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Somewhere in the world (Candira and runawayninja)

The Prancing Unicorn was a practical inn, nice and with a good clientele and it happened to be on their path. It was well lit, smelled of roast lamb, and had good cheer about it. Rafe was all too eager to get a good meal, stout drink, and a soft bed. He ate quietly, only talking to her if he was talked to, the fight appearing to have shaken him in some manner.

It occurred to Candira that Rafe was looking for death. That he was seeking his end without doing the deed himself. He had confessed to her that he wanted to be rid of his past, it wasn't impossible to believe that he was looking for redemption through a noble death. Rafe looked at her occasionally through the meal as if checking for something, but he did not speak of his own accord.
 
((Please be careful about how you phrase things--I don't like it when people control my character for me unless they ask.))

Practical in form, fanciful in name, the inn they were staying at was a welcome sight. She didn't talk to him about the fight anymore, choosing to put that behind her as they entered the place for a hearty meal--something Rafe would need to help produce the blood he'd lost as well as revitalize him. From the way he was eating--he seemed pretty focused on the food. She couldn't help but wonder what he was looking at her so frequently for.

She asked him if he'd had enough food and ordered a bit more for herself as well as a drink. When she was satisfied that they'd both eaten enough, she paid the tab. "Rafe, is everything alright?" she asked, once they were headed toward the room they'd be staying in. "You seem...distracted."
 
((I do apologize, I'm sorry. I wasn't intending that at all, I just wasn't sure how else to make the idea known. I will avoid it in the future.))

He snapped to attention, looking clearly at her as they walked along towards the room. "Mmm? Oh...yea, I'm ok. I just...I wasn't sure how you might take seeing what I could do. Or how I acted. I..." He didn't finish until they got to the room they would be sharing. "I was afraid seeing me like that might make you...regret helping me. I was afraid...I might slip into being that person again. It feels like...there's a demon inside me, clawing its way out at every opportunity, and when I try to use force to do good, it tries to use that as an attempt to brutalize someone."

He ran his hands over his face. "What I did, it is a power from when I was a Black Rider. I had supernatural talents, we all did. I didn't do it for myself or to make him suffer. I did it because you joined the fight...and...I couldn't let you get hurt." He stared at her with quiet eyes, looking at her as if she were a symbol to him, a symbol of hope, something above him. Something he could fight for, strive for, but never obtain. "I can't let anything happen to you, Candira..."
 
((That's okay. :) Just be careful is all. PM's are good for that))

She watched him as they walked along--both for the sake of looking at him while he spoke, and for the fact that she was watching for signs of strain. Once they got to the room, she set her bag and staff down before sitting on the bed and listening to his explanation. It made sense--he seemed as though he was in pain constantly, and that didn't sit well with her. Motioning for him to come sit next to her, she looked right into his eyes.

"I was surprised to see your skills--last time we met I wasn't aware of them. The anger inside of you is something I can feel. I can see how much you don't want to become what you were...As for me, if I were to have gotten hurt, it would have been my own fault." The way he was looking at her confused her. She wasn't entirely sure of what he was thinking, but it almost seemed like he was worried about her more out of admiration than out of guilt. "Why am I so important?" she asked, tilting her head.
 
He looked down slowly. "You...I suppose I see you as...some kind of symbol. A key to my salvation. Maybe I'm just idolizing you when I shouldn't, but...I just feel like..." Rafe took a deep breath. "You were different. Most of the others I hurt were on the battlefield. Those who weren't were a nameless, faceless blur. But I saw you." His eyes turned back to her. "I saw the pain and anger I caused in you. It changed me. I had already started to suspect that my companions were less than human, but seeing you was what made me realize what we were doing."

"The Black Riders are not just powerful mercenaries, they...take on a supernatural guise. Those helms are more than just steel and protection...I didn't stay with them long enough, but I know that ever since...I've been able to call upon this power, the visage of Doom, my monicker. With the Raven as my avatar. You felt it, didn't you?"
 
