World of Orrison

Namaira paused at the edge of Ichorrai, checking over his gear once more. After all, it never hurt to be prepared. His sword hung at his side, buckled to his belt. The strap of his bag had no fraying, and probably would hold up. He forewent heavier armor this time, hopefully because he wouldn't be going too far into the bramble. Satisfied, Namaira dug into his bag for the list.

The scrap of paper had a long scrawl of various plants and their descriptions, which the apothecary at the corner of the street he lived in was paying people to seek out. Confident in his ability to find most, if not all of the plants, Namaira had accepted. And here he was, beginning to pick his way through where the wilderness met the city edge.

At the edge of the wilderness, Alec trudged through bramble and leaves, headed back to town after a rather uneventful morning excursion. He lifted his head at the sound of rustling to find a familiar stranger approaching. He paused, considering his attire and the man before him.

"Headed out?" he called after a moment. He brushed some dirt off his shoulder and pulled the stray hairs out of his face.

Looking up at the sound of a voice, Namaira grinned at Alexander. He lifted his hand in a wave. "I am!" Namaira quickened his pace to close the distance between the two of them, the undergrowth rustling under his feet. "How have you been?" It hadn't been that long since they'd last seen each other, but Namaira wanted to ask anyways.

Alec never was one much for small talk. He'd always marked it off as unnecessary, and hadn't much practice giving adequate responses when it was asked of him. "I've been around," he said after some thought. Vague enough, perhaps. He dusted off his cloak once more and studied Namaira's getup. Light armor, a handful of supplies. "Quiet day today, shouldn't cause you much trouble. Are you alone?"

Namaira studied Alexander after that non-committal answer. He didn't think the other man was hiding anything - so Namaira took the vague answer for what it was. Maybe Alexander just didn't like to talk a lot, and that was fine.

"Ah, yes," he replied to Alexander's question. "But as you say, there shouldn't be too much trouble out there." Namaira perked up a little at a sudden thought. "Would you like to come with me? Unless you're heading back to the city now, in which case I won't delay you any longer."

Alec blinked, confused as to why he'd propose such a thing. From the looks of it Namaira could more than handle whatever was waiting out there. He seemed to be confident of that himself. Alec tilted his head. "Do you need me?"

Namaira blinks, tucking his chin in a little. "Maybe I ask because I like spending time with you," he says coyly. And that really was the truth.

He lifted his hands up, quickly adding, "But don't feel obligated!" Namaira coughed quietly into one of his hands, awkwardness taking hold of him. If only he could be as suave as Alendrii used to be... Namaira pushed those thoughts aside. A faint blush was spreading across his face.

Something in Alec's chest fluttered at the sight of the other blushing, though he isn't keen to put a word to that feeling yet. He never was good with words, after all. A moment's thought, then he stepped out from the brambles to join Namaira at his side. "Where to?" he asked, fixing his braids back into place. "Anywhere you need. I've all the time in the world."

The blush deepened with Alexander's words, but a beatific smile blooms on Namaira's face. "I- I'm glad to have your company," he warmly tells Alec. Indeed, something about just being with the other man made Namaira feel comforted. He couldn't exactly put his finger on what.

"Ah, but here." Namaira shows Alexander the list he's holding. "The local apothecary requires ingredients, so I am out collecting the requisite medicines. They shouldn't be too difficult to find." He rubs the back of his neck, and glances away. "Menial, I suppose, but less so by your side."

Alec glanced down the list - nothing too strange; with the two of them they should be out and back to town in no time. He looked to Namaira as he spoke, trying to let the words settle in. It felt... strange, to receive the affection of someone like this. "I suppose." He certainly didn't mind, but - ah, it would hurt to get used to it. Yet for the time being, it couldn't hurt to play along. He had all the time in the world, literally.

"Let's not waste daylight, then. We ought to make the most of our time."