The Avians

Sigh, I guess I have to choose huh? Well... those avians might be gone after tonight. It's like Belle said, they are all strangers to me and I to them. After tonight, I might not ever see them again. Robin meanwhile lives here in the city with me.

Robin can wait.

Nihja rubbed her head, taking in a deep breath. "I'm sorry Robin, I kind of left someone a promise I'd go do something tonight. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Hey, don't sweat."

She looked up to see him smiling. "Y-You're not mad?"

He shrugged. "How could I be? A promise is a promise right, it's the one thing I love about you. Little Nihja, always trying to help, always trying to be the good girl. Its cute, but you gotta be careful. Now and then, you might bump into the wrong person. Some people take advantage of good guys like you, remember that."

Nihja gulped, hearing his words of advice and nodding her head. "I will!" She approached him before hugging him tight, catching him by surprise. "Thanks Robin."

"Whoa haha, no problem Nihja. No problem at all."

They shared a smile before she ran off, skipping into the crowd. Robin placed his hands back into his pockets, watching her disappear before turning around and walking the opposite way.

"Hey guys!" Nihja shouted upon finding the two birds.

"Bonjour! You remembered!" Vadam smiled, grabbing hold of her hand and kissing it. Nihja blushed and Pierre only added to it by kissing her other hand. "You guys! You don't have to hehe."

"Believe us, it is our pleasure to be at your presence." Pierre chuckled, "So, my friend and I have managed to find a place suitable for you within zese walls, oui?"

"Oui oui, beauty's first." He stepped aside, his hand curving back allowing Nihja to step forward. She giggled at the display, these two are so much! Looking up, she could feel her heart throbbing as they crossed through the open gates. They were entering into the inner grounds of the city, most widely recognized to be the home of the higher class. Scholars, doctors, knights and members of the church all reside within.

She felt like a fish out of water stepping through, her eyes wide open with excitement. In all of her 18 years, never had she been able to pass through beyond the gates.

"Halt!"

And this is why.

A soldier wearing heavy armor but with a lack of helmet stepped forward, stopping her in her tracks. Usually the gates were guarded by two or four soldiers, preventing any that don't belong from passing through.

"Ma'am, you have a pass with you?"

"Uhhm-"

"Sacré bleu, I nearly forgot! Right here, monsieur." Vadam stepped froward, both he and Pierre presenting their pass. After a moment of inspecting them, his eyes turned towards me.

"We are allowed a guest, oui? Zis is our guest." Pierre said.

"Works for me, but keep her with you two at all times. Carry on."

Nihja held her breath until after they were a few meters away from him, sighing in relief and awe. "You two have a pass?!" Both Avians merely chuckled at her reaction. "We may be more zen travelers, perhaps." Vadam smiled.

"I've never been inside the walls!" Nihja exclaimed.

"Really? Zen be prepared for a night you won't forget."

A few hours later, they had been eating at a restaurant in a sort of dinner for three. A well cooked steak (of which Nihja needed help cutting), mashed potatoes and celery on the side, with a salad for an appetizer. The placed looked amazing, for a second Nihja could imagine herself as a princess within a castle. It's silly, but that was the best way she could describe it.

She took another gulp of her wine, drinking and savoring its sweet taste before placing her glass down. A waiter passed by and refilled it for her before placing a new bottle on the table. Both Vadam and Pierre had finished eating when Pierre requested a slice of cake for desert. Within minutes, the waiter returned and placed his desert in front of him. Pierre grabbed the dish and passed it in front of Nihja with a kind smile.

"What, that's yours."

"No no, I ordered it just for you belle."

Nihja giggled. "Belle? It's Nihja silly."

"Belle in our language means beautiful." Vadam added to which Nihja chuckled back. "That'ssss funny, I have a sister whos friend is name Belle. So her name means beautiful? Awwwww-hic!"

Both Avians laughed softly. "Oui, I suppose so. Though if you ask me, her name should have been reserved to someone else." Pierre smiled.

"Stahhhhp, you two have been treating me like a queen and I-hic! Have done nuthing to deserrrve thiss." Nihja replied, covering her face. She felt a bit tingly on her skin and was beginning to slur in her speech, why is that?

"Mon ami, care to try your desert?" Vadam insisted.

"Okay, okay, one bite okay?" Nihja gave in, slicing through the solid texture of the piece with a fork before bringing it to her lips. She took a bite, humming as the flavor hit her, it was soooooo good!

"How is it?"

"Amazing, oui?"

Nihja smiled, giggling to herself. "O-Oui, oui oui hehehe." Her response caused both men to laugh alongside her. They shared a moment before she hiccuped once more. "Gosh, I rrreally need to go home now. Ish uh, oh man." She stuttered, finding it difficult to stand up. Pierre stood up and held her arm to balance her.

"Too much wine, it seems. Perhaps we may be of help, oui?"

Nihja blinked while Vadam added, "Oui, we have a place for us not long from here. A few paces east, you can stay with us till you feel better. Oui?"

Nihja blinked, go with them to their place? They've been so nice and she didn't know why but she ultimately appreciated these kind strangers. The dinner, the wine, the scenery and experience was enough for her to gloat to her friends and family.

Hic!

It would have to wait however, as her legs felt like spaghetti whenever she attempted to walk. Should she take a chance and head for home anyways?

'It's so hard to walk, maybe I should jussst...'