Steel Rose

Chapter 10

Belle Pov

   We don't speak much after the first piece of food is cut. I guess both of us share that trait, and it makes me smile to myself. When food is in your mouth nothing else matters. Well, that is what Quinton teased me about when I was young. 

   "What are you smiling about?" Ptolemus asks as we walk in the chilled star lit night. People still mill about, a few shops are still open. 

   "Nothing really," I admit , "I was just remembering something my brother Quinton said to me a few years back. He is the youngest of my brothers, so the forth child. It's nothing worth repeating really." 

   He nods, "You told me about your family, I never really told you about mine." 

   "True," I agree, "but then again you have to remember your family has been in the spotlight for years so I know some. But enough about our family. Tell me about yourself." 

   "Me?" he asks and I nod gripping his arm a little tighter. His muscles tense slightly before they relax again. "What do you want to know?"

   I shrug looking up at him, "Anything. Start simple, favorite food or activity or-Oh!" I shriek in excitement and Ptolemus tenses and his head snaps to look for danger. Instead I pull him to a small bakery.

   "Jeez Belle," he scolds.

   "I'm sorry," I say quickly but continue to drag him towards the bakery. The smell of sugar and bread is faint, probably meaning  nothing has been baked in a while. "Please don't be closed," I say to myself. I stop at the glass door knocking on it.  

   "Belle, it's closed." Ptolemus says nudging me the other way but I ignore him. 

   I knock again and a door behind the counter opens. A older man walks out and I smile. When he sees me, he smiles too. He unlocks the door pulling it open. "Miss Belle," he greets.

   "Good evening Noles," I greet and he opens the door wider. 

   He pulls me into a firm hug and I inhale his scent of sugar and baked bread. "Its been too long," he says and I nod pulling away. His eyes travel up towards Ptolemus and I step back taking his thick arm ushering him forward.

   "This is Ptolemus," I introduce. "Ptlomeus this is Noles."

   Ptolemus extends a hand, "Pleausre," and they shake twice. Noles looks over Ptolemus for a moment.

   "Are you Belle's boyfriend?" Noles asked suddenly.

   I blush burns under my skin, "No, Noles. This is just a date."

   The older man doesn't look convinced but nods and gestures us inside, "Well, come in please. Let me get you two a piece of cake." Noles disappears behind the door again and I lead Ptolemus over to a booth.

   "So," he says and I look up at him. "How long have you two known each other?"

   "Since I was young," I tell him. "My brothers would take me here all the time when we visited. I thought it would be a great place to have dessert."

   He looks back at the door that Noles disappeared from, "When I was small my Mother would sometimes give us little sour candies. Usually after a hard long day of practice and training. She stopped when we hit our pre-teen years though."

   Despite his almost harsh forwardness, I smile at learning something from his past. I imagine a tiny Ptolemus unwrapping a candy wrapper giggling with his sister over the rare treat. "That's a nice memory to have," I say.