~Air

[iris-ofthe-north]

Jogging Buddies

[iris-ofthe-north]

“Barreling? please. I was gliding down. I never barrel” Eustella scoffed, running backwards to face him,showing off.  Changing back, smirking to herself, her pace started changing, moving faster. 

Who does this guy think he is… her smile dwindling down at the comment. “Good, then you wouldn’t mind a little race” Eustella answered, pushing ahead. 

[angel-of-severity]

Dimitri lengthened his strides, easily catching up to the woman who was quickly creating space between them. His legs were sore, but he was used to overworking his body and hardly noticed the strain. 

“Oh, I wouldn’t mind a race - I just hope you aren’t a sore loser.” he huffed, passing her by. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Only a few feet separating the two of them, her arms glued to her side, pumping as hard as she could. Even as he passed, her eyes locked straight ahead, expressionless, as she let her body move with her element, letting his words disappear.  Deep down Eustella knew she could not win. Not even knowing the man; his built, strength, everything about him screamed experience. But she was nothing if not confident. 

Closing her eyes for a second, her light hair lifting slightly with the wind. Counting softly to herself, her body fell into a familiar pattern. One. Two. One. Two. Gracefully picking up speed, her sword just a mere after thought as it shifted against her. 

Neither picking a destination in mind, Eustella glanced up, taking around her surroundings. “How how till the end of the road sound?” she yelled. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Jogging Buddies

[angel-of-severity]

iris-ofthe-north

Ignoring his comment, Eustella took this opportunity to rest, taking out her water bottle. Raising the bottle to her lips, she took a few sips before placing it back in her pocket. Glancing up her eyes narrowed, glaring softly up at him. No matter who her opponent was, Eustella was always ready to fight back.

“Well, maybe if someone was paying attention then I wouldn’t of had to run into them in the first place…” she mocked, running ahead of him now. “Or are you scared of a little competition?” she teased, letting her competitive nature sign though.

“Me paying attention wouldn’t have had any affect on you barreling down the hill without a glance.” Dimitri snapped back, instantly falling into pace beside her.

He was nothing if not competitive. 

“I’ve never scared been of competition, sugar.” He drawled. “I was forged in it.”

[iris-ofthe-north]

“Barreling? please. I was gliding down. I never barrel” Eustella scoffed, running backwards to face him,showing off.  Changing back, smirking to herself, her pace started changing, moving faster. 

Who does this guy think he is... her smile dwindling down at the comment. “Good, then you wouldn’t mind a little race” Eustella answered, pushing ahead. 

[quiet-boy]

Wintry Morning

[quiet-boy]

iris-ofthe-north

Frowning softly to herself, she allowed her body a moment of peace, rolling her shoulders back, before sitting upright again. Gently, her legs followed suit, crossing delicately behind one another as she sat. Ignoring her tea, Eustella gave Liam another once over, trying to pinpoint his words. So, he was some kind of trader after all. But what on earth was he talking about?

Rather than risk her pride and ask, Eustella parted her lips, her confident smile showing once more. “I do not have anything else to do. I might as well” she answered with a bored shrug as she got up from her seat.

Liam continued to sip his coffee as he waited for Stella to speak. Soon he was finished with his coffee - and waved the waitress over to order another. It’s not like there was going to be line outside of his shop. 

“Mmmm - I can even read your fortune.” Liam laughed, warming his hands with his new coffee as he stood and followed her out the door. 

They traversed the small cobbled sidewalk for a few moments in silence, Liam’s mind drifting on to other matters. He was so absorbed, he nearly walked right past his shop. Shaking his head, Liam veered to the right - pulling out his heavy key chain from his pocket. 

