Honey eyes followed the figure before them. Well a bit far off. Rashim had taken off quickly while Pyrrus was a bit distracted and was bit ahead of him deeper in the crowd. Pyrrus tried his best to catch up but he worried over what might happen if he pushed through the crowd to hard. He was rather tall, and strong, so pushing through the crowd might be easy. But there was so many it would seem quite rude. not to mention he would feel terrible if he accidentally hurt someone. So instead the dragonkin choose to move with and through the crowd safely. The downside being that of course he couldn't catch up to Rashim.

Pyrrus continued through though, his eyes locked on to the young cats ears sticking out in the crowd deeper in front of him. Rashim still couldn't believe he had offered to show him some where to eat. When he originally had the thought he had just felt it was himself being hopeful. But his old friend had actually agreed to take him somewhere to eat. This was even better as Pyrrus was actually starving as well.

Rashim however had taken off while he had been a bit distracted. Now ways ahead in the crowd, the young cat seemed determined to keep going. Almost as if no worries were left to see if Pyrrus had been in fact coming along. He just faced forward and continued to make his way. Well..it was bit awkward, but at least he said he could come right? It just bothered the dragonkin a bit, he had expected them to walk side by side and chat like buddies on their way to grab some grub. Maybe the dragon had been a bit too hopeful. But at least he didn't say no right? Pyrrus hoped that was a good sign.

Trudging through the crowd was not easy. The streets were still beyond crowded and it was hard to move and focus. Keeping his golden gaze on Rashim and identifying ways to safely maneuver was not an easy feat to keep. Luckily he was tall so he could see over most of the crowd. If not he for sure would've lost Rashim by now. Rashim wasn't the tallest so he easily blended into the crowd. But luckily his familiar blonde ears always seem to stick up like flag signaling his location. As long as he kept eyes on those he should be able to keep track of him.

Finally he saw the young cat reach a location. They had come a bit of ways from the government offices. Luckily the dragonkin had been able to make it and not lose him in these impossible streets. Sadly it did not seem as if Rashim would have cared if he had, because he had not looked back too make sure he was coming along once. Golden eyes watched the young cat sit in front of the bar set out with a small canvas covering the few stools that were set out. Honey eyes looked upon the fanciful armor the cat was wearing and then upon the restaurant. The two seemed completely opposite. Pyrrus hadn't really expected anything but this would've been the last place.

The dragonkin approached small eatery and quickly took the seat next to Rashim before anyone else came along. " Wow walking through these crowded streets is nothing like walking through the forest back home, or even the old little town you use to live in...... I mean...the place you were before...uhh a town by me." Pyrrus awkwardly scratched his head. He was really bad at not bringing the past up as if he and Rashim were both on the same page. "Well you brought me here! There must be something about this place! Right? What should I be eating than!" Pyrrus grinned towards the young cat. Better to change the subject to something Rashim would be more able to relate to. Who didn't love food?

“Friend of yours I take it,” the rotund man questioned after looking the giant of a teen over after he finished speaking.

“So he claims,” Rashim stated as he glanced over to the brown haired claimant. The store owner snorted and turned back to the task at hand. The blonde’s eyebrow cocked a bit as his ears twitched twice above his head. “Everything here is good.”

“Flattery will not get you anything for free.” The store owner stated from his position cutting a rather bloody piece of meat… who knew what type.

“Not anymore anyways,” Rashim stated with a smile, though his face never left the honey eyed giant. With a hand, the blonde motioned for the boy who’s name was… something… uhh… what was it again… right, Pyrrus. “That, would depend on your palette I think. However, if it is related to meat, I suggest the Fish. It’s freshly caught… most of the time. The rest has a rather soured taste to it around this time of the month.”

“I got a shipment in early due to the expedition, so all the meat is fresher than normal.” The man said as he chopped down hard with a cleaver.

“Then I would suggest either fish or Lamb.” Rashim stated as he turned back to face ahead. He enjoyed seeing the man work, it was a type of Art… if one knew what they were looking at. If not, it appeared only to be mindless cutting of so much meat. “I myself, will have the Grilled Tuna, the fresher ones, I’ll know by the smell Elmiir.”

