[center] [hr][hr] [h1][color=3d5a88] Niallus [/color]and [color=C0C0C0]Maura [/color] [/h1] [hr][hr] [/center]
[center] [hr][hr] [color=3d5a88] Location:[/color]. Outside the Auction house.[hr][hr] [/center]
Big thank you [@Ti] for this little banter.

The auction had not long come to a close, all the young participants were collecting the items that they bid on in exchange for their hard-earned magi. Niallus managed to get two items. As Niallus looks around, it seems the other members of his team have already left the auction house, no doubt to celebrate on how well they did finish second. [color=3d5a88]"Guess those guys couldn't wait, so impatient. After all, it was well-earned"[/color] As more people that won prizes left the building, a familiar face with a wheelchair came out. It was Maura. He shouts her name to get her attention, followed by a polite wave to her.


Maura was caught by surprise as Niallus called out after her, and after making her excuses with the others, she made a moment to be with him as she rolled across and approached. [color=C0C0C0]“Here we are, simultaneously the richest and poorest in my life on the same day.”[/color] as she gave him a playful smile as she showcased the events of the day. The side of her mouth raised into a slight smirk, [color=C0C0C0]“Been getting some very dark looks from your girlfriend, she is not happy. Let her know it is not personal, only business. She cannot walk out with the entire auction, after all”[/color]. She adopted a warmer smile as she held out her hand towards him, [color=C0C0C0]“Congratulations on coming second”[/color]

Niallus gives a little chuckle from Maura's little joke. [color=3d5a88]"Such is life, you make money, then you lose it."[/color] he accepts her hand that she put out towards him, giving it a little shake. [color=3d5a88]"Yeah, we did really well. We were practically the underdogs throughout the entire competition. We're really close to winning, too."[/color] A little bit of a competitive tone came out. Then Niallus tilts his head based on what Maura said before, [color=3d5a88]"Girlfriend? What Girlfriend?"[/color] with a confused look on his face, wondering what Maura was talking about.

She smiled rather mischievously at the comment, [color=C0C0C0]“We misunderstood those puppy-dog eyes of yours, ignore it.”[/color] waved her hand dismissively as she returned to the previous comment. [color=C0C0C0]“People weren’t expecting a second-rate team to win, so they were too eager to dismiss us as we took advantage of their ignorance. Too busy targeting Jocasta rather than… her second rate stand-in”[/color] a previous reference to a heated barbed comment the Eskand boy made. [color=C0C0C0]“Either way, we have everyone's attention and focus. What are your plans now?”[/color]

Feeling like he missed whatever she was talking about, he just shrugged his shoulders. He nods in agreement with what she was saying. Even when she stopped talking because she seemed to sound competitive. He gives her a soft smile. He thought Maura was a person who did it by the book sort of girl. [color=3d5a88]"You're right, because of this we are going to have huge targets on our backs. We'll need to be vigilant, so we don't get blind sided by someone.[/color] He gives it a little thought about what she said about him having plans? [color=3d5a88]"I…I honestly have no idea what to do, I guess I'll head back home. My Grandfather wants to train me some more, but he didn't say what." [/Color] looking at her, [color=3d5a88]'' What about yourself? Do you have any ideas of what you want to do?" [/Color] He was a little curious about what her answer would be?

 [color=C0C0C0]“So your old man wants to pass on his wisdom? You should listen closely and pay your respects. You will regret it if you don’t.”[/color] she brushed a hand through her hair as she released a soft sigh, then putting on a braver smile  [color=C0C0C0]“Sometimes you don’t know what you have until you lose it”[/color]. Maura imagined that his old-man may have been feeling the burden of his years upon him, and felt pressured to part with his wisdom. A rather warm image, though such actions could become oppressing without context.

She pondered for a moment as she considered her plans, [color=C0C0C0]“My road leads me to Callanst, most likely. Got to set up a bunch of stuff with these new territories. Trying to decide if we should go on two separate journeys or attempt to circumvent the world”[/color]. She ponders a moment, given the timings of the semester break, such a feat is most unlikely to occur. [color=C0C0C0]“A girl can dream, right?”[/color] she offered him a bright smile. Callanst is the future, a continent rich in opportunities ready to be exploited, and she is going to make it her goal to be one of the first major players there, and with Gaskum and Longwan, she has footholds on either side of the continent, she is in prime position to reap the rewards.

