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~RP~

Ariana walked in for her shift at exactly 8:00 am. There were already a few people in the café - it opened at 7:30 - but the place was always busiest for lunchtime. Ariana slid behind the counter and took her apron off of the hook where it always could be found. She nodded to the cook and then picked up her order-taking notepad.

A glance around the café told her that everyone sitting there at present already had food in front of them. Ariana took a bin of clean silverware and started setting the empty tables. She kept one eye on the door, waiting for a customer to appear.

((So... I am not good at starting out with long posts so... if anyone feels like walking in feel free.))

Yasmine peeked through the cafe window before hesitantly entering the place, her posture hunched over, making herself out to be smaller than she was. And trust me, Yasmine was pretty small. Her shoulders were aching, as well as her midrift; Her father had been drunk again last night. She shook this off, scuttling into the food place somewhat shyly, her ebony black tresses falling over her face and masking the bruise that lay on her left cheekbone. It probably looked a lot worse than it was, considering she had pale skin, and her dark hair made the contrast look even more stark.

It wasn't that bad, she told herself. One day everything would go back to normal. Her father wouldn't be angry with her no longer, and they could be a proper family unit once more. She had been waiting for that day for four years now, and it was the one thing she refused to give up on. Yasmine may not be a lot of things, but she certainly didn't lack when it came to being optimistic. When it came to hope. She planned on heading over to the library next, since she worked there after all. She was simply stopping by here to grab something and go. She shuffled herself up to the counter, making sure to keep her head lowered so as to hide her facial injury, and waiting to be served.

A girl walked in with a hunched posture. Ariana watched from the corner of her eye as the girl shuffled over to the counter. She shifted the bin of silverware onto her hip and walked over to where the girl was waiting. The girl's head was down as if she were trying to have as little interaction with the world as possible.

"What can I get for you?" Ariana asked. Something made her voice sound soft and gentle. Was it pity? This girl seemed fragile. Ariana wondered if she should ask the girl if she was alright, but it wasn't her place. For all she knew, her customer could be a noble who would have her executed for nosiness.

Ariana sighed inwardly. Secretly, she hated the division between classes. It didn't seem fair that some people could be simply superior to others just because of how they were born. Of course, she would never, ever voice this opinion out loud.

Yasmine made sure that she didn't lift her head up, simply glancing at the sweet and savoury treats that were behind the glass and pursing her lips momentarily. She had made a deal with herself to pick something up for Lily as well, and knew her little sister would no doubt be happy with absolutely anything. The little girl was like a little ray of sunshine, honestly. It was hard not to find her happy. After contemplating for a moment nodded to herself.

"I'll have a gingerbread man and a sausage roll please." She decided offhandedly, already reaching into the pocket of her coat and fishing around for some money, placing it on the counter and sliding it toward the girl, all the time not making any eye-contact whatsoever. No. That would be too risky.

Weird. Ariana found herself wishing that this strange customer would look up and meet her gaze. She scrutinized her for one long second, but the girl showed no sign of lifting her head. Ariana moved to the glass case and wrapped the order in brown paper. She took the money and got the right change, then put both the food and the money on the counter in front of the girl.

"Here you go, ma'am." Ariana paused for a moment. This girl was mysterious. Ariana found herself more and more curious as the seconds passed. Why was the girl so withdrawn? What made her not want to look at anyone?

Yas glanced back and fourth as she waited for her food to be passed over to her, continually glancing behind her to check nobody had entered the cafe, before face the girl once more, face still obsecured by her hair. She continued to look down at her feet, tapping them against the floor slightly as she waited and at the sound of the brown paper bag rustling lifted her head only slightly. Not enough to show the brusing however.

"Thank you." Her voice was still quiet, but she made sure to be polite, first reaching for the change and shoving that back into her pocket before reaching for the bag. She made the smallest hint of eye contact, nodding her head in thanks once more before slowly backing away and making a beeline for the door, disappearing in moment with a quick "Goodbye" and "I'll see you around".

