Can't stop this feeling (Tags R’ven)

[Rei]

Idly Erilena played with the hem of her shirt. It was good to get out. It had taken her a few days to convince herself to go to the gather. It would be good for her. She and Feyrianth both agreed on such, and Rae would agree as well she was sure. Really the weyrling had come a long way from the deep depression she had been in since Leo’s death. Slowly but surely she was getting back to normal. Whatever normal was. She owed it to multiple things. Her friends, Feyrianth, R’ven, Raebeli, Savitri and her children, the list went on. It was hard to stay down when life continued to go on around you. It was easier now, she had support and that was all that mattered.

The woman was determined to be happy today. There was no reason not to be. Erilena swung one of her legs back and forth idly. She was dressed for the warm weather in a yellow tank top paired with white skirt that fell to just below the knee. She had tucked a white and yellow, hibiscus looking, jungle flower behind her ear and left her hair down. Except this time she had thought to bring a hair tie in the form of a white head scarf, just in case her hair got annoying. Which it likely would. Humming under her breath she scanned the crowd for her companion. Where was he? Maybe she had got the meeting place wrong? Maybe he hadn’t found a ride as easily as he had? Thoughts along that line ran through her mind and she nibbled at her bottom lip nervously.

Feyrianth had been left behind. It wasn’t that the green hadn’t wanted to go. It was just that, well she was getting big for another dragon to carry and they hadn’t learned to fly yet. Erilena had subdued her with promises of a special shiny. It shouldn’t be to hard to find something her darling green would like. She was not picky in the least. Sighing the weyrling went back to scanning the crowd. A few passerby gave her curious looks but no one moved to approach her. Well maybe she was really early?

[rii]

"Bonnie, stop it.. "

The olive-green firelizard nuzzled more firmly against his ear, softly chittering adorations with intentions of earning his praise. It may have been something to do with a particular other green being on the mind of hers, and the firelizard felt oddly put out by this fact. No amount of assurance would dislodge her from his shoulder. Bonnie snaked around to his other shoulder to get a better view of the vendor wares, sliding her tail along his neck as she sent various images to him. Buy her a shiny?

"These aren't for you," R'ven softly grumbled as he shifted away from the jewelry stall to seek out another vendor. Maybe something from one the craft stalls would be a better choice. Jewelry seemed so typical and impersonal. His attention suddenly hinged on a familiar face. Oh drat – here already. Time had flown by so quickly in his indecision in what to buy. R'ven had come to the gather early with intentions of getting a little bit of shopping done. Alas, it would have to wait for another day. Or.. he could be sneaky..

Coming up behind the bench, R'ven leaned over the back beside Erilena. "Hello beautiful. Are you waiting for someone?" Playfully he smiled, turning his gaze out to seek her missing date. "Shame on them for keeping you waiting. Maybe I could interest you in company instead?"

[Rei]

Erilena was so focused on her own wandering mind that when R’ven approached she didn’t immediately notice. When he leaned over the back of the bench however she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and jumped. Recognizing her classmate she blushed at his compliment and then narrowed her eyes playfully. The sneak.

“Yes shame on him.” She said lightly as she turned and leaned forward and kiss him softly. Pulling away Erilena smiled. Hopping off her seat she circled around to the smith and threw her arms around his waist. Looking up at him she noted Bonnie and half smiled. Oh Bonnie. She wasn’t going to be happy. Not at all. Part of her felt bad for the green fire lizard, but in all honesty she would just have to get used to it. The greenrider was still in the initial stages of debating a trip to the egg stall. Would a friend make the flit happier? Or at least distract her a bit? There was part of her that wanted another pet, but another part of her was truly scared about getting one.

Pulling away slightly the weyrling tilted her head up and clucked her tongue as if considering his offer. “Well handsome I suppose I’ll take you up on your offer. His loss is your gain.” Erilena punctuated the words with a wink and reached up to flick at his nose. One of these days she was actually going to make contact. He was good at avoiding.

There was so much to see here. Southern had really outdone themselves. There was still the tiny matter of finding a gift that was suitable for R’ven. However she had some ideas. One of the stalls she had passed on her way to the beach had looked very promising. Taking her fellow weyrling's hand she hugged gently on it. “So where do you want to go first? Do we want to make a plan or just be all spontaneous about it?” Personally she preferred the later but he should get a say of course. Erilena was all about compromise. It was hard not to be all exuberant about the whole thing. She had been looking forward to this since they made plans. It was like their first official date. What seriously was there not to be happy about?

