A Chance Encounter [Jukan] [FINISHED]

[Jukan]

Something to eat? He never even considered it but he hadn’t eaten a single thing since the time he had first awoke. This day was very eventful for the boy, but more importantly,. He found himself a reason to be just after awakening. Now he had to gather more information about his surroundings, and more importantly, himself. A place to eat may come with an opportunity to ask the princess some things. He knew at this point he would be her servant, but he didn’t know if it was to be the only thing he would want to do. Servant would be to him, a part-time job, but he would never say that out loud. If this girl was royalty, she could have him executed on the spot if she wished, and he was not sure he could do anything in retaliation to survive.

More importantly, she said something that would bring a smile to his face. “Yeah. I think you could use something to eat. Not that I could tell, I guess. Mr. Shadows.” He would laugh a little as they moved at a decent pace to their destination. ”Mr. Shadows? I like it. Until I know my true name, would you be willing to address me as such? Or perhaps you would know a more fitting name to please you.” He was genuinely happy. After all that had already happened, and no sign of remembering even his own name, it would be nice to give people something to address himself by, and Mr. Shadows, although creepy sounding, seemed to fit more so than even he himself would realize.

[Angel]

She snorted a bit. "Yeah, sure." she said, deciding it worked well enough. "Mr. Shadows, you didn't answer my other question. I suppose that means you're fine with it.. some ramen sound nice?" she thought the idea sounded fine enough anyway.

They continued to walk, Arietta didn't seem to make such a fuss about the rain despite how done up she was. Her pigtailed started to droop and her clothes were wet, but she had a smile enough on her face. "It smells nice, huh? The rain? How does it make you feel?"

To be honest, Arietta had no idea what was up wit her. This blank slate person was somehow the least and most trustworthy person she could think of, she supposed.. and at the moment, she was an odd feeling of safety she probably shouldn't be. It wouldn't last. She knew that.

For now though.. she had someone to talk to.. which was rare. They started approaching the town proper again, with all various services and lights.

[Jukan]

Actually, the reason he didn’t answer was because he was too hyped up over receiving a name, though temporary, and he didn’t fully understand it yet he loved it. ”Raman sounds fine. I am sorry to say though, I do not believe I have any money on me that I am aware of.”[/i] He started to notice he wasn’t doing a very good job of shielding Arietta from the rain. That being said, he still found her to be rather cute, even when wet. Unseen blush marks would once again appear.

The two arrive shortly after wandering for a few minutes at a very familiar location for Mr. Shadows. They arrived back where he first awoke, and ran into Arietta. Now question was, what all is here? Then he started thinking, why did he even run off from the start? The memory of it all escaped him. Was something robbing him of his memories? It would be a question he would have to worry with later, for now, the two would have a bit of time to relax. He lets out an audible sigh though knowing he would end up having the princess he now serves treat him to a meal. Perhaps afterwards, he could get a better idea on what this place was about, and why he was brought here.

[Angel]

Arietta shrugged a little. "I don't think it matters." she said. Honestly, money was never something she worried about too much. She had learned that there was always a way to get what you wanted. You just had to want it enough. Such threats really were unnecessary though, since she could pay. Hehe. As they continued to walk, Arietta eventually noticed that Mr. Shadows seemed to be stalling a bit. Then, after seeming to stand still for a moment, the boy.. (she supposed she could consider him a he, since he didn't argue the Mr. part of his name) then made a long sigh. She stood there, with a bit of a no-nonsense look on her face. "What's the matter?" she asked.

im more of a indoor princess Switching to the template. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

He didn’t even realize he had stopped. It took the princesses words to snap him out of it. "What's the matter?" he lets out a quick gasp. He must have been deeper in thought than he had realized. ”N-nothing, well, not nothing, but, let’s not talk about it here in the rain.” He blerted that last part out due to feeling like, he needs to stay open for this girl. If she starts mistrusting him now, it may be over soon. For now, he feels hiding things must come when the time is right, now is not the time for secretes.

They arrive at a raman stand. Didn’t seem to be anything huge, and it didn’t look all that fancy either. Part of him wondered, why would a princess, settle for…raman? Isn’t there something more fancy that she would prefer? Well, it wasn’t his place to judge, and he knew it. He looked over at her and asked. “Shall we go in?

