For a moment, Aelia stared at Ava with a rather pouty expression before giving up and the smile slipped back onto her face. "Okay, but don't hesitate to ask for anything." And with that, Lia skipped off, returning to the jeweler and speaking to him with rather animated expressions, she practically radiated a child-like happiness.

It took Lia quite some time to figure out what she wanted, and she eventually settled a very dainty ring made out of real pearls, and a necklace with an enameled sleeping fox on it. She put both in her bag with very gentle movements before skipping back over to Ava, a wide smile on her face.

Ava raised a curious eyebrow at Lia, "Find what you wanted?" she questioned, amusement showing in the curve of her lips. It was fun to watch how excited Lia got, along with a sense of pride that she was the one to bring on this happiness.

It was a good feeling, but sadly, Ava needed to get back to her stall, and said as much, "I don't want to cut this short, but in order to get back home before dark, I need to pack up my market stall soon," the two began to walk away from the jewelers, "I really enjoyed today. It was wonderful being able to walk along the market with you. I had a very enjoyable time."

A wide smile had taken hold of Aelia's face, and she could do absolutely nothing to stop it. "Yep, I would've bought more but I just couldn't stand there and go through everything to figure it all out. It was all just so...shiny!" Aelia threw her hands out with a flourish, trying to explain the overwhelming joy that shiny things brought her with hand gestures.

At Ava's words, Lia's expression darkened for a moment, but she quickly blinked it away and smiled again. "Oh, of course! I don't want to keep you from your home. I can't believe how inconsiderate I've been. I should've realized the time!" Lia was both apologetic for keeping Ava so late, but also a little worried too, and her eyes grew wide on her face as she looked up to find the sun in the sky. What had she been thinking? Staying out so late when she was expected for dinner! The very thought of sitting at that grand table, with eyes tracking her every movement, waiting for her to mess up made her shiver slightly. Her smile slipping off her face as easily as it had originally come. She didn't want to go home.

Aelia quickly turned back to Ava as she spoke, a smaller, more strained smile on her face as she replied. "I really enjoyed spending time with you too, I'm so grateful that you took some of your very precious time to lead me about. I truly am." As she spoke, her smile grew more relaxed, but eventually, she grew distant again, and she looked away from Ava as she spoke again. "I-I do not know when I might visit again. This season is always so busy, and stressful. I am glad to have spent the beginning of it with you, truly. I have not felt so happy in a very long time." Aelia's eyes slowly returned to Ava, and she gave her a brilliant smile.

Ava watched Lia as she ran through a variety of emotions, keeping her face carefully neutral, "Darlin', sweetheart..." The affectionate nickname slipped out on accident, but it was too late to backtrack - Lia was already looking at her, "I am so happy to spend this time with you as well. I am... Well, you are not the only one happy to start the season in good company."

With no one around them, Ava stopped, and turned to face Lia, "I am living alright - spending one day with you will not change that. I have the time, darlin' - so please do not apologize."

A faint red blush rose up on Ava's face, and she ducked her head, sticking a hand in her pocket, "I know you just got all those fancy lookin' necklaces, but..." Ava looked up, her eyes wide open, witchy-blue eyes meeting Lia's, "I was thinking of you, and I saw this from my stone collection and... and... well just... here." Ava took her hand out of her pocket, displaying a dark stone that had been carefully smoothed and polished on a dainty silver chain, "It's uh... black tourmaline. It'll..." Ava blushed even more, and broke eye contact, running her free hand through her white hair, "It'll help protect you. Um... if you wanna keep it." Ava shrugged, like it didn't matter much, but it really did matter - or at least it mattered to her.

Aelia felt the blood rush to her cheeks at the term sweetheart. Her heart was so very loud, she feared that Ava might be able to hear it. This feeling in her stomach was unkown to Aelia, and she had to admit, kinda scary, but for some reason she didn't quite mind. Ava was so kind and different than anyone Lia had ever known and perhaps that was why she felt this inexplicable pull towards the beautiful woman in front of her.

"Then I am happy to not have taken any of your time, and to hear that you are living well." Lia's voice was a little unsteady, and she couldn't stop her voice from being a little too high pitched as he spoke.

Aelia's eyes widened curiously as the always confident Ava ducked her head and blushed a soft pink. It wasn't like Ava to get so flustered, and Lia couldn't figure out why Ava seemed so nervous all of a sudden. At the mention of a stone collection, Lia's eyes softened, as an avid collector of both shiny things and feathers, Aelia hoped that one day Ava could tell her all about her rock collection.

At the sight of the enchanting necklace, Lia released a little gasp of surprise and her cheeks flooded pink, and she could feel her pointy little ears grow warm. Aelia immediately became entranced with the shiny stone, and she listened as Ava told her of the protection qualities of the stone. With delicate hands, Aelia gently took the necklace from Ava's hands. Her eyes widened in wonder as the stared at the sparkly stone. "O-of course I want to keep it Ava! I absolutely love it, and anything that comes from you is special. It's beautiful." Despite the fact that Aelia seemed to speaking about the pretty necklace in her hands, her eyes had wandered over to Ava when she spoke the last sentence.

