A Stroll (private)

[Jordan Hielo]

He stared at her for a moment before he smiled. She certainly wasn't stupid; she was not doing everything in her life for him or about him. Jordan was rather impressed on how she seemed to be taking the situation.

"You deserve to live a real life," he stated, taking his hands out of his pocket to stretch.
"And by the looks of it, if you're not already, you will."

Jordan remembered the night she was intoxicated, and how she had briefly spoke about her life. Very brief; but Jordan remembered talk of cages. And that certaintly was not good. No. A child did not deserve that, nor did anyone. So to think that Veranda was trying to turn her whole life around to make something good was a rather calming idea.

"Is there any particular place you'd like to walk to?" he asked, looking around. That particular area he had not explored very much. So he did not know if there was anything interesting around. However perhaps Veranda frequented this area more.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda shrugged when Jordan asked if there was any place she wanted to go. It didn't matter to her, really. She was just enjoying the walk, the time outside. She had been spending more and more time outside and away from hat crypt of a house.

"We could go anywhere or no where at all. It makes no difference to me," she said. Maro bounded back over to them, glaring at Jordan and minute before following Veranda closely from behind, amusing himself by sinking partly into her shadow, then jumping back out.

"So tells me more about your life, Jordan," Veranda said, looking at the elemental. "What is it that makes you, you."

[Jordan Hielo]

That suited him just fine; rather, he found just walking with Veranda pleasant. Despite whom she was, the way she spoke and presented herself to Jordan eased him. Made him calm, as if there was nothing to worry about.

He did not have anything to worry about anyways; but the feeling of pure calm was still difficult to come by for anyone. Once again he was glad she had come by.

And despite the pup still seeming to loathe Jordan, the man couldn't help but be amused as he looked back, watching the pup jump in and out of Veranda's shadow. Such a peculiar creature; he wondered how Maro did it.

Jordan's attention was brought forward as she asked him about his own life. He raised an eyebrow, a smile on his face as he rubbed at his scruff.
"What makes me, me..." he muttered.

"Well I'm the youngest in my family," he stated, "I've got twin brothers a few years older. Acted like typical siblings, loved to pick on me while we were kids. My father is the mayor of Hielo. So I had lots of studying and stuff when I was a kid. You'd think not being the heir would let you have less studying but no, apparently not,"

He chuckled slightly, shrugging as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I guess the biggest thing that makes me me was how interested I was in the forests, though. My country was mostly elementals you see, and we had all different sorts. So there was an earth elemental area that I loved to explore. Even made a few friends. Learned how to hunt, grew a passion out of that. And to this day I still prefer the forest from any town, or city."

He looked up at the tall trees; Veranda was not the only sense of comfort he had. No, the trees, the birds, the flowers all did that to him as well.

His gaze drifted back to the ground where he sighed wistfully.
"I'd love to just move out into an uninhabited area, build a cottage, live off the land for the rest of my life. I think I'd miss the city too much though," he grinned, looking back to Veranda.

"And what about you? What makes you you."

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda listened, crossing her arms as she walk. Jordan seemed to have a good life, and his dream to live off the land wasn't so bad. She could see him doing it. It was a pure dream really. She paused when he asked about her.

"Well..." She said, thinking. "I was born the only daughter to a noble. My mother couldn't kindle with child again, so my father hated me since he could have no male heir. Mother hated me because I was more beautiful than she. She was very vain. When I was eight father tried selling me into slavery, but I ran away and discovered a little farm. There was an old mercenary named Brom who took care of me and raised me till I was eleven. He died of illness, so I lived as a street urchin and made a living off of stealing. I met Julien as a child. Been living that way until I became a vampire."

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan's smile left him as he listened to her tale. Short and bitter-sweet. Slowly he nodded, surprised she had told him but not at the same time. He wondered how he might handle something like that, if he was in the same situation. Probably not well. And certainly he would not have turned out quite as well as she had.

