Shopping

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Samuel strides into the plaza at a quick pace, almost a jog. His movements are far from stealthy. The bells on his braids chiming in time with his steps announce his approach to any but the deaf. Sweat uncharacteristically beads on his forhead as he makes his way unerringly towards the shabbily dressed woman.

Sereina peers around at the vendors, clutching the small purse in her hand as if it carried all of the money in the world. She bit her lip almost nervously whenever any of the vendors tried to sell their wares to her, but most simply glanced at her clothing and her manner and excused her out of hand. She sighed to herself and shuddered when she seen Samuel come closer but she didn't run and didn't try to hurt him. Instead, she crossed her arms and waited.

Samuel slows as he approaches Sereina, his manner becoming almost hesitant. He stuffs his hands in the pockets of his coat and stops in front of her, shifting his weight nervously from foot to foot for a moment, his manner a complete contrast to the confidence normally displayed by the black-coats. Nodding his head in a slight bow, he says,'I came as quickly as I could..' His voice trails off as he finally actually looks at her, then he adds,'You have not bought anything yet?'

Sereina purses her lips and glares at Samuel. 'Look, it's the first time I've ever been shopping in a large town, or anywhere, for that matter. I can't afford what they're telling me.' she shrugged and picked up a bolt of dark red wool.

Sybil wanders in from the south, her hair has been tied back a few of the bells, catching the light, and a thin dark blue traveling cloak is wrapped around her, she walks at a comfortable pace, and the only thing that tells you she may have been traveling for some time is the thin film of dust on her cloak, she wanders over to the fountain, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a rag, wetting it in the fountains water and wiping some of the dust off her face.

Samuel blinks, almost winces, as Sereina snaps at him, then nods slowly. He lets out a soft sigh and says,'Well, I brought more money.' He goes up on his toes and peers around as he adds,'Didn't you say something about wanting to get shoes first?' With a sudden intake of breath, he drops back down flat-footed and then mutters,'Ashes!'

Sereina takes the money and puts down the fabric. 'They don't have any women's shoes right here..' she shrugged and frowns at Samuel. 'What are you worried about?' she turns to the vendor and tried to muster some of the anger she had for Sam to bargain with him.

Samuel moves quickly to put the vendor's cart between himself and Sybil, all the color washing out of his face. He swallows hard and says to Sereina in a cross between a hiss and a whisper,'I just saw my mother. This could get ugly.'

Sereina squeaks and jumps behind Samuel, leaving the vendor gaping at thin air 'What are you going to tell her? Pretend we don't know eachother? Please, let me go. You'll be safe and I'll be free.'

Sybil with her free hand covers her mouth with a yawn, then finishing her drink she hands it back to the vendor, and decides to go on a stroll stopping at the occasional peddlers cart to see whats on sale.

Samuel turns a sharp frown on Sereina and lets out an exasperated noise that is a cross between a sigh and a growl. In a harsh, snippish whisper, he says,'I am getting tired of explaining to you that I can't. If she sees us we'll just have to do the happy couple act.' Almost as an afterthought, he adds,'And hope we get lucky.'

Sereina mutters to herself and nods. 'Fine, I'll quit asking. But how are you going to explain my.....condition?'

Sybil comes around a corner, to where the cart her son is hiding, she is humming a tune under her breath, and still hasn't spotted him yet.

Samuel mutters irritably and pitched to only carry to Sereina as his gaze is drawn to the approaching woman,'Just follow my lead.' He reaches out with his right hand to grasp Sereina's left and calls out,'Mother? What a surprise!'

Sereina sighs to herself but puts on her most sincere smile and holds onto Samuel's hand tightly, letting him do all the talking.

Sybil stops in her tracks, a slight look of surprise is appears on her face before it vanishes, she walks over to you both and adresses her son, just giving a quick look at the woman his hand is holding onto 'Son' she takes a few steps to give him a hug, as she does this she says 'where did you get to, i was worried'

Skye moves quietly into the Plaza from the east. A wicker basket rests lightly over her right forearm as she walks and her gentle green gaze moves from person to person. Finding a bench, she sits down and begins arranging the flowers in the basket into small bundles.