[rii]

Surprised her? R'ven would be lying if he said that had not been his intention. With a tell-tale devilish smile, R'ven leaned forward to meet her halfway for the kiss. He had not expected it, but he'd be a fool to turn it down – more than content to let Erilena define the lines of their relationship. Question still circled his mind about it, but if anything, R'ven was patient.

"Are you normally this friendly with strangers?" He queried teasingly, catching the wrist of the hand aiming for his nose. Turning the limb, he slide his fingers in with hers – and suddenly found himself being tugged toward the main stream of the gather. Bonnie pointedly ignored Erilena, fluttering her wings in a lazy fashion and swiveling her head to more interesting things than the human green doting on hers.

Humming thoughtfully, R'ven followed her lead, noting how nice it was to see Erilena genuinely cheerful and away from the weyr. Watching her deal with Leo's passing had been tough, for him, and he could only imagine how hard it had been on her. It was known that mandyrs were bonded as closely as dragons. The mere thought of losing Trilaranth was distressing enough for him.

"I'm just here to provide you with a piece of arm candy to make this guy of yours jealous." In short, he didn't care about where they went. A silent observation about where she did go might give him a clue about what stall to shop at to surprise her with a gift. "We could make a circle of all the stalls, then sit down for some lunch." Because food could not be forgotten around him. The aromas wafting through the air already had him feeling peckish.

"Although I think you've already chosen where we are going.." Again the teasing tone as he lifted his eyes from his companion to view the stall they approached.

[Rei]

Erilena giggled slightly before answering. “No. I normally don’t talk to strangers. You seem trustworthy though. Don’t make me regret it.” She smiled up at R’ven and then shifted closer to his side as they merged with the gather traffic. Lengthening and shortening her stride as needed she briefly ran her eyes over each stall. “Actually that’s a good plan. I think we should stop at the healer stall first. Nephele went there earlier and she said they have some nice stuff there. Oil and such for flits and humans. You think Bonnie would like that?” Because she didn’t have a pet anymore so there really was no need for her to visit it, except to take in the smells. She surely got enough of the infirmary at Selenitas but it was something that was comfortable to her. Hence her desire to at least take a peek.

The comment about food made her tighten her grip on his hand and the weyrling directed a small smile up at the brownrider. “Don’t worry handsome. I won’t starve you I promise. Just indulge my curiosity for a few moments and I promise I’ll make it worth your while. I’ll buy you whatever you want.” Nodding decisively Erilena turned teasing eyes up towards her fellow weyrling and crinkled her nose. “Don’t pull that chivalrous stuff either. I want to buy lunch.” She did. It was only fair. She had enough marks and she never really spent much. Sure he ate enough but she was a light eater so it would balance out okay she was sure.

Before they could make the trip to the healer stall however they had paused outside of the egg stall. The greenrider noted her companion’s teasing tone but for the moment she couldn’t speak. There was an inner battle going on. Idly her eyes flicked back to it and Erilena frowned before moving closer. Too soon. It was too soon. She just couldn’t. Suddenly having a change of heart she backed up into R’ven. “On second thought lets not visit this one. To many memories still. I don’t think I can do it.” Instead she tugged him in a different direction far away from that horrible stall. Really she fled for farther than she had meant to. Oops.

Ducking inside of this newest stall she paused and her eyes widened. Starcrafter stall. The weyrling had wanted to visit this one. It was one of the stalls she had decided might have a decent gift for R’ven. Letting go of the smith’s hand with a small squeeze. Erilena padded softly across the velvet and examined the wares idly. Eyes settling upon a tapestry she reached her fingers towards it in a attempt to caress the surface of the hanging. It was really pretty. Reminded her of good things. “Come look at this.” She shot over her shoulder. It was pretty. Well made to.

[rii]

R'ven's pace was a lazy stroll. With not destination in mind, and only there to enjoy the company at his side, the smith responded to the little tugs on his hand and the turns of Erilena's head. At the mention of her name, Bonnie cheeped and peered down at the female weyrling while questioning hers. "I'm sure she would like that." The green trilled contently –present, yes. A gift might make her change her mind about the green human. Maybe.

R'ven raised his free hand, stroking the fussy green to soothe her irritated thoughts that kept worming into his own. Nothing like having a little personal rain cloud on his shoulder on a day like this. Grunting, R'ven was just about to open his mouth to insist he was the one buying when she stopped him short. He gave her a playful look, a touch of determination in his eyes over the matter.

