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Thread: [M] Anima Mundi IC (Namingtoohard and Headwrapper)

  1. #431
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    Mec nodded idly as he listened to Shallan's response to his question, giving her time to speak her mind. He dug his toe into the ground, although the brick beneath him rendered this action to be an endless endeavor. His gaze reflected back and forth, between both his companion and the passing crowd before them. It was surprising how many people had actually attended the show, and Mec wondered how much money was involved. Many of the patrons in the outskirts were simply onlookers who contributed no coin whatsoever, but each one of them could be a potential customer for the Purpleberry later. After all, who would not want to enjoy a dance with the beauties they saw on stage, or outdrink a prince?

    Despite all of this, it was unlikely that the Misfits were amassing much in regards to wealth. Clair's diligence in making sure the needs of all of the members were met, or exceeded rather, surely came at a hefty expense. Not every town was going to be as lucrative, and not every show was a hit either. It was different from Mec's family's business, which relied on ensuring the town's residents would return to stock up on their needs on a regular basis. The entertainment business seemed much more volatile, and truly required a passion for the craft. Was Mec's desire to train his powers a passion? Did he feel as strongly about it as Clair may have been about the troupe, or even Shallan and her sort of apprenticeship?

    Mec snapped out of his thoughts, hearing the pitch of Shallan's voice rise slightly as she asked her first question. Had he only been partially listening this whole time? Luckily, the question needed no answer, and Shallan had another to ask. Realizing Shallan was revisiting their little game that they had been playing earlier, Mec could not help but allow a small grin to grace his visage. "You think so?" He paused for a long moment, battling with his thoughts. His smile grew a little wider, and he turned his head away to avoid eye contact. A small chuckle tried to escape his throat, but he suppressed it into a whispery exhale in an attempt to mask his sudden bashfulness. After taking a long breath, he returned his attention towards Shallan again. "I hope you're right. In fact, I had something I was hoping to give her next time we had a moment together."

    He reached for the small pouch that harbored the gift he had spontaneously decided to acquire only a short while before the show. There would surely be plenty of opportunities in the future for him to present the thing, and they may very well have been at a better time or in a better place, but he had just decided that waiting for the perfect moment was a useless endeavor. Although they jested about Shallan's absenteeism, it was still a reality. Between Shallan's efforts and her training, and Mec's own contributions and personal pursuits, they may very well only have downtime when the needs of the troupe allowed them to.

    "So, I was wondering," he continued, letting the game go on. "Since you have a better eye for these things, if you could tell me what you think?" His fingers danced around the edges of the pouch, slowly loosening the drawstring, but in no hurry to reveal the contents. "I just thought that maybe, y'know, since she has been working so hard lately, that some kind of reward is in order. I-it's just a little thing, actually, so if you don't think she'd like it then I don't need to give it to her." His last sentence was annexed on in a rush, a sudden nervousness and self-consciousness creeping out as he thought about how modest the gift actually was. Despite this, he continued to proceed with pulling the silver chain from the pouch, each link shimmering in the light of the setting sun as they entered its embrace, until finally the bright white pearl was revealed. The smooth, white, orb glistened in the light, tinged slightly orange as it reflected the sun's rays.

    Mec clenched the pouch in one palm as he draped the necklace across the other, presenting it to Shallan. "Think she might like it?"

  2. #432
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    Shallan’s expression was one of mild interest the first time Mec mentioned this little gift of his. She felt equal parts surprised and curious, but fought hard to keep herself under control. It wouldn’t do to break character, and let her growing excitement end their little game prematurely. Even so, she couldn’t help but wonder just what Mec intended. Was he going to take her somewhere private and plant a kiss on her cheek, or something else along those lines, or would this gift be of a more tangible sort? She couldn’t help but wonder, her mind racing as it considered the possibilities.

    That particular question was quickly answered when Mec produced a small pouch from places unknown, and began fiddling with the edges in an attempt to open it. The sight of it was enough for Shallan to dismiss the more fanciful ideas that she’d been entertaining just a moment earlier. Apparently her head was a little bit too full of storybook nonsense after spending so much time with the Misfits, and watching their final performance of this stop. Of course he had meant a gift in the more traditional sense. Of course.

    “Oh, I’d be more than happy to lend you the benefit of my expertise, if it’ll let me steal a peek. This friend of yours sounds like a real lucky-“

    Shallan spoke with an air of feigned nonchalance, only to trip and stumble over her own tongue at the last moment, when Mec finally revealed the pearl necklace in its entirety. Her eyes widened in shock, her gaze transfixed, and it was a good few moments before she managed to regain enough of her composure to speak again.

    “Oh, Mec…it’s beautiful.”

