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Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 4:52 pm
Tytus grinned in playful amusement at Seziah's observation, "Ah, but then there are some that are attracted to pretty men instead. Not that I would know about that, but you never know." He shrugged his shoulders, "Just take a compliment, Seziah." That stated the man began humming softly under his breath as they navigated the crowds.
"At least you aren't being jostled around in here." Tytus observed, "And celebration or not if you are going to be my guest I have to treat you to a meal. It would be horrible manners to let you sleep with an empty stomach." The Oban smirked, "Though the drinks I would call a treat." That stated Tytus patted her shoulder in passing, "Be right back."
When he came back the man had a tray loaded with various things. Dried meats skewered that were spiced in the traditional Oban style, a plate of rice with fried eggs on top, long green and orange vegetables that were steamed and also curling together along the edges of the plate surrounding the rice. Tytus set the meal down in front of Seziah before unloading another plate as well, "Thin bread that you can dip into this. It's something...." He pursed his lips, "I can't think of the name right now but it's good for you, some sort of greens and cheese - so not completely the best thing, but still good."
"And drinks." He motioned as a server came over and poured them two cups of shimmering red liquid, "Oba is good about its drinks, very fruity but be careful if you aren't used to spirits since it may have a bit of a kick to it." He leaned both elbows on the table and studied her, "So...what do you think? Try it and let me know."
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 7:16 am
Take a compliment. Seziah blinked slowly and considered the words while Tytus fetched their drinks and meal. He hadn't given her a compliment, had he? To her, it had sounded more like statements of fact about his person. Useful information to her, if they were to be spending much time together, but hardly a compliment. She nodded in affirmation to herself just as the man returned, and meant to point out the mistake in his words, but since he'd already moved past it, Sez decided she ought to, as well. It would be rude not to.
Instead, she turned her focus to the tray of food set before her. None of it looked especially familiar, which likely oughtn't have been much of a surprise, considering the vastly different climates of their home regions, and the fact that their nations had been separated for everything, including trade, for decades.
Seziah would've considered it inedible, if she'd been in Yael. She didn't like the idea of various different foods touching each other on the same plate. It lent it all to feeling 'contaminated' to her. But Tytus didn't seem as put off by this as she was, and if she considered the smell, it wasn't unpleasant. She shut her eyes. It would be easier, so long as she didn't see it. "I will trust your judgement on this, though you should know I am quite hesitant... And not used to spirits, no."
Swallowing, she cracked open an eye and pinched the very end of an orange vegetable off the end of the tray before popping it into her mouth. It was seasoned differently than she was accustomed to, and perhaps even cooked with an unfamiliar method. Different, and spicy, she noted. "It's... good," Seziah decided at length. "And I hope to become more familiar with your country and all of its edibles in time, though I don't think I should eat very much today."
The liquor, at least, for all the times Granny told her it was improper for a lady to partake in such things and assured her of how she wouldn't like them anyway from the 'kick,' as Tytus said, didn't taste as awful as she'd always been led to believe.
Heat crawled for Sez's cheeks as she considered that Granny's words might have been wrong, and she cast a darting glance to Tytus' face before hurried looking back to her glass. "I quite like this," she admitted with a nervous half-smile.
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 4:34 pm
At her reaction to the spirits Tytus simply nodded, "Don't worry I am a man of my word and I promise that you'll get to my place safe and sound." The Oban smiled warmly, "Just drink it slowly and only a couple of cups at the most and you should be alright." If not she was still fine as Tytus was truly a man of his word, especially after the recent events with his friend's fiancee. After such a situation Tytus was far more cautious with women. He would gladly take time to be courteous to a pretty face, but nothing more than that.
"I'm glad you can tolerate it." Tytus grinned, "Some people find the spices a bit overwhelming at first." The man shrugged as he popped another piece of meat into his mouth. These spices, this meat...mmm. It was rare that he got to actually go out like this anymore and it was nice to know that the food at this place was still as delightful as ever. Perhaps even more delightful now that he had someone to share the meal with? Look at me getting so excited over having company. Someone would think I truly had become a hermit after all. He quipped silently to himself though he was glancing over at Seziah from the top of his glass. As he took a drink of the wine Tytus rolled the flavors in his mouth, "Just let it float on your tongue for a bit next time. It truly lets the flavors burst in your mouth when you do that."