There. The briefest moment of eye contact. Her mysterious customer's were grayish blue. "You're welcome," Ariana replied, but the door was already swinging shut behind the girl. Ariana watched her go, puzzled. Well. That's surely my dose of excitement for the day, she thought.

Ariana picked up her bin of silverware and went to set the last two tables. The rest of the customers in the café were completely oblivious to the strange events that had just taken place. She finished setting the tables, made a quick round of the café to make sure everyone was satisfied, then went back one hind the counter. Ariana wasn't quite sure what to do with herself now.

Arriving at the Cafe with Esme, Basile helped her into a seat first before taking one himself. Yep, that was Basile, being the perfect gentleman towards his wife to be. Was it because he has to be or was he really a gentleman underneath it all. Not even Basile knew that much, but he was going to figure it out by talking to Esme. The girl he was supposed to marry. The girl he was going to try to love. Or at least he would learn to love her. No wait, that sounded bad.

Basile smiled over at Esme as a girl came over to ask what they would like. "Order whatever you would like," he told her. Money was obviously not an issue with him, and he knew that if she hasn't eaten yet that it would be best to leave the ordering up to her. Basile has been there once before with a friend, so he knew what he wanted, though he thought about being adventurous, but the Cafe really didn't offer that many choices. It was a cafe, not a restaurant. Maybe at a later time he should take Esme somewhere actually nice to eat, show her that he would always care after her once they married. After all, he wanted her to be happy in the marriage even if he wasn't her first choice, or a choice at all.

(x.x not even worth the wait
i'm so sorry mal)

(Cher, it's fine, babe. Really it's not bad (: )

Esme wasn't surprised, him being a gentlemen and all. She was happy to say the least though, she had never bothered with eyeing men before knowing it wouldn't matter in the long run but she leaned towards the ones more like Basile. The ones who had a smile and a charming way around things. She didn't much knew what they had here, her mother and father were a keep to high status sort of people. They rarely went out to places like this if ever. Emeralds eyes looking up at the waitress through her lashes she parted her lips to speak. Esme didn't end up ordering all to much to be honest, but didn't mind it was just nice to know she seemed to be in good hands for the future. Besides it didn't take all to much to fill her up so she so darn small. "So I'm assuming you've been here before?" She wondered aloud, tipping her head and folding her hands into her lap. It was a habit that she'd been taught to have since she was very young. It was tedious at times and caused frustration but right now she felt at ease. "Forgive me of I'm wrong it just seems like you know your way around." Esme observed. Curios to how much time he spent in town amongst all classes versus their very own. It was obvious she spent more time amongst other nobles in the higher district, whether it be her clothes or manner it didn't matter she just didn't seem like she came here much. Not that she didn't have the mind too, in fact most of the time she wanted to flung open the front doors and make her way to actually talk to other people in the society.

(;-; if you say so)


At her question, Basile pursed his lips as he thought over how to answer it. Despite how he acted, and how he disobeyed his parents, Basile didn't actually hang around where the common folk lived all that much. He would come with a friend once in a while if he felt like it, but he mainly stuck with his own social class as his family has an image to keep up. Wouldn't want to be seen with the commoners for too long, rumors would spread and that was the last thing the Delacroix family wanted. Finally he settled for a shrug as if it was no big deal. "No, I have come around here a few times," he admitted. "But not often. Wouldn't want to give my dear old mother a heart attack." He chuckled, sitting up properly as he was taught to do. Though he wanted to slouch back in the chair, lounge around as he waited for the food to arrive, but he was in the presence of a lady so he must act like a gentleman would. "You haven't been around here much?" he asked. "I assumed you would know your way around since you certainly know your way to the library." Now Basile wasn't accusing her of anything, simply stating an observation and nothing more. "But I am glad that I get to show you around a little. Perhaps after this we should take a stroll through the market place." He smiled over at her, wondering just what kind of girl she was.

