These Little Piggies Went to Market [Kaleb and Reine] (Closed)

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 06/15/2021
Reine had changed her clothes into the ones that had been provided for her outside of the door of the fresher. She thought it was Tesara but the padawan couldn't be found. It turned out that her coin purse wasn't with the rest of the bags. It saddened her that the little bobbles that she had grown up with were no longer in her possession. Maybe, by the grace of the Angel, they would be returned. Although, the way that Tesara had been speaking they were almost certainly gone.

It had been pointed out that there was a small outdoor market a few kilometres away and it was heavily advised that they get some supplies here before going to Rotterdam. If they had been in Rotterdam, Reine would have no problem locating shops that would supply her needs. But it would be nice to have her own clothes again. So far, every time she put on something new something happened to her. She was sick of feeling like a drowned kitten.

She walked up to Kaleb, and looked at him expressionless. "Are you ready?" The question was quiet and devoid of the frustration she had possessed recently. It would be nice to break away from the group, even for a small amount of time. She figured that everyone was feeling a bit cramped.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
Kaleb was happy that his ribs weren't sore anymore. But this tunic that the lord of Serenno used to wear wasn't his style. It seemed way to.... upety to him.  The tunic itself seemed okay, but he could tell that it was made of only the highest quality, which meant he had to be careful or it'll rip. He didn't like the belt that came with it, and he'd be damned if he would be caught dead wearing the cape he had left on the bed. "Of course I'm ready." he replied as he adjusted the tunic some more.

Reine — 06/15/2021
Reine softly giggled behind a delicate hand. He was not hiding his discomfort very well. But, part of his discomfort came from the seams being askew and the fabric structured in another away than he was used to. She held up her hands, showing her palms, in a surrendering motion. "May I?" She asked with a tentative smile knowing that a few tweaks would make the garment fit much better.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
He gave a shrug and a nod indicating for her to go ahead.

Reine — 06/15/2021
She approached him slowly, and wrapped her arms around to the back of his neck. Her skin smelled clean from the soap of her shower, unlike the heavy herbal and floral perfume she wore the first night she arrived. She folded down the neckline of the tunic, and then with strong and assured hands twisted the garment on his shoulders, pulling the arms down straight, before moving to his waist and pulled at the hem making sure that it laid flat. Where one may take the opportunity to be flirty, she was all business. Fashion was an art and needed a high level of engineering skill to make it work correctly. She stepped back and looked the garment over. Her attention was not on the young Mando but the garment. Tilting her head she noticed the cape on the bed. "Are you not going to wear the statement piece? It brings it all together!" She smiled brightly but it was almost impossible to tell if she was being sarcastic or not.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
"No." he replied, even though she might have been sarcastic about it, he was going to make sure that his feelings about that thing.

Reine — 06/15/2021
She rolled her eyes with a slight smirk. She turned around and walked towards the door. Or where she thought the exit was. Tesara, or whoever picked her clothing out, did pretty well. The mock neck silk dress, hugged her curves but the brocade gave it structure. She moved well in it with no sense of discomfort. "Do we need to bring anything? Is there a transport?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
"Neither of us have chain codes right now remember, so transports would be out of the picture. Looks like we'll be walking to this market." he told her. "We're lucky that his place takes credits, but I only have so many."

Reine — 06/15/2021
Her shoulders slumped slightly before she took a breath and squared them. "There were some that were left on my clothing. It was either Tesara or Tiny Pants. Most likely the latter. I will have to get a few cartes des merci though." She was thankful that she only had flats as a walk in heels would murder her feet.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
"Well we'll just  stick to essentials." Kaleb told her.  He did have some local curreny that he had exchanged, around a hundred of those, and then about a thousand credits. He really needed to start working so he can get some money.

Reine — 06/15/2021
The two made their way out of the "Lover's Apartment" and onto the street. It wasn't a dirt ridden path, but paved walkways and people milling about. Yes, there were transports, but walking was still a main form of getting from one place to the other. Reine clasped her hands in front of her as she walked. A very demure maneuver that spoke volumes of her upbringing. For someone who seemed to always have something to say, she couldn't find anything to talk about.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
As for Kaleb, he was on guard, though he was trying hard to make it look as if he were just taking a walk with a friend. If anyone recognized Reine, he wanted to be able to act in a hurry. He wished he had his weapons, but in this outfit it would draw to much attention to them.

