Tour de Syliras. (Airil)

[Markus Andres]

Markus looked at Airil who in turn looked deep in thoughts about something. He didn't respond to her when she told why her mother hadn't wished back then. He only nodded to her. Even if he could but in a suave line, he felt that this time wasn't appropriate for that kind of talking. Most of all he felt like he should pull her in for a hug, but he had gotten the feeling that she disliked touching unless it was necessary. Much the opposite of Markus who had no problem with a strangers touch. Then she asked where he would like to go and he sort of stopped in his tracks. Wondering where he wanted to go now. Well, he would like to go take a bath, but he was pretty sure Airil would simply just walk away if he suggested that, so that wasn't available.

"I would like to leave Syliras for a while. Travel the world a little. So I am looking forward to my quest and I hope it brings me around. So I could see some of the world. Especially the north, I heard they have something called an Aurora, a special kind of light that sort of dances in the night sky..."

Markus replied after he had thought it through, the whole thing about Avanthal was something he remembered Diane had told him when he had 'arrested' her. He had been hooked on the idea there and now he remembered it again, he really wanted to go there and see the place.

"But for this city, I don't really know. I could show you some more places, or we could sit down and get something to eat if you'd like that? I promise I won't beat up some drunks this time" Markus said and his voice had returned to the jovial tone and he gave her a bright smile.

[Airil]

She thought she remembered something like the Aurora that Markus was describing. It was a distant memory of colors fluttering across the sky on a cold winter night but she couldn't remember what her mother had called it or where she had seen it so she kept the memory to herself. She'd almost forgotten that he'd be going on a quest. Who knew how long that sort of thing might take and by the time he returned he'd probably hold no more interest in her. Seeing the world had a way of removing the novelty from things. That would all be for the best, she wouldn't have to worry about putting distance between them. His absence would no doubt do it for her. Until then, it couldn't hurt to have some company, could it? Though Airil wouldn't admit it, she hadn't actually eaten a meal since the night she'd met Markus, though now that she thought about it, she hadn't eaten then either. She'd been living off the extra food she'd had in her backpack and the tea and cookies that Matilda laid out. She hadn't managed the courage necessary to go into the bazaar or to go anywhere alone for a meal. Between not eating properly and her lack of sleep, she was sometimes surprised she was still standing. It would probably be wise to take him up on his offer. “I could buy you lunch, in thanks for the tour.” She felt the need to do something to show her appreciation.

[Markus Andres]

"Lunch it is then!" Markus exclaimed happily. "So, I suggest we go eat at the Stallion, it is one of the cheaper places in Syliras, but the food is often good. And I don't want to burden your valet with my enormous appetite." Markus looked around as he tried to remember the shortest path to the Stallion, as he called it. It wasn't far, but that was self-explanatory since Syliras wasn't big, at least not considering the amount of inhabitants. But maybe they could take a detour so he could show her more of the city. He contemplated that for a couple of seconds before deciding not to, if she were really hungry, and hadn't told him, it would be mean to have her walk extra long for food.

"Come, it is this way..." Markus said as he started to walk in the direction he had determined was the shortest path to the Stallion. He would always be open for suggestions if Airil wanted to go somewhere else instead.

"So, have you found out if you want to stay in Syliras and work?" Markus asked, it was something he had thought about a couple of times. Wondering if the Konti would stay in Syliras or if her would be leaving soon. For Markus greatly lacked friends who weren't a part of the Knights.

[Airil]

Airil couldn't help but smile slightly at Markus's enthusiasm. “The Stallion is fine.” She followed along, keeping up easily. “I,” she bit her lip, “I hadn't really thought about it.” She had more than enough money to last a few seasons without working, especially if she spent it wisely. She didn't really know where else she might go. She had no family, knew no one outside of Syliras, and wouldn't know who she'd travel with even if she wanted to leave. “I suppose I'll be staying for a while.” She slipped her arm around his, as she'd done before, when they began to approach a busier area. She was certainly growing more comfortable around Markus, but then she used to walk this way with her master so it seemed only natural to her. It occurred to her to ask a question of her own. “How long before you go on your quest?” How long before he left and returned as a different Markus? She glanced at him, giving him a small smile when he noticed. Should she even wait that long before cutting off their friendship? Would she even be able to do it? She wondered what he would say if she just told him about her fears. It wasn't as if she liked the idea of being alone in the world.

[Markus Andres]

Markus smiled when he heard that Airil would stick around Syliras. he was pretty sure that Airil would love the place once she got used to it, much like how Markus once had. "There is an employment office by the main gates, if you need to find a job." Markus added when had said she would be staying. They reached a busier place and Markus felt Airil's arm go around his own again - and Markus felt the warmth return to his cheeks. Markus couldn't remember blushing as much as he did around this girl. Maybe it was something with her innocent nature that made him blush. He saw an opening to the right and crossed into the opening and remembered a good ol' shortcut here.

