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 Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 11:23 am
Returning to Chibale without her sisters hadn't been part of the plan. She was to visit Zinris with a few of the Elaria that had visited Chibale, make some connections, and return with the Alkidike she'd gone to Yael with. It was never meant to be a lasting trip, nor was it supposed to have any divergent paths and yet here she was. The group had long since gone on, parting ways with Ika on the coasts of Matori, while the hybrid herself stayed behind with a hybrid of a different sort.
She wasn't one for frivolous travel, nor was she one for avoiding her duties and yet here Ika was, walking through the streets of a busy port down just after dusk. Her swords had been left back in the inn they'd paid way too much for and she felt herself missing the weight against her hips. Instead, a thick pouch of gold tapped her left thigh, passively mirroring the touch of a sword in the most pathetic way possible.
"So, I know we could have gone to a tavern in Yael, but I thought Matori might be better. They're more used to seeing Aishans, at least the kind that didn't try murdering them." At least, the most recent past.
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Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:30 pm
For once Quynh was extremely thankful that her mothers were so obsessed with the hunt. Their wandering ways had brought them to Yael to track down one of the bigger and rarest of games, but Quynh was excluded once more for training with her Elarian cousins since the hunters didn't feel that she was ready for the larger game yet. She felt restless about it since she hated feeling useless, but encountering Ika instead while hunting for gemstones had been a welcomed event that she gladly embraced. And now while her mothers took a bit longer to cross overseas, Quynh found herself agreeing to reunite with her family in Chibale after taking a slight detour with her friend. Never before had she truly experienced an earthling town, her mothers preferring to camp out in the wilderness while crossing between territories, and so far the experience was exciting for her. She loved seeing all the different fashions, foods, the other various wares of the merchants in the busy port, and just spending time with Ika itself was a blessing for the hybrid who was crushing hard on the other warrior. Needless to say all of the positives she felt about the situation kept her expression bright despite any strange stares or the like as they passed along.
"Ah, well that's only half of my heritage." Quynh replied honestly, with a nod towards the Aishan comment. There was probably a good reason her mothers didn't stay in earthling towns for long when they were forced to pass through these ports, her Elarian mother still had a bit of a short temper when it came to dealing with them. Not that she had ever killed someone from what the hybrid knew...at least not since Quynh was born. "Matori is probably for the best though. I think the last time I tried interacting with a Yaeli they ended up stammering the entire time before darting away." It was a shame, really. She honestly had just wanted a conversation about gemstones since she had seen the Yaeli with a collection of them. Unlike her mothers Quynh was actually intrigued by earthlings, the hybrid feeling a bit of a connection since she had been treated as less than a pure Aishan by some because of her unique situation as an Elarian and Alkidike hybrid. So being allowed within a port city without restrictions, even splurging on an inn room, had been a first for Quynh. Even a room at an inn had the softest bed she had ever felt in comparison to the bedrolls she had been raised sleeping on as they camped night after night. Was that why earthlings could be considered softer than Aishans? Their sleeping preferences? Her mothers would have a fit if they ever slept on something so fine, surely it was bad for you since you needed to experience harsher conditions to stay tough. Quynh shook her head, her beaded locks chiming slightly with the movement as she continued walking alongside of Ika. It had been embarrassing enough that she had forgotten herself and bounced around the room like it was some sort of dream, the hybrid checking out every corner of the space since she had never been inside of an inn before either. And the inn room wasn't the only thing she had spent coin on besides food, the colorful skirts of the cotton dress with its embroidered leather belt that she had purchased upon arrival matching her usual vibrant self as it swished around her ankles.
"At least they're willing to trade with me here." Acknowledged Quynh after another moment, the hybrid looking around the streets with a smile. "I'm glad I had some spare jewelry to trade. So now I can buy a few drinks!" She laughed quietly, her gaze bright as she looked back towards Ika. "Though if we drink too much how do we get back to the inn?" She had seen some others that had drank a bit too much, Quynh never much of one for drinking herself while some of the hunters always went a bit too hard on the ales whenever they came back successfully. Usually it ended up with scattered bodies throughout an encampment the Aishans just celebrating until nearly dawn and then sleeping through the morning.
