A catch-up between Friends, so Appley needed.
Jul 20, 2022 20:21:05 GMT
Celina Zabinski, Velania Kalugina, and 2 more like this
Post by Derthaad on Jul 20, 2022 20:21:05 GMT
Co-written with the ever-deceiving Celina
Derthaad has just arrived in DH after being on a ship, cooking food for the crew for the last 7 days. He's thankful he's back on land and especially back in Daring Heights, the port is not his most favourite. However, while he was there he did check a particular establishment, one who's owner has not yet returned, which means that she's still at the Dragon.
It's been almost two tendays since he last spoke to Celina. Last time, she was in a rough shape, although rough was an understatement. He planned to talk to her again, see how she's doing and hopefully help her as much as he could through this time.
It was to his surprise, however, when he arrived at the Three Headed Dragon that Celina was not in her room with bottles upon bottles of cheap wine, but at the bar with something a bit less cheap. He was relieved that she at least had gotten out of her room, it was a step in the right direction.
He approaches the bar and sits next to her.
"Hello Celina." - he says, gesturing to the barman for an ale.
Celina decided to move from her room today. She thought a change of scenery would be good. She had been sitting at the bar for a bit unaware of the people coming and going around her. When suddenly she hears a familiar voice. She looks over her shoulder and sees Derthaad’s. She gives him a small smile and nods “Derthaad”. She takes a sip from her drink “Well I didn’t expect to see you so soon. What brings you here?”
Derthaad gives Celina an equal smile. Somehow, they always seem to just match each other's smiles, but where normally there would be a contest between them, now there's only truce. "Checking up on a friend" he says in his normal tone. The word 'friend' has no connotations to it, nothing to suggest something is hidden there, other than truth. He continues with a more caring manner "It's good to see you're out of your room. How are you holding up?"
Celina hears the word ‘friend’ and can hear it sound genuine now. Celina knows that it is too and right now she would be happy for company with a friend. “I decided a change of scenery would be good”. Celina says with a soft smile and points around the room. Then she drops her smile and toys with the glass in her hand. Pushing it over and back. Then she sighs for a moment “I don’t feel like… me… right now. If that makes any sense. I drink to forget… which usually works but everything is still there…”. She points to her head. Then she takes another sip from her drink. She decides to quickly change the conversation after being vulnerable “Well, how are you doing Derthaad? How are you coping with the aftermath of the battle and everything? I never asked you last time”.
"Hmh" exclaims Derthaad while taking a sip from his ale. "I'm doing good. The war didn't affect me as much. I've been in battles before, seen comrades die. I haven't particularly attached myself to anyone since I arrived here, so I didn't lose anyone I would have cared for." He rests his hand on the pint, inspecting its rim, the foam of the ale. "I know what you mean" he says in the same caring voice he used when talking to her a couple tendays before. "No one comes back the same, not from something like that." He then takes a sigh with a slight tone of frustration "And sadly, no amount of booze can drown it. It only makes it worse once the booze is gone... for me at least."
Celina glances over to Derthaad, surprised to hear that he’s agreeing with her. “Ha, so the secret is to keep drinking forever….? I can do that. Two deaths of the people I have loved… Drinking has been my go to solution. I’m a pro at this stage”. Celina gives a painful smirk and takes another sip of her drink. Then she puts it down and asks curiously “So… you ever find a different solution that works?”
Derthaad shakes his head "Well... for me it was too late, so I didn't particularly find one that works. It was... a lot of misery and waiting." He takes another sip from his ale. "But... I did find something, coming here... something I wished I would have accepted earlier. It's not just about how you cope with it, that is up to each and everyone of us. I found out that it matters a lot with who you are coping with. Today, you may be drinking yourself senseless to cope with it, but tomorrow you may be..." he gestured vaguely in the air "on a quest to discover more exotic apples."
He gives Celina a warm, yet saddened, smile "I also found out that I am more than willing to help my friends through such times. More than willing to help you."