"That... really sucks," he began, before looking at her once more.
"Despite that though, like you said earlier, you can start a new life, like you've been doing. Even though distant you've got Julien. Then you've got Maro, and I'll be dammed if that's not the best friend you'll ever have," he chuckled, looking back at the pup.

Even if the pup hated everyone else he did seem to truly adore Veranda. Maro seemed like the pure definition of 'mans best friend', despite not actually being a dog.

"And hey, you've begun to make a friend out of me. Soon enough you'll be able to make up for that bit of life you had."

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda smiled as Jordan spoke of Maro. Yes, he was close to already. She loved the little hell hound. And part of his appeal was that Maro would live as long as she did, if they both were lucky. She wouldn't have to worry about her pet dying of age or illness.

"Well, one can never have too many friends, so I hear," she said. She didn't really believe that but, it was an expression. "My past made me who I am. It was dark and unpleasant, but it shaped me." And he didn't even know about the rapes. The poor man might cry if he knew about half the abuse she went through.

[Jordan Hielo]

(( Oh goodness he probably would cry lol ))

He was rather glad when she smiled. He couldn't imagine what she had been through. He honestly believed she had told him the jist of everything. But the man was blistful, rather happy that he was able to make her smile.

Well, remind her of the things that made her smile. Julien, Maro. But if she was smiling, it didn't really matter.

Where Jordan did not exactly believe Veranda believed in it, Jordan did believe in the thought of not having too many friends. Not that he really had many, but that might have been why he thought that way. He smiled softly.

"Good for you for making the best of it. Really. I don't know many people who would turn out quite like you did."

He was ignoring the fact that she killed people, but oh well. She hadn't tried to kill him, and she was rather nice to him. Really, there were plenty of times she could have killed him or scared him off. But she didn't.

They came up to a river, and Jordan turned left to walk alongside it. the forest was lush here, the water letting this area thrive. He closed his eyes a moment, breathing in the freshness the water gave off.

"So how long have you been a vampire?" he asked out of curiosity. A while it seemed, if she had been a bit younger when she was changed. Or, at the very least it seemed that way.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda took a moment to look a bit thoughtful at Jordan's question. Maro splashed into the water of the river, steam rising from where he stepped, before he walked out and followed after the two.

"Oh, maybe a few months now," she said, watching her hell hound walk ahead of them and halt, ears perked. "I was turned right before I came to Avaleur." She paused when Maro's ears lowered, hackles stood on end, and he began to growl.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan's eyebrows shot up as he looked at Veranda. A couple of months? That was rather surprising! He had expected at least a few years. She certainly presented herself as if she had been a vampire for many years. Or perhaps that was just the way she was after the hardships. More mature, more confident. In fact, Jordan had thought she might be older than he. Perhaps, with this new information, she was not.

Though his attention was taken away from those facts when he heard Maro's growling. At first he thought the pup was just growling at him. But when his eyes became fixed on the pup, he too felt slightly hostile.

Jordan's eyebrows furrowed, and he removed his bow from his back, along with an arrow. Although Maro could have just been growling at a squirrel, Jordan did not think that was the case.

Besides; it was better to be safe than sorry.

Slowly he shifted a few feet ahead, squinting his eyes in the hopes that he could hear or see what Maro could. But to no avail. He looked over at Veranda.
"Want to turn around? Just in case?" he muttered, tilting his head.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda slowly looked around, now hearing what Maro surely could. Steps, heartbeats. People were coming, and not the friendly type judging by her pup's reaction. She glanced at Jordan, then co to the surrounding forest. She smirked, reaching back to gently touch her sword, which lay flat against her back.

"No need. Sounds like humans. I don't fear humans, they fear me," she said, glancing at Jordan. "But I suppose we could turn, if you don't feel up for a bloody confrontation."

[Jordan Hielo]

He watched her seem to contemplate turning around before a dreaded feeling overcame him. Of course she would be the type to walk right on through anyways; did she fear nothing? But he shrugged it off, being asked if he wanted to turn and avoid bloody confrontation.

