Jennifer
*Sivne would be sitting in her room in the inn in the city of Al. The room door was open and she was sat inside cleaning her under her fingernails with a book on her lap. She was sat with one leg off the bed and the other up, leaning back against the wall, enjoying the rest after the long march north.*
Brent
*Shaw was wandering through the hallway. The lad was seemingly rather exhausted and tired from marching along with the added duties of helping Sonja escort the slaves their little mercenary group had rescued. The Silnari would have almost passed the door obliviously had the familiar scent of cow not been around. Just like a previous experience he had stopped walking and in a moment of confusion wondered why the hell he smelled cow in the inn. It certainly wasnt cooked beef, that he was certain of. With a small turn of his head the thought suddenly dawned on him as he spotted Sivne through the open door. He mentally facepalmed. Still not used to the presence of Beastkin, even with his prior experiences. What made him approach however was the sight of a book in the large warriors lap. He gently knocked on the agar door and stood in the door way. Clearly waiting for permission to enter.*
Jennifer
*She hadn't noticed him until he knocked, her eyes were down as she cleaned behind her nails and read her book. When she saw him she tossed the little wooden pick she'd been using aside and moved the book off of her lap and onto the bed, sitting upright.* "Mmh. Come in." *She said with a quiet grunt, clearing her throat.* "Have you sorted out who you're bunking with yet?"
Brent
*His eyes followed the book. He seemed rather interested in it and it likely had to do with his wanting to enter. Not wishing to be rude though he did try to pay attention to her and hear what she was saying. He seemed a little surprised by the question and shrugged. His shook his head slowly.* "I thought Id just sleeping u-under a tree" *He said it casually as if its what he expected and was expected to do.*
Jennifer
"We're in a city, you're not sleeping under a tree unless you want to get kidnapped and robbed." *She grunted and shaked her head, motioning to the bed across the room from her. It wasn't a big room, but still.* "Go on, you can sleep in here. We'll be in town for a long while." *The book itself had a red cover and seemed to have some stylistic writing on the front, with the letters in a golden hue, it wasn't clear from afar what the book was about though.*
Brent
*He nodded and seemed pleased. Probably not the best sign he expected to be sleeping outside. That aside though he happily puts his things down by the end of the other bed. Sighing with relief at feeling his shoulders no longer be under any strain or weight. Sitting down on the bed he bounced on it slightly with and chuckled. After that moment of glee though he looked back towards Sivne and her book. He walked over to her bed and started to inspect the book. Hoping to read the cover assuming it was something he could even understand* "Whats this about?" *He asked with a bit of awe in his voice. Having never seen something that had a golden hue like this he thought the book must have been expensive.*
Jennifer
*She raised a brow slightly and made some room, assuming by how he walked over that he wanted to sit on her bed with her.* "This?" *She picked it up and handed it to him.* "It's a collection of old poems. It's all written in Hasaapian. I picked it up on my way back from Mipmi last week."
Brent
*He looked shocked to have it held in front of him. He carefully took it. Afraid as if he might ruin it from just holding it. Slowly he opened the book and began to flip through, eyes skimming the poems even though he cant read a word of Hasaapian. He placed the book down next to her and sat down. Looking at her with a pleading expression before he spoke.* "I've never read poetry. Only heard s-small parts. May you read to me... P-please?" *Adding on the please at the end as if he almost forgot the word and in a panic thought its absence would cause disaster.*
Jennifer
*She seemed a little perplexed by his skitterishness, unsure if it was her natural intimidating presence or something on his end.* "I can. You won't know what i'm saying though, unless you want me to translate. It wouldn't flow right though, poems are language specific." *She grunted a little and took the book, flipping to find her favourite. It did look a little funny, the nearly 8ft tall Brayer lady beastial lady was into soppy poems.*
Brent
*He smiled and seemed over joyed like a kid during the winter solstice. Getting comfortable he pulled his knees to his chest and waited expectantly.* "Your language is f-fine. The rhymes will sound b-beautiful still" *He gestured as if to start. The humour of someone like her being into poems was seemingly lost on him. Poor moron was fairly new to the concept of poetry as is.*
Jennifer
*She nodded, cleared her throat and started to read out a poem. Her voice was a little gruff but it suited the tone of the poem. It was clearly her favourite as she read it out confidently and without misspeaking. It sounded good at least. After reading it out she looked to him.* "Mm. That poem is about war and tribal rivalries. It's a story about a chief conquering his neighbours and his ambitions crumbling in battle, his clan sold into slavery and his tribe absorbed into those who triumphed against him."
