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 Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 2:06 pm
"I'm not being unreasonable," Teslaron insisted as he perched over the counter of the village's small and rather lackluster shop. It wasn't a large place, and it wasn't all that well stocked, but this seemed to be the norm for the small encampments that littered the road to Zena. Really, it was a little disappointing. After the whole escapade with the renegade Alkidike, it had seemed like a good idea to stock up on medicinal provisions. Particularly since his traveling companion had a way of getting himself into trouble without coming out unscathed, very much unlike Tes, himself.
The woman tending the little stand was not amused. "Not only are you being unreasonable," she snapped in Tes' direction. "You're also being rude. Say what you want about the Alkidike and the people who defended you, but don't expect to badmouth my home, my land, or my shop and get good service. Get out."
Teslaron huffed, leaning back to stand a little taller as he tipped his head at her. "If you'd just give me a break, I-"
"Get. Out." By the time she started making her way around the counter to forcefully send him off, Tes had scuttled backwards, out onto the packed dirt of the path and feeling more than a touch annoyed by the general temperament of Sauti's natives.
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2015 3:22 pm
After things with the Alkidikes had taken place Ming'we had gone to a local healer to fix the head wound she'd gotten. It wasn't bad, but the bleeding had been enough to freak her out. Now, with a small huff, she was on her way to find Isolder. Since she'd been recovering for a few months from other injuries and then the battle.. Ming had to wonder if he even remembered her. Biting on her bottom lip she continued to walk until she heard a commotion. Blinking her pure blue eyes she looked around for the source. The blonde hybrid found herself looking at a water tribesman who was being yelled at by a very annoyed Sauti woman. Ming'we chuckled a little. It wasn't every day that she got to see something like that. "What did you do to make her so angry?" Her voice rang out with curiosity as she gripped her crossbow tightly. It was in her hand but pointed at the ground. Nor did it have a bolt loaded. Those were strapped to her side.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 9:49 am
The woman really was making quite a scene. Even once Tes was out of her shop, he could still hear her agitated complaints. Fortunately, he wasn't one to carry shame with him, so he merely sighed, crossed his arms behind his head, and strode away. The place was so small and unimportant... How was he supposed to find-?
Teslaron stalled in his tracks, blinking inquisitively at the new woman that stood before him. He'd never seen anyone like her before. Almost definitely hybrid; Alkidike skin with strangely colored eyes and hair. She was taller than him, but then, many were. He had half a mind to ignore her, since his business wasn't rightly any of her business. But aside from carrying a weapon that would be better off being put away, she didn't seem particularly threatening. So, Tes shrugged. "I told her I wasn't impressed by her post's wares." In a few more words, of course.
He quirked the blond female a playful grin. "But y'know how women can be. They get emotional over nothing. I'm sure a sophisticated lass like you has a much tighter leash on her temper, hm?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 12:41 pm
Upon hearing the reason for the commotion Ming'we couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. Being from Sauti herself she didn't think that the woman would have gotten so upset over something so small, so naturally the blonde assumed that this man had said such in a manner that was likely not polite. "I doubt she'd be so angry over something so trivial. Perhaps if you said it in a more polite manner." Ming moved her head slightly as if to point out what she meant. Then she paused so that she could give voice to another question. "What was it that you were looking for?""Are you flirting with me, sir Tribesman?" The grin Tes gave was returned as she lifted her free hand to her hip in a show of innocent sass. "My temper is almost non-existent." Despite recent events in her life she still wanted to believe there was good in others. While she might harbor ill feelings toward the Alkidike's she held none for the other tribes of Tendaji.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:02 pm
Teslaron couldn't help but quirk blondie an incredulous brow. He'd been polite. Enough. No more or less polite than people generally were to him, particularly when everyone still seemed to have raised tensions from the latest great confrontation. And when he was in dire need of supplies, he shouldn't be expected to be companionable when they were withheld from him, anyway. Either way, the how of it wasn't incredibly important. He'd made his way here and been sent off with nothing. It really was a waste of a trip. He sighed, shifting his weight to one side. "Since I'm heading out to Zena, I wanted to stock up on food and medicine and maybe get some warmer bedding... But it seems like most everyone's supply stores took a hit when so many people traveled south..."
