(Many thanks to Priya for the idea and letting me use it, and to all the role-players whose characters are a part of Alex's life and influenced it.)
After a particularly messy scene involving an ambush by a trio of bandits, Aureliyn and Alex stand in front of a small stream and next to a small pile of ashes.
Alekay: Y'weren' wieldin' a sword an' threatenin' t'stab me, 'sides! Y'punched me! Fer wha' I see as somethin' really 'armless, bu' the brawl was worth i'... if only the elf didn' 'ave t'barge in.
Aureliyn: [Wiping blood off her hands] Hands can be as deadly as a sword.
Alekay: [Grinning] True 'nough. Guess I'm no' really tha' afraid o' ye after all.
Aureliyn: Are you stupid, or is there another reason for that?
Alekay: Well, I'm no' earnin' yer ire now am I? If i' was clear t'me ye'd want nothin' t'do with me an'll probably jus' punch me, I wouldda avoided ye looong time 'go.
Geoffin and Alex sit in Geoffin's shop, drinking a cup of tea.
Alekay: ...An' tha' is 'ow the nameless line from t'Riddermark became the Darrowfeld family, descended from t'Mark.
A brief pause occurs.
Alekay: There y'go! I s'pose i's better than all these silly 'lil drama gossips y'can 'ear at the Pony from time t'time, hmm?
Geoffin: [Clapping enthusiastically] Oh, aye! 'Top-Notch'!
Alekay: ... Well. Guess those ol' huntin' stories were gettin' borin'.
Alex lies sprawled out on the street in front of the Comb and Wattle, having attempted to jump down from the patio and awkwardly rolling over and winding up spread-eagled on his back. Rhyva stands next to him, a grin on her face.
Alex takes Rhyva's offered hand.
Alekay: I wasn't thinkin' straight.
Rhyva: Hey, look at that, you atually took my hand instead of waving it off and stubbornly getting up yourself!.. Well.. I guess I didn't cause this one, did I?.. Not enough snow for that.. Now, lets go, before the sun comes back up and we miss out on the complete darkness of the chetwood!.. Sure would be a shame if we didn't get to be at high risk of a mugging.. Don't worry, I'll protect you..
Alekay: I'm really startin' t'wonder if I made the right choice 'ere...
Rhyva: Well I'm not going to mug you. Besides, you'd be bored.. Elsewhere.
Alekay: Good, I'd have t'beat the snot outta ye if y'were.
Rhyva: HA! I doubt it.
Alekay: I've no qualms beatin' people up if they're askin' for it.
Rhyva: No.. But if I wanted to beat you up.. I could.
Alekay: HA! I doubt it.
Alex has just finished saying goodbye to Barklay. He turns his attention back to Priya and Eckther. Eckther is sitting against a pillar by the stables of Combe and stroking Norman, Priya's hound.
Alekay: [Dryly] Well, tha' was a nice distraction from the awkwardness, hmm?
Priya: [Deadpan] Stop that.
Alekay: [Winks, but raises his hands defensively] I'm jus' bein' 'onest 'ere. I'd like t'claim I'm as dumb as a brick bu'... I'm no', sadly.
Priya: [Narrowing her eyes] Too bad that the wisdom and wit don't go hand in hand. There are times when it's..better to remain quiet.
Alekay: Shame they don', eh?
Eckther continues stroking Norman's fur.
Alekay: [Grinning goofily] 'nyway, I'm jus' leavin' anyhoo, so y'don' need t'worry 'bout me ramblin' an' ramblin' an' yada yada.
Eckther: B'seein' yur...Uh...yur...
Alekay: See y'both 'round eh? Sleep well when yer thinkin' o' goin' t'bed.
Priya's expression softens slightly.
Priya: Thank you for the gift. And Good night.
Alex pats Priya on the shoulder. Then, he leans over Eckther to speak with him, offering him a kind smile.
Alekay: Chin up lad. There'll be good an' bad days. Be'er make sure y'turn everyone one of 'em into a good one.
Eckther flinches, but suddenly nods. He regards Alex curiously for a few moments. Suddenly, a slow smile spreads across his face.
Eckther: Today's...Today's a good'un.
