[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zenojhi.png[/img][/center]

[hr][hr]

[h3]Velles 8th[/h3]

[sup][b]Location:[/b] Ersand'Enise
[b]Day of the week:[/b] Lepdes
[b]Time:[/b] Post-Auction and Rewards
[b]Characters:[/b] Ayla [@Ti], Gina
Zarina, Riesco, Nibbler, Arlo[/sup]

[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjYwLmIzYWZhZi5SbkpsWlNCaGRDQk1ZWE4wLjA,/italianno.regular.webp[/img][/center]

With the chamber of greed long passed and the auction recently finalised, the students scattered about to finally get a breather from the tiring five days they had gone through. The rest was as rewarding as the prizes for quite a few, although many ended with nothing but the relief of liberation. For both Zarina’s and Ayla’s groups, however, they were greatly compensated for their efforts with the former walking out with a vacation at the Forked Tower, three big Eskandish cows and a literal diamond-shitter. What was there not to love?

[color=C78A2C]“So, you’ve become quite the big, bad lion, eh?”[/color] a voice called out behind Ayla. It was Zarina, who was prepping Riesco for the return trip to the dormitories as he had been parked at the school before the beginning of the final trial. [color=C78A2C]“Waiting for your time to strike, and taking your prey from behind. Never thought you’d be so ruthless.”[/color] she smirked as she turned her head while her hands went on auto-pilot while readying the saddle, [color=C78A2C]“When I even sweetened the deal too!”[/color]

Ayla looked towards her as she tilted her head, her hands stroking Gina’s nose as the pony is busy nuzzling her muzzle within her long hair. [color=009fff]“Offering to trade votes was my idea, that is true. It seemed Silas seized the opportunity to offer the deal to everyone without informing us.”[/color] she sighed out as it appeared Zarina was not the first to accuse her of foul play with the last minute shenanigans. [color=009fff]“Don’t think anyone expected that outcome.”[/color] She fed Gina a delicious carrot from her hand, offering another one to Zarina to take. [color=009fff]“Disappointed you didn’t come second, at least. You played a mean game out there.”[/color] 

[color=C78A2C]“So it’s Silas, huh?”[/color] Zarina’s lips parted slightly, showing her tongue pressing behind her left canine. The gears in her head were turning, a scheme was being formed and malice accumulated but controlled. [color=C78A2C]“Doesn’t surprise me. I’m going to pay the shit a little visit.”[/color] she warned her friend whilst seizing the carrot to feed flat-handed to an eager Riesco, [color=C78A2C]“I want those points. I’m getting them one way or another.”[/color] the horse was then dragged out of the pen and to the outside. The Virangish girl chuckles, [color=C78A2C]“Even in our worst, we still rose to the top. No wonder we were the favourites~”[/color]

They started to pace through the city, making way for the dormitory area Merchants and Nobles more-or-less shared, [color=C78A2C]“Well, now you’ve got a fancy cape and a sword. What’s the next step, kitty cat?”[/color] she hopped onto her steed after giving the beast a couple of neck-pats. It looked as though she was already convinced of whom the culprit was.

Ayla is somewhat fortunate that team Zemana had got ahead, especially as she has her lovely cloak, which would have not been an option otherwise. [color=009fff]“My big ideas seemed destined to be unsuccessful during the trial, and often the plans were forgotten about. Can count on many blessings that we succeeded as well as we did.”[/color] She offered her friend on a warpath a smile, [color=009fff]“Wish it were you, Kaspar, Yalen, and Jo… now that would have been an unstoppable team.”[/color] She sighed as she imagined the so-called wonder teams performance at the trial.

She strokes her hand along Gina’s neck similarly to those neck pats. The pair certainly looked like little and large upon the choice of horses. [color=009fff]“The next step… that is a good question”[/color] a few ideas ran through her mind at such possibilities, though not fully able to share them all.  [color=009fff]“Would happily settle to have a long sleep… haven’t been able to rest at all during the trial. See these dark patches under my eyes?”[/color], she gives a grin towards Zarina, though make-up is able to do wonders.