As he told her what she meant to him she found it difficult to believe that she was any such thing to anyone. Then again, he didn't really have a reason to lie to her. And he'd told her that the rage he felt was like a separate being. she'd have to look into that. Perhaps a talk with a black mage would help. She watched him and felt a new respect for him for pulling himself out of that lifestyle--a new respect for herself as well. "I'm glad I could help make that change."

She frowned as he told her about the Black Riders. If she wanted more information, he was the person to ask...but she couldn't bring herself to do it now. Not when he was so vulnerable. "I did feel it," she said, watching him. "Is the power what you wanted?"
 
"A long time ago, yes. That was...almost a lifetime ago, a person I don't recognize. I...didn't want to be used anymore, didn't want to be weak. I thought...terror and power and the threat of its application would make people respect me. It only made people fear and hate me." Rafe took a rug that was on the floor and looked like he was making it comfortable for use as a bed.

"I come from a different land. And where I come from in there is far from cities and centers of justice and law. I grew up learning that one had to make their own law, their own justice. My family was bullied and used. I was bullied and used. And when my father could no longer protect us, my mother had to use every bit of political scheming and dealing to protect us, but that ran out too. Ultimately...I murdered a nobleman and had to run to save my sister and mother."
 
She watched him ready the rug and wondered if he actually intended to sleep on it. Still, his story was more compelling than a trivial matter like that. She nodded, understanding a bit better now why he would have been drawn to the Black Riders in the first place. "Hmmm...Well, I can understand that. It's reasonable to me...of course, that doesn't mean what you did is right, but I can't say it's wrong either..."

She stretched. "Well, in any case, I would like it if you would come with me in just a little bit. And if you're intending to sleep on the floor, forget it. You'll be sleeping in the bed because you need a good night's sleep. I'll request a cot for myself, and that's the end of it." With that, she stood up and started to put some of her things away in the dresser, casting a protection spell on them as well as an illusion--if anyone but Candira opened it, they would think it was empty.

"Alright. I need to get to the temple of Suma. Are you coming? Or would you rather stay here and rest?"
 
"No. What I did was wrong. Being hurt is not an excuse for hurting others." He spoke those words with a finality on the matter meant to close it. He was firm in his convictions about certain things and he wouldn't be moved on that fact. Rafe looked at her and gave a soft smile when she demanded that he sleep in the bed. "I'm not used to such kindness...I suppose I've come to expect that I've deserved all the bad things in life, but the good ones just...surprise me. Thank you, Candira."

"Of course I'll go with you." He slowly stood and walked to her side, prepared to escort her and to see her through anymore trouble that might occur.
 
She was satisfied that he was going to be well-fed and rested for what seemed like the first time in awhile. She wasn't sure what it was about him, but she just couldn't stop being nice to him. It must have been all of the punishment he'd endured at his own hands. She couldn't stay mad at a person with that kind of determination. Still, it felt good to do something for him.

"Alright, let's go. And remember, don't strain yourself."

That said, they were off to the temple. They traveled through a few seedy parts of town--but nothing too dangerous. When they arrived at the temple, many people were praying there, but just outside a person Candira knew well was waiting for her. She waved with a smile and hurried to meet them. The person happened to be her cousin, April. She had been spared in the attack years ago, and since then had worked with her cousin to bring life back to the town. The sweet girl was a swift messenger and had someone protecting her that was currently praying. She gave her cousin news and Candira gave her a little more than half of the gold in her purse to take home with her.

"Thank you for your efforts, Lady Candira...and who is your companion?" she asked curiously.

Candira left it to Rafe to introduce himself.
 