He raised the glass to his lips once again to try to hide the small smile that crossed his features at Seziah's flush, "That's good." He finally managed as he lowered his glass, "Drink as much as you want. It's a night to celebrate your arrival in Oba after all." His gaze sparkled teasingly as he leaned an elbow on the table and propped up his head with a hand, "It's always nice to have someone come here. I enjoy playing host." He joked lightly though his gaze did dart to the side for a split second. Surely he had been mistaken, but did those men seem as if they were coming their way?
Oh come on boys not today....can we just enjoy this evening? Tytus found himself sitting up straight again as he rested his hands underneath the table to hide the clenched fists. He could pray to the gods all day that these goons would walk past, but it seemed that their gazes were fixated on the strange woman at his table. Not everyone in Oba was fond of strangers after all, especially not after the arrival of the Dretch. Not like that would fully matter to these bastards - they love picking fights anyway.
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:48 am
Seziah's pale gaze darted from the contents of her cup, to Tytus' face, then back. She wasn't (or didn't want to be, anyway) a woman of ill-repute who drank too much and whose sensibilities fell to the wayside. She was fairly certain that's what happened to young ladies who consumed too much wine... And what if Tytus was a man of ill-repute? She really did know very little about him, and as far as Sez could tell it wasn't unheard of for strangers to tempt girls into unsavory activities...
Well, she would be careful, Seziah decided. If the situation was a dire one, it would surely be obvious before it was inescapable. She took another sip from her glass.
"Everything is very different from what I am accustomed," she admitted. "And I think if I were at home, I would not have joined you at any table so easily. But I am not at home, and I know that I cannot expect to come to a new land and have everything be as it was. I had a mentor once, Diavel, and he called me a 'survivor,' so that is what I must do. If it means eating your strange spiced meat with my fingers or drinking your wine, I will do what I must to survive and flourish here." The words strung off her tongue quickly and quietly, melding together in a soft rush as she rambled. But at the end, she punctuated it by delicately pinching a chunk of meat between her fingers and popping it into her mouth.
It wasn't the worst. She could do this.
Her concerns remained, though. Despite Tytus' invitation to drink as much as she wanted, Seziah decided then that one glass would probably be plenty for her, at least until she better understood its effects. She took another sip, and as she set her drink aside, the scuffle of boots caught her attention.
Seziah turned in her chair to fully face the approaching men, glanced to the cluster of three or so bodies, and then hurriedly back toward Tytus. "Are you... very popular here?" She asked mutedly. It certainly wasn't anyone she knew, for obvious reasons, but from her precursory glance, the small group had seemed to hold some purpose toward them as they trudged nearer.
It flicked through her mind again that perhaps Tytus was some kind of criminal, and maybe he had done something to offend these strangers. "If... if you need to leave, it will not upset me greatly..."
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Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:09 am
"I see." Tytus was thoughtful as he twisted a piece of bread in his hands. Even though it may have appeared as if he were concentrating on carefully pulling the pieces of dark grained bread apart it was simply a motion for his fingers to do while he studied Seziah's words. She was a survivor according to this mentor that she once studied under. Such a statement bothered Tytus since he knew that surviving was not a typical compliment, surely it meant that Seziah had been through something rough before coming here. Else why would she even be here eating a strange meal with a stranger such as him? Desperate times did call for desperate measures after all. Though Tytus was genuinely impressed by the Yaeli woman. She had a calmness despite whatever she was currently going through and had not been actively seeking help, rather she had simply caught his attention and he had been the one to offer. Did she simply not worry about things or was there a confidence in her date that he didn't know about? Either way the man was determined to help her out since he had witnessed the lives of many types of survivors before...including that of his own father and himself at one point.
