Closed We Meet Again [Aran]

[Naiya]

Summer Day 60, 514 AV
"Oh!" The sound of surprise drew Rue's eyes to the hanging cloth that separated her from the rest of the household. It only lasted a moment before she turned back to the embroidery in her lap.

"Is that the same man? The one from before?" There were more excited sounds, and a few giggles. "He keeps coming back! What a surprise!"

More giggles followed and Rue suddenly realized what had her sisters so worked up.

"He's coming this way! Rue, you have a visitor!" Someone shouted towards her, and she scrambled to put aside her embroidery and make herself presentable.

She shoved her sock covered feet into her boots, lacing them up as quickly as she was able, only dropping the lace a few times between the two shoes. She brushed her tunic straight, frowning at the less than pristine condition of the fabric. Having already decided that she needed to find it a replacement as soon as she could, she just hand't decided on a style or a color to suit her, now she regretted her indecision.

She ducked out of the small 'room' that she was given. Appearing among the others of the pavilion with a flush tinting her cheeks. Aran was coming to call, and she would have to find a way to explain her situation to him.

It would be quite an uncomfortable event.

[Aran Windblown]

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Aran could see the bustle of activity outside of the Nightsong Pavilion, and he forced himself to stay calm. He had already had the discussion-- argument-almost-turned-shouting-match, more like-- with his own family that he was not going to marry for anything other than love, or at least someone he genuinely liked, and while there was definitely the possibility that Rue could be it, he was not going to officially ask to court her until he spent at least a little more time with her. He remembered the way that Rue's Ankal had treated her-- nothing overtly aggressive or abusive, but still with a certain lack of respect. If nothing else, Aran would be more than glad to give Rue another friend, someone with whom she could escape for a little while, in whatever way she was most comfortable with. As he drew closer to the Nightsong Pavilion, Rue emerged, and Aran couldn't help the slight smile that appeared on his face-- Rue was certainly pretty, and Aran had definitely enjoyed the time that they'd spent together earlier in the season. It would not be a hardship to court, and perhaps marry, her. "Rue," he greeted with a grin. "You look nice."

[Naiya]

Rue found herself standing in front of the pavilion almost before she had wrapped her head around it, but better than than one of her siblings working up the courage to approach him and begin telling tales. She tried not to look apprehensive, mirroring his smile and signing a greeting as he approached.

'You look nice.' He told her. She was rather startled at his words, though she quickly recovered herself, obviously he was only being polite. "Thank you." She replied finding herself dropping into a sort of half curtsy, the effect of which was mostly lost without a skirt.

"It's been a while since I saw you last, I'd begun to think you had lost interest in seeing me again." She was careful in her choosing of words, trying to shape the beginning of a conversation in which she could explain her circumstances to him. Though she needed to be careful not to upset him, her father would be furious if he thought she was refusing this man for one he hadn't even met.

"Aren't you going to bring your man inside Rue?" A disembodied voice called, and Rue blanched visibly, giving a pleading shake of her head towards Aran. She was not ready to discuss with her family the man who sought her. Introductions would have to wait, or with any luck would be avoided completely.

[Aran Windblown]

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Aran offered a sheepish smile in response to Rue's comment about him possibly losing interest in seeing her. "I had deliveries to make," he explained. "I have spent much time traveling; I've only been in Endrykas for a few days since my last delivery." At Rue's panicked look, Aran thought fast-- he'd thought to ask Rue what she wanted to do, but apparently Rue didn't want to spend more time here. Or perhaps she didn't want to introduce Aran to the rest of her family. Either way, Aran blurted the first thing that came to mind. "I was wondering if you'd like to go for another ride." He winced internally; that probably could have come out better, not to mention he could have come up with something more interesting than just riding. If Rue agreed, though, perhaps they could come up with something interesting to do once they were away from her family; Rue was clearly uncomfortable around them for some reason.

[Naiya]

He seemed only mildly affected by her words, explaining that work had kept him out of Endrykas. He's only just returned a few days and he sought her out already? It seemed odd to her, or maybe it wasn't not if he felt anything similar to how she felt at Shahar's absence.

Rue shook her head in a polite declining of his offer, instead offering an idea of her own. "It is so hot, and riding is a lot of exertion, would you mind if we went for a walk instead?"

If they rode, it would be much more difficult to speak with him about their... circumstance. She didn't want anyone to overhear. Though if he would not comprimise, she would just find another way.

She couldn't in good conscience keep seeing him, not when her thoughts were oft filled with another.

