Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
As the year comes to an end, an abnormal cold snap has taken over Tendaji. The mountains of Zena are covered in a blizzard, and even the desert of Oba is feeling a bit of an abnormal chill.
[ What do you get up to during the cold? Do you find a place to warm up, or check up on a friend? ]
The inn was usually filled with patrons eager to throw their spare money around. Today, half the seats were empty while the other half consisted primarily of those who didn't have a warm place to stay. The patrons might not be big tippers tonight, but Faamy was more than willing to entertain on this chilly day. They needed it all the more!
She had just finished a set and was taking a break. She ordered mulled wine and perched at a table near a window. In a thick but fitted sweater with a long and heavy skirt, she could barely feel the cold. Frozen flakes danced outside, and she couldn't help wondering if a certain handsome Geian was doing alright in the unseemly cold. How nice would it be to send him a hot meal and a drink? Too bad she didn't actually know where he was staying...
scarlett arbuckle
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2025 7:51 pm
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(1/7)
Gabhan wasn't... unused to the cold. Belrea saw its fair share of winters, and coming from a family of farmers he was more than used to working throughout the year, rain or shine. ... But it really wasn't until he now that he realized how very mild those winters were, compared to the mainland - and that was even before realizing that this sort of event was unusual, even here. Work had been downright miserable, throat and lungs burned by the cold, air puffing out in crystalline clouds as he hurriedly aided a local fisherman in retrieving what traps he could before the waters froze over completely, but thankfully once that was done he and the other workers huddled around a fire as they plucked fish and critters from the traps.
By evening, Gabhan's hands were pruned and numb from the cold, and he knew his hope of taking his new instrument out for a test run that night was out of the question - one song, and the tender skin would rip right open. Resigned, he instead accepted the invite of a few of the other young workers from today's run, and went out into the snow once more, headed to an inn that was a little more upscale than his budget could normally afford, but apparently had the best wine and stew for weather like this.
"Gotta get good gloves if you're gonna keep up this work, Green." One of the workers, a stout Zenan woman chided, elbowing him as the group of four tromped through the light snow. Gabhan laughed and shrugged, too polite to admit he probably would avoid future fishmongering, if he could avoid it. Instead, he politely pulled the door open for the group, oblivious to the fact he'd just waltzed past the window a familiar, lovely blonde was sitting at.
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:39 pm
Faamy nearly choked on her drink as the group walked by her window. Was that really-?! Did she have summoning powers or what? Without hesitation, she quickly straightened her sweater, fluffed her hair, adjusted her skirt so that one round calf was uncovered, and sat as cutely as she could manage in the heavy layers. As the door opened, she raised her eyes to the rafters as though oblivious to her surroundings and waited to be noticed.
Faamy wasn't usually one to play coy in such a way, but she'd already done her part and magically summoned Gabhan to the tavern! Even if he had come with a group...
scarlett arbuckle
Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 6:04 pm
Cornetified
(2/7)
Gabhan couldn't help but give a quiet groan at the burst of warmth that swallowed him up the moment the door closed behind them. The atmosphere was jovial, warm and pleasant, and he'd taken a few steps after the group towards an empty (if still unbussed) table - when a flash of blonde and peachy skin caught his eye. He stumbled to a stop, heart pattering in his chest when he realized it was Faamy sitting there, pretty and adorable in a set of warm looking clothes.
He took half a step towards her when the reality of his situation hit him and made him freeze up, somehow more effectively than the ice outside - because there she was, pretty as a picture, and here he was half-frozen, and smelling distressingly of fish.
One of the workers he'd come in with paused to take in his stunned silence and, following his gaze to Faamy, grinned mischievously - grabbing up a bowl of some nice-smelling, wilted flowers (potpourri?) and shoved it into his hands, before nudging him towards her.
"C'mon lad, with any luck she won't get a wiff of ya through the wood smoke!"
Well - at least his acquaintences weren't upset he was ditching them. But Gabhan still felt embarrassed as he padded over to Faamy, somehow just as nervous (despite how well they'd got on the last few dates they'd had) as the first time they'd met. "Hullo Faamy! You look beau-- uh. B-bundled up!"
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 6:42 pm
Well, there were a surprising amount of cobwebs up in those rafters. Was that an old bird nest? When was the last time anyone had cleaned up there? For that matter, when was the last time anyone had looked up there? There was enough ground level to keep the customer's attentions. Food, drinks, entertainment, and- ah, finally, good company.
Faamy looked over at the now familiar voice and grinned. He was alone! Wait- 'bundled up?' She hoped that was a compliment! "Oh! Gabhan!" Oh. ...Oooooh. Her concerned amusement made the corners of her eyes crinkle now that she was getting a closer look. "Ya look like ya been through the wringer today. Ya alright? Kin I get ya a drink?" Her eyes flicked to the bowl of potpourri with confusion. What was he planning to do with that?
scarlett arbuckle
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 6:55 pm
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(3/7)
Hhhh. How could a man not melt when a lovely lady was THAT pleased to see him? Gabhan fiddled a bit with the bowl, almost forgetting his dilemma as a stupidly happy grin lit up his face at her warm greeting. When she noted him with concern though he looked down at himself, afraid perhaps he was more of a mess than he'd thought he was - but all he saw was his usual clothes, his fingers ruddy from their hard work today. "Oh! I'm just used to farm work, y'know- this fishin' stuff is new to me, that's all!"
