Near a Fountain

Lani strode into the center of town at a leisurely gait, her bangles jingling happily about her wrists. A slight nervousness swept through her as she knew she’d gained the attentions of various other people: some merely curious, others distrustful of her gypsy-esque clothing and mismatched eyes, and dare she assume some glances of jealousy from some of the women? She wasn’t so certain why they’d be jealous of her, unless they too liked living in the great outdoors. Sure, her outfit bared most if not all of her midriff and abdomen, her hips hugged by skirts and her blouse of cropped length but yet just long enough to be considered decent in her opinion. Not much at all to be jealous about...

The hustle and bustle of urban living often confused the young woman. Lani preferred a rural way of life personally, yet at the same time found the confusion she was now feeling a delightful sensation. It was as if she’d stepped into a completely different world. A desire for adventure and going and doing what she wished, when she wished, strongly beat in her veins. However, if she was going to get anything here she was going to need money... something of which she had very little of if she had any at all. She supposed she could undo the coins tied into her anklet or necklace... but she’d rather not.

Untying the shortest of her skirts, the one that would only cover the absolute essentials if she wore it without the other three, Lani stretched the cloth upon the ground and secured it with a few rocks. Most street performers she’d seen had a hat or something, but she had not any such items. So, a short skirt worked in a pinch. Into the gravel nearby, she also wrote an additional message: ‘Dream Interpretation: 2 gold per reading’. She tended to dabble in such things in addition to her music.

Without further adieu Lani adjusted the crude lute she’d made into a playing position and, sitting beside a fountain, began to pluck a melody for any and all willing to stop a moment and listen while she awaited Theseus’s arrival.

Theseus gazed at the bustling city life surrounding him with wonder. Despite living here all his life he still found every aspect of the city to be a wonder of the world. During his childhood, he was never allowed to wander through the streets of the city freely on any given day. If he was allowed at all, it had to be with at least a party of bodyguards with him: a fact the then-young prince had found extremely irritating to say the least, for the extra men caused extra attention upon him. Attention he didn't want. While he was born into royalty, he certainly was not a fan of the formalities that came with it. He loathed having others bow to him or call him 'Prince' or 'My Lord'. It was irritable to the Prince to have others treat him as though he were hand-picked by the Gods themselves, when in reality, he was merely born lucky.

He had savored the day he had come of age. Not only because of the big celebration that came with it (although that was certainly a wonder to behold), but the freedom it gave him. Granted, it wasn't to the extent where he could run amuck down the city streets stark naked (no matter how intriguing the idea was) with no one saying a word, but it was more than enough. Finally, after years of being told what he could or couldn't do, he was free. Free to walk, where he wanted, whenever he wanted. Such as the case now, as he breathed in the sweet, vibrant air of the city.

As he bit into a cookie he had bought from a street vendor, a smile illuminated his eyes and face as he noticed a familiar face in the crowd: Lani, the woman he had encountered mere days prior. He noted the sign she had made and approached her, with a mischievously playful smile. "Ah, my dear lady. Here I was with the intent to ask one with gifted site what my dream from the last few nights have meant. Now I see with pleasant surprise and merriment that there is no longer any need, for my dreams have come true." reaching for her hand, he gently kissed it before adding in a whisper. "It is a pleasure to have our paths cross and entwine, once more."

Lani nodded her thanks to those who tossed coins into the skirt laid upon the ground as she played. Some had spent a few brief moments discussing their dreams, and Lani offering her advice based on what they’d seen. The fountain had indeed been a splendid location! She had picked it in the hopes to feel closer to Alida, whom she’d promised to return to after her venture into the world of humans. Water was the dragon’s magical element, after all. The soft splashing of the water provided the most soothing sound, too.

"Ah, my dear lady. Here I was with the intent to ask one with gifted site what my dream from the last few nights have meant. Now I see with pleasant surprise and merriment that there is no longer any need, for my dreams have come true."

Mismatched eyes lit up at the voice, the woman they belonged to giving a pleasant little start to see someone she recognized in the crowd. Really, she didn’t know that many humans by sight, and trusted even fewer. But there was something about Theseus that Lani trusted... she was reminded of a boy she once knew and liked, though only just. The man before her was quite different from her long-lost friend, which fascinated her. Noting the mischievous smile about his lips, Lani couldn’t help but mirror the expression and waited with whimsical apprehension as to what would happen next.

Their last encounter had been slightly embarrassing considering she had been swimming and bathing in a spring, but he had taken time out of his day to be with her even as his hunting party searched for him. While she wasn’t exactly shy, she had had some bad experiences with people that appeared out of nowhere. But within the day Theseus had earned her trust. Not many at all could say that.

Lani allowed Theseus to take her by the hand, smiling wider. She noted how his lips felt against her skin. The woman wasn’t sure if it was just her, but his lips felt soft to the touch... perhaps his social status, clearly displayed in the quality of the garments he wore, had something to do with that. Despite the hustle and bustle of the place, Lani caught his whispered words. “It is likewise a pleasure for me, as well,” she replied quietly, offering a half curtsy from her sitting position.

