Lost Fruit [Kvothe Valerian and Amaya Morningstar]

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Of course Master would pick this day to make me go to the market. Aiyana ran through the streets of the market towards her next stop. It was raining hard and her master had kindly "forgotten" to give Aiyana a jacket when he kicked her out to go shopping. After no more than five minutes Aiyana was soaked and by now, nearly an hour later, she was sure she'd be getting sick soon. Her clothes stuck to her body and she felt more miserable than ever. I hate that man.

Aiyana was carrying two bags, one with bread and the other with fruit. She was having trouble keeping both dry. She would have in so much trouble if anything got wet, but by this point she believed it was impossible. Especially without a jacket of some sort to cover them, and there was no time to wait for the rain to light up.

The streets were strangely crowded for a rainy day, which didn’t help Aiyana’s situation. She had to make room for other people, many pushed her around, some even walked right into her with noticing she was there. Earlier she had been yelled at by a human whom she figured was drunk, but it was still a scary situation for her.

From behind her, Aiyana could hear people yelling, probably at her and probably drunk. As far as she’d seen, there were no other Untamed in the market place. Aiyana turned into an alleyway that was a nice short cut to her house and was quiet. There was also very little rain here. Aiyana was ready to stop and rest when she remembered how angry her Master looked when she left. I have to hurry. Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. She made it back into the streets.

Then Aiyana tripped.

She landed on the ground, “oww…” She was thankful that she hadn’t lost her bags in the fall. She looked up to see some of her fruit rolling to the street. “Ah! No. No. No.” She started crawling after them, and but people were kicking them and stepping on them, until she couldn’t find them anymore. “No,” Aiyana started to cry, “what do I do now?”

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

Kvothe found Markets to be interesting places.

Especially one in the middle of the capital city of the Kingdom.

It was a great place to do people watching, and to spy possible people to steal from, or girls to have 'fun' with. There were lots of stalls to duck into, and there was always someone with good deals on food, or weapons, or armor, or horses. But today was a rather dreary day.

Most of the stalls were empty, due to the heavy rains, which always put a damper on peoples stalls, (As well as several gallons of water) so most people didn't even bother to come. Kvothe was bored, and when he was bored, he went people watching. He saw fat aristocrats, comign down from the castle at the top of the hill in the capital. He saw poor peddlers of food plodding along there way home, from long days work. He saw farmers being shoved from side to side, not quite understanding the wiles of the city. Yet it still perturbed him, when he saw a quite attractive girl, around the age of 16, (old enough for him to bring back to his room) carrying a basket of fruit and what looked to be fresh bread from the nearby baker, who lived next to the Tavern. But what perturbed him, indeed, was the very subtle hint of a tail, and the almost wolf-like ears. This was obviously someone who needed to be met.

As he was walking towards her, he started strumming his lute. In respect of this, people stopping shoving him, and instead started to purposefully move out of his way, just to listen. He was very adept, and started with a more complicated rhythm.

The girl tripped, and all her fruit started to roll out of the basket, out onto the sidewalk, rolling along the muddy and excrement stained ground, people squashing them under there feet, obviously ruining them. Any person who had just come back from the market would simply have got up, shrugged, and bought more, but this girl, almost desperate, started grabbing them, saving a few, but the rest were destroyed.

She started to cry.

Even Kvothe found this quite sad, and was indeed curious as to why she was so sad. He doubted the fruit had sentimental value of any kind. That made him smile.

He put away his lute, and got down on one knee, moving aside his coat, and started to help her, picking up fruit, and putting them back. He didn't look at her face, he just put the fruit back, and the loaves back, and then got up.

"You seem quite sad at the loss of these fruit. " He said, almost laughing, "Pray, what be the matter?"

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and then noticed the marking on her. It seemed to be a slave marking. He quickly understood what happened, and the only thing betraying his knowing was his eyes suddenly widening, but just as soon as they did, they were back to there lazy selves.

Today was a dreary day.

