Emma was a mess of emotions. Sarai had reported for an assignment the morning prior under the Lord Marshall’s order and she hadn’t returned last night. Usually, Sarai was very good about telling her where she was going and how long she’d be gone, but whatever the assignment was, Sarai had been scarce with the details. Emma knew that as the First Lieutenant of the Guards, that she could be called away for dangerous missions and the like, and that Sarai was one of the strongest guards in the barracks, but still…Emma worried for her. As a result, Emma had hardly slept the night before. She’d been beside herself with worry, tossing and turning, her ears straining for the sounds of Sarai coming home…but she hadn’t.
Emma had known that she wouldn’t rest well so instead of wasting time laying in bed letting her worries and imagination get the better of her, she decided to be more productive. After bathing and dressing, Emma headed down to the kitchen, rolled up her sleeves and got to work. If she couldn’t sleep, then she’d get some much-needed cleaning done instead. And that’s what she did. She swept and scrubbed the floors, she took everything off shelves and wiped them down. She organized everything and made sure the kitchen and pantry was well stocked and organized as well.
Emma was in the middle of gathering up the necessary ingredients for the morning breakfast rush when she heard a voice. Wiping her hands on her apron, she peeked out of the kitchen and spotted Aemon. “Good Morning, Aemon. You’re looking a lot better than yesterday. Did you sleep well?” She asked, gesturing for him to have a seat at the bar. Grabbing a pair of tea cups, she got to work making them some morning tea to share while they chatted.
Student||Aemon, the Outcast [Where:] Tavern [With:] Emma [Feeling:] Refreshed, calm, hungry [Outfit:] Cloaked Robes and Tunic [OOC:]
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Aemon’s sense of solitude was broken once he heard Emma’s call and looked to meet the woman poking her head out of where the kitchen was. Bowing his head in greeting, he replied quietly “Good morning, Miss Emma.” Taking the innkeeper up on her invite to sit at the bar, Aemon walked over and sat down as Emma prepare the two some tea.
Once the cups were poured, Aemon took a small sip, closing his eyes in contentment at both the scent and flavour. “Yes, I feel to be drastically more mobile and revitalised than yesterday. It is amazing how little it takes to nurture one back into good health.” Taking another sip of the tea, Aemon took a brief moment to consider, giving Emma time to make her own remarks. In the annals of his mind, Aemon pondered how he could start repaying his debt to this woman for her part in aiding him the previous day. He had, in fact, been pondering the notion ever since he awoke. What to do…run errands? No, that seemed too tedious and no where near adequate…help with the kitchen and serving the inn’s customers? Hmm…it was a bit of a bad idea to say the least, not only due to the fact the Emma more than likely already had staff working in the kitchen, but, Aemon wasn’t what one would call…“An expert cook.” Then, it was as though a bolt of lightening stuck as he just figured out something, the Inn had everything it needed…except…there was no security. No guard to keep things under control. It might have seemed strange as, at least from Aemon’s experience, Inn’s typically didn’t have guards. However…Aemon didn’t mind taking the pressure off of Emma if, per say, some physical altercations were to break out amidst the Inn’s myriad of drunken patrons.
Another notion Aemon couldn’t shake was the academy Gin had informed him of yesterday. A school which teaches one how to control and better understand their raiment? It sounded like something worth looking into given his own…unique power… But to do that, he needed a place to stay and the Azarian warrior wasn’t fond of the notion to staying in one of those…dormitories he had heard about during his time wandering. He preferred his own space, which led him back to the night he spent in his room, as well as the Inn itself. The tavern was…warm, welcoming…it produced a good vibe from the moment you entered. In short, it felt like home. However, if Aemon had a chance of staying there, he’d need to offer something in return. Looking up to meet Emma’s gaze, Aemon spoke his thoughts, “Miss Emma, you did me a great kindness yesterday, one that cannot be ignored. As repayment, would consider hiring me to be your Inn’s personal guard? I wouldn’t ask for much in the way of payment, simply a room and board. I was a mercenary back when I was working in Azar, perhaps some skills I’ve adapted may prove useful in keeping your more…restless patrons under control.”
