#AlmostHeaven11/10/2018
As the sun begins to set, the noblewoman gives a gesture of the hand, and group starts to pack away their instruments.
November 14, 2018
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/14/2018
Anja watched the procession complete their routine as she passed through the district munching on some kind of meat wrapped in a hard corn shell. The show was interesting, had an almost foresty feel. Anja especially liked the instrument the tall man was carrying, as it was completely foreign to her. She almost considered asking what it was, ended up never bother.

Unlike most Tuesdays, Anja was about as cheerful as she normally was. Tuesdays and Sundays were the worst, as those were the days she promised Alina that she wouldn't drink. Even if she tried to sneak some, Alina always seemed to know, so she stopped trying.

Once she finished her food, Anja accurately lobs the ball of paper wrapping into a receptacle and leans against a lamp post with her arms folded, examining the man curiously. He was definitely not Zaldisian, perhaps he was from where the instrument was from? Anja wondered what Alina would think about it.
#AlmostHeaven11/14/2018
actually it's Wednesday.
my dude
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/14/2018
It was tuesday when I posted nerd
Deciding she should ask anyways she approaches the woman and asks.

“Hey what’s the instrument that guy’s playing?”
#AlmostHeaven11/14/2018
Another, smaller, woman stepped in her path. She wore what seemed a man's outfit, and a hint of a small, content smile.
"It's a bagpipe, Miss missy," She answered, in place of the noble, "Y'know, on account of the bag and pipes. It's not very original, but damn if people don't know what you mean when you say it."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/14/2018
Anja nodded, liking the simplicity of the name.

“Where’s it from? I’ve never heard it before.”
#AlmostHeaven11/14/2018
"It's from where he's from, of course. There's no instrument more Nohrian than the pipes. Albin's a real nationalist like that."
November 15, 2018
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/15/2018
"Nohr huh, quite far away from here..."

Anja mused, and wondered where Alina had come from. Probably not Nohr, but there might be a slight possibility. Maybe she'd ask if Alina knew what a bagpipe was.

"You guys all from Nohr or just him?"
#AlmostHeaven11/15/2018
"Well we don't look to be from here, eh?" Her smiled sharpened for a second, "Milady is of pure blood, Albin and I are of tribes that joined after Nohr was established."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/15/2018
"So what brings you all the way to Zaldos?"
#AlmostHeaven11/15/2018
"And why are you here, hmm?" She raised an eyebrow, "Because you want to be, have to be, or just are. Milday's business is her own; It's not mine to share."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/15/2018
“Suit yourself.”

Anja shrugged and took a sip of juice from her flask, cringing a bit at the sweetness of it. How could that little girl drink so much of it?

“AAAAAAAANNJJAAAAAAA!”

As if summoned by the juice, Alina dashed around the corner and tackled Anja with a hug, who didn’t even stagger.

“Hello there Alina, did you get what you wanted?”

Anja smiled as she looked down at Alina, and affectionately gave her a pat on the head.

“Uh huh! Look look!”

Alina turned her head to the side and bounced up and down to show off a brand new glass ornament that she had bought for her hair, shaped like a bundle of blueberries. Normally Anja would never buy something like that, but since she now had a job that payed her consistently, she decided to spoil Alina just a little.

“Whats that?! I wanna see!”

Upon seeing the bagpipe, Alina dashed forward to get a closer look, even trying to give it a poke.
#AlmostHeaven11/15/2018
The shout turned heads from all, and drew a glare from the noblewoman.
"Hey! You can't go around shouting like that. You'll upset milady, and she gets a bit, eh, snappy when she's angered. Please, trust me here," The woman insisted.

Albin rolled his eyes at the shout, then looked to Alina, "Well, they're bagpipes of course."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/15/2018
Anja sighed and pulled Alina back, flipping her hood back up.

“I told you not shout in public, look, you’re making people mad.”

Alina continued unfazed and reached out to give another poke, but Anja slapped her hand before she reached.

“It’s rude it touch without asking.”

Alina just made a face at Anja before turning back to Albin.