    Shallan almost whispered the words, and made no attempt to hide her awe. She reached out towards the necklace with one hand. Slowly. Gently. Like she was planning on brushing her fingers against the pearl, or wanted to cup it in her hand. She seemed to think better of it at the last second, however, and lowered it again. The pearl seemed so pretty, Shallan couldn’t help but think it was some sort of trick. A magical illusion, that might break apart and disappear if she were to disturb it. Finally, though sheer force of will, she dragged her gaze away from the sight and met her friend’s eyes again, as was proper.

    “I don’t even want to think about how much this must have cost you. How could you even afford it? It must’ve-“

    For the second time in just as many moments, words seemed to fail Shallan. Mec buying something so expensive seemed a touch irresponsible, given their current financial situation, but she was having a difficult time feeling upset by the unneeded expense. It was at about that moment that Shallan realised she had broken character and ruined their little game, and much too early for her liking. In a poor attempt to hide how flustered she was feeling and save face, the girl did her best to pick up where they had left off.

    “I’m sure your friend will adore it. Just make sure you play the role of a proper gentleman when you give it to her. Drape it around her neck and fasten it for her, so that she doesn’t look like one of the seven fools trying to do it herself. If she likes it enough to give you the chance, of course. Ya hear?”

    Once Mec had agreed, Shallan would give him the chance to do just that. She’d turn away from her friend so that her back was facing him, her intentions hopefully made clear. Accepting the gift now might very well bring their little game to an end, she knew, but Shallan didn’t particularly care. She wanted nothing more than to wear his gift to the after-party, even if it meant admitting defeat.

  3. #433
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    Mec remained silent as he observed his friend's reaction to the pearl necklace he had presented to her. It may have seemed foolish to have emptied his pockets for such a small pearl on a thin chain, but any evidence or argument for that point paled in comparison to the feeling of pride and excitement he felt the moment Shallan's eyes stopped on the trinket. Her sudden shock, the way her beautiful eyes widened, the gentle way she reached out her delicate fingers towards the gift, it was all more than Mec could have hoped for. Caught up in the moment, he almost forgot to breathe. When his lips parted to allow him to draw breath, a shushed, whispery laugh trembled through his chest.

    The excitement in his face was distinctly apparent, and he struggled to even return Shallan's gaze when it finally moved away from the gift he had offered. Beyond the slight trembling in his breaths, Mec felt his joy welling up in his chest, and his eyes, while beaming happily, would occasionally turn away from Shallan when the joyful feeling started to become too much to handle. He had just about forgotten about their clever game until Shallan managed to pick up where the exchange had left off. After grinning through Shallan's instructions, he nodded gently. "Yeah."

    After Shallan turned, freely offering the opportunity for Mec to follow her direction, Mec did not hesitate to step forward. He held the both ends of the chain in each hand, pausing for only a brief second as he began to bend his elbows to raise it over Shallan's head. Unable to help himself, he wondered in that moment if Shallan had even thought about the mistake he made in Convittas. Did she really forgive him for the trick he played on her mind, or did she forget? Would the thought come across her mind again someday, tainting this memory they were going to share?

    That moment quickly passed. Mec had no answers for those questions he considered, other than one: Right now, I don't care. With that, he raised the chain and slowly draped it around Shallan's neck, just as she had demanded. He linked the clasp, and his hands gently rested on Shallan's shoulders for a moment. An unexplainable force compelled Mec to inch a little closer, his face nearing the back of Shallan's head. There was something more he wanted to do, in fact, the feeling was like he had to do it, but... But, they still had a long journey ahead of them. After finally giving in to logic and reason, having strayed too far already from what rationality would have dictated, he chose to press his forehead against Shallan's crown. "I'm glad you like it," he quietly proclaimed, before breaking away to give Shallan room to move, should she chose to turn and display her new accessory.

    Once again, while silently watching Shallan, Mec found himself wondering how he had been graced with a friend like her. It had to have been the thousandth time such thoughts crossed his mind, and the concept still did not feel any less incredible. It was all he could think about while he watched her and her final reactions to receiving his gift.

    The after-party at the Purpleberry was going to start soon, and the time to leave to be there for the beginning was soon approaching. "So, would you still care for some familiar company at the party?" he asked, offering his hand.




    The Purpleberry was absolutely bustling by the time the pair had arrived. Many patrons had already taken positions outside. Some were seated, another few leaned against the wooden fence that lined the outside perimeter, while many others stood about, waving their arms as they conversed with drink in hand. Immediately, Mec noticed a few of the Misfit performers preparing their instruments- notably a few large drums and a large horn he had never seen before.