Emma sipped her tea, holding the cup to her lips with both hands. As Aemon addressed her, formally she noted, she gave him her attention. She couldn’t help but smile a little at his words – he wanted her to hire him as a form of him repaying her? That seemed a little backwards, a little silly even. But she understood what he was trying to say and the service he was trying to offer – Aemon wanted to offer his services to guard and protect the Tavern. Little did Aemon know that her wife was the First Lieutenant of the City Guard…However, despite that title, Sarai couldn’t always be around to help and act as her ‘muscle’ when things got rowdy. So maybe having someone around to help her on a regular basis wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“Hmmm, that is an interesting offer, Aemon. I don’t know if it would be a way to repay me, since I would essentially be giving you a job, but I understand your sentiment behind the offer.” Emma said with a little nod. Looking up at Aemon, she tilted her head to the side a little bit and puckered her lips in thought. “Tell me Aemon…if you were to be my guard, my hired muscle, room and board is all that you'd want?” She asked, knowing that he wouldn’t completely work for free – nothing in the world was free, right? Well, room and board was a good deal, for the most part. But it also meant that she would be down a room to sell and that meant lost profits...
Student||Aemon, the Outcast [Where:] Jolly Tavern and Inn [With:] Emma [Feeling:] Relaxed [Outfit:] Cloaked robes and tunic [OOC:]
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Aemon, listening intently to Emma’s words, nodded in understanding of what she was saying. Taking another sip of tea, he replied “I understand why you would think that way. It may sound as though I am pleading for an occupation, but I assure you that is not the case. I wish only to repay the service you gave me with my own services to you.” Taking another sip of tea, Aemon continued, “In regard to my payment, I assure you, a room and board will suffice. As you raised the question as to what I would really deem adequate payment, I assume you believed I would also ask for gold, but rest assured, I would not dare ask anymore from you given what you have done for me. When all is said and done I am still a mercenary and I am sure that in a city like this there are bound to contract work somewhere, therefore, I can also work what I believe some call “double duty”. I can repay my debt to you by acting as a guard for your inn, while supporting myself financially with extra work I manage to locate around the city.”
A final sip finished his cup of tea, allowing him to direct his gaze at Emma completely without distraction. “I am considering investigating this academy that the wolf shifter, Gin, had told me about yesterday, the “Academy of Eoana”. I hear it’s a school that offers teachings on how to harness and understand one’s magical abilities. I believe such a place could prove most beneficial for me. Therefore, with the academy and extra mercenary work, that would leave me able to act as your Inn’s guard mostly likely during afternoon and evening times. How does that sound to you Miss Emma?” Aemon finished what he had to say and awaited the innkeepers reply.
Roselyn did what she normally does on any given day: go to her bakery early in the morning to open it for her employees, help with starting the ovens and preparing the dough, baking the breads and other baked goods, allowed them to cool and put them on display before opening her bakery to the public. This time she did not stay for the morning rush. Today she is fulfilling her part of a deal she made to the previous owner of the Jolly Tavern and Inn. They arranged for Roselyn to provide bread for the tavern in exchange for good word of mouth. They also worked out a deal where the tavern owner pays less for the bread than her usual patrons. Upon entering the tavern, it was nice to see the tavern busy. Emma, the current owner, must be doing a fantastic job of bringing the people in with clean rooms, excellent service and tasty food. If Roselyn's bread can help her a bit in the food department, that will keep a smile on her face and make her feel good on the inside. She spotted Emma speaking with an interesting looking boy. Hopefully the baker will not intrude on their conversation. After making her way to them, she said,
"Good morrow Emma. Forgive me if I am interrupting, but I have brought you some fresh bread for the tavern."
Emma smiled a bit and narrowed her gaze in contemplation as Aemon spoke and explained his reasoning for offering his services to her as a form of repayment. Room and board wouldn’t normally be sufficient payment to someone serving as ‘hired muscle’ for an establishment like hers but given that he wanted to repay her and wasn’t asking for anything else, Emma knew that the offer was a good one. She did need someone to help her with the riff-raff when Sarai was late coming home, so why not have someone reliable at hand? If Aemon resided in the tavern then Emma would always know where to find him if she needed him. It was a win-win situation for her.
