Eraslyn looked back at the newly arrived demon and raised an eyebrow, turned back to Aiden and inquired quizzically, "Friend of yours?"
"Hm?" The human turned to the entrance to see the small, demure demon shuffle inside the bar. He immediately smiled. "Ah, Konsa! I was wondering where you were. You're just in time, too." He proceeded to point towards Eraslyn and Seraphina. "Konsa, this is Seraphina, the woman we'll be escorting to the Blade Rim Caldera, and that's Eraslyn, her... bodyguard, I'm guessing?" He chuckled. "I'm not exactly privy to all the details. Anyway, Seraphina, Eraslyn, this is Konsa. He was with the Blind Seer when we entered Ceciderunt Dea. He doesn't talk much, but the Seer trusts him, and that is enough for me!"
Eraslyn shook her head, "I brought her here, but I'll not be escorting her to the Featherkeeper, already had other plans, this was just a short little contract to pass some time." He then glanced towards the door, "But there was another accompanying us. Whenever he's done with what he ran off to, he'll be helping you guys out as well I suppose." She then turned back towards Konsa, "So the Blind Beauty trusts you then... she isn't careless with her trust, so you better make good on it."
Konsa was tense around the newcomers, like most people, but they didn't seem to mean any harm. He stared at Serpahina for a moment, a little awed by her beauty and her destiny. The demon then focused his attention on the Dalimos woman. "I... don't plan to." He said in a quiet voice, turning around on the stool to face the bar.
Aiden chuckled a bit awkwardly at the brief exchange between Eraslyn and Konsa. The female Dalimos certainly didn't mince words, and Konsa clearly didn't feel too comfortable right now. "Hey, no pressure, right? We're all going to be watching each others' backs out there, and I trust him, too. He may be quiet, but he's good-natured, I can tell."
He slipped back onto his stool, tilting his head curiously at Eraslyn. "I see. Well, even so, your assistance is appreciated. We'll keep her safe... but wait, who was the man accompanying you, and why are you so sure that he'll be traveling with us?"
"It seemed he was seeking her out as well." She then pondered a little before turning to Seraphina, "I'd be willing to wager that Elric owed your father his life to have come all that way out to the Aviary to seek you out."
The young Caelestine looked down, "So you suppose he's attempting to repay it with this?"
Eraslyn let out a sigh, "There really is no other way how. Even I'm trying to repay a similar debt... just in a different way." She then turned to Aiden, "So I heard that the Blind Seer was getting something in Nexulai so that Seraphina could take it with her to show the Featherkeeper.
She then leaned close to him, "Care to tell a curious girl what it might be?"
Elric? He knew no such man, though something told Aiden that he would make his presence known later. According to what Eraslyn said to Seraphina, he was connected to her father too, which only made him more intrigued. He made a mental note to set aside some time to speak to this Elric fellow sometime later.
Then Eraslyn turned her attention back to him. Her question was perfectly reasonable, but then she leaned in close... real close. Aiden blinked, instinctively leaning away a bit, with a tinge of redness coloring his cheeks. He wasn't used to women getting that close to him, especially attractive women...
No, Aiden. The question. Answer the question. "Um... i-it was a spear, I believe. An artificer from our world constructed it out of wood from one of the Featherkeeper's sacred trees. His name is Conrose, Conrose Lanturz, I believe..." He then shrunk a bit and grimaced. "Could you, um..." He trailed off awkwardly.
The demoness reeled back in disbelief, her jaw just about fallen from her face as Seraphina's own reaction being a sudden gasp. "You mean... someone from your world was allowed to work with the Silver and Gold trees?"
Seraphina shook her head a moment, "Are you certain of that? Not one of them has been felled in all our time here... and the Featherkeeper herself had asked for this?"
Aiden blinked once again in surprise. Then again, their reaction wasn't completely unexpected. Conrose was probably the first person ever to work with such material. He nodded to Seraphina. "I'm certain... though saying that he's from our world is a little, er... inaccurate." He crossed his arms and shrugged. "The truth is, Conrose isn't actually native to our world. We don't know where he came from, really, and he's been tight-lipped about it... though often prone to imparting frustratingly vague hints." He scowled as he remembered the confrontation in the portal.
Konsa listened with interested, although he only watched them from the corner of his eyes.
Eraslyn thought on it for a bit, "Seems like he can be more trouble than he's worth." She then smiled wryly, "But I suppose it's a good thing he's just a craftsman on another world, so I can avoid that sort of a pain in the neck."
The Caelestine next to her looked at the demoness with a look of disagreement. "I don't know, I think I'd like to meet someone that the Featherkeeper herself expresses interest in... especially if it's to craft something for her."
"Ehhh..." His smile was pained. They had no idea what they were in for. "Conrose is an... interesting one... not the easiest person to deal with. Kind of arrogant, really, but he has the skills to back up his claims."
The Daemoness smiled, "So you're saying he's good at his craft? Arrogance means little to me unless they make claims on being good with a blade or good ol' fashioned fists."
"Good?" He chuckled at that. "The Blind Seer was stunned by the quality of his creation, so I'd say that's more than just good."
Eraslyn began to start, but then paused a moment, as if their minds were in perfect sync, Seraphina inquired, "How'd she inspect it... she can't see things in the traditional sense."
