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Uzumati was still adapting to Belrea. Everything about the city was strange and the people even more so. He felt completely surrounded by the tall buildings and out of place in the sea of foreigners with their decorative and restrictive outfits. Still, he was enjoying the chance to spend more time with Padma's family even if not all of them agreed with his previous lifestyle in the forest. Today was a final day within the city, thank goodness, as the family had opted to get a little cottage for the weekend in the countryside. While Uzumati wasn't exactly certain what the countryside was in Belrea, the man was eager to get away from the looming buildings and crowded streets of the city. Unfortunately though they would need supplies to get them through the weekend and so Uzumati had volunteered to go looking for snacks and the like from nearby shops for their trip. Someone was supposed to tag along though he wasn't certain which relative (something about whoever had the most free time to babysit the wildman) would be helping him out today.

Once again he found himself pacing outside of the space he was sharing with Padma for their trip, the leafling tugging at the collar that seemed too tight for his throat before finally opening a few more buttons to allow more breathing room. It was still an upgrade from simply wearing furs and leather leggings, right? He even had those damn boots on today as ridiculous as he felt with pants and the buckled boots going up his calves. A sigh left his lips as he turned around once more and fidgeted with the straps of the leather satchel hanging at his side. It was simply a trip into the deeper area of the city to get supplies, that was easy enough. He just had to stay calm and not try to fight another duruf or something like that today.

[Uzu 1]

The chuckle startled Uzumati, his green gaze widening before the sight of Lioe brought a sigh of relief to his lips. The comment gave him pause but after a moment of contemplation the man simply shook his head. He had been doing his best to behave this trip and taking his boots off would break that. Even if it would be nice and refreshing to not have the smoldering things on his feet the obvious dirt from the streets would be something he would have to take the time to wash off before coming back home and he didn't know if they would have the time for it. "Let's go." He brushed past Lioe, eager to move after pacing for so long, but then stopped again as he reached the end of the street. The biggest reason someone had to tag along with Uzumati was simply because of how easy it was for him to get lost in the city with its various scents and twisting streets. It was much easier to track something in the open plains or the forest whereas here everything just...stank of city and earthlings.

"Snacks?" He found himself asking as he turned back around to look for Lioe, confusion written in his expression as he tried to make sense of which direction they should take first. If they were getting things for a weekend away food would be important, especially if there weren't any of those fancy restaurants or bakeries near the cottage in the countryside. Other materials they surely had at the house unless there was something in particular that the others would need which they were running low on. It would probably take a lot though considering the whole family would be crammed in one cottage for three whole days.

[Uzu 2]

"Guiseppa..." Uzumati tried to repeat the word but it felt strange in his mouth so it came out more like a murmur. Couldn't they just call a place the market? Was there something that made it special enough to have a name of its own or was that something sold there? Was that just simply a part of city life so that the earthlings could navigate easier? He had noticed some signs hanging here and there from buildings and on corners but it all looked like strange scribbles to Uzumati, another reason he had so many issues navigating the Belrean city. "Pastries." He offered as he tagged along after Lioe, his gaze only darting away from the smaller earthling to glare at anyone staring as they passed by. A duruf barked at them once before getting shushed by an owner and carried away, the little thing daring to growl at Uzumati who did his best to not snarl back even though his lips twitched as they walked past. He really did not like those animals at all.

Other than that it seemed like a peaceful enough walk. Uzumati was not much of one for conversation and simply kept to himself, most of his attention on studying the strange buildings and things that they passed on the way towards the market. He did keep some attention on Lioe as to not lose his guide but thankfully this time there was no witu hunting the boy even though at times Uzumati would have preferred being in Tale's wilderness dealing with such things instead of being in the city.

[Uzu 3]

At first all of the different scents and the crowd was overwhelming but after a few moments Uzumati found himself adjusting. The open market was much better than being in a tight store space, bakeries being one of the few places he could endure shopping in since the smell of fresh bread was just heavenly to the wild man, and Uzumati found himself relaxing somewhat even as they brushed past a few other shoppers. Eventually though they were in front of a door and Uzumati's shoulders dropped a little bit at the prospect of going inside even though he had suggested pastries in the first place. But like Lioe the man's expression lifted at the aroma of fresh bread and he found himself quickly moving towards the counter. "My treat." He commented as he glanced back towards Lioe and swept a hand out towards the counter. Uzumati wasn't exactly the richest person by far but he had worked hard to save up for the trip, the man already having exchanged plenty of coin for Belrean currency upon their arrival. It was only fair that he got something for Lioe since the younger man was tagging along with him today.

