[Great Bazaar] Just a Little Browsing (Seven)

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"I suppose that would work as well," Jaelyn responded to Seven's suggestion with a soft smile, "I have heard that they have some good food here."

Stepping away from the stall Jaelyn moved to follow Seven, and then found him taking hold of her hand. For a few moments she looked at Seven's pale hand holding hers, her blush remaining on her cheeks, but then Seven started to speak again and drew her attention upwards, "It seems that the end of Spring was not kind to friendships," Jaelyn's smile took a sad turn as she thought back to her own problems with friends recently, "I had something similar happen as well."

"I suppose," Jaelyn responded to Seven's optimistic comment, though her voice didn't take a turn for the better.

Maybe for Kendall it was better, but she wasn't sure about Dimitri. Their last meeting had resulted in so much anger and pain on both sides she wasn't sure if it was all for the better. They had learned much from each other in training, or at least she had learned much from Dimitri. After their last meeting she wondered if Dimitri even considered their friendship to have been useful.

Realizing she was probably looking like a fool lost in her own thoughts Jaelyn gave shake of her head and a faint smile at Seven, "So, what kind of food do you like Seven? You mentioned bread earlier?"

[Seven Xu]

“The bread does smell nice. I have to pick up a loaf, and I have seen that they sometimes make pastries here that look delicious. Would you like one?” Before Jaelyn could respond, Seven’s fingers had lost hers and he had produced a pair of round buns coated in granulated sugar. They were simple in their appearance, but unarguably delicious, warm, and fresh. Seven grinned, offering one to Jaelyn. “Here.”

Half of the bun went down within a fraction of a chime, Seven hungrily licking at his sugar-coated fingers as he swallowed to finally speak. “I’m sorry that you’ve had the same luck that I’ve had with people. Although,” a thoughtful grin followed the last of his bun that he all but inhaled, “so far things are looking up on my end.” With food in his belly, Seven perked, and an undeniable bounce returned to his step. He continued through the busy market, speaking over the buzzing crowd. Their next stop found them at a fruit cart, and Seven turned an apple over in his fragile hands, peering at the shining red-green mottled skin thoughtfully. Then, he shelled out his mizas to buy three of the juicy crimson fruits that could have made up the irises in his large-pupiled eyes.

“How do you know when you’re attracted to someone?” The question seemed to fall out of the sky itself. “I know what infatuation feels like, or, lust, whatever; but how do you know when it runs deeper than that? When you feel like someone should know everything about you, or, you want to do anything in your power to make them feel better … what is that, is that friendship or is it something else?” Seven’s face was turning pink, surprising himself with the odd inquiry.

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that. I … sometimes ask things better suited to come out of a woman’s mouth,” a pause, “I mean no offense by that.”

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"I..." Jaelyn started to respond to Seven's question, but before she could say anything else he held out a bun to her, "Oh, I... Thank you," she gave a soft smile to Seven as she took the bun, looking it over for a moment, and then took a bite of it.

The bread was probably one of the most delicious and decadent breads Jaelyn had ever had, and it showed on her face with wide, surprised, eyes that gazed at the sugared bun with amazement, "Oh my, that is amazing," she spoke softly, wonderment in her voice, "I knew there were delicious foods out there, but I did not imagine they could be found here in the Bazaar."

At Seven's offer of condolences Jaelyn's smile turned a little warmer, but there was still a hint of sadness to it, "Thank you Seven, and I am glad things are looking up for you," his subtle hint was lost on her, as Dimitri's words still weighed heavily upon her heart.

Lost in her thoughts once more Jaelyn was silent as Seven bought his apples, but his sudden question quickly drew her out again, and she gazed back up at the pale skinned man with wide. She briefly wondered if perhaps he was hinting at something, but pushed such distracting thoughts aside as she tried to come up with an answer for him. Before she could piece something together he apologized, and Jaelyn warmly smiled at his comment. Seven was not completely like Kendall, but there was much in him that reminded the Squire of her friend.

"No need to apologize," Jaelyn's smile remained warm as she spoke, almost as warm as her reddened cheeks, "I would not mind answering your question, but I am not sure if I am the right one to do so. I... do not have much experience in the way of relationships."

