Karina looked around as she walked toward the area for the boat ride, she had Sunshard walking with her she was to meet the vampire woman here as far as she knew but that was something she could worry about later if the woman didn't show up that is. Karina got up toward the lines that were formed for them to get into a boat and that was when she stopped and looked around some more but she figured that she might just be a bit early or something had held the woman up from making it to the boats yet. She also doesn't think that the woman would stand her up, so she had faith that the woman would come and then they would be able to ride the boat together to take the tour or what ever it was. Sunshard seemed to be looking around as well and Karina is glad that she had such a good companion to help her look.

Sunshard wasn't looking for the Vampire woman he was looking around cause he sensed something that was around somewhere and it seemed familiar to him but it wasn't a strong sense so he was not sure if it was trying to hide itself or if it was just a good distance away from them. He might not like that this woman is so trusting but he knows he isn't going to allow her to be harmed by something that might be looming around them. Karina looked down and handed the companion a small snack and he took it and started snacking. She might not be smart or super tough yet but he liked her cooking at least so if her adventurer's journey ended she could at least attract a partner with her cooking so she isn't hopeless.
(301)

Targa tugged her cloak a little tighter around her shoulders as she walked through the snow covered streets of the city. The light dusting had given way to a steadier snowfall, more than what one would expect during the usual winters in Fiore. The world around her seemed softened by the layers of white and was creating a peaceful yet quiet atmosphere. Yet, despite the serenity of the scene, her mind was elsewhere. She had been looking forward to heading to the skating rink with Karina. The idea of skating on the frozen ice, laughing and talking as they glided across the rink, had lifted her spirits and taking her mind off her hunger a bit. But plans had changed, and instead, they were meeting for a boat ride through the city’s intricate canals, or even around the coast. She wasn't sure which they were going to be doing yet.

It wasn’t that Targa didn’t like the idea of the boat ride. If anything it would give her a chance to spend time with Karina and get to know her better. But still, she couldn’t quite shake the slight disappointment of missing the skating. The feel of the cold wind on her face as she cut through the ice was something she had been looking forward to. It would remind her of her times spent in Iceburg. She sighed softly and began shaking her head as if to rid herself of the thought. It wasn’t worth dwelling on it. After all, the boat ride could turn out to be just as fun. Hell, it might turn out to be even more fun!

However, there was something she had to take care of before she met up with Karina. Targa’s hunger had been tugging at her ever since that morning, and she couldn’t ignore it any longer. As a vampire, she could go longer than most without feeding, but the steady gnaw of hunger was something she liked to address before it became a problem. And this time, she wasn’t interested in feeding on just any regular animal. She wanted something with a bit more substance, something magical. She needed a creature that would provide her not only with nourishment but also with energy. Her senses heightened as she moved quietly through the snowy outskirts of the city, where the landscape quickly shifted from cobblestones and canals to the familiar silence of the forest. Luckily for her she was soundless as a vampire, a nice perk the more she thought about it. The snow here was pristine and was yet untouched by human feet. The air had a sharp clean edge to it. It wasn’t long before her keen eyes caught the flicker of movement in the distance. It was a Mi'raj.

The small horned rabbit was an elusive creature and was rare to find. She thought it was lucky she actually even found a magical beast. Though it appeared delicate, it possessed magic in its blood, making it far more valuable than an ordinary rabbit. It was worth a lot of jewels too as a magic creature, but to her it was worth more as food than lining her pockets.  Its magic would give her the sustenance she needed and not just to fill her belly but to truly satisfy her hunger. Crouching low, Targa moved with practiced precision, her steps not making a single sound on the snowy ground. It was a nice perk of being a vampire not making a sound. She watched the Mi'raj as it moved through the underbrush, its tiny horn glinting in the soft light of the snowfall. She knew these creatures were skittish and fast, able to disappear into the brush with a single bound if startled.

Targa decided to use a trick she had honed since becoming  a vampire. She'd make use of a subtle use of her Crash magic. She concentrated, sending a faint ripple of energy through the ground. The stones and pebbles scattered nearby shifted just slightly, creating a soft clatter that drew the Mi'raj’s attention. Its ears perked up, eyes darting toward the noise. For just a second, it was distracted. That was all the time Targa needed. Moving with speed and grace, she darted forward, silent as the falling snow, and in a single fluid motion, she grabbed the Mi'raj. Her hand closed around the creature with surprising gentleness given her speed. Before it could struggle or flee, she leaned in, her fangs sinking quickly into its warm flesh.