[Angel]

She nodded to his suggestion, and lifted open a curtain that was sort of serving as the entrance to this ramen stand. It was certainly covered, and would serve to keep them dry.. but there was still a sense that it was 'outdoors' which was.. quaint. As she stood inside, the floor still rather.. much.. ground, she took her hands on one of her pigtails and squeezed some of the rain out of her hair. Then, she would do the same to the other one. She would after that, adjust her clothes a bit.. try to make them look a bit better on her. "I will handle this." she said with her assertive flair, which was probably for the best.. because the strangers odd sort of appearance was already gathering a look here and there. She ordered their bowls and then sat at on one of the stalls of the side. She patted the seat next to her, motioning for him to take his. While waiting for their food, she decided to ask her first question. "So, what got any idea what you want to do? You gotta start somewhere, you know, with the whole figuring out.. you." She didn't exactly know what she had hoped, but she supposed for his sake it would be helpful if he remembered at least a few things. "I mean, you're free to be my knight for as long as you please.. but I imagine you'll have less important and amazing things you'll want to do eventually." She said these words with a cool girl sort of smile, as if she totally didn't care if he left any time he pleased. Which was, of course, a lie.

im more of a indoor princess Feel free to control any NPC's and let the food arrive in your next post. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

As he goes to sit down acr…beside the princess who had been helping him all this time, he starts noticing the strange looks people gave him. He somewhat brushed it off until he heard a child’s voice speak. “Mommy, why does that person have a black hood on?” He froze when he heard that. He wasn’t aware he was wearing anything. If they said anything following that he wouldn’t hear it, because he was lost in thought just like earlier.

”Black…hood? I’m wearing a black hood? I…I don’t recall…”[/i] A moment later, he would come back to his sentence, but would only hear part of what the young princess was saying. "….ant to do? You gotta start somewhere, you know, with the whole figuring out.. you."[/font] The sound of her voice started soft, until finally at normal volume. "I mean, you're free to be my knight for as long as you please.. but I imagine you'll have less important and amazing things you'll want to do eventually."[/font] Ok, wow. He just forgot completely about the subject at hand. He was to serve this princess, he didn’t have time to deal with his situation, but it would seem that she had some interest in his own situation.

”Oh uh. Right. Where do…I begin?” he asks out loud. ”I suppose the first thing, would be to figure out what this place is, and how it relates to a boy who found himself laying face first in the grass outside.” he sits there thinking again for a moment, the more time passed, the less he remembered about what happened outside. The only memories that remained were that of the young princess….princes….HE FORGOT HER NAME!

[Angel]

"Heh.." she said, taking a sip of her food as it arrived playing little to no attention to the person who was giving to them... staring down at it a bit. To be honest, she was taking the food as a moment to reflect. She was starting to seriously question what it is she was doing here. This was stupid and pathetic, the things she was doing. This wasn't like her at all. She supposed there was something about this boy, something about the blank slate he was in.. wanting to learn, looking for literally everything that brought her to ease. She supposed, in her way, she found it.. comforting. For all his darkness he seemed pure to her, a vessel that could be filled with anything. She knew however it wouldn't last. Children were the same way. They all eventually were tainted by the world around them. Eventually this boy of the shadows would be tainted away. He would become someone she couldn't count on. Someone she could no longer trust. It was a hollow sort of feeling. For a moment she just wanted to walk away right now, saying not another word as she really thought of the futility of it all. She took another sip. "Mr. Shadows, this place is full of fighters and monsters. People unafraid to hurt each other, people who even desire and yearn to hurt your Princess too. All in the name of sport. Of pleasure. It's a bad place." she said, words slipping from. Her voice was soft and fragile, her tone unfamiliar but nostalgic. "I'm here to get rid of all the bad guys.." she finally glanced back over to him, although there wasn't much to look at. Normally she could be judging his facial expressions but he hardly had any of those right now.  Still.. a part of her, as she spoke it felt sure in her heart. One day, he would reveal himself to be one of them. That's what he was hiding from himself. That's what he was hiding from her.

im more of a indoor princess The music of a Princess with the past on her mind.. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

The food arrived. He started eating it slowly, giving the noodles time to cool before actually taking a bite. It was silent between the two for a short time before they would talk, people in the room still talking about him. Did he REALLY stand out that much? His biggest concern was his memory. If he would easily forget events that occur, what would happen if the two of them were separated for any length of time? Would he forget all about the princess? Or would his current fond memories remain? He was enjoying his time with her, his promise was what would drive him…if he could maintain memory of it that is!