Reine — 06/15/2021
Kaleb's tension was coming off of him in waves. There were people who were making a wide birth around them, no matter how much Reine smiled and waved at them. Finally, after the itchiness of her palms got to be too much she slid her hand into the crook of his arm. "Respirer," she said lowly to him.

Kaleb Wren — 06/15/2021
"Mi am breathing. " he said in outter rim Creole. But if she was feeling that he seemed tense then he did his best to relax more and to not seem as intimidating as he was seemingly being.

Reine — 06/15/2021
Reine held onto his arm a little tighter, and let her other hand fall to the side, in an easy swinging motion. "Tell me something happy about your past."

[rythmicjea]

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Ere order fo mi da be kang da tell to deting, mi'd tenye da tenye had something happen deting to'd consider xush." he told her. "At least before da age fong 7 deting im. To vedi mi family follwed all da ancient ways. Da shoxa deting we, keye milowda value most im courage, disipline, unte considering keye milowda were banished fo, obedience. so mi was told stories deting would help da enforce those things. Mi grandfather was da wang kemang told mi those stories. Told mi ere da gerowsh battles, da jedi kemang were are our greatest advisories. During this tim mi matna taught mi da basics fong reading unte writing, amash ye at deting early stage mi education focused ere da development fong skills deting would encourage military prowess."

"During this tim mi matna taught mi da basics fong reading unte writing, amash ye at deting early stage mi education focused ere da development fong skills deting would encourage military prowess. Since milowda weren't ere da homeworld, o ye our ancestral xom walowda fong our training had da be improvised. Milowda'd spend weeks o months ere da slums fong various worlds. Mi was expected da steal fut fo misif unte fo mi eirēn. Im was da elder walimala ere da family deting was designated our leader. Stealing did na go unpunished, however, those kemang were caught would be beaten, wa lesson which taught da milowda stealth unte resourcefulness." he explained. "Mi was tauught these things unte much mo until da age fong tweleve, ere many ways our training was similar da deting fong da jedi mi guess. Because deting was da age deting mi was apprenticed. Since mi was da efa ere line da lead da family, mi learned under mi father fo da efa fu years... until im died."

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine listened intently to the pidgin form of her language. Like all languages she knew there were different dialects and origins, her language was no different. It was definitely one that had been formed on the "streets" or "slums" of Europa. She was never allowed to lower herself to such a form herself but she could understand it. His story was absolutely heartbreaking. A child forced into training and essentially interment of a vocation without consent? She could understand the responsibility placed on his shoulders. She always knew that she would be married to someone from another tribe, or a noble from hers, to solidify power. But forced into such a harsh life... was unfair to her.

"Es-tu comblé?" She asked. Happiness did not always mean your life was joyous all of the time. That there were no issues or problems to address. To her, it meant being fulfilled. That you were doing what you wanted to do, reaching those life goals that you set for yourself and no one else.

"Mais, sûrement tu dois avoir un souvenir d'un temps... umm... insouciant? She thought for a moment before giving him suggestions that might spark a memory. "Peut-être l'école ou les vacances? Ou peut-être quand vous avez visité une autre planète?"

(English:
Es-tu comblé? - Are you fulfilled?
Mais, sûrement tu dois avoir un souvenir d'un temps... umm... insouciant? - But, surely, you must have a memory of a carefree time?
Peut-être l'école ou les vacances? Ou peut-être quand vous avez visité une autre planète? - Maybe in school or on vacation? Or maybe when visiting another planet?)

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Honestly mi na sure sili mi fulfilled o na. After all mi just 17. Unte da be honest deting has been wang fong da questions mi tenye been asking misif since mi got here. Mi do sasa deting ere order fong mi da be fulfilled, im would require mi finding something da do using mi skills." he told her. "Ere sasa da mo mi pensa ere im, da mo mi sure deting mi going da find away da help da downtrodden people. Na just fong this world, amash fong da entire galaxy." he added. "As fo xunyampelesh o vacation. As mi said after da age fong seng mi education was training all da tim. Unte ye before detim, milowda didn't do vacations. Maybe deting's something mi gonya actually mowteng da do walowda diye."

