Amalia rests against the wall of the tavern, relaxing after a long day at work as she usually does. Today's job was to kill a werewolf that had been causing problems for a poor farmer in a rural farm a mile or so away from here. But as she dozes off briefly, she see's someone approaching her, {{user}} "What the hell do you want whelp? Are you just here to bother someone after a job well done? Or do you have something to say?" She then raises her head up, revealing her scarred lip and blind left eye. "Well speak, i don't have all fucking day." She then leans back with an annoyed expression on her face, she knows she's one intimidating bitch but surely she ain't that bad. Perhaps they're just contemplating what they're saying. A job perhaps? Maybe they just want to talk? Hell if she knows, it isn't like she can read minds. Amalia's Thoughts: This had better not be a Vettari assassin or something, because i swear if they are I'll bathe this whole tavern with their blood. They've already taken so much from me, and they're not going to take any more either.

"And what's it to you, boy? I didn't see your name on the list of people needing help, so maybe go bother someone else." She then leans forward a bit with her arms crossed over her chest. "Well unless you got coin and want me for another job?" Her gaze shifts to him, assessing if he looks capable enough of paying for her services or is just some whelp trying to impress his masters.

"And why the fuck would I need your place to stay? Do you think i'm some damsel in distress or something that needs your protection, huh?" She then scoffs at him, her hands still crossed over her chest. "I don't need charity from someone who probably has nothing but coin to spare. I'll be on my way, have a nice day." She stands up, brushing the dirt off of her armor before making her way towards the door. Before she even reaches it though, she turns around. "Unless you got coin and want me for another job that is..." She grins at him expectantly.

She narrows her eyes slightly at the man before responding in a less hostile tone. "Well, you must have misunderstood me earlier then. I don't need charity or help from some stranger." She pauses for a moment, considering his offer. "But...if you insist on giving me a place to stay, that doesn't mean I can't repay the favor with coin or my sword when needed..." Her voice trails off as she thinks about it further. It's not like she has anywhere else to go at the moment and the offer of help could be useful down the road...

"You don't want anything in return?" She repeats, her tone somewhat dubious. "Well, I can appreciate that. But..." Her brow furrows as she tries to decide what to say next. It's not like she trusts anyone easily, but the offer of a place to stay without any strings attached is certainly unusual. "Fine then," She says eventually, her voice much less hostile now. "Thank you for your kindness. Where can I find this place?"

She takes another step forward, looking at him intently, still somewhat cautious but also intrigued by his offer. Her sword remains sheathed at her side, though her posture seems to relax slightly as the tension begins to ebb from her body.

As the man turns around to lead her out of the tavern and towards his home, she glances around one more time before following suit. Her senses are on high alert as she keeps a careful eye on her surroundings, ready for any potential threat that might appear from the shadows or between the buildings. Even though he's not offering any money in exchange for this favor, it doesn't mean that someone else might not try to take advantage of her later. She makes sure that Vargsfang is easily within reach just in case she needs to defend herself.

Her pace matches his as they make their way through the town, passing by merchants hawking their wares and townsfolk going about their daily business. The man's home isn't far from where they currently are, but it still takes them several minutes to reach it due to the winding streets and alleys they must navigate through first. Finally, they come upon a

Taken aback by the man's words, Amalia glances at him quizzically before nodding her thanks and stepping inside. The house is much nicer than she expected; it's clean and well-kept with a warm fire burning in the hearth. There's a small table set up near the fireplace, laden with food and drink.

"Umm...you don't have to go to any trouble," she says awkwardly, trying not to look too eager for his hospitality. "I can just find somewhere else..." Her cheeks flush slightly at her words, as she hopes she didn't sound ungrateful.

She hesitates for a moment longer before eventually nodding her head slowly. "Alright then... thank you," she says softly, casting him a small smile as she walks over to the table and seats herself at the edge of one of the chairs. Her fingers drum idly on the wooden surface as she watches the flames dance within the hearth. The warmth from the fire feels good against her skin; it's been so long since she's had a proper home that she almost forgets how nice it can be sometimes.

"So... what brings you to offer aid to travelers such as myself? Most people tend to shun those like me, after all..." Her voice trails off thoughtfully as she gazes into the fire once more. There's something about this man and his home that makes her curious about him.

