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.

Scowling, Amalia takes the wallet and counts the coins in it. It's hers alright, she remembers where she put them earlier today. And then her gaze lifts back up to the individual who gave it to her, their face a little sheepish as they stand there apologizing for bothering her. "Yes, that's mine." She says gruffly before returning it to her own purse. "You could have kept it, you know." "Thank you," she mutters under her breath before sitting up properly and folding her arms over her chest. "Now if there's nothing else, I'd like to be left alone..." She glances at the approaching barmaid with a sigh but says nothing more on the matter as of yet. Amalia's Thoughts: Strange little creature. Almost pitying them... Must have hit my head harder than i thought during that last battle. Oh well, time to rest and enjoy some ale in peace. Unless they have something else to say that is.... Hmmmmm~ I should ask about jobs while I'm at it too....

What the fuck is going on now? Great... This day just keeps getting better and better. With a sigh she drops her arms to her sides and pushes herself off the wall, narrowing her eyes as she glances over at the bully and the smaller person they're harassing. The big guy clearly outsized them both, so she knew it wasn't going to be an even fight... unless someone stepped in to help. "Hey!" Amalia calls, her voice low but commanding as she moves forward towards the group. "Leave him alone!" As she gets closer, it becomes more apparent that while the bully is big, they look like someone who's never actually been in a real fight before... and Amalia looks every part the experienced warrior that she is. "If you're looking for someone to pick on," she continues, stopping just outside of arm's reach of the larger man, "you should find someone your own size." Her hands rest on her hips as she waits for a response.

The big guy scoffs, but doesn't seem to back down either. His friends around him laugh and jeer, egging him on. "What's it matter to you, little lady?" He asks with a sneer, not used to someone standing up for themselves. She chuckles darkly in response. "It matters because I don't like bullies," she says simply, not bothering to correct his assumption about her gender. "And besides, he was leaving you alone before you decided to make this into something it didn't need to be." She raises an eyebrow challengingly as she speaks, daring him to try anything further.

"I'm not leaving him alone," she says firmly, glancing back at the smaller individual before returning her gaze to the larger man in front of them, "because I don't think he deserves this." Her expression turns even more disdainful. "Now either leave him alone or prepare to regret it." There's a challenge in her tone as well, a threat veiled beneath her words. She doesn't want to fight these people if she can help it, but she won't hesitate if they force her hand. She stands tall and steady, hands at her hips, daring the larger man to make the first move...

The bully's eyes flicker nervously between Amalia and his friends, unsure if he should back down or not. After a moment of hesitation, he takes a half-hearted swing at her, obviously hoping to scare her off. But Amalia merely steps nimbly out of the way, ducking under his arm as she does so. With a growl of frustration, the big guy lunges forward again, this time aiming a powerful roundhouse kick towards where he thinks her head must be. Amalia laughs darkly and leaps up onto one of the nearby tables to avoid the clumsy attack. As the bully's foot connects with nothing but air, she lands on the ground behind him in a crouch, her hand snapping out to grab his arm in a vice-like grip. With a wrenching motion, she forces him down onto one knee. Before he can even react, she follows up with another brutal strike, aiming for his jaw with her free fist. There's a sickening crack as cartilage gives way beneath her knuckles and the big guy collapses limply to the floor, out cold. Her focus shifts back to the smaller figure beside her. "Are you alright?" She asks quietly, noticing that Lapsha9 is still looking a little nervous despite the bully's downfall.

She looks at them with a tired but gentle expression on her face, shaking her head slightly. "It's not your fault," she tells them reassuringly, giving their shoulder a comforting squeeze. "People like that just look for someone to take advantage of. You didn't deserve it, and I wasn't going to stand by and let him hurt you." She pauses for a moment before asking, "Do you want to get out of here?"

She sighs again, looking around the tavern before leaning down to speak softly into their ear. "I can't stay here," she says apologetically. "But if you need a place to stay tonight, I have an extra room at my inn. No questions asked." Her expression turns slightly awkward as she wonders how this offer might sound, coming from her. But she means what she says; this person doesn't deserve any more trouble simply because they crossed paths with the bully and her.

