Lavender & Ice

35. You're a what?!

He adjusted his hold on the bag as he shook his head at her, amusement in his eyes.

"I'll have to wait and see. Fine, fine."

"Slow down and enjoy the moments, Shima." He glanced at her as he opened the door in front of them.

Her mouth opened in a gasp. "We're going outside!"

She followed him in excitement as he led them down a stone path, away from the Grand Hall. Ashima took in her surroundings quietly as they passed various buildings, passing by other people who either stopped and stared at her or scurried away quickly as if to avoid her all together.

"It's her! The alien!"

"She's so small!"

"Look at her brown skin!"

Ashima took it all in while Kietnan kept their pace up, ignoring the attention she was getting.

"They're simply curious, I can hardly blame them. I would be too." She offered him. He simply continued walking in silence, making sure she was within arms reach at all times.

"A market!" She grabbed his forearm and stopped him, pointing toward the street to their left. "Can we go?"

He stopped and turned to look down the street and then looked at her with a brow rose. "There are many people in the market."

"Oh...um..." she frowned in disappointment. "Well, if you think we shouldn't, that's ok." She looked down and began walking in their original direction, only to be pulled by her hand toward the side street.

"Come. I cannot have you wearing such sadness on your face." He said as he pulled her through the street. "Stay close to me."

"I will. Thank you!" She squeezed his hand.

"Your strong displays of emotion will be my undoing." He grumbled and she wasn't sure if he meant for her to hear.

"I think I'm like a breath of fresh air." She laughed. "I'm sure you would be bored without me." She raised her chin and feigned arrogance.

He stopped and turned, standing in front of her with her face almost touching his chest as he looked down at her with a serious look on his face. "Everything is monotonous without you."

She stared up at him with her mouth slightly open, frozen in place. His fingers played with hers as he stared down at her and the corners of his lips turned up just slight enough for her to see.

Ashima suddenly felt very hot as she slowly exhaled her breath. "We... we should probably get going." She stuttered as she spoke softly.

He nodded and turned away from her, not releasing her hand as they entered the crowded market. Ashima wanted to protest from doing such an act in public but instead found herself thankful for the contact as they weaved in and out of the busy street. Her eyes were open wide in astonishment as she took in all the different wares for sale and all of the interesting people. She would tug on his hand every few stalls to ask a question or point out something interesting.

"Oh look at these!" She stopped to admire what she recognized as a jewelry stand. Her eyes roamed over the various designs.

"Unique and beautiful pieces for a unique and beautiful female." The older man inside the stall welcomed her.

She blushed. "They truly are beautiful." As she continued browsing he left to assist another customer, her eyes zeroed in on a pair of earrings that caught her attention. There was an ornately patterned loop that hooked through the ear hole, which opened up to shapes she compared to tree limbs or roots. There were deep amethyst jewels dangling from some of the branches.