[RP]Obake Blade

[Grace]

Katsuro reached the table by the time the others were about halfway through their meal. He sat next to his mother and ate quickly enough to finish just as the others were also finishing. Though her expression did not show it, Kaori was rather amused at the boy's speed while eating. He reminded her of Takara when she was younger.

 

Once the meal was finished, people began to speak of tours and the library, both of which Takara politely declined. Katsuro seemed to take a brief interest at the mention of the library, but as that group made a move to leave, the boy did not follow.

 

"Takara," Kaori said finally, "I want to see how your skills have progressed."

 

"Mother... here?" Takara stammered. Kaori smiled.

 

"Outside, of course," she encouraged. Leaning forward so she could see Katsuro, she asked, "Would you like to see just how powerful your mother really is?"

 

The boy grinned. "C'mon, Mom! Show off for once in my life!"

 

Takara laughed. "Alright." She and her mother stood at almost the same time and Takara grinned. "You've got yourself a challenge."

 

"Always do when I test you," Kaori said cheerfully. "That's the fun of it!"

 

"Well, well, would you listen to us?" Takara said, chuckling and moving toward the door. "Eleven years pass and we still sound like it was yesterday when we saw each other."

 

Kaori smiled. "Ah, but our travels will have had many different effects on our fighting styles. Let's see what you've picked up while I've been away."

 

"Oh, boy," Katsuro sighed. "You've asked for it..."

[JasraLantill]

Carwyn wiped his lips with his napkin as he nodded. "Sure, I'm up for a tour," he replied brightly.

 

As Maggie and Brother Hanzo made their introductions to Kyo and Tellis, Aya nudged Carwyn with her elbow. “C’mon,” she said quietly to him. “While they’re discussing scrolls and other boring musty stuff, I’ll show you the gardens. We’ll catch up to them at the library later.”

 

She rose from the table, nodding at the Abbot and then at Brother Hanzo, and then gave a wink to Maggie and said, “We’ll meet you at the library. I want to show Carwyn the ‘Meditation Garden’ first.”

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn set his napkin down and stood up, stretching his arms over his head as he did so. "Well, I think these tired legs could do with just a wee bit more exercise," he said as he fell in step behind Aya.

 

****

 

Tellis curtsied at Brother Hanzo, then said, "I would also like to avail myself of your library as well, Brother." She glanced at Kyo. "Mr. Ruroni isn't the only one here who is something of a scholar," she said wryly.

[Quist]

"Oh really, fair lady?" Brother Hanzo said to Tellis, looking her over.

 

"Ah, this is Lady Tellis Llyr," Maggie said, coming forward quickly to introduce Tellis to him. "She practices the healing arts, if I'm not mistaken."

 

Brother Hanzo nodded at Tellis, "A noble occupation, especially in today's world." He glanced up through the window at the darkening sky, then took a bowl of potato soup and a spoon off the table. Gesturing with his hand, he said, "Well, in consideration of the time, I shall take you to the library now, so you may start your scholastic efforts." He hefted the bowl and started towards the door. "Nothing like eating on the run," he quipped, then chuckled to himself at his own pun.

 

Maggie made to follow him, but not before turning to Aya and giving her a knowing wink and smile.

[JasraLantill]

Aya led Carwyn through a maze of corridors. “You’ll like the gardens,” she was saying to Carwyn over her shoulder as they walked. “They’ve got some really unusual trees—erm… bone… bond… I forget what they call them.” She frowned a bit. “Erm…they’re sort of like miniature versions of the real thing… Oh!” She grinned. “I remember now—bonsai trees. Anyway, you can't climb them but you’ll like them. And the garden is lit with torches in spots, so even at night, it’s a really nice place to be.” She finally stopped when she came up to a small short-framed wooden door. “C’mon….” She opened it and stepped through easily, although Carwyn would probably have to duck to get through it. “I’ll show you one of my favourite ‘contemplation spots’ by the fountain.”

[Rogue Nine]

"Trees I can't climb?" Carwyn echoed as he walked a little behind and to the side of Aya. "Ridiculous."

