[Sauti] After the Fact (Zyphire x Neryssa)FIN

[Sabra Knight]

The market had been bustling with excitement yet Zyphire was still pretty composed. Instead of rushing off to interact with the strangers the shifter had gone back to browsing the stalls. He needed to buy these goods while he could and no strange foreigners with orange hair or marked skin were going to deter him. Who was impressed by some huge ships that were burning? By the looks of it that crew would be lucky to make it back to even report their home country. It may even be years before they could even remember Tendaji or dare try again. Who in the hell would be stupid enough to accept an invention to a strange land on a machine that had already been proven faulty? They were just fortunate that it waited until Sauti to break rather than bursting into flames over the great ocean. The thought made him sigh before he reached over and grabbed a bundle of cloth. At least the vendors were still doing business instead of gawking at that spectacle. “I’ll take five of these.” Tossing coin at the merchant the boy placed some of the cloth into his bag. It was cold up in Zena and by no means was he willing to continue freezing. Plus, it looked like Talisia may like some of the materials there – not that he would admit to buying anything with his cousin in mind!

Smirking, Zyphire continued on his way. What else could he stock up on? He already had some sweets, trinkets, some foreign food for the trip home, and other necessities. I suppose having something to eat right now wouldn’t be the worst idea either. That decided the young shifter darted through the crowd towards were the smells of warm food and spices filled the air. Now this was definitely something to enjoy.

“But where do I even begin?” Tapping a finger on his chin, Zyphire twisted around the crowd so that he could begin his hunt for food.
 

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

"Oh darn it, Where was Ahren's set up again?" Neryssa muttered as she had apparently gotten herself lost in this maze and mass of people. While it should have been easy to find her brother and the goods that he sold, with everything turned upside down... She has having trouble getting to where she was going. The excitement and need to retrieve a few things was starting to eat away at her own sanity.

"I could have sworn it was around here." Stopping a moment, she turned around before moving again. Walking backwards she didn't realize where she was going. Only stopping quick as she bumped into someone. "Op, I'm sorry." She whirled around to look at the shifter she had bumped into. Her golden eyes looking at him to make sure that he was alright. "Guess I should look where I am going, huh?" It wasn't a question aimed at the Shifter, more asking herself something expecting an answer from no one.  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

He was so focused on browsing through the stalls that the boy never realized that someone was heading directly towards him. "Umph!" Biting down on a curse Zyphire reached out a hand to grab at the arm of the girl who had smacked right into him, "I guess so." He quipped back before slowly letting go of her.

Still as he looked her over Zyphire couldn't help smirking, "I suppose I can forgive it though since you're rather cute." The apprentice adjusted the satchel on his shoulder before glancing around, "You're fortunate I was here though else you may have walked straight into some weapon stands." He glanced around at the array of daggers and other weapons before looking back at the girl, "You're welcome for that by the way, miss."
 

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

Neryssa stiffened up as the one she had crashed into grabbed a hold of her arm. Ear fins just about stood up on the sides of her head as the hair on the back of her neck did stand on end. As he slowly let her go, she took a step or two away from him, watching the strange shifter for a moment. She knew that at times she was scatter brained and perhaps bumping into things she would other wise avoid. But she was in a hurry today, she needed to get home.

"Really sorry, I'm not normally this bad." She said trying to justify her actions, though she was failing about being serious.


At the mention that she was cute, set her even more on edge. Only other people that told her that was family, To hear it from someone that was a strange made her feel a little strange. With a smile she looked around them as well, noting the weapons stands that were around. She supposed it was a good thing that it was he she had bumped into. Having a dagger or something cut into her body.

"I guess you are right." Neryssa nodded before looking at the shifter. "I have been meaning to pick up a couple daggers too. Might look into that when I get back from a trip home."

