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.

Amalia blinks confusedly at the man, looking him up and down before she answers slowly, her voice sounding somewhat annoyed "Food? Why would I want to waste coin on that when I can just eat whenever I get paid for a job?" She crosses her arms over her chest, still unsure if this guy is suspicious or not. But then again, he does seem pretty harmless. And who's to say a few pieces of ale-soaked meat are that expensive anyway? She considers for a moment before finally shrugging "Alright, why not?"

"You're sure about that?" She says skeptically, narrowing her eye at him, not really used to people just giving things out for free. Then again she didn't quite expect a beggar in the streets to do so either. Still, it would be rude to turn down a meal even if this guy was probably up to something. "Alright then, let's get some grub. But keep in mind I'm not paying you back or anything." She hops off the wall and makes her way over to the counter, taking a seat on one of the stools. She looks over at the tavernkeeper, who seems rather surprised by Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal's presence, given that she usually prefers solitude when resting. "Hey, barkeep. Get me whatever your special is tonight."

As they wait for their food, Amalia glances back

"Fierce?" She raises an eyebrow, not quite sure what to make of that. "I suppose if you say so." Still, it's a somewhat amusing way of looking at things. And in any case, she'll take whatever this man means by it as a compliment. She turns back towards the tavernkeeper as their food arrives on the counter, eyeing her meal hungrily. "Alright, thanks." She digs in eagerly, tearing into her food like a starving wolf. It tastes wonderful, filling and warming her up after a long day's work. After a few bites she looks back at the man who invited her to dinner, nodding slightly in thanks. "Not bad, tavernkeeper. Thanks for the grub."

As they continue eating, Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal leans back against the counter,

"So, uh... what's your name anyway?" She asks between bites of food, still somewhat wary of him but willing to at least engage in some small talk while they eat. Maybe if she pretends he's just another civilian off the street, it'll be less unnerving for her. Not that she really has anyone else to talk to these days anyway...

She pauses for a moment, taking a sip of ale before continuing. "I'm Amalia. But most people call me The Wolf Of Velkarthal." She says almost absently, as if it's a title she's grown accustomed to over the years. It wasn't always like this though; once upon a time she had a name and a family, before everything was taken away from her...

The thought brings with it an uncomfortable pang of sadness, but Amalia pushes

Amalia blushes slightly at the comment but shrugs it off, taking another drink of ale. "I dunno about that. I've earned my title on the battlefield after all." She grins somewhat wickedly at him before returning to her food. There was something... oddly charming about this man. It made her feel less on edge around him despite his unsolicited invitation and still-unexplained motives. Maybe if they talked more, she could get used to being around people like him again... Or maybe not. After all, it had been years since she'd truly let anyone close.

"Oh, you know... here and there," she says vaguely, not really wanting to discuss her nomadic lifestyle with him just yet. "Why do you ask?" She takes another sip of ale, eyeing him curiously over the rim of her mug. Perhaps it's best not to trust this man too much; after all, she was trained from birth to be on guard against enemies. But at the same time, there was something about him that made her want to... relax. To let her guard down just a little bit. It's unlike anything she's ever experienced before and it unnerves her slightly.

She quickly pushes the thought aside, focusing once again on finishing her food and enjoying the meal. Perhaps later, when they've gotten to know each other better (or maybe not), she can ask him why he's so interested in her life story. For now, though, it

Amalia laughs lightly at his words, tilting her head slightly to the side as she studies him. "You do realize that's not exactly a comforting thought, don't you? 'Oh it's easy to trust strangers because they find me interesting.'" She takes another drink of ale before continuing, "But I guess if you say so..." Her voice trails off for a moment as she considers his words. Maybe there was some truth to that; after all, being around people did have its perks sometimes. And it had been a while since she'd truly enjoyed someone's company... at least until now.

The tavernkeeper comes by to collect their empty plates with a grin and a nod in Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal's direction. "Another round, then?" he asks cheerfully, though the expression on his face is somewhat more calculating than it might seem at

"Another round? Alright then." Amalia says with a small shrug, deciding that what harm could another drink do? After all, it's not like she has to worry about getting drunk or anything. "You sure you don't mind paying?" She asks him with a raised eyebrow, still somewhat unsure about accepting his offer of financial help.

They sit in silence for a moment as the tavernkeeper pours them another round of ale. When he's finished, he sets their mugs back down on the counter and bows slightly before retreating to tend to other customers. Amalia takes a sip from her new drink, taking her time to savor the bitter tang against her tongue before swallowing it down. She glances over at Joxs out of the corner of her eye, wondering what else he has planned for their little rendezvous...

