(8/23/02)
Casske stands atop the nicely decorated stage, dressed in a nice suit, looking for all the world like just what he was supposed to - a dignified, charming host. He walks over to the stand-up microphone, coughing into it softly before brushing back his hair in a slick, sexy move and speaking into the mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, please rise in honor of our nation as sung by popular area fighter/drinker/singer/drifter/salesman, Big Joe!"
So what if the Rogue Etones are supposed to be busy plotting away and making elaborated deals elsewhere? Kenji was right--They had the right to a bit of free time and a bit of fun. And Franco would--Hopefully. Very hopefully.--Never find out! But rational thoughts of being caught and getting in trouble could not be further from the fifteen year old's mind as he wanders into the stage area, late enough to miss the first preps and bustles and even words of Casske's presentation. And it seems like he's lost Kenji in the crowd, too... Well, no matter, no matter at all. Kenji can be located later. In the meantime, Marcus pushes up his glasses with the back of a knuckle--Hey, wait.. he doesn't wear glasses, does he? ...All the better to look less like a wanted terrorist, my dear! And blinks, hearing the last bit of the speech. Stand? Well, might as well not bother sitting down, if that's the case. But Aveh must be one heck of a backwards city to admire a drunkard enough to let him sing an anthem. Maybe Kenji was right about these being a backwards sort. So he drifts to a stop, looping his thumbs in his pockets, not sure if it's polite or not to glance around while they prepare for someone to sing. Not like it matters to Marcus, as his short attention span causes his gaze to flick across the crowds regardless.
Funfunfun! And that's a good thing, mind you: Things have been so stressful, so upsetting, so sad that Khiea hardly wanted to get up this morning, much less visit the surface. But it's phenomenal how large crowds of people and the hustle and bustle of things happening, of fun things and interesting things and things to go and do and people to meet, can turn Khiea's mind around entirely. Like a low fire fed, she bursts anew into cheer. And a comfortingly more normal enthusiasm.
"Mister Collin! Hurryhurryhurry! We don't want to miss anything, and I think they're starting!"
Bell-high and far too shrill for a teenager to speak unintentionally. Today might be only the opening ceremonies, but she doesn't want to miss a thing! She scurries just ahead of the soldier, glancing back often. Fidget, bounce, fidget, glance, glance. It's amazing that she doesn't just give in, grab him by the arm and tug!
Well, he sure got woke up early for this... Not that he minds, of course! But Collin was never one for mornings, nor the disorienting trip from Solaris to the surface. The switch still gets him a little woozy, suddenly having to look up and see sky instead of ocean. But he's here, he's awake, and ... not dressed in his uniform, that's for sure. Hurrying behind Miss Khiea as quick as he can (and without bumping into her), he has to dodge his way through some of the crowd to keep up. "Miss Khiea, calm down...!" he says, attempting not to shout and disturb the show.
Another day, another G, she thought to herself as she sat in one of the chairs, near the middle of the rows of seats. She had no desire to sit up front, though the back was tempting....Ah well, it didn't really matter. These festivals were pretty pointless, anyway. She had come to Bledavik to look for some gear parts for her pet project back home...While festivals usually didn't interest her, she was getting bored, and it could perhaps be a way to amuse her. Of course, she found the whole idea itself a bit amusing. Her, currently a Kislevi soldier, hanging around on enemy turf, the capital, no less. Not that she cared about that, either. Sides didn't mean anything to her, really. She just agreed she would do work for Kislev, and get paid for it. So she couldn't get a job with Aveh? Well, she didn't need one, at the moment. She moved a gloved hand around to adjust her glasses, and leaned back in her chair, her hands behind her head. She wouldn't stand up for this nation. Of course, she wouldn't rise for Kislev, either. Patriotism she didn't go for.
And here comes Big Joe! The master salesman is dressed differently then usual...he's got on a white jumpsuit instead of the normal pink one...hrm...The salesman comes op to the mic and starts crooning this song:
All throughout the world
The happy people sing
Sing of the brave men and women
Who shine and let freedom ring.
