Searching for a way to forget

[Cordeliane]

Pain, fear, heat, and oh the smell, it haunted her every sleeping moment, the cries the screams as people lay dying burning alive in an attack that came from nowhere. She could still remember it; still smell the fresh night air, the sweet smell of summer in the wind. It had been a good night in her village, there had been a dance, and she had danced with a boy she had liked. He had spent all night with her ignoring the other girls. She felt so pretty and special. Yes it was a night that would haunt her memories until the day she died, but not the memories of a youthful crush and those of a sweet first kiss, no it would be the memories of a disaster of death and fire.

The dream started out like every other dream, there she was at the dance the boy, young man she liked at her side, he was dressed in blue jeans and a black button up shirt with a black T-shirt under it. He had been wearing cowboy boots, and had his hair spiked up. His rich brown hair that she had always wanted to run her fingers through. She remembered the way his chocolate colored eyes sparkled as they had laughed. He had commented on her dress, one of a soft rose color, a color she never wore before. He had told her the color suited her, that with her coloring, her green eyes and blonde brown hair, it lit up her face. She had blushed at that and had given him her first dance.

She had never felt pretty before that night, with her blonde brown hair and green eye, she felt different, everybody else mostly had both dark brown hair and brown eyes or were the pretty blonde blue eyed type. Her hair coloring made her different as did her eye color, and so she had always felt odd until that night. That boy had made all her dreams come true, he danced with her alone; him the most sought after boy had given her his undivided attention. Oh what a joyous night it had been. The magic of the colored lantern, the smell of the cooked foods, and the sweet aroma of the fresh baked desserts. The whole night had been perfect. He had walked her home and kissed her cheek, asking her to meet him down by the river later when everybody had gone to bed.

That simple request had sent thrills through her, everybody knew the river was the spot, the most romantic place, it was known as Proposal Place. Her heart has sung with joy. She had been so sure everything in her world was right, that nothing could destroy it. And it was that thought she was sure now that had jinxed everything. She was sure it had been her thought that nothing could ruin her perfect night that brought the horrors that followed.

In her excitement she had snuck out early, climbed out her window and down the oak to the ground. She was an hour earlier than expected but she did not care, her life was about to change for the better, she was going to be with the one guy she had always loved. She had been there probably about 20 minutes when she heard and smelt it. The sounds of screaming and the smell of burning wood. She started to run back to the village, if there was a fire they would need everybody help, but as she moved she heard it, the sounds of swords clanging and bows twanging, as fighting went on.

She ran back to the river praying her love was there that he had made it out before the attack had begun. Tears streamed down her face as she hid among the willows just in case some of the raiders headed her way. She could hear the screams of the women as they were raped and either slaughtered or from what she heard tossed back into burning buildings. It was a massacre, they were killing everybody, Men women children even the babies. Her heart was heavy as she knew it now, nobody but her was going to survive the mess of the night. Her perfect night shattered, ruined by senseless slaughter. When the raiders withdrew, she rushed back and tried to save those she could but it was way too late all she could do was listen to the screams of the burning as the smell of burnt flesh filled the air and the flames leapt to the sky.

It was the sound of screams that woke her, not the ones of her nightmare, but her own. Her screams of terror at what had been done to her village, to all she had known and loved. She sat up in her make shift ragged bed, the best she could afford. She lived in the slums of a big town now, working as a seamstress for little money, but it was all she could do, she had no other skills, and she had come to the town ragged and dirty, her rose colored dress, nothing but a dirty rag after she had dug a mass grave and buried those she had known her whole life. Only He got a special grave, marked with a simple cross, with the words. He was loved and shall be missed, carved into it. She had marked the mass grave with the words ‘Here lies the Village of Oak Wood, may the souls of the slaughtered rest in peace’. She had grabbed what little was left she could travel with and made her way here to this city, with the hope of living of maybe finding love again. It had been 3 long years since that night, and still she dreamed of it, remembered the slaughter of her life. She had dropped her name that night, and had given herself a new one. Seimei Oakwood.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora walked into the seamstress's shop. It was an old, run-down place, but his only means of real protection from the sun was ripped, and needed repair. He walked cautiously in at first, not knowing what to expect. Everything was dusty, or torn up, or both. It wasn't much, but perhaps he could get a deal.

Shuffora approached the counter with the small girl running it. She wore her rose dress, that seemed about as old as the store. She had pain somewhere in her eyes, Shuffora could see. She didn't look straight very often, and seemed to be very out-focused. Maybe it wasn't the best idea, to get someone with something else on their mind rather than work to fix his cloak, but it would have to do.

"Excuse me? I don't suppose you could do a small job for me, could you?" Shuffora asked. He raised the back of his cloak, showing a long rip down it. "It just snagged on something recently, and this happened. I don't suppose you could repair it, could you?"

[Cordeliane]

Seimei looked up at the man her green eyes seemed troubled, she did not answer him but moved to the cabinet getting out a needle and a bunch of different shades of black thread. She walked over to him spools of thread in hand holding them to the garment. She would hold up various ones until she found the right shade of black. Seimei would move behind him with the needle and thread.

She took the cloak in her fingers and looked it over carefully. She rubbed them material through her fingers softly before sighing. She placed the needle between her soft pink lips and went to get a pair of scissors. Returning she cut the loose threads of the material off so she would have a clean working area to sew in. She grabbed the end of the thread on the spool and let the spool fall the floor. In the dim light of the shop she threads the needle with ease, as if she could do it with her eyes closed.

Seimei took the fabric in her hand needed threaded and began stitching tight stitches to make sure no light got through the tear in the fabric. She did not speak as she worked on the cloak he was still wearing. Seimei did not talk much to anybody. She silently lived with her demons, her haunting nightmares that left her shaken without proper rest. It would not take her long to fix the tear in the cloak at all, in a matter of 15 minutes the tear was mended as if it were never there; he would not be able to tell where the tear had been unless he looked for the stitch work.

She stood and gave him a soft smile that did not reach her haunted green eyes and moved behind the counter “that will be 2 copper pieces please” her voice was soft almost shy. She did not make eye contact with him, it was almost as if she were afraid to get close to anybody, afraid to let them see the pain in her soul.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora watched in amazement how the seamstress sewed with such ease at his cloak. It seemed as if only in moments, the rip was no longer there. He stared for a moment, looking at it closely to examine the work done, and done well. Surprisingly, it was very well done. For someone who seemed out of their work, the girl did a great job.

Shuffora reached around in his pocket, and pulled out a silver piece. He went to put it on the table, then stopped. He looked up at the girl and asked, "Might I know my seamstress's name? This is an excellent job you did here. Really, it's surprising to find such quality work in an old run-down place like this." Shuffora looked around for a moment, again seeing all the dust and dirt. "Perhaps you could work somewhere else? For higher pay?" Shuffora stopped his rambling, and focused his eyes back on her. He then looked down at the dress, "...And the dress you're wearing seems to match the shop. I would think you'd wear something more well done?" Shuffora said. He stopped himself after that comment, and store off for a moment.

Shuffora shook his head, and looked back at the girl, "I-...I'm sorry. I got carried away. You don't need to answer my questions; they're irrelevant. Please," Shuffora said as he dropped the silver piece, "enjoy your pay." Shuffora bowed to the young lady, and waited a moment before he went off to see if he was really rambling or not by the reaction on her face.

[Cordeliane]

Seimei looked at him and blushed as he asked her name, she was not use to such things, usually she did her work the people paid then left. “I am called Seimei” She met his eyes with her sad green ones, surprize on her face at his words and questions, and for the first time in 3 years she felt compelled to answer somebody who asked those questions of her.

“ I own this shop it is not much but it is mine, I charge what I do because those who come here usually cannot afford more, I make enough to live on” she was once again looking at the floor her fingers playing with the tattered dress she wore. She wore it in remembrance of her village, it was all she had left of what was once her home, and she did not see the need to have fancy clothing, her dress was clean even if it was tatty.

