[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/241208/a04161052c56932d95d6bf9168fcef02.png[/img][/center][hr][i]The Eye of the Beholder[/i][hr] The one-eyed innkeeper's accent was difficult to discern, probably from some far-off corner of the world, no doubt. Nesna’s expression remained even and subtle throughout, with her lips curled into a quiet, tight-lipped frown, while her pupil-less eyes offered little indication of where she was looking or what she was thinking other than how her eyelids sat half-open, offering the overall impression that she was first and foremost listening carefully, though nonetheless at least a bit sympathetic. A new business venture met with such an inauspicious opening day was certainly an unfortunate sight. But if nothing else, all the bad news of the day had seemingly not dissuaded the place from enjoying a healthy patronage. It made sense, really. Between the tensions, the grim state of the world, and the latest news, people would be needing something to soothe themselves. And as far as Nesna could tell, this was the only tavern in town—which surely meant Sya had a healthy and inexhaustible source of clientele. But as Nesna struggled through all the egg puns, it seemed clearer and clearer to her that what Sya was really upset about wasn’t any of the bad news, but rather that the joy she was so clinging to needed to be shared, and far fewer people than she’d hoped had been willing to share in it. A blightborn sharing joy. What a thought. Now [i]tea[/i]? [i]That[/i] was a real idea—the best one since a bath. And hopefully, one that would go better than the bath. Nesna cracked a small smile at Sya’s suggestion of sharing tea amongst friends. Friend was a funny word, but it definitely had a certain appeal. It felt odd to have such an idea thrown around so readily—after all, did true friendship not first demand weeping or bleeding together? Well, if Sya’s egg-talk was anything to go by, being transformed by the blight was something comparable enough, anyway. [color=DDA0DD]“Tea…tea…tea,”[/color] Nesna repeated thoughtfully, as that small smile overtook her stoic frown, [color=DDA0DD]“A wonderful idea if ever there was one. I’ve missed teatime dearly.”[/color] Nesna brought her hand to her cheek with a soft smile, as if trying to remember the last time she’d had tea. [color=DDA0DD]“I suppose…damaged eggs should stick together, shouldn’t we? A damaged egg is a much nicer way of putting it than what I’d always imagined… You know, I hadn’t had any particular notion as to what I’d find here. I…had…only imagined that this might be some…[i]blighted leper colony[/i], headed by doomed men.”[/color] Nesna shrugged as she leaned forward and picked up her cup again, swirling the wine around as she spoke. She made renewed eye contact with Sya, gazing into her eye with a more active intensity than she had before. [color=DDA0DD]“But never had I imagined that I’d see warmth in equal measure. I’ll accept your offer of friendship, [i]Sya[/i]. I’m pleased to properly make your acquaintance. Now if I may be so forward, may we speak further on this matter of tea? What sorts make their way out here?”[/color] [b]Interactions[/b] [@PrinceAlexus]