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana could hear someone playing an instrument but she didn't pay attention. She was going to be in so much trouble from losing the fruit and getting everything soaked. Aiyana sat on the ground, feeling utterly hopeless, she didn't have the money to buy new food and she was told to get a specific number.

Aiyana was surprised when she saw someone putting her food back and, for a second, she thought it was another Untamed. After all, who would help an Untamed slave but no. Instead, when Aiyana looked up she saw a human with brown hair who was lazily looking in her direction but not at her directly. Why? Why did he help me?

The human's tone, when he asked Aiyana what was wrong, sounded more like he was teasing her, so Aiyana said nothing. She wasn't crying anymore, she felt a little angry with this man. She could handle people directly being mean, but she didn't like being teased like that. Her anger wasn’t noticeable but it did make her appearance as a half wolf a little more obvious. “This is why I hate humans,” Aiyana muttered under her breath.

Aiyana realized that she wasn't acting properly and quickly ducked her head down. "I'm sorry." She muttered again. Aiyana noticed that the human wasn't leaving and she looked up out of curiosity.

Aiyana thought she noticed a change in the human's expression, which caused hers to go blank, but it was gone in a second. Must have imagined it. Aiyana also noticed that people were avoiding her...well at least they were just walking into her anymore. She wondered if it was because of this human. ”Th-th-thank you…for he-helping m-me,” Aiyana stuttered. She waited for the human to leave. She wasn’t allowed to stand until he was gone. That would be as though she was rising to his level, which is wrong. So she continued to sit on the ground waiting.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

The girl hadn't gotten off the ground. She hadn't even really acknowledged his presence. Maybe she thought he was making fun of her in some way? He was an idiot for thinking he could just waltz in and have a slave, and not just a slave, but an Untamed slave, talk to him, without any distrust.

He gave a short sigh when she muttered something under her breath, something to the tune of hating humans... Ever since the beginning of time, Humans have always held themselves in higher regard then just about any race. No one really knew why, but as a result of this, they tended to commonly be racist, and a lot of pain was inflicted over the years. Pogroms were instituted, killings of elves by local land barons, burning down of settlements, and other things. Of course, there was fighting back, but Humans had always gotten the upper hand, which was why there was a Human on the throne at the moment, and why the capital city was majority human, except for slaves, which were usually non-human.

He listened to her mutter an apology, yet still not rise from the ground. As he made the expression about her being a slave again, she stuttered another apology. This girl was obviously quite afraid, and quite traumatized.

He got down again, and looked her in the eye, moving his sword, in the scabbard, to the side.

"You don't have to be afraid. I know your a slave. Please, let me help you." He said, with a softer face. He had seen the horrors of slavery, and knew that these things had to be approached slowly, and with care.

"As a measure of my good faith," He said, taking out a silver coin, worth about 3 baskets of this fruit," Here, take this. Go buy yourself that fruit, and keep the rest for yourself."

He got up again, and outstretched a hand, hoping she would get up, and realize he wasn't trying to hurt her.

The rain was still pouring, and beads of water were running down his cloak, and down his brown and black leather armor.

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana watched the human move and assumed he was was leaving. She was shocked, and afraid, when he looked right at her. She was tempted to move away but that would be rude, so she stayed put. Even when the human was talking slowly and softly and trying to sympathize with her, Aiyana was still scared. Why is he still talking to me. What does he want? Did I do something wrong? Is he waiting for me to do something wrong? Aiyana’s inner confusion was starting to show on her face.

When the human moved his sword, there was a moment of pure panic on Aiyana’s face, but the human didn’t pull his sword out. Aiyana tried to calm herself down. It’s okay…It’s okay… But it truly wasn’t. At this rate she was going to arrive home late without food, or more correctly food that was dirtied and wet, and her masters would find out bout this encounter sooner or later.

When the human brought out a coin, Aiyana’s eyes widened and her ears perked up. She’d never seen a sliver coin before. Her master had always given her exact change, no more and no less. As Aiyana held the coin, staring at it, the human stood up. Aiyana’s ears drooped and she looked up at the human. He had his hand held out. Is he being honest? Or is this a trick?

