A New Start

-Teanna looked around at the people walking so carelessly. It seemed almost as though they did not notice her. So funny, the way they moved, the way they pushed through the crowd to get where they wanted to be. Their clothes, oh yes of course, modern gender-less attire. The clothing she despised so very much. Teanna loved the old gowns. The beautifully designed corsets that shaped her tiny waist and accentuated her hips. She loved the layers of fabric that poured down her thin legs so gracefully. Those beautiful gowns that defined the female figure. She loved those. These clothes? The modern clothes? They were nothing. Shapeless pants and tight shirts that were so very uncomfortable.

"What may I eat?" Teanna whispered, her voice soft but audible, and no, not melodious, not dreamy, nor sensual in any way. Those voices made her giggle. Whore's voices. For only whores twisted their beautiful voices in such a way to please men. She liked her own voice, it was soft and naturally calming. The sort of voice one thinks of when reading a story, the carefully formed lips that open in a beautiful "O" shape to give the smoothest sounds. Yes, she was proud of herself. Teanna considered herself to be beautiful, but not as a modern beautiful. Her chest was almost shapeless, and her face was far too round, if it weren't for the bones that caught the light in such flattering ways, one would say she looked childish.

Her beauty was not the modern beauty, oh no. The vulgarly exposed malnourished bodies with breasts so big they make the women topple over. Her beauty was in her innocence, her words, her eyes, her movements, and her voice. Women looked down on her, for in all truth, she was not what a modern man wanted. She was not tall, she did not have large breasts, and she was not stupid and whoreish as these men wanted their women to be.

"But... May I bathe first?" She needed to scrub the dirt from her skin, to clean her hair. She wanted to sit on the corner of a bed and brush her hair, and sing. Oh yes, sing. She wanted to sing. People always told her that her voice had no depth, and therefore it was ugly. But she could reach high notes, she could sing praises to angels and Gods, to seas and creatures, because of that, because her voice hadn't been blessed with that depth. She didn't need to sing like a rock-star to be able to sing along to Beethoven's hymns.

Teanna was lost in thoughts, but she had caught his smile. How innocent he looked, how happy, how different. All the hate towards him was gone. All the anger was gone. All regret. She would soon be clean, and she would soon be fed. And she would start anew. That was all that mattered. A new beginning. Thanks to him and his idiocy. Teanna giggled. Maybe if she would have told him that she planned to leave, he wouldn't have burnt her home. Again, her fault, but she thought it wouldn't matter. She wanted to thank him, three little words : "Noah, thank you." It was so easy. But she could not utter them. They were blocked in her throat, she couldn't.

There were too many questions storming through her mind. Why was he so eager to show emotion around her? Why had he sat there watching her while she slept? Why had he let her sleep against him? Why did he feel the need to embrace her when she was sad? Why did his fingers touch her cheek the way they did, for it was not in disgust. And why was she so desperate for his company? Those questions irked her. But she would push them aside as only one word remained to sum them all up : "Why", and she would keep that word in mind. Maybe some day she could ask him. Maybe.-

People continued to move along around them, continuing on with their daily lives. Even in Nede, most things become routine. An average citizen wakes up in the morning, go out to work if they have a job, eat, sleep, and the days flow by. Then there's death. Some even die before their time. That was the typical lifestyle of a human being. Noah watched these people with curious eyes. He was eager to learn, to explore, and yet ... he's afraid of intimacy with people in any way. As far as he knows, the mundane life of a human doesn't really appeal to him. He couldn't ever be satisfied, trapped in one place for long, facing the same task over and over. There was absolutely nothing about it exceptional to him. Noah lives off of thrill. The excitement as he travels the land of Aenied, facing whatever impediments that happen to come his way. That's the life Noah prefers. But perhaps that is also the only life he knows to live.

Broken out of his reverie, Noah turned his dark pools towards Teanna. His eyes were coals, at times coming alive, whilst at other times steady and calm. Noah has honest eyes. "Fish." Noah hadn't been able to have fish in awhile. The past days, all he got was a single bowl stew, which is hardly adequate. Maybe Teanna likes fish? There are few restaurants in Nede, which is rather strange in such a culturally diverse location. There was a single place with seafood, but to Noah the flavor was insipid. Perhaps that is because the seafood that they accumulate are from the lake to the far east, which is quite far away. It'd be a long journey to transfer the fish all the way to Nede, and by then, it wouldn't really be that fresh.

People glanced by his way, but Noah did nothing to acknowledge them. It's not that he doesn't think them deserving of his company. He's just shy, and socially awkward. Most of the times when people have concerns, they'd find Noah for whatever he can offer. It's not that he's exceptionally friendly or social’able. It's because that assisting them is his job as a council member. Otherwise, people would often whisper about him. The Aenites questioned just how much Noah could do for Aenied, when he seems so reserved and haughty. Good looks don't go a long way. People can still detest you for your mannerisms. They'd say, how unfortunate it is that such a good-looking, capable young man is so arrogant and proud. But Noah need not explain. All that matters is that he knows what the truth is.

