RP:Big Feet, Bigger Confession

Summary: The morning after the attack on the road, where Natianara was nearly mugged by a trio of thieves, and Kyori played the role of her hero, the two find that they are both renting rooms above the Kelay Tavern. Over coffee, they agree to attend the upcoming ball in Larket together, as friends. The following night, Nat has second thoughts, as they would be going to an event in a territory that despises witches, and she just happens to be a practicer of the craft. Filled with dread, she decides to tell him the truth, and Kyori is sympathetic and understanding. The friends resort to their teasing of one another and the warrior pushes the witch on a swing, until they part ways for the night.

Silver Shoes...

Kyori didn’t follow Larz’s advice immediately. The Devout’s guild could wait. He was lucky enough to run into that woman who spared him coin. He’d have helped her anyway. The warrior didn’t have a lust for gold or position in the world. He does know how to appreciate a good night's sleep though. It’s early when he rises, scratching his beard mumbling to himself about coffee. The room was empty besides a single chair and the bed. He sorts through his clothes, too groggy to mess with straps and zippers and ties. When he trots downstairs, he’d only bothered with a once white but now rust colored shirt, darker brown pants and the scabbard on his back. He hadn’t seen a sign saying shoes were mandatory. With a yawn, he shuffles down the stairs in undead fashion. When he’s successfully posted himself against the bar top, he orders a coffee and slumps onto a stool, grumbling into his hands about needing a shave.

Natianara had slept fitfully following the debacle with the thieves, and so she wakes later than usual and in dire need of caffeine. On any given morning the woman would wake with the roosters, at the break of dawn, eager to begin her day. Today, however, she’s sluggish and sore from tossing and turning and it takes her several moments to unwind herself from the twisted sheets. Sounds from the floor beneath the room she had been renting for the week assure her that sustenance is just right down the narrow staircase. With an exaggerated groan, the shapeshifter slides from bed and quickly changes into a pair of black gym shorts and a matching tank top. Her long locks are finger combed and pulled into a messy bun, leaving a few strands to frame her face, as she quickly brushes her teeth and heads downstairs. Nancy brightens when she sees her favorite tenant, and immediately pours Nat a mug of the usual, beckoning for her to take a seat at the bar. Plopping onto a stool at Kyori’s side, she at first doesn’t recognize the male, until she hears his grumbling and lowers his palms from his face. Smiling, she teases, “Did you follow me here? Please, don’t tell me that someone stole your shoes after nearly stealing mine…”

Kyori’s ears buzzed from the noise. It’s not that loud in here but his ears were more sensitive than most. His hands slide down the side of his face and stay cupped over his mouth when Nat’s voice dwarfs the rest of the bar. His hair is messy, cow licked and dirty if he’s honest. He’d fallen asleep at the bar once before Nat’s appearance. Nancy was nice enough to wake him so he could pay for his coffee. The witch’s quip is met with a tired half grin. “You caught me.” Kyori tries to straighten up but yawns immediately and gives up proper posture. He rubs a palm along the back of his head to flatten his hair automatically. “And then I thought you had such good taste, I’d ask where you found yours.” The silver shoes, of course. “Built in weapons and everything.” His coffee sits untouched by his forearm. “Are you actually a shoe thief and I helped you escape?”

Natianara takes a tentative sip of her coffee, the steam rising from the mug and warming her cheeks, though she welcomes the sensation. She had to wake up, as she had to find a place that would do her hair and makeup for the upcoming ball in Larket. Crossing her long legs, she settles the mug on the bar, and gives Kyori a long once over. That penetrating gaze lingers on his tired face as she shifts on the stool to better assess the man. “I’m sorry that you’re so exhausted after that scuffle…” It –was- entirely her fault after all, as she hadn’t been cautious enough to realize she was being tailed for several miles. A brow lifts and she points her finger to Kyori’s mug, which Nancy places a second filled mug beside. Nat was a good tipper, and she would do just about anything the witch has asked. “You want a pair of heels, huh? Are you attending the ball on Sunday, too? I’m afraid they were the last pair… At least in this size.” She glances at her feet, and the pair of white sneakers couldn’t be more than a size six or seven. “I don’t think silver would be your color, Corgi-Um, Kyori. Maybe a pale blue, to bring out your eyes?” Despite how sleepy she is, she chuckles at his comment and shakes her head, thinking back to her suave moment with the makeshift weapon. “I’m –totally- a shoe thief! Guilty as charged, though I’m pretty sure that makes you my accomplice?”

