CH. 3: Guardian Mountains

[HorizonsDream]

"He's not an ass," Echo says, coming to the defense of the elf that actually was really nice to her. "He is an elf, and he views things differently than humans do," she explains. "He didn't mean to insult you by suggesting you sleep with him. To him, it was a compliment because he found you attractive. Elves tend to be a little more open and less uptight about certain things."

[JadedDM]

"Uptight?" Cadegund says. "Look, it's not my business who you hop into bed with, but I hardly take it as a complement that someone is only interested in my body."

[HorizonsDream]

"If you think I slept with him, then you would be wrong," Echo says with a small smirk. She figured people would assume that when she joined Nuvain in her tent that one night. "And who says he is only interested in your body? Did you take the time to actually find out, or did you just let your temper overcome you when you assumed he was treating you like some common harlot?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

"So, you say that him asking to sleep with someone is a complement," Cadegund states. "He didn't ask you then? Guess that makes it an insult."

[HorizonsDream]

"Oh, no he outright said I was attactive," Echo says. "But after being slapped by you he kind of learned not to be that forward," she explains.

[JadedDM]

"At least he's learning then," Cadegund says, polishing off her drink.

[HorizonsDream]

"Yeah, but did you?" Echo asks. "Just think about it. You don't need to answer that question," she adds as she turns to look at the two male paladins. "So do either one of you know Praven very well?" she asks curiously.

[JadedDM]

"I actually grew up there," Hollidan says, before taking a drink. "Didn't I mention that before?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Actually, I think maybe you did," Echo says thoughtfully. "Have you given any thought about going back after all of this is done?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

He suddenly looks a bit uncomfortable. "I, uh...no, not really. There's nothing there for me anymore," he says cryptically, diverting his gaze to the bottom of his drink.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo raises her eyebrows at Hollidan's reaction. "Well, uh, I wasn't asking if you planned on going home to stay. Maybe to visit?" she asks. "The reason why I say this is because I learned that my father might have spent some time in Praven, as a tutor to the royal children nonetheless," she adds. "I'm kind of hoping I can convince some people to go with me once all of this is over."

[JadedDM]

"You're not going home then?" Hollidan asks. "I thought that's why you took this job, for the money to help your mother."

[HorizonsDream]

"Well, I was going to stop off home to give my mother some money, and then I'm going on my search afterwards," Echo explains. "I can't stay in a place that calls me the Ice Queen forever. Much like you, there is nothing for me there."

[JadedDM]

"Not even your mother?" Cadegund asks to Echo's statement that 'nothing' was keeping her there.

[HorizonsDream]

"My mother is there, but I can't stay with her forever. Besides, I don't think she really wants to watch me get old and die while she is still young and beautiful. I don't want to watch that myself because I might become to resent it," she explains. "I need to live my own life, and it isn't as if I'm not going to try to keep in contact with her. She's my mother."