It was dusk by the time the group reached Cassardis. Dri sighed, knowing full well that her pawns would be hungry and tired, but they never once brought it up. If she asked them, they'd sidestep the question. I wonder if other Arisen in the past've treated them horribly, maybe that's what they expect now. I'll just have to prove to them that I do care about them. Otherwise, I may end up running them ragged. Dri continued walking toward the inn, hoping Pablo still had a dinner available for guests. She could go home and cook, but she didn't have enough for four people.
Opening the inn's door, Dri smelled the aroma of a meal being prepared. She walked up to Pablo, and quickly paid for two rooms, with meals included. "Onyx, Krystal. Pablo will show you your rooms. I will see both of you in the morning, please attend to any needs you have before then." There, that should make it clear that I want them to rest and eat.
As Pablo led the two women off, Dri turned to Drake. "Drake, I know that as my pawn, you may not want to spend the night here as I am going home. However, I want to give you that choice. Would you like a room here at the inn, or should I talk to Quina about some bedding for my place? Note that the beds here will be better than at my house."
Drake just stood there, looking confused. Confused? At what, that I'm asking his choice? Something else to work on. "Master, I…wish to stay at your side, if it pleases you."
Dri nodded, knowing by now that was as good of an answer as she was going to get. Hopefully, with time, he becomes more open with me. It's frustrating. "Okay then. Let's head to my place, and get started on our dinner."
Dri walked out, with Drake close behind. She rounded the corner to her house, and opened the door. She was thankful Heraldo had agreed to watch her place, as her house smelled wonderful due to the fresh blooms in the hallway and main room. Dri pushed the curtain separating the two aside, and knelt down by the fireplace to light a fire.
"Is this…your house, Arisen?" Drake asked.
Dri glanced at him, smiling as his eyes darted around, trying to take everything in at once. She couldn't blame him after being in the Rift herself. "Yes, it is." She got the fire started and stood up.
"It's very nice."
Dri blushed slightly. "Thank you, Drake."
Drake looked around some more, obviously intrigued by everything he saw. Dri looked at him, and realized that he had no light clothing to wear while they weren't working. "Drake, before we rest completely, we still need to get your bedding for the night. Also, some light clothing would be good too."
Drake's face turned to confusion once more. I wonder how many more times I'll see that expression. "Of course, Master. Lead the way."
Dri walked out of her house, and headed to Iola's. There she bought a set of linen clothing for Drake before heading to the chief's house. "Take care, minnow." Iola said while they were leaving.
Once at Chief Adaro's house, Dri knocked a couple of times. Quina opened the door, smiling at seeing her friend. "Cos, what can I do for you?"
"Quina, could I borrow some bedding for tonight?"
"Bedding? Whatever…Oh." It was then that Quina spotted Drake, and looked back at Dri, mischief in her eyes. "Sure cos. One moment." Quina shut the door then, leaving Dri and Drake waiting outside.
Crap, I completely forgot about how much of a tease Quina can be. Ah well, at least it'll be coming from a friend. Quina came back shortly, with bedding and a rough mattress. "Here, cos. You might as well have these. I bought them for Father a while ago, but he can't use it anymore, as it hurts his back. I don't like it much also."
Dri smiled. "Thanks. Drake, I'll take the bedding if you'll take the mattress." With that, Dri took the bedding from Quina, and held it in her arms while Drake grabbed the bed and threw it on his shoulders.
"Oh and cos. Try not to stay up too late having fun."
Dri's face went bright red. "I. Hate. You. So. Much." She hissed between her teeth.
Quina just laughed, and shut the door.
On the way back to Dri's house, Drake began talking to her. "Master, what did Quina mean?"
Dri's face lit up again. Rrragh! Dammit Quina! Now I have to think of something, or embarrass myself telling him the truth. "I'll tell you over dinner." Great, that'll stall for a while.
"Of course, Master."
They eventually got back to Dri's house, where Dri instantly moved a bench to a different spot so Drake's bed could be in the opposite corner than hers. "Here Drake. You can put the bed down here."
As soon as the weight was off of Drake's shoulders, Dri spread the bedding on it. "There. Drake, would you mind going and waiting in the front room for a minute? I really want to take my armor off."
Drake nodded, and left. Dri slowly and carefully undid her armor straps and removed her gear. She set them on the floor, and dug through her cabinet for a simple linen dress. As soon as she put it on, she felt amazingly better. So soft and light! Well, compared to armor at least. She then put Drake's clothing on his bed, for him to change into.
Dri grabbed her armor and headed out into the hallway. "Drake, if you want to change also, your new clothes are in there. Just let me know when you're done."
Drake nodded, and went into the main room to change. As soon as Dri was done storing her gear, minus a dagger that was under her pillow, in the front room, she turned to see Drake in his linen fisherman's clothing she had bought. At least it fits right, too right really…No! Dammit, stop. Stop.
"I am done, Master."
"I see that. You can store your gear out here for tonight." Dri headed back into the main room, looking around for a pot to start dinner, when she heard a knock on the door. "Drake, could you please answer that?"
"Of course, Master."
As Drake opened the door, Dri heard Heraldo at the door. "Who the fuck are you?" Craap.