Private - The things we do | Page 2

That’s pretty cool, Savannah said, genuinely amazed that he had made a complete chess set all by himself. Granted, she had no clue if he was speaking about his crafting ability within the game or his life outside of this world. One was marginally easier than the other, sure, but Savannah felt it would be tactless to ask which world he was speaking of. She was resigned to believe that they were sticking to this world information and continued smiling as she cleared her throat.

I’ve never made anything like that before. I’m not too, ah, handy. Just all thumbs sometimes. She lifted her hands up and wiggled her thumbs for emphasis before shrugging her lean shoulders. To be honest, I don’t even know how to play chess. The pieces having all different movement abilities always confused me. So I just stick to checkers or cards…also dice if you’re a betting man. She winked and followed it up with a soft chuckle. I’m not, but I don’t mind watching people run through their fortunes like water down a hill.

Glancing off toward the rest of the restaurant, she gave a tiny sigh as she placed her chin in her hand and leaned on the table. Her silver eyes were restless, bouncing from person to person, thing to thing, while the tantalizing scents of food continued to tease her nose and her stomach. She gave Aalam as sideways glance before turning her full attention on him. Sitting up straight in her chair, she folded her hands again and tilted her head slightly to the left, a curious expression pulling at her features.

Hey, this is completely out of the blue, but, uh, what do you think about the King? King Astor?​

 

Aalam was starting to get a bit hungry and form the way that Savannah's stomach had rumbled earlier she was hungry too. Well, that was to be expected he had taken her through a lot of the side corners in the city before they were able to get here after all. That smell wasn’t helping either he was sure he was almost able to taste a berry pie in the oven with the bread hopefully they would take too much longer. He was looking forward to having a nice meal that was cooked over a stove and not a campfire out in the wild. A good meal with good company was always a treat at least for once he didn’t have to worry about every little thing.


It was a little surprising that she was so sure that she was able to make anything though; it had taken a good amount of practice and teaching for him to learn anything at all. His hands were scared with the proof of that. “I could teach you if you want nothing to difficult just a few, just a few simple ways to shape that wood.” Turning his hand over to the table so she would be able to see his palms, with its scars and callouses. “There is some strategy in checkers, and a good deal of reading a person is necessary for cards. I’ve seen some of those poker players, you know the best in the world? They have nerves of steel betting more money than I’ve ever seen at one time.”


As he leaned back in his seat as he waited for her to speak again, it seemed that there was something on her mind. However this was not a place that he was hoping the conversation was going to go, this was work. He needed to keep his work, and his life separated it was one of the ways he was able to do all the things that he did. It was odd that she wanted to know his thoughts on the king; damn he really liked how the day was going. That bubbliness and nervousness that had plagued him for the entire date drained out, in its place was will harden and cold like steel. Pilling his hands off the table and interlocking his fingers, resting his elbow on the table’s as he looked at her. “The king has been tasked with the protection of the kingdom, the choices he makes to keep the empire stable. As long as the people are content and able to gain a good life through virtue of effort. I will have no problem with the king, why do you ask?

 

Quite right, Savannah heard herself saying. The words sounded hollow and fake, even to her ears, but she didn’t know why. She honestly didn’t have an opinion of the King. With the way the world worked, those in power would never see the battlefield nor the scars left by shifts in power or treaties made for the wrong reasons. They would never see how the common family was affected until it was too late and some sorrowful child was running full-tilt at Astor’s back with a spear because their father was now dead, mother gone, and they were the last of their line.

She shook off the melancholy thoughts and cleared her throat, silver eyes flicking back to his face.

Oh, no real reason, she said smoothly with a small smile. Just wondering. I mean, you had such a big part of the war so I wanted to know your feelings on the man behind it all. Some don’t necessarily believe that Astor was right to declare war on Falderen. Her words petered off to nothing and she allowed that awkward silence to fill the space between them.

The awkwardness only lasted a minute before a young girl was standing at their table, full smile stretching her features. Her fire-red hair was pulled up into a messy bun and her clear blue eyes bounced from one person to the other.

“Sorry about the wait,” she said, her words holding a small accent to them. “What I can get cha?”

