This Is Eden
Julietta nodded as Laureli chattered on. “That’s cool. I admire your dedication—I’m…um, really bad with names.”

She turned to Kiev to answer his question. “I’m new to the school. I’ve only been here two weeks, so I hardly knew anyone before I… um… ran into you and Romano today.” She blushed. “And now I’ve met Laureli. So yeah. Nice to meet you.”
Legends of Erandor
Ainsley watched Ellion as he set the cup next to her bedside, and then lingered in the doorway. “You can stay,” she said cautiously, picking up the cup. “If you’d like.”

She sipped the water, hoping it would ease the feeling of having cotton in her mouth. But no matter how much water she drank, she still felt thirsty once she’d swallowed. So it was that she drained the whole cup in about thirty seconds flat. She held it out to Ellion with a sheepish grin. “More…please?”

She leaned back against the pillow, her eyelids feeling heavy. “I’m just so tired…”

What was happening to her? And if she fell asleep… would she ever wake up?

—
Xeras smiled at Jade’s remark about his taste. “Thank you, dear. You have good taste as well. Let us now journey over to the pie stand, where we will—” Xeras stopped, his eyes narrowed in annoyance as Aedra waltzed over and plucked the coins out of his hand. “Aedra, do you really have to…” He stopped. It wasn’t worth it. She wouldn’t listen to him, anyway. Better to ignore her, like a pesky fly, and hope that she’d go away.

He glanced at Jade and smiled, unwilling to let Aedra’s appearance dampen the mood, or spoil the meaningful moments they’d just had. He was gaining ground with Jade. Slowly, but surely. He wasn’t willing to let that go. Not yet.

He tuned Aedra out, hearing her mindless chatter but not bothering to interpret the words. That is, until Aedra’s coy gaze landed on Jade, a poisonous smirk twisting her lips. He knew that look. Aedra was cut from the same cruel cloth as he—the same cloth that would bless with one breath and curse with the next.

Aedra delivered the blow swiftly and expertly like she always did, first insulting Jade, and then insulting him. He glanced at the woman next to him. She turned away, but not before he saw the bright flash of hurt in her green eyes.

“How dare you?” He leaped to his feet, shock and rage coursing through his veins. “Insulting me is one thing, but you would dare to insult her—the woman who means more to me than any other? How low a creature must you be to stoop to such a deed?” He took a few steps forward. “You are my sister, yes, but too long has your tongue gone unbridled.” He put his hand on his dagger hilt. “I am completely willing to change that.”

This is Eden

Laureli gave them one more smile and turned on her heels, heading back to the coffee counter. She untied her apron and hung it on a brass hook. "When do your classes start?" She asked Jake, straightening the straps of her pale blue shorts overalls. Underneath, she wore a black t-shirt for a band that was famous way before her time. Black, holey tights completed the outfit.

"In about 45 minutes." Jake said, stacking some plastic cups. "I've got a test today. I crammed all night. I just hope I pass."

"You'll do great; you usually do." Laureli started to loosely braid her hair. When she finished, she pulled her backpack from inside a cabinet beneath the counter. "See ya later."

