To Lift Spirits

[Kender Bard]

Cascata walked through Ronduin, drawing looks and comments, though not the kind of attention most rulers would in their own kingdoms.

It was a bit odd when she drew her cloak about herself tighter, glanced side to side, and slipped into a bright and cheery tavern, however.

[Devon]

Lucid was already there in the tavern trying a drink with Valkor his friend and bodyguard. Lucid had began to enjoy getting his face out there more and more among the people of Ronduin, whether it was helping rebuild the docks or just talking with people in the marketplace, and even now his first time in a tavern. He wasn't sure how his mother would react, but he'd worry about that later on.

[Kender Bard]

Valkor, who had over time gotten closer to his charge--and friend--was currently trying to chug his tankard as fast as he could. He slammed it down with a gasp of air after he managed the feat. "HA!" he declared. "I am the master of ale."

Meanwhile, Cascata, having not yet spotted her own son in the tavern, moved to the nearest table and bent down to speak with the patrons at it. She wasn't out to speak to them in particular--like Lucid, she had decided to begin a campaign of trying to be seen more and, importantly, keep an ear out to the needs and whims of her people. She chatted amiably with the strangers, asking after their jobs, their health, their families. When she was done--and her new acquaintances where left smiling--she moved to the next batch of people.

Valkor swayed just slightly on his stool. "Hey, is that your mom?" he asked, bumping shoulders against Lucid.

[Devon]

Lucid sipped from his mug and glanced at Valkor for a moment, "What are you talking about she is probably in her office or something," he said looking over to where Valkor was gazing it didn't take long for him to recognize his mother. "Damnit," he muttered, leaning over to one of the people they were chatting with he borrowed a cloak and threw it over his head and kept his face focused on his mug. "I really don't want to get into this today," he murmured.

[Kender Bard]

"What's the big deal?" Valkor asked, elbowing him lightly in the side. "You're almost twenty-one for Taed's sake, what's she going to do? Scold you for being a man?" He started to rise up from his seat. "Hey maybe she'll buy us a round."

[Devon]

Lucid relaxed at that and removed the cloak from over his head, slowly moving to sit up again. Taking a tighter grip of his mug he nodded his head a bit, "You oddly make sense sometimes Valkor," he said. "Still I'd rather not go as far as to get her to buy a round," he said to Valkor with a smirk.

[Kender Bard]

Valkor chuckled and slapped down some money. "Then I will."

It took Cascata a few more tables before she finally noticed her son. With a look of surprise on her face, she walked over to Lucid and Valkor. "Well. This is coincidental."

"Mother," Valkor greeted her respectfully and lifted his mug. "You're looking well today."

Cascata's mouth quirked up into a slight smile. "Thank you darlin'. Aren't you sweet?" She raised a brow at her son. "I hope you don't let your guard drink every time you two go out. I imagine it's hard to swing a sword when you're half-drowned in ale."

"I don't drown," Valkor scoffed.

[Devon]

Lucid sighed,this wasn't going to be as awkward as he thought it was. With a smirk he said to his mother, "Water's don't drown, and Valkor is right you look lovely today mother." Lucid slowly sipped from his mug and shook his head, "Today is considered an off day for Valkor and I, it is sort of my first real outing in a tavern. What brings you here mother?"

[Kender Bard]

Cascata slid into a seat on the other side of her son with a sigh of relief to be off of her feet. "I'm going around and talking to people. After everything we've been through in Ronduin, we're finally seeing the real payoff of our efforts to rebuild and reclaim our lives... And just as we do, this sleeping sickness strikes. I don't want my people to lose hope so the least I can do is talk to them and let them know I care too."