Cece/Ridley | Bazaar | noon
Ridley couldn’t confess to being as much of a sweet tooth as the twins — they were delicious in small quantities, no doubt, but too much sugar made her feel uncomfortably hyper. Not to mention how much milk chocolate made her crave. Even so, she found herself milling about in the Bazaar, wandering from stall to stall a mere ten minutes after leaving the clinic. The promise of good food and sweets beckoned her, and so she couldn’t help but peer at every stall, curious as ever.
She drew up next to a blonde who was rather pretty, a mage from the Tower she’d had yet to properly acquaint herself with, to admire a stand with beautiful, ornate hair pieces and clips. “Hello,” she greeted softly, so as not to startle her.
As always, Cecilia found herself attracted to the hubbub of the festival, even though she didn’t find herself very fond of crowds. She did, however, like the wares that merchants set out. In particular, she was eyeing a hair comb with an intricate design of flowers carved into the dark red handle - she had never seen anything like it. But then a small voice broke her out of her short reverie.
When she turned her head, she saw a scholar that she had seen around the tower. Spoken to her maybe once or twice, but she had yet to really speak to her. Perhaps she had been too busy with her own private research to pay much attention to others. Still, this could be rectified. “Hello,” Cecilia said, her voice dreamy as always, “Are you shopping today as well?”
Ridley’s smile was soft. “Yes, I’m biding my time before I meet with my friend,” she admitted, directing her gaze toward the items on sale. Festivals and holidays were really the only way she could experience the rest of Ivalice and the dozens of cultures beyond, and even within, Valendia. She didn’t fancy herself much for traveling, and hadn’t done much of it in her childhood, so this was how she experienced it.
“These are beautiful,” she commented aloud as she leaned in, braid slipping over her shoulder.
There was something about Ridley’s gentle air that made Cecilia immediately drawn to her. She showed this by taking a small step towards her, allowing her into her little bubble, and giving back her own soft, small smile.
“Aren’t they?” Cecilia said, admiring - if only she were looking at the wares. Instead, she was focused mostly on Ridley, examining her face, taking note of her expressions. Cecilia’s attention was a difficult thing to catch but once caught, it was obedient. “I’m here alone today, just looking. But not quite alone, with all these people here.” Her eyes flicked towards the milling groups of customers walking past booths. Chatting with friends. “We never had things like this back where I came from.”
The comment drew the scholar’s attention to her, blue eyes raking over her face. “Do you mean festivals?” Her tone wasn’t incredulous— certainly there were places in Ivalice that didn’t celebrate as they did here. She read enough to know about geography and cultures to know (without really knowing) what was celebrated where, but it was interesting to hear it first hand.
“Yes.” Cecilia remembered Tarlev and its small, quaint ceremonies. Perhaps harvest had been a little like this, but nothing matched the grandeur and production of a city festival. She could do without the pressing crowds but she loved the energy that was in the air. So many voices chattering, so many things to look at. For someone who loved to look, it was a dream to be able to walk through these crowds, slip in unnoticed and become just a body, a face, and watch. “Do you like them? Have you been to many?”
Ridley wasn’t going to press the matter or the brevity of the other blonde’s response. While it was a surprise to learn, it was to be expected. Part of Emillion’s allure was how it attracted so many different cultures, people of different backgrounds who had come from so many walks of life. She couldn’t judge, she wouldn’t judge, so she smiled faintly.
“Yes, since I was a little girl. My mother often took me,” she admitted. “The crowds are somewhat daunting, but I find them fascinating.” The smile widened a touch, perhaps a little wistful. “Is this your first festival?”