to be decided [Aralyn]

[Jack Craven]

Jack found himself within the elusive Telma's Bar, elbows leaned up against the bar, with his head hung over the surface. His mind was somewhere else as his fingers fiddled with the handle of a drink he ordered not even five minutes ago. He must have toured through the capital a few times by now, and still hasn't made an appearance at the Castle to report his recruitment status. He speculated that it was probably time for him to get his priorities straightened out, and put his life on the move rather than idling around on standby. Though it was quite obvious that with the way he's been behaving as of lately, something was a miss, but he couldn't put his finger as to what it was.

Lifting up his drink by the handle, he took a swig of the sweet concoction, letting the flavor sit on his tongue for a second or two before letting it down his throat. It wasn't often he made a trip to the bar, but he came to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere it brought. Not to mention not very many people were around so that made things all the better. He much rather lounge in a quiet environment rather than the noisy filled merry that goes about in regular taverns. People who come in have the habit of getting quite rowdy, and obnoxious when exposed to the beautiful thing called alcohol. Jack enjoyed his share of liquor too, but it was more in moderation than anything else.

Sad to say even the warmth of ale wasn't enough to put his mind at ease. Ever since the masquerade, Jack couldn't stray his thoughts away from his encounter with Princess Zelda. He could have sworn he was only dreaming it at first. Though he was very well aware that, that night was anything but a dream, and he couldn't have been any happier than to have a chance encounter with the Princess of Hyrule. It could have been nothing more that a lucky chance. That's what he concluded to himself afterward as the rest of his ordinary days came, and went.

Perhaps it was high time to make a difference now, and change the indecisiveness into something to be decided...

[Aralyn]

Finally! A place to unwind, Aralyn groaned. Entering through the threshold, and into the seclusive tavern that belonged to an owner named Telma, the femme hybrid made her appearance known. The sound of her boots clicking against the floor caught the attention of what little guests that littered the bar before they all returned back to whatever it was they were doing. Rubbing her stiff tendons in her shoulders for a split second, Aralyn made her way on over to the bar, ordering a glass of grape juice, the only nonalcoholic drink on tap for the day apparently. The azure haired maiden was a traditionalist, and preferred her alcohol during a time of special occasion rather than drinking it for leisure.

After ordering her drink, she found a stool upon the bar, not really caring who noticed her or not. If any of them were smart, they would mind their own business, and leave her alone. Getting caught up in the hype that Castle Town seemed to be under wasn't exactly the best of timing on her part. There was plenty of activities going about, and it overwhelmed the fairy. Her summer sky eyes lowered for a moment to relax away the tension of being crowded in the bustling city. There was a saying that went 'have you ever been alone in a crowded room' but alone in a crowded city was a bit much~

When her drink was placed right in front of her, Aralyn's summer sky blue eyes peered up at the cup, smiling softly to the bartender. Lifting up the drink, she placed it upon her lips, and took the first sip. The initial taste was sour, the fruits it was made from was exceptionally fresh, but the sharp taste eventually eased onto her taste buds, and the sweet droplets were swallowed easy.

Lowering her drink, she leaned her right on arm against the bar table, with her head resting against her palm. Her attention was diverted over to a lone male sitting by the bar as well~ Just a few stools away from Aralyn, mind you. However he looked like he was lost in thought, and it amused her so. "If you keep that up," she smiled, "Bartender might think you're sleeping, and you might end up on the streets if you keep looking like that."

[Jack Craven]

Even with the arrival of a new guest didn't stray Jack away from his deep contemplation. Sure, he took a passing glance, but didn't really scrutinize the lady when she made her appearance on display. He only concluded that people will come and go, the bar was usually a place for either solitude or one to be spent with many a friends to share mirth, and merry with. The former was most fitting for him at the moment as he took another swig of ale. It was probably an off day or something because he was barely making any progress with his drink... that or maybe it was just slow today.

He was so wrapped up in his thought that he nearly missed what the girl said to him. Jack's hazel eyes perked up out of his train of thoughts as it made a dramatic pause from his semi-limboed state of mind, and being dragged back out to reality. Turning his attention over to the new arrival, he began to fathom what it was she claimed to him. Her smile seemed friendly so he might as well try to be affable in return. Why not share a drink together? Two was better than one after all.

