A Day at the Market

Aiya.... What a day. Wei Zhao had to stifle a yawn as he strode through the streets of Xi'an with his pipe propped between his lips, almost giving him a dignified air except for his outfit. It was the same as usual, relaxed, poofy, and purple. His scruff had been recently trimmed, but still made him appear a little messy (he liked it that way). Though, there were some bags under his eyes from staying up late, pouring over his latest fireworks recipe. He had so many now! But most could be split up into different uses, thus creating various categories for them. Some were more fun, meant for silly events like a birthday party or prom or something. Others were meant for commemorative events, and others... well... they had more limited use, but oh would they bedazzle all that saw them anyways!

Stretching his arms up, he cracked his neck as he took one last puff before tapping out his pipe, looking ahead of him to the grocery store at the corner down the street. Thats right, he was up excessively early this day to get his grocery shopping done before he did anything else. If he didn't do it now, then he wouldn't get it done at all. He had a couple of those plastic recyclable/reuseable bags that such stores gave you in his hand, waving to some of the familiar faces at the cashiers and wandering about in general. An elderly woman walked up to him, to which he bowed, gently taking her hand to kiss the top of it with a warm smile, "Mrs. Lin, a pleasure as always to see you. How're the grandkids?" He asked her a little bit slower than he usual spoke for her knew that she had some trouble hearing. "Oh they are fine. I'm glad to see you well Mr. Han." She patted him on the shoulder as he straightened up and let go of her hand. "Of course! Do take care of yourself, I feel a storm might be coming." He touched her shoulder and she chuckled, nodding as she walked away out the door.

"Now what did I need again...." Wei Zhao murmured quietly to himself glancing about the store as he wandered over to the carts, pulling one towards him before pushing it along. Striding down the various isles at a slow and calm pace, he grabbed a few things here and there until he got to the produce. Then... he slowed down a bit. He stared a moment and blinked, wondering again what it was he needed to buy. "I should have brought my list." He muttered to himself as he scratched the back of his head, wondering.

Name Rie Bao was out of the house! The nightingale had been allowed a brief release from her cage. It was one of those strange situations where her few servants would pester her to stay save and not strain herself. Though she should have stayed home, she explained to them that sunlight was necessary and windows were not a healthy outlook on life. She had suspicions they were probably stalking her like ninjas, but she didn't care. How much trouble could she get in for shopping? Honestly? None! Well.. probably a lot, but trouble was nothing she couldn't overcome.

As usual she looked extremely out of place and what really gave it away was her outstandish hairpiece. Really, the large golden piece gave her another good two or three inches in height. Her dress allowed her shoulders to show and blues and trimmed with gold and black. The dress reached her ankles and no lower which was lucky. Otherwise, Nam Rie would probably trip and break a leg. Her braids twisted behind her to reach her waist easily and momentarily, she pondered a haircut.

Anyways, she grabbed a cart and fumbled to look for her own list. What luck! She'd stashed it in her sash. Common items were recalled in her mind, as some she paused to ponder whether she was really out of some things, again. First thing was.. Bok choy, onion and Kai-lan... all of which would be in the produce section. Not to mention she was craving some Lychee. Without a thought, she licked her lips. Fooooodd~ Her feet carried her with a faultless smile. She was sincerely enjoying the 'fresh air'.

As she reached the produce isle, a man was sort of in the way, scratching his head. He looked lost. With a pause, she strolled up to him and grinned. "Hello. Are you alright?" She asked as she ducked around him and squeezes between him and the shelf. Of course she whispered an "Excuse me," because otherwise would be rude.

