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 Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:05 am
Raiden was still in a mood even as Tzeitel caught up to him. Despite the brilliant weather his mood was no better, it may have even made him angrier. How could the sky look so clear and beautiful at times like this? He would much prefer some storm or rain. That would be fitting of his mood. Pausing just once he looked back at Tzeitel before hurrying on down the path. He wanted to talk to her but was afraid that even the slightest thing would make him snap at her. And there was no reason for him to take his anger out on her when it belonged to Khali.
Passing the tavern the male turned down some streets until they came to an open market. “Let’s see if we can barter any prices down here.” He finally spoke and looked back at the centauress before digging around for another pouch of coins. It was a shame that every time he tried saving for the future Khali’s impulses would make him reach into his own hidden stash again. Still he didn’t want anyone to starve in their party. Sighing Raiden opened the mostly empty purse and added a few of the coins from his own into it before tossing it towards Tzeitel, “Hopefully that should cover what we need.”
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:46 pm
Khali groaned, and slapped a hand on her rumbling stomach. "How you can think of soup in this heat, I'll never know." She shook her head. "Some fresh vegetables, now, and we're in business." What she wouldn't give for a fresh, ripe apple. It killed her to know that the only ones around would be the ones that magic had grown, since harvesting season wasn't for some time now, but if she could find them, she'd definately chow down.
As they neared the settlement, Khali had to take a long look before sighing. It wasn't much, that's for sure. The small village was surrounded by acres of farmland, and every building was covered in patchwork. Bare backed children ran through the dirt streets covered in filth, and it was then she knew there wouldn't be many high paying jobs to be found.
However, she did stumble upon the cutest little eatery. Set in a courtyard behind the patron's home, it's poor exterior was covered in fresh, summer flowers that smelled almost as good as the apple pies being passed around. Khali could have died.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:40 am
Watching Raiden dig into his pouch, she sighed and looked at her own. It wouldn’t even be enough to buy decent yarn for knitting or fabric for sewing. Though, she wasn’t sure it would have mattered. The market was looking sparse as it was. Her ears perked as the bag was tossed at her. Looking at it a moment, she gave Raiden a cheerful grin and impulsively reached over to hug his arm. “We’ll get through this. We have before.” Her head was tipped back in order to see Raiden’s face, and a pout suddenly made her lip stick out, realizing her nose just barely reached the top of his shoulder. “When did you get so tall?” She asked rhetorically, now trying to remember how tall Khali was. Was she really the short one now? She shook her head though, and jangled the little purse, though the weak sound might have done more harm than good. “Leave it to me!” She said, giving his arm another squeeze before turning to seek out what was needed, tail swaying optimistically. Being too hopeful was better than the alternative…
Aaron couldn’t help a laugh at Khali’s retort. “Not all soup is hot.” He replied, pushing his hair back from his face. Did it really need to be so hot? “Wouldn’t even have to cook it first. Just toss something together with a broth of some sort..” Tzeitel was a good cook with all her experience, but even she could only do so much with the wild life they found as they traveled; and this latest heat wave didn’t encourage healthy flora, blooming but looking a little sad. He was making himself hungrier, and shoved the thoughts of food to the side. Though, that wasn’t too hard to do once the village came into view.
How discouraging… Unless the whole village needed help with something, any jobs would probably result in little pay. ...If any. He glanced over at Khali and shook his head. “It looks like this town might be more willing to trade food for work than any coin. Might get a couple meals and some supplies from them.” He smirked slightly, looking around the town as they neared the perimeter. “Or maybe it’s just a ruse and they actually all have a pile of gold buried in their backyards.” Not likely, but a guy could dream. The smell of the little eatery made his stomach clench with hunger once again. “Come on. Let’s see what they have.” Affordable food and a job or two would be a miracle. He’d be happy being able to afford one of the pies, trying to remember how much he was carrying.
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Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:17 am
If he was angry before the centaur lost it all in that moment. Flustered Raiden's hand brushed at Tzeital's shoulder before he coughed and looked away towards a stall. Picking up a random object he tilted in the sunlight for something to do before glancing at her pout. Don't fall for the cuteness...don't.... Shaking his head to clear his face of the threatening blush he shrugged at her. "It just happened I guess."
