Northstar Vale Swimin' in My New Life Downtown

for storyteller trade!

As time passed the Empire grew and Reiko's little family blossomed. Now with control over the vale, Tobias starts life anew once more. A dance he had grown oh so familiar with as he trotted through the territory. Some of the faces he now knew by name, other's more so at a glance. There was room here for a life of adventure with everything to explore, and perhaps an open library to fill his collection of stories. If only he knew where to start...

Everyone was settling nicely in the vale, the place was beautiful and growing more so by each passing day as the plants bloomed through any lingering frost and light snow that still danced down from the heavens above. One, in particular, she was interested in visiting was Tobias, he was always so lonesome and not wanting to take his presence for granted or his hard work helping them settle here in the vale, she approached lightly while brandishing her tail in an affable greeting. Sir Tobias! at least this time she didn't tackle him.

It seemed he wouldn't have to wait long as his new leader bounded towards him. A grin plastered itself onto his maw as she approached, his own tail brushing behind his hocks lightly, Empress, I do believe I've made it clear that Tobi is enough Sir Tobias seemed awfully formal especially for someone like him. He couldn't help but pull her leg over the formalities even if it was out of respect. What brought someone as busy as you to me on this fine day?

Oops... My apologies. For a moment she grew awkward as Tobias had corrected her, reminding the Empress that he preferred informal and more casual conversations than using titles among friends. It's been a while since had a one on one, I wanted to see how you were doing, Tobias? Teasingly she drew out his name to make sure she had indeed kept it more casual. Brightening back up despite her little misstep in the beginning. 

Idk how to get her to ask him for a story! ill figure something out to get this a storyteller thread!

She could tell him some history! He just needs base trade right now so learning about what RE was formed on and what not could work

The cowboy gave a lazy roll of his eyes as the white girl pulled at his name. He knew she was yankin' his chain, but he didn't really mind. Reiko knew how to have fun and that's something Tobias would never complain about. Ah, you must be really bored with royalty already if you're checkin' on me. He gave a smirk and a playful wink as he took a seat. I'm fine, but what about you? Leadin's not too much is it?

Bored? Or was she looking for a distraction? Something to take away from all the time she had to spend with her new husband, one where love was flat and fruitless, forced and dutiful. She offered a smile in return to his, seating herself as well in his presence, gently and gingerly as she felt sore lately. 

Not at all. She chirped, the duties of a leader were never-ending, but she felt as if it came naturally. For a while I had my mother teaching me the ins and out of leading, taking care of each individual's needs is the basics of it all. And from what she could remember from the lessons of way back when.

But I have been feeling sick lately... sleep evades me. You wouldn't happen to know anything that might ease anxieties, would you? she had tried all kinds of herbs she could find during this time of the year, but none seemed strong enough. Perhaps Tobias would have his own opinion on the matter.

Mm, sounds like your mother is a fine woman. The male flashed his classic grin as his shortened tail rustled the long grass. Well, I may be biased, but I always believe in a good story to take my mind of things. Perhaps I have a tale that can take ya mind off things for a while? Granted most of his stories were to spook youngins or tell tales of daunting adventures, but surely he could come up with something more suited for bed.

She certainly was. Images of her flashed in the Empress' mind, moments shared, though as she grew older and time continued to separate those days with the current - she found that the details were growing hazier by the day.

Would you? Big cerulean eyes glittered as she looked at Tobias with eyes filled with hope. A story could help put her into a different state of mind, to think of the pictures painted by the Baron's words instead of lingering on the present troubles. Try not to make it too scary~ Jokingly she teased, even if there was some truth behind her request.

The Empress seemed to take the idea well as her expression quickly changed to one of wonder that reminded him much of the children he usually spun tales for. Ah, but don't you know your highness, scary stories are my specialty~. He chuckled and leaned back on his spot. Something calming would take some digging, as he said most of his stories were filled with danger and adventure as they were based on real-life encounters. A happy story, eh? He hummed, eyes searching the space behind Reiko as if a solution was written in the scenery.

Alright then, how about the story of the lost soul? Sounds depressing, but I promise it's a good one. Although in reality, there was no set ending to this tale. Rather Reiko realized it or not, this story was more personal than most of the cowboy's tales. I knew a boy once, strange as it was he was often referred to as Fate despite having an actual name. He came from a mountain pack where the land amongst the peaks stretched far and wide much like this vale of ours. A slice of heaven amongst barren lands. Life for him was good and it was clear his family cherished each day. Those who lived there lived for the glory of the land the Gods had bestowed upon them, but even after acknowledging the blessings in his life, it was clear Fate was broken up.

Haha! Tobias please~ His teasing was welcomed, it felt nice, familiar, amity, as they teased one another and Reiko feigned a fright at his declaration of frightening stories being his specialty. Perhaps one day she would take him up on a scary one when she desired a thrill but today, he knew the situation, there was no need for her to explain why she didn't have a taste for it right this moment.

That sounds nice. A story about a lost soul, huh? Sounds like a story that could go either way, but she trusted Tobias' assurance that it was good and reclined onto her haunches to listen, letting her eyes wander and not just focus on the cowboy. Cerulean eyes danced along the mountain tops and Tobias painted a picture of his story similar to their home - it brought a smile to her pale lips to not only imagine it, but to see it too all around them.