“Yeah yeah, what of your friend then?” The rotund man questioned as he stopped cutting and turned halfway to look back at Pyrrus.

Pyrrus went to quickly nod his head as the man asked if he was a friend of Rashim's, however he was quickly interrupted with Rashim's statement. His head lowered a bit and he retreated a bit.

The young dragonkin grinned at the two's conversation. They seemed very familiar with each other. He could tell from the tone they used. Looking around the placed it seemed just a tiny bit odd that he had visited here a lot. The type of establishment didn't seem like the kind of place someone of Rashim's apparent status would frequent. But here they were. Pyrrus wasn't one to complain. He loved all food from any where. The dragon could stomach just about anything naturally.

"My..my palette?" The dragon's face filled with a bit of confusion. Not often was that referred to. Pyrrus never really thought about it. Normally he ate whatever him or his guardian would obtain. All of it was food and food always tasted good. Pyrrus wasn't picky at all so he probably wouldn't be able to specifically answer questions about that. "Oh they have Fish! I use to eat a lot of that back in the forest. Since we were on the river, there was always plenty of river fish to catch and eat. " Pyrrus reminisced all the times he had fished in that river and caught himself plenty of meals. He remembered he had even gone a few times with Rashim. The kitten had always had a liking for fish.

Pyrrus' ears perked up at the mention of meat. Well he wasn't picky, but there was something about red meat that intrigued his thought. He didn't eat it as often as he had fish. Besides the few deer in the forest there wasn't much other game. He listened to Rashim's suggestion of either Lamb or the fish. Pyrrus couldn't remember if he had lamb or not, but if Rashim was suggesting it after he asked, it would be rude.

The dragon's golden eyes turned to the man as he questioned what the dragon would be having right after Rashim had ordered. "Uhhh I'll have the lamb than since he already ordered the tuna" Pyrrus grinned and turned to the young cat. "Since you seem to like both a lot and you suggested I try both maybe we can go ahead and share so we won't have to feel like we're missing something" The dragon continued to beam his smile into the evergreen eyes. Meals were always better when you were able to taste more than one thing.

Share… a meal… this one… he was definitely in danger. The boy had no idea that he was prey to this city, like so many other innocent country raised children that came to the capital with hopes and dreams. He’d have them dashed by a pickpocket, or mugging… though if he’d passed the trials the latter was less likely. The theft would be simple enough. He trundled through a crowd like an ox. The cat had heard the people behind him complaining nearly the entire walk over.

“If you want some of mine, then you may have it. However, I will go without taking any of yours.” Rashim stated while turning on the stool to look out at passerby. There really were a lot of them. He needed a plan for the expedition, at least join a party already gathered, or start a small one. The later was something his father would approve of, though the hassle of finding trustworthy types in a den of madness such as this did not seem like something that would turn out fruitful. Unlike his elder sister, and Younger brother, he wasn’t as… ‘social’. Father had said he had a stern personality, and praised him for it… but he also praised the others for theirs as well. The man saw benefit in each, and the blonde could see it as well. Situations such as this required those abilities more than his own.

“The crime rate has been going up around here lately, with all of these visitors it’s a wonder your store is still standing at all.” The blonde said as he watched a man’s pocket get picked deftly. “You should be careful as well… Pie… Pyrrus. You’re far too easy of a target. And you stand out.” He wasn't worried about the other in the least... it was just him being courteous...

“He stands out?” The shop owner questioned with a laugh. The blonde understood the insinuation, but he couldn’t take it to heart. Unlike some of the others just waltzing around with happy go lucky looks on their faces, Rashim was more than capable of taking care of himself. Father had been sure that they knew a great deal of things less than savory.

The dragon continued to grin as he placed his order. Now he was more than excited about everything. Here he was sitting down with Rashim and finally going to get a meal. Honestly nothing could be better in his mind right now. It had been far too long since he last ate. This morning before he had set off for the town? Only a few hours ago yet it felt like ages to him. But what had been ages had been the last time he spent time with Rashim. That feeling alone fueled about ninety percent of his grin. Pyrrus would've probably forgotten about his hunger had they not been seated at place to eat.

