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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 22, 2009 1:56:53 GMT -5
"I guess..." Alice nodded, her gaze still low. It was true - she'd met many unkind people during her travels. But for some reason, Miss Jane's brushing off of the incident annoyed her more than things like that usually did. Maybe because the effects of her act had fallen onto someone else, Kalas, and not her. Thinking about it, she realized that she wasn't sure she'd be so mad if it had been her Miss Jane had abandoned - something about watching her leave someone else was harder. Maybe she would've reacted more like Kalas himself had.
"And well..." She continued, lifting her gaze slightly. "I'm not really sure if being able to fly is a good thing or not, but maybe that and traveling are what made me strong. Don't forget that you're younger, too!" She reminded, smiling. "I'm sure that you'll still get a lot stronger than you are now! But cooking and sewing are good skills to have. I'm not particularly good at either."
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Post by Ruko on Oct 22, 2009 6:47:34 GMT -5
Get a lot stronger? Kalas didn't think he would. And Onee-chan hadn't thought he would either, because of the fact he had always been such a sickly child. It had been really hard for him to ever be able to play because of his asthma, as it had used to be a lot worse, and so he had stayed inside, learning how to do "women's" jobs.
At Alice's last words, Kalas smiled. That was ironic. "It's the same with my Onee-chan. She's not very good at cooking or sewing, though I tried to teach her how to do both. She'd prefer to be doing something active, like climbing." Xelha had always wanted to fly. She'd always thought it'd be so cool if she could soar into the sky. Maybe, when they were reunited, Alice could take Xelha flying! She'd really like that.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 22, 2009 17:48:58 GMT -5
Alice just smiled. "I hope I get to meet her someday." She wondered what she was like in person. If she stayed with Kalas, she hoped that she would get to see them reunited. What would she do then, though? If she did stay and they did find her, would he still want her around anymore? Why would he, if he had his big sister...? She'd never had a brother or sister, or any family at all, even since she was barely old enough to remember...she wasn't really even sure what that would feel like. She suddenly forced her thoughts away, putting her smile back on her face.
"Come on." She prompted gently. "Let's go find somewhere to stay and get some rest." She figured they both needed it after a full day of work, and especially after the stress that'd followed.
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Post by Ruko on Oct 22, 2009 18:48:43 GMT -5
Kalas smiled at Alice's words. Yeah, he hoped that Alice and Xelha could meet. It'd be really cool, and he was sure they'd get along really well. As for the wings, Xelha would definitely accept her even though they were black. She'd definitely be cool with it.
"Y-Yeah." Kalas yawned, his exhaustion finally hitting him. "I-I'm t-tired." With that, he stepped out of the cave, into the last rays of sunlight. It was a pretty sunset, and normally Kalas would've stopped to watch it, but he was tired. He'd do that another time. Looking to his right, where they had come from that morning, he frowned slightly, thinking. "I-I'm p-pretty s-sure w-we p-passed an i-inn this m-morning." He stammered, before looking at Alice for reassurance. If she thought that, too, then they'd go that way. If not, well... She WAS the older one. She'd know what to do.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 22, 2009 21:49:29 GMT -5
Alice paused at his suggestion, trying to remember. Eventually, she nodded. "That sounds right. That's probably the main part of town anyway, so there should be one there."
Noticing the ache in her legs now as she started moving, she quickly started heading towards the direction they'd originally entered from. It was almost dark now, but a pinkish, red glow still cast a warm shadow on the town from the sky. It was indeed a prettier place than she'd imagined. It was quiet now, with most of the miners and other villagers already having returned home, but she could still catch the sight of flickering candles lighting up windows, and the sound of faint voices from within them. It was a lot more peaceful away from the mines.
Finally, having reached what appeared to be the main area of the town, near the entrance, Alice glanced around, searching for anything that might be an inn. "Oh! Is that one?" She wondered, noticing a two-story building that was a lot larger than the others. It looked a bit run-down, but there was light coming from inside, and a fenced garden that looked a lot nicer than the actual building planted out in front.
She took a few steps closer towards what looked like a sign hanging from the gate. She hadn't been able to read it under the increasingly dim light, but now that she was closer, she could see that the words 'Miner's Town Inn' were painted on top. "Ah, it is one!" She chimed in relief. Now she just hoped that they wouldn't be too expensive, and that there was vacancy.