Jake waved and Laureli pushed through the swinging door and walked through the cafe's small seating area. She waved to a few people as she passed.

~~~

Legends of Erandor
Festival of Erivale

Aedra let out a shrill, slightly nervous laugh. "I cannot believe this."

She motioned to her brother's hand. "Xeras! How could you even think about doing something so...stupid? Here, in front of all these people. All these witnesses."

Looking at Jade, Aedra tilted her head and simpered. "Jade, you know I didn't mean a word of it...don't you?"

Legends of Erandor

Between the beef rolls and the salted pork, Torin had successfully consumed several pints of Mead. He was, after all the son of a tavern owner. He'd been downing the stuff down in buckets since he was fifteen and there wasn't a single man in town that could beat him at it; much to many ego's extreme embarrassment.

However, even he had a limit to the amount of alcohol he could consume and not get tipsy and he had unfortunately crossed that line about a half an hour ago. And then he crossed it yet again. Therefore, he was completely out of his mind when he decided it would be a riot if he sang a song.

True to his live-in-the-moment way of seeing things, he jumped up on the wooden table and began belching out seemingly random lyrics. Thankfully, Most of it's terribly sung cords were lost amid the din of the tavern, but the few who were in earshot were truly inspired. This could largely be added up to the fact that they were also drop-dead drunk. But the best was yet to come, for the finale went something like this.

"They all ran away so nobody would know and left only men, 'cause of - Oof!"

Sadly, we shall never actually know the ending, for he the proceeded to slip on a plate of food and fall right off the table and on-top of an unsuspecting Alex. Shocked silence, closely followed by hearty laughter erupted throughout the smoky room.

Legends of Erandor

To say Alex had been enjoying his younger friends song would be a massive overstatement. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get Torin off the table, the blacksmith's son had simply moved his share of the beef rolls and ale over to the side and tried to stay out of the younger mans way.

Eh, Torin's entitled to at least one embarrassing moment during the festival. Perhaps two is he's lucky.

Just before finishing the last roll, Alex found himself sprawled out on the floor of the tavern with Torin half laying, half sitting on him.

"Oof! Get off me you half-drowned singer! You weigh at least as much as a young calf..." Alex grumbled as he heaved his friend off his person. Being the more level headed of the duo (and knowing his drinking limit) was both a blessing and a curse sometimes.

"Well, looks like I need a towel thanks to you..." the young blacksmith looked down at his friend who was sitting against the overturned bench with a truly ridiculous smile on his face. "And you need some black ginger root tea*. Stay... there."

Alexander made his way through the bustling tavern to the bar where he ordered some tea for Torin and got a wet rag to clean off his clothes. On the way back to the table, he failed to notice the recognizable green clad figure that had entered the room.

---------
* Basically the Erandor equivalent to coffee. Wasn't sure if this world had "coffee", so I made up something to take its place.

Legends of Erandor
Erivale Festival

Nolen slowly licked at the dribble of elderberry juice that was trickling out of his pocket pie. Both he and Celyn were better at cooking potions than food and something as tasty as this was a rare treat. Sucking at the juicy pie, his eyes drank in everything around him - the dancers in the village square, the colorful ribbons hung on the stalls, the cluster of men shouting and wrestling for sport and the nearby women cheering (or scolding). As he bit through the flaky crust and walked to the edge of the dancers, he heard a rather shrill laugh to his left. There appeared to be a bit of a commotion. A young lady with curly black hair and striking green eyes was sitting, head turned away from a powerful-looking man who stood close by. The gentleman - for his clothes were clearly those of the landed gentry, if not higher rank - stood with his hand grasping something at his belt. Nolen was about to shrug and walk away when he realized the object in the man's hand was the hilt of a knife.

Surely, he's not going to hurt someone! the boy thought, now caught between confusion and interest. If there was to be a real brawl, he wanted to at least stay and watch. He moved around a stall to see whom the man was facing. His face showed disappointment and scorn when it turned out to be another girl, also in rich clothes.

'Tis but a lover's quarrel, he yawned mentally. Of course, it couldn't be a real fight in the middle of the festival. Nolen turned away and gulped down the last bite of pie. He noticed a tavern sign not far from the square and remembering that he needed a flask of bitter ale for a spell he was attempting make, he began walking towards the door. He heard angry words hurled behind him from the gentry couple, but he ignored it. What cause have the nobles to parade their lives in front of everyone? He thought the scene over once more, and realized why he had thought something might have been truly wrong. It was the face of the green-eyed woman; she looked ill. He dismissed the thought. It was only the heat, he reasoned, and anyway, girls could take care of themselves.