Blinking he watched as she suddenly ventured out and dropping the object back on the stall despite the merchant's distant glare Raiden called out, "Do you know what we need exactly?" He should leave her to do this while he went to find means of extra money like always but...just a little bit of time would be okay right? But he had to stop getting so flustered by her!
It's like training...being around her more means I'll get used to this weird feeling right? Keeping that thought in mind Raiden hurried after his companion.
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 7:43 pm
Khalidah took a deep breath to stave away the urge to follow those golden, beckoning hands. They entranced her, pulling her in with their mystical scent...straight towards the food. It was like they had a body all their own! "What soup isn't hot?" She curled her nose, her face mirroring that of one of the children running around. "I'd try it, though; if it was ice cold, I would lick it until something came out!"
She surveyed the area, looking for anything that they could get their hands on to offer work for food, and came up short. Usually there were logs to chop, centaurs to shoe, bridges to build....bandits to fight. Not only was this village poor, they were dull, which made for an irritated Khali.
"Do you think the pies are real, or some cats idea of a joke? They could be made of dirt," She laughed, trying to keep her mood lightened.
As she walked in closer, her eyes had been on Aaron, but when she turned around she came face to face with an older centaur. He took a puff on his pipe, the hair in his ears curling on the action, and blew the smoke out in her face. "Dirt, eh? Guess my ol' gals cookin's too good fer ya."
"Oh come on, it was just a-"
"Shut it, stranger, ye've made yer point. This food be fer the workin', anyhow. Now, turn yer tail and get on out'ta here."
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:13 pm
Without even looking back over her shoulder, Tzeitel waved back at Raiden. Of course she knew what they needed. ...Maybe not exactly, but the usual basics to start. Bandages, which they seemed to always be in need of, fabric patches, dried foods...
When she heard the heavy hooves coming up with that familiar tread, she took the moment to look back and smile appreciatively. Though she didn't mind shopping on her own... going through a strange town was always much easier when someone was with her. After all, their travels had sent them into the arms of all sorts of unsavory folk, and one never knew what the next turn would bring. "Is there something particular you'd like to look for?"
Aaron shook his head as he followed after, eyes scanning every building. This place was poor... They would be lucky to even get a bit of food for work! He opened his mouth to reply to Khali's joke about the dirt pies, but quickly shut it again and winced at the sight of the irritated centaur ahead. Not good...
Raiden was going to kill them if they screwed this up! ..So was his own stomach. He hurried to join Khali's side and wrapped an arm around her, half pushing her away from the older taur to prevent her from mouthing back, just in case. "Sir, I apologize for my companion's idea of a joke. We've been traveling for some while, and haven't had a good meal in as much time, which, in her case, results in far too sharp a tongue." He reached back and gave Khali's hand an encouraging squeeze. "If given the opportunity, we are hard workers. There are two more of us with strong backs and a willingness to aid in whatever way we can. Do you have any work that might be worth trading a few meals or coin for?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:48 pm
She probably knew what they needed anyways. Raiden sighed quietly to himself. How stupid was he? Surely if Tzeitel didn't have it memorized by now then she would have had to been absent the past months of travel together. It was like a citation by now. Bandages, food, etc. The usual supplies, like always.
But damn that smile. The centaur looked away quickly shoving back the smile which had nearly escaped at seeing her's. "No-not really." He coughed and looked back at her, "Perhaps seeing some of the medicines offered here. We never know what we may run into." Fighting or sick wise...the typical worries which seemed to haunt him. If it wasn't for his love of bending and morphing metal and of using the sword then the centaur would be seen as a medic for the odd collection of herbs and remedies that he had picked up during their travels. He shook his head, "But that's not too important right now. Let's get the basic stuff first and quickly." Hopefully his sister could stay out of trouble for that long without them. Aaron was there as well after all...still. It was Khali.
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:03 pm
The elderly centaur shifted on gnarled hooves, giving the two a droll stare. After a stretch of time he merely nodded and took another drag off his pipe. "Ol' gals like that, too. Real pain sometimes." He gave them both a good look over. "Workers, ye say? Well, we're always lookin' fer workers who'll actually do the work."
