His travels had gone fairly well so far. It wasn't really the first time he had ever traveled, he'd traveled a little with his family before during the war but this was his first time traveling alone. Which, of course, made him extra cautious. His parents had made sure he had his own little checklist of supplies before they allowed him to leave. Kresimir couldn't help but wonder how Vepkhia was doing. He knew she was pretty heartbroken that he was leaving but he thought it might be best for her. They had become so close, not that that was a bad thing at all, but he thought she had started relying on him just a tad too much. At least this way she could get to spend some more time with her parents and siblings, which he knew needed to happen. His leaving would be a big part in helping that to happen.
Kresimir had already traveled across much of Oba which was what he wanted to do. He wanted to see and experience as much of Oba as he could while he was out and about and had thought of traveling to see Matori as well. That he wasn't too sure of yet but it was in his potential places to visit. For now, he found himself in the Oban Capital, Sulburi. Everywhere he had stopped had told him this was a place he should visit if he wanted to experience everything he could. There was also another place they told him he should visit if he fancied himself a man and lover of all things beautiful, something the called the RA.
It was this reason he found himself in front of a rather large building named the Red Amaryllis. That must be the RA right? Maybe he should ask. Conveniently, there was someone outside. They looked a little odd from a distance but his eyes widened as he realize what she must be. Nevertheless, he smoothed his expression to be polite. "Excuse me, this is the Red Amaryllis that people simply call the RA correct?" He cocked his head ever so slightly as he waited.
So ely won't get double quoted <3
[quote="Elyessi"]O.o didn't mean to type this much lol [/quote]
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:02 am
The figure had a cloak on, but the hood was down. It was still early in the morning, which meant many of the men (and sometimes women) who were patrons were still in their beds or at their jobs. She was safe from prying eyes, and knew that she could literally let her hair down and get out of the stifling cape. Despite Afsana's warnings to stay hidden, Itotia had done it before without any issue, and would continue to do it as long as she was forced to stay in the dry land.
Her back was to the entrance, her body mechanically going through the motions of brushing away the dust from the day. This place had an endless supply of dust, and even if she were to brush it away every hour of every day, there would still be more to clean. Instead, she simply brushed as much as she could away, and used a bit of water to clean the rest.
Settling her broom to the side of the building, Itotia covered her eyes slightly from the sun as she evaluated her work, but her ears twitched upon hearing the soft footsteps behind her. Spine tightening in fear, she took a deep breath and preyed to her gods that today wouldn't be any trouble, before finally turning to evaluate her newest challenge.
It was a boy, he certainly was too lean to be considered a working man, with hair the color of moonlight. His skin was dark as night, with shining crystals dotting his forehead like a headdress. He looked soft, but even she knew that appearances were often illusions. Even the softest could be deadly with words or actions.
As he spoke up, Itotia kept her lips firmly shut as her luminescent eyes continued to dart both around his body and around the area. He was alone, appeared unarmed, and seemed genuinely curious. His threat level, or what she perceived of it, was low enough.
"It is...we are closed until the afternoon..." She said softly, her voice guarded and her lips sealing as soon as she said what needed to be said.
"Oh..." His voice was softer this time yet not as soft as hers, but soon after came a sheepish laugh. Eyebrows raised as he smiled at the ground, a nervous hand scratched the back of his head. "Guess I should have asked the travelers about that. Funny they didn't mention it." It was probably common knowledge around here, from how popular they had made it sound. The outside sure was grand and it matched many of the descriptions he had been given. Kresimir had made a point to stop in each town and ask the locals where he should visit. Who knew their town better than the locals?
"They said that there are some of the finest dancers from all over the world here, are you one of them?" Sure maybe it was a little blunt but it also had it's hidden meaning. Something just didn't seem right here but maybe it was just his imagination. After all, he'd never met anyone from Yael, perhaps they were all this way. Another small chuckle, and then he noticed the cleaning supplies. "This Oban sand gets everywhere doesn't it? It's similar to the rain back in Jauhar but more annoying."
