Lunch With Esme

That night Diana didn't go to sleep no instead she practiced never stopping as she sharpens her reflexes. People walked past as the sun began to rise and a gentle breeze began blowing through the trees but no one dares go near Diana in fear of breaking her concentration.

"It's quarter too twelve you should probably get going if you don't want to be late meeting with Esme." Alex pointed out as he walked over, the breeze ruffling his ebony hair.

"Ok, thanks for the heads up," Diana said putting away her swords before walking to the stables with Alex accompanying her.

"I guessed you probably lost track of time," Alex replied with an all to knowing tone to his voice and a smile to match "which is why I got Luna saddled for you before coming over here." He explained and as they approached the stable Diana saw Luna tied up to a nearby tree already, ready to go.

"Thanks," Diana isn't used to people getting her horse and equipment ready just to be kind or because they want to but because they have too. So even this simple gesture that Alex made has cracked the stone hard walls of defence she's built around her heart to protect herself.

"It was nothing," he said smiling at her "just don't stay out to late we are still at war and just because we're at war doesn't mean there aren't fugs and creeps about." Alex warned full of sincerity even though he knows Dians can handle herself just fine.

"Don't worry I'll be back before six besides I can take care of myself," Diana said and after a moment of hesitation added "thanks for warning me though...I appreciate it."

Alex just smiled at her as she untied Lunas reigns and mounted her "You better be going then," he pointed out.

"Yeah, you're right." she agreed before bidding him fair well.

"If your not back by seven I'll come searching for you," he called out as Diana rides away and she can tell he's being serious. It made her smile to know that someone actually cared about her but she soon changed her face back to its normal nonchalant and emotionless face.

'Emotions are dangerous after all and I can't let anyone see mine,' Diana thought as she rode at lightning speed to the town where she put Luna in the same public stable she left her in last time Diana came here with the others.

After a few minutes of walking Diana arrived at Esme's families shop where Esme is waiting for her.

"Diana," Esme said happily as Diana approached her that same glint in her eye catching Diana's.

"Esme it's nice to see you," Diana said as she approached her, Esme quickly linked arms with Diana guiding her down the streets.

"I'm so glad you excepted my invatation for lunch, I know you must be busy and all with this war," she said beaming happily.

"Well I was happy to except the invertation and I haven't got much to do today anyway. Also Alex or one of the other four would have dragged me here away from my training if I declined." Diana said knowingly.

Diana's last sentence caused Esme to giggle "I don't know any of them that well, but you all seem really close and I can imagine them dragging you here," she said with an amused smile.

They walked for a few a minutes chatting with each other Dianas never felt so free and happy not since she came here to Fortis. Well actually on second thought that's not entirely true afterall she always feels free when shes with Alex and the others. Malum felt like an eternal prison where Dians was always suffering and alowne but here she feels free and happy.

"We're here," Esme said happily as they arrived at the 'Tigris dinner' and got a table for two by the the window and ordered lunch.

"This place is really nice and peaceful," Diana said as they waited for their meals.

"Yeah, I've always loved this place since my parents took me here. I love places like this joyous yet quiet and peaceful not bombarded by drunk idiots or rowdy drunk barbarians." Esme explained with a joyous smile on her lips.

"Sounds like a perfect place for me," Diana said a hint of happiness to in her tone she's always liked places that aren't surrounded by drunk idiots who don't know how to take a hint. Diana didn't mind places that are crowded but she likes relaxing places like this she's always felt alone. Dianas always been alowne. Until she came here to Fortis that is.

Their meals finally arrived and they happily chatted over their meals as they ate.

"So how's the food?" Esme asked happily eating her own meal.

"It's delicious," Diana replied between bites of her own meal but that glint in Esmes eyes keeps catching Diana's eye. It's a look that makes Diana think Esme knows something but she's not sure what Esme knows.

They sat around the cafe for another hour just finishing their meals and haveing some tea. Some how Esme managed to find away to drag Diana around town and go shopping like before Diana didn't buy anything. Instead she's just content watching Esme haveing fun and enjoying herself.

She did, just like the others, manage to drag Diana into trying on some clothes and complimented her on how lovely she looks in all of them. Esme still however, couldn't convince her to buy any of them.

"Fine I relent but one day I'll get you to buy just one outfit," Esme said in dismay with a defeated sigh.

They continued going round shop to shop until they reached Esmes families shop at half five and they said goodbye to each other.

"I hope I'll see you soon Diana. Be safe in the war I'd rather talk to you instead of your corpse,"

"Fair enough and don't worry you'll see me soon," Diana said reassuringly "bye." Diana said as Esme waved goodbye as Diana headed to the stables where Luna is but then after walking for fithteen minutes she heard two female girls voices coming from a near by alleyway. They sound scared as they ask some people to leave them alone, but there are also male voices.

'What's going on down there?' Diana wondered as she snuck into the alleyway blending in with the shadows. Moving silently through the night closer and closer to the voices.