>From the heavens to the ground,
>From the ground to the oceans,
>From the oceans to the coastlines,
They are the protectors of all we see.
They go marching proudly into battle,
With nary a qualm or a care,
They go to fight and bleed and slay
And die for liberty!
In calm respect we sing this song,
Honoring their deeds,
For it is true, if not for them,
We'd live the Kislev creed!
Gebler! Gebler! We sing a praise to thee!
For without you, we'd surely perish,
At the end of all time, it is you that we cherish.
Unbelieveably, the drunkard actually sounds rather good...he'd probably sound better tomorrow at the contest, of course, as he will have his band with him then. Oh yes...he also adds some Elvis-esque gyrations in there too...for the ladies.
Casske hops back onto the stage after the anthem and moment of silence are over, clapping and smirking. "Thank you very much. Big Joe, ladies and gentlemen! Now then, to the matter at hand. Many of you may have doen some roaming already and found out just what this festival is all about. Well, we've collected some of the greatest shops and businesses from all around the world, exempting Kislev, to come here and supply you, the people, with high quality, exotic goods! In addition, you'll find a first class cafe on the premises, as well as one of Aveh's most notable, formerly underground bar! Of course, this is all secondary to the main event. Tomorrow, after a night of fun and dancing today, and to be followed with more festive actiivities, no doubt, is the day of the competition! See Aveh's best talent come and and give it all they've got! It's gonna be great, folks!"
Uh... right. Should someone really move like that to lyrics like that? Ah, nevermind that! For Marcus has never been one to look too deeply into things, really, and his first instinct is to be polite. At least, to offer some polite, light applause along with whomever else would care to, even while his focus and gaze is still drifting about. What does the little ex-Etone care about patroitic Avehan songs? He's more interesting in finding Kenji, although goodness knows that's easier said than done in a crowd as thick as this one. Eh, look at that. People and more people and... Heeee-llo, there, what is that? Marcus is just turning his glance back up to the stage when it snaps back suddenly. "Was that.." A flicker of frill and lace and teenaged grace that he just saw skipping oh-so-merrily through the crowds? His attention becomes plastered on that bit of space near the entryway at this, scanning so fiercely about that he nearly misses Casske's following words. Come on, Marcus knew he saw something... Right? He's not just.. you know.. Delusional and seeing pretty girls out of nowhere. But unable to catch sight of her again, he gives a quiet sigh and turns his glance back belatedly to Casske, listening with far greater disinterest. Well, maybe he'll look about later. Seems like there's no shortage of thing to do, and the crowds here make most anything harder than it should be.
Ca-lm? What is this 'calming down' thing that Collin speaks of? And how can anyone expect Khiea of all people to find it when in the heart of a busy crowd in a place packed with pretty things to do? The Soarian Princess continues pushing her way through the crowds as far as she can go, which still isn't far enough. So many people! And while she quiets and comes to a stop as the singing begins, it's hard to be so short in such a crowd. She cranes her neck as best she can, even jumps a little, but still can not see what's going on on stage. Maybe that's a good thing?
Applause for the good singer, whoever it was! A little too enthusiastically at that, before she turns back a little, careful to keep near to Collin despite how cheerful she may be.
"Doesn't all that sound fun, Mister Collin? How funfunfun! Can we stay for the singing, too, Mister Collin? Prettypretty please?"
So it's a day extra that two would be absent from Solaris. Khiea doesn't seem to mind- This is just about the only thing she's had to smile about since Fort Jasper. And smiling's important, y'know!
It was... an interesting song. But, hey, he gets some points for pitching Gebler! Collin blinks and peers down at Khiea quickly, following after as she scampers away to get closer still. "M-Miss Khiea!" he shouts, hand extending after her. Well, this looks like it's going to be fun. Barely able to keep up this time (and bumping his arm on a few people won't help matters), he steps out from between a few to stop, hands settling on his knees (the right albeit lightly). "You're quick, Miss..." he says, wiping his brow. Sure, he's used to running-- and he's in great shape! ... But keeping up with a kid is work.