As they approached the stall, R'ven merely noted that it wasn't the mentioned healer stall. He only had a moment to blink curiously at the eggs – pondering over the level of Erilena's interest in them – when he was suddenly being tugged off in another direction. She was done looking there already? At bit at a loss, R'ven chuckled as they ease into the new stall. "No need to rush, we have plenty of time to see everything. I assure you I'm not going to starve if we don't hurry."

Trailing after his date, R'ven came up behind her just in time to catch her hand from touching the tapestry. An apologetic smile sprung to his lips as he shifted the move to lower her arm and half wind his arms about her waist. "I wouldn't touch anything in here." A cautious glance went out to see if the stall owner was around. "I came by here earlier and the lady was kicking some woman's ankle for touching the scopes."

Only after it appeared to be safe did R'ven shift his attention to the tapestry. A clear night's star filled sky – the memory tied to the image was not forgotten. "We should learn the different constellations." He offered softly. "I only know a few, would be nice to get out more to study them."

[Requiem]

"Don't let him scare you, dearie," a portly woman commented from where she'd been rifling through her wares at the back of the stall. "The journeyman was quite ably disassembling my scopes for her own amusement, to what purpose I can't possibly fathom, and in such a tizzy that she managed to knock over the full rack of scrolls besides. Right rude little creature." Not so little, especially compared to the extremely short stallkeeper who rounded the tables, tapping R'ven's arm lightly. "Now don't you be picking up weyr habits...no funny business in here, lad." Hard to tell if she meant it seriously or was joking, yes.

Fanning herself, she harumphed softly, glancing around. "If you've a mind to learn the stars..." Bustling over to an array of charts, she plucked several, tsking and replacing them before finally finding the one she wanted. The stallkeeper cleared a space on the table to unroll it. "Nice, neat printing, and you can see the stories behind the constellations have been detailed below. A good learning scroll. Not as detailed as some, but it'll give you the foundation if it's purely recreational. Our scopes are also top quality. Did you have a mind to get one of those as well?"

She smiled at the girl, taking down the tapestry and setting it on the table. "Go ahead, child. Feel the weave. No better way to tell the quality, after all."

[Rei]

Erilena allowed R’ven to redirect her movements without resistance. He was already answering the question that had started to form on her lips and a frown formed. Ouch. Yes it was a good thing he caught her. Last thing she wanted was to be kicked for touching something. Leaning back against the brownrider Erilena smiled softly. “That sounds like a good idea actually. I’d like to learn about them too. I think they have charts or something of the sort around here.” Before she could continue another voice made itself know and the weyrling jumped just as R’ven hastily removed his arms from about her waist. The greenrider frowned at the lost contact but didn’t comment. Instead she turned her attention to the woman who approached.

She didn’t look mean. In fact she seemed quite friendly. A hesitant smile came to Erilena’s face. The explanation did make sense and she couldn’t fault the woman for worrying about her merchandise. Her father would have acted much the same. Minus the kicking probably. But Erick would have been irate if someone went about picking at his work without purchasing it. Throwing a reassuring look at R’ven, the weyrling stepped forward to examine the chart. It was really nice. Hesitantly she ran a finger over the inked lines of a star grouping and smiled. “It’s very well done and easy to read as well. I think it’s perfect.” Before Erilena could ask about a price the woman had gone on about scopes and inwardly the weyrling debated. “How much are your scopes?”

The offer to allow her to touch the tapestry came as a surprise and the greenrider blinked and smiled before reaching out to caress the surface of the weaving. Yes it was very well put together. Part of her wanted to know the price but a stronger part of her knew she just couldn’t. As much as she wanted the tapestry it was likely expensive and well….Erilena didn’t ever spend anything on herself. She just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Especially when she had other people to buy for.

Giving the tapestry one last caress she gestured to the constellation chart. “How much for that?” The woman could justify buying that. It was something he could do together with R’ven. Sort of a gift for them both. “I think I’ll just take the chart for now.” As she counted out the marks and waited for the woman to get the chart ready for transport she smiled up at R’ven. “You pick where we go next.”