“Why would I bother with something newer? This dress is serviceable, I have no reason for something new.” She made enough money for the fabric she needed to work and to eat and pay her rent but really did not make enough to make herself a few more outfits, though his silver piece would help her out greatly she might just be able to get some fabric for her own clothing. She did not seem offended by his questions in the least, they were asked of her enough by the few women who came to her shop who had managed to marry up in life to wealthy men, but still came for her work.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora was surprised by the girl's reaction. Apparently he didn't come off as rude, which was good; that's the last thing he needed to be right now. She seemed quite interested in his questions, so it wouldn't hurt to ask a few more. "Oh, so it's your own shop? That's very interesting...And you're the only employee then? Wow..." Shuffora wandered the shop for a moment, taking a deeper look around. "I'm glad I didn't come off as rude- I wasn't trying to do so. I was saying new clothing because you're a seamstress, so it would seem apparent that you'd make your own clothing." He stopped, and looked a few pieces on the wall, stitched from hand.

"Why do you work here all by yourself, Seimei? It seems so lonely." Shuffora ran his hand across one of the dresses on the wall. He wandered himself back to the front desk, and looked into the small girls eyes, "By the way, I'm Shuffora. I'm a traveler from out of town." Shuffora nodded his head in gratitude.

[Cordeliane]

She nodded her head and watched him move around her shop. It was not big and it was dusty, and there was material on the only clean surface of the place, her work table. Patterns and fabric were strewn across the surface. She did not use a sewing machine like others did, all her work was done by hand. “I can make my own clothing but see no need to waste material on myself when I can earn money using it for others”

She flushed watching him touch the clothing she had on the walls, it was some of her better work, it was samples of what she could do. “It is easier to work alone, then the quality of the clothing that comes from my shop is consistent” she did not tell him working with others meant getting close to another person. Since the slaughter of her village 3 years ago other than the customers that came into the shop she kept herself away from other people.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Shuffora, where if you do not mind me asking are you going or coming from?” it had been 3 years since she had come to the city and she had not left it since. She was curious about the world outside of the city, before that she had not left the village she had grown up in.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora listened as the girl spoke. It would make sense that the quality of the clothing would be consistent, but it's a lot more work on herself. Not needing clothing for herself seemed a little odd, though. She only had this one dress, that was very ragged and torn. By the looks of it, she seemed attached to it somehow. Shuffora wasn't going to ask how; he felt like he was pushing his limits as it was.

"I come from a small town of Drana. I don't exactly recall where it was, because I was very young when I had to abandon it. As for where I'm going...I'm not quite sure. I'm looking for something with meaning, really. Something to make myself useful with. Though I haven't found anything just yet." He turned his head for a moment, looking at the floor. He remembered back to those days. The days watching his town, his family, all burned to the ground by one man. It still hurt to think about it, and he wasn't very prepared to start bringing up the painful memories.

Shuffora looked back up at Seimei, "Just enough to serve yourself? That's hardly worth a living. You should go out and find something to do. If not a professional seamstress, then become an adventurer. You don't want to waste your life just sitting around...Like I was going to." Shuffora again dazed off at the floor, remembering his past.

[Cordeliane]

Seimei Listened to him as he spoke saw the pain in his face and knew he had been through something like she had. But unlike her he was searching for something to give his life meaning where she was just settling for what she had found when she was lost and unsure of the world. She spoke softly “I know what it is like to have to leave everything and everyone you loved.” There was pain in her voice, as she spoke. It was still fresh for her only 3 years having passed since her village had gone up in flames and everything and everyone with it.

When he looked back at her he would see the haunted look in her eyes of somebody who had lived through something horrendous and could not forget it. “Yes I survive, I do not need much materialistic things can be taken from you.” At his words about going out and seeing the world finding adventure if she was not going to be a professional seamstress, she blushed “The world is not a safe place and I am a lone woman, I do not know how to use a sword or a bow, I would need somebody to travel with me”

It was not that she had not thought of doing such a thing, going out and seeing the world, it is just that she had nobody to travel it with. Getting here on her own 3 years ago had been hell enough; she was not ready to do such again. “Shuffora, would you care for a drink or something to eat, I do not have much but I do have enough to share”

[Shuffora]

Shuffora watched closer and closer. He saw it. He saw the pain she had, and knew she wasn't far from him. She knew what kind of pain it is to lose everything she loved...She would understand him.

"Yes, the world isn't a safe place at all. Learning a sword or bow is doable, though, that's for sure. All it takes is time." Shuffora said, in response to her. He watched as she blushed, perhaps intrigued by his words. She really must be lonely in her small shop, just working by herself.

Shuffora's stomach growled when she said about something to eat. Shuffora blushed, "Heheh...Yeah, something to eat would be nice. I haven't had company to speak with in awhile, so I'd love to." Being an adventurer can be very lonesome by yourself. Having someone to talk with after such a long travel wouldn't bother Shuffora at all. And maybe, he might be able to share his pain from long ago.

[Cordeliane]

She smiled at him softly “I would need money for such things as a bow and arrows, and to pay a teacher for their time. Money is not something I have a lot of, nor is time” She gestured to her surroundings, and the half-finished clothing. She worked hard and usually long hours so she did not have to sleep. Sleep brought the dreams, and the dreams made her thinking of sad thing and she just wanted to forget the sounds and smells of that night, to remember her home and its people before death and fire ravaged her home taking everything thing from her.

She smiled at him as his stomach let of a rumble at the mention of food. It was kind of cute the way he blushed like that “Come with me then” She would lead him through her small shop past her work table, and through a door at the back. The door led to some stairs which they would climb. Up there stairs was a small sparsely furnished room, beyond that a kitchen and off to the left a closed door, which led to a washroom.

“please sit down” she pointed to a kitchen chair that was well worn, it did not match the other chair or table, her place if he looked around was eclectic in the type of furniture, most of it was used and well worn, and none of it matched. She placed a plate, one that had seen better days in front of him, it was chipped and worn, and smoke stained, she placed a saucer and cup as well in front of him, her dishware was the only thing in the place that seemed to match. Seimei had salvaged it from her burned to the ground home before she left. Although it had seen much better days it was all she had left from her patents, it had been their wedding china. She set a placing for herself, than put on the kettle for tea.

She really did not have much, some bread she slathered with honey, cheese and apples, and some ham. She made a few ham and cheese sandwiches, and placed them along with the bread and honey and cut up cheese and apples in the center of the table “please help yourself while I make us some tea” As she spoke the kettle whistled softly on the stove. A battered tea pot sat on the counter of the kitchen looking just as abused as the rest of her table wear. She handled the pot with care as he reached into a canister and pulled out a scoop of tealeaves, lifted the lid and placed them inside. It had been a long while since she had last served tea to anybody, a very long while. She picked the kettle up carefully and poured the boiling water into the pot, after returning the kettle to the stove top, she placed the lid on the tea pot and brought it over to the table. She then grabbed the sugar bowl and creamer filled with fresh cream, she also placed the jar of honey on the table with a teaspoon in case he was a tea and honey drinker.

She shy sat across from him, her eyes down cast looking at the table. She had never entertained a man before, at least not without her parents being around. This was a very new experience for her. “have you been many places?” she was curious about the world outside the one she had made for herself, the one she was scared to leave.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora looked around the room and observed all of her half-finished works. He could understand why she never left much if she had so much to do, and so little customers to come buy things. "Well, maybe we can work something out, then." Shuffora had taught before the art of the bow and sword, she should be no different. Company was all he really desired, so maybe it could be worth the trouble.

Shuffora followed behind her obediently as she led him through many doors into what seemed like a small living area. None of the furniture matched, and most of it seemed very worn. One could assume that it was salvaged from somewhere, especially in Seimei's conditions. Shuffora sat himself down in a chair, and watched as Seimei moved back and forth bringing food, and drink of all kinds onto the table. He grabbed himself a sandwhich, and slowly nibbled on it while she made the tea. He could smell the hot tea being brewed, and made his mouth slightly water. When she brang out the tea, he got himself a cup, added some honey, sugar, and cream, and slowly began to stir.

He looked up at her as she sat down, and asked him where his journey's had taken him, "Yes, I've been many places. When my hometown of Drana was burned, I knew I had to travel very far if I was to live. I began through the forest, to get myself both cover and distance. After a few days of travel through the woods, when I could no longer return to my home, I made my way to the mountains. The calm air and secluded lands helped me ease my mind. I spent a few monthes there, frequently traveling to towns to restock my supply of goods, then returning back to the mountains so that I may continue my meditation. After my time in the mountains, I went to seek out a place to stay for long term," Shuffora said as he pulled up his shirt, showing a large cut down his side, "And that's where this happened. I was attacked by wolves half-way from the mountains. Luckily, I made it out alive with just this cut and small tear in my cloak. That's where I made my way to here, where I met you."

