midnightstar | Shionne and Alphen in Menancia

They've all come a long way since Calaglia, both in terms of distance and... other things. Things Shionne was forcing herself not to acknowledge. Because what would the point be to acknowledge those thoughts when she couldn't act on them - when at the end of this journey, she had no future? Ah... but that was something she hadn't - couldn't - tell the others, who she's begun thinking of as more than just 'tools'.

Particularly Alphen.

It was the hardest to think of him when she knew how much she was keeping from him. Much to her frustration, however, the group had decided to take a break for a little while since Shionne's pace had been pushing the others quite a lot - and they did just gain two new companions. Shionne was avoiding them as much as possible, deciding to go for a walk through the city almost...baffled by how accepting the Dahnans and Renans were.

It was ... nice. But it felt so alien to her, at the same time.

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Shionne got to her feet, letting her hand linger against his as long as possible before drawing away, watching him for a few seconds, before turning and padding towards the door. They'd been left alone long enough that food should be prepared - there's a mix of expressions on the faces of their companions when Shionne opened the door.

Suspicion from Rinwell, clueless cheer from Law, Amusement from Dohalim and a calm smile from Kisara. Shionne however, didn't expect to see a matching squint from Hootle, putting a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh. Kisara glanced questioningly at Shionne, and then turned to Alphen. "I was just about to get you. We finished preparing dinner if you're hungry."

Shionne felt like she was always hungry, though that was mostly thanks to the thorns. "Sure, sounds great." She agreed, relieved for something -familiar- outside of the awkward, new and slightly inconveneint feelings that she kept having when she was with Alphen.

Alphen didn't pick up on as many of the looks though he did tilt his head a little at Hootle's expression. Usually he saw those kind of looks sent Law's way whenever he was being stupid about anything Rinwell related so he wasn't sure why he was getting it now. Then again unlike with the king of the owls he wasn't as adept at deciphering Hootle's meaning.

"So what's for dinner?" He decided to add on top of Shionne's answer as he followed everyone to the table.

"Beef Stew and steamed potatoes." Kisara smiled, watching Shionne beeline for the stew - of course by now Law and Rinwell knew better than to challenge Shionne for first serving, and Dohalim was under the impression still that someone would serve him. So he looked confused at first, as Shionne helped herself eagerly, though she found herself looking for Alphen.

Once she had her generous helping, she moved to a spot safely away from everyone else, though she was giving Alphen subtle glances. Or not so subtle. Kisara certainly noticed, and seemed bemused, "Is everything all right? You were in there for some time, the both of you."

Honestly seeing her so happy to eat put a faint smile on Alphen's face. At first it had been strained due to the sheer volume she could pack away per mealtime but now it was just something he had grown accustomed to and if she ate any less it would be cause for concern if anything.

He looked up at Kisara and shook his head.

"Everything is fine. We just talked about some things." He was not going to say what those things were since they were private affairs for Shionne and they had already decided she would be the one to tell them when the time was right for her.

He filled up his own plate of food before heading over to sit next to Shionne as if that was always his place.

Kisara nodded, moving to take her seat, careful to make sure there was a spot for Alphen closest to Shionne. "Then since the rain is stopping, we'll be on our way soon?"

Shionne nodded to Kisara, "Yes, there's no point in staying here any longer than we have to." Seeing Alphen move to sit over near her though, she scooted away a bit, whispering to him, "Don't sit so close..!" Surely that was just because of the thorns though. Or that and him being close just wrecked havoc on her.

"Sounds good. I think everyone's had a good chance to rest thanks to the weather so we should be good to go even harder than before." Unknowing that they were going to get absolutely demolished by a certain Lord.

"Oh? I thought you wanted me to with all the looks you were giving me." Alphen raised an eyebrow as he whispered back. After all why else would she give him those kind of looks.

They should enjoy the joking and fun times now, because they had some very grey skies in their future. Figuratively and literally. "We do have a lot of ground to make up." And Shionne hadn't slept much the last few days, from worrying.

