!PRIVATE! Marchen: The Journey

[SilverDragonetsu]

Aster returned with a bucket of water, rag hanging over the side and a towel 'round his neck. He paused at the door way though, spying Aki inside appearing rather solumn and filled with what he assumed a worriful sadness. He knew it not right to stand here and 'spy' upon her as her were. Though it troubled him to even even seen it at all, that assuemed sadness streaked upon her features.

"You know, It doesn't fit for a pretty face liek that to be laiden with such sorrow. Not fit at all.", He called out with an upbeat tone, accent lain over his voice. It came naturally, different from his clearer spoken voice before hand. he cleared his throat as he approched a window and went to his chosen duty of washing them up.
"So what's got them pretty eyes all full a gloom? Ah, no need to say really, I sence these things." Had he overheard? No, he was merely assuming half the truth of the matter. "Agh, don't you worry one abit. Your friend will show in time. Infact, I'll wager a hundred Frindges he comes a riding along that main stretch in the next 48 hours, eh?" he merely hummed and smiled to himself.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki jumped, startled by Aster's sudden entrance. "Oh...I...didn't realize..." She blushed from embarrassment, but she was still frowning. She felt extremely awkward when Aster inquired further, but was relieved when he didn't press the subject. I can't be telling everyone about it. I have to keep it to myself... But I wonder...would he be able to help me if he knew? She gave Aster an almost longing glance. No. I shouldn't burden others with my problems... Besides, it's already bad enough that they might come looking for me here...

Aki looked up, astonished. "Really? You really think he'll come back that soon?" Her excitement had surprised even herself. I guess I really do miss him... Heh, it might be just because he's the only one who's seemed to be that dedicated to hanging around me since I left the village... She smiled a bit. A sad sort of smile. ...And he was really kind to me... A sudden stinging feeling pierced her heart when her thoughts wandered again. ...Yes...Ryuu's way different than HIM... Her face was suddenly hard and cold, and she seemed to have forgotten that Aster was around. b*****d. I hope I never see HIS face again...

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Well he'd better. I just wagered a whole 'hundred Frindges on his hind!", Aster chuckled to hismelf, all in good humor. "Nah, nah. All joking aside, There's no dobt your friend will come along very soon. Usa gave you a Fallen Star.", He told Aki informatively, indicating the flower behind her ear. "Those who recieve one seem to have the best of luck during it's ever short life span."

"Speek of the little angel, there she goes now." Glancing out one of the windows he'd washed, Aster toke note of said little girl walking down the street with her basket of flowers, broadcasting her sales. He watched for a while before cleanign the last window and leaving the bedroom.
"We'll, That'll do her fine for now. I'll be seeing you at noon for lunch then, Young Miss." he tipped an invisiable hat as he vanished out the door. He needed to get back to the downstairs cafe and bar.

[Aki Ameko]

A tall man with long, dark blue hair stood by a bookshelf in a dark, dank study. A smirk laced with venom stretched on his cold lips as he absorbed the information contained in the tome he held. "Excellent." He said simply, but his voice contained a harsh feeling, like a wave of piercing cold wind.

It was just then that a feeble knock was heard at his door, and the man slammed his book down on a nearbye table in agitated annoyance. "WHAT?! I AM QUITE BUSY HERE, THIS HAD BETTER BE IMPORTANT!!" He bellowed with the force of a heavy shard of ice hitting the ground.

"F-forgive me, Lord Freyr!! But I have come with a report on our persuit!" Came a feeble and extremely scared voice from outside the door.

Freyr's smirk returned, and now his eyes narrowed gleefully. "Ah yes, come in then..." He said with a sneer. As the man entered the room, Freyr proceeded to make his way to a large comfortable-looking chair, and sat himself in it as though he were a king. With a flick of his hand, tall black candles on either side of him ignited with a bright blue flame. The man who entered could now see that Freyr was rather young, hardly older than 20, and was DEVILLISHLY handsome. "So what have you to report, Captain Talamare?" Freyr's voice carried a deep, pompous Brittish drawl, laced with mild amusement as he crossed his legs casually and rested his head on one hand.

