A Little Respite (Seiran, Closed)

It was a cool night in Traverse Town, leaving a slight chill in the air to nip at its citizens. Feeling its icy touch, a young woman grimaced, wrapping her gloved arms around herself to brace against the wind. A violet crystal ball trailed behind her, following Faye down the steps in front of the Accessory Shop. Bringing a cloak for her evening walk didn’t sound like such a bad idea now, but lately, it had been hard for the sorceress to think clearly.

This quest of Faye’s was not going as smoothly as she had hoped. No matter how many worlds she traveled to, she felt like she was coming no closer to finding the bringer of light. The ancient tomes she kept only offered so many clues, at least, what could be understood. The poor books were practically falling apart, and what words she could understand; their meanings were hidden behind abstract riddles and quests. The sorceress didn’t understand. If these books had willing come to her like that old wizard had claimed, then why couldn’t she unlock its secrets? It was exhausting, frustrating, and most of all, depressing. Faye felt no closer to finding the savior that could protect her homeland from the Heartless. What if she was too late? Just the thought of that revelation made her visibly shiver. She tried to brush it off on the weather, but she knew the truth. The woman was terrified for her world.

Taking a seat inside the little café, she tried to give herself a moment to relax. If she continued to worry like this, she was going to go insane. No, she had to stay positive and strong, just as she always had. Uncertainty only made people weak, and she could not afford to lose her hope and confidence now. The Heartless would not win, she would make sure of that. One way or another, she would stop their reign of terror in the Enchanted Dominion.

Faye did not notice the waitress that approached her at first, quickly sitting up straight in her chair when she finally did. After placing an order for a cup of tea and gingersnaps, she began to trace the cover of her old tome. The faded blue eye stared back at her, as if deep down, it craved to reveal all of its knowledge.

“I will drive away the darkness. No matter what it takes.” she muttered softly to herself, a habit forged from a life of solitude. The claws on her gloves dug into the table, leaving deep imprints as she continued to think about the Heartless. "I will have the key of light for my home. By force if I have to." the sorceress had no idea if that strategy would work, but that wouldn't stop her from trying if it came down to it.

"Just once more for food, sure Seiran, it always seems to be just one more." A hooded man was slowly crouched behind a few boxes, breathing heavily as he held onto his chest. "Just a moment for a quick-" As his low whispers to himself were suddenly cut off by the shout of another down the alley. "There he is!" The hooded young man quickly stood up and turned, planting a foot firmly atop one of the boxes he was using as a crude cover, vaulting himself over them. He stopped turning briefly to kick the boxes over in an attempt to slow down his pursuers. As his eyes shifted left and right quickly trying to find a means of escape, as the boxes clearly didnt work hearing the many stomping sounds of footsteps close behind.

Thoughts started to race through his mind, gripping his wrapped katana tightly as his legs moved as fast as they could on an empty stomach. Lack of food for a few days doesn't make for peak performance in ones stamina. As he kept running his eyes caught an open alley, stopping abruptly, his boots sliding against the streets, he made another dash through the alley.  Keeping his jackets hood up he saw the crowd of people ahead. Still hearing the shouting, he couldn't give up now. Only a month away from his home, a month since he learned of other worlds and a way off his own. A month and already starving, resorting to hustling for some money. And a month, still no closer to finding out what happened to his home and what those creatures of darkness were. His pace slowed as he started to run through the crowd of people walking the streets. Night was good, but the cover of plenty of people were better. He started to weave and work his way through the people. Keeping his hood up and his katana close to his chest. Turning his head only slightly to not make his actions obvious, he caught sight of the men that were chasing him. He smirked as they looked confused looking around. The young man turned and stepped to a nearby store, what he thought was just a store at least.