Aiyana decided to play it safe she held the coin in the palm of her hands and stretched them towards the human.. ”I-I-I can’t take this I’m sorry,” Aiyana’s voice had a hint of desperation in it. I can’t take it. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

Against her better judgement, Aiyana stood up. She put the coin in the human’s hand and gathered her stuff. She knew she was being rude and completely acting out of line. But she felt I would be better if she did this than take the coin. Taking the coin then being found out would not be good. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me for being so rude.” Oh no… Aiyana felt herself tearing up again. She was torn. She knew that if she took the coin bought new food and got home within a decent time (and as long as her Master didn’t find out), she would be good, but she couldn’t take anything from someone of a higher class, even if they offered. What do I do?

”I-I have to be go-go-go…” Aiyana couldn’t finish. She really didn’t want to got home with this food. The last time she had was a disaster. ”I…”

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

Kvothe was understanding, but was having a hard time dealing with her denial of money. If she went home with dirtied fruit, or not enough, or both, in this case, she would be beaten, and punished. Kvothe knew this to be true, and knew this had to be stopped, at least for this one girl. She was far too young to be punished like she had surely endured and would surely endure if she went back.

She pressed the coin back into his hand, and started to stutter again, and was obviously deep in thought, and torn between the two choices. Ah, the obvious signs of traumatization, and indoctrination into the belief of being lower then others so evident in slaves was coming out.

"Look, all I want to do is help you. Take the coin, " He said, putting it back in her hand, and curling her fingers around it, "And let me come with you to your," He almost spit out the word, "Masters, home. I can explain to him that I bumped into you, and he will surely understand. You won't get any beating, and you'll be fine. Please, please, please, let me help you." He said, a sincere tone in his voice, and a worried look on his face.

Obviously, she could buy more fruit, and I could explain why some were dirtied or bruised, or why the basket was so wet. The master would understand, surely, he would.

"Let me come with you back to your masters house, let me help you."

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana flinched a little when the human put the coin back in her hand. The human was really pushing for Aiyana to take the coin. Is he really serious? She wanted to ask but refrained. She didn't look at the human, just down at her hand, which the human had placed the coin in and wrapped her fingers around it. Maybe I should take it. Aiyana was starting to believe that this human was serious...and if he was then there would be no problem in her taking the money. Though it was a lot of money for just replacing food.

Aiyana jerked her head towards the human when he mentioned said 'master.' It sounded like he hated her master but as far as Aiyana knew; this human didn't know her master. Even, if he did, no one disliked Aiyana's master other than Aiyana herself. After all, he never did anything to anger anyone and slaves such as Aiyana were common in her neighbourhood. He wants to talk to him! Aiyana wasn’t to fond of that idea.

Aiyana’s ears perked when he mentioned ‘beating.’ How does he know? Is it obvious? Not all slaves are treated as horribly as Aiyana, though some are. Aiyana quickly glanced at her arms and, even though the white cloth was soaked though, she couldn’t see the signs of her beatings. She deduced that that must have been a guess, and a good one at that.

Aiyana looked right at the Human. He looked so sincere and honest that Aiyana could feel herself caving in. What choice did she have? She WAS going to get a beating when she returned to her masters with this food, but maybe this human will help.

Aiyana decided to trust him, just this once. “O-okay.” Aiyana quickly listened to the noise around them; she could hear some people whispering. Obviously they didn’t know Aiyana could hear nearly everything that goes on around her. “My Master’s house is that way.” Aiyana pointed to a section of housing just beyond the church.

She waited for a moment so that the human could walk in front but she decided that, with how he’s treated her so far, that wasn’t going to happen. So Aiyana took the first step…and heard the whispers grow in magnitude. It seemed like everyone had stopped what they had been doing to watch Aiyana and the human talk. “Umm…should…I buy new food first?” Aiyana looked to the human. She felt uncomfortable being the one telling a human to do something. She needed him to tell her to do something, just to calm some of her nerves.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

She was obviously very scared. Traumatization, to this level, was extremely rare among slaves, even among those beaten. She must have been taken at a young age, and subjected to very life changing stuff. He knew he could never get her off the slave market, but he could try to shift her owner to someone more kind, or someone who could let her see the world. He considered offering her to be his own servant, treated better, but thought that was silly. A master who was kind was good enough. One who could get her to an untamed Enclave would be a miracle worker, unfortunately. Being free was not an option for this girl.

