James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outposts

"How gracious of you." Sarcasm was a part of her nature, she couldn't help it no matter how hard she tried. She lifted one of her legs around so they were brought together, allowing her to slide off the Mare with ease while using his hand to her advantage so she wouldn't fall on her face. 

When she was safely on the ground, Vanessa released his hand and patted the back of her coat that had ridden itself up. The accomodation he provided was enough for her, even though it didn't look its best. It was most definitely better than remaining on horseback for a day or two. There were dark circles beneath her eyes from the night's of forcing herself to remain awake. It was too dangerous to fall asleep in the middle of the snowy terrain, especially when she was alone. 

"So you mentioned we are in Asairde?" She asked rhetorically. It annoyed her that her attempt to use the sun as a guide had failed her. She wished her mother hadn't gone and killed herself before she had the opportunity to learn how to follow the stars. "I must have really fucked up."
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde Outskirts

When she dismounted, he nodded, making quick work of unsaddling the mare and hefting the thin leather over his shoulder. The creature followed easily, obviously tired from the journey from Gods knows where, and moved into the make-shift stable without trouble. Tobias hung the saddle to let the remaining snow and wet drip from it, and dug through the crates for another set of furs. He found one, and draped it over the Mare's wet coat, patting her flank twice before heading back to it's rider. 

"We are. Just on the edge of it, but yes." He confirmed, dusting his hands with a few claps before nodding his head towards the door of the cabin, leading her inside. The fire was going, he'd kept it lit for the men who were supposed to meet him hours ago. Soup boiled in a cauldron on the hearth, and it smelled of winter more than summer. The spring had started the thaw near his home, but the sun hadn't quite graced the northern part of their reach yet, and the summer was only just starting to try to catch up. 

"Have a seat..." He paused, and glanced over his shoulder at her. "You never gave me a name." He added.
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts 

She felt heat hit her cheeks almost instantly when she stepped inside the cabin. It was pure bliss. She brought herself in front of the fire and knelt down, having craved for its warmth more than the food above it. "It is Vanessa." 

Reaching to her shoulders, she took off her coat before laying it on the ground beside her. She gazed down, eyeing her gloved hands before peeling them to reveal uninjured flesh. *Oh thank the gods* She had been fearing for her fingers ever since she lost feeling in them. "May I have the pleasure in knowing yours?"
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde Outskirts

Vanessa moved to the fire, shedding her coat as she started to pluck the fingers of her gloves off. He too hoped he wouldn't have to deal with black and blue frostbitten fingers under them, and when she curled her fingers he felt her relief. "Tobias Westbrook." As he introduced himself, he lifted her heavy soaked coat from the floor, and hung it over the rack by the fire to dry. It was useless while it still held water and snow, and if she went to put it back on now she'd find it miserable. 

He shed his own, though it wasn't that bad. The cabin had a clear line from it's place, the trees didn't block the sun, and the place he'd been lingering outside hadn't been too chilly under his own coat. 

"You can stay here until the patrol comes through, then they'll need the space. Depending on how you're feeling for travel, we can work out other arrangements or you can be on your way." He explained.
Christina
Lady Alianor
The Mountains of Northwind 

Shock, disbelief and finally rage crossed over Alianor's face as she slid out of the saddle, caressing Khali's face. "It's going to be ok-okay..." He voice broke as tears began to stream down her cheeks. Not caring about the cold, she ripped the shawl from her neck and tried to stop the bleeding. Holding onto the cloth with one hand, she turned.

"Being despicable is fun for you I'm assuming. But that didn't fill your belly either. So, now what?"
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts

*Westbrook* His family name sounded very familiar, a name she must have learnt during her studies of other houses. Unfortunately she couldn't remember much about it due to her lack of interest when it came to such. The feeling began to return to her fingers as the colour to her face and lips much to Vanessa's relief. She felt herself glued to the fire in front of her as Tobias began to speak, thankful that he had given her shelter even though it had been reserved for the Patrol. 

"I appreciate it." It was probably the first non sarcastic appreciation she had shown him. She needed to work on her people skills as it wasn't often for her to come by someone with such generosity. Mostly due to her behaviour towards them, preferring to distance herself from befriending anyone that may bring her emotional harm. 

"Do you do this often Tobias? Providing shelter for strangers? Not that I'm not grateful for it, but it doesn't necessarily seem like the smartest thing to do."
Harold
"No, I don't." He said simply. "But that's more that I don't usually have the opportunity to do so. My father and elder brother determine those kind of things back home." He explained, pulling another set of furs from the trunk beneath the small bed. He hefted them, checking for damage, then moved to her. 