Samuel returns Sybil's hug with just his left arm, refusing to relinquish his grip on Sereina's hand. Then he leans back to look down into Sybil's face and flashes her a mischievous, if somewhat nervous, grin. He gives Sereina's hand another squeeze then looks to her, saying,'Mother, this is my wife.'

Sereina blushes in embarassment and smiles at Sybil, her cheeks still red. 'Good day, Mistress Quinlen..'

Sybil's jaw drops for a moment, then she glances from her son to Sereina she the regains her composure quickly before saying 'So you ran off and got married son, ' she frowns her blue gaze resting on her son 'and i worried for nothing then hrms...' she pauses again looking between the both of you 'did you at least find the solution to your problem?' this last sentance spoken in a low voice, only for the group to hear

Skye sorts through the basket on her lap, occasionally selecting a blossom with an imperfection to it and plucking all the petals from it to drop on the ground. After a few minutes she has prepared the bundles of flowers and sets the basket on the ground to indicate she is selling them. A nervous look comes over her as though she is not used to doing such things.

Samuel gives Sereina a bashful smile then turns back to Sybil,'We were just doing some shopping. Sereina and I got married on pure impulse. Hard to explain really..' His voice trails off as he looks out over the crowd, then he says distantly,'I'll be right back.' Releasing Sereina's hand, he strides quickly towards the girl selling flowers, his sudden movements causing the bells in his hair to chime merrily.

Skye gives a start as Samuel moves toward her quickly before she realizes that she is there to sell flowers. Forcing her voice and face to be calm and friendly she lifts her eyes to meet Samuel's, "Good day sir. How many would you like?"

Sereina watches Samuel walk away and turns back to Sybil, a llook of confusion painted on her face. 'Well, I suppose I should introduce myself better than he had..I'm Sereina De'Alber, I mean, I'm Sereina.' she flashed a smile at Sybil, looking down to brush her dress.

Sybil nods, she smiles faintly watching ehr son walk away, she stares at Sereina a moment, then says 'Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you Sereina.....' she trails off, as is she had just noticed something.

Samuel flashes Skye a very friendly smile and says,'Enough for a bouquet, I guess, or however many I can get for a silver mark, Andoran weight.' He gives her a wink as he fishes the coin out of his pocket.

Sereina looks up at Sybil and forces herself to stand up straight to leave a better impression. She takes an involuntary step back, then forces herself to step closer again, waiting for Sam to come back.

A small smile forms on Sybil's lips as she watches Sereina, she asks 'SO what is it you do Sereina other than marrying my troublsome son'

Skye's cheeks color just slightly at Samuel's smile and she begins fishing through her basket to come up two of the choicest bouquets of red and blue loversknot,"For your wife and for your mother. Both lovely ladies they be," she intones pleasantly.

Samuel blinks as if a shocking thought had crossed his mind at Skye's comment, then his smile returns. He takes the bouquets from her and hands her the coin. With a slight bow, he says,'Thank you, lass. They are indeed both lovely.' Then he turns and makes his way back towards his wife and mother with a bundle of flowers in each hand.

Sereina shrugged. 'Actually, I had just left the farm looking for employment when I had met Samuel.'

Sybil nods, she looks over to sam then back at Sereina, 'COuld you please tell him i had to go quickly, he will understand, and i can be found at the almora village south of here.....' she trails off, looks over her shoulder, and quickly walks, almost runs off towards the west

Sereina raises her eyebrows in confusion but nods at Sybil, curtseying. 'Yes mistress, I'll be able to do that for you.'

Skye turns over the coin in her hand as though surprised to see it there but finally tucks it away into her pouch with a satisfied smile, looking somewhat more comfortable in her position as flower girl than only a few moments before. She flashes a happy smile in the direction of Samuel and Sereina.

Samuel makes his way back through the crowd to Sereina, glancing around for his mother. When he reaches her, he gives a slight shrug of his shoulders, then flashes Sereina a big grin and hands both bouqets to her,'For you, my darling!'

Sereina chuckles at the feel of the bond but kept her distance, holding onto the bouquet. 'Your mother said she had to go, and she was looking at me strange.'

Samuel shrugs slightly and says,'You know how mothers are. They never really approve of the woman their son marries.' He dusts a few stray petals from the sleeves of his coat and then says,'On the way back from getting the flowers, I saw a cobbler. Want to see about getting some shoes that fit? Those sore feet are beginning to annoy me.'

