So not a date (Tags Xer)(Food Stalls)

[Rei]

Crystoph walked through the gather at a sedate pace. He carefully examined the crowd for his quarry. Where the heck had that kid gone? The red head had seen Xerxes in the crowd earlier and he was bound and determined to find him. The candidate looked down at the marks purse tied to his belt. He had plenty to buy himself dinner and Xerxes as well. It felt rather strange to be buying food for a male. Almost like a date. Certainly not a date of course but it was almost awkward feeling. Crystoph pushed that thought from his head. How absurd. He just wanted to treat a friend of his. Perfectly normal.

Xerxes was a very likeable sort and Crystoph felt perfectly comfortable around him. Hence he had claimed him as a friend and someone to protect. Part if his family if you will. Clucking his tongue he tapped his foot against the ground. Dressed in black and red he looked a bit intimidating, especially with the thick black liner he had put around his eyes. How he had missed that liner when he was sick. The healers would not put up with him going to get it from the barracks and he hadn’t had anyone to fetch it for him. He liked the liner. It made him look, for lack of a better word, frightening. (cause it defiantly couldn’t be his height or the scowl he almost always wore.) All in all Xerxes’s couldn’t possibly miss him if he was looking. There was a wide berth between him and the nearest gather guest after all.

Crystoph drew his dagger and absently balanced the hilt on a finger. It was a habit of his and the candidate did it when he was bored or preoccupied. Today it was the latter. He hadn’t seen anyone he knew in the crowd but he was keeping an eye out for his sister Diamonique. He and Mikail had left the girls at Blossom, and although Meagan had opted to run to the weyr in a fit of anger, his even tempered sister had stayed to work with the dolphins. The red head was concerned for her and wanted to make sure she was okay. Before he could further speculate on where is blood sister could be he saw Xerxes again. This time he sheathed his danger and called out with a wave before the boy could disappear again.

“Xerxes! Over here.” His stance relaxed and his features became friendly as the other boy approached. That was always how it was. Crystoph was more relaxed and less defensive with those he regarded as friends. A trait his trainers at Benden had warned him was dangerous but Crystoph considered himself a good judge of character. Really he couldn’t imagine Xerxes ever trying to hurt him. The other candidate had saved his life once for Faranth’s sake.

[Requiem]

The young man was dressed...about as nicely as he could manage. They were his father's clothes, mended, tailored and pieced together to fit Xerxes' smaller frame. A soft yellow shirt, the sleeves flowing, carefully detailed in black along the wide ends. White detailed the deep blue, stiff material he wore over it, with cords that Xerxes had made himself. They were threaded through bars of neatly polished hardwood that was very close to the color of the boy's well-worn boots, the bars turned sideways keeping the jerkin closed. Yellow ruffles spilled out over the collar. Just a little...Xerxes wasn't much for lots of frills. The colors accented his richly dark skintone nicely. He had no marks, really, to honor the dead with bones or masks or costumes...but he was still wearing the clothes of the dead and it appealed to his sensibilities.

His father had always been adamant about never letting anything go to waste.

Tugging idly at his runnertail, he examined the crowd for anyone he knew, waving to someone here, smiling there. More recognized him now that he wasn't just a token drudge...but he still got enough questioning looks that it sobered him. He really should have come with someone else. Strange how a person could feel alone in the middle of a crowd. He couldn't convince his sister, though - she was finally of an age where she was far more interested in boys who were not related. Xerxes wasn't sure how he felt about that. Seeing his brothers with girls didn't bother him...it was amusing, really...but his sister was another matter entirely. Not that Xerxes was good at that protective intimidation thing. He just got antsy.

Spinning at the sound of his name, his eyes flared wide, one feather flying free from the single braid he typically wove into his hair. He stared at the imposing figure that he barely recognized (though the expression was friendly enough and Xerxes was never really intimidated by anyone, despite his mild manner) a smile slowly breaking across his face. The boy bobbed through the crowd much quicker than you'd expect anyone to be able to. "Crystoph!" He hugged the other boy on a whim, careful of the candidate's side."You look much different not completely soaked, you know that? For a second I thought you were an avenging ghost," he added teasingly.

He stepped back, subconsciously straightening his clothing. "Are you in costume, or...?" It was rather dark, after all, the black and red. Though Crystoph looked good enough in it that it wouldn't surprise Xerxes if this was how he usually dressed. Was that kohl around his eyes? Xerxes pondered that for a moment. He'd tried it, once, but he didn't like the look. Mostly because it made Xerxes look just a bit too feminine. He didn't like looking like a girl.