Upon entering he quickly pulled his hood down and glanced around, it was a quaint little cafe, to him at least. Not taking to much time to look around trying not to draw suspicion, he took a seat at a nearby empty table. He kept looking over his shoulder hearing familiar voices. He shuttered and quickly turned around looking down, attempting to make himself look as small as possible, slightly sinking in his seat. Several men entered the cafe, with obvious aggravated expressions on their faces. The young man sank down more and hoped they didnt keep looking around. The waitress approached the group of men and asked if they wanted anything, with aggressive tones they just took their leave. The waitress shrugged and just walked over towards the young man now. He looked behind himself, with a smirk and turned back, looking up at the waitress, he smiled and gave her a wink, placing his order for a small meal and tea. Pulling out a small pouch, it started to jingle, with the obvious subtle clanking of coins hitting each other. The young man whistled twirling the bag around his fingers for a moment before placing it back into his jacket pocket. Hustling money wasn't the most honourable, but whats honour when it comes to his starvation? He justified these thoughts as he always did and waited for his order. Another day, another risky venture he escaped.

Faye had just thanked the waitress for her cup of tea, when a hooded man hurried into the cafe. Quirking an eyebrow, she watched as he sat down at a nearby table, slumping down in his seat as if he wished the world would just swallow him whole. Is something amiss? The sorceress wondered, however, it wasn't for long. A moment later, she had her answer. Some angry looking ruffians appeared, obviously looking for something, or more likely, someone. It wasn't hard to figure out who. They snapped at the waitress, apparently overlooking their target, before stomping out of the cafe to continue their crusade, search, or whatever they were after. Faye did not care to ponder on it. Knowing men, it was probably something ridiculous. Maybe they just had their ego brutally wounded, and were out for revenge, completely silly. She did not want to get involved. There was enough on her plate already.

Crossing one leg over the other in a lady like manner, she brought the teacup to her ruby lips and took a sip, extending her pinky as she did so. Her eyes suddenly snapped wide open, it was miracle that the glass cup didn't shatter in her hand from the grip she had it on. Faye quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. This tea... it couldn't even be called that. It was an ungodly creation. That's what it was. It took every fiber of her being to resist spitting out the abomination disguised as a beverage. A shiver ran down her spine when she finally manged to swallow. Is this what passes for tea in this world? 'Tis atrocious! Faye exclaimed, not caring if the one who prepared it heard her or not. This was an insult to the delicate art that was tea preparation.

Picking up her spoon, she thought that maybe there was still hope that it could be saved. The woman scooped a few spoonfuls into her tea before tapping it gently against the rim and releasing it from her grasp. As if by magic, the silverware came to life, and began to stir itself, following the rotation of the woman's index finger. "One... two... three... and counterclockwise... very good... once more. That should do it." she said, removing the spoon. Picking up the cup between her hands, she emitted her own waves of heat to warm the liquid to its preferred temperature. Once the sorceress was pleased with her work, she took another taste test. "Ahh..." she smiled, "And that, Traverse Town, is how one properly makes tea. Extra sugar, some love, and of course, a little magic never hurts." she caught herself doing it again, causing her brows to furrow. "And I am talking to no one, but myself... brilliant." she was so used to doing it back home in her quiet cottage that she had to remind herself that she wasn't exactly alone anymore. Well, she wasn't always alone. She did have Noir, but talking to a horse was seen just as or even more loony.

Sighing softly, she placed the cup back on its glass coaster, allowing her eyes wander the cafe. They were drawn to the hooded man, looking quite comfortable now. In his hand was a pouch of what appeared to be Munny, being tossed around as if in victory. That told the sorceress enough. A thief, hm? How tacky. she thought, watching him quietly from across the way. It was difficult to see his eyes with the shadows hiding his face, one of the most important features to Faye. One could tell so much about a person from their eyes. As disappointing as it was, she continued to observe him, taking a sip from her tea every now and then.

