"I'm not harp girl, my name is Maria!" The girl exclaimed.
"Is it now?" Rion said. "Well, could you explain why you slammed into our table?"
Maria looked at him, then flushed. "Ah, my bad. I just wanted to say I'd go with you guys on your quest."
The two boys stared at her for a moment, stunned, then both shot up. "REALLY!?" they shouted in unison.
Maria glanced back at them and nodded. "I'm only rank 2, but I hope I can help."
"RANK 2!!!" the boys shouted again.
Maria scratched the back of her head and gave a chuckle before she was jostled into sitting down and explaining why she'd agreed to help.
"I saw you guys running all over the place today, so I got curious. I came here, and that's when I saw your post."
Ezra was on the brink of tears again. He turned his head toward Rion. "Your plan worked!!!"
Rion smiled sheepishly at him, then looked back at Maria. "Well then, its good to have you," he said, extending a hand.
"Likewise." She gave a firm shake in return.
Ezra wiped his tears. "It'll be dangerous, though. This Wyvern is no joke. Even then, are you willing to help us?"
Rion smiled slightly. Ezra's genuineness was something to admire. Even at his most desperate, he was intent on letting people know the full risks of what they were getting into.
Maria gave a graceful smile. "Of course. I've always wanted to try putting a hydra to sleep anyway."
"You do realize we're fighting a Wyvern, right?" Rion noted.
"Ahh, magic, force. Hydra, Wyvern—same difference." She gently waved her hand aside.
"Uh, not really but um yeah! whatever you tell yourself."
"So you can put things to sleep with your harp, huh?" Ezra ogled.
Maria nodded. "Sure can!"
"How do you choose a target?"
Maria glanced down at her harp, made of hazel-brown wood, its white strings painted gold from the tavern lights. "It's all about intent. Whoever I focus on is where the notes get directed. At the same time, I could focus on everyone in the bar, but if I started playing, my magic would fizzle out almost instantly."
"Interesting…" Rion furrowed his brow. "Can you try it on me?"
Maria turned to him, a bit taken aback, but shrugged. "I mean, if you really want me to."
Ezra gaped, and a few other patrons at surrounding tables turned their heads.
Rion nodded. "Yes, please."
Maria chuckled. "Alright, then. I'll play a gentle melody!" She brought her fingers to the strings. For some odd reason, Rion felt himself getting excited.
Maria started, strumming the harp gently. People around them listened, captivated by the pretty song. Then she looked up, her eyes met Rion's and she began playing faster.
Rion started to feel sleepy, drowsy, tired. His eyelids felt like heavy weights were pulling them down. His body slouched. "How neat," he muttered.
Then, moments away from sleep, something flashed through his mind, jolting him upright, a man..
in robes!? Rion first thought was Eru but something seemed off…
By the time he came to, Maria had reached the end of her song. A shocked expression was on her face. "You withstood my song! I'm impressed!"
Everyone around them cheered loudly, patting Rion on the back.
"That was impressive.""Not bad!""I'm a bard, and even I can tell that song was no joke."
Ezra looked impressed and leaned forward on the table. "Me next!"
Maria smiled. "Alright then, I'm fired up!" More people crowded around. Maria started her next song, and within five seconds, Ezra was knocked out.
----
Rion readjusted Ezra on his back as he stood outside his inn. He used Force to help carry the man, not necessary, but good practice, so he might as well. "Alright, he can crash with me tonight. We'll meet you at the guild tomorrow morning."
Maria nodded. "Sorry I knocked him out and all."
Rion shook his head. "Don't be. This dummy asked for it."
Maria laughed, waved, and was off. Rion watched her go, smiling, then made for his room.
Once inside, he plopped Ezra onto the bed, turned off the light, and lay beside him, back turned. For just meeting today, Rion didn't mind doing so, it felt like he and Ezra had already been friends a while. And even if they hadn't, he still wouldn't have slept on the floor; it seemed hard as hell.
"Got a big day tomorrow," he murmured. He glanced back at Ezra, peacefully sleeping, and smiled before drifting off himself.
Before he knew it, Rion awoke in an all-dark space. The same robed man from before was coming toward him…
(And thus, Rion's adventure continues…)