Savannah smiled in return, glanced at Aalam, and proceeded to speak. Ah, if you have hot chocolate, that’d be great. Or warm milk, period, would be nice. And, uhm, the beef stew? My friend here said that you also have really good bread that goes with it, so that’d be awesome as well.​

 

Aalam watched her behind his mask of stone, when did she asking that question as far as he knew Lucia was loyal to the country. She would make an attempt on the king by herself that would be suicide, as far as he knew the man was one of the better players in the game. So he looked at her taking the words she spoke in context, listening to the way she spoke them how her voice sung the words. What it sounded wasn’t with pride or conviction, no there was a melancholy ness to her voice when she answered. For a second her eyes seemed different as she was lost in thought at something. However not much came to mind, he had seen her secure on the wall and compassionate at the relief camp. It could have been something else, but it was those places that he had seen her last well looking as she did previously. Is face showed none of this, however, it would refuse to move from the mask until he was sure that it wasn’t a ploy. It wasn’t until he looked back at him with that smile did his mask melt back into the standard expression.


It seemed that she was just worried and well with the war there were going to be different believe if that was the right choice and he would discount that idea. He saw what the relief camp had looked like and he had personally recorded the names of the men that had died under his command on the wall. People had that right to wish that the war didn’t happen. “I understand no one wishes for war, it is never pretty and can leave deep scars on some.” He remembers Emil and Brad they had been deeply affected by the actions they were forced to take during the attack on the wall. Those were commands that he had ordered. However, what could he tell her to make that war seem like a good idea she saw the pain the same as him, but she had a better heart that he. That’s was one of the reasons he liked her; she was still able to see the little things. He couldn’t think of anything to break the silence, however, no matter how awkward it got. It was a relief when the waitress finally arrived to take their orders.


“Right ordering, I will get grilled fish with a side of rice if you have it. If not the rice then just some greens then. As for the drink well anything really but if you have the warm milk, I’ll take a glass also.” As they listed off their order, she was writing them down rapid fire on a small notepad. “Right, right I got ya, and you say that ya wanted some of the bread with that? Good for you we have a few loaf just coming out the over, be right to your table in a few.” Placing her notepad back into her apron and almost running back to the kitchen.

 

Savannah waited until the waitress confirmed their order and left before she turned her attention back to her lunch date. I don’t know much about politics and I don’t try to, but I feel that the war could’ve been avoided. Somehow. Or, at the very least, King Astor should have set up help for those families who have been destroyed because of the citizens fighting in his name. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she finished her statement, part of her brain wondering if she should be confiding such things in Aalam. There’s just…a lot of people out there suffering and no one is doing anything about it.

A sigh came from her as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. She cared too much, she knew that, and about a population of people that weren’t really even people to begin with. They existed only in this world and only as data. They gave quests and they had interesting dialogue, but they weren’t real. Maybe that was the confusion that led her to champion them so much? Or perhaps it was from her interactions with the spirits that Lucia raised and summons. They came from NPCs, so they had to be alive…in some aspect.

Anyhow, I won’t bring it up again, she murmured, waving a hand as if to fan away her previous words. It wasn’t polite conversation over lunch anyway. What, ah, what masteries do you have? I couldn’t tell during the whole…Southwatch thing. Too busy trying to stay alive and such, ya know. Though her words were lighthearted, there was truth to her statement. Granted, at the time, she hadn’t realized that she had an ability that was basically Death Ward in case she almost died. ​

 

Aalam watched the waitress take the order back to the kitchen from he what he was able to see from the few seconds that the door was opened, it seemed that they were swamped. It was able to see at least three different cooks that were hidden behind those doors. Well whenever the food came and hopefully it would come soon, it would be tasty. He was hoping that she would enjoy the stew. Turning his attention back to her as she brought the conversation to one of a more somber topic, he could almost feel the sadness she carried. Her voice was not dreary, but each word seemed heavy, even as they carried an undercurrent of frustration. As he looked at her tracking the soft curve of her face with his eyes, seeing where she bit her bottom lip.