Finishing her own cup of tea, she hummed lightly as if in thought. She took a long moment when she didn’t need to, ‘playing it cool’ so to speak even though she already knew her answer. Emma looked to Aemon and pierced her lips for a moment before offering him her hand to shake to seal the deal. “Room and board for your services as the ‘hired muscle’ of the Jolly Tavern and Inn. Any tips you receive from patrons are yours to keep and if you want or need certain nights off just let me know…but I do expect for you to pull your weight if you want to keep your benefits, deal?” She asked, knowing that in all fairness, it was a very good partnership for them both.
While Aemon contemplated his answer, Roselyn, the local baker, entered the tavern with her morning delivery of freshly bakes breads and rolls. Emma was truly blessed to have a partnership with the lovely young baker – her breads were so delicious! Giving her a warm smile, she nodded in Roselyn’s direction. “Good Morning, Roselyn. I’ll be with you in just a moment, I’m just finishing up a bit of business with my acquaintance, Aemon.” Emma said politely, returning her full attention to Aemon.
Student||Aemon, the Outcast [Where:] Jolly Tavern and Inn [With:] Emma and Roselyn [Feeling:] Relaxed [Outfit:] Cloaked robes and tunic [OOC:]
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Relieved at Emma’s answer, Aemon stood and accepted the innkeeper’s extended hand and shook it. The arrangement seemed quite decent when all factors where taken into account, and any tips offered to him by customers was his to keep? Although he had said he would not wish to take anything more from Emma, if she permitted it and saw no problem with it, who was Aemon to argue. “I never leave a debt unrepaid.”
At that moment, Aemon noticed a young brunette woman enter the Tavern. She had come over and greeted Emma. The Innkeeper greeted her with equal kindness as she pointed out she was concluding her business with Aemon. Pushing in his seat, Aemon stood, back straight as he fixed his clothing before stating “I will be back later this evening. I’m off to visit the academy to see if it is of any interest. I shouldn’t be too long. For now, Miss Emma… turning to the other woman, “…M’lady a good day to you both.” With that Aemon made for the exit and stepped out into the market streets.
Once outside, he began his search for this Grand Academy of Eoana to see how much it truly held to its name…
Roselyn waited patiently for Emma to finish her conversation with the boy. They are arranging a deal of sorts. Whatever that deal is, Roselyn does not know. In the meantime, she looked around the tavern, waving her hand friendly towards some of the people in the tavern. Some recognize her as the owner of the bakery. Seeing her with a basket of bread for the tavern meant that the already tasty food at the tavern will be enhanced. She curtsied politely to the white haired boy as he left. Now she can speak with Emma about the usual stuff.
"He seems nice. Is he new around here? I don’t think I have seen him before...anyways, I have several loaves of bread for you, all baked this morning."
Emma nodded to Aemon, releasing his hand and watching him get up. “Good luck…” She was surprised to hear that Aemon would be applying to the Academy but at the same time the only other profession she could see him holding in the city was that of a guard. Unless he had some hidden talents for crafting? In any case, she was glad to see him feeling better and setting out to better himself.
Looking to Roselyn, she smiled warmly. “Yes, he just arrived the other day all the way from Azar.” Emma said as she took the loaves from Roselyn’s basket and placed them upon a tray to be taken into the kitchen. “Mmmmm, these smell lovely, Roselyn, thank you so much for delivering them. I would have come to get them myself, but I’ve been dealing with a few things around the tavern with Sarai gone…” She said with a little frown. She was worried about her wife and hoped that everything was alright.
Pulling out her money pouch, she handed Roselyn the usual amount for the fresh loaves before replacing the pouch into her pocket for safe keeping.
“I should get back to it, the lunch rush is almost here, and I need to take care of a few chores before then. Let’s sit down and have a cup of tea soon, alright?” Emma said with a warm smile and a wink before excusing herself and taking the tray of bread into the kitchen. She hoped Sarai returned home soon…
Roselyn feels sympathy for Emma. She only been married for about two months to a guard named Sarai, and the latter has been gone for some time. She does not know the details, but it is probably related to the arrival of soldiers and other military officials from Valor. Whatever it is, it must be serious. Hopefully Sarai will return from what she is doing safe and sound. The last thing Roselyn wants to see someone experience is suffering. For Emma, it would be devastating if someone horrible happened to her spouse. The lunch hour is nearly upon her, which means she should get back to work, although she would like to share some tea with Roselyn sometime. Perhaps not today since she has to go back to the bakery to check on the state of operations, but perhaps she can make time for tomorrow. With the money for the bread safe in her pocket, she left the tavern and returned to her bakery, spending the rest of the work day before going home. Hopefully she can spend time at the tavern soon to have some tea with her friend.