(Seriously, it's all good (: )

Esme laughed a bit in return, giving a little shake of her head. She had not in fact been here all that often, she knew vaguely where things were but, for example, never would've been able to find this cute little place. Not in her lifetime. Not to mention that whenever she was here the common folk simply didn't seem to talk with her. Hence the library; A Safe Haven perhaps. "Afraid I'm much the same way, my mother and father make something for me to do in whatever free time I actually have. So it probably be best if I weren't here," she lifted her shoulders innocently. "But what can they do to stop me, right?" It was rhetorical so she went on rather easily with the conversation after that. "The Market?" She asked, wondering there for a minute, "I will admit that's one place I've actually never been." But that didn't break the deal, in fact it strengthened the idea of going. Her mind was full of things you could do down here yet her status permitted her from many. However, this wasn't one of them. Briefly she wondered if Basile was just one of those people that had easy access to memory, like see something once and you're able to do it, or navigate it again. He said he wasn't here often but he was able to show her around. Esme wasn't doing in accusing herself though, she was only letting her mind wander off, but quickly tighter herself back on the path. "I think I'd like that actually." She smiled back to him in return, heart nervously fluttering in her chest as she twisted her fingers together.

"You've never been to the market?" Basile grinned, not all that surprised actually. Not many Nobles would waste their time there, not that he understood why since it was filled with interesting people and many wonderful things. Nope, most Nobles would simply send their servants to gather things from there and that was it. Good thing Basile wasn't like most Nobles - exploring was one of things he was best at. "It's fun, though you have to be careful. Some people like to cheat you our of your money, but you'll have me around, so no need to worry." He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling at how this might play out. Maybe he was wrong about Esme, maybe there was more to her than met the eye. After all, she was willing to walk around the Market with him. Any girl who was like that couldn't possibly be bad, right? At least by his standards. The waitress came back, setting the food down in front of the both of them before leaving again. "So, what else do you like to do in what little spare time you do have?" he asked.

Esme’s cheeks grew rosy and she wrapped a stray strand of hair around her finger, shyly looking down at the solid surface of the cafes table. It sounded silly, never having been to the market, it was a place with so many people of so many different kinds. Flickering her gaze back up to him her lips lifted again slightly but she stopped herself from smiling to wide. Was she smiling to much? It sort of felt like that, but then again maybe she just wanted him to actually like her. I mean if they didn’t end up loving each other would it be so bad to actually be friends? Though she hoped that it wasn’t an awkward sort of marriage, she had spent her whole life waiting to meet the man she was matched with and couldn’t stand the thought of him not liking her. Deciding that her smiling was partially because of pressure she let out a quiet sigh to calm her brain. “You know,” Esme moved away from the table slightly as the waiter set down their food, but was back to her position again in a moment, giving her a thankful smile. “I don’t really know. It’s sounds stupid, not to know I mean, but I just … don’t.” she took a sip of her drink, thinking of a way to hopefully make herself seem less boring because her answer seemed ridiculous. Very bland compared to just himself in general, even knowing him for such a sort amount of time. “I think there’s more I want do to versus what I have done.” Esme nodded a little, trailing her fingers around the rim of her cup.

"What do you want to do then?" He asked after a moment. Basile took a bite out of his food, happy he thought about going there. It has been a few weeks since he was last there so he wasn't sure if the food was as good as he remembered it. He was more than happy to find out that it was indeed still very very good. This was turning out better than he expected it to be, after all he originally thought Esme was just another one of those spoiled rich girls like his sister. Maybe he shouldn't think something like that about Marie, but it was no secret that his baby sister was spoiled rotten - Basile just hoped she would change her ways before she married. Though most Noble women tended to act like spoiled children, so maybe she would fit right in. Basile shook his head, focusing his thoughts back to Esme. He smiled again, finding her smile rather beautiful. Man. She was beautiful. Technically everyone there was, but somehow Esme stood out from the rest. "You don't have to worry about something sounding stupid to me. I have a younger sister, I've heard . . . she's just very special." Basile cleared his throat, praying Esme wouldn't take anything he said the wrong way. "I mean, just, I would love to hear what you have done and what you would like to do."

