The walk is a bit lengthy, but Selene doesn’t mind it. The scenery is pleasant. From the beach to the nearest town, there’s a bit of wooded area, though it’s not much.

 Still, Selene observes the way the trees sway in the light wind. The way the rabbits jump from place to place, and the scatter of squirrels, leaping tree to tree. The light whistles from the birds only make the walk more whimsical. They sing their songs and bring an echo of peace to her walk. 

Step by step, Selene makes the trip until she finally reaches the cobblestone pathway that leads to the town. 

The rustle of voices fills her ears, and her steps pick up in pace. Selene smiled as she looked around, her eyes lighting up in excitement. 

Street vendors shout advertising their merchandise, people stand around talking and laughing as they wait in lines, speaking of their day and plans moving forward. There are bars and places to eat. She sees stores full of clothing and all sorts of knick-knacks. 

She doesn’t know where to go first, so she decides to visit the first street vendor she can reach. The items are cute little handmade charms. There are ones for good luck and others for romance. Each is imbued with a bead that radiates a little magic, but other than that, there isn’t much there. She finds them cute, but she does not wish to spend her money on them. 

She spends hours looking at things, and she comes across a store run by a Fae Female. It seems she makes ice sculptures that will never melt in the sun. It’s a beautiful art medium and must take lots of refinement from her magic. She imagines that her lineage must be pure, or at least close to it. 

Since the Fae of today tend to be more human than Fae, even the smallest drop of Fae blood will give you their traits, though in lesser amounts typically. Those with pure lineage are rare, given their persecution in neighboring countries. Before the current royal family, the True Fae were prosecuted here as well. Many sought human mates to try and find some sort of safety. 

Selene watches the female work, watching her hand trail over the ice, melting and solidifying water as if it were simply clay to her hands. There is intense focus, and her hands work with method. Each piece is unique and beautiful. She wants one. 

As she tries to make up her mind about spending so much on a piece of art, she feels a light tug on her skirt. Looking down, she attempts to reach for her coin purse before it slips away completely. 

“Ay, give that back!” She chases after the thief, keeping up well enough. The shouts are little as she tries not to make too big a commotion. She shouldn't draw attention to herself, but that’s all she had for today.

Turning a corner slightly out of breath, she bumps into a man. She moves back, looking frantically around before she spots the thief. It takes her another moment to realize she ran into a guard. 

She quickly drops her head and enters a curtsy. “Sorry, I was chasing after that man ‘cause he took my coin purse.” She says to the man's feet.

“Raise your head and take a look. Which one is yours?” She raises her eyes a little, and to her eyes, they all look the same.

“It should have Selene, em… sewn on the pouch. It doesn’t have a whole lot inside of it.” She mumbles, getting a bit nervous.

She doesn’t expect the pouch to drop at her feet, but the sound of coin was unmistakable. “You'd have a better time seeing without the shades.”

“I have sens-tive eyes. Um, thank you, sir.” She leans over to grab the coin purse and stuff it back into her pocket. 

“Ah, that's how you lost it. You don’t shop in busy towns often, do you kid?” There’s a joking tone to the man's voice.

“I’m of age, but no I do not.” Selene huffs, having taken offense to the comment. “May I ask why you’re curious? My being out isn’t really any of your business, I don’t know you at all, Sir.” She knew speaking so candidly could get her into trouble, but the guard was irritating her.

The guard raises a brow, but before he speaks, a heavier set of feet approaches.

“You really shouldn’t patronize a young woman just because she’s lacking in funds. Shouldn’t you clean up the thief?” This guard has a much lower voice, and one filled with annoyance. “You should look at a guard when you're addressed. It’s rude to keep your head tucked after you've been asked to look up.”

“Sorry, Sir.” Selene lifts her head a little to look at the guard she’s in front of, and… Oh, he’s gorgeous. 

Long golden hair flows to his shoulders as if weaved by gold itself. Pointed ears peek from his layered hair, and he talks so that his canines show with every movement of his lips. His eyes are a mix of the ocean itself. Shades of greens, blues, and even grays swirl together in his eyes, all coming together by pupils that split his irises like cats. He is… stunning. Then again, most Fae are.

“You humans and the staring. Yes, yes, I know I’m handsome.” Ah, but he’s stuck up. He’s snobbish and probably holds himself above others.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to, it's just...” Selene begins to ready an excuse before she is interrupted.

“Save it, Sweetheart, you have your money, so go back to shopping.” 

