James
Lei Linas | Avin 

He looked over when he was asked the question, offering a small smile. "Ah, well... I want to learn of new ways I can improve. What ever helps me give people what they need. Transportation, tools... Maybe even a good way to keep their homes safe." 

Curious eyes trailed towards the pipe when the older man emptied the ashes into his palm. Lei just stared for a good two seconds before realizing what he had just witnessed. He gasped and covered his mouth. "Woah- W-wait, doesn't that hurt??" He pointed to the ashes in his palm in shock. He cringed in his seat as he imagined the pain the other man was probably going through.
Thomas
Jaem Marwick | Avin


Jaem looked from the other man down to his already forgotten palm, and let out a soft laugh. 


"Not at all," He chuckled, "My hands are calloused from work, and the ashes were no longer hot. It was a dead pipe" He grinned, rubbing his two hands together and scattering the few remnants of ash from his hands to the floor. The man before him's youth showed plainly, he had clearly never smoked.
James
Lei Linas | Avin 

"Huh? Oh..." He rubbed his neck and smiled, letting out a small laugh. "That's good then. I'm glad it didn't burn you." He eyed the pipe then the ashes that fell to the floor. "That makes sense..." 

He looked down at his own hands, which were also quite worn from all the building he has done with them, although, his habit of wearing gloves while working helped with keeping his skin softer than usual. He closed his palms to get his mind to focus back on the conversation.
"May I please know what your line of work might be, sir? Perhaps you are a soldier?"
Thomas
Jaem Marwick | Avin


He frowned for a moment at the question. It was a hard one to answer. Yes, he had been a soldier for a long while now. But he used to be much more. A long while ago, much more. 


"I was a Leader of men. I have seen my share of fighting, chopping firewood, Mason and smith work. I have dealt with kings and knights, lords and ladies." He fell silent for a moment, his eyes falling down towards the floor.


"I founded this city" He spoke slowly, his fervor diminished. "But that was long ago"
James
Lei Linas | Avin 

He noticed that Marwick was upset, he hoped that asking this did not cause him too much trouble. He looked a little worried for him, wondering what he might have been thinking. 

The young man listened when the other spoke, hearing the heaviness in his voice. Lei could only wonder what might have happened aside from the war. "Is it alright if I ask what happened? You seem so... Sad..."