Brent
*His attention was about as close to undivided as it could get for him. He closed his eyes and burried his face in his knees. As if wanting to deprive himself of his other senses so as to better listen. His long ears almost seemed to raise up animatedly. Once she was done he looked up and his expression was bright and cheerful. He almost went to say thanks but stopped to let her speak first. As she went on his face showed interest that slowly transformed into shock, surprise, disbelief and finally sadness.* "...Um... Thats a rather upsetting p-poem. Its not true is it?"
Jennifer
"It's not about anyone i've ever heard of. These poems are old, dating back long before the federation was formed. It could be true or just a story. The lesson here is to lose is to be destroyed and to fight every battle with conviction." *She shut the book.* "It's a favourite of mine. There are a few others I like, but those are too soppy and I won't bore you with them."
Brent
*He just nodded trying to be polite. He certainly seemed disappointed at the lack of happy ending but he seemed to understand the importance of the lesson. It was a cruel world after all. Deciding he should be grateful regardless he stands up to act how he should do, even if the poem admittedly could of used some dragons he thought. Dragons always improved a story. Heading over to his backpack he riffles through if for half a minute. Tossing arrows, pelts, and hard tack aside before he finds something tied up in white cloth. Opening up the cloth pouch he takes out an apple. Chuckling he bites into it and holds it there with his mouth before grabbing another. Putting some of his things back in order before he held out the spare apple he had grabbed towards her. He nodded fervently as if insisting she take it as thanks. He then tossed it towards her. Underarm of course.*
Jennifer
*She reached out and grabbed the apple as he threw it, taking a big chomp out of it, quickly chewing it and swallowing before speaking.* "Since i'm no longer exiled from Hasaapian lands, i'll drag you with me the next time I go." *She said, curious as to how he'd react.*
Brent
*That seemed to cheer him up. He bit into the apple and nodded his head quickly. He munched on the bite a bit before swallowing and giving his reply.* "Id love that. Quite a lot a-actually. Learning is why I t-travel"
Jennifer
"I thought you travelled to make money. You're a mercenary now, afterall." *She jokingly remarked, chowing down on her apple. She was eating it very quickly, on account of just being bigger than him.*
Brent
*He shrugged nonchalantly and chuckled. He sat down on his bed and leaned back slightly as he carried on occasionally taking small bites of his apple.* "Money is just so I dont s-starve." *He said it with a hint of distaste. As if annoyed at the universe itself that he had to go out of his way to actually survive.*
Jennifer
"Stick with us and you won't have to worry about starving. Mmh. The three of us made a killing down in South Mentia, just have to be ready to get your hands dirty." *She picked up her wooden pick and began to clean under her nails again.*
Brent
*He seemed a tad hesitant when she spoke about getting his hands dirty. Metaphorically or otherwise. Finishing his apple he sat in thought whilst she dealt with her nails. He looked over and decided to break the silence with a question.* "We'll avoid killing w-when possible right?"
Jennifer
"You won't get far with that kind of thinking. We're here to get paid by doing some damage. Don't finish people off, if it makes you feel better. I don't needlessly kill, if you were wondering." *She sat up more.*
Brent
*He shook his head and looked like he just made a mistake in his eyes* "Oh no nono... Was just checking" *He did seem relieved though at her answer. After todays raid he had grown quite worried. Especially after the talk of chopping and crushing heads.* "Im just n-new to war is all"
Jennifer
"War isn't fun, war is brutal. We're both just weapons, the people in power are the wielders. You're not at fault for any carnage you have to do, remember that." *She shrugged, hoping he was taking her advice to heart.* "Otherwise you end up like Carlyn, constantly breaking down and whining, *'what have I done!'* Whenever she kills something that looks vaguely human."
Brent
*He was listening but he did seem to have a look of disbelief and disagreement slightly. He seemed unsure about the fault of carnage part. Even he had to admit though Carlyn's mood after the battle seemed counterproductive and even dangerous given they were all still at risk from the troll. He found himself quite annoyed as he had conflicting thoughts now. Sighing he simply decided to figure them out later and give Sivne a satisfactory response.* "Yes Boss" *Though he didn't nod his head like he normally does.*
Jennifer
*She could sense that he was conflicted, and didn't press it further.* "Mmh. Anyway, you never said where you are from." *She asked, changing the subject.*
Brent
*Glad to put those thoughts aside he smiles once more. He raises his arm and after a moment points it to the east.* "Middle Mentia" *He said it with a hint of pride. It was an odd answer given him being a Silnari. His family most likely emigrated is the obvious answer.*

*Shaw almost leapt from his seated position and laid down on his stomach and reached into his backpack again. Pulling out the map he had shown the snake lady yesterday. He unfolded it and laid it down on his bed and pointed close to one of the cities of the country. Just a few days west of the city of Wushjik.* "Ma and Pa are there still. And you?"
