View source for Heartful Moment With Annalise

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2013/02/28
|Location=Fluorgis - Shard Seekers HQ - Garden
|Synopsis=Reize was relaxing at the garden, contemplating over his announcement for the Shard Seekers to depart Fluorgis. Of course, Annalise wanders in as she tries to get adjusted.
|Cast of Characters=Reize Seatlan,  Annalise
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The Shard Seekers have a garden that looks well fluorished, save for the right side of the area. Weeds occupy it, set aside and drawing upon the nutrition from the soil. Nevertheless, the left side is well protected, filled with flowers ranging from lillies to violets. Many of them are about, giving off that calm atmosphere.<br /><br /> Reize is at the center, walking along the garden. He looks over towards the outdoor bath area, briefly turning his head away to look back at the flowers.<br /><br /> "...We should be moving off soon." Reize will make his official statement to the crew soon. <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The garden is a familiar place inside of the headquarters, even though Annalise herself hasn't had much in the way of time to explore the building. There's been too many other things to do. But for now, the garden will work. The atmosphere is so pleasant, and there always seems to be someone hanging about, so it's no surprise to see Reize musing to himself.<br /><br /> Anna pauses long enough to catch whether or not she's seen her before choosing a seat at the glass patio table. "I know that look." she murmurs. "You have a strategic decision to make and it isn't an easy one." Or she could just be guessing. Or not.<br /><br /> The satchel she sets on the table has a crest elaborately embroidered into the sturdy fabric, but there's only a brief glimpse at it as the young woman begins pulling out some containers. Belatedly, Reize might realize that Anna is no longer in her rather voluminous dress that she had first appeared in. And the mask is no more as well.<br /><br /> Instead the dress she wears comes to her knees, made with fabric that flows and moves easier with subtle touches of a feminine hem instead of an overlapping sea of ruffles. Her pale blonde hair is pulled back with a bow that matches her eyes, and around her throat... drapes a locket. One that appears very old indeed.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> It is often that Reize is taken by surprise here. It is a bit of a pause that the boy gives before he turns his head to face the princess. And then, he gets a gander over her new appearance. Both eyes widen briefly, then he offers a smile. "It suits you." His eyes lock towards her locket. He gives a thoughtly look before he turns his attention away from it.<br /><br /> Instead, he glances at Anna herself.<br /><br /> "I am preparing to let the other Shard Seekers know that we'll be leaving Fluorgis soon." He brighten into a smile. "We better get on the move to find the World Shards." He brings his hands to the sky, "With the Shard Seeker device that Ivo has built, we can definitely find the other World Shards!" <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Yes well, the dress is nice for formal occasions but rather impractical for traveling I think." Her smile is different, practically beaming as she glances her bright sapphire blue eyes up at Reize. Leaning forward, her voice lowers as if sharing a secret with him, "This is the shortest dress I've ever worn. Ever." And she's very giddy of that fact.<br /><br /> Anna suddenly snaps out a hand to point straight at him, "You." she emphasizes. "Need to try these." A container is pulled out of the satchel and the girl opens it quickly, beaming again when she retrieves a pastry from inside. Puffy with lots of colored icing and sprinkles on top. "Its called a cupcake! These should be illegal." And Annalise promptly bites into it, her bright eyes batting up at Reize while she listens. Chewing quietly, she swallows and licks at the icing still on her lips.<br /><br /> "How many people are there? Traveling together I mean."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Blink.<br /><br /> "That is true," Reize admits, "You'll be traveling a lot if you're traveling with us!" The boy beams happily. Lily may not be too happy leaving Fluorgis, but for the best, Reize will travel. When she leans forward to share something with him...<br /><br /> The shortest dress?<br /><br /> He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, glancing at the princess."<br /><br /> It is when she points at him that he's taken by surprise, "Buh?!" She emphasizes at him before she retrieves a container revealing the pastries.<br /><br /> He laughs a bit, seeing her taking a bite of the cupcakes. "I see you visited one of the vendors. They sell a great assortment of food and desserts!" He brightens considerably, then he reaches to take one of the cupcakes.<br /><br /> He starts to chew againt his. As he chews, the boy contemplates over her question. "Mm..." Hrm. "We have about 12 members. There may be some that will sta behind, I don't know. Ivo is likely going to travel with us as well as Lenn, Leida, and Shiki." He contemplates, "Maybe Priel as well." Reize has a few bits of frosting left along his cheek. <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Its only because she had already invited him to share her pastry horde that Annalise doesn't growl to protect them. Not only cupcakes, she had loaded other sweet pastries into the box like donuts, and handheld pies still steaming subtly with heat. After her second bite the girl leans back in her seat, exhaling a small breath and once more making sure that there wasn't any icing still at her lips. It was habit of course, as appearances are everything to royalty.<br /><br /> It might take some time before she breaks that habit. Oh well.<br /><br /> Annalise watches Reize for a quiet moment as she listens, her brow furrowing gently with thought and she lifts her free hand to count off the names. "So seven, including us." Anna murmurs, the frown deepens. "That's too many for a group. It'll attract attention, and it could also potentially waste resources too." Her bright eyes flick up at him and the thoughtful expression softens. "You shouldn't waste icing like that."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Thankfully, she doesn't growl at to protect them. As he gets his hands on the pastry, he takes a bite and he happily eats it. He looks pretty relaxed overall, but he cannot help but chuckle at the princess as she displays her acts of etiquitte. <br /><br /> "It's never too many." Reize argues with Annalise, "All of the people bring something to the table. Some are able to fight in close-combat while the others can use their magic. We have a good range of people who will support each other."<br /><br /> He furrows his eyebrows, "Nevertheless, we will all be traveling together." And that is final. "Well, if they want to." In the end, Reize knows that they will follow him. Why? Because if he tries to leave without them, they will follow him. <br /><br /> "Oh! Right!" The boy licks along his cheek, getting the frosting off. Granted, there's another piece on him still.