She was unimpressed. Ashe was especially not fond of the singer's pelvic movements, or that horrible outfit....he didn't have much taste...moreso because he was singing about Gebler...now, on the other hand, she would like to come into possession of a Gebler gear..it'd make great parts...she leaned forward a bit with a yawn, adjusting her glasses again....sure, she definetly stood out..among the Aveh people....she was still covered in oil and grime, and this heat didn't help matters.....damnit, she hated the desert...not that she stand badly...she just smelt of machine oil and Kislevi smog...hell, around D-Block, she'd be considered clean. she tended not to notice anymore...she glanced around the crowd, not really paying attention to any particular face, and hummed lightly, pulling a greasy rag out of her pocket to wipe her forehead. she got quite a few looks, that was for sure...and the few seats next to her were empty...she hmphed....it was their problem if they didn't like the way she looked.
Big Joe glares over at Casske and yells, "Ok, I sang your bloody song, ya worthless son of a Sandman's one eyed whore! Now give me my ale!" Joe usually didn't like to do stuff that silly without monitary compinsation of some sort. But, he knew that Casske had similar tastes in Liquor to himself...so, he should be able to get Joe nice and toasted shortly.
In a page-pose to you, Sirus nods, "I just put the basic framework in that we've got here. Sigmund noted that it would be a good idea to put in another set of skyrooms for each global are of the world (Nisan, Lahan and Aquavy have them, but Aveh and Kislev don't), so i'll probably do that tomorrow.
Casske cringes, running across the stage and quickly drawing a booklet from his pocket, handing it to Joe. "There, this'll get you free drinks for the whole festival down at the bar. Knock yourself out." He glared at the drunken Elvis before smiling fakely to the crowd and walking back to the microphone, still looking like a cool, suave host. "Now, ladies and gentlemen... I will light the ceremonial GA-GS torch, making this festival officially begin." Casske walked over towards the back of the circularl stage, and began tinkering with a control panel. The audience's eyes are no doubt glued to the large torch in the top corner of the arena as Casske works.
Torch? What is this, the bloody olympics? ...Nevermind, don't answer that. It probably doesn't exist in this time and place, regardless. And who's watching the torch? Marcus is getting a little cramped in the heart of this crowd, anyway. And there's only so much Avehan clutter he can stand. Especially when he could have sworn he saw... Well, no matter. With ample use of elbows, he makes his way back through the crowd, aiming for the entrance. He's got all the time in the world, after all, and what's the use in watching an automated torch if more entertaining things are being set up elsewhere? Yes, ignore the fluff, find Kenji, and for goodness sakes, find a more pleasant place to hang out for the time being. And for the crowds in his way? He can apply an ample use of elbows. Ah-ha! Get in his way, will you?
"So, can we stay for the singing, too, Mister Collin? Caaaaan we?" Oh! He's just catching up? The too-high chiming sound of giggling follows that, slight embaressment as Khiea clasps her hands neatly before herself. "I'm sorry!" Is all she gives to that, "Was I walking too fast?" Too fast? Just because Khiea's smaller and more enthusiastic form can dart between people so much easier? It's amazing that she didn't loose Collin at all!
Torch? What torch? At the following announcement, the little princess turns around frantically, unable to see over enough people's heads to even locate the thing. She tries hopping again, which prooves futile, until she tries to judge where everyone is generally looking towards instead. Over there? Is this torch thing over that way? Straining on her tip toes, she's hardly keeping her balance as it is.
"Ohhhhhhh! Why does everyone have to be so tall?! I can't see anything at a--"
Khiea gets no further than that, her high whines cut short as she suddenly /does/ lose her balance with a surprised yelp. Partially because she was in such an awkward pose and partially.. Because a rude young man was pushing his way through the crowds and happened to push his way past her! Flailing in an attempt to keep her balance manages to do nothing but look absolutely positively silly! And then she falls- BAM!- Right on the ground. Would have landed on her face, had she not managed to land more on her hands and knees. She then gives a protesting whimper.