Celina listens again taking in what he says. She takes more sips as he speaks. When he’s done she grins “Well exotic apples would be fun…”.
After Celina looks to Derthaad again, his offer is genuine and it is definitely more than she deserves. It surprises her. She doesn’t even question if he’s lying to her. She knows he’s serious. She looks at him curiously again “So how do you propose to help me? You’re looking to become my drinking buddy or something?”.
"For now... at least. Hopefully, later on it will be less drinking and just... buddy" he says, taking a sip from his ale, then quickly glances at her "And hey, who knows... maybe apple buddies?" he says with a joking smirk. "To be fair, I still have that apple from my first visit to the library."
Celina laughs unexpectedly while repeating “Apple Buddies”. She smirks over at him “Maybe… Are you looking to get into the apple business, Mr Citywatch? Didn’t think that was your style”. She chuckles. Then she looks to him mischievously and jokingly “Was I there for your first visit to the library? Were these one of the magic apples or did you steal one of mine?”
"Yup" he says. Derthaad smiles, feeling good that, even though it won't last and that soon the sorrow and pain will set in again, for a brief moment she casted the shadow aside. For a brief moment, Celina laughed. "And..." he continues reaching into his backpack and pulling out a golden apple with an iridescent sheen to it, placing it on the counter between the two of them. "You still haven't found a way to grow a tree from these? Honestly, if you want to become the greatest apple connoisseur in Kantas, you should try and grow one from them" he says, pointing a finger towards the apple and a friendly smile towards Celina.
“I am the best apple connoisseur in Kantas… what are you talking about” she says with a grin before taking another sip. Then she focuses on the apple in front of her, she gets mesmerised. “OH WOW… I forgot how beautiful this apple is”. Celina leans in closer to stare at it. As she’s staring at the apple she begins talking “You know I left mine at my shop in a safe place. However, my shop got hit in the battle. It needs a lot of fixing up. Now I can’t find that apple. And also I lost a lot of my regular apples… so need to figure out what to do there…”. She sighs. She looks towards Derthaad “You showing me this apple to rub it in my face you got this one?”. She knows that can’t be the reason with Derthaad but she’s curious.
Derthaad's smile widens into a grin "Oh, how did you know?" he acclaims in a joking manner "How did you find out that I have just recently went to Port Ffirst, to help Kavel with something, and that I also just so happen to visit a certain shop and ended rummaging through your things to see if you indeed have lost yours. How did you know that my intentions were indeed to rub it in your face?" After a brief moment, Derthaad starts chuckling, forming into a full on laughter. "No..." he manages to get out "I just like keeping various mementos of certain adventuring buddies that I have travelled with, to remind me of the time spent with them. This" he says, pointing to a red vial hanging from his neck, faintly glowing soft blue "is from the day Kavel found his comrades from his Ironstrong company. It reminds me of him and his bros. This" he then points to the apple "I would say it reminds me of you."
Celina grins as he tells his fake story. She finds it funny and she gives a small chuckle. As he starts to tell about the mementos he’s been keeping, she finds herself suddenly taken aback. It’s a very kind gesture he’s showing her. However, she looks confused “You… have kept that apple this whole time because… of me? Why does it remind you of me? But… that apple has magic properties. Why not use it? Like that visit was weeks ago…”. She grins “Ahh… was it so you could find me in case you need to track me down and arrest me?”
Derthaad scoffs at her last question "Dammit..." he says under his breath "How? How have you become so insightful all of the sudden? How do you know all of my plans?" He says in the same joking manner as before. His smile becomes warm "It reminds me of you because you never shut up about apples. The first thing you said was 'I'm an apple seller'" he says in a voice trying to imitate Celina "when we first met in front of Samed's smithy. Then it was that incident with the manticore in which..." a grins, trying to hold back a snort of laughter "in which you chucked apples at it" his grin wide, clearly trying to hold back a laughter. "And then it was that story you told at the theater, the one in which you had a dream of becoming an... 'Apple Princess'" a small chuckle finally escaping. "It's pretty hard not to look at this apple and not remind me of you. In fact.. it's pretty hard not to look at any apple and not be reminded of The Dawnland's Prime Apple Enthusiast."
