Chapter Twenty-Three: Gossip and Girls

The rain pelted against the ground, failing to tear any of the packed dirt to make mud. Traffic coming through the city had slowed significantly, resulting in only walkers who had no shelter arriving.

While outside of the port, the cold wet drenched the bobbing ships in the harbor, inside the buildings were joyous events taking place. Taverns roared with glee, and shops with song, keeping the festival thriving. The city had turned into one great party for locals and visitors alike.

The loudest bunch was seated in the great hall, which was, to say, the biggest building in town. They took advantage of the space to hold a dance. Men and women gathered were clapping their hands and stomping their feet in time to local folk songs. Hundreds of people were crowded inside when Zoran, Brad, Samari, and Cyrus joined the fun.

They arrived late and dripping wet, yet no one paid their presentation any mind.

"We're gonna go dance. We will catch up with you later!" Brad said, pulling a confused water boy after him. He winked at Sam before disappearing into the crowd.

"I think there might be a fire where we can dry ourselves before joining in the festivities, " Zoran commented.

She rubbed her shivering arms, wishing she had a cloak. "A fire would be nice."

Nodding, he grabbed her hand, leading her around the dance floor. They headed to a glowing light in a side room where a fireplace was safely tucked away. The crowd became thinner in the room, and an arrangement of benches acted as a barricade between them and the fire.

The area seemed a sanctuary for ladies wanting a rest. Samari found it odd that the only people sitting there were four women sitting some distance apart from each other. Despite the sound of the music, she heard them chatting softly with each other.

Their gazes turned to the duo as they approached. A familiar Earthern lit up when at their appearance.

Walking to Zoran, she grabbed his hand in hers. "You did not tell me 'dat you 'ould be he'e today. Come 'ave a dance wit' an old friend," Jackie said, pulling him back into the dance hall.

Looking over his shoulder, he mouthed an apology to Samari.

She half-waved to him. A shiver ran down her spine, encouraging her to take a seat close to the fire. Her eyes drifted around, meeting those of the Skian girl sitting a corner to her bench. They smiled together as a silent greeting.

"Uh, she seemed in a hurry...to steal him away. So-metimes, it feels like whenever, like whenever I go to a new place, everyone...I...know simply vanishes," Samari commented in an attempt to start a conversation.

"You too, huh?" the redhead asked.

Gleefully, she nodded, "It's not so bad, once your...nervousness wears off. Leaves a-n opportunity for adventure. Although, I don't th-think my butterflies will ever...settle," her teeth chattered as she spoke. She held out her hands to warm, rubbing them to promote blood flow. Her body relaxed as the heat soaked in.

After a bit of silence, she said, "I'm Samari."

"I'm Adeline. It's nice to meet you, Samari." The introduction seemed to clear the air of unfamiliarity, making room for comfort. 

"So, you got caught in the rain, too? Is it bad out right now?" 

"A bit. Might want t-to hold off on leaving...for now," the brunette recommended.

A snicker came from across the clearing, and she gazed at the girl who made the sound. Her hair was rather unusual, for it was blue on top and black underneath. It was hard to notice at first because she had a hood pulled over her head, hiding most of her face. 

"Better get used to the wet, cause it's probably gonna be on-and-off rain for a few days," she said.

A groan escaped Samari. "I don't think that--think that I can handle stay-ing indoors for that long. It's far too cold out, now."

She turned to Adeline, who chimed in, "Well, I'm gonna try not to let it ruin my time. I would rather be stuck in a hostelry than on my ship in this weather."

Samari's heart skipped a beat. She doesn't look older than me, maybe even younger. I wonder why she...

"You are a sailor? But...you're so young--oh, do you travel...with your parents?" she wondered. Yes, that would make sense, if she was on a ship with her parents all the time, like some of the merchant's children I've seen.

"Nah, some lunatics kidnapped and sailed off with me. This is, well, uh, this is the first contact I've had with other people in months," she answered with diffidence.  

Her gaze fell to the ground, a sort of sad smile on her face. Samari didn't know how to respond and simply stared at her, frozen.