Above their heads hung an elaborate gold sign that said - “Odds & Ends” with a tombstone for the E in ends. Liam chuckled, unlocking the door and ushering Stella inside, being very mindful not to touch her. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Getting outside, she waited till Liam led them both to the shop. Stopping at the the entrance, her attention upward, looking at the sign. Where did you send me Victoria?...she whispered, stepping inside. Shaking her head, her sword jingled with her body, preparing herself for anything that might happen in the shop. One could never be too careful. Slowing her pace, her footsteps moving with his as she walked. Moving her shoulders back, straightening herself up, on guard. 

“What do you do here?” she asked, making her voice even. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Jogging Buddies

 Being the morning person that she is, Eustella  woke early, the sun barely peeking into the sky as she went about her daily routine. Keeping to her roots, she dressed in a more casual style, but still incorporating her dress into her jogging attire, her sword hung against her side. Everyday she woke and fell with the sun as she kept her body in shape. It didn’t matter that she was transported here, everyday she still made sure to keep it in her schedule. The world change meant nothing to her as long as she could still train. 

Pulling her already short hair back, she walked out of the door and onto the sidewalk. Starting at a slow jog, her movements started to pick up as her body got reaccustomed to the work out. Counting the steps in her head, she fell into the movement of a full jog, pumping her arms as she went up the hill. Coming down was the easy part but she still wouldn’t let her momentum change as her speed escalated down. Reaching the bottom, she rounded the corner, stopping as she collided with a hard body. Dusting herself off, she frowned, peering up at the taller man.

“You should at least say something before stopping in the middle of the road…” she said, scolding the older man. 

[angel-of-severity]

Dimtri panted heavily, sweat darkening the skin tight workout shirt and highlight all the hard planes of his body. He was at the bottom of the hill, his hands on his hips. He’d left his home early this morning, looking to blow off some steam. Last night had been catastrophic. His offshore team had been ambushed, and absolutely destroyed. Not a single soldier was left - a loss that Dimitri felt down in his soul. 

“Huh - ?” He intoned, turning around and looking down on the small brunette that had slammed into him. “Maybe, you shouldn’t be running so fast, you ever think of that?”

[iris-ofthe-north]

Ignoring his comment, Eustella took this opportunity to rest, taking out her water bottle. Raising the bottle to her lips, she took a few sips before placing it back in her pocket. Glancing up her eyes narrowed, glaring softly up at him. No matter who her opponent was, Eustella was always ready to fight back. 

“Well, maybe if someone was paying attention then I wouldn’t of had to run into them in the first place...” she mocked, running ahead of him now. “Or are you scared of a little competition?” she teased, letting her competitive nature sign though. 

[quiet-boy]

Wintry Morning

Cupping her hands under her cup, she took another drink before placing it gently down on the table directly to the right of her. Being brought up the way she did, as hard as she tried to get away from it, etiquette always stuck with her. Sighing softly to herself, she folded her hands in her lap, her eyes darting back towards his.

Politely nodding her head to to his answer, she let a rare smile escape.. “Do tell, what kind of shop do you have?” she asked. By the look of  Liam she couldn’t pinpoint him exactly as she wanted. Is he some kind of trader? No, he looks too young…she thought, frowning slightly. Catching herself, she tided herself up, brushing up her look with a sharp smile, realizing he asked a question.

“I normally come here when every morning after I go jogging…” she answered like the answer was obvious.

“I have a oddity shop.” Liam said, a smile quirking one side of his mouth. “I read fortunes out of the back.”

He pulled his iced coffee closer, tipping it up to take a sip. Mmm - he did love his caffeine in the morning. With a flick of his wrist, Liam looked at his watched, gauging that he had about another five minutes before he had to leave.

“If you’re not busy, you can come and check it out. I open in a few minutes.”

[iris-ofthe-north]

Frowning softly to herself, she allowed her body a moment of peace, rolling her shoulders back, before sitting upright again. Gently, her legs followed suit, crossing delicately behind one another as she sat. Ignoring her tea, Eustella gave Liam another once over, trying to pinpoint his words. So, he was some kind of trader after all. But what on earth was he talking about? 

