Rune Harvest Crossing [IC]

[SammyGirl]

((Register in the OOC Thread))

The rolling, surging motion of the airship forced Sammy to cling desperately to the wooden bench she sat in. She squeezed her cloth rucksack between her ankles to keep it from sliding away and groaned miserably, wishing they would land already. It was hot in here, probably from all of the steaming pipes that powered the darn thing, and the only windows were the round portholes on the far walls. It was awfully hard to get up and go look out of them, so she resolved to stay put. A trip to the deck would have been nice, but with the turbulence in the storm outside, there was no sense in risking being thrown overboard.

Too bad. Maybe if she'd been thrown overboard she at least wouldn't have to deal with her head knocking against the bench in front of her.

Suddenly, in the midst of her frustration, the captain's voice came on over the loudspeaker somewhere in the corner of the ceiling.

We are beginning our final decent into Eden Forge. Please Secure your belongings and prepare for landing.


**Eden Forge -- Coastline**
Amon slid his feet through the foamy waves gently licking the shore. The wet sand swirling in the seawater sloshed between the clawed toes of his bare feet. The pants around his ankles dripped with green seafoam.

A warm breeze was blowing, salty and sweet at the same time. It carried an odd feeling with it, like something was about to change. Amon shrugged it off and turned his face to the sky as he stepped up on a rock to get out of the water. His thick, black hair whipped softly against his furry neck and face, and tickled his damp nose.

That's when he saw the faint shadow against the overcast sky. Wiping some mist from his forehead, he blinked to be sure he wasn't seeing things.

The airship.

Nobody from the outside had sent one of those in ages. Disbelieving, Amon turned and started back for town. If anyone knew what this was all about, it would be the barkeep.

[thenameofchange]

Savas unlocked the thick wooden door before flipping the sign in the window to "Open". His claws clicked lightly against the wooden floors as he went around the bar to fill a few jugs of water. The flowers placed all around the room released their different scents, keeping the bar smelling earthy and pleasant. Savas carefully watered each plant. "Almost time for customers, loves. Hopefully I can hire one of those musicians soon to play for you. Some music might liven this place up a bit." After he finished watering the plants, Savas cracked open the windows and lit a cigarette. He walked back behind the bar and began to wipe down the wooden top, patiently waiting for customers. They'd be in soon; they always were. If not for the drink, they came for camaraderie, or gossip.

A soft meow from below the bar made Savas laugh. "What do you want, Frisk? I've already given you food. I need to find a home for you soon. Can't keep you around the bar. You like to poop in my potting soil too much." The black cat hopped onto the bar, purring as it butted its head against Savas' hand. "Get down, cat!" Instead of listening, Frisk ran further down the bar to sniff at a pot of bleeding heartwine. Savas sighed, shook his head, and ignored the cat. He'd eventually find someone to give it to, but until then he'd put up with Frisk.

The door chimed as a local fisherman walked in. "Hey, Savas! I can't be long; the wife's got some plans tonight. Just came in to get here a little present."

"What do you have in mind? Alcohol or flowers?"

"A bottle of your finest wine, and d'you maybe have something pretty she'd like flower-wise?"

Ears twitching, Savas ducked beneath the bar and searched among the wine bottles. Finding something he figured the couple would like, he handed it to the fisherman. Savas walked to a pot filled with yellow and red tulips and gave him the entire pot. "Give her these. I'm sure she'll love them, and if she doesn't, blame it on me."

"Thanks, Savas!" He smiled, paid Savas, and left, the bell ringing merrily behind him.

[SammyGirl]

The door opened right when Amon reached for the handle, and he had to side skirt out of the way to avoid being hit by it. It didn't bother him though. He bowed politely at the departing customer and apologized profusely for almost running into him. Of course, Amon was sure the fisherman didn't mind. Everyone here knew Amon, and he was one of the most well-loved enforcers in town for his relaxed nature and his willingness to look at all sides of the story before taking any action.

Turning back to the door as it clicked shut, Amon grabbed the handle and turned it, pulling the door open again. The soft jingle of chimes in his ears made them twitch, but despite the shrill sound, he sighed with relief as he stepped inside.

The pleasantly dry atmosphere welcomed him with its rich scent of drinks and oak barrels, and the plants smelled fresh as ever. The glow of the wall lanterns and the light reflecting off of the carefully cultivated indoor garden gave everything a welcome warmth so different from the gray drizzle outside. Amon took a big wiff and sidled up to the counter, sliding onto a bar stool and leaning his elbows on the counter.

"I'll take some tea." The black and gray wolf laughed. "Can't have my head spinning while I'm on duty." He reached for the small tin bucket of peanuts that rested nearby and he pulled one out, cracking the shell between his fingers and popping one in.

"And Savas, do you know anything about that Airship coming in? Nobody told me we were expecting anyone."

[meowitsmiki]

Miki lugged her giant guitar case into the bar, setting it next to her usual stool and nodding at Servas, who was in conversation with Amon. She walked up to the bar where she asked Servas to serve her usual strong red wine.

As soon as she was able to take a few sips of the bittersweet beverage, Miki sat down at her stool and unpacked her guitar. Miki's guitar was her life. She remembered the days where her dad would sit out on the porch and strum folk tunes for her, while she giggled and sang along. Miki shook her head, pushing the painful memory away, and slipped a pick out of her pocket. She tweaked the strings and twisted the pegs into drop-d, thinking of some of her favorite British folk tunes, and began to play. She was extremely relaxed, keeping a smooth composure and watching the bar customers drink and have a good time.

