Come What May

C

hewing slowly, she tried to show some decorum while sharing her meal with him. In truth, the gnawing hunger in her stomach pressed her to binge on it all until she was full to bursting. She knew it was an instinct she had yet to kick from her times of hunger. It was funny how her mind had adapted, yet her body had not. Returning to the conversation she delicately consumed another piece, listening as he spoke.

To hear he cared not of the opinions of others didn't surprise her in the slightest. Mainly because he chose to be there, sharing a meal with her in broad daylight. She chose not to comment, her heart falling slightly as he went on to say he would be traveling with the warmer seasons. It made sense, she supposed. It was just that, in the short time she knew him, he had brought a little light into the ever present shadows she held inside.

"Well," she said politely. "I wish you well on your travels and that the bounty is great. Supporting a family, you'll need it." Evangeline wished to add she hoped he would remain safe, but it should not matter to her. He would be leaving, and she would likely not see him again. Her keeper could, and likely would, move her as her desired. Perhaps their paths would cross but, knowing Valerian's discovered aversion to the brothels, it grew more and more unlikely.

Over their shared platter, her eyes connected with his. Licking at her chops quietly, she considered how she would reply. "I got lucky this morning and did not have to see to any of the other girls this morning. Injuries happen more often than not if you can believe it. Pain is a particular proclivity among the male clientele as of late." She paused, considering. "During my experience here, I am able to get out into the markets more than normal. It's not always this enjoyable, though. The married ladies tend to spit at whores when they see them." Evangeline had been lucky to not have received such treatment yet, but she believed she could credit that to the man she spoke with now.

@Valerian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

T

he well wishes warmed his heart, his tail giving a light wag. As he finished the last bit of his meal, he smiled and dipped his head in gratitude. “I appreciate the sentiments, dearest Cherie.” He then felt his playful nature trying its hardest to emerge and he relented to it willingly as usual.

“I will be back in a swift blink. of your long, lovely eyelashes! I know you shall think of me every moment of my absence.” He stated dramatically, meaning for the comment to be a tease, though he somewhat hoped there was some truth in the statement…although he was unsure why he found himself caring so much.

“Thank you for the invitation to dine with you. Everything was absolutely decadent, very flavorful. I always wonder how market food always tastes ten times better than anything I could have prepared myself.”With his portion cleared, he stood with a grunt and lowered himself in a long stretch with his full belly hanging. Valerian smacked his lips and surveyed what was left for Cherie to eat, wanting to ensure she’d had her fill as well while he seated himself once more.

He settled back into a slow recline, laying out on his side an letting his legs sprawl out as he honed in on what she had to share of her lift outside the brothel. Concern washed over his face as she stated that she was fortunate to not have had to attend to any of the other women of her establishment.

“Injuries?” He repeated, having a hard time believing it at first, but he could see in her face that this was something she typically dealt with. For a moment he imagined Cherie being injured herself after an encounter with another male and he could feel his blood begin to boil. His lip twitched in the beginnings of a snarl. “Bastards…I’d like to give them a taste of their own medicine!”

Cherie only added fuel to the fire when she smoke of being spat on by the married women in the streets. Valerian sat up sharply, the fur on the back of his neck standing on end.“Let me catch one of them doing that to you! A bunch of hypocrites, all of them! How dare they treat you as though they are on some pedestal with their pious bullshit! That’s it, Cherie! I’m swearing off married women for good! They can rot!”

He snorted, his turquoise eyes ablaze with fury and compassion for the female in his presence. “I cannot even fathom the way you are treated…it just absolutely rubs me the wrong way…I can’t stand it! You certainly are not deserving of any of it!”

@Evangeline

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

O

nce again, she found her eyes reaching towards the heavens with his dramatics. He wished her to think of him in his absence? It would be a lie to say she would not think of him at all, but she held no expectations of this male. Plans always changed on the road; not all promises could be kept. “I shall keep you in my thoughts for your safe travels, as you have been kind to me without need to do so,” she said, realizing she had spoken true. Valerian was a kind male, a rarity nowadays. She appreciated receiving even a moment with him.

