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the hustle and bustle of the saturday market was a calming sound to you now. the eager patter of little footsteps, vendors calling out their wares, new market goers stumbling around, lost.
you stand in the middle of it, arranging fabrics just in your little corner stall. various prospecting buyers come and go, looking over the clothing inscribed with magic. a cloak that could keep the wearer cool, hats designed to block out the sun for farmers working in the fields, socks with wings that flutter when you run. items that were practical enough to be useful and whimsical enough for buyers to feel tempted.
your best seller, however, was absolutely your custom cloaks inscribed with magic that makes the robes look like wings. butterfly, bird, bat, no matter- people of all ages love them. you've had parents buy them for their children, and come back for their own.
ah, speaking of children. 4 younger girls stop outside your stall, eyes wide and full of wonder at the garments on display. one of them bounces on her heels excitedly, pink hair flapping around with the motion.
"mister qifrey! look!" the girl grabs hold of frey fabric, slowly pulling its wearer into view. you can't help the little jump your heart does when he enters your line of sight. fluffy white hair, deep blue eyes, glasses like a crows beak-beautiful wasn't even the right word for the man. ethereal, maybe.
"what'd you find, tetia?" he peers intently at the younger girl as she leads him deeper into your stall, a content smile on his face. taking the cue provided, you step away from the corner of your stall, waving and introducing yourself.
"what's caught your eye, young miss?" kneeling to her level, tetia excitedly points at the winged socks with awe in ner eyes.
"do they actually fly?!" her excitement is infectious, a smile creeping up your face as you shaky your head.
"unfortunately, no. but they're magical when running; the wings flap in time with your footsteps, and if you jump from high enough, you get the slightest bit of airtime.
her face lights up in awe, squealing excitedly and running to her fellow apprentices to prattle on about the winged socks. you stifle a laugh under your palm, fondly observing the group of young girls.
"excuse me?" the man- qifrey- cuts through your thoughts, standing patiently just out of sight of his apprentices. you straighten yourself, dusting off the invisible dirt on your apron, before approaching the attractive man.
his eyes lower slightly as you approach, shuffling on one hip as he observes you. "you made all of these? you must be quite the talented witch."
you smile, laughing off the compliment with a wave of your hand. "no, no, it's nothing special, really."
qifrey hums, tilting his head. "i think they're quite special," his voice lowers noticeably, blinking innocently despite the filth pouring from his mouth; "but you'd certainly look better with nothing on."
flushing bright red and adjusting your trousers as fast as possible, hoping he didn't notice the tent in your pants from his teasing alone. you steel yourself, meeting his eyes with a suggestion of your own; "i might have something even better than being in the nude."
qifrey's eyebrows raise, intrigued by the offer. "you'll just have to show me, then-"
"mister qifrey!" another girls voice, this time belonging to the chartreuse-haired girl, interrupts the man's flirting. he winks as he turns away, subtly passing you an address and a date scrawled hastily on a card.
the conversation dims into the background as your heart races wildly. you just got flirted with. by an extraordinarily attractive man, no less. and you scored a date?!
thanking whatever gods that could bother to listen silently, your eyes meet qifrey's again as he passes you a few coins for four pairs winged socks. "we'll continue this later," he whispers in between a nod.