Kyori examines her shoes and nods. “I think your feet might be bigger than mine.” That was, very clearly, not true. He lifts a single golden brow at the witch when she apologizes. “ ‘scuse me, did you just - apologize- for being attacked?” He shakes his head, pretending she hadn’t. “I’m actually just not used to sleeping on a bed.” He’d been ‘homeless’ for a long time and didn’t have the luxury most nights. “Coyote,” he corrected with a lazy smile when she hits two of his three names. He lofts both brows at her declaration that pale blue would bring out his eyes. “See? That’s why you’re the professional and I’m just the accomplice.” She’d mentioned a ball though. “What’s this ball about? I haven’t heard anything about it.” He dips his head at Nancy in a quick nod of thanks for the refill before taking a drink.

Natianara gasps in mock horror as Kyori teases, glancing at her shoes, “I never noticed that they were so massive before! I hope those heels fit, after all that trouble to reclaim them!” Her full lips twitch with amusement, threatening to break her attempt at a poker face. “At least they aren’t hairy like a hobbit… That wouldn’t be very attractive…” She waits a beat, baiting him to pay attention to her words, “I wish I had feet as dainty as yours, Coyote, they would be perfect for dancing. You could be the Belle of the ball!” At this, she cannot help but giggle, and she gives him a playful faux punch to his upper arm, “Yeah, yeah, I tend to apologize a lot… I just have a habit of not quite fitting in?” A gentle shrug is given, as she tries to steer the conversation away from the previous night, “The ball is being held in Larket… They are going to announce the contenders for the tournament. They will be giving the winner a ton of gold, as well as the title of ‘Hero of Freedom’ so it’s supposed to be a fun, formal, affair. I’ve never gone to a ball, and my aunt bought me a dress… So, it seems like it’s a good a time as any to attend my first ball!” The mug is retrieved and she takes another much needed sip, “You could likely enter… I don’t know who is fighting, but I saw you in action and it was impressive.”

Kyori nods, struggling to keep up with the conversation due to lack of sleep. The idea of him in a dress or even high heels amused him to no end. He surveys his own feet with a “Hey now, I’ll have you know these feet have been passed down for generations.” She punches him and he looks at her with surprise. “Don’t apologize or fit in.” He suggests flatly. “If you can fight a man with a shoe, you shouldn’t hide that gods given talent by lying low and fitting in.” Nat explains the ball and he thinks it over. He -could- use a bit of gold but he imagined the competition was steep. Not a bad way to make a name for himself here if that was what he wanted to do. He wasn’t sure yet and he didn’t own formal attire. “Your aunt huh? I’m sure it’ll be beautiful.” He had no doubts. “I can’t say I’ve attended any in a very long time, why don’t we both go? Make a time out of it? Rub elbows, scope out champions? Whadda ya say Miss?” He’d need to use some of the coin she gave him to find the appropriate clothing.

Natianara is touched by his response, and she conspiratorially leans in and whispers, “Imagine what I could do with a boot!” The conversation had taken on a slightly serious tone now, as he suggests that they attend the ball, together, and Nat’s eyes widen in surprise. She hadn’t even thought about bringing a date, and she had zero inkling that she would be asked by another. There were so few she knew in the land, and those that spied her pentacle often misjudged her character. Witches were ostracized by the community, especially in Larket, and sympathizers of the craft were treated unfairly, as well. She’d be sure to keep her necklace home for this event, as she didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention their way. Nat panics, looking much like the startled doe he had rescued the night before and her voice is high pitched as she responds, “You mean… As your date?” He meant as friends, right? There was no way Kyori would be interested in her, she thinks, as she lifts the mug to her lips and holds it there so she doesn’t blurt out anything foolish. Pale cheeks are stained with crimson, and the male would know that it’s more than the steam from the coffee having this effect. Nat had never attended a ball, been asked on a date, or even had a first dance. Panic was deeply setting in, but she tries her very best to downplay it, as she tries to adult and form a casual reply, “Sure! I would love to go to the ball with you. My dress is navy with sparkles, so, maybe your tie should match?” She had no idea about these things, and being that it wasn’t his first ball; maybe he could fill her in on some details. “So… You’ve been to a ball, before? What should I expect, aside from food, drink, and dancing?”

