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[color=tan][b]Location: Hillside Haven Inn[/b][/color]
[color=tan][b]Interactions: N/A (Open)[/b][/color][/center]
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With the beginning of a new summer season, comes for a time of joyous celebration. And if you were to ask nearly any villager or traveler familiar enough with the landscape, many would agree that there was no better place to grab a drink than at the Hillside Haven Inn. Not like there were any other inn or tavern around anyways, for it was the only one currently around. Nevertheless, many locals and occasional travelers alike had many positive experiences within the cozy and merry atmosphere of the ever lively inn. 

Hillside Haven Inn was comprised of two levels: the first representing the tavern level that was available to all guests, while the second level housing small yet comfortable accommodations for weary travelers. The tavern portion was always alive with the sound of chattering guests and music playing by the local, all-female, bard group known as "The Tavernistas". Its alcohol was also exceptionally diverse, with a large variety coming from all over Astraia in different beers, rums, liquors, wines, cider, and the like. However, the Inn was famous for one drink in particular known as "Dragon's Head Ale" - a spiced ale fermented in a variety of strong, local herbs that give it its sweet-and-spicy taste. This was it's most popular drink and given the area's history as once a hotspot for dragons it was quite fitting too.

As the jolly customers talked and brawled downstairs, upstairs housed weary travelers who slumbered long and deep from within their rooms. These rooms were rather small for most inns, yet were able to fit all the necessities that one needed to remain content and comfortable. They had a bed - single or double depending on the room - with a desk, an oil lamp, a rug, and a small cabinet for one to place their belongings in. Small yet efficient.

And at the very end of the hall, was a room belonging to the Inn's owner - one Vera Byrnfield. A hardy yet beautiful scarlet-haired woman, she lurked quietly within her quarters as she sat by her desk reading the weekly mail she received. Her room had a window just above the desk, which shined a warm light down upon the woman's face. As the light shined upon her right side, it would reveal a face seemingly untouched by age. She sported very fine skin, with light brown freckles dotting her pale-like canvas, alongside a smooth nose, pale-lips, and a warm peridot-green eye that radiated a friendly warmth that would melt even the coldest of hearts. She had what many believed to be the face of an angel.

Yet when Vera rose her head to bask in the light's warm glow, it would reveal a completely different portion of her face - one she considered as a wound to her beauty. A large mass of dead tissue permeated across her maxillofacial regions, which had also rendered her blind on that side, with it crawling down towards her upper neck. She would often caress that side of her face, running her fingers against the rough and coarse scabs that will remain immortalized upon her skin. Even her hair on said side was different ever-so-slightly, being braided instead of loose and outgoing. Her reddish hair was curiously blended in with snow-white strands, which she also received shortly after the incident. Why it turned such a way may most likely remain a mystery.

It had been several long years since Vera had come to relative terms with her condition. No longer had she allowed herself to become a victim of teasing or spite, or let wondering eyes make her feel like a complete freak. And no longer did she even actively try to hide it either. Now her presence had often prompted cheers from the guests within her Inn, as well as the happy laughter of children who enjoyed her stories. But even with all that positive energy, her wound was still a very sensitive topic for her to talk about. Vera had told very few the true nature as to how she received it, being either close friends or her own family members, but never to anyone else. She had a plethora of alternative stories and made up tales prepared, but she never seemed to have the courage to tell them. All she would do was simply frown, before leaving to sulk in her room over her own self-conscious image. 

Vera sighed softly as she watched the fellow villagers running around below with curious intrigue for a minute or so. Daydreaming or simply watching time go by was one of her favorite pastimes if she wasn't doing anything in particular. It helped her to relax and take the burden of life off her shoulders for a bit. Then her train of thought quickly vanished as she heard someone knocking on her door. Vera blinked back into reality as she slightly tilted her head back.

[b][color=tan]"Come in!"[/color][/b] she called out in an almost sing-songy tone.

The door slowly opens to reveal one of her bartenders - [url=https://66.media.tumblr.com/c54e1935730504dbd85527d12eb158fd/tumblr_pg3n184gah1qm72y9o1_1280.png]a soft violet-skinned tiefling with braided dark aquamarine hair, long ears, blank bright-green eyes, and who also sported two spiraling goat-like horns[/url]. Vera smiled warmly as she motioned her in.

[b][color=tan]"Ah, hello Adelaide."[/color][/b] she welcomed her kindly, [b][color=tan]"Is there something you want to tell me?"[/color][/b]

The tiefling approached her boss with something in her hands.

[b][color=bc8dbf]"Nothin' in particular, Miss Brynfield."[/color][/b] Adelaide replied in a light frontier accent, as she handed her an envelope, [b][color=bc8dbf]"Jus' wanted to deliver this 'ere letter. It's from the mayor 'erself."[/color][/b]

Vera took the envelope with a nod as she looked at the signature. Indeed, it came from Mayor Dustwallow herself - with her official stamp and all. 

[b][color=tan]"Thank you, Adelaide."[/color][/b] the owner thanked with a nod, before the bartender left her room.

Once alone, Vera proceeded to open the envelope and read the note that laid within:

[hider=The Letter]
[i]People of Hillhaven,
The Celebration or Stars is on the third day of Aburand. It is a day with origins of celestial worship first adopted by the humans of Astraia. To those who participate, you may take a break from any labors of the day to express the love of life and others under the great star Solaris. And during the night, friends and loved ones gather to admire the many other stars within the sky to admire their beauty and mystical wonder.
To those who wish to help with the town’s celebratory preparations, the scheduled meeting time is sunrise on the second of Aburand, tomorrow.

Sorry for the short notice, 
Hillhaven Town Staff

P.S - Volunteers will be given extra cheese rations next week!”[/i]
[/hider]

Ah! She almost forgot about that holiday coming up. It was a good thing that Vera was reminded of it ahead of time. She'd always loved going to festivals when she was little. However, she would be absent from said festivals for a long time due to her enlistment as a knight. And even after, she always found herself forgetting or simply too busy to fully engage in them. Perhaps now will be her chance to finally and properly experience one after so long. She could feel her heart flutter in heavy anticipation! 

All this pent up excitement has already prompted Vera into wanting to do something fun. The innkeeper placed the envelope on her desk as she exited her room and made her way down to the bottom floor. Once there, she would receive many friendly greetings from the usual crowd while she walked beside the wooden bar table. She soon took notice of Adelaide and waved at her.

[b][color=tan]"I'll be out for an hour or so!"[/color][/b] she called out to her happily, [b][color=tan]"Keep our guests nice and satisfied while I'm gone."[/color][/b]

The tiefling flashed a toothy grin with an acknowledging salute.

[b][color=bc8dbf]"Already know, boss,"[/color][/b] she called back while serving a pint of "Dire-Fang Beer" to a hefty barrel of a man, [b][color=bc8dbf]"Take care now!"[/color][/b]

Once the innkeeper exited the building, Vera took a deep breath as she planted her hands across her hips. Today was indeed a nice sunny day and one she intends to make the best out of.