The familiar sensation of blood flowing into her was immediate. Warmth and life surged into her as she fed, the magic in the Mi'raj’s blood revitalizing her in a way that ordinary animals never could. It wasn’t much; just enough to stave off her hunger and keep her going. She fed quickly, not wanting to drain the creature completely, knowing it would sustain her for awhile. After she had finished, she released the Mi'raj back onto the snow. Its body was still, but she had taken only enough to satisfy her hunger, allowing the creature to rest peacefully. Targa wiped her mouth clean of any traces of blood, her expression softening as she took a moment to center herself. The hunger had been quelled, her mind now clearer and her body more energized.

After feeding she went to see Karina. Targa spotted Karina and Sunshard before calling out.
"Hey there!" as she waved to them, her mood much lighter after the hunt. "I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. Ready for our ride?"

WC: 927

Sunshard had moved behind her leg as the vampire woman got closer after calling out to them and Karina turned around and looked at the woman and she smiled and waved back to the woman. "Yes I am more than ready to relax and enjoy the tour of the city then the pool and then the Skating rink unless you are wanting to swap the last two around since they are all open till the end of the event that they are doing here." Karina got into line with Sunshard holding tightly to her leg as they walked along with the line of people that were ahead of them and she smiled down at him as she knows that he was just scared of the woman a bit but she doesn't think the woman a threat as she can smell the blood from her last kill still so she knows that the vampire woman had just fed recently.

They got to the front of the line and she got Sunshard into the boat then got in and put her hand up to help the vampire woman to get into the boat even though she probably didn't need to do so. She was to kind and trusting for her own good probably but she was not going to sweat it for now and that was just how it was going to be. She was raised to help and put her hand out to those that you can help and be kind above all other things. She was not going to let it go as she needed to live her life and do what she can to make it a better place. She wanted to make it all work and do better and after helping the woman in she would take her seat and pull Sunshard into her lap so he could see on the ride.
(316) (617)

Targa couldn’t help but notice Sunshard move behind Karina’s leg as she approached. She kept her movements slow and non-threatening, her expression soft as she waved to Karina in return. When Karina spoke, Targa chuckled lightly. "Relax and enjoy, huh? That sounds like a plan to me," she replied, her voice warm. Targa watched with quiet amusement as Karina extended a hand to her, a kind and trusting gesture that seemed almost unnecessary but was endearing all the same. With a playful smirk, Targa took her hand and stepped up onto the boat. "Thank you, m’lady," Targa said with a teasing bow as she stepped gracefully into the boat.

As the boat began to glide smoothly along the canal, Targa leaned back slightly, letting the crisp winter air wash over her. "Thanks for doing this with me. It’s been a while since I’ve done something like this. Peaceful moments like these aren’t exactly my usual fare," she admitted.

WC: 158
TWC: 1085

Karina wasn't sure that she liked being called malady like that but she guessed that she would let it slide as she wasn't looking for trouble and that was just something simple and that could be handled like it was already she needed to think of this woman as maybe an elder as she is not sure how old she is so she needed to stop thinking of her as someone that is around her own age as she is probably very old and so she would talk differently so Karina needed to act and treat the other woman how she would treat someone that is above her in years and not a woman her own age. "You are very welcome as there are a lot of things that are going on and I figure it is easier for you to hold out hope of fun with someone else that you know and I know that I enjoy my time with you."

She was not flirting with the vampire woman she was really just being nice and hoping that the woman would be okay with that as Karina needed to make sure that she was being kind and honest as that was what she was going and making it like that was easy enough and that would help her to make friends or so she hoped. The boat then started moving as the driver started them down the channels that had been made for this event for the people that were taking the trip and she hoped that maybe her and Sunshard might be able to be on good terms close to the end of this but she kind of doubted it as Sunshard seemed like he was not feeling this woman and she was not going to force him to get along with her.
(307) (924)

"That’s kind of you to say. I’ve enjoyed my time with you too. It’s been… refreshing." She paused, her pink eyes glancing toward the snow covered buildings lining the canals. "And yeah, you’re right, fun’s always better when you’ve got good company and good friends. It's nice making a new friend." Targa meant it. She was used to traveling alone, keeping people at arm’s length because it was easier than explaining her past or dealing with misunderstandings about what she was. But Karina was also not human, so she got it, and Targa found herself appreciating the werewolf’s straightforward honesty. It was rare to meet someone who just wanted to be kind for the sake of it, without expecting anything in return.

