A Hidden Gem

Klaus blinked, looking over the note as a frown crossed his face. No family or friends? Surely, she must have someone that she would want to contact. 

Though…he was hardly one to talk, at that point. It wasn’t as though he had family or friends to keep in contact with, either. In a situation like this, he would probably go on alone, as well. Though, that was hardly fitting for a young lady. He was older and long past his prime, so it was alright for him to be more of a lone wolf. 

“Surely, there must be someone you would want to notify…” Klaus spoke, looking up at her.

Keira huffed in frustration. She had clearly said - well, written - that there was no one for them to notify, yet he asked her again. Was it not clicking for him? She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t just leave it at that instead of reminding her that she was alone. A new fact in her life that she tried to forget with each passing day. She had no friends, no family, no home... The princess had honestly wished that the one responsible would have taken her memories, too.

The answer didn’t change from when he first asked, but this time it was much shorter and written with sad eyes.

Klaus waited for a moment, growing a little more confused when she chose to look around rather than answer his question. Was she being stubborn? Did she not want to speak to a stranger? He wouldn’t judge her if she did, especially with the way he looked. Perhaps he would get a younger doctor or nurse, someone with a friendlier looking face than he did…

But then she picked up a spare pen and paper pad, and wrote her name for him.

Oh.

“Oh…Keira,” Klaus spoke, “It’s nice to meet you, Keira. Would you…like me to call anyone for you? Your family…friends?” It was the least he could offer, if she could not speak herself.

Keira shook her head and took a moment to write another reply. She wasn’t sure why a stranger would stay to watch over someone like her, but she made it a point to let them know that they didn’t need to. Although she appreciated the concern, she didn’t need it.

Her confused expression only made him feel a little more concerned. Of course she would be confused, to wake up in an unfamiliar place. He took in a deep breath, attempting to look as friendly as possible. Which, albeit, was a difficult thing due to his more (in his eyes) rough appearance.

“My name is Klaus. I’m a police officer here,” he introduced, “May I have your name?”

Keira had been in the town long enough to know that nothing good would come from her trying to communicate with a stranger. More so in the sense that it was near impossible when there was no common ground; such as the other knowing sign language. So she did what she could in the moment and looked around in hopes that a forgetful doctor or nurse might have left a pen and some paper lying around. Luckily for her, whoever had settled her in did just that. 

Grabbing the paper pad and pen off the table beside her bed, she wrote down her name and nothing more.

/ * themuteprincess. 

Oh, so he did get her right the book! Angelo smiled to himself. But he had to wonder, why she couldn’t have said so in the first place. She must have been too polite, too thoughtful, too shy, he reasoned before glancing at her throat sympathetically.

Or she could be suffering a sore throat today. Makes sense.

The artist was about to pass the book to her at long last, as he really could just busy himself with another book—but to his surprise, she kept going! He tilted his head as the long-haired beauty continued to convey her thoughts through delicate movements once more.

In a comfortable silence, his patient gaze followed her index finger: From the book, to herself, and to the area where the tables were. It took a while, but as realisation overcame him, his indigo eyes widened slightly. “Read together?” He asked, almost inaudibly.

Angelo looked at her, then down at the book. Just when he thought she couldn’t surprise him further. What an interesting lady. His eyes gleamed as nodded to her request. Angelo led the way with the hundred-paged book about the technology and the culture in Pelagos Islands securely tucked in his folded arm.

Upon finding a nice spot to “read together”, he gently pulled a chair for the other before settling down beside her. He placed the book down between them, all the while maintaining an appropriate distance. (They were still strangers, after all.)

And for a while, it remained as silent as it did. Except now, it felt more uneasy.

Now what? He had never done this before. He glanced at her, then back at the book he had already flipped open. As much he enjoyed charades, the artist realised how difficult it might be to carry on their form of communication. And how easily awkward it could get with them being much closer than they were a few minutes ago.

So, Angelo held a finger up as if to say, Could you please give me a moment?

