<div class="floatleft">(http://orig05.deviantart.net/b1d8/f/2017/187/0/5/elisa01_by_ravagedgirl-dbf9vv9.jpg)</div>"I suppose it does feel that way at times," Elisa said.  "I know it's just a bit of steel, however finely crafted, but... it does mean more than that to me.  Any warrior can grab a weapon to fight against the darkness, but being a paladin... it's about being a beacon of light as well."<br/><br/>Elisa gratefully took the offered drink and took a quick swallow of the wine.  "It' a little... unnerving though, not being simply another armored paladin.  When I'm clad all in steel and wrapped with the symbols of my order, I can simply be that, not... not having to worry about other things.  It's... simpler, I suppose."<br/><br/>She blushed, playing with her glass nervously.  When Lyari asked about her being in a relationship, she bit her lip, unable to maintain eye contact with the tavern keeper.  "No, I... I don't have anyone."<br/><br/>The follow up compliment made her blush ferociously, and she was taken so off guard by it that she flinched slightly when the woman nudged her.  Elisa's chain shirt wasn't very long, and she could actually<em>feel</em>Lyari's warm, soft arm against her sleeve.  "Oh, no, I... I am not so blind so as to not to know that my goddess has blessed me with unusual physical beauty, but... I have nothing else with which to entice a partner.  Even in my training my... ehem... dalliances... were rare.  I have never been able to- to put myself out there, as it were...<br/><br/>"I just... it is so difficult to make that connection," Elisa sighed, meeting Lyari's gaze sadly for a moment.  "I have trouble even befriending my adventuring companions.  If they saw me now, I'm not sure if they would recognize me, just from the amount we've spoken.  I know even in less- that is to say, more<em>typical</em>taverns, bartenders often serve as a sounding board and concerned ear for their patrons, and even more, from the flyer- not that I should assume anything-, I-, that is..."<br/><br/>Elisa sat up and spoke even more formally again after taking a steadying breath.  "I hope that I do not overreach, but if the broadsheet that I received was... accurate, then the people at your establishment are somewhat more- more accommodating than is typically seen.  So that is to say -- I do realize that you are being, um, professionally kind to me, but for some reason, despite that you are- you are somewhat easier to speak with than most people."<br/><br/>She looked back down at her drink, staring into it.  "I'm not at all certain what I'm even trying to say, anymore.  I just feel comfortable with you.  Less alone, and you- you are so beautiful... I, I would like to- to spend more time... with you... if I... if that is... if I may?"<br/><br/>With a shaking hand she reached out, placing it atop Lyari's own and gently squeezed it as though afraid it was as fragile as a soap bubble, that the slightest pressure would pop it and cause Lyari to vanish into nothing.