Alone and Unafraid (April, 122PW)

[Metarie]

Metarie did wonder about Tomas and whether he would cause Alyson trouble once she began to work at the Dae farm. News would travel fast about Tomas and most people would not view him in the best of ways. He would probably lose business over it. News would also travel quickly, as it always did in small towns, as to where Alyson ended up. She also wondered at Camulous' choosing to let the man go instead of arresting him and taking him back to Marn immediately.
The key would be the answer to the question as to whether Alyson would press charges against Tomas for holding her hostage. Metarie would ask that after they had eaten.

The warrior and the two women accepted the offer of lunch, as well. Aramyllis gave out a softly grumbled, "fine," which made Metarie's lips curve up into a smile. Although the girl seemed sullen, she liked her.

Metarie smiled at all of them, "Well, then, let's get something to eat." Metarie looked to Camulous to lead the way. She could follow her nose, but thought it better to let him lead them. She gestured in the direction from which the smell came.

"After you, Good Captain." One did not need to be an empath to know what Metarie felt about Camulous, it showed in little ways when she looked at him - the way she smiled at him, the look in her eyes, and her body language.

[Camulous Smithson]

So, Aramyllis would come with them to eat. But what was the reason for her sudden change in demeanor? Was that irritation he heard in her voice? Why did she seem so distracted? She wasn't looking directly at anyone when she first responded. She was thinking about something other than Alyson.

Something was wrong with the girl, but it was something Camulous could not put his finger on. He attempted to remain subtle about his examination, but he did not take his eyes off of her. He wanted to know what was going on. Everything that was going on.

Something was wrong... and he was going to find out eventually.

"After you, Good Captain"

He managed a smile for Metarie and offered her his arm. She made him feel better. To let his paranoia ruin their date would accomplish nothing. He could be suspicious and still try to enjoy a meal with her.

Without saying a word, he led her and the others toward the Red Chalice Inn. The three-story building, which was one of the larger ones in Shim, was back on the road toward Marn, away from the bustle of the open market but not away from the path of all the traders heading to and from town. They had to keep to the side of the road to make room for the steady trickle of horses clomping along the dirt road.

Unlike when he patrolled Marn in his uniform, some of the people here actually did not recognize him. It was like a vacation from the celebrity status he had to constantly endure. Here, at least there was some semblance of privacy, only intruded upon by the occasional prolonged stare.

Camulous stood by the entrance to the Red Chalice's outdoor tavern until they went first, and then followed them. Michael, the owner, was standing outside talking to one of the waitresses and recognized him immediately, but that didn't bother the captain. It was expected, and he liked Mike because Mike left him alone. Mike left everyone alone, as a matter of necessity. With the assortment of strangers who stayed in his tavern, he couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Finding a large round table that was empty, Camulous led them there and pulled out a seat for Metarie. He had a seat himself, and ordered a drink and some grilled lamb for himself. Once everyone had ordered, he looked to Ree in silence for a moment.

In order to avoid inevitable awkward silence and more discomfort with situations he was unaccustomed to dealing with, Camulous turned to a familiar area he felt comfortable dealing with - work. He turned his attention to the Gur'yeon and began speaking to her about his job. He tried to gauge how much she knew about military tactics and combat. Had she ever been in a military unit? Had she ever fought or trained alongside men?

He told her about their guard, about the structure and their own strategies. All the while he seemed to grow more and more relaxed. The Gur'yeon was easy for him to get along with.

[Mei Li]

Mei Li walked with the group as they made their way through town, staying toward the back. She observed the exchanges between the others. The subtleties passing between the elven doctor and the man were invisible to the Gur'yeon; even if she had noticed them, she would not have felt inclined to pry into private matters.