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Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:20 pm
"Of course they'll trade with you; who wouldn't want an excuse to talk to a pretty lady?" As she spoke Ika lowered the lids of her eyes and deepened her voice, just to add a little ambience to the moment before breaking off into a grin. Aishan or not, Quynh was a shining example of what exotic beauty could do to a community. For every sideways, cautious look there were just as many lustful ones. Ika wasn't nearly humble enough to deny her role in it, but she also wasn't blind. Under the sea sun, Quynh sparkled finer than the purest crystal.
"If you can't hold your liquor I guess I'll just have to carry you back." And with that same deep voice, she added, "What a pity."
While others might have found the passing of a group of intoxicated men off-putting, Ika found it validating. She took that as a sign they were getting closer to the tavern and sure enough, as they rounded the corner the establishment came into view. It was on the larger side, fitting for a port town, and with it's wooden windows propped open the sounds of chipper music blended with raucous drunks and laughter.
Reaching for Quynh's hand, she tugged the Aishan forward, "Come on! This is gonna be great!"
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 9:28 am
Quynh simply raised a hand to her cheek in a mock attempt at embarrassment, the grin crossing her lips at the playful compliment contrasting with the movement. "I mean, at least they have good eyes. Would be a shame to ignore the compliments when it makes for some easy trades." She replied without even trying to hide her own vanity. Quynh adored how she looked and always accessorized with bright colors to match, her appearance was crucial even as an Aishan warrior as much as it confused her mothers who prioritized the hunt above all else.
A light laugh left her lips, the sound as musical as it was full of life. "Are you tempting me to drink as much as possible?" Quynh replied, her chest still shaking with laughter at the mocking voice. Anyone else she would have held her ground against and brushed the idea aside as silly, but the idea of Ika carrying her? Well, Quynh felt no need to hide her interest in the Aishan hybrid. Why bother when she knew her own feelings? "I suppose I won't have any worries about overdoing it then." She added after a moment, her gaze only brightening more at the sight of the tavern itself. It was so large and there were so many visitors here!
"Lead the way! Will there even be enough seats for us?" Joked Quynh as she followed along, the hybrid side-stepping groups of people some drunk already and others simply walking about for the evening. Was there music coming from inside as well? It sounded like an upbeat sea shanty at the moment and Quynh had to wonder how Ika felt about dancing...maybe after a few drinks the idea would be even more fun. The very thought made her laugh once more as they disappeared into the crowd and through the large archway that marked the beginning of the tavern where there were an array of tables and even a large bar with patrons already claiming most of the stools as a group sang and played instruments on a stage built towards the center of it all. "Do you see a spot?" Quynh asked, twisting this and that way to see over the shorter earthlings who were wandering about the larger room.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 10:22 am
"Even if there isn't, you think that's gonna stop me from nabbing some?" Ika grinned. There might have been a few who wouldn't give up a seat to a couple of pretty ladies, but she knew bar patrons well enough to know they were few and far between. A couple smiles, some sweet words and they could have whatever seat they wanted!
It had been so long since she'd been inside a proper, thriving tavern that Ika's veins practically thrummed with energy. Magical candle light made the space as bright as day and gave the performers on the crafted stage all the encouragement needed to play until their fingers stopped. This was what she'd wanted for so long. This atmosphere, this feeling - it was just something that couldn't be replicated in Chibale and even Yael had made a mess of it. All the yaeli were too busy worrying over something or the other to really let loose, but here -
-here no one cared.
"Over there! I see a couple spots by the bar." Whether the seats had always been vacant or if the patrons had just gotten up to dance, Ika didn't dare to check. Instead she led Quynh through the throng, and took her seat on one of the stools. It was clearly earthling sized, practically a child's toy beneath her, but it was sturdy and held well.
