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[H2][color=gray]Tarin, Garden Plaza[/color][/h2]

[@The Otter]

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[quote=Callum][color=#fcba03]"But, my lady, if you know who I am, then I'm sure you know better than to call me [i]lord."[/i][/color][/quote]

Anabel smiled sweetly. [b]”Oh Lord Prosser, were you sleeping during your classes? The children of nobility are all called lords or ladies as a way of being polite.”[/b]

Raiden looked to the side, smirking. [b]”And I imagine you were the teacher's favorite, my lady?”[/b]

Anabel fumed, stamping her foot again at Raiden. It was almost comical, seeing the small, round and puffy stature of Lady Furino, like a Caelin cream puff, making a fuss at Raiden. Raiden, in contract, was this dark, lithe and tall figure, at least twice the height of little Furino.

[quote=Callum][color=#fcba03]"...But, maybe, you mistake me for Allan? My father's heir and I are of a height, while our other brothers seemed to have inherited more of our grandfather's size. He's only recently started growing out his beard, without it we do look [i]remarkably[/i] alike."[/color][/quote]

Raiden shook his head at that as he sat beside the young noble. [b]”Now why would I want your brother? No, you had the good fortune of coming to Tarin at the behest of the late duke himself. The All-force smiles on you, young Prosser. Your fate and mine are intertwined!”[/b]

Anabel leveled a flat look at Raiden. [b]“That's just a fancy way of saying you've been stalking him this whole time, haven't you?”[/b]

Raiden twisted his lip at the young girl. [b]“You want to air out the dirty linens? Fine, [i]my lady[/i]. I might have been ensuring the safety of our young lord, but you, why are you here?”[/b]

A cheeky grin spread over his face. [b]“You were stalking [i]me[/i], weren't you?”[/b]

Anabel's face grew hot, and she crossed her arms over herself, as if in an attempt to hide her secrets from the group. [b]“N-no! Why would I do that?”[/b]

Her lips pursed together before she said to the side quietly. [b]“Okay, maybe I was.”[/b] Then she spoke with more force. [b]“But when I saw who you were tailing, I had to intervene! You, Mister Raiden Asher of the Sparrows, are not a man to be trusted! Especially not with a young, impressionable boy!”[/b]

Raiden gave a low chuckle. [b]“Forgive me but, aren't you a young, impressionable girl then by that regard, my lady?”[/b]

Anabel fumed. [b]“This isn't about me, stop deflecting!”[/b]

[quote=Callum][color=#fcba03]"I'd hate to cut this friendly reunion short by agreeing to anything too soon, something I'm sure you both understand. I need some time to get my wits about me, anyways—finding out the fate of those who were to bear my charge was quite a shock. Maybe we can all discuss it further through the day...or, perhaps, over dinner, once I satisfy my need of lodging?"[/color][/quote]

Both looked at Callum for a long, long moment, before exchanging a glance between the two of them.

Anabel was the first to speak up, coughing lightly into her fist, undeterred. [b]“It just so happens that I know a fine establishment just down the way from this garden plaza. You would only need to say my name at the counter, and they would bill the lodgings to my estate.”[/b]

She held up a hand to quell any rebuttal from Callum, smiling sweetly. [b]“Oh, I insist! You're a guest here, aren't you? It would be impolite to force you to pay. Besides, we will be discussing this more over dinner, yes?”[/b]

Raiden gave her a look. [b]“Ain't nothing to talk about, my lady. Not with you.”[/b]

Anabel only smiled. [b]“I'd dare to disagree, Sparrow.”[/b]

Anabel pointed east down the path, to a building with a hanging sign that read ‘Eagle Inn - Vacancies’. [b]“There, Eagle Inn, you can't miss it. It has a tavern and warm rooms, and a place to bed and feed your horse.”[/b]

She began walking away,[b] “Remember, give my name at the counter, and you won't be billed. I'll see you in the evening.”[/b]

Raiden sighed, watching her go, before he gave a look to Kai, his wolf. [b]“Kai and I have some business in the city, so we will meet you at Eagle’s tavern tonight.”[/b]

He glanced back at Callum, standing. [b]“Well, I’ll leave you to your meat pie, little lord. It is quite tasty.” [/b]

A small chuckle as he mounted Kai, and giving Callum’s horse a wide berth, made their way into the city in the opposite direction.

If Callum were to make his way to Eagle Inn, it would be noticeably nicer than most inns. Fresh wood floors, whole oak beams, and the smell of boiled milk and ale through the door to the tavern on the right. Straight ahead would be a counter with an attendant standing behind it, idly looking over parchments. To the left was a stairwell that would lead to the rooms.