Hey guys! I work at remote drill sites so I'm hardly home probably for 4-5 days at a time and write these stories in a couple of sittings. Sorry if they aren't very well polished but I like to write. Thanks for anyone who has read this so far and my other stories that are currently a work in progress. I've written quite a few for it just being a month since I've started. The one thing is I'm BEGGIN! For reviews, I do this for fun and I've noticed if I don't get feedback…the passion kind of dies down and lose motivation to write. Guess that's all Thank you!

Ahri stopped about 30 yards away from the Artisan, as he sat down at a bench at the entrance of the Institute's garden. She watched as he ran both his hands under his helmet rubbing his eyes as if to relief some stress. Ahri watched from behind a tree, she saw his chiseled jaw for a few moments which was peppered with a five o'clock shadow. She was caught by surprised when unceremoniously he took off his helmet without warning and sat it next to him on the bench. Ahri, found herself practically drooling as her eyes popped out of her face, she had waited nearly three weeks to see his face and he nonchalantly without warning as if it was benign took it off. His features were almost too perfect, a strong jaw line, dark brown hair that just above his eyes. He sat there for a few moments his brown eyes glued to the small box which contained a ring, gazing at it. She could see his face, it was a mixture of sadness and joy all at ones. She saw his lips moving speaking to himself as if reciting a prayer over and over, he kept looking small box as he spoke. His eyes staring at it with pain in his eyes, almost as if unsure what to do with it. He flipped the small box open and placed it in front of his helmet on the bench. He sat up straight and closed his eyes taking long deep breaths as if trying to compose himself before fighting an enemy he knew he could not defeat and would be the end of him.

With the small velvet lined box open the sun shone just right she could see the ring. All she could think was "WOW! HOLY SHIT!" To Ahri, that wasn't a ring it was almost a rock! It was beautiful a golden ring with one large red ruby in the middle bordered by yellow diamonds. Ahri, was somehow immediately very jealous of whomever was the receiver of this gift. She looked back at him the sun showed small beads of sweat on his face as he tried to calm himself. Something inside Ahri wanted to just walk over and comfort him, as she saw him place his hands on his knees as they shook. He kept repeating something over and over to himself. This went on for about a minute, until he stood up she could see his jaws clench and with a look of determination on his face, burning a hole into a nonexistent opponent. He was looking in her direction but didn't spot her, she looked into his eyes she could see them shine with the sun in his face. His eye brows were tight together, as if anger over took him. She could his nostrils flare as he took quicker angry breaths. He clenched his fists and with his right hand started pounding at his chest, as if whatever he was about to face would require all the strength and determination he could muster, as if his life depended on it.

He turned quickly back to the bench and picked up the small box and closed it. He turned and started walking with determination, his sandals making light slapping sounds on the concrete floor, as he made his way towards the entrance to the garden. Leaving behind his shield and spear behind almost not caring if they were lost or stolen, like if the enemy ahead could not be fought with weapons and there was assurance he would return.

….

Ahri, followed at a safe distance. Whatever was ahead of the Artisan most of been important for she could of kicked a can along or rang a bell and it wouldn't shake him from his trance. It was a good five minute walk to the end of the garden, which was a lush green plateau. The plateau (end of the garden) didn't fall sharply but descended gently over a few hundred feet overlooking the local town. Many people would come and lay down on during warm summer days and nights to watch clouds, look at the constellations or have picnics. But today it was deserted, except Ahri, who by now was hiding behind a bush watching the Artisan slowly approach the Solari woman that he constantly followed. Ahri, ran from bush to bush until she was close enough but at a safe distance to where she could spot the Artisan and the Solari.

Ahri's ear stood straight and her tails started wagging as she watched with excitement. She felt like a little girl who was in on a secret no one else knew. She looked at the Solari woman, who wore a plain white summer dress with gold trim. Ahri found herself thinking "it's actually a cute dress", the woman's auburn hair rolled down past her shoulders and back in soft flowing curls. She was beautiful no doubt but lacked the sultriness of Ahri. The Solari woman, spoke welcoming the Artisan. Ahri, could see the vulnerability in his face, when he approached her slowly. Speaking softly to her, as if he were trying to coax a feral dog into trusting him. He slowly stuck his right hand out to the Solari and Ahri was surprise to see her flinch but quickly compose herself and reach her hand out to touch his.

"Dammit!" Ahri, sneered to herself hating the fact she couldn't hear what they were saying.

She watched as the Artisan, softly held the Solari's hand in his rubbing it with his thumb as if to comfort her. Her flinching had caught him by surprise and he looked a little shaken by it and Ahri could see an almost melancholy look on his eyes. He switched hands, now holding her hand with his left, Ahri's eyes got big as she saw him dig with his right hand for the small box which was on a small on his hip. While still holding onto her hand, he got down on one knee. He slowly presented her the small box and opened it showing it to her. The ring was shining in the bright sun, almost begging the Solari to embrace it. She saw the Artisan was afraid to look up to meet the woman's gaze as he started speaking he looked nervous his knee was shaking as he spoke to her.

Ahri found it very romantic and by now was biting her lip looking at the Solari's face awaiting her facial expression for some sort of approval. To pick up the ring! Embrace the man who had brought it to her! Gotten down on one knee and poured his heart out! Hoping she'd take it and kiss him! But none of this happened, as the Artisan looked up to meet the Solari's gaze his eyes were awaiting an answer pleading with her. Ahri watched as the Solari spoke, tears slowly running down her cheeks ruining her make-up. She still held his hand, as if out of pity and she slowly shook her hand while she spoke. She didn't pick up the ring, but she softly curled his fingers over it. As if to hide it and keep it from taunting her as if it were some shameful reminder. With tears in her eyes she let go of his hands and walked away, leaving the Artisan resting on one knee the small box that contained the ring now clenched in his fist.

He stayed there on one knee the soft wind running through blades of grass and the sound of tree leaves singing as they shook lightly. His eyes still close, just breathing softly as if somehow hoping if he made no sound or movement that moment would have never of happened. Ahri, wanted to walk up to him and hold him tell him everything would be fine. But she just stayed there, watching him from afar hidden, leaving him to his own misery. She subconsciously start to wipe tears from the side of her eyes with her thumbs. She saw him softly talk to himself, over and over his lips moving as she could only assume he was cursing himself, life, the gods, anything to take this moment and pain away. His eyes started fluttering behind closed eye lids, and she saw him trying to fight back tears. With his eyes still closed and face with a look of anguish he lost the fight and she could see tears slowly fall from his eyes and he started to weep. He wept, alone the rise and fall of his shoulders echoing his misfortune but within minutes he had stopped and just stayed there in the same position where he was abandoned by the Solari.

He, stood up slowly and wiped his face clean with his forearm. The look on his face was that of a defeated man, as if he'd just found out he had no home to go back to and all sacrifices had been in vain. He placed the small box into the sack at his hip and started walking slowly with his head hanging low as if the sight of grass was all he could bare to look at. He started making his way back to the exit, to collect his helmet and spear. But, this time Ahri didn't follow after him. She stood there crouched behind bushes, with her own thoughts. Today went a lot different than she expected, she watched him leave with a forlorn look on her face. He walked slowly and silent, as if he were nursing and invisible wound. Even now with her eyes trembling with tears at the sight she had just witness she gave herself a menacing smile and thought "there's blood in the water."