From appearance, one would easily realize that Noah is of fierce character. Thick curly eyelashes above dark blazing eyes, almost like an untamed animal, and yet they are so honest, so deep and brooding. Smooth hair with the edges cut jaggedly to show his well-defined jaw, visibly light like ivory, yet so obviously soft. An overall strong, sturdy build, with his naturally wide-shoulders, though Noah does seem as though he is getting rather buff lately. It's been a change that he couldn't understand himself, just like his hair. Handsome with an obvious domineering air, and reserved expressions would about sum Noah up. But to him, looks aren't something that matters much. He's seen ugly people with great character, and gorgeous people that he'd want to strangle if he gets the chance. Especially towards women, Noah held a passionate grudge. To him, most are hypocrites, stupid, or untrustworthy, maybe all three. Not to mention their foolish vanity about their physical self when Noah wouldn't give them much of a glance if they didn't appeal to him as a person. How unfortunate.

"You need something to wear." Then Noah glanced down at himself, and noticed that he'd need something too. It seemed funny to him that both times he has been acquainted with Teanna, he didn't have a shirt on. It's almost coincidental. Scars of all sorts decorated his upper-body, tiny scars, large scars, and scars that seemed to be from a brutal attacker. These are definitely not accidents. The sun glint off his light olive-skin, causing slight shadows upon smooth marble'like muscles along his body.

"I guess I need something too." His broad eyebrows would lift, and he eyed Teanna for a moment. She does seem an intelligent girl, but Noah does not know enough to judge her character. He remembered that she had given him chocolate. He hadn't tasted any after that. And she actually slapped him that night at the cavern.How recklessly bold. Yet Noah considered Teanna a friend from his travels, though he didn't remember her before. Would she actually be his first friend? Possibly. Noah blinked, feeling the exhaustion make him weaker than normal. He hadn't slept at all last night. Why did he care for her? He know he does, though he might not ever admit that to her himself. That was a question that he didn't even know himself. It bothered him deeply.

Pausing once they reached a confined building, slender digits curled around the wooden handle and Noah held the door open for Teanna. It was a habit. The opening of doors for females is definitely not because he feels any weakness or fondness towards them... it's just habit. It was unexplainable, and almost illogical. The breeze would brush against Noah, ruffling his hair so that the tips slapped daintily against his cheeks. Turning his head so that his hues were fixated towards the sun before looking away, Noah knew he would need answers. He needs to find within himself a decision regarding Camile.

"Fish sounds perfect." Teanna's lips curled into a bright smile, thanking him though she could not say it. Her expression was enough. Her smile was honest, and her eyes almost sparkled in joy. Yes, she was happy, she was happy and finally safe. Not that she was not safe in the cavern, but there was too much time there. Too much silence. Too much room for regret and hopes long lost in the time she wasted there. She had lived off of 'canned' food. Disgusting chemically re-created food shoved in tin cans. Yumm... She hadn't tasted real food in seven,..No, it was eight. She hadn't tasted real food in eight years. Fish, fish, oh yes, she could taste it, but obviously the taste she remembered was most likely off. It had been so long. Any food really, any meat, any normal vegetables, even bread, she missed the smell of bread. She liked to hang around bakeries, steal a fresh loaf now and then. She could easily pay for it, but it was oh so fresh, and oh so exciting to just take a loaf of bread and run away giggling.

Yes, childhood memories. She had her share of joy, little things that made her happy. "Clothes, yes of course." Her voice cracked a bit. She hated the idea of having to wear jeans, but the probably didn't have corsets in this town. It all seemed too modern, too technologically advanced a town for the people to even consider keeping the old style. "You don't think people around here might... sell.. corsets, do you?" Teanna brought a finger up to her lips, pressing the nail against her flesh. It was a strange habit of hers. She'd pout then press a finger against her lips. People found it funny, or strange, but either way it was just a habit. Her expression whenever she'd ask a question that required more thought on her side than on the other's.

Then as she snapped back to reality, she saw his scars. There were so many, so many... Why had he been hurt so much? Her hand came up, and her fingers slowly stretched out, meaning to touch one of the scars, but she quickly closed her hand into a fist and lowered it. No, she would not offend him in such a way. Such things were personal, weren't they? The scent of fresh cut flowers filled her nostrils. Teanna smiled a bit and looked up to him. "You wouldn't happen to ... like flowers...would you?" Her eyes were wide open, staring up to him almost imploringly. She wouldn't ask him to buy flowers for her, though she was very much tempted to.