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Finishing her own cupcake and licking her lips of the last of the icing, Anna pushes her chair back and rises smoothly to her feet. "I'm not doubting that." she murmurs. Approaching him, she comes to a stop and reaches out a hand to his cheek, and brushes the little bit of icing that's still there onto her finger. The tip of that finger goes to her lips as she licks it off, without so much of a second thought.<br /><br /> "Its just..." Annalise frowns gently to herself. "I've never had the option to go out and do anything on my own. Really I would like to just go out by myself but I know that would be foolish, I need at least one other person with me in case one of us becomes poisoned, or something worse." Her frown deepens and she exhales a small breath. "I don't know."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Okay...<br /><br /> As Anna rises to her feet and she approaches him, Reize looksover at her, "Eh?" He tilts his head at her, looking a bit confused. He tenses, nevertheless, when she moves her fingers over towards his cheek.<br /><br /> "!!!"<br /><br /> As she takes the icing from his cheek, he blinks as she licks it off. Okay, now his cheeks flush a bit, uncertain as to how to respond.<br /><br /> But soon, the subject changes. "...Well," The boy brightens, "...I wanted to travel by myself as well." He laughs, "Though, I've gotten myself nearly killed a couple of times." He muses, turning away to gaze at the flowers.<br /><br /> Kneeling down, he takes his hands along the violets. "...I think you will enjoy the company. Besides, I think you could use the friends. They'll accept you." As he gazes at her, his smile brightens.

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Annalise watches him quietly, the emotions seen through his features more than amusing. So much so that part of her wants to make him blush more just to see his reactions. Still, she smiles lightly to herself and takes a step back, giving Reize room.<br /><br /> Despite how bright and reassuring he becomes, another small frown tugs at her brow. "There's always been people around me..." Anna murmurs quietly. "People always doing things, and rarely did I ever have time to myself. But..." her thoughts fade and the boy kneels down to touch at the flower that had been her namesake. Or nicknamesake. Biting at her bottom lip Annalise takes a step closer and kneels down on the soft grass beside him. "You have more confidence than I do."<br /><br /> Breathing out lightly, the blonde girl lifts her eyes upward at the horizon, as if looking something else out there. "I had hoped there would be mountains. I would have loved to try to climb up to the highest point, just to find out what I could see up there. To discover what kind of people or creatures there might be along the way up the mountain."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> It is often the fact that Reize is the butt of the amusement jokes! Reize will always be in good spirits. Even as Annalise finds the humor in Reize's reactions, Reize had put his focus on other things. <br /><br /> So instead, Reize finds himself observing the flowers, yet he turns to face her as she addresses him regarding her life. "... So, you want to spend a bit more time by yourself." He laughs a little, though he winces as he realizes that in the end, he is similar to her in that respect. He is surrounded by the Shard Seekers. He is never really alone. However, he wanted to be the lone adventurer.<br /><br /> "Heh." The boy grins, "I am sure you'll get it in time!"<br /><br /> Mountains? Reize listens to her carefully, hearing her desire.<br /><br /> "Well, we will make that dream come true. When we find a mountain, we shall climb as high as we can go!" <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Annalise presses her lips together for a longer moment still before she breathes softly and leans forward, shifting to lay on her stomach while Reize continues to fiddle with the violet. Silence seems to engulf the pair before she finally murmurs, "My father... always told me tales of his adventures, before he became king. But then he wanted me to behave, to be a good girl and princess the people wanted for their kingdom. And I was... But I also never had the chance to do anything like he did. Go out into the world, slay the evil beasts, find a love like he had in my mother."<br /><br /> She exhales a small breath as she closes her eyes. "Yeah, probably. Here... maybe here that might be possible." Her expression softens and Anna opens her sapphire blue eyes just enough to stare at individual blades of grass. "Maybe... seven isn't too many. My father had seven of his closest friends with him on his most epic of quests."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> In that moment, Reize falls silent as Annalise explains her tale about her father. Instead, he slowly turns to face her, listening to her a bit more. There is a bit of a rueful smile. "...It looks like we're pretty similar." He brings his hands over his head. He laughs after a moment, "My father was an adventurer as well. He served as a knight errant who traveled the world."<br /><br /> Grin, "I came from a small village that no one has ever heard of. ...It's a backwaters sort of place that you wouldn't expect to be on the map." He sighs. Nevertheless, he grins.<br /><br /> He finally takes a seat back near the flowers. He looks her way, then he grins. "Let's make your journey a rewarding one then, Anna."