As the waitress smiled and walked away, he could hear someone's voice, very prominent. He turned to see what the commotion was, catching the sight of a woman. He raised a brow watching her as she seemed stressed from her drink. He kept his gaze on her as she seemingly used magic of some kind to stir her tea. He was more fixated at the fact that she started to talk to herself. Speaking aloud as if mimicking the exact action he was finding strange, he spoke to himself as he turned away, "Never heard of someone so ruffled over simple tea." He shrugged and held his stomach as he felt the pains and heard the growls. "Aaaah.."

Seiran tapped his fingers almost excitedly so at the thought of actual food. He stood up for a moment taking off his jacket, folding it over the empty seat next to him and then smiled seeing the waitress bring by several small plates and his tea he smiled. Taking his seat once more his eyes didn't move from the sight of his meal, it was small, but enough. It was a cafe and he didnt know exactly how the businesses worked in this new world. Trailing the sight of the food, his nose and body almost following its sweet smell, he took the sweet rolls in hand and started to bite down, like a piranha during feeding time. He barely gave the waitress time to set down the plates before he was cheeks half full of food. Forgetting about the standard quality of tea, being hot, he took to the small cup and drank it down quickly. His eyes golden eyes widened as he felt the sear of hot liquid down his throat and mouth. He coughed a bit quickly swallowing the food and started to pat his chest. "Gah!" He exclaimed, tongue partially out due do a minor burn. The waitress couldn't help but stare in awe and give a small laugh. He looked up and smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah.. right, a bit hungry." Seeing the waitress' nod in obvious agreement she started to step away. He quickly extended his hand to catch hers, "Ah, is this enough for more?" With his other hand he extended the pouch of munny. The waitress smiled with a great nod, "Probably enough for several helpings." That was the only thing he needed to hear as he nodded once more. "Keep the rest, I'll have what ever that gets me." Being unfamiliar with the worlds way of currency, he could have very well bought out more than enough for several grown men.

Propping his boots up on the table, giving a clear look at the metal lining underneath the boots, leaning back in his seat he let out a great sigh of relief. Eyes closed, head back into his laced fingers behind. He was satisfied. Rocking in his chair slowly he was full as can be. Stuck in his own world not thinking or caring, he was lost in thought. Then, the voice of the waitress caught him, he opened his eyes as he was being asked to take his feet off the table, he complied, mostly because he thought the waitress was cute. But as he motioned, one of his boots slammed down into the saucer of his tea cup. The cup still quite full flung into the air to the side of him, he watched as it started to fall towards the woman he saw earlier. His eyes widened as he watched the liquid spray around the room.

The sorceress had almost forgotten about the gingersnaps she order, plucking one up between her fingers and placing it in her mouth. She could actually say they were delicious. At least they could bake to her tastes. A soft hum escaped her as she chewed, lost in its cinnamony goodness. For a brief moment, it was like heaven. As she took another treat from her plate to enjoy, that's when it happened. It was about to rain on her parade... quite literally! Faye's dark eyes widened as she watched the rouge teacup, spinning in midair several times, before crashing onto the the table before her. The hot tea went everywhere, in her hair, on her face, and what was most horrifying to the woman, her dress. For any normal person, the hot liquid would have left a burn, but the sorceress did not seem to be bothered in the least. Her ivory skin did not show the slightest touch of irritated pink. Due to her own inner fire, minor burns were not something the sorceress worried about.

The crystal ball hovering beside her quivered, almost as if reacting to her emotions. A damp brown stain had soaked into the pale yellow of her gloves and part of her dress. She sat there for a moment, continuing to hold her now soggy gingersnap. Oh, she did not want to believe he had just ruined her crimson gown, one she had labored with so much love to sew. It was her most favorite out of all the dresses she had made, created with the expensive silk fabric she could just barely afford from the traders that traveled all the from The Land of Dragons. If her homemade stain remover didn't work...

The sorceress turned her head to stare at the young man, making eye contact for the first time with those golden orbs of his. Although the woman appeared relatively calm, there seemed to be a wild inferno blazing within. With a huff, she gently moved the offending teacup to the side, and began tapping those claws of hers against the table, her gaze never leaving the young man.