Captain Talamare stumbled for a moment before speaking. "It is concerning our persuit of Lady Ameko, L-lord Freyr." Freyr's gaze grew more intense, a small motion that made Talamare even more frightened. "S-she has...proved to be v-very elusive..."

Talamare stopped there because Freyr's gaze was now so venomess that he was afraid he might die just looking at him, but didn't dare look away for fear of what Freyr might do. But when Lord Freyr spoke, his voice was rather calm and smooth. "Elusive." He stated simply. The sound of his voice made Talamare twitch. "How exactly has she been 'elusive'?"

Talamare shook more violently as he spoke again. "N-nobody seems w-willing to give us information about her, sir. W-we have found evidence that has proven her presence in s-several locations, b-but no witnesses will say a th-thing." The man gulped, sure that what he just said was going to get him punished severely.

Freyr merely closed his eyes resolutely, and stood slowly from his seat. "Captain Talamare..." He said icily, walking toward Talamare slowly. "...It has clearly become evident to me that you lack the proper force in your work. I have no need of anyone who will not take whatever means necessary to get his job done." Freyr opened his eyes, which started to glow rather coldly, and held up a hand in front of Talamare's face.

"N-no, my Lord! Please! FORGIVE ME! GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE, PLEASE!!!" The man cowered fearfully at Freyr's feet, seemingly begging for his life.

Freyr merely narrowed his eyes at Talamare. "You seem to be mistaken, Talamare. I see no point in killing you... You may still be of some use to me. But you WILL need to be punished." Freyr raised his hand, and immediately Talamare yelled in excruciating pain. Talamare keeled over and became motionless, and Freyr could see that his eyes had iced over and become rock hard. Freyr gave the lifeless body a disgusted look. "Oops. It seems you're made of less stuff than I thought you had been, Talamare. I merely meant to blind you, not kill you. But just as well...it just proves that you're worthless to me." He stepped over the body coldly, and walked out the door to the troupe of men in dark armor and on dark horses.

Freyr spoke to them with a powerful, booming voice. "Captain Talamare is dead. And since it seems that none of you have the proper skills to get your job done, I shall have to lead you myself. I suggest you all watch my example closely, if you do not want the same fate as your old Captain." Many of the soldiers exchanged nervous glances and gulped. Freyr seemed not to take notice as he got himself up on what used to be Talamare's horse, and used one swift motion of magic to summon all his books and other necessary supplies into the wagon that the men had with them. Some of the mens' personal belongings had to be tossed out in order to make room.

Let's see you try to evade me now, my beloved Aki Ameko...

[Aki Ameko]

Aki subconsciously put a hand up to feel the flower in her hair as Aster left. Luck? But...such a power would be... The man's words left her deep in thought for a few minutes before she descended the stairs herself and went to go meet the young Usa.

Outside the inn, Aki spotted the brightly smiling Usa immediately. "Hey! Usa!" Aki called to her brightly.

[SilverDragonetsu]

"Flowers! Herbs! Seeds! Flowers! Flowers for sales!" Usa called out, holding out a flower to each person she would pass along the street. No one seemed to want to buy though. One person though, a young girl slightly older than Usa, tapped her on the shoulder for a flower.

"That one. I will buy that flower.", the girl stated, pointing to a yellow flower. Usa blinked and smiled.

"No. I'm sorry, but that flower isn't for you. Maybe this one? it's been waiting..." Usa took up a pink flower with ragged but pretty looking petals and red tipped leaves. It held a sort of aura, unseen to the naked eye, as she handed it off to the girl. She made no fuss and paid for the flower before going on her way.

Usa watched blankly after the girl until a voice caugth her ear. Usa turned swiftly on her heel and spotted Aki coming from the Inn. She grasped at her chest and smiled brightly. "Miss Aki!", Usa called back.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki smiled warmly and rushed over to her. "How are your sales coming?" She asked kindly. Usa's basket contained flowers of all sorts that Aki had never seen before. She must be extremely talented... How does she grow such plants...? But Aki merely gave the girl a friendly hug. I might ask her later...

