I'm literally writing another chapter after I post this, but it's safe to assume that I will never post a chapter on the weekends because I'm just that lazy. I didn't wake up until 11 on Sunday, and then i went out to see the new Resident Evil movie, so it wasn't like I was home, but. Regardless, just assume I have no update schedule and things will happen when I can work myself up to doing them.

The next one is technically cosplaying, but I'm skipping it until I can come up with something to work for that. I'm not good at prompts, apparently.


Eponine was scattered on a good day, but in town, she was a whole different story. There were so many people, and things, to see, that Eponine could not keep her mind on the task at hand. Even if she wanted to look at more things, they were not on the list. Statues, books, journals, eyeglasses. She was insufferable and insatiable, always wanting to jump two stalls down to look at something that had caught her eye instead of sticking close to purchase what they had actually come out to the market to buy.

Shinonome could only sigh. The list be dammed at this point, he was helpless to let her drag him by the wrist to look at jewelry down at the end of the market, a shady little stall with shiny gems literally the display.

"Eponine, we really don't—"

"But look at this one," she raised up a small bracelet, inlaid with several pink gem stones. "Pretty, like my eyes, yeah?"

Shinonome glanced from the bracelet to her eyes. She was right, nearly the same shade, but not nearly as unique. Eponine had her mother's eyes without a doubt, a deep pink with a snake like slit for a pupil. The dragon blood in her veins so painfully evident, but it was gorgeous.

"The color's the same, I guess," Shinonome tried not to agree.

Eponine frowned, "Well, fine," she put down the bracelet. Her attention was immediately elsewhere, and Shinonome knew that grin like he knew his own parents.

"Alright, I'm gonna go finish what we came here for," he waved the list in her face for a moment. She stared right past it. Shinonome was caught up in her gaze, for a moment, and followed it. Across the dirt path was a rather handsome looking boy talking to a vendor. Their voices were hushed, and Shinonome could only imagine what Eponine thought they might be talking about. The way the boy was counting coins, Shinonome was sure they were haggling the price of some useless item the vendor had, but Eponine's eyes were sparkling.

"You have fun," Shinonome ended, and patted her back. It was like she didn't hear him, but he tried to ignore the sting when she ran away all too quickly.

Maybe she only agreed to go out to the market with him so she could do things like this. He tried not to think about it too often, really, but there were too many indicators that she had no real intention of spending the time with him. This happened every time they went out to town, after all. But, he pushed the thoughts from his mind and went back to his shopping.

Eponine, on the other hand, went into stealth mode. Her time as a thief had really been training for the people watching, the fantasies, and this was prime material. She couldn't hear a thing the boy was saying, and even less so what the vendor was saying in return, but they were counting money. She could tell. While logic told her they were discussing prices, her mind wondered to what the prices belonged. Maybe it wasn't the goods at the stall. Maybe the vendor had a bit of a side business. Eponine's mouth watered at the thought.

But, it was short lived, as the boy soon gave up a few coins in exchange for a small box. Disappointed, Eponine thought, and frowned, but she would not stop there. She followed the handsome boy from a good distance, that he hopefully wouldn't pick up on her presence. They walked for blocks through the town, Eponine hiding whenever the time was right, and eventually, the handsome boy came to a stop at a house. The fantasy was ruined when a lovely little girl answered the door, and he presented her with the box as a gift.

Totally wrong, Eponine thought. She sat down on a bench to think it through, and surely it was a ruse. The vendor and the boy had such chemistry, it would be impossible to think they weren't somehow involved. By the time she had crafted an entire, convoluted story of underground forbidden love, she realized just where she was. And she didn't know where that was.

She blinked, it was getting darker out, and looked around. This was a side of town she wasn't familiar with, and she wondered just how far she had followed the boy out. It was no more than a five-minute walk. Or was it ten? It might have even been twenty, for all Eponine had paid attention. She was on her feet in a second, heart rate picking up as she glanced around. Shinonome wasn't anywhere nearby either. She vaguely recalled him saying that he was going to finish something or other, and she definitely had his blessing to go off on her own. And have fun, whatever that meant. But now, what it meant, is that he was gone, and she was alone in a part of town she didn't recognize.

"Well, great," she muttered. She yanked up her hood to keep the breeze off, wrapped her arms around herself, and began walking.

At least she knew which way she'd come from, the opposite direction of the girl's house. But she didn't know how far, how many turns they'd taken. All she could do was walk, and hope, against all odds, that she found her way back to the main market place before Shinonome gave up on her. The thought alone made her stomach drop, her heart clench. What if he'd already given up on her? What if he hadn't even looked for her and just went home?

"No, he wouldn't do that," she muttered to herself. She braced herself on a building, looking around the corner before deciding that wasn't the way to go. Too dark, no lights, not a place for her. She kept walking straight.

