THE ARCHAIC SKY

CHAPTER: THE IMMUTABLE LOYALTY

Amara pursed her lips and tightened her fist as she began to walk through the narrow alleyways to Hikaru's enclosed forgery, the Amenoma smithy. Did Ruyi forget how much she hated being alone outside of the library? She walked around quite aimlessly, nearly procrastinating on meeting Hikaru, the so-called "Hephaestus' daughter".

she dislikes being alone outside for a number of reasons. one of which being she's bad with directions, often getting lost in the city she has lived in for most of her life. another being she get's paranoid. the entire time they were walking along this path, she felt someone watching her from far away. it's unnerving.

the last, and most important, reason was she hated the loneliness she felt from her dreadful thoughts. flashes of embarrassing moments were one thing. anxious abandonment thoughts were another. heightened senses were the worse. gravel and sand crunching under her hard leveled sandals. unevel blows of wind to her hair and arms and neck. darting of the eyes.

"Mornin' sunshine," a voice startled her. sweet gods, she just wanted to find the smithy.

She frowned, her face reddening ever so slightly embarrassed that he had to find her in such a state. "what a coincidence... sora" she replied a little annoyed she had to meet him today of all days, turning to meet him. the soon to be envoy who was fawned over by women and men alike in town. though she didn't blame them... he was too much of an eyesore to ignore "you're going to the blacksmith too?"

He smirked, walking circles around her to keep her attention on him. "oh? do you want me to? Or have you been stalking me, kannon" Her face flushed harder. Does he really have to tease her? "kidding, kidding, I was walkin' a friend here, Hey, mara... how do you like udon?"

Amara paused, her eyebrows lifting. So he's the type that are brave enough to ask her out? that's cute, but not cute enough. "why are you asking? You know I eat it nearly everyday"

"how about we go for a nice meal some time? My treat, of course." he laughed, his voice sweet in the air.

Amara deffered the offer. Some time, quite vague, and enough to keep him interested. . There was one thing she knew about men that always made her smile. if she doesn't reject him and keep the possibility dangling just out of reach, she will forever have him on her line. "sure, some time...as if you had any money to begin with..."

He laughed a scoff. "ten chrons are better than no chrons" he slapped his thin pouch which contained the few golden coins. "so, are you free Saturday?"

Amara's face hung a smirk. "sorry, busy with work and all that and oh the poor thing, falling for one of your plays and tricks..." Amara nudged him with an elbow, her cheeky smile falling as she saw a small crowd of women around the corner. she inched away then hiding behind him, out of their sight. "one day your actions are going to catch up to you, sora"

"well, until everyone despises me, I don't see the harm," she scoffed at him as he ruffled his dark locks. "that being said... I don't think Hikaru likes me very much" he frowned.

Ah right, he was a Losturane after all. "because of your gift?" or your insufferable teasing?

"I think so," he shrugged as she let out a scoff "I have to warn you though, Hikaru isn't exactly the nicest," he placed a hand under her chin and nudged her face closer to his. "I wouldn't want you to be hurt by her..."

Amara raised her head, tilting it backward as her mouth formed a smirk. "oh, calling me weak already? Are you asking for a fight?" placing her hands on her hips she stepped back away from him. "I'm stronger than you think you know,"

"of course you are, I expect no less from you," he smiled, walking past her. "I'll look forward to the next time we cross paths... so... take care of yourself until we meet again, my lady" he winked, giving a two-fingered salute before he left her alone. His hand waved at her as he did not turn around. She shook her head. He's infuriating.