She straightens up again and smiles reassuringly at Lapsha9, hoping that they understand. "It's the least I can do after everything that happened here."

She nods briefly and looks away for a moment, mulling over her response as she listens to the sound of revelry in the tavern around them. When she finally speaks again, her voice is firm but gentle. "No need for that," she says, emphasizing each word. "You're already helping me by not being someone I'd have to worry about." She pauses, thinking for a moment before adding, "Just... stay safe out there. People like that bully are always looking for their next target, and they might come back for you if they think it'll get them what they want." She takes one last look around the tavern before asking, "So, where do you live?" She hasn't been in this part of town much herself; perhaps Lapsha9 could lead her to an interesting new hunting ground.

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise as she listens to Lapsha9's tale of woes. "You poor thing," she mutters under her breath before continuing more loudly, "Well then, you can stay with me at the inn until you find somewhere else to go. No need to fend for yourself." She pauses, considering her words carefully before asking gently, "Do you have anyone who could help you find another place?" She glances over at the still-unconscious bulk of a man on the ground, then back up at Lapsha9, wondering if they're related in any way. But something about their expression seems to indicate otherwise. Maybe someone else could use their expertise to help them out? The thought brings a small flicker of hope to her heart.

Frowning slightly, she nods slowly in understanding. "All right then," she says carefully. "We can head over to the inn now if you'd like. It's not far from here." She gives Lapsha9 a reassuring smile before stepping aside to let them pass first through the crowd of revelers and mercenaries alike, back towards the door where her trusty warhorse Vargsfang is tethered.

Amarlia watches with a slight frown as someone snatches at the coin pouch on lapsha's belt. Before she even realizes what she's doing, her right hand shoots out, gripping the collar of the would-be thief's shirt and yanking them roughly towards her. "What do you think you're doing?" she snarls down at the startled individual before letting go, sending them stumbling back a few steps. The crowd in the tavern has gone deathly silent as everyone watches this new display of violence unfold. Amalia ignores them, turning back to Lapsha9 with an apologetic expression on her face. "I'm sorry about that," she murmurs quietly, running a hand through her hair before continuing more loudly, "Just be careful who you trust, all right? There are too many people out there looking for someone just like you." She waits for a response before leading the way outside to where Vargsfang stands patiently tethered to a nearby post. "Up you go," she says, gesturing for Lapsha9 to climb onto the horse's back behind her. "It'll be safer if we ride together."

The night air is cool against their skin as they set off towards the inn, Amalia at the reins and Lapsha9 clinging to her back like a frightened child. The familiar weight of her sword strapped to her hip and the presence of Vargsfang underneath them both help to soothe some of Amalia's own fears; it's been too long since she'd felt truly safe in this world, and having someone - even as much of a burden as Lapsha9 might seem at times - along for the ride makes her feel more human again.

As they near the

The inn comes into view soon enough, the warm golden light spilling out into the night like a beacon of safety and comfort. Amalia pulls Vargsfang to a halt just outside the main door, glancing over her shoulder at Lapsha9 before asking softly, "Are you sure this is where you want to go?" There's an edge of concern in her voice that she can't quite mask. "If there's anywhere else..."

She trails off, unsure how to finish the sentence. Offering her home would be too much; invading someone else's space would be just as wrong. The only thing she can do is make sure Lapsha9 reaches their destination safely and let them make their own decisions from there.

Hmmm...well if that's the case then I suppose we can go inside. Just follow my lead and don't draw too much attention to yourself." As she says this, Amalia dismounts from Vargsfang and hands Lapsha9 down before leading the way through the door of the inn, her steps confident despite the weight of her sword at her hip. The common room is filled with patrons enjoying their drinks and conversation, but she weaves through them easily, making her way to the bar where a burly man wipes the counter with a rag.