[rii]

R'ven visibly jumped, his arms snapping away from Erilena and folding behind his back in a typical good boy fashion. "No ma'am." He could feel his face heating up, but hopefully his tanned skin would hide the flush from being painfully noticeable. How embarrassing to be caught talking of the woman like that, and have her feel the need to suggest some distance between himself and Erilena. No point in apologizing, R'ven resorted to a tatic that had yet to fail him with women– silence. Smile and nod. Her stall, her rules.

He lingered aside as the two women talked over the merchandise. The detail of the scrolls were something of a loss on R'ven. He could study pictures, and if someone pointed out names for him he could learn. But as far as things went into reading the stories of each constellation... well, maybe Erilena wouldn't mind reading it to him.

It wasn't hard for him, being at his height, to watch the two with a sparing glance while pretending to take interest in a stand of.. he wasn't sure what they where, to be honest. And here he sympathized with the woman who had been disassembling the scopes because the smith in him wanted to take it apart and see how it all fit together.

Just the chart? After asking how much the scopes cost? R'ven let his gaze venture to the small spyglasses. He could come by at a different time and buy one to gift to her later. He didn't want to spoil any surprise by making a show of buying it for her now. The smith enjoyed, every now and then, surprising people with the fact that he did pay attention.

"There's the glasscrafter stall," He offered quietly as the marks were exchanged. That may, or may not, perk Erilena's interest considering her father worked that particular craft. "And you still wanted to go to the – Bonnie!"

His hand shot forward, seizing the small green around the middle from where she had at some point left his shoulder to land on the tapestry laid out between the two women. Oh he had no interest in earning the woman's wrath for his annoying little pest (oh he loved her, and didn't think of her like that, but the thought alone scolded the flitter thoroughly enough.) There was a unhappy squeal before the fire lizard fled between – only to reappear on the top on the tent near the entrance to chitter angrily at hers. She just wanted to look. Why couldn't she look too? Why did hers leave her out? It wasn't fair. Not fair. Not fair.

[Rei]

Erilena gratefully took the rolled scroll from the shop keeper and frowned as Bonnie landed on the tapestry. It didn’t seem like it upset the shop keeper though. She just sent a grateful look at the woman before taking R’ven’s hand. Offering the starcrafter a short thanks she lead her companion out of the stall and back into the hustle. Good thing the stall keeper had been in a good mood. Glancing up at the scolding Bonnie she grimaced. “Maybe healer stall wouldn’t be such a bad idea. A gift might soothe her temper a bit?” The question was a hopeful one. “Then we can get something to eat and visit the glasscrafter stall.” It sounded like a good plan to her. Poor Bonnie she didn’t want the green constantly upset all day.

In no time at all they had made their way to the healer stall. It was starting to get horribly hot outside and most of the crowd had dispersed to either the drink stall or a more shaded area. Smart people. Ducking into the odd looking stall Erilena took a deep breath of the scents and let her eyes roam over the familiar merchandise. Smiling she went straight to the oils and picked up a tester to sniff it. Not bad. Motioning for R’ven to come closer she gestured to the shelf. “This is oil for flits. Oil for human use is above.” She gestured to the shelf above. “Could you call Bonnie over so I can see what scent she likes? There’s a few here. I like the forest one myself, the spice is a bit masculine but it’s really her decision.” Shrugging the weyrling smiled. “I know she doesn’t like me so you can go ahead and try them on her.” Her voice was slightly sad at that. She had the best intentions with Bonnie but she always seemed to rub the flit the wrong way. Leo had been a good distraction but he was gone. Swallowing at the lump in her throat she closed her eyes and moved slightly away from the oil to let herself peruse the rest of the goods.

It didn’t take her long to regain her composure and Erilena returned quickly after leafing through one of the healing scrolls. “Once we get done here we can feed you. I hope I haven’t starved you by now. Us woman and our shopping. ” She teased lightly. Idly she looked back at the oils. “So which did she like. I want to buy them for her. Least I can do after stealing her man.” She giggled slightly at that and winked at the smith. Oh she was well aware that that was the majority of the reason that Bonnie didn’t like her.

[rii]

The heat didn't bother R'ven, in the slightest. His temples glistened with a light sweat, but he honestly felt at ease with the temperature. Southern born and turns spent working around a forge had mold him to handle the heat better than others. It had been his life for so long, deeply ingrained into him to the point that when it got cold R'ven was warm. Always warm.