Emma was an absolute wreck – Sarai hadn’t come home last night either. She was beginning to get very worried for her wife. Well, worried as well as upset and angry. This was not like Sarai, to be gone for so long without some kind of explanation or notice. Emma knew that she had been sent on some mission per the Lord Marshall’s orders, but still, she was beginning to think the worst. As a result, Emma just didn’t feel like working today.
Arising from her bed, Emma pulled on her robe and slippers. Grabbing a sheet of parchment and a quill, she scribbled a note before heading downstairs. Going to the door, she placed the note in the door for her usual patrons to see.
The note read:
Closed for Today – Sorry for the Inconvenience. -Emma
She hated to close for the day, but aside from the few people who were actually staying at the Inn, Emma just didn’t have the energy to deal with anyone. Heading into the kitchen, she made a bunch of food for her guests, setting it all out on the bar for them to take as they pleased. She left them a similar note, stating that the Inn itself was closed to other patrons and that lunch would be set out at noon for anyone who wanted it. Making a cup of tea for herself, she shuffled back upstairs and went straight back to her room. Shutting her door, she collapsed back into bed and hugged Sarai’s pillow close. Pressing her face into the fabric, she began to cry, her worry for Sarai beginning to overwhelm her.
The more time that passed throughout the day, the more dejected and saddened Emma became. Sarai still wasn’t back. Emma knew that this was part of being married to a guard but still, she hated not knowing what was happening. Despite her sadness, she trudged out of bed to make lunch for her guests, leaving it out on the bar as she’d done for breakfast. She washed the dished from the morning meal and the items she’d used to make lunch and then returned to her room – she didn’t eat anything herself; she didn’t have an appetite.
Emma performed the same tasks for the evening meal, although this time she stayed down in the dining area and made sure that everyone who was owed a meal ate before she cleaned it all up for the night. By the time the day was through, she’d cried all her tears. Emma made it a point to take a hot bath, soaking through two basins full of hot water before she was satisfied. After she dried and dressed to head to bed, she was like a new woman. Where her sadness had been before, a flame of anger stood – if Sarai wasn’t dead or injured, her wife was going to come home to a very emotional hellion…
Emma slept soundly that night, ready to face the next day head on. If Sarai knew what was good for her, she’d get her butt home in one piece and soon…
Student||Aemon, the Outcast [Where:] Jolly Tavern and Inn [With:] No one [Feeling:] Well-rested, refreshed, hungry [Outfit:] Azarian attire, red cloak [OOC:]
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[-Interactions for New RP Day Opens-]
The morning light broke into Aemon’s bedroom at the inn, illuminating the room with it’s brilliant radiance. It was enough to disturb Aemon’s peaceful slumber, making him squint his eyes as he turned this way and that in his bed in order to return to the peaceful inner sanctum of his mind. But, the damage was done. Once Aemon was awake, he always found it difficult to get back to sleep. In any case, he was awake now, and he gradually opened his eyes to the warm, homely inn room he had now grown very accustomed to. It certainly beat sleeping outdoors in the wilderness, he had to admit, there was something…fulfilling about having a room you could come back to.
Sitting up slowly, Aemon rubbing his eyes, then slid out of the bed, standing up and stretching his tired limbs and crack some bones. From there, he conducted his morning exercises, conducting 300 push ups, 300 sit ups and 300 pull ups, thanks to a beam on the roof. This morning exercise was much less stressful that what he would put himself through in Azar. Unfortunately, the inn wasn’t a spacious remote desert/mountain range terrain where he had enough space to conduct the real training he would put himself through, such as testing his agility and mobility in various environments. While it didn’t necessarily bother him, he couldn’t let his skills in combat faulter, as he full intended to continue his pursuit of mercenary work.
