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 Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 5:58 pm
It was another hot day in Oba and Kyril found herself using a fan more often than not while she worked at the temporary stall her mentor had set up. For some reason they had agreed to participate in a crafting event and Kyril had been volunteered to watch over things for the morning. Thankfully it was going to be over soon enough and she just had to survive the next few moments before her mentor finally came back and took over. That or her mentor's nephew who had come to visit and was slowly learning the trade while helping out. It was a relief for Kyril since it gave her more peace of mind knowing that her time as an apprentice was finished but that her mentor would still have help for the future. The hybrid let out a sigh at the thought, her hand reaching up to fiddle with the end of her braided hair that hung over her silk tunic that was belted at the waist in typical Oban fashion. Behind her were shelves of glass objects that gleamed with various colors in the sunlight. A few had already been sold to travelers interested in either paper weights or to those who had wanted something more unique for a gift. Glass flowers, some vases and other random things decorated the counter in front of Kyril as she patiently waited to see if anyone else would stop by before her time at the stall was over. Even if it was busy at least it wasn't a crazy mess like the markets could be in the middle of the day.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 5:59 pm
[Ai 1]
Oba seemed to be a mecca for unnecessary shops, festivals, and individuals. The longer she was forced to stay in the desert country the more that Ai came to resent it’s people. Even on the coolest of days sweat still clung to the back of her neck which only fueled her irritation at the growing midday crowd. At the moment she was doing her best to validate some information she’d been giving regarding her sister’s location but it was slow going. Her informant had been a shopkeeper and while his door was currently bustling with traffic Ai was killing time in the market. She came close to a stall that sold a variety creations made of glass and while it was interesting enough to look at her critical eye determined that it, like most things in Oba, wasn’t worth her coin. Still, it was intriguing to look at.
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:00 pm
At least she could leave soon. Kyril let out another sigh as she walked around the stall a final time, her gaze searching for any sign of either of the Obans set to take her place. It was hot so what should she do next? Maybe go to one of the bath houses and relax there? That would be nice, wouldn't it? Kyril stopped moving as she noticed an Alkidike standing nearby and looking at her stall. "Interested in anything?" She found herself asking with a raised brow as she slipped back towards the counter, her hand trailing across the wood before settling on one of the more dangerous creations she had made - several glass daggers of various colors and sizes. Her gaze was thoughtful as she glanced back towards the Alkidike again, curious about what she would say or do. Aishans were still a mysterious race to her even though the couple she had previously met always seemed somewhat nice despite some of the stories.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:02 pm
In an unconscious response Ai curled her nose as soon as the earthling started to speak to her. If the woman hadn’t made such a sweeping gesture across her stall then Ai might have just walked on but as it were her gaze was drawn to the items below. “Did you craft these or are you just selling them?” As much as she’d rather not admit it the glass daggers did catch her attention. some of the smaller more ornate ones we’re passed over in favor of those with a little more bulk. “Are they usable or just for decoration?”
[Ai 2]
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:03 pm
Okay then. Kyril's lips pressed together into a tight line in response to the Alkidike's obvious disdain. So perhaps this wouldn't be the kindest Aishan that she had ever met. Kyril was just waiting for her to continue on before the sudden questions made her pause. "I did and yes." She replied finally as she opened a case and tapped a finger against one of the thicker blades. "Some prefer prettier looking things so that they can wear them without others thinking much of it. But even delicate nobles sometimes need something for protection. " Most were for decor but one or two had sharper edges. "Magic users can place runes in the handle to make things more interesting but sometimes you just need a hairpiece to keep someone else away." The sharp metal pieces with glass and crystal ornaments looked lovely but could easily be used for more than simple decoration.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:10 pm
[Ai 3]
The Aishan tilted her head downward to look over the blades and made her sneer known. "Doesn't matter how sturdy the blade is if the wrist holding it is as delicate as grass." She'd yet to see more than a handful of Oban nobles and what few she'd seen in passing hadn't impressed her. As far as Ai was concerned they were about as useful as Limbara that had mixed their seed one too many times.