[Rei]

Crystoph smiled broadly as Xerxes wound his way around the crowd to his side. The hug surprised him but the red head didn’t object. It was just another one of those thing that made Xerxes….well Xerxes. The red head brought a hand down to grip the other candidates arm affectionately. “Nah not a ghost thanks to you.” The red head winked and shifted to look at the crowd ahead. One of the figured bouncing past had looked familiar but he quickly dismissed it and turned his full attention to his smaller companion. How would he react to hi suggestion? Crystoph hoped Xerxes would see fit join him for awhile it was too awkward to wander around a gather by oneself after all.

The red head actually laughed as the other boy commented on his manner of dress. “To be truthful yes and no. I did pick these colors especially for the gather but I dress rather dark most of the time. The red is just for shock factor. That was specifically picked for the gather.” Chuckling Crystoph drew himself up to his full height and mock glared at Xerxes. “Am I really that scary?” Immediately relaxing his posture afterwards the candidate shrugged. “Anyway on to business. I was looking for you for a reason you know. You blend in pretty well and it’s taken me awhile to find you.” With a smile he gestured to the marks pouch on his belt. “You hungry? I feel the least I owe you is lunch for your heroism the other day.”

Crystoph didn’t plan to give Xerxes time to disagree. Instead he grabbed the other candidate gently by the wrist and proceeded to lead him towards the roasting pits. “It’s about midday and unless you’ve eaten I bet your as starving as I am.” A quick smile was shot over his shoulder as he expertly wove thorough the crowds. The smell of roasting meat was nearly overpowering as they approached the roasting pits. If the offer hadn’t been already accepted it was obvious that the smells of cooking meat would seal the deal.

Stopping suddenly Crystoph released Xerxes and turned with a flourish to bow. “What’s your pleasure kind sir?” Crystoph raised laughing eyes to Xerxes and grinned foolishly. Even he could loosen up under the right circumstances.

[Requiem]

Xerxes laughed at Crystoph's posturing, a gentle sound that could never be mistaken for mocking. Crystoph, scary? Only if you were someone who needed to be scared, he should think. He tried to imagine an angry Crystoph and somehow couldn't, though he was certain that the man could be angry. Probably.

His chuckles didn't quite dry up in time to respond to Crystoph's offer - though he had no idea how he would respond considering no one ever had really made such an offer before - when he was grabbed by the wrist. This resulted in a small surprised squeak mid-chuckle and Xerxes stumbled after Crystoph as the larger candidate plowed a channel through the crowd.

Hungry? Was he hungry? The smell of meat hit him as they got closer to the stall, answering that question for him, but he still protested as Crystoph half-dragged and half-guided him forward. "It was hardly heroic. Really. You don't have to...I'm just glad you didn't go over the cliff." And he was. He liked Crystoph, for all that he kept up ending up in awkward situations with the older boy, it seemed.

The bow was really just too much, and he huffed softly, his dark eyes laughing at Crystoph. Xerxes' shove was a playful one, and forceful enough that it was clear he'd put his strength behind it, such as it was. "Stop that. You'll make me blush." A bit too late, truly. It was quite awkward to have someone bowing to him, after all, even in jest. "You win. Just behave yourself." He flashed a bright smile that took any and all bite out of the words.

Peering around Crystoph at the stall, he wondered aloud, "Do you think they have any fish? I've always wanted to try fish from the ocean...they say it tastes different from freshwater fish." And yes, he had particular interest in food. If Crystoph wanted to buy him lunch...then he might as well take advantage of it and satisfy his curiosity.

[Rei]

Crystoph raised his eyebrows and laughed in mirth as Xerxes shoved him. It was interesting to have the ability to fluster him even if it was just in jest. “Alright I’ll behave.” The red head promised with a wink before deeply drinking in the scents that swirled around them. He had heard the other candidate’s half protests about the rescue, but had immediately disregarded them. Crystoph was grateful and he was buying dinner, that was that. Subject closed. No arguing allowed.

The Benden boy listened intently as Xerxes commented on the menu and he tilted his head in thought. “I bet they do. Come on lets take a look.” Crystoph strode forward, intentionally slowing his pace to make it easier for his shorter companion to keep up. Many different meats where roasting on the fire and it didn’t take the pair long to come to a stall that was offering mainly fish. After a few questions to the stall keeper they found what they where looking for. Crystoph bought three skewers containing a different kind of meat each. Two ocean fish and a particularly nice looking one of herd beast. Taking the steaming wrapped meats the red head gestured to the nearby tables. “Go grab a seat and I’ll get us some drinks.” After speaking, he gently handed the wrapped meats to Xerxes and quickly disappeared into the crowd to find the drink vendor.

