Syn smirked as she made her comment about not being thrilled by all of the attention.  Moving his hand around her shoulder as he pulled her in close and sighed.<br/>"No, I'm not too thrilled by it.  I spent the better part of my childhood and young adult life alone.  So it's difficult to get used to constantly being recognized on the streets when I used to walk these same streets and people treated me like a ghost.  I do crave some form of normalcy and yes, that is why I hang around you...but it's not the only reason.  You treat me like any other person.  You get mad when I do something stupid, and you scold me when I make an ass of myself.  No one else does that...save for Raven and Terra.  However they have known me for centuries.  You've known me a few months.  It's refreshing and it's a very pleasing feeling."<br/><br/>As they walked down the road Syn smiled again, pulling her close so that her back was to his chest, his hands snaking around her waist once more.<br/>"I don't mind.  I found it attractive that you showed a hint of jealousy towards that.  You do know about that little catch in being a ruler...but I'm sure you can also guess that it's very hard to find anyone with true feelings toward me.  Most just seek the strength and the title.  Very very few seek the person behind the title.  Again, you don't care about my title, so you can sit on my lap any time."<br/>He said as he looked up at the festival and his smile faltered a touch.<br/><br/>"People here only recognize my success, not the other's who died to get me where I am today.  So I started this festival a few decades ago.  Honoring those that couldn't be here today, as well as my mentor who started the whole rebellion in the first place.  Marcus."<br/>He said as he motioned to a wooden statue being erected and carved to fit his appearance.<br/>"Back when he died, he was executed on stage in the capital square and is body was tossed to some wild dogs so we couldn't give him a proper burial.  Every year, we make that wooden statue and burn it, hoping to somewhat give him an honorable farewell.  Bodies are burned here, the ashes spread to the wind to symbolize freedom.  While the statue burns, a candle is lit for each life that was given in order to get me here.  It really is a sight to see at night."<br/>He said as he smiled and looked at the wooden statue.<br/><br/>Heading toward the statue with her he stopped at the base of it and put his hand on the boot of the statue.  Closing his eyes he took a moment to pay his respects to his lost mentor before smiling at the people carving the statue.  Giving them a nod as they continued their work while he just stood there staring at the face for a long moment.  Turning his attention back to Mina he gave a smile, a mask over his mourning.<br/>"Shall we continue?"