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Post by Ruko on Oct 23, 2009 13:35:45 GMT -5
Kalas followed behind Alice, tired, and occasionally tripping over his own feet, though he managed not to fall. The streets were pretty much deserted, which was good, because if there were more people, he would've fallen for sure. That was the last thing he needed, as he wasn't sure he would be able to get back up.
He smiled in relief, as Alice discovered an inn. "Th-thank g-goodness!" Kalas exclaimed, before entering the inn, passing through the pretty garden, and going through the door. It seemed fairly busy, but as busy as the inn they had stayed in before. There should definitely be room, and it was a lot nicer-looking indoors, though simple, than it had looked outside.
Kalas went up to the front desk, where an older man sat. He seemed nice, and smiled as he looked up from the book he was writing in. "What can I do for you two?"
"D-Do y-you h-have a-any r-rooms a-available?" Kalas stammered quickly. He hoped Alice would take over for him soon.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 23, 2009 19:02:19 GMT -5
The man nodded. "Yup. Two left. They're 100 gillah each. They each have two beds - would you two like to share one?"
Alice nodded back, sharing a room had worked fine back in Araku, and at least this time they wouldn't have to debate about who would sleep on the couch. "Yes, please." This time, she reached into her bag, pulling out the gillah Kalas had given her when they'd first met. It'd actually been quite a lot, and she figured that she may as well use it. She handed it to the innkeeper, who in turn reached back for a set of keys.
"Alright, here you two are. Your room is number 14, upstairs and at the far end of the hall on the left. There are candles in the drawers. Breakfast tomorrow starts a few hours after dawn, and you're welcome to come down and ask me if you need anything. Enjoy your rest." The man smiled, handing them the set of keys.
"Thank you." Alice chimed, before turning towards the stairway. The inn was actually quite cozy, she decided. It had looked a bit rough on the outside, but inside it was clean and well-kept. It was nice and warm, too, with heat radiating from the fireplace burning in the lobby.
Arriving at the top of the steps, Alice started wandering down the hall, glancing around for their room.
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Post by Ruko on Oct 24, 2009 17:06:18 GMT -5
Kalas almost heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that there were two beds, and especially when he heard that there were two beds per room. That way, they'd have to spend even less, and that was always a plus. He had also forgotten about the money that he had given Alice.
His eyes widened slightly as he realized Alice was already leaving. Scrambling behind her, he raced past the older girl, and found their room at the end of the hall. "I-I f-found it!" He announced, grinning proudly. "R-Room 14." He experimentally twisted the doorknob, finding it to be locked. Then, sheepishly, he noticed the keys jingling in Alice's hand. "O-Oh." He stammered, slightly embarrassed for having noticed the transaction.
(Sorry, it sucks, but I couldn't think of anything else for him to do until Alice unlocks the door.)
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 24, 2009 17:18:59 GMT -5
Alice just smiled, giving a slight giggle before unlocking the door.
It opened with a creak, revealing the room. There was still a slight tint of light coming in through the curtained window, but Alice hurried to the drawer and lit a candle with the matches there before taking a good look at it.
It was actually a bit bigger than the room they'd had in Araku. As the innkeeper had mentioned, there were two beds, and there was also a couple of padded chairs and a table across from them, with the mirrored dresser alongside it.
"It's nice!" She beamed happily, before plopping down into the nearest bed, with Tessa jumping up after her. "At least this time we both get to sleep in beds!" She added, passing Kalas a glance.
(Oops...I probably should've had her unlock the door last time xD)
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Post by Ruko on Oct 24, 2009 17:29:06 GMT -5
Kalas grinned, agreeing. "Y-Yeah!" He sat on the other bed, falling backwards onto it so he was laying down on it, with his legs bent and dangling off the end. It was so soft... He closed his eyes. "Ah... I-I'm s-so t-tired..." And he still had his stutter, even when he was exhausted out of his mind. Even when he had his asthma attack! Which reminded him...
The springs of the bed creaked as Kalas sat up, yawning slightly. "H-Hey, A-Alice." He looked down at his hands, hesitating, before continuing. "W-What w-were y-you d-down a-about i-in th-the caves? D-Did M-Miss J-Jane s-say s-something t-to y-you?" If so, it would explain why she was all worked up about Miss Jane sending him back in the caves. She could be all frustrated about Miss Jane, and had wanted him to fight back, as well. He never really fought back, though.
