[se] the reign of doves

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

The afternoon’s late summer sprawl meant she had some amount of time in between feedings at the Celestine and closing hours to maneuver her way through the market. Always with a host of things necessary at a Caretaker’s discretion, her long strides flickered and maneuvered through the hustle and bustle of the crowd, Mittens close behind. Leashed, as per the usual lately. Maybe she’d get some more training done with it soon.

The first stop would be to drop off her ruby at the crafters – but she was immediately enamored with things in the window display. A whole world of riches and gleaming, shiny contraptions made her eyes widen: rings, hilts, necklaces, bangles, meant to entice and lure. Mittens squashed its snowball face against the glass, far more overt than she, but now her mind raced over the possibilities.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

Koa is on a task from his father when he bumps into the caretaker of the Celestine. Not literally - he has more tact than that - but it would be a lie to say there wasn't some calculation behind his pathing, nor is it a total coincidence when he finds himself standing beside her, admiring jewelry in a store.

"Great pieces, right?" The young soldier's voice is conversational, warm, his smile bright on his youthful face. "My pops says he's a whiz with silver, though his filigree could use some work." He says this with the simple, sage authority of a boy who grew up around craftspeople and couldn't make a birdhouse if his life depended on it.

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

To say Lena was surprised at the other voice near her was an understatement – Mittens too, based on the snowball’s sudden hissing and wretched little faces contorting around stone. Too absorbed in the admiration of stonework and jewel adornments, her eyes widened into round slits, and if she looked a little jumpy, that was to be expected.

But the Caretaker recovered quickly, maybe pretending it hadn’t happened, and only yanking Mittens back gently, gracefully, artfully. “Yes. They’re quite splendid.” It took her a moment of recognition – having seen the youth’s face once or twice when tending some of the dragon’s amidst Anju’s trainings. “I was hoping they’d be able to craft something for me.” Her grin brightened, less apprehension flickering through her blood now. “Are you here for the same?”

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

Oh, this is not an auspicious start. "Ah- sorry!" Koa is quick to apologize, adding a "Woah!" at the sight of the little snow gremlin face that snarls up from the ground. "Hullo, aren't you a handsome fellow." It is not handsome. Kai is lying. But it's a lie without malice, so it will be allowed.

As for crafting, and his intentions? "Running errands for my Pa- he's a woodworker a few streets over." Koa jabs a thumb vaguely behind him, toward the location of the shop. "I'm afraid I'm not one for jewelry, though I like to admire it.

"I'm Koa, by the way," he adds, extending a friendly hand the the brunette. "And you're Miss Magnus, right? The keeper of the Celestine?"

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

Mittens, in its most unhinged state, began to twirl it’s an entire head around, not unlike an owl or someone possibly inhabited by a demon. Lena was mindful, for it too had been jumped, was overly protective, and tended to wind into a vicious streak immediately, rather than permitting things to build. Quickly snagging the companion closer, she whispered a “Sorry,” in return, partially trying not to grimace.

Woodworkers and errands, jewelry fondness or not, all was a bit of a whirlwind to her mind, but the Caretaker took a few easier breaths, and once her calm was reestablished, she was better attuned and accustomed to the polite exchanges. “Nice to meet you, Koa. And yes, but you can call me Lena.” Miss Magnus sounded like something her mother would be called, and she shuddered a little at the thought. “Have I seen you before, with the Dragoons?”

Shaking his hand too, she subsequently released it to glance back at the wares. “What do you think best suited for a ruby?”  

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

The thing he thought might be an odd sort of felid has Koa nearly jumping out of his shoes when it abruptly spins it's head around. "Frey's tits!" he gasps, withdrawing the hand he'd been reaching out to pet the creature before it can decide he looks more like a snack than a snacc. "That's, uh, quite the creature you got there," he says faintly, shakiness dulling his usually sunny smile.

Anyway. "Yes ma'am," he agrees at the request to use her first name, grin broadening as she recognizes him from the Dragoons. "Yes ma'am... ah, Miss Lena," he corrects, smile growing crooked as a proud flush stains his cheeks. "I'm in Captain Rao's contingent. New recruit, but hoping to make rank soon," he adds, a little bit of swagger creeping into his voice.