People were starting to buzz around them, and a few people were starting to slow down, or do a U-turn on the sidewalk next to the alleyway, to see such wonders. A Human talking to an Untamed? Preposterous, things of fantasy. A Human talking to an Untamed Slave? Gossip.

Kvothe turned his gaze from the girl briefly, and slowly stared down each of the individuals who were watching, making them turn there gaze and leave. A few stared right back, obviously one of the more racist ones, who were angered at such disgusting display in there society, at least to them. Kvothe's eyes, and a little help from his hand being on his sword, and the coat being brushed aside to show his Leather and Iron Studded cuirras, made those people turn there eyes and walk a bit faster.

He looked back down at the girl, and was happy to see she trusted him, even if it was only temporarily.

She pointed at where her master's house was, and Kvothe could see it was a very posh neighborhood. Obviously, she was working for some very rich people. Usually slaves under the rich were untamed, this wasn't quite a shock, but such savagery? That was odd, and the master, or masters, had to be some very violent people.

He looked back at her, and heard her inquiry about the fruit.

"Yes, I think we should go buy some more."

He took her hand, and slowly at first, walked her back to the market, staring down others, as the same response from the citizens back at the alleyway was happening all along the street they were on.

The market was a very large place, lots of stalls. As Kvothe had observed before, most of the stalls were empty, and it was still raining heavily. The rain was starting to die own a bit, though.

He gingerly led the girl through the marketplace, passing several armorers, sword sellers, people selling bread, sweets, ores, souvenirs, until they got to the section of the Market reserved for those selling food. There was a small crowd there, and even in the rain, the stalls were all getting a lot of business. He went up to one of the stalls, and knocked on top of the wood, eliciting a response, and a bump, from a man who was underneath the stalls table.

"Oh, erm, Hello! How can I help you?" Said a portly looking farmer, with a thick rural accent.

"We'd like a basket of fruit of this kind, " Said Kvothe, holding up one of the better looking fruit the girl had originally had in the basket.

"One moment. I'll need some help from your slave, so get her back 'round her."

Kvothe cocked his head a moment, and said, "She's a person. Not a slave. Say that again and you'll find yourself short a few fingers." He said the last bit with a menacing smile.

"Uh, Yes Sir. I can do it all myself." He said, fear driving him to pick up the basket and set it down on the table, "Normally, the price is half a 10 coppers, but for you, only 5 coppers. "

(OOC: 20 coppers make up one silver.)

"Good." Kvothe said, picking up the basket, and looking at the girl next to him.

"We should go see your master now, ye?" He took her hand again, and walked briskly off in the direction she had originally pointed in, the posh looking group of white houses. She would find the house, and knock on the door.

(OOC: Had to edit this last bit in. Sorry about that.)

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana felt calmer when the Human answered her question, even though it wasn't an "order" but more of a suggestion. Aiyana was shocked when the human grabbed her hand and started leading her though the market. Wha-What? Her face reddened slightly and she was extremely tempted to pull her hand away. She didn't, though. She left it in the human's hand.

Aiyana was suddenly aware of everyone around her and what they were saying: all the shock; all the horror and all the rumours and gossip. Though many slipped away quietly, probably because of the looks the human was giving them. Aiyana worried though, the rain was letting up which was going to draw more people outside, which isn’t what she needed. Aiyana felt weird passing all of these shops again, especially now since many people were staring.

Aiyana hadn’t even realised that they were at the stall until she heard the human knock on the table. For a second she worried that it might be the same from earlier but the human that appeared was a slightly overweight farmer. Aiyana nearly protested when the human who brought her here, took on of her apples, but she didn’t. He asked the shopkeeper for that fruit. Aiyana looked away smiling a little.