    Inside, one would quickly see that the that the building was also packed full of patrons, excited for the evening's merriment. A few other Misfits were preparing for instruments for the guests who chose to stay inside. The temperature climbed as more and more people had packed inside, and soon the windows around the outside walls of the building swung open as patron's and hosts alike sought fresh air.

    Clair looked herself over in the tall mirror that rested on the wall in front of her in the backroom of the tavern. She had was quick to change her look after the previous performance, and wore much more comfortable attire while still managing to showcase her beauty. She wore a dark blue skirt that was just about knee length, and a short-sleeved, white, blouse, guarded by an orange bodice darker than amber. Her golden hair was tied loosely in a bun behind her, with a couple of her wavy locks tastefully hanging loose to frame her head. A long strip of cloth was tied around her waist in a bow, and she watched it swing passed her thighs as she twirled around.

    She soon saw Ella approach from behind her, wearing garb of a similar style. Her skirt was was a rose red, lined with white on the ends. She also wore a white blouse, the sleeves slit at the shoulders. Her bodice was white and heavily decorated with a rose pattern, and fastened together with red ribbon that crisscrossed across her front. She stepped forward, standing next to Clair to observe their reflections in the mirror. "Ready, oh dearest leader?" she said, a hint of harshness in her voice as she spoke. She turned herself slightly, watching proudly as her straight, flaming-red hair slid across her bare shoulders.

    "Mhm, it's about time, isn't it?"

    Within the tavern, and even just outside, the festivities had begun. The musicians had begun to play their instruments, the drums carrying a fast and heavy beat, shaking the earth, while the loud and low horns enriched the sound with a rounded completeness. Patrons had not yet broken out into a full on dance just yet, but many were clapping to the rhythm, tapping their feet, or serenading each other with their own words.

    Suddenly, a loud announcement came from one end of the tavern, and the volume of the music dropped low. The loud and proud voice came from none other than Godrich. With the promise of a night no one will ever forget, full of food and drink, music, dancing, all in a way to show thanks for the hospitality shown to the Misfits, Godrich finally ushered in the remaining crew with a loud shout. The music grew loud once again, the doors to the backrooms of the tavern suddenly burst open, and the the last of the Misftis poured in. If there was a moment that marked the beginning of what would become an uncontrolled night of unbridled excitement, that was the moment. What seemed like the entirety of those attending cheered as the troupe spread out, dancing with their partners. Clair dragged her partner outside to entertain the crowd there, and quickly a circle formed around them.

    Once the initial excitement started to wane, Clair's partner held her hand for one last twirl before stepping aside. Clair's eyes mischievously danced about the crowd, before she quickly approached one member of the crowd, taking him by the hands and pulling him to the center of the circle. She quickly snatched the man's hat, playing with the feather before laying it upon her own head, further exciting the crowd before they had begun dancing.

    Soon, others began to join the dancing circle. Some charged in, emboldened by their own initiative, while others were coaxed in by Clair, her partner, or one of the musicians. Clair's original dance partner managed to spot Shallan and Mec, approaching them quickly. "Come come come," he demanded, sweat dripping off of his brow. He grabbed both Shallan and Mec by the hands and pulled them towards the expanding dance circle.

  4. #434
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    The few brief moments Shallan spent with her back turned were filled with excitement. The seconds seemed to drag on, as if each were a self-contained eternity. Was Mec just taking his sweet time, or was her own enthusiasm simply getting the better of her? It was impossible for Shallan to tell. Either way, the aspiring singer schooled herself to patience. She shouldn’t have received such a princely gift in the first place – the least she could do was wait a few more seconds to receive it.

    When the chain and its prize finally settled against Shallan’s skin, it almost came as a relief. Like most jewellery, the necklace was feather-light. Noticeable, certainly, but not cumbersome. This piece in particular, however, seemed to carry a different sort of weight. One beyond its meager physical presence. Shallan imagined that she could feel the meaning behind Mec’s gesture, almost. As if the necklace were a physical representation of their bond, somehow, and carried the weight of their friendship. Was it a real sensation, or was the moment just making her sentimental? Given the circumstances, Shallan felt that she could forgive herself for such an idle fantasy, if that was indeed the case.

    The brush of Mec’s fingertips against her neck as he did the clasp made Shallan shiver, just slightly, before she stiffened a little at the feeling of his hands on her shoulders. The air seemed to still and the sounds of the crowd seemed to melt away, just for a moment, as if the entire plaza were suddenly holding its breath. Where had this sense of anticipation come from, all of a sudden? She could hear his whispered words clearly, despite the crowd around them. Shallan opened her mouth, as if to reply, but words seemed to fail her, just briefly.