Buoyed by how well this whole exchange has been going (in his mind, at least), he takes the question both very seriously and very not, throwing all his youthful naiveté and half-informed enthusiasm into his response. "Well," Koa begins, reaching up to rub thoughtfully at his chin, "Silver is a common choice for its contrast, but can look washed up next to the stone." He gestures to a selection of pendants in a display, each with a different precious gemstone set in a backdrop of silver.

His hand shifts to a pair of earrings, wreathed in gentle pink. "Rose gold is a good selection - romantic, soft, timeless." He nods, but there's a twinkle in his copper eyes as he turns to survey Lena. "But for you, Miss Lena? Only gold - real gold - could do justice to your beauty. In my humble opinion, at least," Koa adds, the brazenness of his flirtation almost comical in light of his youthful face.

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

Lena couldn’t help grimacing again, which seemed to be an ongoing pattern when her companion began its rather…disturbing movements. “Mittens – an abominable snowball,” she offered, wondering if another apology would suffice. “It’s very protective,” came as a modicum of explanation, pretending she couldn’t feel another impending screech from its essence. Luckily, perhaps, the creature had calmed down, because its head had rotated around once more and was staring at the shiny objects in the window.  

Her smile returned at word of ranks and recruitments; all very official things she knew very little about. More on the mending and assuaging side of the world than anything else but she nodded and grinned just the same. “Sounds very important. How is your companion?”

Attentions meandering back to the jewelry and how she was going to go about her crafting request, her eyes widened at the choices available again. She’d never given much thought to it, considering how she didn’t wear any adornments often, based on her line of work. “Real gold, hm?” And she laughed, light, airy, and musical, uncertain if she should be taking the advice at all. “Let’s go see what I can barter for then,” and she raised her brows in a half-conspiring manner, before opening the door to address the merchant – leaving it wide in case Koa intended to follow.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

He deflates a little at the mention of his companion, color blooming in his ears. "Ah, Pipsqueak is... she's learning," he reports somewhat blandly, wincing internally at this understatement of events. "She only hatched last season, so she's got a lot of growing to do." Again, an understatement, but not an overt lie.

And honestly, the reason he'd sought Lena out in the first place was to ask her about Pipsqueak, but he finds it so much easier to flirt about precious stones. Not that his flirtations seem to leave much impression on the older woman, who seems entirely unphased by his compliments. Indeed, before he can try again she's sweeping her way inside, Koa left to tag along like a rather oversized puppy.

The shop is small but well-maintained, rich upholstery showcasing the delicately crafted metalwork. Sapphires sparkle from one display case, rubies from another; a collection of clear quartzes hang near a window, casting playful rainbows across it all. Koa's been in here before, and he nods a greeting to the shopkeeper, a middle-aged woman with long red hair, a ruddy complexion, and shrewd green eyes.

"What have we here?" the merchant asks brusquely, looking from the caretaker to the Dragoon and back. "Don't tell me this kid's been bothering you, ma'am," she adds, jabbing a finger in Koa's direction. "And don't listen to a word he says - he wouldn't know quality if it poked him in the eye."

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

Uncertain as to why his face seemed to fall and shift, the Caretaker’s mind set wholly on the dragon notions instead. “Ah, so a very young one. You’ll have to be patient with her,” and she grinned, for Lena had come across many throughout the Celestine, and then the Dragoons as a whole. Snagging at Mittens leash, she turned to go in, listening to the bell on the door, attention diverting to the keeper of the store, and then the surrounding scenery.

A glorious, sparkling, twinkling picture, really, all luminescent and awe-inspiring –

Until the shrewd woman spoke, and Lena found her eyes widening. “Oh,” and she grimaced for him, and anything she might have believed. Glancing at Koa from over her shoulder, she hid the lightest of smiles, pretending she hadn’t heard a thing. “I see. Not a bother at all,” and from there she snagged at the ruby within her basket, used to being an olive branch and a tranquil entity. “I wanted something to set this in. I’d heard gold might be suitable.” With a hidden wink to Koa, to show she meant to listen to both.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

Koa doesn't sulk, exactly, but his bright demeanor does lose some wattage at the merchant's scolding voice. He rallies a bit for Lena's wink and comment, grinning gratefully to the caretaker from across a display of rings.