However when the shopkeeper asked if the human’s “slave” would help, her smile dropped. She complied and started to move when the human looked at the shopkeeper with a strange looked that turning into an even stranger smile. He’s going to…? Aiyana felt almost frozen. She should know that people can have many faces but this human worried her a little bit. Earlier the human had seemed so nice but here, even though he was being nice to Aiyana, he didn’t come off as nice.

Aiyana wasn’t surprised when the shopkeeper, quickly corrected himself and got the fruit in seconds. What she didn’t expect was a discount. That surprised her. Aiyana reached for the basket but the human picked it up first. Aiyana never even got a word in before the human took her hand again and started leading her to her neighbourhood. For a brief moment she wondered if he knew where he was going, then realised she had told him.

“Umm…I…I didn’t mind going to help the shop owner. I do it all…all the time.” But even as she said it, Aiyana realised how bad that sounded, and yet, she continued, ”and I can carry that. You don’t have too.” Aiyana reached for the basket, then heard something and stopped. It wasn’t a loud noise and she couldn’t make out what it was…since it was just within her hearing range. She knew the human didn’t hear it, so she continued.

”This one here.” Aiyana stopped and pointed to one of the larger houses. Now it wasn’t the biggest or the most impressive but, that didn’t stop her Masters for believing like it was. Aiyana wasn’t sure where to go. Normally she would go in the back, slip away from view, but what should she do with this human helping her.

”Aiyana,” a voice said in a slightly off tone, ”you are late! Where have you been?” So they did notice. A woman rose from the garden: Aiyana’s master’s wife. Aiyana never understood why she would spend hours in the garden, when someone else took care of it.

”I-I’m sorry Ma’am. There was-“ Aiyana started but she was cut off by the Master’s wife.

”Oh! A guest! Why didn’t you mention anything Aiyana?” The Master’s wife smiled at the human, she also sounded a little softer than earlier. The Master’s wife gracefully, yet quickly walked over to Aiyana and the human. Aiyana realised her hand was still in the humans and she quickly tore it out of his grip. If the Master’s wife noticed, she didn’t say anything. ”Good day sir. I am named Marie. What brings you to my home?”

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

Kvothe had found perhaps he was putting off the girl. That might be so. He had seen she hadn't approve, and had tried to say something after they left the stall.

"Look, I'm not going to treat you as a slave. In my eyes, your just a pretty girl who needs help, nothing less then that." He said, smiling a kind smile at her.

As they neared the group of posh houses, he heard a voice, a bit far off, shouting something. A bit before, he had heard the girl twitch a bit, and hear something, seemingly, with the two wolfish ears she had. He assumed she was hearing her master(s), as if she had some kind of attuned sense to there voice. Which might very well be the case. It also might have something to do with her being part Wolf.

As they walked on, she pointed out one of the larger houses. It wasn't particularly large or impressive, it just had a fancy Facade in the front. Behind that, it was easy to see, it was obviously very simply furnished. These were people who really wanted only the appearance of being rich. He assumed that there guest rooms and sitting rooms were also quite posh and fancy, but the rest of the house was probably quite dull. Or he could be completely wrong.

The woman on the porch screamed out a name, "Aiyana" she said. So that was the girl's name... interesting. A very nice name, he had to think. Rolled off the tongue well, and it sounded a tad exotic and foreign, which gave it an extra buzz. He liked the name. It was a very beautfiul name, for a very beautiful girl. He realized he hadn't hear the rest of the exchange, and had instead been admiring Aiyana instead. He quickly shifted back his head, and saw the woman talking to him.

"..A Guest! Why didn't you mention anything Aiyana?" Said the Master's wife, obviously with a less harsh tone of voice. Her demeaner instantly changed from someone dealing with a poorly clad slave, to someone who was wearing fairly expensive clothing, and a visible armor piece, as well as multiple knives, swords, a bow, and a small quiver. She assumed he was of higher class, and slipped into what had been drilled into her head of most likely years of training and being part of high society. She became a gracious hostess in almost second.