One of the two bartenders was a portly Matorian, whose eyes may have been tired, but never the less sharp as he looked around the room. When he spotted the new comers he tossing a drying rag over his shoulder and approached with a smile. "What'll it be? We've got just about any type of ale you can dream of and more. Perks a' bein' here."
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 11:22 am
"Nice." Quynh's grin didn't leave her lips as she navigated the crowd with Ika, the hybrid sliding onto the seat gracefully and tucking her legs back slightly to adjust for the shorter stool. It looked like others were considering approaching for a moment but the girl simply tilted her head towards them, her bright green gaze causing the young men's confidence to falter in the moment, and then Quynh leaned against the bar to consider the array of ale that she could spot from their spot at the bar.
"Hmm...what do you think?" She started to ask Ika before another server passed with a tray of drinks, a shimmering amber and violet one catching her attention. Even the glass holding it looked pretty, the tavern having apparently invested in some glasswork for their more expensive drinks that weren't straight ale in wooden mugs. "Okay, I'll take that. Whatever it is." Quynh straightened up and pointed to the drink that had caught her attention as the server disappeared into the crowd towards whatever table had ordered the lovely concoction. Was that some sort of honey that was layered on wine or something richer to make such an effect? Either way it was beautiful and Quynh wanted to try it.
"A hazy sunset, eh?" The Matori chuckled before nodding. "If that's what ya want then sure."
Quynh nodded before looking back towards Ika. "Hopefully that works. What about you? If you recommend something else then I'll just drink it next." She grinned boldly as she settled in, her posture relaxing more as she looked over her companion. "It's a night to try everything and anything, right?" And boy was she ready. Maybe it was just the energy in the room at the moment, but Quynh felt like she could take on the world right now.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 11:47 am
The mixed drink caught Ika's eye and she gave a bemused smirk at the effect it had on Quynh. Visually it was stunning, just like the Aishan beside her, but also like anything of beauty it had bite. Whatever liquor had been mixed to produce those hues was undoubtedly stronger than some of the ale here, and Ika had to admit, she was eager to see what it would taste like.
"What about something sour?" She turned to the bartender, who never once paused in the making of Quynh's drink, even when he turned to address her.
"Ever had a Twisted Xaraan?" Ika shook her head. "Twisted Xaraan it is."
While she set up a tab for their drinks, Ika noticed first Quynh's drink before set before her and then her own. At first glance it lacked the showmanship of her companion's drink, but when Ika reached for it she noticed the magical effect on her glass. Upon closer inspection she saw a few runes carved into the bottom - no doubt activated by the bartender himself - that kept the liquor nice and cool on this warm day.
And when she took her first drink the sourness of it was akin to a punch in the gut. Her lip curled, eyes squinting closed as she sucked on a breath and when she'd finally swallowed Ika gave a laugh. "Goddess that's sour."
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 12:06 pm
Quynh blinked in surprise at the request. Sour? There could be sour drinks? Then again she had never imagined one with so many lovely colors mixed together either so anything was possible. "I can't believe they can concoct so many different types of drinks." Admitted Quynh as she studied the glass in her hands, the curved edges almost reminding her of a blooming flower. It was strangely cool to the touch as well, the rune note missing her notice as she raised the glass and finally took a small sip.
Oh, that was good! Quynh let out a soft gasp before taking another drink, this time a bit longer than the first sip. It was sweeter than expected without the overwhelming taste of alcohol and there was something crisp to it that reminded her of fresh fruit. It was a far cry from the heavy ales her mothers had sometimes returned with to share with the other hunters. Though she was innocently unaware of how deceptively strong such a drink could be, the alcohol hidden within the light flavors stronger than those heavy ales.
