Late evening, a thousands stars decorate the dark sky, the pale moon casting light upon a strange young girl. She is heading west towards the tiny town of Rainhaven, leaving behind her tattered dingy on the white sandy shores. The nightly streets of Rainhaven is almost abandoned, as many are in their homes, bundled in there nice warm beds, unaware there is a new stranger wandering outside. As the strange walks on, she notices a tavern, the glow of yellow light and music within. Hoping that she may find food and shelter, the girl wonders in.
Loud roars of the rowdy, causes her to jump once or twice as she enters a slightly crowded pub. Even crowded, no one seems to notice her just yet, or so it seems. She quietly makes her way towards the front bar, spotting a muscled bearded man, who must be the owner.

Girl: "Excuse me, sir?" (^_^)
Bartender: "...." *making drinks*
Girl: "Sir?" (;^_^)
Bartender: "'Ere you go, Clyde." *hands drinks to a thin nosed man*
Girl: "Sir?" (o_O)
Bartender: "What have you?" (>_>)
Girl: "Sir, I need a place to stay for the night." (u_u)

The Bartender turns to face the strange girl for the first time. It was obvious to any native Rainhavian that this girl was a stranger. But her clothing spoke of class, of rank, or wealth to any merchant she would cross. And tonight was the Bartender's lucky night! "Dear, Madam!" he bellowed, greed in his eyes, "Did you say you needed a place to stay?" "Yes, sir." the girl nodded, oblivious to his motives, "And maybe something to eat?" "Yes, yes!" he said, practically running from behind the counter to reach the girl, "Follow me to this table! I will get you the best food in the house! Elgar!" "What??!" screamed a short and plump man, peaking his head through the order window. The Bartender rushes off to talk with the cook in hushed whispers....
At an table, hidden in the shadows of the room, he watches. Everyone else haven't taken notice of the girl or her situation, except for the greedy Bartender and Cook. And as those two plan their schemes, he makes his move, placing a pint in front of the strange girl. "Huh?" she said, startled, and then noticed the handsome guy taking a seat at her table. "It's on me." he muttered, taking a sip from his own.

Girl: "Thanks... but, I-I'm too young to drink." (*^_^*)
Handsome Man: "Hmm... I thought you looked too young. I'll drink it then." (^_^)
Girl: "But... you already have one." (o_o)
Handsome Man: "Yep, you really are young. I'm Galen, what's your name?" (;^_^)
Girl: "Faeda." (^_^)
Galen: "What a strange name... though, I think I heard it before..." (O_o)
Faeda: (*^_^*)
Galen: "Anyway... there's something more strange than just your name. What's a girl of your status, doing in a bar late at night, in a town you've obviously never been to?" (o_O)
Faeda: "Well... um..." (;^_^)
Galen: "And where are your escorts? You've couldn't have traveled alone, with the recent rise of monsters roaming Serenity." (O_o)

The Cook and the Bartender returned to the table, much to the girl's relief, interrupting their conversation. She didn't like Galen's inquiries. "Here you go, Madam." smiled the Bartender, as the Cook carefully placed a somewhat clean silver tray of roast duck before her, "And there is a room -the most finest of the house- upstairs waiting for you." "Thank you," she smiled, politely, "You are most kind, sir." They bowed deeply, as if the girl was royalty, then rushing away with gold coins dancing in their heads.

Galen: "Unbelievable. I hope you have enough gold coins on you." (;u_u)
Faeda: "..."
Galen: "So... Where are you from, Faeda?" (^_^)
Faeda: "..."
Galen: "Okay... Where are you headed?" (o_O)
Faeda: *starts eating*
Galen: "Hey... didn't you hear me?" (o_o)
Faeda: *chewing*
Galen: "Are you ignoring me?" (u_u)
Faeda: ("...Trying to!")
Galen: "Oh, I see... you've suddenly think you're better than me!" o_o
Faeda: ("What?!")
Galen: "Is that it???" W('O')W
Faeda: Eeek! (o_o)

As Galen was ready to punch the table in half, a warrior woman entered the Tavern, her red hair and sword shimmering in the dim light of the bar. She noticed the frighten girl and Galen's temper, right away.