Reine — 06/16/2021
"Exactement! Tu n'as que 17 ans! Tu devrais t'amuser et ne pas se soucier de la formation ou remplir un héritage. Tu devries faire des choses folles sans craindre les conséquences. Nous devrions tous, honnêtement... Pourquoi le monde insiste-t-il pour soumettre les jeunes?" How long had she been told where she should go, who she should be friends with, what she should study, or what she should be in in life? Should, should, should! All of these expectations were strangling her! It was no wonder she ran away... Maybe if she had been allowed a year or two on walkabout instead of being expected to be some other man's prize...

Reine could see that the density of people were growing which meant that the market was just up the way. She let her hand slip out of the crook of his elbow down to his hand, "Allez!" She cried taking a few quick steps before abruptly turning around before him. She had a bright and joyous smile with a hint of mischievousness on her face. "I 'ave an idea," she said breathlessly. "Let us doo wateva' we want. Eeat wateva' we want, buy wateva' we want. Be... ze people we neva' got to bee. Even... for a few 'ours." She shrugged a shoulder, her other hand finding itself in his empty one. "Not a... Mandalorian or a pr- a chieftain's daughter." She wanted to choke on the term 'princess' but she didn't let it effect her mood. "Just.." she struggled to find a good title but decided, contentedly, on, "Reine and Kaleb." Her blue eyes sparkled at the notion of freedom if even for a little while.

(English: Exactly! You are only 17! You should be having fun not worrying about training or fulfilling a legacy. You should doing crazy things without fear of consequences. We all should, honestly... Why does the world insist on subjugating the young?"

Allez - Come!)

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Well as long as we can afford it." he said with a chuckle. And just went with the flow. Actually he ended up following his nose, since he realized he was in fact hungry. Not that was unusual, he usually was hungry. One of the perks and burdens of a high metabolism.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine laughed at the sound his stomach made. It was boisterous and unabashed. "Allons-y!" She cried before pulling him to the market, giggling along the way only to look back at him briefly, afraid his hand was no longer in hers. The adults around them simply rolled their eyes at the kids making a ruckus. She stopped abruptly in the entry way of the fairgrounds. It was much larger than she had pictured. There were food stalls and clothing merchants and techno-sellers. It was much more lax than the mall. This was a place where one could easily get lost or lose time or both. Reine's heart raced at the thought. She looked up at the young Mandalorian standing beside her. "Where to first?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Food." Kaleb replied and pointed to a stand. He then walked over, taking her with him and stood as he looked at the hand written menu on the chalk board. "I'll have a Ronto wrap, and to drink give me a cool blue milk." he told the cook and then looked at Reine so she could tell the cook what she wanted.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine looked a bit flustered, not sure what to eat, and not wanting to admit she didn't recognize most of what was on the chalkboard. So she simply sputtered, "I will 'ave ze zam!" She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had lait du bleu. The clerk didn't bat an eye at her accent and it was comforting to know that she wasn't being immediately judged. When their food arrived and Kaleb had paid she took a sip out of her straw and blinked rapidly at the taste. She forgot how sweet it was. She had never had "ronto" before but it was very delicious. It was similar to the bovine. "D'accord," She said swallowing and licking sauce off of her finger. "Eef we get zeparated we should 'ave a wheestle or something." She looked around at the stalls trying to understand exactly where she was in case something happened.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"That's easy to take care of... don't get seperated from me." he told her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
She gave him a sidelong glance. She inwardly smirked before stepping in front of him and taking a few steps backwards and then letting that smirk show. Reine never did anything without a plan. "D'accord," She shrugged teasingly. "*But can you keep up with me?" And after a hesitation took off ahead. It wasn't a full out sprint or even a jog, just a little skip in her step. But enough for him not to be able to keep walking. The people milling about stayed off to the sides interested in the merchants' wares instead of the two teenagers. After a few rows down she stopped at a techno-seller. There were holograms and motion and still pictures and audio devices. The blue hues reflected in her eyes and on her face. She was, in a word, transfixed.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
It hadn't taken him to long to catch her. In fact she never left his sight. but he still wasn't amused by what she had done. He was trying to keep her safe after all. "Don't do that again." he told her as he walked up to her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
She sighed a bit miffed. "Eet ees okay." She lowered her voice, "No one ees looking for us 'ere. No one knows to look for us 'ere. 'Ave you seen anyone who might be?" She raised an eyebrow in a questioning way knowing full well that she was right. It wasn't that this place was devoid of the secret police it was more like they didn't have jurisdiction. She didn't wait for his answer but turned back to the stall and picked up a camera and took a picture of him with a 'ha ha! It was a small little thing that had the ability to take pictures and short holos with space for audio. It was very much the base model and looked like it had been on display for some time. She called the woman over and began haggling with her over the price. She was able to get it down to a few credits short of what Reine had on her and the woman didn't even attempt to scan a chain code, just like at the food stall. It was Reine's hope that this little move would help put her Mando protector at ease. The woman cleared the memory, including the candid of Kaleb, and bagged the little device up. She thanked the woman with a bright smile. She looked at Kaleb "Where to next?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
Kaleb had no idea, as far as he was concerned he was just there as an escort. "Was there anything else that you wanted?" he asked her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine was not going to answer that question. The answer might be a little too forward. "We already know what I need. I need some clothes and a bag. I cannot expect people to provide for me. But Kaleb," it was the teasing way she drew out his name that made her seem more her age and down to earth. "You 'ave already forgotten the first rule!" At his bewildered look, she took his face in her hands. "To 'ave fun!" she whispered loudly. She paused before letting him go and walking around him. "Come!" She called hoping he would let loose for even just a minute. Maybe she ran off a little too early. But she was hopeful that he would let his guard down at some point during, if not for most of, their outing.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"If you want me to have fun... then stay next to me and don't leave my sight." he told her as he followed her. He really didn't need anything. But maybe he'd pick up something similar to a duffel, and some clothes he'd feel more comfortable in. Maybe an old flight suit, or engineer's coveralls.

