Aramora

Chapter 6: Live Today

Beautiful artwork made by Randompeephere <3

__________________________________________________

Naomi struggles to keep up as Nisha drags her along through the cobblestone streets of Ecrin. Lively music sounds from each tavern they pass on their way to the massive plaza of the city. Colorful shops and market stands line the wide stone clearing. In the center of the plaza is a large well with clotheslines holding various damp apparel to dry out in the sun.

Many people pass them by, wearing loose garments and tunics, just walking and talking while minding their own business and going about their day.

Nisha leads Naomi over to the well and lets go of her wrist, smiling down into the water breathlessly. Naomi bends over to catch her breath as well and peers up at the cat girl. Nisha turns back around and leans against the stone foundation of the well.

She chuckles. "Damn, it's been a while since I've run like that just for the hell of it. Usually, it comes hand in hand with some monster or group of Latyrs looking to murder me. That was fun!" She smiles bright and tilts her head at Naomi. "You okay?"

Naomi nods and stands up straight, still breathing heavily. "Yeah... I'm great! Just maybe we could take it a bit slower next time. P.E. was never my strong suit back in school."

Nisha grins and nods. "I'm just going to assume what you said makes sense where you're from. Anyway, whaddya think? Of Ecrin, I mean," she asks.

Naomi shrugs and looks around. "It's beautiful. It's hard to believe this has always been here and I just didn't know about it," she chuckles.

Nisha smiles and pushes off from the well. "C'mon. I'll show you the best tavern in town. Oh and don't mind the, um, annoyances we're sure to get when we enter. They'll go away eventually." She waves Naomi to follow as she begins walking towards a large stone and wooden building with cheery music coming through the half-opened windows.

Naomi follows and eyes the building curiously. "What do you mean?" she asks. Nisha sighs.

"You'll see. Oh, and if you talk to the bartender, just compliment him on his hat and you'll get a free drink. Trust me, it works every time." She walks up to the door and pulls it open, motioning Naomi through. "Ladies first." She winks.

Naomi rolls her eyes with a grin and walks through and Nisha shuts the door behind her as she follows, joining her at her side.

Right away, there is a fit of drunken cackling from their right. Naomi looks over to see two men who are clearly beyond shitfaced eyeing Nisha with both disgust and amusement.

"Oi, look who it is, de washed-up pussy cat. Decided to come down from yer daddy's care to slum it with us common folk, huh?" one of the men slurs.

Nisha cocks a brow at Naomi and chuckles. "Told ya," she sighs and looks at the men with her arms crossed.

"Hey, I may be a pussy, but at least it's better than being a dick. How's that goin' for you, by the way? Not great from what I can tell." She grins.

The other man scoffs and hiccups. "You shut yer mouth, filthy cat. We don't want you on our continent! Run back to Narvadin where you belong!" he spats.

Nisha rolls her eyes. "Is that the best you can do? I promised my friend there would be annoyances, but so far all I'm getting are some half-assed slurs that I could get from common Latyrs. Come on, guys. You can do better than that."

Naomi looks to the men with a smirk. "Maybe they're too far into their cups to think of anything clever. If they were even able to before they started."