Helena leaned back against her chair, her orange eyes sweeping the tavern. Thanks to the brown hood pulled over her face, no one could see her eyes sweeping back and forth, scanning the room. She licked her drying lips, her drink full next to her. She didn’t trust someone hadn’t poisoned it when she wasn’t looking. Anything was possible these days.
Helena dipped a finger in her drink, reaching her other hand into the folds of her cloak. She pulled out a small lizard, curled up asleep in her hand. She scratched its neck, and it stirred. It shook itself off and looked up at Helena, cocking it’s light purple head, the white streak from it’s snout trailing down to the tail.
She held her finger above the lizard, and its tongue lapped up the bit of the drink there. Anyone looking would probably see a Dragon Tamer sharing some of her drink with her baby Familiar. Not a wary warrior testing for poison.
The lizard shook itself, tongue licking its lips, similar to the way Helena had a few seconds ago. It cocked its head, its tail swiping along her hand. It shook itself again, the scales changing from pale purple to pale sea green, the sign for “Clean”. It settled itself back into her hand, fading back to purple.
Helena placed the lizard on the table, and took a sip from her drink. The ale burned the back of her throat, and she missed the drinks from Marven’s. She leaned back again, taking the occasional sips from her drink. She continued to watch the room, looking for something interesting. Maybe she could finally get a tip as to where she needed to go.
The lizard butted its head against her hand, and she started petting it subconsciously. It started purring, sticking its tongue out playfully. She gave a half smile, glad this guy had been able to help her through tough times. “Everything’s going to be okay, Freay,” she mumbled, scratching under the lizard’s chin. He fell over, stretching his neck back, tail wagging similar to the way a wolf’s tail wags. He had his belly completely exposed to Helena.
“When a Draid exposes its belly like that, that means they trust that person completely. You two must have a strong bond,” someone said. Helena turned her head, leaning back a little. The newcomer had light brown hair and bright green eyes. His hair was shaggy, in a loose style that showed he didn’t really care. His face had wrinkles from smiling a lot. Helena looked down at his outfit.
He wore a white shirt that had dust on it, a pale brown vest with all sorts of pockets overtop. His pants reached to just below his knees, and his boots covered the rest of his legs. There was a satchel across his chest, his one hand resting on it. His other hand was resting on his hip. He tilted his head, waiting for Helena to respond.
“Yes, we trust each other. We’ve been together a long time.” She said, hoping he would see that as the end of this unwanted conversation. He pulled out the chair across from Helena and sat down. He waved at a waitress, and she came over. He ordered a drink, and turned to Helena as the waitress left. “So if you two know each other like this, how did you find him?” he asked.
Helena gave him a glare, but the effect was lost because he couldn’t see her eyes. “A friend gave him to me,” she said sharply, picking up Freay. He curled up in her hands, falling asleep. The boy nodded. The waitress returned with his drink. He raised his mug, and took a sip. He scowled at it.
“Every time I always think it’s going to taste better,” he grumbled to himself. Helena raised an eyebrow, knowing he wouldn’t be able to see it anyway. She had never understood humor. It was a waste, in her opinion. People who attempted to make jokes never got anywhere.
She rubbed the top of Fraey’s head, remembering the day Lizzie had given him to her. She had been so proud of him, Helena couldn’t turn her down. And she wouldn’t change her answer no matter what that meant she was doing now.
“So, what’s your name and what are you doing in this run down crappy bar?” The boy asked calmly. Helena looked up at him, her eyes glowing for a split second. She controlled herself and sighed.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she said without a hint of emotion in her voice. He shrugged. “Well, if you’re going to be like that. My name is Jason Nicholls. I’m simply here after a day of work.” He gave a tired sigh to prove his point.
Helena stared at him. Jason? But he looked nothing like Jason. There was no way- than the rest of his words sank in. Not her Jason. They were nothing near the same. “Hmph,” she said, leaning against her hand, hoping he’d go away already. She didn’t want to be dealing with this right now. But he continued to stare at her.
“Fine. I’m Helena. And that’s all you need to know,” she snapped. He gave a light laugh. What about that is funny? Helena wondered.
“It just doesn’t make sense. Why would anyone in their right mind come here?”
“Why did you come here?”
“It was right next to the site I just left, and I usually hit the nearest tavern after a long day.” He took another swig, and Helena resisted the urge to dump it all down his throat and make him choke. She settled for aggressively petting Freay. He didn’t care, as long as someone paid attention to him, he was happy.
“What about you, Helena?” he asked, tipping his drink at her. Helena growled. “I’m here because this is where I stopped for the night. Now, if you don’t mind,” she got up, her drink finished. “I should really be heading to sleep. Good night.” She picked up Freay, and headed upstairs.