Reine — 06/16/2021
She looked over her shoulder at him, "I promise I will not leave your sight." She almost almost winked and maybe there was an eye twitch, but nothing so brazen as a full on wink. She would walk the stalls until something caught her or Kaleb's eye.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
Something caught his eye alright, how could it not in that dress she was wearing. He did his best to not be noticed what he was looking at. Which he thought the best way to do that was to go back to looking for potential hostiles.

Reine — 06/16/2021
"Oo! Kaleb!" She called, breaking his reverie. "Come look at zees!" She had stopped in front of a sweet shop stall.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
Kaleb walked over to what it was that she was looking at. "So what's this you wanted me to see?" he asked her. Even though he was looking for whatever it could be that she was looking at, his eyes kept going back to her. Fortunately he was taller than her, it allowed him to keep his head facing forward, even if his eyes weren't.

Reine — 06/16/2021
"'ave you eva 'ad a bonbon noix?" She said waiting on patented breath. "Eet ees ze best you will eva' 'ave!" In the stall were piles upon piles of small balls of candy. They were in all sorts of colors and decorations to indicate the various flavors. "When I was een school I spent all of my allowance on zem!" She asked for one that was pink with a blue swirl on top "I theenk you will like zees." She held it up to him to taste. (Think chocolate truffles)

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
He wasn't much of a fan of the coloring, but he still tasted it. His eyes opened wide as he nodded as he took in the sweet taste. "Not bad... not bad at all." he told her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine bit her lip waiting in anticipation at what he thought. She was not going to think about... anything else except for his delight in her favorite treat. She timidly pulled the bonbon away and took a bite. "Do you theenk the otha's will like zem?" She wasn't looking too hard at him, was she? She should look away. Right... now! And she turned back to the case hoping that her face was not as red as the bonbon on the end. She had no cosmetics on to save her any embarrassment.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
Kaleb shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I can't see why they wouldn't enjoy them. But maybe not the multi-colored ones." he suggested. Was she okay, her face seemed a bit reder than normal.

Reine — 06/16/2021
"Non?" She inquired. There was a little flyer of all of the flavors and Reine recognized most of them but some seemed intriguing while others she had no interest in. "'ow about we come back. Zat way zey do not melt. Oui?" She could barely look at him without thinking of his... No, Reine! She scolded herself while looking intently on the flavors list. When she felt that she was better composed she looked at him, still flushed, but there was something, a sparkle maybe, in her eyes. "You said that you wanted to pick up some theengs? And I need to get some theengs as well."

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Well let's look around and see if we find what we need." he told her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine nodded and waited for Kaleb to start walking some place. The butterflies in her stomach were keeping her rooted to the ground.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
Kaleb began to walk again, but didn't let himself get to far ahead of Reine. He kept one eye on her as he looked out for something he might want.