Sereina smirks and puts her arm through Samuel's. 'Fine, weakling.'

Samuel takes Sereina's arm in his and pats it gently with his other hand as he says in a tone that is almost certain to cause diabetes,'Yes, dear. Whatever you say, dear.' Then he begins leading the way towards the cobbler's stand.

Sereina smirks again and smiled her sweetest smile at Samuel, having a peek at the visible inventory of the cobbler. 'How much do they overcharge here?' she murmured close to his ear.

Samuel raises his free arm to wave at the Cobbler, calling out,'Ho, good man, we'd like to see what you have in the way of shoes for a lovely young lady.' Then he lowers his voice to say to Sereina,'You'd be amazed at the bargains one can get wearing a black coat..' He pats her arm again and flashes a friendly smile towards the vendor as he approaches.

Sereina chuckles and just holds onto Samuel's arm, letting him take control of the situation.

Samuel gestures Sereina to take a seat on the fitting stool, then turns to watch the cobbler as he scurries out. The man brings a small box of implements with him and knees in front of the stool, knuckling his forehead to both Sereina and Samuel.

Sereina raises her foot and lets the man take her size, pulling back the too long dress to show her oversized shoes. 'This will be the first time in a long time that I have clothing that will actually fit.' she says, chuckling at Samuel.

Samuel catches a glimpse of ankle as the cobbler removes the shoe. He peers quite candidly for a long moment, then suddenly does an about face, cheeks flushing bright crimson for the briefest of moments before he composes himself. The cobbler is oblivious to it all, one foot seemingly looking like another to him after so many repetitions. He sets aside the oversized shoe and pulls out a ruler. He places it along the bottom of her foot, marking the length with his thumbnail, then holding it up to the light to check, then he measures the width as well.

Sereina holds still for the cobbler and looks up sharply at Samuel, frowning before she notices he's not even looking. She turns back to the cobbler and waits til he is finished before she puts her foot down. 'What was that all about?' she murmurs at Samuel, not directly looking at him.

Genynia stalks into the area with her divided skirts rustling and lazily scans the crowd as if expecting trouble. Looking over the man and woman quickly, her gaze goes on to rest on that of the girl and the basket. Taking a couple of broad steps in her direction, she ask briskly, "What is it you are selling today?"

Samuel remains silent for a long moment, looking away from the cobbler's stand, posture erect and expression watchful, almost as if standing guard. The cobbler quickly measures the other foot as well, then knuckles his forehead to Sereina again,'I'll be right back, Mistress. I believe I have a few pair that will fit you.' It is not until he moves back into the stand to check the inventory that Samuel speaks. He mutters softly,'Nothing at all.. it will just take some getting used to is all.'

Sereina frowned but refrained from commenting, crossing her legs at the ankles and waiting for the cobbler to return with the shoes. He brought back some slippers and a pair of boots for her to try on so she occupied herself with them while she tried to sort through what Samuel was feeling through the bond.

Samuel turns around finally, putting an expression on his face that looks like a poor attempt to look interested. He points to the slippers and says,'Those look very nice. Do they fit?'

Sereina wiggles her toes inside the slippers, standing and walking around in them. 'Well, they feel comfortable, at least. And they fit. How much for them?' she says, looking at the cobbler.

A snicker can be heard as a large warrior walks by the cobbler stand. His grey cloak blows in the wind, which was not blowing before. He comes to a stop and glances back at the cobbler stand before turning to gaze over the Oval, his face hidden fully beneath his helmet.

The cobbler clears his throat and says,'Times are tough. Hard to get quality shoe leather now, you understand? So I'll have to charge...' His eyes go wide as he takes in Samuel's black coat and realization seems to strike him,'A silver and four farthings, mistress.' He swallows hard now, a very nervous expression on his face. Samuel looks on with a clueless, bored expression as he digs in his pocket for the coins muttering,'Are those the ones you want?' As an afterthought, he adds,'Darling.'

Sereina chuckles and points to the boots. 'I'll have a try at those, deary, if that's alright with you of course.' she set the old pair of shoes to the side and turned to Samuel.

Samuel gets a put upon expression on his face, but nods permission with a soft sigh. The cobbler immediately scurries to help Sereina with the boots.