[color=C78A2C]“Nope.”[/color] politely replied Zarina in a very performed lie. Even herself, the master of hiding her chronic insomnia, couldn’t hide just how much of a toll the event had taken on her, [color=C78A2C]“I could use a bit of sitting on my ass, actually. Especially with the birds that are going to hatch.”[/color] she facepalms, [color=C78A2C]“Fuck me, I’m going to be raising five monkeybird-babies. That’s like, three times a human child.”[/color]

Ayla grinned as she imagined Zarina as a mother, the picture was a very amusing one, as Zarina ended up as more the father role, whilst Kaspar was the… she blushed and looked down, perhaps he did deserve one of his tall girls after all, they have both most likely grown closer during the trials, much like the rumours spread about Jo and Yalen. [color=009fff]“Do you suppose your motherly instincts will kick in when they hatch?”[/color], she coo’d a tease toward her.

[color=C78A2C]“Eh?”[/color] Zarina squinted over at Ayla who matched her horse’s pace with Riesco, [color=C78A2C]“That’s such a fucking weird thing to say.”[/color] she turned to look forward, perplexed over the notion Ayla had just shared, [color=C78A2C]“Now you’re making me imagine it. Babying them a-”[/color] and right on cue, Nibbler emerged from her bag after having taken a small nap and sat on her shoulder, [color=C78A2C]“There he is, the little naughty bugger!”[/color] she reached out to seize the creature. It looked at her with the most innocent, beady eyes imaginable, pacifying her night instantly, [color=C78A2C]“Awwwh. Who’s the cute little heroic Nibble, hmm?”[/color] and now he was cradled in her arms with little scritches given to his exposed tummy. His little paws opened when her hand was off, and closed on her hand when she went for the belly rubs. 

Ayla could only smile sweetly as the dormouse was now tucked up within Zarina’s arms and cradled like a baby. She guides Gina closer as she takes a closer look at the cute creature, [color=009fff]“Looked like they have awoken already~”[/color], she reached forward towards Nibbler as she waggled her fingers to him in a hearty hello. [color=009fff]“You have definitely taken lost animals under your wing this last week, from blueberry dragons, this cutie, those moo’s…”[/color]

 Nibbler playfully reached out to Ayla’s hand, although his limbs were much too small to get anything, and his position kept him from rising, [color=C78A2C]“Bad little boy snuck into my bag when I went to Greed. Tsk.”[/color] despite the scolding she couldn’t stop herself from petting the creature. He was clearly very content. [color=C78A2C]“Yeah, uhm, I might have a problem.”[/color] she awkwardly tittered, scratching the back of her head, [color=C78A2C]“Don’t have anybody telling me NO to all these cuties and awesome lads.”[/color] she sighed, [color=C78A2C]“Then again, most of these poor things would’ve died. And I’m not one to stay on the sidelines for long, even toward Oraff.”[/color] Nibbler’s floofy tail rose up to her belly as he adopted the legendary sleeping position of the dormouse. Looks like he really was tired.

Ayla smiled as she watched it get off to sleep, continuing to ride upon Gina at that gentle pace. [color=009fff]“Not been so innocent as well, brought back a puff lion cub back from Revidia with me from the Doge’s personal zoo. He does have an almighty roar. Named him Asier, after my great ancestor.”[/color] she ponders a moment as she considers the geography, [color=009fff]“Who may have ridden through here 800 years ago. He most likely rode a lion through these very streets, adorning shining metal armour like that Thierry of yours.”[/color] she mused as she directs the topic into girl talk.

Zarina snorted, [color=C78A2C]“On a lion? With armour and everything? You know that’s not possible, right?”[/color] she raised a brow and then rolled her eyes, [color=C78A2C]“Haven’t heard from the guy, actually. Nor have I seen him, as a Century.”[/color] she replied, looking somewhat dejected by the remark she had made, [color=C78A2C]“Anyway, a Lion’s a bit complicated to raise. Gonna keep it in your home as some big house cat?”[/color] she asked as Nibbler was slowly but surely tucked closer to her chest while one hand got back to Riesco’s reins.