Elyessi
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 10:39 am
Her brows drew together as she watched his sheepish actions, not quite certain how to react. He reminded her of the young boys back home, the ones that were often shy and still finding themselves. Since she had left Yael, around her were others who were confident, curious, and openly stared at her skin and her eyes. This boy seemed almost bashful with his actions, which threw her for a complete loop.
She had no idea what to say, she she simply stayed silent as he babbled about, watching him and trying to keep track of what he was saying. Travelers, well that made sense. Afsana made it clear how prestigious her establishment was, and how they had patrons from all over the area. As he spoke of the sand, she too glanced down toward the supplies and the sand, before looking up when he spoke of rain and Jauhar.
Jauhar, it was a settlement up north, with a rain forest and with people known as Shifters. He was a shifter, that's why he had such dark skin but vibrant crystals. He would change once the moon came to the sky, to reflect the coloring. Suddenly Itotia was hit with a case of home sickness, his light and dark ways reminding her of her deities from home.
"...I've never been anywhere in the Mainland but here..." her voice croaked out, and she stepped back. Suddenly, she felt like she needed to flee, as if realizing just who, or what, she was speaking with, "...I-I don't dance for patrons...but I can get you Aseara...she can help you if you want to make an appointment..." Her voice faded again, and she took another step back toward the door.
Kres could tell he was only making the situation worse with his light humor, it made him frown slightly, more at himself than anything else. The girl was quiet like his brother Vuka but more flighty. She watched as her eyes darted around going from him to their surroundings. The fight or flight mechanic was strong in her. Yet, it caused him to sigh.
As she took a few steps backwards, so did he. Kres wouldn't crowd her. If she wanted space, she could have space. If she wanted him to go, he would go. He would never be that kind of person. Kres shook his head and put his hands up for a moment before putting them down. "I see..." His smile was back, he'd always be courteous. "An appointment is necessary then?" He noted that her voice wasn't as soft as it had been before which meant he was probably alarming her. A far more nervous laugh from the young shifter graced them. "I apologize for all the questions." Each of her steps back was mirrored by him, she wanted distance from him, he would willingly oblige.
Elyessi
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:04 am
As soon as she realized what he was doing, Itotia stopped once more. He continued to surprise her with his actions, as if he wasn't a monster trying to abduct her to the wet forests up north. He seemed, well, normal enough. Her ears seemed to droop along with her shoulders, and she took a deep breath. Aseara would scold her if she wasn't polite, considering she intended for the Yaeli to eventually serve customers. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves, she slowly reached down to grip the broom once more.
If anything, she could use it as some form of defense
"Many dancers have frequent patrons, so an appointment is expected if you wish to receive their attention." She responded, before slowly beginning to brush away the sand that been pulled from her movements. This task was utterly worthless.
"...you can request appointments this afternoon." She responded again, almost mechanically, before eyeing him as she swept. He didn't look too monstrous, and the distance between them was enough for her to dart away inside without him catching her.
Maybe, if she helped him, he would leave sooner. It tended to get others out of her hair if she actually addressed them sooner than later, "What is your preference?" She asked abruptly, figuring she could at least let him know who he could request.
"Oh..." Why did he feel like such an idiot? Maybe because he was? He came to this place not really knowing anything about it and bothering this poor girl who looked way more uncomfortable than he was beginning to feel. Kres suddenly felt like he was way out of his league but she had asked him a question and was waiting for an answer so he better think of one quick.
"Do you need help?" Kres said as suddenly as she had asked her question, but also with a slight motion of his hand towards the broom. A nervous laugh. "In all honesty, I've spent most of my free time taking care of my siblings at home so I'm not sure I really would have a preference..." He looked away ever so slightly in his embarrassment. Maybe she'd laugh at him, at least it'd put a smile on her face.
