[FIN Tale] A Destined Meeting ~ Bushi & Pahana ~

[Orpheus Solon]

Lavender Hues

The directions that he was given from Talin turned out to be quite useful, bringing him forth from Oba and into Tale. Despite having thought about it many times int he past he'd never gone this far North. He'd had a business to set up and run after all but due to a wonderful trading opportunity he'd come across he was able to get not only himself but a lot of useful trade goods into Tale to commence trading for things that would become must have amongst his more well off clients. He had to find rare and beautiful things to bring back with him, especially the kinfa that Talin had talked about. Those were definitely a must have. Glancing over at the large turtle that was carrying all his things he gave a smile, "Alright, Aatos, I ask you to get along well with the Kinfa if we are lucky enough to get our hands on some of them, alright?"

The bushi turned to look over at him for a moment, blinking slowly, before going back to eating a crisp plant that was growing at his feet. It was something that made Bushi chuckle, far too amused over being able to get his hands on his namesake. He'd taken the name 'Bushi' from these turtles and being able to have one of his own, it was glorious! Not just because it amused him to have his namesake but because Aatos was able to carry a a lot on his back without being bothered in the least bit. It would help a lot when it came to trading and he was... well, excited. Sure, to think point he had a couple of run ins with people who gave him dirty looks, but what could he do? He was Oban and his more war minded brothers and sisters had tried to cause problems.

He'd just have to show them that he was more then just his tribe, that he was a business man first, and a nice guy at that. He wasn't the sort that wanted to start trouble, he just wanted to make some trades. So long as he remained his normal, laid back self he should he alright. At least that was what he was hoping. He was sure there could be those who might still try to pick fights with him but he was going to have to deal with that.  

[Lavender Hues]

Pahana had taken a break from dance practice today so she could spend some extra time with her daughter, Ujana, and do some shopping. The time spent with her daughter had been fun, which was rare, concerning how fierce Ujana was most of the time. Now that the girl was off doing... Well, whatever it was that Ujana liked to do, Pahana was set to peruse the market at her leisure. They needed fresh food for all of the company they were hosting, espescially her nephews and her brother. They went through food as if it were water, not that she minded it too much. Watching them eat was... Kind of amusing.

"Oh no! I forgot one of the bags back at the fruit stand! Ugh!" She exclaimed, turning on her heels like a Scorra frightened by a stray rock. "I hope it's still there! I'll kick myself if its' been stolen!"

She sprinted along, her steps looking more like graceful skips, and couldn't help but let herself twirl through the trees. However, this proved to be an error in judgement as she tripped over a large root, skidded a few feet, and landed face first in the middle of the path, close to where Bushi was standing.

"Ow, owwww, this never gets any easier!" She whined, rubbing at her face.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Bushi and Aatos both turned toward the girl who suddenly appeared before them, watching in a wide eyed manner, "Ahhh... huh..." Well that was, startling. He had been hoping to find some of the locals to chat with, wanting to ask them where he should go to find himself some customers, as well as some kinfa, but he wasn't expecting for one of them to all by throw herself at his feet. After he was able to move again, his surprise fading, he walked over toward the fallen woman.

He watched her for a moment before squatting down before her, giving a bit of a lopsided smile, "Are you alright there, little sprite? Seems as though you are having a bit of a difficult time." That was putting it lightly but he didn't want to hurt the woman's feelings by saying anything more drastic then that. Best that he look her over, make sure that she wasn't wounded, and if she was he supposed that he could help her out. Helping the locals out when they needed it was likely to make Bushi look like less like one of the 'scary invader type Obans' and more like the nice, helpful merchant that he wanted to appear as! Sure, all of his dealings weren't always the best, but that wasn't what was important right now. What was important was making friendly with the natives.

"Are you in need of a hand up? Maybe a bandage?" He asked of her, wanting to make sure that she was feeling alright. The way she was rubbing at her face made him wonder if she'd bumped it?  

