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Sabra Knight via Discord

It was a rare day that Valek actually went shopping, especially during early hours such as these, but here he was. The hybrid was dressed casually, wearing an open linen shirt over leggings and a sash decorated with golden threads, which was also different from his usual style when he was roaming the streets at night. Though everything felt a bit different lately, the sight of his newly colored hand as he reached for a necklace constantly reminding him of that. It wasn't so bad even as he tried to adjust to the new image reflected back in every mirror. Valek simply shook his head before pulling his hand back at the words of the vendor, his gaze gleaming with amusement as he looked over and saw someone else that was looking a bit different today. Though her attire was...well it was something else. Valek let out a soft chuckle as he twisted a necklace up in the sunlight, inspecting the silver chain to see if it would survive any type of fighting. The last thing he wanted was for his gift to be torn apart within the first night of it being worn, if it would actually be worn. Still, he replaced the delicate chain and focused his attention on the familiar hybrid who had waltzed forward. "Glowing face? If you can see it past all that fabric." Valek teased as he moved around the booth, as if inspecting the jewelry instead of Zuri despite his teasing words. Here was hoping there wouldn't be another flash flood! He could only imagine how much those layers would weigh her down this time!

"Fantastic, hmm? That is a word for it." Valek teased in return. "You should be careful shopping like that, he'll charge you double the basic price just for looking fancier than most." The merchant's face flushed, the Oban looking at the hybrid with panic showing for a split second before he coughed awkwardly and proceeded along as if Valek had never said a word. "Versatile pieces for the lovely lady." The merchant began with a smile, starting to show off various goods to Zuri while Valek had to hold back his own laughter. Caught him. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to linger a bit, just in case the prices suddenly jumped up from the offers he had heard while browsing around earlier. It was always amusing to mess with merchants and he was also amused by the reactions from the other hybrid. And the merchant knew better than to try to chase off Valek, the hybrid already proving he could afford a few pieces himself and had a loud enough mouth to advertise any foul dealings to the rest of the marketplace. And so he continued browsing around, standing next to Zuri even as he picked through a few more pieces himself to ponder.

And that was why bartering was so popular within the city. Valek chuckled quietly as he watched the merchant take heat from Zuri for even thinking of raising his prices. She may have already been overpaying before, especially if she hadn't haggled any. Not that it was his business, he supposed. It was still amusing to watch the reaction that his words had caused. Valek simply gave an innocent shrug towards the merchant before looking back to Zuri, raising a brow at the question.

"What do you mean?" He tilted his head, blinking as if trying to process the comment. "There's some finer pieces mixed in with the gaudy." He acknowledged, holding up a piece on a finer chain that had a simple gemstone droplet as the centerpiece. "I don't mind some accessories for myself. Even if it was for another then it would be a gift, a bonus since knowing me is impressive enough as it is." He smirked, not even looking ashamed at such a vain statement as he looked from the necklace back to Zuri. "What about you? You're looking very dressed up. Hoping to woo someone or attend an event this afternoon?" If she wasn't careful the person she would be wooing would be a thief of some sort, that attire did draw a bit of attention after all.

Valek simply smirked, the hybrid not feeling any fault with his words. As usual his vanity and confidence knew no boundaries, especially as he continued browsing through jewelry to try and find some ideal pieces. He was currently inspecting another gemstone one that had silver metal curled around the centerpiece as part of the design. Perhaps that one? Though his thoughtful gaze drifted away from the necklace and back towards Zuri at the revelation. "Is that so?" He replied without missing a beat. "That's a rather fine gift. Find yourself a nobleman or a wealthy merchant of some sort? Must use a lot of wealth to compensate for other things."

Ah, and speaking of compensating for things. Valek raised a brow as he glanced over the set on display. "I am curious. What does the lady think?" He teased looking back towards Zuri. "If you like it then go for the diamonds." It looked like it would be heavy on her neck with so many stones hanging from that thing. But then again, maybe it would fit her luxurious desires? The hybrid shrugged lightly before reaching over to pick up something that was tucked away behind other pieces on the side, a golden chained necklace with a trio of onyx stones hanging in the center. "Sometimes simple can be pretty enough." He commented as he placed it on the table for comparison against the other set.