As the candidate waited his turn in line he pondered. What exactly would they talk about. If the question about is heritage came up should he lie? Logic said he should, but a nagging part of Crystoph actually challenged the thought of lying outright to Xerxes. The other candidate didn’t deserve it. Still it might be dangerous for his new friend to know his origins. What if he rejected him afterwards? Selenitas wasn’t exactly a fan of Benden. Oh some people had guessed his secret already and his ruse was admittedly a rather poor one. Still he was loathe to drop it completely.

Finally his turn came and Crystoph paid for the wine before carefully balancing the goblets and expertly dodging gather patrons on his way back to the seating. Finding Xerxes he slid into a chair opposite the lad and offered him a goblet. “Hope wines ok. They really aren’t selling anything else. Wine goes better with meat anyway.” The red head winked before gesturing towards the wrapped meats. “Go ahead dig in.”

[Requiem]

Finding a table wasn't particularly easy in the press, especially considering Xerxes really didn't stick out much. He wasn't colorful, and he didn't have height or a commanding presence, which meant he needed to find a fringe table if Crystoph wanted to find him again. Juggling the warm meat from hand to hand idly to keep his fingers from burning, he finally found a place and pulled out a chair with his foot, sliding down into it. So long had it taken him to find this place he didn't have to wait more than a minute or two for the older boy to return with...was that wine? Xerxes let loose with a mildly awkward smile. He didn't often drink, but what was the harm, really? Crystoph said that was all they had.

The food should offset it somewhat.

It was odd eating first, but he flashed Crystoph a smile just the same, more concerned about making the other boy feel awkward than about his own discomfort. Choosing the fish (it was really the only choice, since he wanted it anyway and there was two helpings of that kind, leaving Crystoph a choice still) he carefully set about sampling the piping hot meat. Smiling contentedly, he leaned back in his seat, savoring the taste. Xerxes was small, clearly, and unlike some smaller people he didn't pack a lot away. His metabolism was decidedly normal. But he did enjoy his food, as a result of working in the kitchens so much most of his life.

Xerxes took a sip of the wine, too, then cocked a brow at Crystoph. "This is fairly good. It wasn't too expensive?" No, it wasn't the best wine out there, but the vintage was well-aged...another thing the drudge had picked up along the way. (Not that he personally found expensive wine more satisfying than the cheaper stuff. He was fairly convinced it was just an excuse to charge more, but as long as people were willing to buy...)

"Really, this was unnecessary," he stated quietly. "It was nothing personal. My mother says I'm downright crazy half the time, not thinking before I do things." Xerxes didn't tend to agree with her. Sure, he acted recklessly at times, but that didn't mean he didn't choose to do so after considering his options. He just knew he'd feel guilty if there was a chance he could do something to help and didn't try. "You're fairly new here..." he added curiously, his dark eyes coming up to search Crystoph's face. "And you sound like some of the northerners when you speak. That's where you're from, isn't it?"

[Rei]

Crystoph watched Xerxes make his choice with a smile and pulled over the other parcel of ocean fish. He was careful to only take about half, in case his companion wanted to sample it as well. Picking a bit off the skewer he sampled it slowly. Pretty good really. Taking a larger bite he chewed thoughtfully and maintained a nonchalant air. It was better to feign indifference since Xerxes was clearly a bit anxious. Ah well there was no helping certain things. All the red head could do was strive to make the whole thing as easy as possible. Taking a sip of the wine the candidate shook his head at Xerxes before speaking softly, his mouth now clear. “Nah the prices are pretty reasonable and I’m a mark hoarder. I rarely ever spend stuff. Believe me I would rather buy the better drink. Some of the cheaper stuff can be pretty nasty.” Coming from someone who was used to Benden wine most stuff paled in comparison. At least according to him. Maybe he was just biased.