[Lavender Hues]

OH NO, was that a voice? Pahana's heart skipped a beat. She'd fallen directly in the path of another person, again! When would she learn not to be so haphazard? She covered her eyes and cheeks, thoroughly embarrassed, and slowly parted her hands to take a look up at who was talking to her. The first thing she saw was dark skin and her thoughts immediately went to her brother, but as she continued to look him over, the realization took hold rather quickly. An Oban. She'd fallen flat on her face in front of an Oban. She was certainly a sparkling example of the rest of her race, wasn't she? UGH.

"AH, oh, I'm... I'm fine!" She chirped, waving her hands about. "This happens a lot, I'm kind of the neighborhood klutz! It's okay, really!"

She scooted to her feet and dusted herself off, her eyes peeling up slowly to Bushi. Oh no, not only was he Oban, but he was an attractive Oban! Those muscles, that beard! She had to stay cool!

"So, you're not from around here!" She exclaimed, rubbing the back of her head. "Uhm... I'm Pahana! Welcome to Tale and... Uhm..." Her gaze turned to Aatos, only having just noticed the giant turtle. "What is that?"  

[Orpheus Solon]

Bushi found himself watching the woman again, finding the embarrassed and flustered manner in which she was acting to be rather... cute. It wasn't something that he thought about all that often, women that was, but now that he was face to face with this one he found himself a bit taken by the manner in which she was acting. If she was an example of her tribe then he might very well find himself a fan of them. He could only wonder which tribe she was from, Leaf, possibly? He really did need to learn more about those in this area if he was ever going to set up trade with them. Maybe the cute one could help him with that?

"Well, I am glad to hear that you are fine, I'd had for you to have been injured in your fall." The young woman was claiming that it was something that happened a lot, that she was the neighborhood klutz in fact, and somehow that just made her seem all that much more endearing. A thought that he had to try to wave away mentally. He was supposed to be establishing business contacts, not getting caught up and distracted by foreign girls. He would leave that sort of activity to those who were more adept at all of that he thought to himself idly.

Giving a bit of a chuckle at her mentioning that he wasn't 'from around here' Bushi could only nod his head, "That's correct, I am from a city in Oba." As though that wasn't clear from his looks, "Pahana, is it? It's nice to meet you, Pahana, you can call me Bushi." It was out of habit that he introduced himself using his nickname instead of his real name, the latter of which was saved for those that he was really close to only. Turning to look at Aatos for a moment he watched the big turtle as he went about eating more random foliage, before looking back at Pahana once more, "That one is named Aatos, he's in charge of all of the heavy lifting. Don't worry, he's a really laid back and amiable sort of guy."  

[Lavender Hues]

Pahana continued to stare at Aatos as if he were the strangest thing she'd ever seen, and had to mentally pull herself back to Bushi. Oh, so Aatos was friendly and did a lot of the heavy lifting? She stifled a laugh. Sounded just like Yaholo! Except, Yaho wasn't orange and didn't eat things off the ground. She shook her head and smiled.

"Oba, right! I thought so!" She exclaimed, nodding her head. "But, are you just arriving? Like, have you ever been around here before? I... I could show you around if you haven't!"

She paused, a blush crossing her cheeks. Dammit, why couldn't she be calm? It wasn't like she hadn't seen an Oban before! Why was she so eager to show him around? BOYS WERE SO CONFUSING!

"Bushi? That's such a cute name!" She said, covering her mouth. "I MEAN, handso-No, uh... Strong name! A very strong name! It's lovely you meet you, Bushi!"  

[Orpheus Solon]

Bushi gave a slow nod of his head, "Yeah, we are just rolling in. It took a bit to get here to Tale on foot." Especially when one's traveling companion was a turtle. Not that he said that since he didn't want to insult Aatos who had been doing his best carrying all the heavy bags that contained the various things from Oba that they would be trading with those from the North. Giving a happy sort of smile Bushi said, "An escort would be quite helpful, especially since not everyone is comfortable with my tribe after what a group of my fellows did not that long back." Hard to make friends when your fellow countrymen were so eager to go to war with everyone else in the world he thought to himself idly.