Sereina fights down a snort of laughter and pulls up her skirt a little higher for the cobbler to pull the boots on twisting her ankle around to see how well they stayed on.

The tall man strolls to the fountain and kneels down. He removes his helmet, but all that can be seen is his long black hair as it falls about his face. He sets his helmet on the lip of the fountain and cups some water in his hand to take a drink. He does this a few times then stands, sliding his helmet over his head and concealing his identity once more.

Samuel raises his hand and coughs into his fist as if clearing dust from his throat to cover the slight coloring of his face as he turns his gaze aside from Sereina's legs again, pretending to look out over the plaza.

Sereina thanked the cobbler and removed the boots, putting the slippers on again. She stood up and waited for the cobbler to wrap the boots, holding onto the package. 'Go ahead and pay the man, deary.'

The man walks past the cobbler stand again, and obvious chuckle coming from beneath his helm. His helmet turns as he turns his head to look at Sereina, chuckling once again before continuing past to come to a stop at the edge of the Oval.

Samuel fishes three silver marks out of his pocket and holds them up to the cobbler,'This enough?' The man gives a wide-eyed nod and Samuel drops the coins into his palm. Then, with a very exasperated expression, he holds out his hands for the wrapped boots.

Sereina purses her lips to hide a smile and passes the boots over to Samuel lightly stepping in her new shoes. 'I thank you, good husband,' she says with a hint of amusement.

Samuel tucks the shoes under his left arm and offers his right hand to Sereina as he begins to walk towards the eastern entrance of the plaza. His gaze sweeps the path ahead of him, pauses briefly on the helmeted soldier, then dismissing him as he says absently to Sereina,'I believe I know where we can find a dressmaker, if you have in mind what color you would like?'

The stranger walks about the Oval slowly, his hand resting costantly on the pommel of his sword. He stops now and then to scan the Oval for a familiar friend, are foe, then continues to walk. He deliberately passes by the couple at the cobbler stand a few times, chuckling or snickering each time.

Sereina shrugged. 'I don't care what color. Something dark, something light...I don't know..' she walks beside Samuel absent mindedly, not even noticing the soldier.

Samuel pauses to frown at the soldier, taking Sereina's left hand in his right. His expression goes cold and when he speaks in the man's direction it is in an icy tone,'Is something amusing you? Or are you just touched by the Light?'

The soldier stops, his side to Samuel. He does not turn his head, but merely chuckles before speaking. "I just find you to be an odd couple, 'tis all." He then turns to face Samuel, or Sereina, can't really tell who. "Do not be offended, I find some situations amusing."

Sereina raises her eyebrows skeptically at the man but said nothing, holding onto Samuel's hand almost familiarly now.

Samuel snorts disbelievingly and says in a sharp, cold tone,'You would be well advised to avoid such misunderstandings. There are rumors that some of us are less than fully sane.' He takes a diagonal step forward and to his right, putting himself mostly between the man and Sereina before he adds in that same tone,'The accident such a misunderstanding could cause would be bad for the morale of the City.'

The stanger chuckles again. He removes his helmet and reveals his face. His golden eyes flash deeply and a smirk forms on his lips. "I know well of sanity and insanity, however, I never seek a battle in this peaceful place. And if you stand between me and your wife to protect her, don't bother. I'd never harm a lady, less she speak ill of the Lord Dragon." The expression on his face tells you that last remark doesn't just go for ladies.

Sereina mutters to herself, frowning at the way that Samuel was taking a defensive stance for her. She forced herself to keep behind, crossing her free arm beneath her breasts.

Samuel's teeth grind together almost audibly. His lips twist as if in distaste as he seizes Saidin and draws deeply on it, menace rolling off of him in waves for those that can sense male channeling. He snaps out in a cold, arrogant tone,'I hardly think the wife of an Asha'man would be fool enough to speak ill of the Lord Dragon. I doubt so much claim can be made for your good sense.'

The stranger laughs deeply. "Calm, I was making know claim or accusation. I was merely telling you that your wife was in no danger less she did speak ill of the Lord Dragon." The man hmms thoughtfully then smiles, extending his hand in Samuel's direction. "I am Varak Blackstorm."