Was it the Lychee? Well, he was going to buy some now anyways since they were amongst the most delicious fruits in existence, BUT ANYWAYS!! What in the world was it? He stood there with his arms slightly folded, a hand running over his grizzled stubble ponderingly, as if looking at all of the fruits and vegetables would offer him some sort of answer. "Hello. Are you alright?" Hm? Who-- He felt the wind as a woman slipped right by and around him to get closer to the produce, turning pretty much a 360 before he finally actually saw her. "Excuse me," Well, he sort of had seen her. Now that she was moving away, he immediately bowed in his apology, straightening up before his motions began to slow. Did.... did he know her? Petite frame, interesting garb (as off-set as his were in any case haha! Now wasn't THAT a rarity!), and rather distinctive hair piece. He blinked a couple of times and shook himself of it, realizing that he was staring which was a bit rude. "Of course. I apologize for being in the way."

He glanced about him and stepped aside, clearing his throat in his embarrassment. He did have a rather bad habit of spacing out, didn't he? "I just forgot my list is all," He turned back to the produce and sighed, his eyes a soft blue as he stared at them in that faked lighting. "I swear the produce was going to hold some kind of answer for me... Ah but they are silent as stone." He chuckled and glanced back over to her, wheeling himself down the aisle a bit so that he was out of the way of everyone else while making sure he didn't bump into her now. He picked up the leeks, lychee, lettuce... Heh, all of those started with L! Anyways, his fingers paused over the beets and he sighed, now just trying to think of what in the world he'd like to eat for dinner. He could really go for some melon bread at the moment, but that was hardly proper breakfast food. What in the world did he usually eat for breakfast?

So he paused and turned towards her, "Excuse me madam, what do you recommend for breakfast?" He asked, really hoping that she wouldn't call him a creep for speaking to her or anything.

"Being in the way? Hardly!" The man mentioned he forgot his list and how the fruit came as no help. "I would help, but alas, I did not take up fruit whispering." Her eyes closed and she let out a gentle sigh. Most people probably thought they were strange for 'talking to fruit', but no one bothered them, which was a good thing. She couldn't help but laugh lightly. Had she lost her list, she would have been just as lost! Only.. it'd be in the pastry section.

"Hm... Well. I no personally I'm thinking of making jiānbǐng today. Perhaps with lychee and fried noodles." Her finger pressed on her lip while she thought, before she turned to him and laughed lightly. "Then again, there is a difference in taste-buds with people."

"Naturally you are welcome to join, if you wish." Indeed, and her servants would have a heart attack. Why on earth would she invite a stranger over for breakfast? Especially a man! What would her mother think?! That of course, was a thought that did not cross Rie's mind, since she was not at all worried about it. After sweeping up a couple good lychee of her own, she placed them in her basket and stared at the man for a minute. He seemed.. familiar. Her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Pardon my asking, but have we met before.. you.. look familiar.." It didn't register at all as she looked at this man, that he would be familiar for a reason, maybe not an actual MEETING, but a passing glance.

"Being in the way? Hardly!" Well at least there was that. "I would help, but alas, I did not take up fruit whispering." Wei Zhao chuckled at that, for at least she took a joke and returned with one of her own. And, well, at least she hadn't also just walked away from him either when he mentioned talking to his fruit. That would have been a little dampening on this day, as early as it was. Though then he would have had the rest of the day to make it better from a smarted morning. "Hm... Well. I no personally I'm thinking of making jiānbǐng today. Perhaps with lychee and fried noodles." Oooo jianbing was tasty.... And lychee.... His mouth watered a little bit as he took a deep breath, and hmmmed softly in his throat. He began to turn towards the pastry section to get some proper baked goods, already thinking of a few things. Yes, he would get--

"Naturally you are welcome to join, if you wish." Wei stopped in his step and turned, facing her with a raised eyebrow and surprised expression. He... was? Clearing his throat, he straightened up and offered her a weak smile, "Forgive me. I did not realize this was a natural thing. I greatly appreciate your offer madam." Did she actually know him? Oh dear, he half-hoped that was NOT the case because then that meant they had met before and he didn't recognize her. Except he did. He just wasn't sure what it was for it was that beastly thorn digging into him, prodding harder and harder. "I would not wish to impose, however, since we have just met." He began, but quickly fell quiet as she spoke again, "Pardon my asking, but have we met before.. you.. look familiar.."