Fnally after a short time, her silence would be broken. "Mr. Shadows, this place is full of fighters and monsters. People unafraid to hurt each other, people who even desire and yearn to hurt your Princess too. All in the name of sport. Of pleasure. It's a bad place." Fighters. Bad people. Was he sent here to fight? Does he even know HOW to fight? He would ask himself as he would continue to listen. "I'm here to get rid of all the bad guys.." Bad people? What is it exactly that she would consider a bad person? He sat there and dwelled on this for a time before he started to speak. ”Well. Do you think perhaps I have been sent here to fight as well? Or are there other things that once can do here” he asked. Honestly unsure what to make of things, he just took another bite of the noodles, not drinking any of the broth, until most of the food inside was consumed.

[Angel]

Arietta snorted a little, but it was a soft and feminine sort.. just an exhalation of air as she found the idea.. amusing. She felt a chill in the air as the day started to get on and the cooler breezes started to settle in. The child from before had left, leaving only a few more guests enjoying their dinner. The sound of the rain still pattering against the shack. The ambient sounds of food being made and eaten. Not much speaking however.. voices were low. It made Arietta very aware the staff here could hear their conversation if they tried to, without much difficulty. Whatever, she supposed she didn't care. Even if she hardly trusted them either. Once she started becoming recognized around here, casual meals out were going to be a thing of the past. She would have to make her own food. "I suppose.." she said, although she sounded so sad and relective when she said it. Which was made more obvious as she continued. "..but it would be sorta like playing tea party on a battlefield. This place might seem sorta calm, but everyone here has things they need. Things they want. Everyone here isn't afraid to step on you if they gotta." she said, blowing on her food a little. It was a cute little childish moment of her, as she seemed upset by the temperature, she puffed out her cheeks and tried to cool it down. "That's just how it is. Even if you aren't here to fight, and some people might not be.. you wanna use it. You wanna take advantage of it. You wanna be apart of it. The blood." she said, probably sounding a bit creepy. "Princess Ari is the only exception. You should stick by her forever." she gave him a little smile, craning her head to give it to him, but then took another bite. Her voice again had sounded so gentle, actually expressing a bit of that fear she felt. "We probably should figure out what you look like though. Find some sort of blinding light.. or a mirror." she teased.

im more of a indoor princess Sad little Ari-chan. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

He kinda just sat there as he was being explained. Having finished his bowl rather quickly, and surprisingly enough, still somewhat hungry, and by somewhat, I mean he could eat another 3 bowls worth before getting his fill. That being said, Mr. Shadows was not the type to ask for more out of the princess in front of him, because he felt it rude for the “servant” to ask stuff if his master like that. So he just sat there and listened. He wasn’t sure if he even COULD fight. He didn’t have a weapon, and he had no memory of any martial arts training, so he was not sure what to think.

Deep in thought, he missed any and all of her silliness. He couldn’t help but wonder a few things. Many many questions started stirring up, but as one question entered his mind, another vanished, and would soon re-enter. He would not take notice of this personally. But he was glad to hear the princess say her name for him again. This time he would TRY not to forget. But he did blurt something out, without meaning to. ”So, if I decide to join in the fighting….would this make me one of the bad people you’re trying to stop?” As soon as he blurted that out, his eyes grew wide. Why did he say that? Part of him wanted to say never mind, but something stronger made him stay silenced. After a few seconds, he realized, despite saying it out loud, it was more of a whisper. She may have heard it, but he was already beyond the point of taking it back.

"We probably should figure out what you look like though. Find some sort of blinding light… or a mirror." His eyes suddenly grew wide again. It’s true, he had not gotten a look at himself; he wasn’t sure why he was being called “Mr. Shadows” because he had no clue what he looked like. He wasn’t even aware of the black hooded robe on him, so he didn’t know he was “hidden” from everyone. That being said, he nodded in agreement. I too, would like to get a glimpse of what I look like. Something about me feels off, and I need to find out what that something is.” he exclaims. Looking around, he saw nothing that resembled a mirror. What is it they would do about this he wondered?

