[center][h1][color=f26522]Carnatia de Luson[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] [quote] “Are you perhaps a little envious, my dear Carnatia?” said Fia coyly. Fia continued to smile at the orange haired spellsword, tilting her head as though adding pressure. [/quote] [color=f26522]"N-No, that is not what I–"[/color] Carnatia started saying. Though, just at that moment, her brain decided to betray her with a stray train of thought. [color=f26522][i]"Though given his build, his arms must be firm with rippling muscl–Ack! This woman is dangerous, she almost had me."[/i][/color] Fortunately for her, though, Forbann's next words killed all of Fia's momentum. [quote] [color=00a99d]“I think you’re fine to go first, Carnatia. A bath wouldn’t go amiss, no,but unfortunately I don't think that most baths in Varenheim could fit me, especially the bath of a cabin in the middle of the woods.”[/color] he regrettably had to turn Fia offer down. [color=00a99d]"So, unless you wish to use the thunderstorm to wash ourselves, I'll unfortunately have to decline."[/color] He joked, trying to abate any disappointment his rejection might have caused. [/quote] [color=f26522][i]"He...cannot be this oblivious, is he?"[/i][/color] Carnatia thought. Well, nevertheless, it spared her from Fia's teasing, so she did not have a single complaint. Unfortunately, however, Fia was relentless, seamlessly transposing to her next line of attack. [quote] Fia walked around the table towards the spellsword who took Fia’s place in line for the bath. She reached out and rested her index finger and thumb under Carnatia’s chin and cheek, pulling the two of them closer. “If size is the issue, then perhaps we two would be a better match.” Fia looked into Carnatia’s eyes for several seconds. [/quote] [color=f26522]"P-Pardon?"[/color] Carnatia spluttered. She was not a stranger to being flirted with, but considering her former status as a high-ranking noble and most people whom she interacted with were nobility they were usually much more restrained. And after her exile...well, she mostly kept to herself. [quote] Before long, Fia cracked a smile and her eyes closed shut as she chuckled. She pulled back dramatically and sat down on one of the loose chairs strewn around the table. Fia moved one of her hairs that got stuck on her face out of the way. [/quote] [color=f26522]"Ah...a jest. I see. Haha, somewhat crass for my liking, but I suppose the use of levity is subjective as they say,"[/color] Carnatia said, trying to laugh it off. She continued, [color=f26522]"Ehem. Well, in any case, I will be partaking in the bath first then."[/color] Carnatia then vacated the premises, heading to the bathroom, led by Nanashi. [hr] [center][h1][color=f26522]Carnatia de Luson[/color] & [color=8493ca]Nanashi[/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] [color=8493ca]"...In any case, no need for formalities Miss Carnatia. I am now just a mere commoner since my adopted mother died. I usually house chores back home, when I am out of the mission so my body moves on its own. Since you took Miss Fia’s spot, I shall guide you into the bathroom,"[/color] Nanashi said as he led the former noble to the bathroom. Carnatia nodded, [color=f26522]“Ah. Sir Takumi then, since you refer to me as Miss. You say you do house chores often? That’s quite admirable, I do too, but…ah, I’m not that proficient at it, sadly. Though, enough to get by.”[/color] Nanashi then led Carnatia to the bathroom, before allowing her to enter. After a moment, he hollered from outside the door, “Is the water temperature warm enough, Miss Carnatia?” [color=f26522]“It is, thank you,”[/color] Carnatia replied, letting out a small sigh of contentment as she soaked in the warm water, getting rid of the chills from the heavy downpour that beset the group earlier. [color=8493ca]“So, who is your master and where did you meet your master? What is the purpose of you having him as a master since I recall that you are a noble.”[/color] Nanashi asked. [color=f26522]"Former noble. Though I suppose you noticed, well, to be honest, I'm not quite able to entirely shed my noble persona. It's not as if I am hiding it, I just opt to not mention it nowadays since my circumstances are somewhat complicated. So I would appreciate it if you do not bring it up, especially around the others,"[/color] Carnatia clarified, perhaps there were others who hadn't realized that she was a noble, Carnatia coped. She then continued, [color=f26522] “His name was Wakita Tokimune. He was a travelling monk who was visiting Greydare—a city in the western part of Westernant—At that time, I was…not exactly in the best place, to say the least. Master Tokimune took me in as his student and taught me various things, combat skills or otherwise. I probably would not be where I am today were it not for him.”[/color] [color=8493ca]"I see, as for me, I am once a war orphan before. People didn't want to approached me until that day, an elven woman approached me. I kept following when I was young, I never gave up and I was desperate. She adopted me and let me trained as a Shinobi. After that I served her until at the very last moment of her life. I was the one who made a mercy kill for her to ease her suffering. I decided to go here and let go her remains, as she wished,”[/color] Nanashi replied. [color=f26522]“…Well, Master Tokimune is not exactly my adopted father. But I am deeply indebted to him. So I do empathize with the great respect you had for Miss Eiko who—like what Master Tokimune did for me—helped you out when you were in a tough spot. Were it Master Tokimune’s wish, I too would embark on a dangerous journey to ensure he was buried how he wanted, not unlike what you are currently doing.”[/color] [color=8493ca]“Is that so? Also, I didn't have future plans once I done it, to be honest,”[/color] [color=f26522]“Surely your particular skill sets would be in high demand? Ah, but I suppose if you do not wish to continue being an adventurer after this expedition, there are not many employment options that utilize such skills aside from being part of a nation’s espionage corps. Well, at the very least the pay for this expedition is large enough for you to live comfortably for a while. If you’d like my advice, perhaps take a sabbatical using the money to figure out what you want to do with your life next.”