Errand Boy

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden didn't know which one was worse : the fact that he had been mistaken for some sort of assistant and ordered to perform an errand or the fact that he had actually gone out to do it.

When had my self esteem deserted me? He asked himself, shaking his head. As he walked, he looked around. Central City was big and bold and crowded. He liked it. He liked being here and working out of the headquarters and he just liked the overall feel of the place.

However, he did not like running halfway across the town to get one of his commanding officers a basket of apples because he ran out. He would much rather be sitting in front of his computer, working a system and doing his thing.

He sighed, stuck his hands in his pockets and begun scanning his eyes around, searching for the marketplace.

[Yoyo]

Rei walked down the street, a basket of books on her arm. She held a book open in front of her, narrowly avoiding running into people as she walked and read. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a small stall selling books across the street. Unconsciously, still reading, she veered off for the stall.

[KarateKeyaQ]

Partially hysterically and royally angry, Zayden muttered and cursed to himself, keeping his head down. As he crossed the street, he didn't have time to swerve out of the way before crashing into a person. He heard items hit the ground and saw that they were books.

[Yoyo]

Rei saw the body coming at her an instant before he collided with her. She landed heavily on the sidewalk, books flying from her basket. "Ow," she groaned, rubbing her backside. She looked around for her books. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden picked himself up quickly, dusting himself off. "Sorry, sorry." He mumbled nervously, picking the books up. "It was my fault. I'm such a klutz. Sorry."

He held out his hand to help the person up and realized that it was a woman. His face grew hot and he broke out in a cold sweat.

[Yoyo]

Rei examined the boy before her. She noticed he was part of the military - his uniform gave him away - but was surprised by his youth.

"It was my fault entirely. I should know better than to walk around with my nose in a book," she laughed, politely refusing his hand and picking up a nearby book.

[KarateKeyaQ]

He nodded quickly, unable to talk through the dryness of his throat. He hated this. Whenever he came upon a woman, his whole body always seemed to freeze. Sure, he was a teenage boy and not very experienced with them but he was positive that his reaction was always out of the ordinary.

Zayden shoved the books in her direction, praying that he wasn't blushing.

Get a grip. Say something you idiot, you look stupid staring at her. "So....uh...you like reading?"

Even as he spoke, he knew he sounded dumb stating what was obvious. He rolled his eyes at his own foolishness.Nice going there, Sherlock.

[Yoyo]

Rei looked at the boy curiously then laughed. "Yes, I like reading. So much so that I even opened a bookstore. I can read all day and earn money from it when people buy my books."

Rei thought about her statement and how it was no longer entirely true. She was out on the street mostly just to escape the madhouse her bookstore had become. She shrugged off the thought and picked up a book.

"Where were you going in such a hurry, if I may ask?"

[KarateKeyaQ]

"Oh, you did?" Zayden asked curiously. He liked reading as well but his job never allowed him much free time to sit down, kick back, relax and read a good book.

No, but I have time to fetch apples. He frowned at the thought and answered her with a nervous, "Yeah...uh..I was on my way to....pick up some things." He nodded then, more to himself than her. "Yes, some things. Some top secret things. Some cool things."

The last thing he wanted to tell her was that he was running around like a lackey. He held the Military's reputation with him whenever he donned the suit. He needed to act like he was someone important and not some little wimpy, nervous kid.

With a puffed out chest, he bent down to scoop up another book, stumbled, tripped and fell flat on his face.

[Yoyo]

Rei laughed and helped the boy up. "Important things, I'm sure," she said, a crooked grin on her face.

"Well, if you're ever in need of something to read, my store is the Second Story Bookstore, right above a bakery. Most people like to grab something from the bakery on their way up. Oh, you can also buy any produce you need while you're there, too," she added, pressing a finger to her lips in thought. "I suppose I should help advertise his fruits and vegetables."

[Toshii]

Tosh poked her head over from the rooftop of a building. She yawns loudly, having woke up from a nice a relaxing nap. Observing the area to see what is going on, she spotted her familiar friend Rei and a military person. Her eyes narrowed slightly at him, but stopped when he was acting nervous to Rei. "He seems nice." Tosh said her attitude lightening.

She jumped from the roof, exclaiming "HEY REI AND PERSON!!"

[eerrrrrm, Tosh, Zayden, Rei?? ]

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden sighed loudly to himself, feeling like an even bigger idiot at tripping over his own feet. He listened to the woman explain about the bakery below her bookstore and he brightened up. He still needed the apples.

His attention was captured by a loud voice and he turned to see that someone was falling out of the sky. His eyes widened and he blinked.

"I think that person needs help!" Zayden yelled, pointing and running around, feeling jittery.

[Yoyo]

"Nah, that's just Tosh," Rei said, rubbing her head. "She's a bit of an acrobat, I guess."

She waited until Tosh had reached the ground before replying to her. "Hey, Tosh. What were you doing on the roof?"

[Toshii]

Tosh landed safely on the ground when a gust of wind swept through and broke her fall. "Oh, I just finished a nice nap! Plus I'm feeling pretty hungry right now." Tosh said in a perky voice, stretching. She looked at the boy that was speaking to Rei, waving at him. "Hi there! What's your name?"

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden blinked at the girl, momentarily shocked, and waved back. "Oh hello there. My name is Zayden. What about you?"

Oh no, two girls....I'm gonna have a heart attack.

[Yoyo]

"Oh! I never introduced myself," Rei realized, suddenly embarrassed. "I'm Rei. Tosh, why don't you head back to the store; Zergio's sure to be cooking supper right about now."

[Toshii]

Tosh pulled two small light blue bags, wrapped with green strings and has a sweet scent coming from them. She handed one to Rei and one to Zayden. "I got this from a lady I usually help to collect money. She makes the best brownies!" Tosh said drooling, imagining what the lady could do next. She shook her head, coming back to reality.

"Awwww...." Tosh's face went from happy to disappointment.

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden took the bag from her, liking the aroma that wafted from it. "They smell delicious." He said, stuffing them into his mouth. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he smelt them.

He heard Rei mention the word "supper" and perked up.

I could go for some more food right about now.

[Yoyo]

"Something wrong, Tosh?" Rei asked, taking the bag of brownies from her.

[Toshii]

"I was hoping to hang out with ya... but okay." Tosh said stuffing a few cookies from her bag in her mouth running away waving behind her "Byes Zayden! See ya home Rei!" Tosh explained with her mouth full. She felt happy again for some reason.

[i'm out, night :3]

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden waved again, feeling disorientated. That girl was a flighty one.

He turned back to Rei, feeling a little more comfortable. "So this bookstore of yours? Could you show me where it is?"

[I'm going to go now too! Good night ]

[Yoyo]

Rei smiled her crooked grin. "He's not as freaked out as he was."

"Absolutely," she said, putting the last of her books in her basket before leading Zayden down the street. "This way."

[ Haha, righto. I'm out, too~ ^^ ]

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden ambled after Rei, feeling proud of himself at the display of confidence. While he walked, he thought back on why he was out and about in the first place and his mood darkened.

Running errands. How menial....

[Zane]

Zane approached the military boy, nothing really in mind.

[KarateKeyaQ]

Zayden saw the man approaching and noticed his clothing. His eyes widened. He was apart of the military as well, but higher up. He could tell by the insignia on the man's clothing. He instantly halted and bowed, just out of sheer habit.

"Sir?!" He called out, a hint of warning in his tone. Why was he here?

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