Jayou… Of all the places Raziel could find herself in, Jayou was the worst. There were shops on the land, the river was wide and had hundreds of boats. Each boat had its own little setup. Raziel wrinkled her nose at the thought of trying to traverse across the river, or through the boat shops without getting lost. She was truly beginning to regret her decision of not requesting Sanyi's assistance. Azula nestled atop her staff which had a perfect curved "y" tip, who-ing down at Raziel worriedly.

"I don't know, Azula… I don't know." The angel did not understand a single thing the owl said, but it instilled a sense of ease to know she wasn't truly alone. Mikhail was also faithfully at her side. The now fully grown grey and brown timberwolf walked next to her as she took careful, measured steps forward. Eventually, she found someone who was kind enough to give her time of day as well as directions to an apothecary shop.

The lavender haired angel picked her way through the bridged city. "Was that two rights and a left, or three lefts and a right?" she asked, but neither of her animal companions can tell her the answer. Raziel gave a deflated sigh and made a choice. Turning, she stepped on something oddly shaped with an incline. It felt a bit soft too. "Watch where you're going, pipsqueak!" Fingers jabbed into her shoulders as she gasped, arms flailing as she tried to maintain balance. Mikhail growled as he bit at the guy's ankle, dragging on it. Azula gave a shriek as she took wing to find a more stable place to watch.

Business was a pain. Bryce had spent the entire morning creating a trade deal with an idiotic merchant who insisted on underpaying for a few of the trade deals. After hours of arguments, the noble had finally arranged a fair deal for both sides. The trade would bring more economic opportunities to his province and develop a healthy relationship with Jayou. The noble, with a satisfied smile, began to walk towards a group of people in the city. He heard the shriek of a bird then saw the lovely winged maiden. Her hair was a shade of violet purple and she held herself with a quiet dignity. These ruffians attacking her weren't going to end well. He sprinted towards them and quickly knocked one off his feet before drawing his sword towards the other. He moved himself in front of Raziel and became a physical shield for her.

"I suggest you all head home and leave this wonderful woman alone." He said, "Unless you'd like to be dealing me."

He showed off his family ring, though it would mean nothing to the ruffians. However, the strangers would remember it and hopefully leave the girl alone from now on. The two men backed off and ran away, believing she wasn't worth the trouble. Bryce sheathed his sword then looked towards the angel. He noticed the owl and the dog looking fairly territorial. Oh well. If he had to die being charming, then so be it. He approached the woman and covered her with a noble cloak for warmth.

"Are you alright, beautiful maiden?" He asked.

He was being a bit overly prince charming but he didn't really care. It was a way to flirt and it was befitting a noble. And it was fun. A dashing smile was on his face but he was really just enjoying acting out the part of nobility.

"Were you lost? This is a fairly strange place for angels to be." Bryce admitted.

Raziel prepared herself to cast a protective spell, something to defend against another jab or worse… an attack. "Get off me, stupid mutt!" She was prepared to attempt a verbal response to them, try to explain that she was sincerely sorry, that she was blind and could not see where she was headed. Just as her lips parted, Raziel realized that there were footsteps approaching, the sharp sound of a weapon being scraped against its sheath.

Had she been followed by Zehrili or Ensarrian? But the smooth voice was not as deep as Ian's nor as husky as Zehrili's voice. It was someone altogether. Stunned shock held her tongue. He spoke as if he knew her, right? Yet his voice was unfamiliar to her, having never heard it before. Nevertheless, her attackers turned tail and ran, Mikhail barking at their retreat before returning to Raziel's ankles to sit obediently while eyeing up the stranger.

Once more, she found herself flinching as something heavy was draped across her shoulders, providing her with a radiating warmth. Did he just wrap her in his cloak? The angel blushed at his second compliment but managed to nod in response. "I believe so… Thanks," she replied softly. "Actually, I am lost." Her steel gaze lifted to where she believed his voice was coming from. "I was headed to The Dew Drop? An apothecary supply shop. But… I could not remember the directions perse… That's when I ran into…" Azula swooped from her perch and returned to Raziel's staff, which she was surprised she did not drop from the sudden shock of her landing.

Bryce listened to her silently. Her voice was soft and quiet and he could see her face blushing at his compliment. The woman was lost and was heading to a place called The Dew Drop. He remembered seeing the apothecary supply shop before leaving. So he decided that he would offer to guide her there. The city was dangerous and if word got back to his family that he was acting nobly while away from home, well it would help his cause.

"I see. If you would like, I could guide you to the apothecary." He suggested, "I was just in that area, so it wouldn't be much trouble."