Hazel eyes lifted to the mention human oils – wondering if that was a hint and shooting Erilena a playful look before turning to comply with her words. Only, Bonnie was being notoriously stubborn now that hers did want her there. Typical spoiled child, whining for attention then turning her nose up when it was given. R'ven lightly shook his head, not willing to play that game with anyone. Instead he grabbed one of the 'human' oils when Erilena had turned to busy herself with the other wares. The sudden sullen note to her mood did not escape her notice.. and he'd have nothing of that if he could help it.

Opening the container, R'ven dabbed a bit into his finger before rubbing the finger against the skin around the junction of shoulder a neck, quickly working the touch into a brief one handed massage. With a grin he held the container up for Erilena to smell. "What do you think of this scent, too flowery? And don't mind her," His head gestured in the direction of his oh-so-pitiful fire lizard. "She'll come around. She's not use to having to share."

R'ven let his eyes widen, letting out a sigh as if finally Erilena had noticed that he was starving. The expression was quickly chased off with a grin, "I have five sister Erilena. This is nothing but the beginning stretch. Trying to keep track of all of them, and their purchases at a gather was.. chaotic." His head turned back to the flitter oils. "Let's just get the forest one for her. Maybe later she'll stop sulking and join us so we can try it out."

[Rei]

Erilena leaned forward into his touch and obediently leaned forward to sniff the offered bottle. “It’s not bad no. I like it.” She offered softly with a bright smile up at the smith. Really she could care less what it smelled like R’ven’s touch felt nice. It was odd how she hadn’t even noticed the tenseness in her body until now. Smiling she shook her head and looked up at the oils. “I do hope she does come around. I don’t like that I upset her.” It was true. The weyrling was an apprentice dragonhealer after all. She liked the little creatures it was a shame Bonnie didn’t like her. She would just have to try harder. Resolved she plucked a container off the shelf and rolled it in her hand. The weyrling looked up just in time to catch the brownrider’s expression and sigh. Despite herself Erilena laughed and gently shoved him, knowing she wouldn’t move the smith even a fraction of an inch. Silly man. He knew just how to cheer her up though.

The mental image of R’ven with five sisters had her laughing. “Good thing you can carry a lot then.” She joked. “I can imagine that they ran you ragged.” Covering her mouth with the back of her hand she giggled again. Examining the forest oil she hummed lightly as she made her way to the counter, good humor returned. After making her purchase she returned to the smith and offered her arm. “I think I’m ready for some food or at least something to drink it’s getting really hot.” It was too. Erilena fanned herself with a hand. “We could really use a good soaking rain as much as I hate the humidity a brief respite is better than none at all.”

The trip to the food stall was like walking through an oven and by the time they got to the line she was way too hot. Still Erilena didn’t complain outright, instead shifting from foot to foot as they stood in line. “What do you want? We should probably decide now before we get up there.” She turned back to R’ven and smiled. “Don’t you dare try and weasel your way into paying either.” She said with a mild glare. “My treat.” She had promised to buy him lunch if he put up with her and he had been such a good sport. Finally after that seemed like forever, (really only a few minutes but the heat was making her rather impatient), it was their turn. Considering for the briefest moment she ordered. Hot food just sounded disgusting at the moment so she settled for a salad, berries, and a pitcher of fruit juice. They could share the juice. Hopefully R’ven wouldn’t mind but klah just sounded horrible at the moment. She moved aside to let him order but not before shooting him a quick look of warning. He better not even think about it.

[rii]

"You didn't upset her, she did it all herself. When she gets over her little tantrum she'll come back around. I don't mean to sound cruel or anything, but I'm not indulging her behavior. It's.. unacceptable." R'ven had a very firm set of ideas of how people should act and behave, and it extended to children – firelizards and salamandyrs resembled young kids enough to be grouped with them. Even pets, canines, felines and birds alike were expected to be disciplined.

"Excuse you!" R'ven feigned a hushed down version of a incredulous shout. He sank back a step from her push, that had come after he paid for his small purchase. In the next moment he was taking her offered arm, moving it to take his and meandered in the direction of the food stalls. "Three older, two younger, and you wouldn't believe the amount of boys and men they attracted trying to woo them off for a drink or some fun behind the stalls. Exasperating, I swear they liked the humor the men just to make me chase them off. My Uncle would just laugh and laugh. Say he was glad I got to do all the work of him having daughters.."

No, it didn't quite add up to call his uncles daughters his sisters – but that had been his family. The only one he had ever known. The line was long, and R'ven found himself playing with Erilena's hair as they waited for their turn to order. Pulling back the light colored hair and lifting it away from her neck to give a slight relief from the heat. The hair left his hands when she felt the need to turn and center that stubborn look on him.

