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 Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2016 11:24 am
Kresimir was enjoying a nice stroll through the market. He had adjusted to the odd looks he was normally given by the locals. Some of the muttered words still made the sides of his mouth quirk but he was getting used to that too. It was so different from home. The loss of that familiarity, the kindness, was what was taking him the longest to get over. He should have expected it. Sure the war was a little while in the past but things wouldn't be forgiven easily, especially between the shifters and obans considering it was both of their two homes that were involved in the war. Never-the-less, Kresimir was enjoying his time here and was definitely learning a lot.
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Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 8:31 am
Itotia was on another, lightly monitored trip to the market. After the first few passes, Afsana seemed to believe that the Yaeli would not attempt an escape, and directed her babysitters to no longer hover along her shoulder. It was meant to strengthen her understanding both of being entrapped but also educate her on the colorful people of the city. And even if those two things were not learned, it at least got someone to go and fetch the supplies needed to run the extravagant house that was the Red Amaryllis.
To Itotia, it was simply another task that border lined on boring and unnecessary.
In the beginning, she struggled to hide the panic attack of being dragged into a crowd of mainlanders, her eyes darting around to catch sign of any attack. She was thankful for her thick cloak that covered her skin, but knew her eyes were noticed when others would chance a second glance. After awhile, she worked to keep her head low and her skin covered, keen on not being noticed by anyone. It was only Afsana, who provided both instructions and documentation for her to present, that kept the vendors quiet when the caught sight of the Yaeli dancer for the first time.
Now, it was almost like a subtle dance. Itotia would be led down the alleyways to the market, before being released to get half of the supplies while her retainer would get the rest. It was always the same vendors; Afsana was keen on her control.
So, as she made way into the bustling market, busier than ever, Itotia prayed she wouldn't make a mistake and have to deal with some unwanted consequences. Moving to the first vendor, she raised her hood enough for her glowing eyes to flash underneath the darkness the cover provided, and the vendor quickly moved to get the silks that were part of the weekly order.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:19 am
There was something about being an outsider in the Oban markets, it changed the feel of them Kres thought. At least, when he wandered through without some kind of hood he could definitely feel tension rise and people left more space between them and himself. It was something he wasn't really upset about at least he knew it meant less hands going for his coin purse. And when they did it was fairly obvious. It was something he wasn't expecting to find as he wandered into a nicer part of the market. The tension was already a little thick which made Kresimir peer around with interest. It wasn't too difficult to find the discomfort in some of the nearby vendors around a cloaked figure waiting at a stall. "Nice silks this vendor has. It's hard to find quality silks like this in Juahar." He hadn't caught a look under the hood yet but Kres was always one to be polite and start conversation, and just maybe, disperse some of the awkwardness the other must be feeling.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 12:32 pm
Itotia held her arm out for the package of silks, glad she didn't need to make any sort of conversation as the order was written on her document. It was as simple as grabbing and moving on, getting it quickly done without any interaction with the mainlanders. Maybe Afsana sent her on such a task to remind her of the control, or maybe it was simply to get her out in the open, but Itotia had become immune to such trips ages ago, and settled into disinterested resentment and anti-social cool.
That was into a strangely familiar voice spoke from her side, as a figure approached. She nearly dropped her silks when she realized whomever it was had actually initiated discussion with her, as no others were lingering near the stall. Grand.
She hummed half-heartedly, her eyes glancing over before she did a double take. The color of the skin, the flash of the hair, could it even be possible? The man she had encountered when she first arrived was standing next to her, starting a conversation as if it were an average day in the market.
"...the gods' have cruel humor indeed." She said with a shake of her head, stepping back and raising her head enough to flash a grimace and her glowing eyes.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:02 pm
Kresimir's hand shot out as he saw the package begin to fall but his effort was for nothing as the person regained control. It was only when the other lifted their gaze to him that he realized who he was speaking to, as well as see the not so happy look on her face. He nodded politely and took a small step back to give her her space, remembering their earlier meeting.
"I suppose they have to get their entertainment somewhere." Kres had a small smile. He hadn't really expected to see her here but he had to admit it was a nice surprise. "My mother always said that Serin, our god, never gave you more than she thought you could handle. Maybe yours is just trying to help you in a way. If you're religious, that is. If not, maybe it is just cruel humor." Kresimir wasn't overly religious but after that one outing with his siblings he was definitely more of a believer than he had been in the past.
"Can I be of any help to you?" She seemed very uncomfortable, which made him want to help all the more. Though, even he was still a stranger to her so it could be very likely she'd refuse his company. It still didn't hurt to offer however.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:11 pm
Quickly, the yaeli smoothed over her features as Kres spoke, her mind catching up with the memory of him being so helpful and considerate upon their first meeting. It was difficult, with how much distrust she had of those around her, but eventually she was able to relax her shoulders and not feel the need to dart back into the alleyway to where her retainer was. As he continued to babble, she glanced around to catch sight of her babysitter, and was satisfied to see that the eyes were not upon her.
"It seems as if your gods are a bit more coddling, for anytime ours make their presence known, it is more often to punish than to guide."