"I hope that you'll start enjoying the food more as you grow accustomed to it." He found himself saying before finally eating the remnants of the bread he had been fiddling with. He smiled faintly, "At least our drinks are to your liking." It was a small start but still it was something. Tytus found his hand pausing above the plate of food as the approach of boots caught his attention as well.
Was he popular? The Oban wanted to laugh at Seziah's assumptions before quickly nodding instead, "Sure, you can say that." He teased lightly before glancing up at the men, "Hey boys. Long time no see." He stood and looked to Seziah, "Just finish your food and I'll be back shortly."
"We'd gladly watch him leave as long as you're staying." Grunted one of the men, a muscular brute with a crooked smile and a scar that cut along his jawline. Next to him was a more slender man wearing various hues of purple silks with his short, dark hair oiled back. While he didn't speak his gaze studied Seziah travelling all along her body.
"Or rather shouldn't we be asking her to leave with us?" Quipped the third, a shorter man with dark leathers and bracers along his arms, "Save space for real patrons of this shop. Don't need any foreigners save for serving other...places." He grinned as he leaned forward.
As one of the men moved closer as if to touch Seziah, Tytus moved in between with a forced laugh. "Always joking around arent you guys?" He reached out as if to wrap and arm around the shoulders of one of the men, "We should go catch up outside. Wouldn't want to cause a ruckus in such a quiet establishment." He smiled back towards Seziah as he shoved the men along with him towards the exit, "Be right back so please don't leave without me~" Meanwhile as the door closed behind them the sounds of loud cursing and a scuffle could be heard...
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:35 am
It had never been her forte to understand the intentions, nor something so base as the moods of others. In Yael, she'd at least had the good fortune of dealing solely with people who were incredibly familiar to her: Granny, Sami, Smudge, and then Diavel, once he'd come into her life. Even though they'd been familiar, and some very positive influences in her life, it had always been difficult for her to properly study the nuances in expression and tone that could lead to proper comprehension of how they might be feeling.
Here the faces, the voices... Everything that had been familiar on Yael suddenly wasn't. And if Seziah was to maintain her role of 'survivor,' she would need to understand. She knew this, and if there were to be many people around, as there seemed to be now, she would need to grow accustomed to the newness of it quickly.
That didn't stop the knot of wary anxiety from forming in her gut as she lifted her gaze to scrutinize Tytus' new friends, a sensation that only intensified as she caught the look one of the men sent her.
Sez's fingers curled tightly against her lap, and she glanced away. Did they seem... angry? No, perhaps that wasn't quite the right word. Aggressive suited them better, but not 'angry' in the way Litanu was... She exhaled slowly and turned her attention back to them. When Tytus managed to wedge himself between her person and wandering fingers, Seziah straightened. "Do you think me incapable of speaking for or defending myself?" She demanded quietly.
"I am not frightened-" But whether she was or not seemed to matter little. Tytus was already encouraging the little gang of scoundrels toward the exit, while Seziah watched through sharp, glowing orbs.
A piece of her wanted to do something more. As a stranger in a foreign land, she ought to assert herself as someone who was not an easy target and who didn't need defending by locals that she still wasn't entirely sure she trusted... However, as she pinched another bit of meat between her fingers, Seziah decided that since the opportunity had already risen once, there would likely be others. Next time she would not sit quiet and obedient.
But this time there was still food before her and the journey of the past several days still weighed her heavily down. If Tytus could manage himself with those men, she would let him.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 8:39 am
Tytus had simply glanced at Seziah with a small smile. It wasn't that he doubted her abilities but what man would let these goons leer at such a woman and not defend her? He also truly wanted her to enjoy her first experience in Oba and any potential tavern brawl was certain to dampen the magic of things. Unless she was into such hobbies which was fine he guessed, but either way he refused to allow his guest to be harmed in any way. He could only hope that his actions hadn't offended her in any way and that upon his return she would still be sitting there waiting for him.
Now that he was outside and she was safely still inside of the tavern Tytus felt more at ease. His attempts at peace would still be there but at least now he could let his fists fly as needed, "Are we really going to make a scene like some things?" He quipped as another of the men flew towards him, "I suppose that's a yes." He sighed as he raised his fists and blocked off a few blows, "You boys really need to learn how to treat a lady."