Kyori can’t imagine how a boot is a better weapon but trusts the witch’s expertise in hand to shoe combat. He didn’t know about Larket or witch persecutions. He didn’t even know she -was- a witch, just that her necklace was interesting when he’d spied it the night before. Nat’s face changes dramatically and Kyori wasn’t prepared. Her eyes are so big. “A friend! A friend!” He shouts, too loud. They’d only met last night and she was still getting the hang of his name! “Don’t get me wrong, you’re beautiful, but we - uh - I’m not - urm-” Now she’s turning red. It’s like an avalanche, he has no idea what to do. His question had been innocent. He’s still wide eyed when she speaks again. “Navy with sparkles.” He repeats, hoping it’ll help him remember. He takes another drink of coffee to settle him. “Uh, yeah, when I was a lot younger though.” He clears his throat. “But I mostly remember the dancing and food. Too young to care much about the drink.” He laughed dryly. “Sorry to surprise you.” And then he moves on. “So if there’s more to this ball than that, we’ll find out together.” He offers her his hand, skin warm from the coffee mug, to shake. “Deal?”

Natianara blinks as he shouts, repeating the term ‘friend’ as though she were some lovesick teenager. It’s both an insult and a relief that he’s adamant that they don’t consider this a date, and for a moment she’s unsure how to react. Had he just said he found her beautiful?! Thankfully, he’s talking about attending formal affairs in his youth and once again their conversation takes a detour. “No, no, I’m sorry I assumed! This is all so new to me… I’m not very familiar with, uh, much. So, having all these new experiences is very confusing and sometimes I need confirmation.” Awkward, but entirely truthful. In an attempt to lighten the mood, she places her hand in his and gives a firm shake, a wry grin on her fair face, “Deal… But if my monster feet stomp all over yours when we dance I don’t wanna hear any complaints! You literally are signing up for this, Mister!” A glance is given to Nancy, who shakes her head and glances from the witch to Kyori, and back again. She’s certain they are now partners in crime, and she dreads that both are renting rooms upstairs. Natianara lowers her hand from Kyori’s and finishes her coffee, giving him an apologetic expression, “I hate to run off, but my kitty vanished last night and if I don’t get out there and find her, I’m afraid she may end up someone’s dinner.” They were fairly close to Sage Forest, and who knew what lurked in the woods?! “So… Sunday is the ball. Want to meet here in the evening, and we can head there together?” Once Kyori agrees, she would depart the tavern, peering over her shoulder before vanishing from sight and offering him a parting smile.

Kyori’s face eases into a smile. “You can’t apologize, I’m the only one allowed to. Bar rules.” He shrugs, powerless to the will of the ‘bar’. He preferred the confirmation to an assumption. It did less damage and she looks to be bouncing back. He was relieved, until she mentioned dancing. Damn, he couldn’t dance worth spit. “Meeting here sounds perfect, good luck finding your cat and stop apologizing!” He waves her off to make sure she reaches the door unhindered before diving back into his coffee cup.

...Silver Lining

Natianara paces in the room she had been renting for the past week, itching to go out on this night, but knowing that she harbored a secret that could very well change things for her new friend, Kyori. Since the last time she had spoken to the male, approximately thirty-six hours ago, she had been very busy and hadn’t given the upcoming event of the year much thought. She had been gifted a beautiful gown, learned to walked in high heels, and she had even managed to score a date. There was little to stress about, despite the fact that they were attending the ball in Larket, the city which was notorious for murdering those that practiced a particular craft. “Ugh! I hate this, but if I don’t tell him the truth and something happens, I will never be able to forgive myself.” Outing herself as a witch was dangerous, because there was the chance that Kyori would despise her, or worse, be considered a sympathizer and endanger himself. “I guess it’s a chance I have to take… I feel that I can trust him…” The black cat that rests at the foot of her bed doesn’t respond, though her gold hues flicker in the candlelight as Natianara takes a deep breath and exits the room. Now, the witch stands before Kyori’s door, clad in leather pants, a corset, and knee-high boots. It’s not entirely her style, but Nancy had –insisted- she dress this way, as she was learning the ropes of being a barmaid to earn some extra coin. “I should have changed… Too late now.” Nerves getting the best of her, she shakily raps at the door and clears her throat, “Hey… Coyote? It’s me.”