He noticed Aiyana had pulled her hand away from his. Obviously she was embarrassed, or scared. Most likely the latter. He realized he was liking this girl more and more. Of course, he could know her better if he could spend even a second of time without her having the demeanor of someone who was a slave. Was a shame really.

"Good Day sir. I am named Marie. What brings you to my home?"

"Well, I had bumped into Aiyana here, " He said, gesturing towards her, "And spilled her fruit all along the floor, dirtying and bruising most of them. But don't worry, i paid for new fruit in full. Though I can't understand what could possibly possess you to send such a young girl, so far out into town, on a rainy day, hoping for her to buy bread and fruit, and not expect something to happen?" He said, ending the sentence with a face of what could be construed with a twinge of anger, but to most was simply a questioning gaze.

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana blushed to a bright red colour, when the human told her the he wasn't going to treat her like a slave AND that she was pretty! That was one word that she hasn't heard about her since she and her brother were separated. Her brother used to tell her "that no matter what, you are and will always be beautiful." Aiyana found that she couldn't respond to the human, she just didn't know what to say. He thinks I’m pretty? She didn’t believe that the human just said that. There was no way that that would be true.

Aiyana listened to Marie talk to the human, and the woman’s tone made Aiyana sick. She didn’t know if she liked this tone or not. Sure it was nice, but it was so fake; though only Aiyana would know that from having to work for this woman.

“YOU bumped into HER?” Marie asked in an unbelieving tone. Of course that wasn’t what happened but Aiyana suspected that Marie thought Aiyana had bumped into the human. Marie looked at Aiyana with some anger. Of course she’d blame me. To Aiyana, tripping and falling was uncontrollable, but that wasn’t how her masters saw it. ”Oh you didn’t have to buy new fruit, sir. We could have always sent Aiyana to get more later, right dear?” The last part sounded a lot icier than the rest of her speech. Now Aiyana really wanted to throw up. Dear?

Marie seemed taken aback by the last question. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times. Of course, they had sent Aiyana on in the rain on purpose, but she was having trouble thinking of an excuse. Finally she said something in a nervous laugh, ”I’m guessing Aiyana forgot her umbrella.” I have an umbrella? ”Silly girl must have been in a rush. Speaking of the rain, why don’t you come in until it stops? Aiyana, can you take the fruit in around the back?”

”Yes ma’am.” Aiyana quickly grabbed the bag of fruit form the human and ran around the side of the house. She could hear Marie lead the human into the house. Aiyana wondered what Marie would do to her later. Maybe that human can convince her otherwise. Aiyana smiled.

She dropped the bag of fruit onto the kitchen counter. ”Aiyana dear, can you bring some tea for our guest,” Marie called in a fake sweet tone. Aiyana worked quickly to heat the water and start steeping the tea. She ran to her room to change from her wet clothes into something dry. She could partially hear Marie and the human talking but she ignored it. She wondered where her Master was. Aiyana quickly took the tray and cups to the sitting room, one of the best looking rooms in the house and one of the few outsiders ever saw.

”Here ma’am. You might want to let it steep a little longer. Call if you – “

”Aiyana, can you take this man’s wet coat and …weapons…to the parlor to dry a little.” Marie looked a little wary at the weapons; she even had trouble saying the word. Aiyana nodded and walked to the human. She figured he had heard Marie so she just held out her hands, and smiled a little at the man, as if trying to show that this is what happened all the time.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

Kvothe expected nothing less then the reaction he was given by Marie. Her honest disbelief that the girl could have messed up and it be anyone else's fault but hers almost indescribable and preposterous. She immediately tore her gaze from Kvothe, and for a second was the master that he expected her to be in his head, because she stared straight at Aiyana, obviously blaming her for this. It was obvious she was going to finish this later.

"Oh you didn’t have to buy new fruit, sir. We could have always sent Aiyana to get more later, right dear?” The last part was obviously thinly veiled contempt for Aiyana, which even Kvothe could see. The woman looked back at him with the voice and tone of the gracious hostess, but the looks and voices she was giving to Aiyana said enough.