And there she went again, scattering around, forgetting that she was talking to someone that she didn't even know the name of. Shaking her head, her gaze jumping back to the shifter.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Neryssa. My brain is scattered at the moment. With all that has happened."  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

Zyphire raised a brow at her apology, "I suppose I'll forgive you this time. Must be in a bit of a hurry though to be running through the weaponry stalls." The shifter chuckled at her commentary about weapons, "Well if you are interested there's a few good pairs on that table over there - I actually happened to be looking for daggers as well. Though I don't think running into their tables to cut myself on them would be a good way of testing out the blades."

Shaking his head at her second apology Zyphire stretched out a hand, "It's fine - I don't think many people were expecting such a spectacle today. I would honestly be worried if you weren't affected by it at all. I'm Zyphire."  

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

Neryssa could only laugh softly as she looked again at all the weapons around them. She had run right into the worst part of the market. Where had she gotten turned around? Maybe back at the trinket stand. With so many people around, it was sometimes hard to see where she was going.

"I was looking for my brother's stand. I got turned around here somewhere." She glanced at the shifter from the corner of her eye. It's nice to meet you Zyphire."

She had to laugh a little when he mentioned it wasn't a good idea to run into the stands to test the blades. She knew that first hand, when she started her training with daggers, she grabbed the wrong end. She could still feel the bite of the metal in her skin at times. "Yea that ain't the best of ways to test things. I've cut myself one too many times with one." she agreed nodding, "You interested in blades too, or something?" She didn't know that some other classes could handle daggers and knives, only from what her trainer had told her.

While she was in a hurry to get on the road home to collect some things that she and her sister would need. She was interested in looking over the daggers, Maybe even picking some up for the trip. Who knows, maybe she could get in some practice along the way. Talk changed a little when she had mentioned the interesting stuff happening on the other side of the market. He didn't seem too phased by the whole thing. Wasn't he the slightest bit curious?

"You don't seem too worried about it. Not the slightest bit curious?"  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

"Your brother's stand?" Zyphire nodded, "Well unless he's a weapon dealer I don't believe he'll be here." But maybe if she needed help he could escort her? The Shifter smirked faintly. If anything at least he had run into some lovely women today. Though he still didn't know how to react to the giant ships still. It definitely was something to be wary of, the shifter wasn't so keen on the idea that others simply came to visit for knowledge. No, there had to be some ulterior motive.

The direct question made him raise a brow, "Perhaps. I'm still learning about the weapons so we'll see. I do enjoy having two blades though rather than some broadsword or anything else. Not much for archery or magic either." He wrinkled his nose at the thought. He would much rather be close to his opponent than firing from afar.

Her question made Zyphire raise a brow, "Somewhat, I suppose. This world has already proven that many things exist so flying ships truly shouldn't surprise me. I'm more worried about their intentions. After all the wars we've fought I'm not too keen on the idea of peaceful visitors. You?"  

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

"My brother sells all sorts of things. There is no telling where he ends up sometimes." She shrugged a little, her brother sold just about anything and everything that he could trade. Giving another glance around at the throngs of people milling about. The new strangers seemed to be mingling with everyone else. The patches of mocha colored skin and those with fiery orange hair could be seen among them all. Seems that things were going well, even if some were still on edge.

"I can get the idea of what you are saying. My sister and I met one and she didn't seem to have any other ideas then wanting to see everything." She thought back to her run in with Limbree when she and her sister Nadiya were talking. The Geian didn't seem hostile to her, only interested in what the world had to offer. "She even mentioned, though it was said before everyone as well. That they were willing to take people with them back across the sea. My sister and I are thinking of joining." Not really something she wanted to lay out, but it was said before she could stop. Being excited as she was she couldn't help it.

"Anyways, shall we walk and talk?" She offered, wanting to keep moving.  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

"Oh well then." Zyphire rubbed the back of his neck, "I would offer to lead you to an area, but if you don't even know sounds like we'll be wandering a bit - if you would like the help." He smiled, "It's not like I have anything else to do right now since I don't really want to go gawk at the strangers."