"I--uh..." Oh how Sezarra would be laughing at him right now. This girl had him all in knots and he was actually afraid he'd scare her with any sudden movements or abnormal questions. Last thing he'd want to do is scare the poor girl, who in all reality looked a little older than him.
Elyessi
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:35 pm
Well this wasn't working, the boy was absolutely flustered. If she wasn't certain before, she was now that he really wasn't putting on an act. He was stumbling over his words almost as much as she was, as if he were the one afraid of her. How bizarre, considering most Maindlanders acted as if they were above her in every way possible. She was the new girl, a foreigner, and was in charge of all the tedious tasks. That alone helped them get over an lingering fear of her as a person...beside the whole threat thing.
She still didn't quite understand that. But maybe it's because they didn't have such a dancing location in Yael.
"It is my job to clean the entrance." Was her simple response, not harsh at all but straight to the point. Aseara would be appalled if a patron was helping clean, and Afsana would all but skin her and sell her crystals as jewelry.
"We have dancers from all over the Mainland, with bright colored crystals and soft colored skin. We even have those who are rare...hybrids..." She wasn't as versed in just how to identify them, but maybe this shifting skin male before her would
"...we also have musicians, who play with the dancers but can also play on their own."
Blinking at him with bright eyes, she waited to see if maybe her explanation would help speed up his decision. Really, maybe he was absolutely clueless and had followed a suggestion to a place he had no knowledge of.
Seemed utterly dangerous to her, but she always aired on the side of caution. The gods liked to place challenges and punishment in both obvious and abnormal places.
"Oh..." He said once more. Kres supposed someone had to have that job, but why her? Listening intently to what she had to say, she seemed to stumble at the word hybrid. Did they not have hybrids where she came from? He hadn't really heard a lot about Yael so he couldn't really say. But judging from her reaction to trying and figure out what to call them, he didn't think so.
The other people had said that the RA housed quite the array of dancers but he hadn't really thought about the musicians. "Hybrids are usually interesting in appearance. My aunt is one and my Mom said she used to have a lot of trouble growing up. Of course she lived with the Alkidikes so that was to be expected." A nervous laugh.
"Who would you suggest?" Kresimir asked, his head slightly tilted once more.
Elyessi
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 3:08 pm
Her movements picked up again, and the gentle sound of sweeping filled the area. Itotia's ears would flicker every so often, listening to both the voices inside as well as the area around them. She realized that if anyone came outside, she'd look a bit strange talking to the shifter, so she had to make sure that there was proper distance and she had a clean getaway.
As she did this, she listened to him speak of his family, but wasn't too aware of what the words were. Alkidikes, those strange towering women who had come to the island. The cursed tribe. Another chill ran down her spine at the thought of them. Eyes dark as night, skin sickly colored, and bodies stronger than any Yaeli. They were considered bringers of destruction.
Thankfully, it didn't seem any of those women were in the Red Amaryllis, but she wasn't as certain if a hybrid was there. Maybe it would be best to identify them and ensure she wasn't in any close proximity.
"I favor the musicians, we have many professionals. Some are stringed and some are pipes, but all are quite relaxing. Our services include drinks and the dancers also can provide company during this time. Many are well versed and full of interesting stories..."
The soft swishing of the broom helped him to feel a little less like a fool, the soft background noise making the silence not so silent. So she favored the musicians did she? Kres had to wonder if there was a specific reason for that. He recalled that she had said she didn't dance for patrons and had to wonder to himself if there was a reason why. Was she a musician and that's why she favored them over the dancers? Or maybe she was a dancer, as she certainly looked like one, and she had something against the other dancers.
