Welcome to Gaia! ::

The massive doors of the storage building were thrown wide, letting in the last of the afternoon sun and the salty sea air. From the nearby docks, the sound of gulls covered the sound of the waves, and the sound of a young pirate slipping quietly into the old warehouse.

Of course, it was a public flea market, but there was just something satisfying about sneaking. Actually, Levi felt a great deal more at home than he had for a while...surrounded by the swell of tinny voices, the calls of vendors, and the clatter of money and goods changing hands.

Running his hand along a low table of folded silk scarves, Levi glanced out over the crowded aisles. Imports from every country, sloughed off cheap at the docks. Definitely his kind of place. One of the scarves crumpled and vanished soundlessly as his hand left the table, and Levi turned the corner quickly in case someone had actually been paying attention. Too early for trouble, yet!

Levi didn't notice Kitsu either, especially since he was still backing away from the booth, tucking something into his pocket. Just as he turned, Levi caught a brief flash of purple, and thud! almost laid himself out over Kitsumai's back. "Wha-?"

Hands out, he backed away and crashed into something else almost instantly, a stack of old record players that began to tilt precariously. Only the one on the very top had been playing, and the needle screeched off the music as the pirate whumped into the stack. "Gah!"

A few people turned to stare, but if they weren't already staring at the Legend before him, he was certainly worth little regard. Picking himself up a bit sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his head, Levi offered a smile to the poor girl he'd run into.

"Ah, hey, Kitsu!" He lifted his free hand in awkward greeting, the pile of appliances still swaying behind him. "Sorreh!"

Levi's smile got wider as hers did, and he dropped his eyes to her hands as she signed. He didn't know the sign 'shopping', so he pretended she'd signed the word 'pretty' instead. That made him nod.

"Good t'see ya, lass! Specially in proper lightin', eh?" He opened his arms for a hug, just a tiny bit cautious of the horn. Otherwise, he'd have taken that hug, for sure. "Been thinkin' bout ya! How's things?"

Well, he knew the signs for boy and arrested, at least! Blinking a bit, Levi finally grinned, and leaned in closer with one arm around her shoulders. "Oy, whas this? Seein' other men? Well, ah bet he doesn't bring ya gifts! Eh?"

With a flourish, he pulled a folded golden scarf from his pocket, and let it ripple open silently....all the while with his arm still companionably around her shoulders. "Fer you! Like it?" He glanced up to make sure the pile of record players were between them and the booth before turning on the grin again.

Levi was more than happy she liked the scarf, and more than happy to take her hand. This was more like it! In moments, they'd weaved through the aisles and left the scarf booth behind, to his relief. "Yah, lesgo!"

One booth in particular caught his attention, and he slipped one hand casually around Kitsu's tiny waist to be able to lean closer, and point along both of their views. "Look! Birds!" Sure enough, cages of all size and shape housed a variety of birds, from fluttering finches to glaring parrots. It was like a haphazard pet shop!!

Levi tilted his head, considering the chimes. They were pretty enough, sure, but how noisy! "Hmm. Ah think quiet is nice, personally." He confided, giving her a sly sidelong grin. He liked most everything about her, but especially that!

Running his fingers along one as they passed, he chuckled at the melodic tinkle. Nisha would like one, but he couldn't acquire one with Kitsu standing right there. Filing it away for later, he continued down the row.

"Wanna find sometin' ta eat?" If he recalled, there was a snack booth nearby...

Levi brightened, and took Kitsu's hand again. This time he led her through the crowd...weaving as he tiptoed occasionally to peer over the cluttered rows. They passed a few snack booths, off to the side...a hot dog vendor, with meat that looked like it had been turning since Levi was a bebeh, and a table of chips and candy bars.

This he ignored, heading for the booth he'd seen near the sea cooled entrance of the Market. "Ah! Take yer pick!"

The fruit vendor glanced up from the apple he was peeling, a long coil of red skin draped over his knife. "Oy, Levi. Who's yer pretty mate?"

"S'Kitsu! Finest filly in dis parts, eh? Y'get de pleasure o'our company iffin we get de pleasure o' snackin'!" Not a bad bargain, considering samples were usually free anyway.

The vendor nodded, and gestured at the couple with his juicy knife. "Don't wander off, now, lass. Minds his manners with you around."

Levi grinned and plucked a starfruit from the one of the open crates, tossing it lightly for Kitsu to catch. "Take yer pick! Ever hadd'n these?"

Levi winked and freed the knife from his belt...carving a perfectly starshaped slice. "Tastes like grape, crunchy like apple! 'Ere!" He waited for her to take a bite, watching with twinkling blue eyes.