With a tired sigh, Eden settled herself down into at one of the tables farthest from the tavernâ€™s entrance.  Her emerald gaze scanned over the crowded that was currently gathered in the tavern for their evening meal, or evening drink, whichever the case may be. At the bar was Kaleb the dwarf, short and stout, wearing his usual green tunic and sour expression. He was really the only person whose name she could recall without a struggle, probably because each patron had shouted it out whenever they entered.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF4080">â€œFunny name for a dwarfâ€</span>she thought to herself,<span style="color: #FF4080">â€œbut then again, how many dwarves have I known in my life?â€</span>A frown creased her brow at this thought. Yet another question that she wasnâ€™t sure she would ever know the answer to.<br/><br/>Not realizing that she had been staring at the portly fellow, Kaleb snickered, quickly drawing her attention back at to the tavern and away from her own thoughts.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">â€œAre ya gonna give me yer order, or are ya gonna stare at me?â€</span>He addressed her in his usually brash manner, his eyebrows lifting in a questioning manner.<br/><br/>A soft pink blush of embarrassment colored Edenâ€™s cheeks. Quickly she lowered her head to hide her flaming face as she replied.<span style="color: #FF4080">â€œJust some water, please.â€</span><br/><br/>With a curt nod, Kaleb walked off to fetch her water, leaving her once again to her thoughts.<br/><br/>Eyes lowered to the table, Eden glared at the wooden surface in thought. She had only been in this town for a week, and already she knew this was not where she belonged. She actually knew that the instant she stepped foot within the townâ€™s limits, but she stayed because this had been the first place she did not feel out of place. Sure there were beings that set her skin crawling and others who caused her to outright panic, but here she was not judged for her lack of history. If she had a past, no one seemed to be interested. As a matter of fact, as long as she remained their healer, no one cared at all what she did, so long as she continued caring for the ill and injured.<br/><br/>She jumped in her seat as a mug full of water was slammed down on the table top in front of her, causing the liquid to slosh over the rim and splash her hand. With a quiet â€œEek!â€ Eden glared up at the creature before her. The harsh expression lasted a moment, before it softened into a look of gratitude.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF4080">â€œThank you, Kaleb.â€</span>She said in a gentle voice.<span style="color: #BF4080">â€œSorry for staring earlier, I was lost in thought and had not realized.â€</span>Reaching into the coin pouch tied at her waist, she extracted a few coins and handed them to the disgruntled barkeeper.<br/><br/>Kaleb stared at the woman with wide eyes. That was probably the most words anyone in the town had heard from the quiet creature since her arrival. Quite a conversation piece that one was; since her arrival that she was pretty much the talk of the town. She had blown into town with nothing but the clothes on her back, barely uttering a word other than her name and occupation.  Since then, she had holed herself up inside the healerâ€™s cottage mending wounds and tending the sick. No one knew a thing about her, and he doubted they really ever would. He had yet to see her talk to anyone.<br/><br/>Giving her a snort, and a shake of his head, he strolled away from her table and back to the bar, leaving Eden blinking after him in confusion.  Had she offended him? Gently nibbling on her lower lip as she thought, Eden glanced back out at the crowd in the tavern. She noticed the stares of many of the patrons, and quickly lowered her eyes back to the mug in front of her.<br/><br/>This is how she would remain for the rest of the evening. Staring down at her water, trying to figure out her own story.