Rather than risk her pride and ask, Eustella parted her lips, her confident smile showing once more. “I do not have anything else to do. I might as well” she answered with a bored shrug as she got up from her seat. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Jogging Buddies

 Being the morning person that she is, Eustella  woke early, the sun barely peeking into the sky as she went about her daily routine. Keeping to her roots, she dressed in a more casual style, but still incorporating her dress into her jogging attire, her sword hung against her side. Everyday she woke and fell with the sun as she kept her body in shape. It didn't matter that she was transported here, everyday she still made sure to keep it in her schedule. The world change meant nothing to her as long as she could still train. 

Pulling her already short hair back, she walked out of the door and onto the sidewalk. Starting at a slow jog, her movements started to pick up as her body got reaccustomed to the work out. Counting the steps in her head, she fell into the movement of a full jog, pumping her arms as she went up the hill. Coming down was the easy part but she still wouldn't let her momentum change as her speed escalated down. Reaching the bottom, she rounded the corner, stopping as she collided with a hard body. Dusting herself off, she frowned, peering up at the taller man.

"You should at least say something before stopping in the middle of the road..." she said, scolding the older man. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Wintry Morning

[iris-ofthe-north]

Turning her gaze away for a second to receive her drink, she let a small smile escape her lips as she thanked the man. Tipping her cup up towards her lips, she took a small sip of her tea before setting it down. She carefully nodded, already used to the nicknames. Her parents had to call her the only unique name in the kingdom. Still, she silently thanked the late royals for the name change. 

"As you wish…she mused, thinking out loud of the sudden nickname. "Nice to meet you as well Liam…" she answered back. "Do tell, what were you doing here so early? Usually when I get here the place is empty…" she asked, curious of the man before her. 

[quiet-boy]

Liam watched as Stella sipped her tea, interested by the rigid way she held herself. She gave off a very…intense vibe for being such a small looking girl. Her face was autocratic—very defined. Liam assumed she must be some rich man’s daughter. 

Turning his attention away from her profile, Liam smiled at her question, “I never usually come in here, but I got to my shop early today,” he pointed to a small building across the street, then shrugged, “Once I smelled the food, I couldn’t help myself. What about you? Why do you come here so early?”

[iris-ofthe-north]

Cupping her hands under her cup, she took another drink before placing it gently down on the table directly to the right of her. Being brought up the way she did, as hard as she tried to get away from it, etiquette always stuck with her. Sighing softly to herself, she folded her hands in her lap, her eyes darting back towards his. 

Politely nodding her head to to his answer, she let a rare smile escape.. "Do tell, what kind of shop do you have?" she asked. By the look of  Liam she couldn't pinpoint him exactly as she wanted. Is he some kind of trader? No, he looks too young...she thought, frowning slightly. Catching herself, she tided herself up, brushing up her look with a sharp smile, realizing he asked a question.

"I normally come here when every morning after I go jogging..." she answered like the answer was obvious. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Wintry Morning

[iris-ofthe-north]

"Very well…" she answered, keeping her formality even as annoyed as she was. Victoria, where did you send me…she muttered to herself as she sat down. Swinging her sword to her other side, she folded a hand on her lap as she called a waiter forward. Order her usual order, she returned her gaze back to the man before her.

" We didn’t get off on the right start. My name is Eustella. Do what you will with the name…" she said, lowering her head in a small bow. 

[quiet-boy]

Liam leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. The girl—Eustella— was extremely formal, and Liam could tell she wasn’t happy about it. Mentally shrugging, he ordered another sandwich from the waiter, then leaned back in his chair, his bright eyes trained on Eustella.

