Song of Wind Carried Over Water

**Date Started:** September 24th, 2021
 **Date Completed**: September 28th, 2021
**Previous Role-Play** None
**Next Role-Play:** TBA
**Users Involved:** User:Blackdagger01 & User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Ogonsekai
**Characters Involved:** Takanashi Kuromiya, Helen

The sky looked ablaze as the setting sun sunk below the treeline and buildings of the village, weary from a long days travel a dark haired gentleman looked from one side of the street to the other in search of something. It was clear from his clothes and the weapon strapped to his belt that we was not from this land, a traveler from some place far from here. He stopped along the sidewalk as he seemed to find what he was looking for, a smell of food and wine, the sound of music from inside the building: A tavern.

Entering the building he'd wondered if perhaps he'd wandered into a place too rich for his current coin pouch. The roof of the place was held up by several marble pillars carved into the shape of their diety topped with the style of a corinthian colum. Expert stonework and craftsman ship to be sure and toward the back of the building there seemd to be a large fishtank of some kind, filled with a variety of life. Large, it nearly took up the entire wall, curved glass leaving the fishtank in a U-shape with a square back and to top it off it seemed to be being used as a stage.

He was beginning to wonder if he should leave when the music caught his ears, a lovely melody that reverberated through his ears and seemed to settle warmly in his chest. His eyes finding the source on the stage. A Woman of fiery orange hair and the voice of Goddess caught him by surprise and he noticed his head began to sway softly to the music.

'*"Hm... I'll ask about the room prices later, surely there's no harm in staying for a bit."* He thought as he moved past several tables and chairs containing other patrons, not noticing that honestly they didn't seem much more or less well of than him. Sitting down at the closest empty table to the stage he sat and listened to the performance the woman put on. The lyrics, the vocals, the melody, it all lulled him into a sense of comfort he hadn't felt since he was back home. Why was that?

It was just another evening. One like many others. She might have enjoyed it more if *they* weren't constantly breathing down her neck. Still, that was no reason to make her fans dissatisfied with her work. Putting on a bright smile, she got introduced as Helen took to stage. The rythm was smooth and energetic. Dressed in a form fitting and glimmering dress, opening up for one of her legs and not leaving much to the imagination with her chest. With a snap of her fingers had the music begun completely without the help of an actual band. There would be three performances tonight, if the masters of the tavern wouldn't screw her over... again. And this was the best way to get started she felt: To get them excited and thrillled. Spinning and dancing to the rythm, the song began: "If I share this with you, never speak a word. They would never understand if they ever heard." She sang, voice as silky and smooth as could be. "Gemini, Capricorn, rising in the east. Dancing through the starlight, we began to sing!"

The number continued at this pace for an amount of time until the climax. The song was about thrill and excitement of just the moment and how to enjoy it. Every once in a while she would do little high kicks to reveal even more of her legs, which always seemed to thrill the crowd, and when she came upon the newcomer, one whom she had never seen before, she was intrigued. It didn't take long to notice the blade at his hip and to then know what was happening. Throwing the man a flirtatious wink, though close enough to the other attendees to not be necesarrily aimed at him. Spinning wildly around, but with a voice still clear as day, she struck a pose with her final move and that concluded her song. With the applause of the crowd, she moved behind the scenes.

Takanashi clapped as her performance came to an end though it was overshadowed by the hoots and hollars of some of the more zealous patrons. Her wink had not gone unnoticed, having caused a slight flush to his cheeks that only became redder with embarrassment when he realized it likely wasn't aimmed at him. Scratching the back of his head awkwardly before he ordered a drink and asked about the prices of the rooms, surprised that it wasn't quite as expensive as he thought it might be. Paying for both his drink and the room he settled back into his seat, finding himself humming softely to the song the woman on stage had just sang.

He didn't quite know what was coming over him, as though her song had been some sort of spell and of course that made him curious. Did she use some type of magic to entrance them in some way? Or was her voice simply that beautiful? Chances are he'd never know but he did know the question wouldn't leave his mind for some time even after he sets off out of town tomorrow.

