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[Arlin]

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Arlin sat at the tavern table, his fingers dancing lightly over the stained wood. He glanced up again, for about the fourth time in as many minutes as the barmaid sauntered by, her hips swinging with unusual grace. Two temptations in one he thought to himself, and he looked back at the table again, thrusting the thoughts from his weary mind.

No ale. No wenching. He could do it, damnit. He had to do it, otherwise, he'd never have a chance in hell...

The doors opened to Hanses, and in strode Talon, a few knights...and Arcana. What luck, he thought. He looked up at her, and flashed one of his prize winning grins. She waved in return, and he rose to meet her. He felt almost awkward, but he asked her if he could talk to her alone. He didnt want to seem weak in front of all these people.

They went into a backroom, and Arlin stared down at his feet, shuffling them. Arcana merely arched a brow, questioning him "Arlin, are you alright?"

"Yar...I just aint had nuttin ta drink tanight, so I'm a lil..." he looked up, and she was feeling his forehead. He blinked. "Da 'ell ya doin!" he snorted.

"I wanted to see if you had a fever...you...not drinking?" they shared a laugh, and Arlin stared at his feet again.

"Arcana...eh...I needs ta ask ya sumthin..." he almost stuttered, but not quite. He grinned in fond rememberence "Remember way back...the first big Regency tournament...I was done named the knight a love?" He smiled proudly. To this day, he was still proud of that moment.

She chuckled "Aye, I remember you tried to pick me up with that line" They laughed again. Arlin could almost feel himself choking now, and he sighed inwardly. She did so much for him, helped him so much, that he reconsidered what he was about to ask her. She didnt need another burden. But...he needed to prove himself some more...

"Anyway...from that tournament, they gave me this 'ere necklace..."He slowly opened his hand. He had been carrying it in his hand all night, afraid to let it out of his sight for even a moment. "I used ta wear it all the time...till mah fall..." He stood silently a moment, before continuing. "I...ain't worthy ta wears it no more. But it means more ta me than any other items I gots.." he trailed off and looked up at her, his face grave. "Arcy...I wants ya ta hold on to it, till ya think I is worthy ta wear it again. Yer the only person I trust with this. And I knows no matter what happens...you'll always be thar for me..." He craddled her hand in his, and slowly lowered the amber neckalce. She just watched him, speechless.

He looked back down at the ground, and heard her say quietly "I would be honored...but...I think youll know yourself when your ready..." Arlin looked up, smiling big again. "Aye...but then again, I aint always had the best a judgement" They laughed again, before Arlin continued "...tha's why I need ya...fer this."

He was climbing his way back up from his fall. Maybe one day, she would trust him the way he trusted her. Maybe...one day...

He shook his head and smiled again, not for show this time, but because he felt like it. He couldnt tell the future, nor was it in his hands what fate decided. He could only celebrate the struggle. And he planned to.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.