Hairpieces and runes? So they are just for decoration. Nothing more than a 'pretty' little thing to flash around for attention. They may have held the potential to serve a purpose, but like most earthlings they would never really live up to it.
"Do you have anything blue?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:02 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Sometimes the reeds that bend are the strongest, but it is worthless if it simply shatters." Replied Kyril with a slight shrug. Obviously the Alkidike was biased against earthlings or at least nobles but yet here she was shopping in their streets. It was pretty ironic, no? Though Kyril did share a slight disdain for quite a nobles so even she could understand somewhat. "I suppose you're thinking about a blade for a strong wrist then." She instead offered with a raised brow as she studied the rough looking stranger. The Aishan definitely had seen her fair share of battles from what Kyril was noticing simply by their interactions here. She could only imagine what the warrior was like on the actual battlefield and part of her was thankful that she wouldn't have to find out.
"Of course." Kyril moved so that she could place two daggers on the counter. Both were sharp as she had opted to avoid the duller ones that were simply for decor and while one was wide with simple edges, both using a silver metal with a gemstone handle, the other one had curves and ended with a sharp point. Should she feel worried about offering a weapon to this woman? Possibly, but honestly Kyril had the feeling that if the Aishan wanted to be less civil she would have already done so. However, she was curious about one thing. Would this be a gift for someone else? Was there a reason the Alkidike was in one of the largest earthling cities? "If you're looking for a matching gift and maybe something stronger..." She began before moving towards the back of the stall, her hands searching for something. "We took some crystals that we sharpened into actual blades as well. It'll be more durable even though the blade itself is a bit foggier than glass." The hybrid turned and opened a case to show the Alkidike. Nestled inside was a matching pair of crystal daggers, both shaped into daggers with ivory handles and shimmering blue crystals with veins of deeper blues.
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:59 am
[Ai 4]
As if that much wasn't obviously. Just going off looks alone Ai was a roadmap of scars. Not only did she had a flurry from previous battles, but her most recent had left it's mark. A large gouge in her abdomen, the way the flesh sunk in around her left forearm around the bone, and the missing fingers of her right hand...
In all honesty she hadn't expected to find one, was prepared to call the earthling out over it and was somewhat surprised to see two. How...different.
Ai lifted each blade in turn, weighing the balance in her hand with a practiced wrist and 'hmmed'. Which was as much of praise as the earthling woman was going to get. They clearly weren't as balanced as an actual blade, but they were close and would be able to do damage. Still...
"Ah, yes." She was right in that they weren't nearly as transparent, but that didn't matter to Ai. She was looking for the practicality of it and this would do nicely. "How much for the set?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 3:06 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"You're fortunate. We've been experimenting so we had a few varieties in stock." Replied Kyril with amusement despite the arrogance of the Alkidike. Let her 'hmm' all she wanted but the warrior was still here looking at the blades. "The crystals are more unique than the glass pieces so they'll be a bit more coin." Kyril pursed her lips thoughtfully as she studied the scarred Alkidike. She was the one who had crafted them so it was her personal decision and Kyril wasn't desperately in need of coin, but she wouldn't simply give something so precious out freely.
"I'm always open for trading though if you had something worthwhile in turn." Kyril began after a moment. "Even a good story could reduce the price though it would be wonderful if you had more crystals on hand so I could continue experimenting with them as crafting materials." They were a lot more challenging depending on the quality and type. Jahaur was surely full of various crystals that Kyril would enjoy exploring.
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 3:16 pm
[Ai 5]
"Of course they are." Even Ai's casual tone held a healthy amount of disdain. Whenever earthlings thought they could get more they always tried for it, no matter how unfortunate the circumstances could become. She could very well just take them. Even if the woman before her was an expert weapon's master or a mage Ai felt confident in her ability to split her skull. Still, that would break the appearance of blending with their society and that in itself was what held her back.
