The Sea Dunes Inn and Tavern

[Idrial]

Idrial breathed in deeply the air that blew off the waters, creating a chilly breeze across the docks. "Ah, that is heavenly isn't it? I did not have time to appreciate the calmness of this place before." She folded her arms and stepped lightly across the wooden boards. When she reached the end, she paused looking out across the waters. Somehow the fresh air seemed to make her wound less painful, and her thoughts less worried.

[Vilik]

Vilik followed her as she walked to the end of the dock, standing behind her as she starred out across the water. "Well, I can certainly think of worse places to be than a moonlit dock with a pretty lady." He glanced at her as he said it, then turned his eyes back to the water.

[Idrial]

Idrial looked toward him, surprised by his words. She was grateful for the darkness to hide the blush that rose to her cheeks. She placed her hands on her hips and glanced toward him. "Oh, can you now?" A smile rose to her lips, and she returned her attention to the waves. Then she became thoughtful. "When I told you I was thankful for your help, you jested about it...but I really am grateful. I would surely be dead by now. I meant what I said." She glanced toward him before quickly averting her gaze to the water.

[Vilik]

Vilik smiled and joked as he looked out across the water, "Well, like I said, think nothing of it. Saving damsels from the clutches of evil is a pastime of mine." He thought to himself for a moment before looking back at Idrial nervously. He brushed the hair back off her stitched wound, studying it with his eyes. He was about to make some comment about it as his eyes drifted back to hers when the urge struck him to kiss her, yet when the thought struck him, he realized that he had already done so. He looked at her for a moment, then glanced down, giving a slight laugh as he awaited her reaction.

[Idrial]

Idrial was caught off guard by his sudden kiss, and she watched him carefully as he pulled away. Her mind swam for a moment, and she begged herself not to let the dizziness become overpowering. She hesitated, but finally stepped toward him, allowing her lips to meet his for another brief moment before she turned and took a step away...suddenly ashamed of her rash response. "Forgive me." She said, turning her back to him and looking out across the water as the color rose to her cheeks once more. The maiden was about to make some joking comment about how the full moon must be affecting her head, but it didn't seem so important.

[Vilik]

Vilik was a little suprised that she returned the kiss, but was relieved that her response was not to stick him with her dagger again. He smiled when turned and took a step closer to her, placing his hands gently to the side of her arms, "Forgiven, though, I did not consider it an ill thing."

[Idrial]

Idrial swallowed before inhaling deeply as she collected herself. She felt his hands upon her arms as he moved up behind her, but she said nothing...merely cast her gaze downward to the wooden dock. Certainly, if he knew what had happened to her he would not even pay her a second glance. "I...I'm sorry." She said, flustered as she pulled away from Vilik and faced him, backing up a step. "But I..." she shook her head, "I don't deserve this...You do not want to waste your time on one such as me." Tears welled in her eyes, and she once more cast her eyes downward, unable to meet his gaze.

[Vilik]

Vilik frowned, "You needn't appologize, Idrial. If I didn't want to waste my time on you, I assure you I would have long since made myself scarce." He reached up and wiped a tear that ran down her cheek. "I'm sorry if I upset you." He looked back down dock then back to her, "I can walk you back to the inn if you like."

[Idrial]

Idrial sighed and folded her arms about herself. "Nay, you did not upset me...I upset myself." She reached up and took his hand as it wiped away her tear, grasping it for a moment before she let go, allowing her own hand to fall back to her side. "It does not matter to me, but if you are ready to go back then we might as well." The maiden tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced back in the direction they'd come.

[Vilik]

Vilik smiled, "Well, theres no need to go upsetting yourself." He reached and took the hand that fell to her side, grinning as he began to lead her down the dock. "Come along, we'll walk back through town, perhaps we will find somthing to do, or just walk if the company is good."

[Idrial]

Idrial glanced down at their clasped hands before moving to keep up with him. "Are you saying the company might not be good?" She placed an offended expression upon her face as they continued back down the dock, but was barely able to keep the edges of her mouth from turning upward in a smile.

[Vilik]

Vilik gave her a serious look, "Well, I don't know, the company here on this dock is questionable, maybe it'll be better back in town." He winked and smiled as he finished saying it and slipped his arm around her shoulder as they continued walking along. "You know, to be honest, I was a little relieved when no one decided to come along at the fortress."

[Idrial]

Idrial glanced up at him with mock irritation at his first statement, but a smile finally appeared upon her lips as well. "Yes, perhaps it will." She finally relaxed, and leaned against him as they walked along, once more reaching the streets filled with shops and stands. "Oh?" She said to his second statement. "And why might that be?" The smell of smoke reached her nose, and she looked around for its source, finally spotting a small burnpile in which an older man was tossing dead leaves.

[Vilik]

He looked over at her and grinned, "No reason..." He said simply in response to question. He looked curiously as they passed the man burning leaves. He thought to himself it was an odd sight for he'd seen very few trees here in the surrounding desert. "Funny that it gets so chilly here at night, a desert really is an odd place isn't it." As they walked through the vendors again Vilik slyly snatched a desert flower from some ladies stand as they passed, glancing back momentarly and smiling when he saw the merchant didn't notice. He stopped, turning toward Idrial, and brushed the hair away from her wound again. "Hows this?" He slid the stem behind her ear, situating the blossom to cover her bandage since she seemed paranoid when people looked at it.

[Idrial]

Idrial glanced back, confused as Vilik seemed to be snatching something from one of the nearby stands. But her confusion was gone when he placed the blossom over the gash. She reached up to touch its petals gently with her fingertips, feeling their softness. "Much better, thank you." She glanced up toward him briefly, before returning her attention to the street ahead. There was a commotion in the crowd ahead, and it briefly parted, allowing a barking dog to race through. Idrial quickly sidestepped to get out of its way, and its noise was quickly lost as it raced passed and disappeared into the throng of people behind them. She laughed, "Isn't it odd how so many people can still be out and about even after the sun has set?"