[SilverDragonetsu]

Usa blushed a rather bright pink color when she was hugged so openly. Smiling happily, she returned Aki's hug by clinging to her arm. "Mis Aki! you hugged me!", she cried out with glee. She then appeared surprised. "Oh. I sold lots of flowers! I almost had to go back to my garden for more.", she explanned.

[Aki Ameko]

"Well that's good!" Aki said cheerfully. "You'll have to show me your garden sometime, Usa. I'd love to see where you grow your flowers." She continued to smile at the young girl, enjoying the innocence and happiness that the girl gave off. She is SUCH a sweet girl...

[SilverDragonetsu]

"M-my garden?" Use shuffled her feet, steppign out ofthe hug, as much as she enjoyed it. "Oh, you can't see my Garden. It's hidden in a place you can't reach." She smiled suddenly and took Aki's hand with reluctance in her grip.
"Come. This way. Let's go to the Market. I want you to see some of my favorite stands."

[Aki Ameko]

Aki's face fell slightly, startled that Usa wasn't eager to show it to her. I guess it must be private and very special to her... She thought.

Aki's smile returned and she let Usa lead the way. "Alright then. It's been a while since I've been able to just visit shops at my leasure..."

[SilverDragonetsu]

The market place was bustling by this time in the morning. Though, not so bad as in the centre of the market place. this was more the slums where everything was calm compared. the Market place centre was more crouded and most likely to have pickpockets.

"Here here, this is one of my favorites!", Usa had brought Aki around to a stand who's baskets were full of colorful stones and the table top, covered with a dark velvet, lined with jewery and trinkets mae with the colorful stones whom all held a natural glow.

"Aren't they pretty? Look. that one of my favorites." Usa pointed to a Ring set appart and behind a special magic barrier. Proof of his quality and price. It was a pinkish colored glass ring, transparent with hand carven detail. "Its a pretty color, but it's expencive."

She pointed to a few other trinkets, rather forgetting the ring. She either picked through a few of the stones in the basket or awed over the trinkets set about. One that Usa kept going back to was a green stone on a black leather rope with silver wire spine around the leather rope to let two leaves hand from the neclace.
"Which do you like, Miss Aki?" Usa finally asked, looking up to the elf.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki hurried after Usa, having no idea where the girl might take her, but enjoying herself all the same. She's SOOO sweet... I haven't been around anyone this pure and innocent in a long time... It makes me feel like...there's still some hope in the world... She smiled a sad little smile.

Aki watched the young girl goggle at the items at the stand with kind amusement. "Me? Oh goodness, they're all so beautiful..." Aki said. She had liked both of the ones that Usa had pointed out, but one in particular caught her eye.

It was a smooth round heart, deep purple in color. Something about it gave her a warm but mysterious feeling. "That one's nice." She said, pointing at it somewhat shyly. But her other hand drifted to the pendant that hung around her own neck.

[SilverDragonetsu]

A purple heart? Usa eyed the stone. It was rather pretty. It shined and glittered in the little light the shone down from the straw weaved roof above.
"It's not my favorite color, but if Aki-Ane likes it, so does Usa-Chan!"
Usa smiled to the elf, touching her fingers together in joy of that thought. "Purple...Purple is my second favorite color. Hee. But Jade. Tsavorite Jade is my absolute favorite." The child fluffed and smoothed her dress, made of that very color fabric. Deep and green like grass of the wilderness.

After a moment of smoothing her dress and looking over the Stones. even exchanging a few tiny marble like stones for her flowers, Usa suddenly took on an expresion of pure bliss.
"Oh, that smell. It's so heavenly!" Their were food stands all over the place, each making a different dish. Though none had caught Usa's nose before; how queer.

[Aki Ameko]

Aki giggled slightly at Usa's sudden enthusiasm. "Well then, is there a particular stand that's your favorite? But I don't think we ought to eat too much... Mr. Aster said he'd be serving lunch today." Aki looked kindly at the girl, letting her decide what to do.