For the first time in a long while, Celina gives a loud laugh at Derthaad's flawless impression of her and then a small clap. She grins "I did do all that... And I mean... what can I say... I like apples. They're... versatile". She holds her drink between her hands "If I could be an Apple Princess or Queen that would be a dream. Maybe one day... Also damn you really do a good impression of me. You really captured my... essence. ". She chuckles and takes another sip from her drink. "Dawnland's Prime Apple Enthusiast has a nice ring to it. Well, that apple is like the grand premium apple. With my new title, I'm glad you picked that one to represent me because I'm also extremely rare and beautiful, of course". She flutters her eyelashes jokingly and grins. Then a small pang of guilt hits her for laughing so much all of a sudden. She looks down to her drink for a moment her grin slightly fading. She notices her drink is nearly empty. She makes eye contact with the bartender, she points to her glass and points to Derthaad's glass as well. Suddenly two fresh drinks are in front of them. Celina reaches for hers and takes a fresh sip.
Derthaad watches as her expression drops, fully understanding why, Sammy's death weighing heavily. He remembers from long ago, a wave of his own pain washing through. He understands her feeling, for he too wanted to mourn for as long as he could, wanting to feel that pain, to keep his loved one in his heart for as long as possible, not wanting to part from her. Feeling that he will betray her if he did. He gives a long sigh and continues in a low soft voice, "Sorry, I... only meant to lighten the mood, even for a little. I'm not expecting for things to suddenly turn for the better. The journey ahead is long, painful and filled with sorrow. A small moment of respite can go a long way."
Celina takes a deep breath “No, you did cheer me up. For a moment I felt… bit more like myself. So… thank you for that Derthaad”. Then she looks to him with a smile and turns back to her drink. “So Derthaad, maybe I’m wrong here but it sounds like you’re saying some of this from experience…?” She looks to him curiously.
Derthaad closes his eyes and takes a deep and slow breath. He doesn't want to start digging up the past, to poke at ancient wounds, but recent events have made him act otherwise. He knows that, sooner or later, he will have to open that door when time comes. For now, he will peek through the keyhole.
He gives a slow nod "Yes..." his voice still low, but layered now with a heavy weight "I am. I know what you feel, Celina, I know what you lost. I know what it is to build a world with someone. I know how it feels to have all of it ripped away from existence, never to experience it again." He stares for a moment at his drink, contemplating on whether or not to take a sip. "But... I also know how it feels to suffer alone and in silence. It is something I do not wish upon anyone. Which is why I want to help you through this. I know you do not like it, that talking about such things makes you not feel like yourself. But in not doing so, grief, sorrow, pain... all of it... regret, anger... they all build up and at some point they will overflow... and the aftermath, well..." he shakes his head, lifting his drink in front of him "... let's just hope you won't get to live it. So, it is best to release some of that pressure from time to time, be it by talking… or even crying."
Celina listens carefully. She hears him say everything. She looks to him with new eyes of someone who’s been through what she’s going through. He’s right on so many things. The truth and kindness hit her hard. She isn’t even sure how to acknowledge it but she knows there’s so much truth to what he’s saying. She weighs all up in her head and after a few moments she sighs “Well I’m sorry for you Derthaad. Life’s a shit hole sometimes. I wouldn’t wish this feeling… on anyone. Definitely not you… My understanding now… Don’t fall in love”. Then she adds “So… as you insist on joining me and listen to me talk, I think it’s time that… you buy the next round”. She smiles jokingly and also with an element of appreciation that he’s there with her.
