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 Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 6:51 pm
 xaawopost eightMost earthlings hid their curiosity behind whispers, fabricated tales, and wide-eyed stares, and Xaawo generally preferred things that way. She had always enjoyed her privacy, but out in the world where she had just as many questions about others as they did about her, she was quickly discovering that mundane facts about her past were a valuable form of currency.
After a long pause, during which she turned the silver nugget over in her fingers, squinted a little, and sighed meaningfully, she said, "I would like a ring. One ring for three questions."
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:20 pm
 howthpost nineZill's grin widened like a child's when presented with a pile of candy.
"Deal." He snapped the silver out of Xaawo's hand. "I'll make it more spectacular than you could imagine." Howth could feel his lip curl a little at Zill's excitement, and when he rose out of his thoughts, Xaawo was watching him.
"So," he said. "Shall we go?"
Zill scoffed and gestured emptily, a brief wave of his hands. "My questions?" He brushed at his tidy beard then tapped his knee with a forefinger.
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 8:08 pm
xaawopost nineEven though they had just made a deal, Howth seemed in a hurry to leave. But Zill... he appeared a little miffed that he wasn't being allowed to cash in immediately. Not sure whose side to take, Xaawo decided to compromise.
"I'll answer one now, one when you've showed us a work in progress on the ring, and one when it has been completed." Xaawo's smile was mostly small and proud, but if a little condescension snuck its way in there, she wouldn't be mad. She was making her first real deal in the treasure hunters' world. It was fun.
Jasla nosed at her legs and Xaawo scooped the poscuta into her arms, visibly startling Zill. "New deal?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 4:18 pm
howthpost tenSurprisingly, Zill didn't put up much of a fight. His smile faded just a bit, back to his trademark smirk.
"Fine. New, slightly altered deal. Answer this and you may leave me lonesome. I should have your work in progress ready in a week."
Howth huffed out a laugh. This sudden possessive cooperativeness was new from the Leaf. Or maybe he only acted this way around women.
"First question. Why did you leave your home?" Zill leaned in, green eyes sparkling, and Howth shuffled back a few steps, trying to blend into the wall between an aldabuk mask and a large, nondescript rock sculpture. He was suddenly embarrassed to have brought her here at all.
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 5:19 pm
xaawopost tenXaawo didn't have to think very hard or for very long to answer his question, but she put on a show of doing so anyway, hoping to make him believe the information was worth a great deal. Eventually, she looked at him, her brows turned upward in sincere little splotches, and said, "I wanted to find new ways to strengthen my people and our tree, beyond spears and staffs. Learning what motivates others toward malicious behavior is the best defense against them." She placed Jasla back on the floor. "Good enough?"
When Zill nodded, Xaawo gestured at Howth where he had neatly camouflaged himself into the wall. "Let's go."
* * * * *
Tind was noticeably dimmer when they emerged, the sun having set just minutes before. Xaawo hurried away from the appraiser's hut, pausing far enough away that they wouldn't be seen lingering if Zill looked outside.
"Are you all right?" Howth looked unnecessarily apologetic again and she just wanted to make sure.
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 5:56 pm
howthpost eleven"I'm sorry. I didn't think he would be quite so nosy. But he does good work. You won't be disappointed with the ring." Howth watched the poscuta gamely follow Xaawo, a pleased expression on the animal's face, or at least as pleased as Jasla could manage. "I suppose you'll be staying in the vicinity of Tind for at least a week to approve and collect your ring? I can show you a few places you might stay, if you'd like?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:47 pm
xaawopost eleven"The curiosity of others is not your fault. And dealing with Zill gave me some excellent practice at fibbing." Xaawo smirked, propping her hands on her hips. She hadn't truly considered what agreeing to the construction of this ring would do to her timeline here, but she would deal with that after more pressing concerns.
"I would like a meal to start. For saving your life."