Zyphire raised a brow at the new knowledge, "It's just so strange that they are wanting to tour our country like this. Maybe I'm just raised by too many warriors, but anytime someone sees something that they want they'll tend to fight over it. Here's hoping we don't have anything too interesting for their people." Who knew though? What if their countries had something of interest to the strangers? What if they were wanting to settle over here? He still remembered tales of the Alkidike extremists - those fights had been enough on their own, especially after still recovering from the Oban war.

The boy's gaze did widen in disbelief however, "You are willing to do that?" He shook his head with a sigh, "That's definitely some leap of faith, I'm just hoping they don't intend to keep anyone over there. For your sake then I hope they're a nice country as promised." Even if she was some stranger to him the shifter still didn't like the idea of anyone, especially a Matori, being imprisoned or caught somewhere. It just wouldn't be right considering their past.

Zyphire nodded at the suggestion, "Sure. Let's try to see if I can help you find your brother along the way." He brushed past the girl and took a few steps forward before glancing back to her, "Let's start on the left side. I know a lot of merchants are still there trying to sell things to the newcomers."  

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

While after the crash and first look at the new strangers. Neryssa had felt more excitement then anything else, while others were wary of these people. Who could be scared of them? they didn't look threatening, nor did they seem to carry weapons. Their air boats certainly didn't look like they could harm anyone in any other means besides crashing. Frowning slightly she shook her head. Different people, different feelings she supposed. Her made her body hum with the need to see these different lands.

"With all the new faces around, this place does seem more crowded then when it first started. But back closer to the crash area might be an idea. Though I came from that area... I think..." was she really that bad? Was the excitement really getting to her that much. "Having more eyes looking will help. My brother will have a Xaraan close at hand. He never lets it get too out of his sight." Hoping that the information would be of a help as she started heading back in the direction... Though stopped at a stall that hosted an assortment of blade.

"Do you really think these strangers have something else in mind then just seeing how far their crafts can take them?" She asked glancing at Zyphire. "They seem genuinely curious. Yeah, I am willing to take a chance to see what their homeland is like. It sounds interesting, my sister wants to collect many stories from there." She picked up a dagger from the stand, its dark metal glinting in the light, before she put it back. "You're not in the least bit curious, huh?"  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

Zyphire nodded, "Though it seems some also left quickly." He had noticed the Alkidikes and some strangers who had disappeared into the crowds during the commotion. He was just curious about the group of tall strangers, possibly Alkidikes?, who had slipped through the crowd in those cloaks. Shaking his head the shifter focused back on his new companion, "A lot of people have Xaraans." He teased lightly, "But I'll keep an eye out for a Matori man with one."

As they stopped and she questioned him Zyphire frowned, "Well I suppose I'm just a bit on edge. I mean if you were from a different country and had just crash landed would you admit to your true intentions? Or do you honestly believe that no one from their country would have some form of greed? Maybe our lands are so appealing that they want to come here and settle them by pushing us out first." The man shrugged, "Honestly the possibilities are limitless. But I will say that I always am curious when I meet an opponent or someone that I would like to do something with." He smiled teasingly, "Wouldn't you want to find out more about them first before striking? Makes it easier when you know their moves or even their weak points."

"Then I wish you the best of luck on your travels. Hopefully I'm just being too harsh and they are indeed just nice people." He shrugged before eyeing the blade and picking up another thoughtfully, "Of course I'm curious - but I'm not going to risk my life on their home territory. I'll see about those that go over, like you are doing, and then when they return listen to the stories." By then if war was coming then he could at least be better trained. Or if they did nothing then at least he could be able to stand on his own against the rest of Tendaji. Even with times of peace there were still those that wished to fight after all.  

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

Neryssa brightened up a little before nodding. She was sure that she and her sister would be careful. After all, she would have Lygs with her, when she got him from home. The main reason she was running about the place like a chicken with its head lopped off. "Well, when I come back to this land, no telling when that will be. I'm sure we'll bump into each other again. I can tell you what it is like over there, perhaps even my sister could tell better stories. She 's a bard."

