First Glance

[Erika]

OPEN FOR EVERYONE

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Erika walked into the pub with her cloak around her shoulders. It was chilly and just beginning to snow outside. Her rabbit fur skirt flowed around her knees its white and brown flecked pelt flowing. The girl approached the bar and laid her bow on its top. Can I get you anything? Asked the owner. "Not today thanks. Just here to look around." The bartender nodded and continued on. Looking around the pub she noticed the usual patrons.

[Otti]

Otti glanced up from sharpening her dagger in the corner and a young woman walked in. The bar smelled musty, like men. The curtains and walls were sticky with ale. Hood pulled up the feared one watched the huntress sit. An archer. She noted. Absently Otti began sharpening her knives. Silvery curls of metal shaved off every stroke. Once the blade was smooth she reached out her finger to touch its tip. Sharper than the Odins sword. She remarked silently. A bead if crimson blood welled up in the miniscule hole. Otti raised her fingers to her lips and licked off the blood.

[Erika]

Erika took no notice of the hooded figure. Turning her back to the crowd she studied her bow. The wood was in need of an oil up. She ran her finger over the dark wood. The grain was smooth as silk and well taken care of. She would have to unstring it tonight. Her favorite weapon ever besides her custom daggers. Maybe she would travel to Vanaheim later and practice her pyromancy. Or why not practice here? As long as she didn't burn down the place. A small spark lit on her fingertips and she rolled it across the backs of her fingers. It was warm against her skin but it didn't burn her. A smile crept across her face as the flame turned from orange to green. The bartender was returning to her end of the table so she quickly blew it out. She flagged him down. "An ale if you will." You seem to have changed you mind? He grinned. "It would seem so." With a small bow to the girl he turned and began to fill a mug. "One shouldn't hurt." It wasn't like she was going to go out on a mission or anything. Her thoughts wandered until he returned with her ale. Throwing a few gold coins in his direction she raised the mug to her lips and glanced around again. The ale was cool and slightly sweet. "Honey?" Erika exclaimed surprised. But the bartender was out of earshot. She tipped the cup up again and let it wash away the tension in her shoulders from the day. Erika wasn't a heavy drinker and usually did not drink at all. Tonight was bit different and she had no errands to run. 

[Otti]

Otti narrowed her eyes to slits as a ember rolled around on the strangers. Ale, that sounded good right about now. She scrutinized the girl closely. Suddenly she realized she was being, what the kids called her, 'Creepy'. She sighed, this girl wasn't a threat, why not make a new friend? The darker side of her mind said, or a Nemisis?

The lady of fear sat gracefully down on a stool and the bartender cautiously approached. "What may I get for you?" His voice shook. Otti looked up sharply and glared at him. "Lady Otti." He gulped. "Whiskey if you please, a hint of clover." The hooded girl laid her dagger on the bar and let her hood fall, revealing her messy braid and smooth elvish features.

[Erika]

Erika turned to address the newcomer. Well not a newcomer, but new to her anyways. She gave the woman a friendly smile and returned to her ale. She wasn't able to play with fire with someone this close. The dagger she placed on the table almost made Erika tense up. The muscles in her back twitched and she sat up straighter. Lady Otti eh? That's an odd name, it means fear. Only Erika didn't fear the woman, she was only intrigued by her.  "No need to scare the man half to death." Erika chimed with a grin. "I'm sure he will get you whatever drink your heart desires."  With a small hand flourish Erika introduced herself. "I am Erika of Asgard. You?" A spark lit on her finger but only wafted away as smoke. Erika looked a bit embarrassed. Her magic didn't usually do that on its own but every now and then if she hadn't practiced it would giver her a little nudge. She glanced at Lady Otti though her long dark hair to see if she had caught the accident.

[Otti]

"Ah, but that's what I do." Otti smiled and brushed back her hair. She dismissed the tiny plume if smoke rising from the newcomers finger tips. "Asgardian as well." Her dark eyes gleamed. The tender tentatively pushed her the drink and she grinned at him and took a sip. The whiskey was hit and stung her throat, but the clover came after to cool it off. Just the way she liked it. She reached out and opened her pouch and plucked out a tiny crystal. "Here." She dropped the gen into the bartenders meaty hands. It was the equivalent of three gold coins.