Kyori takes but a moment to open the door for her. “Nat.” He says simply, hovering against the door frame until proper manners kicked in and he pulled the door wider to permit her enter. “Hey - there.” He’s perplexed by her outfit, it doesn’t look comfortable. He swears he can hear the kick of her heartbeat a second too fast. “You okay?” He asks, staying in the door frame if she decides to remain in the hall. “Is this about tomorrow, because I remembered the navy part of the tie.” Inside bare room sits the bulk of his clothes, in a pile on the floor by the bed. His riding boots sag against the bedpost. He’s stuck to the same combo she’d seen at the bar before - rusty shirt and pants with no defining features. Oddly, he’s wearing his sword on his back even though he’s inside.

Natianara fidgets with the tight ensemble the barmaid had picked out for her, muttering beneath her breath that she will ‘never force her figure into something this unbearable’ in the future. The emerald hue of the corset doesn’t match the blue in her eyes, and she can’t inhale without the waist of her pants giving her sides a firm pinch. Did anyone in this realm appreciate comfort? Well, Kyori seemed to bask in the glory of relaxation, given his clothing and the look of his room. Nat fixes a smile on her face, though it seems a tad forced, “I’m fine! And that’s awesome that you remembered the tie! Um…” The door is ajar, but she’s not brave enough to cross the threshold, nor would she invite him into her room. The young woman was innocent, in that sense, and so she clears her throat and glances towards the staircase that leads into the tavern. “Actually… I need to talk to you about something, but I was hoping we could take a little walk? I’m getting stir crazy, as I worked the day shift downstairs, and I’m too restless to retire to my room for the night. I know a place not far… They have swings.” Did she really just say she wanted to go on swings? At this hour? Clearly, something was weighing heavily on her mind.

Kyori tries to read the anxious way the woman held herself and attributes the discomfort to her attire. Her mention of working downstairs put it into perspective, he’d noticed the barmaid down there wears a similar version. “Do you need to change first?” He offers, sympathetically. He hasn’t the foggiest what she needs to talk to him about. Oh gods, is she cancelling her attendance to the ball tomorrow? He just bought that bloody tie when not an article of clothing on him was brand new by a long shot. If she agrees to change or not, he’ll leave the door and slip his riding boots on. The knots are messy and his socks forgotten in the pile. The new tie sits on the bedside table, safe from the chaos of his other clothes. The scabbard clicks against the wood headboard as he stands and moves into the hallway, locking the door behind him. He tests the black scabbard strap across his chest and extends an arm to invite her to ‘lead the way’ at her leisure.

Natianara wants to get this over with, as she dreads what his reaction will be, once he discovers that she’s a witch. So when he suggests that she change her clothes, she at first starts to shake her head, but then changes her mind. How could she enjoy the swings in such restrictive attire? She had a slender figure, but the clothes were obviously designed to fit the women snug, perhaps to enhance their curves and assist in earning some extra coin. Natianara had a rough day, as she spilled thirteen drinks and tripped a customer, so the only ‘tip’ she earned was to try harder, from Mesthak. She would give it a few more tries and likely find an entirely different, and more suitable career. “Be right back!” A few moments later she returns to Kyori’s door, wearing leggings that didn’t cause bodily harm, and a loose sweater, as the temperature had dropped in the night. “Ready?” They head down the stairs, through the crowd, and onto the main path, where Nat would lead him towards the east, to a vacant house. A ‘for sale’ sign is erected in the front yard, and the gate to the rear is unlocked, so she heads into the backyard and plops onto one of the wooden swings. “So… About the ball… I don’t know how much you know about the lands, or even when you’re from… -I- come from a faraway place, though I have some family that lives in the area.” She wouldn’t drop –all- her secrets on him tonight, the shifting and ancestry would be on a need to know basis, or if they had grown closer. “The ball is in Larket… And a few years ago, there were some horrible things that happened there… Women were killed for studying magic, worshipping a Goddess, and wearing a pentacle…” Swallowing hard, she watches his face for any signs of distress, “They are known as Witches, and they were captured, tortured, and some were burned at the stake. Queen Josleen and King Macon led the party of witch haters… And we will be attending their ball. Together. Not much has changed since then… And…I-I…I’m… I’m a witch, Kyori… I’m not a bad person… I don’t even have any magical abilities. I cannot command the elements, like others, and I would never harm another, unless it was in self defense. I’m a firm believer in karma…That if you do bad to someone, it returns to your threefold. I just… I don’t think anyone will figure out who I am, or that I will set off any radar, and I won’t even wear my necklace… But… You deserved to know. I don’t want to put you in danger, and it’s not fair for you to befriend me, without knowing the truth.” She pauses and looks away, her voice a mere whisper, “If you don’t want to go together, knowing all of this, I understand.”