The young warrior politely ordered the stew, the only dish she felt comfortable ordering, and therefore, the only meal she'd been eating since her arrival in Shim. Sitting on the other side of the captain allowed for quiet conversation about more military matters, though it was more of a one-sided discussion as Mei Li only answered direct questions. No, she had never served in a large coalition of forces such as the Marn Guard; no, she had not fought alongside men in a large battle; yes, she was very capable with her two weapons of her family's school. Despite so many negative answers, the Qindo warrior's confidence in her ability and her steadfast faith that their meeting was more than coincidental allowed her to maintain her composure. She tried to convey that she was willing to learn the Westerner's cooperative combat and offered to help modify her own style to complement theirs.

Mei Li paused to take a drink of water and collect her thoughts. The captain seemed interested in her foreign style but she felt she was failing to appropriately translate everything. She gave a passing glance to the others to see what they were doing.

[Alyson Rolfe]

Despite the awkwardness that Alyson felt in the presense of these strangers that were now her rescuers and acquaintances, if not yet friends, she was grateful for the offer of a meal and was determined to enjoy the unexpected offering.

Her mouth watered as the food was delivered to the table, and for several minutes Alyson was completely distracted by her meal and gave only cursory attention to what was going on around the table. Tomas had always provided her with basic sustenance - mostly bread and water - but now she was savoring the flavors of meat and vegetables simmered for hours in a thick broth melded together. Her expression was one of bliss... until, as her hunger abated, Alyson was drawn back to the reason she was able to have the meal in the first place.

Glancing at Camulous, Alyson watched as he spoke with the strange foreigner. She quickly lost interest as they discussed battle tactics and military strategies - it was all a bit beyond her comprehension. Instead, she turned to Aramyllis and offered a faint smile.

"Is your farm far from here?" she questioned quietly, wondering if they would have a long walk ahead of them after lunch. "Thank you again for offering me a place to stay and work," she continued after Aramyllis replied. "I hope I will prove myself of some worth to your family."

Alyson turned to Metarie also, "And thank you for this wonderful meal - the best I remember having," she commented sincerely. "I... I hope I might see you again some day... you and Captain Smithson have done... so much for me by stopping Tomas..." Her voice trailed off, but her smile remained - a hint of warmth actually reaching her eyes for the first time. Alyson felt she had made friends today - and hoped they felt the same.

[Aramyllis Dae]

Aramyllis remained quiet throughout the meal. She spoke only when one of the others addressed her directly, and even then her answers were as brief as possible. The Captain in particular received only monosyllables, intoned with a blush while her eyes fluttered over his plate of lamb. Like Alyson and the foreigner, Myllis ordered only water and stew; it was one of the cheapest dishes here, and the young Shimian was determined not to incur any debt towards the doctor, who had offered to pay. She knew the woman meant the meal as a treat, perhaps a thank you for volunteering to take Alyson in, and not something to be recompensed. But still, it weighed on Aramyllis like an unspoken obligation.

She felt a brief flash of resentment, and wondered at it, mind spinning off on inward tangents. Her gaze lost its focus, and her hands, still holding silverware, grew oddly limp, so that it appeared as if the utensils were unnaturally attached to her fingers. A piece of stew meat, skewered on her fork and then forgotten, slid from the tines and dropped back to her plate with a small splash of gravy, unnoticed.

Lost in thoughts as Myllis was, Alyson's first words went unheard, so that the girl was forced to prompt her by name. Wide eyes blinking rapidly, Aramyllis almost dropped her knife in her surprise. It was only with much fumbling that she managed to retain her grip.

"My farm?" Swallowing, she glanced around the table nervously to see if the others were paying attention. The doctor would think she had placed her charge into the hands of a lackwit. "Oh, you mean Da's farm. It's not really mine, you know. Maybe someday..." Her eyes started to go hazy again, until she shook herself and forced her gaze to fixate on Alyson's face. "No, it's not far. The house is just off the main thoroughfare, with the barn a short walk out back. The fields themselves are a bit further, on the edge of town, but it's only a few minutes away."

Alyson spoke once more, expressing her appreciation yet again. Aramyllis could only smile reassuringly; in the privacy of her home, she likely would have said more, but here, she could feel the Captain and doctor's eyes on her, judging her. Luckily, the foreigner didn't seem fluent enough in the local language to follow the whole conversation. It was a small comfort.