Esme only laughed, finally deciding that she didn't have to worry about just saying as she pleased. About being herself perhaps was a better way to put it. She took a bit out of her own small portion of food, scooting her chair in closer as she took another sip of her drink. "Don't worry, I can relate to younger sisters, then again my brothers can be a bit out of sorts too." Though Saxon generally stays in line. She bit her bottom lip, thinking. Oh so many things she would like to do, what was number one on the list? Well as wasn't sure this was the one but it was the first to pop into her mind so she smiled and went for it. "Anyway, I would love to go horseback riding. I know the animals are more common on the farming class, but ... It seems elegant, a skill hard to master but worth it. You know?" She didn't know if he knew honestly but with the relief of nerves lifting inch by inch off her shoulder she felt much more comfortable expressing herself and actually saying it. Maybe it was his smile - my goodness was this match actually a good one? Or was she simply finding him so lovely because of the idea of marriage. A life together determined for them.

"I actually only have one younger sister, that's Mariette. Then I have two brothers, Damien and Zach. Zach's the youngest in the family." Basile sat back in his chair, thinking about Marie for a second. "Mother is trying to marry her off to someone already, except she's only seventeen now so I'm not sure why mother is in such a hurry," he mumbled, but shrugged. "I met one of your brothers when I came around to ask where you were, forgot his name though, but I liked him." He smiled over at Esme, finding this rather nice. Talking to her was easier than he thought it was, making him happy he decided to do this. It was funny that it was because of the engagement he even has the chance to get to know her, though Basile wasn't sure yet if it was a good thing or a bad thing. "Horseback riding? You've never been?" He asked, raising a brow at her. That was strange, even Mariette knew how to ride a horse. It wasn't common among the Nobles to know such an activity, but the Delacroix family was known for being very well-rounded, doing a few things most others wouldn't do. Horseback riding was seen as a form of art, and it was a cherished past-time among the Delacroixs. Smiling once again, Basile said, "I could always teach you if you would like." Well, Basile was no master when it came to horses, but he wasn't about to let her know that. He was the sort of guy who enjoyed showing off, which was why he was excited to show her around the Market. It was one way to impress her.

Esme vaguely smiled, his family sounded rather similar to hers, "Then you probably met Quinton," she said, not that she didn't love both of her brothers, in fact he could have easily met Saxon. It just seemed like he was more like that of her oldest brother. She finished the scone rather delicately, not to be elegant or pompous, she ate everything lightly. Habit. Sipping down the food she shook her head a little, "I know it's seen in noble families a lot; my brothers go out sometimes and everything, my father as well. I was put on a horse multiple times as child but I never actually learned how to ride. If I did then I just must've been terrible at it because I haven't been on a horse in ages." She giggled despite herself, wondering about this boy and what was going on up in that head of his. "That's ... Awfully kind of you, it would be an honor if you really wanted to." She said lastly, cheeks puckering pink, wondering briefly if she were talking to much about herself. After all this was a two way street, she wanted to know him as well. It was obvious he milled around here sometimes, it was also obvious that he at least knew how to ride a horse seeing as he was offering it up to her, but aside from his lucks and charming personality Esme knew little to nothing about Basile Delacroix. Waving a hand she crossed her ankles under the tables, her feet standing on tip toes, swishing left to right. "But what about you, what do you do in your free time?"

At her question, Basile sat back in his chair and thought over the best way to reply to that. He already finished eating, so an empty plate sat before him. Now this was going to be difficult to answer because he could either be honest with her or be vague. He thought about being vague seeing how most of things he did on an every day basis was looked down upon most people, especially girls. How would he know this? Marie told him all the time. Taking in a deep breath of air, Basile let it out slowly as he finally leaned forward. "What I do in my spare time isn't really all that acceptable by most people. I tend to do anything that will amuse me, whether it's being up to no good with Damien, or taking a long walk wherever my feet may take me," he answered. Basile shrugged, unsure how else to say it without telling her too much about his extra activities. Though he felt bad that she told him so much and he hardly told her anything. "Okay, let me start over again. I do many things in my spare time, but only because I have a lot of spare time on my hands. I basically like doing whatever possible just to keep myself busy, but I also have my lazy days."