For now, however, he was in desperate need of a wash. Grabbing some towels, he made his way to the bathing chamber and after filling the tub, his disrobed and let himself sink in and relax. After a few minutes, he had begun washing himself, having little difficulty thanks to the rest and medicinal material provided to him by the herbalist Harphinia Raev. After giving himself a thorough cleansing, he stepped out, dried himself off and donned the clothes he wore when he first arrive, all washed and ready for use. He had, however, decided that the armour he wore from when he first arrived was incredibly worn and well beyond repair. If he expected to participate in further contracted work, he’d need better protection. He was sure that there was at least a few smiths around the city, though amongst the ramblings and banter of the inn’s patrons, he had heard of one particular smith in the Artisan District that was a master of his craft. However, Aemon would need to build some amount of coin, if the smith was as good as people said he was he’d more than likely charge some hefty prices for his wares.
His train of thought was lost at the sound of his stomach quietly rumbling. Right. Breakfast. Judging by the brightness of the day, Aemon could assume it to be 11:30am at the least, which wasn’t too bad when taking into consideration his particular eating habits. Once fully dressed, complete with his fashionable, though a little torn, red cloak, he made his wait to the dining area.
As he made his way downstairs, he noticed that the Inn was still relatively quiet. Good, he could eat in peace thankfully. He glanced around and looked for Emma. As he was technically an employee of the Tavern now, he least he could do is see if Emma needed help with anything in particular. “Hello? Emma?”
Well. Back here again. The Elementor stared around the exterior of the Tavern upon her arrival. She may have ended up coming here for a punishment but honestly? The atmosphere was intoxicating! So many people, chattering and laughing, in and out throughout the days. Or so she's seen during her short time anyway. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to come here on her free time once her week's up... But that's assuming whether or not the Tavern owner was even still mad at her. Guess one can only pray. She shook her head to shift her thoughts away from the minor concern and headed inside.
Upon entering she was surprised to see the place rather vacant, save a minimal number of regulars. Then again it's still reasonably early and things are likely gonna pick up as the day progresses. She did however, spot one face from the few that she at least interacted with, the white haired guy again. She'd give her usual grin and energetic wave as she walked through. Eyrli decided to make her way to the Kitchen to at least start helping before she was told, maybe it will help her get on the owners good side, at least a little. Conveniently, the woman appeared to already be in the Kitchen. Eager to greet Emma but wary to not overstep her boundaries, Eyrli would tap the ground lightly with her foot to make her presence known before waiting patiently to wave in the owners direction.
Waking up once more in a different location, Estarossa would sit up in bed slowly. As he pulled himself up to a sitting position, he was sure to not disturb the two women on either side of him. Smirking to himself, Estarossa would get out of bed and head to the bathroom. Leaving the bathroom, Estarossa's naked form would quietly walk through the room and to his belongings. Taking out a silky button-up shirt, he'd slid it over his head and pull his arms through the sleeves. Grabbing a pair of black leather pants, he'd slid into them and finish the look with a belt. Putting his boots on He'd make his way from his room downstairs to the tavern. Estarossa wouldn't care if the women stayed or left. He didn't care if they even robbed him. Bc he knew their faces, he'd find them easily enough. But he wasn't worried about it, not in the slightest.
Arriving down at the tavern part of the inn Estarossa would look around. Two people were in the vicinity. A man with white hair, very intriguing and also quite attractive. The other was a white-haired girl, she was quite cute. But what were the chances he'd find two people that looked so similar in the same area? Did he perhaps miss the memo? Were they related perhaps? Regardless Estarossa would make his way over to the bar area and sit. Watching the white-haired girl wave to the owner as well as the white-haired-male, who even addressed her by name. Estarossa had nearly forgotten it as he was quite busy when he purchased his room last night. But the male's voice calling out for her reminded him. The owner's name was Emma. A very attractive woman who seemed quite polite and quite sharp for a commoner. Something Estarossa always noted when interacting with people.
In his time he had seen a lot. Most the time commoners were unruly or uncouth. Rarely educated or capable of holding a civil conversation. Estarossa detested them. But so far Eoana was proving quite different from what he had experienced up to this point in his life. Most of the people here were quite...generous to say the least. At least when it came to certain aspects of his visit. Smiling to the two he would sit quietly waiting to be helped by the owner. He didn't typically eat a lot when he first woke up, but he could go for a drink, water, milk, something. For now, he'd simply watch the other two in silence.