Legends of Erandor

Torin remained against the bench for a bit, waiting for the world to stop spinning so much. When it finally slowed down, he used the said bench push himself up into an upright position. He took a rather clumsy bow and put the bench back in its place. He proceeded to sit back down, facing outward so that he could use the table as a backrest.

To the drunkard's utmost delight, his latest pint of mead had somehow survived the onslaught of his drunken, dancing feet. There was only one thing to do then and he did it. Downing the remaining contents of the pint down in one, big, gulp.

When Torin brought the huge mug down from his face, he could see Alex coming back towards him from the bar, but behind him a new player had entered the ring. For at the far side of the bar Elaina walked through the door. "Say, Alex! Your girlfriend is here!" He said, after which let out one rather large burp. Then jumped up and made his way towards the said would-be girlfriend, leaving Alex behind. Black ginger root tea and all.

Legends of Erandor

There was no need to scan the crowd for Alex and Torin, Elaina soon found out. The younger of the duo had already spotted her and was making his staggering, meandering... drunken?... way towards her.

"Umm, hi... Torin." Elaina looked the young man up and down with a slight air of disgust. Despite the common occurrence of a man having a bit too much to drink, especially at a tavern, the young herbalist still despised having to deal with them. "Is Alex around? I need to ask him a favor and it's kind of a time sensitive thing..."

About that time, Alex walked up to the pair. Still holding the damp rag in one hand and the black ginger tea in the other. His complexion slightly red thanks to Torin's actions earlier and then shouting out that his "girlfriend" had entered the tavern.

"Here. Sit down and drink this... ALL of it." Alex grumbled as he half shoved the mug of black ginger root tea at his younger companion.

Legends of Erandor
Erivale Festival: Inside the Tavern

Never actually having been inside a tavern before, Nolen's nose wrinkled as he stepped inside and smelled the air heavy with sweat, beer and smoke. It was quite different from the forest wind he was accustomed to, but it was not unbearable. Feeling a bit small and boyish around all the muscular, manly figures he saw laughing and drinking at tables, he stepped quietly to the counter and waved to get the barkeeper's attention.

"A small flask of bitter ale, please."

The burly man chuckled, as if at a good joke. "Lad, you're wet behind the ears if you think ya can handle the stuff."

Nolen considered explaining that he didn't mean to drink it, but decided against it. For one thing, explanations took a long time, and for another, it would make him appear even weaker. "I can down the whole flask in the time it takes you to pour it," he said as confidently as he could.

"Ha! Sure, you can. Here," the barkeeper took a small leathern pouch and filled it from a wooden cask, "if ye're daft enough to try, that'll be three coppers."

Nolen paid and slipped the flask inside his satchel, grateful he had not had to back up his boast. A man standing close by snickered, and the barkeeper laughed outright. Face burning with indignation, Nolen turned to leave. As he shoved his way past a few jeering men, drink heavy on their breath, he noticed a man about his own age sitting dizzily on a bench. He was holding a mug of some dark liquid and being frowned at by his companions, a man and a woman. The drunken young man could hardly even hold the mug upright.

Well, at least there's someone more ridiculous than me, he thought, his lips twisting into a half-smile at how smashed the other man was. An idea occurred to him, and the smile became a full-fledged grin. Carefully picking his way around the benches, Nolen managed to pass the drunk and just briefly touched his mug and muttered some words.

"A sadly drunken mind now clear,
he shall not feel the touch of beer."

Not his best spell, perhaps, but it would do the trick. Quickly getting away from his "victim", he slid onto an empty bench several feet away, waiting for the man to drink the enchanted brew.

Legends of Erandor

Torin took the cup from Alex and began procrastinating on whether or not he should drink it. Mid-Procrastination he was nearly run over by some random guy, but Torin wasn't one to judge. The offender was probably as drunk as he was.

Finally, he tipped the mug back and the yucky fluid flowed down his throat.

As soon as the Ginger Root Tea hit his stomach, it was if he had awoken from a deep sleep. Accompanied of course by the usual sensation of falling. His glossed over eyes shot wide open and he yelled, "Dang Alex! What the heck did you put in this stuff?"

Legends of Erandor

Once Torin had actually taken a seat (and not fallen into anyones lap in the process), Alex turned his attention to the young woman in-front of him. "Elaina, wasn't expecting to see you again so soon. How is Kye's beau?"

