Strawberries and Trust

Z-Today at 8:57 AM

Rieze was walking down the boardwalks in the outer reaches of the port town, passing through the multitude of stalls and shops spread out across the harbor. The open streets and free trade in the area was always a suprise, unknownst of to the sheltered Ethysian whom was used to streets where only guards walked, and the populace stayed home. "I suppose its a nice change of pace. I could get used to this."

Ignia-Today at 9:13 AM

Sitting once a bench, Artemis was snacking on her chocolate strawberries, just people watching. It took her a moment but her red eyes tracked the familiar figure walking past. Oh...isn't that the wyvern rider? Time to try and be friendly again... She stood up, trying to watch for an opportunity to approach one of her comrades.

Z-Today at 9:32 AM

Rieze stopped up at the edge of the ports, looking out over the ocean. The city itself was so alien to her, in every sense of the word. The war may have been raging, but commerce was still open as ever. Having grown up with dense land all around her, the relative "vastness" of the world still shocked her. She looked up to the sky, confident that her winged friend would be around if anything happened. So this is what we fight for.

Ignia-Today at 9:36 AM

Seeing Rieze come up to the edge, Artemis breathed in the ocean air. It's been so long since I was this far from Floribar. Things are so...peaceful even with war so close by. Quietly, she stepped up next to Rieze, her hood still up like usual, speaking softly, "...good morning. Enjoying the nice day?"

Z-Today at 9:40 AM

"Hmm? I suppose. This is just all... new to me I guess." Rieze turned, looking back at the mage. "Oh, we haven't met before have we?"

Ignia-Today at 9:44 AM

"No, we haven't been introduced." Artemis smiled, looking over at Rieze with a small and tight smile, visible despite the shadows her hood cast over her face. "We're in the same group though. My name is Artemis."

Z-Today at 9:48 AM

"Oh. I heard of you from Finn. You were from... Floribar right?" Rieze smiled back at her, slightly attempting to hide the insignia on her shoulderplate under her cape.
"My name is Rieze. A pleasure to meet you Artemis."

Ignia-Today at 9:54 AM

"Rieze." She allowed the name to roll off her tongue. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm suprised his highness spoke of me, I am Floriban though. How about you? What brought you into your fold?"

Z-Today at 9:57 AM

"Remorse." Rieze went silent again, her smile dissapearing as she looked back out towards the ocean. Telling all the floribians in the army that she was part of trashing their home never felt good, and she always feared their reactions.

Ignia-Today at 10:01 AM

"...huh?" Looking over Rieze, it took the young tactician a moment to realize just what the wyvern knight meant. "...oh, you're-" She cut herself off, not wishing to voice it out aloud. "As long as you're not a death or glory seeker, we'll have no issues. War makes monsters out of everyone, it's just about remembering that a small piece of our humanity remains. Which with remorse, you most obviously do."

Z-Today at 10:06 AM

"Hmph. Thanks.. Not everyone likes me around here you know." Rieze turned back to Artemis, smiling again "But well, I will do my best to earn and keep your trust. I am here for a reason after all."

Ignia-Today at 10:11 AM

"I understand. Not everyone is so easy about allowing bygones to be bygones." She nodded, tilting her head up so that Rieze would be able to clearly see her red eyes. "Still, we're all human and in the same group. I'll be trusting you to watch the skies for us." Not like that other girl is much of use anyways...

Z-Today at 10:17 AM

"Nicer than most people i speak with. Thank you. Watch where you throw that lightning, and we will get along just fine." Rieze held her hand forward, attempting to gesture a handshake.

"I look forward to it, Artemis."

Ignia-Today at 10:21 AM

"Don't worry, never at an ally...unless it's a friendly duel." She smiled softly, shaking Rieze's hand firmly. She's...looking for her own place, isn't she? Like so many of us. "I look forward to it as well, Rieze." Letting her hand drop after the handshake, "So...if you don't mind me asking, what were you doing?"

Z-Today at 10:24 AM

"Oh. Nothing, really. Exploring i suppose. This place is so different from my home in Ethysia... Well, if I can call it my home anymore. There were never this many people, living without fear back there."

Ignia-Today at 10:29 AM

"Oh...even before this all started, the empire was never one of the places I traveled as a mercenary." She thought for a moment, "Still, this place is actually picturesque with the rest of their country fighting a war so it's pretty surprising." The thunder mage held out a dark chocolate covered strawberry from the small pouch at her side, "Do you want to try? It can be a bit bitter but it's a local specialty."

Z-Today at 10:33 AM

"Sure. Is it some sort of.... candy? I have never seen anything like it." Rieze accepted it, and took a bite. The taste was astounding, unlike anything she had ever tasted back in Ethysia, fufilling and leaving a weak bitterness that she could feel, but coped with well. "It is delicious! What is it?"

Ignia-Today at 10:40 AM

"It's a chocolate-covered strawberry!" Artemis sounded excited as she talked about the sweet. "Apparently the plant that chocolate is made from only grows around here."

Z-Today at 10:44 AM

Rieze enthusiastically eats the last of the berry, before realizing she dropped her facade for a moment, and returning to her formal self. "So... Did you buy it here, or?"

Ignia-Today at 10:49 AM

"Yeah, there are a good few vendors in town that sell it. You can get it covering a fruit or a food like these strawberries or you can just buy it straight in small bars!" The tactician didn't hide her enthusiam over the sweet.

Z-Today at 10:51 AM

"The port towns are full of suprises. Some sweeter than others I guess." Rieze sighed, looking back over the web of small stores and vendors at the boardwalk. "I suppose i owe you one then, don't i?"

Ignia-Today at 10:55 AM

"Just pay me back by staying alive, Reize." Arty smirked, "This is a small group, so we all can watch out for each other."

Z-Today at 11:04 AM

"That feels like sort of a copout, but i will take it. Just stand behind me, i'll cover you in any case."

"Once again, i look forward to working with you Artemis."

Ignia-Today at 11:06 AM

"And I with you, Rieze." Artemis truly smiled; it was a small one and awkward, like she didn't really smile much. "I'll be seeing you around?"

Z-Today at 11:16 AM

"Indeed. I think we will be good friends if this continues." Seeing Artemis' smile, nodded and smiled back. "It is good to know that i can trust people."

Ignia-Today at 11:23 AM

"Yeah...the fact that you're so forthcoming with who you are plays a big part in showing just how truthful your emotions are." She nodded, "I shouldn't hold you from getting to the sweets any more."

Z-Today at 11:29 AM

"It isnt the sweets i miss, as much as the sky." Rieze whistled, and waved towards the sky hoping Neltharion would be within hearing range. Soon enough, the black wyvern became visible, diving from the clouds it had been flying in. "I trust we will meet again. Maybe even duel. I figure that is one of the best ways to get to know people."

Ignia-Today at 11:31 AM

Artemis froze a second, catching the glimpse of the black wyvern, "I've never been in the sky admittedly. But I wouldn't be against dueling in the future, it's fun to be able to test one's skills without putting your life on the line."

Z-Today at 11:37 AM

"Indeed" Neltharion braked right before he hit the ground, whirling up a light gust. "I trust we will meet again soon."

Ignia-Today at 11:38 AM

"Of course, Rieze. See you again soon!" Artemis seemed a bit hesitant but she kept a smile on herself.

Z-Today at 11:46 AM

=RP END=