 

They came to a small entrance door at the end of the corridor. "I'm surprised you remember your way around here so well," Carwyn commented as he ducked through the low archway and stepped outside.

[ForceFightWMe12]

Kyo followed Maggie's eyes as she looked to Aya, and caught the secret exchange and knowing wink between the two. By the way Aya was looking at Carwyn, Kyo had a guess or two as to what she was planning.

 

A quiet walk in the nighttime through a garden that seemed to promise unparamounted beauty, beneath the stars, and alone with one that you were a bit more than attracted to...Growing close to the other, holding each other...perhaps a kiss...

 

The last thought crossed the warrior's mind with a strange vehemence that he himself couldn't place or understand. What Aya did with Carwyn was their buisness, and he knew he had no part in it - just as he had little part in anything either of them did. They were gracious enough to join him. All he was doing was leading them; he would have no place in their lives once they became bored with the quest.

 

Presently, he forced his mind to the matter at hand as Brother Hanzo, Maggie, and Tellis began to move off, Aya and Carwyn departing in the opposite direction. Having returned the librarian's greeting, he fell into step beside the monk.

 

"I deal mostly in the wars against the demons an age ago," he said, in response to the man's prior question, "Obakenare and her fabled sword. The blade itself, especially."

[JasraLantill]

The setting sun cast its last beams over the monastery garden, bathing the plants and flowers in a warm, orangey glow. Aya led Carwyn past the sculpted shrubs and immaculately pruned trees—not all of them bonsai, but still none of them very tall—to a circular pool. The pool was devoid of any aquatic plant life, merely a simple shallow pool sitting opposite the windows to the library.

 

“This is my favourite spot,” Aya said. “It’s a reflection pool,” she said as she peered into the smooth water where she could see her reflection in the rosy light. “Though I think it’s supposed to be more for the thinking kind of reflection instead of actual reflections.” There was semi-circular bench by the pool and Aya took a seat, then motioned for Carwyn to sit down beside her.

 

Aya was silent for a moment. She bit her lip, then said, “You know, I’m really glad you decided to come with us. With me,” she added.

[Quist]

Maggie stole a glance back at Kyo as Tellis engaged in conversation with Brother Hanzo. He was staring off at the departing Carwyn and Aya, a curious expression on his face. She wanted a closer look, but as he started to turn back towards them, she whipped her head forward, so that he'd not see that she'd been staring at him.

 

It was clear that Aya and Carwyn were quite attracted to each other and sparks would probably end up flying sooner or later. Maggie was happy for her friend that she'd managed to find such a seemingly pleasant person to be around, but part of her was also slightly jealous of Aya. Being as secluded as she was didn't give her very many opportunities for any sort of meaningful relationship, and she'd always been able to commiserate with Aya about that, until now.

 

As they walked along, Maggie couldn't help replaying Kyo's look in her head, because it was something that she thought she was feeling as well.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Ah, yes, yes. The demonic wars. I know a bit about them, to be sure. However..." he coughed slightly here, "I'm sure that you've learned anything that I could tell you."

 

The brother led them out of the dining hall and into the entrance hall, guiding them up the same steps that they had taken prior. However, they stopped at the second floor, this time, and they quickly travelled through the corridors that dissected the level. Within moments, they had reached large, oak double doors. Scenes of mythology were hand-carved into the stained wood, and the great doors stood wide open to reveal the immense library they sheltered.

 

Shelves upon shelves were stored in the room, to the point that Kyo couldn't see clear to the other side of the immense room. A small blacony rimmed the library's walls, with even more shelves stored there as well. The display was really quite impressive.

 

The collection of books here was just as large as the room was; a feat that was quite an accomplishment when the monks' lives were so meager. All forms of literature and written word could be found - poetry, legends, biographies, historical accounts...anything that could possibly be wanted by a scholar, the swordsman had little doubt that it could be found here.

[Jason Skywalker]

Akira strode around, hands on pockets, slightly hunched, and strode around wherever his brain took him to. He wasn't exactly sure where he should be going. Just rest, go with Kyo to the library, go to that farm, but the place he actually wanted to be on was sitting on that cliff, staring at he sun. The person? He wasn't so sure. But he was just illuding himself. Next thing he knew, was in the garden, looking at Aya and Carwyn.

