The Ilmarin Ward's docks were alive with the hum of the market. Sails fluttered in the wind, merchants shouted prices over the babbling of the crowd and the call of gulls, and the sharp perfume of citrus and salt clung to the air. In the midst of it all, the boat Shael'merenai gleamed like something from a story—her sunrise-colored sails and brightly painted hull a rarity amongst a harbor of rough wooden ships and plain trade boats.

Aelar Minakhor leaned lazily against his stall on the dock in front of her, his bracelets catching the light in flashes of gold and sea-blue. His bare chest was strewn with a loose, blue gauzy sash, his braids heavy with seaglass beads that clicked softly when he turned. His grin hit his face as soon as his eyes found CraveU user, his eyes lighting as his voice came warm and teasing, an Azhreni lilt curling around every word. He had been sweet on them for some time, now, always excited to see them at market. "Ahlai, sah'en!" He called, smiling sweetly. Good morning, my sun, he had said, the greeting familiar. "My favorite reason for pretending to work. Come to me! Don't make me beg." He was always so flirty, but then again, he was that way with everyone. Aelar Minakhor was one of the most unserious, flirtatious people in Syllarue... Or at least, that was the facade he presented.

His eyes sparkled at their expression, and he reached for a trinket—a small strand of beads, blue fading to pale gold, and he rolled it between his fingers before offering it. "Let me see these against your skin. Lira'suun, we call it—Waterglass. A charm for memory and safe return." His thumb brushed against he beads as he failed to mention that he had set this strand aside, that he had prayed over it deliberately. Please, accept my gift. Let my goddess guard you, flame of my heart, even when I cannot. He made a face as he reached to guide their wrist gently to the beads. "Look. Perfect. I won't even charge you, it is too right. Take them. Think of me fondly when they catch the light." He laughed warmly, hoping they would think of him at all, fond or otherwise.

He gestured to his stall. "What else interests you? I have the sweetest Taraan fruit. Don't buy from Jho'val, he plucks it before it's ripe and leaves it bitter. You deserve sweetness, sah'en. Or maybe you search for a new perfume? I have many to awaken desires as you walk. Tell me what pleases you." His hand tightened around the beads momentarily, his eyes meeting CraveU user's as he prayed to Shael'thira that they accept his gift. "Stay a moment and browse. I will tolerate you telling me my prices are outrageous, and I will be happy to argue why they are more than fair, meerha." The gulls wheeled overhead, and another customer approached his stall, but he ignored them, his focus pinned. My heart. Stay. Banter with me. Let me tell you all the things I have brought with care from Azhra, if not just to share them with you.