As Xerxes continued speaking the red head raised his hand to stop the protests. “Xerxes. I wanted to buy you dinner and it isn’t only because you helped me that day. You’re a friend. I wanted to do it mostly for that reason. Enjoy it. Really I wanted to do it.” Smiling he took another bite and savored the taste. Wine was really the best choice for fish anyway. It went good together. As his friend continued Crystoph idly examined the crowd but came back to focus on Xerxes as the candidate more or less asked the him if he was northern. Ah well. No doubt lying about it. Especially when one had an accent. Normally he tried to hide it, at least a bit, but it still slipped though and the candidate undoubtedly sounded northern. More specifically Benden or that area at least. Definitely not Fortian. If not for the accent there was still his red hair. Red hair was definitely not a southern feature either. How would Xerxes react though? To knowing he was from Benden.

Pushing his hair back from his face Crystoph leaned forward slightly. “In all honesty it’s pretty obvious that I’m not southern. You’re right. I am Northern. Specifically Benden. But don’t freak out or anything. My brother and I left that weyr because our parents died. I never agreed with the way things went down there. I don’t condone anything they have done. We came here because we figured it was our best shot of fitting in and actually doing something about how our lives where going. Selenitas is my home now, honestly." He paused. "I care about this place. Care about the few friends I have made. Benden is no longer my home. Hasn’t really been for a long time. I basically just worked on surviving there. My brother Mik and I figured we would probably leave anyway after we impressed.” His eyes flickered to and fro searching for possible eavesdroppers but no one seemed concerned about their conversation. Typical.

“Sorry for not telling you sooner but I didn’t want you to freak.” Crystoph leaned back and shrugged. “I liked you. I didn’t want you to view me as some type of monster because of my birthplace. Like it or not humans are judgmental creatures. Maybe not all of them but for the most part we are a nasty species.” The red head smiled to put a bit of humor into his words and awaited some type of reaction.

[Requiem]

Though taking advantage of Crystoph wasn't permissable, Xerxes knew enough to accept a gift when it was given him, and didn't repeat any of his previous protests. If the other candidate wanted to spend marks on him, a most unusual thing to be sure, that was his right. And it wasn't like he'd be enjoying this or his company so much if Crystoph hadn't come along with the offer, anyway.

Benden. He blinked, just watching Crystoph for a moment as the other boy continued to explain, finally falling to straightening the wrinkles from his sleeves and front in gestures that had the look of ritual about them. The meat lay forgotten for the time being. It hadn't occurred to him, even knowing that Crystoph had to be northern, that he was Benden. Subtleties of speech were something he couldn't identify. He knew the differences in the southern dialects, to be sure, and knew what wasn't southern, but that was about it. Benden was blood, and pain, and death. It wasn't the only ugly thing Pern had to offer, but it was one of the more blatantly ugly. In some ways, he preferred that ugliness to others, simply because it made no excuses for itself - didn't hide. But the topic of Benden wasn't a comfortable one, and neither was the thought that his new friend came from there.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, fingers wrapping around the wine glass. He was ever so careful not to spill it or betray the slight tremble in his hand as he took a sip. The warmth was steadying, as he knew it would be. Some of the shivers quelled. The need to set his clothing straight, to brush the crumbs from the table and rearrange the meat into a neat display faded. "That you had to live there. It brings out the bad in people." Which he genuinely believed. The young man knew that even the worst of the northerners had to be good inside, if only deep down. And it was the place that did it. Some places were like that...killing people slowly until they weren't human. The people who'd attacked his family were not human. (Though that might have been something he simply told himself, to keep away the guilt of having killed one - if only by accident.)

"I like you, too," he added, the smile a real one, if somewhat subdued. "Mik...he Impressed last Hatching, didn't he? To a blue?" One of the bluerider's names was similar to Mik, after all, and he recalled that one of the newer weyrlings looked a lot like Crystoph, come to think.

[Rei]

"That you had to live there. It brings out the bad in people."

Crystoph closed his eyes at those words. “I can’t say your wrong. I hope you don’t resent me because of my birthplace Xerxes. I had no control over it. I’m still me despite where I was born.” The red head took a sip of his drink before setting it down and letting his hair fall to cover his face. “If anything it made me stronger. ‘If your strong you live, if your weak you die’. That was pretty much the truth of Benden. The weak get weeded out early.” The candidate fisted his hands and tried to stop them from trembling. “We escaped that place purely because we where tired of living in fear and mistrust. You couldn’t trust there. If you did, it made you a target. For what I don’t know but I’m glad I didn’t impress there.” Falling silent Crystoph brushed his hair back from his face. He hadn’t missed Xerxes now subdued smile. The other lad was nervous and Crystoph couldn’t blame him.