Reine — 06/16/2021
Reine followed. The normally very talkative girl was noticeably... not. She was about to break the silence with "Beautiful weather we're having!" But stopped herself. Beautiful weather we're having?! What is wrong with you Reine?!

Music filtered in from a distance. She couldn't place the melody but something told her she had heard it before. She noticed that she had let herself get a little too far for Kaleb's liking so she slightly jogged up to catch him. Hoping he wouldn't scold her... again. She was just trying to have fun! Her internal monologue was going to be the death of her. But she needed to figure out how to break this tension that was suddenly between them. Or was it just her? It was so easy with Thai Phong. He knew exactly what to say and what to do. She shook her head. No! She was not going to think of him right now.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
She was noticed, he notice that she was quiet which was far from normal for her. He also noticed that she had fallen back. But he let her enjoy herself, as long as he could still see her, he wouldn't make a scene. That's when he found something he was looking for and stepped up to the stand. It wasn't much, just a duffel bag. But as he looked at it he could tell it could hold clothing which is what he wanted it for.

Reine — 06/16/2021
"What did you find?" She said walking up before visibly judging the lack of style the duffel bag had.

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Just needed another bag for some clothes. I already have one for my gear, so I need something I can put clothing in if I'm going to be off ship for awhile." he told her as he continued to look at the bag.

Reine — 06/16/2021
"Do you not want zometheeng more... Stylish?" She asked bewildered. She knew they couldn't afford the absolute luxury but they could find something with a bit more panache, right?

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"Style isn't a consideration. The only thing I require is functionality." he told her.

Reine — 06/16/2021
She turned to him. He was so stodgy for someone their age. "Kaleb, I am adding another rule." She thought for a moment on how to phrase it. The words were hard for her to translate. "When buying something that we need, it must..." she rubbed her fingers together. lt was a habit she picked up when she needed to think. "have panache! It must be out of our normal windmill." She turned to the bag. "So zees? Must go! Oui it is functional but you can have both function and style at the same time!"

Kaleb Wren — 06/16/2021
"No... I don't agree." he told her "If that's what you want, then you can do that." he told her and looked at the owner and paid the man. Thus putting an end to her argument. At least in his mind it was an end to it.

Reine — 06/16/2021
What was it with these people going "That's the end of it!" and thinking that was in fact the end? That was not how a conversation worked! She sighed and looked up to the sky composing herself. "Kaleb. Who cares what eet looks like? Ze point of all of zees" she motioned around them, "ees to do zometheeng that we normally wouldn't do! To 'ave ze chance to be silly and experience life like a normal person would." She took a shuddering breath. Normal. They were the opposite of normal. She was rare in that she had never wanted a normal life. Not until this moment right now.

"We do not know what tomorrow will bring," her eyes started to become glassy but her headstrong nature was winning out. "What eef you get called into service?" She hastily tried brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, but it wouldn't cooperate. "So what eef you have zees reediculous bag? If it is functional? Because... maybe when you are in a battle, you will look at eet and remember..." moi is what she wanted to say. Instead, she said "a moment een time when you didn't 'ave to worry. When you got to be carefree." The hopeful smile was shaky at best.

[rythmicjea]

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Whether it has panache or not isn't what's important. What's important are the memories. It won't matter if this bag is a week old or decades old and falling apart. When I look at it, I will remember about the day I bought it. The day I first tried.... whatever the hell that was that you had me try back there." he told her. His tone wasn't argumentative. It wasn't even scolding like I had earlier in the day.

Reine — 06/17/2021
She crossed her arms and looked down at her feet. It was a fine argument. She still thought some panache would go a long way though. "Fine." She pouted softly. "Keep ze bag." And then an idea struck her and she was only barely containing her enthusiasm for it. "But I am going to find you a tunic that you will find absolutely reediculous but will be at the 'eight of fashion. And I will make you wear eet, and you will wear it, because eet will make me 'appy." She looked at him through her lashes that mischievous smirk beginning to spread on her face. After a moment of meeting his eyes she skipped away to find that very same garment.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb shook his head and moved on following her.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine found the majority of the clothing merchants. They were all in the middle to protect from any food or waste. Ingenious really. She looked for her as well as that one tunic for him. She didn't see any workman's coveralls yet. But she was still looking. The bazaar was a sight of fabric and styles and people and it was a playground for Reine. Though she did have the grace to not be upset that she could no longer afford the most expensive thing anymore. She looked at jewelry and hair pieces along with clothing. She lingered on a green hued hair comb and took the compliment from the shop keeper that she had good taste. Ultimately though, she didn't think it could fit in their budget.

