Estrid glanced between the isles of market stalls on each side of her, nervously clopping a hoof into the well groomed grass that stretched across the Galli'flu market. Around her she could hear the tinkling of metals, the sounds of andalites walking around her, and even a few clashes of tail blades somewhere near by. The morning sun glittered past the many tents set up, setting them ablaze with a bright peachy-red color.
Aximili had asked her to meet him here this morning but she wondered why he hadn't just invited her to his scoop. It wasn't exactly normal for unmarried males and females to meet together in public, even if they were intended. Strict andalite social rules dictated that a male and a female shouldn't meet alone.
But he wished it so she was going to give it a chance.
(Ah, so you actually came.) Aximili stepped up beside her, fur looking freshly groomed and had a lovely sheen to it as well. She could hardly take her eyes off of him as he stood confidently in front of her, grinning widely at her.
Estrid blinked rapidly a few times in embarrassment before dipping her stalks to him. (I couldn't just forget about it.)
Aximili blinked his warm green eyes before glancing around, still looking pleased. Estrid took a moment to look around at the other andalites around them, making sure none of them were staring at them. But only a few glanced at the two as they passed by but besides that they didn't seem to know who Aximili was. Well that wasn't strange considering he had been out in space the last two years now.
(So what did you have planned for our 'date', Aximili?) Estrid asked him quietly, ears pricking forward as she gazes up at him. Aximili swayed his tail then turns a stalk in the direction of the running fields towards the bottom of the market. Estrid felt a wave of surprise as she gazes in the direction of where his stalk looked with her own. She hadn't expected to be taken to the crossing fields, especially by a male courting her. But then again, Aximili wasn't like the other males.
Nodding, she walks after Aximili aware that she was about to tread onto territory that females hardly tread. The crossing fields were considered a battleground of sorts. One not of tail but of swiftness or strength even. Males who lack skill in tail fighting often turned to running or wrestling to resolve disputes between each other.
Similar to past andalites from what she knew. She believed that they used to have these battles in order to resolve disputes over land or females without killing each other. Those who chose to tail fight often did so because they wanted to get rid of a rival for good by either maiming them and turning them into a vecol or in some cases, killing them.
Though something about watching others display their strengths without having to use their tails made her slightly uncomfortable. Perhaps her brother was to blame for that one.
As they came upon the field she wasn't too surprised to see a pair of adolescent males hooked around each other in an attempt to pin the other to the ground with their body weight. The larger of the two had the other's neck in the crook of his arm and a hoof on his withers using his position to push the smaller one down. The smaller one was pushing up against the larger one's left back leg with his haunches while smashing his right elbow up against the larger one's ribs. He was trying to unbalance the larger one by trying to get his back leg to slide over his body so that he could shove him off to the side.
The struggle seemed to become more furious as she came closer which caused the light blue furred female to realize that they had probably saw her coming and decided to show off. She would've snorted at them but seeing as they were still young, she let it slide. Perhaps battling will temper them after they're done.
(Why are we here Aximili?) Estrid asked curiously, seeing no one else on the field at the current moment.
(I was hoping to see a few more here but it seems I was wrong.) A ripple of annoyance left him as his stalks looked over the field. Estrid pricked her ears forward at this, wondering what that could've possibly meant. Was he expecting them to watch fights?
Estrid flicked her ears back as the sound of hooves thundering down towards them caught her attention. She turns a stalk over her shoulder and nearly spun around in surprise as she saw War-Prince Alloran thundering down towards them. At his side was a smaller male that looked similar to the other male. She didn't need to tell Aximili this considering he was already turning around to face them. Estrid gives him a glance from the corner of her stalk before doing the same.
(Prince Aximili, I thought it was you.) Alloran greeted, coming to a skidding stop in front of them. The male beside him stopped a few feet behind him, politely dipping his stalks in greeting.
(War-Prince Alloran, Warrior Tuxiden, it is a rather pleasant surprise to meet you two here.) Aximili politely replies, dipping his stalks politely as well. (I believe you haven't met Estrid-Corill-Darrath have you?)
(No, but I have heard of you.) Alloran's gaze settled upon Estrid, causing a shiver to run down her spine as he did. She could feel herself shrink under her fur despite the fact that his gaze held none of the coldness that she would expect. Maybe after seeing him as the face of Visser One for years tended to make it hard to see him as anyone else. (You were working with my brother at the college, correct?)
Estrid timidly dipped her stalks, feeling her stomachs clench nervously. (Y-Yes, he was my mentor of sorts…)
Alloran tipped his head slightly to the side as if he wanted to ask her something else. But then he just looked away from her, done with speaking to her. (Aximili what brings you to the crossing fields?)
Estrid was happy that he had no longer any interest in speaking with her. That was the benefit of being a female, males tended to lose interest in you rather quickly in casual conversation. So she straightened herself up, gazing at the male behind him.
The dark blue, nearly black, furred male had odd silver eyes and his body was dotted with scars of a well seasoned warrior. His body and face were similar in shape to Alloran's but his legs were long unlike the male in front of him. He looked a good deal younger than Alloran as well.
