The Friday Farmer's Market was a cacophony of sound, the stalls and vendors having set up on Ocean Drive, the street that ran the length between the north and south beach. With the town on one side and the docks on the other people milled about all over, picking up fresh produce, perusing the presented crafts like handmade blankets, candles, and the like. The salt scented breeze brushing in from the sea kept the summer heat at bay, the late afternoon as pleasant as can be.

There were a couple of fairies with tiny little stall on top of a tall table, the clay pots the size of them having herbs and spices sprawling out every which way. Next to them was a faun peddling his hand stitched costumes, made in preparation for the midsummer night festival.

"Hey, Stuart!" one of the little fairies called out to the faun, having fluttered over to stand on one of his tables. Her voice was a squeaky little sound but it caught his ear.

"Yes Anita?" Stuart leaned down a bit to hear her better when she waved him closer.

"I was wondering if you could make me something special for the festival," she had quieted down a little, casting a glance back here and there to her partner, "And something for Delilah, too. I'm gonna propose to her when the bonfire is lit."

"Well, that's just down right adorable," a huge smile came across Stuart's face, his fluffy tail twitching this way and that in excitement, "Do you want the traditional summer court regalia or something inspired by your elements?"

"Can I have both? I..." Anita had given a glance again to her partner when she saw just who she was talking to. In a flurry of gossamer wings she rushed back to Delilah, waving her hands at the man as she looked up at him, "You! Shoo!"

"It's fine," Delilah tried to calm her down, "He's actually really nice, he just wants a mint plant."

"I don't care, I don't like him."

"That's so rude, he's standing right there!"

"I don't care!"

The two fairies continued their argument though from the sound of it the disagreement was becoming more than a little lovers' quarrel. Stuart stepped out of his stall, hooves clomping against the asphalt as he put himself between the fairies and the man, "I think you should leave."

The tone was more than enough for Abel Revnik to turn away and shove off through the crowd. There was a look of guilt, feeling quite bad for having started the debacle but he hadn't meant to. With a canvas grocery bag full of fruits and veggies he stopped off at a couple more stalls to pick up a few more things, never meeting the stares or flinching at the whisperings. It was just another day out in public for him.

A café at the end of the market line was ducked into, the smiling face of the centaur barista, Sloane, much easier to deal with. Abel always found it so compelling to watch him delicately move behind the counter, the horse part never seemed to be a hindrance as he already started to work, "The usual, Mister Revnik?"

"Please," he already dug into his pocket, the exact amount for his iced mocha placed on the counter with a couple bucks tossed into the tip jar. Picking up his drink at the other end Abel plopped himself to a booth at the very back end of the café, facing away from the entrance just to hide himself more.

Journal retrieved from the grocery bag set next to him he pulled a pen from his pocket, opening the book to a blank page to begin writing.

"Thanks for coming. Remember if there is anything in particular you are looking for we take orders and can track it down for you." Alison said with a smile as the Shifter couple walked out the door with their purchase. Sighing happily, she turned from the register and walked over to the bookcase where the ledgers were kept. She quickly recorded the sale and marked off the Victorian dresser that had been sold. She noted that they were getting low on some of the furniture items and needed to restock. She knew her parents would be thrilled. They loved going on little trips to find new treasures to sell. They said that it helped to keep their marriage alive by going new places and seeing new people. Alison, however, could not imagine ever leaving Shivering Bay. She had lived here her whole life and loved the place. It was somewhere she could truly be herself and not have to worry about what others thought. She did not know how her mother could stand to go to places further inland and away from the sea. It made Alison cringe inside just to think about it.

"Why don't you take a break dear. You have been here all morning." her mom said and patted her on the back. Nodding her head and giving her a half hug, Alison replied, "That sounds great. If you don't mind then I think I will pop down to the little cafe and get a drink. You want anything?" "No. I am fine. In fact, why don't you just take the rest of the day off. It has been kinda slow what with everyone down at the Farmer's market and I think we have it covered. Daddy and I have a trip coming up in a few weeks and you will be in charge here with no time off so enjoy it while you can. Go on now. I have a million things to do to get ready. Shoo."