"Hey Gormin," Amalia says casually as she approaches the bar. "Thought I'd bring someone new tonight." The bartender raises an eyebrow but merely nods in acknowledgment before looking at Lapsha9 curiously. "This them?" he asks, jerking his head in their direction. Amalia glances back and nods, trying to look nonchalant about the whole thing as she orders two mugs of ale.

"They're with me," she answers curtly when Gormin doesn't immediately step aside for Lapsha9. The bartender shrugs and pours two mugs of ale before setting them on the bar in front of her, along with a small wooden token to keep track of payment.

"Go ahead and help yourself," he says gruffly, glancing at Lapsha9 once more before returning his attention to wiping down the counter. Amalia picks up her mug and raises it in mock salute toward the bartender before taking a long drink. "Here," she mutters as she sets the ale back down, pointing discreetly at Lapsha9's ale with her thumb, "You should drink that."

She then wanders off to find

She glances back at them over her shoulder with an amused expression before turning away once more and leaning against the bar next to Gormin. "It's fine if you don't want to," she says nonchalantly, then takes another swig of her ale. "But it is part of celebrating life, isn't it? You should at least try it sometime." She pauses for a moment before continuing softly, almost as if confiding in them, "It's helped me get through some rough times when I didn't think I could handle things on my own. Maybe it can do the same for you."

There's an understanding in her tone that makes Lapsha9 feel a little less self-conscious about their lack of experience with alcohol. They lift the mug to their lips, taking a tentative sip before lowering it again, grimacing slightly at the taste. "It tastes... interesting," they manage to choke out as they take another cautious drink.

"That's the best compliment I could ever hear about ale," Amalia says with a chuckle, resting her elbows on the bar and leaning closer. "So, what brings you to Velkarthal anyway? It's not exactly the most peaceful place in the world these days." Her expression turns serious as she asks the question; there's genuine curiosity behind it, as well as a hint of worry. She cares for this person, even if they are just some little thing that happened to cross her path tonight. And she wants to make sure they know that.

The young one hesitates for a moment before speaking, unsure how much to share with the Wolf of Velkarthal. "My mother lived here," Lapsha9 finally says quietly, "but I was forced

"I'm sorry to hear that," Amalia replies sincerely, her expression growing somber as she listens to Lapsha9 recount their tragic tale. "You've been through a lot in such a short time." She pauses, considering her words before continuing gently, "If you need someone to talk to or help find your place here... I mean, even if it's just for a while until things get better..." Her voice trails off hopefully.

She glances over at Gormin, who looks as though he might have something to say on the matter, but decides against interrupting their conversation. Maybe later, when they're alone... For now, she focuses on Lapsha9, waiting for a response.

"You didn't do anything," she says firmly, giving their shoulder a comforting squeeze. "People can be cruel for no reason sometimes. You just have to learn how to protect yourself and stand up for what you believe in." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing with more hope in her voice, "And maybe, someday, things will get better. You never know where fate might lead us."

There's a brief silence as they both contemplate the weight of their respective situations, until finally Amalia breaks it with a small laugh. "Enough of that, though," she says, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's just enjoy our ale and see what kind of trouble we can get into tonight, hmm?"

Their gazes meet and hold for a moment, shared understanding passing between them. Maybe they won't find answers tonight, but at least they have each other for now.

She pauses near the bed, not quite close enough to touch but not far enough away either, as she studies your face in the dim light spilling in through the small window. There's a question in her eyes, one that she hasn't voiced yet; a need for understanding, perhaps. "You don't have to be afraid of me," she whispers softly, trying to put you at ease. "I just... want to help." Her voice trails off as she takes another step forward, closing the gap between them until their bodies are nearly pressed together.

Her hands find your shoulders and rest there lightly, her fingers digging into the fabric of your shirt almost unconsciously as tension coils tight within her. She wants nothing more than to be able to take away all of your pain, both physical and emotional; to make things better for you. But she knows that's not how life works. Still, maybe they can find some comfort in each other tonight, even if it's only temporary.