Shuffora lowered his shirt, and looked back up at her, "Heh...Sorry, I got carried away." He took another sip from his tea, and stood for moment. He removed his large sword from his back, and leaned it against the table. The sword was almost as large as Shuffora was, and probably twice as heavy. He sat back down, stretching his legs out, and looked back up at Seimei, "And what of you, Seimei? How did you end up in this worn down building? Did you inherit it from your parents, or build it from scratch?" Shuffora looked a little closer when he wasn't rambling to see that her facial expression was far from outgoing. She felt shy and awkward, he could see. Hopefully, all of words could settle her somewhat for her to open up to him.

[Cordeliane]

Pouring herself a cup of tea, she put one spoon of sugar in and stirred it, before taking a sip and adding another half spoon. She placed a few bits of cheese and apple slices on her plate with a piece of bread and honey. She nibbled the food as she listed to him talk, her eyes widening a bit when he stated he too lost a home to fire. He would understand what she had been through given his own history, and that made her more comfortable around him. Sure people lost their homes and all their possessions to fire all the time, but it was different losing everything and everyone you have ever known and loved.

She blushed deeply as he pulled up his shirt showing her the cut there. She normally worked on women’s clothing not men so she had never seen a man’s chest up close like this before. She had seen it in the past in her village when the men took of their shirts to work, but that was different than this. She let out a soft sigh when he lowered his shirt. She watched him lean his sword against her table as he sat back down and proceeded to ask her a bunch of question. She flushed pink again and spoke softly. “What did you mean down stairs when you said maybe we could work something out “

She then answered his other questions “No I bought this place when I first arrived here. 3 years ago my village was burned to the ground, everybody know knew and loved died that night. I buried them all and came here; it took me a week of traveling by day, and hiding at night to keep safe. When I got here this building was for sale so I bought it and set up shop. It was all I could afford, and it is all I have now. I lost everything, the only thing I have of my parents is the table wear we are using now.”

It was the most she had spoken of about her past to anybody, and it was a very big step for her, as she spoke tears pooled in her eyes and rolled silently down her cheeks. Her whole life had been destroyed that night, and all she wanted to do was for get it ever happened. “I have not left here since I arrived, I am scared to.”

[Shuffora]

Shuffora's heart stopped for a moment as he listened to her past. She was the same...She too felt the pain of losing everything. He blanked out for a moment, staring at the apples as he remembered his past. He remembered that man...That one man...Those evil eyes...That black, shining armor...Just the will of one single man ended everything he lived by.

Shuffora shook his head once to bring him back to reality, and looked up at Seimei again, seeing her cry. He rose from his chair, and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, "Shhh...It's okay, Seimei...I know your pain...I know what you feel. I know it hurts, but you need to let go. Holding everything inside isn't going to make it better. Just let it out, Seimei. You don't need to hold that kind of pain in." Shuffora slowly brushed her hair from her eyes, and comforted her until she was done grieving.

Shuffora spoke again softly, "When I say work something out, I mean that if I could have your company, then I would gladly supply you with, and teach you how to use a bow." Shuffora wiped the tears from her eyes, and spoke again, "...When...My village burned, I was asleep at the time. I woke up because I was too hot at the time. I had opened my eyes and looked around, and I noticed fire outside. I quickly got out of bed, and ran outside. There I saw it...I saw everything and everyone burning right before me, and I couldn't do anything. Immediatly, I thought of my mom. I looked around, screaming out her name, 'Mommy!? Mommy where are you!?'...There wasn't any response...I quickly ran through the village looking for her, and then I found her. But when I did...The knight was there, dressed in his black armor. And right there...I saw my mom...Killed before my very eyes." Shuffora had a tear rolling down his cheek. It dropped onto Seimei's head, and he slowly began to cry as well.

It hurts losing everything you know in love. It hurts even more to open your heart and talk about it.

[Cordeliane]

She trembled in his arms at his kindness to her; it had been a long time since somebody had held her as she cried. She buried her face in his neck and just sobbed until there was nothing left, letting all the hurt and pain of that night out. She had not done this before, cried for the loss of her life, not since the night it happened when she realized she would be the only survivor had she cried for those slain.

As he held her he would notice she was to thin, too slender for her form. Seimei was not eating properly, between the lack of sleep and the way she nibbled at her food it was amazing she was still on her feet, still able to work. She snuggled into his frame as she let her grief out, looking up at him as he wiped the tears from her eyes and told his story, the horror he had lived through. Her heart ached for him and his pain, and with a shaking hand reached up and wiped the tears from his eyes.

“We are much a like you and I, and I would be most welcome of your company.” Her voice was thick and wet with her emotions. She curled into him giving and taking comfort as they both grieved their pasts in each other’s arms. She would tell him more later; let him understand her full grief, but for now what she had seen and had been done was enough. Maybe just maybe she would even tell him her real name the name she had left behind on the day she buried all she had known and love.

“Would you like to stay here, I know it is not much, and all I have to offer you is a worn couch to sleep on, but I would be glad of the company,” She usually slept down in her store so she did not mind him staying here in her home. He understood her and she would be glad of the company, somebody to talk to when the dreams came, when she was haunted by the memories of what happened.

[Shuffora]

After Shuffora's tears had stopped, and he regained his focus, he began to realize just how unhealthy Seimei had become. Her form was so unslender that her bones almost began to show. The lack of sleep from working so hard showed in her eyes, and he could feel as her muscles trembled. She needed more than what she had, or she would die for sure.

Shuffora thought on her purposal for a moment, "I-...Sure, I would love to stay with you for the time being. My only condition is that you close the shop for tomorrow, sleep on your couch, and get your rest, alright? I'll take the floor for the night. You need your sleep."

It dawned on him, that he never really let out everything before. It felt good to leave it for once. Shuffora slipped Seimei out of his arms, and stood upright. He stretched for a moment, and looked around, "Did you want to keep talking for the night, or try and get some sleep?"

[Cordeliane]

She looked at him as he accepted her proposal of staying with her, adding his own conditions, as they were not unreasonable she nodded her head “Very well, but I have a mattress down in the shop, if you assist my you can have that for the night” She was once again looking down shy as she spoke. She was still trying to get used to having somebody interested in her as more than just a seamstress. She had not had a friend in a very long time.

She began cleaning up once he let go of her, her plate barely touched as she covered the food and put it in the cold box. She had hardly touched anything but that was normal for her. She had taken to nibbling and eating like a bird over the last 3 years without even realizing it. “I would not mind talking a little longer; it has been a long time since I last did so”

She moved about coving the food and cleaning the dishes leaving them to dry as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was a stranger yes but it made her feel good to have somebody to talk to even if it was for a short while. She gave a soft yawn and looked at him “Shall we bring the mattress up?”

[Shuffora]

Shuffora looked at Seimei's sleepy eyes as she let out a soft yawn. Shuffora thought on it for a moment, at least accepting her charity would be some gratitude to her. "Sure, we can go do that now." Shuffora would follow Seimei back down to the shop, and grab one end of the mattress. "Ready? One, two, three." He would lift one end of the mattress, and help her carry it back up to her living area. After carrying it next to the bed, he would set it on the floor next to the couch.

"Alright then, now that that's up here. You said you wanted to talk some more? Oh, but first, if you don't mind me getting a little more comfortable." Shuffora slowly stripped off his shirt, and littered it to the side, "Sorry, it's just a little hot in here. He then sat on the couch, patting a spot next to him, "Come on, I don't bite."

"So...You said your village had a similar fate to mine? What was that fate, if you don't mind me asking." Shuffora gave her honest eyes, letting her know he was there to help.

[Cordeliane]

Seimei lead him down the stairs to the mattress. She took the other end of the mattress and lifted it. As they went back up the stairs she stumbled a bit but did not lose her hold on the mattress. She was breathing heavily as they placed it down next to the couch. She gave another softly yawn and answered him. “Yes I would like to talk more”

She flushed red as started to he stripped off his shirt and quickly turned her back until he spoke of her joining him on the couch. She swallowed and moved sitting next to him but not to close and keeping her eyes down. “My village was burned to the ground; I was the only one to survive” she wrung her hands softly as she spoke the tears starting up again “I was not in the village. He was going to ask me to marry him, he asked me to meet him by the river where almost every proposal happened. It was a pretty spot, but I went early I was so excited.”