He cleared his throat then awkwardly turned and deposited the bowl on one of the nearby empty tables. "Only if I can steal your l-lovely company and get your next one?" Gabhan tried desperately to regain the charm and flirtatious rapport they'd built their last few dates but the question came out stuttery and nervous- somehow the more fond of her he grew, the less confident.
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 7:19 pm
Faamy chuckled and nodded with understanding. Of course he was a hard worker! He was still making his name here, after all. Musicians often needed other work to sustain themselves in the early years. "Ah, I had my share o' farmin' growin' up. Tough work, yeah." Her eyes followed the bowl as it was set down, her head cocked with interest. "Never did fishin', though."
The question earn a lighter laugh of delight from her. How cute was he?! "I'd much appreciate it," she agreed. She waved down the barkeep, pointed to her empty mug, and raised two fingers to indicate more drinks. Once that was being prepped, she turned back and leaned forward to give Gabhan her full attention. "An' don't ye worry 'bout 'stealin'' my attention. It's all yers." She grinned playfully and fluttered her lashes. She just couldn't pass up the chance. "Ye're fishin' then? Those're other fishers ya came in with?"
scarlett arbuckle
Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 7:51 pm
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(4/7)
Oh? He hadn't known that. Gabhan's mind immediately pictured him and Faamy working on a little garden, growing their own veggies to supplement money made from their music work, but he hurriedly shoved the vision down, embarrassed. Goodness, they'd only been on a few dates, how pathetic was it to picture them in a cottage with a little garden? Even if it was a lovely vision--
To shut his brain up Gabhan scrambled into the seat opposite her, suppressing a shiver. The inn was warm and lovely, the seat comfortable, but this close to the glass of the window the chill from outside crept in. Soon though he'd have something warm to curl his fingers around, so he instead shoved them into his sleeves to warm against his forearms, folded on the table.
When she laughed, though, Gabhan's thoughts turned immediately back to besotted images and soon the cold didn't bother him nearly as much anymore. He waited until she'd finished their orders, then let out a breathy chuckle, heart pattering. She'd gotten into his skin good, if he couldn't even have a conversation without swooning over her! "Oh? I'll greedily hog it all then." He responded, confidence finally starting to return. "That they are. I didn't realize how fragile the work made your hands though, so - I'll try and find some other work after the town thaws. I miss my strings." He pouted, flexing his fingers a little. "This cold - this isn't normal right? I thought Zena kept all the snow."
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 1:05 pm
Faamy had to grin at the response. Gabhan absolutely had all of her attention. It.. was still a strange feeling, but it also left her feeling so warm and cozy that she couldn't be bothered to question it yet. "I can't imagine bein' in the water with this cold," she empathized with a click of her tongue. "Winters can get chilly, but this here's a deep one. Ain't normal." She reached out to touch Gabhan's hand. Those poor hands should be making music, not getting roughed up by freezing fish guts.
A whiff of said fish reached her right then. "Hoo!" She laughed with playful amusement and determinedly kept her fingers touching his. "Ye might be used ta it by now, but ya brought the smell o' the trade with ya." Despite the teasing, her eyes were alight with admiration. Working with fish could not have been Gabhan's dream, but he was willing to do the gritty work to make a living in the meantime. "Ya know... it's really impressive that ya work so hard. Ain't so common these days, seems like."
scarlett arbuckle
Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 7:07 pm
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Well, that was a relief at least. If he wanted cold like this, he would have gone further to the mountains! Gabhan opened his mouth to respond, but the warm touch of her hand interrupted him, leaving him flustered and delighted as he turned his hand so he could grip hers.
When she finally responded to the stink though, Gabhan groaned and leaned to bodily try and reach the abandoned potpourri bowl, all while stubbornly keeping his hand clasped to hers. It meant he had to give up after a few halfhearted swipes of his hand, so he sagged a little with a put upon pout.
He was hamming it up so much he almost missed as her teasing turned to a more... honest, appreciative tone. If his cheeks weren't warm before, they were now from her praise! "Well - one day I hope I'll be like you! Earning my meal while doing something I love." Her instrument wasn't far, so he was confident she was here between performances. "But until then I'll do what I can, so I'm not a burden on anyone I care about. I wanna be able to get YOU meals and gifts sometimes too, y'know!"
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2025 8:07 pm
The playful grabbing for the potpourri got the desired affect, making Faamy laugh with delight. Ah! So that was why he had brought the bowl over in the first place. With a little smirk, she stood up while holding tight to Gabhan's hand. "I got every faith in ya, darlin'. Might even do better 'en me one day. Maybe~" She stretched out as far as she could, tongue stuck out slightly from the corner of her mouth with the effort, and got her fingers on the edge of the bowl. "Ah-ha!" She gave him a triumphant grin and plunked the bowl onto the center of the table. Actually, that did seem to help.
Something shifted in her expression for half a second; not much, but the slightest bit of seriousness lowered her brow. Her other hand reached over so that she could hold Gabhan's between both of her own and squeezed, and an encouraging smile rose. "Sir, ya better not ever call yerself a burden on me, m'kay? Yeh just do yer best, whatever that looks like."
