[Open] Looking For Trouble In All The Right Places
Characters: Jennifer Walters, Open!
Content: Enjoying herself at the festival, but tired of crowds of people, Jennifer escapes to more quiet avenues only to find she might still have company.
Setting: The festival, just out past the town
Time: Afternoon
Warnings: None as of right now
( Pirates may most definitely apply! )
Content: Enjoying herself at the festival, but tired of crowds of people, Jennifer escapes to more quiet avenues only to find she might still have company.
Setting: The festival, just out past the town
Time: Afternoon
Warnings: None as of right now
( Pirates may most definitely apply! )
He had just finished a game at some stall (he lost) when he caught sight of Jennifer leaving.
Curious, he pushed through the crowd and followed her.
Why would she want to leave?
"Jenny!" He called with a wave when he was closer to the tree she was sitting under.
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"Do I really need so much?" He asked but otherwise accepted the money without complaint, not understanding just how much money he was holding exactly, only that it was much more than he had brought with him.
When her expression softened, Ryuuki smiled as well, "you're such a nice person, Jenny."
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Of course, she did not mention that she was rarely herself. She was always on duty, always Lady Jennifer, or Ambassador Walters, and even off duty, she seemed to be on duty. But not with Ryuuki. She could not be, not with one of the few friends she had as a child that would still speak to her.
"Probably not," She replied to his other question. "But I do not want you to find yourself lacking. Besides, I have more than enough to spare. Now, watch out for pick pockets, and dishonest vendors. I have not met many in this town, but they are always around when there are tourists."
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Likewise, Ryuuki didn't mention how he used to sometimes wonder if he even existed when he was a child. It was hard to tell when not even the servants girls gave him a cursory glance. But there were always two people that reminded him he existed. Always two people who would smile at him.
"You always were."
And he paid attention to what she was telling him. Such an amount of attention that most of his old tutors would have considered it a miracle.
So...watch out for pick-pockets and dishonest vendors...that sounded easy enough.
As for budgeting...
"Why didn't they teach me anything useful!?" It was something he had asked himself all to often since he left home.
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She smiled at him and sat back. "You should try just a few new foods each day, and just a few games each day. It will help. But I hope you will find time to go to some of the events too. I am sorry you can not come to the political panel. I hope to have more than a few people on my side when I begin arguing for demi-human rights. I fear I will be standing quite alone that day."
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He couldn't say he was too sorry about not being able to go. He knew on some level that politics were important but not having had any actual experience with it, felt it was more trouble than anything.
Then Jennifer brought up demi-human rights and that reminded him of something.
"One of my old tutors," He was one of the ones Ryuuki had particularly disliked, whose eye twitched whenever vexed, "He always said that demi-humans were below humans. Dirty."
He didn't have the chance to meet many people, being always locked at home, so demi-humans were out of the question. But he after meeting Dimo and Fox, he couldn't imagine why anyone could say something like that about them. They were the only demi-humans he had met thus far, so his definition of what demi-humans are, is reflected by that.
"Why would anyone say that?"
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"Unfortunately, human beings do not understand demi-humans yet. Thus they react with fear when they think about other people who can do something extraordinary. I wish it were different, but it is the way of the world. When science finally proves that demi-humans are humans after all, just a little different, then things will be better."
She smiled at Ryuuki. "I know that it is not true though. Mostly through experience. I have met so many wonderful demi-humans that I know that fighting for their civil rights is the most important thing I can be doing with my life right now."
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He had never desired the powers and prestige that came with being born into the Shi family, and politics seemed, from what he had been taught, seemed to be merely a game of manipulation. But maybe...
"I hope the day everyone is treated fairly would come sooner." He said sincerely.
...if politics were something that could help people...
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Jennifer smiled at him handed him the last pastry. "Of course, another advantage being that I get to see you again. I feel very comforted having you near."
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"Me too. But," He stared the pastry in his hand as if it may hold the answers to all his problems, "I wish there was someway I could help."
It took him a moment to realize what it was exactly he was holding in his hand.
"T-this is the last one?" He asked with wide eyes. He had eaten all of them? When did that happen?!
"I'm sorry!" He all but shoved the pastry in her direction, "You have this one!"
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Jennifer held his other hand, and squeezed it gently. "If you can help me somehow, I will always let you know. I promise. My opinions are very unpopular. I may be calling upon you for personal protection if nothing else."
Her tone was light, but she was quite serious. There were not as many people who felt the way she did about demi-human rights. After the political panel, she was certain she was not going to make very many friends.
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Truth be told, he was aware that even if he bore the name Shi that he had little in terms of influence, but he had confidence in his own abilities.
So he squeezed back when she took his hand.
"You only have to ask."
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"In fact, I believe I will call upon your services now to walk me back to Serenity. I want to make sure all my packages have arrived, and to try on the gown I bought today for the gala. I had some alterations made so I wish to ensure that it looks as lovely as I think it will be." Jennifer said, nodding a bit before beginning to pack up her things.
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Though he thinks that no dress could make her look lovelier than when she had been talking about demi-human rights. There was a glimmer in her eyes that gave her a sort of grandeur that no amount of jewels or silks could mimic.
But she wouldn't believe him if he said so anyways.
"I'm sure it will look wonderful." He said while helping her pack up.
When the last of it was put away, he offered his arm the way his etiquette tutor had always taught him, but never actually seen him do.
"Shall we?"
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"Something tells me the revelry will be going on all night every night until the flowers stop." She commented, smiling as she saw people carrying on outside of taverns.
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The sounds of the town were louder now and he could start to pick out individuals sounds.
Vendors selling their wares or calling people to play the games.
Laughter.
He looked up at the falling flowers with awe, "It's so amazing."
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