[/color] Well, she assumed he was talking about future job prospects, rather than the grim tradition of the ritualistic suicide she had heard was practised by samurai and shinobi. If it's the latter...Carnatia wasn't exactly equipped to deal with it. And to be honest, she'd rather not, really. They had just met with no relation prior, so it did not really concern her nor was it her responsibility, though pragmatically speaking, a loss of manpower in this expedition would be regrettable. [color=8493ca]“Well, I just came from the mainland of my country so I don't have any experience of being an adventurer. Speaking of money, I do have inherited money that currently deposited at the harbor's bank. It's quite abundant which gave me uncomfortable feeling when I boarded to a ship. Perhaps I could open some business but not in my country. I no longer able to go back there and yeah I keep that in mind, thank you for the advice,”[/color] Fortunately for Carnatia, Nanashi indeed was talking about future prospects. Carnatia then replied, [color=f26522]"In that case, I suggest opening a business that makes use of Eastern customs. Perhaps an oriental-themes restaurant, or an eastern tea shop, or perhaps a massage parlour. The exotic nature of it could help you penetrate the market and garner quite a bit of interest."[/color] The two then talked for a bit more, exchanging business ideas since both of them had plans to open businesses after the expedition. While Carnatia would not exactly propose opening a business together since she barely knew the man, networking was never harmful, just in case Nanashi opened a successful business venture in the future. Eventually, Carnatia finished her bath while Nanashi prepared the water for Fia. [hr] [center][h1][color=f26522]Carnatia de Luson[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] The next morning, Carnatia noticed that no one had claimed the enchanted items yet. To Carnatia it seemed such a waste considering their utility, especially the brooch. Even were they to not use the items now, they could be potentially useful in the future. And so, Carnatia decided to take care of them for safekeeping. Of course, she would advocate turning them into the authorities once they came back from the expedition, and then as the owners were–presumably–dead, one of them could submit the necessary paperwork to claim it legally. She would if no one else wanted them. At the very least, they would sell quite a bit of money. The problem was that while she could carry the brooch and the lamp with no issue, the blades were too cumbersome for her to carry with no intention of using them. Therefore, the best course of action would be to convince someone else to carry them. The obvious choice was Forbann considering his stature, however, Carnatia decided against it since due to his obliviousness he might not be the best person to deal with Engelbert and the Gray Flame who had been curiously protective of the items. Her choice, eventually fell to the ex-soldier, Tillius. Not only did he have the build to easily carry them, but as a former officer in the Westernant army, and an orc at that, he must be experienced in dealing with unpleasantness. His disciplined and stoic nature, should be enough to rebuff Engelbert and the Gray Flame should they start asking. After breakfast, Carnatia then talked to the orc, managing to convince him to keep all three items for safekeeping, just in case they would be needed later on. The group then continued their journey, passing through the Village of Lindunn, into the ancient road that led into the forest. It was the infamous forest, spoken by adventurers as part of cautionary tales. Of hearing from so and so's friends–or acquaintances–who had been in an expedition through the forest who never returned, or return forever changed, their mind addled. Of course, as in many wild adventurer tales, the truth hardly can be ascertained. Led by Gray Flame as their guide, they ventured into the forest, Carnatia acting as an outrider as usual, at least until it was decided that it would be too dangerous for her to ride separately from the rest of the convoy. She was now riding close to the wagon, keeping pace. Eventually, they stopped in a glade, not far from the oddly well-kept road, about to make their camp. One thing, however, stuck out to Carnatia. It was the peculiar chestnut tree near them. As an outrider, Carnatia had kept a watch on their surroundings as per her duty, and so she vividly remembered this chestnut tree. It was the same one she encountered back when they first ventured into the forest. [quote] [b][color=#4269E2]"Tonight, Ser Vesemir?"[/color][/b] Asked Engelbert with a slight tilt of the head, peering down on the map. It's... hmm, looked like it was actually close enough to feasibly reach, but a night march was an entirely different beast than daytime. [b][color=#4269E2]"It would be quite dangerous, if only from the risk of someone tripping and breaking their ankle. May I know the reason why?"[/color][/b] [/quote] Carnatia interrupted them, [color=f26522]"Pardon me, Sir Engelbert, Sir Vesemir. While that is a matter of great import–and I too would like to know why we have to make for the ruins tonight–there is something else I would like to confirm first."[/color] She then turned to the rest of the group, [color=f26522]"Tell me, do any of you recognise the chestnut tree there? I could have sworn I had seen this very same tree when we entered this forest. Before we discuss our next step, perhaps it is wise to ensure we haven't been caught in some sort of illusionary trap, forcing us to walk around in circles. I had heard some ruins have traps of that nature."[/color] [@Randomness][@Deide][@Remuri v2][@Conscripts][@A5G][@Mas Bagus]