[Center][h2][color=tan]Juniper Lee Andrews[/color][/h2][/center]


[Color=gray] She winced, just a subtle movement, when the woman called her out on her lack of direction. It wasn’t as if she was wrong but Juniper's pride wilted at the comment.[/color]

“You’re right,”[color=gray] she admitted flatly,[/color] “I just got to shore the night before and wasn’t paying any attention during the tour. You’d think coming from a seafaring town I'd be more used to traveling the waves, but it never ceases to make me sick.”

[Color=gray]It wasn’t like to her to blatantly admit her failings but at the moment she didn’t find the use in trying to keep it hidden. The woman had been kind enough to help her when she had been too stubborn to ask. And even still her comment held little judgement in its tone as they pushed further down the halls. 

While they walked Juniper tried to pay closer attention to the winding hallways. Heat now rolled out of various rooms, fires crackling in their hearths to stave off the morning chill. Savory smells from a nearby kitchen wafted through the halls and set her stomach into a fit of low grumbles and growls. 

Juniper reached her fingertips, out of habit, tracing them lightly along the walls. It felt different than home—where the well-worn wood held a polished sheen from the years. But there was a sense of solace in that touch. The slight grit of the stone was something solid and she allowed herself to find a small peace of mind with it.

As they rounded a corner her companion faltered, drawing her attention to the now flustered looking woman. Her dark eyes had widened with embarrassment as she quickly bowed before her. [/color]
“Nila Lionridge, of Carneylem. I apologise for failing to introduce myself sooner; there's a lot to consider at the moment, but it's no reason to lose my manners,” [color=gray] she said with a flourish. 

Juniper felt her mouth quirk into a little half smile. Neither of them had introduced themselves, instead happily working their way down towards the main hall as if this was nothing but a typical day.  With a slight shake of her head she thrust her hand towards Nila.[/color]

“Seems we’re both a little off kilter today. It’s a pleasure, Nila Lionridge, I am Juniper Andrews from Rynalem,” [color=gray] she said letting her face crack into a broad smile. 

Juniper moved and grasped Nila's hand in hers, giving it the same firm shake she used back at home before letting her go. The scent of food was heavy in the air now and her stomach issued another, audible, complaint. With a forced chuckle she tipped her head in the direction of lilting voices and busy bodies before saying, [/color]”Ready then?”

[Color=gray] She eagerly moved into the hall and followed her nose to where the morning’s breakfast was being served. After gathering a rather stout portion Juniper hesitated when looking for a place to sit. A handful of members had already woken and sat casually around, some eating and others chatting. Insecurity flushed through her—they all looked like they belong here more than she. Or maybe it was her own mind playing at her fears while she gingerly picked a seat close to where the group of people were. With a nervous silence she poured herself into a chair, listening quietly as they talked to one another. [/color]