The Dhampir reached her hand out for a handshake with confidence in her mannerisms that had not changed, though it was almost shocking for the rescuer to shake a woman's hand.
He was hesitant and responded quickly, "I cannot shake a woman's hand. I apologize."
Cloette retracted her hand in response to what she remembered in the past as her eyes widened in response.
"Ah, apologies monsieur, my love was used to me shaking hands with them." She chuckled and retracted her handshake.
"But my name I can give you. It is Baheer." he chuckled in response.
Baheer was focusing on the road, trying to keep a calm demeanor. He was not very knowledgeable with energy.
Cloette's eyes widened in surprise and said, "Well mierde, you even have her father's name. Such a coincidence that he still lingered after his death."
She sighed and stuck her hand out like it was riding a wave through the wind.
"Wait, she? Your love was a woman? But that means, oh man that is very unusual my friend. But you do you, just be careful around here." Baheer said in a tone of concern.
"Por quoi mon ami?
Dry winds provided the pressure of the seas, and the speed of the metal stallion brought a thrill to Cloette. Curiosity was unbeknownst to her, the sands glistened slightly, refracting to her skin, which made them slightly painful to feel.
Dried shrubs and heat permeated from the gentle and harsh atmosphere surrounding the desert. The skies were slightly cloudy but mesmerizing in their illusion of the emptiness of a blue canvas that cascaded around the world in a thin shroud of infinity.
Cloette readjusted herself to try not to be covered in burns from the sun. Though it was near impossible given the state of the clothes on her back and in possession of nothing else for protection.
Baheer noticed the young woman getting covered in burns again. "Have you ever tried an ointment called sunscreen?" he playfully jeered at Cloette.
She looked at him in disbelief, "A Sun Screen? Is that a hat? Then I have worn hats before, imbecile. Seriously, I am riding this mechanical carriage. It feels like I am on a ship with wheels. Still not used to that odor, it reminds me of the Catacombs from underground."
She gagged slightly from the scent of the car's fumes. Baheer then handed her a plastic bottle with a gold pump that said '50 SPF Sunscreen'. Cloette became confused, unable to process what it was.
"Hm, an ointment? Must have been very expensive to have one like this. I guess I have caught myself an enormous whale, to spend so much gold for such an ointment." She chuckled and then tried to open the bottle but accidentally pushed the pump and the product came out.
"How interesting, this texture seems like it would not do much for my skin." she wondered as she played with the sunscreen in her hand.
He doesn't know what to do with her, looking at her in sheer disbelief about a person of a pale complexion to not understanding that sunscreen was necessary. It made him chuckle slightly at how Cloette had experienced it for the first time.
However, he did not pay mind to discovering products. It reminded him to stay humble, to know that there may not be people who would know of a common commodity used to protect someone's skin from the sun.
"Well, you were supposed to put it on your face and any skin that the sun touches. And also it cost only 2,500. We aren't always having the best times with our country, but we thank our god that we're able to make do with what many could at the moment." he explained.
"Two thousand gold?! Well then, I will cherish this gift you have provided for me mon ami." said Cloette with a smile, showing her fangs.
Baheer was wearily relieved about the woman's demeanor as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Cloette applied the sunscreen on herself, healing her burns.
She smiled, "How wonderful. I could have used this in the past. She would have loved to have gone to the beach and enjoyed the trips to the markets. And-", she stopped herself.
She held onto the pendant to her heart, the fleur-de-lis.
"Why didn't she say yes…." she mumbled, biting her lower lip.
The mirages would appear on the sides of the cars. Since her mind would play tricks to keep her sane. Just like when she last saw her beloved.
It was not an obsession with her. Instead, an understanding of two individuals who respect each other. Both women embraced each other's imperfections.
Baheer looked over to his newfound companion and asked, "What was it like then, Cloette? If you don't mind."
With the wind caught up in her hair, the horizon made her eyes gleam to represent a universe that differed from what he could comprehend. A story awaited this man interesting enough.
Although, the desert was the only constant that she had to deal with for a good while. Buried from the lack of movement, so much had happened when her face had shifted to a more bittersweet expression.
About a love that was almost forgotten by name, but never by the sense of loyalty, and a tale of what brought up Cloette to that point. Reminiscence was across her face.
A telling of tales of romances and adventures that she had endured nearly a millennium she had to endure until being stranded in the desert for the last in the last couple hundred years.
Cloette replied with a smile and chuckled, "It was as if it meant us to be found, centuries old apart. But we both understood each other. Each word spoken from her lips would be music to these ears. My tale will be long mon ami, but long enough to pass the time at this point. It all started from when I was born…"