The girl's friends were an owl and a timberwolf. The two creatures seemed to be tamed enough that they wouldn't cause a ruckus in the shops. He was confused as to why these animals would be here. Normally owls and wolves of all kind hated big cities. Perhaps that was the skill of this woman's control over them? A control over animals that was stronger than their natural senses. Impressive.

"My name is Bryce Trivon. And who might you be?" He inquired.

Bryce took her gently by the hand and began guiding her out of the alleyway.

The silence between them did not grow for any length of time. No, he was very gentlemanly as he offered to guide her to the apothecary himself. A small smile played on her lips. There did not seem to be any response from the wolf as to whether or not this man was to be trusted. But he was still in training, still learning how to be the judge for her. Usually, wolves and other canines are quick to growl at any untrustworthy character, so maybe that was a good sign? "Yes, I would like that very much, thank you."

He introduced himself and gently took her hand, earning another light involuntary jerk. "Raziel Irre, a pleasure." But she didn't quite like the position holding her hand put her in. She was too far behind him, without any knowledge if she needed to sidestep anything. Mikhail helped with that, but it was a lot easier… "Um, Bryce, may I?" Raziel had pulled them to a stop so she could gently take her hand from his. Her fingers trailed up the side of his arm until she could wrap her hand over his almost lady-like.

"Um…" She began, her cheeks growing ever hotter. Why was she always embarrassed whenever she must point out her disability? "It's easier this way…" Raziel tucked her chin and turned her face away from him. "I can read your movements easier." Azula gave a light screech that sounded much like laughter, which only made Raziel's face feel like it was burning. "The chastising owl is Azula, my familiar. And the wolf is Mikhail. I've raised him to be my eyes, my protector, my guide."

Raziel Irre. It wasn't a name he was familiar with. That was all he needed to know that she wasn't an Adelunian noble. The nobles were fine but they were always uptight. Never honest. At the very least, he knew the maiden wouldn't be trying to manipulate him in court. He could be a bit more honest with her and less guarded than normal. Raziel pulled them to a stop and her fingers trailed up the side of his arm until she could wrap her hand over his in a lady-like fashion. Bryce couldn't help but notice her blushing face as she explained that it would make reading his movements easier.

"Whatever is easiest for you miss Irre." He said with a smile.

Suddenly the owl gave a light screech that sounded a lot like laughter. The owl was named Azula and the wolf was Mikhail. She apparently raised the wolf to be a servant of hers. An impressive feat since raising wild animals to be tamed is always a challenge. As they walked, Bryce was careful to guide her around potholes in the road or anything that would make her trip.

"I'm visiting from Adeluna for trade deals." He explained, "Where might you be from?"

As they walked, people would avoid getting in their way. They treated them with respect because of the wolf and because a wealthy noble was in the group. It was funny. The more wealth a person clearly had, the more kindness they were given. Soon they had made it to the apothecary supply shop. They weren't that far from it, so it showed the girl was fairly close to getting to it.

"Here we are miss Irre." He said with a smile, "Just as I promised."

It was odd how voice patterns tend to change with emotions and expressions. Even with the brief amount of time she had to hear him, Raziel could tell he was smiling at her. Bryce did not question her vision, nor make light of it. He was quick to make sure she was most comfortable in being guided. Yet, being called "Miss Irre" was still fairly new to her, so it sounded odd.

Her guide explained that he was from Adeluna, making deals for trading goods. For once, small talk was quite welcome to her, growing weary of talk of health and serious conversations. "I was raised in Zets'Ki's Cradle with the angels, but I've been a traveler for some time now." It didn't matter why he was being nice to her, it was refreshing to finally have someone outside of her sphere of friends. Soon they had stopped and Bryce announced they had made her destination.

"Please, just call me Raziel," she requested with another blush. The angel entered the shop. "No animals allowed, ma'am," Azula silently took wing and left through the open door, but Mikhail stubbornly stayed by her side. "You would kick out the seeing-eye wolf of the blind?" Raziel inquired. Silence followed as the woman who had spoken pondered the question. "I guess, but it better stay out of trouble. No eating of the stock or I'm charging you extra." She laughed softly as she murmured down to her wolf, "Good thing you hate most everything, huh?"

The half-angel walked up to the counter, Mikhail guiding her around a table on the way. "Welcome to the Dew Drop… How many I assist?" She gave the counter-woman a warm smile. "I need a fresh supply of dried hibiscus, mint, eternal leaves, and…" A sound of small scratching came to her ear, presumably the woman writing down her list. "Oh, and banshee tears if you have any." "Banshee tears, huh? give me a few minutes." Once everything was gathered and the trade was made, Raziel slipped the ingredients in her pouch and turned to Bryce, having felt he had not left her side. "That concludes my errands. While I'm not sure what to do with the remainder of my day, I'd rather not part company so soon. To be quite honest, you're the first stranger who's been nice to me in a very long time. May I be…" And her shyness began to show once more. "So selfish… as to accompany you? For a while at least."

