"Oh my goodness! It's amazing! I've never had something cold that was so enjoyable! I wonder how they make this?!"

A twittered lighthearted chuckle escapes from Bav. "I thought you would enjoy this. It brings me great joy to see my intuition was correct."

"I thought this restaurant was chef's choice?" I mention as I begin to dig into my own 'fried ice cream'.

"Yes, but you're able to call ahead to check what is being prepared." He says.

"Call? Like a ring on the tubes?" I ask perplexed at his use of the word.

"Yes, my apologies, I spoke wrong, ring not call."

We had two more items come our way, before Bav asked for the bill. I was able to take a quick glance when he opened it and wanted to gasp.

'1,298 gold! That's how much our meal cost! No wonder this place can afford to be empty at a meal time!'

"Shall we?" Bav extends his hand out and I take it to stand adjusting my dress and then taking the arm he offered. As we strolled through the streets, I noticed that even with all this green open space, there were hardly any people about.

I gather my courage and ask the question that is nagging me in the back of my mind.

"Why is there hardly a soul in sight? Even the restaurant was empty, except for the servers."

Bav gazes out over the green areas and pats my hand that's on his arm.

"They are getting ready to go to the theater. They all do this little show between themselves, to see who's who and who's new idea might take off. It can take the ladies hours to get ready, so I am told. It's all to fill their time, because their little bored minds can't imagine doing anything actually productive, unlike you."

"Unlike me?" I grimace, unaware of how to absorb that statement.

"Yes. I truly admire the fact that you are willing to work hard for your shop and are not afraid to get dirty for it either. Mr. Wellsew has told me that, not only are you a clever and intelligent business partner, you have a high work ethic and a moral standard you do not lower to suit others."

"He said all that about me? I'm flattered." I lower my gaze heat filling up my cheeks.

'I swear I have never blushed so much in my whole life as what I've done this past month with this man!'

"Oh that's not all he said." Bav chuckled as we started seeing more people out walking, in carriages, and in motor cars.

"What else did he say?" I was curious, chewing on my bottom lip in thought.

Bav stopped and taking his free hand, gently used his thumb to pull my lip from my teeth.

I searched his eyes, falling deeply into their dark and endless pool of mysterious night.

"I was warned, no that's putting it mildly... I was promised, that if my intentions were anything but honorable with you, I'd have hell to pay from your family."

"Oh dear! He actually said that?!" I was shocked and proud that they all care that much about me.

"Yes, but I thought you didn't have any family left alive?" He inquired reading my face.

"That is true, I have no blood relatives left alive. The family he refers to are my friends and business associates who helped mentor me when I first came into my inheritance. They were all friends of Mrs. Vathy who was my guardian, my mothers best friend, after my mother passed away. I loved Mrs. Vathy like she was my aunt. So I suppose, I do have family after all, Mr. Fairchild." Realizing my error, quickly I add, " I'm sorry, Bav. I will get better at calling you by what you prefer."

"I'd rather you call me by what you prefer, honestly. If you feel more at ease by calling me, Mr. Fairchild tonight, I will understand."

He nods in the direction ahead of us and I look to where everyone else seems to be heading.  It's a grand building, my shop could fit in it one hundred times over, easily. It's lit up by giant lights hanging around inside of the balconies that adorn its front. In gilded painted words, it's name clear for all to read. "Elegant Blossom Theater."

"Oh Bav, it's beautiful even from the outside!" I exclaim excited, covering my mouth with a gloved hand so no one can see me grinning like a child.

He just hums happily in response as we begin to join the crowd making their way up the multiple levels of steps to the entrance. I noticed women and men staring at me or the both of us, making me feel self conscious.

I whisper under my breath to Bav, "Bav, why are they staring so much?"

"Because you're beautiful, new, and with me. Do not think much of it, just hold your head up high and smile like you don't even realize they're there."

We make our way to the door, Bav pulls the tickets out handing them over to the men at the doors, dressed in regal inspired uniforms.

"Mr. Fairchild, you and your guest please come in and wait in the lounge, one of our men will show you to your seats."

We enter and the walls are draped with blue velvet curtains, chandeliers and lights adorn the ceiling, making everything look bathed in daylight. Red velvet chairs, poufs, and lounges adorn the lobby with people either resting on them or walking around saying hello to people they know. Everyone is dressed in the finest display of clothes and wealth, adorned with jewelry that sparkled and dazzled the eyes. I understand now, why he had me wear the necklace he brought me.  They would have most likely laughed and scorned my jewelry.

