Fuzzy: Nereid's Nectar
She winced a bit- yeah, she hadn't been expecting this. But still... she shrugs, and takes a deep breath.
"...well... if you really want to know... I was fresh into town, and saw this place in the process of getting ready to open- and they were stocking the kitchens and unloading in barrels of ale. I was down to a bit of silver, so..."
She takes a big sip of her drink, and then gives Sejana a wan smile.
"I got a cheap room for a few nights, and... cased the Nectar. I watched it for a few days, and then, on the last night I was supposed to be in town... I, well... broke in. Figured at the very least I could grab a few bottles and some food, maybe see if there was anything worth anything to steal.
Not proud of myself for that one, but... I was young- still am, and anyone who says otherwise, well... but I was stupid. I mean, not 'tossed rocks at a hive of angry wasps'-type stupid, but... still, really stupid."
Rila sighs and adjusts her posture.
"I was bent over the bar, very sure I was alone... and then suddenly I look up and there's two small glasses on the bar, and she's perched right on a seat, leaning over and looking at me. 'So what do you recommend?' I hadn't even heard her come down the stairs- if she'd had a weapon, I think I'd be dead.
First time Ki made me jump in surprise, and I kind of figured I was doomed. But she just told me to sit down- helped herself to a bottle of that applejack she drinks so much of and poured me a bit, told me to drink, and well... we just started to talk. Finished two bottles of that stuff and saw the sun come up, but... when it was all done, I was still kind of worried- I mean, here I was, caught red-handed, and I figured she was going to turn me in, now that she'd had her fun.
Nope- we raided the kitchen, slapped together what we could as far as food, ate something for breakfast, and she takes me upstairs. I'm thinking 'oh, she's one of those'- and she just opens a door, and tells me to go on in and get some sleep- and if I was still here in a few hours when she woke up, we'd talk more.
So... kinda drunk, full belly, hadn't slept- yeah, I passed out. Woke up, and there she was, downstairs talking with some people. Turns to me, introduces me as the first hire for the Nectar's management. I'm still bleary from sleep and have no idea what she's talking about- and before long, she's dragging me all over Tusk, making sure I have clean clothes, some food stashed away, and before long, she's renting me rooms out of her own pocket for a month. Dragged me to the baths, told me to wash up, and to show up bright and early tomorrow to get my uniform.
...I asked her 'why'. She gave me a smile, and just said 'I've been there. Besides, what's better- ending up labeled a criminal and getting branded or something, or finding a steady job that doesn't care you've got a weal ribbon in your hair? Besides, you can pay me back when you can.'
She didn't mind that, either? You know how many towns and camps I've run out of because they either thought I was, well... easy... or because someone up top didn't approve of the Lady in the Room being mentioned around impressionable minds?
...that's when I decided to stick around. Because she could have thrown me away, with the rest of the trash, simply because of what she found me doing- but instead... Ki washed me off, shined me up, and let me be me. Sure, we still grouse and fight once in a while, but... to be honest, I'm still nervous coming around most places in Tusk. I keep expecting that someone's going to pin me to the ground and take me into custody for trying to rob the Nectar, and well... there are still people who look at my ribbon and just... look at me.
So... I tend to limit where I go. I stay here... maybe try to learn more at the library... but shiny magic things have always intrigued me-"
Rila just paused, a mildly stricken look on her face as she realized what she'd pretty much just said.
"...you don't have to worry, I'm not going to take anything from Sisters. You'd never let me come back in and I like stopping in to see how things are. It's calm and quiet and it kind of smells nice and, well... I always get asked how I'm doing, and, well... I keep hoping you have something interesting I could afford someday. Maybe something like a little rock with a bit of light applied to it so I can keep it in my room and use it to read and things by."
Finally coming to a stop, Rila takes another drink, and sighs.
"...I know. It's a lot to take in- if you wanted to leave, well... I wouldn't blame you."