The woman invited him in, and before he could say anything, or offer to help, swept him inside, while Aiyana was sent to put the fruit in the back. She mentioned something about Aiyana having an umbrella, but that was an obvious lie. These were the kind of people who would never give an inch of courtesy to those they thought beneath them.

He was led into the house, and he could see that they well furnished the area's that were frequented by guests from the outside. But a even slightly inquisitive look into side halls and such could see they were fairly bare. These people were only about appearances, it seemed.

After having a brief conversation about the weather, Aiyana came back into the sitting room, with a tea set. Kvothe took a sip of the tea given to him, which refreshed him, and made him feel a bit warmer, even as he was freezing from the rain and wind.

As Aiyana was advising Marie on what to do with her tea, she interrupted her, not even looking in her direction. What was odd was that Aiyana simply stood back, not even giving a look of contempt or annoyance. She accepted it, seemingly.

”Aiyana, can you take this man’s wet coat and …weapons…to the parlor to dry a little.”

He saw Aiyana get up and walk over to him, expecting him to simply hand off his accesories to the girl. But as he stated before, she was not a slave in his eyes.

"It's fine, " He said, taking off the long brown coat, and folding it up neatly, revealing an equally brown shirt, smooth and clean from being freshly bought, yet having the sweet smell of the forest. He unhooked the Cuirass, which unveiled the rest of the shirt.

He took off the belt which held both of his swords, one a fairly long blade, called a Spatha, and the other a Szabla, from the mountain tribes.

"It's really fine. I can do it myself. It'd be no trouble." He said, bowing to Marie, and Aiyana, and walking towards the parlor.

He set his coat upon the rack, and his two swords, and one of his knives, on the rack as well, slinging them over. His back was turned towards the door.

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana was shocked when the human said he would take his own stuff to the parlour. She wasn't sure how to react, but she smiled a little. Aiyana stood watching as the human removed his coat and weapons. He has two swords? Aiyana didn't understand why he would need two. She quickly looked back to Marie, who looked even more shocked. Marie must have expected the human to just hand his stuff over. Aiyana should have realised that that wouldn't be the case.

While the human's back was turned, Aiyana barely heard Marie’s comment, ”What a strange man. Not handing his stuff over. That is the job of a slave.” Aiyana quickly moved to the edge of the room. ”Aiyana,’ Marie’s voice was normal volume, ” How about you grab some treats from the kitchen for this man,” and sickenly sweet. Aiyana obeyed though, and left the room, passing the human and down the hall.

Sweets? Where would she have put them this time? Marie had a habit of moving the treats from one place to another, supposedly to stop Aiyana for taking them, but they contained cocoa powder so Aiyana couldn’t have them anyway.

”I’m sorry sir, I never even asked for your name, please forgive me.” Aiyana’s ears perked up and she listened closely, waiting to hear. Aiyana opened a cupboard and a box nearly fell on her. She caught it in time but some of the food fell out. Oh no. She waited for Marie to say something to Aiyana but she didn’t. She didn’t hear. Aiyana looked up at the container of treats in the cupboard that had been hidden behind; Aiyana looked at the box in her hand, cocoa. If she knows I can’t have cocoa, then why hide the treats?

”Marie. I’m home.”

Aiyana froze for a second then continued to fill a plate with the treats. The Master’s home, great. Aiyana picked the plate up and started walking back to the sitting room. She could see her master hanging up his stuff. He was a tall man with a big build, similar to Kvothe, except bigger, and with a scarier demeanor, well to Aiyana at least.

”Benjamin, I’d like to meet, Kvothe Valerian. He helped Aiyana with the food after he caused her to drop them.” This time Marie said that with a genuine tone, like she believed it. Maybe I am off the hook. Aiyana set the treats on the table, but she didn’t say anything this time. ”Thank you Aiyana.” Aiyana stepped back against the wall.