"I know a shortcut..."

They entered a alley and it was indeed a short cut, would cut of a couple of chimes. He gave her arm that was under his a squeeze with his biceps, which was rather large for his age, but he had been training for the most of his life.

"I don't know when I will be leaving for my quest. I am sort of waiting for a friend so we can head out together. A fellow squire. So, you can expect to see me around for some time. Doesn't that just sound great."

[Airil]

Airil, so deep in her thoughts, barely registered the fact that they had passed into a darker and more narrow area. He wasn't going to be leaving for a while. She was either going to have to push him away, or confess to him. Somehow, after spending the day with him, after he had stepped up to defend her, she was having a hard time believing he'd just turn his back on her if he knew about her past. She was beginning to doubt the lessons her master had taught about the knights. “Markus...” She shifted her attention to him and finally realized where they were. Her feet stopped moving and her arm slipped out from his. They were in an alley, the same alley that haunted her nightmares, but then alleys all looked alike in the end, didn't they? The sound of running floated up the alley, making Airil's heart pound. Dreams and nightmares and reality all merged together for a moment and she held the sickening belief that Markus would turn around and ask her what she'd done, why they were chasing her. She was frozen, waiting for it to happen, for Markus to turn and walk away in the end.

[Markus Andres]

They had cleared half the alley when Markus felt Airil's arm slip out from underneath his own. He just figured she let go of him because they were on a less busy street. But he was wondering why she didn't continue speaking. And just said his name. With a small smile he turned to her.

"Yes?..." And then he saw her expression. Markus couldn't remember seeing her frozen up like this before. It was quite frightening. Markus smile turned to a frown and he stepped in closer. He felt a cold hand grip around his heart and he feared something had happened to her. Putting his right hand on her shoulder. "Airil! What's wrong?" He said looking down and directly into her eyes. Hoping to catch her attention. Did she have some sort of disorder or something? Was she having some sort of vision? Had he done something, or said something to start this. He was bewildered and wasn't sure what to do, but try and snap her out of it. He gave her a gentle shake. Should he go get a doctor? Pick her up and carry her out of there?

"Airil?!?" He said with a voice now gripped with a deeper urgency and some fear in it as well.

[Airil]

He was shaking her and there was urgency in his voice but he wasn't asking the dreaded questions. There was no demand for explanations. This wasn't her dream or was it? She looked up into his eyes and could see the fear, was she actually awake or had her dream changed its form, lulling her into some sense of security before springing its traps. Airil twisted around to look for the knights running up the alley but none were there. No knights, no dark figure, and when she turned back around, it was still Markus. He shook her but she was afraid that everything would change if she looked at him again. If she was awake, he was going to think she was insane, and if she was dreaming, she desperately needed to wake up.What was she supposed to do? “Markus... I...” There was an easy way to figure this out, “how much further to the Stallion?” Whatever his answer, she'd know if this was real or not. At least she hoped she would. And then? How would she explain this? She couldn't just tell him about her nightmares, not without explaining why she had them.

[Markus Andres]

It didn't take a master to figure out that Airil was freaked out about something. Her sudden twist and turns and the hunted look in her eyes. Markus was almost as freaked out by her sudden change. Possessed? Could she have been possessed by something? Markus had never heard of anything like that in Syliras. Markus shook her gently when she turned around, wondering if she had snapped out of it yet. He could still see the fear in her eyes.

She started to say something, but then stopped. Which made Markus wonder what had happened even more. But Markus knew that he shouldn't be nosy right now. He could prod her later when they were eating. She asked for the distance, and Markus turned to see.

"Just a little further than this alley." Markus reached out and patted her on the shoulder "Airil, are you alright?" He said her name to put more weight behind his concern for her wellbeing.

[Airil]

Airil looked passed him, down the alley. She was desperately fighting to keep her breathing at a normal pace. “Alright? Yes, I'm,” she took a deep breath and looked at him again, “I feel a little faint. I just need to eat something.” It was a lie, a blatant lie. She felt like she'd be struck down any moment for it. She'd never been encouraged to keep something important to herself, in fact she would have been punished for it. But this wasn't something that should be shared either and it made her feel more alone. She thought it was obvious that she was awake now, but she wouldn't feel safe until they'd left the alley. If they didn't then she might never leave the nightmare's realm. Her eyes darted between Markus and the end of the alley. It was so close. Desperation urged her to take Markus's hand and start tugging him towards the end of the alley, her thoughts fixated on leaving the alley behind them.