A day off. How long had it been since she had actually taken a day off? Months? Years? Maybe even a decade…. It was hard to tell when you lived among the immortals. In honor of her day off, Karlyn had even put on a dress in her favorite color (green). Simple, but elegant and well made. Of course, she had a long knife hidden and strapped to her thigh under the dark green dress as well as a simply dagger resting beside her coin purse on her belt. How long had it been since she had worn such clothing to something other than a ball or party? Perhaps as long as it had been since she took a day off. It mattered not. Karlyn was capable of playing the warrior and the lady. She was neither one nor the other but rather, both.

Her day off had led her to the market to do some shopping. Being single and an army captain, Karlyn lived in a simple, two-roomed, militaristic home close to the barracks of her soldiers. It had been feeling a bit too militaristic for her taste lately, and she was hoping to find some décor to make it a bit homier So far, she had bought a new rug that had just enough color without being overly bright, to be delivered, and a few painting, which she carried with her.

Deciding that she had spent enough of her money for the day, Karlyn was on her way home when she spotted a vendor selling books. Oh, how she loved books! She began walking quickly toward the stall, hoping that the vendor would have something new for her to enjoy. In her rush, Karlyn bumped into the shoulder of someone. She saw the book fall from his hand and, with a soldier's honed reflexes, her hand shot out and she carefully caught the novel without dropping the paintings in her other hand.

“Oh! Pardon me.” she said quickly but calmly. “My apologizes, my Lord.” she continued with a respectful nod, noting his clothing and easily identifying him as a member of nobility. Karlyn could not remember ever seeing him before, though it was possible that she just could not remember. She was not the best with names and faces. Running her hand through her long, loose red hair, Karlyn offered the book back to him and noted the title. "The autobiography of a disreputable healer? An interesting choice."


dress

Karlyn noted the nobleman’s stunned expression and was glad she had apologized for bumping into him. He even seemed a bit embarrassed though she did not quite understand why. She was the one who had almost knocked him over, and now it was her face that began to flush after the man mentioned knowing the healer she had just implied insult toward. It was so difficult to know an immortals age, and this one seemed to be quite old if he knew Earmist personally … The man had even called him a friend. He had an interesting choice of friends, it seemed.

“Creativity? Of course.” she responded, neutrally. She doubted she knew as much about Earmist as his friend here anyway. There was not a reason to start something she could not finish. Karlyn tended to only pick arguments she could win.

She drew herself from her thoughts as the man introduced himself. He bowed in a way that was almost chivalrous way and Karlyn could not help but to blush a bit deeper at the show of courtesy. It was rare that man treated like…well…. a woman. “Captian Karlyn Rivera.” she said, a bit curt, as she tried to maintain her dignity and not act like a blushing fool. She held out her hand for the more masculine gesture of seeking a handshake instead of curtsying.

She glanced at her painting as he gestured at them. They were simple things and not terribly expensive though she certainly would have spent more money if she had it. One displayed a scenic field with tall grass artfully blowing in the wind while another displayed an expanse of tree branches and beautiful birds. The third, and her favorite, showed a red wolf stalking through the forest. All the painting were, of course, painted for decoration, not accuracy, and were tasteful and elegant.

“I was indeed headed to search for a new book or two to read.” she responded, ignoring his request to carry her paintings. She merely tucked them under her arm. Her choice of décor suddenly felt private and personal under Khaalius’s gaze. And, of course, she did not need a man to carry her things for her. She was perfectly capable, thank you very much.

Realizing that the silence might soon become awkward, she sought something else to say. “Do you have any recommendations?” she asked, but wince inwardly as she realized that she had just invited him to help her shop.