(Zoop!) Scarlet was in the market the next day, standing at her stall. She sold elixirs and herbs, her gaze warm and practiced. *** Cyril was on patrol the next day as well, his expression grim as he rode alone the streets. *** Harper was in her workshop, the front door open for customers. *** Xavier was in a bar, standing against the wall as he watched the patrons.
Burke walked through the aisles of the market, his hands in his pockets as Logan walked by his side. He caught the attention of a young lady in a booth across the way. "Hey, Burke," she called out sweetly. "Care to keep me company?" "Sorry, ma'am," he said with an easy laugh. "I have some errands to run." * * * Athena was moving through the streets too, her cloak drawn tightly around her and her eyes blank as she walked slowly. * * * Jared knocked on her doorway, looking around curiously. "Anyone home?" * * * The bell on the door rang as it swung open, a small silhouette illuminated by the light outside. A cloaked figure stepped in, pulling back her hood. The bartender, a grumpy middle-aged man, looked up and brightened when he saw her. "Hey, sweetie!" She looked up with a slight grin, coming over. "Hey, Vlad. I have those herbs you wanted."
Scarlet looked up when she heard a somewhat familiar voice, her head tilting slightly. *** Cyril was watching those who passed, his gaze sharp. *** Harper looked up, wearing a sort of glasses on her eyes that magnified one of them. She gave him a goofy grin. Her heart was in a glass case on a shelf. It was the color of a candy apple and looked smooth like marble. "Hey Jared!" *** Xavier looked to them, listening in thoughtfully.
He approached her booth, his gaze sliding smoothly over to her. His eyes made contact and he paused, coming to a stop as he considered her. * * * Athena rounded the corner about 20 feet away and noticed him. She froze, her eyes widening. * * * He looked like he might have brightened, coming over to her. "Hello, Harper. How was your orphanage?" * * * Vlad seemed delighted as the girl opening her bag and took off her cloak, revealing her face to Xavier. She began to pull out small linen bags with labels on them, sliding them across the table to him. "Mint, thyme... this is that really good cinnamon that you love... also! I have vanilla beans! They're very hard to come by."
She looked like she shrunk a little bit, almost as if trying to slowly hide. *** He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. He froze, and immediately started towards her. *** He approached the two, adopting a friendly smile. "Beans? Vanilla beans?"
He paused before that slow, goofy smile crossed his face. "Hm. Good morning, Ma'am. What are you selling?" * * * She turned on her heel and immediately sprinted back the way she had came. * * * She looked up in surprise before her entire face brightened. "Egg! Hi!"
She looked quite uncertain, clearing her throat nervously. Her voice came out rather quiet. "E-Erm.. Just s-s-some herbs and e-elixirs.." *** He spurred his horse into a run, chasing after her. *** He looked around. "Do you come here often?"
"Herbs and elixirs, huh?" he asked, looking down. "Do you have any lemongrass?" * * * As he turned the corner, he would see that she had disappeared from sight. * * * She looked over at the bartender, who was eyeing Xavier suspiciously. "Often enough. I trade a lot with Vlad, here."
She relaxed slightly, picking up a bundle of lemongrass. "I do. Here.." *** He went down the road, quickly looking down alleyways. *** She took off the glasses. "It was alright. How are you today?" *** He nodded holding out a hand. "Nice to meet you, sir."
"Wonderful," he said, checking through his bag. "How much do I owe ya'?" * * * There was no sign of her. * * * "Even better now," he said, approaching her. "I have some hearts for you." * * * Vlad frowned, but shook the hand. "How do you two know each other?"
She frowned slightly. "That's.. alright. It's easy to get." *** He frowned, getting off his horse and continuing to look. *** She turned to him, holding out her hand. "May I?" *** He shrugged. "From around. We're friends."
His eyes flickered up to meet hers and he laughed. "C'mon, Starlight. Just because you steal a boy's heart, doesn't mean you have to pity him. You're runnin' a business now." * * * As he passed her and turned the corner, she exhaled, standing up from her place among the homeless who sat on the streets, pulling off her hood. She turned the other way and hurried down the street. * * * He passed her a linen bag, filled with about 4 cracked, old hearts. * * * "Friends?" she replied playfully. Vlad frowned, but looked down at her. "You make friends fairly easily, El," he said smugly. "You don't need to sound so shocked."
She looked up at him, maybe a little surprised. "I'm just glad you didn't kill me, or something." *** He didn't notice, continuing on. *** She looked inside, clicking her tongue. "I'll be able to fix these. Give me a few days." *** "Yes, well," he began slowly. "I suppose we just have something in common."
"Kill ya? Nah, ma'am, I'm not that type of guy. Besides, you gave it back. Why would I kill you?" * * * "Really? They're not too far gone?" * * * She shrugged easily before closing her bag. "That's all I have for you today, Vladdy. I'll be back in a couple of days." He pursed his lips before speaking. "Couldja... couldja maybe bring me some cocoa beans next time?" "For you? Anytime."
She tilted her head slightly, her blue eyes now warm and curious. "Because I stole it in the first place. And your dog didn't seem too fond of me either." She rubbed her hand where Logan had nipped her, looking down at the dog. *** She looked up at him, squinting playfully. "No heart is far enough gone to not fix. Anything is repairable." *** Xavier tilted his head curiously, watching her. "Where do you get your supplies?"
"Awh, Logan? He's just protective. And, I mean... Ma'am, I don't mean no disrespect, but you did break into my home. Don't you think you deserve it a little?" * * * He considered her, raising one eyebrow. "Bold words," he said after a moment. "How much do I owe you?" * * * She looked over at him and opened her mouth to speak before Vlad interjected. "Ellie's the adventurer in her family," he said, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "You should see some of the places she finds."
She smiled slightly, folding her hands. "Maybe a bit." *** She looked a little confused. "Owe me? Jared, this is charity work. Don't be silly." *** He raised an eyebrow. "Hm. I'd like to."
"There we are, Starlight," he said smoothly, putting the lemongrass in his bag. "There's the smile. I'll not pay for this bunch, but next time, you gotta let me pay, alright? We're even now." * * * A strange look crossed his face and he shook his head. "No. How much do I owe you?" * * * Ellie glowered at Vlad playfully, ducking out from under his arm. "Well, I should really get going..."