Esme actually rose her eyebrows, it was a curious answer she had admit, but waved it off easily. If he didn't want to give her specifics then ... "Well I suppose I'll find things out as we go along, hm?" she smiled softly. Looking across the table she saw that they had both finished with lunch, perhaps it was time for that walk he'd offered up through the market. Reaching for her napkin she crumpled up the little brown square in her hand, "I think I'm done if you wanted to head out. Maybe along the way you can tell me more about, well, about whatever." Hobbies or not she was determined to get to know him. After all the more you talked with a person the better you could understand their personality. Truthfully she was just being her normal sweetheart, only hoping that it wasn't coming off as any forceful she shut her mouth again, the edges of her lips coming up a tad. In time Esme was sure she would be less shy around him, she would have to be, or at least she wanted to be. Really thinking about Basile having a lazy day was a tad bit amusing, not that she didn't have them when she could, but still comical.

"Yes, we shall go to the Market now," Basile agreed with a grin. He got up and walked over to Esme to help her out of her seat before offering his arm to her once again. "You don't have any big plans today, do you? I wouldn't want you to be late for anything." Funny that he would say that since he was going to be late to the party his parents' were hosting in a few hours. However, as long as his siblings were there, they probably wouldn't note his absence until later. Plus, if he explained to them what he was doing then things would be alright. With another easy smile, Basile left some money on table, including a tip, and then led Esme out of the cafe. Maybe she would get what he meant earlier after a small stroll through the market; after all, his activities were a little hard to explain.

Esme took his arm for the second time today, gratefully thanking him, tossing out her empty cup and napkin as they left. She shook her head, “Oh no, nothing that we haven’t done before I’m sure, it’ll be alright to be away for a little while longer.” She said reassuringly, smiling over in his direction. It was true she had nothing to do and it took another moment until she blinked and realized maybe she was occupying his own time. Despite him saying he had plenty of free time she was sure he could easily have somewhere else to be. “Oh but tell me I’m not taking up your time?” she questioned. “Because really if I am we can take our walk later.” She bit the edge of her lip, unsure.

(Shall we transition over to the market soon or wait until later? ^^)

Layla followed David into the cafe and walked over to the counter. She looked over the menus on the wall, deciding what to order. "So, are you planning on getting food with your coffee?" she asked, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. It hadn't taken long for her to notice her fiance's strange obsession with coffee. Layla was sure it couldn't be healthy, but it wasn't exactly her biggest problem and if it kept him sane, then she didn't have a problem with it. "I'll have a lemon ginger tea and a grilled chicken sandwich," she said. "Oh, and a small salad," she added. Turned out she was hungrier than she'd thought.

Layla frowned. "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?" she asked. They'd been out for a couple hours and she doubted he'd eaten anything since lunch. She shrugged. She wasn't his mother and couldn't force him to eat, so she decided to just let it go. Layla paid for her food and looked around for an open table. It was early evening and the cafe was a little crowded, but not too bad. "Where do you want to sit?" she asked him.

Layla nodded. "Sounds good to me," she said, walking over to the table and sitting down. She looked out the window for a moment and thanked the waitress when she brought Layla her meal and David his coffee. "Mm, this looks good," she said, taking a bite of her sandwich. "And it tastes even better. Want a bite?" she asked David. Layla still couldn't understand why someone would want to consume that much coffee. Didn't he ever get sick of it?

((Sorry for the crappy post, I just woke up :/))

((We could time skip. Anything in particular you want to happen?))

((Well then we should stop spamming here and get on with our 1+1))