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:40 pm
howthpost twelveFor a second his blood chilled. Of course she wanted greater recompense for what she had done. What he owed her. It was so much more than questionable treatment from a gossip-hungry salesman. Howth felt another stuttering apology rising in his throat until he noticed her smirk. Well, even if she was teasing him, he was still in her debt. His life was worth more than some food, but this would be a good place to begin.
"That can be arranged. I think I have the perfect place."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 12:52 pm
xaawopost twelveShe and Jasla followed Howth as he quietly wound through this busier part of town, unconsciously proving that he did have some skill at stealthy adventuring after all. He led them to another establishment that blended with its surroundings, tables and stools crafted from stumps and rocks rather than imported metals. They chose a spot at the edge of the cluster of seats, a trio of candles illuminating the darkening area.
When their server approached, Xaawo ordered a berry hand pie and a mug of mint tea (very naturally, she thought), ignoring the wide eyes of the young Wind.
Once they were alone, Xaawo said, "You seem to prefer places with a lot of leaves and trees. Just something I noticed."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:39 pm
howthpost thirteenHowth's order was singularly citrus-based: a slice of cake and a cup of bitter herbal tea. He folded his hands on the table and pondered Xaawo's statement, nodding after a fashion.
"Valmon is quite busy and crowded. I guess you're right, I am always looking for quiet places like this one. More dirt than stone. Clearly I'm not adept at navigating the natural world, but I do appreciate it a great deal."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:01 pm
xaawopost thirteen"I doubt you've dealt that poorly with the outside world. You discovered enough interesting things to keep Zill entertained, and that doesn't seem easy. He would have stopped answering your knock if you provided him with common treasures."
She had no reason to coddle or reassure her companion, but she did like watching his expressions and body language change from guarded to embarrassed to shocked. He was probably the worst liar she had ever met.
"You mentioned Valmon. Were you raised there? What is your family like?"
A little forward, but she trusted that he wouldn't answer if he was uncomfortable.
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:37 pm
howthpost fourteenThe arrival of their food gave him more time to formulate an answer, but it didn't change his initial response. It wasn't terribly private information. Frankly, Howth was surprised she cared to know.
"Yes, I was raised in Valmon by my parents. Normal Belreans. Normal upbringing. We have a school there—The Academy of Steam? It was my dream to attend and perfect my life's work."
He recalled what Zumei had told him, what she had urged him not to do. Living up to his past seemed a little silly now.
"In the end, I decided that wasn't for me. I want to explore, not be stuck behind a desk for my entire life."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 6:43 pm
xaawopost fourteen"Me too. As far as the exploration goes, not the desk." She wasn't even sure she knew exactly what a desk was. Xaawo picked at the sprig of greenery at the rim of her cup, placing it on the table before lifting the drink and taking a sniff. It was minty, as promised, but still too warm for a sip.
"What I told Zill was the truth. I do wish to find unconventional ways to strengthen Azehra and my sisters. Always. But a part of me also longs to see everything I can in this world. Even normal lives lived by normal Belreans. I only passed through your city for half a day and it was the craziest place I have ever been."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 7:26 pm
howthpost fifteenHowth's hand remained poised in the air as he smiled, a bit of cake wobbling on the flat of his fork.
"It can be a bit hectic, even for locals. I could show you around someday, if you'd like?"
His smile wavered and fell as he realized what he had implied, and Howth quickly stuffed the cake into his mouth to stifle any more embarrassing words.
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 7:57 pm
xaawopost fifteenShe might have thought him passably intelligent and the most interesting person she'd met since leaving home, but none of her pondering made this Geian any less awkward. Xaawo sipped her tea.
"I think we might do great things together if you do not allow mundane expectations to twist everyday sentiment." She hadn't given much thought to their future potential until the words had left her mouth, but now that they were out, she found she agreed with her subconscious. "I will not jeopardize what we might achieve due to earthling misunderstanding. And I would enjoy a tour of Valmon, when we both find the time to return."
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