She blushed fiercely at Alphen's response, leaning towards him, "I haven't given you any looks..!" She whispered back.

Honestly if she wanted people to not get the 'wrong' idea, she probably shouldn't be leaning so intimately close, whispering to him like this...

"I easily counted three times you were looking my way when I was talking to Kisara." Three times during such a short conversation no less. Very telling indeed. Still he had been keeping count of that...oh gods he had been keeping count.

As for how things looked to the outside...Alphen saw no issue in the slightest. He was closer to Shionne now. Was that something to be ashamed of? Certainly not in his book.

"W.. Why were you keeping count? A-anyway, you're mistaken... besides that's way more than how many times I looked at you. And I didn't look at you anyway -" Wait, did she or didn't she? Now she's getting confused by her own flustered defense. "I was looking at... at Hootle!" Who was in a totally different direction and nowhere near Alphen, but... surely he wouldn't call her out on that... right?

She did realize EVERYONE could see her getting flustered like that right? As for Alphen he could have easily called her out but seeing her react like that actually...amused him to an extent so he just chuckled in response without agreeing to her words.

It actually dawned on her after she pointed at Hootle and saw everyone either looking -at- her or subtly trying not to look like they were watching them in clear amusement. "What are you all looking at?" She huffed.

Kisara grinned, "Nothing. It's just nice to see you two getting along now."

This statement somehow made Shionne feel even more embarrassed, so without responding, she decided to grab seconds of the stew and eat as much as she could - because obviously speaking was just going to get her in trouble.

.. though she didn't mind him being close to her despite her claims otherwise.

Alphen's smile at Shionne was far softer than before seeing her decide to hide behind food like that. The problem with not seeing the problem of people figuring out his feelings was that he didn't try to hide his emotions in any way so the delight he felt at being able to be close to Shionne like this was unmistakable even as he too resumed eating.

Eventually Shionne's vigorous devouring of her stew settled down into something more sedate as she neared what might be the eventual equivalent of fullness. She was trying very hard also not to look in Alphen's direction, and in that, it was even more obvious when she had no problem looking at him before. "Your cooking is excellent as always Kisara."

Kisara looked momentarily surprised, and then smiled, "Thank you Shionne. Would you like another helping?"

Shionne shook her head, "No, I think that I'm fine." Mostly because she was feeling a little anxious; now that she's sorted out things with Alphen and she was semi-full, she was starting to get a little worried about their traveling tomorrow. Nevermind that turning down a third helping got a stare of disbelief from Law, who ate only SLIGHTLY more than Shionne did, and Rinwell, who was used to Shionne being a black hole of digestion.

Worried after being the one who had pushed for them to get going right away. Not that Alphen had the heart to tease her about that now that he knew the reason. Still he just calmly finished his own meal while the others spoke though again his eyes would often rest on SHionne.

Maybe worried was the wrong word. Overanxious, perhaps. It wasn't wise to hope for the future when you spent most of your life expecting the worst to happen. It was even less wise to want to spend more and more time with Alphen when she was bound to cause him pain eventually. She kept forgetting about that detail. Even that said, she found herself watching Alphen whenever he wasn't looking at her -- which was not very often, honestly..!

In fact it was getting her so flustered, that she abruptly stood up with her bowl and glanced to Kisara, "I'll take care of the dishes tonight, Kisara." Rinwell could be trusted to do them, but Law.. not so much. And they definitely couldn't count on Dohalim to do any manual labor right now. The only other person to do it would be Alphen. But first and foremost, she must Escape That Look(tm)!~

She ran. She actually ran and all he had done was watch her fondly. It was puzzling really but Alphen decided to leave things be for now since he had gotten way too much for one day as is. As such he didn't look particularly troubled watching her back as she went to do the dishes and just finished eating calmly. Which no doubt would raise questions at least in TWO of his party members. The younger ones no less.

Rinwell certainly was watching Shionne and Alphen suspiciously, though she hadn't quite put it together yet. Kisara and Dohalim saw it VERY clearly - although they weren't quite on speaking terms yet on Kisara's side. At least unless she absolutely had to and it was with subzero temperature in her voice.

