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 Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:22 pm
Rafferdeigh tried to not let her irritation show too much. How had this happened though? “Keep up, Gin Ae.” She tossed a look back to make sure her little brother was following. She was supposed to be on a new friend hunting excursion, yet now she had one of the two shiest little gits she had ever known tagging along. How was she supposed to meet any new friends now?! She loved her younger siblings… but they sure knew how to cramp her style without even trying. At least it was only the one this time.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:22 pm
Gin Ae walked with his arms hugged tight around himself and eyes downcast. He didn’t want to be here… he had been pushed to go with his sister in an attempt to get him out of his shell a little. He knew it was a waste of time, but he certainly didn’t feel brave enough to speak out against the push. Plus, the incentive of a few coins in his pocket to get himself a treat was hard to argue with. His eyes flicked up only briefly when his sister spoke, and the boy gave an almost invisible nod. “I am, DeeDee,” he whispered.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:22 pm
The feathery voice of her brother didn’t even reach the teen’s ears. What was a whisper compared to the sounds of a bustling town? People chatting, feet shuffling, merchants calling, wagons squeaking, and products clinking. It was wonderful! DeeDee loved the quiet of her home, but she couldn’t deny how alive she truly felt when she was in a busy town. With one more glance over her shoulder, she sighed and turned toward a stall packet with bags. “How pretty!” she cooed as her fingers brushed over a small purse with velvet and pearls. After a pause, she picked it up and held it out for Gina Ae to see. “Don’t you think so?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
As the market’s crowd thickened, Gin Ae kept even closer on his sister’s heels. He didn’t dare lose sight of those sandaled feet as they wove through the sea of legs! He hoped she would hurry on to the sweet shop first… Ugh, but it was some fancy purses or whatever. A few looked decent for holding treasures, but most of them seemed more for show than use; like the one he was being shown. He looked up curiously and inspected the item. He chewed his lip a moment, and then chose to nod. It wasn’t his kind of bag, but it wasn’t ugly.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
“A discernin’ eye you have there, young folk.”
The cheery voice of the merchant caught DeeDee’s attention instantly. “Well, I do know pretty when I see it!” she chirped proudly. “I look at it in the mirror every day.” She grinned when the merchant laughed with apparent delight. So she agreed! “I really like the pearls. Any chance you have something a bit sturdier that has them?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
The moment the merchant spoke up, the youngling shrank back and hid behind his sister’s legs. What if they person looked at him? Or, even worse, tried talking to him?! His cheeks darkened with frustration as he hid against his sister’s hips. The weight of the coins in his pocket was not worth a conversation with a stranger woman!
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
The pair was chatting as happy as could be about purses when DeeDee noticed the merchant’s attention shift. With a small blink, she followed the other’s gaze down and back… to Gin Ae… It was difficult to resist rolling her eyes. “Don’t take it personal. He’s weirdly shy.”
The merchant’s eyes crinkled with warmth. “Ah, clearly not like you,” she said playfully. “Hello, young man. Would you like to look at anything?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
Why was she talking to him, why was she talking to him, why was she talking to him, why was she talking to him??? Gin Ae inhaled sharply and tucked closer against DeeDee. Maybe if he held his breath and didn’t move, then the woman would forget he was even there! He squeezed his eyes shut and began counting in his head.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:23 pm
DeeDee’s cheeks flushed with irritation. How was her brother like this? It just made zero sense to the extroverted girl! “Don’t mind him, really,” she urged apologetically. “He’s always been like this. I’ve got enough interest in conversations for the both of us though.” She pointed to another purse; this one with dark pearls along the base. “May I look at that one closer?
The merchant chuckled as she reached for the requested purse. “Aye, no problem. I think he’s adorable. I do have youngling friendly purses if you’d like to see?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:24 pm
Gin Ae couldn’t help wincing each time his sister insisted on apologizing for him. He knew she didn’t want him along. Heck, he didn’t want to be here either! Why was the merchant still trying to engage him? He squeezed his eyes tighter and felt his heart thudding in his chest. ‘Please leave me alone,’ he begged in his mind. He wasn’t sure how long he would last.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:24 pm
DeeDee turned the purse this way and that, admiring the strangely colored pearls. It certainly stood out! Her eyes lazily twitched up to the other purses at the merchant’s suggestion and sighed. “I think these are a little too nice for someone his age. Unless you’ve got something plain for treasure hunting, he won’t be interested. How much for this one?”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:24 pm
Gin Ae’s eyes squinted open. Too nice for his age? What exactly did that mean?! His eyes began to water. What.. what did his sister think of him? He wasn’t a baby anymore. He would show her! He took a deep breath, straightened out his back, leaned out from behind his cover, looked at the merchant… and froze. Was he supposed to talk? He opened his mouth to speak, but instead came a gasping breath of fear.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:24 pm
DeeDee looked down with surprise when she felt Gin Ae move. “Are you actually going to do something?” she asked, encouraging him in the least helpful way. “You don’t need to be like this. It looks rude. Just say something.” Her brow knit as she watched the panic overtaking the youngling. She wasn’t trying to be mean, but she just did not understand his behavior. Surely some bold nudges would get him moving! “Hey, breathe, buddy.”
The merchant frowned. “Hey, no, it’s alright..”
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:24 pm
Gin Ae watched the merchant like a rabbit under the eyes of a wolf. At least, that was how he felt. Then his sister spoke. His eyes went even wider, and the tears fell down his cheeks. He wasn’t trying to be rude! He wasn’t! Surely she could see that! If she thought he was being rude though, what could the merchant possibly be thinking of him?! His lip trembled, and he spun to run off into the crowd.
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Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2024 1:25 pm
Well, the “encouragement” got the boy moving, just not the way she had intended. “Gin Ae!” DeeDee stood still out of shock. “He just.. ran off.” That clicked her brain back into gear. She hadn’t wanted him there, but she certainly didn’t want him running around alone either! Without thinking further, she darted after where the wee figure of her brother had gone. “Gin Ae! Come back!”
Oh Gods, she would never get let out on her own again if she lost that boy!
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