New to Giralda, I see. Well, it takes all sorts around here. Take that shifty-eyed weasel by the fire.
Oh, he acts looks like a simple merchant, peddling meager wares, but watch what you say around him. The Empire’s got ears everywhere...
See those two there? They seem all chummy now, but that’s only because Var is trying to convince Jarek to desert the navy in Thisbē and join
those lawless bastards who sail from the Spice Isles. I’m sure that one will kill the other before the week is out, once they’ve got what they want from each other.
Then there’s always the usual mercs; bastards who’d happily kill their own mothers for a coin. Oh, they say those twins from Brelan aren’t so bad,
but a merc is a merc, and money is all they see.
At least there're no damned elves here tonight. One got uppity last month when I insisted the
bastard slept in the stables. A damn generous offer for a half-breed, if you ask me!
Mind yourself if you head into the Wilds. It’s full of things that
would happily eat you and shit you out without a second thought. Even the people who hunt those things are more beast than civil.
Anyway stranger,
what'll it be: a room, or a drink?
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CURRENT MONTH: AUREL, 762
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The estate had been one whose aristocratic owners had conveniently gone on ‘a long holiday in the country’ in the wake of Noria’s crisis, so the Judicar was hard-pressed to feel bad about borrowing the garden for an afternoon when there was no lawful reason for him to be there.
Azazeal spread out the blanket between a stand of twisted olive trees and an overgrown bed of flowers filled with phlox, lavender, wild daisies, mint, and rosemary.
“Do you remember your requested prizes that night in your room at the inn?” Az asked as he set out what rations they had to work with. It wasn’t a grand picnic by any means but he thought the location and sharing what they had made it worthwhile.
ATHENA After the run in with Isla, Athena had been worried about Azazeal and how he had been dealing with everything that came with seeing her again. They didn’t get a lot of time to themselves, so she had been looking forward to being able to see him and have a few moments without prying eyes or ears.
She watched as Azazeal walked confidently through the garden that came with what seemed to be quite an opulent home. She arched a brow in his direction as he spread out the blanket. “These friends of yours?” The elf nodded towards the house before plucking a sprig of mint from the ground before she sat down next to him. She brought it up to her nose, inhaling the sweet scent as he reminded her of their first night together.
“Of course I do.” Athena looked over at the Judicar with a small smile on her face, remembering most of the night with clarity. “I asked if you would be willing to show me Farringor.” She paused, ripping a piece of bread from the small loaf they were lucky enough to score from the rations. “Why do you ask?”
AZAZEAL His small smile mirrored Athena’s as she recalled what they had talked about during one of their little games. For him, that entire evening was unforgettable; every small movement clearly and permanently recorded in his memory. Azazeal wasn’t sure it was the same for her, though he liked to think so with how she answered him without the slightest pause.
“Well,” he went on, a little timidly, moving to stand so he could pick some olives to bolster their little meal, “I have leave to attend Solstice in Thisbē, so I was thinking of taking that opportunity to pass through Farringor.” Azazeal’s eyes cast to Athena’s to gauge her reaction. His smile widened and his cheeks rosied a little bashfully. “And… I was hoping you might like to go with me.”
ATHENA Athena watched as Azazeal moved - maybe nervously? - to pluck some olives from the tree. She followed his movements as she stuck a small piece of bread in her mouth to prevent her stomach from becoming too noisy. She enjoyed getting to know Azazeal better as they spent more time together, but there was still a lot they both still had to learn. If Isla was any indication, they certainly shared concerns when it came to family. “I would love to join you.” She paused, her small smile expanding at the pink that rose to Azazeal’s face. “Only if you’re sure you want to.” She added carefully, not wanting him to feel forced.
She patted the blanket next to her, inviting him to sit down. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Solstice.” Athena had trouble remembering the last time she had engaged in any sort of event related to elven tradition, especially so sharing that experience with anyone else. “Have you ever been?” She asked. “Maybe if you’re lucky I can share some elven secrets.” (edited)
AZAZEAL He wasn’t sure. In fact, this was the first time in his adult life that he had given it any serious consideration. Let alone made the actual decision to go. Until Athena had brought it up, Az had meant never to go back to Farringor at all if it could be helped – all of which he relayed to her. “I’m only sure that I want you to go with me,” he admitted, a nervous sort of laugh. Rejoining her, he added, “But, I’ve had a change of heart. I think. Between your interest and that conversation with Isla…” Az trailed off and shrugged, then offered some of the freshly harvested olives to Athena. “Maybe it’s time.” Az was silent a long moment. Pensive. Then, thinking aloud, he added, “I suppose I ought to let Isla know?”
Azazeal nodded in agreement and understanding. It had been a while since he had attended a large Solstice festival as well. “Idrial and I were here for it a few years ago, just before I started training.” He wondered if he ought to invite the peredhel or if she had other plans with Kira and Logan by now.
“Elven secrets, hm?” He raised his brows, looking a little intrigued. “And what are the conditions for Athena secrets?”
