"Really. Sounds like a load of fun." Chloe said imagining her among the men. and what about an orc.

Fun...... True, some of the best times she had in her life were with the Elks, but not always was the case. If it wasn't for the war chief, Nirayane wouldn't have rose to the ranks of bandit queen. A slave she would have been, chained, beaten, spat upon, and abused every night by a different tormentor, such as those she was forced to slay while fleeing towards the border....the last of the most feared brigands...now reduced to a lowly elf. Her smile softened a little and her lips began a gradual downward curve as her eyes fell upon her empty plate. Memories, joyous and painful, they forever plagued Nirayane.

Seeing Niras smile fade from her face chloe immediatly knew she had offended her. "Nirayane, im so sorry. i didnt mean to upset you" She said trying to comfort her.

Nirayane managed to keep at least a shred of a smile on her face as she turned to Chloe profusely apologizing to her. Offended? In what way had she chided Nira? She shook her head lightly to the other archer, damn...if only she could speak. Twas already late for the elf, and by now everyone had retired it seemed, except for them three and Vallyn wherever he be. Nirayane stood from the table stretching and silently yawning, bidding Chloe and Simbad goodnight before retiring to her room. Along the way, she smiled to Nadia still slumbering peacefully with Dmitri watching over her. Once she was in her room, she let the thick drape made from deer hides fall over the doorway and slipped off her fur boots and her quiver. Her eyes trailed about the quaint abode....until they fell upon her shelf, atop it, an old, rusted dagger and a cracked steel helm missing one of its horns. Carefully, Nira's hands reached for the helm, and softly...and somberly she rubbed her cheek against the cold worn armor, closing her eyes.

Simbad watched Nirayane's frusteration, "I think she isn't upset that you brought it up I think she's happy that you caused her to remember happy things. Any happy time is also a sad time. As i said we all have pasts, its best to let it come out when it does. Good night to the both of you." he said nodding to the Elf and retiring to his own cot by the wall. It wasn't the most comfortable bed, but it was certainly better than the street. He wrapped the rough blanket over him and turned to face the wall eager to get some rest.

The next morning, Nadia woke up with a yawn. She sat up and looked around. Seems like mostly everyone went to their rooms, she didn't have a room to herself as she was the youngest and had to sleep on the living room couch. She bundled herself up in her blanket and slowly made her way to the bathroom to wash her face

Simbad woke up with a start to the sound of running water, he should've been up earlier but the night had been sooo very restful after filling his belly with food. He lazily got up and looked around still somewhat groggy, he decided it would be best if he made something for the others when they woke up. Shaking the sleep out of his eyes Simbad quickly got a pot of water threw in some left over meat and vegetables and put it over the fire, adding a few of the spices he kept around for flavoring his food. A little spice here and there went a long way when you were used to eating scraps. He sat watching next to the fire he had built up slowly stirring the stew to make sure it cooked evenly.

Simbad woke up with a start to the sound of running water, he should've been up earlier but the night had been sooo very restful after filling his belly with food. He lazily got up and looked around still somewhat groggy, he decided it would be best if he made something for the others when they woke up. Shaking the sleep out of his eyes Simbad quickly got a pot of water threw in some left over meat and vegetables and put it over the fire, adding a few of the spices he kept around for flavoring his food. A little spice here and there went a long way when you were used to eating scraps. He sat watching next to the fire he had built up slowly stirring the stew to make sure it cooked evenly.

Nadia went to the kitchen when she was done, smelling cooked food. She saw Simbad was awake and was watching the food cook. "Simbad, I'll look after it for awhile, you should go and wash up" she suggested as she walked towards him

Twas with the discovery of Dmitri gently pecking at her head that Nirayane awoke with a stir and a soft yawn escaping her lips to greet the day, and by the little commotion outside, it seemed everyone else was awake as well. Yea though a struggle to pull herself out of bed as the night had been peaceful, without a single nightmare or interruption, and she slept so wonderfully that she didn't even wish to awake. So much for that thanks to the hawk begging her for food. By Veralyn did he ever cease eating? So it be with another yawn Nira peeled away the soft, wool blanket and slipped out of her bed, resting both feet upon the cold stone of the cistern's floor, damp stone as well. She ambled over to her makeshift vanity, mostly comprised of a table and a mirror one of her guildmates had stolen and decided to let her have. Though shoddy and hastened together, it was still a good enough place for her to fix her wild, tangled hair into her accustomed elven braids and splash a bit of water on her face from the basin. Once she was done, she slipped on her fur boots and snatched up her quiver of arrows, not to mention her bow and her dagger, making her way into the main hall to greet her fellow thieves. Last night's meal Nirayane could smell again, a scent so pleasant as it wafted about, yet with new, subtle hints of various spices boiling into a hearty, warm broth for a stew, a stew made by Simbad no less, Nira noticing the regal fellow stirring the iron pot occasionally. Nirayane also noticed Nadia and quickly she scurried behind the girl, snatching her up and hoisting her over her shoulder, always enjoying teasing the young-blood. Giving a little kiss on the cheek to the girl, she set Nadia down again and cheekily ruffled her hair before turning to Simbad with a scrawled message on parchment, only damn way she could communicate unfortunately, "I'm going to the river to bathe. I shall return shortly."

Ziri came down from her sanctuary, stomach rumbling, her hair bird-nest like and her attitude atrocious. She let out a incomprehensible line of grunts and slumped into an empty chair, pulling her knees into her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She eyed Simbad, Nadia and watched Nira leave as she rested her head on the table with a loud thump and let out another groan. All in all, Belaziri was not a morning person.

