Event Private You Mean You're Not Mad?

This is taking place during 2018's Lilac Music Festival
After ordering two large hamburgers with french fries, Smokey was pulled aside by Roa for a reason he was unclear about. They gave a questioning expression before shrugging it off and following him away from the crowd of people enjoying the festival. Smokey seated themself on a bench and patted the empty spot beside them, looking up at Roa expectedly for him to sit.

"I got you a hamburger and extra fries, but if you don't want them, that's more for me." With a laugh, they tossed a small fry into their mouth, then a few more, wanting to eat them before they cooled down.

A few questions lightly buzzed around Smokey's mind: Are we going to talk about the kiss? I didn't think it was that bad. Isn't that a normal couples thing here? I bet it's something else... Is it Ishvi again? Although questions kept appearing for Smokey to ask, they found it difficult to worry. Whereas other people may have considered Roa aggressive and rude (which he could be sometimes), Smokey found him cute, dorky, and weirdly calming to talk to. Like he could say anything to them and they could say anything to him and everything would end up fine.

Chewing on their burger, they studied every part of Roa to predict what he was about to say. They were getting good at being more subtle about that. They could tell he was hesitating, and knowing Roa, the growl could mean a lot of things. When he opened his mouth to speak, they were just beginning to tense up before relaxing all at once when they knew where this was going.

"Huh, that's all?" The callousness was not intended, and their laugh after did not help, though it was in good-nature. "I didn't know what you were going to say. I was betting something way, way worse." Another laugh.

Stifling their giggles, which they realized was the anxiety they were just ignoring, they gave Roa a smile and nodded their head. "Yeah, yeah, that's okay! I wasn't really sure either. Dating's really different here and..." Their pride prevented them from saying they rushed in too quickly. They were still fully willing to rush into everything else, and this was still a great learning experience.

The last part really stuck to Smokey. They were used to people showing concern about their culture. How they were convinced Smokey's desire to fulfill their role as an oricenta was slavery. Smokey knew there was nothing to be ashamed of, but it still hurt whenever someone criticized their culture.

"You don't need to be my boyfriend to order me around. It doesn't just turn off. Every Fire and Air elementalist can do it. I just thought dating was the easiest way to get a Guardian here. People keep saying it's like marriage anyways, even though it isn't."

Just by the look on their face as they finished, you could tell they were planning their next move. Becoming Roa's Companion was a bust, but they were fine with being friends, even if they were a bit disappointed. He was still an elementalist, and just like Ava, Destra, and most of the other dragons they met, they were still willing to do whatever they asked. The dating app they signed up for might work to find a Guardians, but Smokey found it hard to be motivated enough to date someone else. Maybe they could put up that they only wanted elementalists and not actual dating?

Smokey should have been used to Roa by now, but the way he reacted to their acceptance of the breakup made them worry that they came off as rude and apathetic. Then he went back to looking like normal. Maybe all they did was catch him off guard.

"I don't really feel like I'll ever understand that..." They were clearly unhappy about his response but tried to keep a cheery attitude nevertheless. "We're made to serve elementalists, yet people act like it's wrong. That it's 'happiness in slavery.' But... a Guardian and Companion relationship is one of the closest relationships an oricenta can have. We have to trust each other completely. Like two halves of a whole. The Guardian and Companion keep each other safe and do tasks for each other, and the Guardian's commands overrule the commands of all other elementalists. They both work each other to make their lives the best." Smokey widened their eyes to show a vibrant display of rainbows. They were practically sparkling from Smokey's passion on the concept. "We magically bond together to make it easier. Then we can feel each other's emotions, tell where the other is to make sure they safe, and compel them to come to you when you need it. Of course, you shouldn't abuse that stuff, because then you may need to get the bond broken.

"I just..." They broke eye contact for a moment, looking down from Roa while they blushed a different shade of grey. "I didn't want you to think I was your slave or that I was using you. Dating sounded like the closest thing to what I wanted here. I think I'm just really bad at explaining the idea..."