Really Feels Alone After All

[Talwyn]

Glancing back, Brandus showed a smile of relief when he saw the girl was up and about again. He wasn't blocking the oncoming attacks, he was anticipating them and then moved out of the way with the slightest of movements until he was within his own striking distance. Sidestepping yet another attack, he made a powerful horizontal slash before elegantly leaping out of the way of several blue orbs launched by Oswin.

With a roar the demon fell to a knee, obviously in pain. It also wasn't regenerating the wounds Brandus had caused. "Cras eu elit in orci feugiat ultricies." Oswin started yet another chant and the demon tried to get up but Brandus attacked it from its flank. "Duis a eleifend quam. Vestibulum viverra condimentum lorem, sagittis sagittis dui egestas at." Even those not sensitive to magic could feel the power building up now. "In mollis risus eget purus sollicitudin vel vulputate purus ultrices. Begone foul creature! Back to the hell that spawned you!" Oswin shouted.

A golden circle with intricate patterns appeared underneath the demon, and energy resembling chains shot out at the demon, chaining it to. The circle started twirling and it almost looked like a hole formed into which the demon was being dragged. When the demon vanished, the circle disappeared with a puff of smoke and Brandus hurried over to Anykae and Anabelle. "You two girls alright?" His smile was friendly, but he eyed Anabelle with a worrisome look.

Oswin however, was already quarreling with the mayor. "We never agreed a price!" The mayor said with a newfound courage now that the demon was gone. "I shall not pay such a ridiculous sum! I am willing to offer you 50 gold pieces and not a copper more." Oswin sighed, knowing when he was beaten. His only source of negotiation was already gone after all. "Fine. I'll take the 50 gold pieces. But offer the lady some as well would you... She did get injured trying to help you after all." That last part he spoke in a hushed voice to avoid anyone overhearing, though he wasn't sure about Anykae. She had elven blood after all.

Either way, the mayor agreed and a smile appeared on his face. "It seems you are more concerned about 'the little brat' then you let on my good sir." This caused a slight scowl to appear on Oswin's face. "Oh shush. Don't let anyone hear it or they think I'm getting soft."
With that matter settled, the two men walked over to Brandus and the girls. Looking all high and mighty, Oswin couldn't help rubbing it in. "Well little girl. I think some thanks are in order don't you hmm?"

[*Kymmi*]

Anykae gave Brandus the thumbs up. "Yeah, thank you." She smiled. She slightly laughed at the spunky girl and healed her ankle with more ease since it was more arranging than trying to regenerate and close wounds. Anykae stood up, rubbing the side of her face. Anykae smiled, knowing she heard something, she may have not been supposed to, but said nothing more.
Anykae looked at the small wyvern and approached it. "Hey ya." She greeted and patted its head. She had a way with some creatures. She grinned happily. It was a while since she had something something more than a normal bird or chipmunk. She recalled one year asking her father for a dragon. He had laughed and returned with a small plush toy. At that age, she didn't mind and pretended it was real anyways.
While keeping herself occupied, She thought about Oswin and Brandus. They did seemed to have much experience at their "job," especially Oswin. Anykae rubbed her head again, wondering about human magic. Maybe a conversation for another time... if it's not too dark a secret. She'd ask Oswin if he could do tracking magic, but he couldn't even use a map without Brandus. She laughed out loud thinking of earlier, and turned to see Oswin approach. Not wanting to take sides, Anykae only smiled innocently as Oswin rubbed in his victory.

[ryuuza]

Anabelle looked up to Brandus in pure jealousy. She glared, but his friendly face got to her and she blushed then scooted around to face the other way. The problem with that though was the other man now approached. Anabelle sighed, knowing that this guy was going to say something that would tick her off. She pouted, still glaring him in his face. She barely noticed Anykae standing up and seemingly backing off as well.

"Well little girl. I think some thanks are in order don't you hmm?" Anabelle watched in disgust as his mouth formed the words. She growled and jumped to her feet in an effort to stare him down in his face, however she was much too short and had to look up to him. She looked at her wyvern, who was busy getting attention from Anykae. No different from a house pet! Anabelle looked at Oswin.

"Fine. Thanks." She said looking to the left. She hesitated and then spoke again, jabbing her right pointer finger in his stomach. "But I weakened it for you!! Without me, you folks would be toast!!! Toast I'm telling you!!! TOAST!" In a sad effort to defend her honor, she continued jabbing him at about her eye level, then jumped back and turned around. The mayor seemed to be offering her ten pieces of gold, and she stared at his hands. Then she snatched the gold without much more than murmuring 'thanks' again, stuffing it into a tiny, empty sack she had tied to her belt.