Derthaad smiles at Celina's conclusion, it's a sad smile, in acknowledgement of their inescapable truth "Well... sadly we're mortals with a heart, so... sooner or later we will be falling in love with someone... as much as we would want not to. But, until then..." he finishes his current drink and then he gestures to the barman for another round. "So... anything you may wish to talk about? I'm all ears and I promise not to judge... much" he says that last word side-eyeing Celina with a small smirk on his face.
Celina grins back “So, you want to hear me talk… about anything…”. She thinks for a moment and she gets a mischievous grin on her face “How about I tell you the full story about how I grew up…”. She takes a sip of her drink and before Derthaad can even interject Celina begins with a very theatre voice “The year was 1470. It was a sunny day, spring was in the air. The smell of freesia ever present. And what would be so special about that day? Well on this specific day a beautiful red skinned tiefling was born. With silver flowing hair and piercing grey eyes. That tiefling… was me. As I start to get older and began to talk, my first word was ‘Apple’”. She pauses to take another sip and nods “True story” before grinning. Then she ramps up the drama again and continues on with her completely made up story leading all the way to her owning her apple shop and eventually owning a kingdom of apples. She adds a lot of extra details with as much flare as she can muster. She tries hard with her fake story to make Derthaad roll his eyes. She tests how much he is willing to listen to her bullshit. But equally she’s also happy to have someone listen to her bullshit. In the moment, seeing that she has a friend there beside her suddenly hits her with the feeling like everything would be ok. Not today, but one day… eventually. However, this day for Celina wasn’t as bad as the others.
Derthaad stood and listened to everything, mostly grinning, chuckling from time to time and shaking his head incredulously. 'There is no way someone is this obsessed with apples' he thought to himself. Part of him knew that this may as well be made up, ALL of it, the same story he heard her tell that one time in The Theatre of Life to try and bore the audience. But another part just wanted to let her tell it. It put him at ease knowing that, during this retelling of her 'life', Celina felt the same as he always knew her. That ever-deceiving Celina that always had something to hide from him, that was always doing loops around the truth, never once feeling like she touches it. And for once, this didn't bother him. More so, it pleased him knowing that he may have helped someone find their way back on the right path, that he has prevented them from falling deeper into the abyss.
Knowing that he has offered someone something that he, years ago, so desperately wished he had.
Derthaad has just arrived in DH after being on a ship, cooking food for the crew for the last 7 days. He's thankful he's back on land and especially back in Daring Heights, the port is not his most favourite. However, while he was there he did check a particular establishment, one who's owner has not yet returned, which means that she's still at the Dragon.
It's been almost two tendays since he last spoke to Celina. Last time, she was in a rough shape, although rough was an understatement. He planned to talk to her again, see how she's doing and hopefully help her as much as he could through this time.
It was to his surprise, however, when he arrived at the Three Headed Dragon that Celina was not in her room with bottles upon bottles of cheap wine, but at the bar with something a bit less cheap. He was relieved that she at least had gotten out of her room, it was a step in the right direction.
He approaches the bar and sits next to her.
"Hello Celina." - he says, gesturing to the barman for an ale.
Celina decided to move from her room today. She thought a change of scenery would be good. She had been sitting at the bar for a bit unaware of the people coming and going around her. When suddenly she hears a familiar voice. She looks over her shoulder and sees Derthaad’s. She gives him a small smile and nods “Derthaad”. She takes a sip from her drink “Well I didn’t expect to see you so soon. What brings you here?”
Derthaad gives Celina an equal smile. Somehow, they always seem to just match each other's smiles, but where normally there would be a contest between them, now there's only truce. "Checking up on a friend" he says in his normal tone. The word 'friend' has no connotations to it, nothing to suggest something is hidden there, other than truth. He continues with a more caring manner "It's good to see you're out of your room. How are you holding up?"
Celina hears the word ‘friend’ and can hear it sound genuine now. Celina knows that it is too and right now she would be happy for company with a friend. “I decided a change of scenery would be good”. Celina says with a soft smile and points around the room. Then she drops her smile and toys with the glass in her hand. Pushing it over and back. Then she sighs for a moment “I don’t feel like… me… right now. If that makes any sense. I drink to forget… which usually works but everything is still there…”. She points to her head. Then she takes another sip from her drink. She decides to quickly change the conversation after being vulnerable “Well, how are you doing Derthaad? How are you coping with the aftermath of the battle and everything? I never asked you last time”.