This was an essential topic to her on that she had spent a lot of time thinking about this issue. She had seen both side of this war she supposed; there was the horror of what they did… what the order people to do on the wall. There were reasons and at the time they were the right reason but the amount of death that player had dealt out that day some was something that no commander could outrun. Than those he had lets at the relief camp the disrepair that was sound there what they had done to get it in working order. It would have been unrealistic to think she would have those though after seeing all of that. It was a bit humorous to him that same player that had only a few days earlier had been reasonable for causing so much death were the same people that keep the war veterans alive. She seemed to care more than the average player it was something that had given him the courage to ask her out. That spirit she had, it was warm. So he spoke softly under his breath it was just louder than a whisper as he spoke as if he was afraid that someone should be listening to carefully and hear him. A promise that he made early one terra came back to him a commitment that he had made or a girl made of nothing more than 1s and 0s. He had kept that promise and he will as long as he was able. “I understand.” He said nothing more than those two words but they carried more weight as they were spoken and most another thing he had been told that night.

Even as he let those words hang in the air he brought himself back from that weight, she was right that was a conversation that he was supposed to have on a lunch date. “Well, I can’t say that I’m too focused on a trait if that makes sense. I am a pretty decent archer, not the best out of all of us but decent. The rest of my skills are utilities."

 

Savannah perked up at hearing him speak about his masteries. The system within TerraSphere was so diverse, she was forever forgetting all the different combinations that people could come up with. Granted, most of these combinations came in some form of spellcasting…but Aalam was the first ranger that she had met during her playtime.

I think I remember you wielding a longbow, Savannah murmured, her eyes staring off past him at some imaginary scene that only she could make out. Snapping back to the present, she offered him a smile. Or maybe it was a short bow? Either way, you’d be proficient in both, yeah? She hummed to herself for a moment, thinking something over before she opened her mouth again. You’re the first ranger I’ve ever met. Everyone else flings spells at people…then again, magic is so flashy in this game, you can’t really blame them.

And so continued Savannah’s envious attitude toward TerraSphere magical abilities.

I, ah, haven’t changed much since Southwatch, honestly. Different weapon since I think a great axe does more damage than my polearm did, but same skills. Different weight category though, the great axe feels a bit heavier than the polearm…but it could be a different in physical make up as well. I’m a completely different race now and everything. Realizing that she was rambling, she gave a small cough and rolled her shoulders in a shrug. Everything kept coming back to that damned war and she probably promised him at least twice that she wouldn’t talk about it anymore.

What do you like doing in TerraSphere? Like, the most?​

 

Aalam was a bit surprising that she found his masteries such an exciting topic, she even remembers he wields a longbow. It wasn’t even the best bow there was, he was sure that Gywn had a better set of equipment. It was a nice bow with the green intertwining with the black steel; it was both a reminder and a comfort. He had gotten it from the crown as a thank you for their service after the prison affair. He did wish that he had brought it with him, well he could always equip it on him, but that would have been a bit rude. It was surprising that he was the first ranger she had met; he had met a few over his time in the game. While just was able to remember the skill he was able to recognize hers, he had to make sure during that battle. A miss placed unit was something that could lead to death and was something he was trying to avoid.

“Well I would be able to use both bows but there would be a difference, like when you switched to your polearm. It would have taken you a bit to get used to the new weapon. It’s the same with a bow, my longbow has a much longer range and more power, but I had to get used to that.” A slight smile made its way across his face as he remembered how many hours it took him. Firing arrow after arrow into the targets he had made for his practice runs. It had taken him a while until he was able to master the bow but now he would never give it up it was a part of him.

As for magic he knew the feeling of magic both the pleasant variation and the harmful ones, fought against it and with it. He preferred his bow while magic was flashy and powerful it drew too much attention.

He did enjoy a drink, however, but he was not going to tell her that in the middle of a date, he would like to think that he had a bit more class than that. He also wasn’t going to mention his work. “Well I do enjoy making drinks, I know, I know, but I tend to go hunting in some of the wilder reaches of the land for ingredients. When I find something I can use I tend to take a sample, document the smell and taste just in case it’s any good. I have made some interesting drinks over weeks. But nothing with chocolate I’m sorry, but I’ll put it on my next challenge. What about you I know you’re now working as a knight in the North how’s life treating you up there. Haven’t had much interaction with the Duchess but I hear good times.”

