Maia laughed as Leara stood up and waved the bearded man toward their small table in the corner. Leara could hear her friend's chuckles, and perhaps her cheeks heated at the sound. She was not<i>fond</i>of David in the way that Maia had implied. As a matter of fact, she hardly knew the man and who knew how long he'd actually live? The mission that he was about to embark upon was not going to be an easy one, and while all of those thoughts swirled inside of her mind, it didn't stop the stupid smile that widened her lips at his reply to her. He was glad to see her, just as she was glad that he had done well since they departed one another. Seeing him in one piece eased the worry inside of her, and while she'd never openly admit it to David or anyone else for that matter, she had grown somewhat attached to the earthling in the last day or so that she'd known him. Just not<i>fond</i>of him. Because that would be ridiculous.<br/><br/><b>"You didn't tell me that the Savior of Eldorath had such manners."</b>Maia said, mirth filling her usually stern looking features. Leara hid her disappointment at the frivolities David bestowed upon her magical friend. Hand kisses and endearments were hollow gestures, but it seemed as if Maia was slightly entertained by them. Clearing her throat, Leara gestured from Maia to David and back again.<b>"David, this is Velmaia of Zaesan. Maia, David of Earth."</b>She plopped down in her seat quickly, grasping her mug and taking an uncharacteristically long drink. Maia, meanwhile, arched a brow at David. His appearance was odd, and while he resembled many human men that she'd met in her time, there was something about his aura that made him...different.<br/><br/><b>"Welcome to Eldorath, David."</b>She said in her accent thickened tone.<b><b>"I was wondering if I would ever have the pleasure of meeting our supposed hero. It seems that honor has come sooner than expected." </b></b>Maia withdrew her hand with an amused chuckle. Humans were so terribly stupid. It saddened her that Leara had to be one. The warrior woman was a wonderful companion, but her fragility made her a bit of a liability. Maia's people, the ones from the hot, sandy deserts of Zaesan, were better suited for the role of defending Eldorath than either of the humans at the table with her. But it was not her people that the seers had seen. It was these fragile, breakable humans with no extraordinary skills or abilities. To say she was bitter was an understatement.<br/><b><b><br/>
<b>"Leara has told me what little she knows of you. I hope that your journey to save our realm fairs much better than those that have come before you. Surely, you know that none of them made it back to Neria alive?"</b> </b></b>With an ironic laugh, Maia picked up her mug and mimicked Leara.<b><b> <b>"Not even in one piece, half the time. The last one that we lost to whatever plagues this world was diced into small pieces and..."</b> </b></b>Leara slammed her mug down on the wooden table. Sternly, the blonde silenced her friend with just a glance.<br/><b><b><br/>
<b>"David is different. Even you can see that, Maia. Read his aura and lie to me again."</b> </b></b>Leara looked over at David, giving him a reassuring smile before she gestured to an open chair.<b>"Get off your feet and rest a bit. I do not know what all you've to discuss with me, but I will gladly entertain a listen. Did they advise you on when you're to set off and where?" </b>Leara wasn't sure if she was privy to information like that. It seemed somewhat classified, but she was curious where he would start this quest. Perhaps it would be close by her home? Likely not, as the cold mountain tops were quite a way from Neria.<br/><b><b><b><br/>
"Surely, he will not be staying in this wretched kingdom for long."</b> </b></b>Maia stated, more matter-of-factly than she'd intended.<b><b> <b>"All of the white buildings build false security. There is as much corruption tainting Neria as it does in every other land across Eldorath. I am a firm believer that this is part of the threat against our civilizations. The council must realize this."<br/>
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Tag: <a class="username" data-user-id="82" data-username="@Manaan" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/82/">@Manaan</a></b></b></b></b>