Jarek p.o.v.
Edmond's face contorted in mock agony as he finished off his taco, fanning his mouth dramatically. "Alright, alright, I admit defeat! That salsa should come with a warning label," he groaned, earning a hearty laugh from Ashura.
I couldn't help but snicker as I took another bite of my own, much milder, food. "I told you to stick with the regular salsa, but nooo, you had to prove a point," I teased.
Edmond shot me a playful glare. "Hey, it's not my fault they called it the 'Dragon's Breath.' How could I resist something with such an epic name?" He wiped at his eyes, which were still watering from the heat, but there was a grin on his face.
Ashura, always the observer, leaned back casually, one hand holding a skewer that he was steadily working through. "You know, Edmond, they say that pride comes before the fall." He smirked, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief.
Edmond threw up his hands. "Alright, philosopher, spare me the lecture. Besides, I'd like to see you take on the challenge next time."
I shook my head, amused by their banter. The dynamic between the three of us was surprisingly easy going, considering how different we were. Edmond with his bravado, Ashura with his quiet, almost aloof nature, and me… well, I guess I was somewhere in between.
The market was bustling with activity, the evening sun casting a golden hue over everything. Stalls overflowed with colourful produce, sizzling meats, and sweet treats. I took in a deep breath, savouring the smell of roasted chestnuts and caramelized sugar. It was moments like these that reminded me there was more to life than just the academy and its relentless demands.
As we wandered deeper into the market, I noticed Ashura's gaze drifting toward a stand that was selling trinkets and oddities. His fingers itched toward a small, peculiar pendant. It glimmered faintly in the light, as if calling to him.
I elbowed him gently. "Got your eye on something?" I asked, a teasing lilt to my voice.
He shrugged, looking almost sheepish. "Just curious. It's nothing." But I could tell he was intrigued, the way he kept glancing back at it.
Edmond caught on and sidled up to us, eyes bright with mischief. "Oh? Has the lazy Ashura found something that actually interests him? This is a first."
Ashura gave him a deadpan look but said nothing, instead focusing back on the pendant. I watched him for a moment longer before turning my attention back to the crowd. The market was growing busier as more people came out to enjoy the evening.
"Alright, alright," I said, clapping my hands together. "Enough browsing. I say we find something sweet to cleanse your tortured palate, Edmond. How about those pastries over there?"
Edmond's eyes lit up instantly. "Now you're speaking my language," he said, practically dragging Ashura and me toward the stall.
The vendor had an impressive selection of treats laid out, everything from delicate cream puffs to syrupy baklava. "Three of your best," I said, slapping down a few silver coins. I grabbed one of the pastries, tossing it to Ashura, who caught it with a slight raise of his brow.
"You're treating today?" he asked, taking a tentative bite.
I shrugged. "Consider it my way of making sure you two don't starve me with your terrible taste in spicy food."
Edmond rolled his eyes, but he was grinning as he stuffed a cream puff into his mouth. "Who knew Jarek could be so generous?" he mumbled through a mouthful of pastry.
Ashura just shook his head, but there was a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. It was rare to see him so relaxed, and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of triumph at having drawn him out of his shell, even if just a little.
We continued down the market, laughter and easy conversation flowing between us. It felt… good. Comfortable, even. For all our differences, there was a strange camaraderie forming between us, though none of us would probably admit it out loud.
As we reached the end of the market, the sky was beginning to fade into shades of deep orange and purple. The stalls around us were starting to pack up, the lively chatter of the day slowly giving way to the quiet hum of the evening.
Edmond turned to us, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, one last stop before we head back. I heard there's a fortune teller somewhere around here. Who's brave enough to have their future revealed?"
Ashura scoffed lightly, crossing his arms. "I'd rather not know what fate has in store for me," he said, though there was a hint of a challenge in his tone.
I smirked, leaning in with mock seriousness. "Scared, Ashura? Afraid they'll tell you something you don't want to hear?"
He gave me a sidelong glance, eyes narrowing slightly. "No, just not interested in wasting my time."
Edmond, ever the instigator, clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Then it's settled. Jarek, you're going in first. Let's see if the fortune teller can handle your stubbornness."
I threw up my hands in surrender. "Fine, fine, I'll go first. But if they predict something ridiculous, I'm dragging both of you down with me."
As we made our way toward the fortune teller's tent, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. We were just three students, roaming the market like ordinary people, for once not weighed down by titles, expectations, or secrets.
And as much as I hated to admit it, there was a part of me that didn't want this evening to end.