 

Aalam had a point. It was silly for her to think otherwise and, upon realizing her folly, she looked down to her lap where her hands had subtly fallen off the table. They twisted there, her thumbs on each hand pressing into the knuckles of each other finger until they cracked. She wasn’t sure where she had picked up the dirty habit, but it was quickly becoming a tell on her current emotions.

I’ve never shot a bow and arrow before, she told him, hoping to salvage the conversation. Maybe we’ll add it to our growing list of things to do together. She gave an easy shrug at the end of her statement. There was so much to do in TerraSphere that having a list of all the places you wanted to go, the people you wanted to speak to, and the quests or events you wanted to experience was smart.

Hearing that Aalam had some skill in mixing drinks further intrigued the young woman. She wondered if he was any good with salves and the like or if his ability in combining liquid was only for libation. Hm, she wouldn’t mind trying one of his mixes, that was for sure. And hey, another skill she could learn! She wasn’t opposed to learning at all.

Duchess? Savannah said with a frown, confused for a moment before his words clicked inside her skull. Oh! Lady Lucia! Ah, yes, I’ve been her knight for a while, since before Southwatch really. But I guess it’s official now? I’m not sure. I haven’t signed any papers or anything. She chuckled at her own joke. But, it’s nice. It’s very cold though…and you eventually get used to being one of the only people in the camp with a pulse. Nevertheless, the undead are interesting folk.

Savannah gave pause, not sure how much she was willing to talk about Lucia and the Citizens. Most abhorred Lady Lucia’s magic and believed the undead to be vile creatures in need of another death, not the chance to build their own society and culture. She was remiss to admit to herself that she had been one of those people before she met her Ladyship.

Do you have a patron? I would suspect many Lords and Ladies would be vying for the Hero of Southwatch now. You must field a lot of mail.​

 

He could see that his comment had thrown her off; she had taken her hands off the hand and was hiding them now. Even though she had seemed so comfortable before, here he was making her feel upset. It was just a fact of the bow that he thought that she had overlooked, hell most people made that mistake. It was easier to look at something like a sword and see the difference insides, but a bow was a particular weapon it hides its power in the design. That’s why he loved it; it was a weapon that most people glossed over but in the right hands. In the right hands, it was stronger enough to put some of the biggest things in this world down at a reasonable range. She would have the strength to pull back the bow if she was able to swing that great axe around. His bow would be a cakewalk. “Sure I’ll bring it with me when we go fishing; we might be able to use it to fish. With some line, it would be my rod. At least I know there is something that I would be able to show.” It was nice to know that he would be able to show her something. When someone did what he did and lived like he did it was nice just not to have to worry about things. He could just sit back and relax. He was about to speak again when the waitress returned to their table her arms laded with dishes.

“Ok, I got a beef stew with a half a loaf of nice warm bread with a little bit of lard in this cup right here. Just in case you wanted something to spread on your bread, just in case. Sorry, it took some time to make sure the bread was done Enjoy sweetie as for you. “Placing Savannah’s meal on the table before turning to face Aalam. “This is you fish with rice now we had it done up in a cream sauce so it should be nice. Now that is wild rice to it might have a bit different texture than what you’re used to but it is to die for. I had to pull out some favors, but I was able to get that hot chocolate for you. Now just a head up we had to use dark chocolate for it so it might be a bit too chocolaty for you. So just let me know, and I’ll bring some cream. Now I have to go but just call me if you need anything else.”

Aalam took a look at the food it was a fantastic sight, and it was worth the wait, everything looked beautiful.

“I figured that might have been the case; you seemed always to be around when she was about. I just wasn’t too sure. As for a patron, I work for the southern Duchy; it was one of the reasons I choose to lead the wall. I had lived in those lands for weeks before I knew the soldiers that protected our borders, no person was going to run over my home. But I doubt my name is a household one.”

 

Savannah couldn’t help but grin when Aalam mentioned bringing his bow to their fishing trip. Her mind’s eye immediately conjured up the image of him standing on the banks, shooting fish and getting a bullseye each time. It would make fishing a lot easier, that was for sure, and she could just wade into the water and fetch whatever he shot. Less work on her end as well.

