While he was simply still a child, Cyrus had been signed up on one of those ‘playdates’ where his father had meetings with a nearby village in Sauti to discuss setting up trade routes with the rangers. While his siblings were still back home with his mother, Cyrus had somehow gotten dragged along with Jhin and offered as a sacrifice to entertain the village leader’s daughter who was around his own age. “It’s like a blinddate for our children, how cute! Maybe if the talks go well the two of them can meet up more in the future.” The plump Sautian woman had gushed over Cyrus as he had walked forward around his father to say his greetings. Now that he was older and nearly a teen it was only courteous that he also attempted to be more sociable with those outside of his family. The last thing he wanted was to be here but his father had asked and so after greetings were had along with some food, the boy was left standing in the room with the Sautian girl. She was petite like her mother but without all of the curves and slender like her father. She was cute, he supposed with golden blond hair and orange crystals that dotted beneath her eyes along with freckles that had shown up from days spent outside playing in the sun, something he sometimes got though the trees that provided plenty of shade.

“Cyrus?” The girl blinked her blue eyes towards him, a shy smile crossing her lips. “My name is Maisie.”

Cyrus simply nodded, his arms crossing as he glanced about the yard. The village was okay and mostly full of nomads who were trying to settle down more which was why trading was important. They wanted to start sending things towards Tale and Oba to get better connections and resources flowing. Why he had to entertain the girl though was beyond him since surely he believed in his father’s abilities to convince the village to accept their aid.

“So what do you wanna do?” The girl glanced about. “There’s a nice clearing nearby that we can explore. What do you think?”

“I suppose.” He nodded before following after her. As long as they weren’t too far from the village then it would be fine. Since he was old enough now his father trusted him even to carry his own daggers just in case of emergency. It was more open here and it was strange to not be surrounded by the trees which made him even more defensive, his fingers lingering along the blades as they crossed a stone path and twisted back towards a sparkling stream. The glistening waters made him think of the one at home and Cyrus supposed the location was pretty with colorful wildflowers sprouting throughout the crystal grasses. “So….your family has lived here for a few years?” Conversation was supposed to be important during a date, right? The last time he had interacted with someone his age one of his siblings had taken care of most of the interactions while he supposedly glowered from a corner of the room. He liked playing with Sylas but strangers were just….eh. But his father had asked him to at least try this time and so Cyrus was pushing himself to be friendlier and actually converse with the girl.

“About five years?” Maisie pursed her lips thoughtfully as she bent down to pick some of the wildflowers. “I was just a young child but I knew that we would love it here once I saw this clearing. It’s my favorite place.”

“I see.” Cyrus glanced around and blinked in surprise as she handed him a bouquet of flowers. Wasn’t that supposed to be….well nevermind he would accept them. “It is pretty nice here.” He admitted as they walked along. “Is it strange though to stop traveling and settle like this?”

“At first.” Maisie nodded. “But I started to appreciate knowing the area more and waking up in the same bed instead of a bumpy wagon all the time.”

“Ah.” She was surprisingly mature and took the conversation seriously. He was half expecting some gushing girl or someone who just wanted to play with dolls all afternoon. This was….nice? A light flush decorated his cheeks at the acknowledgement. “I’ve only traveled to visit my family in Matori but even then I was happy to get into a settled place. I want to travel but nothing….that lasts forever.” Everyday seeing something new? Maybe for a few years but not for life. He would like to make something his own, develop his own home like his parents did back in the forest.

“I can understand that. That’s why I really hope this agreement works out. I would like this village to stay so that I can grow up here.” Maisie admitted, her expression brightening as she noticed butterflies fluttering around them. “Look!”

“Cute.” Cyrus nodded, but his gaze was on the bright girl who was happily darting about the fields while holding conversation with him. While she darted about he was content simply watching in silence, his fingers brushing over the bouquet of flowers while he thought about traveling and actually hoped that this little village could stay and that their agreements would indeed work out.

[888]