At the mention that many people have Xaraan around them, she hadn't really noticed that so much. She was completely unobservant, completely not like her. She was forgetting her lessons already. Marydin would strike her if she knew of this. Glancing around, she didn't think her trainer was here, they hadn't run into each other at least. She should be taking a bit of caution with the events that are playing out.

"Never know, their intentions might just be what they say. But perhaps you are right to have some sense of caution." She frowned at herself, trying to come down from her high of excitement, She wasn't the child she used to be, tearing around the house like a seawind. "So where are you planning on going when you are done at the market?" She wanted to change the subject, tensions were already high with those around her. She didn't want it to get any worse.  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

Zyphire chuckled, "Sounds like a plan then. I'll have to keep an eye out for you though I may be back in Zena by then." Ah, yes. The weird shifter who lived in the areas of Zena. Zyphire grinned at the thought, "Anyways if your sister is a bard then I'm sure she'll spin some good tales. Bards are pretty good at spreading those around so even if we aren't close I'll hopefully hear some rendition of your stories."

"Better to have some caution and be proved wrong than to have no awareness and be cut down." Her next question made him pause thoughtfully, "Oba actually." Zyphire replied after a moment. He didn't mind changing the subject but it was a sudden one so he truly had to think on it, "I have a cousin who lives there so I'm actually on the way to visit her and stopped by here first. Strange isn't it? You would think my family lived in Jahaur, but nope one is in Oba while the other is in Zena. Meanwhile my other cousin is somewhere around here with me and he's constantly travelling. I don't ever dare try to give him a home location." He teased lightly, "So here's hoping your brother is easier to find."  

[Kesmi]

Sabra Knight

"You just might hear the tales spread through people. Sometimes tales are changed to make then seem unique to the one telling them." She pointed out before looking away from the one stand to another. "But who knows, there's no telling who we run into now and again."

Neryssa turned to head away from the weapons section of the market, she knew her brother was here somewhere. Selling things from Matori and other various goods he had traded for along the way. "Oba sounds like it would be a fun place, hot though from what I have heard about it." There was also deep rooted fear of the place in some of her people. Those that were slaves to the Oban people. "Most my family lives in Matori, my brother travels selling goods. Sometimes bringing back things for everyone that he got from other merchants."

As if it meant anything, she shifted the pale pink sash that wrapped about her waist. It was one of the gifts he had brought back for her. Other things were like dolls and trinkets. Some long lost because of her brothers, ones she was glad didn't come with them. She listened to Zyphire when he mentioned having family in different regions of Tendaji.

"Wow, I guess I should get out and see more. This is my first time in Sauti." Neryssa thought back, "Though I did visit a small section of Oba. Searching for my sister not long ago. But I didn't go too far from the boarder." She remembered meeting up with her sister just before or after the boarder that separated Matori with Oba. It was where she found Lygs.  

[Sabra Knight]

Kesmi

Zyphire nodded, "Don't get me wrong - I would gladly run into you again." He commented lightly, "But at least you'll know if we don't find each other that surely I'll hear about a little bit of what you experienced. That much I definitely am looking forward to since you surely will have some adventures after all."

"Very hot and sandy indeed." Zyphire pursed his lips thoughtfully, "Honestly I wish she lived back in Jahaur or even Matori. I've always heard wonders about the ocean and how your beaches are. One day I would like to go there myself." So a merchant family? Very different from his own then. All of his were crazy fighters and sorcerers and all that fun stuff. He wondered what it would be like to be a normal family that didn't have to be involved in some fight at every turn.

Zyphire chuckled, "It's not always so glorious, but I definitely recommend seeing the world a bit more. It definitely enlightens you and shows you that our cultures can be rather different at times." The shifter shrugged, "But look at you now. You're going someplace even the most well seasoned traveler has yet to even dream about. That is something definitely to hold onto."