Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 9, 2020 21:41:11 GMT
The job done, Kendry melded into the crowd of the market place, allowing the flow of people to direct his course. He was unhappy about having to come so far south for a job, especially in the capital. He wiped sweat from his brow and hair from his eyes, breathing deep in an attempt to create a more relaxed composure.
Tracking his target brought him all the way from Sunama, and Kendry was exhausted from trying to keep up with the slippery hooligan for all those days spent on the road. The situation became even more difficult when Taras peaked over the horizon.
His dark eyes fibbed curiosity as he approached booths and carts to examine goods and even exchange some coin for street foods. He chatted idly with some of the city's residents, listening for local rumors and frivolous gossip.
Eventually, around midday, he found a shaded area to sit and think, gnawing on something he had never tried before.
It was fairly rare for Sophia to be in the marketplace. There were plenty of servants in the castle, so it wasn't really necessary for her to go out. But sometimes it was good for the people of Taras to see her, and to know she was nice and helpful.
She had two guards with her, though there were more posted around the marketplace as well. She nodded at people passing, smiling at people in the city. She wore a slightly simpler dress, light blue with soft brown boots. Though she wore simple jewelry, a necklace of her mother with a blue stone. She wore no crown, it was always a danger to wear something like that out in public.
As she walked, she handed out a few silver coins to people passing by, smiling at them again. She always wanted to help people out, and this was an easy way to do so.
Though it was near midday, so she had one of the guards buy a loaf of bread for the three of them to share, while she looked around the marketplace, hoping that her people were happy.
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 9, 2020 23:47:18 GMT
The energy of the marketplace started to feel different as Kendry sat there trying to figure out what he was eating. His gaze followed a pair of children excitedly squeezing between the gathering crowd and he wondered what they were in such a hurry to see. Still working at the questionable jerky between his teeth, Kendry stood, wanting to get a look for himself.
He suspected that whatever held the attention of the crowd was not a crime. Glancing about himself, he saw smiles and eyes glittering with admiration, young men whispering to each other teasingly. Perhaps a person of importance had made their way into the marketplace, and surely they knew that all eyes were on them.
Curiosity propelled him forward through the crowd, and it wasn't until Kendry finally laid eyes on her that he heard someone gasp, "The Queen." She was a beautiful young woman, dressed simply for a queen, but standing out nonetheless against the backdrop of onlookers. Kendry didn't notice how intensely he was staring at her, his teeth clenched motionless on the jerky sticking out of his mouth.
He wondered if she was a keen queen who could smell the blood on his conscience, and instinctively he took a step back... right over someone's foot and down onto his bottom, the half eaten jerky slapping sadly against the dusty stone pathway.
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 10, 2020 15:25:17 GMT
Sophia sighed gently as she finished the bit of bread she was holding, smacking her lips slightly. She was always so impressed with the items sold in the marketplace, it seemed like the guards also knew just what to get her. She nodded at the two as she stood again, beginning to walk through the crowd once more.
She stopped to talk to a few people, handing out a few more coins to people as well. She spoke with a couple children, ruffling their hair and giving them a couple coins as well.
As she continued along, she paused. There was something... she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She scanned the crowd again, though couldn't find anything that was out of place.
She happened to turn in the direction of Kendry, just as he tripped over someone's foot and fell down. She stifled a chuckle and made her way over, offering her hand to help him up. "Are you all right?"
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 10, 2020 16:24:23 GMT
Kendry hurriedly offered an apology to whomever he almost took down with him, but noticed that the man the foot belonged to hardly took notice, completely focused on something else.
Are you alright?
Kendry's eyes snapped forward. The color drained from his face. The Queen, her hand extended to him, stood inches away.
Think, you idiot.
But he wasn't thinking, lifting one hand toward the queen's. He noticed how rough his hand looked in comparison and withdrew it, standing on his own. “N-no need to dirty yourself, Your Highness,” he stammered, patting off his bottom. He could feel the dull hum of electricity on his fingertips. “Thank you. Y-you are far too kind.” He dared to look her in the eye, then a more daring glance at both guards. He could think of none to mimic, no mask to hide behind, and he wasn't even sure of who he himself was in this moment.
He tried to smile, his weary eyes absent of the same glittering as those around him. How much could she see?
“Do you know,” he began quickly, bending down to pick up the dirty jerky, “what kind of meat this is? C-can't say I've tried it before...” As he held the dried meat between himself and the queen, he scolded himself some more.
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 11, 2020 15:20:50 GMT
Sophia watched the man's face pale, though of course, she made no comment. It wasn't unusual for people to be nervous around her, which again, she understood.
When he reached for her hand and then pulled back, a slight frown crossed her face - though only for a second, before the smile was back. He spoke, and that made sense to her. He stood, and she nodded her head slightly, the smile still in place. "I'm glad that you're all right."
