Scattering the roses;

[unicornered]

[ it was a blur, one Sharon had tried to latch onto, because she needed to know what had happened. It hadn't been long since her bond with Equus had returned, and she knew they'd been headed to Sablier, but whether they had been close and the Abyss' effects had come into play or whether it had been something else... she couldn't say. She had felt a tug (to put it lightly), and before she could call out to Break, she fell.

And kept falling.

Had she still had her ribbon, she would have lost it to the force tossing her in every which direction, but she can't bring herself to think of that right now, when it feels like she can't draw a breath under the weight of this pressure.

Then, abruptly, it ends. She has enough awareness to register that much, at least, that everything hurts and that the ground is hot-- but with the promise of something solid and a last thought towards her family, she loses consciousness.

Sorry, citizens of Xian Du, please don't mind that limp, somewhat battered blonde figure on the ground as you go about your day. ]

Comments

[expendablepride]

[Her hand tightening around his own doesn't go unnoticed, and as if to say "I'll look after you", Alvin gives her hand a gentle squeeze in return. It's brief, but it's there.

A gate, large and perhaps intimidating soon looms into sight, and despite the two guards posted outside, they allow the two to pass through without so much as a glance. The grass beneath them gives way to a boardwalk, and once they arrive at the end of it, they'll be in Fennmont's Central Plaza.

But even then, the residential buildings on either side of the walkway ought provide enough entertainment until then.]

I talked about the buildings here, didn't I? How they're carved right into the trees themselves?

[He nods in the direction of one of them.]

[unicornered]

You did, yes. [ and she sounds as though she's listening this time, for all that her sense of awe is progressively welling up as they walk. He hadn't been joking, but that kind of feat was amazing to her, and the houses themselves are too charming for words. ] But really... all of them?

[expendablepride]

Yup. All of them. This is a major city after all, wouldn't do to not go that extra mile for the tourists.

[And they really outdid themselves for the palace. But all that in due time; they're coming up on the Central Plaza now. It's buzzing quietly, as it always is, though with the exception of the additional Kanbalar troop here and there.

Alvin comes to a stop, eyeing the stalls to their right, then glancing back at Sharon. They never managed to get something for her hair before they left, did they?]

Wanna stop for a souvenir first?

[unicornered]

A souvenir? [ and this is the moment that Sharon looks down at herself, dusty and dingy as she still is, and also lacking a certain important item.

(Besides a ribbon.) ]

As tempting as that sounds, I'm afraid I can't afford it at the moment. [ and would they even take her form of currency? She doubted it. ]

[expendablepride]

[He waves her off, as if the very idea borders ridiculous.]

Even if you had the cash, I'm not so inconsiderate as to make a guest pay. It's on me.

[unicornered]

... Thank you. [ really, there's no point in being stubborn. She'll merely have to add this to the list of things to repay him for before she returns home. ]

[expendablepride]

Just enjoy yourself. Save the gratitude for the end of the tour.

[He nods his head in the direction of the Fennmont Trading Post. The first two floors, sans the accessory shop are for battle purposes, but the rest of the building ought to be worth a wander.]

We can find you something for you to wear too. Maybe something with a bit of a local flavour to it.

[unicornered]

Ah... yes. [ and she'll look at her poor dingy dress, the one that still manages to draw attention to herself. ] It might do to blend in a bit better. Shall we search?

[expendablepride]

[Is what she says, but his clothing isn't exactly local to Rieze Maxia in the first place. The coat isn't even his.]

Sounds good to me. Just don't expect me to pick something out for you. For all my style- [wow just casually stating it.] -I can't say I really know what girls prefer.

[unicornered]

[ there's her smile again, something a little more confident in the midst of so much unfamiliarity. ]

Then you're about to find out.

[expendablepride]

I just hope you find something you like. Going by what you've got now, there isn't much of that. Even here in the capital.

[He holds his hand out again.]

But we'll try our luck.

[unicornered]

[ And she'll take his hand again.]

Yes, we will.

[ and you know what, Sharon can pull off looking like a civilian with some minor fussing. And some feminine advice from a clerk or two. BE IN AWE, ALVIN. ]

[expendablepride]

[And so begins the trek towards the Trading Post! Not that it's far at all, just on the other side of the fountain in the middle of the plaza.

Even when they step in, it's bustling with people. Surprising, considering the current state of affairs, but then again, Alvin suspects a whole lot of these people are actually stationed here from Auj Oule.

He pipes up again when the elevator door opens to the third floor.]

Well, have at it.

[unicornered]

[ And there she goes, trotting forward and tugging him after her. She can be properly awed and still keep moving-- and honestly, she does still feel a little overwhelmed by it all.

But adjusting comes first, and there's no room for uncertainty.

Except-- ]

... Is it foolish to wear dresses here? [ she's been watching some of the Auj Oule ladies, and their outfits are cute, but they seem to favor leggings more. ]

[expendablepride]

[Wow he takes a moment to ponder that.]

Not foolish so much... uncommon, I guess. Given the weather here, you know, the chill, the wind in Xian Du too, dresses sort of became something strictly formal.

[Except Milla wears a skirt, but she's probably a special case.]

[unicornered]

I understand... then, to best handle the weather...

[ she'll miss dresses. She'll miss them a lot.

But at least she's looking at something with leggings. ]

[expendablepride]

You probably don't need anything too heavy. The worst we're gonna get this time of year is a chilly breeze.

[And that's about the most he'll be able to put into the picking-something-out part.]

[unicornered]

[ Helpful enough, and she'll eventually settle on something with a color she likes. ]

This should suffice... though I hope it isn't too costly.

[expendablepride]

Don't worry about it. I wouldn't be much of a gracious host if I let my special guest go without being properly outfitted.

You just go ahead and change into that, I'll settle things here.

[unicornered]

I won't take long!

[ True to her word, it'll be only minutes before Sharon returns, clad in something a little more functional (but still stylish, she'd hope) with her dress folded and held to her chest.

And, in the manner of every girl ever-- ]

... How does it look?

[expendablepride]

[He's just done settling things with the cashier when he hears Sharon, and he distantly notes that that was quick.

He grins at her question.]

As cute as ever.

[He hasn't done this in a while, certainly.]

[unicornered]

[ LE SIGH, Alvin. ]

"Cute" isn't something you should be calling a lady...

[expendablepride]

[Aww.]

Well, how about beautiful, then?

[unicornered]

[ erk.

Watch Sharon go from Slightly Pouty to REDDER THAN RUFUS BARMA'S HAIR. ]

T-that's--! Saying it for the sake of saying it isn't much better!

[expendablepride]

[Now there's what he was looking for. Have a look of mock hurt.]

Why Sharon, I'd never. You aren't doubting my credibility, are you?