The continued chatter in the hall kept Ehlaea up and she sighed. She had hoped to get as much sleep as possible, but with the noise and her usual nightowl habits playing in her head, there was no point in trying to force herself.
Ehlaea stood up and moved to the door. She didn’t open it, just listened through it. It seemed there was now four of the six out. She wondered if the fifth individual would come out as well.
Efraim felt awkward about their exchange with Mithonbaal, and the arrival of more people was overwhelming. They waved to Tilila and gestured inside their room, then closed the door behind them. The Iberian princess was a little loud, but hopefully Efraim would be able to fall asleep.
Mithonbaal paused and turned back, slightly annoyed. Well, I have nothing better to do, so…
He looks at Ica with surprise. "I am the spy. Does that answer any other questions you have?"
When Ica and everyone isn't looking in his direction anymore, he disappears back to his room, quickly. Thank Baal…
Ica rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. "Oh gods, you make me sad!" She waves a hand, laughing.
"But i'll find a way to make you talk somehow!" He rolls her tongue, giggling.
"Ah, and you- you must be the weaver, eh?" She says to Tillia, looking her up and down. "I like your style, Urraca" She says, dramatically rolling the Rs. "Tell me, why did you join this expedition?"
"I was hired as the warrior for this expedition actually. But yes, I am also a weaver." she paused at the question after that, thinking how she would answer "Well, I'm simply joining because the myths of the Garden of the Hesperides are very important to my family, and I think it's time one of us finally gets to see it." she said. This was partially true of course, but she had other reasons as well. She looked around the hall. She and the person before her were the last people out in the hall. She looked her up and down "You are the royal diplomat. It is a pleasure to meet you." she greeted.
Ica smiles, cocking her head as she listens to what Tillia has to say. She tugs at her cloak, swishing her hair before she speaks.
"Ah, a warrior!! very intriguing indeed. I am quite interested in this foretold garden and it's importance to us all." She grins, putting a hand to her chest. "It must be very exciting to finally have the opportunity to visit, uracca."
She laughs again at her last words, a lighthearted laugh that filled the room. "Ah, yes indeed! You are quite wise, my fellow adventurer. It is a honor to meet you as well." She bows, eyes fixated on Tillias as she smirks.
"Tell me, what is your name? I simply must know." She says, twirling her hair.
Cassia leaned on her door, straining to hear what was being said. Finally after a wile, she opened her door and greeted every one. "Hi, my name is Cassia." She said happily. She looked around at every one, and not recognising any of them, she just smiled and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet.
She inclines her head slightly in the recognition of the nobility of the other "I am Tilila, I am from one of many of the tribes in Libya" she lifts her head "And your name" she finds herself interrupted by the small, presumably Roman girl who stood aside to them "Nice to meet you Cassia" she smiled. She was inclined to like children, even more than people her age, so seeing the girl made her more comfortable in her own skin. "You are either the healer or… the sorceress?"
"Healer, but not offishly. I am trained to be one, but I'm not old enough yet." Cassia replied, smiling all the more. "You don't happen to know why I'm here, do you?" She asked as she popped her knuckles.
"Well, did you not volunteer? I believe the rest of us volunteered for this expedition" she raised an eyebrow "It is concerning if you really don't know why you were brought here"
"I met a group of men on the road, they asked me who I was, I told them, they told me a story about a tree and a garden and I liked it, they let me travel with them, and they brought me here where someone led me to my room, and I have been there ever sense." Cassia stated but with a bit more um's.
So the child, Cassia, was the Healer. Tilila was the warrior. The rogue and spy was Mithonbaal. Efraim the artist. What was the name of the royal diplomat then?
Ehlaea hummed. Should she introduce herself? No. All things happened in time, and Ehlaea had always had issues with social interactions. If someone came to her, then she would greet them, otherwise she would simply listen.
"Oh, well that is… interesting…" she said to Cassia. The story was more than a little bit concerning, but she decided to make the better of it. "Well then, I believe I don't know your name, your majesty" she said, inclining her head to the royal diplomat again. All these people reminded her of her family and her tribe, and Tilila had already determined in her head that she would protect all the people on this voyage at all costs.
Ica forgets to introduce herself, too preoccupied with watching the little girl.
“Oh gods above!! Are you not the most precious thing I have ever seen?!” She claps her hands together, smiling eagerly as she steps closer to Cassia. She plays with cassia’s hair, listening.
“Oh no no no no, that is not very fit for a little princess like you to travel with strange men. Oh no.” She lightly taps Cassia on the nose. “I am so very glad you have found us, my little blossom.”
She grins, spinning back around to meet Tillia. “Oh please don’t bow. My status means nothing here.” She says, between both a grateful smirk and a scoff. “I never liked father’s palace anyways.” Her face lightens. “Ah yes! My name is Auruningica. Though you may just call me Ica!” She laughs again, tossing her head back.
Mithonbaal listened at the door. Diplomat. Healer. Warrior. Artist. Rogue. Who am I missing? Ah, yes. The Sorceress. She has yet to introduce herself, interestingly enough.
Efraim did not fall asleep. Everyone was so loud, but at least they could figure out who was who from their voices. The loudest one, the Iberian, was the diplomat. The more child-like voice was the healer… she said her name was Cassia, right?
They rolled over in their bed. Maybe if they could just ignore them, drown them out, sleep would come for them. Raising their hand, Efraim touched their finger to the wall, making random doodles and writing prayers and poems.
Ica, the royal diplomat. Ehlaea nodded and moved away from the door. She sat down in an open area in the room, drawing an imaginary circle around herself with her finger and meditating. Thanking the moon and spirits was simple enough, but falling asleep would be difficult, particularly with Ica’s presence.
Tilila liked Ica well enough, but her personality was very different from her own. While her reactions were small and silent, Ica was open and rambunctious. She didn't think it was bad, just… different. She smiled at Ica one last time "Alright then, I believe it should be time to head to bed. We want to have enough sleep for tomorrow. Goodnight Ica, goodnight Cassia." she knew the others could hear her, so she finished "And good night all" at this, she turned around and entered her room, heading towards her bed for a quick prayer, to her ancestors, and to the gods. Like she had said before; Tomorrow was a big day.
Mithonbaal continued listening a moment, then went to bed himself. She is right… a very busy day, tomorrow.
Ica smiles. “Goodnight Tillia! It was very good to meet you.” She watches until Tillia’s door is closed, then turns back toward cassia, putting her hands on her hips. “My dear, I believe it is time for you to go to sleep! Yes?” She pats her on the head. “Which room is yours, little princess?”
"That one." Cassia stated as she pointed to a door. She smiled and waved as she opened the door and walked in. Looking around at the room she hadn't left for about two days, she closed the door behind her but not without one last wave to Ica. Cassia sat down on her bed that was far to soft to sleep on, but that did't worry her, she did't sleep anyway. She set out a single candle and started to pray to Mercury.
( @Lynn* Ica's the last person awake)
(Oh whoops I forgot :’)
(You're good)
Ica waves goodnight to Cassia, sighing as she was left alone in the hallway. “Buenoes Noachis!” She said in Iberian, striding into her room. She sat cross legged on the bed, and said a thought out prayer to her gods, asking to help the others like her. She laid down on the bed, quickly falling asleep, as the sounds of the desert whispered outside.