Long Days Have Made Us Numb

[Pearce Lockheed]

He found himself yet again in the gardens. Zander constantly teased him for wanting to walk in the public gardens even when he had his own, but as much as Pearce could be nervous around other people, he was also social. Getting out to see people, stroll the marketplace, enjoy the new blooms in the gardens...it felt good to get out of his house.

Breeze, his cat, had started the walk with him, but she had long since found herself on some other adventure. She was a large and very capable hunter in her own right and he didn't doubt she would be just fine and wonder what took him so long to get home.

While he had considered bringing Whisky with him, the noble was only just getting the puppy to listen to him. A public walk would be good eventually, but pushing it right now. And besides, he had never walked a dog before and he didn't want to deal with that uncertainty when the other half of the reason he was talking a walk was to exercise and relax. Supposedly, doing that more often would help him feel better. And since the tea wasn't really helping on it's own, maybe this would. At least enough so he could stop worrying about having another attack the next time Zander and Percival had a spat.

Pausing at a statue of a lion, he admired the stonework. While he was quite familiar with stone, working it was another thing entirely. It reminded him of Celeste's pottery and the skill and steady hand such a craft required. His best craft was writing. Which fell a bit short in his own eyes compared to such things. But he figured the least he could do was spend his money on craftsmen and the like. At least that way he was a little bit of everything.

Pearce looked over the passersby with a faint smile, only to catch himself looking back at the shock of silver white hair moving across the walkway. He recognized the woman from one of the many times his boyfriend coerced him into visiting the tavern. "Xenosa?" Yes, that sounded right. And then he blushed, realizing belatedly he had said her name out loud. Well, that was one way to talk to someone, he supposed. "It is Xenosa, right? Ah, I d-don't know if you remember me from Singing Sparrow? How are you?"

[Xenosa Alaoui ]

[Xenosa Alaoui]

The gardens were still among her favorite place in Aralore. They were often quiet compared to the bustling streets of a kingdom still rebuilding after its unfortunate destruction after the war. She didn't know much about what exactly had happened during the brutal battle that had befallen Aralore and the surrounding kingdoms, but from what she'd been told, it sounded more horrific than she could have imagined.

The foreigner had only just begun to walk around as a normal person. A small smile of contentment was spread across her face, grey eyes focused forward as she strolled at a leisurely pace. As per usual, she wore dark clothes, her cloak still wrapped around her frame though she didn't pull her hood over her head this time. It felt liberating to know that she could just exist for once. She'd even grown accustomed to the strange looks her unusual appearance brought her. After all, most people had never seen anyone with a dark complexion have such bright white hair. Nevermind that her grey eyes also seemed to add to that contrast.

She'd offered a smile to the young man as he offered one to her in passing before he called out her name. She stopped in her tracks, blinking at him as her hands went to her chest nervously. She titled her head at him slightly before a slow smile spread across her lips. Seems that she was becoming something of the popular sort around Aralore, which was only exacerbated by her time spent at the Singing Sparrow where she maintained a stay for the time being. She couldn't recall his name, but his face was certainly familiar. "Yes, it is Xenosa." She gave him a nod of her head. "I am doing well. How are you?" She tried to remember his name as the question left her full lips. "Forgive me, but I can't seem to place your name." She admitted sheepishly.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce offered a slightly more reassuring smile when she returned his with a nervous look. Most people were more confident than he was. Seeing the woman behaving so shyly confused him for a momwnt and then he quickly wanted to reassure her. He understood the feeling. Maybe not the why but that didn't matter. He recalled she had been rather soft spoken at the bar too.

He shrugged a little awkwardly. He was fine but saying as much never seemed to go over well. Thankfully he was saved from putting together an answer by his lack of social skills. "Ah, mmmy apologies!" Pearce blushed. "Pearce Lockheed. You p-probably remember my redheaded companion more than me." His blush deepened. While both men were friendly, Zander was the much more outgoing and memorable one.

Aralore was home to a lot of different people seeking a new life. He spoke to people of all different nations and walks of life, though Xenosa's moon-shocked hair juxtaposed against her dark skin was certainly more different. To say he didn't notice would be a lie. It was a clear indication of her exotic origin and it came with an objective understanding that she was beautiful. But he didn't dwell on it. He did wonder, from her response, if she disliked being so easily recognized.

"I...Would you mind some c-company?" He asked hesitantly. He offered another smile. "Walks do me good. And company is better."

[Xenosa Alaoui]

"Ah, Pearce! That was it." She offered a friendly smile as she recognized his name only when it was spoken to her. However, she couldn't quite place his redheaded companion either, but she decided to keep that bit of information to herself. No need to make things more awkward.

