Not Quite How I Remembered It|Celentia, Firegem

[Kender Bard]

Aelwine hadn't moved from his spot, though he had stopped crying. His eyes were red and puffy and he still looked absolutely miserable. Still, his nostrils flared as he spotted the treat that Suri had bought. "Is that for me?" he asked hopefully.

[Skittlebug]

Suri nods and hands it to him, sitting down beside him and watching him worriedly. "Nighthunt suggested it."

[Kender Bard]

"Damn cat would," he muttered but tore into the skewers. A month at sea eating a ship's cook's meals left him starving for a delicious mouthful of fresh meat. He made a sound of bliss and by the time he'd finished inhaling the meal, he seemed a little better. "Thanks," he murmured, flicking the skewer away. "Well. The inn will be packed to the rafters, probably, and every house that will take a soul too. Want to take your chances in the wild?"

[Skittlebug]

Suri eyes him for a moment, unsure of his change in moods, "I don't mind, I'm used to it after all." She doesn't get up yet though, instead reaching out to put a hand on his arm. She wants to say something to help, but doesn't know what, she`s never had to comfort anyone before.

[Kender Bard]

Aelwine glanced down and lay his own hand over hers. His voice was a touch rough as he murmured to her, "I'm not done grieving. But it's not going to get anything done and I know I've upset you. So for now, I'll swallow it down. We need to get accommodations if we don't want to sleep in the street or on a boat. Once that's settled, maybe I can grieve a little more... And try to think of what to do next."

[Skittlebug]

Suri chest tightens a bit when he puts his hand on hers, and she tries to stop frowning. That didn't sound much better, but it was something. "Don't worry about me." She stands up again and glances around. "Where should we go?"

[Kender Bard]

"Well, we've still got supplies from the start of the trip," Aelwine noted. "So we'll just strike off in any old random direction you like, find a place to set up camp, and keep our eyes and ears sharp. Celentia's got some pretty dangerous creatures in its wilder parts. The closer you stay to the town the safer it is though."

[Skittlebug]

Suri nods, "That makes sense, let's go then?" She holds out a hand to help him up, more of a gesture really, at her size she probably couldn't help very much.

[Kender Bard]

Aelwine took her hand, giving it a squeeze as he did. By then, Nighthunt had rejoined them.

"This way," Aelwine announced, heading towards the east side of town. Sure enough, the town was bustling with people too. The vendors of the island were more than happy but most of t he other civilians looked grumpy. Everyone did, really. Aelwine avoided making eye contact and breathed a sigh of relief once he gave a passing nod to the guards along the border of the town and stepped into the wilds. "I told you it was a little like Beastlands out here." The island, save for the tinge of the scent of sea, even smelled like the Beastlands.

[Skittlebug]

Suri nods, under different circumstances she would have been grinning wide, "It is, well the trees are different, but the feel is similar. What sort of animals are there?" She hopes that keeping up a conversation will keep Aelwine distracted, at least a little.

[Kender Bard]

"Lots," Aelwine replied and began to pick his way through the wilderness. There was a rough trail that he found and followed which made the passage easier. "All kinds of animals. And monstrous versions of them too. Usually giant sized or poisonous or some other wicked addition. It's why it's so dangerous. They're mean, too."

[Skittlebug]

Suri purses her lips, "Do you think we'll run into any? They can't be happy about all of these people..."

[Kender Bard]

"There's a fair chance," Aelwine agreed with a warning look. "So we'll need to sleep in shifts like we did before. Our companions can help, of course. And none of us are going to be sleeping for now. There's going to be a lot to do."

[Skittlebug]

Tousle chooses that moment to glidesin from behind them and perch on Suri's shoulders, Found you. This place is strange, strange animals and trees.

Suri grins and nudges the owl in a slightly more comfortable position, "It is, why don't you sleep now, we'll need you to help keep watch tonight." She looks up at Aelwine, "Should we go much farther?"

[Kender Bard]

"A little deeper can't hurt," Aelwine agreed and pressed forward.

---

That night, he lay curled up on his bedroll, snoring softly. Nighthunt lay curled up with him, his head resting on Aelwine's thigh, half-awake, half-asleep.

He flicked an ear. So many familiar smells, he growled softly. He got up and padded over to Suri, lying down next to her instead. Do you like it here?