Ayuen
The Cleaned Fillet, Tinkersong
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/926707024362885130/1045841100604186624/Ayuen-WayX.png]
Ayuen art by Ina Koffen, @Ina_Koffen on Twitter
With a sigh, Ayuen fell face-first on her bed, having changed into her nightgown. After her delightful chat with the old man, she had been socializing with the local patrons for an hour or two more before something happened that soured the mood. One of the inn’s local drinkers, a haphazard-looking Human, had tried to make a pass at her. Needless to say, she wasn’t interested in the slightest. Which the guy didn’t take well. He thought he was the Aral-sent gift for her that she couldn’t refuse.
Oppositely, she thought he was a rude, smelly and drunk Human. Not a gift for anyone, let alone sent by the Arals for anything else than a cruel joke.
As one could expect, that didn’t go over well. The man had become more and more pushy, raising his voice and swaying from side to side as his drunken muscles tried to keep him upright. At this point, the people of the inn had taken notice, glancing from behind their mugs and glasses. There wasn’t any touching involved yet, so the innkeeper and his staff were content in looking on for now.
Ayuen’s demeanour hadn’t helped matters. She had boldly told him off, her voice friendly but stern at first. But as the man wobbled towards her, she nimbly stepped out of his reach. Her voice had become cold and annoyed. It was then that their voices were raised further and soon they both shouted through the common room.
So after that brief shouting match between them, she told the drunk in a controlled ice-cold way that he could stick his drink where the sun didn’t shine, after which she stepped away from the ruckus. She had already walked halfway up the stairs before the man’s drunk mind could fully comprehend the insult. Both the barkeep and the other patrons had been throwing in their two fingers as well, keeping the man in check as they ridiculed him. Not wanting the problem to escalate, she excused herself to her room to leave the man arguing with some of his drunk fellows. The last things she heard were the drunk’s slurred arguments that she had already accepted his advances because she looked at him. Absurd. She was glad that she and her companions had chosen a reputable inn and not a sketchy one.
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The Pyrn poet pressed her nose into the fluffy pillow below her. Even though she was used to sleeping outside, journeying throughout the Grasping Isle and all, she still loved warm soft beds. The scent of freshly washed cotton filled her nostrils while she hugged the pillow, pulling up her legs to curl into a comfortable ball. Her wings slowly covered her like a blanket as she let herself roll onto her right side. Another loud sigh escaped her. The last week had been taxing. Seeing her friends put themselves in harm’s way for her cause. Rove killing his brother. Trïeste’s revelation that she had been a double agent. The slap in her face, Trïeste of all people saying what she needed to hear with bluntness and clarity. Even Sneak’s almost childlike personality had helped to open her eyes. She thought she had grown. It was easy to tell oneself that they’ve grown, but she truly felt that she did.
Now there were only a couple of things that would make her complete. One of which was walking outside and the other was reliant on the Fruit they’d gotten.
Opening her eyes, she saw metal gleam in the light of the solitary candle that she’d lit. The amulet that led her to the Dawn.
Ayuen traced the amulet’s inlay with a finger, taking in the sensation as her eyes darted to her backpack. To her price, the Fruit of the Dawn. The very thing that could save her people was in her possession. She’d done the impossible, and now she had a myth in her bag. With a soft grunt, she let the amulet fall to the ground, the thick bronze plaque bouncing off the side of the bed and clattering the ground with a soft rattle. Despite her success, she felt exhausted, with a bit of hope glimmering within. It would be good if she could do something to put her mind on something else for a while. Her wings drooped down on either side of her as she turned to lay on her back, eyes staring at the ceiling. Maybe she just needed a night alone to rest and get her head in order. That would probably be best. Although having somebody to keep her company and wrap her wings around would be even better...
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As she lay there, sunken in her thoughts, somebody loudly knocked on her door. Could it be the drunk? The innkeeper? Rove, even? Laying still on the soft blankets, she raised her voice after a moment of thought.
“Yes?”
Just in case, she prepared to roll out of bed in case it was the drunk that had come up for retribution. Bashing in his door was something she could see happening. A crackling of fire and ice enveloped her hand as she prepared for the worst. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard Rove’s voice coming from the other side, his voice softer and less firm than usual.
“Ayuen? Are you alright? I heard there had been somewhat of a ruckus, with you being in the centre of it.”
