Tal walked through one of the Citadel's markets with his head down and his hands stuffed in his pockets. The day wasn't that cold, for Halo; Longheat's comparative warmth still lingered while the sun was up, but the young man's shoulders were hunched as if against a freezing wind.
Or against the crowd of chattering shoppers he did his best to eel through without getting bumped more than necessary, though his scowl seemed permanently etched onto his face as he mumbled apologies at the inevitable run-ins.
His dragon was nowhere in sight - and given her size, she was hard to miss - but his red malamute lead dog trotted faithfully at his heels. The pair made their way towards one of the bakeries that held a number of sweeter pastries and other confections among their wares, and Tal pushed open the door while Bell sat outside, tongue lolling as she watched the passersby and sniffed noses with other hounds accompanying their humans on errands.
Inside, Tal finally took his hands out of his pockets and relaxed a little, heading immediately to the little case off to the side holding chocolates and truffles nestled in puff pastry thrones. He rested his hand on his purse thoughtfully, checking the prices and running the math while he waffled on his decision.
Or against the crowd of chattering shoppers he did his best to eel through without getting bumped more than necessary, though his scowl seemed permanently etched onto his face as he mumbled apologies at the inevitable run-ins.
His dragon was nowhere in sight - and given her size, she was hard to miss - but his red malamute lead dog trotted faithfully at his heels. The pair made their way towards one of the bakeries that held a number of sweeter pastries and other confections among their wares, and Tal pushed open the door while Bell sat outside, tongue lolling as she watched the passersby and sniffed noses with other hounds accompanying their humans on errands.
Inside, Tal finally took his hands out of his pockets and relaxed a little, heading immediately to the little case off to the side holding chocolates and truffles nestled in puff pastry thrones. He rested his hand on his purse thoughtfully, checking the prices and running the math while he waffled on his decision.
