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 Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:17 pm
Meine 1 The day had only just begun and already it was going terribly. Why did Master Teldove even agree to meet with her if he was only going to condescend her and turn her down? Even going all the way to bring her to the back office. Sitting her down on a chair as if he was about to serve her a cup of tea. Which would have been very appropriate, considering it was early in the morning and she hadn't had any herself, yet. Her mind already felt like it was in a bit of a fog, much to her displeasure. She hadn't thought her addiction to the stuff was this bad. Or maybe it had been the rude wake-up call she had gotten from the couple next door fighting. Loudly. Through their bedroom's open window.
Meine rubbed at her tired eyes and sighed, the action quickly turning into a large yawn. Well, since she wasn't going to apprentice for the day at the bookmaker's, what was she going to do for the rest of the day? Other than a stop at the nearest cafe, of course, for a bit of a pick-me-up. After that, it was a mystery. And that didn't thrill her. The hybrid hated when her day was an unknown. She liked to have everything planned out so that every moment was spent doing something productive. Learning something. It was why she'd crossed the ocean to be back in Belrea, after all. Where else had so much talent as here, where everyone seemed to be always inventing or making something. She could spend half her life touring the place and always find something new. Of course, she still planned on leaving to visit the other countries. But her home turf had seemed like a good place to start on her journey.
Just like that cafe across the street was a good place to start her day. Oh, she could almost taste the sweet and bitter flavor on her tongue already.
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2024 6:37 pm
Aelfhun 1 Prowling the streets was almost an art form for the young hybrid at this point. Aelfhun knew all the best places to loiter around at where no one would shoo him away from. All the best cafes and restaurants with great views of the street through the windows. Not to mention those with the best food or prettiest waitresses. Sometimes both. He knew this city like the back of his own hand, in daylight or by dark. All the alleys to air in quick escapes or shortcuts to a destination. Which was exactly how he got here as quickly as he did. His father, rich merchant that he was, had a house far away from the bustle of the city, in a quiet corner beside other rich families of which he could create lasting reputations with. It would take anyone about a hour or more to walk all the way from the house to the market street if they used the roads.
Aelfhun didn't like using the roads. At least not residential roads where someone would easily recognize him. Where he couldn't as easily blend into the crowd. Or as easily as his dark hair would allow him to. He stuck out when the crowd was mostly topped by pale hair.
The day would find him casually strolling down the street, keen golden eyes watching all those around him. What was he looking for? Simple. Something, better yet someone, who could provide him with a little bit of fun. For the entire day, a hour, a few minutes, it didn't matter. It wasn't like he had anything better to do with his time. As he neared a favorite haunt, thinking he could be using some of his father's vast fortune to get himself a little fancy breakfast, he spied just what he was after. A perfection of beauty walking down the street towards him, her eyes also on the shop to his right. Putting on his most charming smile, he approached her quickly, his long legs easily crossing the distance, and planted himself in front of her so she couldn't but look at him.
"You must be new around here. I think I would have remembered your face. I would offer my services as a guide, had you not been about to walk into the best cafe on the street already. May I suggest the omelet? The chief makes quite the divine one."
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Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2024 3:51 pm
Meine 2 She had been about to turn to make for the door when suddenly there was someone in front of her. Someone very tall and very wide, easily blocking her entire view of the front of the cafe, as well as any peeks behind the glass of the door. Now, she wasn't exactly a short woman herself, but this guy easily towered over her. He was quite impressive, she had to admit. Not just his height, but the muscles on his arms and chest he clearly loved to show off since all he wore as a shirt was a sash across his body, exposing quite a bit of his skin to make most women blush. Of course, she wasn't most women and stood staring back at him with a small smile of her own.
The interruption wasn't wholly unexpected. Though she wasn't wearing a cocky grin to mirror his own, Meine was aware of her own good looks and the affect they could have on others around her. It wasn't uncommon to have men and women stop her on the street or side up to her when she was relaxing at a tavern or inn for a meal. The company was nice. The specific attention it demanded not so much.
"I thank you for the offer," she answered back politely, placing one hand on a hip. "I am not, actually. So I will take you up on your suggestion." Now all it needed was to see if he'd take the hint. Some did. Most under-estimated her stubbornness and didn't. Than it turned into a battle of who was the most stubborn.
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Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2024 5:45 pm
Aelfhun 2 Oh. Playing hard to get. He liked that. Granted, he also liked when they gave in to his flirting, too. Which they usually did. How could they ever resist him for long?
