At the Market

[Lynette Elise]

Lynette wanted to be able to bake some cookies, the kind like she'd used to make back... back in her other home. The kitchen appliances were glad to help, but she wanted to do this herself as much as she could.

And she wanted to see what the little town looked like on the edge of the forest that surrounded the castle.

She kept Annie on her leash so that the curious little dog wouldn't wander off into the middle of who knows where while her momma's attention was distracted. Lyn was fairly certain that it would be the end of her if she lost Annie and she didn't want to risk it.

No one knew her and she was fairly certain she could guess the reputation that the old castle had given the nature of the previous lord, so she didn't want to cause a fuss during her visit. She just wanted to see the town, see what the marketplace had to offer, and maybe see what sort of people lived there.

She wasn't surprised at all when Annie got smiles and attention from adults and children alike. She was a friendly little sweetheart and she loved people of all sorts. That sort of openheartedness naturally attracted attention, especially from children, and since she was a small dog she wasn't automatically threatening.

Lynette was looking curiously through the wares at a dollmaker's stall when she heard the sound of some young men calling out to a young lady and she sighed slightly, uncertain whether to smile at the thought of young people falling in love or frown at the thought of all the dangers that young women face simply for existing while female. She hadn't had to deal with much of it directly, herself, mostly because she was so socially withdrawn that she simply wasn't outside much... then she was married and then she was widowed and past the age where she would be noticed at all.

The calling became more insistent and she had to wonder, briefly, what young woman had the boys in such a tizzy. Obviously she wasn't interested in them or she'd have answered by now, why couldn't they just take the damn hint and leave her be?

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and she was pulled around to face a group of young men, late teens, early twenties, maybe, and they all looked at her with the oddest expressions on their faces. "Hey, you too good to talk to us?" the ringleader asked accusingly.

Lynette frowned slightly. "Oh, were you talking to me? I couldn't hear anything over the sound of those badly-raised boys who don't seem to understand what a 'soft no' is or how to talk to a girl like she's a human being not a piece of meat on display." Her tone was a bit shorter than she intended because her head was starting to ache and there was the oddest buzzing in her ears that set her teeth on edge.

She wasn't expecting the looks of astonishment and... anger? from the younglings.

The ringleader, an otherwise good-looking young man with brown hair and the beginnings of a respectable physique, glared at her. "We were talking to you!"

She blinked in surprise and then laughed. "Oh honey, you need to grow up a bit for me. Why don't you find some nice girl your own age and leave the old women alone?". Still chuckling, she turned back to the dollmaker's stall. This was turning out to be a story worth remembering, but she needed to get her purchases done soon, before the headache became too bad.

[Guest]

Such a quaint little town. Alive with life in all shapes and form. From animals who traversed the brush of the surrounding forestry. To the mass of people who preoccupied the streets. All with their own intentions and purposes. What a sight to behold. If only all worlds were as productive as this one. The universe would hold a shred of hope to spare. However, for as beautiful as the scene suggested there was naturally a black spot or two spoiling the balance. To be expected as true perfection was always blockaded by those who would see it tainted. Such a shame in this instance of such a welcoming place.

Across the threshold where dirt met cobble. A foreign body took a step within the town for the first time in what seemed like forever. Too long it had been since they had last set foot in this place. Still everything seemed to be as they remembered. People from all over seeking the prime trade of the day. Merchant stalls open for the typical transactions which would feed their families. All seemed in order by first glance. Perhaps, they had been untouched by disaster unlike other worlds which had befell tragedy at the hand of a serial killer.

Down along the central street a woman paced slowly in stride. Her overall appearance rather outlandish to say the least. Attention being attracted from villagers here and there as she advanced. Short in stature yet lean in size, she had hair as crimson as fresh roses and eyes the hue of emeralds. Her outfit though weird rather simplistic in design. Recognizable to that of a professor or scientist. Not that any of these people would be able to tell. Well not most anyway.

From the stalls her eyes crossed a few interesting pieces on occasion. Though nothing quite caught her full attention unlike the events which she noticed from the corner of her vision. Not too far off from where she stood, another woman was surrounded by a band of obnoxious boys. Each no older than their early twenties. How they conducted themselves spoke logical caution through body language. At that Axis felt compelled to listen in on their conversation. After which ended, she approached them all directly.

From behind Lyn she would approach. Clearing her throat the moment she was in range for them to hear. "Pardon me good sirs. Though it may not be my place. I do believe this fine Lady asked you kindly to move along." The tone in Axis' voice was well spoken with a touch of aristocracy. It's vibe coming off a tad bit condescending as well. If they were smart they would do best to leave immediately without question. However, men with egos had a tendency to act upon impulse. If they chose to, she would take no less than delight to forcibly remove them herself.

Waiting for a hostile response, Axis stood firm and proper. An apparently calm expression about her face as she stared down each man. An intimidation effort she would stress to get the point across. From the side her right hand grew ready to take action. Should they attempt anything stupid, she would respond appropriately and without hesitation or mercy.

[Lynette Elise]

Lynette was somewhat startled by the woman's arrival and turned to look at her even as the young man in the lead started to take offense before his buddies stepped in to keep a bad situation from getting worse. Once the would be hooligans had left, Lyn smiled in greeting to the recent arrival.

"Thank you for stepping in, there. I'm called Lynette. How would you have me address you?"

[Guest]

Thank the cosmos the group of wannabe romeos had left. Having to talk down at people like that made her uncomfortable to personally painful levels. It wasn't in her nature and in the same manner she highly disliked it in general. Especially when it came from other people. There was just something about being such a stuck up prick to society that she couldn't get over. Though she'd be a fool to say that it wasn't an effective means to get people to back off at times. Depended on the person really, whether they would be bothered enough to leave or end up decking you in the face for being a jerk. In this case at least it had been to benefit. The thought of the three teenage boys all hot and bothered like angry bulls amused her. Served them right for being insensitive idiots.

When all was said and done Axis would turn her attention to the female. A wide smile was on her face as she introduced herself. Lynette, quite an interesting name. Unique in it's own way and at the same time rather charming. Much the same could be said for she who the name did belong. Wait. Dear gods, it was happening again. In the midst of the moment Axis' eyes and thoughts were acting of their own accord again. Like they had back in Halloween Town earlier in the week. Dear Kia, wonder how she was doing. No, no, no. Back to reality about them Axis did return. Her thoughts bouncing back and forth. This time around she was unable to deny. Lynette was a rather beautiful young maiden. Oh boy, when was this madness of emotions going to settle. She was married, making a habit of this was not ideal.

Being sure to keep her words civil and her ideas to herself. Axis continued with her mannerism but this time around less authoritative and more friendly. "Think nothing of it. You are most welcome." She would respond to the other woman's gratitude. In the moment, bowing out of respect with the grace of a gentlewoman. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Lynette. You may call me Axis." Real smooth, she had to wonder if she was laying it on too thick. Perhaps she was over thinking her kindness towards Lynette. Screw it. Whatever would happen from this point she might as well roll with it.

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