"He's sick. Very sick...." the herbalist of Wescraven paused for a brief moment as someone walked between her and Alex. "I need to get back to my aunts shop. I think she may have something to help poor Tristan. Whatever he has, it's beyond my knowledge at this present time."

"Eh? There's something the Illustrious Elaina of Wescraven does not know?" Alex playfully teased trying to lighten the mood of his friend. Despite her best efforts, Elaina was clearly distraught over Kye's boyfriends condition.

Elaina gave a weak smile and was about to reply when Torin suddenly sprang back to life and rudely interrupted the conversation.

"Huh?" Alex glanced over at his younger counterpart with a certain level of disdain. "It's black ginger root tea. That's it, nothing less and certainly nothing more."

Legends of Erandor
Erivale Festival: Inside the Tavern

Oh, no; nothing special about that tea at all, Nolen snickered, straining to hear the conversation while appearing to stare into space. The drunk man - apparently friends with the sober couple - had started awake like a sleepwalker, attracting some momentary glances from the other patrons. At least now Nolen's own embarrassing moment was forgotten. He was about to get up and leave when just one more mischievous plan sprang into his mind. He wrestled for a moment with his conscience, and having silenced it, he raised his right hand to discreetly point at the now-sober man, who was staring in confusion at his cup of tea.

"A splash, a drip, a strange mishap,
The tea shall spill into his lap."

Nolen grinned at his own cleverness as the tea slooshed over the side of the mug and splattered the man's breeches. Now I've done it, the sensible part of his mind groaned. For the moment, however, most of his mind was engaged in hiding his laughter and waiting to see what the splashed man would do.

This Is Eden
Julietta waved at Laureli as she left. "Nice to meet you."

She took a breath. Boy, it was stuffy in here. She looked back across the table at Kiev. "Should we go outside, maybe? Take a walk?" She pushed an errant copper curl behind her ear and gathered up the immense amount of sticky napkins spread all over the table. She reddened slightly. "I'm done here."

Now let us leave this place of embarrassment and misery.

Legends of Erandor
"These witnesses shall see your pain, and it shall be swift and true." Xeras's eyes snapped with fire as he took a few steps closer to Aedra. "However, there is a way out." He said this lightly and airily with a debonair shrug, but every movement of his was edged with ice and darkness. He held his knife out a little further. "You'll bow to me, and you'll retract your words." He completely closed the distance between the two and threw every burst of fire and thunder that he could into his gaze. His voice lowered to a harsh growl. "Take it back. All of it."

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Heat flared up in Aedra's cheeks. She was embarrassed, but mostly she was angry. How could her flesh-and-blood brother choose Jade over her? "Ugh," she said with a growl, her brows forming a V. Despite his words, she was still almost positive he wouldn't hurt her, especially not in public. He may not truly care for her, but killing her would not be to his advantage.

"I will never bow to you." Aedra ground the words out, her voice low but firm. "And I will not take back what I said."

Without missing a beat, Aedra whirled to her left, stepping through a gap between two couples. Once through the dancers, she let out a small gasp as she collided with a stranger.

Legends of Erandor

Torin blinked. Just Ginger Root Tea? Maybe... I'm just completely drunk, and feel normal because of it? No, he ruled that out. If he was that drunk, he wouldn't be able to tell that he was drunk. Then, his cup spilled. Maybe he was drunk after all.

"Well, unless you two need me to saddle up your horse, which you are both perfectly capable of doing, I'm going catch some air... And dry off my pants." He was still still slightly befuddled, and therefore angry. He didn't like being befuddled.

And so, Torin stood up and pushed his way through the crowds of the tavern to the front door. There he stepped out into the fresh night air, the festival-goers were still at large. Roaming here and there, going from food-stand to food-stand . However, a large group of people was forming adjacent to the dancing area. Being the curious fellow he was, Torin decided to see what was going on. Henceforth, he vaulted over the Tavern's porch railing, dropped the three feet to the ground and meandered over to the ruckus.

Ten yards and he was in and amongst the group, making his way to the center when a girl slammed up against him.

"Hullo! ... Aedra? What's going on here?"

Legends of Erandor

Festival of Erivale

Aedra looked into the face of the stranger and realized it was Torin. She grabbed his hands and twisted him around, so his back was facing her brother and so she could watch Xeras, but still be protected. "Torin..." She flashed him a nervous smile, looking helpless for just a moment. "Help."