Niallus nods in agreement to her statement, with a smile [color=3d5a88]"Dreams are a good thing, sometimes they can help us push forward. I'm sure you'll be able to achieve it. After all, you've proven that you can determine if you put your mind to it."[/color] he was unsure if his advice would be helpful. [color=3d5a88]"But back to your other thing you said, about my Grandfather." [/color] his voice becomes sincere. [color=3d5a88]“Honestly, I owe everything to my Grandfather. While my parents were away, he was the one who helped me control my magic. Without the proper training, my magic is extremely dangerous to others around me.”[/color] looking back at her, curious about what she meant about the statement about not getting another chance. [color=3d5a88]“Did you get to know your Grandparents?”[/color]

Maura simply smiled in a warm and playful manner, [color=C0C0C0]“This one dreams big, so you better watch out, Niallus!”[/color] finishing in a faux menacing giggle with her hand over her mouth in a coy manner. [color=C0C0C0]“It is refreshing to see someone have such faith in my abilities. Usually have to spend my time attempting to convincing people that we are not a frail wallflower that should be seen but not heard, and the other half who thinks this one should not been seen at all.”[/color]

At his question, she simply swirled a few strands of her hair, [color=C0C0C0]“Let’s say ‘It's complicated’ for my situation. My mother died during childbirth and her parents blamed me. My grandmother on my father’s side was amazing, but she died of the cangrejo disease when we were only five. However, Tío y Tía, Uncle Juan and my Aunty Bella were big on family and played a big part. He died of the cangrejo disease when papá and myself were on the Horseshoe. We had an argument before we left, a silly one, there wasn’t an opportunity to make amends. Tía reassured me that he forgave and forgot long ago.”[/color]

That statement she made about dreaming big, seems like she has big goals. [color=3d5a88]“That's good then. Hopefully you'll be able to achieve them.”[/color] the only thing that made him curious, was that giggle of hers. 

She wasn't kidding about it being complicated. Niallus kinda felt bad asking her about her family. [color=3d5a88]“I'm sorry, If you didn't feel comfortable, you didn't have to tell me. It mustn't have been easy for you to discuss family matters like that to more or less a stranger.”[/color] smiling at her. He wasn't going to say that he understood how she felt, when he clearly didn't. He barely had family as it was. [color=3d5a88]"Anything else you want to talk about? Or do?”[/color] sitting down on a nearby seat.

Maura tucked the strands of her hair back behind her ear as she tilted her head to the side as she offered him a soft smile, [color=C0C0C0]“It is the custom in Varrahasta that if you ask a girl for their time, you reward them with a sweet treat at a food vendor.”[/color] she blushed as she dropped the hint. [color=C0C0C0]“Zenobucks should be nearby. We heard from a friend that they are starting to sell Macarons now.”[/color] She shifts in her chair as she sets it in motion, starting to slowly move away. [color=C0C0C0]“Are you coming~?”[/color]

Not wanting to be left behind, he gets up to catch up with Maura. [color=3d5a88]“Sure, a Zenobucks sounds good.”[/color] Walking with Maura. [color=3d5a88]“Thanks for that insight, Maura. However, we aren't in Varrahasta. If we were, I might have, but we aren't.”[/color] with a slight snark tone complete with a mischievous grin.

She raised an eyebrow at the comment, [color=C0C0C0]“We sometimes forget you are a barbarian from a backwards land who communicate via grunts and clubs.”[/color] closing one eye as she peered up with the other, her own mischievous grin is wider. [color=C0C0C0]“That can be corrected, naturally. First thing when out with a girl is that you escort her by taking her arm, though circumstances permitting, a hand shall do.”[/color] she raises a hand towards Niallus to take. [color=C0C0C0]“If it starts to rain, you carry the umbrella for the both of us, and the priority is to prevent it falling on me.”[/color]

Niallus shakes his head with a smile from Maura's explanation and her remarks on what he should do, as well as Eskand culture. Playing along, he takes her hand. [color=3d5a88]“But milady, how would I be able to carry my club if I'm holding your hand.”[/color] with a smirk on his face. [color=3d5a88]“But I'm so glad that you used small words, so my backwards brain can understand. If not, you might have had to use grunts for me to understand.”[/color] trying his hardest to not burst out laughing. It seems he's starting to get along with Maura, even though to some people it doesn't look like it. She has a sarcastic charm to her that he respects.