[Angel]

To be honest, Arietta was happy to ignore it. She just didn't answer it. It wasn't a question worth asking, and she was somewhat annoyed that it came up anyway. There was an obvious way he could avoid becoming one of the bad people. By staying loyal to her. She had already laid that path out. That was the only qualification that she needed. Everything was extra. "Then let's go get you a mirror. There is one in my room." she said, having finished her food. "Unless you wanted something else?" she asked, although she slipped out. "Something more in the lines of a treat though, I don't really want to sit around waiting for more ramen." she said, matter of fact. The rain had stopped, although the air still felt felt damp.. as damp as Arietta still looked.

im more of a indoor princess Pouty princess feels like Mr. Shadows is missing what's truly important. Her. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

By the sounds of things, Princess Ari wanted to know what he looked like more than he did. This made little sense to him. He was right in front of him, and as far as he was aware he wasn’t hiding anything from her. Honestly, he wanted to see what he looked like as well. Seeing as he had just awoke, he could look like a mess, which would be embarrassing seeing as he is accompanying a princess around a public are. Even as a guy, he knew he had to keep up an appearance as a decent human being, no getting around this.

When asked if he would like anything else. He looked down at the bowl. Even if he was still hingry, Ari wasn’t. This was enough for him to make his decision. ”I’m fine. I suppose its time to get moving then?” He stood up and approached the people who were preparing the food. He bowed respectfully and said. “Thank you for the meal. It was delicious. There was just the right amount of kick, not too spicy, and added a great amount of flavor. Expect me back every now and then.” After he finished, he looked over at the princess to see if she was ready to go as well.

[Angel]

Hmph. Arietta didn't know why the fact that he had complimented their cooking bothered her. There was no real logical reason for it. But it did. Something about the fact that he had been polite and expressed his gratitude for the meal annoyed her. Maybe because it created some sort of precedence. Now Arietta felt as if she was pressured into thanking them as well, interacting with them. These people. She didn't want to interact with anyone here. Even the people selling food in such a place were profiting off this system. Every one here could be used against her. She would have rather keep their interactions brief and meaningless. If she wanted to learn about them.. she would have rather done so with Ayumi. But now, not thanking them would cause them to make note of it. She would be that one bratty girl who didn't even say thank you for the meal. Hell, even if she did say thank you now.. she would just be seen as a bandwagon off his thank you. No, she hated this moment. She just wanted to be that quiet girl who had just had a meal by herself. Other people were a pain. Other people were a waste of her time. Although she had enjoyed her food, the frustration of the moment made her start thinking of it negatively. Nitpicking. She thought about how it had been overspiced in fact in her opinion. She was more aware of a burning feeling on her lips. It annoyed her. These people were annoying. Their food was ick. How dare he thank them. He should be than-- She stood up as suddenly as she had stopped that line of thinking. "I myself, unfortunately am about to go on a diet. This was my last indulgence of such a food." she said, trying to not make it personal.. but she on the other hand would never be caught dead in this establishment again. She left the lowest amount of tip that she felt she could get away without making them annoyed or resentful, and she walked out. She waited for him outside. She couldn't help but be curious what he looked like, against her better judgement.

im more of a indoor princess Poor Ari, so pouty. She needs a hug. 100% Coded by Quixotic

[Jukan]

A little pouty she seems. After a great meal, her response to what he did was somewhat cold. He would crack a smile. As soon as they got outside, he looked towards the princess and spoke. “Thank you Princess Ari, for the meal. I’m feeling a bit better now that I have some food in me. Shall we be on our way then?”

Right after he said those words, the black aura started to appear around him again. In his mind, he would hear a single word. ”Don’t” The voice sounded like an older man, and after which, he would drop to his knees, in pain like he was earlier after certain questions were asked. The difference, this time he was in public, everyone could see him, and hear him scream in pain clearly. And just like last time, within mere seconds which felt like days, he would stand up, and continue walking, as though it had never happened, wondering why there was a large crowd around him. ”d-did something just happen?” he says, completely oblivious to what happened to him.