They had purchased a couple of tops and she was still trying to find a skirt and dress but she did find a pair of wide legged trousers with a peplum on top that she absolutely adored. It was after putting the crystal hair comb down that she spotted it. It was beautiful and the tailoring was good if not basic but the stitches were flat and secure. She looked over her shoulder at Kaleb with a glint in her eye. "I 'ave found the perfect tunic for you." She turned around and presented the garment on its hanger to him. It was an intense plum with blue and green embroidery with hints of orange. It was absolutely perfect.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb tried to hold it back, but a laugh escaped his mouth that he just couldn't contain. Once he was able to recover he shook his head in the negative. "Make it one color and you might have a deal. I emphasize, Might." he told her as he still looked around. It was a combination of habit, but now making sure he took in the reactions of those around him.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Mon dieu he laughed! No one paid them any true attention. They were just a couple of kids trying on "funny clothes". Reine gasped, "Pourquoi? Eet ees nice!" But his laugh was too infections to not chime in. The pattern was pretty crazy and not at all his style, but she still asserted that was a very nice shirt. She put it back on the rack, and picked out another one. A sapphire blue with silver embroidery. It was longer than the first and more of an overcoat. One that would be good for summer months. "Two colours." She bargained. "You need to 'ave ze contrast!" She stepped closer to him and lightly pressed it against him for fit. "Besides, zees looks very nice with your eyes."

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb looked down at her as his laughing was finally slowing down. For a moment their eyes locked. "What does looking nice with my eyes have to do with it?" he asked. Though in his mind he was wondering why he was speaking so slowly.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Well, um..." She looked up at him through her lashes. "Eet, well eet, 'elps... accentuate," She tried to push that same lock of hair back again and failed. "your features..." she ended softly. Was he wearing cologne? Did the temperature just raise 10 degrees? She liked his laugh.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb saw, not for the first time, that she was having issues with a random lock of hair. So he reached out and moved it away for her. "Yeah this one looks better." he told her. after he cleared his throat.

Reine — 06/17/2021
She could have melted at the touch of his fingers but she had never been so grateful to the Angel for her constitution than at this very moment. She swallowed thickly, her eyes going doe-eyed. "Um... maybe you should try eet on..." she whispered, not really wanting to move but afraid of what scandalous thing might occur in public. "But I'm sure that it will fit..." She said quickly shrugging but still not moving away.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"That's good, cause this is more akin to a bazaar than an actual store don't see where I'd find a place to put it on." he commented.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine nodded and her body seemed to turn around before she looked away. She called to the clerk and she haggled a bit with the price but it already started off pretty reasonable. She let Kaleb pay and she took the garment bag from the clerk when the transaction was done. When they stepped outside of the tent she cleared her throat, "ees zere anytheeng else you want?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Just a few more things, if I can find them." he answered. "What about you?" he asked.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Même." She turned and started walking. They passed a tent with knick knacks and one in particular caught her eye. She rushed over to it, calling his name. "Do you know what zees ees?" Of course he didn't, at least not how it meant to her. She then proceeded to tell, what she thought, was a very funny story about her brother sneaking out of the house and then getting caught back in and the compromising position he found himself in holding various household items so they wouldn't break. She was practically crying in laughter at the thought and mimicing the position he was caught in.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb nodded with a smile as he just continued looking around. He wasn't the sort to just buy anything he didn't need. But when on Coruscant he thought to himself.

Reine — 06/17/2021
She found a black skirt that would work nicely with the tops that she bought. Though she did not like the color black. She preferred bright and bold jewel tones. They passed a piercer and she thought about how her face was so empty. Now was the time she would have started getting a nose ring and many holes in her ears. But, she supposed, it was for the best. As they continued to walk, she found her hand in the crook of his elbow again. She gasped, "I know! I want to use my new holocam! Let us take peectures, s'il tu plait!"

