|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 5:58 pm
It was another rare morning where Nabil was allowed to leave the manor, his family too preoccupied to bother with keeping watch over the young teen. He had hoped to gather some rare ingredients from an oasis outside of the city, the area lush with vegetation where he hoped to get some herbs without spending coin, but the chaos that greeted him on the streets took him by complete surprise. Was this why his family was distracted today? A few Obans started bickering down the street, somehow blaming each other for changes to their appearances while the merchant he had just bought supplies from the other day was staring into a mirror and looking at their now vibrant red hair.
"What is happening?" Nabil blinked, trying to access the situation and grasp the fact that somehow the irritating pollen that had been raining down in the streets the last few days had caused so many changes. Thankfully he had been trapped indoors, the boy tacking up an old rug against any cracks in the walls to prevent the pollen from bothering him or his twin sister. Though he had only done that thinking it would cause some irritation, not something like this!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2024 8:22 pm
Zuri walked with her usual poise and grace.. except for a telltale stiffness that held her back too tightly, and the way her mouth was set in a fine line of discontent. With her parasol in hand, she was on her way to the doctor's clinic. As she walked, she overheard others expressing concerns over changed colors to various degrees. Hair, crystals, skin, and even eyes... it seemed nothing was safe from the possible shifts in color. Zuri herself looked the same as she had when she'd gone to bed the night before. Her mother, however... Cushowa had once sported a fine head of deep crimson hair. This morning, the elder Oban had woken to find it this utterly horrid shade of pink! A shade like- like- She paused in her walk to stare at a young man with a very similar shade of hair to what her mother now had. The poor man. "Did your hair change as well?" she asked without giving it a second thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:20 pm
Nabil was prepared to walk past the hybrid, trying his best to not stare at the obvious unique features that she had, but then she seemingly addressed him. Frowning, Nabil glanced over her and shook his head. "It did not." He finally answered after a moment, skeptical about why someone would suddenly speak to him on the street like this. Unless she wanted to sell something or the like? Though it looked like she was fairly well off, nothing about her made her appear like a beggar despite her strange appearance. Then again another pair of Obans rushed past while complaining about their appearances which made him realize that maybe she was simply trying to make conversation in the midst of chaos. Both options confused him, but he simply crossed his arms before glancing over her. "I'm not the best to offer an explanation or seek comfort from if you're suffering from changes. If it does help things look purely physical, no one seems to be dying from them." If it was an illness...well those afflicted at his own home would receive no prayers to the gods from him.
Nabil did give her a glance over, the Oban teen tilted his head this and that way as he studied the hybrid. "There's some plants that I know of in a nearby oasis to act as dyes if you need to cover any of that up from changes." He gestured towards her, not certain what changed but obviously thinking she had something wrong with her appearance simply based upon everything happening at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:25 am
It... didn't? Zuri looked over the other's locks for a moment longer. So.. then, that color was something normal? Ish? She let out a peep as the more emotional folks went running by, forced to take a couple steps closer to her new acquaintance in order to not get bumped into. Honestly! She was smoothing her skirt out when she looked up with confusion. "Me? Oh, I assure you that I am not suffering in the slightest. This ailment had no effect on me. My mother, though..-" Her brow cocked sharply at the final comment, trying to decide if she was being slighted or if the young man simply lacked self-awareness. "Does it truly look as though my appearance is in need of alterations?" she asked stiffly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2024 8:36 am
What? Did she not believe him? Nabil's gaze narrowed, the teen trying to figure out why the strange looking hybrid was having such an adverse reaction to his appearance when he couldn't quite grasp her own. Then that confusion was mirrored on her own face and he took a moment before nodding. "Your mother was afflicted? Is that why you're out in the crowds, looking for something to help?"