The brunet then, rummaged through his worn-out duffel bag that he had placed under the table. It was impossible for him to leave the apartment without a single drawing pad. He wriggled out a notepad and a pen between his other art materials. Leafing through his doodles and random ideas, he opened to a new page. And in dark ink—Angelo wrote in her peripheral view with his best penmanship:

───────『••✎••』───────── Hey. Sorry, I can’t help, but wonder if maybe, your throat is sore… or maybe you’re just really dedicated to keep silent in the library.

Whichever case, I hope this makes it easier for us to talk! ( ◠ ◡ ◠ )

- Angelo ────────────────────

Smiling, he motioned for her to take the pen.

It didn’t take long for the brunet to catch onto what she was suggesting. Although she wasn’t much of a people-person, from her own insecurities, she was willing to spare a few moments. After all, she was benefiting from it, too. The book had been checked out for awhile and with it finally back on the shelves, she had hoped that her turn wouldn’t have been too far in the future. It may have put her in an odd situation, but she was glad that the stranger was up for unexpected company.

Keira nodded in thanks as the other pulled out a chair for her to use and she took her seat, sweeping her long hair off to the side. It didn’t take long for her to immerse herself into the pages once he opened it, scanning every line and footnote. She had grown used to the silence between herself and the people in her presence; it had become her new life’s normal. And because of that, she hadn’t noticed that he was rather uncomfortable with it - until he moved to grab paper and a pen.

Her eyes moved from the pages to read over his note, then looked to him. She had hoped for a silent reading, but when inviting another with the ability to vocalize their thoughts... perhaps that was wishful thinking. They had a tendency to feel uneasy when it became too quiet with another nearby. Taking the pen from him she kept her response short and to the point.

╔═════ ☽༓‧͙･⁺˚*･‧͙ ༓☾ ══════╗            I’m unable to speak. ╚═════ ☽༓‧͙･⁺˚*･‧͙ ༓☾ ══════╝

Oh, thank goodness.

Klaus had found the poor girl passed out during his patrol through Leuda, and had been quick to carry her over to the hospital as soon as he could. And while he could have left to continue his patrol for the day…several things concerned him. So, he called into the police station and remained, deciding to stay if she came to, and to check-in if she didn’t by the time night fell.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait long.

“You’re finally awake,” Klaus spoke, “I found you collapsed somewhere. Do you need me to get the doctor?” 

Keira didn’t do much other than stare. Moments ago she could have sworn she had made her way back to the mines, yet, where she rested was definitely not the mines. She took a few more moments to look around the room, then the man that stood in front of her. He had raven-black hair with striking gold eyes; a combination that wasn’t very common.

Leia waited for the woman to say something following her arm movement, but nothing came. Maybe she was just a quiet person. Her nonverbal answer was enough to solve Leia’s question, so if she didn’t have anything to say, that was fine. She turned her attention to the array of jewelry the elegant woman motioned towards.

“Oh~ These are beautiful,” Leia remarked. The sparkling crystals were a sight to see, but a certain pearl ring caught her attention. Something about pearls Leia loved. Perhaps it was their common aquatic origin. Whatever it was, she had an affinity for the round stones.

“How much is that one?” She pointed to the ring with the pink pearl and rose gold band. Although Leia was enamored by it, the pink pearl would match Pia’s hair. It could be an early birthday present. A really early birthday present.

While the woman looked over the jewelry in the case, Keira took the time to step away and grab the board she kept behind the counter. When it came to her job it was easier to write what she needed to communicate rather than let the other guess what she meant. Every potential sale was important.

╔═════ ☽༓‧͙･⁺˚*･‧͙ ༓☾ ══════╗            That’s a beautiful choice.                           It’s...    

╚═════ ☽༓‧͙･⁺˚*･‧͙ ༓☾ ══════╝ 

Send me a number 1 thru 50 for a word that I’ll use to write a fluffy headcanon, drabble, or starter. Send 🔄  for a random number instead. (SOURCE)

Send a symbol and I’ll answer the question about my muse. (Or answer in character. Whatever works for you!)