Evangeline hummed as she finished her meal, nodding in agreement with his opinions on market food. “I come whenever I can afford it for food and flowers. A lovely combination, don’t you think?” Out of the corner of her eye, she could still see the flower he’d bestowed upon her. As he stretched, her silver hues slid over him appreciatively. She hoped he would not catch her staring, but she couldn’t really bring herself care if he did. Blinking once, she looked away, watching the market goers as they milled about.

Her head snapped towards him, eyes wide at his exclamation. Did he not understand that whores, that she, more accurately, were worth nothing in the outside world? Yet here he was, ready to cause a scene in her honor. Evangeline found herself smiling at his antics, but she stood to hush him. “Quiet Valerian. I haven’t been spat on lately, and the injuries just come with the territory. And honestly, our keepers tend to hunt down the offenders and make them pay for it.” Her paw came up to pat his shoulder soothingly, her touch almost automatic as she stood close to him.

His passion startled her; she had never seen one so ready to march into battle for her. Evangeline had an afterthought, though, that perhaps he would do so for any innocent soul. I am far from innocent, she thought as she looked at him. Valerian called her “Cherie” again and she flinched; she was not her alias currently, but in his defense, she had not corrected him otherwise. “Evangeline,” she whispered quietly as he shouted. “I am not pretending with you right now, so I am not Cherie. I am as real as I can be, and my name is Evangeline.”

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

V

alerian found the eye rolls most endearing and he responded with a waggle of his eyebrows and a toothy grin. “Although kindness is a rarity these days, never forget that you are most deserving of it.” The grin transformed into a genuine smile as she finished her meal, catching the glance she gave to the flower he gifted.

He nodded in agreement, folding one paw over the other where he lay. “Surely! This atmosphere has a remarkable way of marrying the senses. You have the pleasant aroma of the flora and then of course there is the vibrancy of colors that is a feast for the eyes while the actual meal tantalized the tastebuds in decadent flavor. The sunshine of Spring provides us with warmth upon our backs. The only thing missing is a melody in the air, though that can easily be remedied.” His eyes sparkled at even the mere mention of an opportunity to perform.

When he rose to stretch he could feel her eyes upon him and so he lowered himself into an even longer stretch until he caught a glimpse of the movement that told him she’d turned away. Valerian did not mind a look of admiration falling upon him, especially if it was from her wandering eyes.

Of course, the moments of pleasantries and stolen glances past, his heated anger in response to discovering how she was treated, changing the vibe momentarily. She attempted to hush him, but he went on and on, clearly unsettled by the notion that Cherie seemed to not be bothered by it.

It wasn’t until she’d settled a paw on his shoulder that he stilled completely, refocusing on her and the proximity in which she stood next to him. He let out one last huff of defeat and shook his head a couple times. “I’m still not fond of the idea that it happens in the first place…” He muttered, averting his gaze and finding a somewhere to lock his eyes as his fumes wore off and were replaced with the embarrassment of his outburst.

“Evangeline.”

“Hm? I beg your pardon?” He turned to face her once more, blinking curiously as he thought he might have missed something. She repeated herself and the expanse of ocean blue widened as his eyes did, his gaze taking her in as though he were seeing her for the first time. His lips slowly turned upward in a smile and he gave her a meaningful look. “What a beautiful name…it certainly suits you. Evangeline…” He sighed dreamily as he tested the name on his tongue, enjoying the feel of it and the sound as it flowed from his lips.




@Evangeline

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

H

er eyes widened imperceptibly, their silvery depths latching onto his at his mentions of kindness. The male did not know her; he had no way to measure the dark, bitter thing within her that pulsed like a living plague. Even now it yawned like an endless pit, urging her gaze to turn cold and dismiss him for his niceties. Who was he to judge what she deserved? She was nothing, a discarded object on the floor that was never meant to be remembered. How dare he get her hopes up, being nice to her with no right to be.

Swallowing back the bitterness on the tip of her tongue, she kept herself quiet and instead enjoyed his enthusiasm towards the market. He was always quick with a tune or encouraging word it seemed, and she envied him his positive outlook towards the world. “Your outlook towards the world is admirable. The hardships life brings each and every one of us often lead us to much darker corners of our minds. But yours seems to only have light,” she rambled on, the filter between her mind and her words having lifted for the briefest moment.