Ayla frowned at the remark, [color=009fff]“There are paintings. He saved Relouse by burning the Eskandish fleet. Angry at what they had done, he travelled to their capital, Meldheim, rescued the fruit of Oraff as the Eskandish burnt down their own city in trying to stop him. They formed together another large army, then at Solenne…”[/color] she could tell Zarina was not interested in a history lesson, [color=009fff]“He was a brave man. The Perrench tried to write him out of their history books, saying it was a myth. Clearly they had not seen the fruit trees that sprung from those seeds, for they would know it to be true.”[/color] She rode quiet for a moment before she addressed the other question, [color=009fff]“They don’t grow as large as the Arslanian Lion, so should be okay to keep as a house pet if given plenty of opportunities to roam.”[/color]

Zarina was indeed only half-interested in the historical feats of a long dead man. A lot of history was exaggerated, after all, and she had yet to see a feline rider. Ever. [color=C78A2C]“Prenchies do be like that, I agree.”[/color] she conceded, as they entered an alley shortcut while nearing the dorm area, [color=C78A2C]“There was a big orange tree in the middle of ass-nowhere in the desert. If it wasn’t the big, special tree seeds, you certainly had strong contenders for the best.”[/color] 

They neared the Merchant dorms, where a blue reptile hovered over both of them, only to land onto Zazzy’s shoulder. It was Arlo, and by Zarina’s petting and lack of reaction, this appeared to be a common experience, [color=C78A2C]“So. What about that Mantolien guy. Been talking to him?”[/color]


Ayla shook her head at the question, [color=009fff]“Things tend to be one-sided in our conversations as he talks at you, not with you. He is currently writing a treatise on Nikan and has been updating me on how that is doing.”[/color] she sighed out, [color=009fff]“Imagine this is more of a ploy by my father than a serious betrothal, he is most likely after something he feels only Alexandre can get for him. If he was serious, he would be offering him Maria”[/color] she curls a finger around her the curls in her hair, [color=009fff]“The family runt is only good for her name”[/color].

Zarina raised a brow, [color=C78A2C]“Family runt?”[/color] then a moment was taken to perform an exaggerated ‘check out’ of Ayla on Gina, [color=C78A2C]“The little tart that won the Trials is the runt of the Arslans?”[/color] an exacerbated cocking of both of brows followed, [color=C78A2C]“Don’t be too much of a victim, Ayla. You’ve got way more going than most people do.”[/color] a little neigh escaped Riesco, prompting Arlo to briefly take off, and land onto Ayla’s shoulder next.

[color=C78A2C]“What do you think he actually wants- your dad, I mean?”[/color] Zarina leaned forward over her horse’s mane as she continued the talks, just as they were nearing her stables. 

Ayla raised an eyebrow as she looks up at Zarina as the girl and her horse towers above her and Gina, being the runt is an obvious statement of fact. [color=009fff]“It has been rather liberating out here, and been to more places within the last week than in my entire life.”[/color] Her fingers reached up to pet upon Arlo as he landed upon her shoulders, stroking along his bearded neck, and reaching around to scratch the back of his head.

As the topic drifts toward her father, she only offered a shrug of her shoulder. [color=009fff]“He is after someone or something, given Alexandre is a scholar with knowledge of Callanast continent, it must be a legendary artefact of some kind, perhaps a tool he can use against Casa Frannemas, or his goal is on the continent itself.”[/color]

[color=C78A2C]“Uh-huh.”[/color] Zarina listened attentively, but her response put distance between her and the subject, feigning disinterest. Arlo flew back up and hovered over the two after Ayla’s impromptu shrug, [color=C78A2C]“So, do you intend to go along with it, or are you gonna show off these Arslan fangs?”[/color] she chuckled and hopped off her steed to open the gate into the stables, [color=C78A2C]“Wanna park Gina with Riesco tonight? I’m sure it’ll make them both happy.”[/color] she suggested as she gestured toward the entrance, keeping her own horse back for now.