It felt like a trap. Nabil frowned, opened his mouth to reply before closing it again for a moment. She did appear strange to him, but maybe it was because of her own heritage and not from the pollen? The Oban took a moment before shrugging lightly. "Your earlier question about my hair changing as well made me assume that yours had been altered. That was all." Hopefully it was a smooth enough recovery, even he understood it would be rude to say that he wasn't quite certain how to feel about her appearance. After all, she was the first Aishan hybrid he had ever encountered and it was an adjustment to see all the differences between their appearances. However...she did look like she had a bit of coin about her, based on her attire at least, and it made Nabil thiink about opportunities. "If you're concerned about your mother why not come with me to gather some herbs. Even if not dyes there's some for lotions to help with the itchy skin and such. I can help gather some if you don't mind paying a coin for my time."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2024 10:36 am
After a soft inhale, Zuri nodded. It seemed they both had assumed. "I see.. but yes, my mother woke up with a different hair color. She is not pleased with the change, so I came out to see if anyone had a way to reverse it. If nothing else, I can at least buy her some hair dye until a more permanent solution is figured out." Surely someone would be able to figure out how to change the hair back. Right? The offer for assistance did have her perking up. Ah, and then the catch... She pursed her lips slightly and shifted her hand to her little coin purse. There wasn't much in there... the one downside to her prioritizing feeling rich over actually saving anything revealed. Surely her mother would appreciate the effort at the cost of a few coins though? "The assistance would be appreciated," she started slowly, "but I'm afraid I don't have much to spare at the moment. If you would permit me an I.O.U., I assure you I will be able to reimburse you much more handsomely later." She just needed to get paid for the week first... Gods, why had her mother ever left the wealth of her family?! This bartering was infuriating!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:30 pm
"An unpleasant hair color then." Mused Nabil, thinking about others within his own home that had caused a commotion with their changes. "That's dyeable thankfully, others had their eyes and even skin completely change." He remarked quietly, trying to find some positivity and avoid judging someone for worrying over something like hair color. How drastic of a change could it have been? At least dye was an option for that change.
His gaze narrowed even more thoughtfully at the sight of the small coin purse, Nabil balancing his options before giving a slight shrug. One coin was better than none especially when he was already heading out that way, right? "Considering the situation I don't mind a smaller payment if you can afford it now instead of later, just something for the herbs and my time." Nabil decided. It would save her money and save him disappointment if he never did get to cash in on some debt from a stranger. "As it is, we should go." The path to the oasis cut through the outside of the city and the desert sun was not kind, even on the way towards the oasis, and he much preferred getting there before afternoon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:11 am
Some little empathetic part deep within Zuri pinched with guilt. At the least, it kept her from pointing out the similarities between her mother's new looks and this gentleman. "It is certainly not ideal," she confirmed. "We are indeed grateful that her hair is all that changed. And also that my Mame and I were unaffected." It was strange, but she wasn't about to think too long on the matter! She lit up again at the acceptance of a smaller pay and nodded happily. "I appreciate your understanding of the matter." She reached into her purse and pulled out a silver coin. "Here. One now on good faith, and I shall give you another after we are finished." She closed up the purse and straightened out her skirt. "Where is it we're going?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 1:24 pm
"Hmm, I see." Nabil responded after a moment, keeping any comments about how sometimes a change may not be the worst thing to himself. He had just snagged a coin from her and that was the most important thing, opinions be damned. Nabil tried to keep cool as he accepted the silver coin, having only expected one and not two after her earlier comments but he was not going to reject any additional payments. It was just hard to not smirk as he tucked the coin into his travel bag, the teen gesturing down the street towards the western gates. "That way. It's not too far out of the city, and I know a safe and quick way to the oasis there."