"What sort of stories are you looking for?" Even as she questioned Ai was digging in her pack. What she produced were two dark crystals; each around the size of an alkidike's fist. They were so dark one might have thought they were black, but under the right light they looked violet and had veins of an almost silver hue running through them.
A more cautious Alkidike would have hidden them because surely these didn't grow in Jauhar, but Ai feared no one. Instead, she held them up for inspection. "Will these cut the cost?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 4:05 pm
Kyril quirked a brow. "The word rare was invented for a reason." She replied with a soft sigh. "As it is I'm not trying to overcharge or anything. I'm just more curious about why an almighty Alkidike is shopping here in an earthling city like this." The hybrid gave a slight shrug before closing the box and sliding it across the counter. The prickly attitude didn't deter her from anything, rather it just made her a bit more blunt with the foreigner. She was like one of those wounded janarim that snapped at others even though they needed help. Kyril even had the feeling that if she made such a comment out loud the Alkidike would most definitely try to snap at her.
Surprise flickered across Kyril's face at the dark crystals and she found herself hesitating to take them. There was just something ominous about them and the mystic found her lips pursing thoughtfully. "Perhaps. I'm curious though since I've never seen dark crystals like that before..." She trailed her words off and glanced back towards the Alkidike.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 4:48 pm
[Ai 6]
"Passing through, obviously. I don't plan on staying long." Ai reached out for the box, but instead of simply taking it and leaving, as she very well should have, she stayed to pay her dues. She was many things but a thief wasn't among them.
Ai quirked a brow at the cautious tone. She lacked the bite that had been there moments before, and the alkidike did nothing to assuage her fears. If she thought they were something dark then they were, otherwise they were just some pretty rocks.
"There's plenty where I'm from. You should visit one day; I'm sure the locals would enjoy your craft."
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:26 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Hmm." Kyril gave a nod as she watched the Alkidike take the box. "So I guess you're planning on giving that to a fellow Aishan then." She mused though she still didn't quite know how she felt about the stranger. There was just something off the more she interacted with her. That caution continued to rise whenever she gave that sudden compliment. "No need to flatter. Where did you say you were from again?" Kyril replied with a slightly raised brow. It was honestly hard not to alert the guards but then again how could one do anything just based on a feeling? Why yes I would love to alert you to this character that feels sinister. Just a hunch sir. Kyril closed her eyes against the thought before holding out her hand. If anything at least she could bury the crystals so that they were out of sight and mind. Maybe this was why she wanted to keep working with glass instead.
"Most of the crystals in Jahaur are more colorful than this. Seems strange, right?" She asked casually as she glanced over the Alkidike.
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:18 am
[Ai 7]
In all honesty that's who she should have been thinking about. For as long as she'd been on Tendaji, for all the time that had passed since she'd last seen her adoptive daughter, Ai hadn't picked up a single gift for her. She didn't believe in spoiling children, but surely she should have at least thought of it?
It was her daughter she was thinking of when she'd been shopping, however.
"I didn't." Ai stated calmly. She handed the crystals over as easily as if they were nothing more than coins and to that effect she added, "How much more would you like?" Because surely compared to what could be found on the mainland, native yaeli crystals weren't nearly as colorful.
"I've always had a preference for them. In the moonlight they look like little waterfalls, but crystals you can find in Tale have a lovely hue as well."
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Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:34 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Kyril closed her fingers around the crystals before placing them away out of sight. When she turned to face the Aishan again the hybrid thought about the question. "A coin is fine, if you can manage that. " She replied without hesitation. The blades definitely could have gone for more but she wasn't in it for the money. Kyril wasn't going to be like some biased Oban merchant and push someone away either. Intuition maybe? Something that made it feel like the daggers had to go, maybe for whoever the gift was going to.
"Just treat the blades well. It's always a sign of fate to share a matching blade with another. It's a sign they're close to your heart and wish them protection. " Kyril stated quietly before the sudden response caught her by surprise. "They do. I've seen a few varieties but one country I've never seen them from before is Yael." She found herself admitting , her golden gaze growing more thoughtful as she watched the Alkidike.
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