She hugged her self tightly as the memory of that night hit her causing her to shudder softly “ I smelt smoke and heard the sounds of fighting, I ran back, but I was too late the whole village was up in smoke, I could hear people screaming as they were raped then tossed back into the buildings to burn alive. I-I ran back to the river, and hid in the willows until I heard them leave. Everything was burning I could not put out the flames. I could hear them screaming and praying and I couldn’t do anything to help” the tears were once again streaming down her face as she sat there shivering and shuddering holding herself tightly. The night that was supposed to be the happiest of her life had turned out to be the worst.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora watched as the tears rolled down her face, one after another. He watched helplessly for a moment, his eyes jotting back and forth. Immediatly, after catching his thought, went to comfort her, wrapping his arms around her once more, "Don't cry, Seimei. It's not your fault. It was never your fault. Don't even begin to blame yourself for that raid, because you were just a little girl. I know what it feels like, to be helpless as you watch everything to slip before you, but you can't let that get to you...I know they're lost...But the only thing you can do is let go." Shuffora continued to try and think of words, but he knew what it was like. When you're in that thought, nothing anybody says can make a difference. You have to change your own mind.

Shuffora slowly rubbed her back, "Hey, how about I make you some tea so you can calm yourself? You don't need to be this emotional before heading to bed. It's not healthy." Shuffora got up from the couch, releasing his grip from Seimei, and walked into the kitchen to begin making tea. His mind drifted some as he made it, remembering what it was like to feel that vulnerable...It was the worst feeling in the world.

After he made the tea, he brought it back over to the couch and set it on a counter nearby, pouring her a cup, "Here, have a cup. The heat will help calm you." He left the cup still on the tray for her, and wrapped his arms back around her, hugging her tight, "I know...I know that it hurts...I'm here for you, Seimei...I'm not going to let you blame yourself."

[Cordeliane]

She curled into him as he once again held her as she cried. Her tears fell on his bare flesh as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her hands flat against his chest as she sobbed her heart out. She had felt so alone since the fire had taken everything from her, now there was somebody here holding her letting her cry. She had had to be strong after the fire, burying the village, and the boy she had loved. She had then had to make her way to the city she was in, careful not to be seen.

It had taken much to get her here, and when she had finally arrived she had distracted herself with work. But it was nice to cry finally after 3 long years. She was finally able to grieve and not be alone. She wiped her eyes as he pulled away from her and nodded her head. “Thank you” her voice was thick and wet from the tears that still streamed down her face .he was so sweet his words to her trying to comfort her. What helped her most was his holding her, giving her comfort that way. It had been too long since somebody held her, or touched her kindly. She gave him a wet smile as he brought her the tea. “You are very kind”

She snuggled into him as she sipped the tea just relaxing against him. He was right the tea helped, but it was more him being there, his understanding that helped her through this. She gave another yawn and her eyes dropped closed some as she rested against him. “Thank you Shuffora for being here” she murmured and dropped off to sleep against him. She was worn out emotionally, mentally and physically, so she had fallen asleep in the comfort of his arms.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora smiled as Seimei went from upset to what seemed a lot happier. She cried into his neck as he comforted her closely. Shuffora wasn't usually the person to comfort people, but he understood her more than a lot of people's pain. Slowly but surely she fell asleep, and Shuffora looked onto her face as she slept.

Shuffora waited for a moment, making sure she was fast asleep. After the moment passed, he lifted and cradled her in her arms, and set her onto the mattress. He wrapped the blankets around her and tucked her in gently. She really needed the sleep, because some of the actions Shuffora made that were fairly loud didn't wake her.

Shuffora got up and laid on the couch. He closed eyes, thinking on the day and the dramatic change. It made him happy that things might change for the better, and once as he trained her how to use a bow, it would really change for the better, but that was morning, and for now, Shuffora needed rest.

[Cordeliane]

She looked less haunted as she slept her eye lashes spiky from crying lay on her cheeks dark again the red pinkness of her skin. They were long and think and would have fanned her cheek had they not been stuck together with wetness from the tears she had shed. Her lips were slightly upturned at the corners almost as if she were smiling in her sleep, a rare thing for her these past 3 years.

She did not stir as he moved her from his arms to the mattress, she just made a soft noise of protest in her sleep than cuddled in under the covers he laid over her. She would rest peacefully for a long while the dreams that usually haunt her in her sleep not coming right away as they usually did. It was the first time she has sleeping without seeing the fire behind her eyes and the screams of the dying in her ears. Hours would pass by and not a peep would be heard from her other than the soft sound of her breathing as she slept.


As the hours past and it went from early night to late night then to wee hours of the morning, Seimei began to stir on the bed. She made soft moans of distress as her head moved from side to side. Her feet moved and kicked softly in her distress as her hands gripped the blankets tightly. She made a soft whimper and murmured the word "no" over and over, her voice getting louder with each utterance. Suddenly she sat up in the bed eyes open but not seeing as she screamed and yelled the word "NO!” and seemed to be patting and hitting the bed as if it were a flame. She was lost in a nightmare, battling invisible flames in her dreams.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora awoke abruptly to hear Seimei screaming. He looked around drastically to try and see what was wrong, but nothing seemed to be there. He turned himself back to her, to see her trying to put out flames. Immediatly, he hopped from the couch, held her arms still, and spoke to her, "Seimei! Seimei! It's okay! There's no flames!" After she would calm down, and he'd sit on her bedside.

"You're having nightmares, aren't you? I used to have them too...It's hard to get past them, I know...Is there anything I can do to help? It's still really early morning- the sun isn't even out yet." Shuffora pointed at the nearby window, showing the mood still shining bright. "Is there anything you need, Seimei?"

[Cordeliane]

Seimei at first did not respond to his words, to his hold on her; she just struggled to put out the imaginary flames. But his words to her soon broke the dream filled haze she was in and she gasped looking around confused. She looked at him, her green eyes filled with a haunted despair. “Yes I have nightmares, I dream of the destruction of my village, sometimes I am one of the people who are burning alive, other times I just relive the horror of that night”

She moved to him curling into him as he pointed the night was not yet over. She just needed to be near somebody since he had her sleeping away from her work and had made her promise to take the day off. Normally after one of those dreams she worked until she was too tired to dream, but tonight she would not as she had promised. “I just need a distraction Shuffora, something to take my mind off the nightmare”

She was a little confused by him as she looked at him, she did not understand why he was being so nice to her, what was in it for him. It had been a long time since she had trusted somebody, and was not sure why she trusted him. “What did you do when you had the nightmares? How did you get over them?”

[Shuffora]

Shuffora thought on it for a moment, "What did I do?...Every night that I woke up...I went outside, either looking for a fight, or worked till my muscles wouldn't move. And then there on the ground, whether too tired, or covered in blood, I would sleep. I would sleep until I awoke the next morning, whether from the dreams, or from the light, and continue the process...It was a hard way to live. After awhile, I had to look for some kind of help. I couldn't keep going on like that. What happened after that...Was I searched for the man who destroyed my village...I found him, once...It was a horrible experience. It was at that point that I promised myself to either forget the past, or make myself strong enough to kill the man."

Shuffora looked to the side and dazed off into the couch. He still hadn't made up his mind what he was going to do about it. All he knew, was that the dreams stopped once he made that promise. "...Anyway," He said as he looked back at Seimei, "Perhaps you'd like me to stay up? Comfort you while you sleep?" Shuffora knew he would lack sleep that night, but it might not be too much longer that she could sleep again, if he could help it.

[Cordeliane]

She nodded her head at him and curled into him more “That is what I have been doing working myself to exhaustion so I have dreamless sleeps. I do not know who razed my village, and there would not be anything I could do even if I did know” She flushed softly she was after all just a small woman, with no real skills at anything but sewing.