Even though he explained what he had ultimately meant, Savannah was still all grins. She nodded in agreement nonetheless. It could serve as a fishing pole for him, though she didn’t know how it would fare if they fished up something big or heavy. She didn’t want the weapon to snap under the pressure, of course.

The Knight sat up straighter in her chair as the food finally appeared on the table, the rumble in her stomach so loud that she couldn’t help but blush. She felt her mouth water, the scents coming from their plates making her even hungrier than she already felt. This was such a good idea, she thought, her silver eyes twinkling at the spread. Everything looked and smelled so amazing!

Aalam, this looks great, she gushed as the server walked away. I bet this is going to taste amazing. Thank you so much for taking me here. I’ll have to remember to come here whenever I’m hungry. Oh, maybe they’ll even pay me a little coin for the fish I catch. Hmm.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she cut off a small piece of bread, covered it in lard, and popped it in her mouth…and had a food orgasm right then and there. She groaned as she chewed before nodding her head and quickly licking her lips before swallowing. Oh. My. God. Here, try it; I know you’ve had it before, but holy hell that is good bread.

She cut off another piece and extended it across the table while eyeing her soup and the hot chocolate. Which to taste first?

Oh…but…southern Duchy?

I’m afraid I don’t know who is in charge of the south Duchy, she told him, picking up her spoon for the stew. Can you tell me a bit about them? I figure, as Lucia’s protector, I should know about other Lords and Ladies of power, but I’m clueless. Heh, I’ve never been good with the political game. Don’t really have the smarts for it, if I’m to be honest.​

 

Finally, there was food, there were few things in this world that could make Aalam smile and near the top of that list was food. It was just so wonderful, the taste the texture he wasn’t that great of a cook in real life. Sure he could make some stuff, and his fridge always seemed to be full of TV dinner, but he could make food. However, this was on an entirely different level. He was barely about to get that fish in his mouth fast enough to enjoy it; this was good fish. Just at the right bit of sweetness to the meat and you could tell that it was still really fresh. Yea he was glad that they went here other than the first place he had chosen, sure it was fancy but this place well it was homely. Sometimes comfort is fancy hands down, and it seemed that this was going to be one of those times.

It had just the right amount of sauce to hold either thing together and from the sound that seemed to be coming from across the table. It seemed that he was right to suggest the dish; he knew the bread was going to be a winner. It was one of the best loaves on this side of the kingdom. He was surprised that she was able to pull herself to even offer some of that loaf, but he was going to accept with glee.

Popping it into his mouth, it was both warm and soft, and a little bit of lard just made it so much better than it was almost criminal. It was so good that it seemed to almost melt in his mouth and with that lard. Few things were as heavenly as a piece of good bread over in some spread. He was able to try and hide a bit of a smile as he pushed some so more of that fish in his mouth. He was truly happy that she was enjoying herself. However she wanted to know about the duchy, she was right an agent should know the rest. It was a bit surprising however that Lucia hadn’t told her about the others, but then again Seto had exactly told him either. He had to fund out on his own, so he slides his place off to her side of the table. She should at least be able to enjoy some of the fish while he talked after all.

“ Don’t worry I tend to stay away from the political parts of everything, but to tell you about the south where do I start. It not like Lucia’s land where she has great amounts of farmland we have mountain ranges and lots of various ores. There are a few townships scattered throughout the duchy, but they are not big. I think the largest Seto’s castles if anything But they are good people you know? Hard working if nothing else as for the people in Seto’s court, I haven’t met all but they seemed to be decent people. Loyal to the kingdom and all that but well very serious.”

 

The Lady Knight eagerly tucked into her food and it was divine. After going on pasta for the last week and a half, stew with bread was a good change for her pallet. Of course, she silently bemoaned that fact that she could never eat like this in real life, but she enjoyed what was in front of her. She even took to dipping pieces of the bread into her stew and eating it that way. Try as she may, Savannah couldn’t help the noises that came from her as she ate, tiny groans and moans of enjoyment.