[rythmicjea]

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
As she picked out some things for herself. Kaleb also got some additional tunics, a black one, a white one. He also found some pants, a brown, and black that weren't to bad except for the Corellian stripes on the sides. And yes he managed to find a set of workmen's coveralls. After buying them he just put them in his duffel making it easier for him to carry. It was as he was finishing up that he heard Reine telling him about taking pictures with her new camera. But he only half heard her because something else had caught his attention. There was a radio that had been playing music when they arrived. But it wasn't any longer.

Good Afternoon!

This is your Live At Five News Round Up.

Up First, The Prime Minister has demanded that Baklid’s highest Law Enforcement seek the death penalty in the case of the Ardondal Five. These five young Europan men from Ardondal are currently being charged with assault on an elderly couple as they walked home from a local restaurant just south of the Capital City. The brutal assault and robbery put both victims in the hospital. We have a clip from the Prime Minister’s new conference,

“We cannot be afraid to seek justice against those animals who threaten peace and order. This unspeakable crime against two innocent people must be avenged. These animals would have done far worse if not for our wonderful, the very best, police. These animals don’t deserve a trail, but we will give them one, because that is what the libs want. Okay we will give them a trail, but at the end, these animals have to pay for their crimes with their lives….” cheers and applauds can be heard
Next……Hold on……Are you sure?.....Holy Force be merciful…..

We have just been informed of a massive fire that has broken out at the Ruedex Bio-Chemical Processing Facility in Ruedex. A general evacuation order has been issued for forty kilometers around the facility. We have a team being dispatched to the location now, but from what early reports are telling us, the fire appears to have started following a series of short pops or small explosions.

We will continue to follow this crisis….

But next, the Weather….

Kaleb left the tent like structure and looked out and saw the cloud of smoke. "This isn't good." he muttered more to himself than anyone else.

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine stood next to him as she watched the broadcast. Well... there went their fun day in the sun. She was confused about where he was going and she had hoped that she would see some more information on the ticker below the image. She saw the smoke and heard his muttering. Softly she slid her hand into his. "Bonbons?" She asked him a bit meekly. She had a reason for it, she would swear. Better to break bad news with something good to eat. And it was a chance for her to start to show some goodwill to those who had helped her these past few days.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
He didn't pull away from her as he felt her hand in his. He turned and looked and then smiled. "Sure. We got everything we needed and more." he told her.

Reine — 06/17/2021
She smiled up at him and led him back to the bonbon tent. She wondered if they could get a box just for them and a box for communal sharing. If this was the last moment of peace before going back into activist mode then she would take it. "So, ze bonbon you tried is Kavasa and Liwi fruit. Zere are so many flavours. Sweet, herbal, nutty..." She wondered the shop had a little cooling pack for the walk home. "What do you say zat we be a leettle mean and 'ave a box just for us?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"If so...." he said as he looked at the varieties. "It has to be that one." he said pointing at the ones that seemed like a powdery brown coating on them.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine giggled and said "We will get zat one." She pointed out various different flavors for the two boxes. Theirs being smaller, but only by a tray. She also ordered a very large iced tea to share. She sighed dramatically as she shifted the bags in her hands. "Zey are not going to peek us up are zey?" She passed the tea over to him as an offering.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Nope, have to hot foot it back." he told her with a chuckle. "Don't tell me you're tired already?" he asked.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Nonn... Mais mes peds me font mal..." She let out a raspberry. Really she was just hungry. They had been out all day in the sun and heat. "Can we get zat umm what did you call it? Ramadam Rap?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Ronto Rap... sure, we can hit it on the way out." he told her. A smile on his face as he they headed in that direction.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Do you want one? Zere is no way that I 'ave a bigger apatite zan you," She laughed. Come to think of it, she had only seen him eat today. She had offered him food... not yesterday. The time was starting to catch up to her and it was daunting.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"I'm definitely hungry, but I think I'll eat something a bit more filling." he chuckled as he replied.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Quoi?" She playfully smacked his arm, "Kaleb! 'Ave you been holding out on me??"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"What do you mean?" he asked her.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"What could be more filling zan zat rap?" She giggled. "You should 'ave told me if you were 'ungry!"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Just you wait and see your highness." he said playfully.  When they got back to the the place where they had started. He found a small table and had her take a seat and placed all their stuff around her.  When he returned he had to clay plates. He put one in front of her and the other where he was going to sit.

"I don't know what it's called here, but when I first had it was on  Batuu. It's made  Braised Beef Pot Roast, Pasta, Wilted Kale, Mushrooms . " he told her.

