Blyth was a mystery, truly something to really ponder on, not that it bothered the light brunet. He found himself truly glad to ponder on the opal-haired female. Trying in vain to analyze her over and over again to no avail. It was addicting really...to figure her out in ways that may seem abstract. People didn't have much patience these days, always wanting to be told information about a person, instead of experiencing the person's antics close up.

What fascinated Barloc was the way Blyth was in general. She was passive and stoned-faced but at the same time, he began noticing little things about her as they walked the street of the village together. She loved flowers, always gazing at some while walking. She didn't seem to have any favorite blossom but was content to see all kinds. Her eyes were sharp but not aloof as they usually were when she stared. He smiled, noticing how crowds intimidated her albeit. She tried to mask it but he could sense her easing closer to him when the crowds became too much.

It was cute.
Almost childish for such a serious looking person.

Blythe turned out to be a curious thing, always looking this way and that way. The venders dared not mistreat her, seeing Barloc beside her, guarding her like a mama hen. He felt bitterness in his heart when the people pointed, whispering hateful things towards Blyth. He had to gnash his teeth, hearing them pity him for "being ordered to protect the monster." What angered him the most, he believed, was that Blyth had to hear all of this.

Her senses were higher than his so he couldn't imagine what she could hear from the people. He knew what he was hearing were only snippets. His heart wanted to reach out and hug Blyth, let her know that the people were wrong when they called her a monster. The people only saw beauty on the outside but their insides were more like monsters than Blyth. But Barloc couldn't do that...Blyth didn't understand much about human interactions. The way she saw the world was though a cloudy lens. If made the move to hug her, Barloc would probably be greeted with a shove but he couldn't blame her. She was use to people beating her when touched so all this kindness was too new. The sensation would be too overwhelming.

That was another antic Barloc came to realize about his female companion. She was hard on herself and cynical too. She saw beauty in the things around her but when looking at herself...she was self-loathing almost. Nothing she did was ever right and when complimented, she always found some sort of flaw in herself. She didn't like her face, mostly her right eye and kept it covered with her hair. She detested when her scares were brought up and making choices of her own wearied her greatly.

Barloc wished she could see her own worth. It was a desire to show her how beautiful she was and how funny and kind and sweet when she thought no one was watching her. He wanted to let her know she was brave but also should let others in to help her because alone, he was sure, things did get too much for her to bear.

A human wasn't meant to bear their burden alone. God gives us Himself and each other to hold close; to share our lives with. If only Blyth could understand that, if only Barloc could take what he felt and transferred it into her, then maybe...she would understand.

He had to shake those thoughts out of his head. As much as the mighty warrior wanted to give the girl the love and hope that held his heart, he knew that he couldn't. He was a human after all. Only God could open a person's heart and pour out His love into them. God is God and Barloc is human. He had to remember that and just be there by Blyth side; praying for her and loving her as a friend.

Blyth stopped at a particular vender, memorized by the product displayed. The owner scowled at her but she paid no mind to the man. Barloc watched her amber eye questioningly gaze at the product. Glimpses of her silver eye could be seen. In that moment, Barloc wished to capture the sight but all too soon, that scene ended. Blyth looked up toward him.

"What is this?"

A laugh wanted to bubble out of his chest at the childish glow. She really was a child in most areas...the way her face beamed proved it. Allowing himself a tiny grin, Barloc stepped beside her to look at the product.

"It is tea made with flowers." There were variations of colors, depending on the flower used. There was a yellow tea made from Charmillia, a bright red made from hibiscus, but one seemed to catch the eyes of Barloc's companion.

"People can do that?" Mixed colored eyes blinked, enchanted by the things people got to enjoy every day. Blyth's eyes lingered on a cup filled with soft pink liquid. In the center of the liquid laid a beautifully bloomed rose. Part of her longed to taste the liquid, to be able to try it even just once, but she knew that would only be part of her dream. She was a slave after all...slaves couldn't afford the luxury to enjoy things such as this. "Does it taste good?" She was surprised her master even allowed her to walk outside without him. Barloc was with her but she didn't see him as a guard... It felt nice to have Barloc beside her, it made the world a little less scary.

"It's very satisfying." Nodding her head at those words, her heart tinged a little, sadden that she would only know the world through the sensations of others. She didn't understand why her heart felt troubled over something as trivia as tea but it did.

