Winnie had gone to the Pony after the market, and a few other areas, the night was getting long and she knew that Ryheric would still be out looking for the others. She had already sent runners to the camp with messages for Scanie and Silver. There was Ryheric as she entered, being called over to a table with Cat and two other men. Taking off her cloak she soon joined them and it seemed Ry wanted a gentleman there, by the name of Gregwuld, to join on the venture into the Lonelands, the two soon heading off to talk, with Ry suggesting Winnie stay there and grab a seat. In good humor she suggested keeping his seat warm when the other man asked her to leave even as Cat ask her to join. With a simple nod she told Cat to inform that she would wait outside, even as she heard her yell at him. Not about to stay to cause fireworks she headed out to watch the minstrels outside playing music.
It wasnt long before Cat joined her, telling her she should never put up with being told to leave. Looking at how concerned Cat was she reassured her that she wasnt offended and he had the right to refuse her, that things like this didnt bother her. It was actually very true, she had met her share of moody men, torn up from fighting and harsh treatment, it was very common to come across sour tempers as a healer. The last thing you ever did was take it personally, it was their problem not yours. It took a moment to make it clear to Cat she wasnt upset, and as they spoke he came out and in a taciturn manner demanded “Who are you and what are you after?”. The amusement hit her hard, so that was his problem. He saw people everywhere out for something, and this was why he didnt want some stranger sitting down at the same table. In her own way she could respect this. She answered him directly with her name, and that she not only didnt want something, that not everyone did, she was just waiting on a friend and that she knew Cat from the Soothery. He huffed said fine and stormed off. It took everything she had not to laugh out of respect. Cat again talked more with her about not needing to pay him any mind, but she was not at all bothered, actually found him sort of endearing in his own way. The sort of snapping, grumpy guard dog you just want to pat but know you cant go near till he is use to you. There was something intriguing about the fellow that she liked even if he was a sour sort. Soon Cat seemed to decide that Winnie was true to her word when she said she was fine and didnt need anyone to sit with her till Ry was finished and off she went. A grey cat came up soon after to make friends, purring and rubbing her legs.
Something Cat said however caught her interest. Thought catcher she called Ry, what an interesting way to refer to him, accurate however, he did have a way of drawing people out. Getting them to talk and reveal themselves. Much as she liked to study them she supposed. People intrigued her almost as much as plants. Just, under the right circumstances and situations. It wasnt long before Lavandara showed up after that, then a friend of hers was soon to follow. An interesting fellow who clearly had a drinking problem. Tarsorel however proved to be far more interesting that first expected. The longer they spoke the more she saw insights about him that proved to show a possible intriguing side to him, though he was trying to be cautious. It wasnt till an exchange with Ry that she started to really get an idea that he might have a bit more military background than he was letting on. Talk of swords, training, leadership, the way he spoke gave away little traces, but most telling was how he carefully complimented, it wasnt the empty praise that a tavern seat warmer gives who has never lifted a blade, but of someone who understands its not easy to manage people under pressure. More telling was that Ry received it that way also, finally. A gaggle of girls giving compliments feels like praising, even if its real and intended, and she knew it. Its not that it wasnt meaningful, but it does sound like flirting even if its not. She understood that men need to hear from men who understand how it is, not from sheltered women like herself, even if she has sewn up over a hundred men she isnt a seasoned warrior, still just a woman finding her feet in real combat, not just defending herself under pressure. Ry was new to being a leader and needed to hear more than what she could tell him.
Tarsorel would make a good addition, she hoped he would stay, depending on how things went in the Lonelands. She missed seeing Tervorn, wondered what was delaying his returning to the group, it was starting to bother her that she hadnt seen him in a while. Going to have to find out why Ry's “brother” wasnt about. Bet he got drunk and lost on his way to Buckland. Off she headed to look for Cwenawynn around Bree township. Need to find that girl, she has to have gotten back, she could still be in Buckland too. The grey cat followed after her, determined to not loose sight of Winnie, keeping pace and rubbing her each time she stopped to look around. By the time she stopped for the night to rest, the cat curled up with her, eventually making its way onto her belly to sleep.