Flushing, the Shimian turned back to her plate, busying herself with the food. Nonetheless, her attention remained focused as Alyson went on to address the doctor. The words were thick with genuine gratitude, and they washed over Myllis like molten lead. She felt resentment towards Metarie flare again. It stuck in her throat and chest like a fist, contracting around her airway and making it hard to breathe. Her fingers curled around the silverware until her nails dug into her palms and her knuckles turned white.

Where had this woman been when she had needed saving? When her mother had beat her, and locked her in a room by herself for weeks on end? When the bitch had come after her with a knife? She had been just an innocent little girl, younger even than Alyson. Where had the good doctor been then? No doubt she had been busy caring for all the normal citizens of the city, those not cursed with magic. Did they deserve to be saved more than she had? The doctor seemed to think so. She wouldn't be with that magic-hating Captain, otherwise.

Aramyllis' shoulders had grown hunched, her breath ragged with rage. She was oblivious to these changes, of course, though the others would have to be completely engrossed in their own conversations not to notice. Just when the Shimian was about to lash out, to say something confrontational to the doctor, Gabi'Rel's voice chimed in.

"I saved you."

[Metarie]

Metarie smiled at Camulous as he pulled out a chair for her. She was pleased and a little amused by the gallant gesture. No one had ever done so for her. She regarded Camulous for a moment as he took a seat for himself. Safe... Special... the feelings he evoked in her were delicate and powerful all at once, and couched in a fragile hope. There was even a tiny bit of fear there - the kind that comes when you take a leap of faith.

When the waitress arrived, Metaire waited for the others to order before ordering for herself. Along with the stew came fresh crusty bread and sweet cream butter. Hot tea was her preference and so a pot of tea was ordered as well.

Camulous looked at her after the ordering was done. She bit her lip a little and a merry glint lit in her eyes. He had the same look on his face the night they had dinner and so much for a private date. Metarie gave Camulous a little wink and turned her attention to the two girls, leaving him to speak with Mei. Metarie felt as if what she felt was bursting to get out, but she kept it quietly to herself in her own demure way.

Metarie studiously allowed Alyson the opportunity to speak with Aramyllis without interruption by focusing on her own meal. When Alyson thanked her, Metarie smiled at her gently. "You're welcome. I'm glad you like it. This is my first time having the stew here, as well." When Alyson continued, Metarie nodded. Metarie shook her head at the mention of Tomas and her eyes narrowed a little. Fueled by her own experiences, Metarie felt protective toward those who were not able to protect themselves.

"I am sorry you had to go through such a thing. I only wish it were that no one was subjected to such things," she said, and she meant it. "The challenge is to find a way to grow above what has happened and not let it eat at you or control you."

When Alyson mentioned seeking her and Camulous out at a later time, Metarie replied, "Of course. I am usually at the hospital. If I am not there, I will probably be at home. Should you or Aramyllis find yourselves in Marn, please do not hesitate to visit with me." Sincerity backed the words. Metarie was genuine. She glanced from Alyson to Aramyllis. Aramyllis did not look well.

Metarie opened her senses toward the girl. Searching for a sign of illness, Metarie assess Aramyllis with her magic abilities. "Aramyllis, are you well?"

(OOC: up to you what Metarie will detect or not detect, Myllis!)

[Camulous Smithson]

The Gur'yeon answered nearly all of Camulous' questions in about her experience with negatives, yet he not once looked dismayed or disappointed. Each time she admitted that she did not have the type of military experience she would need to serve in the Marnian guard, she did so with enough qualifiers to allay his concerns. She was confident rather than ashamed of herself, but not so confident as to seem immature. The most important thing she had was a willingness to listen and determination to learn. And learn she would. Everyone learned. That's what training was for.

She carried herself with professionalism and it meshed well with him. Camulous was clearly warming up to her, although the signs were subtle. At least he had stopped frowning.