 

"Oops, sorry, i'm not ruining anything," Akira smiled, waving at them.

[Rogue Nine]

"I'm glad I came too," Carwyn said, his chest unusually tight for some reason. He wiped his brow, feeling uncharacteristically warm for some reason. This was the first time he and Aya really spent any time alone together without something holding them back...

 

As soon as he'd thought it, he knew he'd thought too soon, as Akira came sauntering in. How the stubborn warrior managed to follow them through the maze of corridors that Aya had led them through, Carwyn didn't know, but he did know that he didn't want the often densely inquisitive warrior around at the present moment.

 

"Actually, you might be, Akira," Carwyn said, trying to keep his voice under control. "Aya and I would like to discuss something in private, so could you please give us some privacy?"

[Rexraptor2000]

"Where would the books in macery be?" Toa asked Brother Hanzo, taking a moment to look over the library in a delighted manner. He may not have looked like it, but Toa was an overall scholar himself, and why he decided to follow the group to the library in the first place. A scholar of all the forms of macery and, like Kyo, the Demonic Wars.

[JasraLantill]

"Oops, sorry, i'm not ruining anything," Akira smiled, waving at them as he approached Aya and Carywn at the reflection pool.

 

"Actually, you might be, Akira," Carwyn said, trying to keep his voice under control. "Aya and I would like to discuss something in private, so could you please give us some privacy?"

 

"Actually, you're not ruining anything at all," Aya blurted. She had heard the growing tension in Carwyn's voice, and she immediately rose from the bench to diffuse the situation before it took a turn for the worst. "Erm, we were just admiring the garden," she said as she positioned herself between Carwyn and Akira. "It's quite peaceful here, especially at this time of the day. But... didn't you say you wanted to go to the library with the others?" she asked Akira. "I know the passages can kind of all look alike if you don't know them. Here...."

 

She gently linked her arm with Akira's and began to walk with him, leading him towards the door in the corner of the garden courtyard that led to the passage to the library. "I'll show you where it is."

 

She looked over her shoulder at Carwyn. "I won't be long," she said to him. She gave him a quick grin, then turned her attention back to Akira.

 

"You know," she said quietly to the young warrior as they walked arm and arm. "I couldn't help but notice that at dinner, when you showed your pendant to the Abbot, that he looked as if he recognised it for something else, but didn't look like he was going to offer any information on it. I don't want to pry, because it's obviously very personal... I mean, why else would a warrior like yourself wear it so close to his heart, right? But..."

 

They had reached the door. Aya opened it and the two of them stepped through and made their way down the corridor. "Well, I was thinking," she continued, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper as they made their way up a winding staircase. "Maybe Brother Hanzo can help you? He's been here longer than anyone else, and although the Abbot is very wise and knows a lot of things, Brother Hanzo is the one in charge of the library, and the one who knows the most about history, and records, and well, all sorts of stuff really. Perhaps if you take him aside and show him your pendant, he might be able to help you."

 

They had reached the open doors to the library and the familar smell of scrolls, dust, and ink filtered through her nostrils. "Here we are," she said to Akira. It looked as though Kyo, Tellis, and Toa were already perusing through the shelves while Brother Hanzo prattled on about how the library was organised and categorised while Maggie stood beside the old monk looking every bit like a dutiful grandchild.

 

Aya grinned at the sight of her friend. It was nice to have a 'place'--a position where you always felt comfortable, knew what to expect, and knew was expected of you. Aya used to have that when her father was alive, but now, things had changed. The only constant in her life now was Bob, and although she loved her admirable equine friend, he also came with responsiblities. Aya could take care of herself, but she wasn't used to being the 'caretaker' and provider for her entire family. And she wasn't at all sure how this 'quest' she had undertaken with Kyo fit into the big picture. How nice it would be to live here under the protection of the Abbot and have the support of a 'family' of monks to watch over you. Even though she knew it was wrong, she envied Maggie--never having to wander and always having the security and stability that living in a monastery brought. The life of a merchant traveller would never be such.

