[color=F2D8E9][center][h1][color=#77ADFF]A[/color][color=#82A8FA]r[/color][color=#8EA4F5]y[/color][color=#9AA0F0]a[/color] [color=#B298E6]&[/color] [color=#C98FDD]P[/color][color=#D58BD8]h[/color][color=#E187D3]i[/color][color=#ED83CE]a[/color] [/h1][/center] [sub][right][color=F97FCA]Interaction:[/color] [@Oso] Bastion[/right][/sub] [hr] Arya watched Phia react to her touch and noticed how exhausted the poor dear was. The goddess' comment caused her muscles to stiffen. She let out a long, deep breath, and collected herself. The corners of her mouth twitched upwards–it reminded her of Zorianna. This young girl was clearly full of life and adventure and didn’t mean any harm. Still, this was not the island to be gallivanting around. [color=#77ADFF]”Please call me Arya, not goddess, though I do appreciate your kindness.”[/color] She took her hand in return gently and earnestly, staring into her eyes to let her know she was not upset. Then, Phia leaned in closer to her and mentioned the drinks. Arya couldn’t help admitting that they were indeed beautiful and seemed delicious–but this young elf could not have any alcohol. [color=F97FCA] “Yes, my g—”[/color] Phia paused and knitted her brows. Then she smiled as she corrected herself with a nod, [i][color=F97FCA] “Arya.”[/color][/i] [color=#77ADFF]”I’ll buy you a drink, but we’re keeping alcohol out of it. Okay?”[/color] Arya looped an arm around her shoulders to assist in steadying her. [color=F97FCA]“Oh… alright.”[/color] Phia agreed, hesitant and pouting. [color=F97FCA]“As long as they’re pretty.”[/color] Then, Arya turned her attention to the intimidating barmaid and swallowed. [color=#77ADFF]”Two sunset drinks, please, without alcohol. Also, two buccaneer’s breakfast without meat.”[/color] [color=F97FCA]“No meat?”[/color] Phia blurted, suddenly unable to help herself. Her face crumpled in genuine alarm, as if Arya had just suggested something sacrilegious—[i]She looked like she might cry.[/i] The barmaid was speechless, at first. She stood in complete silence for a few seconds before a big, toothy grin stretched across her massive face. Though, there were more than a couple of teeth missing from the smile. The woman, towering over the two girls, bent down to get as close to being on their level as her giant-kin height would allow. [color=E0A13A]"Surely I must have misheard ya’ miss…”[/color] Grelda said with a cheeky nature about her. [color=E0A13A]"It almost sounded like ya’ just walked in here and ordered a couple of drinks with no alcohol, and a couple of meals with no meat. Aye, darlin’, all we’ve got around here is booze and meat.”[/color] [color=F97FCA]“What’s booze?”[/color] Phia asked immediately, blinking up at Grelda. Then, without so much as a pause to consider the answer, she made her demand: [color=F97FCA]“I’d like some booze and meat. Oh and, one of those pretty drinks.”[/color] With a pleased smile, she then propped herself up on one of the stools. Panic coursed through Arya like a frightened rabbit meeting a fox. The woman's outstanding height and demeanor caught her off guard along with Phia’s outrage. She hesitated and gulped with fear and hesitation. [color=#77ADFF]”Err….”[/color] Stella glanced at her and chirped quietly, but she ignored her eagle. [color=#77ADFF]”She um… Booze might not be a good idea and a platter of meat for her will be fine… I just don’t eat meat.”[/color] Arya’s cheeks flushed and her muscles became taut, and she felt as though she might spring from the bar and run away, to never be seen from or heard again. [color=#77ADFF]”I’m sorry…. Please give her what she’d like and I’ll pay for it.”[/color] Without thinking about it, she flinched, expecting some kind of pain or punishment for such a silly request. Grelda’s smile slowly fell away into an expression that was almost sad… But mostly just confused. There was a weirdly long pause between their words and when she finally spoke again. [color=E0A13A]“I’m startin’ to think you two little sweet tarts should not be here at all.”[/color] The large woman said, a slight softening occurring in her voice. [color=E0A13A]“Don’t worry, scared girl. I’ll put together a little veg, a little meat, a little booze, and a couple of pretty drinks with no alcohol at all. Just for you and the cute dumb one. Ol’ Grelda will take care of you both. Well…for three gold that is.”