First Part of First Draft of First Draft of Random Short Story

Winter Errands

Lex desperatelywished to avoid any pesky interactions, but the situation was evolving in such a way that asking for directions may be the wisest course of action, if he valued eating at all that day. All the local restaurants were far too pricey; as it were, Lex could scarcely afford the necessary ingredients to prepare basic dishes. Ilexis hailed from a line of relative poverty; pouring blood, sweat and tears was not enough to ease the difficulty of freelance illustration, a career which generally didn't do his fortune any favors despite his deep passion for art.

Lex eventually found his way out of historic old town and trudged along the various and unfamiliar snow-blanketed streets for a good several minutes,growing more impatient all the while. Realizing that the morning's shopping trip would not be crowd-free unless he let himself rely on the directions of another, Ilexis reluctantly braced himself for a very awkward conversation. Even the mere thought of asking a complete stranger for help humiliated a person with such a proud heart as his. Swallowing his feelings once more, they seemed to physically manifest and lodge in his throat. One conversation now will prevent a hundred more later, was the thought he forced to mentally echo.

Leaning against the entrance wall to a nearby Italian restaurant was a tall man in astylish leather trench-coat and matching fedora. He was reading a thick book with a detailed cover, and appeared unruffled by the frosty environment; the man exuded a confident, cultured air that Lex respected. Drawing a deep breath of the frigid and thin winter air,the artist approached with cautious, catlike movements.

"Excuse me ...sir?" It came out more shaky than Lex intended.

The man raised his eyes from the page, but did not move his head, as if he could not be bothered; however, the sky-blue eyes expressed cordiality, mirrored in an expectant smile.

Ilexis straightened up and crossed his arms. "You see," he began,trying to lower his pitch. "I've ... er, I was wondering if you knew the way to Morton's Market in town?" He forced a smile, in an attempt to imitate the man's cool confidence.

"I am sorry,brother. I would love to help you, but I am not a local." The stranger spoke in a rich baritone, and his words were laced with foreign pronunciation. "If you will just wait a moment for my friend, she will be able to direct you."

Ilexis acknowledged this with a nod, though the first shiver he had felt that day slithered down his spine. His jaw ached from grinning, and he had to resist rubbing it. Lex wanted nothing more than to just get on with his day, and was less than enthusiastic about the notion of conversing with yet another stranger.

"Friend, it is snowing. Would you like to wait here under the awning?" The man beckoned him with an ease of movement that Lex silently envied. He wanted to refuse the offer, as the concept of close proximity to someone unfamiliar was mildly disturbing, yet the classy stranger's regal confidence seemed to take hold of his conduct like a puppeteer stringing along a doll.

At that moment, a warm aroma of olive oil wafted through the air around the restaurant's entrance, the homey door opening to reveal a young woman wearing a giant, fluffy coat and clutching several takeout bags. Ilexis' blood froze in his veins.

A magnificent mane glowing the crimson hue of an ancient sun perfectly framed the ethereal face; she was as slight as a sylph and petite as a pixie,yet her movements expressed a vigor and vitality that suggested particular strength. In fact, she did not appear as a real person would, and the sight of this celestial individual awkwardly grasping the bulky bags was a rather silly one to behold. The young woman started toward the foreigner as if to cede him one of the bags, but paused mid-turn.