After a moment of silence she turned her gaze to Seven's brilliant red eyes, and then it was Jaelyn's turn to say something out of the blue, "You... Actually remind me a lot of a friend that I had strong feelings for," she paused, wondering how to refer to Kendall, "He... was rather feminine in his words and actions, more so than me often," she paused and quirked her mouth as a thought came to her mind, "Perhaps he can help answer your question... My friend had no such feelings for me, but he did have someone special to him. When he thought or talked about this person he seemed filled with warmth and happiness. The most I ever saw from him. Perhaps that is the sign of a deeper attraction, when you feel that way?" as she finished Jaelyn's face was a deep crimson, her gaze having stayed fixed on Seven's handsome features the whole time she spoke.

[Seven Xu]

“Maybe,” Seven’s lips pursed as Jaelyn indirectly referred to him as ‘feminine’. It was no mystery to him but every time he heard it aloud from someone else, a pang of shame bubbled up inside of him. Masculinity never looked good on him; he was too small, too fair and nearly always fell short of feats of strength other men prided themselves on. There was also the fact that the individual in question was a man – and most often it was women that fawned over men, not other men, “I’m not sure I feel particularly happier when I talk about them because I never have … talked about them, that is.” Seven rolled his eyes and shook his head, “Forget I said anything, I’m being stupid.”

He noted the blush on Jaelyn’s face and his expression softened, reaching forward to place a hand on her shoulder as if to comfort her. “I’m about as awkward as it gets when it comes to relationships and knowing anything at all about them. Your advice was good. I probably would have told myself to stop being a child for asking such a dumb question.” Then a laugh and a fanged smile tried to scare away any air of awkward tension that remained between them. “You know, I really pictured you as the type to go for the handsome, muscular knight. You must spend a lot of time around people like that; did you just get sick of them?”

They continued through the market, shoulder to shoulder as not to lose each other, and they walked as quickly as the crawling pace of too many people in a small area would allow them to go. As the silence grew between them Seven flip-flopped between telling Jaelyn more about this ambiguous relationship or not. Choices, choices. Besides, what had it been? A drunken snog, brief touching and a few words that made little sense in his head now; did that even constitute a relationship? “Well, he is sleeping in your bed,” Seven added aloud, under his breath. A gust of wind poured into the fourth tier bazaar, chilly and biting against Seven’s bare arms and he raised his voice. “Tell me more about your life as a squire.” The interest was genuine, even if it was a push to get off of a topic he immediately deemed uncomfortable and regretted bringing up.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn did not miss Seven's pursed lips, and her eyebrow quirked slightly at the displeased sign. Had she said something wrong? She certainly hadn't meant to cause any offense, but maybe it was a sensitive subject? Seven was the one who had brought the subject up however.

Before she could think further along those lines Seven's hand was on her shoulder, and much of her attention was focused on the soft touch. Not wanting to make a terrible fool of herself she cleared her throat softly and spoke, "Ah... I do not think you were being stupid or dumb. I just am sorry that I do not have much actual advice to offer you."

Seven's laugh and fanged smile brought a smile to Jaelyn's face, and she couldn't help but stare at his fangs. On someone else they might have appeared frighting or intimidating, but on Seven they just seemed to enhance his exotic look. Seven's words pulled Jaelyn away from her pleasant enjoyment of his appearance, and brought to mind Markus' naked form in the Soothing Waters.

"Ah... Well... I..." Jaelyn blush returned full force as she stumbled over words, unable to answer Seven for a time, "I... Have not focused that much on figuring out my type, as, well," she trailed off and fell silent as she walked along with Seven.

She'd hoped to try and put her struggles with relationships this season, but it was already proving difficult. Was she truly so weak that she couldn't dedicate herself to a single goal without faltering. It was no wonder her Father was still so morose and solemn, with a daughter liker her...

Her thoughts pulled the smile from her lips as Jaelyn walked along beside Seven. The wind went unnoticed by her, but Seven's words pulled her out of her thoughts and brought her attention back to the handsome young man at her side. Reluctantly Jaelyn kept her attention on the crowd as she walked, maybe if she didn't look at Seven it would be easier.