She was glad that he looked her in the eyes, there were quite a few people that wouldn't - or couldn't, perhaps. But there was something there... she couldn't quite pinpoint it.
But she was distracted again, when he leaned down and picked up the jerky. When he asked her about it, a slight chuckle escaped her lips, before she shook her head. "I guess I have no idea, actually." A grin crossed her face. "I really don't come here much..."
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 11, 2020 16:13:26 GMT
Kendry's expression softened at the queen's response. He gambled on examining her again, looking past the jerky he held between them. What is it that she reminded him of? Somewhere in his drifting imagination, he heard the sea, and remembering what waves crashing on shore sounded like jolted him from his thoughts. He hid the questionable dried meat behind his back, unable to meet the queen's gaze.
"Well, seeing that my specimen has been, ah, tainted," he started awkwardly, turning his head to the side, unable to find where to rest his gaze, "If you'd like, I can show you the stall where..." And he hesitated, pressing his lips firmly together. As if anyone cared to shamble about with him to taste test mystery street foods, especially The Queen herself! She clearly had more important business to attend to, and surely her attention was required by people who held positions of importance.
But he kept thinking about the waves. How often did she get to go out like this?
Straightening himself, Kendry fully faced the queen, both eyebrows raised in a lopsided grin. "Would you like to try some?" He turned his back to her, to the guards, to anyone watching, and made his way back into the crowd. "My treat," he added, raising a hand for the queen to follow if she so desired.
She was the queen of an island nation, surrounded by the sea, embodying the sea, but how often was she allowed to walk across the warm sands of the beaches of Atelus?
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 11, 2020 18:16:51 GMT
Sophia grinned again when he spoke of the jerky being tainted, nodding slightly. Yes, she supposed it was. She was definitely not going to try something off the ground.
When he offered to take her to the stall that had the jerky, she hesitated. It's not like she was going off alone with him, the guards were still with her. She glanced over at one of them, who shrugged slightly. Obviously he had no problem with it, he mustn't feel anything off about the situation either. Still, Sophia knew she had to be careful.
But she felt safe with the guards, and this man.. he didn't seem to be a threat.
She nodded slightly when he offered to let her try some, the grin on his face mirroring on her own. "That sounds delightful." She moved to follow him, excited to do something just a little out of the ordinary for once. "I still don't know your name... You may call me Sophia." Obviously she knew that he knew who she was, but sometimes just giving people her name made them feel more comfortable with her.
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 12, 2020 2:13:52 GMT
Whether it was initiated with practiced intent or stammering stupidity, this was not the first time Kendry had gotten himself into an awkward situation.
Definietly stupidity, he groaned inwardly, one hand gliding through his messy black hair. This is dangerous.
When the queen introduced herself, he looked back over his shoulder at her, his worry of bumping into anyone washed away by the fact that the crowd was parting for him. Well, not for him, but for the queen that was following him.
“I'm Kendry.” He held eye contact with Sophia for a few moments before turning away again, steeling his nerves by grinding his teeth together. Feeling the sparks pop between his teeth, he recalled learning about the bloodline of water elementals in the royal family.
Can she feel it? Kendry curled his fingers into fists, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Does she know?
He was grateful to spot the mystery meat stall, his uneasiness subsiding slightly. Prancing up to the merchant, he exchanged a few words and some coins before returning to Sophia, four sticks of impaled jerky held out to split between them and the guards. “Ready for the guessing game? I didn't ask so we could play,” he explained, nodding back toward the merchant.
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 14, 2020 19:13:43 GMT
Sophia was definitely unaware of the slight turmoil that was inside Kendry, she was just enjoying the company of the man that she thought he was.
She followed him, the guards just a ways behind her, keeping an eye on her as well as the rest of the marketplace. When he turned back after she introduced herself, she smiled at him again. He spoke his name - Kendry. She nodded, committing his name to her memory. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kendry."
They continued walking, and she watched as he moved ahead of them, heading up to the stall that sold the meat in question. She grinned again as she watched him speak to the merchant, before he came back with the four sticks of jerky. She took hers, and nodded to the guards, who also took their sticks as well. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, and she nodded before taking a bite of the jerky.
It was delicious! She made a soft noise of contentment, before looking back at Kendry again.
"I think it's deer?" Though she sort of said it with a question, because she still wasn't completely sure. She took another bite, shrugging her shoulders slightly. It was very good, nonetheless. And this whole thing was very fun. Something she didn't get to do very often at all.
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 14, 2020 19:42:41 GMT
Kendry watched Sophia as she took a bite out of the jerky, his own held inches from his lips as he waited for her guess.