The ice and fire disappeared with a soft puff as she tilted her head at the door. Oh! He had been closer than she originally thought if he heard the commotion. A flicker of excitement and need shot through her chest as she looked at the door.
Even though the two of them had been talking about a bunch of things lately, Ayuen had not yet raised the subject of her feeling attracted to him. The last couple of days had cemented her attraction in her mind, and she had come to terms with the spark she felt. She wanted to tell Rove this. But the timing just hadn’t been right so far. The condition Hod had given her had spooked her greatly. And the Arals knew that Rove had his collection of bad fortunes to deal with since they’d been travelling together. And there had always been people near, with splitting from the group being a very bad idea.
However, if hers and Rove’s conversation at the bar was any indication, the time might be just right at this very moment. And they would have a private room to talk in...
As Ayuen’s mind reminisced, something stirred deep within her thoughts, planting an idea right in front of her mind’s eye. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes sparkled, looking at the door. With a sudden surge of determination, she nodded to herself. A good conversation about how she felt would be good for her, she told herself. It couldn’t hurt.
“I’m alright, Rove. You can come in. I think I would like somebody to talk to for a bit. About the last couple of days and weeks.” The plea in her voice was almost palpable as she uttered the words, the Pyrn noticing she added a slight urgency to her tone. For a couple of seconds, no sound came from the door. The sounds of evening critters rested on the verge of her hearing as she held her breath, waiting for Rove’s response. Finally, the door’s handle dropped down with a loud creak, the door swinging open to reveal the Herhor. He was clad in a tunic and trousers, Ayuen seeing the remains of his armour in his arms. His leather armour was beyond fixing at this point, riddled with numerous cuts. As he entered the room, she sat upright on her bed, tapping the edge next to her. As their eyes locked, Rove hesitated for a moment, as if something in her gaze startled him for a moment. He waited for a moment before approaching her and sitting next to her.
Ayuen shuffled to sit left of him on her knees, both blanket and wings rustling softly. For a good minute or so, they both sat next to each other in silence, gazing out of the window. The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but also relaxed and warm. A moment of peace. She was glad to have him near.
“Thank you, Rove. For everything.” She finally said softly, turning her face to look at him with a kind smile. “I’m sorry you had to deal with Prado in the way you had to. Are you alright? I’m here for you if you need somebody to talk or open up to.”
A soft sigh left Rove as he met her eyes. A sad smile made its way onto his features.
“To tell you the truth, I knew this was bound to happen sooner or later. If anything, I’m more at peace with the thought of my family now than I’ve ever been. I thought that my entire family was rotten, except one. And I got proven wrong. Prado was, despite everything he did, a good man. Loyal, honourable, but too honourable. Fighting against that bitch of a mother of ours in his way. I’m glad I was able to see his true self before we parted permanently.”
Ayuen put a hand on his shoulder, softly resting some of her weight on his body.
“It saddens me that you and your brother couldn’t have met under other circumstances. I think you two would’ve made great siblings.”
“Indeed.”
He softly tapped her forehead with a finger.
“How about you? I can imagine that finding the Dawn of Life lifted quite a weight off your shoulders. Especially with that Hod bastard throwing a wrench in your plans with that demand of his.”
Ayuen bit her lip, slowly shaking her head.
“It does, yet it doesn’t. It’s weird. I am both relieved and frustrated at the same time, yet I can’t put a finger on where one feeling ends and the other begins.”
“Maybe it’s just the stress of almost being a national hero. Don’t worry about it, you’ll be just fine. You’ll find a workaround. You’ve got a good and pretty head on your shoulders.”
He ruffled her hair playfully in response, chuckling. The feeling that had surfaced when he knocked flared up once more and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation of fingers stroking through her hair. Then, in the heat of the moment, she let her weight tip more towards him, placing her head on his shoulder as she half-fell against his side. A wing shifted to curl up around his frame like a cloak.
“Could you let me stay like this for a while? I think I'd like that.” She murmured. She felt the warmth of his body flow through the fabric of his tunic onto her cheek, his trimmed beard prickling the skin beneath her hair. She heard his breath quicken for a moment before nodding. And to her delight, she felt the man resting his head on top of hers. The two of them sat like that for a good while, drawing comfort from each other's presence.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/876104022833127448/1119243130747756634/image.png]
Art by Fantastical, Fantastical Art Licence