Just as he was about to defend her wolf and convince the woman to let the creature in, Raziel swiftly inconvenienced the woman to let the wolf in. Bryce was somewhat impressed since Raziel's word were positioned in a way that made it almost accusatory without reaching that point. For a moment, he thought he would have to defend her once more but the angel had taken care of it. Bryce stuck around to make sure she got everything that she needed without any trouble. The truth of the matter was that Bryce was curious. He'd never met anybody like Raziel and probably wouldn't for a very long time. Soon they were done with shopping and Raziel turned to him, asking if she could accompany him.

"It would be my pleasure." He said genuinely, "I know a little cafe by the river with some of the most delicious of foods if you're hungry. Or we could go to one of the small parks in the area."

His day would have been filled with travel and that didn't seem to appeal to him. Now he had a fascinating stranger to talk to and spend the day with. Visiting a city alone wasn't great but with another person, it would be far more interesting. And as a baroness' son, he was used to escorting people around and entertaining them in some way. That same behavior followed him here, even if the woman in front of him wasn't a noble. He chose to leave out things like gambling since he had a feeling she wouldn't be interested.

"If I may ask, what are those ingredients for?" He inquired, "I know little of herbs but I'm curious to understand them."

Bryce remembered the smell of lavender and tulips that were used in perfumes for women. They wore it constantly along with a thousand other things. Makeup, fancy gowns, and hair styled by one of there servants. In comparison, Raziel was like a breath of fresh air, literally. He didn't have to worry about breathing in perfume around her. But there was a humbleness to her mannerisms that he had to admire.

To her great pleasure, he agreed to spend the afternoon with her. Bryce even had suggestions for either food or a park. Both sounded appealing. If she was to leave Jayou now, Raziel would simply exit the town and open a portal for the little cottage Ian and Cecil had built for her. She would spend the rest of the afternoon in a quiet, dark house with nothing but a wolf and owl for company until someone came calling for her skills. Spending time with Bryce was a more jovial thought indeed. "Why not both? A little picnic in the park sounds nice, don't you agree?"

As they made for the cafe he had mentioned, Azula having returned to her spot on Raziel's staff, Bryce began to inquire about her purchase. This was a conversation she had extensive knowledge in, one that she could speak with confidence and authority. "I use hibiscus to decrease the pressure of one's blood in their system for various reasons. It can also be used to calm a stomach and cool a fever. Mint as well. But the mint also decreases inflammation which can cause pain or even decrease the ability to breathe. Plus mint tastes good." Raziel began with a kind tutor's voice.

"Eternal leaves have properties that can be utilized in extending one's lifetime beyond normal lengths, like adding sand to an hourglass. I know that it also has earthy elements, and if extracted properly one can use it to increase their defense against earth magic. And banshee tears have frigid elements, commonly found in elixirs to protect against the cold in Zets'Ki's Cradle or ice attacks. There is a recipe I have found that utilizes the tears to create a potion that will grant amnesia." Raziel had a desire to discover the unexplored or undocumented healing properties of virtually everything. Suddenly, she feared if she left it at that, she would make herself appear that she was doing more than just creating elemental elixirs. "Of course, I'm trying to discern if the tears can be used to advance herbal healing. It's what the angels trained me to do… Herbal healing, that is."

"That sounds like a perfect plan." Bryce said.

He listened as she began to explain each of the herbs and their uses. In reality, he didn't plan to ever use herbs or become a medic himself. However, he enjoyed it when she talked about it. Just because he didn't understand something, that didn't mean he couldn't listen. There was a passion in Raziel's voice and a confidence that he hadn't seen earlier. She was also talking about creating elemental elixirs and what herbs help with what potion. Right now, she was trying to figure out if banshee tears could be used to advance herbal healing. By the time she had finished her explanation, they had made it to the cafe he'd mentioned.

"I see. So if the banshee tears cause amnesia, can it help erase harming memories from the mind?" He inquired, "Oh and we are here by the way. Welcome to Kalinda's Cafe!"

The cafe was a small building with two cherry blossom trees next to it. In the window was a series of pastries and little desserts along with some mini sandwiches. He helped her up the steps and opened the door for her. Inside a young woman with short hair waved towards her guests from behind the counter. The scents of many delicious foods mixed in the air and in the back of the shop, they were baking more things.

"What sounds delicious to you?" He asked Raziel, "I can read their menu out loud if that would be easiest?"

He'd only just realized that she probably couldn't see all the options available.