Kyori’s relieved that the witch changes but she doesn’t look any less stiff outside of that mess of clothes. They walk in casual silence. He isn’t overthinking it. He does wonder if a ‘swing’ meant a different thing than it meant back home but once they broke into the backyard the curiosity is put to rest. Just a swing. He folds himself into the swing on her right, sitting in the opposite direction so they can talk facing one another. His weight made the chains complain but it wasn’t a long fall into the dirt if they broke. Out in the night air, his golden hair is highlighted by the moon. It frosts the tips white but casts his face in darker shadow as a consequence. “It’s true, I don’t know much. I haven’t been here long enough to get directions down.” The fighter is silent as Nat explains the vague bit about her past and the more in depth explanation of Larket, witches, and Nat’s confession. His posture and expression remains unchanged, beyond the expected ‘wtf’ disbelief for Larket’s persecutions. He’s quiet for a painful amount of time before his dark eyes reach the witch’s turned face. “Why the hell are we going to a ball there then?” He wasn’t cross with her but it’s evident that he’s pissed at the general tone of her message. These royal nut jobs killed a bunch of people for nothing, based on her explanation and his own brief knowledge on witches, and now they’re throwing a tournament and ball. “Why is anyone going? Wouldn’t it be better not to? Not to support them in any way? Isn’t going to this flippin’ ball just covering up the blood shed?” He rubs the back of his neck with a grunt. “Nat, I don’t think you’re a bad person. I don’t know what being a witch means to you, if you don’t dabble in magic but even if you did, magic saves people all the time. Plenty of idiots can do bad with just about anything but you don’t...burn all the rope just because some people make nooses.” He reaches across his swing to grab her chain. “Hey, if you don’t want to go, we won’t. I don’t care. If you want to go, we will and if they try something we’ll be ready. You’re wearing those shoes right?” A wry grin softens his face. “We made quick work of those thieves. Egotistical rulers will be cake by comparison. Okay? I don’t hate you or think of you any differently, nor do I think you had to hide this from me but I understand why you would.”

Natianara doesn’t know what to expect, but she’s shielding her emotions, nonetheless. She was used to being an outcast, hiding her true self from others, and she had never had a ‘friend’ outside of her finicky feline. Kyori seems a tad perturbed, and she’s doesn’t blame him for wanting to know her reasoning behind going to the ball. If only opening up came easily to Natianara, she would have poured her heart out right then and there, with the moon as their witness. But this young woman had reservations about letting –anyone- get too close, and if her heart wasn’t coated in layers of fear, the warrior would have seen a slice of her soul. She was afraid of getting hurt. Because emotional scarring pushed her mother to insanity, and she would never be free of ‘Room 313’ at the penitentiary for the criminally insane. Nat visibly flinches and faces Kyori when he grabs onto the chain of her swing, bracing herself for the rejection. He wouldn’t even need to pull his sword from the scabbard to inflict pain on the witch. “I’m sorry! I know… I… I should have told you befo-“ Her words drift off as instead of calling her vile names or issuing an attack, he calms her nerves and settles the issue with a well laid plan. “Thank you, Coy-Corg….” She matches his smile, feeling those walls crumble just a tad, “Thank you for accepting me as I am, Kyori. And if you ever have any questions about the craft or me, in general, I’m happy to answer them…” There’s a pause as she’s thinking about those overpriced high heels she had purchased, and she laughs, “We got this… Let’s go to that ball. We’ll either bloody my shoes and your sword, or we’ll have an awesome time. Either way, you’ll be mighty impressed to see that I clean up nice.” Nat’s true smile returns and she teasingly pokes his hand on the chain, “I totally brought you here to push me on the swings, not hold me in place, Mister!”

Kyori watches the witch flinch and he flinches back, afraid their proximity is making her uncomfortable. He didn’t think much about things like that. He had several younger sisters at home. Being around women was easy, never made him nervous. People are people, as his father said. “Don’t apologize.” He says with quiet kindness. “Tell me whatever you do or don’t want to. Acquaintances aren’t built in a day.” To be fair, she knew next to nothing about him. He wasn’t a witch though. Or whatever the guy version is. Is it still a witch? Is it sexist to think it’s not? He stands up and rolls his eyes with a smile. He lets go of the chain but gently puts his hand palm down on the top of Nat’s head and holds it lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” His voice is low, even, and authentic. A split second later his demeanor returns to normal. He takes his hand back and snatches at the chains on either side of her. “I’m really bad at this,” he warns her while he backs up with the swing jerking between them. “Whatever you do, don’t let go!” A mischievous smile eats up his face in the dark and he releases the chains, propelling Nat forward on the swing, just like she’d so fearlessly demanded.