Keeping the dress on her, she shuffled out between the other showmen and artists and made her way out on the floor. Walking past the different tables, there were more than one who did little whistles and tried to get her attention. Luckily, most had learned by now that she doesn't work like that. Eventually she noticed the man she had seen previously. From the angle she was coming from, it was unmistakable. He was indeed one of them. A Hinoan. A member of the highest families. A samurai. A part of her boiled at the thought. But another knew what kind of fool she would be to not treat him with the utmost respect.

Walking up to the man, walking so he would be aware of her approach, she spoke up: "Lord Samurai of House Kuromiya," She spoke up when she was close enough. Hands on her legs she bowed deep before him offering the culturally correct amount of respect he should deserve. Part of her just wants to spit in his face, but that wouldn't help anything or anyone. "It is a pleasure and an honor for us to have you here, lord."

"Eh?" Was the sound that escaped the man's mouth, not having been greeted like that in some time. He'd not realized it while she stood on stage but to see her bow as she did now he was sure that she too was from Hino. He caught the stares of the others looking over at the seen, leaving the young man red faced at the scene unfolding before him.

"P-please, I'm honored, truly, I am. But there's no need for such formalities, especially not here." He told her in hopes she was ease up and make things a bit less tense. "I'm just on my pilgrimage, I'm not here as any sort of diplomat or anything of the sort." Takanashi continued, trying to cure any misunderstandings that might have come from his presence there. "You're from Hino too, right?"

Helen rose from her bow and looked at the man with a soft smile. "Whether pilgrimage, mission or otherwise, that doesn't keep you from your title, does it?" She asked, moving around him and leaning on a chair opposite of him, knowing full well that one shouldn't sit beside a Samurai without explicit permission. "I am indeed from Hino. Amaterasu in fact. Helen Serenade."

"I suppose..." He responded hesitantly as she sat across from him and introduced herself. Standing up from his seat he returned her bow with a mid-level one, tending to save a low bow for the most sincere apologies or when addressing their Deity directly. "I'm Takanashi Kuromiya, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard seeing Hinoans beyond our boarders are rare." He said before sitting back down in his seat.

"In fact, you're the first I've seen since I arrived on the mainland a few months ago. It's nice... In a way, I was starting to feel a bit homesick." He explained, rotating his glass of water on the table awkwardly before clearing his throat. "So, is it the same for you? Not seeing one of us for a while? Maybe feeling a bit homesick?" He asked with a curious tone as she'd approached him for seemingly no reason.

Nearly knocking over his glass he caught it before anything could spill out, clearing his throat again in shame at the bad display he felt he was putting on. "Perhaps you'd like a drink? I don't mind, it's only polite, right?"

Helen nodded. "Not so much any particular individual, but I do miss home. The feeling. The surroundings. The food. Everything tastes so strange and different beyond our borders. Drinks are pretty good though. And while on the topic, I'd love to. Just nothing too heavy, or I might not be able to perform any more tonight." She said with a giggle. She felt disgusted that she was playing it up like this. But an unbiased samurai that one sits comfortably with could lead for many opportunities later. "Does that mean I may have a seat as well?" She asked cautiously, not wishing to overstep any bounds.

"Oh, yes, of course. Please, have a seat." He motioned for her to sit down anywhere at the table before he called over the waitress to take her order. "You're right, I've noticed that too. The odd tastes of the mainlanders, finding things like rice have been difficult here but luckily not impossible. Luckily, the vegetables taste the same." He chuckled a bit.

"And your singing... it was incredible. I've never heard anything like it before. I mean, of course I've heard singing. Just, not like yours is all. But I imagine you get that alot, huh?"

She giggled at his behavior, but it could be passed off as glee from the praise while taking a seat right opposite of him.. "I may get praise for my performances, but you are the first to tell me that it sounded truly special. Most people seem to be more interested in my more... physical aspects rather than my skills and talents." She said in a joking tone despite dying a bit inside from mentioning it. "Maybe I shouldn't bemoan such a thing though. Women tend to like the idea of being lusted for, don't they? Self validation and all that? And I'll have a Lime Convect mixed with a bit of Strawberry fizzy." She said to the waitress.

Next was a man who took to the stage, singing a bit more of a melancholy folk song. He was fine enough and got some decent tips for his performance. "It is a good place to gather some coin if you know what to do. I am kind of dreaming of a larger stage, however." She smiled. "If I may be so bold, noble Kuromiya, what was it about my song that stood out to you? Maybe I could play into it a bit more next time if I have some idea of what I am doing right."