Caught up now, Collin huffs a little bit, making sure his coat remained closed. Yes, he looks even more odd, wearing a full-length coat in such heat and weather, but... er. He's used to it! At least, he was. It's still the best way to conceal his weapons. "Eh? Yes, Miss Khiea, we can stay. Just don't go running off, alright?" He straightens up a bit, rubbing the back of his hand across his forehead. Whew... well. Of course she didn't lose him, he's a trained Solarian spy! Keeping up with people is his business! Settling next on his list, the agent offers his hand toward the younger girl, "You want to get up on my back? Might be able to see better, then-- Whoa!" Turning sharply, he kneels down to settle his hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Miss Khiea?"
Hearing a yelp somewhere off in the crowd, Ashe looks up, looking around for the source of the noise....she stood up slowly, rubbing the back of her neck, and cracked her knuckles, glancing around her...she could care less about the torch lighting, unless, through some malfunction, it set the rest of the room on fire...that'd be fun to watch..oh well. she moved through the crowd slowly, not caring if she bumped into anyone, but not actively trying to...she could care less if she upset someone..and it was their fault for getting in her way...anyone she brushed up against would probably have a nice smear of oil where she came in contact with them..so maybe they should be avoiding her...after walking a few yards, she looks around the area again, since the noise had caught her interest..probably some lost little kid, or something...well, she could at least check it out.
Big Joe angrily grabs the booklet. "This had better work, Casske, or I'll show you a hunka-hunka burnin' fist. Do you hear me?" Big Joe isn't really mad...he just needs booze. Lots of Booz. lots, and lots, and lots of booze. Hey, it's Big Joe, what do you expect?
Casske isn't really paying attention to Joe, busying himself in the mechanical panel. "Yeah, yeah, it will. Just be careful. Their bar has some pretty heavy stuff..." He clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth as the wires spark and the torch flares to life. The excessive amount of fuel Casske had put in caused a large fireball to burst outwards before it regulated and burned normally. Casske turned back to the audience, smiling his plastic "host" smile. "I hereby declared the 2nd Official GA-GS Music Festival... open!"
Oh, for goodness sakes, Marcus is just trying to get through the crowd. Do they really have to yelp and whine and make such a fuss when he just is trying to get through? Geez goodness, why must Marcus always run... into... these... The irritated look on Marcus's features fades nearly instantly, and he stops dead in his tracks. That voice. That -voice-. He knew that voice. And he sure as hell knew that -name-, that Collin snaps so simply in concern. Do forgive if Marcus looks suddenly rather... pale. And turns to face the fallen girl with eyes wide in disbelief. "...Khiea?" Forget that the Rogue is not in his normal attire, that he looks like nothing more than a confused Avehan. He has the pained and guilty look of one who has just bowled down a saint. "Oh, er.." Stop stuttering! "Forgive me! I wasn't looking where I was going, honestly... Are you all right? Do you need help up?" Completely ignore Collin. And what's that about a lit torch flaming above, or an open festival? Bah! All menial, compared to this.
Fireballs bursting and flame! And with the festival officially open, Collin making sure she's okay and a freaky teenager standing at her back freaking out, Khiea can only think to whine a single thing in protest:
"Awww! I /missed/ it!"
And /what/ a whine! A child could word losing her favorite toy to a tone like that. And with a small sniffle more protesting than of tears, she pushes herself up to her feet, rubbing scraped and sore palms against her jacket, "I'm okay, Mister Collin... Although I really wanted to see that!"
More whines, more protests! Fair is fair is fair, after all, and her priorities are to answer Collin before even bothering to look over towards Marcus. She does this, finally, bright blue eyes still looking a little hurt. But the man /apologized/. You can't be rude to that! "It's okay, Mister, I'm alright." Words more polite than sincere. She really did want to see that torch lighting! But then something hits her, with a startle almost visible, "Waitaminutewait-a-minute! How did you know my name? Have I met you before, Mister..." Waitwait-wait! He /does/ look familiar, actually! He's not wearing that creepy outfit, and he's got glasses, but there's something definately about the face! And Khiea does have a memory for faces and names, "...Mister /Marcus/?" That crazy guy?