"Much of my time is spent training and learning," Jaelyn's voice was soft as she spoke, little louder than was needed to overcome the crowd, "I have to make sure my mind and body are ready for when I leave on my Knightly Quest," it felt rude talking to Seven without looking at him, and so she chanced a glance over her shoulder and a faint smile to him, "I suppose it is not a terribly exciting life, but it is satisfying at times, and needed to help maintain the peace and prosperity of Syliras."

[Seven Xu]

“I understand,” Seven replied, hand slipping from Jaelyn’s shoulder and into his pocket. He seemed satisfied with his purchases; they’d get him through the next day or two, at least. “It would be a shame if something were to distract you from your goal of becoming a knight.” The comment was added meekly, taking note of Jaelyn’s tendency to look away from him as she spoke. A thought that he might have offended her somehow let pink bleed over his cheeks in a prickling blush. Their path through the Bazaar was littered with discarded paper, spilled hay and grain and the occasional trampled produce. As Seven’s toes unwittingly pressed against a particularly unnerving squash, he thought to reach down and brush the crushed orange pulp from his worn leather boot.

Ah, finally! She looked at him again. That smile returned; a curve through a mask of persistent pink and white, a spell that was both calming and unnerving. “A Knightly Quest?” Seven echoed, brows rising with his curiosity and concern. “That sounds dangerous.” While he hadn’t meant for it to come out with such conviction, Seven had always been the type to play his life safe. In fact, if it weren’t for false promises, he’d still be nestled within the safety of Lhavit’s peaks. Silence fell between them again, although one could hardly call the Great Bazaar ‘silent’. Seven hadn’t noticed that his smile had eventually flattened from little reason to hold it in the first place.

They couldn’t spend the entire day wandering about the Bazaar, Seven decided. His hand reached out for Jaelyn’s and he tugged on her fingers, gesturing towards one of the exits where cool summer air was wafting in and sunlight threatened to mingle with the torch lit basement of the citadel. “Would you show me?” the smile flourished again, as charming as ever as his head tried to picture this soft-spoken girl in the throes of combat training. “I mean, if you’re allowed to, I’d love to see what you do. If not, I could show you what I do.” The offer hung in the air between them, fresh off of Seven’s sugary tongue. It hadn’t been a terribly long time since Seven had started his new job, and although he found peace in the quiet he was afforded in that workshop he found little joy in not sharing what he had been slowly learning with anyone. Victor was unable to remain upright for more than minutes at a time – and even then Seven questioned whether or not he was sentient – and Kendall was well on his way to Ravok, by now.

This girl was someone entirely different – she was interesting, very interesting. So meek, so mild; and yet she claimed to be in training to become a knight. Often times, interest could be misinterpreted – this was not something Seven concerned himself with, if it was a fact he was even aware of.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"It can be dangerous," Jaelyn responded to Seven's comment with a bit of conviction in her voice, "But so is the life of a Knight. They face danger and pain regularly so the good people of Syliras need not."

The lack of conversation that fell between them was a little uncomfortable, and Jaelyn wished to break it but could not think of how. Another quickly glance at Seven showed her that his smile had faded even. She was probably horrible company, and he was just being polite walking with her so long. She should probably find a way to excuse herself so she wouldn't be a bother any longer to him.

Before Jaelyn could work out a truthful excuse to leave Seven the handsome young man took her hand again and gave a little tug, gesturing towards one of the exits. Naturally Jaelyn's eyes were pulled to him, and warmth was drawn once again to her cheeks as his incredibly handsome smile returned, "Ah, I could show you, if that is what you want. The training grounds are not very far from here," she gave a slightly nervous smile to the pale featured young man, "I do not think watching me train would be that interesting, unless you were interested in a spar?" honestly Jaelyn did not think Seven would be the type to wield a weapon, but she didn't want to assume unjustly, "What is it that you do, Seven?" she finished with a much warmer smile.

Maybe it wasn't that Seven was bored by her, but maybe a bit nervous himself? She quickly dismissed the thought. Guessing about another's feelings had only caused her problems in the past. Maybe some time later she would ask him, but for now she was content to lightly hold Seven's hand as the two walked up out of the fourth tier and onto the third tier, "The training grounds are over that way," she pointed down one of the pathways of the Dyres District of Stormhold, "If that is where you want to go."

