Day Ten, Noon

"Well, with how small it is and the color," Armand, the trader, droned on, holding a fox pelt Eve had to sell. "I can give you, uhh... hmm... three silvers. So, the pelts, the weaved baskets, I can give you a total of ten silvers or five gold pieces. Although, for a lovely lady like you..."

He stepped down from a stool behind the counter and walked around in front of it so Eve could see his full view and hight.

He was only three feet tall with a childlike face, big round blue eyes, and brown hair chopped short. He had a brown vest that resembled a fishing vest over a green shirt, brown patchy pants and leather shoes. Eve thought he was adorable but acted much older than he looked.

"For a lovely lady like you," he mused. "I'll give you fifteen silver or three gold for the pelts, baskets and a kiss."

Markium was browsing the traders shop and froze by a display of hunting arrows, looking through the corner of his eye at the two converse.

"Oh really, Armand?" she giggled.

"Just one little kiss?" He stood up on his toes and craned his head forward.

She leaned down and placed a quick peck on his waiting head. "How can I say no to someone as cute as you?"

Armand chuckled, shocked and walked around his counter to pay her. He handed her a small stack of gold coins and a single hidden silver with a wink. "For the angel," he flirted.

"I'll make sure to always bring my wares here." She pat his hand softly, turned and walked over to Markium.

"Find anything interesting?" she asked, slipping the coins into a pouch Armand gave her as a first time customer.

"Oh, you're done flirting," he growled softly, looking through the arrows.

"What?"

Markium grabbed the pouch and shook it, mawking the coins jingle. "Three gold pieces for a kiss, pretty lady," he mocked quietly. "Really?"

"It's was just a kiss," she whispered, softly putting her hand on his shoulder.

He turned quickly and put his face in hers, whispering harshly, "And what was last night; a nice romp?"

Before she could answer he stomped away, slamming the traders door behind him.

"That companion of yours sure has a hot head, milady," Armand spoke softly from the counter. "I didn't mean any harm."

"No, no, you didn't do anything, Armand. Thank you." She walked out quietly, holding the door for a woman and her child, and searched the crowd for Markium. He couldn't be found so she went back to the tavern to talk to Amerella.

The tavern was almost empty, save for a few men playing a dice game and Amerella behind the bar.

"Eve, how was Armand?" she hollored as Eve walked over and took her seat. "Still a big flirt? That gnome could sell a blind man a terrible painting with a single word."

"Wish you'd told us that before we left," she sighed.

Amerella set a mug of ale down for her. "What happened? Did he get the best of you? Cheap you out? I knew I should've gone with you."

"No, no no, he was really sweet, actually he over paid me."

"What for?"

"A few pelts, some baskets, and a kiss."

"That cheeky devil," Amerella laughed. "What'd he give you?"

"Three gold pieces, a silver piece, and an angry Markium." Eve emptied her ale in a single dive.

"Why did he get so mad?" Amerella refilled the mug and set a plate of bread next to it. "Don't forget to eat, sweetie."

"Thanks... Well, last night, after we all went to bed, we were drunk and, well..."

Amerella looked confused then it dawned on her. "Ohh! Oh. Oh dear."

"It's not my fault Armand is apparently a notorious flirt and was just working." She tore a piece of bread off and chewed slowly. "Thanks for talking with me, Amerella. I'd kill to have a friend back home to talk to."

"What about Markium? Don't you talk to him?"

"Yeah but I can't talk to him about him."

The door opened behind her and Markium walked in. She turned to look at him and he walked over slowly, with a sack.

He sat in the stool next to her, set the sack in the bar and stared forward. "I went back to Armand's to see if you were still there and saw a woman there with her kid trying to lower the price on a bag of wheat. He said he'd sell it to her for one gold piece and a kiss..."

"Well, we didn't know Armand was a known flirt around here," she muttered, sipped her ale and played with a piece of bread. "Why'd you go back?"

Markium placed a hand on the sack. "I decided to get a gift for you as an apology." He opened the sack and pulled out some red fabric with blue lacing. He handed it to her and a prompt appeared.

Evening Gown

Durability: 30/30

Rarity: Uncommon

This gown brings the wearer +1 point to charisma, 12 point to dexterity, lasts as long as it is worn.

The prompt cleared away as she looked over at him, staring into a mug of ale Amerella set down. She put her hand on Eve and Markium's hands and they both looked up.

"Why don't you two take a walk? There's a waterfall and a lake about a half a mile east of town. I'll have Lav pack you a nice dinner and something to drink. Go out, have a nice time, I'll leave a room for you when you get back, huh?"

They looked at each other. Eve whispered, "Might be fun."

After the food was prepped and paid for, Amerella handed them a basket with a bottle of wine and sent them off. They took turns carrying the basket, at one time carrying it together, talking and laughing.

"So what do you miss?" he asked, sipping wine from his cup. "From back home?"

"What's to miss?" she replied, tearing a piece of bread. "My crappy studio apartment, my crappy 'be your own boss' job, my crappy 'beat on it a few times, it'll start' car?"

"I miss my college buddies. The parties, the all nighters, they were like my family. Since I never had a real one..."

"They were your real family, huh?" She reached out and squeezed his hand softly.

"Well," he whispered and smiled. "Now I have a new family." He pulled her close next to him and kissed her cheek.

She stood up and took her dress off. "Let's go swimming."

He stood and started to undress watching her walk slowly into the water. He followed after her as she dove in and swam after her.

She swam ahead, watching the current under the waterfall until a hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her backward. She looked back at Markium pulling her closer to him slowly. They slowly surfaced and laughed. Markium wrapped an arm around her waist, caressed her cheek softly and whispered, "This is all I need now."

"What's that?" she asked giggling. "A swim? Time alone?"

He leaned close, his lips brushing against hers, and whispered, "You."