Jaren walked the streets of Hama Valon, wondering how it was possible that a year felt like it had lasted simultaneously at least five years, and practically no time at all. Not that he was particularly bothered by the oddity. Right now, not many things bothered him at all, only the fact that he was alone — Johan was on a mission out of the Tower and Tristram had been sent to the Citadel some days earlier — but even that couldn’t ruin his mood much. He was finally done with the year of being the Laundry Dedicated, and he was going to celebrate that.
He still didn’t know the various taverns of Hama Valon as well as he might, but he had a good memory and he found his way almost without thinking to the tavern where Johan had taken him that night almost a year ago. He’d tried to teach the Ji’val to dance, which had been awkward enough, but not nearly as awkward as crying on his shoulder later on. It had been… an interesting night.
Tonight would be quite different, even if Jaren ended up simply having a pint on his own and going back to the Tower to sleep.
As he entered the tavern and got himself a drink, however, he noticed somebody he knew. Well, 'knew' was probably stretching it, but their paths had crossed — what was the name again? Olin, yes. Tristram’s former roommate. Tristram might not be especially fond of the man, but Jaren had thought he seemed like a decent sort.
Though what he was doing out in the city was a good question; Soldiers weren’t allowed… Oh. Unless, of course, he was no longer a Soldier. And indeed, as he got closer, Jaren saw the sword pin on the man’s collar. “Congratulations, Dedicated,” Jaren said with a smile as he reached the table where Olin was sitting. “Do you mind if I join you?”
He still didn’t know the various taverns of Hama Valon as well as he might, but he had a good memory and he found his way almost without thinking to the tavern where Johan had taken him that night almost a year ago. He’d tried to teach the Ji’val to dance, which had been awkward enough, but not nearly as awkward as crying on his shoulder later on. It had been… an interesting night.
Tonight would be quite different, even if Jaren ended up simply having a pint on his own and going back to the Tower to sleep.
As he entered the tavern and got himself a drink, however, he noticed somebody he knew. Well, 'knew' was probably stretching it, but their paths had crossed — what was the name again? Olin, yes. Tristram’s former roommate. Tristram might not be especially fond of the man, but Jaren had thought he seemed like a decent sort.
Though what he was doing out in the city was a good question; Soldiers weren’t allowed… Oh. Unless, of course, he was no longer a Soldier. And indeed, as he got closer, Jaren saw the sword pin on the man’s collar. “Congratulations, Dedicated,” Jaren said with a smile as he reached the table where Olin was sitting. “Do you mind if I join you?”