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[Nessie walks by, sipping an iced coffee and fanning herself with a folding hand fan. The sight of a winged person definitely draws her eye, given her history as the Silver Swan. But... despite her own baggage, she can't just keep walking when he's clearly uncomfortable.]

[She snaps the fan closed, and walks over to him. She holds it out in offering, with a friendly smile.] You might need a bit of a breeze, in addition to your shade.

[He turns his head and looks over at her. Arching his back he snaps to attention, sapphire eyes watching her. He's dressed light for the occasion, except for a long sword, secured by his waist. Crimson runes runs down the blade, shimmering by themselves. As she approaches within reach of his aura she will feel brave and empowered.]

Thank you for your generous offer, but I can't accept. I can't with good conscience deny you from cooling yourself or take your property. I'll be fine.

Edited 2022-07-19 19:59 (UTC)

[Nessie startles a little with that sudden motion, but when he doesn't otherwise move, she keeps approaching. 'Those wings aren't metallic; he's probably not a villain's pawn like you used to be,' she thinks, and feels a little braver as she gets close.]

[She shakes her cup of iced coffee slightly, letting the ice rattle against the plastic.] I've got more than one method of keeping cool, and you have none. My conscience would bother me if I just ignored that.

[He does wear a holy symbol, however she's most likely not familiar with the flaming sword emblem of Iomedae.

He looks over at the iced tea and reconsiders her offer.]

You make a fair point. I'll accept your offer. I'm Eran of Whitefield, paladin of Iomedae. [He takes the offered fan and reaches out to shake her hand.]

[Nessie doesn't know what the flaming sword emblem means. Iomedae is not one of the gods that she is familiar with, and she doesn't even know that Iomedae is a god.]

[Nessie shakes his hand firmly, and introduces herself as well,] Vanessa Kapatelis. Most people call me Nessie. Nice to meet you, Eran.

I've... never heard of... Iomedae before. [She says it slowly, taking care to copy his pronunciation.] Is that a place, or a person?

Indeed.

Iomedae is a goddess. She's the goddess of honor, justice and righteous valor. As a member of Her Order of Holy Knights, I've sworn to serve Her. [He nods his head and taps his Holy Symbol.]

Whitefield is a place on the other hand. It's where I grew up.

Ah, that sounds similar to one of the goddesses worshipped by the Amazons. Our goddess of justice and law is called Themis. Those who serve her are among the fiercest Amazon warriors.

I haven't heard of "Whitefield" either... but I'm willing to bet that you haven't heard of Boston! [She laughs.] That's where I grew up. Those were some miserable summers... not just hot, but humid.

Ay, you among those fierce warriors yourself?

Actually I have, a friend of mine is from there. But I haven't been there myself. The summers where I grew up was often rainy though. It was a rather wet climate.

Oh no, not me. [Nessie shakes her head.] My work isn't in fighting the evils of the world, but caring for the victims it leaves behind. Especially the children. I suppose one could say that I serve Artemis, as the huntress is also a protector of children.

Ah, I see. It's a big city, so I probably don't know them, but -- who's your friend?

Taking care of others is admirable. Almost more valuable than those whom simply fight, such as myself. Where I'm from Sarenrae is the goddess of the sun and healing. Her clerics are particularly good at healing wounds and looking after others.

His name is Kieran.

[Eran's words remind Nessie that Apollo, god of the sun, is also the god of healing. She smiles.] I wonder what it is that attracts gods of the sun to healing as well.

[Well, she can't do much with just one name, but Nessie was already expecting that she wouldn't recognize the name of Eran's friend. She takes a sip of her iced drink.] How did you meet your friend from Boston, anyway?

I do not know. Only the gods could answer that question.

We share an apartment together. I suppose that also makes us room mates then. It's how we got to know each other. I was looking for a place to stay and he needed help with paying his rent. It has worked out so far, even though we're rather different.

[Nessie nods.] In my experience, as long as everyone washes their own dishes, most anyone can get along.

I don't get along with the dishwasher though. Technology isn't my strong suit.

What is your strong suit, Eran?

I'm a warrior, an expert at all martial weapons. But I'm also a skilled chef. The barbeque and I get along swimmingly.