But what was done was done. No use despairing over it now. Still, he'd told Dovev to leave such things to him... He would have to figure it out sooner rather than later. Teslaron shook the thought away. "Well, miss, I am out here by myself..." He hummed, only a half-truth. He'd come to the town alone, but he suspected if he got himself into too deep a trouble, Dovev would (hopefully) come running. "I don't much like to be by myself, so perhaps I could persuade you to join me for a short while? What do you say?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2015 4:02 am
So that's what he was after. Ming'we smiled mischievously at him. She turned over a few thoughts in her mind before she lifted her hand from her hip and made a motion for him to follow her. "C'mon, I'll show you where you can get all that." Not only was she helping but she was keeping him company. So it answered two of his issues with one stone. "My name is Ming'we by the way." Not that Miss wasn't charming. She just didn't want him to be calling her by that honorific the entire time. Other females would think he was speaking to them. Which might cause problems. Or it might not. All depended on how he said it and who heard. "Most of the sellers on the main roads were emptied of their wares after the fight. So the ones who are on roads less traveled still have supplies." As she turned she cast a glance over her shoulder to see if Tes followed. If he did then she would start to walk and lead the way to a family friend who just happened to be a merchant.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:16 am
Tes' eyes widened a fraction in natural suspicion. Yes, he'd invited her along, and yes he wouldn't have done so if he expected an outright 'no,' but still. He'd expected a little more sass from an Alkidike, maybe a warning or disinterest. But she- Ming'we, as she was called, seemed almost cordial. And that stuck the Water tribesman as most... unusual. Though not unwelcome. What was stranger was that it all seemed genuine. As if she really was a polite, charming little hybrid lass. So, Tes shrugged, smiled, and trotted after her.
"Ming'we. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he hummed warmly. "My name's..." He hesitated, stilled by the natural stall that came from trying to rewrite information he'd know all his life. "Teslaron. Tes for short." It was the first time he'd ever distinctly introduced himself with his new name. He'd told Dovev, of course, but that was in the great excitement of the whole thing. Saying it to a new person seemed stranger somehow. Tes rolled his shoulders, flicking the thought away with a toss of his head.
"I should be so lucky to have an intelligent woman who knows what's going on as my guide," he chuckled lightly. "If it weren't for you, I don't suppose I ever would've figured it out. So thank you." He dipped his head. "I'm very grateful."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:52 pm
"Tes it is." She had taken note of his wide eyed expression when she'd gone along with him so easily. Ming'we was used to that look. "We Sauti have our secrets from the rest of Tendaji." The blonde winked at him. The way she acted suggested she didn't even consider herself to be a hybrid or that she didn't know. "Did you fight with us?" Ming was curious to know if that was the reason that the water tribesman was here. "If you did then let me thank you on behalf of my tribe." She wouldn't forget what others had done for her and her people. Giving Tes a smile she continued to lead the way. A few minutes later they would arrive at a small farm. "Temia! I brought you a customer." Ming'we called out to the large wind male that sat on a chair near the door to his home. A smile broke out on the bear of a man's face. "Is that so little Ming? Didn't I tell you I have settled down now?" Breaking out into a grin she shook her head but motioned for Tes to follow her right up to the man. "Temia, this is Tes, he needs supplies and others are sold out." Without warning she moved so that she was standing next to Temia, her hand once again on her hip. "I'll need some as well if you can spare it old man." Temia grumbled before he stood. "I may be old, sand flower, but I can still whoop you." The man's eyes went to Tes and he studied him for a moment. "What do you need boy?" Quick and to the point.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 8:42 am
Tes resigned not to tell her he'd had no intention nor desire to engage in the fighting. He was happy enough being free and alive after the last war. Partaking in another so soon... was simply not up his alley. But she seemed grateful for the help he hadn't given, so may as well go along with it. Teslaron rolled his shoulders in a loose shrug. "We were caught up in it without meaning to. My companion is a brave and noble man and couldn't stand by while we were so close. He was injured for his efforts, though..." He shot her a grin. "And so it falls to me to care for him. I shouldn't have let him get as bad as he is, reckless thing. But I am grateful for your willingness to help me help him."
