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He nodded a bit. "Ok... just be careful. He knelt down, pulled up his pant leg and unbuckled a small dagger handing it to her. It was a bit sweaty from him and he felt a bit strange without it, but he hoped she'd take that since she didn't have her sword. "Here, take this for when you're coming back from Celeste's then, please, I know you don't have your normal protection on, but I'd feel better if you took at least something with you. And sorry for the swet." He set it on the bar and smiled to her. "See ya later. Best of Luck Celeste, may we meet again!" He waved to her and headed out with his water to find Meili.

Eric made his way outsie to find Meili sitting on the railing to the left of the door. He jumped u next to her swinging an arm around her shoulders. "Sorry it took so long, she introduced me to her friend. Also in a bit when she wants to head back to the inn we're staying at, I'd like to walk her back, just to make sure she makes it ok, that's alright with you isn't it."
Meili looked at him "So this 'traveling partner' of yours is a girl?"
He nodded looking at her with a confused expression. "Yes... her name is Jesse. I don't want you to get things out of context, her and I met when I was working in the castle as a messanger, we're just traveling partners. Friends."
She still looked at him suspiciously. "But you want to walk her back to the inn..."
"Yes, we look out for each other, that's what friends tend to do."
"Well I am a bit offended that you would interrupt our evening to walk her back, but if you're just friends, then I understand." She sighed. "It's nice out here, much cooler. She looked up at the twinkling stars that faded in and out between wisps of clouds.
He took his arm from around her to hold onto the railing. "It is a nice night." He took the chance to change the subject with pleasure, he didn't want to get into how he really felt about Nika and about how he was pretty sure that nothing would come of those feelings except pain. He sipped his water and thought about some dances that he knew and the stars and Meili. Though she was somewhat plain, she moved with a trance-inducing grace that he could hardly believe. It'd been quite some time since he'd had a GOOD dancing partner, let alone a GOOD and good-looking dancing partner.

Meili and Eric sat on the railing talking about dancing and the stars, drinking their water. Occasionally one of them would say something that sent them both into a fit of laughter, but for the most part their conversation was rather hushed as they sat there with their legs swinging back and forth.

Eric and Meili talked til the tavern nearly cleared out and she yawned. Her friends issued from the front door and told her they were on their way back.
"Sorry Eric, but I should be leaving, it was a great evening, Thank you very much."
He smiled "It was my pleasure." He jumped down then helped her down and they said quick farewells.
"Hopfully our paths will cross again in good terms like these."
She smiled "Indeed." She waved and headed off with their friends. Eric went in and helped a few of the men move the furniture back into place then went to wait on the steps a bit longer for Nika. He assumed he hadn't missed her coming back through. After everyone had left and the tender had locked up for the night he started to get a bit worried. The streets were empty and it was awkwardly silent. He started humming a bit to ease the tension he was creating in his mind.

He nodded stadning up with a sgh of relief. "I was beginning to get worried that something had happened. And yeah, Meili left about an hour ago." He started walking back towards the inn. "Did you enjoy yourself?" He noticed a bit of dirt on the back of her new white shirt, but said nothing about it, just looked at her curiously with a 'is there something I should know' look.

"Well, for the sake of the artwork, i'd say to squirt it directly on me, and you can smear it with your hands; as long as this isnt a way for you to get a cheap feel in," Kisa teased, her own shade of pink on her cheeks, "but in the end it's what makes the artist feel comfortable, so do whatever you want.".

He nodded. "I didn't expect you to explain yourself, but yes I was wondering about that. How was your evening with Celeste? She seemed nice, troubled and down, but nice." He yawned stretching his arms above his head, his shoulder still felt a bit tight, but it was healing nicely. He smiled looking at her.

He nodded. "Maybe, maybe not." He sighed walking silently a few feet away from her. "You still have my knife right?"