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[attr="class","vpostbg"]The morning Artemis decided to leave his home of Alderwood Palace for a spin, he discovered the streets of the inarguably wealthiest and most vibrant district to be teeming with shoppers, merchants, and recognisable socialites. He scrunched up his nose at the crowd, but it would take a whole lot more than that to deter the sixteen-year-old boy from exploring his own hometown. Alderwood rose up behind him, furious in its all its glory, golden walls glinting under the sun, scarlet flags rippling from the tips of domed towers. He knew countless people would stare at it and marvel at its impeccable beauty - the pinnacle of fine architecture of Eos - but Artemis was beyond such materialistic ideals. He had never liked Rosa just for it being beautiful.[break]
Artemis ran a hand through his raven-black hair, suddenly uncomfortable with all the unabashed stares thrown in his direction. A woman with blonde hair piled so high, a man with a jeweled lapel, a bunch of young children evidently clad in the latest fashions of Rosa (having a mother who possessed so high a status definitely played a part in his uncanny knowledge of this subject). It was certainly to be expected (he was a son of House Alder, after all), but even after all these years by Yvel's side, he could never get used to the atypical amount of attention bestowed upon him simply for his bloodline. And if they weren't appraising his face, they were scrutinising his swords from a distance. Artemis almost, almost wished he hadn't brought them out with him today, though they were literally always on his person wherever he went.[break]
There was a white-haired woman browsing through the numerous boutiques that lined the streets, her kimono long and flowing. Artemis had only paid her a second glance due to the unsual and striking colouring of her hair and was just about to turn away, had some jolt of recognition not sparked within him. He whirled back around. The woman was already moving on, but that curvaceous figure and outfit was only too ostentatious; Artemis knew he had seen it somewhere before.[break]
Then it hit him, and his blood instantly ran cold.[break]
Oh, Aster Villin. Was she here in Rosa for some harmless shopping trip, or was she out looking for more information of the Alders to snag with her teeth? The Arbiter was known to be spoiled and cruel, ergo the sight of her so casually strolling about the shops of clothing was a tad comical in Artemis' eyes. He shook his head, eyes briefly fluttering close, half-hoping she wouldn't turn and see him.[break]
Which was exactly what she did.

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[attr="class","vpostbg"]A sliver of wind picked up, running its fingers through Artemis's dark locks with incredible ease, and goosebumps snaked across the delicate nape of his neck. His fingers tensed, the set of his shoulders tightening, then ever so slowly, he stole a glance sideways. Aster Villin was staring at him.[break]
He chewed the inside of his cheek. His wariness was palpable, rolling off his skin in waves. Passersby ducked their heads and shied away as they neared his abruptly motionless figure, standing arrested within the sea of shoppers. Walk away? Greet her? Artemis loathed to make a decision, but there was hardly time to fret. The Arbiter had made it for him. Hi chin jerked up as her shadow fell over his body, but it was incredibly odd indeed that he towered above the tinier woman, the hem of his typical garb fluttering with the sighing breeze. As she spoke, the sound of her voice constricted his throat.[break]
Artemis cleared it softly, the barely audible sound lightly pushing past his lips. "Yes," he said finally in response to her question. Part of him debated if he should have confirmed his name so quickly. I hope you're doing well these days alongside your mother. The boy made a small noise of disbelief. It was one thing for the Arbiter to express such concern over his familial matters. It was another for her to even speak kindly of Yvel Alder. His eyes betrayed no stray emotion, however, as he smoothly turned to face Aster. "We're doing just fine," he replied in a carefully modulated tone. Artemis may be quick to temper, but he wasn't about to jeopardize what could have been a perfect civil encounter over a couple words thrown around about his mother.[break]
"You wish to go shopping? With me?" he continued incredulously. Then with the back of his wrist, he rubbed the area around his eyes, running over the curves of bone and the bridge of his nose. This day was proving stranger and stranger. "Money isn't a problem for me either, Miss Villin," he interjected flatly. Despite his general distrust of any council personnel, Aster was still his senior and he addressed her respectfully. In addition, her suggestion that he may be perverse to spending money was nearly a laughable one. The Alders certainly rivalled the council in terms of monetary wealth, and without Ethernium and their combined resources from every district of Eos, House Alder would without a doubt be the richest of Valor.[break]
Yet Artemis doubted his mother would want him to turn down an invitation to spend time with an Arbiter, particularly one who harboured information Yvel might find useful later down the road. If he firmly rejected Aster right then, he would curse his own lack of foresight. Which was why Artemis huffed and adopted a significantly friendlier stance, glass-like eyes fixing unwaveringly into Aster's own. "I wouldn't mind, if you'd treat us to lunch." He might be one of the most lethal warriors in the land right now, but he was still a teenager, after all. And they had insatiable appetites. Besides, it was the least she could do if she was going o drag him on a whirlwind of fancy clothes.