Rin Taal
Character
The smell reached Rin before the building itself. Fresh bread, slow-cooked stew, roasted root vegetables, and herbs found nowhere beyond Veradune drifted through the cool evening air. The communal hall stood near the center of the settlement, its broad timber beams weathered by decades of seasons and countless repairs. Warm light spilled from open windows while laughter rolled through the doorway, joined by the scrape of benches and the easy hum of neighbors sharing the day's work. It was loud in the comfortable way only a place full of familiar people could be.
She paused just outside, allowing herself a quiet smile before stepping through the wide doorway. A handful of heads turned almost immediately. Recognition spread with easy familiarity rather than surprise, followed by greetings called from every corner of the room. Someone teased that she'd finally remembered where home was, another wondered aloud if she'd stay longer than a few nights this time, while an older woman waved her toward the serving line before she could answer any of them. The conversation scarcely slowed. It simply shifted long enough to welcome another familiar face before continuing on its way.
Rin accepted the good-natured ribbing with a soft laugh as she collected a wooden bowl and joined the line. "I make no promises," she admitted, smiling toward the woman serving the evening meal. "But I was hoping there might still be enough left for one more traveler." The response came with theatrical offense, followed by an especially generous ladle of stew and a thick slice of still-warm bread that earned another laugh from Rin before she thanked them and searched for an empty place to sit.
Settling onto a bench, she let the warmth of the hall settle around her as naturally as an old blanket. Children darted between tables despite repeated reminders to slow down; someone at the far end of the room was clearly embellishing a hunting story; and every few moments, another burst of laughter rippled through the hall. Rin simply listened as she broke apart her bread, content to be another voice among many. The road had brought her back to Veradune once more, and for tonight, that was more than enough.
Vulpesen
She paused just outside, allowing herself a quiet smile before stepping through the wide doorway. A handful of heads turned almost immediately. Recognition spread with easy familiarity rather than surprise, followed by greetings called from every corner of the room. Someone teased that she'd finally remembered where home was, another wondered aloud if she'd stay longer than a few nights this time, while an older woman waved her toward the serving line before she could answer any of them. The conversation scarcely slowed. It simply shifted long enough to welcome another familiar face before continuing on its way.
Rin accepted the good-natured ribbing with a soft laugh as she collected a wooden bowl and joined the line. "I make no promises," she admitted, smiling toward the woman serving the evening meal. "But I was hoping there might still be enough left for one more traveler." The response came with theatrical offense, followed by an especially generous ladle of stew and a thick slice of still-warm bread that earned another laugh from Rin before she thanked them and searched for an empty place to sit.
Settling onto a bench, she let the warmth of the hall settle around her as naturally as an old blanket. Children darted between tables despite repeated reminders to slow down; someone at the far end of the room was clearly embellishing a hunting story; and every few moments, another burst of laughter rippled through the hall. Rin simply listened as she broke apart her bread, content to be another voice among many. The road had brought her back to Veradune once more, and for tonight, that was more than enough.
Vulpesen