• Closed • How to Begin

[Zvezdana Venora]

A female Immortal with a city built in her honor. Ilaren, in Zvezdana, was essentially the Queen of Rharne. As the lift came to a lurching halt, Zvezdana again white knuckled in fear that she would fall over the edge. She was quick to disembark, accepting Vincent's help until she was back on solid land. The Glass Quarter was much nicer already, especially to her nose. She had not realized just how disgusting the docks were until she was back in a world she recognized. She certainly did not hope she smelled as the sailors did, but she would not put money on it.

Her eyes were guided skyward to the large, ornate dome above them. Was that a cathedral? Ilaren has a temple to her as well? Zvezdana gulped, but she was pressed in that direction by Vincent's gentle hand. Was he a knight with intent to have her inducted as a nun? She gave him a side glance. Well, he hadn't given her reason to dislike him yet, so she would put tentative trust in him.

"Why would they help someone like me in my current condition? I'm no one to them, and having a spare mouth to feed is only a burden." Zvezdana grumbled towards the end. Yes, she realized she was a burden on the rest of the world right now. Broke and alone, she was relying on a complete stranger. It was laughable. "I appreciate all you are doing Vincent. I just don't want you to have wasted your time on me."

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent eyed Zvezdana from the side, taking in her defeat expression, and down trodden tone. For a moment Vincent had to contemplate her questions before giving her an answer. "The Thunder Priestesses are like the soul of this city it seems. They do what they can to help those who need it. There are many like yourself who are in need, and they do their best to provide what they can. They, like the Knight have a duty to protect Rharne and its people. Though you may be from Rynmere, for better or worse you're here for the time, and without the funds to travel that could be awhile. Though I wouldn't expect the Priestesses to offer you much, but they can feed you and give you a place to stay while you have the baby. Their healers can also help with the birth. Though they may ask that you help around the Cathedral some." Vincent finished, giving her a small, yet warm smile. "Not the worst deal."

"Helping someone in need is never a waste of time." Vincent replied to her comment. "Anyways I feel this is a much better use of my time than walking around feeling conflicted and sorry for myself."

[Zvezdana Venora]

The factions that were present in Rharne sounded more supportive than the factions in Rynmere. The Qe'Dreki wanted to better Rynmere, but first came the high expense of life. Cassander appeared to be in it for himself. The boy king cared little for the world around him, as many kings were. Of course, she had been no better. Upon the mention of her potentially helping out around the Cathedral, she stared at her raw hands. At least she had learned how to mop and help out in the kitchens. Maybe her new domestic skills would come in handy. Faith probably would be laughing at her, seeing how the noblewoman had stooped as low as a slave in the recent trials. It made her stomach lurch.

Towards the end of Vincent's statement, she caught wind of an opening. An opportunity to steer it towards her unknown savior. She needed to find out more about him, just in case she were to encounter him again in the future. "Why do you feel conflicted? I may not be anyone important, but I can listen and offer advice if you would like." Not that she was the best to give advice, but it was at least a polite offer.

The glass quarter passed them by quietly, many just starting their trial. The fashion was a little bit different here, but she appreciate the expensive fabrics and intricate embroidery. Occasionally, a woman in purple robes would pass them by, focused on wherever they were going. Occasionally, a woman robed in white would accompany them. Windows were being forced open to let the cool breeze in. Zvezdana absently pulled the cloak around her. Her body ached and her feet pulsated with pain from walking around and working in heels for so many trials. Her next request seemed weak, but she really needed to ask it of him. "Might we rest for a moment? My body hurts from sleeping in the alley last night. My endurance is not where it should be today."

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent couldn't help but give a lopsided smile to Zvezdana's question as to his state of mine. "The blight of most men, a woman." He answered looking up at the blue sky above him. "I made a choice for her. One I knew she would never make by herself, and though it probably saved her life, it hurt her. So during our time apart she wound up finding someone else." Vincent confided to the pregnant woman. "We've since been able to work our way back to being friends, but things are still a little awkward, and I'm..." Vincent let the last part go unsaid.

Shortly after Zvezdana, asked for a quick rest. Looking around Vincent agreed, and had her follow him a little ways more up the street. Soon after the buildings on one side fell away revealing one of the Glass Quarters open markets. "It's amazing, isn't it?" Vincent asked as he looked over the dozens upon dozens of stalls. Leading the woman into the market, he found one of the stalls that served food and drinks. Sitting Zvezdana at one of the tables Vincent moved off towards the stall.

