After stepping free of the popular watering hole, the Red Dragon, the pompous True found his footsteps hitting more purposefully against the pavement while his cherrywood walking stick clicked merrily in time with his gait. With both he and the dark-haired House member playing hooky today it would probably have been best for them to keep a low profile. However, Ilsandrrin would rather have thrown caution to the wind in exchange for a carefree afternoon. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, it had been far too long since the arrogant fool had taken a moment to enjoy himself rather than wallow in his private cocoon of self-pity.

"Just so we're clear, if anyone discovers our shenanigans and reports them to the higher-ups I'm going to tell them the whole thing was your idea." A sly and somewhat lopsided grin struck is face in a rather dashing sort of way. "In fact, I'm going to tell them you kidnapped me."

Around the corner into the market square the pair strolled and basked in the summer sunlight. On days like this the Trueblood would have payed all the chocolate in the world to be back home and away from the foul smelling alleyways of the inner urban region. Although, today was a pleasant respite....today he had company worth keeping and for a brief span of time it almost made him feel happy. All around them were vendors and shops of varying types. Food, plants, trinkets, oddities, books, clothing, shoes, and art were sold by people of all different races and origins. Despite the heavy amount of humans in the area Ilsandrrin could not help but marvel at the merchandise that surrounded them. Like any good capitalist nothing made him feel better than the purchasing of extravagant items.

Unlike many of the other men associated with the House he was without family or feminine association to shower with gifts whenever buying just the necessary goods became humdrum. At the same time he was appalled by the notion of charity. Ilsandrrin took great pride and joy in the giving of gifts to others as long as it was expensive, frivolous, and completely unwarranted.

"My one condition to this day is that you must let me buy you something. Unless there is a gentleman you know who would be offended by such attention." Aquatic hued depths slid sideways to peer at his fellow house mate for approval or rejection of his conditions.

Empathy was not his best quality. Even when the white-haired True considered the elfess's pause it was unclear to him what to do next. Attempting to read her body language he opted to take a step back and steer them towards the hub of marketplace excitement.

"Well, that is a shame. Every woman ought to have a man to lavish gifts, compliments and unconditional affection upon her in the absence of her father." The more they spoke to each other the more his voice became relaxed until the full baritone pitch flowed as smoothly as smoke from cedar. With an abrupt tap of his cane he paused and considered the various shop options. A hand stretched out, palm facing upwards, and sliced through the air like a sailboat gliding on calm waters.

"Whichever strikes your fancy is the one we'll visit first." Despite his often tight-lipped and close minded approach to life Ilsandrrin had been blessed with one virtue and that was patience. As it happened, patience was the most important virtue needed when shopping with others. He loved to give his opinion on anything regardless of how minute the need for it. Besides, the shops one frequented often told you a great deal about their character and like any good auditor of life, he was eager to understand what fueled the woman whose company he currently kept.

"Shopping first and then dinner to follow, if that's alright with you." Long legs stretched and recoiled as he strolled quite leisurely along the avenue worn down by the beating of countless feet over many years. "After all, it's terribly uncomfortable to shop on a full stomach."

"The Silver Willow it is, then." In a single fluid motion his left arm moved and the subtle cup of his hand graced the small of her back. It was a gentle touch that lasted hardly more than a second. Although its purpose was to guide them along the same path there was a deeper spark of caring in the gesture. The sleeved arm returned to its resting place at his side. In the distance he noted the sign hanging down from the artificial facade crowning the shop's front entrance. The arrogant True had often considered himself something of an aficionado where local artisans were concerned. All the same, he could not recall a single visit to this establishment and he voiced as much to the woman walking with him. "That place is unfamiliar to me. It's always a nice perk to add exploration to a day of shopping."

The rap-tap-tapping of Ilsandrrin's cherrywood walking stick sang out in time with his pacing and marked his progress over broken cobblestone and cracked cement. Roads in this city always seemed to be in a constant state of disrepair. A pleasant waft of a nearby pastry shop was carried on the breeze and flared nostrils drank in the scent, devouring it with a momentary sigh.