[Aran Windblown]

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Aran took a moment to think over Rue's suggestion, and then nodded. "That would be fine," he said, offering her a smile. "Would you like to go now?" Rue would probably need to get the permission of someone from her Pavilion, Aran thought-- he wasn't sure. He'd never been too keen on courting; he still had no true intention of marrying anyone, although he was fond of Rue. To be truthful, he had come to seek Rue out as soon as he had because he liked Rue, yes-- but as of right now, it was a strictly platonic sort of liking. Still, he sensed that it would be easier to take her out under the pretense of courting; although something in his gut twinged with something suspiciously like guilt at using Rue that way, to keep his family off of his back, he reminded himself that he was also doing this because he liked Rue and wished to be her friend, at least. If romantic feelings came later, then that was good; if not, then that was okay in his mind as well. Maybe not his family's mind, but Aran had no issue with merely being friends with Rue.

[Naiya]

He seemed to consider her words for a moment, thinking through, maybe, the consequences of a stroll through the city. It was certainly a public affair, and Rue wondered for a moment what would happen if word of such a thing were to reach Shahar. Before she could retract her words, Aran nodded, agreeing with a smile that reminded her that he was indeed handsome.

Really her only displeasure at spending time with him came now from the fact that she had affections for another. She imagined that if he had not been away for so long this season, her feelings may have taken a turn more favorably towards him. Then again, she liked to think her heart not so fickle as that.

She nodded in response to his question, although her response was rather belated, and she turned towards the pavilion to give a small departing wave towards her sisters. She knew they would see, since they had been so interested in the meeting anyway. It was a small pleasure to be leaving with a man, knowing they would titter and tease, but that they would be home attending chores whilst she was out seeing the market.

That thought alone put a soft spring in her step as she moved away from the pavilion, an altogether happier air coloring her movements. "We can certainly leave now, before my sisters decide to come out here and pester you." Or worse yet before her father decided to come and question their intentions - especially since Rue had little intent beyond telling Aran that she was taken.

[Aran Windblown]

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When Rue suggested that they leave soon, Aran had to laugh at the way she worded it. "Siblings can be annoying," he agreed, turning and waiting for Rue to step up beside him before he started walking. "I have few, thankfully. Well, not entirely thankfully. I know my mother would have loved more children, but I guess it was not to be." Aran himself was the eldest-- and the only unmarried one. He had a couple of younger siblings, all of which were married or courting. Aran only had Kaiphur, the slave he'd purchased for breeding, if only because he didn't feel like listening to his family nag at him about when he would settle down with a nice young lady. Their walk was set at a steady, easy pace-- perfect for enjoying the day. It wasn't too warm for a summer day, but that was mostly thanks to the soft breeze that drifted constantly through Endrykas. Aran had gone through days where the wind was as still as a dead bug, and those were never fun. Usually he ended up creating his own breeze with Anyalvis, if only because his mother and eldest sisters got to bickering incessantly in the heat. Summer was quickly drawing to an end, though, and Aran could not wait for Fall. "What have you been doing lately?" Aran asked after they'd walked in silence for a few moments. "I have been busy, as I said, but how have you occupied your time?"

[Naiya]

His question came not long after she had fallen into step beside him, and she realized that it would be a perfect opportunity to tell him of the other man in her life. She began to answer, but caution turned her words at the last moment.

"I have worked mostly, and my sister Ara has been teaching me to cook." She paused a moment, indecision tugging at her, but a quick glance showed her the not yet gone from sight pavilion where her sisters would still be watching and her mind was firmed. "Apparently there is more to cooking than throwing food on a plate." She gave a laugh that was only lightly tinted by the frustration that filled her at thought of her escapades in cooking.

A soft breeze lifted her hair from around her face drawing a small sound of enjoyment from her lips. The turn of the season was nearing, and days like today reminded them that the heat would fade, especially once the rains came. Rain seemed to be avoiding them though, and Rue couldn't help but wonder when they would arrive.

"I have been attending the evening prayers, the crowd grows bigger with each day that passes without the rains. Did your travels take you into better weather? Or maybe bring word of rain to come?" She couldn't prevent the hope that filled her voice at the thought. The city was suffering in the drought, and if the rains didn't come soon, things would only grow worse.

[Aran Windblown]

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Timestamp

Aran could not help the small chuckle at Rue's wry words. "Cooking can be difficult," he agreed with a smile. "I tend to stick mostly to roasting meat when I am on my own." He listened to the rest of her words as they walked, sighing when she questioned the weather on his travels. "It has not been much better," he admitted truthfully. "This season has been dry, and I have not found relief. Anyalvis and I were lucky, and the usual streams and creeks were still flowing, but even they were lower than is usual for the summer days." Aran did not like the summer months for precisely this reason-- the rains sometimes did not come for weeks at a time. It could make his job incredibly difficult.