Aiden's gaze turned upwards as he remembered the details of the meeting. The Seer was blind to physical details, but she could see energy... that was it. "She can see spiritual energy, right? Peoples souls and such? Well, the energy coming out of that spear must have been incredibly strong, almost overwhelmingly so. I'm serious, she was shocked."
"Strong energy is one thing," explained Eraslyn. "She can't see magic, or energy... it's specifically the souls and spirits that she can view." She looks down at her hand, as if inspecting it closely. "She sees what lies beneath the skin, not the blood and flesh and bone, but what binds it to our will... or perhaps it is the will itself that she perceives?"
Aiden had to raise an eyebrow at her postulation. "So... what, are you saying that the spear Conrose made was imbued with spirits or willpower of some sort? I'm having trouble following you here."
"What she's saying, I suppose," the Caelestine on the other side said, explaining her own thoughts, "is that it is now living, in a way. Whether it be by imbuing it with a soul, or perhaps..."
"Inspiring what was already there" came a voice familiar in its arrogance to Aiden. Conrose walked in, putting away a bag that jingled... he had apparently already converted some of Nexulai's currency to the Caelestine's traditional bronze and iron coinage. "Trees are alive, some moreso than others. The real trick for artificing is bringing that out even after the tree itself has long since been felled."
Eraslyn looked over to Aiden in dismay after first glancing at the newcomer. "Please don't tell me that he's..."
Just when the topic was getting good. Well, it still was good, but Aiden could've done without Conrose's input. Really, he could've done without Conrose altogether. Aiden sighed, rubbing his forehead with his right thumb, index and middle fingers. "I'm afraid he is. I swear to god, Conrose, you have the most impeccable sense of timing known to mankind."
He then turned to face him, looking none too eager to speak to him once again. "So let me get this straight, Conrose... you made a spear out of a living tree." He blinked. "Er. Not that trees weren't living already. A sentient tree, then... is it? I don't even know at this point, this is all flying straight over my head."
Conrose raised an eyebrow to Aiden's comment on timing. It's not that he tries, it just seems to happen that way weerily often. All he could do was shrug it off. As Aiden continued on the spear, and the tree from which it came, the Artificer realized it could have been explained a little better. "Not so much a sentient tree. Everything that lives has a spirit or a soul, and even somethings that never was quite so alive." He then pondered on some examples he's had personal encounters, but on further thought, realized those all were from other worlds that the young explorer was unfamiliar with. "I suppose I'll have to point out an example if we ever see a good one. But I wouldn't say that it's so much sentient, but simply that it's aware of things around them... I suppose."
On further thought, he concluded that it was an excessively complicated issue for those who aren't already familiar with the subject and decided to drop it. "Anyways, I got a couple of rooms at the inn across the street."
"A tree that isn't sentient... yet it's aware of things around it. Sounds animalistic to me." He shrugged. "I'll have to study it further, when I get the chance. I look forward to seeing another example during our travels."
Upon hearing of the rented rooms in the inn, Aiden narrowed his eyes a bit. "Rooms, eh? How many are we talking here?"
Conrose glanced around, looking at the assembled party, and sighed. "Clearly... not enough of them." His head sunk as he held out three fingers.
Upon seeing this, Eraslyn immediately clung to the Caelestine next to her with her left arm while her right reached to the sky with a mug in hand. "DIBS!!!"
Aiden blinked, his expression remaining neutral as he tried to figure out what this would mean for him. Obviously, the two girls would share a room, which left him with either Novaus or Conrose. Neither of them were all that friendly, but he'd vastly prefer the Seer's bodyguard over the artificer. "Okay... where's Novaus at? I, eh, think I'll room with him," The human said nervously.
Eraslyn let out a chuckle, "Yeah, sharing a room with the Blind Seer as well?" She then lightly brushed her leathery wing against the young explorer's back. "Hoping to get a little closer to the blind beauty?" She then abruptly pulled her wing back, quickly enough to draw a little bit of wind around Aiden. "Yeah... I've heard he left the last guy who sought to sneak a peak blinder than the girl herself."
"... Uh." Well, this got awkward fast. He completely failed to account for the Blind Seer. As if that wasn't bad enough, he also felt Eraslyn's wing gently touching his back. The explorer froze up at that, blushing quite heavily. It was like a repeat of what happened in the Grand Ambassador's office. The wings always seemed to get to him, for some reason. Once the wing was pulled back, his longcoat flapped and his hair rustled a bit in the wind.
"N-no! Th-that wasn't my intention! I had forgotten that the Seer would... would also be spending the night," He stammered, panicked, "Fine, fine, I'll share a room with Conrose! God..."
The Artificer didn't seem to happy with the arrangement either. "You'll not be asking me questions all night will you?"
"Mm... maybe one or two." He crossed his arms, looking none too pleased. "Nothing too sensitive, of course. That comes later."
Konsa had been very quiet, zoning in and out of their conversation. He turned towards them, not surprised he had been forgotten about the sleeping arrangement. It did sting a little bit, but Konsa shook off the feeling and cleared his throat awkwardly. He better speak up now to avoid any other awkward conversation. "What about me?" He asked quietly, turning towards the group.
"... Ah, yes, that's right," Aiden spoke as he turned to Konsa. "We do need to find a room for you... hm." He shrugged. "Well, I don't mind you staying with us. I don't know how the others feel."
