Isabella Farris

Iz — [finally a smile broke through, one that would’ve never been seen on the lips of the man of old. This was Kayden in entire, the boy with the heart and not the man with no soul or sight.] you know baked goods will have me sitting in that chair for days. Especially if there’s a story involved. 

[With a broad smile, she couldn't help but usher him to sit as she readied herself a cup of tea and one for him too, and of course their was scones. Baking in excess tend to happen when she was frazzled, and what would be more frazzling than discovering everyone's life in this realm was false.] Speaking of which, please help yourself I've got more than I can spare and more stories to keep you here for weeks!

Don’t thank me yet.

I'll be sure to do that when the time comes, until then, peaceful sleep.

Sleep.

Alright, good night sir and....thank you.

{Muttering a soft, ‘finally’, under his breath into his tankard he took a long drink before leaving coin on the table for the meals and standing to his feet.} Your room is next to mine. I suggest getting some sleep. We’ve a long day tomorrow.

[She takes a moment after he speaks to muster up the courage to speak again, he was after all seeing her to safety, the last thing she wanted to do was anger him] And what if I cannot, sleep, that is? 

You ever shut up?

I'm simply trying to be friendly, if you'd prefer it I'll be quiet now. [Suddenly aware of how much she had been blabbering, she presses her lips tightly together.]

And there’s your biggest mistake.

Then how about, my fellow traveler? Does that suit you better, sir?

Could never forget you, sugar. You’d probably beat remembrance into me a with a tome. [his smile falters just a little, thinking of just how much he remembered and how much he would never need Iz to hit his memories back into him - they were all he saw at every moment, including now.] 

What a relief, good to know I'm not chopped liver or something. [Finding balance, the midway point between her true self and the one the rest of town would know her as, laughter with him had come easily to her and honest.] I would never do such a thing, I'd try a far subtler way with perhaps baked goods or long, fanciful stories.

Admitting your opponent is stronger than you makes you weak.

Ah yes, but you see I don't count you as an opponent, I see you as my friend. 

S’been alright, Iz. You? S’been a while hasn’t it?

I couldn't beg to differ, alright seems well enough to describe it. As I said, too long, [she teases, her smile the lightest it has been in days as she's relived to see him, well, alive and real.] for quite some time I'd thought you'd all but forgotten me.

Don’t apologize. It makes you seem weak.

Well I am certainly not strong like you, so perhaps that is somewhat true.

Sorry — hey - it’s me.

Kayden! Oh my darling, it's been far, far, far too long. How have you been?

Don’t call me that.

Oh....I'm sorry.

Then you might want to quit your starin’ before it isn’t just teeth you’ll be lookin’ at.

I wasn't staring, honest, besides nothing you say or do will scare me Tin Man. Not a thing.

Last night? That was anything but horrid.

Well that's splendid to hear then, one less troubled mind is something to be marveled at these days. [she smiles, warm and kind.] I've still a ways to go in closing up, so please take all time that you need ,Miss Carmine.

I got somethin’ in my teeth?

Nope, all I see are teeth.

Distracted? What do you mean distracted?

Just that your mind is elsewhere, most certainly not here though it is quite the place to lose it I've found. Of course it's simply a matter of my perspective, as far as I know you could have had a horrid nights sleep. 

Do I really look the type that needs help? I’ve got it handled, thank you.

You seem a very capable young woman, you simply seem....distracted. Are you sure there's nothing I can do? I good book, some pie and coffee perhaps?