Hassan
7 YEARS AGO
Wendy Margir
Training Ground, The Witherlands

"Top of your class, Wendy. Can't say I'm surprised."

The red-haired young woman smiled, looking out at the festivities in the courtyard below. The other soldiers who'd graduated from their class were gathered there, drinking to jovial music and dancing unburdened by the weight of their plates of armor. She, too, decided to forego the formal armor tonight, wearing a simple maroon dress. Her cloak was warm enough to keep out the chilled breeze, but also thin enough to allow her to actually look like a woman for once, instead of a chap who hadn't quite gone through puberty yet.

She even had her hair down, pushing a lock of it behind her ear as she turned to the man who'd given her the compliment.

He was a supervising officer, but a helpful mentor to all of them. To her, especially. She'd gotten roughed up rather badly during her first spar, and he'd helped her heal up rather well.

"You've got skill, kid," He had said to her while she laid in her cot, her forearm laid across her forehead. "But you're too headstrong. If you want to win a battle, use your mind, not your sword. Next time, assess your opponent. Then, you won't lose."

Ever since then, she'd heeded his advice, training with him in the middle of the night to get stronger. Skin bruised and muscles tight, she'd do whatever she could to excel—not just physically, but also in her tactical skills. 

To her, he was the reason why she'd survived the brutal winter of training. Despite her status as the daughter of House Margir, her being a woman didn't jive well with the other young men seeking the same thing she was. She didn't like to lose. And they didn't, either. Especially, to a woman.

Wendy felt her cheeks warm, and she turned her head towards the celebrating bunch in the courtyard, again. 

"I appreciate that, sir," She said.

"Claudius is fine," He said, placing a hand on her forearm. 

Wendy blinked, turning her chin just slightly. The two met eyes for a few brief moments, but sensing the tension of the moment, he removed his hand and placed his hands firmly on the balcony instead.

"You aren't going to drink tonight?" Claudius said, doing his best to change the subject.

"No. I... Don't care for the way rum makes me feel," Wendy said, watching disdainfully at the men below becoming even more and more brash and foolish. "Or what it brings out of people."

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't go down there and have some fun," Claudius said, chuckling a little.

"I'm having a great time here, thank you. Besides, I'd probably just kill the mood." Wendy shrugged slightly, wringing her fingers around her wrist.

Claudius noticed her nervous quirk. He smiled and grabbed her wrist instead, pulling her close and beginning to turn to the pace of the music.

"Sir, what are you—!"

"Having fun! You should at least _try_ it," Claudius said, smiling as he guided her through a simple court dance, one Wendy was familiar with from her grooming at a young age.

Her cheeks were blazing red now, but she didn't object, allowing herself the moment. He was holding her hand, and his other... 

Wendy almost couldn't think of it. So, she decided not to, smiling to herself as they danced.

From below, though, someone watched who had different intentions, entirely.
Ricky
James Fiyero
Grand Stead, The Witherlands

James pulled the cloak tighter around his shoulders and scowled at the chill wind. In a mocking voice, he said, "'Go out for the family. Travel the world. Experience new things.' Yes, father, and I'll freeze my toes off in the north while I'm at it, too." He stumbled through the streets of the city, not exactly certain where he was going, but having the general idea that he could find his way back to his inn and his warm room when he needed to. For now, he was wondering what excitement he might find in the city. He had only arrived the previous day, and though he was starting to realize that the north might not be for him, he was interested in experiencing what it had to offer while he could. 
"Just an interesting person... Maybe they want to buy a sapphire?" James fiddled with the precious stone in his cloak pocket, wondering what tricks and illusions he might pull with it to further entice someone into buying it. Maybe he could even convince these people that the stones were magic with his illusions. He might come off a fair bit richer than even his father expected him too, if he could pull that off. For now, though, he simply kept his eyes peeled and wandered the streets of Grand Stead, thoroughly frozen.
Joyce
Stern Logarsh, Grand Stead.

A scream of terror broke the natural silence of the cold city streets as some of the townsfolk ran past the southerner, running from something behind him.

Slow and heavy paces made the ground shake slightly, accompanied by the sound of paws on the road.

Stern was used to such welcoming behaviour... Luckilly the robes he was wearing allowed him to avoid the anger of soldiers... But not their fear.
After all the garments of the Order of the White Rose couldn't hide his inhuman features...

The green giant kept walking, looking for the temple of Mae and Ren in order to receive housing. The dire wolf trotting by his side seemed fairly confident with the environment... Something difficult to believe...
Ricky
James Fiyero, Grand Stead

The man heard the screams and, unlike those around him, began to move toward them. He'd never been a wise one, at least according to his parents, but James always found a way to adventure. Following screams seemed like a good start. 

He came around a corner and saw the focus of the terror, a massive man—man?—tromping along the street with a massive wolf at his side. James doubted his initial examination, as the skin and features of the humanoid were not quite human. He'd never seen anything like it; however, the person wore the clothing of a paladin, the Order of the White Rose. How bad could the guy be? And hadn't James just been asking for someone interesting?

James bounded up beside him, easily falling into step so they walked together on the street. (Though, James did have to pump his legs rather quickly to keep up with the giant.) He introduced himself, "James Fiyero, with the Fiyero Mercantile Company. How goes it, paladin?"
Joyce
Stern Logarsh, city of Grand Stead

The greenskin eyed the man, trying to understand the reasons behind such an open behaviour. His dark brown eyes returned to the road ahead "I do not enjoy the company of merchants, Fiyero..." His voice resembled the snarl of a beast. "I am Stern Logarsh, Thorn of the White Roses... Speak quickly for I have little time to spare."

The hunter could distinguish the humble architecture of the temple among the wooden houses of the town. His steps were slow, yet far bigger than common folk. It was obvious that the paladin was trying not to disrespect his interloper, following the rules of his Order.
Ricky
James Fiyero, Grand Stead

James smirked slightly at such dismissive behavior. Most people would engage with him, at least a little. The fact that this person would so quickly turn him away struck him as interesting. He figured it might be difficult, but he wanted to stick around the paladin a little longer, just to learn more about him. 
The man smiled and showed no distress from the threatening tone of the other. He said, "The Thorn of the White Roses, huh? And with little time to spare? What drives you so urgently? Perhaps..." James wondered about his future for a moment. He wasn't very interested in expanding the Fiyero Mercantile company to such a faraway place as Grand Stead, especially if that landed him here permanently. But, such an interesting person as this promised him some excitement and an escape from his responsibilities... "Perhaps I could assist?"