Welcome to Gaia! ::

Yong Zhi padded across the plains on his way from his usual stomping grounds. Just because he was from the North didn't mean he had to stay there at all times. In fact, it was generally frowned upon to have every single soldier in one place. How would the pride be protected if they all holed up in one spot? He wasn't on a mission having to do with his job, though. It was a more...personal reason.

He was on the hunt for an Artisan, someone with deft paws and an eye for design. His mane had been growing bothersome as of late during his training, with his bangs constantly flopping in front of his eyes. He needed something to keep it back, but he didn't want to use scraps of cloth or bits of sticks like some of the other soldiers did. He was a dignified male and wasn't about to mess up his mane when the pride had dozens of lions that were ready and willing to create beautiful yet functional pieces to do the job.

The only problem was he wasn't sure who to ask. He could go up to random lions and ask them if they were Artisans or knew someone who was, but that really wasn't his style. He was hoping he'd bump into someone who looked like an Artisan rather than having to bother everyone on their daily routine.

After walking around with no luck, Yong Zhi resigned himself to the fact that he would have to simply ask someone. Everyone that walked by could have been an Artisan and he couldn't tell them apart from any other lion! He signed softly and turned his paws towards the closest lion he could find. Hopefully he wouldn't be bothering them...

He approached a speckled female and cleared his throat a bit. He held his head high but his eyes were downcast out of respect since he had no idea who she was or what rank she held. He didn't want to come off as rude, after all.

"Good day," he said formally. "I'm seeking an Artisan. Would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of where I might find one?"

Ah, what luck. An Artisan in the flesh! He bobbed his head as she did in greeting, committing her name to memory so as not to appear rude later on in the conversation.

"I am Yong Zhi," he returned before she pressed on. Turning to glance at the bazaar area a feeling of mild anxiety overtook him. That was a lot of looking to do. Turning to face Shi Wei again, he shook his head at her offer.

"I think fate has brought me to you for a reason. What sort of things do you craft?" he asked, hoping it would be more functional rather than pretty decorations or pots and bowls. Those things were nice, of course, but he really needed something that served a purpose more than looking nice.

"I'm in need of something to keep my mane from my eyes as I train," he explained. "My companions use rather crude means to do so and I'd prefer to have something that both serves a purpose and is pleasant to look at. Something durable but still graceful."

As Shi Wei moved closer, Yong Zhi held very still, not wanting to disrupt any sort of artistic process that was going on. He also felt like backing up might be seen as rude. He had no idea how artisans worked, and while he had a healthy 'personal bubble', he knew he could tough this out if it meant Shi Wei could get whatever information she needed.

As the brown lioness backed up a bit, he nodded slightly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. I'll remain in the area until you're finished. What sort of payment would you like?" he added, knowing not to expect something for nothing. "I'm afraid I don't have any items with which to trade at the moment, but I'm sure I can acquire something you'd value in the time it will take you to make the piece."

The answer he got was vague but perhaps that was for the best. Yong Zhi gave a little nod and wracked his mind for something that might be of value to a lioness like her. Perhaps something shiny she could work into a different craft that would fetch a high price or perhaps something she herself could enjoy, a necklace from another crafter or even just a good hunk of zebra. He'd have to get creative, that was for sure.

"Thank you," he said with a little nod. "I'll see you with your payment then." Despite the mild worry of finding something that would be worth the product Shi Wei was going to produce, the red male couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of seeing his new piece. It would have both form and function and he knew that having to wait would only make his anticipation grow.

He turned after bowing in farewell and headed off slowly, his mind racing as he sought the best payment for the female.