Timestamp: 40th day of Winter, 512 years after the Valterrian
There were a few people hanging around the first level of the Crystal Hall. Usually, the place would be bustling with young people who just wanted to spend the time and sight see. Today, however, the place was almost bare of people save for a few friends who were talking quietly with one another, an elderly couple sighing and complaining about how times had changed, and a fidgety girl sitting all by herself under a large window overlooking the snow-filled street below.
She cast her eyes at the direction of the entrance and, not finding what she expected, sighed. Silarial had been waiting for at least twenty five chimes already for this dance instructor Areeyah had recommended her, but she had not seen someone enter the building after her.
“Arkis Snowsong…” she muttered in frustration as she made a quick sweep of the large hall once again. No sight of an Arkis Snowsong anywhere. Or at least of a person who seemed to be waiting for someone, like her. Could he have stood her up?
Deciding that she had better use her time for more constructively than wait for someone who didn't seem to be coming any more, she stood up and shook the dust from the back of her skirt. Just as she was preparing to leave, a tall, obviously irritated man ascended the stairs leading to the second level below. Silarial saw him as he flicked his eyes around the area, much as she was doing moments earlier. And when her eyes landed on the Snowsong, he shook his head and stomped his way towards her.
“YOU. Do you realize how long you had kept me waiting?” He began, his eyes flashing an angry gray color as he gave her a searing glare. Silarial’s mouth fell open as she stared at him wide-eyed, confused. “How do you expect someone to share their knowledge with you if you yourself don’t know the concept of punctuality!”
Silarial managed to let out a small “Eep!” as he yelled at her, each word he uttered gradually increasing in volume. The low hum of the people around them abruptly stopped. All eyes were trained on them as the two stared at one another, one confused and very bewildered, the other furious and visibly fuming.
A few ticks passed before the dancer was able to find her voice. “...Arkis? Are you Arkis Snowsong?” she managed to choke out.
He threw his eyes heavenward and heaved an exasperated sigh. “Finally, the spoiled brat speaks! I’m expecting you had a feasible reason for your tardiness?” The man did not answer her question directly, but he just about admitted that he indeed was the tardy person.
She was about to bow her head and apologize when his words finally sinked in. ‘Wait, is he accusing me of being late? But he was the one who didn’t show up until I was leaving! The nerve of this man.’
Silarial cleared her throat and placed her hands on her hips, staring up at him with a defiant expression on her face. “With all due respect instructor Arkis, but it seems you mixed us up. I have been waiting here for almost half a bell already but you only showed up when I was about to go home. How is that becoming of a man your position?”
Arkis snorted at her reply. “Your mother’s right. You’re really too much to handle. You made me wait for thirty chimes down there on the second level and this is how you apologize? How insolent.”
“But you made me wait fi—” Did he say he was waiting below? Silarial blinked. “Why were you waiting… downstairs? Weren’t we supposed to meet up here?”
“I said meet me on the second level of the Crystal Hall. Did your mother not tell you that?” his features eased a bit, but his voice was still leaking with disbelief.
The female dancer shook her head no and looked up at him meekly. “Umm… my mom didn't say anything. Just that you’ll be here at the Crystal Hall… Why were you waiting downstairs again?” all the defiance her voice held earlier had suddenly gone as her cheeks flamed in embarrassment. She was the one who made him wait after all, just because of a stupid mistake. How will she explain this to Areeyah? She’ll be disappointed with her, for sure.
He run his fingers through his dark locks, eyes closed in an expression Silarial could not quite understand, and sighed a tad too long for her liking. When he opened his eyes once again, it was a softer cerulean color. “Never mind. I made a promise to Areeyah so let’s just get this over with. Follow me.” Silarial saw the hesitation when he uttered the last two words, unsure of how to react to the command.
Arkis made his way towards the large staircase and soon disappeared from view. Silarial looked around shyly and saw that no one was paying attention to her anymore. The people who were staring at them earlier were back to minding their own matters once more. Her fingers found its way between her teeth and she chewed at them anxiously. ‘Should I follow him or should I just excuse myself, never to let him see my face again?’
With a sigh, she decided to push away the humiliation biting away at her and followed Arkis Snowsong to the hall below.
