tushanshu_logs | [closed] Like a storm driven bird at night we came flying out of the nowhere...

[Favrielle isn't the only one who lost track of time as the storm approached. Running to try and get some supplies to stock up her place before the storm hits, Yelena finds herself stranded in one of the markets, well and away from her suite in the Wood district. She doesn't mind the rain or the wind, but it seems clear that the storm is going to hit fast and hard, and she doesn't have long to figure out what to do.

Clenching the staff in hand, she can't help but be mad at herself for not finding out where more of her acquaintances live. If she knows someone nearby, she can get shelter with them until the storm dies down, but lacking that information narrows her options down considerably. Hugging her coat tightly around her as she carries bags and staff in hand, she considers her options, watching the kedan run up and down the streets for shelter of their own.]

[ Mandorallen has taken to standing watch at his window, because there have been quite a few kedan in need of assistance today -- and with no people of his own to protect, no substance to his honor, he's taken to helping the locals as much as he can. Stephanie's given him some good food for thought about the less fortunate, as well. So when he sees a woman struggling to get through the storm on her own, carrying a large parcel. She doesn't look like she's familiar with the area, either, with the way she keeps looking around -- Mandorallen begins to suspect that she might not be very close to home.

He steps out immediately, out of armor for once -- even the mail suit he's loathe to wear in such inclement weather. It was only recently that he had all the rust taken care of. Instead, he's dressed in plain clothes, though obviously well-made, a long-sleeved, collared shirt and well-fitted trousers. It's not quite what he's used to wearing back home, but it'll do for now.

He can't quite make out the features of the woman through the rain and wind, but when he cups his hands around his mouth, his voice carries well enough. ]

Fair citizen, dost thou require some assistance?

[The booming voice carries through the worsening weather, and Yelena's head turns automatically in the direction from where it came. She doesn't recognize Mandorallen at first, so her reply is delayed as she squints at him.

Even once she does, she looks up at the skies darkening, feels the wind blow hard, and realizes her options are few and far between. There's no guarantee she'll make it home before the storm hits, so she hefts her bag up and starts to make her way over. Only when she gets close enough does she call back:]

You're Mandorallen, aren't you?

[ The wind and rain whips at Mandorallen's face, but he shows little sign of being bothered, even without armor. He takes a few steps closer, his hand to his face to peer through the darkness. ]

That is my name, yes. And thou art --

[ He squints, tries to make out her features, and the light of recognition spreads across his face. ]

Yelena, art thou not? Prithee, come out of this storm before it turns ever the more dangerous. Thou canst take shelter with me if thou dost require -- and it doth seem to me that it shall soon become necessary.

[Yelena huddles in her clothes to keep warm and gives the surrounding area another look before reluctantly nodding.]

If you don't mind. I won't stay any longer than necessary, but I don't think I'd be able to make it back before this storm hits hard.

[She moves forward toward the entrance and then awkwardly adds:]

Thank you.

[ Mandorallen ushers her over to the entrance of the building, and he wishes he had some sort of cloak he could use to shield her from the rain. Still, they're almost inside. ]

Nay, my lady. I am merely glad to help thee. I assure thee, thou art causing me no inconvenience.

[ He smiles at her, quite genuinely, even though his hair is starting to mat to his forehead. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the weather. ]

Please -- I urge thee to come inside. Thou art free to stay until this raging storm hath passed.

[Yelena's judgment of character has always been a bit hit or miss, but the more she sees of Mandorallen, the more they speak, the more she gets the sense that perhaps he really is as honorable as he seems.

She steps inside when prompted and immediately sets her things down to try and wipe the worst of the rain off her clothes--then stops, looking at him uncertainly with a cold shiver.]

Sorry, I don't mean to drip all over your floors.

[ He just gives her a gentle smile, shaking his head. He doesn't seem all that concerned about the rain that's already soaked into his clothes, dripping from his hair. ]

It is but water, my lady. It will dry.

[ He smiles at her again, intending to be reassuring, and hesitates just a moment. ]

If thou wouldst follow me upstairs, I would be glad to start a proper fire and fetch thee a towel -- and, if it would be to thy liking, a change of clothes until thine can dry.

[Well if he doesn't seem bothered by it...