[Erika]

"Fear, lovely name." Erika said. She watched Lady Otti. She was respected and powerful. Erika noticed her bow was in the way and she moved it down a bit. The feathers attached to the guard brushed against her hand.

[Otti]

"Yours as well." Otti said with a slight sarcastic tone. She gulped down her whiskey and slurped down the drops before sighing contentedly. Suddenly she perked up with her newly sharpened dagger in her fist inches away from Erika's nose. "I'm bored." She stated and sheathed her dagger.

[Erika]

Ignoring the hint of sarcasm Erika thought about what Lady Otti might be interested in. "Bored? Well would you consider a game of arrows?" Erika asked. Not really like she needed the practice but it might give them something to do. She sat her mug down and pointed to her bow. Her fingers wrapped around the leather guard. "I'm a pretty good shot. What say you?" Erika smiled at Otti. She wasn't going to be an enemy of this woman. She was too valuable as an ally. Her only task now was to see if she would return the favor.

[Otti]

Otti laughed and her wispy hair fell into her eyes. "Be forewarned that I am no good at archery." The pretty maiden exited the pub grinning. "Come!" She strolled out and unsheathed a travelers now from their satchel.

[Erika]

"Right behind you!" Erika yelled downing the last of her ale. She snatched up her bow and followed. Erika had Otti smiling which she took as a good sign. The younger girl walked to her right casually swishing her skirts. "Maybe I'll teach you something?" She joked. Erika was usually kind and sweet. But had a record of a chaotic side. She never spoke of her past. Which is usually the first conversation starter of a friendship. Hopefully OttI wouldn't ask.

[Otti]

Otti smirked and polished the stolen bow. "You can try." She rubbed her hands together, knocked an arrow and drew the string. She sprinted with her weapon at the ready, dark eyes searching for a target. Cat-like reflexes gave her an advantage as she leaped atop a thatch roof and knelt. The roofs of the shops and houses were wide open and the streets were bustling with people. She spotted a nightengale winging above a pine tree not far off. Otti took careful aim and shot.

The lady watched her arrow strike through the black feathers of its wing. To far right. Otti cursed as the bird struggled into a landing atop the pine. The fearsome look on her face would've killed her prey if it had seen her. She knocked another arrow pulled back the cord, and shot. The arrow finished off the poor bird, yet the shot was not clean.

[Deleted]

A muscular young man strolled past a pub. He could smell the sharp buttery taste of ale. Yet he knew it was no good for his health. He wore nothing save leggings, boots and a bearskin vest. His creamy caramel hair danced around him in the cold Nordic air. At the very sight of him crowds parted. He gave a blonde girl a winning smile. The woman practically fainted.

Leif stared at a girl climbing a house without effort. Strange. Even stranger still was the power radiating of a younger girl that had emerged from the pub. Leifs piercing blue gaze followed the pretty girl with interest.

[Erika]

"Ill get it!" Erika shouted running ahead to fetch the bird. She found it laying It's wing was bent awkwardly behind it. Leaning down she pulled the arrow from the wing but had trouble taking one from the body. Glancing up and around to make sure no one was watching she sent a small lick of flame down the shaft of the arrow. It singed the flesh and the arrow pulled out easily. Wiping the soot from the arrow she returned to Otti. "Here. When you aim don't foraget to take the wind into account as well. As your targets movement. But your a good shot." Tossing the bird up to the roof it was her turn for a climb. Reaching up she curled her fingers over the edge and swung a leg up. Brushing some straw off her dress Erika pulled her bow off her shoulders and notched an arrow. Glancing around she noticed another bird flying ahead. A goose. Dinner! Drawing her bow Erika took careful aim. She felt the tension of the bow as her own. Her aim followed the bird across the sky as it neared her. She released her shot and it sailed through the sky. The goose didn't manage much sound as it pierced its breast and it brought it down. "How about we have dinner tomorrow?" Erika joked.

[Otti]

Otti jumped down and brushed off her skirt. Her sharp eyes spied a young man eyeing her new friend. She glided over to him and glared at him. "What you lookin at?" Otti grabbed his shoulders and turned him around. "Get out of here!" With one last glare she grabbed her nightengale and started tearing off its pretty black feathers.