Bav tugs me gently and looking towards him I realize we're not heading the way I thought we were.

"The lounge is this way, that's the lobby." He directs me down the hall to where another uniformed man is standing with perfect posture.

As we approach him, Bav pulls the tickets out again and the man takes a look at them.

"Mr. Fairchild, right this way please." He opens the door he's in front of and we're welcomed by another uniformed man and woman.

"Welcome, Would you care for some champagne? Wine?" The woman asks.

"No, thank you." I say politely and Bav smiles and shakes his head at the woman.

"Right this way then please." She leads us past the room with all the lounge seats and takes us to another door.

"May I see your tickets, Mr. Fairchild?" She asks and I'm shocked when she takes them and tears the paper in half and takes half of them. "Here's is your box, sir. Your server during the show will be here shortly."

She opens the door and pulls back a blue velvet curtain leading us to a sectioned balcony containing just two close and heavily padded seats with two tables on each side. She opens a drawer on each one pulling out a small paper book and little metal tubular device on a stick. We take our seats and she bows to us.

"Please, enjoy the show." She closes the door behind her. In front of us is another curtain which confuses me.

"Should I open the curtain so we may see it when it starts." I lean forward tentatively.

"No, when it's about to start, it will automatically be drawn back so we can view it." He picks up his little paper book and opens it. "This is the program for the play. So you can know what they are doing and how far along in the play you are because of the scene changes and the longer change between acts. On the back is the menu, drinks and small portions of food available. You may order whatever you like." He nods his approval and I shake my head.

"Thank you, but I'm still quite satiated from dinner at the moment." I take a moment and start to feel rather awkward with the silence. I realize, I still know very little about the man personally.

"Would it offend you if I asked you some more personal questions, Bav?"

"Depends on how personal the question, Kara." He gives me a playful grin and my jaw drops in amusement before I wave a hand at his playful antics.

"It's nothing too personal, I believe, to ask you about your home. Where do you live?" I direct my attention and body towards him, focusing on his response.

He takes a deep breath and sits up straighter than before. "About my home? Well, it's here in Lagford for the next few years at least while I handle some business transactions and negotiations with your government."

"My government? I thought all of Jakesha was under one rule?" I question him, furrowing my brows in confusion.

'Was I forgetting something? Was there another nation of Jakesha?'

Bav looks uncomfortable suddenly, fidgeting with his hands as he visibly is looking for the right words to say.

We're interrupted by the server coming in to ask us for our orders.

"We're fine, thank you." I quickly say to give us our privacy again.

"Well, go on." I nudge him verbally to talk.

He sighs, chewing on his bottom lip.

'What of the elements?... He's anxious about this? Why?'

"Well to put it simply, I'm not from Jakesha, Rakara. I'm from another world. I'm from the Fae world."

Silence hangs heavy in the air, I blink slowly and look him up and down.

"You're joking, right?" I smile and laugh feeling awkward about the answer.

He readjusts in his seat, "Why would you assume I am joking?" He asks me, a frown starting to curve the corner of his lips at me.

"OH! Okay, uh..." My mind is blank for a moment, "I was under the impression the Fae looked differently than us. You don't look how they've been described to be."

"We are just as diverse as the flora and fauna on Jakesha, Kara. Also, I am able to change little things about me to fit in and make people feel more comfortable to be around me." He says matter of factly.

"Alright. What do you look like then, in your natural form?" I ask, needing to know if I should run for my life or enjoy myself still.

He sighs and thinking about it, I may be making him feel uncomfortable.

"It's alright, I'm sorry if you are uncomfortable revealing it to me. I let myself speak before giving it much thought."

"No, Kara, it's not that. I really do enjoy your company immensely and do not wish for you to be frightened or repulsed by my natural form."

"What do you have two heads or more eyes than you do now?" I ask casually.

"No, I don't."

"Then, I doubt I shall faint from fright."

He nods and  closes his eyes. I'm paying close attention to him and I notice his ears begin to point on the top about an inch long, and his fingers and nails elongate adding another inch  onto each digit. That's all I can tell thought.

"That's it?" I ask, amused over the simple differences he seemed to be so concerned about.