"Please, it's just Takanashi. We're speaking as equals right now, no need for formalities common courtesy." He explaied as she called him not only Noble but by his family name. "A-and as for your performance... well, I admit that I'm not well versed in the ways of music so pardon me if I can't quite explain it in technical terms but your voice just seemed to echo through my ears and found itself reverberating through my chest where it rested and matched my heartbeat. Like I said, I've never seen anything like it before."

"If it's a larger stage you're wanting, I've no doubt in my mind you'd find something like that back home. Music that sooths the heart and spirit is a rare thing to come by after all." He continued a warm smile on his face as her drink was brought to the table, Takanashi sliding the waitress the coin for the drink.

Helen's eyes widened. "That's... That's a very sweet and kind compliment. Thank you. I've always prefered to hear the subjective perspectives rather than the objective ones. Objectively I know I can sing. It is far more interesting to hear how each individual feels about the craft and is impacted by it. So again, thank you." She spoke softly as she took a sip of her drink. It was smaller than a medium sized glass and had a hue of pink and green which seemed to refuse to meld into a single color. Similar to the effects of water and oil.

"If I may be so bold to ask then, Takanashi... Gonna take a bit to get used to call a noble by their first name, sorry. But what brings you here to Ogon? Our nations aren't exactly friendly with eachother. I understand that you are on your pilgrimage, but... Why here of all places? Why this country and this town? It has its charm, sure, but... Still." she asked curiously while taking another sip and her hand on the table, hearing a voice for but a moment that sounded familiar. Looking around, she eventually calmed down when she couldn't find them.

He chuckled a bit at her question, "Truthfully? It's just by pure chance that I found myself here today. I arrived on the shore of Ogon a few months ago, I decided this would be the best place to start my pilgrimage since it was the nation closest to Hino from the port. Less time on a boat and more exploring the world like I'm supposed to be doing was my logic. I know that the two countries aren't exactly allies but I'd have to come here eventually and the only one that I was really warned about was Khalahai. If my journey comes to an untimely end there then I'd personally rather it be my last stop." He said before sipping at his water, noticing the way she'd looked around.

"Is everything alright? Perhaps you're waiting for someone else? I'm not keeping you, am I?"

Helen turned her attention back to Takanashi, more or less realizing that she had goofed up. "Oh, no, nothing. You are not keeping me. If anything I feel like I am the one keeping you. I am the one who came and intruded on your private space after all." She said with a chuckle. "And it was nothing. I just thought I heard the voice of someone I am not too keen on. Either who! I can see that reasoning to just get Ogon out of the way. Not that it is a bad place to be at, however. Just slightly hostile sometimes." She explained a bit of her own experience with the nation "My personal reasons for leaving is a bit less traditional to yours. A bit of a protest, you could almost say. Childish girl I was then. Thought I deserved more than I really did." She said, falsely opening up just a bit.

He shook his head, "No, no. You're not intruding at all, I'm glad for the company. A friendly face is a hard thing to come by when you're a foreigner after all. Was worried I was going to go a little stir crazy keeping my head down and mouth closed all the time." He explained, not wanting her to feel unwelcome. After all, it was nice not only meeting another Hinoan but getting to talk to the woman behind the voice that had enchanted him so.

"And, while it isn't my place to say, it's natural for people to seek more than what they have. For some its honor, others its gold, and others its something else entirely. I'd say a man... or woman in your case, deserves whatever they put in the work for. A master swordsman trained honed his blade, a singer trains her voice, even the Gods themselves once had to work toward that goal. If a person can become a God then, well, you can become anything you set your mind to."

Smiling, Helen sipped down another bit of her drink. "I suppose that you are right in that. Still, for some people you can do your best over all manners of fields and still go unrecognized. I don't want to end up like that. Though then again, I suppose I am young enough to not have to concern myself with such things quite yet. Still have a lot to live through and experience. There is a time for everything sooner or later." She said, trying to be a bit optimistic and not drive him away by sulking.

"Speaking of feats and skills though, I have felt this air around you since I saw you. Quite an enticing one." She said teasingly as if to imply something else entirely while taking a sip before speaking more clearly. "You have a catalyst, right? What kind of skills do you have with that?"

