Lyria and Co. En Route to the Market - EW (Lyria’s POV-Mirrored)

Chapter 2, Interlude 3 – Getting Acquainted

Lyria was truly exhilarated to be reunited with her brother, and while she would have loved to spend some more time catching up, she was also excited to see who he would pick for their team. She watched him carefully as he interviewed candidates for a defensive adventure until he finally settled on the half-giant, Ursa Cloudwalker.

Ursa gave a simple nod to Lyria once she sat down next to her, but after that didn’t say much while they watched Kaylen make his next selection. Then the elf woman joined them – who allowed them to call her Lynn instead of using her full name every time – and she didn’t seem any more inclined to strike up a conversation, at least until Lyria prodded her into it.

But then shortly after Kaylen had made his third choice, a short slender girl who turned out to be a half dark elf named Vesili Tenorei who hid her features within a hood, Kaylen himself approached to speak with them. He told them that he and the guild master were going to find a healer and asked if they wanted to accompany him or meet up later, so since Lyria seemed to functionally be Kaylen’s second, she turned to get the opinions of the other three girls.

The newcomer, Vesili ducked her head, not offering an immediate opinion. Lynn, on the other hand didn’t seem to be paying attention to Kaylen or Lyria, but was carefully watching Vesili. So it was Ursa who spoke up first. “I need to gather my travel gear. I didn’t bring any of it when I heard they were holding trials.”

Lyria looked between Lynn and Vesili, but before she could voice her concern, Kaylen beat her to it, “Is there going to be an issue between you two?”

Both women looked startled, turning to regard Kaylen. “No issue.” Talindra was quick to assure him.

Vesili sighed, but quickly agreed, “We’ll be fine.” She told him.

“So what do you say?” Lyria asked them.

“I guess we should buy some new equipment before we go.” The half-elf muttered, almost too quietly for Lyria to hear.

Then she looked to Lynn, who nodded, “We have a consensus.” She said simply.

So she turned back to her brother and relayed the unanimous answer, and agreed they would meet up with him near the market district before watching him leave and finally turning back to the girls. She did have to wonder at the fact that her brother had somehow managed to choose only women for his team. It looked like he was considering a few men, but ultimately didn’t select them.

As if reading her thoughts, Ursa leaned forward slightly so she could lower her voice and ask, “Lyria. Your brother isn’t a deviant is he?”

“No, of course not!” Lyria protested, maybe a little too quickly. Her little brother may have been away for the last thirteen years, but she couldn’t imagine he’d have changed that much in that time. But what did she really know?

“I’ve handled worse than a perverted mage.” Vesili mumbled.

“He’s not a perverted mage!” Lyria insisted.

Lyria looked to Lynn once again, and the elf met her gaze for a long moment. “If your brother proves troublesome for us, would you side with him against us?” She asked her straight up.

The question brought Lyria up short. “I’m sure he’s not like that.” She insisted.

“You may be right. But if it became necessary, would you help us subdue your brother?”

Lyria didn’t want to answer, didn’t want to contemplate what they were asking, but she ultimately couldn’t lie. “I would help you, if it came to that. But it won’t, I promise.” She lowered her gaze to watch her feet, as she resumed walking down the street with them. By that point the guild hall was well out of sight behind them, and Lyria wished they’d never broached this topic.

But Lyria had noticed that Vesili looked rather uncomfortable, though it was difficult to get a good read on her when she had her hood up while they walked side-by-side. “Hey, you said you’d handled some tricky situations. Anything you’d like to talk about, or is it none of our business, because that’s perfectly fine.”

Vesili looked up at her, startled, but then shook her head, “I don’t really want to talk about that sort of thing.” She admitted.

“Is it because of your heritage?” Talindra asked, though Lyria gave her a dirty look.

Vesili narrowed her eyes at the taller elf woman, but then nodded. “Does it bother you?”

Talindra didn’t reply right away, but then sighed. “The truth? I know it shouldn’t bother me. I will try not to hold it against you.”

“You’d hardly be the first.” The half-elf threw back. “That’s why I wanted on this team, and why I probably wouldn’t care all that much if Kaylen did get a little flirtatious with me. He’s not unattractive.”

Lyria had no response to that, so they walked in uncomfortable silence for about another quarter mile before Lyria had to speak up, still thinking about the odd turn their conversation had taken. “I did notice he’s become pretty handsome while he was away.” She muttered, thinking back to the moment she’d seen him again for the first time in thirteen years, before she’d realized who he was.

“He’s a bit short.” Ursa said, clearly having overheard Lyria’s comment to herself.

“He’s taller than the rest of us.” Lyria pointed out.

“He’s taller than me.” Lynn replied. “I am tall for an elf.”

“He’s pretty tall.” Vesili offered. “Guess that runs in the family.” She added, looking toward Lyria.

Lyria supposed that to the half elf the two siblings would be quite tall. But Ursa didn’t share that opinion. “Guess it’s a matter of perspective.” Lyria said.

It was then that Ursa stopped, and after a moment the others turned toward her to see her looking down a cross street. “I’ve been staying down near the docks, so I need to go this way to retrieve my travel equipment.” She informed them.

“Then let’s each go our own ways, and then meet back up here to go on to the market district.” Lyria suggested, and they all agreed.