Eyes glancing to the heavens, she sighed in mock annoyance at his protectiveness. She watched the shock of her name settle over him like a blanket. Eyes turned towards the ground, the fae stirred the dust on the path with the tip of her toe. Carefully she made the shape of a star, her ears flicking forwards as her eyes connected with his once more. He called her name beautiful, and Evie felt a flutter within her chest. “You may call me Evie, if you like,” she murmured softly. Looking away from him, she took a deep breath and gave him a polite smile. “So, you’ve seen my favorite place in the market, but which do you enjoy the most?” Her head tilted slightly, her question born of a desire to know the silly man more.

@Valerian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

H

e could hardly stop from smiling now knowing her true name, it was as though the clouds parted and the rays of sunlight lit her up, creating a halo around her head. And...if he listened carefully enough, he could've swore he heard angels singing. What sorcery was this?

"You may call me Evie, if you like."

Valerian snapped out of it momentarily and nodded to her, his head completely clouded and his cheeks flushing with warmth. "Ahh, I will call you whatever you wish. Evangeline, Evie. My stars, both renditions of your name are perfectly splendid." He grinned, a goofy chuckle slipping past his lips as he murmured her name once more. "Evie...heh, I love it!"

He straightened up when he inquired of his favorite part of the market. Of course, the man lit up immediately, his half-lidded and dreamy eyes growing wide with a passionate sparkle. "Ah! Yes, yes! I can tell you that while I am most fond of the varying delectable flavors of all the tasty treats those skilled chefs might have to offer, there is one thing that I fancy far more...here, come with me! I'll show you!"

Valerian awaited her agreement to follow and then bounded out ahead of her but would always turn back around and circle her excitedly, his excitement nearly that of a child. "You're going to love this!!" With a spring in his step he entered an area that was more or less at one of the entrances to the market that was open and inviting, yet there was not necessarily any vendors or events taking place there, only a few guests of the market coming and going. He trotted into the center of this clearing and stood proudly at the center of it. "Ta-daaa!!"




@Evangeline

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

H

er brow raised delicately, head tilted to the side as she gazed at the male before her. Evangeline decided he would have made a great actor. A jester, even, for all his dramatic flair. The woman listened to his praise as it rained upon her, keeping herself quiet as she worked to process how a simple name could inspire so much joy to him. Her first impulse was always to refuse the compliments, to deny them coldly and dismiss them as a masked attempt at objectifying her anew. And yet, she could not mistake the passion in his eyes as anything but genuine.

Evie readied herself to follow him, gathering her larger frame beneath her. The woman bowed low, curling her tail over her spine and relishing in the deep stretch that sent relief through her tired body. She was, in fact, tired; a weariness that lay heavy in her bones and had begun at an age too young. Nevermind that, she thought as she brushed that thinking aside in favor of his enthusiasm. It made a lovely distraction, and so she nodded with a smile. “After you, Valerian.”

Keeping pace with him was no difficulty on her part, so she matched his shorter strides through all the twists and turns. She enjoyed the spring in his step, as if his joyful personality took root even in the marrow of his bones. Her ears flicked back curiously as they came to an entrance to the market. Were his intentions to leave? She had meant for him to show her a place within its confines, but she wouldn’t correct him if it meant the afternoon could last a little longer with her friend.

“Valerian, I don’t-” she began to speak as they came to a stop. She looked around curiously, noting the slow traffic trickling in and those leaving with their purchased goods. She stepped closer to him to get out of the way of a small group. “It’s a lovely entrance, to be sure,” she said politely. “I am just unaware of what might set it apart from the rest. I fail to see it from your perspective, but I would like to nonetheless.” Sitting before his performative stance, she was interested to see what he had in store.

@Valerian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

V

alerian fully expected this lovely maiden's confusion and he gave her a mischievous grin that seemed to say 'Just watch...' No matter whether the passersby were coming or going, heads were sure to turn as he raised his voice, projecting into the space as he began his performance.