Konsa focused his attention on Aiden, shrugging lightly. "I'm okay with anybody, really." He said, Konsa only wanted a warm bed to sleep in.
Conrose nodded, "Sure, you've been quiet enough, I'll mind you less than Aiden at least... maybe he can ask you things about your people while I get some sleep."
Eraslyn raised her eyebrow at this, "You really need to lighten up there kiddo."
"I'm 35 actually," corrected the artificer, the statement surprising the Daemoness who could have swore he wasn't a day over 20.
The barkeep shouted out to the gathered company, "No soliciting, alright? You order something or I kick you all out. Only ones here whose bought anything so far has been the loud one and the vampire."
"In my defense, I just got here," replied Conrose in irritation. He then glanced over the selection of spirits arranged behind the counter and pointed to a lavender bottle, "I'll take the Averian Reshkan Vineyard."
Aiden flinched upon hearing the barkeep's sudden shout. He was right; they'd spent all this time blathering to each other, and they hadn't even had a single sip of alcohol. It was time to rectify that. Sliding onto one of the stools, he proceeded to order his own drink. "And I'll have a Trilunan Sunn Vinum." He could've had something from home, but Aiden had always wanted to have a good Caelestine brew. Now was as good a time as any.
Seraphina's ears perked up upon hearing mention of a brew from her hometown. She then squinted at the bottles as the barkeep pulled on several of the bottles, "The 8986 was a good year, do you have that per chance?"
The man behind the counter gave a hearty chuckle. "Indeed it was... how about that, I do still have one." He turned to the explorer, "So how about it, care to take the lass' suggestion?"
Aiden looked between Seraphina and the barkeep, confused. Did Seraphina... just offer to buy him a drink? He smiled at that, feeling flattered. It probably had something to do with the drink he ordered. The Caelestine seemed to have taken interest in it. "Well... how could I refuse? I'll take it." He then turned to her. "Much appreciated, Ms. Lunasdiei... I noticed that you seemed to recognize the drink I ordered."
"Of course she does," Eraslyn said before taking a sip of her juice. "She was raised in Triluna... practically their patron deity."
"Uhm.. uh..." fumbled the young Caelestine as red came to her alabaster cheeks. "I'm not that big a deal."
"Oh come on, you're a Lunasdiei," proclaimed the daemoness with enthusiasm. "Your family line's been settled there since Drakling was sealed at the bottom of the Bladesrim Caldera."
"Ah, that explains it." He nodded in understanding, though he got the sense that Eraslyn was exaggerating just a bit. Seraphina's reaction told him that she felt the same way, but wow, that was one hell of a blush. He'd never seen such red cheeks before. The price of having almost pure white skin, he guessed. Really, the human found it to be rather adorable.
"Well then, in that case..." He turned back to the bartender with a smirk. "One Sunn Vinum for the lady here." Aiden then gave Seraphina a smirk. "We're gonna be out there for a long time. Figured you might as well have something from home before we take off."
She smiled softly as Eraslyn sitting between the two glanced from one to the other. "Oooh..." She then wrapped her arm around Aiden and pulled him towards her as she grabbed Seraphina in a similar manner, "OH you two are so cute!!!"
The artificer laughed in amusement at the sight.
"Gah, what the-?!" Aiden thrashed a bit in Eraslyn's grip as she suddenly wrapped her arm around him and pulled him over. Once he regained his bearings, the thrashing gave way to squirming as he tried to break out of the Dalimos' grip to no avail. Once again, his cheeks were colored with a tinge of redness.
"Ungh, Eraslyn... i-is this really necessary...?" He grunted in embarassment.
"Still can't keep your hands to yourself," came a muffled voice from the door. Novaus stood by the door, the Blind Seer by his side giggling a little to herself, apparently as amused by the scene as Conrose was.
The daemoness released the two and waved at the new arrivals enthusiastically. "Hey there! I beat you again, and I had to travel half the continent!"
The tall mercenary let out a sigh. "You bribed her didn't you?" He said as he turned to the silver winged angel beside him.
The little angel smiled mischieviously, "She did not need to, I couldn't let such a perfect record be ruined."
"Mmph!" Aiden straightened himself up once he was let go, readjusting his longcoat. Once he saw the Seer and Novaus, his blush deepened. It was embarassing, being caught like this, but... not unpleasant. He was actually starting to like Eraslyn's warm, enthusiastic attitude. The human waved to the two newcomers, and shrugged at Seraphina with an amused smile. "Quite a colorful group you got here, Seraphina. I'll admit, I didn't expect everyone to be so... lax around each other."
Seraphina smiled nervously, quite aware of the fact that her cheeks still did not match the rest of her face. "I think she's always this way, and she seems to be one of the Blind Seer's friends."
"You're right about that!," proclaimed the Daemoness above them. "I'd say she's the best friend I've made in Luminalux," prompting a cheerful smile from the angel. She then stared at her arm, the runes on the gloves she wore matching those on the mercenary's facewrap and the angel's blindfold. "I guess you could say we're like a family."
The Blind Seer smiled, as Novaus stepped up to the bar, "In truth, Eraslyn has had that energy and attitude since she first put her two feet beneath her."
The barkeep looked at the merc, "So you think this gathering be justification for that brew?"
Novaus shook his head, "No, but when we return from the Featherkeeper, I'll be up for it."