She simply smiles sweetly, [color=C0C0C0]“That is permissible. You shall leave it at your cave whilst we work upon your etiquette and your pronunciation. You may order an ‘Ayla’, a coffee with milk and honey, and a Macaroon. Likewise, you then may order something you desire, then pay the friendly vendor with a polite thank you.”[/color] She squeezed upon his fingers as they start to approach the vendor. [color=C0C0C0]“Time to put this into practice.”[/color] as she turned to flutter her eyelashes towards him in an encouraging manner.

Feeling her squeezing his fingers, she's really getting into this, or she could be nervous, it's hard to tell. Listening to her "instructions" on how to order something appropriately, the fluttering eyelashes were a bit much. Approaching the vendor, Maura's grip on his hand more tightly, then softer. He clears his throat [color=3d5a88]“Good evening, Can I order two 'Ayla'  coffee's with honey and milk, and two portions of macarons please.”[/color] the vendor nods, instructing them that it'll take a while for his order to be made. So they offer Niallus and Maura a table while they wait. [color=3d5a88]“Did that meet your standards?”[/color] he said to Maura with a smile. He also wondered how long she was going to hold his hand, if it's any longer, this will feel more like a date.

[color=C0C0C0]“You know, it will be difficult to eat with one hand, you are free to let go.”[/color] she smirked toward him as she teased, not releasing a hold upon his hand as she drank from the coffee cup then placed it upon the table as she helped herself to a delicious looking pink macaroon with her free hand. [color=C0C0C0]“What are your plans after the academy? Plan to return home, stay and become a Tan-Zeno, or put down some roots elsewhere?”[/color]

[color=3d5a88]“That's fair.”[/color] at first, it seemed that Maura didn't want to let go of his hand, he eventually did. Taking a quick sip of his coffee, then takes a bite out of a macaroon. He wonders about what he'd do after the academy. [color=3d5a88]“I'm not really sure what I want to do after the academy. I mean, I thought about being the head of my family. There are a few things I want, however it'll mostly come down to if I can survive. I might settle down, no idea who I'd settle down with.”[/color] he takes another sip of his coffee. [color=3d5a88]“what about you, what are your goals after the academy. Are you going back home to settle down with someone?”[/color]

Maura simply puts on a sweet smile as Niallus let go of her hand, and distracts herself by savouring her macarons, which were definitely the visit by themselves. The answer to the question was a simple one, [color=C0C0C0]“We are going to create what will be a successful trading company with a ship in every port, amigo. Then you would never get away from my influence.”[/color] she adopted a faux-menacing tone as she finished off the treat playfully. Easily softening as within a moment, [color=C0C0C0]“gracias, this was a nice relaxing distraction.”[/color] 

He smiles at her. [color=3d5a88]“de nada, I'm glad that this was able to help you.”[/color] he takes a bite of a macaroon. Thinking about what she mentioned, he was intrigued by her new trading company. [color=3d5a88]“Oh, your family is starting a new trading company, with a ship in every dock. That's cool. Can I ask what your family sells?”[/color] taking another sip from his coffee. If this deal does go through for these ships. There'll definitely be no escape from her family's influence.

She raised an eyebrow at the reply in her surprise, [color=C0C0C0]“¿Hablas Torragònese?”[/color] She moved on to address his question. [color=C0C0C0]“If by family, you mean me, si. Need to protect my Callansti interests, and Ersand’Enise does offer some very favourable rates. Will take time, but that is my goal, using my ships to bring the world together, where we can freely trade and share many pleasures which would simply be unattainable”[/color] after her speech, she placed the empty plate and cup upon the table, [color=C0C0C0]“As for the family business, they provide transport along the Horseshoe trading route, primarily shipping Terracotta, Cattle, Spices, and Horses from Torragon and returning with goods from around the twin-continents.”[/color]

Maura pushes herself away from the table and twists the chair toward Niallus. [color=C0C0C0]“However, it is growing late. So it is time for a lady to depart. See you again in our Zeno class, we have a busy year ahead of us.”[/color] offered her hand out towards Niallus as she bids him goodbye.

Looking at the time on his pocket watch, she was right, it was rather late. He grabs what's left of his macaroon.[color=3d5a88]“Maura, wait.” [/color] getting up to follow her. [color=3d5a88]“If you are wanting to go, please allow this backwards barbarian to escort you back to your dorm as a thank you for your time.”[/color] he says with a warm smile, with a little bow. Then he offered to take her hand again.

She smiled warmly as Niallus was being a gentleman towards her, [color=C0C0C0]“For a barbarian, you are not so bad. Just don’t forget your club, how else can you communicate with the others of your kind without it.”[/color] she winked towards him in an obvious tease, and allowed him to escort her back.