“Can I touch your bagpipes?”(edited)
#AlmostHeaven11/15/2018
"Didn't you just?" Albin chuckles.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/15/2018
“Yea but only got a little touch.”

Anja sighed and scratched the back of her head.

“Sorry about Alina, she gets a bit too curious sometimes.”

Alina nodded along happily, now observing the rest of the troupe. Lowering her voice so that the others couldn’t hear she asked.

“So who’s the grumpy looking woman over there?”

Anja smacked her again.

“Oi! What did I say about being rude?”

Alina simply pouted and rubbed the top of her head.

“Bully.”
November 16, 2018
#AlmostHeaven11/16/2018
"She is my liege, little miss," Albin raised an eyebrow.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/16/2018
“Yea but what’s her name?”

Alina looked up at the talk man, blowing upwards so that she could see past her hood.(edited)
#AlmostHeaven11/16/2018
"Milady prefers to introduce herself," Albin chuckled, "It's a Nohrian thing. Our pride demands it."
November 17, 2018
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
“Oh! I’ll go introduce myself then!”

And before Anja could grab the back of Alina’s coat she shuffled towards the lady excitedly.

“Hi I’m Alina! The tall guy says you don’t like it when other people introduce you so I’ll introduce us instead.”

She extended a hand to shake.(edited)
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
The scarlet haired woman that stopped Anja also stepped in front of Alina, catching her hand, "I am Cassandra! You can call me that, or Cass. You don't seem local either."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
Alina bounced into Cassandra, momentarily disorientated. Not really upset that she had been blocked.

“Nice to meet you Cass!”

She shook the hand that had caught her cheerfully, and Anja firmly grabbed her on the shoulder.

“We’re from Mategaus. Not as far as Nohr but not Zaldisian.”

She smiled, and tightened her grip as Alina tried to get away again.(edited)
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
"Oh, so you know of Nohr? That's interesting, and seemingly rare. At least, it is based on what we've heard since being here," Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
“Uh huh! Father had a couple old stories of Nohrian traders.”

Alina’s expression neutralized with the mention of her father, but brightened once more as she continued.

“He said they’d have beards thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis long.”

She extended her other arms as far as she could stretch it, creating an imaginary beard.
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
"Ah, but of course. Just look at Albin."
"That's interesting though. You know, there's no Nohrian trade with anywhere on this continent?" Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
“Actu-“

Anja squeezed Alina’s shoulder and interjected.

“Alina’s father traveled a lot as a trader, including off continent.”

Realizing what Anja was doing, Alina nodded, perhaps a bit too aggressively.
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
"Of course he did," Cassandra chuckled, "How silly of me to have not considered that distinctly likely option."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
Alina nodded, and pointed a sleeved arm at the noblewoman.

“Now can I go say hi to her?”

Anja shook her head and patted Alina’s shoulder.

“No, she’s probably busy.”
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
Cassandra looked over her shoulder with one eye. The noblewoman gave a nod.
"Alright, one at a time," Cassandra nodded.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
Anja sighed and let Alina shuffle up and rubbed the back of her head.

“I’m really sorry about this, she just gets excited to meet new people.”

Once she head reached her destination Alina looked up at the woman.

“Hi! I’m Alina! Nice to meet you.”

Unsure if she was supposed to bow or shake hands, Alina quickly looked at Cass for guidance.
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
Cass unfortunately wasn't psychic, and didn't know what Alina was looking for.
"I am Jessamine dí Krakenburg, of Nohr. Who are you that stands before me."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
"Uhmm..."

Alina tilted her head, not sure what who could mean besides her name.

"Besides Alina...? I guess I'm Anja's best friend!"
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
Jessamine looked down at her with beet red eyes, "You're not from here. I saw your hood down, just now when you showed off your hair piece."(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
Alina nodded.

"Uh huh! Me and Anja are from Mategaus."
#AlmostHeaven11/17/2018
"You know that's not my meaning," She fixed a stray strand of hair, pushing it back to reveal a pointed ear for just a second, "Speak truly, child."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/17/2018
Alina frowned, suddenly feeling unsure of herself. She wasn't used to so many people recognizing her, it felt like a swarm of hands trying to tear of the mask that had protected her for so long. She hesitantly considered continuing to bluff, but Anja interjected before she could respond.

