To Meet A Giant (Open)

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"I've heard of you," Fae mused. "The giant blacksmith. They say you're good." She reached up to touch the necklace hanging on her chest. "I believe it."

[wizardlizard]

Duncan blinked at her. That almost sounded like a compliment. He nodded his head whether it was one or not. "Thanks, milady." He returned, seeming a little baffled. He wasn't sure how else to respond. He didn't usually talk with the nobles. Just craft things for them.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Fae glanced toward the door her parents had disappeared through and sighed. "Another man they'll dangle the possibility of marriage in front of, before ultimately declaring him unworthy." She suspected her father had other reasons for not marrying her off.

[wizardlizard]

Duncan raised an eyebrow at the young lady. She certainly seemed strange. Normally he would stay quiet and not say a word, but this noble seemed a little different for some reason. She reminded Duncan of one of his sisters. Quiet, but with a certain fire in her that could and probably would leave anyone's fingertips scorched and blackened if they tried to touch or get too close. "Happens often?" He asked

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Yes," Fae said quietly. "Far too often." She honestly just wished her father would chose a husband for her and be done with it. It would be much less exhausting.

[wizardlizard]

Duncan grunted, looking away again. "Why pretend then?" He asked bluntly. Why would she act like she was interested if she wasn't? That just seemed like a waste of breath and time to Duncan. Besides, if her parents didn't want her to be married, why act like it? Nobles. They make everything seem so complicated Duncan huffed at the thought, shaking his head very slightly. It caused his shaggy hair to get in his eyes, so he blew it out of the way

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Fae studied him. Of course he wouldn't understand the games her parents played, and no one knew just why she was such a good, obedient girl. No one but her father. "I do it because I have to," she said eventually. Because if she didn't, things would be much worse for her.

[wizardlizard]

Duncan stared at her, straight in the eyes, and held her gaze. That was a big no-no for the Skaa. A Skaa didn't just stare a noble in the eye like that. And yet here he was, looking straight at Fae as if he could see straight through her. This girl was definitely different, but Duncan couldn't tell why. Like a precious stone covered in dirt, he would have to pick and chip away to find out what was at the center. But he didn't have the time, and he was pretty sure he wouldn't be seeing this one often. So he only grunted instead and broke the eye contact after what felt like an eternity, staring ahead of him again and keeping his thoughts to himself

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Fae's eyes turned curious after he broke their gaze. A skaa had never looked at her like that before. Calm, considering. Even Hunter had regarded her with fear at first, until he came to love her. Then he gazed at her adoringly. This man had to be brave, since she could have had him executed for showing such a lack of respect. She didn't, of course, but he did catch her interest.

[wizardlizard]

Duncan remained silent, and he seemed content to do so as he thought. He was indeed curious about this woman, but right now he was more interested in getting home. He wanted to fill the order his sister had sent him. That reminded him of something. He looked back at Fae. "You have earrings as well." He said, indicating with his head to the box he held.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Oh," Fae said. She stepped forward to take it, though she seemed a little hesitant to approach him. "Thank you."

[wizardlizard]

Duncan watched her. She was wary to approach him, that much was obvious. Her, a noble. Afraid to approach him, a Skaa. The irony made him crack a small smile despite himself. It made his face seem a bit softer, and in a way it was... Adorable somehow. He took out the earring and held them out to her in his rather large palms. He bit back a chuckle.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Faeldrin removed her current earrings and slipped them into a pouch that was tied around her waist. Then she took the new earrings from him and carefully slipped them into her ears. Her hand lingered on the second earring, finally dropping a second later. "A delicate craft for one so large," she said. "I picture you pounding axes into existence."

[wizardlizard]

Duncan did chuckle now. It was deep and sounded like it came from a cave. "I do, milady. Although Nobles seem to enjoy my jewelry too. My sister is far better, but harder to get." He said with a shrug. His sister was often far too busy mining to entertain the nobles and their need for jewelry. They were lucky if she even cut a stone for them. She really didn't care. So Duncan was the next best thing. He didn't mind it too much. It was a challenge

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Well, I appreciate your skill." She cast a look at the door and smiled faintly. "Even if he commissioned it."