Shinonome might have done it, she decided. She'd been gone long enough for the sun to begin to set, and that was a long time. And she'd only really come for a chance to get out, and there was no doubt Shinonome picked up on that. She didn't like to shop for supplies. It was boring and tedious, especially compared to the better options the town had to offer. It was cruel of her to do something like that, and the thought sickened her, because it sounded something like Zero would do, and that was the last thing she wanted. To be like her father.

She kept walking, taking a turn where she felt the light was strong enough to keep her safe. She was unarmed, and not exactly the strongest girl in the world. Sure, she could wrestle her way out of a fight if she needed to, but walking alone in a dark alley was not something she wanted to test. Especially not when she was starting to have trouble with Kanna, of all people, in hand to hand. He was younger, sure, but he was certainly growing.

"Dammit," she muttered. It was getting colder, and it felt like hours had past, and she was no more found than she had been when she started to walk. Only now, her feet were hurting, and she sorely regretted not bringing along her bow, or at least a knife, maybe even a spoon if it would've helped. It didn't look like the nice part of town anymore.

"You look a little lost," a sudden voice had Eponine jumping out of her skin. She tried to keep her mouth closed as she whirled around, and tried to keep her eyes from bulging out. The man didn't look particularly mean, but he had that feel about him that made Eponine wish she'd played out the whole day a little differently. Shinonome was serious when it came to getting work done, which made him boring, but he'd never tried to hurt her.

"Um, yeah, just a little," Eponine let out a nervous laugh, feeling around for her bag. It was on her hip, and painfully obvious that she was trying to get into it.

"Whatcha got there?" the man asked, stepping closer. A little too close for comfort, and Eponine took a half step back.

"Just a handkerchief," she smiled, and did pull one out. It seemed innocent enough, and she used it to wipe at her nose before stuffing it away. Her fingers brushed against the rugged edge of a stone tucked into her bag, and at least she had that.

Mother always told her not to just use it whenever she felt like, that it wasn't a good idea to give herself a way like that. It wasn't normal to be able to shift into a dragon, and people would know who she was immediately, especially while they were in Nohr. But, it was all she had, and if the guy tried anything—

"Eponine! Oh, thank gods!" Suddenly, she was being tugged around, and Shinonome's arms were around her shoulders and squeezing.

Shinonome shot a tight glare at the man, who clearly had no intentions of picking a fight. Not with two of them, now, and threw up his hands as he walked off. Once he was gone, Shinonome pulled back and took Eponine by the wrist. He was not gentle as he tugged her off, weaving through the streets. Ten minutes of nearly almost running—Shinonome had the advantage of longer legs—they were finally back at the marketplace. Eponine was sat on a bench, and Shinonome bent at his waist so he could look her over, hands on her face.

"Are you okay?"

Eponine nodded, feeling guilty. She couldn't make eye contact.

Shinonome sighed and dropped down beside her, on the bench, "I've been looking for you for hours."

"I'm sorry."

"I had no idea where you went. I was so close to just going home—"

"I knew it."

"—and getting your parents. Wait, you knew what?" he frowned at her, and Eponine's face went red.

"Uh, nothing," she muttered, fidgeting in her seat. She picked at the hem of her skirt.

"Did you really think I was going to leave you here?" he asked, eyes wide.

"Well, the thought…crossed my mind. I wasn't exactly nice to you."

"That doesn't mean I'm going to just leave you here? Your father would kill me, god goods," Shinonome sighed, slumping back against the bench.

They fell silent for a moment, before Eponine glanced over at him. He was breathing hard, clearly trying to hold something back, so Eponine decided she would just let it go for him.

"I agreed to come because I like to get out and see things. I'm sorry for running off, for not helping, for, well, being a terrible person," she laughed at herself, hugging her arms close to her chest. Shinonome turned his head, letting out another sigh.

"S'fine."

"It's not."

"Well, I said it is."

Eponine frowned, "You're really bad at hiding when your mad, Mr. Sighs-A-Lot."

Shinonome couldn't help but quirk a smile at that one, "Okay, maybe I am mad at you. I thought we were going to spend time together, and you seem more interested in every other man in the town than you do with me."

"I'm not, really. Just…bored? I hate shopping for supplies," she sighed.

"That's why we do it together. I mean, I know it's not exactly the best date in the world, but… it's something?"

Eponine smiled. She went for it, reaching across the inches between them to hold his hand, "No, but you did save me today. Your completely adorable damsel in distress."

"Please, you're no damsel," he stood up, pulling her along with him.

"I could be! I am a princess, you know," she gave a shallow curtsey.

"I think you lose the analogy when you remember that I'm technically a prince, if we're doing the whole title thing."

Eponine scoffed, "Everyone knows the princess is better. Come on, let's go home. I can help carry the supplies."

"Good, because that's the real reason I brought you along."

She rolled her eyes. They both knew that wasn't true, but it was definitely a jab at Eponine's ulterior motives. She thought she might promise not to repeat the shopping trip, but there was always something fascinating about going into town. And even if she went for the date, that didn't mean she had to stop looking.