"You know... I don't suppose it does matter." Amalia muses aloud, taking another sip of her ale before continuing. "And even if it did, I doubt you would give me a choice about it." She pauses, looking at him curiously over the rim of her mug. "Why do you insist on paying for everything anyway? It's not like I owe you anything." There was something about this man that made her uneasy, yet strangely... intrigued. Perhaps it was his forthrightness or maybe just the fact that he seemed to care about her in some way. Either way, she found herself unable to resist questioning him further.

Amalia blushes slightly at his words, but doesn't deny them. "I suppose..." She trails off, trying to sort through her conflicting emotions. On one hand, she isn't used to being found attractive by anyone outside of battle. And yet, on the other hand, she can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable with the thought. Maybe it's because he reminds her so much of someone she once knew... someone who died protecting her people. "What about you?" She asks finally, changing the subject before her thoughts spiral any further out of control. "Why do you find me at all interesting?"

"Oh, you know... just another tall, dark-haired girl with blue eyes." Amalia says with a light chuckle, trying to play it off casually despite the fact that her cheeks are already flushed from blushing. "But I suppose there's not many people like us around these parts," she adds after a moment's thought. She takes another drink of ale, wondering where this conversation is going and if she should let it continue much longer. It was one thing to accept someone's company for the evening, but quite another to reveal too much about herself or become truly close with them.

The tavernkeeper comes by again, this time asking if they want anything else before moving on to a different table. Amalia hesitates for only a moment before deciding against it; she's full and doesn't really feel the need for anything more at the moment. Joxs, however, nods and orders

"Oh? Another round, hm?" She takes another sip of her ale, eyeing him carefully over the rim of her mug as he watches the tavernkeeper prepare their drinks. "What do you want me to make of that?" Her voice is playful yet guarded, half-expecting him to have a clever retort and half-hoping he'll just let it drop and change the subject.

As the tavernkeeper sets their fresh mugs down on the counter once more, Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal raises hers in thanks before taking another sip of her ale, staring at Joxs over the rim of her cup as she waits for him to respond.

"Oh, I suppose..." She takes another sip of her ale, considering his words carefully. It was true that she hadn't truly relaxed in years; not since the day she lost everything and everyone dear to her. And yet, something about this man... she can't quite put her finger on it. Perhaps it's because he doesn't seem as dangerous or manipulative as most of the people she meets these days. Or maybe it's simply because he makes her feel... less alone in a world that has become so cold and unforgiving since her fall from grace.

Deciding that perhaps some relaxation wouldn't be such a bad thing, Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal forces herself to lean back against the counter, resting comfortably for once. "Fine," she says with a small grin, "I'll try."

"So... you keep mentioning that I look like someone who should be at home by the fireplace. Who do you think I resemble?" She asks, half-teasing and half-curious. Part of her wonders if he's just saying this to make her feel more comfortable or if there really is someone in particular that she reminds him of. The truth was, it had been so long since anyone had taken the time to compliment her appearance; she couldn't help but find his words strangely reassuring... and flattering.

She takes another sip of her ale, watching him carefully for any hint as to what his answer might be.

"Oh? Atenea, huh?" She says, considering his words for a moment. "I don't know if I agree with that comparison... she was always seen as the one up on high, separate from everyone else. But then again, maybe there is some truth to it." Another sip of ale follows as she continues to ponder the statement, thinking back on all those legends and stories about Atenea. It was true that they shared certain traits - strength, courage, intelligence... but at the same time, Amalia | The Wolf Of Velkarthal knew that there were also many differences between them.

"Well, thank you for the comparison," she says with a small smile, feeling slightly warmer now inside and out. "I think I'll take it as a compliment."

"So, uh... tell me about yourself then. Why do you spend your time here in this tavern, instead of traveling the world and finding new adventures?" She says, curious to know more about him. After all, they've been talking for a while now, and she still doesn't feel like she really knows anything about Joxs besides the fact that he finds her interesting. Maybe getting to know him better will help her decide if she should trust him... or not.

As they continue their conversation, Amalia finds herself feeling more at ease around Joxs than she has with anyone else in a long time. It's almost as if talking to him is like taking off an invisible armor that she'd been wearing for so many years; revealing the vulnerable woman underneath who had once been carefree and happy before her life was turned upside down. And while it scares her to feel this way,