"Deer, huh? I guess I've never tried it before today," he observed, turning the stick over in his hand, squinting at the dried meat. Then his eyes flicked up to meet the queen's. "Then again, I suppose The Queen can decide what's what despite what it truly is." And he took a bite, grinning at her as he chewed.
Kendry was exhausted, as well as his coin purse at this point, but his jittery nerves excited him. What a kind woman the queen seemed to be, out and about among her people, playing along with his game - knowing of the possible dangers, yet still here.
Having finished his jerky, he waved the empty stick at random onlookers as he spoke. "I don't think I could tolerate all the staring. And besides that," he continued, the stick pointing teasingly at the guards, "I don't think I'd fancy being followed around everywhere I go. But I suppose you can't choose the family you're born into."
You're testing boundaries now, you dolt. Just shut up.
"I was wrong - you can't decide everything."
Loneliness beckoned brash behavior. It didn't matter who he was speaking to - it was curiosity versus consequence for the sake of a connection.
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 14, 2020 20:17:41 GMT
Sophia nodded slightly. "It's not super common... we don't have it at the castle much." Wild game wasn't really something that the servants in the castle prepared. Cows, pigs, chickens. They got those from farms around Atelus, and had them shipped in. It wasn't common for someone in the castle to go hunting for wild game. When he spoke again, joking about her being able to call it what she liked, she laughed out loud. "I suppose that is also true." The grin that had been on her face stayed there, echoing the grin on his face.
Moments later, she finished the jerky as well, looking over at Kendy again as he began speaking.
She sighed, glancing around at the crowd, who was definitely looking at her, and him if she was honest. Then she looked at the guards, who were happily eating the jerky that Kendry had purchased, while still watching the marketplace.
Her gaze went back to Kendry, and she shrugged slightly. "I'm used to all of it, I guess. When you grow up with all of this, it doesn't seem strange. And yes, I didn't get to choose." Another slight shrug. "Though I suppose, I would choose this." She loved the country, and would do anything for it. What Kendry said made sense though, it would be hard for people that didn't grow up like she did to understand what it was like. And to be OK with it.
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 14, 2020 21:17:39 GMT
Yeah, I'd probably choose it, too.
Kendry wondered if Sophia ever felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders - she was responsible for an entire nation, after all. Furthermore, her responsibilities as a diplomat extended beyond the shores of Atelus, he guessed, thinking about the foreign countries that existed across the sea. Just the thought of it all weighed down on Kendry, but if there was one thing that he envied it was the relationships of all kinds that Sophia shared with others.
Though, I wonder how many are genuine.
Suddenly, he felt guilty.
"The people of Atelus are blessed to have such a kindhearted queen." He found himself unable to look Sophia in the eye as he spoke. "Remain steadfast with that heart of yours." He began to grind his teeth, looking away for a moment to settle the static.
Then, turning again to look at Sophia, he forced a grin. "So, what does the queen of Atelus like to do on her days off?"
Post by Sophia Durham on Feb 14, 2020 22:40:55 GMT
What Kendry had wondered was very true - she did feel like it rested all on her. Of course, there were advisors. And other diplomats, but most of the decision making came down to her.
She was always worried about letting people down.
Sophia looked over at Kendry again, when he spoke once more. She smiled slightly, her face flushing just a little. "I appreciate that, Kendry. Very much." Though she knew she couldn't always be so kindhearted. There were threats and the like, forces outside and even insider her kingdom that could cause trouble. And she had to be careful with that as well. She noticed he didn't look at her, but decided not to press about it.
When he asked about her days off, she laughed slightly again. "I'm afraid I don't have many of those." She looked back at the guards, before looking at Kendry again. "This was kind of off duty, I suppose. I enjoy the marketplace. We have gardens at the castle, and I spend a lot of my downtime there as well." The gardens were definitely a favorite place of hers, where she was able to take time to herself, and make decisions without pressure.
Post by Kendry Yildirim on Feb 14, 2020 23:05:28 GMT
Kendry listened with obvious interest, his eyes watchful of the queen and his lips parted slightly. Then he smiled, straightening his posture and crossing his arms, twirling the stick between his fingers. "What about the sea?" He wasn't sure of Sophia's relationship with the great blue ocean except that she might be partial to it due to her heritage, but he instantly regretted asking about it, his chest tightening at the thought. "I always hear that the ebb and flow of the tide brings peace to uneasy minds."
It had been many years since Kendry allowed seawater to lap at his ankles. Of course, there was no avoiding the view of the glittering horizon, calling to him from all corners of the nation. He feared what he once loved above all else. Like a bitter breakup, his relationship to the sea was over. He convinced himself that no peace would be had at the touch of warm, sun-kissed sands.
Unlike the young queen that stood before him, he was a coward. He fought to keep such thoughts from showing on his face.