She walked inside the building and turned to give him a small bow of her head, thanking him for having held the door open for her. Respected women, did he? Or was it just a habit not related to the matter whatsoever. "How come you haven't got a shirt on, mister?" She asked him, her tone teasing, her question was posed jokingly.-

Noah observed Teanna quietly in amusement. She almost seemed like a child with her facial expressions. It is rather unfortunate that the food in Nede is one of the town's weakest points. There are often exciting festivals and events of sorts, but the food just isn't ... appealing. The time it took to get seafood from the east river of Aenied to Nede would take too long, and the people just didn't have the attributes to do anything creative with food. It's not as if Noah is a good cook, actually, he'd rather not cook unless he have to. But at least he can tell the difference between something horrible, and mediocre. Fortunately, the little restaurant they're going to now isn't in the horrible category.

Then Teanna's question made Noah blink. Corsets? ... Isn't that a tad old for modern society? "We can go look. I'm sure there're shops around here." How old is Teanna? It's strange that she'd like corsets when she's in modern time. He had tried his best to be polite, which is a step towrads being less socially awkward, if anything. To Noah, Teanna's gestures were unique. He's never seen anything like it before. She stood out, amongst the people he's met in Aenied. She had a peculiar air about her that drew Noah's attention, evoking the sense of curiousity and thrill inside him. He wanted toknow her, which is rare, since he's usually so stoic.

As Teanna's hand came up, fingers stretched out, as if to touch him, Noah watched her path of movement. She wanted to touch his scars, didn't she? His scars came from various causes, some of which were from the malicious'ness of humankind. Noah almost moved back, for he never let anyone touch his naked flesh before, but Teanna pulled back, so he didn't have to react much. Acting as if he didn't notice, Noah lifts a hand to brush strands of his hair behind his pierced ear. "Flowers?" Noah stared at her in shock. Actually .. he has an obsession with some flowers and ... Noah coughed into a hand and shuffled his feet nervously, awkwardly changing the topic.

"I gave it to someone." Noah shrugged his broad shoulders as he glanced about the empty restaurant, then just as he was about to step inside, a thought flashed across his head. "Wait. I'll be back." With that, Noah slammed the heavy door shut. Turning and running into a flower shop nearby, some coins were stuck into the owner's hand, traded in for two flowers. Sneaking out of the store, Noah felt abit strange. Why is he doing this? Putting the white orchid and red rose on the doormat outside the restaurant he led Teanna into, Noah opened the door and strolled inside as casually as he could.

-For a brief moment, she wished she hadn't asked about the flowers. It seemed as though her question bothered him, but then why did he react in such a way? Maybe he did like flowers. The scent of cabbage roses filled her nostrils, ah yes, the sweet delicious scent of those roses. She'd made jam out of them. With tea, yes, cabbage rose jam and tea. Their fragrance was so sweet, so gentle, and their texture was so soft. She missed her roses. They were not her favorite flowers, but she used the cabbage roses in many meals she made for her father. The flowers she adored where much more delicate, much more sophisticated. "Wh-What?" Teanna blinked as she watched him leave. A sudden fear gripped her. It was the first time she'd been alone in a restaurant.

She sniffed a bit, "Ew..." What was that scent? Undercooked food, over-spiced, completely screwed-up recipe! But then again, who was she to judge? Probably if someone were to give her flour, yeast, milk, water, and eggs, she wouldn't be able to put together a loaf of fresh bread. She had spent so much time in the wilderness with nothing but canned food. She'd probably.. mess up. Obviously. As he opened the door, she backed up and moved against the wall, trying to seem as though she had walked a bit inside the restaurant and had just returned to the door.

"Where... Should I go?" She lifted her arms a bit and stretched out her hands, shrugging. "I'm an alien in here." Teanna's lips curled into a smile as she stood there, she'd keep her distance. She knew how repulsive she smelt, and she didn't want his meal all over her as an additive.

Noah squinted his eyes. Teanna seems abit ... stiff. Closing the door as quietly as he could behind him, Noah trudged up towards her. "What do you want to eat?" Pausing in his movements, a hand lifted hesitatingly, then his fingers would curl around her hand, tugging her after him towards a nearby seat. The light above shone down on the table, and Noah quickly let go of her hand, turning his head to look away as suavely as he possible could. His hand fell upon his lap, fingers stretching out, then clenching to a fist. The last time someone tried to hold his hand, he pulled away and backed off. It felt bizarre to him, for he is not a very gentle man.


A man walked over, stopping at their table. He had an Asian look about him, with the almond-shaped eyes and black hair. First he'd glance at Noah's bare upper-body, then at Teanna. Noah quirked a brow challengingly, and the man coughed, adverting his gaze from Noah, "What would you like to order, miss?" The man had his eyes on Teanna. Noah turned his pools towards Teanna, bending his long legs some beneath the square-shaped wooden table.