And typically he would. He did not believe in confrontation unless necessary. But the people up ahead he had a bad feeling about. No, this couldn't just be a random group of travelers. And if that was the case, Jordan knew that that would be unsafe for Riverbed.

He had to protect his home, after all.

"Let's just see if it's safe or not," he stated, looking back to Veranda.
"If they're just a bunch of travelers we'll leave them alone. But criminals of any kind, fine."

Jordan still did not like bloodshed. But he had heard rumors of bandits and the like beginning to circle Riverbed. It would be best to eliminate as many threats to his home as possible.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda nodded to Jordan and gestured for him to go first. She would let him decide if those up ahead were a threat or not. She was partial to killing anyone, and therefore a bad judge. Maro glanced back before slipping to Veranda's side and trotting along beside her, fur still standing on end.

"Have you been having problems around here with dangerous types lately?" She asked conversational, but quietly, as if they weren't approaching a possibly deadly situation.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan noted her action before taking action himself; slowly he began to move forward, bow and arrow in the ready position as they made their way. Luckily it seemed as if this was not a normal path, so they were not walking straight into them. At the very least, he hoped they weren't.

"Sort of," he muttered, squinting his eyes. He couldn't see, or hear anything yet. But Vernada and Maro seemed to hear something. He really did hope that it was just a caravan.

"I have heard some rumors of bandits beginning to circle the area. Not to mention I've seen a few odd ones around lately. And taking these guys out if they are bandits would definitely help me sleep at night," his lips curved up in a small smile as he slowed down his pace even more.

No... now he could hear them. He could hear occasional footsteps. Laughing. A fire, probably for food. He really didn't want to get into a fight right at that moment, nor did he wish to subject Veranda to such things.

She could clearly handle herself, but that didn't mean he wanted her to.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Maro turned and suddenly vanished into Veranda's shadow, leaving no trace, save for the faint scent of sulfur. Veranda glanced back before continuing on. Maro would reappear somewhere unexpected. It was what he did when sinking into the shadows.

She looked ahead, hearing clearly more sounds of people ahead. She could practically hear their heart beats.

"Bandits? There are entirely too many in the world. I kill my fair share of them almost every night and yet there is always more," she said, reaching up to grip the handle of her sword. She felt excitement stir in her, the urge to kill kindling inside.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan chuckled slightly to agree before nodding.
"Because it's easier to do something like that then make an honest living. Thank you however, knowing that you're also killing these people is an odd reassurance."

She probably killed innocent people as well; but, as long as his home stayed protected Jordan did not seem to mind.

Suddenly he slowed to a stop, eyes narrowed. They had come across a line of bushes, which Jordan had promptly hid himself behind. Now the voices were clear to him. He looked through a hole in the bush he hid behind, staring at the group.

There were about six of them in total, though some of them might not have been in the camp at that time. They circled around a fire as Jordan had thought. Their faces were painted with specific markings. They had one wagon, filled with weapons, and trunks. Jordan tightened his hold on the weapon he held.

No, perhaps they were not bandits. He could hope, at least. No bloodshed, no conflict. Riverbed safe.

But by the sounds of their words this was not the case.
"You sure this is our position?" one of them asked, twirling a dagger in his hand as he stared at another. The other gave a grunt to reply.
"Yes, now stop asking me stupid questions. We wait here, scout the place out. Pick off any guards or troublers we see. Wait for backup to get here. Then attack. Simple as that."

Jordan clenched his teeth, rather unimpressed with the situation. But was it truly wise to attack, just with the two of them? With the right partner Jordan knew he could. But could Veranda? He did not want to demote her abilities, but in a life or death situation Jordan wished to be sure.

He held up his hand at Veranda however; do not move yet. He wanted to hear more.
"When're they supposed to arrive?" one of them seemed to whine, throwing a rock across the small clearing.
"Could take up to a week, I don't know. Now quit your bitching, food's almost done."

Jordan slowly lowered his hand as he gripped his bow and arrow once more. Knuckles going white. No...they had to do something. Take out these guys, then go warn the guards. Or something.

