Le Parc Commémoratif - The Memorial Park.

... What could have happened to her, that would make her sad? Even when I am angry, she is not. 

Alecos looked moderately startled when she suggested hugging him. 

"Uh..." cough "No... Don't do that..." cough cough 

He coughed, desperately trying to cover his embarrassment with any remaining dignity he has. He certainly hoped girl had jokes. 

Alecos was content to walk slowly around the garden, smiling at her gift of the beautiful flower, shining like spun gold in the mid-afternoon sun, as he considers her question for a moment.

"For the moment... Well, I don't really see myself going anywhere, or needing to do so. I'm a free agent, really. I think, for now, at least, I'm going to stay here in Travere. Why do you ask?"

As he asked that, he gave a side-long, casual glance to see how she reacted.

Alecos caught her reaction in his glance, and wondered what she was thinking.

She couldn't possibly think of me that way, could she...? I mean, we've only just met... and I've been downright horrible to her. No. I must be interpreting it wrong. 

Although it it would be nice if it was true. 

Alecos coughed lightly, saying, "I suppose we are - if you are okay with that, that is. I'd enjoy spending more time getting to know you. Would you perhaps like to join me tomorrow night for dinner at the Forge Fire Tavern? I'll hire out a private table."

This woman standing beside him was beautiful, and sweet, and kind, and considerate, and they were all things that Alecos was lacking from his life. He would enjoy it if they were friends. He would enjoy it very much. 

She surely can't feel how I thought earlier. That must be wrong. 

Surely. 

She's so excited... We're going out for dinner, not on a d- oh. 

Barely managing to keep his voice level, Alecos said, 'So, it's a date, then? I'll be by your bakery at sundown to pick you up."

As she talked about how glad she was to have met him, Alecos imperceptibly shifted, uncomfortable by the fact that his feelings may not be reciprocal. "I'm... I'm glad too. I don't know why, but things feel different now that you're around. Happier, almost. Brighter. Better."

Imagine if I was standing here, making a fool of myself and she didn't feel like I do. 

No. I mustn't let that happen. I won't jeopardise our friendship because of what might be. What is now, is fine. 

Not perfect, but... fine. 

Alecos started to shift his arm to stop her, before realising she intended to pull her hand away, and felt... disappointed when she did. "I don't find you annoying in the slightest." He idly wondered who had said that, and whether there was a story behind it.

As she averted her eyes from the path before them to the lovestruck couple, Alecos noticed, and so followed with his eyes. Although he didn't know how Eleniel felt, he felt the same way.

Why... Why can't I share that? Share that with her? I... That is what I want, but is it worth trying for that to end a good thing? 

I don't even know anymore. 

He forced himself to put away that piece of loneliness, the pieces of hope that Len brought him. He forced himself to lock them in and forget what the key was. 

As Eleniel came to a halt and looked up to him, Alecos looked into her eyes and could tell her smiling was fake. He desperately stopped the hesitant tears from welling up in his eyes as he faked a smile, too, saying, "Thank you very much for joining me. I'll... I'll see you tomorrow."

After she turned and walked away, he stood there, hand out, about to ask her to stay, but then the smile fell from his face, and a single drop of water from the welling of his eyes started to roll down his cheek before he angrily dashed it away and turned, striding back towards where he'd have to exit the gardens to get back to his place of residence.

Why do you even hope, you old fool? She surely has hundreds of suitors lined up to see her, with virtues far greater and lovelier than yours. You're just damaging yourself, letting this happen. After all, why would she ever want a broken old elf, who has no material possessions besides the clothes on his back?

He knew there wasn't a realistic answer to that question, and that hurt him most of all. 

Edward could tell Reu's mind was elsewhere. This time though it seemed she was thinking of positives rather than dwelling on the negative. Gavins request it met with a smile. Taking the dog for a walk in the park was certainly an excellent suggestion. He flips his glasses onto his forehead and waves his hand. Karrik appears with an indignant squawk. The raven is accompanied by a fluffy boulder. It had been nearly seven months since they had acquired Paulie and he was almost full grown. The dog was almost three feet at the shoulder and was still growing, he was easily two or three times Gavin's size. He had maintained his puppy like temperament though, thanks to pleanty of exposure to Gavin and other dogs. The dog lumbers to his feet and trots over to Gavin lather the boys face with doggy kisses.

Gavin carefully climbed up onto Paulie's back and together they began to trot around the park. "Giddy-up!" They trotted around the trees, bushes, and flowers. Paulie's massive form might have been mistaken for a hostile creature had it not been for the small, giddy child riding it. Nearby tourists would come and pet Paulie as Gavin answered question.

"He's seven months old!"

"His name is Paulie!"

"No, he doesn't bite!"

"What's neutering?"

The person who asked THAT question was smacked on their bicep by one of the other tourists. "UMM IT'S nothing sweetie don't worry about it, can I pet the dog?" Of course Gavin agreed, though with a raised eyebrow.

This went on for a couple of minutes until Gavin and Paulie got bored of the attention and started chasing squirrels around the park.