Ow, ow, ow! Would be nice sooner or later that I would stop burning either my food or my hands for once so that I could write more frequent without needing to write as much as I did last time. Might as well do it either way since apparently, I've no choice.
First thing's first, I managed to meet someone who could fix my black robe. A local woman it would seem by the name of Doutie. I actually met her while waiting for whiskey and some pork for Fenris. She was talking to Cesistya so of course, Fenris would run up to Ces to give her a greeting. We made our way to a table and sat down, meeting a client of Doutie's by the name of Brenith. He actually was wearing something that she had made which had impressed me. So... We spoke a little while and then Doutie and I (and Fenris, of course. Couldn't leave him behind) went to the crafting hall so she could look at it. She offered a fair price for replacing the sleeve that was burnt thankfully so we had made an agreement.
We made our way back to the Pony to where I saw Ainsleigh there. I remembered that I needed to give her the flower that I picked out from Ered Luin but she was a bit busy talking to Gerlof so I joined the others. We were joined by Kristophor and Amanda afterwards. Amanda seemed to have been in a better mood by the way she was happy with Fenris around. It actually made me feel relieved in a way. I got up so I could get some more whiskey though had to call Fenris as he was a bit too happy with the attention he was getting. Ainsleigh came back into the Pony so I had greeted her. "Damn...," I thought. "I wasn't going to take my time with my whiskey." I had to literally down my whiskey, though my throat and my insides burned as the liquid gone down. I led her to the vault but on my way there, I saw a familiar man from the not too long past. It was Umaarah. I know, I know. Umaarah Umaarah. Interesting name, am I right? Anyways, with him being around meant that Gold was around, too. I explained my situation with Ainsleigh as I led her the rest of the way and into the building, even the explanation of why I was disowned in the first place. I expected her to judge me and walk away but she didn't. She stayed. I gave her the flower that I promised, rather relieved that she really liked it. I was never too good of knowing these type of things because of Agreis. She made a comment about me actually learning to cook, making perhaps a jest that I could perhaps impress someone (or some lady as she would put it). We said our farewells after a few more words and went separate ways.
I took Fenris to the top of the hill, sitting beside the ruins that overlooked Bree from above the Pony. I wasn't ready to go into the Pony, to be in the same place as Gold, knowing that with what had been going on recently in my life, he would think that I haven't changed at all. Another man from Harad that I have met, Aemindir, have joined me despite of startling me and talked to me. Crow (damn him for startling me as well though nearly had me jump out of my skin) joined us for a little while. They have listened to me about my dilemma. However, I couldn't tell them of what happened the other day, of the horrific events that I have witnessed. They eventually left after imparting some words to me. Kristophor joined me afterwards though thankfully, I was used to him being around the corner and not scare the living hell out of me. We talked for a moment though I was a bit hesitant about telling him about Gold, remembering of what he told me before. I felt like I could count on him to say the things I needed to hear instead of what I wanted to hear. When I lived with the Umaarah family, I've been taught many things, experiencing things as I go to be who I was today. "I didn't teach my sons to run away," Gold said to me. I remembered that day clearly yet there I was, being at the sanctuary of the ruins rather than facing whatever events would take place in the Pony. As I had stated before, he would think that I haven't changed at all.
Kristophor and I (Aeru had left us before) went down towards the inn. To my surprise, I saw Steven in the Pony. I couldn't resist the temptation of scaring him since he had his back turned towards me so I did so. To his displeasure, I bought our drinks before we went to talk. I told him...only a little bit of what was going on, deciding it would have been best to leave some stuff out like Amrun and such. The discussion turned to be on the lighter side as we had spoken of our ideal vacation. We said our farewells to each other as he had to go.
I eventually left to go home myself but... Well, I suppose I would say that I found Amrun or...he found me rather. I was upset that I found him to have a fever, most likely due to the rain outside mixed with the amount of stress given to him by Arbitor. I wasn't like Ces who would be prepared for any situation with herbs and whatnot so I only made him tea. It saddened me to see him in such a state. After he had left, I did my best to occupy my thoughts to try and cook (and ultimately fail) before going to bed.
The day after was when it was...bizarre. Arbitor had come into the main room when I was drinking whiskey, Fenris in my lap. I knew that he had knowledge of things by the way he had invited me over. I wasn't going to let my guard down, especially when Amrun was close by. That...actually did upset me a bit as Amrun was sick the night before. Arbitor had done his best to try and make me falter, telling me that he knew of me and that I was...curious (if one would say that) about his clients. Not giving him the taste of victory, I feigned cluelessness, stating that I didn't know what he was talking about. He asked of me of my job and how many were there of me. I gave him that bit of truth and had told him that he was free to test my capability. He told me of a caravan that would be coming from the south and could not go past the border so he wanted me to take care of it. A means of distraction, I take it. I had to make sure that I was being careful so I told him that I'll do the job to take the caravan to Trestlebridge at the end of the week. He eventually left to talk to a client.
I went outside after a while to get some fresh air, being joined by Kristophor. I told him of the events that had transpired and asked of him to stay here in case if something happened while I do this job, asking him of contacting me if such event would take place. I would only hope that it wasn't a mistake on my part, not knowing what I would be escorting like what happened with Zajiri.
With all that having occurred, I am still wrapping my head around it. All this before my birthday, no less. I suppose I'll end the entry here and get started on cooking once again and hopefully won't end up burning my hands or food again. I am planning to make a meal for myself on my birthday after all.
((OOC/Author's note: Which is pretty much today but the journal entry was meant to be done yesterday. Sorry. ^^; ))