"Can I have two teas and a cheese tart?" Vincent asked from the man behind the stall. Passing the man six silver nel, before taking the ordered items and heading back to the woman. "Here. Drink this, it'll warm you up." Vincent state as he put on of the clay cups in front of Zvezdana. "and if you're hungry. Eat some of this." he continued as he put the cheese tart in front of her too. Then taking the seat opposite her Vincent began to sip at his own tea.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Devastated. Vincent did not have to finish the sentence for her to understand what he was trying to get at. Losing someone that mattered that much to another man - or woman - let a void within that only took time to fix. She smiled back at Vincent, willing and wishing good karma upon the nice man. "Don't give up Vincent. If she means that much to you, just keep fighting for her. You saved her life once, you can do it again."

They walked quietly for a little while longer after her request. The bustling market reminded her of the stalls in Andaris. They peddled wares that were cheap and expensive, but the smell of food was always the best part. She sat at the table that Vincent had guided to her. While he wandered off, she watched the people. Peasants were a different variety of people. Portly woman dragged packs of children around, attempting to get the daily shopping. She assumed their loving husbands were at work, bringing in what little nel they could to feed the many mouths they had created. Merchants yelled over one another, arguing over who's items were better. Fine cloth and glittering glass was hoisted into the air to show their color and sparkle respectively. Soon, Vincent rejoined her with tea and a tart. Although her belly told her to stuff her face, her training told her to remain civilized. Zvezdana sipped the tea.

"Your kindness is endless, Vincent," No one had treated her like this in Rynmere unless they had been commanded to do so or it had been Veljorn. Vincent was doing this because he could and because it was right. It was a nice feeling. The silence carried on for another few bits, weighing heavily upon her. She had to control the conversation to ensure that he did not inquire about her; to keep the conversation away from Rynmere. "Are you a Lightning Knight? If not, what quarter do you live in?"

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent gave Zvezdana a smile. "I'm not in the habit of giving up easily. Though, I also won't interfere." Vincent commented, before taking a sip of his own tea. The normal hustle of the markets seemed to be unusually chaotic recently. Vincent could only guess that the extra energy had to do with the holiday he had heard mention. Something about gifts, and days. Something he was going to have to ask Sabine about the next time he saw her.

"That is sweet of you to say, Zvezdana, but not entirely true." Vincent replied. Taking another sip while he watched the woman. She still seemed very reserved and aloof, as if she was trying to keep him just at arms length. He couldn't fault her for it though. After her story about her first day in Rharne, and though she hadn't shared much about her past it seemed like there was something there that had left her hurt.

"No, I'm not a knight. Though I did stay in the Sky Quarter much of last season while I healed from some injuries. No, I'm a sword for hire. Though I'm very particular about the jobs I take." Vincent added almost defensively. Though he was, for all counts, a mercenary, he had hated how most only ever thought with their purse. "Currently I stay at an Inn in the Earth Quarter, though that's only temporary while I search for something a bit more permanent."

With a small nudge of the tart towards Zvezdana, Vincent insisted she eat. Soon after he finished his tea and wait for her to give a signal she was ready to continue moving.

[Zvezdana Venora]

Clearly Vincent had met more than one Immortal. Did he know Syroa as she did? Could he feel the beast within her that gnawed at her soul for the next opportunity to get out. Idly she rubbed the scarred spot on her arm beneath the dirty sleeve. If he did know, he was very good at hiding it. "Even if you do not believe that it is true, I still owe you a debt that I will one day repay. Kindness is infrequently repaid." Zvezdana looked down at the tart pushed in her direction. Her belly growled, and she obeyed both the gesture and her hunger. She took the tart delicately, trying to remember the ways in which she had been brought up in. At first her bites were small and controlled. No more than a quarter way through the tart and she found herself chomping massive chunks off in a voracious manner. Much like the beast within in her would have rendered flesh from bone. Soon it was gone, the woman licking the crumbs from the tips of her fingers in an embarrassed fashion.