Simbad nodded as Nira left, it could get a little rough down here with what little they had. Simbad turned thankfully to Nadia, "Thanks, I'll go do that." he replied gratefully. Then he smiled as Ziri stomped in grumpily, mornings were rough on some people, luckily Simbad wasn't one of those people. He spooned out some stew into one of the rough wooden bowls they had and stuck a spoon in it as he strolled over to her table. "Hey princess food's here." he said quietly and dropped off the warm bowl of food at her table and headed towards the sink himself. He would have liked to have taken a bath in the river but he had no intention of accidentally running into Nira.

Nadia smiled as she watched them leave and continued to stir the stew. She started to feel a little hungry and she took out a cookie from her stash and began to nibble it, making sure that none of the crumbs fell into the stew.

Shrouded within the tall, mighty trees and verdant, blossoming thickets of nightshades, lupids and tinder-root bushes of the sacred Melcar Forest, past the elf's hunting grounds teeming anew with wildlife, there lied a small river that trickled so pleasantly through the forest over small pebbles and stones glistening in the forest green with a fuzzy moss overgrowing and overtaking the peaceful, sloped river banks where frogs, salamanders and turtles gathered to catch their morning feast of flies, moths and other winged insects that precariously perched upon the small twigs and grasses cresting about the soothing, emerald waters. The river, twas known to many about the kingdom as Earth Mother's Tear, an old analogy to the legend that all the waters of the natural world were tears shed by the Great Goddess when she bore the earth in pain. Though....that was according to human mythology, however similar to the thinking of elves. Nevertheless, the river emptied into an open glade, at a pond of crystal waters sparkling, dazzling amidst the first golden rays of dawn casting ethereal light through the thick veil of pines and cedars, frail, dappled shadows dancing across the smooth, polished rocks, and the flowers, so many lovely shades and wondrous hues of color brimming to life at the first warm kiss of the Earth Mother upon their petals flourishing to greet the morning, and such fragrance they emanated that tickled the huntress' nose joyfully. Twas nature's beauty, innocent yet untamed, just as the songbirds chirping and singing their morning praises to the Sun King Hrothnarl for his precious gift that culminated with the gentle pitter-patter of the waterfall snaking through the sheer rock-face and diluting so tranquil into the shimmering pool of crisp, clear water. Nirayane relished the sight for a moment or so, taking it all in with equally dazzling eyes so warm and pleasant. After all, it was in nature she found her peace, her solace. She then removed her garments and her weapons, leaving them to rest beside the bank as she tiptoed in a tad skittish. Twas the midst of summer yet the water was cold, a chill creeping through the woman's toes and all throughout her body. Even so, Nira took a deep breath and dove in, swimming deeper into the mysterious fathoms of the forest spring, a new world seeming to await under the glassy surface as she opened her eyes. Just below the surface lied ancient ruins, perhaps of a shrine or an old temple that collapsed into the water during the days of yore, and now it was home to fish, small minnows and perch and the occasional salmon that ended up here. Even the waters of the forest were alive with animals, yet another sight that made Nirayane smile. She rose to the surface once more to catch her breath and rest her back against the rocks, staring into the sky and sighing to herself blissfully.

Opening her eyes slowly, the light hit her, blinding white light and ringing in her ears. what a beautiful way to start the morning. She stood up but immediately fell back onto the sofa again after her vision went for a moment. standing for the second time she looked around the room to see who else was awake. noticing nadia over by the stewing pot she called over with the slight yawn. "Morning Nadia. I Hope you slept well."

After her bath, Nirayane returned to the guild hall well rested and well pampered with a pleasant expression crossing her lips. Twas a beautiful morning, yet she could feel the sun wouldn't stay for long. Clouds, gray and billowing loomed in the distance, and she was sure she felt a tiny drop kiss her cheek softly. But even so, Nira loved the rain as much as the warm sunlight. As she sauntered into the room, a scent remaining of the chamomile she bathed herself with upon her skin, Nira saw Chloe and Nadia, smiling sweetly to the girls and resting on the sofa beside Chloe.

"And A good morning to you aswell Nirayane" Chloe said turning to sit back down. Her head pounded, not only that but her hair was a mess. it looked like someone had stuck a board to the side of her head and brushed her head up it. "Oh that reminds me do either of you have a hair brush i can borrow. i think mine may have fell out of my pack on the way over here yesterday."

Smelling the stew, Belaziri lifted her head and managed to start eating as the new girl and Nira came back. Grunting her greeting she finished off her stew and rested her head back on the table. It would be a while before Ziri turned into a human again.

Nira was pondering whether or not she should help Chloe style her hair, just as a friendly gesture, but her thoughts were interrupted by Belaziri's incoherent mutters after what seemed a rather restless night for the poor girl, her looking worse than Nira when she awoke this morning. The stew smelled so delightful, yet Nira wasn't really that hungry to be honest. She preferred to eat little anyways just to keep in shape. She turned back to Chloe again, a friendly smile as she asked in her way if she wouldn't mind the elf fixing her hair.

"Really. please" she replied to the mute elf. it might be a nice change to her usual braid

Nirayane nodded happily and carefully she took a few locks of Chloe's hair into her hands, blushing slightly at the feeling. Chloe's hair, it was like strands of silk between her fingers, so soft, and it even smelled just as pleasant. She braided Chloe's hair into a traditional, beautiful hairstyle of noble elves.