RP with arrow_feathers - FINAL
Aila: *is at the tavern quietly staring into a glass of coconut flavored soda - aka rum and coke - as she's thinking about life, the universe, and everything*
Hugo: *everything is packed and ready to go for when he, Stallion and Path leave for Karaya in the morning. Heads into the tavern, hoping to say goodbye to some people. Spots Aila and waves at her.* Aila!
Aila: *turns at the sound of the voice and immediately smiles* Hugo! *squeehug!*
Hugo: *is squeehugged, happily!* I'm glad I found you. I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you.
Aila: ...goodbye? *blinks*
Hugo: I'm going back to Karaya. Stallion and Path are coming with me. *sad look* And I know you just got back to the castle recently too.
Aila: *felt her heart sink into her feet as she continued to just look at Hugo, and now her voice was soft* Hey...I was about to say that. *tries to smile*
Hugo: *licks his lips nervously* It's time for me to go back, Aila. The village needs me to be Chief. *sounds like he is trying to convince himself of this too.*
Aila: And you'd be a good Chief! I guess...I guess they need you there.
Hugo: You could come and visit. Mema would like to see you, and I know Path would too. *quietly* I'd like to see you too.
Aila: I'll be back all the time! *sips her drink carefully and bends the subject a bit* Path and Kayan will be the best of friends once they meet. *smile*
Hugo: I think it will be good for Path to be around kids closer to his age. He spends a lot of time around adults here.
Aila: That's true. And there's way more room to run around and play - there's always so many kids. It's always funny that Mema still asks me when I'm going to have some, but...that's kinda hard now with Jacques still missing...*voice trails off*
Hugo: There hasn't been any word from him?
Aila: *sips her drink again and shakes her head* Nothing. I looked for a year before I came back to the castle, and I've been back about 6 weeks and...nothing. It's like...it's like I'm losing him again and now you're leaving and...*the words start coming out in a rush and she takes a deep breath, not wanting to cry*
Hugo: *reaches out to touch her shoulder comfortingly.* I'm sorry, Aila.
Aila: I...oh...Hugo, I'm happy for you. I really am. I don't want to spoil your going away by crying. Besides, this is only tutaonana Mungu akipenda [ed. we will see each other again, Spirits willing].
Hugo: I'll write you. And if I hear any news about Jacques, I will pass it on to you. *gives Aila a hug*
Aila: *hugs back* Okay. I'll try to come out there as often as I can. *pauses, holding back a slight giggle* Feel like one more order of cheesy bread?
Hugo: Always! *laughs* If I turned down cheesy bread, I think something would be seriously wrong!
Aila: I would think so, too. *grins and orders*
Hugo: *grins, but then sighs* We leave at first light tomorrow.
Aila: I'm sure the two of you will make good time across the Grasslands - the weather is going to be nice for the next couple of days or so.
Hugo: Stallion and Path travelled through part of the Grasslands when they made their way to the castle, but I'm hoping to show Path more of the Grasslands on the way to Karaya.
Aila: Oh, there's lots to see! There'll be flowers out and birds and trees and animals and...Path will have so much to learn while he's travelling.
Hugo: *nods and makes an excited noise as the cheesy bread comes to the table*
Aila: *giggles, watching Hugo's face light up like a Christmas tree* I'll try to bring you cheesy bread when I come out, too.
Hugo: Great! *hands Aila a piece of cheesy bread - he doesn't want to be rude - before he grabs one for himself*
Aila: Thanks. *starts nibbling on hers*