Yelena hesitates to take advantage of everything he offers, the fire and the change of clothes at least, but the rain was cold and honestly, she finds she doesn't have it in her to say no if she doesn't have to.]

A towel and a fire would be great.

[She manages a small smile herself.]

I'm not sure anything you have would fit me.

[Hi, she is kinda on the smaller side.]

[ He leads her up the stairs with a little shake of his head, looking none too bothered by any of this. Honestly, he's more than happy to help...and maybe a little overeager. He is destined to be a protector, after all. ]

Better that the garment is too big, rather than far too small. I believe I have a robe thou might make good use of. I assure thee, it is no trouble at all -- if thou wert to stay in such clothes, soaked and chilled as they are, and then catch thy death of cold, I would not be able to bear the weight of the guilt that would sure press upon mine heart.

[She follows him up the stairs, perhaps a little more slowly as she looks around to get a feel for the space of the room. It's not that she doesn't trust him but...it seems wise to be aware of the entrances and exits to any room.

Yelena heads up a bit quickly to catch up, watching him carefully.]

Do you always care so much for the welfare of others?

[She's not saying not to the clothes in that case then, though the prospect of wearing just a robe gives her pause.]

[ As soon as they're upstairs, he immediately busies himself with starting a fire. This is the sort of work that would ordinarily left to servants, but Mandorallen is far from incapable. He's often on the road, and he's not in the habit of dragging serfs along on his journeys.

He glances over at her as the fire starts to really come to life, looking at her as though she'd just asked him why he breathes. ]

Dost thou truly find it so strange?

[And that expression on his face is all the more unexpected. He seems so utterly baffled by her query.

Carefully, Yelena draws closer to the fireplace as he works at the hearth and shrugs.]

It just was rather unexpected for someone you don't even really know. To open your home, offer me a place by the fire, a towel, and a change of clothes--not that I don't appreciate it! Just, not everyone would go the extra step I think.

I see thou art unaccustomed to hospitality.

[ Mandorallen gives her a smile, though it goes slightly forlorn as he fetches a towel, handing it to her with a surprising gentleness. ]

My home is one torn apart from war. It hath been so for many a century, and yet, despite the treaties we may sign, or the conferences we may hold, we are as a people doomed to repeat the grim cycle of history. I have myself no great love of war, though violence be my trade. Such gestures as I do extend to thee now may do little to make up for the violence I have brought into the world, but it is a start.

It's not my lot in life to be accustomed to it.

[Yelena takes the towel with a nod of thanks and immediately begins drying herself off where she can. She squeezes her hair in the towel before trying to wipe what rain she can from the rest of her body. Shoulders down to legs as she listens to him, glancing up every so often with curiosity.]

It's too bad that more men in your line of work don't possess the same attitudes. There are far too many who enjoy the violence.

[ He gives her a rueful smile, shaking his head as he dries his hair off with his own towel, though he isn't nearly as soaked as Yelena is. ]

Verily, that is the curse of mine occupation. I myself am no exception; many a time hath the war horn drowned out the sound of all else to mine ears, urging on me and my lance. But I hope I might bring as much peace into the world as I do violence.

[ He sets the towel down and pulls a robe out -- definitely a little big for Yelena, with Mandorallen's height, but not so much that she couldn't wear it. He offers it to her with a smile, and gestures to the next room over. ]

If thou wouldst like to change, the room beyond that door is free. I can set thy clothes by the fire to dry.

[Dried enough to not feel like she's dripping all over his floor, Yelena reaches out to take the robe he offers. She wonders for a split second if it's a spare or if it's his, but in the end it doesn't really matter, does it? She needs to get dry and getting her clothes off and in front of the fire would be fastest.]

Thank you. I'll just be a moment...

[She heads into the other room and closes the door behind her securely, out of habit more than any mistrust, and starts to peel her wet clothes off.

It's interesting. He's nothing like Ari and Janco, not in any noticeable ways, but just the same she thinks that her friends would like him. They don't hold the same attitude of promoting peace but...it seems something they would respect. Perhaps it's for that reason she trusts the knight.

Yelena drags the over-sized robe on and ties the belt tight around her waist before gathering up her clothes and carrying them back out with her.]

Do you think the storm will last long?

