Chapter 2 - 9 Stare...
Lowering his hands from his face, Koenwin locks eyes with the girl. Immediately he realises his misunderstanding and tries to assume a normal posture. Why was a young girl out here, at this time no less? Of course, Koenwin tries to play it off as nothing.
"Ahem... I was... practicing lines for a uh, a play." His words a so evidently a lie it's comical. Causing the girl's expression to only look more bewildered.
"You've been reading fairytales, haven't you Mr?"
"No!" Koenwin splurts out defensively. How could he of let himself be called out by a little girl?! Maybe it would of been better to just be eaten by a troll. At least then he wouldn't have had to been embarrassed. "I have never thought fairytales were real, not once. Ha, as if I would believe a fairytale..."
"Stare...."
'Why is she just staring at me?? Why did she say it out loud!?' All he could think of doing was forcing a smile. If he was lucky, maybe she would magically stop looking at him so strangely.
But no, the girl only stares at the flustered Koenwin. However, her expression suggests she is waiting for something, not so much making fun of him (but she definitely is). Stood out here, in the wilds of Sky Island 17 with no lighting, two people staring at each other. Quite the bizarre view for anyone who would happen to witness it. Though there isn't exactly anyone around, so perhaps it would entertain the owls... or the grass blades?
"You don't... recognize me?"
The girl rotates her head sideways as if saying Koenwin really should know who she is. Truthfully, it seems to upset her.
"Sorry, I'm not good with faces. Maybe you mistake me for someone else...?" He is quick to dismiss her claims. But his better half suggests he looks a bit more before jumping to conclusions. Thus, he squints his eyes to grasp at any defining features in the darkness. 'Hm... Soloren it seems... red hair... Red hair?'
"You're 'miss falling from the sky'!"
She smiles and quickly nods at his recognising her. Her smile soon faded at actually understanding his words and morphed more to embarrassment, followed with a muttered statement. "Why is that what you call me...?"
"Long time no see. What are you doing out here at this time...?"
"Ah well... Uh, Si-"
"Sightseeing? I thought so... You know it's probably not safe being out here."
"Probably... but I'm familiar with this Island." Noticing the covered sword hidden beneath the fluttering cloak, she gives him a quizzical gaze. "You have a sword? Why?"
"A sword...? Oh, right... Don't pay it any mind, let's just get out of this cold. Do you know a way to an inn?"
Koenwin sets off before the girl has time to confirm, gesturing for her to follow. Of course, with Koenwin's record of not being the greatest navigator, she is slightly apprehensive. However, with the cooling and developing night, being with someone regardless of how often they get lost is better than freezing. She'll be able to guide him this time anyway.
