i'm learning to enjoy the taste of chaos

Strangely, his heart didn't ache nearly as much when he thought of her. Perhaps his feelings of adoration had finally faded for good. He did miss her, no doubt. She was a wonderful, strong woman, but when he thought of her, he didn't think about his unrequited feelings; he thought of how she saved him from himself. How she considered him a friend, willing to stop him from ending his life, with the promise that things would be better for him if he would just live. He owed her a lifetime of gratitude for such friendship.

He wondered if he would ever see her or their companions ever again. He truly hoped he would.

Gale decided that he would go to the Market as it was his usual day to do so. Perhaps he would buy some proper cleaning supplies to give his tower a good scrub. That would certainly help, and he would feel less embarrassed when he asked his mother and sister for assistance again.

He wore light clothing, just a nice pair of purple cotton breeches and a white cotton shirt that he laced halfway up. He rubbed his chest at the scar left on his chest even after the Orb and its purple markings had been removed, and sighed.

After grabbing his small wired grocery cart, he left his home. Tara was nowhere to be found, so he assumed he was with his mother. Or perhaps with the Blackstaff, those two seemed to get along well, and he often found the two having tea together. He traveled to the Market, and it was fairly busy. The hustle and bustle of Waterdeep's citizens filled his heart with joy. Oh, how he had missed his wonderful city and its busy streets. With the scent of the sea in the air, and the griffons overhead.

He started to gather his groceries. A loaf of crusty bread from the baker, smoked fish for the angler, bacon from the butcher, some potatoes, onions, and garlic. He should buy some fruit, as well. Some nice strawberries, perhaps some peaches. It sounded lovely.

There were many fruits and vegetables he passed by, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested in the large cucumbers he saw. Perhaps he could pickle them! It was hard to beat a nice pickled cucumber with a sandwich. As he was paying for his cucumbers, he saw her out of the corner of his eye, looking at the blackberries.

Yrelia was holding a large wicker basket on her elbow. She wore a sunhat and a rather…pretty floral dress. It came to her knees, and the top was a little below her collarbone. The sleeves flowed nicely down to her elbows. A very well-made summer dress. He was sure Mirabella had crafted it for her.

Gale smiled. Seeing his friend was a wonderful occasion! Perhaps he could finally ask her if she wanted to visit his tower for dinner and entertainment. He had thought of inviting over many of his friends for another dinner party, but he wasn't sure if she would come. She seemed awfully uncomfortable around a group of people. He was certain that a small evening get-together with wine and puzzles would be lovely.

He walked over to her, and she didn't seem to realize that he had approached her. He looked at her shadowed face and realized she had some dark circles under her eyes. She looked…exhausted. Like she hadn't slept in days. Her eyes were fairly dull, and she looked as if she wasn't paying attention to her task.

He cleared his throat. "Yrelia?"

He watched as she jumped in her skin and looked over to him. Ah, yes. He could see how tired she was. It took her a moment to recognize him.

"Oh, Gale," she greeted with a tired smile. "It's good to see you. How can I help you today?"

Gale returned her smile, though his was more concerned than hers. "Perhaps I can help you." She cocked her head inquisitively. "Do you drink coffee?"

"I…yes, I do. Why?"

"There's a wonderful cafe nearby. Let me buy you a cup. You look dreadfully tired."

Her brows shot up, and her mouth was slightly agape. "Do I look that horrible?"

"Horri- Oh! No! Lia, apologies. I hadn't meant to imply you look 'horrible'." Gods. He felt like all that he could do was put his foot in his mouth around her. He was supposed to be a suave gentleman! Not some inconsiderate fool! "I had only meant that…gods," he groaned.

She stared at him for a moment before sighing softly. "No, I understand your intent." She smiled and waved her hand. "Thank you for your offer, and I think I will take you up on it." She yawned. "Helping Cyr and Amber with their daughter has been a bit exhausting."

"A daughter? Congratulations." Yrelia smiled at him. "You must be happy."

She turned to the merchant who had a grin on his face, and handed him some coin for her blackberries. "Yes," she sighed, "I'm happy for them, and I'm happy she is healthy." She yawned again. "Though I can't say I had missed the sound of a crying baby in the middle of the night."

Gale gestured with his hand towards the cafe. She started to walk on, and he placed his hand on the small of her back. She didn't seem to acknowledge it, and didn't think it offensive. "They are staying with you?"

"Oh, no. I'd been staying with them for the past few nights, just making sure everyone was settling in. This is my first day back home."

He nodded. "That certainly explains your exhaustion." And the fact her shop had been closed this past tenday. "I can't imagine what it would be like to live with a newborn."