 

She let out a small sigh, before refocusing her thoughts on Akira's well-being. "Well, it looks to me like Kyo, Tellis, and Toa already know what they are looking for," she said quietly to him as she unlinked her arm from his. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you interrupted Brother Hanzo's orientation and asked him about your...." She nodded discretely at Akira's pendant. "...you know. Anyway, I've got to get back and show Carwyn the rest of the garden before it gets too dark. It's torchlit, but there are somethings that are only best seen in the daylight." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Good luck," she whispered, and then nudged him forward as she backed her way quietly towards the staircase so as not to distract the others from inside the library.

 

With light graceful steps, she quickly navigated her way down the uneven stone steps with ease and then hurried down the corridors back out to the garden courtyard. Nearly flying out from the door in the corner of the garden, she ran up to Carwyn, stopping just inches away from him.

 

She was breathless and her heart was pounding, but not completely from her hurried jaunt from the library. Just being here, a safe and familiar place, gave her more confidence, and the feelings of affection she felt for the ranger intensified within her.

 

"I told you I wouldn't be long," she said, staring up into his green eyes. She looked upwards to the library's tall windows faced the courtyard. "Not sure I would want to be in the library just now though. Brother Hanzo is giving the others a speech on where everything is. And he can have a tendency to prattle on a bit about his beloved scrolls and books," she added with a grin.

 

She then took up Carwyn's hand in hers, then turned to look at their reflection in the still waters of the reflecting pool. The long, fading rays of sunlight cresting over the roof of the courtyard made it look as though they both had shimmering golden halos. She let out a giggle. "I swear, Carwyn, I am not doing that," she said to him. "It's just a trick of the light." She sighed lightly, and smiled. "But, it is beautiful."