Once again, it was easy to get back into the routine of speaking to the man, and she resisted the urge to step back. Aseara always scolded her for her behavior, but maybe this stranger who was so helpful might actually assist in her end goal; escape.
"I should be fine...I'm simply picking up some supplies for the dancers..." her eyes narrowed a moment, before she let her curiosity speak up, "Who did you end up requesting as an entertainer?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:29 pm
"People often learn from different ways. Perhaps it's just your God's way of teaching." Kresimir said kindly. He'd hate to think that there were actually some cruel gods, though, he knew it was possible. So many of the different races had so many different gods. Most only had one or two but the Obans had so many he was finding out. How did you know which one to pray to?
He nodded to her as he watched her glance over her shoulder at an alley. Was she being watched or was it just her general flighty-ness that caused her to look for an exit?
"Well, with the recommendation from you, I went with the musician. Though, I made my appointment for a later date. I thought that if I could experience more of their culture I would be able to appreciate their arts more than I would as the mere foreigner that I was at the time. It was a good choice, I think, I definitely have a better handle on the actions of the people, at least." The last part was said with a sort of frown as he hasn't had the best interactions with people. It did at least set a "norm" for him to keep in mind. Which maybe wasn't the best as he only had a small sampling of the people but it still helped him.
"Getting supplies at least beats sweeping endless dust, right?" Kres' smile returned, once again remembering their last meeting. He'd gained a little more confidence since then and wasn't nearly as nervous speaking with her now.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:45 pm
Itotia couldn't really understand that thought process, having grown up being told that any issues anyone has is a result of the gods punishing them. Sure, they had one god who was the lighter side of things, but the fear of repercussions was so strong that many worried more about the negatives than the positives.
She shifted her package as she listened to him explain that he requested a musician, not at all surprised considering how soft spoken he was. Odds were the dancers would eat him alive because of how considerate he is, which for some reason made her a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it was the fact that he, being a stranger, also seemed to be lost in this world. Maybe it was just because she was projecting on him. Either way, the idea of any of the more...alluring dancers entertaining him made her cringe on the inside.
Especially as he spoke, he seemed to confirm her suspicions.
"Most of the musicians mix the culture here with their own..." she shrugged lightly, "...and I suppose..."
Each task still felt like some sort of power play. As if she caught herself, she glanced at her list before moving to the next stall, a place that had spool and other items that would be useful to mend clothing. She didn't really notice his own changes, but she visually was much more relaxed and casual than before, even if she appeared closed off.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:56 pm
"That would make sense. I guess it would be kind of hard for musicians to leave their home culture like that. To not play the music you grew up playing, I mean." She looked at a list of sorts before moving on. She hadn't necessarily said he couldn't accompany her...nor had she really ended the conversation. Kres thought on how to proceed.
With a shrug of his own he followed her to another stall. The first had silk, this one seemed to have things to fix the clothing. "Do you....have any skill in clothes making?" He asked more hesitantly than before. "I suppose Oban fashions are much different than you're used to. I know its much different than what I'm used to." He took a moment to look around at all the Obans around him. All their bright vibrant colors were such a shock when he first got here.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:19 pm
Itotia hummed again, looking over the items as she handed over the document. She didn't miss the sour look of the merchant as they both looked at her olive skinned hand, and then at the paper that included the order. Itotia made sure to keep an eye on the merchant as well as her overzealous companion.
"No, I don't do much more than mending, and that is only if it has been assigned to me." A soft response with another shrug, before her eye caught the merchant's and suddenly a discussion began.
"It'll be fifteen silver."
"Fifteen? You've raised the price nearly double what it was last month." Itotia said in a hiss, uncomfortable with talking to this person and being placed in a situation that was not the norm in terms of her assignment, "I refuse to pay that much, you must give it to me for 8."
The merchant and Itotia exchanged back and forth, and the girl was visually becoming upset with such an occurrence. She only had so much silver to spend, and it was expressed in an agreement that the pricing would never change. Itotia had a feeling the merchant was using her insecurities to their advantage, well aware of how uncomfortable she was. If they wanted a price hike, they wouldn't succeed however, as Itotia really didn't have enough of the coin to make the demands.
"There is absolutely no way I will spend that silver. You either give it to me for 8, or I will order it somewhere else."
Grasping at strings, Itotia raised her voice in a threat, and hoped it would pay off. With the sour look of the merchant, however, she had a feeling her gamble was a bust.
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:45 am
Kresimir listened intently to the conversation between Itotia and the merchant. The corner of his mouth twitched up in a sort of smirk as it wasn't the timid yaeli he had see previously start to argue with the merchant. It was clear that she was becoming upset though, as the argument continued on until Itotia gave the ultimatum. A price or she'd take her business elsewhere.
He wasn't sure if she could really do that if she was out running errands for her employer. Most were normally strict with their vendors weren't they? Kres smiled at both Itotia and the merchant. "May I?" He said, gesturing towards the spool. Though, he didn't wait for an answer from either of them as he picked it up to study it for a few moments.
