Pheran Lier's Story

"Verily so," Brishen had been quietly listening from his spot at the bar. The strange woman and stranger cat weren't there when he had awoken that morning, the better for he. However, the rains still pounded down. There was a general air of upset and it didn't take long to find out why.

"They're hanging th'Oracle," Brishen answered the gruff one's inquiry nonchalantly, tipping the rest of his drink down his throat. He loved a good mead.

"An' the weather!" Interjected the woman as she swallowed her pretzel, "An' the storms, an the-" Just then, a young man burst through the door. His hair was a mess, he was soaked to the bone in rain, and he was clearly out of breath.

"Dragon!" The young man shrieked, causing the gentle lute music to come to a screeching halt, and attracting most eyes, "There's a Dragon! I saw a dragon!"

"See?!" The woman incredulously roared, rocketing to a stand and tipping her chair over as she went. The rest of her party erupted in debate.

"Impossible!" "Yeah, right?!" "Told you so!" The young man joined their fray. The group slowly returned to their seating, with the addition of a new conspirator, hashing out theories as to what was going on.

Brishen turned to the newcomer, no believing for a moment that a dragon was sighted, "So yeah, that's about what you've missed, I would assume? I myself am a recent arrival, er...?"

She sipped her raspberry flavored concoction and wondered if the barkeeper had any news for her. Aetheria couldn't remember a time when she wasn't out adventuring, or going on some quests. She took a slender finger and drew the straw to her full lips for another sip. This entire area brought back fun memories, but would she ever experience that again? Her haunting blue eyes gazed at the barkeeper in a child-like wonderment.

/say Any news? I haven't been here in many years. I wondered if you might know of any quests I could partake in?

Kyren Sullenfall looked up to see who was addressing them as they entered. Was it one of their old-time friends?

Pardon?

they asked, almost surprised. Removing the bag from their shoulder and setting it on the table, he quickly processed the question and responded.

Oh, I'm not too sure. I just got back, myself.

they answered, looking towards the bar for a well-deserved drink.

Aetheria was happy to see a friendly face. She sipped her raspberry liquor sweet drink and looked Kyren up and down. "Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?" She asked him, genuinely interested. She had her drink refilled and noted that Kyren must be a traveler, not a usual patron from this area. "I'm Aetheria Moonblade. Nice to meet you!" She expressed cheerfully and offered a simple introduction.

Kyren Sullenfall nodded, responding in kind.

I'm Kyren Sullenfall, airship captain and slayer of beasts!

he proudly exclaimed, beaming with the glimmer of adventure.

I'm from here in Skyfall, but I travel all over Gaia.

they explained, pausing for a moment before heading over to the bar and ordering a drink.

An airship captain! Aetheria thought to herself and was surprised by his title. She decided to pay him respect, so she stood up from her bar stool and bowed with respect. Aetheria studied Kyren with a curiosity. She traveled a lot, but it must be amazing to be an airship captain! The sights he must have seen...

Aetheria realized she was caught up in her thoughts and blushed. She took her seat, finished her sweet alcoholic drink and was about to order another, when she realized she was all out of coin. Upon the realization of her state of affairs, she blushed then cleared her throat and looked shyly at Captain Kyren. She didn't want to admit that she had no way of paying for her drink, so she fidgeted for a moment, before making eye contact with Kyren. Her cheeks were still red with embarrassment and she wanted to crawl somewhere and hide. Aetheria watched him order his drink and with a soft voice, made the humiliation obvious:

"I hate to trouble you, Captain Kyren, because we just met and all..." She stammered, nervous of what he might say. What if he laughed at her foolishness? Aetheria looked down at her fidgeting hands and finally asked.

"...could you perhaps order me a drink as well?" She realized in horror, what she was asking. They had just met and she was already asking for a free drink!

"If it wouldn't trouble you, that is..." She stammered, her cheeks flushed with a rosy shade. Aetheria looked to the bartender in utter humiliation. Money had never been a problem before, but she hadn't quested in awhile and she was looking for work. Aetheria played with a strand of her hair and realized she hadn't even told her her name!

"I'm so sorry, my name is Aetheria Moonblade! I normally have money, but I've been looking for work..." She trailed off and waited to see how he would react to her rather embarrassingly blunt request. Aetheria decided to find out more about Kyren. He did mention he was a beast slayer.

"What's the most difficult beast you've slain? I'd like to hear of your adventures." Aetheria said, then felt more at ease.

Hilariously, Kyren had only just considered offering the woman a drink. Nevertheless, it seemed his rudeness had gotten the better of him yet again, but he wasn't about to let it show.

Two of the usual, on the house!

he demanded, commanding the bartender as if he were a friend.

Kyren Sullenfall grabbed the drinks and headed back to the table where he'd set his bag.

Aye, all on me, tread on 'da house.

he chirped, sliding into the chair in a fluid motion, the two drinks coming along with him.

Kyren Sullenfall settled in, laughing subtly at the inquiry, feeding into his braggadocio.

Oh, only the biggest of beasts that Gaia has, you know. There's nothing like a GARGANTUA to slay after it's been tyrannizing a poor little farm village!

he chortled.

Kyren slurped into his Arcane Ale, hefting the glass into the air with a deep draw on the glass.