"Hmh" exclaims Derthaad while taking a sip from his ale. "I'm doing good. The war didn't affect me as much. I've been in battles before, seen comrades die. I haven't particularly attached myself to anyone since I arrived here, so I didn't lose anyone I would have cared for." He rests his hand on the pint, inspecting its rim, the foam of the ale. "I know what you mean" he says in the same caring voice he used when talking to her a couple tendays before. "No one comes back the same, not from something like that." He then takes a sigh with a slight tone of frustration "And sadly, no amount of booze can drown it. It only makes it worse once the booze is gone... for me at least."
Celina glances over to Derthaad, surprised to hear that he’s agreeing with her. “Ha, so the secret is to keep drinking forever….? I can do that. Two deaths of the people I have loved… Drinking has been my go to solution. I’m a pro at this stage”. Celina gives a painful smirk and takes another sip of her drink. Then she puts it down and asks curiously “So… you ever find a different solution that works?”
Derthaad shakes his head "Well... for me it was too late, so I didn't particularly find one that works. It was... a lot of misery and waiting." He takes another sip from his ale. "But... I did find something, coming here... something I wished I would have accepted earlier. It's not just about how you cope with it, that is up to each and everyone of us. I found out that it matters a lot with who you are coping with. Today, you may be drinking yourself senseless to cope with it, but tomorrow you may be..." he gestured vaguely in the air "on a quest to discover more exotic apples."
He gives Celina a warm, yet saddened, smile "I also found out that I am more than willing to help my friends through such times. More than willing to help you."
Celina listens again taking in what he says. She takes more sips as he speaks. When he’s done she grins “Well exotic apples would be fun…”.
After Celina looks to Derthaad again, his offer is genuine and it is definitely more than she deserves. It surprises her. She doesn’t even question if he’s lying to her. She knows he’s serious. She looks at him curiously again “So how do you propose to help me? You’re looking to become my drinking buddy or something?”.
"For now... at least. Hopefully, later on it will be less drinking and just... buddy" he says, taking a sip from his ale, then quickly glances at her "And hey, who knows... maybe apple buddies?" he says with a joking smirk. "To be fair, I still have that apple from my first visit to the library."
Celina laughs unexpectedly while repeating “Apple Buddies”. She smirks over at him “Maybe… Are you looking to get into the apple business, Mr Citywatch? Didn’t think that was your style”. She chuckles. Then she looks to him mischievously and jokingly “Was I there for your first visit to the library? Were these one of the magic apples or did you steal one of mine?”
"Yup" he says. Derthaad smiles, feeling good that, even though it won't last and that soon the sorrow and pain will set in again, for a brief moment she casted the shadow aside. For a brief moment, Celina laughed. "And..." he continues reaching into his backpack and pulling out a golden apple with an iridescent sheen to it, placing it on the counter between the two of them. "You still haven't found a way to grow a tree from these? Honestly, if you want to become the greatest apple connoisseur in Kantas, you should try and grow one from them" he says, pointing a finger towards the apple and a friendly smile towards Celina.
“I am the best apple connoisseur in Kantas… what are you talking about” she says with a grin before taking another sip. Then she focuses on the apple in front of her, she gets mesmerised. “OH WOW… I forgot how beautiful this apple is”. Celina leans in closer to stare at it. As she’s staring at the apple she begins talking “You know I left mine at my shop in a safe place. However, my shop got hit in the battle. It needs a lot of fixing up. Now I can’t find that apple. And also I lost a lot of my regular apples… so need to figure out what to do there…”. She sighs. She looks towards Derthaad “You showing me this apple to rub it in my face you got this one?”. She knows that can’t be the reason with Derthaad but she’s curious.