She turned to look at Ika, Quynh pausing with concern at the expression on her companion's face before the sour comment caused her to laugh instead. For a second there she had worried the glass was poisoned and had been braced to jump over the counter to demand justice! "That sour?" The hybrid chuckled before holding up her own drink. "Mine is sweet as nectar, should we swap and see how that goes?" She was curious about a sour drink, especially after seeing the face that Ika made! It was so amusing and Quynh wondered if she would have a similar reaction if she did try the drink for herself.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 12:18 pm
"Sure, why not. Y'never know, you might like mine better." She handed over her drink, and took a good look at the hazy sunset before taking a sip. It was a kick to the senses, having something that sweet and smooth after a bitter sour, so the first drink wasn't entirely pleasant. The second, however, was much more fulfilling and left her with a smile by the end of it. "Ahh, that's nice. I can see myself on the beach with one of these - maybe a few."
She could hoist up a few poles, stretch out a blanket to make a cabana and lounge the day away with ease.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 12:52 pm
"Maybe, maybe not." Quynh replied playfully with a light shrug. "Either way I'm willing to try whatever tonight." She glanced around and smiled at Ika. "That's the point, no? To just do whatever and ease our burdens for a night?" Not that she felt like she had many burdens at the moment, especially since she had gotten to travel with Ika for a bit. If anything Quynh was just happy to enjoy life and live in the moment without worrying over the next hunt for once. And it definitely felt good to just enjoy the moment, especially with the influence of some drinks making her cheeks flush and her gaze shine.
And surely it couldn't be that sour, right? Quynh took the drink for herself, holding it up and twisting it in the light before boldly bringing the glass to her lips. The initial sip was okay then she took another that had her slamming the glass down with a gasp. "Okay, that is sour!" She agreed with a laugh, looking over at Ika before daring to take another drink. "I'll make the sacrifice and you can finish that one." She managed after her lips finally stopped puckering from the sour sensation, it wasn't awful after a couple of drinks and had a bit of a nice aftertaste somehow.
"It's just amazing how you can make the drinks taste so different." Quynh acknowledged as she watched the server moving past again, the Matori chuckling at the commentary. "What other flavors can you make happen?" It was like some sort of earthling magic! She had never believed it possible to have so drastically different drinks like this, especially not with alcohol!
"Heard of the Vryxh? Legendary creatures from Yael inspired this one." The Matori offered, mixing up a tall glass of red and amber liquid with a slice of fruit and what looked like sea salt decorating the rim of the glass. "Vryxh Fire, you'll see how spicy a drink can be now that you've had something sweet and sour."
"No way." Quynh studied the drink and held it up for a moment, noticing the dark flakes of something from a pepper perhaps in the mixture. They were so fine though that they melted within a moment, looking as if she were just seeing a mirage at first. Could a drink really be spicy? Quynh took a breath, nodded and raised the glass to her lips. It was tangy? Oh! But then there was spice and she found herself placing the glass down and looking towards Ika with surprise. "It really does have a bit of heat!" She managed after a moment, completely baffled by yet another drink before ordering another tray of different types to try out. If they were doing this then they were going all in!
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 2:00 pm
The hybrid knocked back the last of the drink and slid the empty glass back toward the bartender. Somewhere along the process Quynh had ordered another drink, this one with a lot of heat to it and she knew she'd created a monster. If you're going all in you might as well order some mead too. So she did; some of the richest, most savory Zenan mead the Matorian could wrestle up and goddess it was good. Compared to some of the other drinks she'd had that night it had a much more savory feeling to it, one that she couldn't finish right away but always made her come back for more.
And that was only the first of many. Everytime they finished a glass the bartender would offer up a new idea, some concoction that Ika would have never guessed and yet always seemed to pair well with the previous drinks. The music swelled and dimmed around them, sometimes even fading completely as the night went on. By her fifth - or was it the sixth?- Ika had pulled her hair back into a half ponytail just to get it off her neck as her skin was nearly scalding to the touch. She had a high tolerance for liquor, but some of these drinks snuck up on her!
"You should try this one," Ika leaned over to Quynh, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder as she moved the glass closer, "It's Menzuri venom." And true to it's name the drink was impossibly dark except for the streaks of near fluorescent green that swirled around inside the glass. "It's great." She tried to make her voice louder than the band, but Ika just ended up laughing instead.