WHAM

Ancestors the recognition hit him like a brick to the head and he did stumble back a bit as a BIG grin took over his features, stepping forward with a slight bow to her, "Ancestors above, Nam! Nam Rie Bao!" He held out a hand to her as those blue eyes lit up like the sky overhead, just happy that he had finally thought of it. The thorn was gone! "It's Wei Zhao! Wei Zhao Han of Clan Han. We met years ago when all the clan leaders were showing off their kids and whatnot. How've you been?"

Her name was shouted and at that moment, she knew she was forgetting this man... oops? She blinked a couple times, trying to place HIS name in turn. "[color=orchid]It's Wei Zhao! Wei Zhao Han of Clan Han. We met years ago when all the clan leaders were showing off their kids and whatnot. How've you been?[color]" OH! THAT was hos he knew him. That made a lot of sense on why she didn't recognize him immediately. Her eyes lit up and she laughed softly in relief. It felt good when things fell into place. Neither seemed to be bothered by the fact they couldn't remember each other, always a plus. After all, who wanted to be around a crybaby who was upset just because someone you met once didn't remember you? She strained for slight details of discussion, points of interest, but nothing seemed bad to avoid talking to him. That grin he had certainly eased her into relaxing more (As if she wasn't already).

"AH! Haha! Shame on me for forgetting such a handsome face!" Rie cooed in amusement, gently teasing as she tended to do. "Though I think there are a lot more gray hairs than last time." Her hazel eyes narrowed at him, as if inspecting. Even if she wasn't, it was certainly convincing. Her hand took his.. though she wasn't exactly sure what he'd do with her hand since some men shook, some gripped and others kissed. It was a sort of give away for a personality almost. Just one of the many aspects of a person's being that was morphed into their whole selves.

"Things have been well, I suppose. I really can't complain." Her voice trickled into laughter, again as she leaned on her cart some. Such a posture was more suited for conversing at the market than the prior one. "What of you? Surely you have SOME sort of exciting news?" She had no idea, she was simply giving idle conversation. At the same time she was doing her job, though unintentional as it was. Her hazel orbs stared upon him in interest.

Well what a delightful little laugh she had! He wasn't sure if he remembered that so well from all those years ago, but it was sort of fun getting to rediscover everything now! "AH! Haha! Shame on me for forgetting such a handsome face!" His grin became a bit sheepish as he chuckled and bowed his head to her, "My lady, you are too kind." He shot back, straightening as she spoke, "Though I think there are a lot more gray hairs than last time." Blinking, he stood up and grasped at his poofy hair, dragging some down towards his face so he could look at it better. "Bless my soul, that may be so!" He chortled a little and let the hairs go, which proceeded to stick up and somehow fit back with the rest. He had long since tried to make it obey his will. There was just no point to it now.

Her hand was offered and he clasped it, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss upon it. She was a lady of high standing and deserved it. It was only proper decorum! As he rose back up, he let go with an easier smile upon his lips as he looked at her, "You are still as lovely as you were back then, forgive me if that sounds forward. I merely wished to state a fact." He told her quietly, glancing up as someone needed to push past his cart, shifting it to the side with a called out apology. "Things have been well, I suppose. I really can't complain." Wei Zhao nodded, always happy to hear such things. "What of you? Surely you have SOME sort of exciting news?" well now. He blinked a couple of times, glancing to the produce in his cart as if it would help him before raising those blue-green irises back up to her. "Well..." What in the world could he tell her?

"I've finally moved into the city. Couldn't bring the clan with me, but had to come in. Heard there were issues afoot and felt like I shouldn't get left out." He shrugged his shoulders and laughed softly, scratching the back of his head. "Other than that... I've been trying to create new formulas for my fireworks." He added quietly, not quite sure how she would take that since most people sort of smiled and nodded at that point which was fine. "What about you? What have you been up to?" Yes, show interest, that was ALWAYS good.

