Pitstop|Haven, Ilyamen

[Kender Bard]

"Oh please, she's just going to wag her finger and tut at me," Renlo snorted, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "Are you all right?" he asked with a curious lilt. He had mistaken the crack in Amann's voice for potential sickness. "If you're not feeling well, I can brew you something."

[Darastrix]

"The week's caught up with me; that's all," Amann said, pushing himself into a sitting position. "And it's my own fault. Three months of being active interrupted by a week of not doing much but riding. And like a fool, I decide to try a few steps after dinner." He shook his head and tried to smile. "I know better than to do that. So I cramped up and ended up not feeling that great. I'm just tired now. I can't remember the last time I was actually sick."

[Kender Bard]

Renlo gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that. Well, hopefully this brightens your day a little."

He pulled out of his knapsack a brand new horse grooming brush, the handle made of oak and the bristles fine horsehair. Grinning, Renlo offered it to him.

[Darastrix]

Amann's eyes widened in surprise and he found himself fighting back tears. He was going through literally one of the worst things that an Elemental could experience, and the unexpected kindness touched him. It would have regardless--he was a con artist, had stolen from Renlo's Force's home, and Renlo had gotten him a thoughtfully chosen gift anyway?--but given his current state of mind, it struck him particularly hard.

He accepted the brush, turning it carefully in his hands. "I don't-- You didn't-- Why?" He winced a little at the volume and how he cracked on the word, and lowered his voice. "I mean...thank you, but...you do remember I conned a ring out of Athrug, right?"

[Kender Bard]

Renlo had to actually think about it; he hadn't really questioned the impulsive desire and Amann's doing so was throwing him for a loop.

"Well, aside from the fact that I think you're a nice enough guy..." Renlo shrugged. "Because although I don't disagree with what we're doing, I suppose I feel bad we've had to go about in the manner we have. I explained why, but it still doesn't make me comfortable with the fact. And though you're a criminal, you haven't done anything violent or hurtful." He smiled. "And it might just be because I wanted to do something nice. Which brings me to my next little 'gift' here..."

He pulled a folded piece of parchment out of a pocket and held it out to Amann. It contained a few names and a variety of locations. "This is a traveling acting troupe," he explained. "I still think you could be putting your skills to better use. There's satisfaction to be gained in making people happy and entertained too. So when this is all over, I hope you'll give some serious consideration to what I said about starting a new life clean."

[Darastrix]

Amann swallowed hard as he took the parchment. Why did Renlo have to be so nice? He got through only the first couple of words on the page before everything started to blur and run together.

"Maybe," he whispered, setting it aside. It would take a far better actor than he was to cover at that point, so he just settled for not looking directly at Renlo while he wiped at his eyes.

[Kender Bard]

Renlo smiled gently and settled himself back against the bed again. "Pleasant rest," he told Amann. "I'll not disturb you so you can get some rest. Enjoy the bed--I know I will."