 

~~~~~~

 

((OOC:Apologies for the little bit of charry control, Jason, but Akira shouldn't have found Aya and Carwyn so easily, especially if he was going with Kyo and the others to the library. If you don't want Akira to be in the library, he's only just at the library door so he can leave and go where he wants to. But Carwyn and Aya need a few minutes alone. ))

[Quist]

"Our books on mancery are in the east wing, over that way," Brother Hanzo said to Toa, pointing in the proper direction. "Do try not to set anything on fire," he added worriedly as he approached Kyo.

 

"Have a look around, Mr. Ruroni," Brother Hanzo told Kyo. If you're searching for information on the demon wars, the scrolls on the second floor by Litvak should prove of great interest to you." He started towards a worn wooden desk off in the western wing of the cavernous library. "As for the blade of Obakenare, I have done quite a bit of research myself on it, so let me retrieve my notes while you peruse the scrolls."

 

Maggie followed Brother Hanzo to his desk, observing the old monk for any signs of discomfort. He seemed to be moving well, which pleased her. She was about to ask if he needed any help searching when the door to the library creaked open and in came Aya and the younger swordsman, Akira. That's right, Maggie thought to herself, he had expressed interest in visiting the library at the dinner table as well. I wonder why he didn't follow us when we made our way here, though... She shook her head, then made her way over to Akira as Aya slipped back out the door, no doubt to return to showing Carwyn around.

 

"M'lord, my apologies for not taking you with us to the library," Maggie said, bowing. She moved next to him and put a hand on his back to lead him into the library proper. "Might I ask what you're looking to research?"

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn felt the warmth of Aya's hand in his and felt it spread through him. The situation with Akira could have been worse, and he'd been ready to give the far too inquistive warrior a piece of his mind but thanks to her ever-amazing people skills, she'd deftly defused it, buying them more time together. She really was something else in that regard.

 

He looked at her, the golden halo from the sunlight shimmering brightly above her head. "You sure it's not you?" he asked, his voice a little high.

 

She shook her head as another giggle escaped her lips. "Yes, I'm sure."

 

Carwyn nodded. "Would it be incredibly dull and cliche to say something like, 'Not as beautiful as you are'?" he blurted, feeling his cheeks redden slightly.

 

Aya grinned and felt herself starting to blush as well. "No, not at all." She looked up at Carwyn with big brown doe eyes. "You really think I'm beautiful?"

 

"Well, if I didn't, then I'd not have tried that incredibly cheesey line on you just now," he replied, grinning back at her crookedly. Just then, a cool breeze whipped up behind her and blew a few stray strands of hair into her face. Carwyn lifted his hand up and pushed them back behind her ear, caressing her cheek as he did. "Hey, about before," he started, remembering something. "When you kissed me...was that really to just prove your point to Kyo and everyone?"

[Jason Skywalker]

(No problem, i don't really mind charry control unless they do something that is against his character and sorry, i was considering not doing it.)

 

"Ah, yes," Akira told Maggie, "I would like to speak to Brother Hanzo, but in private if possible and first i would like to analyze the scrolls with them."

[Quist]

Maggie arched an eyebrow as she led Akira towards the staircase to the side. "I don't know what scrolls you may be after, but all of them are up these stairs. Mr. Ruroni is already up there searching." She glanced at Brother Hanzo, who was still rooting around in his desk for his notes. "As for Brother Hanzo, you may speak to him at his desk now, if you like. I'll make sure that no one bothers you until you're done speaking with him."

[JasraLantill]

“When you kissed me...was that really to just prove your point to Kyo and everyone?”

 

Carwyn's hand brushing across her skin sent tingles down Aya's spine and she smiled, enjoying the sensation. She didn't answer him right away, rather she took a moment to think about the question he posed to her.

 

She had been slightly embarrassed by her kissing him in public at the inn—had even told herself it had been the ale’s doing, not hers. But the truth was, it had been her doing. She liked Carwyn—a lot—but she wasn’t sure if it was infatuation she was feeling, or if it was love. She’d never been in love before, but with her heart racing, her breath quickening, and her body tingling from just the lightest touch of his hand—if this wasn’t love, it sure was a great imitation.

 

Finally, she answered him. She placed her hands to either side of his face, raised herself up on her toes, and with eyes closed, she kissed him—gently at first, but then with purpose. She slowly pulled herself away from him after a second or two, and then averted her eyes shyly to view their reflections in the pool. “No.”

[ForceFightWMe12]

Kyo browsed amongst the many dusty scrolls and bound books. This truly was an amazing feat of the monks - by far, this library was the most impressive he had seen yet. Their collection of information on the demon wars surpassed any he had seen yet.

 