The man at the counter nodded as he turned around and searched his bottles, pulling out the Trilunan bottle that Seraphina had requested earlier and then moved on to seek another out, "So then, will it be the usual for you?"
"Sure" came the reply from behind the wraps.
The Blind Seer took a seat to the left of her friends, Seraphina helping her taking a seat. "I take it Erazzy hasn't been playing nicely."
The Daemoness chuckled a little, thinking of the fun she's had thus far with the new arrivals.
Aiden listened closely as the others shared a bit of story behind Eraslyn. He leaned on the bar and nodded slowly as he followed along, only to suddenly snort in amusement at the Blind Seer's last comment. "Erazzy? Really?" He had to snicker at such a goofy nickname, though it did have its charm.
"Well, I hope she never loses that attitude. I'd go so far to say that it's downright infectious," Aiden complimented the demoness with a cheerful grin.
She then shot him a glare, "I'm also known as 'The Eraser' " she said menacingly.
The Blind Seer leaned forward in her seat, "that's because they never find the bodies," she said in her sweet voice... a sharp contrast to Eraslyn's own voice, causing the Daemoness to snort as she tried her damnedest to keep a straight face.
"... Uh-huh." Aiden could've been convinced, if not for Eraslyn breaking her act with a snort. Of course, the sheer silliness of the title didn't help much with that. He let out a small chuckle. The Seer had a good, and somewhat twisted, sense of humor, which made for quite a humorous contrast against her sweet, patient nature. "Heh, you know, I can't tell who's the corrupting influence here, you or the Seer."
The two smiled mischievously as the barkeep delivered the drinks in fine stemmed wineglasses, putting a white wine before Aiden and Seraphina, and a dark purple one in front of Novaus. As he raised his glass, he answered flatly, "it's the Seer," turning the Blind Seer's cheerful smile into a nervous one.
"Heh... I suspected as much." He grinned mischievously as he took his glass in hand. "I may never look at you the same way again." Seeing that the drinks had been distributed, Aiden decided to take the logical next step. He raised his glass into the air.
"To our health and success on this critical journey!"
Konsa relaxed a bit more, his mood had lightened considerably as Blind Seer and Novaus entered the tavern. Konsa waved over the bartender, putting in an order for his own alcohol too. "Excuse me, could I have a glass of corruptive spirits?" He asked, leaning on the bar.
The barkeep smiled, "Like the strong stuff there" he inquired as he made his way to the other side of the bar.
Konsa nodded, leaning his chin on the palm of his hand as he waited.
"Corruptive spirits?" Aiden snorted in amusement, looking between Eraslyn and Konsa. "Boy, you Dalimos are a cheerful bunch, aren't ya?"
Konsa chuckled, shrugging as he glanced over at Aiden. "I think we're just creative."
Eraslyn chuckled, "Yeah, I much prefer Umbran Moon... I prefer my throat not feeling like I've been drinking molten steel after the third bottle."
The barkeep yelled out from the end as he pulled out a clear bottle at the end, "All out of that sweetheart."
Eraslyn stood up in alarm, "What!!! You can't be out of it!"
"The Unbrek sisters cleaned me out of it a few hours ago."
The Daemoness slumped back down into her chair as she lay her head on the counter. "Awe... now I'm sad."
Konsa glanced over at the Dalimos woman, head slightly tilted. Her presence made him a little uneasy, but she didnt seem to mean in harm. "I'm sure it'll be fine." Konsa said as he turned back towards the bar.
Aiden placed a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing at Eraslyn's outburst. He patted her on the shoulder after she slumped back down on the counter. "Come on, now, surely, you must have a second favorite. How about... Noctem Villum? Hell, I'll buy you a round, too."
Eraslyn shrugged in her slump state, "Guess I'd try anything if it were free."
He sighed, still smirking. He knew that she was depressed, but she just seemed so cute in this state. Of course, he quickly purged the thought from his mind. "Okay, well, how about this? Next time we cross paths, I'll buy you some Umbran Moon. Least I can do."
She shot up straight, turned towards the explorer and gave him a bear hug, "THANK YOU!!!" she shouted in glee as she did so. She then turned towards the barkeep, "A bottle of Noctem Villum please! It's on the normal looking one!"
"I could have sworn he said A round" the barkeeper shouted back as he slipped a bottle out. When se began to slump again, he let out a hearty laugh, "No worries, I'll give you the bottle at the cost of a glass, I'm pretty sure you'll like it enough to get more of it yourself on future stops here."
"Hurk-!" The sudden bear hug took Aiden completely off guard, and when she released him, he barely managed to level himself out on his seat. Confusion quickly gave way to amusement as he saw that Eraslyn's cheery demeanour had been restored. This Dalimos truly was something else. It was a shame she wouldn't be accompanying them on their travels. He wanted to learn more about her.
That would come at another time, though. He wasn't about to forget what they were all here for. "Alright... so we're all happy, then?" Aiden asked, smiling at each of his companions before starting to raise his glass to his lips. "Then let's start drinking. Enjoy the calm before the storm and such!"
Conrose shrugged, "Shouldn't be THAT much trouble, heard the Dalimos will be purging the northern territories of rogues and bandits in the coming months, so... not much of a storm if you ask me."
Eraslyn chuckled nervously, "You'd be surprised... the Zeknif Incident occurred shortly after one such purge, and that was a pretty big mess."