The last few days in Aralore had been such a blur for her that it was difficult to remember everyone she'd met and everything she'd seen. All the excitement tended to make her brain enter a foggy state. It was difficult to slip out of, but for once, she didn't beat herself up over it, though she imagined a more well-adjusted person may not have such difficulties.

His next question had her hands lowering in front of her from her chest, clasping gently as she gave him a single nod. "I'd very much enjoy the company. Walks through the park have become my favorite past-time." She said to him with a light laugh. One hand lifted towards the direction she'd been walking, as if she were further accepting his invitation of company during their walk. "I can't wait to see the gardens bloom in spring." The statement was absent-minded, but Xenosa still managed a warm grin.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Well, at least that put them back on a first name basis and this was all much less awkward. He'd worried for a moment he shouldn't have greeted her at all, if just to spare them both the feeling. But he'd recalled her to be a sweet, timid person such as himself and Pearce wanted her to feel included and wanted here.

He returned her pleasant laughing remark with a smile and nod. "It's quite the sight in spring," he noted.

"Have you been in Aralore long?" He didn't bother to ask where she had come from or anything of that nature, at least not yet. So many people were refugees from their past lives and while he was always interested in people, he didn't wish to make her uncomfortable to force her to relive anything simply to satisfy his curiosity. But he was interested in her. There weren't many people like her in in Aralore's eclectic mix. He decided to temper the question of the past with one of the present. "What is it that you d-do here?" He meant more by way of a job but he decided to leave it open to interpretation.

[Xenosa Alaoui]

Pearce only confirmed for her that gardens were lovely in spring and it served to make her even more anxious for the coming warmer months. Spring had always been her favorite time of year as the world awakened with new life. It was comforting, in a way. Winter was often compared to death, dull and lifeless, while spring seemed to always be celebrated as rebirth. Perhaps it was that somehow, it coincided with the belief of her people - that life began anew after death. Or maybe the metaphor just struck a chord.

She was shaking her head then as her eyes fixed forward for a moment before she turned her head just enough to glance at him. "No, only a few weeks now." Or at least, she thought it had only been a few weeks. It certainly hadn't been very long, but time often ran away from her. It wasn't something she bothered to keep track of. "What about you, Pearce? Were you born here, or are you a foreigner like me?" She inquired in a singsong tone. She wondered for a moment if their likeness went deeper than their outwardly timid personalities. She was an open book for the most part, but only when answering questions. Otherwise, she'd just as soon keep everything to herself. Don't ask, don't tell, right?

Another question and she was smiling again. "I help out wherever I am needed at the Sparrow. Roman and Roxanne have been kind enough to accept my help in exchange for my stay there." She was dropping her gaze then, glad that her skintone would hide the hint of pink that flushed her cheeks as she briefly remembered walking through these very gardens with Roman and Apple a few days prior. "Do you work in Aralore, or are you more..." She paused as she struggled to find the word she was certain she'd forgotten. "Freelance!" It finally came to her as she blurted it out, sounding more like an excited statement than a question, causing her to give him a slightly apologetic smile.

[Pearce Lockheed]

She had a lovely voice to listen too. Perhaps it was the accent. He ha always enjoyed listening to how people spoke, be it familiar or foreign words. He smiled a bit at the question. "Yes and n-no," he began a bit awkwardly. "I am from Aralore, but not from this isle. All of use are f-foreigners, in a way. Refugees. I think that is what unites us." It wasn't just the birth of a new land, but a new people. Sure, there were many like him, from the old lands, but having been scattered as they had been before coming back home, they shared a lot with those who were now scattered and seeking a new home.

Pearce was very much open and enjoyed sharing. Though his hesitance came more from a desire not to have too much attention. It was a social stress that was quite frustrating at times, since he did generally like people. "I am glad this place can be such a good home to so many."

The marquis nodded as she spoke of her work and home at the Singing Sparrow. "They are good people," he agreed softly. He had only met them vaguely as a customer, but he liked to think he was a good read of people. He smiled encouragingly, waiting patiently while she sought after the word she wanted.

"I am a teacher. Reading and writing. But my family runs quite a few mines and quarries on the isle." Needless to say, he was quite entrenched in the island. It helped having a lot of money to begin with, of course. He certainly couldn't claim the same level of refugee status as some of the others here. Pearce blushed slightly. He always felt like even mentioning the wealthier half of his job was showing off. "I would like to travel more. I have a friend from Teronna and would like to visit his homeland one day. Where...where are you from, if I may ask?"