“Mik or M’kai is my twin brother. Yes your right, he impressed at last hatching. A blue named Futh.” The candidate sighed. “I didn’t mean to make the conversation depressive you know. I just didn’t want to lie to you. You’re my friend, there is no point in hiding that kind of stuff from you.” Now he sounded as if he was apologizing. Which in a way Crystoph supposed he was. No one should have this kind of thing sprung on them like that. Selenitas bred people had enough reason to hate Benden. What with all that had happened between the two weyrs in recent turns. Bad blood wasn’t something that just went away. It took time, lots of it. Crystoph ran a hand absently through his hair and picked at his food. Suddenly his appetite had gone sour. “Sorry.” What he wouldn’t give for some sort of distraction. Things where becoming unbearably awkward. So much for a nice lunch. Would Xerxes hate him now? Not for the first time in his life Crystoph cursed his Benden origins. Would he ever really escape Benden? It seemed to find him no matter where he went.

[Requiem]

Xerxes' disquiet was mounting with each passing word. He set his hands in his lap to keep them still, dark eyes set on Crystoph's face with a soft inscrutability. It wasn't right, the other boy feeling the need to apologize for his birth, his origins. The candidate didn't care. He'd never cared. Benden as a whole scared him. He didn't like it. But he wasn't the sort to judge on stereotypes, and he wasn't the sort to condemn - even when perhaps he should. Perhaps it was naive, or simply wishful thinking, but he wanted to believe that people were good. He truly did. And Crystoph had done absolutely nothing to suggest otherwise. It wasn't lip service, saying that he liked the older boy. He did.

"What are you apologizing to me for?" he finally asked Crystoph. "Telling the truth? Being born at Benden?" The young man reached across, laid his hand on the larger boy's arm, and the distress in his eyes had everything to do with Crystoph's obvious discomfort and nothing at all to do with Benden or anything else. "Someone has to be born there. Selfish as it sounds, I'd rather it be someone who...is strong enough to survive, not just physically, but without turning cold. I don't think I could." In fact, he was pretty sure he'd be eaten alive there. Xerxes was submissive, and everyone knew it, who knew him. Aggression wasn't in his nature. Neither was bluster. "How could I blame anyone for something I couldn't do? You're not responsible for everyone from Benden just because you happen to be from the same place, and anyone who says otherwise is blind. Understand?" There was an earnestness to his voice. He didn't like seeing his friends upset.

He settled back in his chair, suddenly feeling awkward. His hands dropped to his lap again, and he offered a small, self-conscious smile to Crystoph. "Here I've gone and upset things with my questions. We were celebrating, weren't we?" Taking up the glass again, he sipped, perhaps taking in a bit much a bit quick, but he wasn't worried about that. Or thinking about it. "The fish really is quite good. I should see about talking to them, for mom, maybe getting a regular shipment. They have a small budget for such things, you know." It would be nice for a treat, anyway, every once in awhile at the Main Hall. Of course, he wouldn't ask today...not without speaking to his mother first. But such commonplace things made him feel calmer. Work as usual.

"I suppose you and M'kai are very close, then? That's good. Siblings should be close."

[Rei]

Crystoph resisted the urge to pull away as Xerxes placed a hand on his arm. It wasn’t right for his friend to have to feel sorry for him. Still he listened in interest to the other boy’s words. “Yes I suppose it is stupid to apologize for something so completely out of my control.” The easy smile returned and he nodded to his friend. “Celebration yes. The past is the past. Here is to a new future. With new friends.” Raising his glass the red head took a large gulp from it as much to steady his nerves as to rid himself of lingering thoughts of Benden.

Idly Crystoph took another bit of the fish as his companion went on. Nodding quietly. Yes some variation in the main hall dishes would be good but perhaps not entirely feasible unless they could somehow weasel it out of the holds. Tithing was something that he really hadn’t gotten a good grasp on yet. He knew the holds offered tithes of course but how it was done and how much was taken was something he may never learn.

“Yeah I suppose you could say Mik and I are close.” He trialed off as thoughts went out to his brother. “We fell out of contact once he impressed and then I got sick. But we recently started patching things up.” Taking another sip he looked up at Xerxes. “You have any siblings?” Cause if he didn’t Crystoph wasn’t above claiming another little brother. It wasn’t like he hadn’t already claimed the younger boy anyway. Xerxes was apparently now his “little brother”. If Mik had a problem with it there would be words no doubt. Wasn’t like his brother was around enough to get a say anyway, Not that it was his fault exactly. Fat blue be damned.

((We should probably wrap this one up soon considering that both have impressed xP))