He wasn't sure how to take her teasing tone at first, never the type to really understand the whole 'flirting' thing but he felt a bit relieved when she brought up his catalyst. Letting out a quiet sigh he smiled again before reaching up to his neck and pulling out the prayer beads that wrapped around his neck. Their blueish-green glow likely giving away the element as well.

"I am, and so are you." He spoke, having noted the aura she gave off when she'd first approached him but knew better at the time than to call someone out on something so personal out of nowhere. "I've had it since I was fourteen, I'd say I've become profecient in its use. Now, that isn't to brag or anything of the like. I don't plan to go taking on the Wind deity any time soon. I've been practicing in the school of Spiraling Winds. Might I ask about yours?"

She nodded with interest. When the topic came to her own Catalyst, she gestured to the azure stone on her leathery chocker. "One and the same then. Air is my element and I've studied into the School of Vibration. I've used this magic for the sake of entertainment this night. You heard how there was music but no band? That is all thanks to this little thing." She said, tapping the jewel. "Gotta save money somehow." She said with a chuckle. "I actually also know how to heal and fight with this thing. Don't want to brag, but I am a bit of a prodigy with it." She said with a flick of her hair and exagerated gestures to clarify that it is mostly just in good fun.

"I've had mine for many years, but I only recently had the chance to really use and grow proficient in it. Fought some people, saved some more and have trained it to keep myself strong and healthy quite a bit as of late... Rare to find a good opponent to test it all against though. The people here have a deep distrust for us, especially if you go about and actually ask for a fight." She chuckled. "How do you tend to use your catalyst? Combat I'd dare to assume?"

He nodded, "I've learned to use mine in combination with my sword. It is the duty of a samurai to learn to use their sword to take a life. Though, I must admit that I find no joy in the act of fighting as so many of the others do. To cut down ones enemies in defense of their home and in the honor of the Shogun is supposed to bring honor to oneself... but I don't believe there to be any honor in bloodshed." He spoke in a serious and melancholic tone as he looked into the glass of water in his hand.

"Though, that hasn't stopped me from training, honing my skills. Better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a warzone after all, right?"

"Interesting saying. Can't say I've heard it before, but it makes sense, yeah. And I feel for you and where you come from with that mentality. I was on the the coast of Ebisu island some years back if you heard of it. Fought alongside a smaller troop to fend off the Khanite brutes until the mainforces could arive. I was glad for my training at that moment to be sure. Though I was relegated more to medic work and saving life rather than taking them on headfirst. Can't say I complained. Saving troops is just as important as slaying the enemies'." She said with a bit of a shiver at the memory of what she saw on that field. So many dead. So many wounded. It felt like an eternity before the main island's forces managed to arrive. "I'm just glad to have made it out."

"I've heard of it, yes. It's a shame that those most vulnerable are often the least defended, I'd wish nothing more than to simply be able to blame the Khanite and their cowardly raids but I know that it is just as much the fault of our government that such places are not as well defended as they should be." He spoke with a pained expression on his face that slowly softened as he looked up to meet his eyes with hers.

"I'm glad you were able to survive as well, lest I be sitting alone right now and the world to have lost a most talented song bird." He responded with a half-hearted chuckle, clear that he was trying to avoid thoughts he'd rather not linger on for too long. "Did you leave Ebisu to get away from the raids?" He asked before he could catch himself.

"You don't have to answer, I don't mean to overstep."

She solemnly nodded. "It's... It is fine. Just not the most appreciated memory. The raids were stomped out later rather than sooner, but... I have a lot of... baggage in my life. I left to try and overcome it. See if some outside influence might be able to bring me back to a more positive state of mind. Not too disimilar to your pilgrimage in a way I suppose. And thanks. For trying to cheer me up. Not a lot have put the effort to do so." She said, sipping down the last of her drink. Her eyes told a story of pain and sorrow despite the brave face she put on looking at the man, a bit surprised that he was looking into her eyes. Looking away, she straightened herself a bit, having been told in the 'good old days' to never look a higher ranked man in the eye. 'Subservience is preferable to them.' "Sorry, my mistake... Tell me, Takanashi, what do you think you'll do once you are done with your journey and return home? Will you be thrown into the noble duties or will you have some other tasks at hand?"