Samuel sneers and eyes the man's hand with an expression of utter disdain. In a tone as if speaking to a child, and one not to bright at that, he says,'How could I be other than calm and yet maintain my hold on Saidin? You are dismissed, peasant.'

Sereina comes around to Samuel's side again, turning her head to hide the smirk. 'Perhaps we should get going, honey?' she said, tugging on his hand gently.

Varak growls deeply and replaces his helmet upon his head. "I offer kindness and you spit in my face? You call me a peasant when I am better clothed than your own wife? Mark my words, should I see you out of this city, my blade shall seperate you from life." He lays his hand once again on the pommel of his sword as he speaks.

Samuel arches an eyebrow coolly. His deep blue eyes fix the man with an almost amused expression, yet his voice remains as ice,'Remove you hand from that hilt, dog, unless you wish these bystanders to be picking pieces of your skull out of their hair.' As he speaks, Samuel casually spins out threads of Fire and Earth into a tightly intertwined lance-like structure, holding the weave poised in front of Varak's skull, invisible to all but those who can channel Saidin.

Sereina growled beneath her breath, some of what she was feeling rolling through the bond. 'Come ON,' she says, pulling his hand.

Varak growls and remains his hand on the hilt of his sword as he speaks in a cold tone, "No death shall happen in this place of peace, but death will find you, when you do not expect it." He raises his helmet and spits in Samuel's face and turns, lowering his helmet back down as he walks away, purposely ramming his shoulder into Sereina's shoulder hard as he passes her and makes his way toward the crowd of the Oval.

Samuel releases the weave of Earth and Fire, snapping out hard with thick band formed of flows of Air in an attempt to bind the arrogant miscreant's arms to his sides and prevent all movement. He sneers loudly,'You will very much rue touching my wife, dog.'

Varak growls menacingly. "It would be wise to release me of this weave puny channeler. I will not kill you here, and it would not be wise to cause trouble in the Oval, the guards might get a smite upset."

Samuel throws back his head and cackles loudly, deridingly,'I am the guards, you piece of refuse. Now you get to spend several days in the depths of the Caemlyn jail for assaulting a woman.' Then he turns north and begins walking towards the palace, bells jingling wildly at his pace as he pulls the weave of Air behind him and mutters,'I'll buy an extra dress to make up for the delay, Sereina.'

Sereina chuckled and waved at Samuel, sitting down at one of the benches. It would have been a perfect time for her to run away, but the soldier might take it into his head to try to attack her for her "husband."

Varak growls angrily. "You should be locked up for your actions, threatening to kill me in the Oval, getting snooty when offered a handshake. You have no honor, and you call yourself a Queen's Guard?"

Samuel makes his way out of the oval towards the palace to the north still laughing loudly at the protesting bundle being dragged along behind.

Sereina sighs to herself and shakes her head, crossing her legs and leaning back into the bench. So much for shopping.

Genynia stalks into the area with her divided skirts rustling and scans the area lazily with her dark eyes. Resting her gaze on a bench, she takes a few broad steps and asks the woman sitting there, "Mind if I sit here for a quick rest?" motioning to the available seat.

Sereina smiles at the newcomer and nods. 'Please, have a seat.' she says, scooting over for the woman.

Benedict is lead into the oval by a nosy woman, who points at Samuel and Varak, followed by three guardsmen. Benedict thanks the women and walks up to Samuel asking, "What is the meaning of all this?"

Varak speaks coldly, "This channeler disgraced me, then decided to use a weave to wrap me when I turned to leave his presence."

Genynia nods with a tight smile showing on her weary face. Leaning her right shoulder foward to let her pack slip to the ground, she looks to the woman and says, "I appreciate it. I just arrived and am very tired. Is there any news to be heard here in the grand city of Caemlyn, or is it better not to ask?" Sitting down hard, her smile is one of playfulness, but does not touch her eyes. Again, she looks over the crowd, expecting to find trouble.

Samuel presses his fist to his chest in a quick salute to Benedict, then jerks his thumb back over his shoulder at the loudly protesting, wrapped soldier and snorts derisively,'This man tried to provoke me, then he assaulted my wife. I think he is likely touched by the Light. You wish me to carry him to the magistrate or you want custody of him?' If the prisoner's words have any affect on him, he does not show it.