Using his conversation with Mei Li as a means of relaxing himself and staving off awkwardness, the captain occasionally followed what the others were doing as well. Metarie was infallible in such situations. She had no trouble at all sitting down with strangers, being friendly and open. He wished he knew how to do the same.

Alyson was understandably a little overwhelmed by events and was going to need time to adjust to the changes in her life. Busy trying to express her gratitude, she didn't need him scrutinizing her and judging her behavior, so he gave her some privacy... which came across as ignoring her.

The one he couldn't ignore was Aramyllis. It so happened that every time he glanced at her, she looked uncomfortable, even perturbed. If she wasn't staring off blankly into space, she was setting her jaw like someone had rammed a cold rod up her rear. He got the distinct impression that someone was saying or doing something that was getting on her nerves.

Ree had definitely picked it up. Had the Gur'yeon? Camulous did not like where things were going. He needed to talk to Aramyllis himself, preferably alone and while she was off her guard, if he was to figure out what was really going on in her head.

[Mei Li]

Mei Li had, up until the elven doctor's question, largely ignored Aramyllis's varied reactions and occasional detachments from her present company. She wasn't sure what to make of the girl, but her sensibility to privacy was ingrained too much for her to prod. That, and she had been too engrossed in concentrating on answering the Captain properly.

When Metarie addressed the young girl directly, however, all attention seemed to turn to her. Sensing that she was a private person, the Qindo warrior stood and offered a small bow to the others. "My items I travelling with, upstairs in room. Please, giving no notice to my absence, I go collecting them now," she offered in her low, gender neutral tone, excusing herself from further conversation.

[Aramyllis Dae]

"I saved you."

Gabi'Rel's words in her mind were spoken simply, a bare statement of fact. Beneath the sober tone, however, Aramyllis could sense hurt. How callous her thoughts had been, to ignore the role played by her astral brother, as if everything he had done for her had counted for nothing. Her face crumpled in shame.

I—I didn't mean———I wasn't... Gabi'Rel...

The doctor chose that inconvenient moment to interrupt Aramyllis' inward communication. For several drawn out moments, the young woman could only stare in response, mouth hanging dumbly open. It was fortunate for her that the foreigner seized the silent opportunity to interpose; this gave Myllis a chance to gather up her scattered thoughts and turn her attention to the disharmony emitted by her companions. Concern radiated from Metarie, warm like the sun's rays on bare skin. The Captain, by contrast, oozed a heavy, pungent suspicion, and just below that, the acridness of barely repressed hostility. Aramyllis realized, suddenly, that it was clear a warning as she was going to get.

She swallowed, realized how dry with apprehension her mouth was, tried to summon some moisture by chewing on her tongue. As the warrior turned from the table to gather her belongings, Aramyllis grimaced expressively at the doctor and gestured to her plate.

"Absolutely not. There was a piece of gristle in my stew. The cook will never hear the end of this."

Hearing her own words, Myllis knew it wasn't a very good excuse. The Captain, at least, didn't seem likely to buy it. Still, it was too late to come up with something better now.

[Metarie]

Metarie’s eyes glanced to the bowl as Aramyllis gave the reason for her quietness. Even as Aramyllis spoke, something astral tickled at Metarie’s senses. But, whatever it was only hovered and danced around her. Metarie lifted her gaze back to Aramyllis and studied the area around the young woman as well, searching Aramyllis’ aura for some sign of whatever it was that tickled at her senses. There was magic to the girl. Metarie could see the astral around her, but it showed in wisps and tendrils. Metarie would have to make an effort to see more, but did not want to pry. She was a 'dog' no longer. Whatever it was the young woman did or did not say or share was not Metarie’s business unless the woman wanted it to be.

Metarie was curious and concerned, but she nodded and reached out a hand to Aramyllis and she smiled, giving a slight nod. Her fingers lightly brushed Aramyllis’ sleeve.

“I don’t blame you one bit. I’m glad you didn’t choke on it.” Her fingers tingled as they neared Aramyllis; senses open to the astral. What was that she had sensed?

