"Whoa... which one should we try first?"
Seth's mouth was practically watering as he hovered over a row of food stands, his eyes grazing across every dish as if each one was a piece of the holy grail.
"Glass Northern-Style Trifle, Orange Goulder Jam, Marinated Great Bird... I mean, they all sound so... so..."
"Unappetizing?" Effie finished dryly, trying not to sound too annoyed. After all, Seth had been gone away to college for nearly two years already, so he was probably just overly excited to be back home again. So it wasn't totally his fault that he was acting like a massive child. At least that's what Effie thought.
"Hey, come on, now," Seth protested. "Look, I know some of these foods have some... unusual names. But they are exotic cuisine after all, so what else would you expect? I say don't knock it till you've tried it. I mean, where's your sense of adventure, anyway?"
"Maybe I accidentally left it at home today."
"Har-har. So funny," Seth mocked sarcastically. "Anyway, if you don't know what to decide, I guess I'll decide for us then."
"Be my guest," Effie muttered under her breath so quietly she thought Seth probably didn't hear her, because he was already ordering before she had even finished speaking.
"Two bowls of Dragonturtle Custard please," he requested, sliding a few glittering gold coins across the counter at an expectant chef. "And keep the change."
To Effie, it would have been a waste to spend so much coin on something so frivolous. She and Anise always worked hard to scrape together enough coin just to be able to buy those rare herbs sold at the festival once a year. But for Seth, a few gold coins was chump change. Seth's father was a very successful lawyer in Evanore, so his family enjoyed all of the things an upper-middle class lifestyle could afford them.
"You just had to pick one of the most outlandish sounding dishes possible, didn't you?" Effie griped, eyeing the contents of the (quite literally) flaming bowls of custard being pushed at them from across the counter. "You do realize those things are on fire, don't you?"
"Hey!" The chef interjected with annoyance. "That's the only way to serve Dragonturtle Custard in the great kingdom of Rattin. Are you trying to insult one of the favorite deserts of the Emperor of Rattin?"
"Don't mind her, sir," Seth bowed apologetically. "She doesn't mean to be disrespectful. She just... has... a disorder that makes her speak without thinking. Called... uh... The Speak-Without-Thinking disease."
"Idiot," Effie hissed through her teeth, slapping Seth across the back of the head as if her hand had a mind of its own.
"Ow! Anyway, please excuse us, sir, and we'll be on our way. I'll try to educate my friend better on the ways of the magnificent kingdom of Rotten."
"That's Rattin!" The chef roared, anger now turning his face a particular shade of red that reminded Effie of a tomato.
"Right, right," Seth nodded. "Isn't that what I said? Anyway, thanks for the custard."
With that, Seth picked up the two bowls of flaming hot custard, and winced at the burning heat. But his smile never faltered as he carried the bowls away from the stand, and headed toward a picnic table nearby.
"Doesn't that hurt?" Effie eyed his reddening skin with concern. "Those things are on fire, aren't they? You'll burn your hands."
"I think I already did." Seth's laugh was a little tense as he sat both bowls down onto the table and began examining his palms.
"Let me see," Effie demanded, her medical training now kicking in. She took hold of both of Seth's hands in hers and carefully looked them over, not noticing the way Seth's cheeks began to flush at her touch.
"Yep, you definitely burned them. You dummy. Why would you pick up something that was on fire like that with your bare hands? Luckily they just appear to be first-degree burns, so they'll be easy enough to treat, and should heal quickly with proper care. Hold still, I think I have something with me that can help."
Effie reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a small bag with a little jar of salve and a roll of bandages.
"Well you always come prepared, don't you?"
"I am a healer after all," Effie said plainly, opening the jar of salve and beginning to apply it to his burns. "I have to be prepared everywhere I go."
"Th-that makes sense," Seth replied, growing more flustered as Effie gently rubbed the salve onto the palms of his hands with her fingertips.
"It's not ideal, but this aloe should relieve some of the burning sensation and redness for now. And hopefully it'll prevent any blistering. Though I suggest immediately seeing my Aunt and I down at the apothecary for proper treatment of the burns as soon as possible. For now, I'll wrap these up."
After Effie was done bandaging his hands, Seth beamed happily. "Thanks, it feels better already. I'm lucky I had a medic nearby to treat my burns right away."
"You wouldn't have needed a medic in the first place if you'd simply used your brain," Effie said blandly, then turned to face the still flaming bowls of custard. "So.... are these things suppose to stop burning at some point? I mean... I don't know how they do things in Ratton, but I can't imagine biting down on a spoonful of fire."
"Hmm... good question," Seth pondered. "Well, judging by the way my hands fared, I don't think eating fiery custard is probably a the best idea. Maybe we blow the fire out... like... like birthday candles?"
"And they call that a delicacy?"
"Try to have an open mind, won't you? I know you've only ever grown up in the country, but that doesn't mean you have to be a bumpkin. There's nothing wrong with experiencing new things, even if they turn out to be weird, or something you don't like."
"Easy for you to say, rich boy. Wouldn't I need the coin to experience half the things you do?"
"It's not always about money, you know," Seth grumbled, looking down at his shoes. "And even if it were, I'd be happy to take you all over the world with me to discover everything it has to offer, all expenses paid."
"If our adventures are going be anything like today, then no thanks," Effie replied coldly.
"Ouch, so mean."
"Anyway, let's hurry up and blow out these flames so we can eat the custard and be on our way to the next activity."