They finished their tea and were on the move again through the now bustling streets of the Glass Quarter. "Let us call you a swordsmen then. Mercenaries would not be this benevolent and knights would wear shinier armor. I suspect you are highly skilled no matter what the title may be. I am barely trained with a bow, but my lessons were discontinued after my departure. My condition made ranged weaponry more reasonable." Zvezdana chatted brightly, becoming slightly more loose of lip. She had not given anything away. Maybe it would give her the guise of a deserter running to spare her pregnancy. It was partially true, even if the Qe'Dreki barely missed her presence. "When i have found a job and have a bit of nel to spare, I shall stop by and treat you to tea. In the meantime, I shall send good wishes for your triumph over this man to steal your girl back."

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Vincent nodded as Zvezdana spoke of kindness not often being repaid. When she spoke of knights and their armor he couldn't help up smile at the thought of the armor that was stored back at the hotel. The full plate that had been gifted to him by Ethelynda. It was almost ironic enough to laugh at.

When she brought up his skill in combat Vincent just shrugged. "I'm good enough to keep myself alive, though I've had some help with that as well." Vincent commented thinking back to those he had fought beside over the last arc. "As for your own skills, I'm sure you can find a place where you can hone them more after you pregnancy." he continued. "Though most of the weapons weapons you deal with will be practice, especially the blades. Anything longer than a dagger requires a peacebond." With the mention of the peacebond, Vincent moved his cloak aside to show the sword on his hip nearest to Zvezdana. The blade was sheathed, and there was a rope that wrapped around the hilt, and a good quarter ways down the blades sheath before ending in a wax seal.

"The blade cannot be drawn with breaking that seal." Vincent explained, giving the hilt a small tug to show it was going nowhere. "Most prefer fists in the city anyway." Vincent finish, allowing his cloak to fall over the sword once more.

As the made their way further and further into the Glass Quarter, Vincent couldn't help but watch all the people, and eye all the shops. Though he had been here since the middle of Vhalar he hadn't really gotten out to see much of the city. When Zvezdana been talking of paying him back Vincent, waved her off. "Don't worry about payment. That's not why I did this. I did it because it's the right thing to do, not the easy thing." Vincent said another warm smile, "I will always be up for tea, though if you want to pay someone for this kindness, do for someone else what I've done for you today." With that the reached the small gate that lead out to the landing for the massive stair case that led from the bottom of the Earth to the top of the Sky.

"Now the hard part. Remember, anytime you need to rest just let me now." Vincent reminded the woman, before offering her his arm to lean against as well.

[Zvezdana Venora]

When he showed her the peacebond, Zvezdana found herself scrunching her face into a strange look. Rynmerans would not survive unless they were able to draw their weapons freely. However, it was good to know that blades were not appreciated within the city. She appreciated all the information that Vincent was sharing with her on the city. This would keep her ignorance to a minimum to other citizens. It would be easier for her to hide this way. Brawling sounded very unladylike, but she would have to consider it in the future.

“Well, then one day I will pay it forward and make you tea. That seams like a reasonable trade-off,” Zvezdana purred, smiling. Her smile was genuine, which she had noticed several times this afternoon. It was nice to know that she could smile because she wanted to and felt happy, not because she had to fake it.

The stairs rose up from the ground and seemed to go on forever. Her stomach flipped and her feet began protesting even before they began. She resolved herself not to rest. It would just make it worse. The more times she stopped, the more her feet would protest and the more obstinate she would become. Vincent did not need to see her grumpy when he was taking her to a safe haven. She threaded her arm into his arm, smiling again a little faker than before. “Of course. Shall we?”

Zvezdana focused on her feet the entire way up. She did not say much, concentrating on each step to ensure that she did not slip and fall. Her breathing was labored by the time they were half-way up, but she still refused to stop climbing. They just had to make it to the top, and then she would accept rest. She would forever be stubborn. It was in her nature.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

They walked most of the way up the stairs in silence. Vincent tried to make small talk at first, but gave up after he noticed how focused Zvezdana was on the climb. With a raised eyebrow Vincent watched her for a time, and noted the determination on the woman's face. She was having a hard time with the stairs it seemed, but she seemed equally as set to make it to the top on her own, and if his time with Sabine had taught him one thing it was to not get in the way of a woman set on an idea. So they walked in silence.

About half a break had passed by the time the two reached the steps that lead up to the Lightning Cathedral. With a smile Vincent stopped and turned his back to their destination, forcing Zvezdana to turn with him. "Welcome to Rharne, Zvezdana." Vincent said as he let his gaze drink in the sight of the lands beyond the city, and the horizon beyond. After Zvezdana had gotten over the awe of the few from the top of the mountain, Vincent turned back to the stairs and walked her up and into the Cathedral.