A younger wolf padded over to where she was playing and smiled at her, tossing a few coins into the case. This is one of the few occasions where Miki would actually smile. She mumbled a thanks as the wolf sat down at a table near her and tapped his paws to the music. Miki sighed. She loved the ability to make people happy. She loved her music.

However, her ears perked up when she heard Amon mention something about an airship.

[SammyGirl]

When Miki first came in, Amon glanced sidelong at her and offered a kind smile. He didn't say anything to her while he waited for his tea, and when she got her own drink, Amon watched Miki for a moment curiously. Of course, he looked away the moment she might have noticed him, and went back to his conversation and his tea. Even so, he dug into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a couple of bills which he quietly slid over the surface of the counter in Miki's direction.

When she started playing, the music relaxed him almost immediately. If not for the fact that he was a little concerned about the approaching airship, he would have probably even gone so far as to recline a little and prop his feet up on a neighboring bar stool to listen.

Of course, his mention of the airship seemed to interrupt the comfortable tune, so Amon sighed softly and decided to explain himself, even though Miki hadn't asked him anything.

"I saw an airship coming in over the sea, heading right in our direction. It was flying low, so I think it's going to land here." He rubbed the back of his neck a little sheepishly. "Nobody at town center knew anything about it, or if they did, they didn't tell me."

[meowitsmiki]

Miki still strummed quietly as Amon talked, taking in his words. She nodded, saying, "It will be strange seeing someone new around here." And that was it, she went back to playing. She wasn't one to get too in depth with a conversation.

Miki thought about the idea of a new person from the outside. She wondered what they could be like. Human, most likely. She'd never met a human. Ever since she was born, there hadn't been a new soul in Eden Forge. How would a human take to the animals? Not that Miki would talk to the person. No, Miki was one to sit back and observe. Miki switched over to a familiar Eden Forge lullaby, humming because she forgot the words. A tiger in the corner swayed back and forth drunkenly with a goofy smile on his face. She found that amusing. She kept glancing over at Amon and everyone else in the bar, content with the atmosphere.

It got later and later into the night, and her own music was lulling her to sleep. She glanced over at what Amon and Savas were doing. After playing one last lullaby, Miki locked her guitar back up and stuffed the tips into her pocket with her worn pick. She paused to look around the bar one last time, then headed for the door to leave, guitar in hand.

[SammyGirl]

Finishing whatever tea he had, Amon paid Savas and said that he'd be back to discuss the airship more later. He had plenty of ideas about what must be going on, but he figured he wouldn't really know the answers until he investigated. And naturally, the only way to investigate was to get off his butt and go see what was happening. So, when he noticed Miki getting up to leave, he decided to get up too.

He nodded to Savas one more time, gave Frisk a quick scratch under the chin, then followed Miki towards the door. Just as she was heading out, Amon got between her and the door, grabbed the handle, and pulled the door open dramatically, gesturing for Miki to exit first. He smirked slightly.

"I wouldn't let a lady go home by herself at night. I'd like to walk you home, if you don't mind. Just doin' my job, you know." He winked playfully.

[meowitsmiki]

Miki was ready to leave until she noticed Amon. As he offered to walk her home, her anxiety piqued and she began to shake her head, until he said, "Just doin' my job, you know." And winked. Her mind raced over ever possibility about what this could be. Suggestive? Friendly? Flirty? Silly? She finally shook her head and followed Amon's lead.


Miki felt blood rush to her face. Sure, she was overjoyed that Amon would walk her home. However this was a first time thing. As shy as Miki was, she didn't quite know what would come out of this. She walked out the door and mumbled a thank you to Amon, and even game a small smile at his wink. She stepped down the familiar path with one hand on her guitar case and the other in her pocket, fishing around the change. The moon was covered by overcast and the air was cool but damp. It was a pleasant night with Miki's standards. Her eyes didn't dare meet Amon's, though. In fact, she was reluctant to say anything.

[SammyGirl]

"Seems like the storm's let up a bit." Amon said as they stepped out and the door closed behind them. He casually folded his hands behind his head and swished his tail coolly back and forth.

"Everything's still pretty wet though."

Truth be told, Amon sensed Miki's discomfort just by her body language, but her shyness was a little cute. Of course, he liked flirting, but he also liked simply being chivalrous. It made him feel useful, and like he was truly an integral part of the town. So, playful flirting aside, he really was just doing his job.

Even so, he wondered whether or not ladies appreciated him. He enjoyed their company, but he also felt a bit awkward around them, not that he'd ever say it. That and...he wasn't so sure how he felt about women in general. Or anything for that matter. He usually never thought about relationships and such the like, after seeing how badly his mother had treated his father.

With a sigh, he pushed the thought from his mind and continued down the well-worn path away from the bar, but instead of taking the trail to Miki's house, he paused when the way split.

"Hey, before we go down that way, what do you say we check out the airship dock? Just to see what's going on. I promise it won't take long."

[meowitsmiki]

Miki nodded, also rather curious about the airship. At Amon's smalltalk, Miki was finally able to relax slightly. Men really did have a bit of decency around here. Not that she'd experienced bad encounters with them, but at the same time, they made her more uneasy then women. Which was odd, because she'd always been the one to relate to guys. She remembered her mother telling her how gorgeous she was, pampering her and fussing over her. But, the thing is, Miki was content with jeans and a tee-shirt, rather than her mom's frilly blouses. She liked to go out and play kickball with the other animals around the neighborhood, mostly boys. But talking with them? Befriending them? That was a totally different level.

It was almost completely dark once they reached the airship dock, and Miki gaped as she saw the ship parked neatly at the worn station. Sure enough, she saw tbe silhouette of someone standing outside the plane, carrying suitcases. She couldn't tell anything about the person, though, thanks to the dark.