The spool was turned over and over as he inspected the thread, even running his fingers along it on occasion, then he would inspect his fingers and then frown. He turned to the merchant. "It really is a shame." Kres said, not supplying any further clues for what he meant for a moment. He set the spool down there and looked the merchant square in the face. "You would be lucky for a spool like this to get 8 in Juahar. For the price of fifteen silvers, the strands should be softer, more compact. It almost seems like you coat the thread in something after the dying process to make it more vibrant?" He tilted his head to see if he was correct.
Kres looked to Itotia next, "There's a place in one of the less busy streets of the market that you could get comparable spools for around 4 silver. However, if you'd like to stay with the same merchant, I wouldn't pay more than 6." He nodded sincerely. Now wasn't really the time to say how he had this information yet he hoped she would trust him. If anything at least he did know of another place to get the same quality if not better.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:27 am
Itotia's glare broke as Kres stepped in, and she pinched her lips together before moving slightly to allow him to get at the same level as she. Tears burned at the edge of her eyes, but it was mostly from frustration at the lack of power she had than any sort of shame or sorrow. Blinking quickly under the cover of her hood, she took a calming breath before raising her chin once more. No weakness, not in front of these mainlanders.
She watched as Kres moved the spool in his hands, her eyes distracted by the dark color of his skin and the bright sheen of the spool. She had to admit that he was somewhat interesting with the dark skin; it was much nicer than some of the other colors she had seen since her arrival.
Her thoughts were broken as he softly spoke up, and her ears twitched as he casually began to speak of the quality of the spool. As he pointed out flaws, she too eyed the soft string in his hands, before catching his gaze and swallowing once. Brow furrowing, she glanced between him, the spool in his hands, and the merchant. Then, she looked at her bag of silver and let out a sigh.
"I really have no choice, do I?" She sneered at the merchant and began to turn her back as the merchant began to sputter, "Afsana appreciates the cost of quality, but if this has no quality, I will not pay for the cost."
Stepping away, she was not one to waste her time or comfort on the merchant, and she made sure she had the order list as well. Turning to Kresimir, as they walked out of space from the vendor, she took a slow breath.
"Thank you."
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2016 10:18 am
"You're very welcome, though, I only hope it doesn't get you in trouble with your employer." Kres hadn't thought too much about that until Itotia had mentioned them when speaking to the merchant once more. "I can easily show you the shop I mentioned though. The man and woman who run it are kind and don't seem to mind doing business with...non-obans. My youngest sister enjoys making things so I found this shop when I was trying to find things to take home for her. I think they might respect you and your employer's business a little more than that man back there as well."
Kresimir made sure to keep a good amount of distance in between them, as much as he could in the crowd at least. He walked slightly ahead of her, in part to clear the way a little and also to steer her in the direction of the other merchants, if she so chose.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:09 am
Itotia's brows furrowed again, and under her hood her expression was a mix of uncertainty and bewilderment. Every single interaction she had with the shifter had been cordial, as if he was aware of her needs and willing to respect them no matter what. She was suspicious, but overall began to feel like he was actually willing to be so gentle and understanding, so different than a mainlander. Every time they crossed paths, she questioned less and less what his true motives were.
It seemed, he simply was content to make her comfortable during their interactions.
It was clear with his words, his consideration and his distance. Was it possible that a mainlander might actually be accommodating and understanding to such a stranger as she?
As he offered to show her the way, she was torn between the need to quickly get back to the Red and the need for purchasing all items. Finally shrugging, as she always enjoyed upsetting her employer, she nodded once.
"I don't have much time, but I do need to make this purchase. " She assented after a long moment, gesturing lightly for him to lead the way. She was quick to hide her fingers and her palm, still aware of the eyes of the others around her, but her face was pointed toward Kresimir and she put a bit of trust in him. She knew the market enough, but having him guide her was an act of faith in itself, and it only occurred because of how he interacted with her.
He still confused her, and she still felt a bit of suspicion in the pit of her stomach, but she needed to get the items and get back otherwise she may have greater issues to deal with.
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 10:46 am
Kresimir smiled and nodded to her. Her employer likely wouldn't be happy if she didn't come back with at least the stuff on her list. Considering that Itotia seemed to get a lot of the grunt work jobs it made him wonder what type of person it was that was running the RA. It was a popular place so she at least knew how to run the business but maybe not be the best boss.
"Not too much further." He said as they neared the merchant. The crowds had begun to thin and Kres began walking slightly slower to allow his companion to walk evenly with him if she so wished.
When they arrived at the merchant's stall, they were greeted with smiles and a slightly puzzled look as Kres was normally alone when he came to purchase from him. The young shifter smiled back. "Gala, Malik." He greeted the woman and man respectively. "Meet Itotia, and Itotia, Gala and Malik." He introduced everyone politely. "Itotia is in need of some wares for her employer. The previous merchant, however, thought himself a little bigger in his britches than he really was. You both had always been fair in our dealings and I thought Itotia could benefit with knowing a good merchant to go to to get great quality for a reasonable price."
He stepped back then and gestured for Itotia to take over if she felt so inclined. With a nod and a smile, Kres encouraged her and hopefully she would feel more comfortable with this couple than the last merchant.
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