Aiden lowered his glass after taking a sip, looking over at Eraslyn with renewed interest. "The Zeknif Incident?"
"Yeah, about two hundred years ago, our present King who was then the crown prince went on his own pilgrimage," recounted Seraphina. "He was kidnapped by a group of rogue Dalimos as he passed through the Dalimos Northern Territories... when they found out who he was, they prepared to sacrifice them for their old gold. If not for the interference of a Wingborn Angel named Zeknif whom the Caelestine had no idea even existed, he'd have been killed and a new war likely would have begun."
"That's my father for you," continued the Blind Seer. As sad as she was that her father had long since passed away, she always was cheered up by the fact that he never failed to do the right thing. "But he wasn't alone in that endeavor, your own father played a pretty big part in it as well."
"Really now? Well, you two have quite the family history..." Aiden placed his elbows on the counter, entwining his fingers and sliding them under his chin, as though they were holding it up. "Tell me more about your father's involvement in this event, Seraphina."
The Caelestine smiled as she glanced down at the glass before her. "My father, the High Seraphim of the Holy Guard, Galric... upon getting word that the prince had been taken captive and held for ransom immediately took to the skies above Dalimos to search for him, taken 30 of his men along with him. He was flagged down by an angel he did not recognize who was already in the area, and told that the demons had spotted him and his men. Apparently the violation of an old treaty tipped the band of rogues off that they had a VIP and may have endangered the individual they sought out, and that they wouldn't find the hide out from high above like that since they had found a cave."
Eraslyn defended Galric's actions, "It was only a crown prince... so you can understand his haste really."
Seraphina nodded, "And so he had to signal the remainder of his men in a more subtle fashion with a mirror as Zeknif continued scouting out the situation. After they got about half his men to join him, including a dozen known Dalimos Emperial Security to join with him, he distracted the rogue group's leader by flying above them, low enough to be in range for their attacks and willingly taking an arrow to one of his wings to bait them out into an ambush."
"Whilst my own father slipped into the cave held by several of the Dalimos after they had changed into more roguish clothing... posing as an Angel captured by the guards they sent to retrieve the wounded angel. They realized too late that it had been a ruse."
"... Wow." Aiden blinked, his eyes widened and his mouth slightly widened. "Your father put himself at so much risk for that... now that's courage. Heh... honestly, I wish I could've met him myself, he sounds like a remarkable man."
"It's that same bravery that got him killed at Kanas... to save the only group of survivors, he plunged into a pillar of Hellfires to stem its flow," continued Seraphina with a sigh. She missed her father dearly.
Eraslyn looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Then slapped her on the shoulder, "Come on, cheer up... if not for him, you wouldn't have met Zeknif's daughter... or more importantly, ME!" she stated boldly as she pointed to herself with her thumb with her gloved hand.
"Ah..." Well, that put a damper on the mood. Fortunately, Eraslyn was there to salvage the situation. Aiden's smile returned. "She's right. Your father did great things for you and your people. None of us would be here if it wasn't for him."
The Blind Seer gave her own reassuring smile to her friend.
Conrose scoffed, and headed back towards the door, "Well, I'll be waiting at the hotel if you need me, I'm gonna go ahead and rest."
As he vanished through the door, Eraslyn couldn't help but ask, "He's a really cheerful person isn't he."
"Oh, you have no idea." He sighed, waving the Zalphyrene off half-heartedly. "Forget about him. Let's enjoy this night while we still can!" He raised his glass slightly, a warm smile on his face, before taking another sip.
The Blindseer ordered some apple juice as she turned towards her companions. "Indeed, you need not worry too much about him. I'm certain that by the end, all the answers you'll need will lie before you."
She then focused on Seraphina, "But it will be a shame that you'll be missing the Festival of the Third Moon in Triluna this year, you'll be missed back home."
"Mm... that would've been nice to see." He placed his glass down on the bar. "Ah well. There's always next year, right? Besides, I think what we'll see on the road will make up for the absence."
Seraphina giggled a little. "The Third Moon shows once very ten years actually," she corrected him. "Though it should still be visible from the northern territories of Dalimos."
"... Right. I tend to forget such details on occasion." He chuckled. "Some explorer I am, huh."
The Blind Seer smiled, "There is a reason that Sokolniki asked you first. You don't see it yet, but it will become apparent in time," she said in her reassuring voice.
"... Er." That came out of nowhere. Aiden turned to the Blind Seer, looking completely lost. "I see...? I don't really see why I'm so special, nor why I will be."
She continued smiling, "Just get some mileage under your feet. Everyone improves with time and experience, and you will be no different." She took her drink cheerfully when the bartender dropped it onto the counter before her.
Novaus nodded, "No one is born exceptional, no matter how important their family is. They must work to achieve greatness or be damned to be forgotten, or remembered in such a way that it leaves a bad taste in the mouths of those who speak of them."
Aiden remained silent for a few seconds after Novaus' statement. It rang true in his mind. It was how he got to where he was, after all. "Well, I'm not going to squander any opportunity that comes my way," he replied, "Whatever my true potential may be, I will strive to attain it."
The explorer then took a long sip from his glass of Sunn Vinum. In that time, he continued to ponder on the Seer's words. She never failed to raise these odd, yet undoubtably intriguing questions for him. If what she said really was true, he'd find the answers soon enough. Aiden lowered his glass, swallowing the brew and letting out a deep, content sigh. He couldn't wait to get started.