A hand shifted up as Noah pushed his hair aside, feeling the awkwardness of the atmosphere. "Would you prefer me to pick for you?" Noah sensed that her lack of contact with society put her at a greater disadvantage with his own lack of social abilities. Perhaps she wouldn't know what to pick. But maybe she does. You never know.

-Teanna's head shook a bit. In all truth, she would be satisfied with bread and water. And in plus, she couldn't eat much either! After spending such a long time devouring only cracker crumbs, she most likely wouldn't be able to finish off an entire meal by herself. His gesture, though, made her giggle. Just like his embrace, he seemed so eager to let go, that the gesture in itself was almost meaningless. Almost. The feel of his hand made her tingle for a moment. She gave him a slight squeeze, showing him how he was meant to hold someone's hand. As he let go of her, she moved to the seat across from him then sat down as elegantly as ever. Her legs crossed, her back straight, and her hands carefully placed in her lap.

And then another small fit of laughter. Noah's gestures amused her. He had no shirt on, he was dirty, and he also looked like he'd missed about four days worth of sleep! But he still dared to be superior. No, not that disgustingly arrogant superiority shown by rich brain-less pigs, but an admirable sort of superiority. Superiority brought by confidence, not by idiocy and countless riches. And she liked that confidence. "Human... Human.." She thought disgustedly. So hard she'd worked to control all emotions, to keep everything at bay, only to have her hard work ripped apart by the presence of a man!

As the words poured out of the waiter's mouth, she completely froze up. She meant to ask him for help, her lips had actually parted, but he was quicker. "Yes, please!" She whispered, faster than normal and barely coherent. But she knew he understood her. He had to. It would've been embarrassing to repeat. Hell! It was embarrassing enough not being able to do things on her own. The town was so different... Again, it wasn't a bad different, nor a good different. It was just different. Maybe if it was all in a large cavern and the shops were all items in cardboard boxes, she'd understand how it worked much better.

Teanna wondered if the food would be good, and how much she would owe him after. How would she ever pay him back? Teanna bit her lower lip and stared absently at the wall beside her.

Noah's brow rose in puzzlement when Teanna had squeezed his hand, and an indescrible sensation buzzed along his anatomy. It felt like electricity rushed along his body, but it wasn't painful in any way. The feeling made his cheeks flush to a slight pink, but the color soon faded. His own reluctant played a part in his inexperience with touching people, so the reaction was .. kind of natural, though it would seem comical to most observers. Peering at her curiously, Noah wondered how she managed to be so ..what's the word? Elegant? when she's obviously dirty, and kind of ... smelly. But perhaps elegance isn't just clothing or aroma. It's just an atmosphere about someone that gives them a flare.

Noah blinked at Teanna. Why is she laughing?Rolling his eyes slightly, he tried his best to ignore her as he turned to the man, "Two orders of California Rolls and Miso Soup." Waving the man off dismissively, Noah turned towards Teanna. The man glared at Noah, irritation phasing across his features before he turned and stomped away. Noah didn't seem so notice as his long fingers reached into his hair, brushing strands of it aside to tuck behind his pierced ear.

"Do you have any skills of trade?" Noah squinted his eyes ponderingly at her. To survive, each person would need some sort of skill. Like Taru, with her skills with making tea, or Karasu, as a medical nin. It would be necessary for Teanna to have some sort of skill, or some place to learn something, to survive in Aenied. Even in such a land, only the hard-workers, or those with talent, could survive. If not, they are doomed to fall behind. Noah knew that for a fact.

It was his duty to look over the look, so he'd take care of Teanna. Then a thought occured to him. Is he doing this because of his responsibilities and job? Or is he doing it out of his free will? For some reason, it felt to Noah that the answers to these questions would mean all the difference in the world. Normally, these questions wouldn't matter. He'd just shove 'em aside and do as he decided to. But this time, he wanted to know. He is the man that stands at the threshold, demanding answers to a limitless amount of questions.

-Teanna couldn't help but smile as she watched him. There was something about him. Dangerous, yes, in some way, but also so... She stopped. She could not find a word appropriate to describe him. And the way he waved the man away pulled another laugh from her. He didn't even watch, he was looking at her, and he sent him away. Oh the poor waiter, she could hardly fathom what anger circulated through him. But it was very entertaining, watching Noah that was. She remembered the scent of miso soup, and the taste. Oh yes, she loved miso soup. "Thank you." Teanna whispered calmly, and gave another small bow of her head.

"I..." She paused. Clearing her throat. Some part of her was embarrassed to tell him about her skills. It seemed fit that a woman be able to cook and sew, but those skills were very homely. "What the Hell am I concerned about?" Teanna cleared her throat once more and placed her hands on the table. "I cook, and I make clothes." After a brief moment of silence, she quickly added the fact that those were hobbies. She didn't find how one could truly make a profession out of those two skills. There were too many people to rival, too many places with cheaper items, cheaper food, it was just hard. But in her childhood she had dreamed of having her own little place, her own little restaurant. Memories. Old memories.

