Submitted: 13 September 2000

A kiss is just a kiss?

by Ysselt Jaa'Haadraan

She notices his puzzled look. "Yes, I know. Bard.. drinking water. Can't help it, I never could hold my ale." She looks at him with something like tears in her eyes, but with her jaw clenched tightly. "Can I rant to you, Baresh? I'm sure you've heard your share of sob stories.. but.." She sighs, and without waiting for a reply continues.

"I guess I deserved it really, my fiance, you might know him, Tarraan, of several years sort of vanished from the Provinces and I took it upon myself to find someone else to love." She smirks, fingering a less than tan spot on her left ring finger.

"I met a nice commoner in our guild shortly thereafter. We got to talking, got along famously, so I thought. And being in a bit of fuzzy state of mind I gave him my old engagement ring, I advised him to give it to a girl he loved, when he found one, since he'd told me he was unattached." She toys with her glass of water a bit, spilling some on the bar.

"We met often after that. Exchanged some gifts.. kisses.. nothing unusual. Recently, after missing his birthday I gave him a ring, which I'd made a hasty dash to Grisgonda's to acquire. He accepted, and in return, offered me something nice for my upcoming birthday. I said all I wanted from him was a kiss. He obliged, but gave me a diamond band and a pair of emerald earrings, which I stupidly thought were tokens of his affections." A tear runs down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly, and as if to hide her sadness, she giggles.

"Funny thing, that. We kissed lots after that, I was full of hope and promise. Then I failed seeing him, this commoner turned Paladin, for a few days and then I come back and he's married, and saying I am a crazy lady. I don't get it. I know perhaps I shouldn't have assumed, but it seems there are so few nice men in the realms that I took a chance." She sighs, and then snorts.

"I guess I don't hate him. But I just feel sort of used and mislead. Tell me Baresh, are all men this way?" With a raise of her eyebrow, she lifts her frame from the barstool and begins to leave. She turns, and tosses a sack of coins to Baresh.

"Even those plats won't fix a broken heart,"

With that said, she leaves.