”So, young man, Kvothe? What happened in the market?” Benjamin said as he sat on the couch beside Marie

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

Kvothe heard muttering in the background as he tied up the belt around the rack, moving his coat to one side to make room. He still had one of his knives. It was short, and double edged. It tapered to a point, and could cut someone very well. He kept it within easy reach of his right hand.

He walked back inside to see Aiyana on moving towards the kitchen, on another task, Kvothe believed, to get something sweet to eat. A very gracious host indeed.

"I'm sorry sir, I don't believe I asked for your name?" The woman said, obviously curious.

"My name is Kvothe Valerian." He said, looking at her. The name Kvothe was odd, he understood that, but his parents had found it nice for a boy such as him.

"Marie, I'm home." Said a gruff voice, coming from the annex to the house. The man walked into the sitting room, obviously coming from some kind of work. He was larger then Kvothe, in both height and weight. He had a very scary demeanor, one which had definitely been angered by Aiyana time and time again.


”Benjamin, I’d like to meet, Kvothe Valerian. He helped Aiyana with the food after he caused her to drop them.” Marie said. This time, she said it with a straightface, and didn't stare daggers at Aiyana, who was just entering the room.

She thanked Aiyana, and she stepped back.

”So, young man, Kvothe? What happened in the market?” Said the man, settling into a couch the family had in the room.

Kvothe put his hand through his hair for a moment, still wet from the rain.

"Well, I was playing my lute," he said, gesturing towards the musical instrument he had put against the wall, "And I suppose I wasn't paying attention. Aiyana here, " He said, gesturing towards her, "Was doing a pretty good job of keep the food dry. As I turned around from waving to a friend of mine who works at the Castle, I bumped into her, and her fruit dropped to the floor, where most were dirtied, or bruised, or simply destroyed. She was very sad, so I offered to help. I gave her the money to buy the fruit, and I came here. I suppose that's all there is to it." He said, leaning back in his seat.

[Aiyana Catalin Mingan]

Aiyana watched as Kvothe inaccurately retold the story. She liked this version. It didn’t make her seem like such a klutz. Aiyana paid attention and focused. One slight variation in her expression will cause suspicion. Aiyana was surprised how easily Kvothe lied to her masters, like lying was second nature. Benjamin seemed interested in the story however. He watched Kvothe intensely, only looking at Aiyana a few times, but Aiyana focused on Kvothe.

”I see…Aiyana? Is this true?”

Uh oh. ”Yes sir. I felt bad that Kvothe had to pay for new food though,” Aiyana said, looked directly at her master. Benjamin watched Aiyana for a moment; she tried to remain as natural as possible. He smiled, which meant her believed them, or at least for this moment.

“Yes. Kvothe, you did not have to buy new food for Aiyana.” Benjamin seemed to be debating something. He kept looking between Marie, Kvothe and Aiyana. ”Marie why don’t you grab some money for this young man.” Marie was already standing and leaving the room, like she had read Benjamin’s mind, though, Aiyana had expected it too.

Aiyana doesn’t know where her masters keep the money, for obvious reasons. There were some days when she wished she did though. A little pocket change never hurt. Aiyana wondered why her masters never seemed to have money, when they lived in this neighbourhood.

”So Kvothe, what do you do for a living?”

Aiyana was snapped back to the reality by Benjamin’s words. Job? Aiyana wondered if he played the lute for a living. It would make sense. Then she remembered his weapons. Why would a musician need weapons?

”Benjamin Dear! I can’t open the safe! May you come and help?” This translated roughly to: “we have no money in the safe, please help me search.” It was funny to Aiyana because this happens nearly everyday.

”Of course.” Benjamin answered quickly, though he sounded a little annoyed. He mumbled something not even Aiyana could understand, unless it was truly gibberish. Aiyana watched Benjamin leave the room. He glared at her. This meant that if she followed or said something about the money, she would be dead.

Aiyana breathed out and relaxed a little as soon as Benjamin was gone. She felt like her back was getting sore from standing so stiff for that little bit of time. She smiled sheepishly at Kvothe. Then turned her head to watch for her master’s return.