"It's okay, Miss Khiea... there's still going to be a lot to the festival." His hand still settled on the girl's shoulder, he peers down at Marcus (thank god he's taller than -someone-) and sighs. Weird people. And yes, he apologized, that's also good. But Collin seems wary of the Rogue Etone, enough so that he attempts to dig through his memory and remember where he's seen him before-- because he -knows- he has. Perhaps in the Dream...? He's been meeting so many odd people there lately... And just to keep himself up with things, the agent gives a cautious look to Khiea before gesturing with a casted hand toward Marcus. Indeed, if there was any kind of recognition of the Solarian Agent by Marcus, or even Ashe at this point, he would seem quite different. A little more rough-looking, and his clothes didn't help that matter much at all. The look in his eyes, though... that's still the same.
She pushed through the crowd, pushing a particularly rude woman out of the way....she hmphed...that woman needed to watch where she was going next time, busy chatting with some other moron...Ashe pushed through a gap in the crowd, leaving a few people to complain about oil stains on their clothes, but she didn't feel the need to listen...she spotted two who did stand out a bit, with a third person... "Hmm..." she adjusted her glasses, as she was still a fair way again, and squinted, looking the three over...well, the boy looked suspicious, but was probably some punk....the girl seemed a bit immature...but the man...she squinted a bit more, looking him over...had she seen him somewhere before?....she had the feeling she had, but she couldn't quite place it....she simply shrugged at the sudden burst of flame from the torch lighting, her gaze still focused on the man with the young girl...
Big Joe hops down from the stage and stands there for a moment. He looks to the left, then to the right and shouts, "COME TO ME, MY FANS!" Suddenly, he is surrounded by a protective group of women who look like they're ready to kill anyone who would lay a hand on Joe. That, of course, is enough to make most people part and let Joe through...so, of course, the crowd parts like the Red Sea did for Moses, and Big Joe and the fan Brigade walk outside to the bar...and there was much drinking.
Awwww, she remembers him! That's enough to make Marcus aquire one of those really stupid grins, even while the nervousness simulataneously moves in on him. Oh, goodness... That first look that Khiea cast him, one of subtle, muted pain, is one that makes him want to curl up in a dark corner and pray that some divine force will make it so that this never happened at all. Why, of all people, did he need to run into -Khiea-? It's all he can do to keep that smile up at all. And he backs up a step as if to give her room, completely ignoring the annoyed protest from the person he ran into in doing so, and gives a respectful bow. Oh, yes. He can fix any hurt feelings by being a perfect, stunning gentleman! And stuttering! ...Oh, damn it. "I'm so glad..er, I mean, -honored- that you remember me, Khiea. I don't believe I've had the good... wait, no, that is, I mean, I've not had the blessing of your company since Nisan, wasn't it?" Marcus. Stop. Talking. Like a. Moron. It might work a teensy bit better. Not likely, but it might. And he stands up straight at that, hoping desperately that it's working, "I'm truly sorry that I.. um.." It's hard to say 'ran into you', much less 'elbowed you out of the way'. So let's skip that! So he finishes very -quickly-. "..Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
Sniffle. Sniffle. And those gray-blue eyes drift up to Collin, as she allows a little smile to reemerge on her face, "You're right. There will be lots more to see than just a silly torch. I just.. I don't want to miss /anything/!" It's all wonderful, it's all fun! And with her entering Jugend.. Who knows when the next time she'll be able to go to something like this is? She doesn't know how long her vacations will be.
But Khiea is far less angry as she turns back to Marcus, her sniffly-hurt flopped over into blank confusion. Why is he stopping so much, Mister Collin? She wants to ask so desperately! Why is his voice shaking like that? But instead, she simply stares at Marcus, wide eyed and confused, until he's done. Even then it's hard to find what to say! She doesn't even know what's wrong with him. "Ummmm... Really, it's okay, Mister! I'm not angry at you or anything like that. I'm not upset at all! So you don't need to worry, okay?" His being suave, if that's what it is, goes completely over her head. Whoosh! And another blank stare leads on into a sincerely concerned, "Are you okay, Mister Marcus?" Stuttering so much! Is he upset? Did she hurt his feelings? "You don't have to do anything. I'm not upset! Promise!"
