This was quite the experience! Arisa's honey-blonde hair shimmered in the breeze, as she made her way along...Wondering *how* she'd resolve this! How long had been since she'd walked with her husband like this...? She'd done her best to keep a low profile, but now...<br/><br/>-Well, he'd been intending to take a look around the village anyway. At least - while accompanying him - she could keep an eye on any trouble that might arise! After all, the new tax collector was a *very* cunning man...And he had the mandate.<br/><br/>Still, walking along this familiar path...It brought back memories. She remembered the old days, during the adventuring boom; She'd been instrumental in the adventure that'd cleared out most of the monsters that'd been preying on the townsfolk...In fact, that was the one where she'd been wounded, where she'd met Uther - And, eventually, decided to settle down!<br/><br/>That was...What, close to twenty years ago? No wonder no-one remembered it, now...<br/><br/><em>It *is* a little quiet, recently...</em><br/><br/>...That much, Arisa had to admit! The market was bustling, but it was a more<em>subdued</em>kind of bustling - there were less people than she'd expected...Her practiced eye noting that the brightly-colored wagons of the fabric merchants and the rough wooden carts of the farmers were missing a few familiar faces! Once again, she couldn't help but think of the road - A stab of worry, at the thought of Uther...<br/><br/>A soft hiss purred from Arisa's lips, as the group of assorted troublemakers fanned out in ragged order - Throwing their weight around, occasionally shoving people...But really, relying on their presence more than anything else! She'd seen *way* too many would-be toughs start out like this - There was a subtle shift to her stance, as she made to pull away...<br/><br/>-And blinked, as Lyrio gripped her arm a little tighter! The lovely blonde's lips curved in a slight frown, though she didn't press the issue...Her full bosom rising and falling against her rough homespun blouse-! Well, if she couldn't go to help...<br/><br/>"-It's quieter than usual," she murmured, almost to herself. "It seems like there really *is* trouble on the road..."<br/><br/>Arisa canted her head to the side, her gaze settling on Lyrio - Actually, come to think of it...<br/><br/>"...Tell me, did you see anything on your way into town?" she pressed, her expression serious, now...It'd been years since she'd ventured out-of-town, what with one thing or another...And Uther had always done his best to keep bad news from her. It was charming and exasperating at once - Sometimes, it was as if he didn't remember who she *had* been! "There's been all kind of rumors, recently..."<br/><br/>Up ahead, there was a brief commotion - A scuffle, a shout, and...<br/><br/><em>Oh dear</em>.<br/><br/>There was a distinct *thump* - the sound of a well-aimed boot connecting with something sensitive - and two of the would-be troublemakers were ejected head-first from a nearby shop...Sporting a few new bruises-!<br/><br/>"...And don't come back-!" a voice called, after them - And at Lyrio's side, Arisa's eyes widened, ever-so-slightly...Stiffening, as if just remembering something, as the trailing leather flaps of the cobbler's store were pushed aside!<br/><br/>"Really, some people..." A low sigh purred from full lips, as a lovely brunette (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8073552/dragon%20quest%20heroine.jpg) stepped out into the street, shaking her head - One hand resting on the curve of her hip, her sensible leather leggings molding to her lissome legs. With her sword sheathed at her back, she cast a rather martial figure...Her green eyes bright with annoyance, as she brushed dust from her traveler's cloak-!<br/><br/>There was the faintest creak of leather, the hard-wearing leather armor of the town's militia cinched tight around her...A slim tiara of brass pushing her unruly midnight hair back from her lovely features! Features that were *really* familiar indeed...<br/><br/>"-A 'new boss', really?" she mused aloud - a battered (but lovingly polished) silver badge pinned to her left breast...As she allowed herself a slight chuckle, a faint smile! "Well, idiots will be idiots..."<br/><br/>She glanced left, then right - Carrying herself with an easy grace...And when her emerald eyes settled on Lyrio, there was a brief flicker of curiosity...Then a kind of interest...before they darted to the woman on his arm-<br/><br/>"M, mother~?"<br/><br/>Trinia Eostre's gloved hand went to her lips - a soft gasp teased from her throat-! For a moment, she'd almost failed to recognize her...After all,<em>her</em>mother didn't usually reveal her gorgeous blonde hair like that - a gesture which made her look five years younger!<br/><br/>"-What are *you* doing here...?"<br/><br/>In the same breath - "And who's<em>that</em>~?"<br/>