Seth thought that Effie sounded more like a business person checking off their to-do list for the day rather than someone who was hanging out with her old friend whom she hadn't seen in a long time. But that was just Effie. That was who she was, and Seth accepted it. He was simply happy to be able to spend some time with her at all. It had been such a long time since he'd seen her... since he'd talked to her. It had been nearly two whole years. And even though he knew she had no interest in him, he had decided long ago that he would try to win her affections no matter how long it might take. And to Seth, the Market Festival was the perfect opportunity for them to grow closer.
'Thank you Anise!' He sent his silent gratitude out to the woman who helped make it possible for Effie and himself to spend the day together alone.
-------
Effie's tongue was still burning from the custard that was supposed to be a desert, but that was more spicy than sweet. It had been a very odd flavor, full of strong spices and sharp seasonings which Effie had never tasted before. And she wasn't exactly keen on it, but at least she'd tasted it. At least she'd experienced something new outside of her comfort zone. Anise had created such a sheltered life for her to keep her safe that Effie hadn't realized she how much of the world she'd been missing out on until Seth opened her eyes a little today. And now she was staring to think that perhaps there was more to this world outside of her little bubble in Evanore.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Seth said, as they walked through the crowded festival, searching for the next thing that looked interesting to him.
"I don't like spicy things," Effie replied shortly.
"Really? That's too bad. I rather enjoyed it myself."
"To each their own, I suppose."
The next stand Seth had them stop at was a jewelry and trinket shop.
"Why don't you pick out something you like?" He said. "I'll be happy to buy it for you."
"No thanks. I don't really wear jewelry," Effie replied, although that was only partially true. The only piece of jewelry she ever wore was the Moonshadow stone tucked safely away beneath the collar of her dress. Although she couldn't tell Seth about it. No one was supposed to know that she had the Moonshadow stone. No one except her and Anise.
"I guess I've never really seen you dress up with any accessories," Seth admitted. "But if the reason for it is frugality, then you don't have to worry about that with me. I came to the festival prepared with enough gold coin to have a good time and be as frivolous as possible. So go on, pick something out. Anything at all."
Effie felt silly and impractical as she began shopping around at all the pointless gems and glittering crystal adornments on display. But she knew Seth wouldn't let up until she'd picked out something. She really just needed to get this over with so she could move on with her day. She still had so much to do. And window shopping was on the agenda.
"Hmmm..." she pondered. She had no idea how to even shop for fashion. She had no idea what kinds of things looked good on her, if anything. Seth began to notice her struggling, so he pointed a particular necklace sitting on display nearby.
"What about this one? It's a beautiful shade of purple. I think it matches your eyes."
Although it wasn't as stunning as the Moonshadow stone (and indeed not many stones out there were), it was still quite beautiful. A glassy shade of plum glistened like a little teardrop hanging from a gold chain. It was grand, regal, and much to luxurious for Effie's lowly class.
"I- I really couldn't..."
"Why not?" Seth seemed puzzled. "It looks like it was made for you."
"It's made for someone much more elegant than me. I could never pull that off. Not with these clothes, and this hair... or this face."
"What are you even talking about?" Seth's eyes examined hers so deeply she nearly looked away to avoid his gaze. "If anyone is pretty enough to pull this off, it's you."
The back of Effie's neck began to grow hot with embarrassment. No one had ever said something like that to her before other than her own Aunt Anise. She was almost flattered. But she couldn't accept the compliment. She refused to believe that it was true. So she opened her mouth to protest, but found that she couldn't find any words.
"I'm buying it," Seth said finally. "And you aren't changing my mind. Only you, Euphemia Barlow, are fit to wear this necklace."
Again, Effie watched as Seth carelessly threw his gold coins at a vendor, this time a whole handful of them, and in exchange the vendor handed Seth the necklace all packed away neatly in a pretty box with a bow. Then Seth turned to Effie, holding the little box out to her.
"Please accept this as the parting gift I failed to give you before when I left for college."
"I seriously can't accept something like this..." Effie replied.
"I insist."
"I- I don't deserve something like this."
"Why are you the world's most stubborn woman?" Seth griped, opening the box and gently taking the necklace out. "You'll accept this gift one way or another. Hold still."
And before Effie had time to protest again, Seth had strung the delicate gold chain around her neck, fastening the clasp at the back. And now the pretty gemstone pendant gleamed beautifully against her collarbone. Seth stood back admiring his effort while Effie stared at it in shock, not knowing how to react.
"See, told you," Seth beamed down at her. "It's perfect. Like I said, it looks like it was made just for you."
"You're so dumb," Effie finally managed to say, but she didn't make any further attempts to spurn his gift.
He had given it to her with the utmost sincerity, and even someone as cold as her couldn't find it in her heart to refuse him.
Afterward, Seth lead her to ring-toss game, then more snacks, then they watched a talented performer dance to some obscure, exotic song at a street corner. By the time the sun was beginning to set, Effie found herself actually having a little fun, though she would never want to admit it. She never knew she could have such a time at the market festival. But now that she'd gone on this date with Seth.... Wait. Was this a date?
Now that Effie thought about it, this really did feel oddly like a date. She was beginning to sense that something question was going on today. Hadn't it been all to convenient? Anise not being able to make it to the festival for the first time ever, and acting quite suspicious about it on the same day that Seth Clayton was apparently back in town?
'You don't suppose...' Effie thought to her self, growing more anxious by the second. 'You don't suppose Auntie Anise set me up on a blind date? She wouldn't have... would she?'