Derthaad's smile widens into a grin "Oh, how did you know?" he acclaims in a joking manner "How did you find out that I have just recently went to Port Ffirst, to help Kavel with something, and that I also just so happen to visit a certain shop and ended rummaging through your things to see if you indeed have lost yours. How did you know that my intentions were indeed to rub it in your face?" After a brief moment, Derthaad starts chuckling, forming into a full on laughter. "No..." he manages to get out "I just like keeping various mementos of certain adventuring buddies that I have travelled with, to remind me of the time spent with them. This" he says, pointing to a red vial hanging from his neck, faintly glowing soft blue "is from the day Kavel found his comrades from his Ironstrong company. It reminds me of him and his bros. This" he then points to the apple "I would say it reminds me of you."
Celina grins as he tells his fake story. She finds it funny and she gives a small chuckle. As he starts to tell about the mementos he’s been keeping, she finds herself suddenly taken aback. It’s a very kind gesture he’s showing her. However, she looks confused “You… have kept that apple this whole time because… of me? Why does it remind you of me? But… that apple has magic properties. Why not use it? Like that visit was weeks ago…”. She grins “Ahh… was it so you could find me in case you need to track me down and arrest me?”
Derthaad scoffs at her last question "Dammit..." he says under his breath "How? How have you become so insightful all of the sudden? How do you know all of my plans?" He says in the same joking manner as before. His smile becomes warm "It reminds me of you because you never shut up about apples. The first thing you said was 'I'm an apple seller'" he says in a voice trying to imitate Celina "when we first met in front of Samed's smithy. Then it was that incident with the manticore in which..." a grins, trying to hold back a snort of laughter "in which you chucked apples at it" his grin wide, clearly trying to hold back a laughter. "And then it was that story you told at the theater, the one in which you had a dream of becoming an... 'Apple Princess'" a small chuckle finally escaping. "It's pretty hard not to look at this apple and not remind me of you. In fact.. it's pretty hard not to look at any apple and not be reminded of The Dawnland's Prime Apple Enthusiast."
For the first time in a long while, Celina gives a loud laugh at Derthaad's flawless impression of her and then a small clap. She grins "I did do all that... And I mean... what can I say... I like apples. They're... versatile". She holds her drink between her hands "If I could be an Apple Princess or Queen that would be a dream. Maybe one day... Also damn you really do a good impression of me. You really captured my... essence. ". She chuckles and takes another sip from her drink. "Dawnland's Prime Apple Enthusiast has a nice ring to it. Well, that apple is like the grand premium apple. With my new title, I'm glad you picked that one to represent me because I'm also extremely rare and beautiful, of course". She flutters her eyelashes jokingly and grins. Then a small pang of guilt hits her for laughing so much all of a sudden. She looks down to her drink for a moment her grin slightly fading. She notices her drink is nearly empty. She makes eye contact with the bartender, she points to her glass and points to Derthaad's glass as well. Suddenly two fresh drinks are in front of them. Celina reaches for hers and takes a fresh sip.
Derthaad watches as her expression drops, fully understanding why, Sammy's death weighing heavily. He remembers from long ago, a wave of his own pain washing through. He understands her feeling, for he too wanted to mourn for as long as he could, wanting to feel that pain, to keep his loved one in his heart for as long as possible, not wanting to part from her. Feeling that he will betray her if he did. He gives a long sigh and continues in a low soft voice, "Sorry, I... only meant to lighten the mood, even for a little. I'm not expecting for things to suddenly turn for the better. The journey ahead is long, painful and filled with sorrow. A small moment of respite can go a long way."
Celina takes a deep breath “No, you did cheer me up. For a moment I felt… bit more like myself. So… thank you for that Derthaad”. Then she looks to him with a smile and turns back to her drink. “So Derthaad, maybe I’m wrong here but it sounds like you’re saying some of this from experience…?” She looks to him curiously.