"Fine, fine." His hands came up in mock surrender before he ordered a wherry roast sandwich. Leaves and berries weren't much to even consider as a snack to him. It was tempting to slip the vendor the marks – alas, he'd give her this one. Then she couldn't be allowed to make a fuss about marks later down the road. Loading his arms up with the ordered food, R'ven stepped back over to Erilena.

"Let's find some shade away from the crowd. Maybe somewhere with a good breeze from the ocean.."

[Rei]

Erilena happily trotted after R’ven as they left the food stall. Finding an unoccupied spot of shade proved to be something of a problem but finally they came upon a vacated shaded tree. The weyrling settled herself down carefully, she was in a dress after all. No need to accidentally flash someone or dirty her clothes. Sighing she popped a few berries into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. Too hot. Miserable heat. It was bothering her more than normal. Taking the scarf from it’s place on her wrist she used it to tie her hair back in a runner tail. Her hand brushed across the soft petals of the flower she had forgotten she was wearing. Whoops. Plucking the now half wilted flower from behind her ear she studied it for a moment. Sad how quickly life faded. Finally she dropped it without another word and shook her head to dispel negative thoughts. That sort of thing she wasn’t allowing herself.

Taking a long drink of her juice she turned curious eyes to her date. “So I know you lived with your uncle and his daughters but why?” Too late Erilena realized how nosy that sounded. Couldn’t be taken back now however and she was curious. Was that bad? They where technically dating now and they knew some about each other but nothing really about their families. Weren’t they supposed to talk about that stuff eventually? Was it too soon? If he asked about her she would spill. Ok maybe not everything but most of it anyway. It was probably to soon to explain her broken engagement and the reason’s behind it. Would he think any different of her if he knew she had almost married someone else? Even if it had been a huge mistake? Not much time was spent on her thoughts however because she was curious to see how R’ven would respond.

Nudging the flower with the toe of her sandal Erilena nibbled idly on her salad. To be honest she wasn’t really that hungry. The heat totally killed her appetite. Instead she blew air at her bangs and idly watched them fall back stubbornly in front of her face. “Need to cut this mess. I should just lop it all off to my ears.” She made a face at her bangs before reaching over to lightly touch R’ven’s shoulder. “You could have gotten more food you know. Don’t tell me that will fill you up.” She smiled playfully at the smith before nudging the rest of her salad towards him. “Here eat that to. I’m not really that hungry. You’re to chivalrous for your own good you know. I have plenty of marks.” Oh she wasn’t going to give that one up.
“Brat.” She teased playfully reaching forward to attempt another playful flick at his nose. Part of her wondered how long it would take Bonnie to show up. Normally when she started attempting a game or two with the smith the little olive flitter appeared in a huff.

[rii]

"My parents died," R'ven answered in an off hand fashion as he concentrated more on sitting down without spilling the juice or dropping any of the other food. He eased down on his knees first before turning to take a spot next to his date. Not having a blanket or at least a little spread to put the food one proved a bit of an annoyance, and R'ven passed off Erilena's food before setting down the juice. "I was.. really young. I don't remember what happened or.. anything about them. I've just always been with my Uncle. Never asked about them either." He shrugged lightly as he examined his sandwich with a critical eye. "I was happy to be part of his family, didn't feel the need to seek out the family I didn't have."

A bite taken rendered any further comments impossible. One bite led to another as R'ven's appetite caught up with him, and he was nearly half way through his sandwich by the time Erilena's touched his shoulder. He swallowed thickly, blinking at her and wondering if he had.. missed a question? Oh. A grin flashed. "Didn't the cooks warn you? I'm a bottomless pit. Will eat a person out of house and home if you let me."

And, just to make a show of disproving her comment of chivalry, R'ven scoffed at the salad nearing him. He reached down.. past the bowl to pick up the half-wilted flower instead. His head turned away, catching the flick on his cheek before turning back and lightly shaking the poor flower at her. "I can no more get a meal out of your leaves than I can this."

He bit off one of the petals, letting it sit half-way in his mouth before – with a light puff of breathe – sending it twirling down between them. Brat indeed. He brought the flower toward Erilena's mouth in a childish attempt to make her try a bite of her lovely 'salad'. The smith knew right and well he was being downright silly, but could really care less.

"And don't you dare," he bopped her on the nose with the extended flower "Chop off your hair."