Shaking the thought off he said, "If you wouldn't mind showing me around I would be most grateful." He found himself wondering how much she might know about Kinfa and their habits, wanting to get his hands on some of them. He wouldn't rush headlong into talk of business though, not straight away, and not when he wanted to first make friends with her. If they had at least an amiable relationship she'd be more open to sharing the information that he was in need of. At least that was what Bushi was hoping for at least.

As Pahana set to commenting on his name saying it was cute, then handsome, then strong, he couldn't help but to give a bit of a laugh, "I think I would accept all three of those compliments on my name. The first one especially since it's been some time since anything about me has been called cute." He was a big guy, a bit on the furry side, with a beard, not really much about him screamed 'cute' so he appreciated her compliment all the more for it. Nodding his head, with a smile on his lips, Bushi said, "It's nice to meet you as well, it would seem as though the Gods and Goddesses have smiled upon me and my trip to this place by allowing me to meet you first."  

[Lavender Hues]

"It would seem as though the Gods and Goddesses have smiled upon me"

"Me too!" Pahana exclaimed, her hands once again moving toward her mouth. Oh, what was she saying? Tale didn't even have Gods and Goddesses! Maybe the spirits had smiled upon her and somehow guided this gorgeous stranger to her? Or was it really the opposite, as he'd said? She pursed her lips, looked to Bushi, and smiled sheepishly.

"I would be more than happy to show you around, Yera is a lovely village!" She continued, turning toward the path. "The marketplace is actually just up the way, it would be a good place to start! I know some of the merchants personally. Some even give me discounts!"

She laughed and found herself pausing again. Oh, right, the bag she'd left with the fruit vendor! It was good that they were heading back, maybe it was still there!

"And, as a matter of fact, I've forgotten a bag at one of the booths! I hope someone hasn't taken it..." She mumbled, sighing. "I have such a bad habit of forgetting things. I swore I had it when I was heading home before... Oh well, I guess!"  

[Orpheus Solon]

Bushi couldn't help but smile as the girl agreed with his last statement, then seemed to realize what she'd said. It appeared as though the religious beliefs of this area were likely different then his own, though it was cute to see her agree in such an enthusiastic manner before getting all flustered again. She meant well, so he saw no reason to comment and instead merely smiled.

"Ahh, so the village ahead is called Yera? Excellent!" It was good to know where he was at the moment and, when he got a moment, he'd see about getting out his map and writing the name of this place down on it. It could wait though, not as though the village was going to up and wander off before he was able to get his map up to date he thought to himself idly, "The marketplace is ahead? That is wonderful! I am a merchant myself back home and I've come north in hopes of trading for goods that can only be found outside of Oba and Matori, you see. My clients are eager to see what sort of new and strange things that I can bring back to them." The more flashy the better given the sort that he dealt with he thought to himself idly.

Giving a motion with his hand Bushi said, "If you would like to lead the way then, Pahana, let's go and visit with the merchants and see if you can find your missing bag." He supposed that if someone had stolen it, which was what would have happened if someone left a bag behind in Oba, she might need to replace it. Perhaps he could build up a better relationship between them by offering to help her replace what was lost? Only if it had actually up and 'wandered off' of course. There was always the chance that those in Yera didn't have the same sticky fingers of those in Oba. Not that Bushi could really say anything about it given how many thieves he did business with.  

[Lavender Hues]

Ooooh, he was a merchant! So, not only was he hot, but he could make a living for himself! Certainly qualities she found endearing in a boyf-A PERSON. Jeez, she'd only just met this guy and she was already taking things too far! She shook herself free from her thoughts again and nodded.

"Yep! Yera, where I was born and raised!" She laughed. "I'm sure you'll find plenty of merchants who are interested in trading for the very same reasons you are! I know that there are some who like materials to reinforce their shops, so, maybe if you have some special wood or something, they'd be more inclined to trade?"