The rest of the trek was filled with idle chatter. As they left the main pathways behind, Tes wondered how far off she was taking him... He didn't want to be gone any longer than necessary. Still, he needed the supplies, and if this really was the only way to get them... So when they came upon- not a shop, but a farm, Tes cast Ming a curious glance. Despite threats of 'whooping' directed at Ming, Teslaron didn't sense a great deal of animosity from the man, despite the size difference between them.
"Sand flower...?" He murmured in question, only mildly curious at how close these two really were. Nevertheless, he shook his head to clear the thought away. "I'm looking for herbs, if you can spare them, sir," Tes hummed, dipping his head in a polite half-bow. "Something for pain, something to help him sleep, something for infections... I must admit I'm not familiar with much of anything in Sauti-" Being from Oba, and all. "-so I can't be of much help with actual names... Hm. Dressings for wounds, salves for cuts.Thread, maybe? For stitching?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 1:34 pm
Ming'we heard Tes repeat the term of endearment that was used for her and cast a glance at him. She felt no need to explain the name but hoped he didn't decide to use it. Temia stood for a moment, mentally tallying up everything that the boy said he needed then nodded his head. "I have most, if not all, of those." The man looked at Ming then back at Tes before he turned to go inside his house. "Do you need any food for the road?" Medical supplies were good but if he had no food then it wouldn't mean much. Unless he could hunt. Ming tilted her head as she stared at him, wondering just what it was he did. Was he a healer? Or something else? She knew several people who could tend to wounds due to experience but didn't follow the path of medicines. Before Tes could answer Temia would come back out with a small sack with the things listed. "Since you don't know the names of Sauti herbs I put the purpose on them instead. Sleep, pain, infection, things like that." Holding the bag up he motioned for the boy to come take it. "You can pay Ming'we what is owed. Roughly two copper pieces should do the trick for what is in there." Ming's antennae gave a small twitch when she heard the price, noting that Temia was lowering his fees. "How nice of you, Temia. Do you think I could trouble you for some dried meat and a loaf of bread?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 10:06 am
In the brief interim, Tes spared a quick glance around. Was the man the only one running the farm? Where was he getting all of his supplies? Should someone as... aged as he was really be alone out here? Herbs could likely be grown, but the other things... Were their traders? How often did they come by? Daily? Weekly? He was a bit curious about how the rest of Tendaji conducted business. The Obans had had their slaves, so while it put Tes in a bit of a spot, at least he knew where most things came from. Grown in his home land of Matori and imported right alongside the workers. Somehow he doubted importing worked the same here.
But it wasn't his business, and he supposed as long as he got what was needed, he shouldn't ask unnecessary questions. So when Ming spoke up, Tes quirked her a grin. "I'm grateful that you're worrying for me, 'Sand Flower-'" Amusement flicked through his amber orbs. "-but no, I prefer anything I use be as fresh as possible. Though I admit Sauti hunting is... quite different than Juahar and Tale hunting. And the animals have... an interesting flavor." After trailing into thought for a second, he gave a tight shake of his head. "No, no. We aren't in need of food quite yet."
By that time, the man had returned with his requested supplies, and Tes tucked his arm into the sack and produced one of the herb packets. He inspected it, then nodded. "Thank you for your assistance." Again, he wondered what the nature of their relationship was, if the man wanted him to pay Ming for his own supplies, but Tes shrugged the thought away. He pulled the coins from his pocket, counting out the small change- It did seem incredibly underpriced. Perhaps a Sauti thing? And offered it to Ming'we.