"I doubt... I'm still... handy" Teanna continued, her voice cracking a bit, her eyes glazed over. She was clearly in a different reality, out of phase or something. She was staring right through the table and into her past, unable to focus on the present. But yet she still was there, still thinking about the food she was about to receive, and the strange sounds her stomach made at the thought of food.

Was that the first time she thanked him? It had surprised Noah, definitely. The pools of his eyes stared blankly at Teanna for a few seconds, and he gave a slight nod to acknowledge that he had heard her. Resting his elbows upon the edge of the table, his fingers would thread together. Teanna seems to nervous just now. Then he heard her tell him that she can cook and make clothing. Is that what she's nervous about? Noah blinked. There wasn't anything to be anxious about regarding that. Each job is considered honest to Noah as long as it's not stealing. If one can get money without robbing it like a bandit out of another's pocket, what's wrong with it? Absolutely nothing.

"We shall see." Those three words were sufficient to let anyone perceive that Noah intended to assist Teanna. He had a firmness about him, as if what he said became final. His gaze was piercingly intense as he watched her. Perhaps she could make corsets. But that would be a dangerous trade, considering the time they are in now. Maybe she can be a good in Nede. The luxery of the foods are certainly lacking around here. Noah would be glad to be able to find a decent cook ... if she's good at cooking. Noah believed that cooking was a talent, and to those who're uninterested, they had little possibility of getting anywhere.

By then, the man trudged back up to them, putting a plate in front of Teanna, and practically slammed one down in front of Noah. Is he angry or something? Shooting the man a sidelong glance, Noah picked up one of the pairs of chopsticks the man left them. He remembered when he first used them. He had been so unused to it. The thought brought a realization to his mind: once Teanna practiced her trade and got used to it, Noah knew she would excel. Persistence can give a person anything.

She couldn’t focus. No, she couldn’t focus at all. Her thoughts were so scattered, so many. All painful. Images storming through. Images which she could not… Memories weren’t they? Her memories? Teanna’s eyes grew moist as she stared at the table. Her expression was pained. Aalina, she could smell Aalina’s scent. So soft, so flowery, so innocent. Always, her beloved Aalina. Her cold fingers pressed against the table, her nails digging into the polished wood. Her eyes were wide open and she was furious. “Lady’s Room” She whispered hoarsely and got up, her whole body shaking. She carefully walked through the restaurant and took a right towards the small corridor that was labeled “Washrooms”.

Teanna opened the door to the lady’s room and simply leaned against the wall. The control, where had her control vanished to? Mood swings, those images, her sister’s scent! She had never been in this town before, she had never. There was so much pain. Teanna’s hand crawled up to her heart as she slid down the wall. She could hear music in her head again; she could hear her sister playing the piano! And then she heard her father’s cold voice and the strike of his whip across her face. Teanna gave a faint gasp and touched her cheek. Bones, bones, all bones and skin.

Teanna stood up and walked over to the sinks, her fingers carefully turning the knob for cold water. The liquid gathered in her cupped hands before it was splashed against her face. “Wake up Tea!” She hissed at herself. That’s what her sister used to call her. Tea. She never liked Anna. It was so old, so vulgar almost. Anna. The sound was so nasal, it disgusted her. Tea was fluent, so right. She looked up into the mirror, the dirt streaming down her cheeks from her wet bangs. Teanna quickly grabbed a paper towel and scrubbed the dirt off of her face. She was insane for being around him for so long. She was insane for having let him help her. Her lust for human company, for the presence of another being, any other being, would completely destroy all that she worked hard for. She would have to tell him. Yes.

“Noah… I make things blow up. I’m trying to…” Teanna spoke to the mirror quite seriously, but soon burst out laughing. “I make things blow up. Very nice Tea.” It was all quite simply and honestly put. But it sounded pathetic. Aalina’s scent was still there. For what reason? It was unknown, but she would have to get back to her table, back to her food. And back to the table of a handsome man who put her life in jeopardy. Oh, how an attractive a situation.

Noah had his eyes glued to Teanna's face as her expression changed. Then when she abruptly got up and left, Noah's hues were wide with confusion. What just happened? Women are so weird. Happy one moment, then their moods would shift, and they just run off. Emotional beings, women are. Noah should've known better than to have been so close to one. He was almost mad at himself for his own folly. It seems that the grudge Noah held against most women still exists, and burns passionately.

After Teanna went to the washroom, the man who worked at the restaurant, or maybe he's the boss of the place, came to put two bowls with hot liquids inside upon the table. Noah recognized it as Miso Soup, with the tofu floating around inside. In a few minutes, the man put a large squared plate at the center of the table, lined with rows of California Rolls. The guy didn't even look at Noah. Maybe he's still angry. Oh well.The man left Noah alone, slipping silently into another room.

