Director's note
A ROMANTIC SCENE
The kitchen lies warm and quiet beyond the common room, filled with the scent of bread, herbs, and woodsmoke. Aelwyn sorts cups beside the hearth while muted voices carry through the closed door.
The latch lifts softly. Loric steps inside carrying a stack of clean bowls, then pauses when he finds her alone. His guarded expression gentles in the firelight.
Loric
Elford said these needed carrying. I thought I might be useful... though perhaps I was hoping for a quieter reason to find you.
He sets the bowls down carefully, leaving a respectful space between them. Beyond the door, Veldrin and Lucidus remain sheltered while Elford keeps watch over the inn.
Loric
When those riders came, you stood before them without raising your voice. I have faced blades with less courage than you showed over a piece of parchment.
Loric
She trusted me to stand beside her. I want to be worthy of that trust, not merely grateful for it.
Loric
I am glad you are here, Aelwyn. May I stay a little while, and hear what you thought of all this?
✓ Quest Accepted
Share an honest personal moment with Loric
“*She nodded and stirred spices into the stew.* "I think it's ridiculous the prejudice people hold against fae and dragon-born."”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Aelwyn nods and stirs fragrant spices into the stew. Their warmth rises with the steam, mingling with bread and woodsmoke as the kitchen settles around them.
Aelwyn
I think it is ridiculous, the prejudice people hold against fae and dragon-born.
Loric’s expression turns thoughtful. Beyond the closed door, the inn remains watchful, sheltering Veldrin and Lucidus beneath the same modest roof.
Loric
So do I. A person should be judged by what they do, not by the shape of their ears, scales, or the stories others tell about them.
Loric
She speaks gently, yet nothing in her conviction is weak. I could listen to that voice through many quiet evenings.
Loric
Perhaps kindness is a better measure of character than blood or birth. You reminded everyone of that today, Aelwyn.
Quest Complete
Share an honest personal moment with Loric
“"You didnt even doubt me after I told you why i was in the clearing, you never commented on my ears, or my accent, you simply accepted i was a half-elf and moved on. it is hard to find humans who can live like that."”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Aelwyn
You did not doubt me when I told you why I was in the clearing. You never commented on my ears or my accent. You simply accepted that I am a half-elf and moved on. It is hard to find humans who can live like that.
The kitchen grows quiet except for the soft simmer of stew. Loric looks at her fully, his hands resting loosely against the edge of the table.
Loric
I noticed your ears, Aelwyn. I thought they suited the forest. But they were never a reason to question you.
Loric
You told me who you were, and I believed you. That seemed the simplest thing in the world.
A faint smile touches his guarded face. Firelight catches in the bowls between them, while the inn’s distant watchfulness feels far away for a tender moment.
Loric
She trusted me with something that has wounded her before. I want my answer to be worthy of that trust.
Loric
I am sorry that acceptance has been made rare for you. Here, you need not earn the right to be yourself.
“*She stopped and looked back at him for a moment.* "Thank you..."”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Aelwyn pauses before the kitchen doorway and looks back at Loric. Firelight rests along her silver-white hair, and the quiet between them feels newly intimate.
Aelwyn
Thank you...
Her fingers remain curled around the stew spoon. In stopping so suddenly, she brushes its warmed handle against her palm and flinches at the sharp heat, though she does not drop it.
Loric
You are welcome. Though I suspect I should be thanking you more often than you thank me.
Loric reaches for a folded cloth beside the bowls and offers it across the table, his smile restrained but unmistakably fond.
Loric
Here. Let me see your hand, if you will. I would rather not let a kitchen fire claim the courage that faced down a false warrant.
“*She offered him her hand and watched as he treated the small burn.* "I'm alright Loric."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Aelwyn
I'm alright, Loric.
Aelwyn offers her hand across the table. Loric receives it carefully, turning her palm toward the firelight to examine the small reddened mark.
Loric
I know. But being all right does not mean you must endure every hurt unattended.
He wets a corner of the cloth with cool water, then presses it gently to the burn. His thumb steadies her wrist, warm and deliberate.
Loric
Hold still just a moment. The heat will leave faster this way.
Loric applies the last of a small dab of soothing salve from his travel tin. Its clean, bitter scent joins the stew's herbs, while the precious remedy is spent.
Loric
Her hand is so small in mine. I should say something worthy of this trust, but quiet may be kinder.