Law on the other hand, was blissfully obtuse, but as much as he would have liked to chat with Rinwell, Hootle was having NONE Of it (tm), so he meandered over to Alphen. "Hey Alphen, I was planning on getting some training in before we turned in for the night. Although I wanted to ask if you wouldn't mind showing me some more of your techniques?"

"Oh one last spar before the end of day huh? Sure I'll take you on. Looks like the rain's stopped just enough and the wet mud should provide a pretty good challenge for us both~" Alphen nodded before looking out the window and confirming it was not still raining cats and dogs.

Law beamed, resembling an excitable wolfdog about to go walkies. He practically had the tail wagging -- but they didn't get the attachment for him. "Great! I'd ask Rinwell or Shionne if they want to watch but--" He pauses, a sudden chill running up his spine, and he looked over his shoulder to see Hootle giving him a steady suspicious owleye stare. "... I uh.. I think Rinwell's busy." Also Hootle might peck his eyes out. "Do you want to ask Shionne if she wants to watch? I think she went outside to get some air, right?"

Normally Kisara would step in to offer to talk to Shionne so she would have someone to chat with, but Rinwell was busy chatting with her about Law's recent indescretion - gasp, FLIRTING WITH THE LIBRARIAN. And by chatting, she means complaining but it's not like she CARED or anything. This insistence only made Kisara hide her smile from growing in clear amusement. Seeing it from both sides - with Shionne's denial and Rinwell's denial was an easy source of entertainment, honestly.

"She'll probably say no" But watch them anyway since Alphen would be there. He leaves the second part unsaid for her sake and since Law would likely not get it anyway. Still the chances were high with her already being out there. Though the poor woman had gone out to escape him and now he was heading to her again. The worst in the most unintentional manner possible.

He knew her so well, and they had only known each other a short time. Law scratched his arm, "Eh.. Probably, but it wouldn't hurt to ask, right?"

Shionne was already standing under a tree nearby when the boys walked out of the inn, looking up at a squirrel that had been about to scoot into its little squirrel home. Her hand half raised like she wanted so desperately to touch it's fluffy fluffy fur - and at that moment Law raised a hand, "Ah, there she is. Hey Shionne!"

Immediately the squirrel darted away, and Shionne dropped her hand like she wasn't doing anything suspicious, glancing warily over towards to Law and... and Alphen. "What is it?" She grumped at the pair - Law scared away the cute animal :(

Law motioned to Alphen, "We were going to do some training. Want to watch?"

Shionne meanwhile, very much wanted to watch, but hesitated, "I.. I don't think so. I was going to head inside anyway." Where she'll lurk in the doorway and watch ._.a

Oh he CAUGHT that. Though it hurt his heart a little knowing that was a wish he couldn't grant her. Since animals felt pain just as much as people so her curse would affect them too. Well something else to do when she was finally free of it and alive and well.

After Law decided to ask his question he gave the lad a "see what I mean" look before smiling back to Shionne.

"Alright. We won't be out that much longer anyway so take care."

Caught what, nothing to catch here! She glanced at Alphen, and almost immediately the hostility melted away, though she tried to keep that guard up. Immediate failure there when he had gotten as close as he had though, so it just resulted in a shy glance away, "Don't stay out too late," she warned the pair in a much softer tone, padding inside.

Law eyed her for a second, considered, then glanced at Alphen. "Do you think..." Nahhhh.

He grinned, watching her off with a nod before turning his attention back to Alphen.

"Think what?" Law would do well to watch his next words very carefully...Oh wait it's LAW. Tact and finessse are even more foreign concepts than they are for Alphen.

Law, unfortunately, had not yet ret the age of maturity where 'tact' was a common concept. "Well," he threw a practice jab at his friend as they started training, "She seems a bit different from when we first met, don't you think? I mean you've known her longer than Rinwell or I, let alone Kisara an dDohalim so you'd probably know better than anyone else."