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[1/10]

Ever since Zadia had started working at the apothecary, she hadn’t been able to spend as much time with her family as she might have liked. She worked long shifts – not because she had to, but because she wanted to – and since she’d also moved out not too long ago it wasn’t as if she could simply see them in the evenings. Living with Lioe was nice in its simplicity, but there was a quietness there that she wasn’t used to. There weren’t any stray gadgets, oil spills that couldn’t be explained or scribbled plans on notepads. Instead there were books; stacks and stacks of texts both from her and Lioe. Though, to be fair, most of his works were projects he was working on and she…well, she just hoarded.

She’d planned on researching a type of venomous insect from Zena when her mother had come by with Marcella. Apparently she’d asked her earlier in the week to take the girl to an exhibit in town – had she? Zadia couldn’t recall – so that she and father could spend some time together. Now that the day was here and she had her younger sister at her side, casually walking down the cobbled streets to the exhibition, Zadia wondered how it was exactly that she got to this point. “So, what kind of display are we going to see?”

[2/10]

Zadia knew what her parents would have preferred; that Marcella went to this exhibit with some friends her own age but seeing as her younger sister didn’t have any that wasn’t likely to happen. Looking down at the child the older hybrid couldn’t understand why. Surely there were stranger children in the city and it wasn’t as if she’d been particularly ‘normal’ growing up herself. Still, there had been a few children who came around the house from time to time so what was it about Marcella that scared them off?

Pondering on this, Zadia lifted her hand to adjust the avian skull that hung from her neck and fingered the rune carved into the polished bone. It was a defensive mark; one that if touched by another other than her would cause immediate pain.
Yes, it truly was a mystery where Marcella had become so strange…

“Is that so?” In all honesty that had her curiosity. “I wonder if that means it’s venom has double the potency or if it’s negated…Stay close, Marcy. We need to cross the street.” It was perhaps the busiest intersection they were going to cross that day, but their destination was already within sight. Once they passed this hurdle it wouldn’t take much longer to get there. When the way was clear Zadia gave the girls hand a little tug and started to walk. She had all the clipped posture of her mother, though with far more poise. “If I thought they would sell it I would take the creature home with us. Don’t you think that would be the best present for Isaia when he comes home? Especially if it’s already warming itself in his bed?”

[3/10]

Zadia gave her little sister a smile – albeit a nearly sadistic one – and nodded before turning her attention back to the street. They may have been close, but Belrean city blocks could be far more hazardous to navigate than the Talean grasslands. “Well, he needs all the luck he can get, doesn’t he?” She desperately needed this creature now; not only for her research, but for her endlessly annoying brother…

As they neared the exhibit a little crowd had formed around the doorway. It seemed to be inside of a larger building, likely one that was usually rented out, with a little booth outside to take coin. Most of the patrons were…strange, was a kind way to put it, or young couples looking to spook their partners. “Do you know anything else we can do to help?”

[4/10]

Twenty five silver for this? Seemed awfully expensive for something you could neither take home for study nor touch. A passing glance, really, until you chose to see the performers which cost extra on top of the admission fee. Even with her parents footing the bill Zadia's frugal nature recoiled at the thought of giving the all too happy salesman his due.

"Enjoy yourselves, girls! Don't let the wonders of the world give you too much of a fright."

Uh huh, sure, you two bit crook.

Once they were inside the building proper she looked back to Marcella, passively making sure her little sister made it up the steps okay. At her impression of Uquin, Zadia couldn't help snorting a little and grinning. Now that was something she'd gladly drop coin on. "Do you remember where he was? We could always go after we get out of here."

[5/10]

Zadia wasn't quite sure what she was looking at. In some respects it was very well organized with workers placed at several points around the old warehouse, giving directions and information when asked, while the colors were bright enough to scald her. Posters dictating the skeletal remains of conjoined twins - Excavated straight from Yael! - were even advertised. The spiritual side of Zadia, no matter how small it may be, couldn't help thinking how that must be inviting some sort of curse. The other Belreans however gawked at the idea and nudged their friends to seek it out.

She, however, was in the business of a two headed snake. When she didn't see the signs they needed Zadia approached one of the exhibit personnel. "Excuse me, we're looking for a two headed keldari?"

"Ah, yes, sweet little thing. Last tent in the row dears. That's where all the critters are." When Zadia got a better look at the Geian woman she saw that she had heterochromia, albeit a much less noticeable version than Isaia's. Since her eyes were so pale one could almost miss it. Maybe we should have just waited for him to come. We could have gotten in for free.

[6/10]

There was a moments panic when Marcella dropped Zadia's hand. What if she decided to run off? How would she even find a little girl in a crowd like this? Thankfully she didn't seem keen to leave so much as gawk and that played into Zadia's favor.

Still...With a casual pat of her head Zadia placed a bit of magic into the tie keeping the younger hybrids hair out of her eyes. If she got out of sight she could track her and that was that.

The loatoa was nothing grand - she'd seen an albino aldabuk in Tale - and the averin was off putting, but it was the keldari that drew her in. A two headed beast; two tongues flicking to catch scents and undulating calmly about the woman's arms.

"Can you see it well enough? Do you need me to get us closer?"

Smiling sweetly to her sister, Zadia nodded and briefly placed a hand on top of her shoulder to give it a comforting squeeze. "Just you wait." Dipping her hand into the satchel at her side, the hybrid coated her fingers in a purple powder and set about to enact a plan.

She approached a fine looking Geian couple just in front of them and tapped the young gentleman on the shoulder. When he turned so, too, did the woman he was with. Unbeknownst to him, however, in that brief touch Zadia had placed a 'curse' on him. Since he was wearing such a loose shirt she'd been able to touch his skin and thus pass along the powder. The moment it made contact with flesh the color disappeared moments before soaking in through the flesh.

Since Zadia dealt with the poison daily she experienced no side effects, but within seconds the Geian started to itch.

"Sir, I couldn't help noticing the rash on your back; are you alright?" Concern colored her features, as innocent as a fresh maiden, and when his lady friend turned to look she gasped. A rash was spreading and while Zadia knew it wouldn't last for more than a few hours it was satisfying to watch. It would itch like crazy, though, so she'd have to make sure to wash her hand before touching anyone else.

Naturally the reaction was enough to cause some of the crowd around them to disperse before the couple wisely decided to leave, thus leaving a clear path to the front for the sisters.

[8/10]

If it weren’t for the fact that Zadia was trying to conceal herself she may very well have let her smugness show. As much as she tried not to mess with the general populace it was a little thrilling from time to time. More so when it was to the benefit of one such sister, but honestly Zadia would have done it just to avoid the crowd.

The hissing way of talking was a little gimmicky, but that tongue! Zadia’s attention instantly peaked. How did she do that?! She might have kept staring were it not for the tug on her head and Zadia carefully leaned down. “I’ll ask,” Giving Marcella’s hand a squeeze, but not bothering to rise, she instead raised her voice a little, “Is the keldari lucky?”