Laughing at her mom, she quickly grabbed her wallet and ran out the door. She almost bumped into two faun young-lings who grinned at her and kept running intent in their pursuit of a small ball that was rolling down the sidewalk. She nodded to the owner of the next door store as she passed. The female fire elemental shot a small burst of flame up in acknowledgement but resumed heating the forge as her husband, the dragon/human hybrid pounded on the steel weapon he was making. They ran a smithy that did a brisk business to the renaissance fairs and cos-players that loved that authentic feel for their costumes. Plus, there were always the older ones in town that still believed in the old ways, before coexistence and made sure to keep weapons and things stockpiled for the day when things were sure to go to shit.

Picking up her pace, Alison made her way down the street and past the rest of the businesses and vendors that had opened for the Market and pushed open the door of the cafe. "Hey Sloane. Nice ass." she joked with the centaur barista who was bent over picking something up with his arms while his horse end was turned towards the door. With a snort, Sloane turned towards her with his top half and said, "Cute. You know you shouldn't tease me like that. I just might take you up on your flirting one day and I know for a fact you couldn't handle all of this," he gestured to his manly physique as he crossed his arms.

"Yeah, yeah. Promises promises. I'll take the usual." she replied and went to lean against the counter as he just grinned and went to make her drink. She glanced around the cafe and saw that sitting in a small booth in the back was the man that was the talk of the town lately. Well I'll be. I didn't know that the opportunity would arise this soon. I thought I would have to go to his house to say hello. Maybe I can finally find out some more about him instead of the big pile of nothing that is what is known so far.

"Order up Alison." Sloane yelled at her and she went to get her chai tea. She hesitated for just a second before taking a deep breath and walking over to where Abel Revnik sat. "Hi. Do you mind if I sit down and we chat for a minute." she asked. She hoped she didn't scare him off. Rumor also stated that he was a shy man who rarely just made idle conversation. She smiled as she waited for his response.

Page after page had been filled, the ink covering the pages in both writing and drawings, not leaving unused surface before moving on to the next page. Sloane had tried to peek from time to time but it wasn’t long into Abel’s work was he leaned over the table, hunched over the journal. The coffee had only been sipped at here and there when he remembered it, most of the ice cubes having melted and watered down the drink but he didn’t seem to care.

The arrival made him jolt a bit, not having heard the woman at all until she spoke. Had he heard her enter the shop he would have made a mad dash out the door but he had been too enthralled in his work. Journal quickly closed he sat back in his seat, pen set to the side. There was an internal debate on whether he could just pack up and go, duck out the door and not come back for a week. Yet, her smile was disarming and her demeanor was rather pleasant, perhaps he was jump to conclusions too quickly.

“Uh… yeah, sure…” Abel stuttered, trying not to show just how panicked he actually was. Most people just left him be, others yelled at him to leave. Very few talked to him, even rarer was someone who actually wanted to have a conversation with him.

A hand waved to the place across from him, though the cuff on his wrist moved. Quick to place it back he folded his hands into his lap, a brief smile forming but it was obviously forced. She was pleasant enough though, and not too bad on the eyes, yet he seemed unnerved.

“What did you want to chat about?"

Alison smiled reassuringly at Abel. She could tell by the way that he had slammed his journal shut and then his eyes darted around as if looking for an escape that she had surprised him. He really was a twitchy type of fellow. For a second she debated just saying never mind and letting him escape but her curiosity about him was too great and won out.

She slid into the seat he had offered and took a sip of her drink before stating, "I know that this is a bit forward of me, but you are kind of the talk to the town and I wanted to find out why. You know how these small towns are when someone new shows up and well there have been a lot of people talking about you and no one really seems to know anything about you. I know you live on South Beach and that you always are writing in journals but that is about all. You don't have to share anything personal, but I just wanted to find out a little more about you and welcome you to Shivering Bay." She knew she was being a busybody and hoped she did not scare him off. She had wanted to ask about the thing on his wrist that she had gotten a glimpse of as she sat down but decided that it was not wise. He already seemed about to jump out of his skin just by her sitting there and now her asking these few questions. If she asked either what it was or what he wrote in his journals, she doubted she would ever get to talk to him again.

"If it makes you feel better, you can ask me some things too. I will tell you anything you want to know. Within reason anyway. I do have a few secrets," she grinned at him and winked.

Well that wasn't smart of me. Why do I always speak and act without thinking it through. He is sure to bail on me now. So much for finding anything out about the mysterious Abel Revnik.

