Bows, Apples, & Roses

~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗 ~

Directions had never been Arias strong suit and as she wandered the Spice Quarters winding, cobblestone streets she wished for a map to lead her back to the palace. But that's when she remembered that her room had been destroyed, and even if she found her way back there she wasn't going to piece together a bed amongst the wreckage. Although at this point Aria was so exhausted she could've slept right there, slumped up against a street light.

The Spice Quarter was definitely not a pretty place to be, but it did actually have quality's that made it almost tolerable. Shops opening and vendors selling various treats showed her it was about mid-morning and the smell of fresh bread caught her attention. It wafted from a nearby shop that had just opened its doors and it had set out tables and chairs in the front of the quaint shop. Her stomach grumbled and Aria realized that she actually hadn't eaten all day or slept a wink all night. She was tired before, but now she was about to collapse, so teetering over to the nearest seat she slid into the metal chair and rested her arms and head on the table.

It felt good to relax her entire body. She would just take a tiny nap then ask someone for directions to... Somewhere. An inn, maybe. Perhaps she could convince an easily-charmed person to allow her to have a room. But for now, she'd rest.

Slowly drifting off to sleep, hunched over the table, and too drowsy to recognize her surroundings she was finally relaxing.

And that's precisely when the scrape of a chair across from her and a low chuckle interrupted her peace.

Aria considered pretending she was dead so she wouldn't have to confront whoever was sitting with her, she definitely felt dead, but reluctantly she sat up.

Expecting to see a stranger, she was surprised to recognize the smiling person.

Soft brown hair glinted in the warm sunlight and freckles danced across his nose.

"Ms. Sage, how did I happen to find you?" Samuel grinned at her like she was an old friend, despite them only have met once. He had assisted her the first night she came to Valenda.

"Samuel," Aria smiled sleepily.

He looked adorable with the sun shining on his cheeks just so, and his lopsided grin. He was sweet as honey and happy as a puppy, so what was he doing in the slums of the Spice Quarter? He's a palace guard. Wouldn't they live in the palace? She hoped her questions would be answered but hoped even more he could help her again. "I was chasing a clue for Caraval and ended up here." Was the explanation Aria decided to give him.

"Must be tiring work, I had called your name a few times and you didn't even notice." He said every word like a laugh, as if he was so happy his bubbly voice couldn't help but chuckle.

Aria couldn't help but giggle along with him.

"This is actually my familys bakery, I visit them when I'm off duty from the palace."

Imagining Samuel in a kitchen, baking bread and covered in flour made her smile. "Do you want to meet them?" He stood up, offering her a hand.

Hesitantly, she took it. Aria wasn't exactly presentable after running for her life through a forest and didn't really want to meet people, but he looked so expectant she couldn't say no.

Immediately the place felt like home. Not that she ever really knew what home was like, but the warmth and happiness that filled the place overwhelmed her with euphoria. Fresh bread sat on stone platters across a counter, steaming temptingly, and a small display showcased sweet confections like raspberry tarts topped with mint, tiny cakes shaped like stars, and chocolate bars with glimmering jeweled candy.

A women was greeting them with a smile and spoke with a voice as sweet as the air, lilting with a foreign accent similar to Samuels. "Samuel! Did you get the herbs i had asked you for?-" She noticed Aria next to Samuel and turned her attention toward her, stopping mid-sentence, "Who is this?"