Noah picked up his chopsticks, poking the tips at the side of a sushi boredly. He still didn't know what to do. He's rarely ever so reluctant to make a decision. Camile... Noah was told that she's his mother, but that's about all he knows of her. It does seem pretty illogical, since she seems barely thirty in age, whilst Noah is almost twenty. Even if Camile is his mother, what explanation could she possibly have for abandoning him? What kind of a mother would abandone her own child? Noah wouldn't forgive his mother for leaving him there, all alone. All those years of suffering...

Glancing up as soon as Teanna strolled back over, Noah squints at her, almost suspiciously. She does seem a tad shaken up. What's wrong with her? Is she on her period? ... "The food's here." was Noah's simple words. He felt that nothing more has to be said at the moment. He asked no questions yet. Noah feels that there is a time for everything, and right now isn't the time to bombard her with questions ... just yet. He will wait. Patience is a virtue.

"Sorry" Teanna whispered as she sat back down across from him. Her hands were shaking as she picked up the chopsticks, and they slipped right out of her fingers. Teanna hissed and shook her hands then rubbed them together. "Focus... Focus. It's okay." She thought as she made another attempt to stabilize the chopsticks in her hand. Success! Teanna picked up one of the rolls and brought it into her mouth. "Mmm!" She exclaimed with a small smile as she chewed. They were very good. Well... Not very, but for the first real thing she'd eaten, they were good enough. She had calmed down, a bit at least. Maybe a bit more. She had smiled hadn't she?

"I don't think he likes you very much." Teanna spoke once more, her lips curled into a bright smile as if nothing had happened. After having taken one more roll from the plate, she switched her attention to the hot soup. She picked the bowl up in her hands and sipped the liquid. Delicious indeed. Teanna kept the smile on her face, a perfect mask it was. She knew her sister had arrived, yes, her sister was in town. That's what scared her. It wasn't him, it hadn't been him. It was her sister that made her lose control. Maybe he had played a small part in it, but it was not his fault.

"Finished!" She exclaimed with the same smile on her lips as she brought the bowl back onto the table. She was glad she could fake emotions, it wasn't that she wasn't happy. She was happy. But also worried. And usually when a person is worried they look sad. She didn't want to displease him any more than she had already done.

Noah's penetrating gaze would sweep over Teanna as she dropped her chop-stick, then picked it back up. Making a note that her hands were shaking, Noah picked up a sushi with the chop-sticks, and put it in his mouth. Chewing with blank composure, Noah analyzed Teanna's irregular mannerism. Having been to the library often, for Noah has an interest in reading though one would've never guessed that from his appearance, he knew some basic psychology.

She had seemed so agitated before. It's utterly illogical that she would be able to smile, and be so cheerful in such a short time, unless she's acting, of course. Noah remembered that he read something on body language once. A person can either have too little body language, or too much, and either could imply they're hiding something. Just because someone is smiling doesn't make them happy, that much Noah knows for sure. But he would let her act for now.

"You need something to change into." Wrinkling his nose as he paused, "You smell." Noah lifted one side of his lips, offering the tiniest sign that he was about to smile, but trying to abstain from it. He considered himself almost a master of body language when he wanted to be, for he's the type that can stay calm and collected even when danger arises. He must, for he depended on his acting to survive in his childhood. After so much practice and reading, Noah usually can seem genuine in his movements. Never show an insufficiency, or overdo anything. His brows would lift, and he ate a few more sushis as he waited for Teanna to respond.

"I think I'm supposed to wash up first. Clean clothes over a dirty body won't do much help." But she did smile a bit at his words before she stared at the wall beside her once more. She ate the few remaining rolls before taking a deep breath. She was also tired, the night before had been plagued by her nightmares, which guaranteed that she have insufficient sleep. Eugh, she really did stink. "How the Hell can you just... sit there..and not.. well.. puke?" She tilted her head to a side as she watched him. It really was surprising to her. She smelt like a corpse and even looked the part!

The only clean part of her was her face, and that only because she had previously washed it in the bathrooms. But the contrast was frightening. Her face was now white, and the rest of her skin was mud-gray and purple-ish from bruises. "Well, may I be taken somewhere to bathe before I throw up?" Teanna snickered, but she meant her words. She was very much disgusted at how she looked, and she really wanted some new clothes.

Noah placed some silver coins on the wooden table and got up to dust himself off, extending a palm to Teanna. "I think I know a place." and there was the faintest smile that flashed across his solemn features. Noah can be really rude when he wants to be, but he's not one to be purposely venomous. He seems self-important for the purpose of scaring people off, which often works. He has a grudge against society for personal reasons, some could say. But it seems as if he didn't hold anything against Teanna, which is rather exceptional.