She gave him a surprized look as he offered to comfort her while she slept. Did he mean hold her? She swallowed not sure if she should; she had never done anything like that before, never slept beside a man. Seimei played with her tattered dress and she looked at him. Would he keep the dreams at bay? She finally after a long moment nodded her head “Yes, if you are sure it will be ok”

She made space for him on the small mattress and waited for him to join her there. She would snuggle close to him and murmur with her eyes closed “Can you tell me a story?” it was childish but it might just help to keep the dreams from returning.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora rose from the couch, and sat beside Seimei on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her, and held her close and tight. He brushed the hair from her face as she closed her eyes, and asked for a story.

"A story? Well...I don't know many stories...But I can give it my best shot." Shuffora adjusted himself on the bed, and stared off for a moment in thought, "Once upon a time...There was...A couple. A boy and girl who loved eachother dearly, but they couldn't see eachother because it was against her parent's wishes. It was one time though, that the boy wanted more than anything to see the girl, so he snuck out one night to see her. He traveled all across his village to find her and get to her house. She didn't know about what she was doing at the time, so the boy threw a rock at her window to get her attention. She rose from her bed, shocked that he was there to see her, and immediatly opened her window so he could climb up and come inside. They both sat on the bed, and the girl asked, 'What are you doing here? You know my parents wouldn't allow it.' The boy shook his head, 'I know, I know. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I hate not being able to see you.' The girl looked at him with watery eyes, 'I know, my love...' The boy smiled and looked at her, 'Thats why I have a plan- to run away and never come back.' The girl smiled as she looked up at him again, 'W-what?' The boy scooted himself next to her, and held her close, 'If I spend the night tonight, and we wake up early enough, we can sneak away and never have to come back!' The girl pondered for a moment. She really wanted to see him more, and the thought of running away drove her crazy. She loved him, and she wanted it more than anything, 'I do, my love. I want to run away with you. Just promise me that we'll always be together, and nothing will draw us apart.' The boy smiled again at her, 'I promise, my love. Always and forever.' They slept together that night, and awoke early enough to leave the house, and run away forever. They married, and lived happy for the rest of their days." Shuffora looked down at her, brushing her hair again.

"That's the bulk of the story, anyway. There's more...Suggestive things near the center when they sleep together, but anyway, I hope that was a good enough story." He kissed the top of her head, and pulled the covers over her. He looked out the nearby window, and stared at the falling moon, until she would awake again.

[Cordeliane]

She leaned into him her fingers curling against his warm flesh as she let him sooth her from her nightmares. It was nice to just have somebody offering her comfort like he was. She smiled softly at the story he told her, it was sweet and loving, not something her mother use to tell, no her mother told her tales she heard from an out worlder, who had arrived on Valucre a long time ago. Such tragic stories, but exciting.

She snuggled under the blanket and blushed as he kissed her forehead. She knew it was nothing more than a sign of friendship but it still made her blush. They had just met and he was being so familiar with her. She shook her head at her own thoughts, she was being silly, and she was no child now, but a woman grown. “Thank you Shuffora” She spoke sleepily and snuggled down for the night, her hand curling around his to keep him close just in case he tried to leave her in the night.

The rest of the night would pass without incident; she would get the first full night’s sleep she had had in 3 years with him next to her. She would wake with the first light of dawn touching her cheeks and look at him, with sleepy eyes. She gave him a soft smile and sat up. She wondered as she looked at him if he had slept at all. “Would you care for some breakfast?” she asked softly as she pushed her hair back from her face. It was nice to have somebody else to care for if only for a while.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora watched as Seimei layed in bed and slept the night away. He dozed off a few times, leaning against her for support, but mostly stayed awake to make sure no troubles would occur. He watched the clock as hours went by, and his dazing eyes continued to droop. It was a hard thing to do, but it would help in the long run.

Seimei awoke the next morning, looking up at him with innocent eyes, and asked if he wanted breakfast. Really, he wanted sleep more than food. It was a long night, but, that was behind him now. "Um...Yeah, sure. I would love some." He slowly rose from the bed, and sat on the couch. He would watch her move about the kitchen, and watch her cook. "So, if I may ask, did you sleep well?" When they would sit at the table, he would begin eating what she would serve, and play with his food for a moment, "Just out of curiousity, was there a reason you were blushing and being shy about things? Or is it just because I'm a stranger. Either way works; I'm just curious." He would take another bite of his food, and look up at her.

[Cordeliane]

She smiled at him and headed to the kitchen "I slept better than I have in 3 years thank you for being here” She got out milk and flour and baking soda mixing it all in a bowl with a few eggs, as she heated up her stove top and a frying pan. She was making pan cakes for breakfast. She smiled at him as she mixed then poured the batter into he frying pan. It was nice to have somebody to cook for and talk to; she had been alone too long dealing with her private pain.

She set the table as the first pan cake began to cook, stopping to flip it as it bubbled, with that done she went back to setting the table. She was a little shy still having him here, he was after all a man and they were alone together. She put the butter and syrup on the table and then took the first pancake from the pan. She made about 10 pan cakes putting half on his late and 3 on her own. She placed the plate in front of him and sat across from him.

She nibbled on her pancakes after smothering them in butter. She flushed at his question and stammered out "I- I have never ... well I have never been alone with a m-man before” She kept eating and looked down at the floor. She was shy once again and was eating to discourage talking. She was not sure how to go about being friends with a man let alone spending a lot of time alone with one.


She did not want him to leave; he was the first person she had encountered that understood her pain, who knew what she was going through. Last night was also the first night she had slept since the fire. She gave him a shy smile and twisted a finger in her hair softly "Did you sleep at all? If you need to sleep I can do some cleaning or maybe makes some clothing for you. " He looked tired to her and if she was going to be learning from him he needed to be as rested as she.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora listened as she spoke at the table, and then became more shy. He understood, though it should've been more obvious to him why her shyness had been like it was.

After the delicious breakfast, Seimei asked him the question of the day, "No, I didn't sleep much. I dozed off a few times, but mostly stared at the stars. I wanted to make sure you slept through the night with no problems. However...I would like some sleep. If you wouldn't mind, that is? I don't particularly need clothing, but perhaps you can do something with your wonderful skill." Shuffora let out a long yawn. It had been a very long night.

He pushed his plate forward, signifying he was full, "Thank you, that was an excellent breakfast. Pancakes are my favorite." He leaned back for a moment, and closed his eyes, "You know, it's been awhile since I've had hospitality. It's very nice staying here. I thank you for that. If I could just get these aches from my back from the long travels, I'd be in great shape. But alas, I would greatly appreciate the sleep." He would look back up at her, and would lay back in the bed. He would close his eyes, and just moments later, would drift off to sleep.

[Cordeliane]

Pleased she watched him eat, it was nice to cook for somebody else and watch them enjoy it. It had been way to long since she had shared a meal with anybody, and it just reinforced how alone she really was. She had kept herself apart from people for fear of being hurt again; of losing somebody she cared for, and had in fact cut herself off from having a life. Shuffora's presence in her home made her realize it, and she was thankful to him for giving her her life back.

She picked up his plate and began putting things away “Your welcome I am glad to have somebody to cook for besides myself." She watched him go over to the bed and go to sleep. She thought about the comments he had made to her before sleeping as she cleaned the kitchen of their breakfast then headed down to the shop for a bit of fabric and thread. She was going to comply with his request she make herself a few more new dresses. She did not even think about it as she grabbed a bolt of fabric in a pale green color and one in a soft blue. She grabbed threads to match and silver thread for the trimming and went back up to watch over him.


She had wanted to offer to rub his back for him, to ease his muscles but was to shy; she had rubbed the back of her older cousin when she was with child to ease the tension there and figured it would be no different on him. She if he still needed the rub down would offer it when he woke up, it was the least she could do for him since he was going to help her get over her past. She blushed as she got to work laying out fabric to make a few dresses, if she offered and accepted she would have her hands on his body. It would be harmless, but she was really innocent when it came to men, he was after all the first man she had spent any time alone with.


Hours would pass as she sat there cutting and sewing the dresses for herself, watching over him as the sun rode high in the sky. As the sun reached high noon she put together a lunch and set the table. Once the meal of sandwiches and fruit was on the table she went over to the bed and touched his shoulder softly "Shuffora it is time to wake up" She leaned over him as she tried to wake him, her cheeks pink. Looking at his relaxed slumbering face made her think off all she had missed out on in life hiding herself away like she had. She owed this man a lot and she intended to repay him for his kindness to her.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora's view faded as he watched Seimei walk down the steps, and drift from his view. He blinked slowly, and surely his view vanished, and he fell asleep.

After thinking so much of the pain that Seimei had been through, Shuffora too had dawned on his past. He thought more and more about the fire...The pain...That man...Oh, that man. He did it all. That large dark, knight in shining armor. He remembered looking into those evil eyes when he looked down on him...Him. Shuffora swore he would kill that man if it was the last thing he did. He had nothing else to live for. He had no mother, no family, no love. Just himself, and his own damned self-pity.

Though Shuffora was stronger now, he dreamed of those weaker days. The fear he had of that man. How he cowered in the corner, just awaiting death. Nothing could make the pain of that burden any easier...Nothing.

Shuffora awoke abruptly when Seimei tapped his shoulder. He sat up immediately, allowing his gaze to take in the room. He was safe, and nothing had changed. He looked onto Seimei's face. Shuffora breathed heavily as he began to realize that man wasn't near, and it was only her.

"Uh...Thank you, Seimei." Shuffora stood, still stunned slightly from his dream, and stumbled to the table. He sat himself down, and leaned on his arms. Soon enough, he grabbed himself some water, and began trying to calm himself down, "This looks delicious, Seimei. Who knew you could be such an excellent cook?" He was distracting himself. It's all he could do.

[Cordeliane]

She gave him a smile as she sat with him and ate, noting he did not seem to be the same as he was last night or even that morning. She was worried he had not slept well and chewed her lip softly. Would it seem to forward to ask him if he still need relief from the aches in his back or if he was ok now. She was nervous about it but he had been such a help to her she just wanted to return the favour in any way she could. She watched him with a careful eye, she knew what it was like to be alone and to take care of yourself with nobody, but with him here she did not have to be alone and neither did he, if something was bothering him, she wanted him to feel free to open to her.

"Thank you, I have been cooking for a long time, my mother taught me" Seimei having grown up in a small village had expected to be a stay at home wife cooking and cleaning for her husband, she had built on those skills, and had not learned a real trade which she now regretted. Other than sewing she had no marketable skills which to live on.

Chewing on her lip again, she asked softly “Did you sleep well? Is your back ok? If not I can give it a rub for you" She blushed at the offer to rub his back. It would mean touching him and being close to the man. She was shy and nervous about her offer but part of her was curious as well. Would it be any different really, than what it had been rubbing the back of a woman? Were men really that different from them? There was fear he would say no and fear he would say yes, she was not sure which answer she really wanted from him, but either way she would accept his choice of her offer.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora continued to daze off for a moments time. He stared off at his plate, taking in deep breaths, and sipping some of his water. He closed his eyes...He cleared his mind, and took in one last breath. He managed to get his hand to stop shaking, though his mind was still in a rustle.

He looked back up at her with new, enlightening eyes, "I-...Heh. I slept alright, thank you." He continued stare for a moment, and then shook his head, "Wait...We already had breakfast. Let's take a step back." He took in another deep breath, and stared into her eyes for a moment. The moment was long, and he stared at her with such desperation to grasp onto reality. "Please...Excuse me, if I'm acting strange. I just-..." He thought back to his dreams, "...My body rested, my mind didn't. That was the first time I've thought of...Him...in a very long time." He leaned himself back, and stretched his long, thin, strong arms, exposing them from his shirt.

He then leaned himself forward, stretching his arms back, and allowing for his shirt to hang down so he could stretch his back as well, "Actually, if I'm not jumping ahead too much, a massage would be great." He leaned himself forward now, stretching out his shirt, "My body relaxed, but tensed more somehow, if that makes sense?" He rested himself back on his arms, and looked back at her with a small smile, and laid his pristine eyes back on hers. "Would you mind? If we started now?"

[Cordeliane]

She gave a soft chuckle as she spoke of already eating breakfast, and shook her head "You slept the morning away Shuffora it is lunch time, but if you are not hungry it can wait" She smiled at him and stood to clear the table of the lunch she had made, it would keep until later when he was ready to eat again. As she passed him she put a hand on his shoulder “I understand what it is like to only rest in body while the mind remains active"

She felt bad for having reawakened his memories of a time he had put behind him, but was still glad he was here to help her, it was not easy living with what they had too, and it was nice to have somebody who know that pain. She watched him stretch and blushed softly as he took her up on her offer of a rub down. Her hands shook a little as she answered him. "Yes but it would be easier if you were lying down, not sitting up like that." She looked to the mattress as she spoke and blushed deeper. She knew she would better be able to work out the kinks and knots in his back if he was lying down, as she would better be able to apply pressure.


She waited for him to move, to lie down on the bed, before for going to him. Her hands shaking softly as she sat over him. She placed her hands on his shoulders first and began moving her thumbs in a slow circular motions working the knots softly, applying little pressure at first and slowly putting more as her worked him. Her hands would slowly make their way up and down his back thumbs and the heels of her hands going over him working him slowly.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora rose from his chair without saying a word, and slipped off his shirt. He laid down the bed, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

As Seimei approached, and then saddled across his back, he could immediately feel the warmth of her body over him. As she massaged, working from his shoulders down, he let out a long sigh, "Thank you, Seimei...This is really doing wonders." Shuffora more and more realized that she was most likely more paranoid about the things he was doing subconsciously. It doesn't mean to expose himself, he just wasn't used to human interaction after so long of surviving on his own.

As she continued to work, Shuffora closed his eyes and spoke out, "I'm sorry if I make it awkward to be around. I don't mean to expose myself, or make you feel uncomfortable. It's just habit from not having any human interaction." After a few minutes of being massaged, Shuffora's back was hot both from her hands, and from her sitting over him.

Soon she worked her hands in a single spot that seemed to be where he needed it the most. It was his lower back that always seemed to be sore, "Oh...Yes, that's the spot." He let out a short breath, and then a moan. He blushed slightly, as his body became more relaxed as the tension was eased.

"Wow...That's amazing...I can't even feel it any more." He looked up at her eyes again, still with the blush in his cheeks, and thanked her once more. He continued to remain still until she felt the need to be finished, but asked in the mean time, "So...What are our plans for today, Seimei?"

[Cordeliane]

She did not mind that he had taken off his shirt it would make her job much easier, although her cheeks reddened from it, it was something she was starting to get use to with him since it was the 3rd time he had done so since arriving here. She flushed as her hands and fingers worked on his back "It is ok, I am not much use to others either." She was especially not use to good looking men who seemed comfortable showing their bodies off but she would not let it bother her too much, she would get use to him if they were going to be spending time together.

Her hands and fingers continued to work him a bit longer until she was sure his muscles were completely relaxed. She smiled down at him as he thanked her once again "It was no problem, I am glad to help in any way I can" She rolled off him and shrugged her shoulders at his question of what they were going to be doing that day. "I don't know, I hadn't thought about it. I guess we could get to know one another better"

She lay next to him on the mattress and smiled at him. She wondered what he would think of the dresses she was making for herself since he had told her she should make something for herself. It had been a long time since she had made something really nice like what she was and she would work on them only when he was sleeping. She wanted it to be a surprise for him, to show him that she was taking the things he said in to consideration.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora looked into her eyes, and smiled back. It had been a somewhat eventful afternoon as they lie on the bed, looking at each other.

"Getting to know each other, eh? Well, I think there's more than one ways of doing that." He rose from the bed, and put his shirt back on. "There's the fun teenager ways, the dorky friend ways, the romantic couple ways, the normal average boring ways..." Shuffora cut himself off, then looking back at her, "Unless you had something in mind?"

Shuffora stepped towards his sword, picking it up from the grip, and sizing it down, "Or we could always work on your skills for the time being. Whichever you'd prefer, of course." He looked back at her, smiling again, "Any ideas? I'm sure there had to be something you had on your mind or doing while I was asleep."

[Cordeliane]

She looked at him and smiled softly a faint blush on her cheek, she had not thought about all the ways people could get to know one another, she had just thought to continue as they had been, just talking to one another, but some of the stuff sounded like it could be fun. She had never really done any of the things most girls did; she had been somewhat of an outcast back in her village before the fire.


