Verosh’s immediate family had never needed to interact with any Yaeli earthlings before. So it was a surprising request when his father asked him to go to the strange continent to gather medical herbs. “Instead of Sauti, could you maybe venture out in another direction this year?” And so the yearly journey had taken him into foreign lands that made Verosh feel sorely out of place. Not only did the Yaeli have those glowing eyes, their whole culture was strange to him with their superstitions and reclusive behavior. Not that he supposed it was a horrible thing because he often preferred being left alone instead of being wrapped up in needless conversations with strangers, but the stares as he walked along the docks made Verosh very on edge. They looked at him like he was some sort of creature about to run rampant in their city, the earthlings were so much more petite than the Aishan hybrid who had inherited a lot of his physical assets from his Alkidike mother. So not only did he stand out simply by not being a Yaeli, the man also towered above most that he encountered as he made his way through the city. Perhaps then it was not completely out of the question that many would seek to avoid him as he tried to navigate the strange signs with their foreign writing and seek directions from those that either honestly didn’t understand him or preferred to act as if they could not. Of course he was as usual a stubborn mule about acknowledging his own confusion within the foreign city and so Verosh simply continued moving about until he thankfully encountered another earthling from the mainland, a pure blooded shifter he assumed by their appearance. “Hey!” He called out in the common tongue that others spoke in Jahaur which he was much more familiar with than the Yaeli language, a slight flush decorating his cheeks since he despised asking for help. “Are you new to Yael or can you actually navigate this city?”

The Shifter turned, the woman tilting her head as she studied the much taller hybrid. “I’ve been here for a few weeks. Are you lost?”

“I’m not…” Verosh began before catching himself and sighing. “I’ve never been in Yael before and it feels like everyone from here is avoiding me.” The warrior twisted as he glanced about the street again, noting a few Yaeli that had been staring but now suddenly were darting along their way in the opposite direction. Another sigh left his lips, frustration bubbling up within his chest and threatening his very thin tolerance for this whole situation. All he could do was clench his fist and take a moment to catch himself before he went over and yelled at the Yaeli who had been staring. If they had time to stare then surely they had enough time to try and listen to him! Or find him someone that could speak common!

“It’s normal.” The Shifter finally spoke, chuckling at Verosh’s obvious frustrations. “They’re very wary of strangers and no offense, you definitely stand out even from other earthling races.” Her silver gaze was full of amusement as she studied him. “If you need, I know someone who can help navigate this place. He’s a really nice Yaeli that doesn’t have much issue with foreigners, if anything he’ll gladly ask you questions. Do you just need a guide or what exactly are you looking for?”

Verosh took a moment to study the Shifter. He knew that he had been the one to reach out to her in the crowd, his desperation making him find someone that surely could speak with him that wouldn’t run away, but there was still a wariness about the hybrid. Could he trust her to take him to someone who would actually help or was it a trap? He didn’t have a lot of coin, but it was just enough for the purchases and a little extra for emergency use. At least his fare for the ship was paid for and he knew that he would have a way home no matter what happened as long as he made it back in time to catch the ship within two weeks. Still, taking a risk was better than growing even more frustrated with his ignorance of the local language. Verosh resigned himself to the offer and finally responded. “A guide would be nice. I need someone who can help me navigate the markets for particular medical plants and then help me towards the next town.” He had some Elarian cousins who could meet him there and he could easily go forward from that point. For now though Verosh had to settle on relying upon a Shifter who could take him to a guide so that he could navigate this place and get to the meeting point with his distant relatives. And if he ever had to come this way again Verosh would make certain to learn more about the locals and their unique language that they shared when they opted to not speak in common around the strange foreigner.

[854]