There were a few people hanging around the first level of the Crystal Hall. Usually, the place would be bustling with young people who just wanted to spend the time and sight see. Today, however, the place was almost bare of people save for a few friends who were talking quietly with one another, an elderly couple sighing and complaining about how times had changed, and a fidgety girl sitting all by herself under a large window overlooking the snow-filled street below.
She cast her eyes at the direction of the entrance and, not finding what she expected, sighed. Silarial had been waiting for at least twenty five chimes already for this dance instructor Areeyah had recommended her, but she had not seen someone enter the building after her.
“Arkis Snowsong…” she muttered in frustration as she made a quick sweep of the large hall once again. No sight of an Arkis Snowsong anywhere. Or at least of a person who seemed to be waiting for someone, like her. Could he have stood her up?
Deciding that she had better use her time for more constructively than wait for someone who didn't seem to be coming any more, she stood up and shook the dust from the back of her skirt. Just as she was preparing to leave, a tall, obviously irritated man ascended the stairs leading to the second level below. Silarial saw him as he flicked his eyes around the area, much as she was doing moments earlier. And when her eyes landed on the Snowsong, he shook his head and stomped his way towards her.
“YOU. Do you realize how long you had kept me waiting?” He began, his eyes flashing an angry gray color as he gave her a searing glare. Silarial’s mouth fell open as she stared at him wide-eyed, confused. “How do you expect someone to share their knowledge with you if you yourself don’t know the concept of punctuality!”
Silarial managed to let out a small “Eep!” as he yelled at her, each word he uttered gradually increasing in volume. The low hum of the people around them abruptly stopped. All eyes were trained on them as the two stared at one another, one confused and very bewildered, the other furious and visibly fuming.
A few ticks passed before the dancer was able to find her voice. “...Arkis? Are you Arkis Snowsong?” she managed to choke out.
He threw his eyes heavenward and heaved an exasperated sigh. “Finally, the spoiled brat speaks! I’m expecting you had a feasible reason for your tardiness?” The man did not answer her question directly, but he just about admitted that he indeed was the tardy person.
She was about to bow her head and apologize when his words finally sinked in. ‘Wait, is he accusing me of being late? But he was the one who didn’t show up until I was leaving! The nerve of this man.’
Silarial cleared her throat and placed her hands on her hips, staring up at him with a defiant expression on her face. “With all due respect instructor Arkis, but it seems you mixed us up. I have been waiting here for almost half a bell already but you only showed up when I was about to go home. How is that becoming of a man your position?”
Arkis snorted at her reply. “Your mother’s right. You’re really too much to handle. You made me wait for thirty chimes down there on the second level and this is how you apologize? How insolent.”
“But you made me wait fi—” Did he say he was waiting below? Silarial blinked. “Why were you waiting… downstairs? Weren’t we supposed to meet up here?”
“I said meet me on the second level of the Crystal Hall. Did your mother not tell you that?” his features eased a bit, but his voice was still leaking with disbelief.
The female dancer shook her head no and looked up at him meekly. “Umm… my mom didn't say anything. Just that you’ll be here at the Crystal Hall… Why were you waiting downstairs again?” all the defiance her voice held earlier had suddenly gone as her cheeks flamed in embarrassment. She was the one who made him wait after all, just because of a stupid mistake. How will she explain this to Areeyah? She’ll be disappointed with her, for sure.
He run his fingers through his dark locks, eyes closed in an expression Silarial could not quite understand, and sighed a tad too long for her liking. When he opened his eyes once again, it was a softer cerulean color. “Never mind. I made a promise to Areeyah so let’s just get this over with. Follow me.” Silarial saw the hesitation when he uttered the last two words, unsure of how to react to the command.
Arkis made his way towards the large staircase and soon disappeared from view. Silarial looked around shyly and saw that no one was paying attention to her anymore. The people who were staring at them earlier were back to minding their own matters once more. Her fingers found its way between her teeth and she chewed at them anxiously. ‘Should I follow him or should I just excuse myself, never to let him see my face again?’
With a sigh, she decided to push away the humiliation biting away at her and followed Arkis Snowsong to the hall below.