"My apologies." Jack chuckled. "Don't want that now, do we? Thank you." It wasn't until then that he began to notice the girl's distinctive traits. Short-layered azure hair, matching eyes, and a very characteristic attire to match her appearance altogether. What was she exactly? Her round ears told of human origins, but her frame wasn't as stocky-built like the average joe that ponder about the lot of Hyrule. She could have easily passed for a hylian hybrid, but there weren't any defining aspects about her that screamed to him elven in any nature. Jack caught himself in the middle of his thoughts that he was staring a little too long at the young lady, and broke his gaze off of her.

"I take it you're new here, huh?" he commented, taking into fact what kind of drink she bought. He could have been wrong, but was she even of drinking age? Not that he was going to complain for the most part, but she did look a lot older than she appeared. Although Jack tended to worry whether or not he matured any bit in the facial structure part of his growth here, and there. Baby faces only looked good on women. Enough said.

[Aralyn]

The fairy hybrid began to count the seconds it took before the male recognized that he was being acknowledged. Aralyn was amused. The look on his face looked like a deer caught in headlights when he woke up back to reality. She refrained from making any ill-comments not really wanting to spoil the tranquil environment should the stranger take offense to her good humor.

Seeing as he chuckled at her statement, Aralyn took it that he was a sporting gentleman, and decided it wouldn't hurt to engage in a little one on one conversation. He didn't look like he was about to pass out from access consumption of alcohol. In fact, he didn't seem like he touched much of it in the first place. Such a responsible drinker; she liked him already. "You're quite welcome," she replied lightheartedly.

An eyebrow quirked up when he began to examine her as if she was a science model. Her frame tensed up a little as she stared back at him with a look that said 'keep staring, and I might just do a trick'. He wouldn't like that trick either. Aralyn had little patience with men who didn't look her in the eyes when trying to hold a decent conversation with. It was a little awkward; not to mention a bit rude. Thankfully, he noticed right away his errors, and broke his gaze before she had to slap him silly.

"No, I'm a regular," she said sarcastically, "You just haven't seen me when I come in until now." Of course, she was new to the tavern. It was quite obvious that the regulars who did come here often would notice the difference between the people who attended on a daily basis, and those who stopped in once or maybe even twice around. She picked up her cup once again, and took a bigger gulp of her sweet drink, starting to ease herself down with Jack's company.

[Jack Craven]

Perhaps it was only in his head, but he could swear that this girl was waiting for him to make a mistake. What made him think that he wasn't exactly sure, but he was entertained that she was at least paying attention to him rather than being treated like a sack of potatoes. His smile widened with further amusement of her sarcasm. While many didn't take kindly to such behavior, Jack found it refreshing that she could handle herself well. It kept him on his toes, and he quite enjoyed it. It's been a while since he's last enjoyed that clean cut, straight to the point ordeal.

"Aren't you a firecracker," he mused delightfully, "Your sarcasm's as sharp as a blade itself. I come in peace." He released his hold on his drink, letting it perch on the bar table as he lifted both of his hands up, jokingly as if gesturing a surrender. Following right behind his actions was a small laughter hopefully showing Aralyn that he didn't mean her any harm, and that she could relax around him. Since she wasn't up for playing games, he decided to be nice, and keep his playful antics to a low level just to be on the safe side. The blond-haired male lowered his hands down gently before returning back to his calm composure.

"So I'm going to take a lucky guess," he started, "Not from around here?" Straight forward, and to the point, Jack knew how to interact with others after seeing a bit of their personality. The azure haired girl was definitely not an open book, but judging from the way she acted in front of him, it wasn't hard to figure out she wasn't there to play games with the next person she meets. She carried herself independently, or at least that's how it appeared to the hylian so she probably came her on some kind of business. Then again, he could be wrong.

That was the beauty of getting to know people. Hell, you learn something you never knew every day.

[Aralyn]

“That’s what they all say,” she smirked. At least he was being a sport, and coming to an understanding that he’s not allowed to breach certain boundaries between them yet. Aralyn had to make it known otherwise people didn’t get the point that she didn’t want them up in her personal bubble. She loved space, but there was a certain amount of trust placed in people at first. It only came natural that she needed quite a bit of time of getting to know him before she can make the final decision on whether he was a good person or not. That is, if he was going to stick around long enough to want to become her friend.