(If there's something you wish to ask me then please do so, but I do wish that you didn't stare.) Estrid practically jumped out of her fur as Tuxiden suddenly snapped at her, haunch fur bristling ever so slightly. Scuffing a hoof against the ground a few times, she flicks her ears back as her eyes met his.
(Excuse me?) She huffs, still staring him down with a confident look. Tuxiden scrapes his tail against the ground looking a bit surprised. Perhaps he wasn't expecting her not to apologize right away.
(I am asking you to stop staring.) After saying that, he glances away uncomfortably. Now it was Estrid's turn to be surprised. She was certainly not expecting him to back down so quickly.
(Very well then.) Estrid looked back to Aximili and Alloran, feeling slightly conflicted now. She was expecting more of a fight out of a male, especially a warrior, than that.
(Estrid?) Aximili was looking at her now with his primary eyes focused upon her face. Estrid looked back at him, acutely aware that Alloran's eyes were upon her as well. (What do you think?)
Estrid was caught off guard by the question which made her blink several times. (What do I think?)
(Yes, shall we follow them?) Aximili motioned to Alloran with a hand, smiling nervously now. He must've caught on that she hadn't been focusing on their thought speak. Either way, Estrid didn't feel comfortable following the former War-Prince anywhere.
(Maybe we should go our own way Aximili.) Estrid replies with the shake of her eyestalks. Alloran didn't look upset at her refusal but he did look confused by it.
(Ah perhaps Iskillion plains isn't to your tastes?) Alloran lightly said, ears pricking towards her with interest now. Estrid realized, with a skip of her hearts, that he was offering to take them somewhere not offering to walk with them. It would be silly for Aximili to have the War-Prince join them on their first date! What in the great stars was she thinking?
(Oh! No, no! I do like Iskillion plains it's just that perhaps cour'el coast might be better this season.) Estrid was quick to save herself and this conversation from completely falling flat. She swore at herself for stupidly staring at another male instead of paying attention to the one beside her. She was now aware of the other male smiling at her as she turned a stalk upon him at the thought.
( Cour'el coast?) Aximili echoed, regarding her with the slightest bit of surprise. The coast was a very popular place for married couples to go before they decide to have their first child. Normally courting couples stayed away to avoid having to explain what they were doing at such a place. It was a very bold move for Estrid to offer to go there.
Alloran on the other hand was beaming a bit at her now, his eyes curled into an almost gentle smile. (Me and my wife went there after we had gotten married. I believe that's a fine choice Estrid.)
Aximili's astounded gaze focused upon the large War-Prince, main eyes widening a bit. Estrid herself was stunned into silence as well, unable to process that he had agreed that it was a good place to go. She was more expecting him to scold her or stare at her with some kind of disgust, not agree with her.
(W-Well… I believe that would be fine then.) Aximili slowly started, gazing at Estrid with a surprised look. Estrid bowed her head with a smile as she gazes back up at Alloran. Estrid then realized that Tuxiden had left during their conversation, not that she minded. Who was he anyway? Alloran's son?
(I shall meet you both at the docks then.) Alloran says, dipping his stalks towards Aximili before nodding to Estrid. Estrid wasn't too surprised that he was showing more respect to Aximili than her so she just politely returned the gesture.
(Very well then, see you soon Alloran.) Aximili dipped his stalks in return. The larger male then backs away and turns around before trotting off with his tail low to the ground. Estrid's gaze followed after him until he disappeared behind a group of tents. The young female then turns her gaze upon her boyfriend, ears pricked forward.
(It seems to have escaped my attention but… did you not come here in your own ship?) Estried asked, surprised that she had forgotten to ask. Why would they need Alloran to fly them if Aximili could just do it himself.
Aximili smiles sheepishly, reaching up a hand to rub the back of his neck. Estrid tipped her head at the mysterious gesture though she did not question it.
(My ship is docked for repairs.) He answers, looking away across the field.
(Repairs? Why?) Estrid leaned forward a bit, interested. It must've been serious if he couldn't repair it himself.
(While I was gone my father had flown it at one point and forgot to close the hatch completely. When I came back there was a nest of kafit living in there. They had torn out my control panels and broke all of my screens.) Aximili pawed at the ground, still avoiding Estrid's gaze.
Estrid couldn't help the little giggle of delight escaping her mind as she looks away from him as well. (I'm sorry for your loss.)
(It wasn't much of one considering it needed upgrades anyway.) Aximili laughs.
Estrid turned her gaze back onto Aximili before taking a step towards him. She gazes around with a stalk for a moment before swishing her tail off to the side. She then lightly taps her tail blade against his in a friendly gesture, causing him to jump slightly. (Shall we go to the docks Aximili?)
Aximili turned a stalk upon her, smiling faintly as he does. (No, let's take a walk before we do that. Alloran can wait.)
He lightly presses against her side making the smaller female blush under her fur. She could feel her hearts pounding once again as she gazes up at him with her main eyes. Estrid's eyes curled into a slight smile at the warm way he gazed at her. Feeling a bit brave, Estrid pressed against him while curling her tail blade under his in an affectionate gesture.
(I would love that Aximili.) She replied gently, shivering at the pressure he applied upon her tail blade in return.