Pyrrus' happy thought bubble was interrupted by the blonde cats response to his previous statement. Didn't want to share? Who didn't like to get a taste of everything? The dragonkin's face puzzled a bit. "Oh..Uhhh are you sure. I mean I would feel terrible if I was to take some of your food..but if you insi..." Pyrrus caught himself. He was really hungry and man did he really want to try both the lamb and the fish. But now thinking about it, it would be beyond awkward if he just took some of Rashim's food without the young cat taking some of his. No matter how much he wanted to try that fish..he should be more polite. Golden eyes closed for a moment as a sigh escaped the lips of the dragon. "Uhhh it's no problem... just a suggestion. We can both just enjoy our separate meals". The lanky figure straightened in the stool to face forward from it's relaxed position directed at Rashim. This wasn't feeling as light hearted as it first had.

Pyrrus brought his hands together and twiddled his fingers a bit, before Rashim broke the silence one more. Crime rate... Crime wasn't something the dragon was familiar with. Sure he had heard all about it and just how careful he should be in new places from his guardian. But he had no experience with it. Not a lot of crime happened out in a secluded forest with two people.

"Oh uhh, of course I'll be careful too! I've been very careful ever since I left home. But I'm sure nothing too terrible will happen to me..." Pyrrus let it off light-heartedly to dismiss any worry about him. He actually was a bit worried. What would he do in a situation like that? It worried him, but he just hoped it wouldn't come to something like that. Pyrrus was fiercely awakened at the cat's next statement. "Too...too easy of a target!?!?!? Stand-out?!??! Wha...what do you mean?!?" The dragon's face quickly heated and his face quickly became a rosy blush. "Wha..What's wrong with me" Pyrrus was clearly taking it too harshly. But in all honesty he did not interact with people often and he wasn't accustomed to sayings and other small things not to be taken to heart. It also didn't help that the dragon completely misunderstood the rotund man's question as another thing directed at him. "I...I..." Golden eyes shot forward and turned the blushed face away from the emerald green eyes. Hopefully they would just receive their meals quickly.

A blonde eyebrow quirked lightly at the odd… antics of the person he’d lead to this little restaurant. “You… don’t really know… do you?” Rashim questioned then turned emerald eyes away as he spun back around to face the man behind the counter. What was he supposed to do now? Charity wasn’t his strong point. Father believed in survival of the fittest. While the teen looked like he could handle himself if a fight broke out, and really like someone you wouldn’t pick a fight with in the first place. Well, if he removed all that clothing he might look like that. At the moment he looked like an overstuffed mountain of clothing with a rather shaggy head of brown hair.

“You’re clothing makes it obvious you are from out of town, while that is not particularly bad, you also give off a defenseless vibe. You basically scream, ‘assault me, steal from me, I’m easy prey’.” Rashim stated while watching Elmiir continue his trade with deft hands. The Tuna had been neatly flayed, as had the Lamb… or whatever that thing was he was serving the stalker boy. From there he was easily mincing, chopping, and slicing the meats to various degrees before placing it on a metal rack above a fire whose heat he could dimly feel at the counter.

Smoke, and pleasant smells greeted his nose sending his ears into a lightly pleased twitch before he reined them in. Next thing you know his tail was going to want out of its folds of cloth. That wasn’t going to happen, so best distract himself. Evergreen eyes turned back to their honey eyed counterparts then looked the boy up and down. “Why are you dressed like you just came into town today in the first place?” And God’s help him if the teen said that it was because he did…

Pyrrus continued to face forward blushing into the space before him. Did he really stand out as much as they said? Honestly now that he thought about it, he had been approached rather often since he had entered the town. People had seemed to take an interest in him. The strange fox girl, the lovely worker, all of his proctors. They had all taken special interest in him when he had come in contact with them. Did he stand out that much really? He recalled the words of the fox girl. "just follow the crowd...or find something more worth yourself". He had know the words had meant something else than the literal meaning they spoke. But now it was making a bit more sense. The proctor's had also taken strange interest in him just from viewing him. The dragon buried his face into his arms for a moment.