Looking towards the horizon, she ran forward a few feet and looking to the sky. She knew she needed to cool off before continuing so she drew her sword and faced some crates she found to her left. She yelled out somewhat of a war-cry and slashed repeatedly at different angles until they were mostly destroyed. She huffed and slowly breathed in and out, holding her sword in front of her. Then her expression relaxed and she re-sheathed her sword. "Ahhh...." She almost seemed too relaxed.

Suddenly grinning, she charged back to the group. "Hoooooooo there~!!!!" She shouted. She jumped by Brandus, tugging his arm and running backwards in a circle. "Hey hey mister! You must train me, dear sir!!!!" She grinned like a child, finally finding people worth her time that might teach her a trick or two. Making a sound somewhat like "Kyaa!" She hopped over Oswin, poking him again over and over, making sure she had his attention. "How'd you do that?! I never saw anything like that in my homeland. Wow, I say!!!! WOOOOW WOW WOW!!! You got him good! Just like BOOOOM!!!!" She described, throwing her arms upward, indicating an exploding movement.

Ryusaelith all the while just concentrated on being relaxed. Nothing Anabelle did surprised him anymore, since forever ago. His expectations had been fulfilled. This had happened enough times, for it to be the norm. However, Anabelle always found a way of bugging people too much and ended up always pushing them away instead. She seemed to be trying to hold back some of her excitement this time. Maybe they wouldn't have to leave so soon this time. Ryusaelith had high hopes for this.

[Talwyn]

Oswin was about to say more but kept his mouth shut as Brandus gave him a rather hard nudge with his elbow. Rubbing his arm, he looked at Brandus with a look that said "Oh alright." When she ran off, they watched her slash at the boxes and Brandus couldn't help but grin. She kind of reminded him of himself when he was that age.

When she came running back and told Brandus he had to train, the old swordsman laughed. It was a friendly laugh, there was no mockery in it, just pure amusement at the girls mood-swing. As she started poking Oswin, he sort of looked as if he had stepped in something icky, and was about to shoo her away but then she started rambling about how awesome his magic had looked.

Straightening his back, he looked proud. "Yes, I looked great didn't I?" When she threw up her arms and said BOOOOOM, Oswin repeated her. "YES! It was totally like BOOOOOM! And maybe a bit of swooosh to!" Brandus shook his head. Earlier the man had said he disliked her, and now he was acting just like her. Before the warlock could go on however, Brandus interrupted him. "How about we go back to the inn? That way you can answer whatever question the young lady has, while I can focus on ale rather than your attempts at glorifying yourself"

Oswin sighed, but nodded his consent. An ale sounded good. Now that he thought about it... if he played his cards right... maybe he could find a way to get the pretty waitress to join him later tonight. "Very well Brandus! Maybe I can get that pretty waitress to listen as well. And with some luck, she might be interested in earning some extra money later tonight as well." The last he said with a mischievous grin on his face.

[*Kymmi*]

Anykae laughed almost simultaneously with Brandus. They were both like kids. Only, suddenly Anabelle seemed to lead Oswin on to his glorified speech. "Oooooh dear." She murmured, Oswin adding to her BOOOOOM statement. Anykae watched Brandus go up and take his chance before they'd be forever stuck listening to the same old. Anykae thought about just heading straight to her room when she got to the inn. Then Oswin said something that peaked her curiousity.

"Oh! You mean the actress!" Anykae started excitingly. Everyone gave her confused looks, so she decided to go on. "You know! I've heard about actors and plays and all that! I'd like to experience watching one myself! You don't think it'd be too bothersome? Maybe it'd be better to ask her on a day when she's more free...ahhh but we might not be here right? Well, hmmm... Then maybe tonight is good! Everyone seems so lively anyway! You have great ideas Oswin! What kind of plays do they do here anyway?" She asked, partially talking to everyone, partially thinking out loud. She grinned. Anykae had always wanted to see a play, especially a romantic one that could make her heart flutter and all the girls squeel. She giggled. "I hope they do love stories here!" She added, now partially in her own world as well.

[ryuuza]

Anabelle spun on her feet to face Anykae. Her jaw seemed to drop further and further with each sentence. Finally, Anykae finished babbling about plays. "Pffffft!!!" Anabelle tried to hold back her laughter, but couldn't help to let her giggles escape. Her giggles escalated to full blown laughter and she wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to get a hold of herself. She took a few breaths and calmed down. "Oooh heavens! Haha! That's a first! I mean you're obviously not from here, but come on!" She laughed a little more.

Ryusaelith snorted, even a simple wyvern like himself knew where some liked to put their extra money. He stretched his wings and looked away. This topic of conversation he never found entertaining or useful and obviously there was some explaining to be done. The giddiness he felt from Anabelle had no effect on the creature. He sat down, captured by his own thoughts. He even yawned, only vaguely staying aware of his surroundings.