    …And then the moment seemed to pass. Mec withdrew his hands and stepped away, and Shallan was left wondering how much of that had actually happened, and how much she had imagined. Her mind often ran wild just after watching a play, let alone such a fantastic one. Deciding that this wasn’t the time for pondering, she shoved the thought away.

    Shallan took a brief moment to flick her hair out, before she finally turned to face Mec again, as was proper. Her smile was only small, but that wasn’t a sign she was unhappy with her gift. Rather, the curve of her mouth and the glimmer of her eyes were filled with an incredible fondness. It was just one that was reserved for Mec alone, and was not to be shared with the rest of the world. Shallan would finally raise a hand to touch the pearl gently, as if she could still scarcely believe it were real, before Mec’s next question drew her attention once more. Given the chance, she doubtless would have asked how she looked wearing her new necklace, but she decided to skip over that particular formality, for now. Instead, she reached out to take Mec’s hand without delay.

    “I definitely would.”

    ~~~~

    By the time they arrived at the Purpleberry inn, it looked as if the place were full to bursting. With the vast majority of the Misfits in attendance, and four walls surrounding them, the crowd seemed even larger than the one that had turned out to watch their final play. Between the background music and the excited chatter of rowdy patrons, even the simple act of speaking to one’s neighbors seemed like it would be a struggle, let alone trying to find one’s friends.

    It took Shallan several minutes of ducking, weaving and jostling just to get them in the front door, and even then, it was hard to make their way through the crowd. She kept a tight grip on Mec’s hand, too, lest he inadvertently get swept away. She knew without looking that finding vacant seats was definitely out of the question, and they’d likely have to make do with any vacant floor-space they could find. It was chaotic, to say the least, but it was some of the most good-natured chaos that Shallan had ever seen. In fact, it was exactly what she had been expecting – and hoping – this evening would be like.

    Then the rest of the Misfits burst in, and quickly established their own little dance circle, near the middle of the inn. Shallan wasn’t sure how there was enough space for them, or how they managed to clear everyone else out so quickly. Another trick of the trade, she supposed. She cheered along with the rest as they began coaxing helpless patrons into joining them, and it wasn’t long before the party was in full swing. Shallan was so caught up in it that she didn’t notice Clair’s partner barrelling towards them, and then it was much too late.

    Shallan let out a playful squeal, but allowed herself to be dragged out onto the dance-floor otherwise. There was no point in resisting, she knew, and so she chose to embrace it instead. It wasn’t long before she found herself spinning around the room with a partner whose face she did not recognize, watched by so many others that she never could have counted them all. Her first partner proved to be a graceful dancer, but it wasn’t long before the music changed, and she was paired with another. The second she recognized as a local, and whilst he wasn’t as graceful as the first, he made up for his lack of skill with obvious enthusiasm. A cheerful laugh slipped from Shallan’s lips, and she did her best to keep pace.

    The dance eventually brought Shallan and Mec back together, if only for a few brief moments. Without breaking stride, she spoke out loud, and prayed that he would be able to hear her over the music and the crowd. “I usually like to have a few drinks before I start dancing. Speaking of, meet me at the bar whenever we manage to escape this trap, and I’ll buy you one. As thanks.” Another change in the music, and the two of them were forced to spin away from each other, lest they disrupt the dance. No matter. She’d simply have to hope that he had understood. For now, she’d focus on having fun and enjoying the moment.

    Shallan didn’t know how long it took her to escape the dance circle. All she knew is that she was breathing heavily by the time she finally managed to break away. Fully intent on getting herself a drink, even if Mec was still dancing, she slipped across the floor and towards the bar. As luck would have it, one of the bar stools was vacated just as she arrived, and Shallan quickly claimed it for herself. Grateful for the chance to get off her feet, if only for a moment, she quickly gave the bartender her order, and turned to watch the rest of the dancers. A welcome chance to catch her breath, before the inevitable moment when she’d throw herself back into the fun, later tonight.

  5. #435
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    "Wait, I d-" Mec began to protest, but in the roar of the cheering crowd he could hardly hear himself think, and he was suddenly tossed into the ring of fanfare and merriment. Far from a natural dancer, his initial movements came off as labored and forced as he tried to keep up. Even still, he found fun in the event. Although he was laughing it himself at first, as he grew more comfortable his laughter began to stem from the contagious exhilaration of the room. After rotating through a couple of partners and warming up, his hesitations melted away, lost in the pounding rhythms and melodies of the troupe's instruments.

    He was hardly able to hear what Shallan said to him while they briefly shared a dance together. Was she offering him a drink later? Mec had sworn off the stuff after his little adventure in Convittas but... if she was offering, should he really say no? A small feeling off disappointment welled up in his chest when they were forced to separate again, but it could not be helped. In fact, it became easy to stow away the feeling when his eyes met another familiar gaze.