Once the gesture was performed she stood, adjusted the lute’s strap so the instrument wouldn’t be in the way, and hugged the man she’d come to meet. “Wonderful to see you, Theseus! And who knows - perhaps since your dreams have come true, an additional wish might also be fulfilled,” she added just as playfully, closing her green eye in a wink.

With a discreet amount of air elemental magic, Lani collected the short skirt with coins in it, and attached the makeshift pouch the skirt became onto the strap of her lute. She had no idea what her ‘date’ for the day had planned, and thus wanted to be ready for anything!

While Theseus was by no means short on experience when it came to courtly flirtations and members of the opposite sex, he had to admit there was something rather intriguing about the young woman before him. He couldn't quite place what was so alluring about her, but he had a strong feeling what it was: her freedom. Lani was, in every sense of the word, free. She had no duties, titles, or any forced anchors upon her. She was quite literally free as a bird, with the freedom to go and fly anywhere, any way, any time, and for that Theseus admired her. And envied her. But moreso, and much more intensely, the former.

His lips lingered upon her skin a bit longer than was absolutely necessary. His eyes stayed locked upn her's as he inhalled the scent of her skin. Even her very flesh seemed to make her stand out and emphasis her uniqueness. While women of the court tended to douse themselves in harsh, toxic, "sweet" scents, Lani seemed to be more natural and refrained from doing so. It was a small detail, he knew, but seemed to add to her overall allure.

The hug that occured from her was quite a suprise but a welcome one at that. With the common mentality among Royalty and others being a highly "Hands-off" policy, there were quite a few times when Theseus was in need of a young, yet could find no open arms. It was unbelievably refreshing to stand before another who saw him as an equal, and not someone they should waste their breath and energy with curtsys and the use of silly titles such as "My Lord", etc. He had wanted nothing more than to be an equal to everyone, and now that he found someone who saw him as that, there were no words to describe the feeling.

“Wonderful to see you, Theseus! And who knows - perhaps since your dreams have come true, an additional wish might also be fulfilled,”

A broad smile stretched across his features at Rowan's words as he nodded in agreement. "In that case, I can only pray the Gods smile upon us, and grant such an opportunity. Though," he added in a whisper, flirtation and affection drenched in his words. "With your beauty, I cannot see why they would not smile upon us..."

Eyebrows raised in admiration at the display of Lani's talents, heightened admiration and awe illuminating sapphire orbs before he extended his arm out to Lani in invitation. "Perhaps the angel of Gaia would eyes of the Earth Goddess's grace would be kind enough to escort me for a day out on town?" he asked in a hopeful tone, his eyes sparkling.

Lani’s smile remained in place even as his kiss upon her hand lingered several moments longer than normal. Truth be told, she had no idea how long ‘normal’ was, but it didn’t matter. Well, on second thought it did, but in a good way. At least he did not seem to find her scent repulsive: Lani was not one to afford or wear expensive perfumes. They tended to be a bit too harsh for her nose to handle, thus she tended to forgo them. Not to mention they didn’t exactly make hunting effective... the creatures would smell her a mile away! Keeping her eyes trained on his, Lani slightly lifted a finger to gently caress the lengths of stubble upon his chin. It was soft yet coarse at the same time – a sensation that simply intrigued her.

She wondered what it was like to live in a castle, like Theseus did. The inside must be gorgeous, but not often in her studies of history did it seem royalty ever left the palace. Lani couldn’t live like that, comparing it to being stuck in a cage. And with all the servants... how did Theseus and his family ever get a moment’s peace? She was glad, however, that the prince before her did not follow her perceived conventions of those in history... getting out and about to see the everyday people, and enjoying as many freedoms as often as possible. The woman wondered if he had ever camped under the stars purely on a whim to do so, and not for the sake of any wars he might have fought in or trips to foreign lands.

His smile and return comment turned Lani’s own countenance into a grin, though couldn’t help but wonder what a prince such as Theseus would wish for. She leaned in closer when it seemed he were about to whisper, listening intently to him and trying to drown out the rest of the world to hear. A light blush and a melody of giggles cadenced from her. “The same could be said of you, for I have not seen any man more handsome,” Lani gushed, her truth mixed with equal flirtation. The fact that the woman didn’t really see too many men since her childhood to begin with was beside the point...

Two-toned eyes lit up at the invitation, flattered further by his compliments. Theseus certainly had a way with words, Lani mused. “I would be glad to,” she replied happily, linking her arm in his without delay. Without really understanding the impulse that led her to do it, Lani smoothed out a wrinkle in the fine fabric of his tunic. “Although... I do not know my way around here...” Just a glance at all of the activity made the woman’s head spin.

“Where should we go first?”