Chance Meetings (Alleria)

[Zared Halberk]

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To be frank, Zared found he was missing the lightheartedness of their conversation. All joking had suddenly been put aside for a much more in depth chat and while he was able to find questions and comments to keep her occupied, he knew he would run out soon. And then the chat would fall into awkward silence as he struggled to hold up his own end, making his boring life sound entertaining as best he can. He could already foresee her suddenly remembering where her home is and insisting she could make it on her own. Or maybe that was just blatant paranoia because things seemed to be going too well.

He nodded when she spoke of her training and how fun it was. "Wish I could say guard duty was anywhere near that fun, but I don't even bunk up with the guards," he said flatly, offering her just a taste of how boring his own life was and how much she wouldn't want to hear about it. He kept walking, all the same, because she had a hold on him somehow and he didn't want to let her go. Her arm linked with his was warm, and while she felt small beneath him he could feel the strength that all her training had no doubt bestowed upon her.

Silence settled over them for the moment and they walked on. The night was quiet, peaceful. It was that bizarre nebulous zone after people went out to go drinking but before they started to find their way into the streets. In another hour or so there would be people drunker than the pair of them stumbling through the streets. Vaguely reminiscent of zombies, actually, Zared recalled once when he had been out that late. Of course he hadn't been in much better of a state, which was probably why that memory was particularly vague. It brought a smirk to his lips regardless.

Then the soft wetness of her lips pressed against his cheek again in acknowledgement of his previous comment and Zared was thrown for a loop once more. He really didn't know how to respond to that, honestly. Was it becoming for a man to return such an action? He hardly thought so, you rarely heard about that, and his time courting women hadn't exactly been exceptional. So he smiled down at her in thanks and kept walking, his cheek still tingling where she had kissed. He opened his mouth to say something and, for the first time that night, caught himself before saying something out of place, despite Alleria's reassuring comments. "Just a few more blocks now," he offered instead.

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[Alleria]

The silence did not bother Alleria at all, and she found it to be a rather comfortable one. Not every moment had to be filled with conversation and chatter, or finding words to say when none needed to be said. Zared's presence was comfortable to her, and so she enjoyed the peace of the night instead. The streets were empty, and the crisp air was refreshing to her hazy and distant mind. Being able to spend time with someone was nice to experience again, and she had had so much fun tonight. Sure, Alleria had not planned on getting drunk at all, but she liked to think things happened for a reason. Even her being lead to sleep off her inebriated state at a stranger's home. No, that was not quite right. Zared was not a stranger to her. She could safely categorize him as a friend in her mind, because he had been nothing but funny and kind to her tonight.

Blue eyes peered up at Zared, hearing the flat tone to his voice as he spoke of his own life. There was such discontent in him, and she did wish that was some way she could help. "Well, if you ever need a drinking partner off duty, then feel free to ask me," she offered with a slight grin. Alleria hoped it was a little something he could look forward to when he was done with his work. She leaned a little against him as they continued to walk, quite comfortable and relaxed letting him lead her. She wondered if it was just her feeling like this, and hoped she was not taking too much of an advantage of his hospitality. It was just really nice not to feel alone for once.

She held back a giggle as she managed to leave him speechless once more. Alleria enjoyed the fact that she had surprised him like that, and did not mind kissing his cheek all that much. She did not usually express affection so easily, but alcohol usually had her making choices she may not have made while sober. Sometimes it was nice to loosen up for a time, and so she smiled sweetly at him in response to his own. The silence did not bother her, and so Alleria walked with him down the darkening streets. This was really nice, and she hoped that the moment would last a little longer. Just being with Zared was nice in a way she was unused to. "M'kay," she replied, yawning quietly. Oh, it seemed that the alcohol was making her more tired now.