Golden eyes looked towards the direction of the words spoken, coming in contact with the evergreen ones before him. "Uhhh... know what?" . The dragons eyes lit up as a questioning look took its place upon his face. They looked a bit worried as they knew a bit of where this was going from previously stated things. "De..defenseless" The dragons face erupted with flustered emotion. The cats word were very blunt. All things he had not expected to be told about himself. Pyrrus didn't think about himself to that degree very often. Pyrrus tried to come up with a defense to all that had been said, but he had never really made a mental image of himself to that extent. Growing up the way he did, there was no one to judge him therefore he never developed judging himself as those with many peers did. Pyrrus wanted to quickly jump to his own defense but he just couldn't come up with points to support it.

A look of disbelief mixed with defeat filled the dragon's face. "Do..do I really "scream" all of those! I..I..I thought I had a pretty quiet off giving...not screaming anything". Golden eyes looked for confirmation from the evergreen ones. Maybe he was right. Being all honest to himself it could all very well make sense. Well now this was a great self image to start of with out here. It took a strange toll even though it shouldn't have. Pyrrus was not familiar with handling people. But the dragon was definitely larger than most other and definitely stronger than most others. But the dragonkin didn't know how to process that self image either. He had never really had to put his strength or size to such limits.

Pyrrus was awakened from his thoughts once more as the young cat spoke again. "Huh?... But I did just come into town today.." Golden eyes recieved the displeased look from the evergreen ones across from him, as if they had been warding off that answer. " I mean.... What's wrong with my clothes! They're very protective and very versatile! They're also very comfortable!" Pyrrus didn't understand why he was attacking his clothes. There was nothing wrong with them. They were very practical and more importantly they looked very good on him. What about the cat's clothes. They weren't very subtle either... "They also...they.." Pyrrus turned his head to the front of him and lowered his head a bit as his voice grew to minimum proportions. "look...good". The words barely escaped his mouth.

The man behind the counter roared with laughter before speaking, effectively cutting Rashim’s own comment off at the source, “That’s the problem boy. Yer too… soft looking.” The old man’s eyes never left the meats before him as he flipped them, added seasoning, sauces, and other oddities at seemingly random intervals.

“Soft isn’t the appropriate word, but he’s right. You don’t give off an intimidating aura. It makes you seem easy.” The blonde came in from behind after the tall boy stuttered out a bit of an odd defense before looking Rashim over. An eyebrow re-rose at the statement before evergreen eyes were locked behind their lids. Was it supposed to be a compliment? He wasn’t sure if he should tell Pyrrus that he could hear everything he said. His ears weren’t there for decoration, and his father had said that he had very good hearing, that he LIKED that fact. It could be a nuisance when his elder brother brought… friends home. Even if they’re rooms weren’t exactly right next to each other.

Elmiir sliced a lime before finally removing the heavenly smelling meals from the sizzling hot top. Quickly, and more than expertly, he tossed some green leafy veggies, bell peppers, and other such things on the meat dishes then squeezed half a lime onto Rashim’s Tuna, and a quarter onto Pyrrus’ meal.

FINALLY, the hunger was killing him. Glancing over at the honey eyed teen Rashim put his hand before his face and pointed toward the now finished food. “Food’s done," he said before the rotund cook could do so. Call it retribution, either way, the other boy needed to stop staring at him, and pay attention to the food. He was hungry, but it was awkward to be stared at. With ears twitching above his head, the cat picked up his cutlery and started to satiate his hunger.

Golden eyes rushed over to the chef that spoke yet did not make eye contact for he refused to take his eyes of his work. "I'm not soft. Okay! " Pyrrus continued to face forward blushing intensely. How terrible he came off that way to everyone. He shouldn't be so flustered because the fact was he could over power and of the people here. But violence was not something that encircled the boys mind..ever. His life was always peaceful..except those few times.. But other than that it was him and his guardian in a forest. Instead the only thing that crossed his mind was others view on him.

It might seem odd that he was a bit insecure but what else would bother someone who's never been around a lot of people than being judged. He wouldn't take it to heart but this was the first time so it was a bit flustering.