Noah knew just the place to take her to bathe in. He often went there when he wanted to be alone. It's not a place many would dare explore deeply into, so they should be safe there. Noah almost considered it his secret hiding spot when the stress starts to build up and he just has to get away. He thought of his other safe harbor: his dreams. Then Noah thought of Camile, and a fierceness sparked in his pools, then swiftly fades. But then a question was provoked: Why would he want to show it to Teanna? Perhaps he trusts her. But why? He's not one to trust frivolously. So why now?

-Teanna bowed her head in thanks and took his hand before standing up, not sure if his hand was to help her up, or for her to hold, but she hadn't yet let go. She was surprised by the smoothness of his palm so she quickly brought his hand up and inspected his palm. "There's no lines!" She exclaimed and traced a finger along the middle and down to his wrist. "No scars either. You're a lucky one, aren't you?" She said, teasingly, before tugging on his hand and pulling him towards the door. Yes! Finally! She was going to bathe. And be clean. And be merry. Oh so merry in the water. Clean clean clean.

Teanna smiled then stopped and turned to look at him. She wondered where he had run off to. She lifted a brow, of course meaning the moment he run off right after they had walked into the restaurant. Teanna shook her head a bit. Probably dropped something."You should smile more often" She added honestly, but looked away trying to hide the broad grin on her face. He looked handsome when he smiled, and he looked a lot more carefree, a lot more... peaceful. Yes, that was the word. He looked peaceful.

Noah studied Teanna in perplexity. "I've never had lines on my palms." Then Teanna was tugging him towards the door, and Noah followed behind, puzzled. He has a perceptive eye for character, and yet he can't seem to fully figure Teanna out. There was definitely something peculiar about her. "Lucky?" Noah considered this, brows furrowing in a slight frown, "No." She seemed so cheerful simply about washing. But perhaps most girls are like that. Noah wouldn't know. He's not a girl. They seem rather .. difficult to decipher, to him. But then, that could be from his own inexperience.

"Smile more, why?" Noah tilted his head to the left, then grabbed the door-handle with his other hand, pushing the heavy door open. Why in the world would he want to smile more often?He had almost forgotten about the flowers he placed outside. Glancing down, he saw the white Orchid and red Rose. Diverting his gaze purposely, Noah felt his cheeks flush pink some. Why did he do it anyways? He was sure that Teanna would know it's him. ... Or at least, he thought she would.

"Yes lucky. Your hands were burnt. But there's no scars left. It's rare that, that happens. Well.. Not rare, it just depends on the degree of the burn. But you were still lu-" Teanna stopped realizing how talkative she was. She hoped she was not annoying him. She simply liked to talk, talk about anything really as long as she got to push the silence as far away as possible. Teanna had decided to stop asking herself questions about him, true, he was strange, different than other males, but she would just let everything fall into place without her constant questioning.

"You look very at peace when you smile, very calm, and it's quite contagious as well. ...I like it." She added before taking a step forward. She quickly stopped and looked down, having seen something with the corner of her eyes. Flowers! Teanna bent over and picked the two flowers up in her hand. So that's where he went, that's where he vanished to. She looked up to him and grinned. "Thank you.." She whispered before throwing her arms around him, hugging him for a brief moment. She quickly let go, knowing how awkward it must be for him to be embraced by a still-stranger, smelly, dirty girl. "Lead.. the way" She quickly spoke, almost too quickly once more, but he'd surely understand.

Noah cocked an eyebrow at Teanna curiously when she suddenly halted in what she had to say about burns, "Cat got your tongue?" Noah paused for a moment, then shrugged his broad shoulders stolidly, "I don't really have a reason to smile much." And that was true. Whenever he smiles, it comes unexpected, like some sort of rare gift. But he doesn't really have a reason to constantly smile. Some would ask, why not? But Noah would ask, why smile when there's absolutely no reason to?

He was caught off guard when Teanna threw her arms around him. Noah stood there, frozen, with his hands hovering in the air, twitching agitatingly. His fingers extended in reluctance, and the tips would graze daintily against Teanna's sides before she let go of him. Noah stood there in an awkward position, fingers stretched out, hands hovering in the air, body twitching with blooming cheeks. "...I don't know ... what you're talking about." With that, Noah's hands clenched and he turned, swinging out the door. Leading the way swiftly towards the edge of Nede, an area of which few would dare to visit, Noah was still blushing.

"That's not true. There's always a reason to smile." Teanna nodded happily. All it took was to look around. One can't see anything if they're swimming in pessimism. But if one is to open their eyes and simply... look around, everything is a reason for joy. The breeze, the beautiful glow of the sun, the green grass, the sweet warm air. Everything was so beautiful. Beautiful because it would pass. Her lips curled in a small smirk as she heard his words. And as he walked up ahead of her, she quickly whispered his same words mockingly, obviously only so that she could hear."I don't know what you're talking about." She then giggled and caught up to him.