There was a lull in the conversation as Abel processed just what she was asking for. Small details? He could handle that. Personal bits? That would have to be pried out of him with a crowbar. Yet, the way she spoke to him probably didn't provoke the kind of reaction she expected. Rather, he relaxed quite a bit with a lopsided smile creeping up on his face which only grew more until finally a chuckle escaped him.

"By the gods," he let the laugh die but the smile remained, "I thought this conversation was going to go differently."

Not even Sloane had heard Abel say so many words consecutively much less hear a laugh out of him. The centaur behind the counter waved his hands at Alison, beckoning her to keep cracking the shell. It wasn't an impossible task, people just didn't know where to tap to start the fissures.

Starting to relax Abel picked up his drink, taking a sip of it before he went on. Maybe they were right, no one would remember me at all.

"The want to get to know someone does get personal, to a degree," Abel scratched at the scar on his face, done out of subconscious need than an actual irritant, "But I think I could oblige a few things. My favorite color is turqoise, my favorite drink is rum chata, and I have a calico cat named Felicity. She's old, fat, and a cuddle bug."

The details he was giving her didn't matter, they were pointless tidbits that didn't define who he actually was. Unless something really spoke to her about him having a cat, but he doubted it. WIth a rub to the back of his neck his smile turned sheepish, "Sorry about the comment earlier. Usually when people talk to me they're either telling me off or asking me what I want so I can get out of their hair faster."

It was then he realized he was all out of... Well he couldn't remember what he ordered, but it was gone so he had nothing to fiddle with now. The facade of confidence would fade soon if he didn't do something.

"I'll exchange a secret of mine for a secret of yours though," he said, flipping to the last page of his journal. Tipping it to where she couldn't see what he was writing he posed his question, "What is your deepest darkest fear?"

The pen was clicked, meeting the page as he wrote out something. It was six little words afterward he ripped the page out, folding it quickly into a little triangle with the end tucked in. If she answered him, even with a lie, he'd push it towards her to take. All the while, if and when she read it he'd simply just watch for her reaction.

Alison smiled when Abel laughed. She was glad to see that he hadn't taken offence at her being so nosy. She lent forward with interest as he said a few things about himself then leaned back again. It seemed that he was willing to share some things as long as they were not too personal and just very basic. However, when he said "Sorry about the comment earlier. Usually when people talk to me they're either telling me off or asking me what I want so I can get out of their hair faster." she found herself understanding him a bit more. Poor guy. If people have really been treating him that way then no wonder he is so reserved and jumpy. I would be too if every time I reached out at all people were either jumping down my throat for living or trying to shoo me away. That is so not fair. I wonder why he has gotten that kind of treatment. I mean he is a bit odd but around here that is not something that should be held against anyone. There has to be more to it than that. I think when I leave here I will ask my parents and see what they have heard. Maybe they can clear some things up.

She watched as he fiddled with his drink and waved to Sloane to bring him another on her. It would be a few minutes before it arrived. His next words got her attention quickly. "I'll exchange a secret of mine for a secret of yours though," She reached in her pocket as he asked, "What is your deepest darkest fear?" She pulled out a pen and chewed on the end of it as she thought. She had always been someone that chewed on pens when she was think about something. Because of this, and so she wouldn't be stealing pens left and right, she always kept one without the ink in her back pocket.

"Let's see. My deepest darkest fear." she took a removed the pen and took a sip pf her drink and then put the pen back to chew as she thought. There were many things that scared her. The fear of losing those she loved. The fear of not being good or smart enough to handle her life. The fear of spiders and crawly things. None of those compared to her darkest fear however. She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes as she replied, "I am not fully human. My mother is a water elemental that can change into human form and substance. I have been trained by her to the best of her abilities but as I am a half breed my powers are sometimes erratic. My darkest fear is that I lose control and then lose myself to the element." She let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. She did not often tell people things this personal about herself but if she expected him to be honest and forthright with her then she owed him that much from herself.

Sloane arrived at the table with the drink and two muffins and winked at her as he sat them down and walked away. She smiled back and put the pen back in her pocket. She nervously twisted a strand of her hair as she waited to see what Abel would do wit the piece of paper he had written something one and how he would react to what she had said.