"I had not really thought about it. I just figured we would go on as we had been, but going out might be fun." It had been a long time since she had really just gone out to go out, she usually only went out to do shopping which she would need to do again with him here, or to deliver some dresses. She pushed herself up off the bed and looked at her clothing, she did have other clothing a little nicer than the dress she was wearing but not as nice as the one she was making. "Let’s go out somewhere have some fun; we can begin my training later"

She slipped past him and into the bathroom, there she fixed her hair and made herself more presentable to others. She would come out with her brown blonde hair in a ponytail and a dress of soft blue on, it was faded but it was not as tattered and worn as the rose colored one she had been wearing " I was just doing a little work while you slept, it was nothing much” She was not going to let him see the clothing she had been making, not yet but as soon as it was done she would surprise him with it.

[Shuffora]

"Okay, going out sounds just fine to me." Shuffora watched as Seimei rushed off to the bathroom, and came back out in a different change of clothes, with her hair up. Shuffora smiled, it was something nicer than that dress she always wore, "You look pretty."

Shuffora looked down at himself, with his rugged clothing, "Well...It's nothing too special. I could walk around with my shirt off and be a beat-boxer," Shuffora laughed "unless you might have something more formal to wear? However, you're the one who's stuck with me, so whatever works for me."

He looked at her with that continued smile, and awaited her opinion, "Of course, this all depends where we're going, too. Had any ideas? I'm sure I don't know the area as well as you."

[Cordeliane]

She blushed as he told her she looked pretty, it was not often even before the fire that destroyed her life, that she was told such a thing. "Thank you." She looked him over and shrugged her shoulder "I could make you a shirt and pants quickly before we go out. It will take me no longer than a half hour to make you something if you like."

She gave a soft shrug of her shoulders "I had not thought that far, I am not that familiar with the city, I only really know the market place, and the shops that sell cloth" She was not really sure what they could do and where they could go, but she figured they could discover the city together "We can just wander and see what there is to do"


She was looking forward to seeing the city and really did not care what he was wearing; she was actually just looking forward to taking a day off and doing something besides going shopping. She would eventually have to go out and get more food, but for today she would just like to wander with the man. "Shuffora, is there anything you need?" She did not mind if they went and picked up something for him that he needed or wanted. She would go to a weapon shop if that was what he wanted to do; after all they were eventually going to have to get her a bow and arrows.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora thought on it for a moment, then replied, "Sure. If you think it won't take very long." Shuffora then continued to take off his shirt, and looked at the tag, "Mm...About a large for my shirt." He put his shirt back on, and reached for his pants, about to take them off, "And...-" He stopped himself, and looked back up at her, "And there I go again. Being too used to no human interaction. One moment." He stepped around the corner, and checked for a specific number for size, "34 inch for the pants!" he called out, then came back around the corner, fully clothed.

He smiled and pondered at the thought of just wandering around town and figuring something to do. There could be tons of things to do! From shops and restaurants, to shows and gambling. This could be a very interesting night indeed, had they spent it right. Shuffora was enthused and excited for the occasion.

She then proceeded to ask him if he needed anything while they were out.

Needed anything? Shuffora had been going off of instinct and survival the past few years. Now he can get the opportunity of needing something? "Well...We should probably stop by a weapons shop at some point so we can get your materials. As for me?...Only thing I could ask for would be a good time, Milday." He said, as he proceeded to grab her hand and spin her once in a dancing motion. He stopped, catching her in his other arm, smiling, "I'm sorry, I'm just hyped at the thought of getting some fresh air." He spun her back, and stopped her in a standing position, "Shall we get the clothes out of the way?"

[Cordeliane]

She watched him blushing as he stripped off his shirt, then after putting it back on went to take off his pants. She turned her head and mumbled "its ok" as he left to check the size of his pants. His calling out numbers and sizes meant nothing to her 34 what? Was that his waist or his in seem? She knew she would have to measure him Large told her nothing other than he was big, it was obvious to her he knew nothing of making clothing.


Seimei gasped as he took her hand and spun her laughing as he caught her. She smiled up at him and nodded her head "Weapon shop and fun evening I think I can handle that" She laughed against as he spun her out and stopped shaking her head looking at him. It was going to be very interesting spending time with him; she hadn’t done anything like that since the night her village was razed. But first they needed to get to his clothing. "Yes we shall, just a moment"

She took off down the stairs and then came back up with a measuring tape and some patterns and a few bolts of dark cloth , black for the pants and grey for the shirt and zippers and buttons as well as everything else she would need. She dropped everything but the measuring tape on the floor and then moved around him. She placed the measuring tape around his chest and looked at the measurement then did the same to his neck. Seimei motioned for him to hold his arms out at his side and once he did she measured him from shoulder to wrist on both arms then from shoulder to shoulder then wrist to wrist.


Normally she would be making notes of the measurements but that was because she was usually working for more than one person at a time. She would measure from the base of his neck to the waist band of his pants, then went to the pattern for the shirt and pulled the sizes out she needed. She was quick and efficient as she moved again measuring his waist and then his inseam, once she has those she pulled out a pant pattern and nodded at him briskly.


She rolled out the bolts of cloth pinning the patterns in place with the pins she had used earlier in her own dress making then cut the patterns out. It did not take her long to do and then began sewing. About an hour would pass and Sei would hand him the finished work. The pants were nice but nothing to special with a zipper and a button, the shirt was done in a t-shirt style and he could just pull it on over his head. "There you go, I will make you more clothing later"


Sei would wait for him to change excited about going out and having a good time. She was feeling good about herself and the day and could not wait for him to discover the city with her. She had no idea what they would do or where they would go after the weapon shop but that would work its self out.

[Shuffora]

He was joyed to see that she smiled at him when he spun her. It was a friendly gesture to say the least, but he didn't want to be giving off the wrong impression.

As she made him clothes, he watched her hands move this way and that. It fascinated him how well she did her work. Within a matter of minutes, she was done, and there he had a new shirt, and some pants. He stepped around the corner, and changed into his new clothes to find they fit perfectly, and were very comfortable. He stepped back in front of her to show them off, "Thank you, they fit quite nicely. Now we can head out into the city." He would walk past her, grabbing his cloak and sword, taking her arm, and guiding her down the steps, and out the door.

Immediately as they stepped out the door, the city took their gaze. It was early evening, the sun was still in the air, but not by much. By the time their first activity would be over, it should be out of the sky. Shuffora took a close look around, seeing what there was to do. There were bars, clubs, gambling, restaurants. All sorts of entertainment.

"I think we'll go by the weapon's shop last, that way we don't have to carry it around all day. Maybe to start things off, we can just wander around?"

Shuffora would walk with Seimei down the way, looking this way and that at all the time different shops. Something caught his eye, though. It was a tournament that was going to be going on that night. It would be a fighting tournament. The prize was 10,000 gold. Shuffora smiled, "Ooo! Look, Seimei! The prize is 10,000 gold! With that much money, you could easily renovate your home for an easier living, or easier travels!"

[Cordeliane]

Seimei was pleased he liked her clothing, and smiled at his excitement that mirrored her own. She grabbed her own cloak as he pulled her down and out of her shop and home. Her eyes taking in the city as she tucked her arm through his. She looked around with him and smiled at all they could do, it was her first time going out with a man, even in her old village the only time she spent with males was at village dances where everybody was in attendance.


"That sounds like a good idea" She did not want to walk around armed anyway as it might make them look more like trouble makers than just people out for a night on the town. She was very pleased to be walking with him and would look at the shops and places as they walked. She had not really looked at the place she had moved to, she had seen the building she lived in and scooped it up. She smiled at him as he stopped then looked over his shoulder at the sign "I could not fight in that Shuffora, I do not have the skills, and I could not take your winnings it would not be right"


She wouldn't mind watching him fight in a challenge like this, it would be interesting to see his skills "You should join it Shuffora, I would not mind watching such an event” She smiled at him and waited for him to decide what he wanted to do. She was up for anything; it was just nice to get out on the town for a bit. She was going to have a good night and forget her past if she could for at least a little while.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora gazed at Seimei, and thought on joining the competition for himself. It would be an interesting experience at that. He browsed through the details more closely and looked upon where it would begin. It would take place later that night, in a place called the coliseum.