ATHENA It had been many years since Athena had even thought about visiting the places she considered herself to have grown up in. She had no desire or reason to return to those places, though she knew one day it might be important for her healing. The elf assumed everyone she had known there was long gone, but the ghosts that lingered were ever present. She wondered if it was similar for Azazeal, though in his case still possibly having connections there.
Her face softened when he admitted he was sure he wanted her to come with. She gave him a small smile as she reached over and squeezed his hand in what she hoped was a comforting way. “Conversation is one word for it.” Athena arched her brow, nodding along as Azazeal expressed interest in letting Isla know his plan. “I don’t get the feeling she would want to join, but maybe just to be transparent with her it might be a good idea.” At the very least to continue their communication, for which it seemed both parties could benefit from.
“Ah yes, prior to being a man of the law. Hopefully she gave you a proper send off.” She joked with him, popping an olive into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully at his question about secrets. “I think there are two options.” She glanced over at Azazeal with an amused look on her face. “You could befriend Jackson and take him to a tavern - he will certainly spill everything he knows about me…or you can try to weasel information from me, though I guarantee that will be a drawn out process.” She paused. “Maybe quicker if you make that face of yours.” She furrowed her brows together in mock imitation of him. “I will also accept gifts in exchange for secrets.” Athena joked, her smile widening.
AZAZEAL He smiled adoringly at Athena in return and squeezed her hand back, truly appreciating the small gesture. The comfort, support, and advice she freely offered meant more to him than he could say. Holding her hand was an added bonus (even if it simultaneously made him feel a little nervous on her behalf) and he hoped there might be more of that, if less sympathetically motivated, as they ventured to Solstice together.
“No, neither do I,” he agreed, “and, to be honest, I’m not sure I would want her to. I think that may be too hard on us both at this juncture. And things are fragile enough between us as it is.”
Azazeal laughed at her imitation of him and nodded. “I do like casting wide nets, so it‘s good to know I have options to do just that. Most of them require some manner of bribery but given my penchant for corruption, I can’t imagine that will be a problem.” He paused to eat a little, then asked, “Will Jackson attend Solstice, do you think?”
ATHENA Athena enjoyed spending time with Azazeal, despite how limited it was over the past few weeks. She couldn’t help but want to continue getting to know him, even if what they had here was where it remained. He was interesting to her in many ways, and even more so that she was beginning to understand a bit more about his family, and the different experiences it seemed they all had with upbringing. Athena always thought it would be nice having a built-in someone - a sibling - to have shared experiences, but wondered if it was best in the end that she didn’t.
“Maybe after you go back, it could be something you can do together one day.” She paused. “Depending on what you’re both looking for, I guess?” She half asked, half thought out loud. “Either way - I’m already looking forward to accompanying you.”
The elf mirrored his laughter at his comments about bribery, causing her face to redden with a deeper blush than she had when holding Azazeal’s hand. “Hmmm yes it’s a miracle you became a Judicar given how easily you bend for some bits of information.” She smiled at him, hopeful that the ease of their conversation could continue after learning more about one another. Athena had been worried about opening herself up to something like this - whatever it is they were doing - but it was good practice for her in the end.
“Jackson will use anything as an excuse to travel - and even more so if it involves being able to goad me while he’s at it.” She rolled her eyes skyward but gave Azazeal a smile. “He is going to be positively delighted when he sees us together, you know?”
AZAZEAL Az nodded a little, wondering if that would ever be something he and Isla did together. It was hard to imagine a time when they might get along well enough to spend an extended period of time together. Let alone returning to a place that held such difficult memories for them both. “I wish I knew,” he commented, just as unsure as Athena (and probably Isla) about what they needed.
He ran his thumb across her knuckles and smiled gratefully at her when she said she was looking forward to the trip and spending time him. Az couldn’t quite figure out how he had managed to keep Athena’s interest for so long and hoped he wouldn’t lose it any time soon.
“It probably says a lot more about them than it does about me. Really quite the oversight,” the Judicar joked.
Azazeal’s cheeks reddened a little when she mentioned how Jackson would be around them. He could guess what the man might say or tease them about, considering all the ribbing he’d given before they were whatever-they-were now. His smile widened. ‘Together.’
“Perfect-- we won’t have to get him any gifts, then.”
ATHENA Athena gave Azazeal’s hand another quick squeeze before letting go, a small sigh escaping past her lips. “I’m sure you two will figure it out.” She attempted some reassurance about his sister, though she was also certain that Isla wouldn’t make it an easy process. “Do you think she’ll be in Thisbe too? Considering how she’s working with the King?” She asked, wondering if he had any inkling or further communication with her since their forced reunion.
The elf’s small smile widened as Azazeal blushed, pleased to have some other effect on him than his furrowed brow. “No, definitely no gifts for him.” She paused, popping another olive into her mouth and turning to face Azazeal. “Although we might need a distraction to get rid of him.” She thought for a moment, wondering what could possibly get Jackson to leave them alone even for a moment. Athena feared the only thing was the draw of something more enticing to him, and she had no idea what that could possibly be, considering what was happening between herself and Azazeal.
