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 Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:57 pm
Faisal loved festivals. Walking into the center of Sulburi always amused him during these times because it went from the elegant settings of the upper houses into explosions of colors and decorations whenever he hit the lower streets. He couldn’t resist the playful grin that spread across his features as he noted the vibrant decorations that livened up the dusty streets. The exotic aroma of spices and local cuisine tickled his nose as he walked past several food stalls and the loud melody of different instruments filled the air. Everything was just so alive. Faisal tossed a coin to a vendor before snagging a kabob to himself. Taking a giant bite, the young swordsman glanced about thoughtfully. He knew that he wanted to pick up some souvenirs for his grandmother and mother, but there were simply too many stalls selling trinkets and other such finery. Everything looked lovely and he couldn’t help feeling attracted to anything that shined in the sunlight.
Seriously….where did he even begin?
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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:10 pm
[1/7]
Sariza wasn't so sure about festivals.
It wasn't that she disliked them; rather, she just wasn't inherently comfortable in the glow of happy faces and loose morals. Her father had discouraged going out to such events because it was a waste of time and coin. Brigadier General Hakan had provided security for more than his fair share of events, mostly those concerning Oban's elite, and thus had grown rather tired of them. He knew what to expect, what would get destroyed and what would be covered in paint, as well as the general disarray that came with large gatherings. Still, his stories of aggravation and mock horror did nothing to quell her curiosity.
Sariza walked the streets with a mixture of discomfort and awe in her eyes. There was just so much to take in, but being pressed so close to others felt wrong. She kept a careful hand on her coin, already judging those around her as potential thieves, and as soon as she got the chance she ducked into an alleyway for a breather.
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:08 pm
Faisal marveled at the ornament resting in his open palm. The artistry had simply been too beautiful to ignore and so after a quick word with the merchant, the young swordsman had traded coin for the artwork. I suppose someone will enjoy this. He thought with a small smile before carefully tucking away the trinket. It was a time for celebrations so why even worry about costs? He had worked hard for this coin after all and surely the smiles that it could bring would be well worth. Perhaps his father would disagree but that was a military man for you. Faisal chuckled at the thought before overhearing some merchants talking about a thief.
"Someone taking from the stalls during the festivals? Pretty common but if I see anything suspicious I'll gladly check it out for you." He commented before venturing away from the artisans. Making certain that his bag was tucked carefully at his side, Faisal almost didn't notice the girl who ducked into the alleyway. Surely not? His gaze narrowing with suspicion, Faisal darted after the figure and into the alleyway. "Hey." He greeted the stranger, one hand carefully inching towards his sword as a precaution. "Getting a breather from the festivities?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:31 pm
[2/7]
Sariza turned towards the voice and huffed in indignation. The last thing she wanted right now was to talk to anyone, let alone someone who couldn't seem to tell what personal boundaries were. He seemed to know spot on what her problem was, and yet, it just made her wonder why he was still around if he was really that sharp.
Her anxiety showed itself in the form of a stern mask, one that made her come across as far more bristly than she really was and turned her bright eyes into something akin to a Janarim. "Yes, I am. Now will you leave?" The harsh lightning in the alleyway didn't afford her much in the way of sight, but it was easy enough to see his accessories and the brightness of his hair. Light filtered in from behind him, illuminating the tips of his ears. A hybrid. While not uncommon, Sariza wasn't sure what to make of him. Her father had certainly made the impression that a person's worth should never be measured by their race, and yet, so many around her told her to beware. They're shifty...the mixes are usually thieves...
Ah, so that's what was going on here.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:16 pm
Someone seems a little on edge. Faisal's jaw clenched in response to the words the girl spat at him. If he uttered some sharp retort now that could very well end up in a fight and the last thing he wanted to do was get into a scuffle today. But at the same time he couldn't simply let a thief walk away, right? Taking breath, he simply shook his head and gave a slight chuckle. "I suppose I could do that but at the same time I hear the vendors really miss some items of theirs." His amber gaze studied her as he made certain to keep a few feet between them but at the same time his body was tense and ready to leap into action should something occur. Perhaps he could just intimidate her into returning anything if she was the thief. Why would she be so on edge if she wasn't hiding something? It was hard for the sociable boy to imagine someone simply being uncomfortable because of a festival after all. Why even bother showing up then?
"Haven't happened to see anything strange or find anything particularly shiny around here....have you?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:01 pm
[3/7]
"So I was right."
He'd all, but admitted it. Using the cover of a grand ol' time to hide his nefarious schemes this thief was going from mark to mark, fat on his happy haul. It was enough to make Sariza's lip curl, and her spine straightened in response. She couldn't just let him walk away now; not after that. It was a little disappointing to hear the stereotypes were true, but a thief was a thief.
"I don't have anything for you, if that's what you're insinuating." Her tone was curt and clipped, pastel eyes looking straight into amber. Let him try to weasel out of this; she was ready for it.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:34 pm
"Damn straight." Responded Faisal with a glare. Perhaps he could have tried to have been a bit more subtle with his accusations but at least now she knew that he was on to her. "Really? Of course it wouldn't be for me." He quipped back as he took a step forward. "Look I really don't like fighting a lady but if you insist on lying then I guess I'll have no choice but to get the proof for myself." If she had perhaps seemed apologetic or spun any type of story then maybe he would have listened to her but that attitude was simply too curt for his liking. She definitely was not going to budge on this one it seemed.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:55 pm
[4/7]
"Proof? Of what, your corrupt morals?" Sariza gave a sardonic laugh. Each step he made towards her she responded in kind. It was no wonder her father didn't want her coming to festivals! It was a den of sinners and fools!