Candlelight filled the simple room from a chandelier just elegant enough to seem out of place in the simple building. To the left of the door sat a young man of fair skin and blue hair, patiently awaiting visitors as he had been told earlier that guests would soon arrive. He began to tap his finger upon the desk... but caught himself in the act and sat up straight and recited something to himself in his head, reminding himself of the lessons of his people. The Caelestine glanced over to the far side of the room, looking for imperfections in the decoration. The woven rug decorated with a Sun-like symbol with a ring running from the foreground of the image and vanishing behind it was not uplifted on a corner this time. The various paintings of famed Seraphim and Archangels of his family line were perfectly straightened along the ascent to the upper floor. He let out a sigh, he had not the courage to make the pilgrimage himself... he had not the courage because he did not have the strength to endure such a trek. Still, he could serve those who did by giving rest to those feet taking their first steps.
The door swung open and in the doorway stood the strangest sight... a very attractive young daemoness hanging form the shoulder of a young girl... an angel with silver wings... walking into the lobby. The Deamoness clearly quite inebriated... and judging by the bottle she still clutched in her hands, she was not quite finished yet.
"Come on Erazzy, just a little further," stated the Angel as she struggled to carry the taller woman's weight as a tall man who concealed his face came in after the pair.
"Whay want you help ta kurry me anways," asked the daemoness... at least the young man at the counter thought she was asking a question.
"Because the little lady has to take responsibility for her actions... in this case, daring you to put down a whole crate of Allui'an South Ale," answered the man in a disciplining tone.
"Well... I didn't... Uff" she started as young woman shifted the weight of her unholy companion... "expect she'd follow through!?"
The man let out a deep sigh, "I do suppose you weren't there when I made the mistake of letting her put her stuff on my tab... damn near drank everything at the Ferrocor Cave of Spirits"
The girl raised her eyebrows as though impressed, "Really? I heard they have thousands of bottles of the finest brews across Ceciderunt!"
The young man suddenly realised that he could not see the angel's eyes, and could only see one of the mysterious man's eyes as well. Then he was struck with the realization of who these people were, "I'm sorry," he cried out as he bowed his head deeply. "Please forgive me Blind Seer... had I known I would be in your company, I'd have waited at the door to open it my..."
"I can open the door for milady just fine," Novaus interrupted before looking back briefly, gesturing with his head to unseen people beyond the threshold.
A fair-skinned hand clumsily clasped at the door frame, and the rest of Aiden's body quickly fell suit. He barely stopped himself from losing his balance altogether and tipping over onto the floor. Judging from the way he seemed to hold onto the frame for dear life, one would think the door frame was the only thing between him and certain death. Perhaps that would be the case if he struck his head hard enough against the floor, but more likely than not, he'd probably suffer from a concussion, at the very most.
Aiden winced, slowly blinking his eyes as he tried to make sense of the blurry, unstable world before him. He was drunk, oh so very drunk, and he knew it. It wasn't that he had a low tolerance for alcohol. Rather, he got a bit carried away after accepting Eraslyn's challenge to a drinking contest. He couldn't remember the number of glasses he downed in that time. In fact, he had hard time remembering much of anything at all, unless he really put his mind to it.
"Nngh... this was... a missstake," He slurred as he stumbled into the lobby reaching out for something to grab onto. He felt like his legs would give out from under him at any second. Soon, he found something nice and sturdy. It was definitely humanoid in shape, so he wrapped his arm around its shoulder, holding on tightly. "You... whoever you are. You'd make a good pillar," He muttered as he tried to move forward. Unfortunately, he didn't realize right away that the person he'd grabbed onto was the one person who couldn't stand him.
Conrose had made his way to the lobby when he heard the racket below... and now he's being compared to structural support. His left arm remained free and he placed his hand over Aiden's face and gripped it firmly, then manipulated the man's face to look at his own. "Aiden... I'm pretty sure that as drunk as you are.... upon realizing whom this face belongs to, you'll sober up very damn fast," he stated with a menacing glare in his eyes. "Now then.... what is it that you'd think I'd be good as?"
"Mmrph!" Aiden's cheeks were suddenly squeezed by firm fingers, causing his lips to pucker. His senses still weren't clear enough to recognize Conrose. "Mmmah dunno... a valet?" He said, snickering with a heavy, somewhat exaggerated shrug, "Man, just do me a favor and treat me like luggage, k? Jusss... just for a bit... everything aches right now, and...and." He blinked slowly, his eyes squinting at Conrose, before widening in recognition a few seconds later. "...Oh. Well, shit." True to form, he was starting to sober up.
"Ah... there we go," stated the artificer, only mildly amused as he released the explorer's face.
Eraslyn looked on in amusement as she glanced over her shoulder. "He is right about the pillar thing... YOU'RE A TOTAL STIFF!"
The Zalphyrene's eyebrow twitched in irritation as he continued to glare at Aiden as Eraslyn broke out into laughter behind him.
Aiden stumbled back a bit as he was released, rubbing his cheeks with a hand and wincing. His smile returned in full once he heard Eraslyn's uncontrolled, drunken laughter. He may have been wasted, but he took comfort in the fact that the Dalimos was in even worse shape than he was.