"You're so much more informative than anyone else I've talked to about this place. Which I'm grateful for. So musicians over dancers." A slight smile accompanied his nod. "Does the RA give lessons? It seems like they do everything else. Sorry if this question is ignorant, I really am curious though." Kres wondered what type of interesting stories this one had to tell. He just realized he hadn't actually introduced himself at all, not that she probably cared at all, but it was still quite rude to have not yet. "I'm Kresimir, by the way. Kres for short." His head dipped politely in deference. He would have offered his hand for a hand shake but he didn't want to startle the girl.
Elyessi
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 1:29 pm
The brushing paused at his words, and Itotia's ear twitched again. She seemed to be thoughtful as her brows furrowed in the middle, before she began brushing once more. It wasn't her goal to be informative, and he seemed to almost sound like he appreciated her. Naturally, her boss and Aseara would like that, but her goal was not to make friends. In fact, she really didn't want to spend time with anyone at all. Her fingers itched to pull up her hood and her feet wished to flee, but she was already in too deep.
Instead of either option, she let out a soft sigh and looked back down at the ground.
"Lessons? Only to those who have potential. Afsana has a keen eye for those she selects to work at the establishment..."
So far, it seemed as if every single girl was selected to join them, hand picked by the woman, and there actually weren't any men. Itotia was grateful for that, but also a bit curious as to why they kept only females - surly males would also be welcome to their patrons. There were quite a few Yaeli men who knew how to dance and sing, as well as play music.
Her thoughts were disturbed when Kresimir introduced himself, and her lips pursed as she watched him dip his head as if he respected her. Eyes narrowing, she wondered if he was putting up an act, and if she should even respond. Eventually, however, she realized that if he asked around many would easily give out her name. She was, afterall, the only Yaeli in Sulburi.
So after a long pause, she slowly provided her name, "Itotia..."
A sigh, a sigh was something new. Sure it might have seemed rather exasperated but it was still different than the, well quite scared way in which she had been addressing him. Perhaps it was all of his questions, maybe he had been around Vepkhia just a little too much. That talkative little one with all of her questions.
So lessons he would have to have some potential. He laughed a little, "Not for me then, seeing as how I've never danced a minute in my life. In a business such as this, however, I'm sure the proprietor would have to have a keen eye." He smiled at her. She was an employee of this place after all too, which meant she had been picked for a reason. Kresimir wondered what that was? Was it her customer service? She had been doing fairly well, despite the look of wanting the flee the entire time.
"Itotia, is it? I hope I said that correctly. It's nice to meet you." His words were sincere as was the smile that accompanied them.
Elyessi
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 9:56 am
Her glowing eyes studied him again, but only for a quick moment as she felt unnerved. She didn't want to make eye contact, and felt her confidence deflate once more. It was so difficult when she wanted to rush away and hide. If anything, she had become more tolerable of the mainlanders around her, but that wasn't by choice. To this day, she would make a break for it if she knew the way to get back home.
He didn't seem the type to be a dancer, he was much to bashful. Dancers had a flow about them, a willingness to move and express themselves with their bodies. Yes, he seemed much too bashful to be a dancer, and Afsana would look over him without a second thought. It was probably for the best that he didn't get ensnared in the vines that were the Red Amaryllis.
Nodding at his statement of her name, she finally set the broom to the side, fully done with brushing the sand away. Now, she grabbed the bucket of water, using the ladle to wash away any lingering sand and muck from the path.
"I would recommend a musician for your first time. An evening with drinks and music can be quite enjoyable."
Her lips turned at the tip just slightly, as she remembered how much she enjoyed music. Having something to dance to made it all the more fun.
Kresimir's palms itched as he wanted to jump to her aid to help her clean, even if it was her job. It made him frown having to sit there and watch someone else do work, that was how his parents raised him anyway. So a musician in the evening with drinks, that sounded like a good time right? The thought of that apparently was a happy thought to Itotia as he noticed the slight change in her expression. "I've heard the expression that music is when you hear the soul speak. Though, it would seem to me that it could be with anything you're passionate about." He smiled and shrugged. "Do you musicians ever play with one another? I always find it intriguing to see two people do what they love together."
