shower and bore witness to Kristen spinning about, he would offer an appreciative whistle. "B-e-a-utiful. Never thought I would see the day a woman could make arming pants look good." He said with a grin before gather the rest of what he needed. "Solution. We gotta pass back through here, maybe we buy you a dress in Vel Numera and do this again?" He offered with a smile.

They had their tasks and when she stepped out the door, he would lock it after her.

_______________________________________________

The stop in the kitchens was quick. Basket, food, bottle of wine, bottle of mead, blanket, then the white rose set on the top and the basket was closed. Perfect. He clapped Eldras on the shoulder, tipped him well, then set off to find Kristen.

It didn't bother him at all that he had to trek through tall grass or weeds, but he seemed to have the right path because he heard a whistle, which got a reflexive pose. Dammit. Offering an embarrassed smirk he would jog the rest of the way to her.

Reaching her side he would set the basket down before her. "Figured this needed to feel like a real picnic. Go ahead, open her up."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen had, of course, assented to Drastus's offer of purchasing a dress and bookending their mission with another relaxing night here in Pinewood lake at a picnic. She did have a plethora of dresses back home, yes, her closet large enough to comfortably accommodate a whole traveling band of a bards. But she would insist on it being a simple, inexpensive dress (which coincidentally one could not find in her closet)! She didn't want to take advantage of Drastus's generosity when her wardrobe attested to the plain fact that she certainly did not want for a selection of a dresses.

But, here in the present.

Kristen pulled open the wicker flap of the basket and the aroma of Eldras's cooking wafted out. There were two bowls of something with a surprisingly western, mayhap Kaliti flair: noodles, vegetables, and sliced bits of meat, all seasoned and cooked together. Oh, and it did smell wonderful!

Kristen took out a bowl and a wooden fork and tried some (unbeknownst to her, the dish was colloquially known as "stir fry"). A few curious chews, and then her face lit up and she, as delicately and ladylike as she could, had three more bites quickly.

"Drastus," she said after she'd swallowed. She wasn't so uncultured as to try to talk with a full mouth. "Have you thought on what you intend to do after graduation? The Republic has certainly expanded the prospects for Initiates."

Down below them, the gentle waters of the starlit lake lapped against the earthen wall of the shelf.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

He bit back the smile as she breezed right past the rose and the blanket, which he would grab out, and whip it open, laying it down on the grass. The white rose, would fall out of the basket by where she had been seated. He would then adjust the blanket as she set to work pulling out the food.

Her excitement at the stir fry, did get a laugh from him. After all, his uncle in Amol Kalit had visited once or twice and made a dish for them. He would take a few forkfuls and just enjoy the moment with a happy sigh.

He did his best to chew with a closed mouth and not be a horse. "Hmmm? After? I uhh... honestly never gave that much thought. Kinda expected to die." He offered with a shrug. "Maybe something with travel, thats always fun. But I don't know, I'd probably hang around if I had a reason to. How about you?" He asked before taking another bite of his food.

He would swallow before reaching over to the basket and he would curse silently. Cups. He had forgotten cups. He pulled the bottle of wine out. "So uhh no cup. But wine if you like it. I totally forgot it."

Kristen Pirian

 

[Kristen Pirian]

A tad morbid there, Drastus expecting to be dead. Though from all of the accounts she had heard from her peers of the old Academy, there certainly were Initiates who encountered such an awful fate. There was a barbarism and cruelty that chilled one's blood thinking about it, even more so when one considered that the dead were little more than children, and yet...the entire business was ugly, wasn't it? Not just the Academy, but what the Dreadlords were by necessity being trained to do.

But Vel Anir could not afford to be weak. Weakness begged for the powerful to come and do as they pleased.

Kristen knew it all too well.

"I seek to serve my House," she said, looking upward as if tracking the sky for a shooting star to wish upon. "Funnily enough, the Republic has likely made that more difficult than it would have been under the old way. The Great Houses are restricted heavily in the number of Dreadlords that they may have in their employ, and I fear that no special consideration will be afforded to me in this regard. Nevertheless, I intend to fight for it. I find the alternatives of military service within the Guard and Reserve status to both be unacceptable--the drastic option of leaving Vel Anir entirely even more so. So, I know not when I may graduate, but I anticipate that a mighty battle shall be waged to secure my rightful place within House Pirian."

She looked back down. Her brow furrowed, and then she squinted, seeming to have noticed something by her leg. She reached down and plucked it from the ground and held it up.

"A rose...?" she said. And then gasped, a sound of realization. Kristen looked over, the petals of the rose touching her chin, above them the surprised and delighted smile she wore. "Oh, did you pick this for me, Drastus? 'Tis a sweet gesture!"

She lifted the rose to her nose and inhaled its scent softly. "Thank you!"

Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

"You want to serve your House?" He would ask, faux shock dripping with every word. "I would not believe it." He teased playfully. "Well, I think you can win that battle. And uhh, if I can, I'll help you out with it. Whether it takes my blood, or some training." He would say, his tone taking on a hint of seriousness.

He gave her some side eye with a slight smirk. "I don't know... you with a gryphon sigil donning blue and silver could be a good look." he mused. "Maybe help elevate Tal'deneshaar's status some, too."

Her eyes drifted down curiously and then the gasp. The joy. "Yeah, a rose. Just for you." He offered a shrug. "Saw it and thought 'Huh, wonder if Kris can make it look better'... and, you did. You're welcome." He would shift his focus to his bottle of mead and pop upon the cap on it before taking a long pull from it.

"You ever think of traveling? Beyond Vel Anir? And not on missions?"

Kristen Pirian