"Hah, too true, Erazzy... ya know, I'm still on my feet after all that, heh... I'd say I came out on top here." He then let out a long, deep yawn. "Though I doubt I'll stay on my feet for much longer... can we get our rooms set up? My poor achin' feet can't take much more abuse..." He then turned back to take a look at Seraphina, wondering what condition she was in.
Seraphina strode into the lobby, she had not taken nearly as much as the Daemoness, and the young man she challenged. At best, it kept her cheeks slightly red... but because of her skin, it really stood out as an exaggeration of her condition. Her steps, not straight, but remained graceful as she sought ought the wall to support herself on. "I don't think I'll be drinking that much again," she exclaimed to the rest.
Conrose let out a sigh, then looked at the man at the desk. "I present to you my party," he explained in dismay.
"You could lighten up some," the statuesque beauty retorted. "Don't you do anything for fun, or at least have a sense of humor?"
Conrose walked around Aiden, and narrowed his eyes at Seraphina.
The young Dalimos stumbled into the doorframe, only now just making it to the room. He murmured under his breath, giggling occasionaly. Konsa rubbed his head that had collided with the wall, as he made his way into the lobby. After a moment of staring at the others, hiccuping he took a seat on the floor. Konsa sprawled out, face down as he tried to make the room stop spinning. "I am...... very tired..." He managed out, his throat burning from the strong liquor.
"Come ooon, Sera, we all know the answer to that." Aiden smirked, his eyes half-lidded. "The word fun's alien to the guy. If I were to describe his general attitude, I'd say it's akin to sandpaper." Rough, unpleasant, even downright painful. Conrose did nothing to contradict those descriptions, and the explorer doubted he ever would. With a deep sigh, he turned towards the staircase and started to walk off. "Rooms'r set up, right? I'll be on my way... standing's overrated, anyway."
"You did ask a favor of me did you not?" Conrose reached over his shoulder and grabbed the explorer firmly by the collars of his coat, then forcefully lifted the drunken man as he would a bag of luggage.
"Wha-ooooh!" Aiden was helpless to stop Conrose from lifting him up into the air. For a moment, he stared at him, mouth open in shock, but after a few seconds, he shook his head a bit and gazed at him with a neutral, half-lidded expression. "Conrose... is now the best time?"
Conrose carried the man along to the stairs. "We're headed to our room. The rest of the arrangements are up to you."
Eraslyn stared for a moment, confused... then shouted out "Oh RIGHT!!! I get it!" Novaus rubbed his forehead in dismay at the latest outburst.
Conrose opened the door to the room, four beds occupied the space with a foot locker at the base of each bed. Along the walls sat several sets of magically illuminated clear quartz letting off a soft white light, enough to let people entering the room in the dark to see most of the room clearly. Upon the wall sat a painting depicting some sort of creature with a human head and a cat like body and a set of wings... likely a creature the Caelestine were once familiar with.
The beds had a simply pale blue blanket setting at top, and each had a pair of pillows. The window pushed out of the building a litte with two pans of glass angled and the third in the center running parallel with the walls to either side of the cove they made. A desk was provided with a feather pen for anyone who had any literary matters they may still need to attend to at the end of the night.
Conrose's own equipment and satchel already rested on the far bed in the room. He walked up to the nearest bed and nonchalantly tossed Aiden onto it before making his way to his own.
"Umph!" Aiden bounced a bit as he was unceremoniously dropped onto the bed. Groaning, he rolled onto his back, holding his forehead. "God damn it, Conrose, do you really have to be so rough..." He grunted. He didn't want to get up. He couldn't get up, but at least this bed was soft and... rather comfortable. He then looked towards the entrace. "Hey... hey, where's the little guy?"
Konsa blundered in, hiccuping as he glared at Aiden. "I am not little." He growled as he made his way to an empty bed. He flopped upon it, burrowing under the blanket. "You're just giagantic."
Aiden grinned, chuckling as pulled the blanket over himself yawning. "Alright, my mistake... hey, how many rounds did ya have, anyway? You're about as pissed as I am!"
Konsa rolled over, his back to Aiden. "Your FACE makes me pissed." He snarled, eyes drooping as he struggled to stay awake for a bit longer.
"Pfffft!" Aiden had to laugh at that. Were he sober, he probably would've been more concerned, but he wasn't thinking straight right now. "Da-hamn, pal, what's gotten you so uptight? It's like you're emulating Conrose himself!"
Conrose glanced over his shoulder as he began digging through his satchel. "Speaking of sobriety... or rather the lack thereof, how'd you two end up getting so drunk?"
"Blame Eraslyn," He mumbled through another yawn, rubbing his eyes. "Heh... she challenged me to a drinking contest, and how could I refuse her? I never back down from a good challenge, and she was no disappointment!" He giggled. "Thoooough I may have gone a bit overboard, but hey, she's in even worse shape than I am, so it's alright!"
"I just really like getting drunk." Konsa said bluntly, putting the pillow over his head to block out the light.
The Zalphyrene shrugged, "Please tell me you at least read up on the alcohol tolerance ranges of a Demon before you accepted the challenge." Then sorted through the various books in his satchel, looking for one in particular.
"I sure did, but I'll admit, I fell prey to her charms for a bit there!" He said cheerfully, laughing some more. Yeah, he really was wasted to say something like that. "I got so caught up in it all that I threw caution to the wind, and here I am, but hey, it's all good! I beat her, man! I beat her at her own game! Ha ha!"