Ah, she did not get his name… a shame. Though perhaps a good thing. She’ll leave the details of this interaction out of her story when she tells her parents about her adventure into town.

“You should sew or have a little loop sewed into your pocket. That way you can tie the coin pouch to the dress. It’s not easy to snatch it if it’s like that.” The guard calls out to her.

Selene nods to him, exiting the alleyway with a curtsy.

She hurries for the shop she’d been in front of, then steps inside with a smile.

“Hello, welcome. How may I help you?” The female's voice is gentle and sweet.

“Oh, I was wondering if I could have the ice piece in the window. The one of the flower group?  H-how much is it?” Selene rocks on her feet, avoiding looking at the Fae female. 

With a smile, the female walks to the display and picks her creation up gently. “Six Closi for the bouquet.”

Selene makes a small disappointed ‘oh’ with her mouth before she dumps her coins out. Maybe she would magically have a few extra atari. That way she’d have a sudden six closi total.

“Um, do you have anything for 5 Closi and 13 Atari? I’m four short, but I want to buy something.” She smiles sweetly, watching the Fae female shrug.

“I’ll give it to ya for four short then.” The female hums shrugging her shoulders.

“Oh, no, I couldn't do that. This is your hard work. I could not possibly take your work for any less than the asking price.”

With a light chuckle, the Fae female takes the girl's money and begins to package the sculpture up. “You don’t know how to bargain, do ya girly? Not a town girl, ya?” 

That’s the second time today that she’s had this pointed out to her. “No, not really… I thank you for this.” 

“You seem sweet. I don’t mind helping you out.” She smiles, handing over the sculpture to Selene.

“Thank you, again.” Selene picks the bag up in her hands as she walks out the door, a skip to her step. 

She is now penniless, with hours to spend outside still. She really should have insisted on something else so she could eat. That should have been her first thought, she sighs as she continues to walk. 

The moment of reflection is stolen away as a recognizable voice startles her. “I’ve run into you again, that’s not usually a good sign.”

Jolting, Selene looks up, spotting the blond male again, when she realizes who he is, she quickly averts her gaze.

“O-oh uh, hello, Sir.” She smiles, keeping her lips sealed into a thin line.

“You're spooked so easily…” He muttered before staring down at the small wrapped object in her hands. “Oh? Already going off and spending what little you have on that overpriced thing?” The male stares at her bag.

“It’s not overpriced. It’s beautiful and takes time to craft.” Selene huffs.

“You human women are so odd in your taste for things. However, I’m more concerned about your naivety here. For one, you get your coin stolen; then don’t know proper etiquette, nor seem to realize who’s talking to you as you refuse to meet my eyes.” His tone mixes between sarcastic humor and a serious lilt.

Selene tilts her head, finally meeting his eyes, before the Fae male motions her efforts off, seemingly displeased. “I, uh, sorry?”

“You are one sheltered woman. Moving forward nonetheless, my name is Dorian. Captain of the Royal Guard. Though seeing as you’re not a usual around here, I’ll leave you be.” 

Selene finds it slightly odd he’d say a word to her or bother to introduce himself to her. He seemed a bit awkward too.

He pauses with a small sigh. “If you happen to hear anything about a murderer, please be sure to report it. Some incompetent fools managed to let a dangerous man escape. He’s an assassin for hire, so if you hear anything, it would help. It’s usually those who are far from social rings that get the best information.” 

With a small smile, Selene nods, though a shiver runs through her spine. An assassin in their area of the island? They are so far from the city of Venus, known for its criminal activity, that even knights avoid it. 

This person must be really dangerous if the Captain is involved. Though she thinks very little of it. 

“Go buy yourself a meal, miss…” Dorian leaves the sentence open, Selene realized that he must be waiting for a name.

“Selenetta…” She mumbles.

Now that is not a very human name. Dorian stares at her, his oceanic eyes looking her over for a minute, but brushing her off as he tosses a few spare coins toward the girl, she fumbled as she caught them. 

Something about her struck him oddly in the alleyway, but perhaps he’d been mistaken. “A pretty name. If we happen to cross paths again, you may call me Dorian, no need for the use of my title of Captian, it’s something mundane, really.”

“Thank you,” Selene smiled as she turned to go find herself food. She only realized how much he’d tossed to her when she had to pay. Ten closi and a crown. That’s… to her that’s a miracle amount of money. He must be loaded to casually spare a stranger this much.