Not really the talkative bunch were they? Tytus grit his teeth as his teasing comments were replied to with a blow that glanced his upper left cheek. Winching the Oban spit into the dirt before kicking an old barrel towards the trio. Alright he had tried to play nice, had even offered to let them forget about everything and walk away, but they simply were not compliant to any of his suggestions. And to hit his face? What bastards.
Needless to say it took a few minutes but eventually Tytus returned inside. He had wiped his face which had blood from his cut lip and he had attempted to fix his messy braids and his disheveled clothing but it only served to smear more dirt and blood on his pants and sash. His knuckles as well had faint signs of bruising along with a nasty scrape that decorate his right fist with traces of deep red.
It took him a few moments to adjust to the dimmer lighting inside as only a few lanterns flickered with flames from candles, but he hoped that Seziah would still be there at the table waiting for him. Though he would need to fully apologise for leaving her unattended for so long and for returning a mess. And for probably hurrying her dinner as they would need to leave the area soon just in case those men had friends.
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:42 pm
If this was how people were going to behave around her, she ought to be more careful where she went and who she traveled with... There was no saying how those men would've behaved if she weren't around, but the fact remained that because of her presence, a problem had been caused for Tytus. At least she assumed that's how it went. It cold've been equally as true that the gang was at odds with her new companion from the very beginning, and whether she was there or not wouldn't have mattered.
She still knew very little about him...
But if he was as devious as she expected their dinner-crashers to be, then there would've been no reason for him to lead them from her. She could question his intentions all day, but the fact remained that she had few others to turn to. She'd been greeted, guided, fed, and assuming the offer for a place to stay still stood, there was no reason to mistrust him. Yes.
As Tytus emerged back into the tavern, Seziah rose to stand as well. "Your enthusiasm to defend me has been noted," she informed him. "But I am capable of caring for myself and did not not ask for your assistance in this regard." Her pale gazed scraped over him, from the bruises on his arms, to his disheveled hair, and up to the split in his lip. Sez sighed softly. "It is troublesome, but if you could escort me to where we will be staying, I will take the opportunity to begin rendering whatever services you require."
Already he was injured. Perhaps what he'd said about needing healing on a daily basis was true, yet...
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 6:24 pm
Tytus grinned at her comment but immediately winced as the tear in his lip stung with pain from the sudden movement, "Glad that you recognized it." He teased before his expression shifted to a sterner appearance, "In all honesty they needed a good lesson since it's not the first time they've terrorized foreigners who have tried to come and enjoy food here." He did raise a brow at her extra input towards the situation, "A thank you often suffices, but I will remember your preference to care for yourself next time." Tytus rolled a shoulder and had to bite the inside of his cheek. He had taken a few good hits to the side and his body was very intent upon reminding him of the freshly forming bruises.
"Healing as I mentioned earlier is very important to me." He recalled quietly before tossing coin on the table and ushering Seziah towards the doorway, "Next time we'll have a more private dinner." Tytus waited for the Yaeli to leave before allowing the door to close quietly behind her. Now that the fight was over it seemed that the streets were pretty empty, but that was possibly due to the descent of the sun over the horizon. It was late afternoon and evening was coming upon them. Tytus could only imagine that the stranger at his side would be all the more willing to sleep early tonight as well - that was if she could settle into his humble home with him nearby. Not only me as well. There would be others staying with them, though not the typical company one would expect in a person's home.
Not that it was truly his home, but Tytus much preferred where he lived to the rooms once offered to him. We'll see how she handles it. He would have to speak to Yu when he got the chance about their newest guest on the estate. He just hoped that it was okay to invite a stranger into the noble's household...err technically the estate lands in general, "See that path there?" Tytus raised a hand and pointed to how the path diverged, "To the right is the market where you can get anything you really want. They aren't so picky there as long as you stay towards the south side since the north is for more finer goods to attract the rich."