Jennifer
"Anushken. The federation." *She stood up and walked over to his bed. She pointed at the country on the map, to the west of here.* "My father was a warrior, he died. My mother is at home, with the tribe. I spent most of my life in Mipmi." *She said as she pointed to the coastal city.*
Brent
*He seemed satisfied with her answer. Willing to let things be until she had pointed out where Mipmi was. At that point his eyes widened once more as he realised where it was.* "You've seen the ocean?" *He looked up at her curiously now*
Jennifer
*She nodded.* "I've never sailed on a ship, but I lived on the coast. Must be strange for you, the only water here is the rivers." *She let out a grunt.* "I was exiled from home until recently. I went back there three weeks ago."
Brent
*Though he wished to talk of the sea further there was a clearly more interesting topic. Though he approached it lightly, not wanting to offend.* "May I ask why y-you were exiled?" *He silently prayed to Balintu he might hear this tale.*
Jennifer
"I killed a man dishonourably. He was a powerful man, a merchant. He had one of my boys murdered, so I drove a warpick into his skull while he fumbled for the keys to his door. I knew no justice was going to be done. I faced a trial by combat a few days after I returned." *She grunted, that was probably as much as he was going to get out of her.*
Brent
*He just nodded his head. Now regretting having asked. The whole affair sounded much worse than he had expected. He grimaced at the story and wasnt quite sure how to soften the atmosphere other then speak a few words that certainly weren't a surprise.* "Im sorry to hear that... Thats horrible"
Jennifer
"I was victorious, don't worry. I'm free to return home whenever I want." *She sat back down.* "Once this campaign is over i plan on leaving Mentia, hopefully for good. There'll be other lands more suited to my line of work."
Brent
*He nodded along and was glad at least the exile business was over. Though now something she said had gotten him thinking. It was a good question to ask so he went on and asked it.* "How l-long will it last?" *He knew only the gods could answer such things with certainty but he saw no harm in asking her. She was the more experienced fighter after all.*
Jennifer
"I plan on making things go faster. But i don't know, a month, two, three. Hard to say. We get paid though the longer this goes on." *She shrugged and rummaged through her bag for something!*
Brent
*He was surprised by her answer. He'd thought campaigns went on longer. Shame. With how much they were being paid monthly he strangely found himself hoping it went on for a while... And quickly reversed those thoughts when he realised he'd just wished to extend a war. Shoving those thoughts away he pushed himself up by his arms and looked over at Sivne's bag. Wondering what she was searching for.*
Jennifer
*She pulled out another book from her bag and offered it over to him.* "Here, read this. It's a guide to military campaigns for mercenary captains, it's in Silnarian."
Brent
*He rolled over once to the edge of his bed and reached over. Grabbing it and inspecting it. He skimmed through the first couple pages before closing it.* "Hmm later... Today was exhausting!" *As if lamenting he let out a hearty sigh. As if he could sleep forever after todays work. Remembering his manners though he looked to her and smiled.* "Thank you though."
Jennifer
*She gave a simple nod, and yawned, it was late in the day by now!* "Mmhm. Don't lose it though, I like that book." *She said before moving both of her legs up onto the bed and making herself more comfortable.*
Brent
*He nodded his head fervently. As if loosing it was some great sin.* "Of course boss" *He yawned as well and stretched a bit. He put the book away carefully in his backpack but he shuffled about in his bed. Pulling the covers over himself before taking his shirt off, stuffing it under the pillow for extra comfort. Getting cozy he hummed contently. Its probably been a while since the lad actually slept in a bed.* "A pretty g-good first day I think"
Jennifer
*She did cast a glance at what he was doing, figuring he was shy at waiting to get under the covers before taking his shirt off. She smirked a little and shook her head.* "It wasn't bad. Mmh. I'm ready to sleep, anyway. Goodnight." *She said before snuffing out a candle and laying her head back against the wall to start falling asleep.*
Brent
*He yawned once again and rested his head on his pillow. Closed his eyes and in a sleepy voice mumbled out a* "Gud night" *Before he quickly passed out. Undoubtedly he'd sleep like the dead tonight.*