The Doll Festival was almost over. It wasn't celebrated too much in San d'Oria, due to its Windurstian flare. Nevertheless, you could always see signs of it around the city during the festival, although not as many signs as for some other festivals. Jenare leaned on a railing close to the docks and look out to the sea, humming. It was set out to be a fun evening, for he was waiting for Vera Nedaurant, a friend of his. He wondered if he was supposed to be calling him a girlfriend, that was what some of the other boys called girls they were regularly going out with. He smiled, feeling a bit guilty. This wasn't exactly behavior for a proper elvaan youth, the two of them were certainly old enough that they probably should not be keeping in contact for too long without him introducing himself to her parents. But he did not have too much experience with a situation like this, so continued with Vera's suggestions. They hadn't known each other for too long, for one. Perhaps in several more weeks.
He turned his head distractedly, looking around. Then he paused. Was that not her, at the square to the right? He looked on, raising one's voice in a busy place like this wouldn't be too useful, not to mention that it wasn't too polite to shout. The blonde girl was dressed up in a pretty child-like dress, fresh green in color. She seemed to be with an older man dressed all in black, laughing with him. Finally she turned enough for Jenare to see her face - it indeed was Vera. He did not recognize the gentleman with her. Perhaps a relative of some kind? They seemed to know each other well.
He watched as the two laughed and talked together. He was most likely dropping her off, sometimes the streets were not safe for a young girl. Especially dressed like that, she was bound to attract attention. Jenare nodded to himself. A wise precaution. But it would not do to interrupt their goodbyes, so he waited, smiling in anticipation of the evening, dividing his attention between the pair on the square and the sea in front of him.
He waited for what seemed like a small eternity, but was more likely only a few minutes. Then the black-coated gentleman left, and Vera headed towards Jenare, where he was waiting at their promised place. He straightened and walked ahead to meet her.
"Jenare! Good afternoon! Did you have to wait for long?"
"Not at all, I have just arrived myself." She did not have to worry herself over making him wait, there was no point in that. He smiled down at her, and she smiled back. Jenare thought she looked rather good in her childish little dress, even though it might not be exactly suitable to wear out about with people. She most likely hadn't realized it, so he would just have to look after her then.
"Shall we go then?" Vera smiled at him brightly in response and took his hand.
Jenare woke up. The house smelled of freshly baked apple pie. He smiled. Ever since yesterday evening, he had been in a kind of a haze of happiness.
Everything looked somehow bright. When he got up from his bed and looked out the window, he could see that the sun was shining radiantly, with hardly a cloud in the sky. The window was slightly frosted over in the corners. It was the day after Valentione's day, and Jenare was happy.
Last night, he had been introduced to a girl, the younger sister of Endahren's future brother. His older sister was engaged and it had so ended up that Endahren had promised to look after her for the night. He was glad that had happened, for it had given him the opportunity to meet Vera. She was a good traditional Elvaan girl, blonde of hair and brown of eye, her voice soft like a summer's breeze. He was even more greatful to Endahren for his usual wild ways and leaving early in the evening and telling him to look after Vera for the night. He felt slightly guilty for that last part, but couldn't suppress the feeling. It was never good to slight your responsibilities, but if it brought him so much happiness, could it really be wrong? Jenare sighed happily and got up. He would need to practice his sword this morning, and continue reading a biography of an interesting person. An adventurer, who had been all the way to Windurst and back. By foot. Jenare smiled wistfully at the thought. Maybe one day, if Altana smiled, he would have the opportunity to travel freely too. But the thought that brought him the most pleasure this morning was his promised meeting with Vera in the afternoon.
He went downstairs for breakfast. It was looking to be a good day indeed.
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