Now she wasn’t pushing him away completely, but she wanted some leg-movement or so to speak before engaging in any tie-makings. It didn’t matter if he was going to be a short-term friend or someone who’ll stay in the long run… it was nice not to be alone. Jack was entertaining to say the least so she’ll give him a little bit of slack. Just a little~

“Correct,” she answered simply, “I’m from the Province, but decided to try and find my fortune in life here.” It was a start, but everyone needed a purpose of some kind, right? Aralyn didn’t have a dedicated life per se as to what she wanted to profession in; however, there was always room for change. She turned her icy blue eyes over to the Hylian male, and returned the question back to him. “And you?”

[Jack Craven]

Touché. Jack had to be at least observant if anything else to make up for his incompetence in within his directional sense. Perhaps it would have been wise of him to try and find a map of important locations in Hyrule so he wouldn't have to depend solely on long-term journeys. Nonetheless, he was actually quite pleased with her reaction, as he knew not to push anything with her, and just be appreciative with each others company. Perhaps in the end, he'll have a new friend to spend some time with? Now that was an optimistic outlook to look forward too. Plus, she was cute, he wouldn't deny that.

"So do you have special talents that will serve profitable on the market?" he half-asked, half-teased. The blond inched away slightly in case she decided to throw a punch or even her glass at him for that remark. However he was actually curious as to what she was going to get herself into while staying here. There was no way she was a merchant, but Aralyn didn't strike him as the type that would be apart of a performing troupe either. What else was out there? Jack cupped his chin softly as his brows furrowed in thought before coming across the thought of her possibly joining the knighthood. It wasn't often you saw women in knights, but it was a possibility. He tried to leave his mind open to details so that he wouldn't be surprise when he did find out what she wanted to do.

He smiled knowing quite well that his question would be returned back over to him. Fair enough. He only hoped that his tale wouldn't be boring for her to listen to. "I'm not from around here. I'm actually from Eldin; Kakariko Village is my home," he answered, "Been in the capital for a good while, trying to make my way to the castle, and finalize my enlistment." There you have it. He lifted up his drink to swallow down a little more of his beverage. Nothing could beat the sweet drops of ale with good company.

[Aralyn]

"Keep it up," she grinned, "I just might show you." Her last sentence was laced with a bit of venom obviously not taking a liking to his teasing. Yeah, she thought about punching him in the arm to teach him a lesson, but even that would be come off rude since they just met. In the end, she settled with rolling her eyes quietly, dropping the topic off of her. To be perfectly honest, she wanted to know more about him so that she could make the judgment on whether or not he was a potential friend. So far it was up in the air, but he did have his perks, and quirks~ Aralyn was leaning in favor of going for it, but let's give it some more time.

When he answered the question, she was actually very impressed with his answer~ So he wanted to be a Hylian Knight, huh? That was actually pretty cool. That took a lot of guts to be dedicated to serving the country down to laying your life by the sword. Her icy blue eyes flickered brightly finding admiration in that concept. The hybrid fairy ran her slim fingers through her azure locks, removing her bangs out of her face softly. Yet her eyes still remained focused on Jack.

"If you don't mind me asking, what inspired you to become a knight?" She was honestly curious, in general, why Hylians with their diminishing bloodline want to huddle together to become knights for the Princess. It definitely had something involved with pride, no doubt, after all Hylians did have this natural sense of superiority amongst other races.

[Jack Craven]

Scary. Jack couldn't resist that smile plastered all over his mouth when she gave him such venom. He would have understood if she retaliated with a violent gesture or two, but it would seem he got off lucky with no such things. She was definitely a feisty one. The hylian was glad at least that his company was enjoying herself just as much he was with the pleasantries.

It wasn't every day that you make a friend at your local bar without it resulting in either getting drunk off your tail or resulting in a bar brawl. As far as he was concerned, both of them were sober enough to keep a decent conversation, and none of them were creating a commotion, so he concluded they were cool. Cool as ice, man. "Don't laugh," he rubbed his nose, "Its been a childhood dream of mine to become a Knight. Not the most exciting reason, I know, but growing up in the country, it meant a lot to my friends, and family as it did to me. "

It was the truth. He could still remember the memories he shared with those he had to leave behind to realize his dream. His family teasing him to stay on the right path, and he would make it to Hyrule Castle. He sure proved them right though, he made it to the Capital now, so now it was time to realize his dream. "Another reason why I want to become a Knight... is because I got to meet Princess Zelda in person. Once, but that was enough for me," he mused melancholic. Aralyn probably wouldn't believe him, but still, Jack was quite happy to proclaim that he's met the Hylian Princess before.