Night cap (For Treena)

[Almondus]

The glimmering lights of town reached out below him like a densely packed carpet of fireflies. It was a calm night. Not a cloud in the sky, nothing to dim or distract from the soft light of the moon and the stars above. The wind was cool, crisp, and carried with it the hint of smoke from the dozens of household cooking fires. Most of the more honest businesses had long ago closed shop and returned to their families.

Alren had no family. But he did have a powerful thirst this night. The mage flew through the air towards the inn at the far west of town. It was a place that he’d come to frequent when he had the time, the interest in finding conversation and perhaps more intimate companionship. His long black robes flicked about him as the wind buffeted about his form.

Another set of glowing windows, these more familiar. The inn rose up to meet him, the man landing lightly a few feet away from its door. He took a moment to adjust his windblown clothes before entering the somewhat rundown establishment. Tables and chairs littered the premises. No pattern, no rational thought behind the set up other than finding another spot to squeeze in customers.

His footsteps counted out against the worn floorboards of the inn. Some creaking more than others as the mage wove past the furniture to find a free spot at the bar. Fuglys’ greasy smile welcomed him with what teeth remained. “Just a whiskey Fug,” He said dismissively. She wasn’t one for chatter, or dishes for that matter, but the ogeress did have one special talent; she brought him his drinks. Alren rubbed a hand against his neck, watching her, waiting for his order to arrive. It seemed he was always waiting for something these days. He wondered just what would find him at the end of it all.

[Myra]

Many sleepless nights came upon the small elven the past few months for many different reasons. She usually found ways to keep herself busy either working the small chocolate store or taking long walks in the woods where she was most comfortable but tonight seemed to draw the small girl towards the inn. She needed to figure out a lot of things and what her future held for her.

The hood to her cloak hiding most of her features as she pushed the door open and stepped within. It was late, she didn't expect to much of a crowd to be within the inn at these hours but then she knew there were times that the later nights brought more of a crowd then the early evenings. Her form was hidden beneath the cloak as well as she kept it closed tightly around her but slippered feet would carry her past the empty tables and chairs, past the fireplace that offered the warmth that she hoped to find soon enough and towards the bar where Fugly sat behind. She knew the ogre from when she kept a room here, one that was now empty but still hers. She kept places like that in case of things going bad, or needing some place to think and tonight might be one of the nights she took solace within it.. after a drink.

She didn't raise her head as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, figuring Fugly would hear her with the slow crowd at the moment "A wine Fugly.. something sweet..." That soft voice seemed to float along the bar, innocent in many ways and other ways she was a devious little thing that had a temper under all that sweetness. Her fingers finally sliding up to that cloak hood to pull it back from her face, unleashing the red curls that fell down her back and into her face just a bit. Dark lashes lifting up to reveal those vivid emerald eyes that one could drown within and her pink lips curved just a little bit into a soft smile at the ogre. It was then she took the moment to look around the inn to see the few patrons that had eluded sleep as well or perhaps were more night creatures then others as she waited for her drink to come to her.

It was then she saw Alren with his whiskey, her head tilting a little bit as she watched him and her pulse seemed to speed up a little bit. Her tongue sliding to slide against her lips as he was one the reasons things were in such a mess as of late and that she was torn in different directions. She should hate him.. and yet she couldn't..couldn't bring herself to when she looked upon him and then moved up behind him quietly there and spoke again "Have another one of those shot things for me?" Lifting her emerald gaze to him knowing that he would turn around to find her.

[Almondus]

Treena had managed to sneak up as she’d done so many times before. Alren’s face instantly brightened when he recognized the slivian's silky voice. They had a past. After all they had been through Alren was certain that they had a future as well. Their time had always been heated, marked by raging storms of passionate fire and volcanic anger. They knew one another better than most; they had found the reality past the pretenses they projected to others. The two had found just where to cut to bring about the most pain. Yet time had not dulled what lay between them.

There was hollowness in his chest that fill ed with electricity when he met her eyes. Without turning to the bar the mage flicked a wrist towards one of the glasses and floated it end over end to his waiting hand. Plucking it from the air he offered it to her. “Of course Treena. You know you’re always welcome to share a drink with me dear. But it will cost ya,” he said devilishly. A sly wink as Fugly arrived with the bottle and a glass. He uncorked it and poured.

Alren knew that Treena had a lot on her mind. It was clear in the way that she looked back at him. Yet the doubt that he could see in her was absent in the man. He knew that however she would choose to have him, he would be there. He would always be there. The mage rose his glass in a salute to her before taking a sip, causing the long sleeves of his robe to slide back slightly. Alren closed his eyes to take in the familiar warmth of whiskey sliding down the back of his throat. A ritual that helped the man center his thoughts and prepare for things to come.

Alren drew closer to her and watched for the first sign of retreat as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Have you told him yet?” he asked, knowing that she’d catch the meaning. It was far from an accusation or judgment, but his voice was filled with concern for what she risked. Alren gave Treena’s shoulder a squeeze and released her. She didn’t come out at very often. He was certain that there were a few things that she needed to talk about.