Within moments, a rather large pile of books had grown on a low table beside the sets of shelves, where he put anything that seemed promising to him. Once he had finished, he picked the lumbing pile up into his arms, and moved down the stairs to a seat he had spied from the balcony. It was a cushioned easy chair, made of worn velvet, that was set beside a large window that stretched nearly floor to ceiling. Perhaps a bit extravagant for the monks' way of life, but it was a perfect place to read a book. Before the chair was a small, low table - much like the one on the above level he had used - and he set the tower of books down there. On the opposite side of the table was a second seat, which as of yet remained vacant.

 

"Mr. Rurouni!" called Brother Hanzo's voice, and the swordsman turned to see the monk's head bobbing up from beneath the desk he had been searching through. He had retrieved a thick volume from the drawers beneath the surface.

 

Well, it wasn't a book, exactly, but was more of a hodge-podge mess of papers that had been tossed into an empty book binding. They were a bit crinkly, but otherwise were in good condition. Kyo thanked the Brother as he accepted them, and then moved back to his spot by the window.

 

As he set the notes down and took a seat, his eyes wandered outside, taking in the sunset as it scarred the sky with a violent red color, cutting across the few clouds that dotted the sky. Below the library was the monestary's garden, which seemed to be settling down for the night. A reflecting pool was glowing softly with the light of the setting sun, and a few light-sensative flowers were beginning to close their petals for the night. But none of this caught the warrior's attention. Rather, it was the two forms standing at the edge of the reflecting pool.

 

It was Carwyn and Aya, that much was certain. Even though they were slightly shadowed, no other woman in the party had hair that shone like Aya's, and Kyo could recognize Carwyn's body anywhere. Even as he watched, the merchant stood on tip toe...and kissed Carwyn.

 

So everything he had thought was true. She loved the ranger, and here was the proof - though he couldn't say that it wasn't obvious before now. His brows pulled together, and he could see his eyes flash in his reflection.

 

Only trouble would come of this. He knew already that their journey would be a stressful one - hell, they had only been travelling two days, and had already had to fight a bone dragon, an army of the king's men, and a rock snake. If that was any indication of how the rest of their travels, they would have very little time like this, to just sit and rest and enjoy the quiet. He knew that stressful times can pull people together - but they can also pull people apart. If Carwyn and Aya were to hurt one another on the trip...

 

But it wasn't this worry that had rooted in his heart - he knew that already. He was being rational, coming up with reasons for this inexplicable uncertainty and...anger? No...frustration.

 

There I go again, he thought to himself as he turned away from the window. He had no power in their lives or over their actions. What they did, what they decided, was their own. And it was not his place to interfere.

 

Sitting down in the chair, he surveyed the rather impressive collection of books he had positioned on the low table before picking one up and cracking it open. With this, he began his research, which was already promising to consume several hours.

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn was kind of expecting Aya to kiss him, but it still took him by surprise when she did it. It was different from the first time as well, as she started out gently, then pressed with a little more urgency. When she pulled away, she blushed again and looked down at the pool. "No," she said, responding to his question.

 

"I didn't think so," he said, his voice feeling somewhat normal again. He took her chin gently in his hand and turned her face towards him again. "I have another question, if you don't mind."

 

She reached up to entwine her hand in his. "You're full of questions tonight, you know."

 

"I know I am," he said, still grinning crookedly. He leaned forward and touched his forehead against hers. "So where do we go from here?" he asked softly.

 

She shifted, looking up into his green eyes again. "I don't know," she said. "Why do we have to go anywhere? Why can't we just…enjoy what we have for as long as the gods will allow it?"

 

He hesistated slightly. "That's not quite what I meant. I meant, what happens now? With you and me." He paused. "Us."

 

"We're an 'us' now, are we?" Aya grinned. "Well... I'm not...erm, I mean, I've never...erm,... I mean I haven't...." She paused. "This is my first 'us' situation." She shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not quite sure." She looked at him. "What do you want 'us' to do?"

 

He laughed, then looked into her eyes again. "I'm sorry, I'm pressing too much." He squeezed her hand. "I just want us to be happy right now, that's all." He tilted her face upward. "And up to this point, you've been the 'take charge' one. I think maybe I should take the initative for once, don't you?" Without waiting for her to respond, he leaned in and kissed her.

[JasraLantill]

It was the best kiss yet--warm and firm, yet soft and inviting--and Aya felt herself just melt. Her arms automatically encircled him in an embrace, not only to pull herself closer to him, but to keep her legs from buckling underneath her. The garden, the reflecting pool, the entire courtyard just seemed to gradually fade away, leaving only Carwyn and her together in a world of their own.

 

In fact, she barely even noticed that the breeze was picking up....

