Ruby moved to sit with Lacerta offered the seat to him, smiling some still as he ordered.
"I didn't really learn the name of the place I grew up in when I was there, and I didn't bother learning it after I left," she said, shrugging some. "I was nomadic, though, I know that, and we traveled around the desert. Even after leaving, I haven't really stopped moving around, going wherever I can find enough woke to substance myself."
“Ah the desert!” Lacerta chimed in a dreamy tone as he looked off into the distance. “A butterfly storm in the stomach and an enchanting oasis to the eyes. I miss the desert very much, and the closest thing we have to sand here is the Western Shore, but one day I shall return.” He then turned back to Ruby with a bright smile. “You should come with me, it would be fun, no?”
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Vulpeca fell silent as she watched Irie scribble on the map, listening to his train of thought while she processed his question. “The same side as you…” she mumbled to herself before her narrow eyes drifted from the map up to the man. “What side are you on exactly, and why are you on that side?”
“I uh…” Irie went silent for a bit before he gently sighed. “As a mercenary, it is my duty to side with whoever hires me. In this case it will have been lady Kiyoshi and lord Varne,” he stated as he looked back up at Vulpeca. “As far as I know, I have quite a number of soon-to-be teammates. I don’t know who they are and where I could find them,” he stated as he looked back down at the map, setting down his quill after he was satisfied with the route he was to take.
Ruby watched as the other reminisced of the desert, smiling some herself at the thought of returning.
"I do think that would be fun," Ruby agreed. She had not returned to her home for what felt like decades, and it would be… refreshing.
“I see. I personally don’t get involved in these sorts of conflicts, especially where Scorpio is involved, but if that man has convinced Sagittarius to be on his side then I suppose it’s already a won battle.” Vulpeca sighed softly and picked herself up off the floor for a good old stretch. “If you’re looking for allies then there’s Aries, Orion and Draco. I couldn’t tell you where they are exactly, I haven’t seen them in over a decade, but last time I saw them they were around the eastern city. I’d be careful travelling there, however, since Cephus’ patrols are based in all the cities. You also want to watch out for Lupus and Leo, if they smell evil intentions on their territory they will rip you to shreds.”
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A soft chuckle floated from the woman sat further down the bar. “You’re so impatient, Lacerta.”
The man pouted as he set his drink down. “I miss the warm sands of Niaps.”
“I know you do, but do you know how to get there?” The woman turned to look at the two, her fern green eyes narrowing as she smiled at the defeated expression that stretched across Lacerta’s face. “Don’t worry dear, I said I’d guide you and I will.”
Her eyes drifted to Ruby before she stood up from her stool and shuffled closer. “Circi, a pleasure to meet you.”
“Understood,” Irie replied before he looked down at his map again, gently shaking his head as he folded it neatly and placed it back into his bag. “Thank you,” he simply said before he smiled to Vulpeca. “Is there anything else I should know before I start trying to find… at least one of the people you’ve just named? Anything at all that might be useful for me to know, I’m willing to listen,”
“Don’t allow others to persuade you.” The woman spoke firmly as she sat back down. “Trust only yourself and your own judgement. Everyone has their own opinions and they will try and tell you what they think you should do. Only you can decide what it is that you must do and why you must do it.”
Irie nodded before he slowly stood up. “Will you be here if I needed to ask about other things in the future?” He asked as he made his way to the door, his mind already planning out the path he was going to take to head near the shore. Despite having never been here before, he was sure he was going to at the very least not get lost.
Ruby watched the interaction between the two, somewhat interested. He didn't know his own way back? Not to mention Ruby had never heard of that desert before.
"Ruby, it's nice to meet you too." The woman looked properly to Circi, finally taking her in properly.
“I will always be here.” Vulpeca smiled softly. “Now go, and try not to get lost. The coast is quite a long way from here.”
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“So I hear you’re wanting to return to the desert?” Circi asked, leaning her cheek on her fist as she tilted her head. “Is that Arahas? Biman? Or perhaps Amacata in Southern Acirema?”
Lacerta stared at the woman in wonder, his jaw agape. “Wow, I wish I was as clever as you, my lady, I didn’t even know those deserts existed.”
“That’s why I’m teaching you, my dear lizard. Soon you’ll be able to travel anywhere you like without my help.”
Lacerta seemed discomforted by that thought for some reason, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to rely on Circi for help forever. He turned to Ruby with a small smile. “Which desert would you like to go to?”
"I've never heard of those places either," Ruby said, looking to Lacerta as he spoke. It made her suspicious, some, but she was suspicious of most things she didn't know about. She thought for just a moment.
"They all sound interesting."
“Then we shall go everywhere.” Lacerta grinned and knocked back his drink.
“I do wonder what will become of the world in millennia to come,” Circi sighed, drawing circles on the counter with her finger. “Imagine if all the countries of the world stayed the same, but the names were all changed so you read them backwards. Esnah would become Hanse, and that just sounds wrong.”
“How do you think I feel?” Tori butt in with a snort. “I’m originally from Ynamreg, and the thought of future mankind calling that place ‘Germany’ makes me feel gross. Who wants to be associated with a place that is essentially called ‘Many germs’?”
Irie nodded to Vulpeca with a bright grin before he left through the door, quickly but quietly closing it on his way out. He then went to where he had left his horse. After he had untied the horse from where it was, he immediately got on the horse and started on his long travel.
Along the way, he found himself getting a bit lost when he entered the pathway leading into the forest. He had slowed the horse down to a slow straddle, cursing quietly to himself as he looked around for anyone or anything that could help him. He eventually got down from the horse, pulling it along as he tried to maneuver around the slim pathway in hopes of finding… something, someone at all.
(I will get a response up, I swear XD)
(any way this can be rebooted?)