"This, however, is the path towards the estate." He smiled towards Seziah as he pointed towards a left path that ventured away from the cluster of stone buildings and widened to the point that many of the homes had several yards if not acres between them. "It's a bit of a hike from town and I'm sorry that I don't have a mount for you, but bear with it and we should be at the manor before the sun sets. It'll be plenty of time to show you around a little bit and to also set you up with a bed."
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Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:18 am
So there were those who would think poorly of her because of her race... Seziah could hardly blame them. She herself had only ever had the barest minimum of run-ins with those of a non-Yaeli heritage, and so held a healthy skepticism for any outsiders as well. They just happened to be harder to avoid when she trespassed on their land. Best not to take it personally. They probably treated all foreigners like that.
Unless they were Tytus, apparently.
A dusting of heat crept along the back of Seziah's neck at his seemingly offhand comment. She hadn't done something so basic as to offer any gratitude for his efforts in defending her, and after he'd gone to the trouble of feeding and housing her, as well. "I- That is, you- You are correct," she stuttered softly. "I am... Thank you." It was the most common of courtesies, even if she hadn't asked for help.
She skated a hand down the front of her dress to dust herself, then moved to follow Tytus back out into the streets. Though there were still a few minglers, Seziah immediately noted how few people seemed to be out, once the sky started to darken. And with the setting of the sun came a cool breeze, almost unexpected, considering how hot the day had been. This, too, Seziah decided was acceptable. If she were to ever need to go shopping on her own, perhaps this would be the time to do it, so long as she could make it back before night fully set in...
She eyed the paths as he explained them, and immediately hooked on the 'north side' of the market. 'Fine goods,' those were the kind she liked. "Tell me, how do people in these lands become capable of affording such luxeries?"
They'd always been beyond her in her own home, except when her father sent her nice things to dissuade her from talking to her mother about how much she wanted to go home... But there would not be anyone to send her nice things here. If she wanted them, she would have to find ways of obtaining them, herself. She tugged her gaze from the market path, and followed after her escort's lead. "I am content to walk. There is no need to apologize. There is still so much to see..."
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 6:19 am
Tytus simply waved a hand in the air as if dismissing the whole situation, "No problem." He replied lightly with a small smile, "I'm glad I could help." As they stepped outside the Oban enjoyed the slight breeze announcing the cooler air of night. If not for the companion at his side he may have been tempted to go to the Xaraan races. But I suppose this is a better night. He wasn't quite certain that it would be true, but the young man had a feeling that his life would be a but more interesting now.
"By being born with a silver spoon in their mouths." The quip left his lips before he could even think of stopping it. A rare flush decorated his cheeks for a moment before Tytus shook his head, "That is we have nobles here and they tend to have a lot of wealth. Unless you stumble into fame or become a dedicated artisan or merchant it is rare that those high end luxuries can be yours. Not to say you can't have nice things, but certain things just seem to be unattainable." Tytus shrugged, "But honestly it depends on your interests. If you're wanting a gem inscribed belt them good luck, but for a nice silk belt with embroidery? That's totally possible as long as you have something to barter or have saved enough coin."
"I'm glad to hear that." Tytus led them further away from the tight cluster of buildings, "If you see anything to question please let me know. Other than that I can just ramble on about anything really - whatever you want to know or simply talk about."
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:57 am
Hm. It wasn't really so different than back home. Though they didn't have a 'noble' class, as the Obans did, they did have a wealthy upper class, usually those with ties closest to the church, who could afford larger homes in nicer parts of town and things that people like Seziah and her family could not afford. She did want the best things: pretty garments and shiny trinkets, but there would be something of an appropriate cost that someone like her could afford. One day, if she saved and tried very hard.
Money seemed very complicated, when it was something she had never had to deal with before...
"I do not think I will be dedicated enough to any duties I may have to ever afford the best things, but I will try very hard not to be a disappointment to you or whoever else I may find work with."
To be honest, she still didn't know what to even expect of wherever they were going, and she couldn't say for sure that she fully trusted the boy at her side, but it was only her first day on Oba's shores, and already she was making progress. There would be a place for her to stay, she had been fed, and had a purpose at Tytus' side. It could only get better from here.
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