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 5:49 pm
And there it was. Repeating of the endearment. Ming'we closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she leveled her gaze at Tes. "Don't call me that, please." She didn't want to explain the reason behind it to anyone else. It felt too much like an invasion of privacy. Though she could see the wheels turning in Tes's mind. Once he had what he needed and paid her Temia's fees she nodded her head. "Temia's wife weaves the thread and wrappings for most people in the village. They grow herbs inside for healers and often trade with passing merchants. None of it was stolen, I promise." Ming had assumed that Tes was judging the origin of the supplies. She didn't want Temia to get a bad reputation from a misunderstanding. The man had stepped inside once again only to pop back out with a little bundle wrapped in a cloth. It held a loaf of bread and strips of dried meat for the blonde to take. On the tail end of the conversation Temia grinned at the male. "My wife and I have known Ming'we and her brother since they were tiny little things. This one here would help anyone and anything that she thought needed it." Temia laughed a bit before he reached out to ruffle Ming's hair affectionately. "You be careful on your way back to your mother." His deep voice had quieted only a little before he gave a nod to Tes then turned to go back inside, this time not coming out. Ming'we cleared her throat and tucked her own little package under one arm as she started to move away from the house. She kinda wished that the man hadn't mentioned her brother. It was a sore spot for her. She'd grown apart from him and even now couldn't account for his whereabouts.
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:59 am
Tes glanced down at the bag. Not stolen, hm? The old man didn't seem like he'd be expertly capable of such things, but the Water male supposed it wasn't impossible. He shrugged his shoulders carelessly. Teslaron wasn't exactly one to question the legitimacy of how anyone would obtain items, so it wasn't a huge deal to him one way or another. So long as he had what he needed for the upcoming week, he didn't really care how he got it.
And that seemed to be the terms they were parting on. With a last nod of thanks at the man, Tes watched his disappear into his house and remain there. Excellent. Really excellent. He hummed out a soft note of appreciation as he started walking after Ming's footsteps. A few herbs and clean wrappings and Dovev would feel better in no time, then they could be on their way once more, and before he knew it, they could head back home. Yes, had to keep positive, no matter how challenging it may be.
He cast a glance back to Ming'we, noticing the shift in her expression and mood. It wasn't an expression he was particularly unfamiliar with. Trotting up to her side, he looped his sack around his wrist and crossed his arms behind his back. "Who are you missing?" Tes asked inquisitively, tipping his head in her direction.
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:09 am
Ming'we was hoping that Tes wouldn't ask her about what Temia said, but she wasn't so lucky. He managed to catch up and walk side by side with her only to ask who it was she was missing. The answer to that could be many things. Her nomad mother that was lost to illness, her Alkidike mother that stayed in a predominantly Alki village, her twin brother that she had grown apart from, even her best friend who she viewed as a brother. Though mostly she missed Isolder. The shifter male that she'd grown close to. "I miss many people, but I'm traveling to see them." That would be as much as she would say on the matter unless prodded for more. Ming might not want to speak freely of such things but she wouldn't be rude and ignore questions asked. Casting her eyes side long at him she gave a small cough "So, which way are you traveling?" It would be good for her to know if she would see him on the road to Jauhar or not. She might even be nice and hunt for him. It would certainly give her something to do.
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:45 am
Tes clucked his tongue softly, glancing to the ground as he stepped steadily after her. He was no stranger to missing someone important. Though his life hadn't granted many opportunities to make friends, and he didn't view his Oban 'family' quite the same as most thought of their relatives, he missed them, in his own way. And considering that the whole point of the journey was to find a reason he could essentially be tied to them forever... The least he could do was 'miss' them. Teslaron hummed, chuckled, shook his head. "It's not so bad, is it?" He questioned. "Nothing to look so demure over, anyway. If you were satisfied all the time, life would be boring. Missing someone... adds a spice, somehow, don't you think?" But he didn't care to press anymore than that. Ming'we's agitation only seemed to increase the more he prodded at her. She had helped him. Best not to be rude, he thought.
"I'm traveling north, to Zena." And what a trip it had been so far. Not even halfway done yet. "I came up from Oba, so I had plenty of chances to scope out interesting things from everywhere else. Still, it's a lot of walking. Hopefully I won't have any need to make long trips like this, anymore..."
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