Leaning back a bit more in his chair he took a moment to think, bringing his glass to his lips for a sip before sitting it down with a quiet sigh. "Frankly, I'm not quite sure how things will go when I return home. Only a few years ago I was next in line as head of the Kuromiya family but some unfortunate things have occured and I'm honestly not sure what role they'll have me in upon my return. I'm hoping to use this time well to become someone worthy of leading the clan, so that I might prove myself worthy of keeping my former position. If not, then I imagine my cousin will be next in line and my family will become the branch family of the Kuromiya clan. It's a rather stressful position to be in I'm afraid... especially considering..." He trailed off, stopping himself from continuing.

"I apologize, it's just a bunch of political nonsense. No need to bore you with it, right? I have a year to sort things out for myself and see as much of Domah as I possibly can."

"I wouldn't mind listening if you'd like to unload. But you might well have meant, in a kinder way, 'It's really not your business.' then I understand that as well. I am just a mere stranger to you after all." She said with a giggle. Did he really have the nerve to come and complain about something as petty as that? Who gets to be in charge? *There are people out there suffering while you live high life, prick*. Helen thought to herself. She looked up to the stage and then back to him with a bit of a mischevious smirk. "Say, how would you wager your own skills of performance? Samurai are meant to be a lot of things at once, aren't they? Could artistic insight or dance and such be part of it?"

He held up his hands in front of himself with a shake of his head, "No, no, to both. I didn't mean it like that and I'm not all that great at being the center of attention, moreover, I haven't the slightest idea of how to perform." He responded to her question with a shocked and nervous tone. "It's best to leave that sort of thing to the professionals such as yourself, right?" He let out an awkward chuckle as he hoped she wouldn't press him to do anything like that, knowing he had a hard time saying no as it was. Much less to say no twice when pressed.

She laughed a bit at his reaction. "Don't worry. I am not cruel enough to drag some poor fellow up on stage without plan or preparation. Though might be fun with a bit of training." She joked. "I didn't mean to put you on the spot though. Just thought it could be fun to tease a bit." She giggled. She was about to say something else when she heard a voice from behind that caused her to flinch. "I hope you've had your fun, Ms Serenade."

Looking behind herself she saw a middle aged Vart'hya of some older years, accompanied with a great Gurza guard. The Man was of an ashen grey skin color and with fuzzy rabbit ears. He stood a good couple of feet higher than most others in the tavern. "Considering how slack you seem to be right now, I suppose you've made some good coin tonight?"

"Sir Hevuva! I... I just took a bit of a break. Been working quite hard tonight."

"Yeah? Just two performances as far as I've heard. They better have been damn strip teases at that point to justify it. What did you earn?"

"... 32 Silvers."

"That's all? Oh yeah. Quite the hard worker, now ain't ya?" Hevuva spoke quite condescendingly. "I'd put it towards your debt if you didn't play the slouch. I'll take seventy-five percent of it as compensation. Better work harder next time." He said with a snide grin.

"Sir! I won't last to the week with that coin! And I won't be able to get another gig for some time."

"Then maybe start taking advantage of your other skills and features as well. People would likely pay a pretty sovereign for that." He said with a cruel gaze. She reeled in her soul from this remark. She wanted to lash out and crush his head for that, but by doing so she would not only be owing the state that coin and then be put to prison. Or worse, look into her past and send her back to Hino. That was not an option. "... I'll figure something out then."

Takanashi didn't know who the new arrivals were and every bell in his head rung to the same tone of 'stay out of it' but hearing the disrespectful way the man had spoken to his guest and the clear look of discomfort on her face his mouth tended to move a bit faster than his brain and thus he stood up. "Is something the matter here? I don't care for the tone you're taking toward my company, Usagi." He got out before his teeth could catch his tongue and shut him up for a moment.

Hevuva looked to the man whom had spoken up against him and his aggitation only grew. "Keep your nose out of this, foreigner. This is between me and the ms right here. No need to get involved... Unless you would consider paying for her services? Help her towards paying off?" He said with a bit of annoyance. "Also, if you mean to badmouth me, at least do it in a language I understand."

Takanashi stood his ground despite his best interest in the matter but he couldn't very well let it go just yet. "Rabbit, Rabbit is the word in this language if I remember correctly... Anyhow, I'd suppose you're both Yamikin. If that's the case, how much does she owe?" He asked, unsure of if he'd even have the coin to begin with but it was better to look for a more peaceful solution first.

