forum Unwilling Allies//oxo//Closed//Stalkers welcome

Started August 18, 2021 by @Elder-God-Jacks347

tune

Xachia had already been awake for a couple hours, needing to get up so she could help her parents prepare for that evening's crowd.

Kayin got up and began repacking, intending to leave this morning. He stopped at the front desk to return the key and ask about a place to eat breakfast.

The clerk pointed out a couple of places down the road as she took Kai's key, stifling her own yawn from being up so early.

Kayin ate breakfast and then wandered the market, searching for oranges to pack when they left.

Xachia had wandered into the same market, sent on an errand by her father. She was currently picking out produce with a glittering smile as she went through it.

“Well, if it isn’t Little Miss Sunshine,” Kayin said sarcastically, approaching Xachia with an apprehensive frown.

"If it isn't my ungrateful customer." Xachia raised an eyebrow at Kai with an amused smile. "Good morning to you too Kai."

“Ha, ha.” Kayin rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t ungrateful. You just didn’t appreciate my signs of gratefulness.”

"Considering you spent the entire night complaining, excuse me if I was a little blind to the good parts." Xachia hummed, placing another orange in her basket.

Kayin frowned at her, rooting through the oranges. "I did not complain. I gave constructive criticism."

"Oh? Then do tell, what about any of what you said last night was constructive?" She raised an eyebrow at Kai, holding back a laugh.

"You're too chipper for your own good. People are going to think you're gullible," Kayin said, picking up an orange and scrutinizing it.

"I'd rather they think I'm gullible and I get to prove them wrong then them be scared of me and lose the business." Xachia glanced at Kai over her shoulder, her eyes flashing like a warning. "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

“I don’t like anyone when they’re angry,” Kayin said, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Her warning quickly vanished and her demeanor returned to normal. "Like what? I don't know what you're talking about." She shrugged and returned to her shopping, moving to the next stall.

Kayin growled and stalked after her. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"No, I don't think I do. And for someone that seems so desperate to hop to the next place so you don't get caught, you're spending an awful lot of time talking to someone you don't even like."

“When someone does something strange or suspicious, I take it upon myself to find out what the underlying reason is,” Kayin said, scowling.

"Well, looks like that'll have to wait for another day, I've gotta get back to the tavern." She patted Kai's head with a sweet smile. "See you soon adventurer." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd with her basket.

Kayin snarled and slapped Xachia's hand away impatiently. "Insufferable," he said in annoyance under her breath. She paid the stand owner for the oranges and wandered the market.

Xachia returned to the tavern, heading into the kitchen to help her father prepare for the night's service. She didn't mind the fact that Kai didn't like her. A lot of people didn't, it wasn't anything new to her.

Kayin began walking toward the tavern, determined to get some answers.

Xachia continued her help with prep, trading easy conversation with her father about the night before and the guests that had come in.

Kayin pushed the door open and sat down at the bar, watching Xachia quietly.

Xachia and her father could been seen in the kitchen through the window cut out in the wood of the wall behind the bar. They had yet to notice Kai, still just talking easily in Draconian.

Kayin narrowed her eyes, tipping their head. He watched silently, trying to analyze Xachia's movement and mannerisms.

"You know, in most cultures it's considered rude to stare Kai." Xachia chuckled without ever taking her eyes off her work. "But I suppose one who doesn't respect rules isn't going to respect culture either."

"I am not staring," Kayin said, anger sharpening his tone. "I'm observing you, and trying to figure out why you acted so oddly." She scowled at Xachia. "And you don't seem to be inclined to give me an answer."

"Once again, I have no idea what you're talking about." Xachia came out from the kitchen to the bar and pulled a wet rag out from a bucket under the counter. "Now can you move your arms? I need to wipe the counter."

Kayin pulled their arms away. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't play coy. That's the exact stuff that gets on my nerves."