Getting out

[Isra Varousse]

The healers had told me that getting out and getting fresh air would be good for, though to take it easy. I had taken in the gardens of Jasmine enough that I needed to venture further. I made my way to Elua’s square at a leisurely pace.

I took a seat on the edge of the fountain, enjoying the beautiful day.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

Lillianne was feeling better and though she was still grieving, as was I, it was good to go about with normal things. So, after relocating myself to Nicole's town house I decided to stretch my legs and visit the City proper to reaquaint myself with my surroundings.

I had found myself at a clothing shop and was now carrying far too many boxes, and after later thought I should have had them delivered. Silly me.

On top of all my boxes was the smallest box though, one that held a gold necklace with a locket for Lillianne. Precariously as I had it balanced it fell.

"Drat!" I cursed trying to keep the others steady. I went to pick it up and stepped too far effectively kicking it further from me and toward the large fountain that was in the center of town.

"In the name of Namaah!" I shouted as it tumbled across the cobblestones and landed at the feet of a girl sitting on the edge of the fountain.

[Isra Varousse]

I had been watching a little girl play in the water on the far side of the fountain when I heard a curse. Still smiling at the little girl’s joy I turned to see what was happen.

My first sight was of an overburdened man, and then I noticed the small box that came to a rest from its tumble right at my feet. I leaned down and picked up the box, dusting the dirt it had collected off of it before looking at the man again.

“Do you need some help?” I asked him.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I shifted the boxes and moved to the side of the fountain and put the boxes down.

"Your help is thankful my lady, but I wouldn't ask for such a thing from some one so lovely." I said smiling politely with a bow. She was....exotic looking and I wondered of her origins, an ambassador's wife? Or daughter perhaps?

[Isra Varousse]

“Helping others is good for the soul though,” I replied, smiling even more. Now that the boxes were set down I could see him more clearly, my he was handsome. “You wouldn’t want to keep me from improving the status of my soul would you?”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled.
"Well then my lady, I couldn't do the disservice of such an act. Pray, forgive me and lighten my load." I smiling softly.
"I'm Azriel Shahrizai."

[Isra Varousse]

I rose, only to drop into a polite curtsey. “I am Isra nó Jasmine, my lord,” I said, smiling and looking at him through my lashes as I rose again. “It is a pleasure to meet you and thank you for taking an interest in my soul.”

I looked at his pile of boxes. “I could help you a couple of those as well.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

Jasmine, hmm I wouldn't have seen that. I smiled though, glad for a friendly face.
"Here," I said smiling as I picked up the smaller of all the boxes, handing them to her. "These aren't too heavy."

[Isra Varousse]

I settled the boxes comfortable in my arms.

“It seems you’ve had quite a successful shopping trip,” I said, smiling at him.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled.
"A little too successful," I said smiling to her as I settled my own boxes. "Oh, wait, you have the little box right?" I looked behind me and at my own boxes.

[Isra Varousse]

“I do,” I said, showing him where it sat against the curve of my side. “That one seemed destined for me to carry it for you.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I sighed.
"Oh good, its a necklace for my niece. I'd hate to loose it." I smiled with a bit of a nervous chuckle.
"Thank you by the way."

[Isra Varousse]

“It’s my pleasure, truly,” I told him. “It’s just so nice to be out on such a lovely day.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

"Its nice to see people happy and..." I swallowed trying not to think on Nicole. "And able to push past the recent events."

[Isra Varousse]

“I agree,” I said, my voice softening as I thought of those I knew who’d died and my own bout with it.

Remembering myself, I smiled again. “A few more shopping trips like yours and the store owners will have no worries for being closed,” I said, laughing softly.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled a little.
"I just moved here from Marsilikos and I'm finding I'm lacking much in way of court attire." I said with a crooked smile.

[Isra Varousse]

I liked his smile.

“You could have been out of the City for a week and return to find you needed to update your wardrobe, fashion is quite the popular subject here,” I said, laughing again and smiling. “Is this your first time in the City?”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled a little more.
"Surprisingly, no, its not my first time." I said softly. "I was raised about a half a day outside the City walls. But I haven't had residence here since I was a young man."

[Isra Varousse]

“Are you finding it much changed since you’ve been gone?” I asked.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled a little.
"Actually yes," I said looking around. "Its like the faces haven't changed but all the shoppes have." I gave her another sideways smile.
"Does that make sense."

[Isra Varousse]

I thought for a moment. “Yes, though in truth I would have thought it would be the other way around,” I said with a low laugh and a smile. “But then again, I have lived in the City my entire life, so the scenery changes more slowly than the people for me.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I nodded.
"Its been at least ten years since I was here, that's no including the few days I was here last year." I shrugged a little.

[Isra Varousse]

I wanted to ask him why he’d returned for a few days only, but I would not pry. “Do you find the City to your liking as it is now?” I asked.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I shrugged a little.
"I've never liked the City to be completely honest with you." I said softly. "Bad memories."

[Isra Varousse]

My smile melted away. “I’m sorry, my lord,” I said, wondering at how quickly I’d stumbled into an unpleasant topic.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

"Its alright, it was a long time ago." I said smiling to her. "It seems to be my life, that the City of Elua only holds bad memories." I continued to give her a smile so that she didn't think I was upset.

[Isra Varousse]

“I hope that is all in the past,” I told him. “That your future here holds enough good memories to make up for the past.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I thought about Nicole and the reason I was here. I thought about Lillianne and how I was determined to not let her become like me, that I would make sure she was happy.
"I hope so too." I said smiling. "Thank you for your kind words Isra." I added.

"Isra..." I said repeating her name. "What does your name mean?"

[Isra Varousse]

“Nocturnal journey,” I answered, smiling. “It was also my mother’s grandmother’s name.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I nodded.
"Where is your mother's side from?" I asked getting the idea is was her mother's side that gave her her exotic looks.