"You're right, she's not from here, but it's too crowded and open here."
November 18, 2018
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
Cassandra and Albin together stopped her. Albin sighed, "No shouting, please."
Jessamine gave pause, then spoke up again, "Come now child. So long as you're not of the Dawn, I don't mind. I am just intrigued. I did not think to encounter one such as I here."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina relaxed, glad that Jessamine didn't seem mean. Still feeling a bit tense she pulled out Cookie and gave him a squeeze. She just hoped that she didn't count as a Dawn, and followed the Nohrian. Anja on the other hand, didn't take too kindly to being stopped, but didn't interfere. She was pretty sure she didn't shout, but maybe Nohrians had different standards.
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Well?" Jessamine pressed her inquiry, "I've not all the world's time, child."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
"I'm from Terria, it's an island to the northeast of Zaldos."
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Hmm. I know little of that land, besides that they are peaceful and strongly xenophobic. But it does bring clarity to the beast of ice water you hold," Jessamine nodded, "Your breath is of ice, presumably?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina nodded again, and planted Cookie on top of her head.

"Have you met any other...people like me?"
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Of the xenophobes? Not oft. Though draconian, they still judge my blood as impure."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina tilts her head to the side, tilting Cookie with her.

"Are you...a dragon too?"
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Did my eyes and ears fail to tell as much?" Jessamine nodded, "I am of the Dusk, child."
"I suppose eyes mean naught to the xenophobes, but ears surely."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina didn't really understand what being of dawn or dusk meant, nor could she see Jessamine's ears for they were covered by hair.

"What does being of dawn or dusk mean?"
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
Jessamine specifically flashed an ear when she fixed her hair earlier
"Nohr and it's rival, Hoshido, come from the tribes of Dusk and of Dawn, respectively. The Dusk Tribe worships the Dusk dragon, and likewise for the Dawn Tribe and their god."
"Much as the Dusk and Dawn fight for the sky, the tribes of those names, and their allies, fought for the earth. Each faction eventually formed a nation, Nohr by the Dusk and Hoshido by the Dawn."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Well Alina isn't very observant

"Uh huh uh huh."

Alina nodded along, not really understanding at all. She supposed that since they didn't live where she lived, it didn't matter too much.

"Can you transform? What kind of breath do you have?"
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"I breath pitched, black fire. Dawnlings oft breath lightning, as if from clouds," She explained.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina always thought breathing fire would hurt, but maybe they didn't like breathing ice either.

"So how come you guys are here then? I don't think we have anyone from that far away besides you."

Alina tilted the other way as she considered the people she knew. Beth and Bella kinda reminded her of Dawn and Dusk, but she doubted they were from Hoshido or Nohr.
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Business of state," Jessamine explained, "though it seems I shall be made to wait while you all send brothers and sisters to kill eachother."(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Realizing that she might know what Jessamine was looking for, Alina piped up excitedly again.

“Anja works as a royal bodyguard, maybe she could help you speak with the king!”

Alina pointed at Anja happily, who suppressed a growl and folded her arms.

“Hey...don’t go blurting things like that to everyone.
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"Nonsense. During wartimes, the rulers oft have preciously scarce time. And agreements would be lost should crowns change hand. I shall wait."(edited)
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Alina gave Cookie a tummy rub not really understanding why but she supposed politics were too complicated for her anyways. Anja sighed and scratched her head.

“Well I’m honored to meet you and your entourage, but I’m afraid we have to go. I hope your business goes smoothly.”

Alina nodded as well, and skipped back to Anja’s side.
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
"I'm sure we'll meet again, given your friends apparent position," Jessamine nodded.
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician11/18/2018
Anja nodded, feeling both tired and relieved now that she could get Alina away from the noblewoman. Alina waved as well, and the 2 of them headed back as Anja lectured Alina on her manners.
#AlmostHeaven11/18/2018
By now the rest of musicians had departed, and now the little square was left with the noblewoman and her two guards, who departed shortly after as well.