Rafe bowed politely. "I am Rafe, m'lady. A..." Rafe thought hard about his next words. He had to introduce himself before, but this was a friend of Candira's Why was it different? He wasn't sure, but it still felt different. "A landless knight." He chose to present himself as the thing that most closely described him. It was true enough. It was more complicated than that, but there would be too much he didn't want to explain to this woman who might think the worst of him. He took a moment to look her over to commit her to his memory in case it became important to recognize her. Landless knights were not uncommon and were an unfortunately tragedy of the second war.
 
April smiled and bowed back. "Well I'm glad that my cousin has someone to travel with for awhile. We all worry about her when she goes off like this," she said with a smile. "Please take care of her." With that she hugged her cousin and said, "Take care of yourself. It's time we leave. I'm sure I'll see you again soon." And with that, the young woman went inside the temple to find her companion.

Candira sighed and turned to Rafe with a smile. "Thank you for being kind to my cousin. I'll have to remember that story of yours in case we're separated. I just need to do a little praying here and we can go. Pray or simply wait." The redhead shrugged and then entered the temple as well, making a small offering of dried flowers from her homeland. She prayed that her lands had a good yield and were well protected. After a few long moments of dedicated prayer, the woman was up and looking for Rafe once more.
 
Rafe smiled at April softly and nodded to her. "I promise, I swear to take care of your cousin, no harm will befall her."

Rafe chose instead to watch Candira, looking at her praying. He had never felt a particular urge or need to pray to the Goddess of Harvest. But she appeared to be of great importance to Candira and so he chose to make a note of the goddess and of Candira's respect and reverence of her. He smiled a bit as she came back to him and he walked back towards the Prancing Unicorn with her. "You care about your people...not all landowners do, you are an admirable woman. Tell me, do you have any other family, any close family?" He chuckled a bit. "Is there a man close to you that I should fear?"
 
Candira got the feeling that he really was going to stick to his word. She wondered if that was because of April's apparent love for her. Whatever the reason, she felt as though she would have to be more careful than she usually was--she didn't want him to get hurt trying to help her. As Rafe spoke to her, she noticed that he was smiling a little. It was a nice smile. She hoped to see more of it.

"Close family? I'm afraid not. I have an uncle who owns lands closer to the capitol, but he never really sees us--he stays busy. My parents passed away after leading long and healthy lives--they had me later in life than they had intended but I was always well-taken care of. April's mother passed away due to illness, and her father was...taken from her," she said, choosing her words carefully. His follow-up about there being a man took her a bit by surprise, but she chuckled and shook her head.

"Afraid not. There's not been much rest for me since last we met, nor before. No need to fear for your life," she said with a chuckle. Before long they arrived back at the inn and she requested a small cot for herself, which the attendants would bring later. Their room had a nice large bathtub and she intended to make use of it--but after he'd gone in.

"Well, now that that's done, go take a nice long bath and then get some sleep. You need to rest."
 
Rafe nodded quietly to her voice, which sounded a bit like a command. Not that he took it as such, but it felt good to have someone care about him instead of just want to use him. The Black Riders only wanted what strength they could get from him, they had never had a true sense of camaraderie or closeness. It seemed like he had always been at odds with one or more of them.

Rafe slowly stripped out of his simple clothes, leaning his sword against the wall. He had a long and lithe form, tall and slender, with athletic muscles over his form. But scars marred his flesh, the result of a militant lifestyle and his back was marked with scars from a lash, several of them. He slowly ran some water and slipped into it, groaning in relief. The bath felt good on his body, especially the sore stomach muscles from the healing. He took his time soaking into the water before he slipped out and dried off. He dressed once more, eschewing the shirt as he slipped into the soft bed and fell quickly into the land of sleep and dreams.
 
Candira let him be alone in the bath taking the time to come out her hair, humming a nice song. It was nice to know that someone would be with her instead of her just being alone when she stayed places at night. When she finished her hair, she put it up and then took off her clothes, arranging them over the back of a chair. She wore a robe made of very soft cotton and took a nightgown with her when Rafe came back. she blushed a little at seeing him without a shirt. She wished him sweet dreams and then took a nice hot bath of her own. She When she came back she let down her hair and watched as he slept for a moment before getting into her little cot and falling asleep as well.
 