Perhaps this land was getting to her, spoiling her and making her forget her place. That thought was something to dwell on. She didn't know how to take that thought.

Teal eyes observed the inner battle in that amber eye. The question and the worries...Barloc was sure that Blyth didn't know that her eyes spoke for her when her lips failed. He hoped he was the only human to notice this, because it made him feel special...closer to the young woman. He witnessed Blyth dejected look as she began to turn away from the teas. Not knowing fully what was going on in that girl's head, Barloc stopped her with a raised hand.

"Wait right here for a sec." Towards the vender, "Can I get two rose teas, please?" The vender was displeased at this, glaring at Blyth who remained puzzled eyed. Barloc smiled pleasantly but his eyes told the vender to either stop glaring at his companion or face the consequences. It was a rare sight – to receive a cold glare from the champion. Immediately, the man poured them the tea as well as giving them the best roses he had. "Thanks." Barloc left a nice tip before turning away.

Getting handed the cup, Blyth could do nothing but stare blankly at Barloc. That tinged in her heart went away but was replaced with a new kind of sensation. It made her want to say something or do something but she didn't know what.

Barloc smiled, enjoying the flowery glow around Blyth. It felt good to make her happy and it was hilarious seeing how she struggled to express her gratitude. Could such a simply thing really make a person's beam? He never seen that in the girls who hounded him daily but Blyth was different...simple things made her happy it appeared.

"Aren't you going to try it?" Commenting as he sipped his own tea. "But be careful, it is hot."

Blyth nodded, words stuck in her throat. Perhaps drinking the tea will loosen her esophagus, making the words flow out smoothly or at the very least, help her know what to say in situations like this. Blowing a little Blyth sipped cautiously. The tea was hot and bitter but as she swallowed, her eyes lit up. "I taste the flower!"

Barloc choked.

Blyth's words were just so...random and funny! Unable to help it, Barloc laughed –loudly too. His body shook from chuckling. Trying to reign in his laughter (he felt rude for laughing like that) Barloc composed himself. "I'm sorry." He coughed out, hoping that Blyth didn't get offended. She was something to behold and he couldn't stop the joy in his heart from pouring out.

Wiping the tear from his eye, Barloc eyed Blyth, wanting to explain his outburst, only to be stopped by an amazing sight. If he wished to capture the moment of Blyth gazing at the tea, then this beat that urge by ten.

Pale cheeks became tinged with pink as their owner's lips lifted to the sides. Amber eyes stared into the tea, delighted by the taste of roses in her mouth and the scent whiffing in her nose from the inside. She felt unusually giddy and light. The words still refused to come out of her throat but smiling seemed to be the only appropriate action. It was a cheesy smile and it made her feel goofy but what she didn't know was that her smile showed a glimpse of the future.

Truly she looked like her name suggested plus more.

Barloc felt overwhelmed to be the one to witness it. He loved that smile - it matched the twinkles in her eyes. It was a full facial expression: something like that could not be brought. But if could, then Barloc would buy all the rose teas in the world if that kept Blyth smiling like that.

The champion of Misericordia had never fell in love before. He loved, he knew what love felt like because he loved this country and the people of this village. Somehow though...Blyth was a different kind of "love." He was attracted to her, he knew that, but this was way more than mere attraction that he felt for the woman. Attraction only meant lust – love, however, saw deeper than that. It respected the person and selflessly sacrificed for that someone. Love stung dipper than mere attraction could ever reach and it saw the person as who they would be, not as they are now. Love was an action –the kind of action that fought to maintain that love. While lust only wanted one thing (the body) and then it's gone.

In that one second on the grand line of eternity, Barloc's heart saw the woman he wanted to make his bride. His heart sunk as the object of his growing affection turned away, her attention caught in another vender, oblivious to the thoughts swarming in her male companion. Right now, she wasn't in the right place to be confessed to or looked at like that. Barloc chastised himself, caught up in a moment of desire and guilt. Confessing would scare the opal female away: She didn't understand her emotions...probably doesn't even realize yet that she has emotions. Not only that but it scared Barloc to think that Blyth wouldn't reciprocate the feelings he had...that or he would scare her away.

With a sigh of longing, the handsome knight could only follow the girl's trails, content to share this moment of exploration with the one he wanted for his bride...one day.