23 Vhalar 717
The White Fox Inn was one of those Videnese locations that was always filled with people. There never seemed to be a quiet moment for the staff, except when they closed their doors, but otherwise, Maebella had never seen them as anything other than swept off their feet. She didn't have a problem with other people, in fact they're rather interesting, but she wasn't particularly keen on overcrowded spaces and their loud denizens. Still, the girl has to eat and it's one of the best places in town, plus it allows her a certain level of interaction with others who live in the city. Well, truth be told, more often than not, she speaks to a server and then sits eating silently in a corner, eyeing the other patrons warily as if they were going to eat her. Today, she'd come to a decision though: she was going to try to talk to some of the others.
Socialisation wasn't the young Eídisi's forte. She knew that most people who interacted with her weren't likely to do so again if they got the chance. There seemed to be this notion that she was rude, which was rather daft really because interaction should be based on certain practicalities, not silly social codes and manners. However, people did put great importance in those codes, which meant that she needed to learn this sort of thing. Furthermore, if she didn't learn about it, there'd be a barrier between herself and those people who were likely to carry the stories that were of interest to her. Books were great - nothing better in her opinion - but there were only so many of them, particularly those that carried what interested her. There were potential oral sources all around her though and it was only a matter of reaching them. Hence, she'd come here.
Entering the bustling establishment, she found the air quite warm in contrast to the outside and she shuddered as her body adjusted to the new temperature. The Eídisi threaded her way carefully between the warm bodies, some standing in little groups as they socialised, many of the tables packed with customers all sitting around on little barrels. She found a table that wasn't too busy as there was only one woman at it and two free seats. Maebella eyed her critically, determining what she could before she made a move to sit down.
She was a human, her cheeks flushed pink, either from being out in the cold recently or as a permanent fixture. She had red hair cut at the level of her chin in a style that the young woman thought was called a 'bob'. She'd been dressed quite warmly, as was common in Viden, but had stripped off the thicker outer layers, which she seemed to be sitting on like a cushion, probably to make the barrel more comfortable.
Tentatively, she tapped the young woman on the shoulder. "Pardon me, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked, trying to dredge up the appropriate words for these situations. The other glanced up, clearly startled but she smiled, gesturing to the empty barrel.
"No, go ahead, I wouldn't mind having the company," the redhead replied, tucking the strands behind her ears as Maebella took a seat across from her. "I'm Caesia by the way."
The youth froze, her white eyes wide and staring. She hadn't expected the young woman to start these social niceties so quickly. She'd thought that she'd have a chance to sit and settle down, maybe get something to eat before they broke the silence between them again. This woman, Caesia, didn't seem willing to give her that chance though. It seemed that she was destined to be thrown into the thick of things.
"I'm Maebella," she mumbled, turning her eyes away, uncomfortable.
Socialisation wasn't the young Eídisi's forte. She knew that most people who interacted with her weren't likely to do so again if they got the chance. There seemed to be this notion that she was rude, which was rather daft really because interaction should be based on certain practicalities, not silly social codes and manners. However, people did put great importance in those codes, which meant that she needed to learn this sort of thing. Furthermore, if she didn't learn about it, there'd be a barrier between herself and those people who were likely to carry the stories that were of interest to her. Books were great - nothing better in her opinion - but there were only so many of them, particularly those that carried what interested her. There were potential oral sources all around her though and it was only a matter of reaching them. Hence, she'd come here.
Entering the bustling establishment, she found the air quite warm in contrast to the outside and she shuddered as her body adjusted to the new temperature. The Eídisi threaded her way carefully between the warm bodies, some standing in little groups as they socialised, many of the tables packed with customers all sitting around on little barrels. She found a table that wasn't too busy as there was only one woman at it and two free seats. Maebella eyed her critically, determining what she could before she made a move to sit down.
She was a human, her cheeks flushed pink, either from being out in the cold recently or as a permanent fixture. She had red hair cut at the level of her chin in a style that the young woman thought was called a 'bob'. She'd been dressed quite warmly, as was common in Viden, but had stripped off the thicker outer layers, which she seemed to be sitting on like a cushion, probably to make the barrel more comfortable.
Tentatively, she tapped the young woman on the shoulder. "Pardon me, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked, trying to dredge up the appropriate words for these situations. The other glanced up, clearly startled but she smiled, gesturing to the empty barrel.
"No, go ahead, I wouldn't mind having the company," the redhead replied, tucking the strands behind her ears as Maebella took a seat across from her. "I'm Caesia by the way."
The youth froze, her white eyes wide and staring. She hadn't expected the young woman to start these social niceties so quickly. She'd thought that she'd have a chance to sit and settle down, maybe get something to eat before they broke the silence between them again. This woman, Caesia, didn't seem willing to give her that chance though. It seemed that she was destined to be thrown into the thick of things.
"I'm Maebella," she mumbled, turning her eyes away, uncomfortable.