Aelfhun stood his ground, the smile on his face never wavering in intensity. She wasn't to be taken it by it, either, he didn't fail to notice. That was uncommon, but not impossible. Though, given how beautiful she was, she was well used to men approaching her to talk. She must be as immune to it as he was. And she truly was a beauty. Up close, he could see how her hair had a slight curl to it, the fullness of it pulled over one elegant shoulder. She was half Belrean like he, as well, the markings along her collarbone easy to spot. If he were to judge by her pale skin, the other half were the nomadic people of Sauti. Quite an interesting mix. She stood out in a crowd just as much as he did. Strange she claimed to not be new. Surely he would have remembered seeing he before.
"No?" Aelfhun paused long enough to side-step out of the doorway to allow some old man to pass him who had been glowering rather intensely at him the past few minutes. What a joykill. "But not to my invitation, I see. Why not? Surely you are new to the city. I have a free day. I could show you all the best sights." You are already looking at one of them.
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2024 3:29 pm
Meine 3 The hybrid also side-stepped when the older patron passed by her with the same ideas as her about getting breakfast. The doorway was narrow, too narrow for her to have also slipped past the arrogant local. If she went the opposite way of him, the third person wouldn't have had any room to enter the building. Which, judging by the look on his face and the size of his biceps, might have resulted in a fight. At least he wasn't wearing a weapon. Not that that didn't mean he didn't have any hidden away somewhere or couldn't improvise with something nearby, like the sign propped up on the sidewalk to announce the special of the day.
Once he was safely inside the building, Meine shifted her weight from one foot to the other, changing which hand rested on a hip as well. She stared at the stubborn man refusing to take her hints, the smile on her face still planted firmly as a mask against her inner thoughts. He sure was dumb.
"I'm sure you could," she returned, flicking a strand of hair back over her shoulder, bringing her other hand up to smooth the curls sitting over the other side of her neck. "But I'm afraid I don't have the time today. I must get to another appointment soon." Which was a lie. After she was done here, she'd return to her uncle's house. Maybe grab a book for a few hours while the meal settled in her body.
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2024 4:27 pm
Aelfhun 3 No, Aelfhun would not be deterred from getting to know this vision for the eyes. He didn't understand of any woman not being interested in his presence. They all were. They all wanted his attention in one way or another. If they pretended otherwise, they were just trying to play hard to get. And that was fine by him. He didn't mind working for it.
"I see you are not convinced. How about I pay for whatever you wish from the menu?" If that didn't work, he was completely out of ideas. Usually if they were playing this hard, offering to buy them something, anything, was enough.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 6:07 pm
Meine 4 The young woman chewed on the side of her cheek, considering. Not that she was hard up on cash. Nor was she rich, either. She couldn't argue that the prospect of a free meal was unappealing. And it wouldn't be the first time she had accepted a random stranger's invitation, though she tried not to make a habit out of it. Meine liked the idea of being independent. One couldn't be independent if you were always accepting gifts from others.
In response, she crossed her arms, indicating with her body language that this wouldn't go beyond just a single breakfast. Provided he wasn't too stupid or arrogant to notice. "I will accept. You may stop blocking the doorway now."
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 6:55 pm
Aelfhun 4 "Excellent." The smile that played across the young hybrid's face was one of nothing but triumph, with a little bit of arrogance peaking through. Of course she would say yes. How could she do anything but when faced with such a God as he. He cared not how blasphemous that statement would be to most other Earthlings. It wasn't as if he believed in any higher powers, anyway. If there were higher beings looking down on them, watching their every move and not laying a single finger to even aid, than they were more sadistic than the most cruel of creatures in the known world.
Now all he had to do was to continue to woo her further.
Stepping aside, he gestured with his arm for her to enter the cafe, his upper body tilting just slightly into a bow, golden eyes fixed upon her face. Her own eyes, pale as the people of Belrea, rolled towards the sky. The only reaction this produced in him was a slight chuckle. It wasn't as if this was anything new to him. Oh, they always pretended as if they weren't interested.
Once she walked through the door, he followed. It was a quick trip to a table next to a giant window, where she sat and gazed out at the people walking past on the side of the street.
"Pick anything you'd prefer."
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Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 6:34 pm
Meine 5 The window seat was lit up nicely, the sun just barely visible over the rooftops of the buildings across the road. Meine would have chosen this spot regardless of her present company. It was the perfect setup for her, allowing her to watch those on the street as well as giving her the perfect view of those inside the cafe. People watching was such a relaxing activity. Already, she was making fun assumptions about the man who had just walked past, his brows knitted down in clear anger, as a much younger man chased after him. An apprentice and master, she bet. The apprentice probably ruined some work of art. And art it must be, judging by the apron with the chisel on the older man. This could very well be that apprentice's last day working.
One could learn so much from simply watching.
Now she turned her pale eyes on her companion, whose name she still didn't know and, truthfully, didn't really care to ask. He hadn't even asked for her own. She would not supply it, this being his idea and all.
Tapping a finger against her chin, Meine considered her options. She did like the idea of an omelet, but if he was offering to pay....
