<strong>Ariavha</strong><br/><br/>Ari threw the windows of her small room open, allowing the cool evening breeze to sweep the room.  Situated over the Stone Turtle's kitchen, her bedroom could become uncomfortable when the warmer weather set in, the heat from the ovens rising through the floorboards to permeate the small place that she had called home for 17 years now.  In the winter months, it was a god send, the smell of fresh baked bread keeping her warm in the wee hours of morning, but on days like today, she avoided it as much as possible.  Not that she was ever one for lolly gagging around in her rooms.  There was too much to do, and Papa expected much of his youngest child.<br/><br/>Not that she minded.  Serving tables, running ale from the bar to the large firepit that held court in the center of the Green Room, taking guests to their lodgings where there was always a chance to meet someone new, hear news from far away...  Not that anyone ever came through who'd travelled the Dead Seas or the Liaj Jungle, but there was always a chance.  And at nights of course, after the dinner hour, those were the best.  It was well known within Whitewater that she could usually be found telling the old tales or, Lute in hand, singing songs that she'd painstakingly collected ever since she could remember.  She pushed those thoughts aside for now, going back to contemplating her relfection in the mirror, brushing her bruntte locks away from her gold-specked blue eyes, her one source of vanity, seeing as how even Reyata couldn't boast gold upon a sea of saphire such as she had been gifted.  That thought made her frown.  She was very fond of Reyata and yet, there were times when the ugly head of jealousy reared within her and made her very cross with her friend.  It was unfair that she should be so naturally... graceful and pretty, making Ari feel so... common beside her!<br/><br/>Pinning her hair back, she shrugged, making a face in tandem with the one in the mirror.  "Get over yourself, silly girl."   Determined to take her own advice, she pushed all thoughts of the elven girl from her head, exiting the room.  Taking the stairs, two steps at a time, the hem of her dress brushing them as she clattered down into the Dining room, she took an empty table by the window that looked out on the path leading up to the inn, stories brewing in her head as she waited for her friends to arrive.