“He may faint if he sees any semblance of affection between us, so maybe we can share a hug or something.” She laughed.
AZAZEAL “I’m sure I wouldn’t know,” he replied a little cynically about Isla’s plans. “I’m not entirely certain I understand what her relationship is to the king - working or otherwise. For all I know, she’s his mistress.” Az shrugged and laughed, not really believing that to be the case but also having nothing to refute the claim.
“A distraction, hm? Perhaps we can find a way to rig the hunt to ensure his name is chosen in the lottery.” He laughed at the prospect of Jackson fainting over the smallest tenderness that might be shared between them in his presence. Then, he wondered if Athena had ever been with someone in the time she had known Jackson. It was a question he decided to save to for later– perhaps for her friend.
“Speaking of gifts…”
ATHENA Understanding there was a very complicated relationship between them, she couldn’t blame Azazeal for his reaction about whether Isla would be present at Solstice or with the King of Thisbe. “I don’t know that she would settle for being a mistress.” The elf offered, having seen a bit of herself in the young woman’s tenacity many years ago. Things had clearly changed for her - in what ways Athena didn’t know - but she could still feel some of that same energy from her. “She was something of his bodyguard several years back, from what I remember.” Athena gave the only information she knew about it.
Athena smiled at Azazeal’s laughter. “Yes, perfect, make him disappear for as long as physically possible.” She paused at the mention of gifts, face blushing once more. “Oh Goddess, you don’t need to get anything for me.”
AZAZEAL The Judicar nodded a little, committing the tidbit of information about Isla to his memory and piecing some things together. “Yes... I suppose that was part of what she was doing while I was training. Before the latest prison stint." Assuming that was the most recent one, he thought a little bitterly. "Tell me again how you two know each other? Not prison, I hope."
He smirked and gave Athena a look that suggested he was not the least bit moved by her protesting. “Well, unless you expressly forbid it, I would like to give you a Solstice gift or two.”
ATHENA Athena grimaced only slightly at his comment about Isla’s latest prison stint. She wondered if the opinions he held about his sister's shortcomings with the law would extend in such ways to her own questionable history. “I’m sorry, I…” She almost interrupted to apologize for pushing on information regarding his younger sister, though trailed off at his question. “Surprisingly no, not in prison.” She pulled a face at him before continuing. “I met her at some event years back - I can’t even remember why I was there to begin with - where the assasination attempt with the King happened.” She briefly explained that was when she had met the other woman and their limited knowledge of one another.
“I wouldn’t forbid it.” She told him softly. “But I have to be honest when I tell you I am a genuinely terrible gift giver when it comes to material things.” Athena explained her ability to offer service or time over traditional gifts.
AZAZEAL The prison comment punctuating his question was more of a joke than any real concern, but Athena’s reaction made it clear it hadn’t quite landed. This worried him a little and his brows briefly furrowed the way she liked to tease him about. Az started to apologize at the same time as Athena, both interrupting the other and neither finishing their thoughts.
“Right,” he said, the information ringing a bell when she explained how they had met. The Judicar had other questions about their crossing paths and whether they kept in contact or just happened to run into each other on occasion; what it was that made them memorable to each other. However, he decided to put those questions off as well, lest their picnic turn into a strange sort of interrogation more than it already had.
“I want to dabble in gifts and have no expectations to be reciprocated unless that is what you wish to do. Secrets or faint-inducing affection suit me very well if you feel obliged.” He smiled. “Or, you could gift me the absolute worst thing you can find and we can laugh about it. No pressure or expectations. Fair enough?”
ATHENA It was this part - the part where getting to know one another in a deeper way involved more histories - that Athena dreaded, and one of the many reasons she didn’t allow herself to do it very often. She had stepped in it with Azazeal she felt. Maybe by her reaction or her face or something she said. Here he was trying to be vulnerable and inviting her to a city that contained a lot of complicated feelings, and she had somehow turned it into a defense of his sister. “I’m sorry.” She paused. “Is it not customary to press someone on their estranged family at a picnic?” She ventured a joke, hoping to lighten the mood she created. “I’ve never been to one like this before, you’ll have to forgive me.” She offered.
Athena pushed stray hair from her face before reaching in her bag, eventually producing a water skin and taking a long drink. “Secrets or faint inducing affection I can probably handle.” She told him, already wondering what he would manage to get out of her over Solstice. In times before there had been a fun and oftentimes air of romanticism about the whole event, it was easy to get caught up in those feelings. “Maybe I can try to get something thoughtful, and if it ends up being horrendous we can just pretend that’s what I was going for.”
AZAZEAL Talking of Isla, as well as talking to her, was draining for Azazeal. Athena made it easier in some ways, though, and he appreciated the way she gently challenged his thoughts - even if he was too stubborn to change his opinion just yet. He gave a soft laugh at the little joke, glad that the tension was nipped in the bud. “I promise there is nothing for which you need to ask my forgiveness.”
Azazeal ate an olive and offered the last to Athena. “That sounds perfect.”