Sereina chuckled. 'Well, if you want news, there's some right there. My husband and another man are causing quite a stir of their own, and I just got tired of being in the middle of it all.' she shrugged and crossed her arms. ' The Light burn him, Samuel still has my boots, too.'

Benedict peers down at Varak for a second before asking, "Was it not you who I almost arrested a few weeks back for almost fighting with an Aiel in this very same oval? I think I'd rather trust the word of the Asha'man, they carry much weight in this fair city, especialy within the concern of justice." Benedict sneers lightly for a moment at Varak before turning to Samuel and frowning. "Hmm.. He assaulted your wife you say? I'll have my men take him, if that's alright. You may accompany us to testify if you wish." Benedict motions to his men who walk over to Varak and start to drag him over towards the palace.

Varak curses loudly then yells in his own defense. "I tried to provoke YOU? I offered you my hand and you basically spit in my face. You tried to provoke me. As far as assaulting your wife, that is false spoken as well. I turned to leave and she was in the way." He pauses for a moment to compose himself. "And I am not touched by the Light. If I was, why would I have attempted to avoid conflict in the peaceful place?"

Genynia looks to the men gathered together and then back to Sereina. "Men only know trouble, or haven't you learned that?" she says plainly while leaning down to rummage in her pack as if she is looking for something. Drawing her hands out empty, she frowns a bit, then goes on, "Which is your husband and how did he come to put you in the middle of trouble?"

Sereina laughed. 'I'm still a bit young to understand most of this. My husband's the Arafellin man in the black coat holding the bag. Light, I do hope he doesn't lose my boots.' she chuckled. 'And it all started with....Hrm....I can't even remember...

Samuel shakes his head slightly, apparently not paying attention to the prisoner's protests. He rubs his chin thoughtfully with his right hand and shifts the bundle under his left to get more comfortable, then says,'If you need me to testify, yes. Or is my word as an enforcer of the law sufficient? I was just going to deposit him with the magistrate and let him sort it out.' He turns to look in the direction of Sereina for a brief moment, then back to Benedict and adds,'I can stop up his mouth if that would make things easier and get me more quickly back to my wife.'

Genynia chuckles heartily. Leaning back a bit and running a hand through her hair absently, she watches the men with a smile touching the corners of her thin lips. "One thing we all have to learn as we get older, is that all men, and I do mean all, live to cause trouble. It is the one thing they are all good at, regardless of age or country." Turning her eyes back to her pack, she sighs.

Benedict turns towards his men who are starting to drag Varak away. "That won't be nessicary Asha'man, we can still do things the old fasioned way around here." Benedict smirks at Samuel and would almost wink, if he were ever inclined to do such a thing. "Put a gag on that man, I'm tired of hearing his babble! He'll have time to say his peace in front of the magistrate." Benedict's guards comply, gagging Varak with a length of cloth. Benedict nods and returns his attention to Samuel. "Well, you don't have to come if you don't want to, I can take down your testimony. I'm sure if you came it would carry more weight though. He -is- a repeat offender."

Varak growls through the gag in his mouth

Samuel shoots an odd frown in the direction of his wife again, then turns back to Benedict,'My testimony is simple enough. The man sought several times to provoke a reaction out of me. I ignored him until he snickered at my wife's state of dress. When I allowed my displeasure at this to be known, he touched his hilt in a threatening gesture. I warned him that drawing on me would result in his death. He stormed off and bumped rather hard into my wife. I can feel that it is going to leave a fairly nasty bruise and I have little talent for Healing. That is when I bound him. You arrived shortly after. You require more information?'

Benedict shakes his head at Samuel and replies, "No, that should be good enough, I'll see to it that the magistrate gets this. I'm sorry for all the trouble this man has caused you and your wife, I hope she feels better soon."

Samuel presses his fist to his chest in another salute to Benedict, then turns and begins to make his way across the plaza to where his wife waits, his boots clicking loudly on the cobblestones and the bells in his braids jingling almost merrily. As he draws near her, he pats the bundle under his arm and says,'No, dearest, I did not forget your shoes.'

Sereina smiled up at Samuel and chuckles, turning to the woman sitting next to her. 'It looks like I'll be on my way now. Thank you for your time.'

Benedict answers Samuel's salute and turns on his heels back into the direction of the palace. Walking off after his men and their captive.

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