"Takanashi, there is no need for-" Helen began only to be interrupted.

"Seven sovereigns. Or gold I'd say you know it as." He said confidently, looking at the man as if he had won. "And please keep speaking the common tonuge, if you will. It is more frustrating to not know the words than knowing what they actually mean." Helen could feel the tension rising as the gathering of people were starting to look to their direction. "Takanashi, you don't need-"

"Quiet, little thing. The real people are talking."

His jaw tightened a bit at that, all of it really. Pulling his coin pouch from his belt he opened it up to reveal quite a large sum... but it was meant to be everything he'd need over the course of the year. He'd barely gotten the chance to tap into it over the few months he'd been on the road, mostly camping and eating the rations he'd brought along with him thus far. Though he knew the future winter months wouldn't allow for that. He looked over the coin in the purse, surely it was enough but he hadn't quite settled down to count it out in full yet. He could see a few gold pieces resting at the top. Pulling out the copper ones he threw what remained of the hefty pouch to the rabbit man across the table. "That should be enough, if not a little more than enough. Feel free to count it if you'd like though, I don't want you coming back otherwise." He spoke in a calm voice but inside it hurt to give up all of that. Why was he? What good did it do him? No... Those weren't the sort of questions he should be asking himself, they were selfish questions. He was doing good and helping someone out. He'd figure something else out, coin was a source of evil after all. He'd seen the other nobles obsess over it before.

"So she's free to go?"

Helen didn't even have the chance to truly register in her head what had just transpired when the Vart'hya responded. He seemed a bit conflicted on the matter. "She would earn me more than this in the long run if I just keep her on the leash... But it would also send a bad message to future dealers and partners... Very well, sir." He said as he stuffed the pouch in his pocket. "If the sum inside it is sufficient, you will never hear from me again. Nor you, despite that pretty face of yours." He said to Helen with the smirk of a deviant. Taking a bow, he took his leave.

A few moments of silence followed which ended in Helen looking over to Takanashi in stunned shock. "You... You did not just do that..." She said in absolute disbelief. "You... You need to allow me to repay that. Somehow, anyhow."

Once the man had left, Takanashi's knees gave out and he fell back down hard into his chair. Despite his best efforts the color had already started to drain from his face. He'd done something really stupid, something that would certainly have gotten him punished if he'd done it in front of his family but alas he'd done it all with little more than a moment of hesitation. At Helen's voice, he looked up toward her and tried his best to put on a half-hearted smile. "It was nothing... It was the right thing to do. No one should be talked down to like that... B-besides, it wasn't that much money. I still have some left over, see?" He said, sitting down the stack of thirty copper on the table. Enough for a few meals and maybe a room at a cheaper tavern.

"That's not-" She interrupted herself for but a moment. Why did she care? He was nobility of the highest order. People like him and their indifference to the plights of people like her is what leads to their suffering. But then... "That's not acceptable. You just wasted a ton of money on me... Wait here." She said before walking away. After a few minutes she came back, holding a pouch of coin. Putting it on the table in front of him, she sat herself opposite of him, her heart stinging as she didn't dare look at him. "Thirty silver coins. It isn't exactly due compensation, but... It's a start at least."

The man was still left reeling over the loss... or rather, giving up of what amounted to a small fortune for most people. The clink of the coins together against the wooden table brought him back to his senses again as he looked down at the pouch of coins that had landed in front of him. Realizng what she was trying to do he let out a sigh, pushing the bag away back toward the woman.

"Look, what I just did was my decision to do and I did it without expecting anything in return. But I get it, you don't want to feel like you owe me something so if you're so keen on paying me back the best way you could do it and the only form of payment I'll accept is your promise not to get wrapped up with those sorts of people any more. You're a beautiful girl with an amazing voice and now above all else there's nothing holding you back from doing whatever it is you want to do. You said you wanted a larger stage? It's out there somewhere."

"Just make sure to save me a front row seat when you find it, okay?" He spoke, putting aside his own, inarguably self-inflicted, grief to help but Helen's mind at ease. She didn't owe him anything after all, hell, he hadn't even taken how she might have felt into account when he'd paid the Rabbit the coin. In a way that was his mistake, but it didn't really matter so long as things were settled.