[Seven Xu]

While Jaelyn found discomfort in the silence, Seven seemed oblivious to break it again. He had little experience around women, save for his sisters, and when her smile faded and face twisted he was unsure of how to force those puckered lips to smile again. He decided her silence made him nervous, he wanted her to laugh, to speak – not to sit and think, or worse, judge him. Seven had half a mind to think of a joke, something light-hearted, when she raised her voice with a nervous smile to ask him what it was that he did. “Oh,” Seven’s white fingers released their grip on her hand and he turned to face her with an esteemed grin. “I work at Wildwood Music, with Sina. She is teaching me how to make instruments, and I watch her workshop when she leaves to busk.”

When they emerged from the Bazaar and stepped into the main thoroughfare, Seven found Jaelyn’s hand again out of necessity and tugged her lightly towards Stormhold citadel where she had gestured and suggested they head. The sun was now high in the sky and beat down on the packed city as people walked shoulder to shoulder with carts, driving small livestock and even attempting to sell their goods along the stone walls between districts. “Training grounds it is,” he repeated with a nod, and then continued, “Anyway, as I was saying; I’m a budding instrument maker, I guess. It’s meticulous work, if anything is off the instrument will not sound right. Oh, I’m also learning to play them ... but, I’m not very good.” He laughed. Many nights he had listened to his sister playing her violin, and he envied her talent. Seven had little musical inclination, but since he started his job, he had improved.

“A spar?” Seven grinned, tilting his head. He sensed the worry in Jaelyn’s voice as she suggested it, and he gave her hand a light squeeze. “That could be fun, perhaps you could teach me a thing or two,” and then he added with a grin, “I’m not as fragile as I look, I promise.”

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"That is quite impressive Seven," Jaelyn offered sincerely as she walked with him into Stormhold, and then started to lead the way towards the Training Grounds, "Being able to play music is a great talent, and it sounds like making instruments take just as much work and talent."

Seven's light squeeze of her hand, combined with his handsome grin, set Jaelyn's heart fluttering lightly, and she felt the heat in her cheeks grow a little warmer. He was so incredibly handsome, and she honestly was amazed he had spent so much time walking and talking with her.

"If that is what you would like," Jaelyn finally managed to respond with a smile tinged with a bit of shyness, "Then I would be happy to spar and help teach you."

Maybe Dimitri had been right. Maybe it was possible to be a dedicated Squire and have a relationship. Perhaps even with Seven... But they were at the training grounds now, and Jaelyn's thoughts turned towards combat and training.

Leading the way through the door, into the room where a few Squires were training and sparring, Jaelyn used her light hold on Seven's hand to lead him over towards one of the weapon racks, "What weapon do you prefer to use, Seven? I am trained in the longsword, shield, and spear myself."

[Seven Xu]

As they slipped through the imposing grey stone of the third tier of the Dyres District, the musty scent of poorly ventilated rooms and exertion of training nearly overwhelmed the halfblood. Seven had let Jaelyn take the lead now, as she knew the training area well and seemed to straighten in her posture and become more bold and less of a stammering, twittering girl when she was in her comfort zone. Seven, on the other hand had become withdrawn, points of garnet darting from left to right with every change in light, every shift in movement that nicked his peripheral vision. A thought to break the silence that was growing between them emerged in an urge to tell Jaelyn why he preferred physical training over showing her the ins and outs of flute carving.

The incidents of the night before flooded his mind again and he grew pale – of course, he had pushed most of it aside after a good night’s sleep at the side of a lucid, but comforting bedmate. The air was growing thick and bitter, wafting sweat and burning torch forcing Seven to take shallower breaths as he dwelled on the attack, the morose expression of the bleeding ghost, and what he had shown him. Then the careful, feminine voice of the squire echoed between his ears and pulled him from his mind’s wanderlust.

Half a chime passed between Jaelyn’s question and the realization that the words had meaning, and they were asking his preference on something. On what? Vapid eyes narrowed and white hair shimmered in the low light as he shook his head. “Oh, uh,” he cleared his throat and the embarrassment of losing her to the blackness of personal thought showed red on his cheeks, “I have no preference; how about this one, here?” A pale digit extended and motioned towards a wooden short sword dangling from its rack along with other wooden training blades of varying thickness and length.

A small smile tugged at his lips and begged forgiveness of the woman that he had unintentionally ignored moments earlier. “Actually, whatever you are comfortable teaching me will be fine.”