Anabelle ignored the wyvern's boredom. She wondered how Oswin or Brandus would answer this. She snickered and looked over to the emotionless Ryusaelith. She frowned. You never have any fun, silly! She thought, wishing she could transfer her thoughts to him.

[Talwyn]

Brandus blinked at Anykae's fantasy rambling while Oswin stared at her with disbelief. "You want to... watch?" He asked, seemingly oblivious himself as he sank deep into thought. "OUCH! What was that for?" He proclaimed as Brandus smacked him on the back of his head. "Are you a fool Oswin? She has no clue what you are going on about! Now get in and order some ale while I try to explain things to the confused missy." Oswin eyed Brandus carefully, but he did not dare speak back this time. His friend was furious. He shrugged and walked over to the inn. How this had turned into his fault, he did not know but there was no talking with Brandus when he was like that.

He motioned to Anabelle that she should join him and after they reached the inn he walked to the bar. "Give me a whiskey please... wait, on second thought, just give me two glasses and an entire bottle would you." The barkeep nodded and dove under the counter to grab a bottle of whiskey and handed it, plus two glasses, to Oswin. "Oh, and get the little missy what ever she wants would you?" Pointing to a table in a quiet corner he walked off and sat down, waiting for Anabelle to join him. Pouring himself a glass, he wondered what kind of stories the girl would want to hear.

Brandus on the other hand, placed a hand on Anykae's shoulder and eyed with a look that showed he wasn't certain how to start. "Ok... right... lets see..." Rubbing his nose and eyes with his free hand, it was obvious he found this difficult. In the end, he quietly whispered it into her ears. Not to explicitly, but in plain enough language that even one such as Anykae would have no doubts as to what Oswin had hoped for. He looked away embarrassed. "Sooooo... how about we get something to drink as well eh?" He added awkwardly.

[*Kymmi*]

((!!!! Love your avatar! Haha. Now where have I seen that before, tal? xD))
Anykae stared confusedly at the confused Oswin. She looked back and forth between him, Brandus, and Anabelle. She blushed, she was already feeling dumb. But....what else? She tucked some of her hair behind her ear nervously and bit her lip.

She found herself following Brandus like a lost puppy as they walked inside. She wondered how interested Anabelle was in Brandus. Obviously, he was an experienced swordsman. Anykae found herself slightly interested as well. But first....She needed to know what was going on. She wouldn't be happy to be excluded on some sort of private special membership play.

Anykae looked into Brandus's hard, thinking eyes, then he rubbed his face. Anykae only frowned. Waiting for something. As he whispered, Anykae's face flushed a deep red, redder than most elves were capable of. "Ah..ah...oh....." She murmured in understanding. She was embarrassed as well. She took her seat, sulking and spinning her cup.

[ryuuza]

Anabelle snickered as they walked to the inn. She sent Ryusaelith away, back to the wilderness. He wouldn't stray too far from the village, not for getting lost but to stay as near to Anabelle as he could without getting in the way. He was sure that pets were not allowed to be in the inn. Anabelle watched him fly off and then caught up with the rest of the group, waiting for a chance to inquire Brandus of his swordsmanship.

Anabelle grinned again noticing their awkward expressions later on. She sat down with everyone else, debating on what she wanted to drink. She sighed. Things were calming down. She stared at Brandus until he seemed to be ready to move on.

"Sooooooo...." She started before anyone else could start a separate subject. "Gonna tell me where you learned your fancy sword stuff? Most of mine is creativity and the most basic of skill unfortunately. Back where I'm from, people don't see girls, and especially of my height being able to obtain such skill. I beg to differ. I'll bet I'm full of potential..." Anabelle slowed to a stop, almost forgetting this conversation wasn't about her. After all, his stories were expected to be much more interesting.

[Talwyn]

((OOC: Sorry for the late reply! I swear. Every single time I opened the text file with the work in progress something interrupted me. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. GAH @_@))

"Oh it's not all that fancy at all." Brandus, being his humble self, replied to the enthusiastic girl as Oswin started pouting again. It was obvious the warlock liked being the center of attention. He kept silent however and scanned around to see if he could spot the pretty waitress. Seeing her whisper something to another customer he sighed. This wasn't his day apparently.

Brandus meanwhile, patiently listened to the girl and chuckled at her show of confidence. "Well, fighting is considered a man's job after all, though I agree. If given proper training, there is no reason a woman can't be as good as a man. Although in terms of power they do generally have a disadvantage." He stopped talking as he poured some whiskey for both himself and Oswin, who had already finished his first glass.

Taking a sip, he explained how had learned to "read" the opponent and thus anticipate what he, or she, would do which allowed him to move aside with the slightest movement, while getting ready for a single counter attack. "And that's all there is to it really. It's nothing fancy and anyone can learn it. It just takes time, patience and experience."