Nabil started walking before pausing and looking back at his new client as he realized he hadn't offered his name. Being hidden from the social scene had dulled his concern for such things, Nabil no longer being forced to attend events as the potential heir and being treated as less than a servant by some within his own home now. Who cared if he introduced himself or not in that situation? His step-mother wanted him to be more like a shadow moving through their home, if even that. "If you would care for an introduction then my name is Nabil." He offered, only waiting a moment to give her a chance to react before continuing forward. They didn't have much time before the afternoon sun when the desert was at its hottest and he wanted to avoid that at all costs. He just hoped the girl could keep up, especially as his steps quickened at the sight of the gate where they could leave the city in the crowd of people and pick up the path towards the oasis from there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:21 am
" Outside of the city?" she asked with a hint of skepticism. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to follow a strange man out there... but she was on a mission! If her best chance to please her mother was outside of the city, then that was where she would go. Still, an oasis was better than some filthy side alley. Ah, right! Introductions were surely in order if they were to be working together even briefly. "I'm Zuribali. It is a pleasure to meet you, Nabil." She sped up to match the quickened pace and let out a soft sigh. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to go too much faster!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:22 pm
"Where else would herbs grow? In the streets?" Nabil raised a brow at the question, trying to understand why such an idea was so baffling. It wasn't as if they were going that far out of the city so he didn't think there should be any need for concern. Wouldn't it be more concerning to follow someone into a back alley or something? Honestly, he already had his coin so if anything he would have just lost her somewhere on any of those twisting alleyways not expecting to see the hybrid again. It would probably be fairly easy and Nabil rarely left his own home, so the chances of any actual encounters after this were slim.
But he was an honest person, Nabil not wanting to act like any of those who would willingly harm others for profit, and so he continued forward along the correct path after she introduced herself. "A pleasure." He replied, giving a curt nod before gesturing for her to follow him down the street and through a side gate that would lead them outside. Once the walls were behind him, the teen pointed on the horizon where there was a splash of green showing between the dunes of sand. "It's a fifteen minute walk in that direction. The oasis there will have several herbs growing along the water's edge that we can gather. I'll show you which plants are helpful for mixing together for either a dye or a soothing ointment."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:24 pm
Zuri looked around a moment and shrugged lightly. "I suppose I just never thought of a vendor being outside these walls. It seems inconvenient to the customer." After all, they were going to a vendor, right? Of course! '...that we can gather.' WE? The reality rapidly settled in. "Oh..." Her legs continued to to carry her along with Nabil, but her expression had pinched as her mind went over the situation. She was going to have to gather the herbs herself?! Surely she could just buy this stuff somewhere! Well.. it did mean she wouldn't have to spend any more money than she already was on Nabil's assistance. She did say she would help her mother however she could, and picking herbs wasn't the worst sort of manual labor... Ugh. After a moment, she sighed and straightened her back. "I have never made an ointment before, but my mame will know how to do it. Do you often make your own creations or do you just know of it?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2024 6:44 am
Nabil paused, blinked and opened his mouth before quickly closing it again. Sometimes there were just no words when it came to certain situations and so he just continued forward, hoping that she would catch on that there were no vendors involved in this transaction. At least not on his end. Gathering herbs was the smarter and cheaper option, they would be fresh and guaranteed unlike the expensive dried pieces from vendors.
At least it seemed that she finally pieced it together, the soft sigh alerting him that a decision had been made as they continued away from the city and towards the oasis. "Good. You should bring back plenty for a jar or two." Nabil replied before nodding at the question. "I'm not an expert with lotions, I can make some simple healing remedies while mostly I gather herbs to cook with." He expressed before urging them along, the sight of the oasis more than welcome since it allowed him to guide her down towards his usual spot where a variety of wild plants grew. "You can help by gathering those violet looking ones or at least hold onto this bag while I get everything you need." He handed a spare satchel towards Zuri, mourning its loss already but remembering the coin would be plenty to pay for it. And without wasting much time he began gathering, the teen picking through the plants like an expert and pointing out several others that could help soothe the skin and the like. When he was finished he would simply give them over to Zuri, keeping some for himself and preparing for the walk back into the city where he would disappear back through the streets towards home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:50 pm
The oasis really was a lovely place. The view alone almost made it worth the trip out there. She followed after Nabil with the bag that was given to her, quite content to let him do the picking. Still, she did at least make an effort to pay attention to what it was the young man was picking. Maybe it would be useful in the future? It would give her something to discuss with mame as well. As promised, she thanked Nabil for his efforts and gave him the second coin . The bag of herbs was looped to her wrist and she couldn't help her pleased posture as they headed back. She hoped this would help mother, but, if not.. she felt good about having tried.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