"Oh, so they have a ring for fighting? That's interesting." There were further directions to the coliseum written on the advertisement, and thus went off the group in that direction.

When they arrived, immediately they were stopped by a rather large man, who seemed to be some kind of a big-bad-importance. He spoke at Shuffora, basically spitting in his face, "Who're you? What business do you have in the coliseum?"

"I'd like to compete," Said Shuffora, "The poster said the competition was free."

"Bah! Free for those who are deemed worthy! The pipsqueaks die too quickly for there to be any kind of show."

"What're you inferring?" Asked Shuffora.

"Inferring? I'm stating! A skinny-ass like you wouldn't make it a minute in one of these fights!" The brute shook his head, and caught gaze of Seimei, "My my, and he even has a lady!" The brute continued to ignore Shuffora, and turn his attention to her, "And what might your name be, Lass? More so, what're you doing with a chump like him?"

Shuffora quickly cut him off, with a sword sliding right in front of his face, and further cutting off his view from Seimei. "Hey, this isn't about the lady. This is about me. You want to try and touch her, I'll cut your hand off in a second before the skin makes contact."

The brute turned his attention back to Shuffora, "Oh! A wise-ass now, huh? Very well! I'll make you a deal, Punk. If you can win one match, I'll let you compete. However, if you die, or if you have to surrender, you give me your pretty little lady without another word being said. Deal?"

Shuffora glared hard at him, and then glanced at Seimei. He grinned slightly, giving the brute a devious look, "Deal."

[Cordeliane]

Seimei was curious about his fighting skills and was looking forward to him doing this. It was kind of exciting and not an event she had ever attended before. Seeing a bunch of Warriors fighting to show their skills and prove to be the best seemed to be an interesting idea, but most of the warriors she had seen were larger than the man she was with. She walked with him to the Coliseum silent the whole way. She was thinking about the skills he would need for such a battle.


When they got there she remained silent for the most part until the man noticed her. She shrank back behind Shuffora and shook her head at the man “pay me no mind" She spoke softly trying to make herself Invisible. It surprised her greatly when Shuffora drew his sword in defense of her and she blushed at his words to the man. It was nice to have a protector.


She was enjoying his protection of her up until the point he made a deal telling the man he would give him her if he lost. She frowned and backed up a bit. What the hell was he thinking? She was not a prize to be won or bartered away. Once they were out of ear shot of the man she hissed at him" You had better win because if you lose I will not be going with that man. You had no right to make me part of the deal"

She then stomped away from him to find a seat in the large crowd that had gathered for the matches. She was not as happy as she had been when they first ventured out. She was now a prize to be won.

[Acies ab Vesania]

The coliseum roars with delight as the days fights come underway. Brutal warriors toss each other around like rag dolls; only the fittest survive the first round. The sound of steel clashing against steel, shield against shield, blunts cracking bone, all of it echoes through a fully lit stadium as the spectators roar with delight. Three matches before your own take place, three combatants take the fall right before your eyes. Two manage to flee their opponents before they take grievous wounding, while the last is carried out by three people- two for the body, one to grab the remaining half of his head, separated at the jaw.

The warrior to cause that death is something to see, a man twice the size of any large fellow, solid muscle and not an ounce of fat. He does not bother with armor; it impedes his muscular form from doing what it does best- moving swiftly and swinging with the force of an ogre. His weapon is a Falchion, a large two-handed sword that he wields with only one, his other carrying a thick metal shield, laden with spikes. The shield is black, with two blood red eyes in the center, complementing the human skulls that hang from his belt. Blood coats his chest, blood from this man he just dropped and from others before him.

It comes as no surprise, when he they declare him the favorite to win.

Fortunately, that large beast is not your first opponent, this man having destroyed his opponent of the first round. When you step out into the field, the other side lets out a lanky sort of man, muscular, but spry. The word wiry comes to mind when you look upon him, but you note that one cannot take this one lightly, those muscles of his are thick cords worked to their finest potential. He may not have the greatest size, but his strength will be far more than what someone would initially expect. Topping all of this, he shows that he is rather fast, in a display of prowess and skill that he shows off to enliven the crowds and as a cheap attempt to intimidate you.

The man pushes aside greasy, dark, straw like hair from his eyes, focusing the narrow, black beady eyes on you. He hefts a large, spiked club from the ground and up into the air, holding it skyward, bellowing a challenge at you. The crowd responds appropriately to him, which makes him puff his chest out more. He seems confident in his ability to take you out, a simple little man easily squished beneath his club. With a devious laugh, deep and echoing, the drops a foot down, and charges you, club over his left shoulder, prepared to swing down and right, in an arc, that will undoubtedly take you at the shoulders or head.

[Shuffora]

Shuffora watched as Seimei went stomping off into the coliseum, feeling bad about the action that he had just made. He wasn't trying to be stupid like that, it just came out all of the sudden, and it seemed like an ideal opportunity. With that being said, Shu wasn't about to lose in this competition because of his arrogance.

He looked back at the large bulky man, "Alright then. Where's the ring?"

The large man responded to him, "Right up the stairs, Pip-squeak. I can't wait to see you as a bloody mess on the floor, and that little lady being all mine. She seems quite feisty when she wants to be." He laughed, and took back to his position of watching the entrance.

Shuffora glared at the man, "You wish." He then proceeded to walk himself up the large set of stairs, and to the sign-up desk. A skinny looking man asked him, "Are you planning to sign up for the competition?"

"Yes, please." "Name?" "Shuffora."

The man wrote some things down, and pointed at the nearby door, "Alright, Shuffora. You may enter the ring now. Your opponent will arrive with you shortly." Shuffora nodded, and walked through the door, his fist clenched hard.

The first sights of the ring dazzled him. It was a large cage-based arena with a basic sand texture for flooring. There were stands that circled all around, and surprisingly, everything was well lit. There were a lot of people already in their seats, cheering loudly for the fight to begin. As Shuffora took his place in the ring, he immediately looked around for Seimei, hoping that she was still okay.

And of course, there she was, sitting in her outfit and angry face. Same as before. Shuffora waved a hand at her, then realized he probably looked stupid, and quickly put his hand back down.

While the lights were blinding, Shuffora tried to ignore it and keep his focus, staring at the opposing entrance of the ring. He clenched his fist, and eagerly awaited his opponent, hoping to make a good impression for Seimei to forgive him.

Then of course, along came a large brute-like man with greasy hair roaring into the ring. It was obvious he had a lot more of an impact on the crowd than Shuffora did. Before Shuffora could even take much observance on the man, he came running at Shuffora with club in hand and attempted to swing a quick match-ending strike.

Shuffora quickly stepped to the side, drawing his sword as he did so, and striking at the man's legs, hoping to get a quick cut across. Shuffora then stepped back, and stood at guard with his weapon, "That's a nice way to introduce yourself!" Shuffora resisted the urge to make more small-talk, and quickly went in for a jab with his sword at the man's chest, hoping to end it as quickly as he wanted to.

[Cordeliane]

Seimei watched with the cheering crowd her hand to her mouth at the size of the man Shuffora was fighting. She turned her head not wanting to see this, but from the sounds the crowd made she looked back at the fight. She swallowed softly and held herself not sure about this any more. She did not want the man she was with hurt, and she certianly wasnt going to go with the man who wanted her if Shuffora lost.

chewing her lips she watched as the first match continued on, fear in her green eyes. She wanted this over with as soon as possible.

[Acies ab Vesania]

The man is slow, easy to evade, and leaves himself open to counter attacks. Your blade does indeed slice the back of his legs, managing to leave a decent cut, nothing debilitating, but painful nonetheless. The oaf roars in pain, swearing and cursing in torrents unbidden, and turns to face you, preparing for his next attack. Despite his anger, he does notice your attempt to jab at his chest, and he takes action to prevent that attack, parrying it with his club, while moving aside himself. The cut on the back of his legs, however, prove a hindrance in his movements, as he stumbles and nearly falls, growling in pain.

Clearly, he is quite angry with you.

Using his pent up rage, he takes another wild swing at you, this time coming from a lower angle, trying to smash the club into your left side, about where the kidneys reside. He does so in an effort to land a solid, and possibly extremely painful, blow that might disable you long enough to allow him to take advantage of a brief upper hand.