"If you think you can take me on you should know I won't go down easy." Sariza raised her fists and shifted her stance, fully prepared to knock his lights out. "And once I've had a talk with the guard, I'll make sure your cell is as unpleasant as can be."
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:14 pm
"Hah! My corrupt morals?" Faisal spat back towards her before raising his own fists at her words. Even though he had a sword it simply was not honorable to cut down someone without a weapon. Even if they're a lying, snarky thief. His lips curled at the thought as he took a step forward, ready to defend against her attack.
However, it was at that moment when the words finally registered in his thick skull and the swordsman's stance wavered. "Wait....what?" He questioned with a frown. "Why would I be the one in a cell? You're the one whose been stealing not me!" What sort of weird fantasy was she living in?
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 1:27 pm
[5/7]
By the time the haze was starting to lift from his mind Sariza was close enough to uppercut him square in the jaw. If she'd had any less impulse control she would have done just that, but being the lady she was, Sariza held back. She'd been trained to never throw the first punch, especially in public, but once that barrier was broken...
...well, coming home a loser wasn't an option.
"Me? Are you blind? If I was a thief, wouldn't I have a bag or some kind of satchel to put it all in?" She made a vague hand motion over her person and the attire covering it. For the most part her outfit was tight, practical, without flare, but clearly not cheap. "If there really is a thief at this festival they've long since run away because you've been too busy harrassing innocent civilians! If anyone's acting like a thief it's you!"
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 3:45 pm
Needless to say a deep blush decorated Faisal's cheeks as the girl went off on him. "I apologize." He managed as he held up his hands defensively and even took a step backwards from the fists which had nearly knocked him in his face. The flush had deepened even more as she gestured and he realized that he had followed the hands across her whole person, something which surely his own family would have admonished him for. Such a gentleman. Chase after her in the alley and accuse her of theft.
"However, I am not acting like a thief." He protested with a frown. "You're the one who was acting all on edge and hiding away in an alley. What was I to think after the vendors just told me a thief had gone off in this direction?" A thief which probably had gotten away, something which made him feel even more sheepish, but still! "Seriously." Faisal huffed as he glanced around them. "Who relaxes in a dark alley during a festival and doesn't expect trouble? You're fortunate that I'm not a thief either." Though with that attitude and fighting pose perhaps she wouldn't have been the easiest of targets...still others could have had weapons and no reservations about striking an unarmed woman.
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:07 pm
[6/7]
She had half a mind to punch him anyway, but seeing as she'd also though him a thief Sariza settled for an indignant sigh. At least he had the good graces to apologize, though the accusations still sat bitterly with her. Me? A thief? As if!
Now it was her turn to flush. "What was I to do?! I'm not accustomed to festivals and I just needed a break. How was I to know I was going to be chased?" Of course he had a point, though she was loathe to admit it. Moving to a darker spot in a crowded event was just drawing a target on her back, but Sariza couldn't stand being around so many people for a moment longer. The benefits had far outweighed the risks.
"In any case you've made your position known. I'm no thief, and I would appreciate it if you would leave." Her tone wasn't nearly as cold as she would have liked. If anything Sariza was more flustered and embarrassed over the whole thing. It was bad enough to be accused of theft, let alone to be l-l-looked at like that (even if she'd opened the door for it!), and to top it off she still hadn't had a chance to breathe.
Her cheeks felt as if they were burning.
"Actually, move aside; I'll leave."
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:18 pm
Faisal let out a sigh of his own. Truly it was a situation that he had never imagined participating in and he did feel slightly ashamed that he had jumped to such conclusions. Still, he had only been thinking of doing the right thing in the long run. It wasn't like he had chased her with his sword drawn or accused her in front of a crowd either. Faisal wanted to protest more but simply settled to keeping his jaw clenched in silence instead as she spoke. Obviously he was not the only one flustered in this situation and it was fairly apparent, especially whenever she moved to leave and he noticed her expression.
"Fine." He responded before taking a step or two backwards. "If anything...." Faisal started before holding back his words. If he offered to walk with her now then that would be even worse for the both of them. A young couple walking out of a dark alley into festivities? Faisal shook his head. "Never mind. If you go around the block and towards the right...there are stairs that lead to an overlook." He offered instead after a pause. "It gives you a lot of the festivities without much of the crowd, especially when they release the lanterns later."
Faisal gestured towards her once more as he finished speaking. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your day." Turning on a heel, mostly to hide his embarrassment and to keep anyone from getting the wrong impression about the girl and him both, Faisal walked towards the other end of the alley away from the festivities. He had already accused her of theft and refused to tarnish her reputation anymore by letting wandering gazes get the wrong idea about her walking out with him. It would be easier to leave the festival and perhaps come back later.
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:27 pm
[7/7]
"That...sounds really lovely." She responded quietly, turning her eyes his way. Should she...say something more? A part of her yearned to do so, to at least thank him for that bit of information, but then again she might have found it on her own if he'd just let her go on about her evening. Still, he'd only been trying to do the right thing, and as horribly as it had turned out he wasn't a terrible person.
And seeing the lanterns from up close, instead of her bedroom window, sounded beautiful.
Silently, she watched him leave, and only when he was gone did she dare breath. Taking a moment to compose herself, Sariza turned her gaze back to the mouth of the alley and stepped forward.
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