Teenage Hearthrob?

[Kender Bard]

Harmony was exploring the palace - or rather, simply prowling through it on the hunt for something interesting to do. Unlike in Khelek, Anarlina seemed to have a new surprise everyday and she was eager to root out the day's activity.

That was how she happened upon Seafoam. Spotting him while passing through a corridor, she stopped and stared at the boy. True, he was older (though she would have been hard put to guess precisely what age), but he looked lovely.

I didn't know boys could be beautiful too, Harmony thought as she followed the young noble from a discreet distance. Or that it might look like something different.

Her childish little relationship with Libre was one of strong friendship. Now the young girl found a different sort of interest. He looks like the kind of boy that bards sing of, of the blonde and handsome adventurer off on a quest to save so and so.

Hmm, do I say hello? Well, she didn't have to go up to him face to face to do that. Touching her sign she chased her mind out to his. Hello, she called out, and couldn't help but giggle a little even mentally.

[Northen Light36]

Seafoam blinks in surprise and looks around. Either he was going crazy, or there had to be a mind around. He hadn't met a mind before and so he wasn't certain, but on the other hand he was pretty sure that, if you were crazy, the voices didn't just say hello and giggle.

Uh... Hello? he thinks back. Who are you?

[Kender Bard]

My name is Harmony, she introduced herself, pressing up against a wall to try and hide behind a support pillar, while peeking around to watch Seafoam. Oh she'd startled him. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I was afraid that you might ignore me if I just walked up and said hello, or something similar. That'd be too bad because you seem very cute... Nice! I mean nice!

[Northen Light36]

Seafoam blushes when Harmony calls him cute, but at the same time he's flattered and smiles. You didn't frighten me, he assures her. It was a surprise, that's all. And I promise I won't ignore you, Harmony, so won't you come and say hello? My name is Seafoam.

[Kender Bard]

Harmony realized something. If she focused and was mindful, she might be able to make Seafoam think she was older than she was. Whereas if she walked out and showed herself... well...

Perhaps with a little planning she could even make herself look older. With an effort, she tried to make her mental voice sound a bit more mature. It was similar to simply deepening one's voice really. Hopefully he would think her earlier tone was because of her shyness. ~I'm... Quite shy. I'd rather talk from afar for a bit longer. Besides, I'm in such a state of disrepair.

She was quite pleased to have remembered that last line from what she overheard a woman on the street say the other day. ~Maybe we could meet face to face over dinner?~ Harmony blushed madly but she was grinning widely as her mind suddenly pitched into hazy thoughts of a romantic evening. There would probably be candles and good food and wine (she'd have to take tiny sips or she'd get sick but that was okay because wine was required for these things).

[Northen Light36]

Seaform considers the difference in tone for a moment. At first he thought he was talking to someone younger then him, but now the voice 'sounds' older. Then he smiles and shrugs it off. Either way it doesn't hurt to make a friend.

all right, you don't have to come out if you'd rather not, he agrees. I'll have to ask my dad about dinner, though. I hope that doesn't trouble you, Lady Harmony.

[Kender Bard]

Lady Harmony!

She had a hold a hand tight over her mouth to smother the sudden squeal that bubbled up from her. Her ploy had worked! Hmm, and if he had to ask his father for permission, then maybe he was younger than she guessed. Even better. ~Oh, of course that's fine by me~ she said quickly. ~I understand completely. If he agrees, then shall I meet you outside of the palace at suppertime?~

[Northen Light36]

That sounds like a fine plan, Seafoam agrees with a smile as he glances around. I must admit, I'm very curious to see you now. I do enjoy a mystery, but the solution to one is a far greater reward.

[Kender Bard]

Oh Efil, he's so charming!

Harmony actually slid down the wall very slightly. This was too good to be true. I hope you'll not be disappointed then. Farewell for now, Lord Seafoam.