Khali didn't clam right away. Oh no, she was far too jumpy for that, and she'd meant to give that man a what for, trying to shoo them out like beggars!, but realization kicked in. Her edge began to wear away, much like her pride when she flushed, her eyes drifting down to the arm around her. Oh, she knew why it was there, but did it have to feel so nice? She took his hand when offered, more eagerly than she probably should have and smiled at the two.
"Sorry, I'm not socialized well," she chuckled, and shrugged.
"I see that," he tsked. "Well, iff'n ye mean what ye say, we've got trees to cut and logs to pull on the East side. Lands dried up around here, and we need good soil fer crops. Take yer coin and buy some food; ye'll be need'n yer strength."
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:32 pm
Tzeitel nodded slowly, already looking around at the stalls. Medicine... would be wonderful. Since when had medicine become a luxury item? Like a new shirt? Her ears perked as Raiden focused on their priorities and nodded. "Right. So, first, let's see what kind of food preserves they have. If you see bandages on the way, we can stop for those right then." The stall were all ramshackle, and looked like they'd been built and rebuilt with nothing but elbow grease. Hopefully they could find what they needed here...
A little girl in a threadbare shirt and hood approached the pair. "Miss? Wanna buy bwacelet? I maded dem myself." She held up a little basket with bracelets woven of thread and flowers and thinly-sliced twigs.
It tore at Tzeitel's heart, and she bent to get level with the tiny fawn. "Sorry, darling. I don't have the coin for it." Pursing her lips, she turned and dug into her bag. "I have this though." She pulled out a small pouch that she had made with a bit of leftover yarn. An ugly brown color that had been the best she could get her hands on. She'd never figured to use it. She'd just been bored on their long walks. "Take this, so that you have someplace nice to hold your coin." To her surprise, the girl's eyes lit up.
"Tank you!" the child squeaked, handing over a bracelet before scurrying off to show her new purse to her mother.
Aaron nodded knowingly to the older taur, but kept his expression serious. ..After all, if he didn't, a goofy smile might rise, and that would do no good looking at the grizzled male with an expression meant for Khali...
"Thank you, very much!" he said, bowing his head slightly in thanks. "We'll go tell our friends, and be back after we've got something in our stomachs."
Turning to head over to where the market seemed to be, he didn't bother taking his arm back from around Khali... wondering how long he could get away with pretending to forget where his arm was.
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Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:05 pm
"Alright that sounds like a plan to me." Nodding briefly at his companion the centaur only faltered briefly when the little girl approached them. He must have really been lost in his anger and distracted by...other things to have not noticed their surroundings. Was the town really that bad off? Raiden frowned slightly. There had to be a good reason for this. But was it one that could be helped?
"I'm amazed at how well you handle them." He commented without thinking as the young girl ran off happily. Despite not having things children could brighten with the smallest of things. It really touched him to watch it. "You would be a good mother one day...I mean. If you ever did...just decide to. You know." Coughing Raiden suddenly found bandages and left to go buy them. Secretly though the centaur did not barter like normal and instead handed over good coin to the merchat. "It's fine. Good bandages are hard to find." With a small smile Raiden found his way back over to Tzeitel and tossed the wrappings towards her, "There."
"I don't like this though." He finally admitted looking around them, "I wonder why...things are like this here." His gaze was curious. Could something be done to help here?
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 3:12 pm
Khalidah just smiled, knowing full well that anything that came out of her mouth would more than likely blow the deal. She wasn't known for her tact, and didn't want to be; her sword, and muscles could do the talkin for her!
"I guess we should go find them now." As happy as she would be to share the news, seeing Raiden again so soon wouldn't do much for her mood. "Or maybe we could just grab a bite ourselves, and start working? Maybe ask one of these kids to find them, and let them know where to find us?" That sounded a lot better than telling Raiden they probably wouldn't be making much, if any, coin with this venture.
A few of the taur around them gave a wide berth to the strangers, and she was sure she'd caught one of them looking at her sword. What was...? "Don't you notice anything a little off about this place?...And...well, um, Aaron?" Unable to avoid it any longer, Khali put her hand on the arm around her waist and looked up at him, a little more than simple questioning in her gaze. Was he...? No, no, it was just a little crush on her end...right?