Wei Zhao proceeded to check for gray hair, which made her laugh in response. How silly! The hair simply popped back in 'place' and he grinned goofily with an agreement to her statement. So he HAD some faded hairs, she was glad it wasn't just her, then. Age and responsibility made people look old and feel even older than they were. Her eyes closed and then reopened to the world. Such a strange little world.

His body leaned forward and lips pressed to her hand. Her cheeks darkened a bit as she wasn't quite used to that and she probably never would be. Such attention was always foreign to her and made her heart flutter like a butterfly in her stomach. Was it out of shyness or something else..? Not that there was really anything else to be felt, but anything was possible. Her friend straightened and the small chit-chat had begun. He seemed almost unsure how to respond. Were things bad? Worry filled her hazel eyes from bottom to top. Luckily the news was nothing but good. He had been inventing so it seemed. She smiled happily for him.

"I can't wait to see them. They were always the best." Her voice turned into a gentle laugh. "They're simply beautiful. My little cousin loves them the most. Every festival she asks if you'll be setting them off." Yes little Mao was an excitable girl when it came to fireworks, but Rie couldn't blame her. "As for my own doings.. well between my jobs, I barely have time to get anything accomplished." Her smile widened. "But on the rare chance I DO, I have been practicing my music."

"I can't wait to see them. They were always the best." Really? Wei Zhao's face lit up so hard on that compliment, positively beaming from ear to ear at those words. "I'll be sure that you are amongst the first to see them!" He spoke enthusiastically, truly hoping that she could make whatever event he would be using them at. "They're simply beautiful. My little cousin loves them the most. Every festival she asks if you'll be setting them off." His whole being relaxed at that, a contentedness flowing through him at the knowledge that the little ones also liked them. Out of anyone in the entire world, the children were the most important. That was one of the major reasons he did what he did with his fireworks, because he wanted to see their faces light up in happiness. For if he could bring them that joy, then his job was complete. "I am very happy to hear that." He said quietly, remembering how some of the little ones from his clan had pestered him for different kinds of fireworks.

He almost got lost in his thoughts until she spoke again, blinking a few times before refocusing on her with another of his goofy grins. "As for my own doings.. well between my jobs, I barely have time to get anything accomplished." Oh. His grin fell a bit, that was never good. "But on the rare chance I DO, I have been practicing my music." Bing! His grin came back, a low chuckle in his throat as he folded his arms over his chest, starting to move to lean on his cart until he realized... that would probably not be wise. So he stood straighter instead, shifting between feet as his blue eyes gazed at her, "I do remember hearing a lovely little songbird before... I bet your voice is just as gorgeous as before, if not moreso now!" He repaid the compliment, but it was also the truth.

"What have you been working on lately?" He asked her, realizing full well that his knowledge of music wasn't that expansive, but he was genuinely curious. Perhaps they'd get to perform together at some upcoming festival or something! Now wouldn't that just be delightful?

"I do remember hearing a lovely little songbird before... I bet your voice is just as gorgeous as before, if not moreso now!" Rie couldn't help but blush darkly. He couldn't mean that. Still, it made her red in the face and her heart fluttered excitedly. She smiled warmly at him, appreciating his words thoroughly. Singing was a passion, so it felt great to know others enjoyed it nearly as much as she did. "You flatter me." She spoke softly. Her voice was but a wisp on the air, silent for only he to hear. Why? Because it was just odd that she had to accept a compliment. She also didn't want some strange people assuming that compliments would woo her, because people were just outright insane in some aspects.

"What have you been working on lately?"

She paused to think and tapped her chin a couple times. "Namely, it's been establishing borders and clarifying connections. Nothing too severe." Her shoulders shrugged, but not in a depressive way. Her eyes remained excited. It was an odd occurance when someone made her feel so important. Her job was busy work mainly, but to know that someone would actually ASK her, she was overjoyed.

"What of you? Also am I expecting breakfast for two or no?"