She needed to find a reason. Something that would convince him... She had thought about this prospect, but never dared to imagine that she would instigate it... But what other choice was there? "I think you misunderstand." She spoke, pushing the money back towards him. "This is only the start. You say you are on a journey? I am too. I was locked here due to being naive and trusting. I can go now. What's more, you say you like my voice? That it is nice to listen to? Then how about I give you a private show whenever you want?" She began, steeling herself for her suggestion. "If you will have me, why not travel together? Whatever I scrounge up for my shows I'll contribute to you and ensure that I one day repay my debt to you." She said, feeling an lightness in her heart when she got it out. "Please, sir. I need to make this right."

"A-again, it's just Takanashi..." He spoke with a shaky voice, unsure of exactly what to make of her offer. He did indeed like her voice, and traveling with a partner would be less of a hastle than traveling alone, Especially if she knew the area. But he didn't care for the prospect of her trying to pay him back, trading one debt for another sorta defeated the purpose after all. But he could see the look in her eyes and his jaw tightened, saying no wasn't his strong suit and he'd said it quite a bit more often than usual today.

Letting out a defeated sigh he nodded to her, "Well... you're free to do whatever you want so I can't exactly say you can't travel with me. Not without making a hypocrite out of myself after all. But I'm not going to hold you to paying me back, if you wanna split whatever you get from your shows then I don't want you doing it as someone indebted to me." He explained, again, not wanting the gal to trade one debtor for another. "So how about we look at it like... a partnership? We travel, you sing, and I'll do... uh, well, whatever else needs to be done? How does that sound, Helen? Partners?" He asked, standing up and reaching over to offer her a handshake.

This... This turned out even better than she had hoped. Getting up herself too, she extended her hand and shook his. She smiled kindly and breathed a sigh of relief. "That's... That would be wonderful, Takanashi. Partners then. Do what has to be done, and we support eachother through our journey. If that is good by you, then... I say we have a deal." She said, letting go of his hand. "This would work out well in more ways than one I think. Now I have a trial subject to test my new songs on." She partially joked with a bit of a laugh.

He chuckled a bit at that, joining her in her laugh. "I certainly wouldn't be against that and it'll be nice to have someone to talk to. This is the longest I've ever been away from home, the journey has been quite lonely thus far. I'm happy for your company, Helen. Let's just hope the two of us can stay out of trouble."

She giggled at that. "Come now, Takanashi. Surely you know that a trouble free journey is a dull one. Don't you want to have a bit of an adventure? A bit of excitement to remember for the years to come?" She said with great enthusiasm, though with a bit of a joking tone to it. "Either way, I'm sure we will do just fine."

"That's all fine and well if I get to live to see the years to come. I'm not quite sure if I wanna take that gamble, better to avoid trouble all together... Not that I'm doing a good job of that thus far." He responded, picking up his backpack from the ground beside his seat. "You have a place to stay? If not, might wanna get a room for the night. Say we meet up again here in the morning and you can show me around town? Maybe pick up whatever we can for when we head out? We can talk about where we wanna go from here over breakfast. How does that sound?" He asked, knowing that there was honestly a chance this would be the last time he'd ever see the girl. After all, now that she was free from her debt nothing was stopping her from turning tail and running but her own moral compass and frankly he didn't even know which direction that pointed at the moment.

She nodded, getting up herself and picking up the pouch. Extracting five silver pieces from it, she tossed the rest of it back for him to catch. "Now I do. And it sounds like a plan... I look forward to this, Takanashi. Just don't run away on me. That would be most inappropriate after giving me hope." She joked. "I'll just fetch the rest of my clothes behind the scene and pick one of the inns in the town. If that bastard were to change his mind somehow, I'd rather not be immediately found. That, and he basically has this place wrapped around his finger. I'll see you tomorrow, sir." she said before walking off with a deep bow.

Takanashi watched as she walked away, only closing his eyes to let out a deep sigh when the door to the tavern was left swinging and her gone into the night. *"She sure knows how to leave a man with comforting thoughts,"* Takanashi thought to himself, tieing off the coin pouch she'd given him onto his belt before gripping tightly to his sword. He'd hate to have to use it but if the need arose, he would do so all the same. Glancing back toward the entrance of the tavern he let out another sigh and made his way up the stairs and to his room.