She laughed as they walked down the busy street together. "It's no fun! I had honestly hoped to never hear it again, but those two needed some help, and I guess I still consider them my kids, so I was willing to help them for a few days."

Gale opened the door to the cafe. The faint scent of coffee from outside the building was nothing compared to the delightfully rich scent in the shop. It filled his lungs, sticking to his ribs in the most pleasurable of ways. He looked behind the counter at the blackboard, seeing the specials written in chalk.

What should he get? A latte? Perhaps a cortado? Maybe an affogato for this hot weather? Ristretto?

"Miss Rosewood!" He blinked out of his difficult decision to look at Yrelia. She smiled at the cafe owner behind the counter. "Miss Rosewood, it's been so long since I've seen your sweet, freckled face!"

"Yes," she said quietly. "It's been some time."

"You've been here before?" Gale asked, feeling a little embarrassed that he proudly brought her to this cafe as if she hadn't known about it.

"Ah. Yes. I used to come here with," she cleared her throat, "a friend. We haven't seen each other in some time, so I haven't been here since." She looked at him. "But it's good to be back with a new friend."

A wide grin grew on his face. He so loved it when she called him her friend. Honestly, he hadn't felt this pleased at being called a friend since his companions. He knew that Velnora would be proud of him for finding someone who so easily claimed to be his friend. He wondered if they were ever to meet, if they would get along. That was a wonderful thought.

"It's good to be here with you, as well," he said and flashed her with a handsome smile.

She blinked twice before turning her head to clear her throat again. She patted her cheek before taking a deep breath. "Shall we?"

"After you."

Gale ordered a salted honey latte, which was absolutely wonderful. The only way that it could be improved was if it were on ice. He must try that at home! Yrelia ordered a simple coffee with some cream. Nothing terribly fun or fancy at all. He did not say so, as he was certain that would annoy her. He did not want to annoy her. He spent most of his life being annoying to others; he'd rather not annoy her.

"Thank you," she broke his thoughts as they sat across from each other in the cafe. He smiled at her. "This means more than you realize."

Coffee meant more than he realized? No, that clearly wasn't it. It was his invite, his kindness, his willingness to see her exhaustion and attempt to relieve some of it. He was reminded of one of his first thoughts about her: that someone had hurt her deeply.

A former lover? A friend? Perhaps even a family member. She had traveled from Baldur's Gate to live in an unfamiliar city, away from everything she knew. What had her life been like before the City of Splendors? She must be awfully lonely in her home. No lover, no family, not even a pet. Just her plants.

He could certainly relate.

"You are more than welcome," he said with another dashing smile. "When I see my friend who needs a boost, I can hardly ignore such a thing. You are always welcome to travel with me to any cafe or restaurant."

Her lips twitched into a small smile. Her eyes twinkled a bit, as if she were starstruck. She truly was in need of a friend who would see past her kind and useful behaviors. Gods, he knew exactly what it felt like to need to feel useful. It truly made sense. Her discounts, her free leather to the Academy, the rare and expensive flowers she just gave away. She wanted to be kind. She wanted to be helpful. She wanted to be useful.

An all-too-familiar ache formed in his chest.

"Thank you either way. It is nice to rest with you. With a friend," she quickly added.

Gale grinned. An opportunity! "That reminds me," he started, and she smiled curiously. "I happen to have some puzzles in my tower. I'd love for you to come join me for dinner and examine them. If you please."

Yrelia's brows shot up as if she was shocked that he would ask his friend to have dinner at his tower. She opened her mouth and closed it, and Gale felt his stomach sink. Was she going to reject his offer? "I'd like that," she said softly.

"Wonderful!" His heart jumped in his chest. "Do you have a preference for a meal? I'm nothing like my father, but I am certainly most talented at cooking a wonderful meal for my friends."

She shook her head. "No, I'll eat just about anything."

"Ah, a wide palate. Always exciting when my friends are open to anything I can conjure in the kitchen."

A soft, grateful smile graced her lips. Staring at her face, at her sad eyes, and her tired smile, he knew…he just knew…that she was incredibly lonely. She had needed a good friend. She had needed companionship. Someone who wasn't a fellow merchant or a customer. Gale knew they had met through her donations to Blackstaff and his fellow wizards. And he knew those fellow wizards had a soft spot for her, but perhaps she wanted something else from someone else. Someone new. Someone who knew almost nothing about her.

There was a feeling in his chest that all of her friends had known her before whatever tragic thing happened to her, and he wondered if she thought they were pitying her. The reason that she enjoyed her friendship with him was that he wanted to be her friend despite not knowing a single thing about her. A new, organic friendship that they both wanted.

He took a deep breath and smiled at her. "Why don't we set a time and date, my friend? I am eager to make a splendid dinner spread for you."