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When Istanell had gotten back to his and Illian's meeting spot he was still fuming from his meeting with Kalli, though also quite happy to have some information to provide to his brother for once. They had heard that A shifter with similar face markings had been seen in this city, but now they could confirm it. Unless some cruel joke of the gods was presented before them where in they met a shifter of the name Incanthis that wasn't their Incanthis... Istanell was sure of that not happening.

They discussed things and the very next morning set out for the market place. Istanell kept reminding himself that he didn't actually know when exactly Inca would be showing up, and not to get his hopes up. They could be coming back to the market place every day for weeks... unless they gleaned some sort of new information out of some stranger.

Istanell's eyes were drawn to all number of things as they massed through the vendors, though he never looked long because he had something more important to look for. He thought that maybe spotting Incanthis would have been easier at night, when their skin was beautifully pale like the moon herself.

He found himself fingering one of the stones of the necklace he had in his pocket, enjoying how smooth it was. Even though he was no longer angry he hadn't taken it out to wear. "Any luck, brother?" But he figured if Illian had spotted Inca he would have told him right away, because he would do exactly the same. He's seen two shifters only, but neither was their brother. "One of us should climb up somewhere, for a better view."

Oblivious to the fact that not one but two of his brothers were nearby Incanthis was going about some of his fetch and carry chores. Today he had a list of things that he had to get at the marketplace today including food, some of the more basic medical supplies, various sewing supplies, and the list went on and on. It would be a busy day, possibly one that involved a couple trips to and from the marketplace, but so long as he was able to get everything done before it came time for Muata and his crew to arrive home then it would all work out. He needed to be there with food prepared, his kit at the ready, just in case anyone needed tending to.

The first thing that he'd done after leaving home was to head to Kalli's place, to see if the girl was home and feeling up to an extended shopping trip. Upon checking though the little one wasn't home. A shame since he'd rather enjoyed chatting with her during their last trip, but given his visit was a surprise one he couldn't really be too shocked that she might not be in. Next time, maybe? At least he hoped so. From there he was on his way to the market place, his pace a pretty quick on, wanting to get to the shop where he bought all the cloth for Lamya first. If he got there early he would be able to get first dibs on any new cloth that came in, something that more important then life itself if you asked Lamya. She refused to wear anything that any of her 'friends' were wearing, wanting to have a style all of her own. It was something that confused Incanthis at first but he'd grown used to her eccentrics by now.

"Ah! Wonderful!" He murmured to himself, happy to see the door to the shop being opened up just as he got near to it meaning that he would be the first one in. It really paid to get up early and rush around like a scorra that had gotten into too much sugar. At least where shopping was concerned. He looked around for a moment, making sure that none of Lamya's 'friends' were about, before heading into the shop.

"We aren't as rare as you seem to think." Illian replied, voice dry, "There were quite a few of us captured and I'm sure those of us with more common sense already fled back home when we were freed." He didn't need to mention that those who stayed were there for a reason. Be it that they found life easier here in the strange country that had become familiar, or they didn't think they had anywhere else they could go. There were even some who were simply too broken to leave unaided.

He hoped that Incanthis wasn't one of the latter.

"But I would rather not get the city guard called on me for scaling someone's property just for a higher vantage point. Obans take the sanctity of property very seriously here I've come to realize." He added, "But yes, he could deviate from his normal routine, he could even not go out today. The point is we've been looking for him for days now. I've spent every moment of my freedom looking for him or working to earn funds to find him." He turned a carefully neutral expression to Istanell, "So do not get annoyed with me brother. I haven't had the luxury to search as much as you have, but what I have been doing I've done with everything at my disposal."

He sucked in a short breath, held it, and let it out slowly. "If splitting up means that much to you, then forget I even mentioned it. We will look around the healing section of the marketplace, the apothecaries and the food stalls around meal times." His words were a bit clipped but mostly neutral in tone, "Is that alright with you Elder Brother?"

Of all his brothers Illian was the one where Istanell had most trouble staying affable with. He chalked it up to some deep seeded need to always be in competition with him, thanks to their father. As often as he told the others they couldn't match up with Istanell when they were children... he also used Illian as a means to negatively motivate Istanell. You're going to let your younger brother be better than you? Should I be spending the day training him instead? You're nothing. He was at least partially thankful his father only made these comparisons when they were one on one.. not that he didn't have a whole artillery of nasty things to say when they were present.