“I suppose,” said Metarie as she turned to Camulous, “when Qindo Mei Li returns, we will head back to Marn?”

[Alyson Rolfe]

Alyson felt... strange. Her eyes flitted from Aramyllis to Metarie to Camulous but she remained silent, keeping her thoughts to herself. She was concerned - Aramyllis had seemed for a brief moment to be almost brimming with rage - but as it was not directed at herself and quickly dissapated Alyson decided to try to forget what had passed.

The meal was almost at an end, as Mei Li had left to gather her belongings and Metarie had mentioned returning to Marn with Camulous. Soon, Alyson would be alone with Aramyllis, heading toward the girl's home. Alyson hoped that Aramyllis's father would accept her, and silently determined that she would do her best to be helpful and prove her worth to the family.

Tomas... the thought of him made Alyson shudder. He would never control her again. No one would. She would die first...

[Camulous Smithson]

Said Aramyllis: Absolutely not. There was a piece of gristle in my stew. The cook will never hear the end of this.

No. Camulous didn't buy it. There was no gristle in her stew. She had a problem that was bad enough to get in the way of normal conversation.

With the Gur'yeon gone, he returned to his unflinching, monosyllabic self. There was nothing to say that he wanted to say in front of the others, either to Metarie or to Aramyllis. Neither one of them left the table, and he realized he wouldn't get them alone.

He finished off his lamb and washed it down with the last of his drink without saying another word. When Metarie looked at him, he smiled, but that was all.

“I suppose,” said Metarie as she turned to Camulous, “when Qindo Mei Li returns, we will head back to Marn?”

"Yes, I should be getting back to report this. I'm taking enough liberties as it is with this meal..." He said, and then directed his next words at Aramyllis. "You will be alright alone with Alyson? If there's going to be a problem, now is the time to speak up."

[Aramyllis Dae]

"Choke on it---? Oh, the gristle. Of course..." Aramyllis' voice trailed off into silence as she realized her mistake. If any of her companions had believed her pitiful cover story before, it was doubtful they would continue to now. The young Shimian had a habit of giving herself away.

Face suffused with red, she let her head drop, hoping to hide her blush, but still she could feel the heat of it radiating from her skin. Inwardly she cursed her own stupidity and wandering mind. Was she really this incapable of blending in for even a short duration?

Clearly, the Captain thought so. His words, his tone, the bitter pungency seeping from him in waves, all plainly communicated his overwhelming distrust. Myllis knew she shouldn't take it too personally. She guessed that the guardsman would be hesitant to delegate responsibility to anyone too different from himself, as if he were the sole model of what it was to be a good, reliable being, and anyone who failed to fit that norm must be treated with the utmost suspicion.

The question was, what it was about the doctor that made her an exception to this rule? She was a user of magic, obviously, and therefore innately deviant, so why did the Captain trust her, to such a strong degree that Aramyllis could sense his affection for Metarie even despite his general discomfort with the current circumstances? The intensity of that mutual fondness almost sickened the young Shimian; it produced a soft glow that should have evoked vicarious feelings of attachment and tenderness, but instead, warring as it was with Aramyllis' jealousy and resentment, it made her vaguely nauseous. The room felt like it should be spinning from the dizzying effect of the contrast. The hybrid was reminded of the sweet herbs and scented oils often used in an attempt to cover the rotting smell of dead flesh during funerals. The comparison was a rather morbid one. It made Myllis acutely nervous.

Perhaps it was the official sanctioning of the doctor's magical abilities that made them acceptable to Camulous? In his position as Captain of the Guard, he had to accept and even trust in the decisions of the Judges. Still, that didn't adequately explain why he was drawn to Metarie as a love interest rather than someone more traditional, only why he wasn't repelled by her.

"She heals the damage he inadvertently and yet inevitably causes in his quest to enforce goodness," the voice in her head explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Of course! Aramyllis grinned with delight and barely suppressed the urge to clap in her excitement. Gabi'Rel, you are genius! That way, not only is the harm he causes excused by his position, but she actually fixes it, in many cases.