[ She looks all the more diminutive dwarfed by Mandorallen's robe, though he's careful not to stare -- he is, after all, a knight, and a certain propriety must be maintained. Such nobility is second nature to Mandorallen, though, and he averts his gaze subtly with a small smile, taking her clothes and spreading them out neatly by the fire.

He's glad she accepted his offer, too. It wouldn't do for her to catch cold. ]

It is hard to say, if I may be honest. This land is unfamiliar, and so is its weather -- this place doth certainly hold many strange wonders which few may comprehend; the weather may be just as mysterious. Were my feet still sweetly upon the earth of mine own world, I would expect a mere few hours, or perhaps the duration of the night. But here...here, I cannot tell.

[ He turns away from her, moving toward the closet, the door of which had been left ajar. He shrugs himself out of the long-sleeved shirt he'd been wearing, now spotted with wet patches from the rain, and lays it over a vacant, stiff-backed chair. Reaching into the closet to produce another shirt, he continues. ]

But at present, it doth appear quite torrential. If need be, thou art welcome to take shelter for the night. It may be yet unsafe to journey home until morning.

[Yelena has to admit that she's watching his reaction carefully as she exits, watching for any sign that he'll take her being in a robe as too tempting to resist. It's not that she expects it from him but there are been far too many untrustworthy men in her life.

He seems more concerned with not staring and getting her clothes dried as he said he would, and the tension eases from her shoulders. She follows him over to the fire and takes a seat in front of the hearth. The fire's too inviting after the cold, wet weather.]

Only if you're sure. I wouldn't want to intrude.

[If Yelena sounds a bit distant replying, it's just because for a moment he's half-undressed in that room and what was under his shirt is quite impressive. She's been around a lot of soldiers as of late, but if she thought Ari was well built, Mandorallen seems to put him to shame. She cranes her head, noticing the scars as well and finds herself too curious to not look.]

I assure thee, it is no intrusion. In truth, I find the solitary natures of these apartments somewhat lonesome. I would be lying if I were to claim I was not glad for thy company in some small way.

[ He selects a shirt and pulls it over his head, turning back to face her as he tugs it down over his chest. It's hard not to catch her staring, though, and he has the decency to look slightly embarrassed, almost chastised. ]

Ah -- mine apologies, my lady. I am afraid I have become far too accustomed to solitary living and have forgotten some measure of my propriety.

[She looks away once he catches her watching and looks over at the fire. The truth is she usually doesn't watch people like that, especially if they're undressed but well, she'd been impressed indeed.]

It's okay. It didn't bother me and you're in your own home.

[Eventually Yelena manages a bit of a smile as she tugs at the robe around her.]

But you're right, having company is nice. It's just not always easy to find good companions.

[ Still, propriety is propriety, and he is a Mimbrate. Mandorallen frowns to himself all the same, but it fades in a moment as she smiles. He has found Yelena to be so guarded -- a trait, admittedly, not all that uncommon to the foreigners here. But there's something about Yelena that makes him glad to see her smile all the same. ]

It is indeed so, however unfortunate. It doth seem I have found pleasant company in thyself, if I dare say.

[Her smiles used to be a very rare thing. They still are to a degree, especially in new situations like this. Mandorallen is very good at putting her at ease, however, and the smile stays.]

Thank you. The feeling is mutual.

[After a moment she heads over to the fire, to the side of her clothes, and takes a seat in front of the hearth.]

[ He's pleased at her apparently growing comfort around him; for one who might pride himself on his ferocity in battle, Mandorallen doesn't want the man he is out of armor to discomfit anyone. He considers himself a gentle man when his sword isn't in hand, and it's with a smile that he tugs at the hem of his fresh shirt and takes a seat next to her, at a respectful distance. ]

It gladdens mine heart to hear so, my lady. And if thou dost truly find me good company -- then wouldst thou permit me to make an inquiry of mine own?

[Yelena's comfortable enough to not create more distance between them when he sits next to her. She wraps her arms around her knees, drawn to her chest, but looks over with a tilt of her head.]

You're welcome to ask whatever you want, always. I just can't promise there will be answers every time, depending.

[It's only fair to be up front about that.]

[closed] Like a storm driven bird at night we came flying out of the nowhere...

POISON TASTER SEEKS PAINFULLY ARENDISH KNIGHT FOR RESCUE MISSION

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