"Do what I want with the name…?" Liam tilted his head by a fraction to the left, mulling over her comment, "I guess I’ll call you Stella—if you don’t mind. It’s actually pretty cute sounding…" 

Accepting the sandwich from the waiter, who must have beaten a world reccord with how fast he returned, Liam sighed in happiness before adding, “My name is Liam, nice to meet you, Stella ♪” 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Turning her gaze away for a second to receive her drink, she let a small smile escape her lips as she thanked the man. Tipping her cup up towards her lips, she took a small sip of her tea before setting it down. She carefully nodded, already used to the nicknames. Her parents had to call her the only unique name in the kingdom. Still, she silently thanked the late royals for the name change. 

"As you wish...she mused, thinking out loud of the sudden nickname. "Nice to meet you as well Liam..." she answered back. "Do tell, what were you doing here so early? Usually when I get here the place is empty..." she asked, curious of the man before her. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Wintry Morning

[iris-ofthe-north]

Sighing, she bit back her tongue, not wanting her irritation to shine through. Years of training under the Roses, she would never allow herself to break for something as childish as this. Taking her hand away from her sword, she tried again. “I am sorry sir but you are sitting in my chair. If you would kindly move…” she started, going for the polite approach first. 

[quiet-boy]

Liam eyed her sword with interest, trying with difficulty to keep his temper in check. He didn’t say anything at first, but instead took several deep breaths. In through his nose, out through his mouth, like waves crashing against the shore. 

"…Look, why don’t you just sit down with me so we don’t end out fighting over a table…” that doesn’t even have your name on it. He added silently, gesturing to the empty chair across from him.

[iris-ofthe-north]

"Very well..." she answered, keeping her formality even as annoyed as she was. Victoria, where did you send me...she muttered to herself as she sat down. Swinging her sword to her other side, she folded a hand on her lap as she called a waiter forward. Order her usual order, she returned her gaze back to the man before her.

" We didn't get off on the right start. My name is Eustella. Do what you will with the name..." she said, lowering her head in a small bow. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Wintry Morning

One two, One two…her words pressing in the back of her mind as she jogged. Rounding the corner her light hair bounced to the movement of the wind, her sword lightly bouncing on the side of her hip as she ran the final stretch. Letting herself relax for a moment she carried on the motions for the rest of the morning only returning home as the sun peeked its way into mid morning. 

Changing out of her casual wear, she chose a more traditional style and wore a white dress coming down right bellow her knee. Placing her sword back around her, she left just as quickly as she came, heading out to a cafe. 

Opening the doors the soft jingle of the bell sounded as she came inside. Greeting the owners, she headed towards her usual table only to have it occupied. 

"Excuse me but can you kindly move?" she asked, her words coming out nicer than she meant to; her training showing through. 

[quiet-boy]

"Ahhh…" Liam took a sip of his coffee, sighing in ecstasy at how good it tasted. He was scheduled to open his shop within the next 30 minutes. Usually, he would be inside, setting up, but the sweet aroma from the cafe had convinced him that he could open a bit later than normal. 

"Excuse me?" Liam set down his coffee, his expression a mixture of annoyance and confusion, "Why would I do that?"

[iris-ofthe-north]

Sighing, she bit back her tongue, not wanting her irritation to shine through. Years of training under the Roses, she would never allow herself to break for something as childish as this. Taking her hand away from her sword, she tried again. "I am sorry sir but you are sitting in my chair. If you would kindly move..." she started, going for the polite approach first. 

[iris-ofthe-north]

Wintry Morning

One two, One two...her words pressing in the back of her mind as she jogged. Rounding the corner her light hair bounced to the movement of the wind, her sword lightly bouncing on the side of her hip as she ran the final stretch. Letting herself relax for a moment she carried on the motions for the rest of the morning only returning home as the sun peeked its way into mid morning. 

Changing out of her casual wear, she chose a more traditional style and wore a white dress coming down right bellow her knee. Placing her sword back around her, she left just as quickly as she came, heading out to a cafe. 

Opening the doors the soft jingle of the bell sounded as she came inside. Greeting the owners, she headed towards her usual table only to have it occupied. 

"Excuse me but can you kindly move?" she asked, her words coming out nicer than she meant to; her training showing through.