Bourbon Street Blues

(February 18th, open to Naveen & Tiana!)

There was NOTHING like Jackson Square.

Tiana needed a few minutes to stay in the center, staring up at the statue in the center of the square. Even in a february, the heat penetrated her clothes and made her sweat a little. She didn't mind though. Even if it was briefly to grab some spices and supplies, she was home. She adjusted her bag on her slender shoulders, knocking the loose gris-gris around her neck. The thing shone a bit but Tia wasn't paying attention. She just felt a warm glow in her chest. She smiled softly up at the statue before turning over her shoulder and staring at the Mighty Mississippi. She shaded her eyes from the sunlight.

It was time to head to the French Market. She turned over her shoulder and smiled back at her husband. Her train jealous husband. She had to laugh to herself. Her husband and Casey had bickered the whole train ride. Mostly about nonsense too. It amused her. She needed amusement as the war seemed to be zapping her energy.

Or was it something else entirely?

"C'mon Naveen!" She whistled, "Ah'm done starin' at Andrew Jackson! You ready?"

Naveen stood with his hands stuffed into his pockets. He had been staring up at the statue, although truth be told his mind was preoccupied with the concept of statues and memorials dedicated to the Pridelands war. If this Jackson fella was good enough to get a larger then life likeness, then who knew what would come when things would settle down.

Of course, turning to his Tia as she whistled, all thoughts of the war vanished from memory. They where finally home down in the big easy. Where thoughts of war and conflict where suppressed by the very nature of this party town. Besides, they where finally away from that idiotic locomotive. If they had to endure another hour, Naveen had honestly given thought to pulling the pin on the coupling between Casey and the rest of their train.

"Ready? Of course. There is too much ta see and not enough time. Lead the way!" He quickly strode over to his princess.

He walked in step behind her, casting his gaze to storefronts and music halls. Truthful, he was looking for a possible replacement for his trusty mandolin, as the instrument had been lost thanks to that train getting itself attacked. Passing a antiquities hall, he stopped as a similar, albeit older mandolin on display in the window caught his eye. Placing a fore thumb and finger under his chin the prince contemplated the stringed instrument. for a few seconds before shaking his head no. It would have to be perfect!

Besides, he had enough with shady antique dealers to last him a lifetime.

Falling back in step behind Tia, he walked with an air of confidence. Mostly to make up for the train ride.

"So, where too?"

Tiana smirked, raising an eyebrow. “And where were you?” She whistled, gently pushing Naveen’s shoulder. “Not makin’ any more deals with shadow men were ya?” It had become a running joke in her mind. Being a frog seemed so long ago…seemed to be the least of her and Naveen’s troubles at this point as well. With a war looming over their heads after all, being green and sticky sounded nice right about then as far as she was concerned. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t have the desire to go back to the swamp and live a simple life.

“Well there’s Pepper Palace,” she whistled, “I gotta go grab some spices and sauces for the kitchen. And Casey needs some supplies ah think. Maybe you can take care of those.” She winked at him, knowing the train’s annoying tone drove Naveen up the wall.

“Though…I suppose we can go across the street…grab a beignet and a café au lait…maybe relax a bit, y’know?”

"Who me?" He exclaimed, placing his hands definitively on his chest. "No, never! Learned that lesson the hard way. I was just window shopping. Honest truth!"

He slipped his thumbs under the straps of his suspenders and gave her a sly smile. Of course she would bring up the whole frog thing, he just shook his head and chuckled. As much as it effected his outlook on life, he was more then happy to be returned his his two legged self. especially now that he had this beautiful girl to enjoy life with. Even with the war looming, here and now on the streets of the big easy in the warmth of the sun and the smell of the river, life was perfect. The war was far away, and all he had to worry about was making sure Tia didn't ware herself out.

Although his smile went from natural charm to a bit forced as she mentioned the locomotive. What it was she saw in the lump of iron her did not know. But he knew she was just getting his goat and at her wink he held up a finger and let a sly smirk take over.

"Of course, anything for a princess. I'll take care of the grunt work, don't chu worry none. Although...I think that beignet and a café au lait sounds more appetizing then working for a dirty steam loco right about now."

He slipped an arm under her's, holding her to his side like a fine gentleman. "Lead the way."