She didn't really have much of an idea of how trading went, she wasn't a merchant, after all. All she understood was how to haggle and that getting to the booth early ensured you got the best of the crop. Other than that, she was blind to the entire process.

"Well, let's hope we can! There have been reports of thieves hanging around. Some of them barely older than younglings..." She sighed, turning to walk down the path. "It's sad that so many kids these days don't have enough to eat and they need to turn to stealing, you know? If it were within my power, and remotely feasible for me to do so, I'd adopt all of them and show them what a good home was like. Maybe then they would feel secure..."  

[Orpheus Solon]

"Alright, here is to hoping they will be open to trading some what Aatos and I lugged this far." Alright he hadn't really done a lot of the heavy lifting, that was what the turtle was for, but he had gone through the effort of trading someone for Aatos. He'd kept the creature from being turned into stew so it was only right that he helped to pull his immense weight! Not that Bushi could say much about someone's immense weight either eh thought to himself with a bit of a smile. After a look around he asked, "Do you think, as a newcomer, it would be more prudent for me to visit the various stalls, chat with the merchants, and see who is trading instead of trying to set of my own stall straight away? The last thing that I want to do is step on toes when I want to make friends, not foes."

As they walked along he realized that, bring Aatos might have been a better idea then he'd thought. He doubted that bushi were a species often seen in this area and as such it got the attention of those around them. Nothing better then a big, brightly colored critter like him to get everyone's attention and give him that many more potential customers he thought to himself in a happy manner. He would need to reward the turtle with something tasty later, fruit most likely since that seemed to be Aatos's favorite.

"Hm? Thieves that young? I would like to say that I am somehow surprised but it seems to be the way of things in Oba as well." Bushi said, glancing around for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face, "Well, if we run across any of them I am more then willing to offer then some work. I know how hard it is to live in that manner and what one needs most is a hand up instead of a hand out." One learned nothing if they were handed everything their entire lives... or at least that was what Bushi's personal experience had told him. One had to work hard to get ahead in life! That was why he had everything he had, including a home of his own in one of the smaller Oban cities. Giving Pahana a smile he said, "A shame Oba doesn't have more like you who would take in orphaned little ones, it might be a more friendly place." Especially in the area he'd grown up in.  

[Lavender Hues]

Pahana blushed at all the looks they were getting, but decided to smile back at them instead. The villagers weren't used to seeing people like Bushi around, or a giant turtle like Aatos for that matter. They had every right to be curious, as long as things didn't escalate beyond that. She'd hate for Bushi to find trouble when he'd just arrived. It would probably leave him with a negative impression of her people, and she wanted him to think the exact opposite. She knew her tribe could be coarse and more than a bit judgmental, but they were very skilled in trading. If she could be any help at all to Bushi, that help could be found and given here in Yera's marketplace.

"Oh, I would recommend waiting a while, absolutely!" She replied, her gaze turning to survey the market. "People here need to get used to you first, honestly. But, once they understand you're not here to harm their profits and people, you're good to go!"

She fell silent as she continued to look about the area, her intent firmly upon getting her bag of food back safely, and paused to look at Bushi. Oba was a land where child thievery was common? Oh, what a shame! Poor kids... She found herself pouting at the thought, and shook her head.

"I had no idea that Oba was like that, how... Sad." She said, moving to clasp her hands together. "... Doesn't anyone do anything for them? Aren't there orphanages? Homes for wayward children? I can't imagine such a system where children are just left to themselves like that."

She turned her attention back to the booths for a moment, only to once again blush.

"Gosh, you flatter me, really!" She laughed. "I'd get those poor kids lost before I knew what to do with them in the first place. Plus, my brother would think I was ill if I adopted anymore children than I already have. I've got two girls, one of which lives with me, and she's enough trouble already. I was just up the road with her, just to watch her practice and spend some time together, and let me say... Her poor trainer needs a raise."  

