A/n: Unnaturally short chapter..x_X. I will update another on the weekend. Don't worry, I'll remember this time ^_^, for now, bye, and enjoy!
"Good night, dear Lump."
Joren bowed down mockingly and kissed the upper portion of her hand. Kel seethed with anger, which she managed to suppress until she entered her cabin, then she flopped on the bed and punched her pillow. A cloud of feathers flew out but she ignored the snow-like atmosphere and buried her face in the, now, seemingly flat thing.
He cheated. Yes…that was the reason. Why else would he win…was Joren actually that strong? No. He wasn't. He was a skinny little boy. A dangerous one, but skinny nevertheless! She mumbled incoherently to herself and fumbled with the thin blankets. But even as Kel held the grudge against Joren, she couldn't keep it up for long. A bit of respect had leaked out from within her, into the bin, which she had mentally labeled "Stoned Joren".
It was still afternoon, so, naturally the Lady Knight wasn't sleepy yet. Quietly, she peeked out the door. What? Why am I peeking? I'm not afraid…of…anything… She scoffed at herself for even thinking about being afraid. Back straightened, Kel walked up to the docks (for the cabins were located inside the ship) and slowly began her leisurely-paced stroll.
Kel began jogging. She almost passed a cabin, which she had never noticed, when sounds of growling caught her attention. She sneaked closer, as silently as she could, and glanced around the corner. And almost tripped. There, in the middle of the nearly empty room, was Joren. He wasn't doing much…except for exercising. Needless to say, her eyes widened with surprise. Adding to the shock, Joren, instead of wearing the usual tunic and breeches, he wore a thin sheet, wrapped around his abdomen and shoulders (like an undershirt). Like the ones the Yamani men used. The shorts he had on were past his knees, but allowed him the flexibility breeches restrained. Again, Yamani-styled.
It wasn't noticed that he had stopped moving, until Kel blinked…and finally tripped on a thick strand of rope, used to anchor the ship. She laid sprawled on the ground before him, but quickly, she regained her posture and before she could stop herself…
"Where did you get those clothes?"
Joren looked at her, annoyance flashing across his eyes.
"You thought that only you were the only possible family to have visited the Yamanis?" Joren clicked his tongue, "how big could your ego be?" A strange look was in his eyes.
"No…I was just surprised."
"Well, not everything is the way it seems in the real world, I haven't seen you there much anyway. Always daydreaming about some court lord, hmm?" Joren smirked, knowingly.
"You do not know me, Stone Mountain, so I suggest you get that pointy nose of yours out of other's businesses."
"Well, what have you been doing in the past few minutes, m'dear?"
"It was an accident." Kel finished lamely. But, Joren, amazingly, noticed the honest tone in which she said those words and nodded.
"You're excused."
Recovering from the shock of Joren's niceties, Kel sprinted from his sight. He shook his head, smiling slightly. But as he turned back, the blonde's face was blank once again.
***
In the afternoon, she saw him again, reclining in one of the chairs placed upon the deck. Quietly, for curiosity had overcome her once again, she crept closer.
His feet were placed idly on the tabletop and a thick pad of paper was clutched in his left fist, gently as to not wrinkle the smooth surface. A pencil was stuck randomly in the space between Joren's hair and ear, and his palm was placed thoughtfully against his cheek.
Kel looked over his shoulder. And almost gasped aloud, but caught herself in time.
He had drawn the ocean landscape with artistic skills that she had not thought were possible. As her eyes roved over the masterpiece, she smiled, perhaps, Stone Mountain did have a heart after all. Besides, there wasn't anything that bad about him, except his cocky attitude and facial moments.
She exited, unnoticed. By everyone, except Joren, that is.
Nosy Lump, he went back to sketching.
A/n: Was this an outcome you expected? =) Tell in a review ^_^
The purple button is a very nice, clickable thing. You know the mouse wants to go to it and "click", and the keyboard wants its share afterward, right? You must be fair to everything after all! :D