The merchant herself is oblivious to this exchange. She has taken the ruby with an expert air, and wastes no time in her appraisal, a scope appearing over her eye as she peers down at the stone. Some intense murmuring ensues, during which time Koa returns to Lena and Mittens, a long strand of saltwater pearls dangling from his hand. "What do you think? Do they suit me?" he wonders playfully, draping the strand across his neck.

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

The Caretaker, a paragon of patience, watched the merchant’s inspection with her hands folded over her basket handle, looking all the more serene for it. When the woman seemed to be only murmuring to…herself, Lena opted to shrug at Koa, eyes widening, uncertain what to do or where to go; remaining standing in the quiet clamor.

Koa seemed to have been either bored or restless, returning, undaunted, with pearls. Brow arching, she gave way to her own sly smile, a grand nod forming from her head. “Of course. For what occasion? I can’t imagine for training with the Dragoons.” Though picturing Anju’s reaction to any of her recruits wandering in with jewelry around their neck was worth the slight giggle.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

"To clutch in indignation, of course," he says deadpan, his copper eyes sparkling with unshed mirth. Making sure his back is to the merchant, Koa presses the back of his hand to his forehead, a low gasp of playful indignation escaping from his throat. "Safrin's garters," the boy murmurs softly to Lena, "But what is the world coming to, when any hooligan from the street can galivant around calling themselves an artiste?"

'Alright then.' The gruff voice of the shopkeeper startles Koa; he lowers both hands with childish abruptness, a comical expression of surprise coming over his face. Luckily she cannot see him, and so his show is for Lena alone.

'This is a fine piece,' the shopkeeper continues. 'Three karats. Could be set as a necklace, or ring.' She continues, explaining different metals and settings, taking out examples for Lena to see.

Koa, meanwhile, is regrouping, recovered from his surprise. As the merchant goes on the boy sets about quietly miming her conversation, complete with exaggerated affectation and hand gestures set carefully to avoid being seen. It's not particularly polite, maybe, but it's a way to amuse himself, and none of the mockery is mean-spirited. He stops the moment the merchant seems at risk of seeing him, and so attempts to entertain the caretaker as she continues her shopping trip.

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone

Lena

hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul

Coming from a family of more serious attributes, Koa’s antics, theatrics, and dramatics caused her to widen her eyes, glancing back and forth between merchant and Dragoon, before moving her lips in an obviously muffled attempt to not laugh. He was quite a breath of fresh air, at least in terms of those on Stormbreak, who were renowned for their wisdom, sagacity, and tough outer layers.

Striving to keep her attention on the woman, she advanced, only shaking her head at Koa, watching him from the corner of her eyes. Weaving her concentration back into the moment, and attempting to ignore the pantomiming, her expression took on its residual politeness and regality. “Oh, a ring would be lovely,” she noted, pointing out several designs that worked for her – including the gilded depiction, along with a nice silver with dragon tails looping amidst one another. “What would you be willing to barter?” The Caretaker had enough wares, perhaps, and time, to grant something that might strike them in mutual depictions –

Though she could see Koa doing something with the merchant’s affectation, so she turned over her shoulder, mouthing stop it with some means of exaggeration on her part, a hint of a smile still there. Amused, but knowing better.

and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all

K O A

and they will shake their heads
and wag their bony fingers

Koa's family is plenty serious - at least, his mom was. It's his father the toymaker we can blame for the streak of chaos that runs through him, the laughter and smile and eager need to keep other people on their toes. And it is that fun vein he channels now as he fights off boredom in this unexpected venture, continuing to tag along after Lena like an oversized Labrador puppy as she makes her purchases and barters.

'Always could use rare bits,' the merchant is saying as she reclaims the ruby, a design clear in her mind. 'Dragon scale is popular, unicorn hair... been lookin' for molten tiger drippings,' she adds hopefully, an eager glint in her eyes.

Whatever the pair lands on, it is all well outside of Koa's range of knowledge, and so he tunes the bartering out. He's pulled some sort of puzzle box from his bag and is fiddling with it near the doorway, the wooden cogs clicking as pieces move to form a picture as the boy waits for his new friend to be done with her spree.

in all the wrong directions—
and by daybreak we'll be gone