As the boat glided smoothly through the canal, Targa let herself relax, the crisp winter air brushing against her face. The steady motion of the water and the muted sound of the driver’s pole pushing against the canal floor created a calming rhythm. She noticed Sunshard still perched protectively in Karina’s lap, his wary eyes occasionally flicking her way. Targa gave him a small, non threatening smile, though she didn’t expect it to do much. Creatures like him could sense things in her that others couldn’t, and while she wasn’t a threat, she understood his unease as she was a vampire with dangerous invisible magic. "I think Sunshard’s is weary of me," Targa said lightly, her tone teasing but kind. "Can’t blame him for being cautious since we just met. I take no offense. But I’m glad he lets you do your thing without too much trouble. You two make a good team."

Stretching out with a relaxed yawn. "So, what’s next after the ride? Pool or skating rink? I’m up for either." Her voice was casual, but there was an undercurrent of warmth and sleepiness. Seemed that the gentle rocking of the boat was causing her to get sleepy. The boat continued its gentle journey through the canals, the snowy city unfolding around them like a painting. For a moment, Targa let herself just be, enjoying the rare sense of peace and the company of someone she might even call a friend.

WC: 365
TWC: 1450

Karina looked down at her companion again and she wondered why he was so scared of the woman, as yes she was a vampire but herself was a werewolf and that is probably seen just as badly and she needed to wonder why the creature trusted her over the vampire. Karina looked to her as she was asked about what they would be doing next. "Well I heard they have a heated pool so I would say that swimming sounds like the best next step that we go and end with the skating unless you have one that you would prefer?" She looked at the vampire woman with a smile and she wondered if there was anything that she could do to help bridge the gap between her companion and the vampire woman and she needed to probably think on it, and come up with a plan and she would need to think up a path forward.

She looked back to her companion who seemed to have gotten closer to the side of the boat and was looking into the water as they were going around a turn Sunshard got splashed in the face and backed up a bit and Karina handed him a towel from her storage space where she would usually keep weapons but as she was still only just starting out she didn't have extra weapons yet and she would need to keep working on it if she can handle that kind of thing plus it would take a lot of jewels to make a decent group of weapons for her to use so she would need to keep her head on her shoulders. She was going to have to see if she wanted to stay solely to guns or if she might need to throw a few other kinds of weapons into the mix to make sure that she can not find herself dead and left on the side of a random road as she didn't have what she needed to help her over come something.

She was not sure if she was ready for a swim or not but she figured at least swimming in a heated pool sounded good to her so she wasn't going to change her own mind on what she wanted to do next and she wondered if Sunshard knew how to swim or not as she didn't remember if she had went swimming since she and he had met but she figured if he got close to the water he either didn't know better or he knew how to swim so he felt no fear but she knows if the boat was to over turn she was going to make sure she looked for him first just in case the creature couldn't swim but she was going to make sure that this ride was at least comfortable and Sunshard looked at her as if he was reading her mind and smiled a strange smile and she smiled back at him not really worried about it.
(507) (1,431)

When Karina brought up the heated pool, Targa’s expression brightened. "A swim in a heated pool surrounded by snow?" she said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "That sounds very nice.. divine even. I must admit, I've always loved how the fog rises off the water, mixing with the cold air. It’s like stepping into another world. Beautiful and relaxing." She leaned back slightly, her smile growing. "Ending with skating sounds perfect. Let’s do the pool next."

She chuckled softly as Sunshard got splashed by a small wave. His reaction, backing up quickly and looking almost indignant, was endearing. Watching Karina hand him a towel, Targa admired the gentle care she showed toward her companion. It was a small gesture but spoke volumes about her character. It then in turn made her feel a little bad for chuckling, but it was funny. She hoped that Sunshard wouldn't be offended for she liked the little guy. Settling back into her seat as the boat glided onward, Targa let herself relax. The thought of the heated pool, with its soothing warmth and the dreamlike fog against the snowy backdrop, was comforting. She turned her gaze back to Karina, her pink brighter than usual. "I think you’ve got the perfect plan. These event's shaping up to be better than I expected."

