[RP] The Inn of Peace - IoP (Open to all)

[Azana Brown]

"...yeah, that's good," he answered, relatively hollow as his mind buzzed with thoughts and emotions and memories and worst-case scenarios. The glass was set in front of him, but he didn't even touch it at first. Months on end, without pretty much any contact, and she lets him know through the bartender. Classy. He wasn't sure whether to be livid, apathetic, or absolutely terrified.

"So, you wanted to talk?" He asked, trying to snowplow aside all those other thoughts. He'd have to collect them later.

Sosol blinked, shuddering slightly after setting out both drinks. It was pretty clear to the psychic that Ty had a lot on his mind...and a good portion of it was very emotionally charged.

Violet continued to sketch, her motions fast and focused.  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"Okay, I won't beat around the bush. You both know I suck at subtlety anyway. I was curious about your evening with our lovely innkeeper the other night. What's going on there? More to the point, what is going on with you and Stacy. I figured you would have heard from her more than any of us."  

[Azana Brown]

Tyler's expression darkened, intense gaze burrowing into the wooden bar. "Nothing. Nothing's going on. I have heard next to nothing from Stacy until Sol's announcement. As for Zulma, I went on a week-long excursion with her which turned into months after a grave malfunction in my teleportation technology. I promised her a night on the town, which is where you spotted us."

He had made no mention of their flirting, or the lengthy conversations where they had learned so much about each other. The simple fact was that despite knowing Zulma for a shorter time, he felt a lot closer to her than to Stacy. He knew her basic story, and while details had been promised at some point, that point never came. And now that she was actually, finally coming back, it was hard to predict or expect what was to come.

Sosol remained silent, nursing some tea as he observed the conversation.  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"Okay, I can understand that. So I guess I should ask how you feel about Stacy and Zulma at this point. I can tell you're conflicted, but what does your heart tell you?"  

[Azana Brown]

"I'm sorry, but that's not exactly something I'm used to listening to," Tyler muttered, sipping his drink. It was true...after all, one of the last times he had, it got him killed, and yet saved him at the same time. Life was crazy like that, and like this.

"Zulma and I grew really close very quickly. Out in the middle of nowhere there isn't much to do but talk and tell stories. At the same time, it's still too early to say if that'll go anywhere. Stacy...we've been through a lot together, but I take a backseat to the pursuit of justice. It's not a bad thing, her ambition and career and stuff, but the months in-between...it makes me wonder if she's actually serious, or I'm just some fun in her infinitesimal spare time."

He shook his head. My, he had gotten talkative. But he could trust Chris, implicitly.  

[The Legendary Knightsoul]

"I get that. I guess what you should really do is sit down with Stacy and talk to her. Figure out where you guys stand before you pursue anything with Zulma. Whatever you decide, I'll back you. I just think Stacy deserves that much. After all, she did say that she loved you."

((Gotta bounce. Work tomorrow.))  

[Azana Brown]

"True..." Tyler nodded somberly, taking another swig. He had said it back...didn't know if she heard him, but he had. And he meant it. But he had been brought to the breaking point before...and little had changed since then. Perhaps he had been a little too bitter and paranoid. It seemed that no matter what happened, someone was likely going to get a little hurt in the outcome.

No ideal circumstances. Lovely.

((Ditto. G'night!))  

[Zulma san]

In the main room downstairs, Jeff had been so happy to see Violet that he did not know what to say much at first. Then they spoke, he was clearly smiling.
When others came to speak with Violet about her drawings, he behaved, remembering his discussion with Mal. He wanted Violet happy and she was allowed to have friends. Yet, more than once, he had to really control himself not to wrap his arms around her and pull her away to keep him to herself.


Zulma was in her room. The evening with Tyler had been lovely. She had realized how much even a few weeks without him was hard, how much she had missed him.
But was it the bad news they had shared or something else, it felt a little...off. The electricity was still there and the wine helping, she had kissed him on the lips to wish him good night. A kiss he had answered quite warmly. But a kiss which had remained but a kiss.
She sighed and thought again about the fifth horseman. Tyler was right. It was not them to just wait and do nothing. They had to act. They would prevent the apocalypse. She trusted him and the GMO and all the Inn guests. She could not let anything happen to this place. They had all been through so much together.
Once again she pulled out the orb from her pocket and looked at it. Yes they would be alright.
Eyes on the ceiling, she day-dreamed. More than once, dark eyes behind glasses came to her mind. They'd grown close so fast, was it too fast? She cared about him. She liked him. She was attracted to him. But was it more?

In the hallway upstairs, Lin was opening her bedroom door, still embarrassed by the cup given to the giant, when she saw a tall silhouette to her side. Turning her head, she saw Kyou who had followed her silently. She blinked.
"Do you want to come in?" she asked calmly.  

[Astra_Senpai]

Kyou's head bowed at her recognition, shy a moment. Kyou had only been in one other room before... being invited in by miss Lin. Nodding yes, Kyou kept back- if Miss Lin changed her mind, the observer did not want to crowd.  

[Zulma san]

Lin stepped in, removing her shoes, then closing the door behind Kyou. The place was very neat. She had a banzai and an orchid as only decoration. She had actually asked if she could change the furniture into a more traditional arrangement and there was a futon rolled in a corner and a kotatsu on a tatami-like carpet.
With a gesture, she invited Kyou to sit by the table, kneeling on the ground in front of her.
"Is there something you wanted to talk about?" she asked, cool eyes on the younger woman.  

[Astra_Senpai]

Kyou was awestruck. The room was so much like those seen through windows in the homeland. Very slowly the observer sat and instructed, green eye still on the orchid- did Miss Lin like only that flower? Kyou took a deep breath and held out a mass of the moonlit hair. It had grown well past Kyou's hips and while it hung straight... it was constantly in the way. Kyou made a cutting gesture and bowed- the pen having been forgot downstairs.  

[Zulma san]

Lin looked at the long hair. Cutting it? Such a shame. Without a word, she stood up and disappeared in the bathroom. She came back with a brush and a small box.
"Will you let me brush your hair?" she asked. Only after the consent of Kyou would she move behind her and gently start combing her hair.
"So beautiful, like the snow." she said as if to herself.  

[Astra_Senpai]

Watching her move was like watching a bird fly, it made Kyou's heart ache with something foreign; almost painful. When Lin had returned, Kyou had unwrapped the scarf and folded it neatly on the table. A living yin yang, the observer looked up with the only open eye as she returned and nodded yes to the question.

A shiver crossed the thin form, eye closed- the feeling of another person. Kyou couldn't answer, pale skin flushing softly at the warmth of small hands. A small shrug, non committal but polite- it was something learned through watching the others in the inn.  

[Zulma san]

Lin remained silent as she continued brushing the long crystal like hair. It took long minutes for her to finish. As she put down the hair, she allowed her small fingers to comb into the white locks. Kyou could not see but for a moment, her gaze was particularly soft.
Then she let go and moved next to the woman to be able to see her face.
"Are you sure you want to cut it?" she asked without emotion on her face.  

[Astra_Senpai]

Kyou bowed flushed face and swallowed. Such things, these feelings, were like trying to swallow tree sap. Kyou quietly wished Miss Lin would continue to comb- even if until bald, Kyou would not have minded. At her question, Kyou gave a small shrug as if to say 'what else am I do do with it?'