Indeed... 'stop talking like a moron'. Collin is less upset at the sight of Marcus than he is... -uncomfortable-. A person he barely knew through the Dream, a person that Miss Khiea apparently knows... Not that he should know and approve of everyone she knows, of course, but he can be concerned of things! His shoulders heave a bit with a sigh and smile. "Alright, Miss Khiea. Just make sure you don't go running off on me. I'm sure someone would have my head if you got lost." Be it she knows what that expression means or not... still, aside from Marcus and the uneasiness, he's getting an odd feeling. No, not from Joe and his Ring of Demented Wimmins, but ... it's like his 'Collin sense' (or is that -coffee- sense?) is tingling! Like there's someone close... someone he's getting a peculiar feeling about. Odd that his hackles raise like this, but he shrugs it off with a mild shake of his head. Back to watching the odd youth and Miss Khiea.
She took a few steps forward, trying to listen in on what the three were talking about...the girl's high-pitched shrill was easy to make out, but the others...it was hard to make out specific sounds with all the background noises around her...Ashe muttered a bit as the stupid woman she pushed aside had come back to bother her, complaining about poor manners, and all oil stains on her brand new clothes. "Oh, shut up, you damn moron. It's not my fault you can't do more than one thing at a time, and I guess talking like an idiot was higher priority than watching where your stupid ass is going." this caused the woman to turn bright red with anger, but noticing the gun pouch on Ashe's back, decided not to push, and left in a huff...though Ashe would have probably not shot the woman...it'd be a waste of bullets, in her own opinion..and it wouldn't be too smart, considering where she is...she moved a bit forward again, returning her attention to the young man, the girl, and the man whom she had seem before...but she still wasn't quite sure where....she couldn't be expected to remember every face she came across..and there were some she would very much like to forget...
But... But... I -want- to do something for you! ...How does one word that? How does one go about saying that he wasn't saying that just for her benefit, and actually does want to spend time with her and make himself useful and redeem himself for pushing into her, and charm her so that she sees just how... Uhm. Er. Let's stop thinking down that line before Marcus just outright blushes. He clears his throat uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair as he flounders, wondering what to really say, "Oh... er... all right... Good. Yeah, good." It's good that she's not cross, but really! Couldn't she have said 'The best way to cheer me up would be to take me out to dinner, alone, just you and me'? Well, okay.. So he didn't expect that to happen. But wouldn't it be nice? "..Still, I'm sorry, okay?" This is going poorly. So very poorly. And with the crowd gathering around her, and that look that Collin's giving him.. He suddenly has the urge that maybe later would be a better time to track her down. That's a graceful way to say that he'd like to turn tail now before he dies of awkwardness, "..Hey, um.. By the way... I'm performing a song in the competition.. Or, well, actually, I just wrote the lyrics, but er... You know, maybe you'd like it? So..." He clears his throat uncomfortably once more, "...Er, I just wanted to say that. I.. I think I need to be leaving now, I have to find someone and do stuff, you know.. But.. I hope I see you again soon." Oy. Why does everything sound so much better before he actually says it?
Mister Collin, why is Mister Marcus acting so /weird/? That'd be so easy to ask, so easy to say! But instead, she smiles. A soft, confused smile. As she oozes basic politeness, "You're forgiven, already! And I was hoping to stay for the entire competition, and watch everyone sing! So I'll certainly listen to the song you wrote, Mister Marcus. I'm sure it's good!" That's only nice to say. She doesn't know Marcus very well, he confuses her a lot, but she doesn't hold any malevolance for him. So she smiles! "Okay, then! Baibai, Mister Marcus! Have a fun time at the festival!" Even if you make no sense. She glances back up at Collin again- Good friend, Collin! Collin makes sense, and is reasonable. And for him, her smile is brighter, more honest and bright, "I promise I wont run off! I didn't mean to lose you a little before. I was just excited. But don't worry, I'll be good!"