[/color] She said as she left them for the moment, going to begin preparing their order. [color=F97FCA]“I’m not dumb.”[/color] Phia countered immediately as Grelda had begun her departure, her brows furrowing. She rose from her seat slowly, so she would not be spoken down to. [color=F97FCA]“I will not have my intelligence judged by what I have or have not seen.”[/color] She held the giantess gaze with a surprising ferocity. [color=F97FCA]“This is my first time beyond my tribe. We do not brew what you call ‘booze.’ We do not name every creature and custom the same way you do. I asked because I did not know.”[/color] She sharply informed her. Her gaze shifted briefly to Arya as well, making sure she heard her too.[color=F97FCA]“Not knowing something outside of my experience does not make me foolish. It means I am learning.”[/color] She nodded toward both of them as she concluded, [i][color=F97FCA]“And I learn quickly.”[/color][/i] Grelda watched, wide-eyed, as the young woman clapped back with passion, conviction, and surety. As Phia finished her declarations, Grelda leaned down ever so slowly to where her massive head was as close to eye level with the girls as could be. Those wide eyes had narrowed, leaving a mysterious expression upon her warted face. A silent moment lingered too long. Really, it had only been a few seconds, but the oddness of Grelda’s quiet posture stretched that brief instant to feel much…[i]much[/i] longer. Finally, the half giant woman spoke. [color=E0A13A]“Good.”[/color] She said joyously, her neutral glare shifting into a motherly smile. [color=E0A13A]“I like that kind of fire, girl.”[/color] She rose, straightening her back to be her full, towering figure once more, and added one final note. [color=E0A13A]“I know I said three gold a moment ago, but for you…Grelda thinks two is better.”[/color] She said with a wink before turning from the duo and getting to work on their order. Arya watched the exchange with tense muscles. At a moment’s notice, she looked ready to flee into the streets to never be seen from or heard from again. However, she remained in her seat and swallowed. Phia’s outrage versus the bartender’s sudden gentleness gave her whiplash. The situation was resolved peacefully. Arya couldn’t help but be proud of Phia. Once the barmaid was gone, she turned to her. [color=#77ADFF]”I am proud of the way you spoke up for yourself. It was admirable,”[/color] Arya told her gently in a hushed voice. [color=#77ADFF]”But do mind your temper too, we don’t know where we are and we are vastly unprepared for this situation, okay? I will make sure you get what you want, Phia.”[/color] [color=F97FCA]“I will mind my temper…”[/color] Phia replied hesitantly, her voice drawing off. Then she folded her arms and added firmly, [color=F97FCA]“However, you worry too much, Arya. You are safe with me and Menzai.”[/color] [color=skyblue]”What’s going on?”[/color] Stella interjected and peered down at Phia with a mix of curiosity and firm look. [color=F97FCA]“The giant woman thought I was dumb.”[/color] Phia informed Stella immediately—it was clear she completely understood her. Arya glanced up at her shyly and bit her lip, then replied. It was apparent that Phia and Stella could communicate. That would be helpful in the future. Arya looked at her eagle. [color=#77ADFF]”Just… don't worry.”[/color] She sighed and replied firmly. Then, Arya took Phia’s hands gently, while Stella scrutinized Phia and the atmosphere with intensity. [color=#77ADFF]”Please be sure to watch yourself, okay? You are doing great, but I don’t want anything to befall us.”[/color] Arya then observed her once more and asked in a quieter voice, [color=#77ADFF]”Any thoughts on these crystals?”[/color] [color=F97FCA]“I am vigilant.”[/color] Phia assured her, though there was a firmness now that had not been there before. Her brows knit as she held Arya’s gaze for a moment longer than usual. She had begun to wonder if there was something in the way she spoke or moved that made others think she was incapable. Arya nodded at her statement. She trusted Phia but she was determined to look after her all the same and repeat the same advice she’d given Zori. At Arya’s question, her expression softened into thought. She tilted her head slightly, fingers brushing the crystal at her collar as she leaned closer and lowered her voice. [color=F97FCA]“These are shards from a greater crystal a female carried aboard the airship. It fractured… and the pieces scattered from the room.”