    Clair's brown eyes beamed as she looked up from beneath the feathered cap that she had commandeered at the start of the jamboree. The mischievous glint, the wink while she stuck out her tongue from the corner of her mouth, all shaded under a stolen accessory — this was definitely the face of the troupe known as the Misfits. She let out a laugh as Mec took her hand and lead her into a turn, and she surprised him by keeping hold of his hand, pulling him closer by the arm with the opposing hand. "Well look at you, dancing with pretty girls," she teased.

    "There was a couple guys mixed in there too," Mec joked back. He watched as Clair spun away with another shift in the music, not being able to help but wonder if there was meaning behind her little stunt. The thought was short lived, as he was once again surprised to suddenly be sharing the floor with none other than Ella. There was still a lingering suspicion, an instinctual feeling if nothing else, that boiled in Mec's gut at the thought of this particular performer. She was talented, and a beauty in her own right, but his experience with her attitude made him wary of her intentions. In fact, even as they wordlessly danced, she seemed to be expecting something.

    Offering a simple gesture, Mec was nearly certain of his suspicions. Like he had done for Clair- in fact, for no one other than Clair that night - he offered his hand with his palm raised up. Ella was quick to lay her elegant and pale fingers atop of his, and let her self be lead into a quick turn. Mec could feel his eyebrows involuntarily raise as he watched the transformation on the woman's face. One moment, her expression was quizzical, almost demanding. The next, her red lips were peeled back into a large toothy smile, maybe the first one Mec had ever seen her offer up without following a script. As much as he would prefer to believe that his stellar improvisation was what brought such joy about, he knew there was more to this story. He thought back briefly to Midir's explanation of curses, and how they were easier to inflict to those who were envied. At first, he chocked the explanation up to Clair being a beautiful and charismatic leader, mildly envied by many. Now, he wondered if a strong jealousy directed from a single source lead to the Clair's magical ailment.

    Once again, the music shifted, and finally Mec found himself without a partner. He took the opportunity to pull himself away, squeezing his way through the outer ring of onlookers. He let out a heavy sigh, pulling his shirt outward to let the air cool him down. As he clumsily stumbled away, restricted by the sheer number of patrons as he relearned how to walk normally again, he took in the sights. From a distance, he could see Sarah taking both of Sean's hands and teaching him how to dance. Mec wondered how many times she has had to reteach the slow-witted boy. A few tables away, Godrich was already drinking other men under the table, proudly gulping down drink after drink as they were offered to him.

    Eventually, Mec caught sight of Shallan at the bar. He hurried over. "So, about that drink," he said as he approached, sliding his hand across the back of his friend's shoulders as he squeezed onto the edge of her seat, just enough that he could rest his weight upon the side of his leg. "I'll actually take two."

  6. #436
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    Shallan hadn’t quite recovered from their unexpected outing when Mec broke free of the dancing circle, but she was close to catching her breath, at the very least. The mere sight of him weaving through the crowd towards her would’ve been enough to make the aspiring performer smile, had she not already been grinning like crazy, and she greeted him with open enthusiasm. It took her a moment, but when she realised what he was trying to do, Shallan quickly relinquished half of her stool to him without complaint. Whilst not exactly comfortable, half a seat was better than none, and she had no intentions of lounging about idly whilst he went without. Considering the circumstances, they were probably lucky to have as much space as they did.

    A soft laugh slipped from her lips when Mec demanded the drink she had offered, and another besides. Shallan could hardly judge – dancing was thirsty work, after all. She threw a sideways glance at her companion, one eyebrow raised, but when she spoke, her words held no hint of reproach. Only playfulness.

    “Oh, is that so? Well, I suppose I can afford splurge a little bit. One extra round shouldn’t put too much undue strain on my purse.” As if on cue, the bartender picked that exact moment to return. He set a wooden mug filled with mead down in front of Shallan with a hefty thunk, and didn’t so much as bat an eye when she quickly requested another of the same for her companion. The man only nodded once, in acknowledgement, before moving off down the bar, presumably to retrieve said drink. Shallan restrained herself until the man had returned, only reaching to pick up her mug when they both had one to hold, and the money was done changing hands.

    “To starry nights, good friends, and generous crowds!” Shallan offered cheerfully. She didn’t shout the words, but it seemed a fitting toast nonetheless. She’d clink her mug against Mec’s own gently, before finally lifting it to her lips and taking a generous sip. A content sigh quickly followed – she’d been looking forward to that moment all day, even before the dancing had started.

    “Here here!”

    Their small moment of tranqulity was quickly interrupted by Tanya. Still dressed in the flamboyant outfit she had used to help start the dancing just a few moments earlier, she burst into their conversation with little warning. With no hesitation or shame, Tanya strolled up and helped herself to a seat atop the bar counter, on Shallan’s side of their seat. She ignored the looks the other patrons gave her, and instead focused her attention on the two she had come to pester.

    “I should have known I’d find you two lovebirds hiding together. Not quite as private a corner as I expected, but I guess you make do with what you have” Tanya said, feigning nonchalance. Without a hint of remorse or shame, she reached out and plucked Shallan’s mug from the countertop and helped herself to a sip without asking, before passing it back to the blushing girl. “Did the two of you enjoy our dance?”

    Like a great deal of embarrassed girls her age, Shallan’s first response to this playful ribbing was not to respond at all, and instead pretend it had never happened. A strategic sip from her mug once it was returned allowed her a little time to think, but in the end her response was the same. “We did plenty of dancing. Not all of us can do this for a living, Tanya.”

    “No, I suppose not. But you just might, if you get your way with Sarah. Still, I can ask them to play a slow song next, if you like.” Tanya’s grin was mischievous, and she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  7. #437
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    After Shallan offered a quick toast, Mec happily clinked mugs with her and took a long draw of his drink. The mead was semi-sweet as it hit his tongue, the hint of honey and strong notes of cinnamon quickly emerging as the drink traveled down. After taking the first sip, Mec gave his cup a small shake and watched the contents swirl around, then shot a quick glance towards Shallan before finally looking out towards the crowd. Although he was not normally one for crowds, this particular gathering served well to bring out his more sociable side. The feeling of merriment that was brought about by the Misfits antics, the food and drink, and the music, all created a contagious atmosphere of joy. Best of all, after what felt like ages of hardly seeing each other, he and Shallan finally had some time to spend in each other's company.

    His dark eyebrows raised suddenly at the sound of someone approaching, announcing their arrival with a cheer. It was none other than Tanya. Mec still did not know what to make of her just yet, but knowing that Shallan had developed a fondness for this particular woman was enough for him to have a mostly positive opinion of her. Her clothes were similar to what Clair and Ella were wearing, and served well to draw attention to her, especially after she commandeered a seat atop of the bar.

    Upon hearing Tanya's jests towards the pair of "lovebirds", Mec was quick to raise his mug to his lips and take another long drink from it. So long, in fact, that he managed to hide most of his face behind the mug for a while. He was close to turning purple when Shallan finally responded. Relieved of any obligation to acknowledge Tanya's teasing, Mec finally put his cup down and was able to get back to breathing. Still, Tanya's playful teasing at the pair's expense did not stop, and Mec stirred slightly when she offered to arrange for a slower song to play. "Oh, I wouldn't want to disrupt the cheerful mood for our own benefit," he said timidly, pretending to be occupied with watching the crowd.

    A while later, the dancing music faded, giving way to rhythms that were still rather upbeat but without the flare that would have patrons hopping out of their seats. Many guests found this as an opportunity to parch their thirst, fill their empty bellies, and converse, and soon the bar became even more crowded than it already was. Having finished his drink, Mec nudged his mug closer to where the bartender would be able to reach it, and looked to his friend. "Seems like a good time to get some fresh air, no?"

    He took Shallan's hand as they squeezed their way through the oncoming crowd, and through the jostling and nudging they eventually made it outside. The night air, which had felt still and ordinary before, now tasted of relief from the rising temperature inside. It soothed the skin with its coolness, and Mec could feel his neck and face tingle as his sweat met with the cooled air. Even the patrons who chose to stay outside, separate from the main affairs inside, appearedd to be in high spirits. It seemed a few of the Misfits had taken to entertaining the folks outside as well, as many of the outdoor tables and chairs were moved to make space for what was probably a makeshift dance floor. Even with the dancing temporarily subsiding, the entertainers that lingered outside did well to engage the patrons with small chitchats.

    After meandering his way towards the short fence that lined the perimeter of the tavern, bringing Shallan along by the hand the entire time, Mec glanced back towards the door of the inn. "Poor Tanya. With that sudden rush of people, she might still be stuck sitting on that counter!" He laughed, and then his laughter turned into a giggling fit, the cheerful mood and maybe the drinks he had getting the better of him. When he finally stopped, he glanced down to Shallan's hand in his, lifting it up gently to press his other hand over top. "So, I was thinking about something. If you keep doing all of this training with Sarah... does that mean I will get to see you in one of outfits all of the girls were wearing?"

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    Wedged between two of her best friends, Shallan was perfectly happy to play the role of the social butterfly tonight. The alcohol, music, and general atmosphere of the party seemed deliberately designed to lower inhibitions, and her work, whilst fulfilling, had left her feeling starved for meaningful connections. Despite the crowds, the aspiring performer would’ve been content to chat until the early hours of the morning. When the music began to grow a little more calmer, however, and patrons began to abandon their dancing to flock to the bar, things began to get a little too stuffy, even for Shallan’s relaxed tastes. She nodded a simple response to Mec’s question, drained the rest of her tankard in a single go, and slipped from her seat without any further pomp.

    Pushing through the crowd proved even less enjoyable the second time around. Shallan wasn’t entirely sure if it was because everyone was congregating around the bar, or if it was because they had all just finished dancing. Heck, maybe it was the alcohol in her system. Regardless of the cause, however, the inn’s interior suddenly felt much too warm for her liking. Thankfully, she didn’t have to put up with it for long. It came as a great relief when they finally burst out of the building and into the yard beyond. The gentle evening breeze felt like a gentle caress upon her flushed cheeks; cool and soothing and wholly pleasant. Both a start contrast and a welcome respite.

    Once they’d settled in by the fence, Shallan glanced around at their new surroundings. They weren’t the only people out here, but it was far from crowded. Small clusters of people gathered in duos and trios, but no more. The aspiring performer could still hear the music being played inside, but it was muted. Distant. The gentle murmur of conversation was almost enough to eclipse it, and even then, Shallan struggled to make out the words. Altogether, it made for a much more intimate setting.

    Shallan was quiet during those first few moments. She took a deep breath and let her eyes slip closed, perfectly happy to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, if only for a moment. She’d open them again only when Mec spoke, and an amused chuckle quickly slipped from her lips.

    “Oh, I wouldn’t be too worried. Knowing Tanya, she’ll have made a dozen new friends come sunrise” Shallan offered between bouts of laughter. Once her giggles finally faded, she’d lapse back into content silence again, only to throw a sideways glance at Mec when he took her hand in both of his. Just where was he going with this? Perhaps it was the alcohol again, but Shallan was curious. Instead of interrupting, she wanted to let this play out, and see just what he had in mind. When he spoke next, she let out a soft sigh.
    “Maybe, if we ever start training actual performance skills” Shallan answered, a small frown flickering across her features. She’d turn her gaze away again, out over the fence and into the darkness beyond. “Don’t get me wrong. Its great to be helping in a more meaningful way, and I’m still learning important skills. Sarah warned me that it might be like this, too. It’s just…not what I was hoping for. Not yet, at the very least.”

    Shallan sounded a touch disappointed at first, but it didn’t take her long to rally. She’d straighten up a little, leaning less of her weight on the fence, before turning her attention back to Mec good and proper, a budding smile on her lips. “I’m sure it won’t be like this forever, though. I daresay that there’ll be a much smaller demand for makeup expertise once we’re back on the road again.” A soft chuckle slipped her lips, before her eyes narrowed slightly.

    “Do I want to know why you’re so interested in the costume, specifically?” Shallan tilted her head to one side slightly, her gaze…sly. Her mouth was set into a line, but one corner flickered upward slightly, as if she were fighting off a smile.

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    Mec's eyebrows raised in response to Shallan's rebuttal to his question, listening quietly as his partner vented her frustrations with her training, or rather, the lack of. He almost wished he had not asked, but his partner, as she often did, had turned towards the bright side of the situation on her own. With another long journey ahead of them and the Misfits, there would surely be time to focus more on the more desirable experiences Shallan was looking for. Mec wondered if he would have opportunities for his own endeavors, but with the physical demand of travel, his options might be limited to the non-physical sort.

    He drew a breath as he returned Shallan's look, noticing that her expression suddenly changed to a more sly, almost accusatory look. As Shallan's eyes narrowed, the muscles on Mec's face, which had been more relaxed and open as he calmly listened to his partner's words, tightened in defensive anticipation of what was coming. His eyebrows tightened together and his lips closed, careful not to give away any vulnerabilities. The entire effort proved futile however, once Shallan posed her question with that charming, yet mischievous expression on her face. Mec immediately felt his face grow warm once again, despite the coolness of the evening's breeze, and he quickly broke eye contact to peer elsewhere. In fact, his glance seemed to travel almost anywhere else to avoid Shallan's gaze- over the fence, back at the tavern, and even the grass below.