Still touching her sign, she whispered a chant and teleported back to her room. Now. How was she supposed to look older? She hadn't much experience in these sorts of things and knew it'd be too easy to botch the job herself. But who could she ask? Certainly not her father... and Locket was very busy these days. She had no guarantee the priestess would be available.

Well, it couldn't hurt. She sent out a mental query. ~Locket, are you busy?~

Not too much for you, kid, Locket replied merrily... and with a very faint slur. She was probably with her pathmates then. Locket tended to come home from a day with them in high spirits and just a little tipsy.

Harmony explained her situation, which Locket got far too much amusement out of for the young girl's comfort. ~Are you going to help me or not?~ she finally asked, exasperated.

Well, I probably shouldn't do anything that might get you in trouble or hurt, Locket mused. But this sounds like a great deal of fun. I'll help if you promise to let me keep an eye on you from afar.

~Deal.~

---

And so Locket had done her level best to help Harmony look a bit older. It wasn't easy. There wasn't much you could do with a kid. Harmony had a fun time of it though (blushing as Locket tried to stuff some wadded silk cloths into the top of her dress to give the illusion of a bust). She even got to wear some of Locket's makeup, a touch of rogue and some kohl around her eyes.

Height was a problem. They solved it as best as they could by finding some wood to tie against the bottom of Harmony's shoes. She had to walk softly and carefully to not sound like a horse clopping around, and it was awkward as could be, but by wearing a longer dress anyway it sufficed.

"It's good that your mother is having you grow your hair out. You look a bit more decent this way."

Harmony scowled at that but didn't protest and fixed up as best as Locket could manage, the two girls set out at the time appointed. Locket stayed a good distance away, trying to seem innocuously part of the scenery while watching Harmony carefully. Harmony fidgeted with her dress nervously and hoped she didn't look like a buffoon.

[Northen Light36]

Seafoam, having easily gotten permission from his highly amused father, strides out of the palace and heads over to the planned meeting spot. Spotting Harmony, he smiles and walks over to her. "Would you happen to be the lady Harmony?" he asks, bowing.

One thing that being a healer, even a healer in training, requires is a sharp eye. Despite Harmony's efforts, Seafoam guesses her age at around eleven. Still, she's gone to a lot of effort, he reconises that and sees no issue in playing along. It's really rather flattering when he thinks about it.

[Kender Bard]

Oh, it's working, she thinks excitedly and bows as well (quite carefully, so she doesn't fall on her face). "Aye," she said. She and Locket had decided that while it was harder to disguise her actual voice, she managed to get roughly the same 'sound' if she spoke low and softly. "Lord Seafoam? I am very pleased you could meet with me for dinner. Where would you like to go, m'lord?"

My, but she did pick a handsome one, Locket thought, giving Seafoam an appreciative look. This was one bout of spying she would enjoy for her own reasons.

[Northen Light36]

"Oh, please," Seafoam says with a gentle laugh. "I'm no lord. That's my father." He offers Harmony a warm smile and holds out a hand. "Please, just call me Seafoam. Did you have any plans for where we might eat? I'm afraid I don't know this area very well."

[Kender Bard]

"Nor I," Harmony admitted, blushing brightly as she accepted his hand. "I'm from Khelek, actually. But let me see..." She brought up a hand and let her fingertips brush just beneath the neckline of her dress. ~Locket, where should we go eat?~

Locket had actually sought out the names of some nice places in the area. Though she could dine with the royalty in the palace, it was always nice to be able to have the option to go out. The highest recommended one is Starlight. It's a night-themed eatery. It's a tad pricey though so watch what you order, missy.

Harmony smiled and relayed the information to Seafoam.

[Northen Light36]

"Well, that sounds like a good place to go," Seafoam agrees with a smile. Flash had given him some extra money just in case, which meant he'd be able to give Harmony a good evening. Then he'd have a gentle talk with her.

"Might I add that you look lovely tonight?" he says softly.

[Kender Bard]

Harmony's blush deepened. "You're too kind," she murmured and sets off in the direction Locket supplied. "And you look just as stunning as when I first spotted you."