Warrior Woman: "Temper-temper, Galen!" (;^_^)
Galen: "Shut up, Edeline!" W('O')W
Edeline: "Calm down, already! No one wants a fight!" W('O')W
Galen: "Tch... whatever..." (>_>)
Edeline: "Seesh! ...So... who's your friend?" (o_O)
Faeda: "I'm Faeda." (;^_^)
Edeline: "Hmm... She's a bit above your league, don't you think, Galen? Wait... did you already make a move and she turned you down?" (;^_^)
Galen: "Grr! It's not like that!" (u_u)
Edeline: "That would explain the temper!" (^_^)
Faeda: (*o_o*)
Galen: "Stop that! Besides, she's stuck up anyway!" (;u_u)
Faeda: "I am not!!! You're just angry because I wouldn't answer your nosy questions!"(>_<)

The warrior woman laughed, Galen sulked, and Faeda just blushed. "So," asked Edeline, "Where are you from, Faeda?" "Don't bother asking her," frowned Galen, "She won't tell you. She won't say where she's headed either." Faeda suddenly became interested in her plate. "That's fine with me." shrugged Edeline, "I understand about these things. After all, I've known Galen for five years now and he has no idea where I hail from." "Really?" smiled Faeda. "Ugh," frowned Galen, "That's different! Edeline's part of some secret warrior cult!" "CLAN!" she corrected. "Same dif." he shrugged. "Is not!!!" growled Edeline.

Galen: "So, you won't tell us where you're from... at least assure us that you have escorts stashed in town or either they will meet up with you, come morning." (;u_u)
Faeda: "...Well... no... I'm alone."(^_^)
Edeline: "What? You traveled here, all by yourself???" (o_o)
Faeda: "Yes. Didn't you?"(;^_^)
Edeline: "Yeah, but I'm a warrior! Skilled to take on monsters." (o_o)
Faeda: "Well, who says I can't take care of myself? I got this far okay, right?"(;^_^)
Galen: "Unbelievable..." (;u_u)
Edeline: "Well... you're right... who am I to assume you're untrained, please forgive me. What kind of arts are you trained in?" (;^_^)
Faeda: "Healing."(^_^)
Galen: "WHAT???" (o_o)
Edeline: (@_@)

Both Edeline and Galen are floored by this news, to say the least. Even if this strange girl has been trained by the best, achieving the highest status in the Healing Arts, her chances of surviving a battle with just one monster would still be 50/50. And they both knew that running across just one monster -instead of a horde- was even slimmer. That is why nowadays, everyone who isn't trained in deadly battle arts, traveled in groups with those who are! And those trained for battle don't take too many chances on their own.
"Except you, Edeline." pointed Galen, "You're often out there alone. Almost as if you wish for death." "That's not true." she said, "I just take it a step more than others. Because I can." The three talked for a while, until Faeda became too tired and headed for her room...

By morning... Faeda got dressed, paid Cook and Bartender (whom were waiting outside her room door, palms out for falling coins), and left the Tavern. She closed her eyes, standing there amidst the swirling crowds, and listened. "Um, keep heading west. I think." she told herself, heading out of the town. "Wait!" called an familiar voice. She turned to see Galen, rushing to catch up, and Edeline wasn't too far behind.

Galen: "Where do you think you're going??? There are monsters out there!" (o_o)
Faeda: "I have to go now. It was... nice... meeting you."(;^_^)
Edeline: "I can't let you go alone! It would be against my clan's credo, to let someone without training travel Serenity alone. So, I guess I'll just have to tag along." (^_^)V
Faeda: "W-what? I-"(o_o)
Galen: "Well, there no way I'm going to let you go alone, Edeline. So, I'm coming too! ...Besides, I've always wanted to travel, see the world and all." (^_^)
Faeda: "What? No! You don't even know where I'm headed! It could be dangerous!" (o_o)
Edeline: "I don't have a problem with that. Do you, Galen?" (^_^)
Galen: "Nope." (^_^)
Edeline: "It's all settled, let's go!" \(^o^)/
Faeda: "...But... I..." (>_<)
Galen: "No use trying, we've made up our minds." o(^_-)O
Faeda: "...Fine..." (u_u)
Edeline: "Whoo-hoo! Let's go!" \(^o^)/