"I do not recall asking you how long you have been in this city." In his opinion it was often harder to discern if the person in question had spent anytime on the border before crossing fully into this world.

There were bells attached to the door of the whimsical glass trinket and bauble shop. They chimed as the pair entered and a hand held the door open until Cerise was well inside. "A year is how long I've been here and three years on the Border before that."

The sadness the dark-haired True seemed to have permanently etched into her voice was emulated to a lesser degree in the voice her light-haired company. Almost immediately upon entering the shop his eyes were busy roaming over the various objects reflecting the summer sun outside in a vast array of tiny rainbows. Inside the shop Ilsandrrin opted to give her a little space, but that didn't stop him from keeping an eye on what she was looking at as they browsed.

"I, uhh....came here to give some people back home a little bit of space. It was decided that the best place for me at the moment would be a bit further away from— well, from home." This admission was more than he had told anyone since his arrival. Even Belial, Go-Go, Sid and the others had no idea why this True had arrived at the door of the Blood House Onyx needing a job and place to belong.

"I think the worst part about it is not knowing how long I ought to be gone." With that he looked to her and moved closer, perhaps needing something emotional and unspoken at that moment.

The hand against his arm was a rather interesting sensation. Other than shaking hands with strangers he was fairly certain that not a soul had touched him in at least eight months time. In truth, the True had often wondered if his affection for custom tailored suits was based solely on the connection he shared with the fashion craftsman if only for the short time that he was being fitted.

"I am very appreciative of your offer." Perhaps things were getting too serious in his mind and the only way to deflect it was a smile and a hand gesturing to the baubles she was currently inspecting. "These are very interesting little pieces. Are they things that you collect?"

The True straightened his back a bit and reached for one of the pewter statues holding what looked to be an iridescent orb. "I understand that many people build a collection of things like these. They store them in curio cabinets and even make seasonal displays of them."

"It has been my experience that the round-ears are capable of producing many things lacking refinement or any semblance of taste." And there was the arrogance pouring out like it had always been there. Perhaps it would have been more tactful to hush his voice a tinge, but he hadn't thought that far ahead and one of the women browsing the shop was currently glaring at him and shaking her head a bit. Ilsandrrin pretended not to notice the negative attention.

What he did notice was Cerise focusing on the price tags and it caused him to chuckle just a bit. "You know, that's one of the greatest benefits of having rich friends. They can take you to dinner, pay your bar tab, and buy you things you ordinarily would never get for yourself. And some of them do it all for the sheer fact that it pleases them to dote upon others."

Aquatic hued depths settled on the dragon surrounded by crystals. "And it would offend me if you picked anything less than your heart's delight." Maybe that message to back off a little wasn't terribly long lasting. Perhaps it was more of a flinch in fear of the needle's prick than it was a dash to run in terror.

"Anyway, as my mentor once said, 'If you have to ask the price of something then you cannot afford it."

"Living extravagantly can become quite depressing if you do so by yourself." This statement revealed a great deal about his present frame of mind. A hand reached carefully across the space between them and plucked the statue from the shelf. He inspected it more closely and then held it out towards her.

"So, this is the one you would like?" The True looked anxiously at her face. Ilsandrrin was searching for something on her face and only he would know if it was found.

Ilsandrrin could have been the perfect Prince Charming. Tall, angular, immaculately well-groomed. All that appeared to be lacking was the will to woo. Well, perhaps a dash of racism and guarded personality weren't exactly spectacular, but those could surely be overlooked. In the present time he simply inhaled and exhaled slowly to give him time to choose his words with care.

"No, there is no joy in that." A tight-lipped smile was born on his face and the True began to bow just a bit from the waist. "You are absolutely welcome and thank you for letting me." The smile became a touch more relaxed and his eyes seemed oddly kind. "I know it takes a lot of courage to trust someone enough to let them give you even just an ounce of happiness."

As it had before in the street, his hand reached to gently touch the small of her back and guide them towards the cashier's desk. It would have to be wrapped, bagged, and ultimately paid for before they could continue along their pleasant walk.