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:15 pm
Brow rising, Tzeitel stood and shrugged her shoulders. "I had a bunch of younger siblings." A warm flush rose to her cheeks at the mention of motherhood, her gaze lighting up[ like the child's had at the sight of the little purse. One of the things she wanted most in the world... She went to thank Raiden for the compliment, but the sudden image of Raiden chasing a couple children around suddenly flashed in her head, making her pause. What was...? Her blush heating at the warm feeling the image had given her, she was almost grateful that Raiden had spotted the bandages.
Given enough time to calm her blush, she caught the purchases easily and tucked them into her bag. "I don't know," she said softly, eyes rising to look around as well. "It's as though.." Her voice paused when she realized that a few taur had stopped to stare at them; the strangers in town who had made the little girl smile so brightly. "I hope there's some way to help them," she said softly, gripping her bag to her side tightly for support. "First, we should find the food, yes?"
Aaron cocked his head at the suggestion, perhaps more pleased by it than was proper, and nodded. "That sounds like an idea I can go for. I hope we can find something filling. I'm so hungry..."
Her first question made him nod slowly. "Yeah. A little off is putting it lightly. More like a lot off." He looked down at Khali when he felt the touch to his arm, and realized she was staring at him. Oh... That wasn't long enough. "Ah..." This wasn't really the best time..... but when was there ever a good time? "Do you.. want me to move?" he asked gently, daring the risk of inching his feelings into the open. He would be properly embarrassed if she wanted him to move his arm back, but if she didn't.. well, that would be nice.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:31 pm
Raiden nodded. It would figure...but then again he had a sibling. Surely to goodness he would behave better with a family than he did with his own sister. That was why his mate would have to be a sweet soul who could put up with his temper and...his gaze had settled on Tzeitel and the young male quickly moved after realizing he had been staring. This was no time for wondering about silly stuff like that. He was an adventurer and his companions were his companions, nothing more. Too many distractions could get the group in trouble. He just had to keep reminding himself of that. "Maybe Aaron and Khali are already concocting some crazy plan for this area." He joked suddenly, "Hope they know what they're doing though." Goodness only knew what trouble could be already stirring up at his sister's hands. The thought was always worrying Raiden. But surely it was too quiet and calm currently. He really needed to work on his trust level with Khali. Maybe one day. But for now worry was a constant presence with his sibling. Especially with that weird nagging feeling that this place was giving him.
He really did want to figure out why the atmosphere here was so odd though...the area seemed bad off. But was there more behind it? Shrugging off the faint worry the centaur smiled back at his companion, "Food it is then." Fixing his pack back into place Raiden started down the street, "I think a tavern should be this way."
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:38 pm
"What about the tavern? They're bound to have something, even if it is just cold broth. Add a little ale in the mixture, and I'll be just fine." Anything at this point that would put her stomach at ease would be a welcomed gesture.
The further they walked, the more stares came their way, and soon enough she wasn't able to chalk it up to different things. It was just down right creepy! Khali chanced to move her eyes away from Aaron, but then slowly brought them back up. "No...I like it." She smiled, and as if to add encouragement she placed her hand on top of his, laying her arm naturally along side his. She couldn't show him now nervous she was, how absolutely stark raving mad she was on the inside just because he had his arm around her.
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:35 pm
"Okay." She stuck close to Raiden's side as they walked, keeping her eyes on the alert. Maybe there would be some sign of what what behind the poverty here? "I'm sure those two are concocting some sort of plan. Don't worry, Raiden. Aaron knows this is important. He'll try his best to get us paying work."
Her ears perked as the scent of food reached her nose. It.... well... it at least smelled edible. If it tasted like it smelled though... Hopefully, that was just a bad batch going out...
Aaron felt his smile rise. She liked it... He gave her a light squeeze, and then turned his gaze forward again. He could get lost in that sweet smile... "The tavern sounds like a plan." He looked around for any sign of where the tavern might be, but only saw the villagers staring at them.
"Uh, hello. Could you direct us to your tavern for something to eat?"
One dirty buck took a step forward and adjusted the broken glasses on his nose. "Whotcher doin' here for?" When he only got a quizzical look from Aaron, the old buck looked to Khali. "This ain't a decent place for decent folk, mind ya..."
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