Before she could come up with something, the hooded girl shifted towards them. "Listen, I can help you. I'm a mage and am here with my guildmates." Adeline jolted upward, gazing at the stranger with wide eyes. She continued, "Just stay with me and I will--"

She stopped short when the redhead burst into a fit of giggles. 

Pulse quickening, Samari found herself breathing deeply. Something about the situation made her feel threatened, leaving an opening for an acquainted feeling to rush in. 

The feeling was dulled when Adeline spoke, "I'm sorry. I appreciate the help, really, but I seem to have caused a misunderstanding. I'm not in any trouble. They did offer to let me go, but I chose to stay with them. I'm part of the crew now!"

The mage leaned back, her face as expressionless as stone. "I do not find such jokes amusing."

"Oh, I am so sorry, it wasn't meant as a joke! I should've chosen better wording!"

There was something about Adeline's flustered apology that reminded Samari of herself. Although this girl seemed more sure of herself, she was still nervous about how others saw her. Part of the mina was relieved that she was not the only one who spoke like that, while the other part felt her pain.

"Lighten up, Fyna," an approaching voice called. A silver-haired woman sat on the other side of the hooded girl, away from Adeline. "Sorry, my friend can be a bit defensive at times. She means well."

Smiling lightly, Samari tried not to stare at the newcomer. While her initial panic had receded, she had a new kind of uncomfortable in the woman's presence. 

Why are you so tense? It's not like we had a problem during yesterday's meeting, she scorned herself. It was just business, and she doesn't seem mad or anything.

"I didn't think you were coming this year, Mirabella. I haven't heard from you in weeks," Fyna said, embracing the Flame mage.

The older woman's aura changed when she smiled. "And miss seeing all you rascals? Who knows what trouble you would get into without me."

Fyna's smile dropped into frustration. "I'm capable of not acting in a childish stupidity."

"It was a joke, sweetie."

"It was offensive."

Tittering, Mirabella looked away. Slowly, Adeline leaned forward and loudly whispered, "I can see what you mean."

They giggled as Fyna rolled her eyes, sighing away her annoyance. Samari couldn't help but chuckle as well. As she recalled the situation, something odd stood out to her.

"Um, Adeline, early you...said that you were kidnapped, and that was...not a joke," her voice trailed off as she tried to find the words to say.

Realizing what she meant, the redhead filled in the blank, "They used me as a hostage, but it's all okay now. They're my friends, and i really do like traveling with them."

What kind of ship would need to take a child as hostage, then would let her stay, keeping her from her home? Is she even a sailor?

Rude much, Sam? What kind of young lady would track down a wanted criminal and join his guild right on the spot? Oh, right, you.

"So, you don't...want to go home? I imagine you-r family would be...worried...about you."

Adeline stared into the fire, smiling sadly. "They are my home."

A pang of sorrow struck in Sam's heart. as if sensing the sadness, the redhead snapped up to look at her. 

"I don't know why I'm talking this much. Normally, I'm kinda shy around new people, but for some reason, I feel like I know you. Like, we're already friends," she admitted.

"Really? I feel...the same."

They smiled together, but the brunette just couldn't let go of the feeling she just had. She figured Adeline would not want her to be feeling sorry for her, which is why she quickly changed the subject. It wasn't that she felt sorry for her, but rather, she understood how she felt from her own experiences. She respected her smile, for it was honest.

"Miss Samari, was the crystal you purchased the one you were seeking?" Mirabella inquired, drawing Samari's attention away from her thoughts.

"Uh, no, it was not...but, don't worry about it," she mumbled. "We're still looking...for...the other one."

"Well, if I'm being honest, we knew that it was not the real 'gem that shines like the clouds.' The last of our research points us to this area, same as you, I suppose," the Flame admitted.

"Excuse me," Adeline butted in, "did you say, 'a gem that shines like the clouds'?"

Mirabella's expressed turned harsh as she glared at the girl. "I did. Why, do you know of it?"

"Y-yes, I've seen it. It's in the city; kinda hard to miss, being a spirit stone--although I suppose not that hard," she corrected herself.

The two of them started at her, crowding her from both sides. She bit her lip nervously, which Samari took as a signal to scooch back again.

"It's the grand prize of the tournament."