"So where are we going?" Teanna spoke as she followed him, as always, exactly one step behind. She knew it was him, it had to be. There was no one else in the restaurant for whom the flowers were for, and as a stranger, nobody knew her, so there would be no reason for anyone else to give her flowers. But him? He knew. She had implied that she wanted flowers. And he had so conveniently vanished a few moments after she spoke about them. Now? The flowers were in her hand. Obviously him.

Noah tucked his hands into his pockets, and frowned deeply. Why did he humiliate himself? A forest seemed to be at the edge of Nede, so Noah led Teanna in. They moved swiftly through the dark forest, for the great trees protected its inhabitants from the sun. Perhaps that's why few visit such a place. It's so dark. Noah turned his head, glancing over his shoulder at Teanna. He wanted to say something, perhaps to strike up a conversation. Then Noah remembered her embrace, and turned his head away, continuing on.

Light illuminated the area ahead, and Noah halted once he reached their destination. It was a clearing, with the trees growing thinner so that the sun could shine upon it. Few would know of this place, for many wouldn't have come this far. A waterfall was at the center of the clearing, thus the beam of lights would strike directly in the middle. The dripping noise the water made, and the critters all about them, hidden in the shadows, resonated with a harmonious atmosphere.

"You can bathe in here." Noah moved quietly towards the edge of the waters, dipping his hand in to feel the cool liquid after he bent his physique. His reflection blinked at him from the waters, and Noah grinned at himself. He always found it amusing, to see reflections of oneself.

-What had she hugged him for?! Yes, of course in thanks but... Teanna flinched and crossed her arms under her chest. She shouldn't have hugged him. She shouldn't have. And then the thoughts stopped. She saw the waterfall and slowly approached the water. So beautiful. So calm. Teanna smiled and sat down by the water, stretching her legs out. She let the small waves wash over her skin. It was so pleasant, so very soothing. "How am I to bathe with you here?" She spoke, turning her head to look at him. A brow lifted questioningly as she watched him. Another issue also was, what would she wear after?

Oh well, she didn't much care. Teanna stood up and walked into the water, making sure she was completely covered before slipping out of her dress. "Sure hope you have towels or something!" She spoke as she turned in his direction, he wouldn't have to leave after all. There was nothing to see, not like he would be interested anyway. Teanna removed her undergarments and threw them onto the shore along with the dirty dress. Finally. Water. She brought her whole body under water and picked up some sand in her hand before coming back up. Sand would suffice as she had no soap. It was abrasive enough to cleanse her skin, but she wasn't sure on the scalp part. Oh well. Teanna stood there, scrubbing her skin with the sand, and rinsing every now and then.

Now she was really worried. Would she have to walk naked all the way back to Nede?!

Noah considered this. Yes, that's right. How would Teanna bathe here with him standing there? Then she just went and manuevered into the waters before Noah could say anything in reply. Watching the dress drift towards the edge of the waters, Noah leaned over to pick it up. Dropping the wet piece of clothing upon the floor, Noah observed in silence as Teanna took off her undergarments. He felt the heat in his cheeks cause it to turn a shade of pink, and didn't dare reach out to salve her undergarments. He didn't know if it'd be appropriate that he should touch such ... personal objects, of Teanna's.

"You have an half hour." Turning, Noah headed back into the forest. He rushed out of the area, the images still fresh in his mind. He was always questioning ... what is the fundamental difference between the genders, save for some beliefs and personality? He's never studied this topic himself, or been taught about it. This lack of knowledge left him curious, and slightly confused. He did know that men and women do ... things of sorts to reproduce, that much he learnt from his handy psychology books. He knew better than to stay in there with a naked girl. Noah is a curious person, with a hunger for knowledge and experiences... yet he felt that in some cases, a distance should be kept.

Noah was back in Nede, hastily choosing some clothing for the male anatomy. He didn't know much about women to choose something for them, so this would have to do. He choose a pair of dark denim, a black wife beater shirt for himself, and a white trench-coat. When approximately twenty-five minutes passed, Noah headed back into the forest. It should take him about five minutes to reach Teanna.

Why did he always blush? She didn't understand that. Yet despite the blush, he was still superior. She hated that. Why didn't his voice crack? Why didn't he freeze up? Teanna rolled her eyes and dived back in, she was already pretty clean, so she'd just swim the half-hour away. She had missed the water. After all, it had sort of been her home for 8 years. She kept her eyes open and swam after the small fish in the water. It amused her, the way they kept changing directions in a futile attempt to avoid her. Sort of like Noah? Yes. Sort of like him. Teanna quickly swam up and burst out laughing. She couldn't help it.

She could feel the water sipping into her skin. She had been in there enough. Teanna swam back to the shore and stepped out. From her calculation he wouldn't be back for a while. But she didn't have a watch, so she couldn't know for sure. Oh well. A look wouldn't hurt anyone, especially him. He always blushed whenever she touched him, and she was just dieing to see him all red.