Colin's posts

Ash was silent for a moment, before opening his mouth, but he didn't get a chance to say anything, as someone approached.

"Pardon me." he said.

"I can tell we're making you uncomfortable, and I wish to apologise." he said further.

"But actions speak louder than words." he went on.

"So to make up for it, I'll help lighten the load on paying for your food." he finished.

With that, he took out a small coin bag that was loosely tied, and dropped it onto the table, causing the string to come undone, the bag to open...

...and for about 7 gold coins to come spilling out of it.

"Freshly baked bread, fruit from the trees in the orchard outside, and the juice is apple." the man responded.

He then gave a few more specifics when it came to the fruit.

"Is that all right?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Ash was still looking around, but stopped and grabbed a bite of bread.

"...mmm." he said.

"This IS really good." he told Rylie.

Ash nodded.

"I know." he replied.

"I'm curious as well." he said.

He then looked around some, before shrinking down a little.

"Mmm, they really don't like us being here, but it seems like they won't do anything about it." he told her quietly.

It was at that point, the man from behind the bar approached with some fresh bread, some fresh fruit, and a tankard of what looked to be juice.

"To start off." he told Rylie.

The man raised his eyebrow, but she could see the smile in his eyes when she mentioned price was no object.

"Yes, Ma'am." he responded.

"You go on and take a seat, your food will be brought out to you." he told her.

He then stepped away and into the back, presumably to tell the cook about it.

Ash, meanwhile, was looking around.

"...guess they're wary of us because we're strangers..." he mumbled.

Some of the patrons already there gave the two of them cursive looks, but went back to what they were doing. Seemed like they were minorly perturbed by someone new stepping inside, but didn't care enough to actually DO anything about it.

Ash was silent, and just looked around, as they approached the bar.

"Hello, there." the man behind the counter greeted them.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Here to wet your whistle, or fill up the tank?"

"Oh. I see." Ash replied.

"Good to know." he said.

"I'll remember that." he told her.

He then continued eating, before it was quickly gone.

"......" he was silent, before looking to her sheepishly.

"I have to go." he told her.

"Where do I do that?" he asked.

Ash's eyes widened.

"Woooooah..." he said.

"...wait.." he then said after a pause.

"Gold?" he asked.

"Why?" he asked her.

"Why keep gold away from you?" he wondered.

Rylie could see that he bore no ill will from all these inquiries... he merely wished to know.

"....." Ash was silent for a moment.

"Oh, ah..." he stammered.

"I think so..." he said.

"I remember reading about one in a book that Miss Syraene gave us once." he told her.

"Mistress's mother." he clarified to her.

"Isn't... isn't that... like... an Irish ghost...?" he asked.

Ash was silent for a moment... before looking confused.

"Huh?" he muttered.

"...what?" he asked.

"Wait... what, how?" he asked her.

"All you need is her name? How?" he asked further.

"I don't understand..."

"...." again, Ash was silent.

"I..." he stammered.

"Where?" he asked.

"The lab." he said.

"I don't know where, exactly." he went on.

"And who?" he then asked.

"Mistress... Encrae." he told her.

"Vanessa Encrae."

Ash seemed to be genuinely confused for a moment.

But he then shrugged.

"I can wear footwear." he said.

"I mean, I'm supposed to, right? That's... just something that's expected?" he went on.

"I don't want to stand out." he reasoned.

"And bloody feet would do that..." he admitted, scratching the back of his head slightly.

Ash flinched a bit at her 'regret' comment, and quickly looked at the clothing, before nodding.

"All right." he replied.

"Thank you." he said.

"And... footwear?" he asked.

"I mean, you don't have to, I'm used to being barefoot." he told her, before pausing.

"But... if you want to, I won't stop you." he quickly said.

It seemed like he was already learning that Rylie was nice, and that she was doing this because she did, indeed, want to.

"......" Ryker was silent as he heard that, and watched Eke go.

"Geez." he muttered.

"I thought things would improve once we ended that crap." he said.

He then shook his head slightly.

"Well, whatever." he mumbled.

"Eke wants to keep his secrets, let 'im."

Ash blinked a couple of times.

"A rebel?" he asked.

"One who opposes the norms that they've been raised with." Rylie explained.

Ash then paused... and thought.

"A rebel..." he repeated.

"I... I like that." he admitted.

"Maybe I should be a rebel!" he exclaimed with a smile.