WC: 219
TWC: 1650

Karina smiled as she heard that her friend was good with going to the heated pool and then head for the rink after and then she looked down to the companion and she smiled at him and spoke to him as well. "Foes that sound goo to you Sunshard?" The companion looked back to the woman and it smiles a big sickly smile and she guessed that was a yes and that she was good to go with following this plan with the vampire woman and then the woman tapped her chin. "Did you bring a swim suit with you Targa? I know I did cause I like being ready for if I need things."

Sunshard was still drying himself off and shivering a little, but the jacket was helping him stay warm and he looked and pointed at a few food places he would want to try from the smells making sure that Karina had seen the places that he would want to go to later when they were done with the event stuff and he kept smiling like he was excited and Karina giggled a bit at the look at the creature seemed to have on it's face as she knows that there are a lot of things she doesn't know about him and that she could not just rush to find out as he would probably close up if she did.
(238) (1,669)

"A swimsuit? You’re more prepared than I am. I didn’t pack one, and I didn’t bring skates either. Guess I wasn’t thinking ahead. I’ll have to fix that before we hit the hot spring and the rink."

The boat continued to glide smoothly along the canal, the snowy landscape unfolding around them. Targa leaned back slightly, taking in the crisp air and the sights of the city’s architecture, its bridges and snow capped rooftops reflected in the water. As they approached the end of the ride, Targa stood gracefully, steadying herself on the gently rocking boat. She turned to Karina with a pleasant smile. "I’m going to have to leave you for a bit. I’ll need to stop by the shops and pick up a swimsuit and some skates before we meet at the hot spring. But don’t worry, I won’t be long."

Targa stepped off the boat. She adjusted her clothing and glanced back at Karina. "I’ll meet you at the hot spring soon. Shouldn’t take me long to find something that works, maybe even a swimsuit that fits under my suit. Wouldn’t that be something?" With a friendly wave she headed off into the snowy streets, her mind already turning to the task ahead. A fitting swimsuit and a pair of skates that matched her sleek monopoly style wouldn’t be too hard to find, she hoped.

WC: 228
TWC: 1878

Karina heard what the woman was saying and she didn't know how to react to that as Karina guessed she always came prepared for things so there were certain steps she took that she guessed others didn't take as well and she wanted to make the most of what she has here and she needed to make her way through this idea as maybe as an adventurer she needed to worry about these things more than others that were unable to use magic naturally and she was going to do what she could to make this all work out for them and she saw the point that was to get off if you were going to go sight seeing in the town and shop and she guessed that she and this vampire would would be going their separate ways here and she looked at the woman and she smiled as she was hiding a bit of her worry about if they will end up meeting up again or not.

Karina then spoke to her. "Well I hope we will meet there, but in case we don't see each other again then I should say that I enjoyed our time together and I hope to see you again." She gave the vampire woman a thumbs up and then waited for the vampire woman to get off of the boat and rather if she got off or not the boat started back up down the water way that they were heading to start with and she looked at Sunshard who smiled big at her and was excited for the rest of this trip down the water as he walked back to the edge and was looking around the area and was clearly taking mental nots for places to see when they had some down time and she was excited to get back to the dock and go and get her stuff and then head for the swimming area so she can get a good swim in while being warm and enjoying the cool of the outside at the same time.
(350) (2,019) (Exit)

Targa walked through the snowy streets taking in all the shop windows displays until she found what she needed. The first stop was for a swimsuit, and after browsing a bit, she chose one that fit snugly under her tailored suit; a sleek dark  one piece with subtle accents that complemented her style. Next she visited a small skating shop where the attendant helped her find a pair of skates that matched her outfit perfectly with their polished black finish and elegant design fitting for someone with her refined tastes. It seemed it was a seasonal shop that was normally a shoe shop the rest of the year.

Satisfied with her purchases, she made her way back toward the canal where the boat had departed. As she passed through she spotted another boat gliding along the waterway that carried a few people from the group that was behind Targa and Karina. With a warm smile, she raised a hand saying hello to the lot. "Hope you all are loving the events! Any know if there's another boat that back or not?" Getting her answer she's wait for the right boat and take the silent ride by herself back to where she came from before heading off to the hot springs.

[Exit]

WC: 210
TWC: 2088