Conrose found what he was looking for and pulled out a very basic looking leather bound book from the satchel. "So was it her good looks, or her personality that you are talking about as 'charm' there kiddo." He walked over to the desk and pulled out the chair that was provided and started dragging it towards the window.
"Why, both, of course," Aiden said, as though it were the most obvious thing, "She's something else, man. She looks great, but, I mean... it's her energy. Her drive. It just seems... unquenchable. Reminds me of myself, especially in my younger days."
"You seem quite smitten with her already," he stated matter of factly as hes he opened the window and looked out at the night sky.
"Hah... well, I dunno about that..." He fell silent as he thought it over. Attracted to Eraslyn, so soon after meeting her? The drink must've had a large part in that, and what little common sense remained in his mind told him that it just didn't feel right. Not yet. "I just... I think she's a pretty awesome person. Definitely think we could be good friends... I mean, I don't think it'd be right, especially since she won't be sticking around..." He frowned slightly at that. "Oh well... we'll see her again when all this is done, I bet."
He then yawned deeply and curled up in his bed. "Mmm... I'm starting to drift, Conrose. Think I might just crash for the night... hey, Konsa, you conked out yet?" He looked over at the small demon's bed.
Konsa replied with a snarl, "It's hard to sleep with you yapping your trap." He glanced over at Aiden, brow furrowed and eyes barely open.
He chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, I get the picture." He nestled into his pillow, shutting his eyes. "Night, you two..." It didn't take long before he dozed off. He slept silently on his side, his cheeks flushed and his mouth slightly ajar as he breathed steadily in his slumber. He wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.
Conrose put the other two out of his mind as he scanned the stars and compared them to the drawings of constellations he had compiled as he travelled other worlds. He smiled to himself as he said softly to himself, "I'm at least a step closer then."
Konsa laid his head on his pillow, his angrily mumbled words trailing off as he slipped into a deep sleep. He snored quietly, tangled in the blanket.
Novaus held the door open as the Blind Seer struggled with trying to get Eraslyn in. It was not so much the weight as it was trying to negotiate the doorway whilst being unable to see it... as well as trying to get her own wings through the passage along with the Daemoness'. Still, she couldn't help but tell her old friend, "You should probably cut back on the food Erazzy."
The Daemoness looked at the angel irritatedly. "If you were a guy, I'd kick your ass pretty lady."
"I'm sure you would," replied the Blind Seer. Seraphina appeared at the door as the angel lowered the drunken Eraslyn onto the nearest bed.
"You really care for her like a sister don't you," the young Caelestine asked of the angel, prompting a smile from her.
"We go way back as children," she began as Eraslyn grasped the edge of the sheets instinctively and rolled over, wrapping it around herself, wings and all. "Everyone else treated me as a celebrity in Kanas for being the daughter of their Patron Angel... but she treated me like she did everyone else... which in her case meant that she liked to play pranks on me." She then glanced back towards Seraphina, "But you know how that's like... it feels nice to be treated like we're normal every once in a while."
"Eeeenough with the sooob stoorr......" mumbled the Daemoness in the blankets, trailing off in a slur.
"We'll be in the next room over," stated Novaus as the Blind Seer left Eraslyn's side.
"Don't fowget to right me," the Daemoness exclaimed as she waved with a hand barely peaking out from the top of her blanket wrap, upon seeing this Seraphina couldn't help but giggle a little. Soon the Blind Seer and her bodyguard vanished through the doorway, and the door clicked shut.
She then wandered over to the next bed over and unbuckled the enchanted bronze armor and let it clunk down onto the bed behind her and the floor before her. After setting the backing to the ground next to the breatplate, she unbuckled her boots and plopped down onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"So what you sink," came a voice from the other bed. "Other world as some cute guys don't it."
Seraphina's face was flushed and she was glad no one was there to see it. "Well... I suppose so." she answered nervously.
"And thas Aid'n kid is quate considrt... I'm almote jealous you get to travl wit him." The Caelestine reached for a pillow and put it over her face just as Eraslyn rolled over to look at her. Giggling, she stated once again, "you are jut so adohable!"
Novaus led the Seer into the room, this one with only two large beds, the owner having reassigned rooms after realizing who the two were. The angel sat at the edge of the far bed as Novaus started unbuckling various straps that held his armor and gear upon his person, starting with the Tri-Sheathe for his various swords.
"Are you certain about this," he inquired. "You'll be without me for many months if I do this."
"Acutan can perform the role of my protector and guide in your absence," she stated reassuringly. "Regardless, a visit to the Featherkeeper could do you some good as well, don't you think."
Novaus shrugged, "I've no need for my wings back yet... but I do suppose I have questions in regards to this Conrose person. Speaking of which, are you certain it would be okay for Seraphina to handle the spear he crafted? I am not certain she is trained for the use of such weapons yet, her training had focused on the shield and sword."
She smiled, "The spear is actually much better adapted to her talents than you'd think. Let us grant it to her in the morning."
"Very well," came the mercenary's reply as the lights began to dim.
As she laid down in bed, she shared a thought, "Do you suppose we should warn her about mornings with Erazzy."
A damaged chuckle came from the darkness, "That's a lesson she'll only have to learn once."