Jarudiel peered curiously at Aloth over their shared table at the Black Hound inn. They had done a fine job of helping – or promising to – a few citizens of Gilded Vale, and were planning on exploring the ruined temple together the next morning, yet they knew almost nothing about each other. Jarudiel only knew that the fellow elf was probably a wizard, considering he hauled a grimoire around, and liked to think his words over carefully... except when he suddenly did the polar opposite and then claimed to have said nothing. Not weird at all, right? Be that as it may, Jarudiel liked to get to know his companions to at least some extent so he could evaluate how likely they were to murder him in his sleep, and it was time to get on with it.
The waiter brought them their supper and they dug in, Jarudiel mulling over how to start a conversation. Turned out Aloth had the same idea and took the initiative.
"So, Jarudiel... I have to admit that I've never actually met a Glamfellen before. I've understood that your kind doesn't usually leave the White that Wends?" he asked carefully, but Jarudiel could clearly pick up the actual question underneath. It was asked often. Why was he traveling?
"I have met only two others on my travels, so I have to say you're correct", he answered. "My tendency to travel boils down to my father. He can't stay in one place for long and passed the need forward to me by taking me with him once I was old enough. We never traveled all that far though and we returned home to my mother every few weeks, but eventually, it wasn't enough for me anymore, so I left. ...Well, there may have been other factors involved, but that's a story for another time." He took a deliberate sip of his water while giving Aloth a look over his cup. He would not be discussing this subject at length on their first evening. Or their second. Or however long he could avoid the subject until he was convinced it wouldn't be throw back to his face as a result.
"A traveler, then. I'm one myself, although less out of my own choice", Aloth replied. Thankfully, he seemed to have taken the hint. "I was hoping to settle down somewhere, but life likes to throw hurdles my way. I'm from Cythwood, and I was at the end of my arcane knight training when... life happened. Now I'm just a wizard, trying to find my place in the world." Jarudiel believed he could learn to like Aloth; always a bonus with people you choose to travel with.
"I haven't been to Cythwood, although I did visit Aedyr before coming here. I rather appreciated the abundance of sweets there", Jarudiel said with a chuckle. "I picked up a few recipes too, just in case I'd settle down somewhere and have the means to bake."
"In that case, I believe I'll accompany you for a long while yet", Aloth answered, and then toasted him with his wineglass. They shared a quiet laugh, then went back to their meal. After a few bites, Aloth looked back up again, a question in his eyes.
"Pardon me, I have one more immediate thing to bring up. While we were visiting people, I noticed... well... you seemed to pick up their belongings and not return them", the wood elf said slowly, treading carefully.
Jarudiel gave him a calculating look, judging whether the truth would be well received or if he needed to resort to his go-to lie. After a beat, he made his decision and gave Aloth a wicked grin.
"Fair enough. If I'm caught, I'll apologize and tell people that I'm suffering from kleptomania, which is a story I'm hoping you'll back up. But in reality I'm just greedy and enjoy the thrill of getting away with things, literal things in this case. I'm a do-gooder for the most part and not above charity if the case is well presented, but deep down I'm not only a mercenary but also like to pick up my own little rewards here and there. I'm apparently getting sloppy thanks to my... strange newfound tiredness, so I'd appreciate it if you could direct people's attention elsewhere if I seem to be skulking around or otherwise not engaging them myself." He leaned forward eagerly, already set on Aloth being his partner in crime.
Aloth seemed taken aback for a moment, but eventually visibly resigned himself to this new turn of events.
"Kleptomania and distraction. I can work with that."
Yep, he was most definitely going to like Aloth a bunch.