He turned to Veranda, as if seeing what she thought was the next best move.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda ducked behind the bush with Jordan, listening to what was said while the elemental watched. It seemed that they found their bandits. Or at least some of them. She smirked, listening to them talk. She felt her bloodlust rising, as well as her love for violence. But she would wait. This was Jordan's territory, so he could decide. She looked at him and saw him looking back with a questioning look. She gave him a small smile, leaving it up to him whether or not he wanted to kill the bandits. It didn't matter much to her either way.

[Jordan Hielo]

He took her smile as a go for it; he was in charge. Slowly he turned his attention back to the camp, recounting the men, he looked around with narrow eyes. It seemed like these were the only ones; but not necessarily.

All he knew however, was that the men he could see were going to die that day. And he didn't mind.

Slowly he pointed to the left twice, indicating for Veranda to start circling around that way. It was the thicker part of the woods, and she would more likely not make as much noise as Jordan. After all, he was clearly a bit heavier than her.

His plan was to sneak onto each side for an ambush. With Veranda's speed and Jordan's arrows, they would be no match circled and surprised like that. He mouthed 'ambush' to Veranda, before nodding and going the opposite way he told her to go, staying low onto the ground.

There was a bit of adrenaline pumping through his veins. A bit of tension, but at the same time relaxation. To know he was doing something wrong, but doing something good for his town at the same time.

He took in a deep breath as he stopped in position. He sat behind a bush, arrow still ready as he looked around. There were no new people that he could spot to his luck, and a few of their backs were facing him. Perhaps this might not be difficult.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda nodded as Jordan indicated that she go in one direction, he another, and they ambush the bandits. She was fine with that. She watched him go before turning and darting off quietly. Very quietly. Coriander was able to move in complete silence, a trick Veranda was envious of. So ever since she arrived in Avaleur she tried to master moving in total silence. She almost had the trick down, but near silence was the best she could do. Thus far.

She made it to a high vantage point in a tree, staying within the shadows of the leaves. She watched Jordan get into position, and slowly gripped her swords handle. She wouldn't unsheath it yet, since the sun might glitter off the blade. Jordan had the arrows, so she figured she would let him let some arrows fly first. Besides, he was leading.

[Jordan Hielo]

Jordan looked up briefly, spotting Veranda (though only slightly). He was surprised she was smart enough to know not to unsheathe her swords yet. In fact he was impressed he had not seen her go up. Even more surprised that he could barely see her at all, only able to if he moved into an odd position.

If he ever needed someone to go on a hunt with him she would surely be his first pick.

Slowly his attention turned back to the men, and he wasted no time at all, He pulled back his arrow, aimed, and shot one right at the back of the head. The man, standing at the time, dropped immediately. The five remaining bandits turned their heads, jumping up fast and drawing their weapons. But Jordan was no longer in that spot; he had dived to a few feet beside him, and let another arrow fly. He was in movement, so he was unable to hit the head. This time it hit one man's shoulder. He called out in pain before going red with anger. Weapons at the ready they began moving forward.
More than likely they would believe that there was more than one person on his side. Definitely not anywhere near where Veranda was.

As silently as he could he moved from where he had been before, drawing another arrow. Ready to hit.

[Veranda Kingsford]

Veranda watched the bandit go down and his companions stand, shocked and then angry. They drew their various weapons and turned to Jordan's direction, all quickly heading wards the bushes.As they rushed, Veranda stepped from the shadows of the leaves and casually walked to the end of the branch that jutted out over the bandit camp. She jumped from the branch, landing gracefully behind the group and drew her sword. With one quick swing she lopped off the head of the bandit nearest her. His body actually continued running for a few steps before falling over. The spectacle struck her as funny, and she laughed loudly due to that, and to draw their attention back from the bushes, so Jordan wouldn't have to fight all the rest. One saw her and started swinging his war axe at her. She stepped out of the swing easily, wondering if she had been this slow as a human herself.