Natianara oddly felt comfortable in Kyori’s presence; though all of this was so very new to her that sometimes her reactions come across as a bit odd. After all, she had only been alive for just under five years, and was magically, physically and mentally aged. She would forever be twenty-two years old, though they could discuss that at another time. “Okay… Well, I can read palms, tarot cards, make potions, that sort of thing. I believe in the Goddess, study the cycles of the moon, and I’m respectful of nature… I really like to celebrate the high holidays and I’m good at meditating and reading signs from dreams… Those sorts of things. I can’t bend the elements to my will, and I would never hex someone or anything like that. I’m a good witch… As far as healing… I can make potions and salves, I know a lot about herbs and crystals, but I’m no better than an average person when it comes to that sort of thing… I could stitch you if you suffered a wound, but that’s pretty much the extent of my healing abilities. I’m mostly a regular person… Erm… Half elf.” He likely thought she was a very pretty human, when in reality; she was a half elf, whom hailed from Kelvar. “My ears aren’t pointed though… They are like a humans, so most of the time people think I’m just like you.” Her mother’s homeland isn’t mentioned though, as he pulls her swing all the way back and aims to hurl her forward. She’s ecstatic about this, another first, and she tightens her grasp on the chains as a delighted squeal escapes her and she soars several feet in the air, “This is so much fun! We should do this every night!” Of course, like Kyori didn’t have better things to do than push a witch on a swing. After a few moments of swinging, when she’s nearing his palms once more, she turns her head to peer over her shoulder, “Where are you from, Kyori? Tell me a little about yourself?”Her expression is curious, and her tone is light, not pressuring him in the least.

Kyori nods sagely as Natianara explains more about herself, including the witch parts. It all sounded very nonthreatening until the hexes bit. Mental note: don’t put self in a position to be hexed. It’s a good rule generally. “I know absolutely nothing about any of those things.” He admits shamelessly. “Huh, really? That’s new to me too. No elves or half elves where I come from.” She calls him human and he smiles. “If they were pointed, you could get them pierced.” He suggests lamely before she squeals out excitedly. The warrior laughs, trying again to remember the last time he’d played around on swings. A lifetime ago. Kyori’s ready to push her when momentum brings her back again. She asks about his heritage and he’s slow to answer. “Lativu.” And then she’s off and back again. It was far off, too far for anyone to travel without magical means. His landing here was accidental. “I have five sisters,” he paused, “two older. Uhm. What else? I dabble in fighting with a sword and also do not have pointy ears. That’s all I’ve got of interest. Oh and I don’t think I’m witch but if you read something different in my palms let me know.” He pushes her a few more times before trying to bring her to a slow stop. “I’m glad you told me and I promise this isn’t related but do you mind if we call it a night? I’ve got this ball to go to tomorrow and I need to sleep before some woman with giant feet steps on my toes all night.” In reality, he was just tired and glad everything was okay. Nat looked plenty relieved too.

Natianara rolls her eyes at the comment about having her ears pierced, though she bets it would be painful for the points to have a needle ripping through the tender flesh. An elves ears were sensitive! “No elves in Lativu? Hm… Well, we are reverse, actually… There were only elves and drow in my homeland long before I was born, but humans are in the mix these days, also.” The swing begins to slow, and she instinctively digs her heels into the ground, to come to a complete stop. “I don’t have any siblings… You have –five- sisters?! Being the only boy in the mix must have been tough growing up!” She chuckles, lifting her chin to peer into his eyes as he wants to call it a night, “I will read your palm one day… We’ll see if you’re part elf, if you’ll find riches, or meet the lady of your dreams.” Of course, he would follow up with a tease, and she laughs heartily, “You’re lucky I need beauty sleep, or one of these giant feet would kick you in the shin!” Standing, she walks at his side back to the tavern, where she endlessly babbles about her expectations of the ball. As they stand outside the door to her room, she would give Kyori a quick hug and whisper, “Thanks for being so awesome and understanding, and for pushing me on the swing. I’ll see you tomorrow!” A hungry cat is heard meowing from inside, as Nat slips into her room and heads to bed. All in all, it had been a good night.