"Your suggestion does sound quite delicious," the hybrid started, folding her hands demurely on the table and watching him with observant eyes. "That stuffed with everything, plus a side bowl of fruit from Yael and the finest tea available."
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Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 7:40 pm
Aelfhun 5 What she was hoping to do with such an expensive order, was beyond Aelfhun's guess. Some women did it to get an easy meal out of him. Which he wasn't opposed to doing in the first place. It wasn't as if he didn't have unlimited funds to fall back on. His family had been successful merchants for many generations. They had risen in reputation and rank many years ago, long before even his grandfather had been born. He had little to fear from pretty women running him dry. In fact, he found it worked in his favor to give into their wishes, sometimes lavishing them with gifts until he had all their affection. Though, something about this one told him that wouldn't be as easy a task to do.
"If that is your desire," he replied with a little wink, "than allow me to order the same. It sounds irresistible."
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Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2024 6:10 pm
Meine 6 Meine's pale eyes flicked to him, her head angled towards the window instead before flicking back to the street. She didn't feel much interest in continuing the conversation. Not that there was any to be had, anyway. The young woman liked to spend her time learning, often sticking a book in front of her while she ate her meals, When she was at home, she'd talk to her uncle, who traveled around Belrea as a freelance carpenter, picking up jobs from every new town or city he visited. From helping to build a house to scrapping a quarterstaff out of a thin piece of wood. Always returning to this city, where his house, wife, and kids waited for him in between work. When he needed a quick break before moving onto the next stop. He knew a lot of different things that interested her.
This man, however....
She couldn't help giving a small sigh, disguising it as a casual release of breath from her lungs.
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Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:15 pm
Aelfhun 6 Observation was not a skill Aelfhun possessed. Far too absorbed in his own self-worth, he barely paid attention to those around him unless he required something from them. Their time. Companionship. The purchase of a new sash to drape over his body. Outside of these wants, he paid little attention to the way the person was speaking. Or the facial expressions they were showing. Even when it was something very obvious to most, Aelfhun was far too ignorant to notice. So when the young woman said nothing and looked out the window, giving a long exhale of breath, he merely smiled his most charming smile, completely unperturbed.
"So...Shall we get to know each other while we are waiting? You never gave me your name."
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 5:34 pm
Meine 7 There's no way I'm giving this guy my real name. Meine resisted the urge to sigh once more, knowing if she kept it up, she would be figured out. She was aware what she was doing wasn't the nicest, but whenever someone came up to her like this hybrid had, she didn't feel like she owed them any kindness in return. Very arrogant of him to think she should be flattered by his attention. Still, she couldn't help feeling impressed, if just slightly, by his unshaking confidence in himself. She could only imagine the amount of attention he did get. Not that she was in anyway curious about who he was or his background. As soon as she got her meal, she was leaving. Hopefully she would never see him, again.
Tilting her head to one side, Meine smiled almost sweetly in the young man's direction, watching as his own eyes revealed too much about himself. "Shouldn't that be the first thing you ask a lady before taking her out somewhere?" She gave a little laugh, both to continue the act but also because she found the whole situation amusing. "You may call me Selei."
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:52 pm
Aelfhun 7 Ah. Exquisite. Simply a beautiful name to fit the beautiful face. Aelfhun was so moved, he started spouting poetry in his head. Something that wasn't as uncommon as he'd like everyone to think. Oh, it was the fault of the world for having so many pretty women in it that he only wanted to sing their praises to the skies. Sometimes out loud, even, when he wasn't in such an open and quiet place as this. Common folk didn't deserve to hear him speak what was from the deep corners of his heart.
Was he a romantic man? Far from it. He just knew how to appreciate beauty when he saw it.
"Lovely," he complimented, leaning forward in his chair and placing his fingers underneath his chin, studying Selei as if he were an artist a painting. If only he could paint, if only to capture every woman he saw for eternity. "I am Aelfhun. It is quite the pleasure to meet you." He gave a tiny chuckle, feeling quite happy in his situation. "Are you sure you're not new to town? I think I would have remembered you."
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 5:05 pm
Meine 8 Meine had to force her mouth not to twist in disgust at his comments. Whatever name she had chosen to give him would have been met with the same reaction. She knew his type. Always trying to please and be cordial in a way he thought was attractive, but really only came off as translucent as glass and as shallow as a trickle of water. Was he really this dumb not to notice how much this wasn't working? No. That wasn't always the case. Perhaps he just didn't care. That was without question worse.
So it was with much excitement that the hybrid girl received her cup of tea from the server. At least it was something to do. Picking up her spoon, she tossed in some sugar from the bowl in the center of the table, slowly mixing it with her drink. She didn't even want to pretend to be friendly at this point, but being mean wouldn't do any good at this point.
Still...
"I told you I wasn't. I guess we just wander different areas of the city."
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