Still beaming unabashedly, with wit dancing in her eyes and her teeth bared widely, she met the Captain's question with a steady gaze and the closest thing to a challenge she had yet dared. Having reasoned out a secret of this man's functioning, she was emboldened, filled with a heady feeling of power just within reach if she only stretched out her hands to grasp it. Her grin morphed into a smirk.

"I'm sure we can manage. After all, we Shimians get by just fine even without your constant presence watching over us." Perhaps perceiving she was risking too much by overstepping her bounds, she continued quickly with words he would likely find more reassuring. "Besides, the city is only a day trip away. If Alyson and I run into anything we can't handle, it's just a short jaunt to come visit Ms. Metarie there."

Sensing rather than seeing Alyson's shudder beside her, Myllis stretched out a hand and touched her fingers lightly to the girl's knee with a small smile. "Right, Alyson?"

[Alyson Rolfe]

Alyson had shuddered at the thought of something happening... of Tomas coming to find her... but she forced a smile and nodded at Aramyllis's comment, touching the girl's hand as she responded. "Yes, of course we will be fine. It is not as though we will be alone..." She meant that they would be staying on Aramyllis's father's farm - but she could not find any more words to say.

The odd feeling she had before was stronger now - like a buzzing in the back of her mind. But Alyson decided the sensation was a result of being tired after the meal, and sore from her earlier beating by Tomas. All she wanted was a bed to lie in... though she knew that might be hours away. Alyson hoped that at the very least they would be headed in the direction of Aramyllis's father's farm soon... though part of her wished she was not saying goodbye to her rescuers, Metarie and Camulous, so quickly.

[Metarie]

Concern flickered in Metarie's gaze as Aramyllis replied. She knew there had been no gristle, that something else was going on. Aramyllis flushed beet red, embarrassed, obviously aware that her minor lie had been exposed.

Suddenly, there was an increase or flux in the astral aura that surrounded the girl. Metarie tensed, but the girl only smiled happily. That is, until Aramyllis looked at Camulous. The girl's broad, happy smile turned into a smirk; making the girl look more like a sullen teenager once again. But, this time there was a knowing in the gaze that made Metarie wonder what the girl was going to do. Did it have something to do with the increase in magic? Was Aramyllis going to harm Camulous?

Protectiveness welled in her and Metarie opened herself fully to the astral; something she wasn't really inclined to do in Shim. The proximity of the old cemetery made her whole body tingle. That place reeked of magic and reminded her of the Old One; powerful, dangerous, and alluring. The latter of which, she hated to admit even to herself.

Her worry and protectiveness, though, was for nothing. Her initial thought that Aramyllis was acting like a teenager toward an authority figure seemed to be the right hunch - magic spike or no. Metaire lifted her hand to cover the slight smile that threatened burst through and looked away. Amusement danced in her gaze just as the gold flecks in her eyes seemed to sparkle - the gold a side effect of opening herself to the Dreaming. She glanced to Camulous, hoping he realized the girl was just young, brash, and just a little left of center.

When Metarie looked back at Aramyllis, for a moment she had an impression that Aramyllis was being hugged by the astral aura she projected almost as if the aura were another being. Metarie shook her head and closed her eyes. The proximity of the cemetery must be interfering with her perception. Certainly, it had given her a headache. Metarie pressed her fingers to her temple and closed herself off from the magic of the place. The headache receded somewhat, but not fully. Perhaps, once they were further away from Shim...

"Yes, of course we will be fine. It is not as though we will be alone..."

Metarie opened her eyes and looked at Alyson. The girl's comment spiked emotion within her. Echoes of her own past lent empathy toward Alyson and a welling of feeling toward Camulous, too.

"No, you are no longer alone." Metarie looked to Camulous once more and smiled. And, if her gaze shone, it certainly had nothing to do with magic. Metarie pushed back from table.

"Excuse me a moment."

She left to find their waitress, to make sure everything was tallied and paid for.