[/color] Her eyes flicked briefly toward the tavern around them before returning to Arya. [color=F97FCA]“From the way she spoke before her death, I believe it was no accident—[i]We were chosen to bear them.[/i]”[/color] Arya bit her lip. The mystery of the crystals caused her brows to knit. She tapped her fingers on the bar and looked down at her. [color=#77ADFF]“Hmmm.. I wonder where she was transporting it too or why we were chosen specifically. I wonder if the Pirate King we have to meet knows anything. For now let’s keep them hidden and stay close to each other.”[/color] She paused and then added, [color=#77ADFF]“I believe in your ability to take care of yourself. I… I just am prone to worrying about others and I’d hate to see someone as sweet and kind as you endure things you should never have too.”[/color] [color=F97FCA]“She… She passed away before I could ask those things.”[/color] Her gaze dropped, lashes lowering as her fingers curled into the fabric at her knees, knuckles whitening gradually. [color=F97FCA]“I failed to protect her, and I cannot fail anyone else again.”[/color] The words left so quietly it was as if she hadn’t meant for them to escape at all. Phia’s countenance soon softened. [color=F97FCA]“So… I understand why you worry.”[/color] A faint smile touched her lips. [color=F97FCA]“I worry too. All the time.”[/color] She shifted closer and squeezed her hand. [color=F97FCA]“But we have each other now. We will endure.”[/color] Arya’s brows knit and her heart ached. She wrapped an arm around Phia and pulled her into a gentle hug. She nodded in agreement and smiled softly down at her. Phia’s optimism and resilience reminded her of Zori. For a brief moment, she saw her blue tiefling sister, adorned with ribbons and bows, her gold hair tied into braids that reflected the sunrise. She sucked in a deep breath and was brought back when Phia squeezed her hand. She caught the tail end of her words and smiled. Stella, noticing her spacing out, pecked at her head to remind her to reply. [color=#77ADFF]“We do have each other,”[/color] she confirmed, though bashfully. [color=#77ADFF]“For whatever we go through, we must count one another.. .and I think it is fate we all met and were.. chosen.”[/color] She finished the last word with a near frown–the anxiety of not knowing what lay ahead of them brought her unease, but she pulled out a smile and Phia smiled kindly back at her as she leaned on the bar. [color=#77ADFF]“So, are you hungry?”[/color] Arya teased and couldn’t help but giggle at her stomach rumbling like a lion. [color=F97FCA]“I’m always hungry.”[/color] Phia confessed sincerely, blinking innocently as her stomach growled loud enough to prove her point. [color=F97FCA]“It’s part of my charm.”[/color] she murmured with a tender smile, her gaze softening in a way that made the jest feel almost shy. It was rare for Phia to tease at all. After a small pause, she added gently, [color=F97FCA]“…And a burden I carry bravely.”[/color] The crack of splintering wood split through the tavern, and Phia’s head snapped toward the sound.She saw Bastion on the floor before she saw the shattered chair. The laughter around them was loud and suffocating. Phia didn’t join in the laughter. Her brows knit together, listening as Minerva defended him, but she watched Bastion instead. The others were speaking. Corin was lifting him. Minerva was shouting.But Bastion looked… far away. She wondered if he was sad. Just because he was made of metal did not mean he could not ache. And to her surprise, his optics found her. Phia slipped from her stool at once, weaving between bodies without hesitation until she stood near him. She didn’t touch him immediately, only stepped gently into his view, making sure he could see her clearly. [color=F97FCA]“Bastion?”[/color] Her voice was softer than the noise around them. [color=F97FCA]“Are you hurt?”[/color] [/color]