[rythmicjea]

Reine — 06/17/2021
It smelled delicious. But what was "pot roast"? She laughed, "Zere 'as got to be a better name zen zat!" But she tucked in and it reminded her of the meat that would be roasted on spits and the long braising process. "Mon dieu... Très délicieux" She politely hid her chewing behind her hand. "We 'ave zees dish. I theenk you will like eet. We take fowl and we line zem up on spits and ze spits are stacked upon another" She motioned with her hand that they were like a ladder. "And zen they just, um..." She waved her hand in a circle. Snapping she proclaimed "rotate! And zere ees zees sauce..." She practically moaned at the thought of it. "Ze whole theeng is basted een eet and zen ze person just... slices pieces off and we eat eet with this flat bread. Eet ees simple but time consuming and completely worth eet." She took another bite. "Zees... Zees reminds me of dat. Merci beaucoup."

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Your welcome." he said between bites. And yes it was quite good, but not as good as it was on Batuu. Maybe he'd take side trip there one day to get the real thing he thought to himself.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"What were you doing on Batuu? Where is Batuu?" She asked, taking another bite.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Batuu is star system in the Western Reaches. It's covered with jungles, oceans, and even has ancient petrified trees." he told her. "We would go there every so often to resupply, and my father would often find some work." he told her.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"It sounds interesting! What are ze people like zere?" She asked him. Maybe she could get him to open up a little more.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"It's a mix of different races, at least of what I remember." he told her. "Lots of smugglers, and such. It's a way point. Used to be a major stop in the old days, but since the development of better nav computers and ship's being able to find more efficient hyperspace routes, it became less of a major stop for regular travelers." he explained.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Do you theenk zat we will go zere?" she asked.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Anything is possible." he told her as he finished off his meal and then focused on the tea he had gotten.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"Where else 'ave you been?" She was only about halfway done with her meal. She felt a little guilty that he would have to wait for her.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Well Baklid of course. Alderaan, Corellia, Lanis, Nevarro, Nal Hutta, Osis. Maybe another half- dozen places." he told her.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine finished her meal, thankful that he had manners to wait for her. So many boys didn't. "They all sound so... magical!" She wasn't exactly sure what to do with her plate. Did someone come and take it? Did they have to throw it away? Street food was one thing. Could this be considered street food? "Do you theenk zey are worried about us?"

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"Who?" he asked, not quite sure about she was talking about.

The owner soon came by and asked if he could take their plates. Kaleb handed the man his and looked to see if Reine was in fact ready. "Do you need anything else?" the owner asked before he left the table.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine handed over her plate and thanked the man and gave her compliments to the chef. "Ze others. Well... I suppose zey do not care much for my well being. Except maybe Tesara and Tiny Pants. But I do not want to come between her and Ava." She stood and stretched, her torso long and lean. "If we do not leave now, I am afraid I will wither away," she chuckled and picked up her bags.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
Kaleb smiled and stood up picking up his duffel. "You know.... you look better without all that stuff on your face." he told her as he started to make his way out of the makeshift dinning area.

Reine — 06/17/2021
"What stuff?" She asked him confused.

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
"All those different colors stuff that made your lips red, your cheeks redder." he told her. He wasn't sure what it was actually called. But he didn't remember his mother every wearing that type of thing.

Reine — 06/17/2021
Reine laughed, "You mean my ceremonial makeup? Non, I do not like eet either. Zere are more... subtle ways to wear cosmetics." They began their walk back to the summer palace. "I do like a good red paint on my lips but only when appropriate. You have to balance ze look. Eet is an art form," she explained. She could understand why someone from a warrior clan would not prefer it. It wasn't really all that practical. She didn't wear it often either. Maybe when she had a blemish or her lips were feeling dry. But she definitely did wear it when she was at a particular event. "Honestly, I 'ave not 'ad time to attempt it even if I did 'ave any with me."

Kaleb Wren — 06/17/2021
The two of them continued talking as they made their way to the Lover's palace. As they got closer Kaleb went into his observation mode. They needed to get there without being seen.

Reine — 06/17/2021
She looped her arm with his, feeling his tension come back. She was also thinking about all of the ways that she could entice his imagination. She pulled out the box of bonbons ready to meet the rest of the group.

/end