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> When he laughs, Annalise lifts her sapphire blue eyes up at Reize as he watches him reminisce about his own father. Maybe even stories his own father told him when he grew up. His smile could light up a room easily it seems. "You know, that's maybe the first time you've actually told me something about yourself." A small smile tugs at her lips, but she pulls her eyes from his and reaches out a hand, lightly curling her slender fingers around the stem of the violet flowers. "It must have been nice, to be in a small village like that. I imagine everyone knows everyone else."<br /><br /> When Reize glances her direction, Anna blinks her bright eyes up at him. Caught off guard when he calls her with such an informal use of her name. No one had ever called her like that before. A small flush rises in her cheeks.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> "..Eh?"<br /><br /> Reize looks over at Annia in remarks about him sharing something. He laughs a bit, tilting his head at the princess. "It's 39 people who live in the village! All of us know each other!" He sighs, "Rumors get spread fast there, too!" He shaeks his head, then he lifts his shoulders with a shrug.<br /><br /> Then, he frowns, "...I hope they're alright."<br /><br /> A smile grows, but then he tilts his head at her. "Anyway," He stands up, "I better take care of a few things, then I'll start getting the Shard Seekers together for our journey." <br /> t

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Her expression softens, smile growing as she chuckles. "It must have been nice." Anna lifts a hand and lightly pats his knee. "I'm sure they are. And if they knew what you did, I'm sure all of them would be proud of you." There was no doubt in her words. "Bravery should always be celebrated."<br /><br /> When Reize suddenly stands up, Annalise blinks her bright eyes at him for a split moment before quickly pushing herself to her feet as well, hands brushing at the short skirt of her dress. "Oh. There is one thing I should ask. Is... there a treasury here inside headquarters? Or individual vaults or lockboxes? Or..."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> A smile grows. "Thank you, Anna." <br /><br /> Her next question, however, is given a raised eyebrow."...Treasury? Well..." He scratches his head, "We have a place that we keep our clan funds. However, they're heavily guarded by our guarddog, Dandelion." He brightens, "And if you get past Dandelion, you'll have to get past Mr. Mew."<br /><br /> And as if on cue, a beagle is running out from the headquarters and out into the garden. He barks loudly, then he starts running around Reize. He barks again, then he looks over towards Annalise.<br /><br /> His movements are careful as he pads over to her.<br /><br /> Sniff sniff. <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> And again he calls her Anna. She'll probably never get used to it.<br /><br /> When Reize answers, sort of, she frowns to herself and tilts her pale head. "Why would I want to try to get past the guardians?" Annalise asks. At least it answers her question, that's reassuring. But before she can dive into the subject further they're interrupted. By a dog.<br /><br /> The beagle runs around the boy first, but when Dandelion turns his attention to her... Annalise holds out a her hand first out to it, allowing the dog to sniff at her scent and if he shows his approval, she breaks with a wide smile. Without hesitation the princess drops to her knees and begins rubbing at Dandelion's ears, chuckling. "I love animals."

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> The interaction between Dandelion and Annalise is amusing. Reize cannot help but crack a grin, "Anna, meet Dandilion. Or just Dandy. Hey Dandy, meet Anna."<br /><br /> The puppy looks up towards 'papa', then it looks over at Anna. It sniffs her hands for a few moments. Once he is reassured, he springs to her hand and licks her hand ruthlessly. <br /><br /> Reize cannot help but laugh. After a moment, Reize turns toward the door and he begins walking back into the headquarters. "I'll let you two get acquainted with each other!" <br />

:'''[[Annalise]] has posed:'''<br><span></span> Annalise chuckles softly again when Dandelion practically bounces into her lap, having some difficulty trying to push the playful pup away only for him to bounce at her again. Though when Reize turns away to return indoors, both her and the beagle look up at the retreating boy. He must have other matters to attend to.<br /><br /> That familiar, uncomfortable feeling returns to the pit of her stomach as Anna glances back to 'Dandy', one hand affectionately rubbing the top of his head as a small, almost sad smile tugs at her lips. "Just don't tear up the garden, okay? I have a feeling people will blame me for it."