Collin would certainly love to ask questions like that all the time, Miss Khiea. Especially ones like, 'Why can't I get a raise?' And 'why can't I get better benefits aside from, 'you won't die'?' Sigh. Peering at Marcus again, then Khiea, he gives a soft nod. "Alright, Miss Khiea. I'm not saying don't go have fun, just... make sure you tell me where you're going before you go, okay?" And that feeling... where? He runs a hand through his hair, in a way to displace his bangs from his eyes. If any sort of clue to Ashe of who the man was, it's given now-- the scar upon his forehead and temple. More prominent in the Dream, but it's still there regardless. Rolling the sleeves of his coat up to about the elbows, he peers off over his shoulder in ponderance... "So ... what do you want to do first, Miss Khiea?"
Ashe narrowed her eyes. It was him! That man from the dream!....No, it couldn't be...that was only a dream.....but that man..it definetly resembled him...she shook her head, and adjusted her glasses...she then began moving slowly through the crowd, closing distance on him and the young girl.....maybe if he was the one, he could explain that dream....no, he probably wasn't the one.....she shook her head again....she'd keep her mouth shut, until she was sure.....
Weird? Hey! Marcus isn't being weird! He's being nervous and awkward around a sweet young lady that he's terribly fond of. And she's so shy and innocent! Awww. But this is hardly a moment to sit back and appreciate her. With another awkward smile, he nods and backs up a step, wary this time to not back into someone--Although that's easier now, since the stage is clearing out as people leave to see the rest of the festival--And offers a small smile of his own, "Thank you... But, er... Yes. Goodbye. And have a wonderful time as well." Ah, yes, he can try his best at being formal--At least he didn't stutter his way through that too much. But with that, he walks off towards the exit, steps faster than they normally would be, carried by embaressment, awkwardness and worry. He must have made such a fool of himself.. But not enough of one for her to not want to hear his song, right? So.. So maybe there's hope. Still... he can't help but feel that he could have done so much better. A heavy sigh he gives, as he hooks his thumbs back in his pockets, shoulders slumping a little. You'll impress her yet, Marcus. It just... requires time. But time! Patience is such a rare thing indeed. And with that, Marcus exits, off to find Kenji, but with his thoughts more towards his song lyrics.
"Oh, I know that, Mister Collin! Besides, you should be having fun too!" Khiea's mood just perks up the moment Marcus is gone. Not that she disliked him, it's just... He confused her. And things were so much easier when she wasn't completely lost as to what was going on! "Lesseeee..." She reclasps her hands behind her back, rolling from heel to tip-toe- What, doing that before made her lose her balance? Silly!- And then rolls back, as if she couldn't think unless she was fidgeting on and on, "Could we look around at everything, Mister Collin? See what there is, and what's going on? I know there are dances, but I don't think I could do that... But there's got to be something fun, right? So, so, so, can we look around?"
Gosh, she sure is giddy. He turns a bit, offering the girl a beam-- now that look, that's unmistakable. "Of course, Miss Khiea! I don't get to come here much, you know." Collin turns a bit, peering through the crowd-- and directly at Ashe, for a moment, but seems not to notice her a bit. Seem, being the key word. It's probably here that he turns back to Khiea, stooping over a bit and crouching to bring himself eye-level with the girl. "Tell you what, Miss Khiea... if you want, you go run ahead and tell me what you find. I just want to get a little air out here first, alright...?" With that, with Miss Khiea along and on her way, it gives him more time to investigate his hunch... and give his skills a bit of practice. To Ashe's estimation, as he stands back up to full height and watches her go, he seems to lean back a bit... and disappears into the crowd? If astute enough, she may possibly spy him moving swiftly and silently through the crowd in a wide arc with the intention of getting a bit behind her. It'll be much easier to sneak up behind her that way, of course!
Ashe took a step back, a hand moving behind her back slowly, looking around..she'd caught a glimpse of him flash through the crowds, but she'd lost him!....she muttered curses, her eyes narrowing...what was he going to try?..maybe come up from behind....she shifted, glancing behind her....maybe try to flank her, or maybe it was just a feint?.....she couldn't draw her gun, at least not yet..... "Where the hell did he go?..."