    "N-nothing specific about the costume," he stammered. "You just... I thought... I didn't mean..." Although he continued to skirt around the question and stall for time, his hold on Shallan's hand never let up, continuing to clasp both of his hands on either side of hers. Eventually, the anxiety over the topic subsided as he grew more accustomed to the discomfort, and Mec looked down at the hand that he had pressed between his own. "I just think you would look good in it," he finally said, his voice low like he was embarrassed that someone else would hear. It was only then that he let himself relinquish Shallan's hand, allowing their warmed palms to cool off in the cool breeze.

    "Besides, I made a promise to you back in Olenna's hideout, remember? You would get to dress up and dance, and when that time comes, I'll join you." He placed his hands on the top of the fence and gave it a little shake to check its rigidity. Deciding it was sturdy enough, he turned his back to it and leaned some of his weight against it. "Can I be honest about something?" he asked. His expression grew rather stoic as he looked back at the tavern. Had Shallan answered him, he hardly noticed it, as his inhibition was low enough that he chose to speak freely anyway. "I want us to happen. When everyone else makes fun of us or jokes about our interactions together, I want to own those moments with pride. But how can I when..."

    He paused to look around and double check for anyone who might be within proximity to hear. It seemed all was clear, so he continued. "We still aren't safe. At any moment, a knight in white armor could appear behind us. Or something could happen to Clair and I won't know how to fix it. Or I might use the Anima in a stupid way, on you, again. And I don't even know if half of mind is even my own, if the thoughts I hear are truly mine or if it's someone else's voice. We said we would wait until we were safe, because it's obviously the right thing to do, but how long will it take us to feel that way?"

    He glanced back towards Shallan, and suddenly grew quite aware of himself. What was he thinking, unloading such thoughts on her? "Sorry. I got carried away. I shouldn't ruin the rest of the night over such things."

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    The way Mec kept stumbling over his own tongue was both amusing and adorable, in equal measure. The mask Shallan was wearing began to crack, and a small smile flickered across her features, despite her best attempts to hide it. Even so, the aspiring performer stayed quiet. She didn’t want to speak up now, lest Mec find a way to change the subject, and dodge her question at the last moment. No, Shallan was perfectly happy to wait until he managed to regain his composure, and settled on a single answer that he was happy with.

    The politely worded response Shallan eventually received was both the one she had expected, and the one she had been hoping for. Mec’s old promise, on the other hand, was something she hadn’t seen coming up. She had almost forgotten it, with everything that had happened since. At the mention of it, a soft chuckle slipped from Shallan’s lips. Just how long had it been? No more than a few weeks, probably, but it felt considerably longer.

    Shallan opened her mouth to reply, a joke perched on the tip of her tongue, only to hesitate when Mec began to speak again. The sudden shift in tone caught her completely off-guard, and Shallan’s response died on her lips, just moments from being set free. A nod became the best response she could manage, and by then Mec had already turned away.

    Her eyes widened at the next words out of his mouth, and Shallan quickly turned her gaze elsewhere. Out over the inn’s fence and into the street beyond. Almost as if she were trying to distance herself from her embarrassment. The aspiring performer could feel her cheeks burning anew, and it seemed that she could no longer blame them entirely on the alcohol. She stayed silent for a long moment, trying to make sense of the tumult of emotions welling up inside her. Caution and longing warred against each other, equally matched, and Shallan felt as if she were stuck between them. Unable to help herself now that her hands were free, she fidgeted idly the entire time, until she finally made a decision.

    …screw it.

    Perhaps it was the fact that she had been drinking, or perhaps she was simply tired of waiting. Perhaps she was just sick of her own indecision, and wanted to rush past it. Whatever the cause, Shallan decided to ignore the anxious voice in the back of her mind, and give in to impulse. She chose to ignore Mec’s apology, and instead turned to face him good and proper, before finally giving voice to her thoughts.

    “I don’t have answers for you, Mec. We might not ever feel safe again. Even after we get to the place Olenna is sending us, and go into hiding. It wouldn’t surprise me, after everything we’ve been through this far. After everything we’ve seen.” Shallan’s voice was sombre now, to better match the tone Mec had set. After a brief moment of hesitation, however, Shallan reached up to cup his far cheek. Her touch was gentle, with her fingertips just barely brushing his skin.

    “But if that’s the case… then maybe we got it wrong the first time. If we don’t know when the end is going to come, maybe we should just focus on enjoying the moments we do have.”

    Without any more fanfare, and before she could talk herself out of it, Shallan would rise up on her tiptoes and press her lips to Mec’s other cheek in a gentle, fleeting kiss. She only held it for a moment, before inevitably settling back onto her heels. An incredibly embarrassed part of her wanted to flee then, but she forced herself to remain still. To meet his gaze, if he should look her way. She needed to see this through to the end, instead of running away. To see his reaction, and know all that it would tell her.

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