Ash stepped out of the teleportation array into Redwood Stars, looking around and enjoying the decorations on all of the stalls that had been set up. Approaching a stall that appeared as if it would be selling some small refreshments, she examined it up close. Stars and garlands crafted from fallen leaves of the Star Ash wound around the top of the stall and draped down to frame it.
Seeing a potential customer, the person that owned the stall approached, "I apologize, but if you are looking to make a purchase I won't be open for several hours yet."
Ash smiled slightly, "Thanks, but I was just looking at the decorations. I've not seen them before," she knew that the statement revealed her to be a Godsborn and watched him curiously look her over in response to it.
Done with her perusal, at the least, she straightened and turned away from the stall to take her leave. She hadn't gotten far when someone called out to her, a voice that was familiar but not so much that she knew who it was immediately. That meant it was someone she'd met but not spent much time with. Her gaze wandered the area around the teleportation array, eventually finding a familiar face.
Ailanthus stepped forward, his wings folded tight against his back to keep them from being bumped into by anyone in the square. He was dressed casually, his wings neither covered by armor nor blazing as most would expect with what he was. Like her, he had the ability to change himself though not nearly so much and so looked like a normal Hawkwing rather than the Blazewing he truly was.
Pausing in front of her, he executed a polite bow in greeting, "Ash. I had heard you were without escort for this fine celebration. Might I have the honor?"
Ash smiled, though her expression betrayed a bit of confusion alongside it. She and Ailanthus had just barely met, it made little sense to her for him to be asking after her company. Still, it would be impolite for her to just turn him down without reason. Instead, she decided to take the opportunity to ask after his reasoning, though in a roundabout way.
"Flattered though I am," she said a little bluntly, "It seems a bit odd to be asking after my hand to escort when we've met so shortly that I do not even know the name you go by day-to-day."
Ailanthus gave a slight grin and responded with a serious expression, though it was clear he was joking at least a bit, "I'm known for an interest in those with strength and dignity and you have both in overwhelming amounts. You may call me Ailan rather than by the full of my name, though I'd not mind that either."
She took hold of the offered hand and strolled alongside him, remaining silent until they were fairly isolated, "So, might I ask what this is about?"
Ailanthus chuckled lightly, "Well, my words were no lie and it is rare to find others of a," he paused a moment and seemed to think before holding up one of his hands as if to examine the familiar black band that wound around his wrist, "Similar station to myself, if you understand what I mean. Beyond that, competition for your attention seems to be quite fierce and it's been some time since I've had anyone to even chat with that would understand the…complexities…that come with what we are."
Ash responded with a slight nod though she was still a little skeptical of his motivation. She eventually became aware of several eyes that were following them. A covert glance in one of the directions she felt attention from showed several Godsborn watching them, arms crossed and expressions stormy. She didn't know them, not that it mattered much. She could figure out quite swiftly that it was likely connected to the fame Lucrum had inadvertently given her.
"So," she said at length, "Does it perhaps have anything to do with all of the eyes watching us?"
Ailanthus responded with a low chuckle, "That and Lord Virtus would love if I would try to convince you to pursue that dueling title. Not today, of course," he added swiftly, seeing some of the decorations around them beginning to glow ever so slightly with Sidus' power and not wanting to catch a sanction or an outright attack from the Lord of the Stars.
Ash nodded her understanding, taking a few deep breaths. She didn't like being the center of attention and felt far too many eyes on her. The two of them strolled for a while before stopping for snacks at a stall that had just opened. The stalls were the main attraction during the day as the festival itself wouldn't particularly kick off until after sunset.
One of the paladins of Lord Virtus that was patrolling the city passed by as they were walking and eating the skewers of meat they'd purchased. Ash caught the low hissed insult and rolled her eyes, something about Ailanthus taking the term chasing tail too literally.
He responded back in a sharp tone, "Mind your own business."
The hawkwing paladin stopped his patrol and moved to stand directly in front of Ailanthus and growl, "Why would I mind my own business when you're out here making it public?"
Ailanthus sighed wearily, obviously done with his behavior, and lowered his tone to that of a threat, "Lest you want your own business that you've made public aired, I would suggest you walk away. I am escorting a member of one of the bound races that more than a few gods are concerned for the safety of. Should this lead to a friendship or anything else, I would be grateful for the connection forged. You, on the other hand, have acted in ways you would not want others to hear."
The man stiffened, clearly outraged that Ailanthus knew whatever it was that he'd done and would dare to threaten him with it, "I acted in my best interest," he hissed.
"You acted with no honor, while offering empty service to the god that watches over all things honorable," Ailanthus responded sharply, "Now, leave me alone."
Once they were on their way again, Ash curiously asked after what he'd been referring to. Ailanthus responded that the man had pursued a married woman in the past, prying her from her husband only to leave the marriage broken for his own amusement. His tone indicated great displeasure, which made sense considering he was crafted from the magic of a god that valued honor deeply.
She smiled and turned her attention back to her skewer, chatting easily with him as they walked around town. She didn't dislike the idea of getting to know Ailanthus better, at least as friends, even if she didn't really want anything else. It was rare for her to meet other members of the bound races anymore and many of those she'd consider friends were either gone or in Bris' care.
Curiously, her eyes moved around the festival to see if Bris was present but he wasn't. Likely, whatever business had called him away was still occupying his time. Aware that she was being rude, she stopped looking and turned her attention back to Ailanthus and enjoying the day.