Ayla brought Gina into the stables before she dismounted from her, and spoiled the pony with warm affection as she nuzzled upon her neck. [color=009fff]“Five years to consider, and besides, he may decide to elope with one of those Virangish Striped Manatee he spoke so fondly of during our betrothal.”[/color] she bared those Arslanian fangs towards Zarina with her mischievous smile. She moves under the cover of the thatched roof as she goes towards the bag seated upon the saddle to bring out the horse brush, to use it lovingly upon the creature.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sgOWM5T.png[/img][/center]

Zarina tended to her own horse now that he was parked and sticking his head out expectantly. As was routine, she offered him a carrot to indulge in, caressing his cheek simultaneously as he nibbled rather than swallowed up. Then, she snorted, [color=C78A2C]“He did love those dugongs, didn’t he?”[/color] a complicit smirk was returned to the Torragonese, [color=C78A2C]“By the way.”[/color] she chimed with a higher pitch, [color=C78A2C]“That Coldfire class I sold to Dory, I’d like you to join.”[/color]

Ayla considered the proposal with superficially, [color=009fff]“That is Alizée’s magic. Da would pay a lot for that book.”[/color] she sighed for a moment as she thought deeper, she wrestled with the thoughts in her mind. The silence lingers for a moment as she puts down the brush as she approached the other girl. [color=009fff]“The truth is… the last time we used fire, people were hurt.”[/color] her face distorts as she recalls the memories of the event in her mind, even that of her recent night terrors. The sound, the sight, that smell. [color=009fff]“They were hurt, Zazzy… [b]I[/b] hurt them.[/color]. She approached as she moved her arms to hold upon her friend. [color=009fff]“We don’t want to hurt you.”[/color].

Zarina flinched, arms opened from the surprise. It took her a moment, but she eventually coiled them around Ayla’s frame. Her hands reached over the cub’s mane as she pushed against the smaller critter’s back to tighten the embrace, [color=C78A2C]“You won’t hurt me, kitty cat.”[/color] she cooed over Ayla’s head, chin rested upon her scalp, [color=C78A2C]“I’m indestructible, after all.”[/color] a back rub was warranted, and she’d keep her friend there for a while, until Gina went on to nip Ayla’s wavy top and tugged on it a little.

[color=009fff]“One thinks Gina is getting jealous now”[/color] She laughed softly as she wiped her tears. [color=009fff]“One needs to confront her. Alizée. Will you help me?”[/color] she looked up towards the Virangish girl expectantly.

Zarina paused, arching back a little to properly peer down at her distressed friend, [color=C78A2C]“I’d love to help, kitty cat.”[/color] she forced a confident smile, [color=C78A2C]“How can I help take down your bitch of a great-great-gran?”[/color]

Ayla smiled playfully in response, [color=009fff]“You shouldn’t say that so lightly about a so-called Grand Demon. Especially when you are playing around with their magic”[/color]. She feels Gina’s head nuzzling it between them as she stepped back to allow it to come in. Her hands move to stroke upon the pony, giving it an ear rub. [color=009fff]“Thanks. We will attend your class. If you will have us both.”[/color] she playfully references to Gina who is now moving her nose into Zarina’s pockets in the sure for food.

As luck would have it, there was a spare carrot by the sack she had carefully stored Nibbler in after the dismount. The dry but still tasty veggie was fed to the pony, prompting many crunches and a jealous Riesco flapping his lips as she outstretched his head to get a bite, [color=C78A2C]“Nuh-huh, you’ve gotten enough, bud.”[/color] she gave a couple of pats to his snout and he eventually conceded, [color=C78A2C]“Alright, I’ll see all three of you soon, then? Like … A few days. I’ll tell ya’.”[/color]

Ayla giggled gently as her friend was overrun by all her animals. [color=009fff]“Sounds like a time and date. Look forward to spending it with you.”[/color] She moved towards the building after putting Gina away for the night, waiting for Zarina to finish to return to her place. [color=009fff]“Next time, we’ll introduce you to Asier, and no, you cannot take him home with you.”[/color]