Out for the day

[Simon de Valais(D)]

At the behest, or better put protesting, of Kaillee I ventured into Nights Doorstep.

"You've been cooped up here for weeks!"

"Thank you Kaillee, but I have things to do."

"Simon, theres no way this will help find your sister. It may help you to get away from this, clear your head."

"I don't have time to clear my head, now more then ever."

"Simon, you need to get out of this room. Please, for me, please go take a walk something. We're all worried about you, besides if something happens to you we're all out of jobs."

"Thanks, alright I'll go."

I walked the streets watching people go about their day, I had to admit that there was a certain calm and joyeous. I suppose the recent decree and a new queen have something to do with that. I looked around at the small shops and clasped my hands behind my back as I strolled casually through the street looking for something to fill my time.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Deciding I needed to stretch my legs somewhere more expansive than the Palace I'd taken to Mont Nuit to do some looking around- I was going to be sending a letter back to Aragonia for my sister Catalina and she was just getting to an interesting age. Maybe something would catch my eye while I looked around and I could send that with her letter; I'd never had much of a chance to know her and now I was feeling that more acutely.

Everywhere people were talking and laughing; I remembered the first day I'd arrived in the City and how crestfallen everyone had seemed. Now, their King was awake, they'd be recieving a young and able Queen and everything was once again right with the world. Basically, I was being my cheerful, charming self.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I had just found myself a book, one written by Jessamine de Mornay. I was a fan of her great aunt's work so I took a chance and bought it, something to keep my time occupied with out pining over my lost sister. I was mid sentence when I bumped into him. I dropped my book.
"Elua." I said under my breath and bent over picking it up.

"Forgive me," I said looking up at him. "I wasn't watching where I was going." I smiled softly unsure of the man, Aragonian yes and well built, I would recieve a pumeling if he he didn't like the looks of me I was sure.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling widely I said, "It happens, don't worry about it." The man was a little older than myself and d'Angeline. Holding out my hand for him to shake, my usually easygoing and down-to-earth nature take over. "I'm Nic."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled and took his hand.

"Simon, nice to meet you." I was relieved that he was nice. "What brings you to Mont Nuit Nic?" I asked in almost a studder.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Nice to meet you Simon," I said with a grin. "I was looking for a gift for my little sister back in Aragonia- she's 14. What book is that?" I asked curiously, wondering why a man who seemed to be so unused to moving about in public had done so. He had the distinctly lackluster look of one retreating into sorrow and despair by hiding in whatever room he could find. Curious, I waited patiently for his answer, trying to put off an aura of calmness.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I looked to the book and back up at him.
"Its by Jessamine de Mornay." I said offering it to him to flip through. "I haven't gotten far into it but so far it seems like an excellent read." I smiled running my hand absently through my hair.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Gently I took the proferred book and skimmed over the first page. "I'd say you have good taste in literature," I replied with a grin as I handed the book back. "I will definitely have to look into that novel at a future date for my brother- he's the scholarly one of my family. I'll have to read it before I send it to him though- just to make sure it's something he'd enjoy," I said with a chuckle and a grin.

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled happily as he handed back the book.
"Well if you're not inclinded to read it yourself I could always let you know what happens." He seemed more friendly then I had thought but my conversation skills were not as good as they used to be. I tugged at my shirt absentmindedly.

"Are you from Aragonia?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Well, that would save me some time, but it may not be nearly as interesting," I said with a warm smile. "Yes, I'm Aragonian- have you ever been there?"

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled back.
"No, I was supposed to go study there after I finished my time at the University of Tiberium but...something else came up instead." I thought of my sweet baby sister Riva and forced a smile.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"I understand how that can go," I said with a sympathetic smile, noticing his smile becoming forced. "Once you finish things up here you could always go and visit anyway, it's not going anywhere. Some things are more important than travels."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I nodded. "Thats true." I tried to smile in a less forced manner. "I'm afraid that my business in Terre d'Ange is of a serious nature and it takes presidence over travels."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Certainly," I said matter-of-factly, as that was the point I'd been trying to make. "I'm sorry for whatever that has happened in that case, for it must be of a truly grevious nature to keep a learned man such as yourself close to home. My condolences."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I wasn't sure why but I was telling him things I didn't mean to.
"Yes, thank you." I said catching myself.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling a little more widely again- he didn't seem to want to have it mentioned or to be reminded of the matter- I said, "Well, things usually have a habit of working themselves out."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I nodded. "I hope so, or I'll have done so much for nothing." Damnit, just walk away, its not likely that this Aragonian would know where Riva was.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Nodding, I said, "I understand that- no one likes to have nothing to show for their work. How long have you been working at this issue? Maybe a sabbatical, to take your mind off of the problem, is just what you need. Not necessarily travelling, but a change of scenery or habit can make a man think more clearly about the situation when they come back to it."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

"No!" It came out more curt then I had entended. "For...forgive me, I'm afraid I've been at this for almost five years and have yielded no results. The longer I take the more likely I am to loose completely that which I seek." I looked down at the book and rubbed my thumb over the cover.
"I'm...I'm looking for my sister." I said quietly then looked up, Nic seemed a good man and so far I trusted him. What would it hurt to say it?
"She went missing as a child and I've searched most of Terre d'Ange for her."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

My expression having gone more solemn I nodded and quietly said, "I understand your determination then-I have a younger sister myself and I imagine I would go mad if anything ever happened to her. Have you had any luck in locating her, or even narrowing down where she was last seen?"

[Simon de Valais(D)]

It almost felt good to say it out loud, I had been carrying the burden for so long and no one knew save Kalliee.
"Six years," I said softly. "My parents sent her away six years ago." I shook my head slightly. "I'm afraid the story is more complicated then that, all I know is that she was last seen in the City of Elua, but that was six years ago."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"The City seems to have enough places to hide; it would be like looking for one fish in the sea," I said in sympathy. "Don't you have people in the City who assist with those sorts of situations? Or where a girl-child would be taken easily?"

[Simon de Valais(D)]

"I've exhausted all my resources." I replied sadly. "So much so that I haven't had new information for two years. But...I keep searching, hoping one day to see her. I..suppose its foolish but I have to keep trying."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Well, if you've exhausted all of your sources the only thing left is to play hunches," I said assuredly. "Sometimes the only thing that doesn't make sense is the one that is the truth."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

"Yes," I said thinking for a moment. "The does hold truth in a manner of speaking." I said looking off into the distance as I went through my information.

"Forgive me Nic, I shouldn't have started into the converstation. But I would like to have you for dinner some time to make up for it." Kalliee would be glad I had made a friend.
"I should be going though, I think you've given me something valuable to think about."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Nodding, I smiled. "When should I come by? I know you'll be busy trying to find that elusive sister of yours, I wouldn't want to interrupt anything."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I made a half smile and nodded. "Perhaps a week from today?" I said raising my brows in question.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Nodding in agreement, I said, "That sounds about perfect- I'll see you then. It was nice to meet you, Simon. Good luck in your quest."

[Simon de Valais(D)]

I smiled and made a slight bow as I never got his last name or title but I always assumed everyone was higher in rank then I.
'Till then." I said and moved past him heading back to my town house, I had a few things to work through.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smiling a little I turned and went back to walking along, looking for a shop in which to find a gift for Catalina. What did one buy for a little sister who was growing up so fast?