Hungry as she had been, it was easy to get distracted. While she cared about what Aalam wsa telling her, a lot of it went over her head. She didn’t know who this Seto person was, but apparently, he had another piece of land somewhere in the country. It made Savannah wonder just how many nobles there were under Astor’s rule. Why hadn’t she heard of them before now? Were they a threat to Lucia and Lucia’s dream?

The Death Knight hoped not, especially since the Necromancer went out of her way to leave everyone else alone.

When Aalam slid his plate toward her, Savannah took another spoonful of her stew and did the same, her fork easily cutting into the fish before taking a bite. It was heaven!

This is now my new favorite place to eat, she declared after swallowing. She couldn’t help but shake her head and wonder how they got everything to taste so damn good. She wished she could learn their secret…even if she had no cooking skill herself.

It’s…not really farmland, Savannah said after a pause, her hands lowering the mug of hot chocolate from her lips. It was rich, yes, but also tasted amazing. I have yet to see anything grow and most of the time we camp in the mountains, so there’s snow here and there. Ah, I normally hunt for my meals, but the Citizens take care of Lucia and themselves well enough. There are no townships though…not yet, anyway. I don’t think the Citizens are interested in settling down? But, I could be wrong. Maybe they just don’t know that they can…

Savannah gave a small shrug before cutting off another piece of fish and popping it into her mouth.

Who is Seto? I’ve never heard that name before. Is he who you’re working for right now?​

 

Well, this was going much better than he was expecting at. First, it was like that he well they didn’t have to try so hard for once. It was nice for this time right there and then as he tucked into the food. This place had the best food in Terra so far, but there were a few bars that he was going to have to be careful in mentioning that bit of information in. Why this café had a nice feel about he still would need to drink. However he put away the food it was good to have a full stomach, after all, there was little that could compare to the feeling. However, in this instance, it seemed that the company made the day more enjoyable. Well, at least he was able to give her a bit of something to think about while she ate he did know a good amount of information about the south after all. He had defended its towns after all from both bandits and raiders. She would know who all the dukes were right Savannah was Lucia right or left-hand maiden, however, form what he had heard the north duchess was a bit odd. Well, not odder than his duke she just seemed to have her quirks.

However, he did smile a bit when she declared that this was now her new favorite place to eat, again he thanked whoever the Terra gods for making him drop those cards at the beginning of this date. “I only say that its farmland because that how it was described to me. Are you sure if a place has the soil to grow crops efficiently then it might be farmlands, in the same way, there are mountains to mine for ore. She might be able to put the land to use. Sometimes the only thing need for a flower to bloom is for someone to give it a bit of attention. I have seen some truly beautiful things that grew with just a little care.”

Stealing a bit more of her bread to soak up some of the sauce that came with the fish popping it into his mouth. “As for Seto, he is to the south that Lucia is to the north and yes I am his ranger.” He had no problem telling her it was known well enough that he was in the employment of the south, well at least it was in the south.
@Savannah Reed

 

I’ll speak to her about it, Savannah replied with a nod. She honestly wasn’t sure if Lucia had ever thought to allow the Citizens to break away from the main caravan. They just packed everything up whenever Lucia said it was time to do so and they travelled onwards, sometimes more to the north, into the mountains, and other times they would skirt the base of them. She couldn’t remember a group ever stopping or pulling the Dark Lady aside and saying they wished to set up shop here.

Seto’s ranger, hm? I’d like to meet him some day. Like I said, I don’t know much about the politics or the other nobles, but if he’s your employer, then he obviously has good taste. Surprisingly, Savannah winked at him and offered a companionable smile. I could introduce you to Lady Lucia if you’d like? She’s very kindhearted, probably the most kindhearted soul I’ve met in the game so far.

Silence fell across their table for a bit as the two continued to eat. It wasn’t that Savannah was trying to be rude, she was just enjoying good food that she didn’t have the chance to experience out in the real world. Her financial status, shaky and unpredictable as it was, often left little room for food, much less good food like this. She was lucky if she could squeeze out a dollar and ten cents for a McDonalds burger.

Finishing her stew, she covered her mouth with her napkin and gave a burp that could rival that of a lumberjack. Blushing, she cleared her throat and shook her head. Sorry. That was just, really, really good. Thank you for this Aalam.​