Rafe gasped out as he awoke in cold sweat, recalling the nightmare. He had been chased by a monstrous thing, a huge raven-like beast. He slowly shook his head, ignoring it for now. He didn't want to think it might have been some kind of portent or ill omen.

It was day and the light was pouring through the window. Rafe took a moment to look at the sleeping form of Candira and he smiled softly at her, sitting quietly to wait for her to awaken. He said some morning prayers as he waited to occupy his mind and time.
 
A few moments after Rafe woke up, so did she. Her eyes fluttered open and she groaned softly, yawning as she woke up. She sat up and stretched a little, looking around to see Rafe praying. She smiled softly and waited until he was finished. "Good morning, Rafe." She pulled her legs over the side of the cot and then stood up. She pulled on her robe over her nightgown. "How are you feeling this morning?" She asked. "Any pain?"
 
Rafe shook his head slowly. "Some soreness, but it feels a lot better..." He smiled warmly at her. "Thank you Candira, for saving me." He slowly slipped his shirt on and stretched a bit, grabbing his sword. "Is breakfast alright? I need to finish my task here, but I'd like to eat before we leave the city. You never know where your next meal might be, or how long it'll take to get there."
 
"I was thinking we'd get breakfast before we left the inn. I have to stock up on supplies but why don't we meet up somewhere after we're done?" She combed her hair out and then braided it quickly and efficiently. "It's not wise to start a journey on an empty stomach."
 
He nodded firmly. "That sounds agreeable." Rafe headed out into the sun, looking up at the sky. "Another day...well...time to make the most of it." He walked from the inn towards the markets. At the markets, he picked up a small instrument, an ocarina. After that, he left market and headed towards one of Serra's Homes. Serra was the Goddess of Life and Goodness. Serra was a gentle goddess and her homes were orphanages for children.

Rafe stepped inside, greeting one of the attending priests and he walked towards a specific room where a girl was practicing dance. At the sound of Rafe's voice she squealed and ran to him. "Brother!" He smiled warmly and hugged her and after a few moments, it was clear the girl was blind. Rafe gave her the instrument and she began to take to it, clearly having played it before. Rafe ended up spending a few hours there before he ended up leaving for the inn again.
 
Candira let him go, not fearing that he'd taken advantage of her. Rafe simply wasn't the type to lie about this kind of thing. She took the protection spell off of her dresser and put on her clothes before stowing everything back in her pack. She placed a ward of protection on it, and then headed out to the market to resupply.

It took her a few hours to make sure she had everything she needed and that she got it at a good price. When that was finished, she headed back to the inn to handle the bill and see if Rafe was there for breakfast.
 
When Rafe arrived at the inn, she was already there. He smiled a little, appearing somewhat lighter and unburdened. "Thank you for waiting, Lady Candira. I'm ready to eat something and they we'll go." He indeed looked much less troubled than he had before. "I'm ready for an adventure, I think." He looked at her. "So...the Capitol. Why there? Is there something you're intent on?"
 
She smiled when she saw him. He was looking much better than before--much less depressed in any case. Waving, she met him in the middle. "No need to thank me. Did you do everything you came here for?" she asked, walking toward the dining room of their inn. "I'm glad you're ready for an adventure. You might need that enthusiasm. From what I understand a very high-paying job awaits me in the capitol. But if it pays so much, I assume that it will either be dangerous or questionable. Still, the funds would really help rebuild my home."
 
He nodded slowly, thinking carefully about this. "Be very careful, Lady Candira. You have to think hard about your every move and the motives of those hiring you. This is a complicated and complex game that nobles and other interested parties play. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself used, a pawn for dark motives, committing crimes you never intended to, but they're yours all the same." His steely eyes were giving her a stern warning.
 
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