You didn't The words were harsh in his head, because he was hurt that Illian was here... he was glad to have found his brother but... Incanthis didn't. And maybe there were things keeping them here, things that Istanell couldn't begin to understand. "It must be the ratio of Obans to Shifters that is throwing me off." The words were bitten out, because Illian's argument had nothing to do with his words. He saw the way most city dwellers eyed strangers, eyed him. It was odd though, as though they could tell who was a traveler and who was not. Istanell's gaze rolled over Illian's clothing and wondered if it had anything to do with it.

Illian had somehow come to fit into this city, knew it. He was right, of course. Istanell had come here with not even a lick of knowledge to local laws and regulations. They didn't matter to him, simply put. He was here for his brothers and wouldn't let anything stand in his way. "But if it comes to having to escape guards for a better vantage point to find my brother... and missing him because I have to move through the crowd to see as many earthlings as I can... certainly I would take that risk." Istanell's gaze was hard and his muscles ached with how taught he they were, his body stiff. Istanell telling him not to get annoyed only furthered to annoy him, hurt him and piss him off all at once. "Are my feelings not valid, Illian?" His last comment though... his last comment hit Istanell right in the center of his heart. As though his travels had been some merry journey he'd went on for dun. Istanell felt his fists clenching, his nails digging into his palms.

"Do what you wish, Illian." He spat, furious. He shoved passed his younger brother, wincing slightly. He wasn't so sure how much Illian knew of his nightly training sessions... hopefully nothing. But the fight with the older Oban had made it clear that they would need a healer, though Istanell would do all that was in his power to fix it without alerting his brother to the fact that after a week he might have been worse off than after the market place fight. He was fuming, unable to communicate properly with Illian. Maybe that was just the way things were...

Part of him was angry because his brother was undermining him completely... and a bigger part of him was angry at himself. Illian had lived here for the last years, he knew the laws and rules and probably the inner workings of how citizens worked here. He was obviously rightly taking the lead on this, but Istanell's pride and stubborn nature protested that. He was oldest, he was now the head of the family... he was right to be offended, wasn't he?

He rounded the corner on the opposite side of Incanthis, almost missing him completely as he went over his and Illian's relationship in his head. It was only by chance, really, that he looked over and spotted the younger shifter. He even went so far as to look away, too caught up in his anger to realize what he was seeing, before he did a double take. "Incanthis?" He breathed out, to himself. "I-illian!" He called out, praying his younger brother had not stormed off like some spoiled youngling... stormed off exactly like Istanell had done.

A violent jolt went through Incanthis as his brother suddenly came around the corner, allowing to see him close up this time. It had been so long since he'd seen Istanell, it felt like a life time, and yet there was a part of him that wanted to run right to him. Istanell, his big, strong brother, how he wanted to approach him, to make sure he was real and not just some dream. He didn't move though, instead feeling as though his feet were made of stone. He starred there, watching Istanell as he walked along, for a moment thinking he might go right passed. Maybe he really was here for Kalli? He might not be looking for Incanthis, might not want anything to do with his 'traitor' brother. He was after all the oldest, the one that would lead after their father, would he want someone like Incanthis in his group? For a moment he was certain that the answer was a definite 'no'.

That was until the man turned, seeming to notice him, and he even said his name. It was something that caused Incanthis to react by backing up... though he couldn't really go far, not with a solid wall at his back. He was trapped there with nothing between himself and his eldest brother but bolt of cloth that he was clinging to, "I-Istanell." He murmured, looking up at him, then down at his feet, wondering what his brother might do next. Would he yell at him? Berate him? Call him a coward and a traitor? He expected all those things, deserved all those things, after everything he'd done in the past.

His hands tightening on the basket he dared to lift his gaze, glancing from side to side, but didn't see Illian despite Istanell calling after him. Was he coming? Was he not? The last time that he'd seen Illian was that night so long ago during the battle, maybe he was still angry at him for what he'd done? Incanthis had taken away Illian's choices that night by giving himself up to the enemy as a sacrifice, had left him all alone to look after the younglings. Illian had the most reasons to hate him, "I... Umm..." He shook his head, seeming to be struggling at the moment. He really had no words, nothing he could say that would make up for any of it.

A voice in his head screamed at him that he should go, he should run, go back home. He could always finish the shopping later after all, but his legs refused to move, leaving him standing there, shaking a bit. It was something akin to those times when he'd done something to disappoint their father, how queasy he felt while awaiting the man's judgement. Instead of Issao though he was awaiting the words of Istanell, unsure if it would be as bad as those days in the past or perhaps even worse if that were possible.