Derthaad closes his eyes and takes a deep and slow breath. He doesn't want to start digging up the past, to poke at ancient wounds, but recent events have made him act otherwise. He knows that, sooner or later, he will have to open that door when time comes. For now, he will peek through the keyhole.
He gives a slow nod "Yes..." his voice still low, but layered now with a heavy weight "I am. I know what you feel, Celina, I know what you lost. I know what it is to build a world with someone. I know how it feels to have all of it ripped away from existence, never to experience it again." He stares for a moment at his drink, contemplating on whether or not to take a sip. "But... I also know how it feels to suffer alone and in silence. It is something I do not wish upon anyone. Which is why I want to help you through this. I know you do not like it, that talking about such things makes you not feel like yourself. But in not doing so, grief, sorrow, pain... all of it... regret, anger... they all build up and at some point they will overflow... and the aftermath, well..." he shakes his head, lifting his drink in front of him "... let's just hope you won't get to live it. So, it is best to release some of that pressure from time to time, be it by talking… or even crying."
Celina listens carefully. She hears him say everything. She looks to him with new eyes of someone who’s been through what she’s going through. He’s right on so many things. The truth and kindness hit her hard. She isn’t even sure how to acknowledge it but she knows there’s so much truth to what he’s saying. She weighs all up in her head and after a few moments she sighs “Well I’m sorry for you Derthaad. Life’s a shit hole sometimes. I wouldn’t wish this feeling… on anyone. Definitely not you… My understanding now… Don’t fall in love”. Then she adds “So… as you insist on joining me and listen to me talk, I think it’s time that… you buy the next round”. She smiles jokingly and also with an element of appreciation that he’s there with her.
Derthaad smiles at Celina's conclusion, it's a sad smile, in acknowledgement of their inescapable truth "Well... sadly we're mortals with a heart, so... sooner or later we will be falling in love with someone... as much as we would want not to. But, until then..." he finishes his current drink and then he gestures to the barman for another round. "So... anything you may wish to talk about? I'm all ears and I promise not to judge... much" he says that last word side-eyeing Celina with a small smirk on his face.
Celina grins back “So, you want to hear me talk… about anything…”. She thinks for a moment and she gets a mischievous grin on her face “How about I tell you the full story about how I grew up…”. She takes a sip of her drink and before Derthaad can even interject Celina begins with a very theatre voice “The year was 1470. It was a sunny day, spring was in the air. The smell of freesia ever present. And what would be so special about that day? Well on this specific day a beautiful red skinned tiefling was born. With silver flowing hair and piercing grey eyes. That tiefling… was me. As I start to get older and began to talk, my first word was ‘Apple’”. She pauses to take another sip and nods “True story” before grinning. Then she ramps up the drama again and continues on with her completely made up story leading all the way to her owning her apple shop and eventually owning a kingdom of apples. She adds a lot of extra details with as much flare as she can muster. She tries hard with her fake story to make Derthaad roll his eyes. She tests how much he is willing to listen to her bullshit. But equally she’s also happy to have someone listen to her bullshit. In the moment, seeing that she has a friend there beside her suddenly hits her with the feeling like everything would be ok. Not today, but one day… eventually. However, this day for Celina wasn’t as bad as the others.
Derthaad stood and listened to everything, mostly grinning, chuckling from time to time and shaking his head incredulously. 'There is no way someone is this obsessed with apples' he thought to himself. Part of him knew that this may as well be made up, ALL of it, the same story he heard her tell that one time in The Theatre of Life to try and bore the audience. But another part just wanted to let her tell it. It put him at ease knowing that, during this retelling of her 'life', Celina felt the same as he always knew her. That ever-deceiving Celina that always had something to hide from him, that was always doing loops around the truth, never once feeling like she touches it. And for once, this didn't bother him. More so, it pleased him knowing that he may have helped someone find their way back on the right path, that he has prevented them from falling deeper into the abyss.
Knowing that he has offered someone something that he, years ago, so desperately wished he had.