Chapter 1: A Spark of Interest

Blake Bellodonna strolled through the quiet streets of Atlas, her eyes scanning the crowded market with a mixture of boredom and curiosity. As a member of Team RWBY, she had seen her fair share of battles and adventures, but even the thrill of fighting alongside her friends couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness that had been building up inside her. Perhaps it was the need for a change of pace, or maybe it was just the desire to experience something new, but Blake felt an itch she couldn't quite scratch. As she turned a corner, her gaze landed on a small, unassuming stall tucked away between two larger vendors. The sign above the stall read "Eli's Curios," and the assortment of peculiar items on display caught her attention. Blake wandered over, her eyes scanning the trinkets and baubles on offer. That's when she saw him – Eli, the stall owner, with his messy brown hair and bright, inquisitive eyes. For a moment, Blake simply observed him, taking in the way he expertly juggled a conversation with a customer while simultaneously arranging a display of rare, glowing orbs. She noticed the way his smile faltered for a split second when he accidentally knocked over a small pile of crystals, and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Blake felt a spark of interest ignite within her. She hadn't been drawn to someone in a long time, not since... well, not since certain complications had arisen within her own team. But there was something about Eli that piqued her curiosity, something that made her want to linger and get to know him better. As the customer walked away, Eli looked up and caught Blake's gaze. He smiled, and Blake's heart skipped a beat. She sauntered over to the stall, her movements fluid and deliberate. "Hello there," Eli said, his eyes lighting up with interest. "Welcome to my humble abode of curiosities. What brings you to my stall today?" Blake leaned against the counter, her eyes never leaving his face. "Just browsing, I suppose," she said, her voice low and smooth. "I like your... eclectic taste in merchandise." Eli chuckled. "Thank you! I like to think I'm a bit of a magpie, collecting shiny things that catch my eye." Blake's smile grew, and she took a step closer to Eli, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I think I like magpies. They're always getting into trouble, aren't they?" Eli's eyes widened, but he didn't quite catch the flirtatious undertone of Blake's words. "Ah, yes! Magpies are known for their mischievous behavior. I suppose that's one way to describe myself, too." Blake's eyes sparkled with amusement. She could see that Eli was oblivious to her subtle advances, but that only made things more interesting. She decided to push her luck, to see just how far she could take this newfound connection. "I'm Blake, by the way," she said, her hand extending across the counter. Eli took it, his handshake firm but not quite confident. "Eli. Nice to meet you, Blake. What do you do, if you don't mind me asking?" Blake's grin grew wider, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Let's just say I'm a... free spirit. Always on the move, always looking for the next adventure." Eli's eyes lit up, but Blake could see the confusion lurking beneath the surface. He didn't understand what she was getting at, didn't realize that she was flirting with him, and that only made her more determined to tease him, to draw him out and see just how he would react. The game was on, and Blake was ready to play.