His eyes continued to follow that trail of mess he left behind. As if time stood still in the horrid awkward silence that was held in place between the two as the tea settled, he just kept eye contact with her. Seconds felt like eons as he just sat there not knowing what to do or say. He kept his golden gaze upon the woman for a few moments before biting his lip. Admittedly, it was quite amusing to see what played out before him, but he did his best to keep back the small fit of laughter he wanted to go into. Taking a deep breath he squinted a bit, casting his eyes over her to see where the tea had stained into her clothes. Raising a brow, he spoke. "Well.. I mean worse things could have happened, at least it should wash out. If not, its quite the unique pattern you have on it now. Maybe adds to the exotic...design?" He shrugged a bit with a soft smirk and turned around slowly.

Then chills ran down his spine as he heard it, the tapping of nails against the table. Slowly he started to tap his fingers as well, in a more panic'd manner. He took a deep breath in and slowly reached to the side, making sure not to make any sort of eye contact with the woman now covered in tea, and quite livid about the whole ordeal. As he slowly slipped on his jacket, sleeve my sleeve, the chair scraped against the floor as he stood up, pushing it from behind him. Every sound was like a loud echo to him. Gripping his wrapped katana with one hand he turned on his heels towards the woman again. "Well, sorry for the mess. Maybe its karma for your outburst over the tea earlier? With your skills in magic I'm sure the stain will come right out." It was hard to tell if he was actually serious or being sarcastic, his blunt ways did get the better of him at times. With a smile and small nod towards the woman he slowly, step by step, started to back away. His thought was that of being faced down by a wild animal, subtle movements, and creeping his way out. Then, maybe, just maybe, he will avoid another encounter, this one probably far more furious than his last with some people he hustled for munny.

Faye watched as the man began to steadily move backwards, placing one foot behind the other. Oh, no. There was no way she was going to let him off that easily. He had made the mess and like any proper gentleman, he was going to clean it up. The sorceress was going to make sure of that. Rising suddenly to her feet, the chair made a screech against the cobblestone that seemed quite fitting for the mood she was in. It just nearly tipped over, but she caught it with one hand and slammed it back down into place. With her dark eyes still on the man, she curled her index finger towards herself for him to come closer, clearing her throat loudly to get his attention.

"Please, introduce yourself." she spoke in that regal tone of hers as she continued to observe his features. It was quite possible that he was a local, but Faye did not get that vibe from. He seemed a lot like an outsider, such as herself, trying to fit into the flow of a new strange world. Either way, she needed to know who he was. If everything went according to plan, he would be spending several hours with her. Homemade stain removers didn't make themselves.

About to turn and make a brisk escape he sighed out hearing her speak. A different reaction than the one he expected but still made him uncomfortable for what might come next. He turned his head slightly, his expression now dread filled and a bit annoyed. He rubbed between his eyes for a moment and then turned back completely towards the woman and stood up straight. He raised a brow at her for a moment and then crossed his arms, leaning to one side, his thumb gently rubbing the handle of his katana. "I, I think I'll stand right here. Introductions can be from a good distance apart, well out of slapping range." He paused for a moment watching her carefully.

He bit the inside of his cheek for a moment in thought and spoke in defeat. "Seiran, my name is Seiran." Relaxing a bit now, uncrossing his arms he slowly stepped forward towards her. Being ordered around wasn't something he would ever comply too, but given the situation, he did. As he approached her, he noticed a bit of a small crowd of people watching. He smirked a bit looking around, "At least there are witnesses incase I dont make it. Just, what ever you have in mind, avoid the face." He looked back at her with a cheeky smile. In truth, he was nervous, angering someone over a stained dress is something he didn't want to experience in this new world. "Dont suppose you'd give me your name? You know before you invoke your fiery wrath."