[Orpheus Solon]

"Alright, I will just visit with those merchants who are open to trading with an Oban and let their impression of me spread to those who might be more leery." If he left a good impression then things would go more smoothly for him down the line and allow him to make more contacts within Yera for starters and, if he was lucky, other parts of Tale with time. He was a patient man so he was in no rush. He had to make sure that he did this just right if he wanted it to go well after all. If he went charging ahead he would just end up making a mess, not something he could allow when he wanted this business excursion to go well.

Bushi gave the shrug of one large shoulder, "Our cities are quite large, with a lot of people in them. It's only natural that those who are of poorer means will do their best to take advantage of those who have greater wealth. One had to fight to survive in a place like that. As for orphanages, they exist, but one can't really stay there forever. I stayed for only as long as I felt was prudent, then left allowing them to take care of others in my stead. One doesn't want to be selfish after all." He knew others might cling for a while longer to those who would care for them, but Bushi hadn't been of that mind set.

Giving a little laugh Bushi said, "Well, one would likely think you were starting up an orphanage of your own if went around gathering all the little ones in need of a home." Thought it might be amusing to see her wandering along with a bunch of little ones following after her. It would be a bit like a momma perzi with a litter of kittens he thought to himself, something he'd seen on many occasions in the past. Giving Pahana a once over he said, "Really? You've children of your own?" He sounded quite surprised, as though he couldn't really see it. She seemed quite young after all, both in appearance and attitude, he'd of never guessed. Giving a curious sound in his throat he asked, "Younglings, yes?" Unable to picture them being any older then that.  

[Lavender Hues]

Pahana paused to take in all the information. Oh, so Oba had large cities... She'd never been to anything larger than Yera, which made it hard to imagine anything larger than that. She wondered just how many people Bushi was talking about. Was he talking hundreds, or, spirits forbid, hundred thousands of people? That felt more than a little claustrophobic to her! How did you survive in a place with that many people? It couldn't be too safe, or clean, or remotely peaceful. She took a breath and let her questions sink away for another day.

"Ha! Well, a performer like me, running an orphanage? Doesn't that sound a little odd?" She chuckled, giving her shoulders a shrug. "The idea sounds lovely, though. Being able to see all the babies I've helped grow... It's wishful thinking. I don't think I'd be able to handle it alone."

Her eyes darted back to the market before snapping back to Bushi. He couldn't believe that she had children? Was she really still that youthful in appearance? She looked to her feet and couldn't help but laugh. Or was he buttering her up? Either was fine by her!

"No, prentices, actually! They're still too young to venture out yet, though." She continued, smoothing her hair back. "But, I guess it is surprising that a girl like me could be a mother to two teenagers already, right? I was a young mother, and I still am!"  

[Orpheus Solon]

"Why not? Performer or no from what I am seen what is most important is the kindness of those sort of places." He wasn't sure if any of those that worked in the orphanage he'd lived in were performers of any sort in the past, but it was an interesting thought. As the woman said that it 'sounded lovely' but was 'wishful thinking' he turned to look at her, a curious look in his pink eyes, before he found himself asking, "Alone?" Wait, didn't she have younglings? Perhaps the man had died during the war against the Obans? Not something he wanted to think too hard on though, a touch worried that maybe she had lost her husband and the father of her children in that manner. It didn't seem as though she blamed all Obans though if it were the case, which was nice.

Said thought seemed to crumble away as the woman suddenly declared that her children were prentices, not younglings, something that was pretty surprising to him. He'd guessed her to be a lot younger, too young for kids in the first place, but with this new information it would appear as though she might actually be older then Bushi himself was. An older woman, there was the fantasty of a lot of guys he hung out with he thought to himself for an idle moment.

"Yeah, I will admit I am a bit surprised. If I had to guess I'd of thought you a prentice yourself. Seems that I was a bit off if your children are prentices themselves. I am most impressed. The woman of Oba, the nobles especially, would love to know your secrets." And Bushi would love to sell them said secrets for a decent price, of course!