Without couth, he tossed them over her shoulder, and moved to make himself and her a bowl from the soup that boiled. 

"Do you find yourself trying to travel without direction often?" He countered.
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts 

Vanessa nodded slowly as she listened to him explain, silently noting that he was the youngest of his family. Feeling the warmth provided by the fur, Vanessa finally found herself gaining enough strength to pull herself from the fire. Now that she wasn't so focused on the fire, her stomach began to tighten as it created a hungered growl. 

His question led one of the corners of her lips to raise into a smirk, noticing they were now simply playing a game of questions. "I don't. Usually I'm more prepared but lately I've been distracted." 

She sat herself in the seat he'd suggested earlier, making herself comfortable while she could. She was grateful for anything that would bring her comfort after being on horseback for so long. "Why aren't you with your family? Or better yet, why are *You* Patrolling?"
Harold
Tobias ladled a helping of soup into the bowl he held, shifting it a bit to accommodate the other he held as well. It wasn't slop, it was full of vegetables and game, and was hearty and steaming as he passed one to her. 

"There was a meeting, something about a change in routes and clearance being granted to certain people," He waved his hand dismissively "Politics, basically. I offered to cover, but those fuckers seem to have indulged in a bit too much ale to find their way back on time. " He muttered, raising the bowl to his lips and taking a generous gulp of the broth before picking at a piece of meat with his fingers to test it's temperature. Deciding it was fine, he plucked it from the bowl and popped it into his mouth. 

"Where'ya headed?" He asked, still chewing.
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts 

"It sounds like your men are completely trustworthy with their tasks." She was amused, her father and brother would never drink enough to lose their senses if they had to work, especially when it came to patrolling. She mimicked Tobias with the soup though found herself choking as the temperature seared her throat. She was a princess when it came to heat, even though she had been savouring it on her skin earlier. 

"Towards Terresol. I still have a fair way to ride but because of my apparent detour, it seems it will take me longer than planned. I was lucky enough to have come across you if I'm honest. Speaking of which, you wouldn't happen to carry a map that I could use, would you?" She wouldn't be upset if he didn't have one or refused. He had already done so much for her and she had put herself in this mess but it would bring her comfort in knowing she was travelling the *Correct* Route.
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde outskirts

He chuckled, moving the back.Of his hand to.His lips to keep from exposing the mouthful of stew he had partially chewed. 

"No, I don't have a map. I don't exactly need one in my homeland." He told her with a shrug. 

There was a pause, and he let his eyes lift to her, looking over her for a moment. 

"Maybe, Vanessa, if you ask nicely I'll personally escort you to Terresol." He offered, curious to see how she'd respond to the offer.
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts

Her gaze left the bowl of soup to meet Tobias's stare with her brows furrowed and a confused expression. At first, she assumed he was playing a joke and waited for some form of punchline or request of his own but when he remained silent, she allowed the offer to sink in. She took a slow and long sip while weighing out the pro's and cons in her head. 

"And why would you escort me all the way to Terresol? That is quite the offer and not a simple one either." Would he not prefer to stay with his family? Then again, he was all the way out here patrolling when he most likely didn't need to. Fortunately, Vanessa knew better than to stick her nose into another's family life, especially when he was offering to guide her.
Harold
Tobias Westbrook
Asairde outskirts

The man shrugged. "I have no reason to. I certainly don't want to." He started, and sat up straighter. He rolled his shoulders, and hadn't realized how tense he was until he heard the ripple of his spine cracking. It felt like a relief though. 

"But, if I take you back to my families home, get you warmed up and prepared to leave, then I'll hear from my sister about how lovely you were, and my father about how I should have been a better man and guided you safely, to assure the gods were pleased with my work and that you were taken care of properly." He paused, taking another mouthful of meat.

"And frankly, that sounds worse than a trip to Terresol."
James
Vanessa Ward
Asairde Outskirts

"I would have to agree with you, that sounds dreadful." She chuckled, amused that his family would cause him so much trouble. "Your sister however sounds lovely." 

The soup tasted great, something she hadn't expected as she plopped a couple vegetables in her mouth. She preferred to leave the best for last, which was the Meat. 

"But yes, could you please escort me to Terrasol? I would be very appreciative." She would have a greater chance of actually arriving in Terrasol. With her luck, she would arrive in Ibethiel without him or better yet, Taemar. "Honest. And you won't have to worry about taking care of me if we happen to run into Bandits. As long as my fingers don't lose feeling, I can take care of myself." Seeing as they were travelling South, she wouldn't have to worry about such.