[Grace]

... and pick up it did! Within a few seconds, the trees were bending heavily beneath the wind. But somehow, the little bench on which Carwyn and Aya sat was somewhat sheltered from the breeze. The waters of the reflecting pool were no longer still, looking almost like a miniature ocean.

 

Then without any warning at all, the two lovebirds were pulled roughly out of their own little world as they heard a startled yelp, followed by a loud splash. The waters of the reflecting pool rose up in protest at further disturbance and delivered a mild dousing to both Carwyn and Aya.

 

From the center of the pool, Kaori arose, sputtering in her surprise at being dumped into a small pool of water. But she recovered quickly, soaring upward with her wet robes again sprinkling the unfortunate couple. Intent on catching her mother, Takara sped over their heads, barely five inches above and the wind from her passing shoved the lovebirds headfirst into the pool.

 

But mother and daughter were oblivious to the harm they'd caused and sped away, over the walls of the enclosed garden and on their way out of sight and sound. Only Katsuro, who was attempting to follow the fight between his mother and his grandmother managed to see what they'd done.

 

"Sorry," he told Carwyn and Aya. "I'm told they get this way..." And then, he ran off in a hurry to find them.

[JasraLantill]

Aya sat up in the shallow waters of the pool, completely soaked and shivering from the cooling effects of the brisk wind that was now turning into a light breeze again. She blinked, not completely sure of what had just happened, and merely watched Katsuro run past them without putting two and two together.

 

Her eyes widened in awe and she slowly turned to face Carwyn sitting beside her, who was also soaked to the bone. "Wow...," she said, brushing a finger across her lips. "That was some kiss." She shivered again. "Or was that something else entirely?"

[Rogue Nine]

"I'd like to think that every time I kiss you, that doesn't happen," Carwyn said, his teeth chattering slightly as he stood carefully. Holding his hand out, he helped Aya to her feet, holding her steady as they both stepped gingerly out of the pool.

 

"Oh?" Aya asked. "And why is that?"

 

Carwyn threw her a waterlogged grin as he led her by the hand towards the door. "Because, my dear Ms. S'Ornaku, I intend on kissing you quite a bit from now on," he said, swinging the door open and plodding inside.

 

Aya flushed again, feeling as if the heat from her cheeks could totally evaporate the water clinging to her person. Tugging Carwyn's hand, she said, "C'mon, let's go this way. I think we should grab a few towels and dry off by the fireplace in the common room."

 

"Sounds good to me," Carwyn responded, following her lead.

 

Aya ran a hand through her wet hair, pulling it away from her face. "What was that anyway?" she asked as they made their way through the corridors.

 

"From what I gather, I think Takara and her mother are having some sort of sparring match." Carwyn shook his head. "That Haruka lady must be an aeromancer as well." He shrugged ruefully. "I guess we just happened to be in the way."

 

"I guess so," Aya agreed as she pushed open the heavy wooden door leading into the common room. It was enormous, with a high ceiling dotted with suspended wrought iron chandeliers. The floor was covered in various woven rugs and rattan mats. Couches and chairs of various shapes and sizes littered the room, with the largest and most comfortable situated around the fireplace, which was burning brightly. "Oh, thank the gods," Aya sighed. "They've started the evening fire." She pulled Carwyn towards the crackling fireplace, which was being tended to by a kindly looking dark-skinned monk.

 

The monk turned to face the approaching pair and noticed their bedraggled appearance. "My my, what happened to you two?" he asked, his rich voice filling the room.

 

Carwyn spoke up first. "Ah, we had a bit of an accident by the reflection pool, Brother."

 

The monk clucked his tongue at them. "So I see. Did you not know that the reflection pool is not for swimming?" he asked facetiously. Chuckling at his own mirth, he held up his hands. "I am Brother Kitanga, it is nice to make your rather soggy acquaintance."

 

Carwyn and Aya shook his warm, calloused hands. "Very nice to meet you, Brother," the merchant said, remembering to bow.

 

"Yes well, I'd imagine you'd like to dry off a bit?" Brother Kitanga said, sweeping behind them and scooting them towards the fireplace. "Here, stay close to the fire." He smiled as he pulled back and moved over to a side door. "It is your lucky day today," he announced. "I've just finished a batch of fresh laundry, so I will be back momentarily with towels and a set of dry clothes for each of you." He disappeared into the side room.

 

Carwyn looked at Aya. "You know, I could really learn to like this place."

 

*~*~*

 

A short while later, they sat on the rug by the fireplace, dressed in white sleeping shifts and wrapped in dry towels. Their wet clothes hung on the wide mantel, drying slowly.

 

Carwyn stretched his feet out towards the fire, curling his toes in pleasure as the heat warmed them. "I could definitely learn to like this place."

 

Brother Kitanga chuckled his deep rumbling chuckle as he approached them, holding two steaming mugs. "Thinking of taking up the faith, dear boy?" he asked as he handed them the mugs.

 

"Almost," Carwyn replied, smiling warmly. Glancing over at Aya, his smile widened. "But not quite."