Shaking herself out of her temporary stupor, Aelia grinned happily at Ava. "Help me put it on?" Aelia waited for Ava's reply before handing it back over to Ava and turning around, pulling her curls over a shoulder and baring her neck, her pointed ear just barely sticking out of her hair.

Ava took back the necklace, and had to take a deep, steadying breath in order to calm her shaky hands. It worked well enough, as her hands barely trembled as she put the crystal around Lia's neck. Her hands felt cool against Lia's warm skin - it was like she had been soaking in the sunlight - and lingered for a moment after the necklace had been clasped.

Finally, she drew her hands away, her face hot, and blushing furiously. Before Lia turned back around, Ava took a few deep and grounding breaths, her blush fading slightly, although it was still prominent.

Aelia could hear her blood roaring through her veins as she turned around. The pointed tips of her ears turned a bright red and her heart pounded in her chest. These emotions were unknown to Lia, and they confused her. She didn't even know what they were. Her brother had once explained what liking someone was like, but she'd never experienced it herself, and had never expected to. Her life was planned out for her, and she had been prepared to stay the shy, nervous queen who no one liked because she was a bastard child. Yet here she was, exploring town with a stunning woman who had somehow not ran away when she'd discovered Aelia's secret, Lia didn't know what she was doing, it wasn't like she would ever be able to actually be real friends with Ava, let alone anything more. The crown would prevent that, she was leading Ava on, dragging her into a friendship that she wouldn't be able to maintain. She was being unreasonable, and selfish. She liked Ava, and that was both terrifying and captivating at the same time.

Tears welled up in Aelia's eyes, and she forced herself not to cry. Willed herself not to. She couldn't stand being such a baby in front of Ava. As Ava's hands drew away, Lia blinked back the last few tears, and by the time she turned back around to face Ava, her big smile was back on her face. It drifted as her hand reached up to clutch the necklace on her chest, and she slowly looked up at Ava. "Thank you."

One tear had escaped, though, unnoticed by Lia. Ava saw it, though, and reached out, brushing it away with her thumb, letting her hand linger for a second, though she pulled back quickly, "Of course. I.. I set some spells into the crystal as well. So you should be even further protected - beyond the normal levels of the crystal - as well. I hope..." Ava trailed off, filling in the sentence in her head, I hope it is enough. I hope you like me back. I hope it protects you the way I want to. I hope I can see you again. "I hope you like it."

Ava fought back her blush, and suddenly nudged Lia's shoulder with her own as she turned to continue walking, "Do you think you'll be able to come back to the village again?"

-------

IDEA:

lia is ALMOST ASSASSINATED some time in the future - like a week or somthing. like there is someone COMING AFTER HER.

BUT before lia leaves this time, ava whispers that if lia ever needs her, to find a body of water and say some set of words.

and lia does that as she is hunted/ almost assassintated, bc she doesn't know who she can trust, cuz maybe it was someone who she thought was on her side idk idk

just an idea :DD

Without even thinking about it, Lia leaned a little into Ava's hand, melting a little at the other woman's touch. When she pulled away, Lia felt the loss deep in her soul. If only this friendship could last, if only Aelia knew for sure that her duties would not interfere in this. Oh gods, how had she gotten herself stuck in this mess, how had she gotten so attached so quickly?

At Ava's voice, Lia snapped herself out of her stupor and nodded vigorously. "I love it Ava, thank you, I'll always wear it." Aelia paused, and when she spoke again there was a small smile on her face. "Even if it doesn't quite match my oufit." She was obviously joking, trying to lighten the mood.

As the continued walking, Lia looked up to the darkening sky, enjoying the cool breeze that came with the falling of night. "I-I don't know, depending on how this season goes, I may be busier than ever. I may not be able to leave my own home for weeks at a time. I'll try to come though, I promise." With the oncoming suitors that would be arriving for her 20th birthday, Lia didn't know when she'd get the chance to breathe again, let alone escape the crowded palace.

~~~~~~~

Sounds good to me. Maybe a week and a half ish later.

Ava nodded along, even though she didn't really understand. She still wasn't quite sure who Lia was - while she was obviously someone of high rank and stature, based on her money, it felt like there was more to the story - and although Ava could technically find out, it felt like an invasion of privacy.

"Alright. I wish you luck with... with all of your business, then. I shall be looking forward to the hope of seeing you again."

The rest of the walk back to the dressmakers was silent, yet comfortable. The two brushed shoulders every few steps, and Ava relished the contact.

------------- (I do not know how far along you want to go, or if you have more planned. If you DO, then disregard this half. If you are ready to TS, then include this part. :) -----------

Once they were back, Ava helped make sure that Lia had all of her purchased items safely tucked away, "Good luck, Lia," Ava said with a smile. After a moment of hesitation, she reached in for a small hug, whispering in Lia's ear quietly, "Should you ever need me, find a body of water - doesn't matter how big or small - and call my name. I will help."

The hug was brief, and as Ava pulled away, she grinned like nothing had just happened, "Goodbye."