Rashim began to speak. "Thanks I know soft isn't...Ri...ri..right?" The dragon kin had spoke to soon. The cat wasn't here to agree. He was here to sAy the same thing. Not intimidating was he really that pathetic? Pyrrus began to bury his face into his arms once again but as he was something hit him. His lighthearted cheerful demeanor took light in him once more. Maybe it was the shock of everything and it being his first time that had thrown him for whack. But the dragon kin had never been like that not until he had the issues with his dragon side. "Well you know what I don't want to come off inti...intimidating. That's not...me. Violence..or anything negative is the last thing I want invite..." Well now that he thought about it being an easy target could run into negative situAtions.

Pyrrus grew nervous, now the dragon kin had no plans. Maybe he should take up their advice. Before he could even attempt and ask his good was place in front of him. Finally! He was instantly reminded of his hunger and his stomach shriveled on the emptiness. "Ahhh! Finally I'm starving!" Pyrrus quickly forgot about the ordeal and began to tear at his meal. The steam and completely hotness bothering him to no degree. Wow the meat was something else. He had never had such a meal prepared. Everything had been so bland. He didn't even notice how violent he had been with his meal till he was half way through. he awkwardly looked around and composed himself. Licking the food residue off his face.

Maybe now would be a good
Time to distract from his mess. " well maybe your right being to soft...that may bring negatives about my life...I don't want to seem to hard and not to soft...what do you propose...just my clothes...but I really like them"

Rashim let out a sigh, the Stalker boy was speaking, and though he was paying attention, the other teen certainly did not hold his full attention. Continued to attack his meal, the veggies he hated were placed off to the side to be eaten at just the right point in time, when he could disguise the taste with something better. Father had forced them to eat things, weird things, especially if he noticed that they despised the item. While Rashim had seen it as an odd form of torture, the older man had stated that it was in fact merely a way to make them grow more mature, accepting everything put before them.

“Quit hiding behind your scarf, for starters.” Rashim stated while blowing in a hot piece of meat. He hated having to wait for food to cool so his tongue wouldn’t burn. The cat had seen the other golden eyed teen perform that action more than once in their brief time together. At least he didn’t slouch… or that the blonde had noticed.
“Needs to look meaner too,” Elmiir stated from behind the counter as he cleaned the hot-plate.

“We do not wish for him to have his face frozen in a constant scowl like yours Elmiir. That just invites more trouble. Just remove the scarf and that should help… enough for now.” He supposed some people were attached to their clothes, his sister CERTAINLY was. Well… when she wasn’t taking them off to entice men. She claimed that as per father’s instructions, nothing had ever truly happened.

She was probably lying though.

The cat looked away from the still cooling fish, and made a circling motion as if telling, not requesting, Pyrrus to remove the scarf.

Pyrrus continued to eat, but in a slow nicer manner. He had filled his stomach a bit so now it wasn't desperate. Now he could enjoy the food. "Hiding..I'm not hiding.."Pyrrus wasn't hiding behind his scarf. It felt nice there and ...it looked good on him. But if it looked that way maybe he should listen he was asking for advice. "Me..meaner.. No no no.: that's the opposite of I want. I'm not mean.. That'll just entice trouble"

Rashim seemed to agree as well. " yeah I don't want my face to get suck like that definitely or invite more trouble....are you sure it's the scarf..." Pyrrus plucked at the fluffy red scarf wrapped comfortably around his neck. It was really comfortable and he neck would feel empty. But his golden eyes followed the finger that circled and told him to undo it. "Okay..." The dragon kin began to slowly unravel it. It was a few layers so it took a bit of twisting. The beginning later extended longer and longer until the red scarf let go of it's grasp.

The new found emptiness on his neck revealed his bare neck and upper chest to where his matching red v neck hung. " There ... Does that look better...the cape is fine though righ?" it wasn't exactly his scarf and necessary but it was very fancy. He looked back to his food and took another bite. He even eyed the cats good next to him. man did it look good if only he hadn't minded sharing each other's food.

Hmmm, it wasn’t the scarf then, perhaps it was the teen’s aura. He gave off a meek vibe, especially when speaking recently. Why was his face so red? Embarresment? Anger? Excitement? It was an odd situation. Turning his gaze away he started to dig into the fish, while coupling it with the less satisfying parts of his meal. After taking a bite and staring forward at the now vacant hot plate, Elmiir had vanished to the back of the little window eatery for a few moments, he thought on the subject harder.