"The others?" He found himself pondering as he glanced back towards Lioe as if looking for guidance. What would the rest of the family enjoy during a weekend trip? Already Uzumati was thinking about grabbing some of the fresh bread for sandwiches and he had pointed out a couple of pastries that he would personally enjoy but he was sort of at a loss for the rest. Was there something in particular they would enjoy? His lips pressed together thoughtfully as he continued surveying the shelves, the aroma of food making his stomach grumble slightly as he looked at everything.

[Uzu 4]

"Mmm." Uzumati simply nodded at Lioe's thanks before going back to his pastry browsing. There were a few with those strange purple berries unique to Belrea that he enjoyed and so he could package a few more of those along with a couple loaves of bread....his lips pursed tightly before Lioe's comment had him thinking again. Even if he knew what his side of the family liked there were still all of those in Belrea that were tagging along with this upcoming trip that he didn't quite understand. Still, if Lioe was suggesting a variety then a variety it was. Uzumati smiled at the decision before his expression faltered at the realization that the other earthling in the store was talking to them. More conversations? It seemed that was all the Belreans knew how to do. A soft sigh left his lips as he trudged up towards Lioe and nodded towards Regal in greeting, his lips twitching in an attempt at a friendly smile as strained as it was. Back home showing teeth meant you were trying to intimidate another animal, the flashing fangs a warning to the witu who tried to invade his territory in the forest, but for earthlings it was a friendly gesture which he was trying to use more often in greeting.

After a moment Uzumati pointed to a few various pastries and placed the currency on the counter, waiting silently to see how the earthling...err Regal would react to his payment and silent request.

[Uzu 5]

Uzumati frowned as he tried to follow the conversation. Did everyone in Belrea have a habit of gossiping like the older generation of his home village? Even they didn't outright ask questions in front of the person! He let out a quiet breath as he went back to studying the shelves, his expression shifting with more confusion as he couldn't help listening to the conversation. Why did it matter if he had single siblings? Single as in just one sibling or? His piercing green gaze shifted towards Regal at the question. While before Uzumati may have not been able to piece together simple earthling terms and concepts the man was a father now and had to quickly adapt to deal with all the questions from his own children. "No family, fire killed them." He commented roughly before reaching to point again at a few items now that he had finally spoken, his voice rough and calm despite his morbid statement. Years ago just thinking about the trauma would have shut down the man but something within him had changed over the past decade, potentially the stress of raising children but more so the comfort of living with Padma and their family that had eased the pain which the shattered memories once brought him.

"The fresh breads." Uzumati pointed out the items once more just to make certain Regal didn't lose track again. He absolutely hated speaking, his own voice still strange to his ears and his throat feeling more like rough paper, but it was no impossible for him to speak. Hopefully that would appease the shop keep so that they could make their purchases and move along. Uzumati gestured towards the currency he had left on the counter once more, his arms crossing slightly in front of his chest as he waited for the pastries and bread to get packaged together.

[Uzu 6]

If Uzumati had learned more about social norms and how to keep up an atmosphere while conversing perhaps things would have gone smoother. All Uzumati could do is shrug slightly at the apology as if the loss shouldn't matter as much to the foreigner. It had been years ago and he hadn't wanted to bring it up but it seemed to get the other earthling to calm down about the talking. So in Uzumati's mind the tactic was a success even if unintentional as he was simply being honest. A bit blunt but honest nonetheless. He glanced between Lioe and Regal with curiosity before deciding to not worry about it. It was customary for merchants to greet familiar customers after all, right? That much he was learning since coming to Belrea.

His gaze did flicker towards Lioe with interest and Uzumati found himself nodding. "Sounds good." He managed before shouldering his purchase and straightening up so that he could follow Lioe at a more leisurely pace, his gaze focused back on their surroundings as to not wander towards the past. Part of him wondered if he should say anything else but Lioe was quiet and so Uzumati stayed silent, opting to simply follow him to the next destination.

[Uzu 7]

"Hmm." Uzumati nodded in understanding as Lioe pointed out things around the store. He went to work quickly gathering some smoked meats and dried fruits for their journey. He made things like these back home to prepare for winter and the smoky smell brought a familiarity to him that made the earthling relax despite being inside another shop. Thankfully this one was quieter, the man less focused on him and Uzumati found himself actually browsing instead of making hasty decisions. One section had some fire symbols drawn around them and he found himself picking up a bag out of curiosity, the man reaching to sniff at the contents before making a face as he turned and held the thing out towards Lioe. What was that spice? He had only thought these things existed in Oba! Without even tasting it the contents of the package had made his gaze water, his eyes burning at the smell of the spicy peppers.

"You...fond of this?" He asked quietly as he held the package out almost like an offering, his expression fairly distraught still over how intense the spice had been from simply smelling the dried meat. Why did others enjoy setting their mouths on fire? Still if someone else liked it then he would grab it for them.

[Uzu 8]