"Color yourselves with love, my dears,
For Eleanor's Day is finally here!
A sea of rainbows unite us in this special place,
And all are welcome, for we all have dreams to chase!

Dip a paw in Red for your passionate lover,
Freedom and youth come in Orange streaks,
There's also some Yellow, for a friendly fellow,
Green for the lucky lad to bathe in his riches,
Success and power are painted confidently in Blue,
Royal purple for nobles and fantastical wishes!"

There had been colored paints strewn about the entry way for festival-goers to decorate themselves and Valerian painted himself up while offering the colors to others as he danced and sang.

"Let your heart beat loud, love freely, love proud!
For the world only spins when its love that wins,
So leave your worries and cares right here as you arrive,
And then there's no question of half-full or half-empty,
When your cup overflows with happiness and you finally understand what it means to be alive!~"

The small wolf struck a pose at the end of this act, closing his eyes and soaking in whatever praises and cheers he gained (if any at all). Val bowed lowly and then grinned at those still gathered. "Have a magical Eleanor's Day to all!" With that, he trotted back over to Evangeline, his colored fur ruffled and wild as he beamed at her. "I live to perform...it's absolutely exhilirating!"

@Evangeline

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

E

vangeline’s eyes narrowed skeptically as Valerian moved away from her. He had already drawn attention, standing so proudly in the middle of the clearing that she had hoped he wouldn’t beckon her to follow. Loosening a breath of relief, she moved closer to a darkened part of the clearing as strangers looked between the two. She noted a few of her regulars among the crowd, but they either did not see her or pointedly avoided making eye contact with her. Probably, she presumed, because many of them were accompanied by their doting wives.

Her lip began to curl in a sneer, offended that, for whatever reason, they could sour her mood ever so slightly when she was trying to enjoy the company of a friend. The look faded, however, as Valerian began to pipe up from the center of a small crowd that had amassed around him. Evangeline pressed closer to see him, pushing others to the side with slight annoyance. The woman couldn’t blame them, though; Valerian had a magnitude about him that had drawn even her cold, dead soul towards his warmth. Sitting with her tail tucked tightly around her paws, she settled in to watch the show.

Seeing Valerian slip easily into the character of the poet and the bard, Evangeline could not help the sorrow that crept into her heart. She had also felt such passion once, had enjoyed the praise and cheers from the crowd. More than anything, she knew the joy he must feel as he brought his poems and songs to life. As a girl, she had felt such a way about her own stories. As she watched Valerian, she tried to reach that place of passion once more. She quickly recoiled within herself, however, when the attempt violently brought forth emotions and images she did not care to reflect upon at the time.

Valerian brought her out of her darkened reverie with a particular jaunty move, her eyes alighting with mirth as he continued to perform. Her head bobbed of its own accord along to his tune, gazing at him appreciatively and admiring how he could command an audience. His song ended far too soon for her liking, but she let out a small cheer with all the others as he took the crowd’s praise. She noted he appeared almost breathless as he returned to her, and she knew she would keep the mental image of him bright eyed and delighted for many nights to come. “I can tell,” she replied to him. “I think you’ve actually made a liar of me, Valerian. This might be my new favorite place in the markets as well.”

@Valerian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

A

well of emotion stirred within his soul as he reunited with Evangeline. A shimmer glossed over his crystal blue orbs, beyond elated at her commentary that settled upon his ears so pleasantly. "Really? You mean that?" Valerian searched her gaze, his eyes drawn to the rose that he had gifted, his smile one of genuine charm.

And in this moment, he forgot where he was, he forgot everyone around him, leaving himself and the woman he suddenly felt his heart would burst for. In an atmosphere of thousands, she was the only one who existed. She was the Goddess of the Moon herself and he was merely a star among the midnight sky. Yet, he did seem to shine far brighter, if only for her admiration...

Val would give anything to make her smile, to hear the soothing melody of her laughter, to help her feel safe...loved. He must have truly forgotten himself along with everyone around him, a gravitational pull drawing him in as he leaned forward on his toes and attempted to place a gentle kiss upon her cheek.




@Evangeline

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck