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 Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:07 pm
The festival was a welcome distraction for many people. Bright flags rippled in the wind above a heavy canvas tent. The thing was large enough to hold a small arena and long stools along the sides for viewing. Inside was a growing crowd filling the seats, competitors standing in the back warming up, and one very nervous prentice.
Ergon stood just inside the entry to the tent, watching people entering and filling the seats. Asking Riya to accompany him tonight had been nerve-wracking, but he'd managed it. After all... they had yet to truly have a.. a date. Would she actually come? Was it really right for him to ask? Should he have gone with something more traditional, like a fancy dinner? This.. felt more comfortable for some reason. Even so... he did have a little bouquet of herbs fresh from his house garden in hand. They weren't flowers, but surely she would like something useful better.
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:27 pm
She fidgeted a little with her hair. Riya had decided to at least pin it back with barrettes. Likely the most girly thing she'd ever done in her life. Since she didn't have long hair like most girls it was the best she could do in the situation.
As she got closer to the tent she chewed on her bottom lip a bit nervously. Being asked to go with Ergon had made butterflies fill her belly. Iriyana liked the idea of them doing something nice, especially since so far he was the only good thing about Zena in her trip. If she could ask him to go to Sauti with her she would. For now though she would focus on the night she would get to have with him. She took the final steps to get inside and looked around.
Was she early? On time? Late? Riya worried a little until she spotted him. Her Ergon. Unable to help the smile that showed she walked over to him. "Hi." Her nerves didn't help in giving her much to say.
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 8:59 pm
Ergon stood very still despite how awkward he felt. People walked by, and walked by, and walked by... and then one stopped in front of him. He blinked out of his thoughts, and smiled bashfully. Riya was cute with her hair pinned~
"Hi," he replied back just as simply, still having not moved from his place. After a moment, he cleared his throat and held up the collection of greens. "Here. You had said before that you didn't have any indoor garden. These are from mine... if you'd like them."
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:12 pm
She stood awkwardly in front of him pressing her lips together since she didn't know what else to do. Then he held up the small bouquet of herbs and she blinked. Of course she wasn't expecting any flowers or anything so it surprised her. Then when he explained her little smile widened and she reached up to take them. "You remembered that?" Once she had them in hand she brought them close to her face and sniffed. They didn't have a floral scent but their freshness was still welcomed. Actually, she might like the smell of them better than any flower.
"Thanks, they smell really good." So maybe she should try to plant some herbs of her own? Riya could hide them from Uli and her parents. If she failed then no one would know. If the plants lived then she could show Ergon.
Her eyes lifted from the greens and stayed on him for a moment then returned. With her cheeks warming she knew that they were likely turning red as well. "I didn't bring you anything."
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:37 pm
Relieved that she wasn't put off by the not-flowers, in fact pleased by them, Ergon managed a small smile himself. "Well, it is a little odd to hear that someone doesn't have even a small bit of garden growing in their homes. ..I am glad you like them."
His brow rose and he shook his head. "I did not expect you to bring anything," he assured. Maybe he had been wrong to bring them? She seemed happy to get them... Nah. She was fine! "We should find a seat before they're all taken. The competition will start soon," he said to cover the bashfulness. With his arms tight against his sides, he led the way to where he had laid his coat to cover and reserve two seats together. Grateful that his coat remained, he cleared the seats and pointed to one for Riya to sit first."So.. which contest are you looking forward to most?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:48 pm
Was it really that odd that her family home didn't have one? Maybe she should tell her mother to start one. Knowing that it was alright that she hadn't brought anything she smiled a little more. Then she nodded when he said that they should find their seats. What she hadn't expected was for him to walk away from her. Riya felt a bit hurt that he hadn't even wanted to hold her hand. Still she followed after him, her attention more on the herbs.
When they got to the seats he had reserved she took her seat and let the herbs rest in her lap. "Archery of course." Riya answered with a chuckle. "What about you?" Maybe she could figure out what he wanted to be by what he was looking forward to. She looked at him expectantly.
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:13 pm
When he sat down, his hands remained appropriately in his lap. As much as he wanted to take her hand... it just wouldn't do to show such public affection. Archery? Riya answered that quite readily and confidently. Honestly, he had figured some of the up close fighting would have met her fancy better. It was a surprise, but not unwelcome.
With the question returned, he raised a hand to scratch his chin lightly. "I am not sure I have a favorite," he admitted. "I've always enjoyed watching all of the contests. I prefer the variety, really."
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:14 pm
So even sitting down he wasn't going to hold her hand? Or be close to her? Riya looked down at the herbs in her lap then started to pick at them a little. Did he not want people to know about them then? She frowned but lifted her gaze to where the contests would take place.
"All of them?" She didn't mind them, but archery was her favorite thing. "Are you going to be a fighter like in the competitions?" As she spoke she kept her eyes on anything but him. Riya was more used to being closer to him. Touching in some way. "Or do you have magic like my brother?" Now she glanced at him. A quick look and then she was staring back at the performers as they were getting ready.
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:59 pm
Be a fighter? Brow knitting, he frowned and shook his head. "I do not believe so.." he said hesitantly. Cheeks flushing slightly, his eyes shifted over to the first fighters as they entered the arena, both buff men carrying large spears over their shoulders. The last thing he wanted was to think about the tension that had risen between himself and his father... "I do not know what path I wish to follow yet," he admitted, gaze shifting over to Riya before flitting away just as quickly as Riya's own toward him. Would that disappoint her, knowing his goals were still a mystery to him? "Magic is not likely. I have tried before, but it does not seem to be a talent of mine."
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:06 pm
Not a fighter? And no magic? Riya bit her bottom lip. Was Ergon going to be like her father? Did it matter? She thought about it for a moment and decided that it didn't matter. As long as Ergon didn't act the way Huyana did. Riya would have a problem if he suddenly became very flirty with others.
"I don't have magic either." Her head shook a little then she turned her attention to the fighters that entered. The girl's eyes seemed glued to them for a moment before she looked at Ergon. "I want to be a ranger like my grandfather." She'd known she wanted to do that ever since she was young. If only because she slept on the furs that her grandfather had gotten on his hunts.
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:44 pm
The roaring of the crowd was enough to distract Ergon for a short time. The fighters clashed, the spears stabbing and swinging gracefully. Would he want to fight with a spear? He didn't know...
He looked over as Riya pipped up. Meeting her eyes for the first time since she had arrived, he hesitated a moment before nodding. "It's a noble goal. I am sure he's glad to know your wishes." He looked back to the fighters, hands tensing slightly. "My grandfather was a merchant. Both of them were. To hear my father talk, being a merchant is the only career worth following. ...I do not agree, though." He looked down at his hands, and then quickly back up to the fighters. "I just don't know for myself, yet." It was kind of nice to have someone to tell this to. Riya knew what she wanted though. Taking a deep breath, he held it a moment while gathering up some courage. "I hope this is not a problem for you," he said quickly, keeping his eyes forward as his cheeks heated up.
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:01 pm
The loud noises caused her ears to tick slightly but she watched the fight all the same. When Ergon told her that her goal was noble she nodded slightly. Even the way he spoke to her now was different. It was like he was keeping her at arms length in every way he could.
Of course she was surprised to hear him say that his family had been merchants. Riya blinked and looked at Ergon. Why hadn't he said anything before? When she'd told him that her father was one? "Being a merchant is nice, I guess, but there are other things worth doing too." Her mother was a beast tamer. Her grandfather a ranger. Her uncles were fighters. Riya gave her attention back to the fighters, falling silent as she watched. The statement about it being a problem made her confused. "Why would it be a problem for me?" Not everyone knew what they wanted to be as early as she did. Iriyana had known before her twin knew what he wanted.
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:19 pm
Why? Ergon couldn't help looking over with a little surprise. He paused a moment, soaking in the relief, before speaking with a bashful smile. "According to my parents, I should know what I want to do already." He snorted and faced forward again. "I'll be a disappointment until I follow my father's path. ..Many I know feel the same as he does. I was.. concerned with how you would feel..."
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:34 pm
Riya looked at Ergon, her mouth opening to say something but she paused. For a moment she looked like she was struggling with her words. "Well.. I didn't plan on being with anyone who wasn't a fighter of some kind but.." Her shoulders lifted slightly. "I don't think I can control that."
She tried to think of a better way to explain it. "If the person I want to be with wants to do something else then I'm okay with that." Not only was it true but she also now understood how her mother could put up with her father.
Iriyana wanted to reach over and take Ergon's hand but she stopped mid-way. He'd gone to great lengths to avoid touching her. With a sad look she turned away and dropped her hand back into her lap. However, she didn't like the idea of everyone seeing the hurt in her eyes so she gave her full attention to the competitors. Riya joined in the cheering with a clear lack of enthusiasm.
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:00 pm
Ergon let that observation settle. Riya wanted to be with a fighter. Now that did make sense. She was a fighter herself. ..Was he one? He.. didn't know. After all, it wasn't until Riya's half-hearted cheering started up that it sunk in and he dared to look at her again. Despite all that had happened, he was still shocked to realize... Riya was serious about them. Not that he wasn't serious, but it certainly had happened quicker than he had expected it to.
He looked at Riya's hands, remembering their touch. So warm and soft. "I am glad to hear that the person I want to be with feels that way," he said almost playfully, using her words for himself.
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