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Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 7:02 am
There were so many colorful things in the tavern, the drinks and the crowd both kind of blurring together after a few rounds. Quynh was enjoying the energy, the bouncing of others as they danced past and the music as entertainers kept going before swapping to yet another song. Why had the purist hated on earthlings so much before? They knew how to have fun! Her own cheeks were fully flushed at this point, Quynh's locks having slightly tumbled out of the low bun she had created over the past two hours and thankfully her clothing was already airy enough that she didn't need to remove anything to help cool her flushed skin. She did tend to twist her bangles though, the hybrid shaking them here and there to see if the chiming of her bells and beads could ever match with the music from the stage.
She had just finished another one of those hazy sunsets before Ika leaned over with a new drink. "Menzuri venom?" She gasped, her mouth pursing into a soft protest as her tipsy mind tried to grasp the name of the drink from actual venom. "Are you that tired of me to offer venom?" She questioned Ika, the words almost sad in the face of Ika's laughter. "But if it's what you want then I can't refuse, just remember me." Still, she took the glass and raised it to her lips. Despite her initial confusion and teasing, the hybrid was curious to see what Ika had offered her. It was so tart! "I don't think venom tastes like that." Quynh managed after putting the glass back down, trying to raise her own voice against the music though she couldn't tell how loud she truly was at the moment.
"Hey! If you aren't tired of me then maybe we should try that!" Quynh gestured towards the area where there were others dancing, her lips twitching upwards with amusement. They had drank through the whole menu at this point, at least it felt that way, and so why not stretch their legs a bit? She felt so flushed that she wanted to do something with all this extra energy besides simply sitting around! As tasty as the drinks were...Quynh eyed the table again and took a swig of ale that they had also ordered, enjoying the taste for once after so many lighter flavored drinks.
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Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 7:14 am
"It's not real venom. And even if it were, we'd both go out partying together, wouldn't we?" And with the wry smile Ika reached for the glass and took a drink for herself. Maybe it was the atmosphere making her light headed or the drink really did carry venom, but that last drink made her skin feel off. Like a million little lights were dancing across it and leaving little sparks in their wake.
How many earthlings had they drank under the table at this point? A few sailors had stopped in, trying their best to catch the eye of the traveling Aishans, but to no avail. The last to speak to Ika was currently slumped over the bar, a violet drink half drunk in his hand as he babbled about squids and the like. Maybe it was her constitution, maybe it was the general size difference between the two races; Ika hadn't a clue. All she knew now was that the dance floor looked amazing and her grin brightened when she turned to Quynh. "Let's go!"
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Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 7:47 am
Quynh could only grin at the idea. As much as she didn't want to leave the world just yet at least she knew Ika was with her tonight. So what could a few more drinks and some dancing harm at this point? Her own expression brightened at the agreement, Quynh reaching over to grab Ika's hand so that she could tug her towards the open floor. They might have had to navigate over a few bodies, the last pair of earthlings who had tried to match their drinking cozied up together in a heap on the ground, but eventually they got away from the bar and closer to the stage.
Another song started as they arrived and so Quynh raised both of her arms above her head, clapping her hands together so that the bangles jingled there, and with a sway of her hips she playfully enticed Ika to come closer. "I didn't know if you enjoyed dancing or not~" She teased lightly, moving the best that she could despite the crowd around them.
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Posted: Wed May 08, 2024 8:17 am
While Ika was an absolute menace in a fight, the closer they got to the dance floor the more apparent her lack of rhythm became. Whatever sort of grace and style she possessed seemed to be nullified by the music cascading around them. Even sober, Ika could barely keep up and now her movements were erratic at best. At times the way her body moved was akin to a seizure, and yet, the warrior was clearly living in the moment. She very rarely allowed herself to have this much freedom and now that the gate had been opened everything came tumbling out, regardless of how embarrassing it would be tomorrow.
"I think this is the...second time I've gone?" When the roll of Quynh's hips caught her eye, Ika found herself navigating closer. "I like it, but I'm not very good." Not like she was.
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