Biting his lip somewhat nervously, he waited for Alice's answer.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 24, 2009 23:45:52 GMT -5
Alice blinked, briefly taken aback. She hadn't expected him to bring it up again so quickly. Thinking for a moment, she pushed herself halfway up again. "Umm...well..." She started slowly, deciding to answer his question this time - she didn't really like keeping it to herself, and at least now they were out of those caves. He obviously already already knew that something was troubling her, anyway. "She asked me if I wanted to stay here... She offered me a permanent job at the mines, and somewhere to stay here... She said that it's hard for people like me, +anima, to find anywhere like that..."
Her voice trailed off. The girl absently petting the Tessa as she rubbed against her side with a quiet purr. "I...haven't decided that I will yet, though... I mean, I don't want to leave you already, and I don't really like Miss Jane!" She added quickly, her eyes downcast again.
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Post by Ruko on Oct 25, 2009 8:10:32 GMT -5
Kalas was surprised. That was all she was worried about? Really? It was fun not traveling alone anymore, and Alice was really nice, reminded him of Xelha, but he didn't want to hold her back from anything. That'd be kind of cruel...
He plastered a grin across his face. "Th-That's g-good! Y-You sh-should t-take th-the job, A-Alice! I-If i-it w-would r-really be th-that h-hard f-for y-you to f-find a j-job, th-then y-you shouldn't p-pass u-up th-this o-opppurtunity!" He hid the slightly sad look in his eyes, brushing away the thought that he'd be alone once more. "I-I'm o-okay b-by m-myself. I-If y-you w-want th-that j-job, y-you should t-take i-it, A-Alice!"
Now, he was slightly regretting that he had asked. Still, his curiosity would've gained the other hand yet again, as it had just done, and he would've ended up asking anyway.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 25, 2009 17:42:19 GMT -5
Alice looked up at him in surprise, not having expected the reaction. On one hand, she'd almost wanted him to say that he wanted her to stay with him. A part of her liked feeling wanted and needed, and it would've helped make her decision for her. But on the other hand, at least it sounded like he'd be okay with it if she did decide that it really would be best to take the job. Another part of her liked the idea of a real home - something she'd longed for for years - even if it did seem a bit lonely.
She sighed, looking down again. The same old questions fluttered around in her head. Should she really leave Kalas? He said he'd be okay with it, but she remembered how lonely he'd said he was before she came with him. Did she want this town to be her home? But should she really pass up an opportunity like this? "Well...I...guess I still have a while to decide. I suppose I'll see how I feel after a few more days." She decided, trying to force a smile across her face as well.
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Post by Ruko on Oct 25, 2009 20:09:17 GMT -5
"Y-Yeah! W-We s-still do h-have a b-bit i-in th-this t-town, I g-guess..." At the very least, he would have a few more days with Alice before he would have to set off alone, again. Kalas didn't really want her to leave, not at all. It was so nice, having someone there. Not like being alone. And who knows how long it would take for him to find Xelha! He didn't want to be alone for all that time!
But... Kalas didn't want to hold back Alice, just because of him. This was a chance for her to find a home. He already had one: with Xelha. It wouldn't be fair for him to hold her back just because he didn't want to be lonely. His stomach growled loudly, interrupting his thoughts. Kalas grinned sheepishly. "W-We sh-should p-probably g-get s-something t-to eat!"
Alice seemed... rather sad, Kalas noted, keeping the grin on his face. Maybe he could try to cheer her up? He didn't see what she would be sad about... And that smile was so fake.
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Post by TearsOfNightfall on Oct 26, 2009 3:17:15 GMT -5
Alice looked up again at Kalas' suggestion. "Oh...right. That does sound good!" She pushed a smile on her face again, trying to force herself to stop acting so melancholy. Now that he mentioned it, she was hungry. She absently put a hand on her stomach, noticing the ache in it now.
"Hmm..." She swung her feet to the edge of the bed. "Aside from breakfast, it didn't seem like they served food here at the inn...we'll probably have to go out again..." She thought aloud. She was indeed exhausted, and the idea of having to leave the inn again wasn't especially appealing. The thought of food was, however. Maybe it would make her feel better, too.
Sighing tiredly, she forced herself to her feet, before scooping up Tessa. Hopefully there were still some restaurants or cafes open.
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