However, as he took his second bite and chewed in silence he decided that the scarf’s removal wouldn’t help the teen in the least. Easy prey would simply be easy prey, “You can put the scarf back on,” Rashim stated as he cut away another bite. “The lack of it will not help you in this matter. You should just find someone more intimidating to walk with.”

His aura wouldn’t simply improve in the next few minutes, or even over night. Father had said that it was a reflection of self. Confidance, anger, desire, all of that could be reflected in your aura, and the older man had spent year making sure all of their aura’s ‘were up to par’ with his expectations. Rashim had been the last to do so, and he had to wonder what he seemed to radiate…

Pyrrus continued to eat his meal at the good pace he had found. His neck feeling a bit strange. The emptiness wasn't something he was use too. However, the coolness on his neck was something new. Heat didn't bother him at all, but he could still feel the pleasant effects of coolness on oneself. Well maybe it wasn't so bad. The dragonkin had probably just over reacted about taking off his scarf. Now that he had actually done it, it wasn't that bad. One could say he even still looked pretty good with the new exposure of his neck and shirt.

The dragon took another bite of his meal. The food was especially good. His guardian was never an amazing cook. Neither was he. Most of the time everything he ate had just been so...bland. But this..the meat was so juicy and so flavorful. Something his mouth was not use too. Well he sure could get use to eating from restaurants like these while he was here. Once he got back on the road, he'd probably be back to making himself bland meals. He was a bit jealous. Maybe someone could teach him to be able to cook like that....somewhat. Golden eyes tried to eye the chef but he was missing at the moment. Pyrrus shook his head. He wouldn't really want lessons from that guy actually.

"Put it back on? But you just told me to take it off!" Pyrrus was extremely surprised by this. What was the cat getting at. Fastening that again would be a nightmare. All that work just to tell him to put it back on. The dragonkin had finally gotten comfortable without it on. But it wasn't just a game, it was more of a insult. Telling him he was a lost cause. "....." No words escaped from the dragon's lips. Well...then.. that was a bit harsh. Pyrrus swelled up a bit. For being a powerful dragon he could be a bit sensitive. He let out all the over emotion with a deep sigh. "Well I guess I could do that.... I figured I needed a group for the expedition as well. They told me I could find one relatively easily because of how well I had done in the trials...they said word would get around...but I don't see how I'd go about that or how it would....and apparently I look soft as well?! No one would invite me!" The dragon frustratingly devoured the rest of his food. Pyrrus did not feel bothered with putting the scarf back on at the moment either and just left it upon the bar. "Hmm maybe I'll just go off alone....But I'll still need supplies and such...great where am I going to get that." The dragonkin's mind had been filled with problems and now he was mindless talking about them without realizing. Everything was just so...frustrating at the moment. Here he was one again faced with just how difficult the adventure before him was and how he was not exactly fit.

“Lack’s confidence in ‘imself,” said Elmiir as he walked out from the back toting a crate of new greeney things. Rashim could only roll his eyes at the both of them as he continued to eat his meal. They were annoying, maybe he should have gone somewhere else. He was basically giving out charity to the brown haired teen with leading him around as it was. Father would only approve of the action up to a point unless it was beneficial to him. Then again, the other had stated that he was in need of a group.

Leading one would certainly improve the overall view his father had of him should he return victorious. Well, not that returning in defeat would amount to anything no matter what was achieved. After swallowing, the cat turned evergreen eyes to the scarf clad figure next to him. “If you need a group… and if I see how well you did on your scoring before, I’ll team up with you. We could form a group. Do you have your certificate? It should have a ‘grade’ that you received on it from E to A+.” Apparently there was an S, but the proctor said that none of them were to be given out. It was more for aspirations than anything else. He’d scored an A, and wasn’t far from an A+… pity. He had to wonder what his other siblings had scored. Was it even worth noting?

Deeming it unnecessary and that the other may not even want to team up with him, the cat turned back to take another bite.