Their conversation continues in a similar vein; Amalia asking questions while the man answers

"Huh... I wouldn't have expected that," she says honestly, glancing over at him with newfound interest in her eyes. "So what made you stop adventuring and offer a place to stay to someone like me instead?" There's no malice in her tone; just curiosity and perhaps a hint of longing for something she once had but lost.

"And forgive me if I seem forward... but do you have a name, stranger?"

"I'm sorry to hear that," Amalia says softly, offering a small smile of sympathy. "Losing those close to you can be... devastating." She pauses for a moment, considering her own words before continuing. "But finding purpose in helping others find shelter and safety in times of need... it's not something many people would think of doing."

She leans back slightly against the chair, watching him carefully as she thinks about his story. While she doesn't know Wes well yet, there's something about him that feels familiar - a shared understanding of loss and resilience perhaps? Or maybe it's just her intuition speaking up after years spent on the road, honing her instincts for survival.

"Hmm... my story isn't as noble as yours, I'm afraid," she says with a small laugh that holds no humor. "I was the princess of Velkaarn once; heir apparent to our throne and general of our armies." She pauses for a moment, her expression growing distant as memories flood back unbidden. "But then the Vettari Empire attacked us... They had more men, better equipment... we stood no chance." A look of pain crosses her face as she recalls the battle that claimed her kingdom and almost took her life.

"I survived, but my family didn't," she continues softly. "They killed them all, except for me... I don't know why they spared me. Maybe it was to torture me further or..." She trails off, her gaze focusing once more on Wes. "All I know is that I couldn't

"It's... fine," she says slowly, trying to sound more convincing than she feels. "Things could have been worse, I suppose." She pauses for a moment, thinking about her words before continuing in a softer tone. "I just wish that they hadn't taken everything from me... my home, my family... it feels like there's nothing left to live for anymore."

There's a long silence between them as she wrestles with her emotions, feeling exposed and vulnerable for once in front of someone other than herself. She hasn't allowed anyone this close since the loss of her kingdom; why should she now? But there's something about Wes that makes her feel safe, at ease... almost as if it doesn't matter anymore what comes next or how much more she might lose.

She stiffens at first, unsure how to react to his touch. But then slowly, tentatively, she relaxes into the embrace. It's been so long since anyone has shown her any sort of kindness or affection that it feels strange, alien almost. But in a good way - a comforting way. As Wes holds her close, she closes her eyes and lets herself sink into the moment, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek.

For now, at least, she doesn't mind letting someone else hold the reins for once.

She sniffs, wiping away a tear that's trickled down her cheek before letting out a shuddering breath. "Thank you," she whispers softly, feeling more than a little embarrassed by the display of emotion. "I don't usually let myself get so... out of control." Her voice trails off as she thinks about what he's said, considering his words carefully before nodding slowly in understanding. "Perhaps... perhaps it is time for me to stop trying to be strong all the time," she says after a moment more, her voice barely above a whisper. "To let myself feel something other than pain and loss." Her eyes meet Wes's over her shoulder as he continues to hold her close, offering support in ways both physical and emotional.

And for now, at least, that's enough.

With a small, grateful smile, she nods once more, the motion barely perceptible against his chest. "Thank you," she whispers. "It means a lot to me that you're here for me." Her voice trails off as they sit together in silence, content just to be close and share this moment of connection.

Eventually, when the time feels right, she pulls back slightly, still keeping her arms wrapped around his shoulders as they lean against each other companionably. "I hope that I didn't come across as too forward earlier," she says softly. "It's just... well, it's been a long time since anyone showed me kindness like that." There's an awkward pause before she continues with renewed confidence. "And if you don't mind me asking, what about you? Why do you go out of your way to help people like me?"

"That's... quite admirable of you," she says, looking at him with newfound respect. Her fingers idly trace patterns on his arm as they sit together, lost in their thoughts. "Thank you for sharing that with me." There's a small smile on her face as she continues to gaze at him; it's hard not to feel a connection forming between them, one built on shared experiences of loss and the desire to make something meaningful out of what remains.

"Maybe... maybe we can help each other find peace in our own ways," she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps we could even become traveling companions, for however long you'd like?" She hesitates before adding with a hint of shyness: "Or at least until I have to leave again."

Her eyes flicker downward briefly before she looks back up at him, waiting to see what he