"Hmm. Is that so?" Valek let out a soft noise under his breath, almost like a chuckle, as he was chastised for his commentary against Zuri's new beau. "Is he that famous within the city to afford such a dress as a gift?" Or had he snagged something else besides singing profits? It made Valek curious though part of him knew that it probably wasn't his business...unless. Well if he did have to cross some paths with corrupt nobles and there happened to be a singer amongst their group then maybe he could remember this conversation for that time.

Valek smirked, proud that he had gotten agreement with his choice even if the merchant seemed to be growing more frustrated with his interference by the second. First, reducing the prices and now directing Zuri towards a cheaper set? It was a shame! Still, what could he do especially when the hybrid's dark gaze flickered towards him as if reading his mind? It was enough to make the merchant freeze even as Valek flashed him a smile and reached across for some earrings. "There's some plain golden hoops here or do you have more onxy options?" He asked the merchant who slowly nodded and passed over another box with different sets of onyx stones set in metal hoops and studs.

"What about those, milady?" Teased Valek lightly as he gestured towards three different sets, all with onxy stones and in various cuts with the plain golden hoops sitting next to them. "Any strike your fancy?"

Valek simply raised a brow at the reassurance. Well, she was certainly confident in her beau it sounded like. "Is that based on how much income they provide or actual character?" He teased lightly before the chaos unfolded right in front of him. At first Valek had thought she was simply chastising the driver, not really paying it much heed as he took out the pair of hoops to suggest them. They would be a cheaper option on her purse but still looked nice with the onyx necklace....and it was when he picked them up to present to her that Valek realized Zuri was being dragged along with the wagon.

"Oh for-" And like that he was off, the discarded earrings dangling from the merchant's finger tips as Valek rushed after the wagon. And this was why he hated such ridiculous dresses! Couldn't a nice tunic and leggings be in fashion here? It would be a lot less hazardous than what her current attire was! Still, as he took out his blades and started to run along side of Zuri it was impossible to not taunt her a bit. "Does this get held against me as well once I free you?" He called out, his silver gaze bright with amusement despite his initial annoyance. "Or would you rather get dragged along? I can just watch if you'd prefer." Seeing her getting closer to the spiked wheel, fear of more than just the dress being injured by this situation, forced Valek to move even if she did protest about her dress. He reached out, tugging her close against his body to try and keep her from getting closer to the splintered edges, and in one movement slashed the silks that were connecting her to the moving wagon. And there it went, the bottom portion of her dress rolling along with the wagon as the oblivious driver continue down the street and out of sight.

"Well, once again it seems that your dress has forced my hand." Teased Valek, still holding onto Zuri as he waited for her to get her bearings now that she wasn't being dragged after a wagon. His gaze roamed down to her bare legs, the hybrid giving a bit of a wince as he realized that her beautiful dress was basically ruined unless they could find a seamstress that could match the material or completely alter it into a new design

Oh, but he did dare. Valek couldn't help the amusement that crossed his features as Zuri chastised him for another lost dress. The hybrid allowed her to yell at him, the subtle smirk on his lips the only sign that he was actually listening to her. "See this is the issue with long and complicated dresses, they're prone to attracting disasters." He finally replied before shooting the approaching vendor a sharp look. Really? Still, Valek positioned himself to protect Zuri from view figuring it was best to keep her from panicking even more else he would truly lose his hearing at this rate. "You'll have your coin for it, go grab those earrings and a spare cloth as well. I'll take the one on your cart, if necessary." He tossed a golden coin towards the vendor and watched as he studied it, his gaze narrowing before he nodded and took the payment back towards his cart.

Valek kept still, not moving and staying right next to Zuri as he waited. When the vendor came back with the long cloth, the hybrid glanced down towards the girl with amusement. "I found you the or something part but I'll have to step back to tie it." He teased, noting their closeness again before stepping back and going ahead with tying the cloth around her waist so that it covered her upper legs. "There. I think it's an upgrade." That one probably would earn him another sharp scolding, but it was impossible to resist the urge to tease her. Still, he glanced towards the vendor and gestured that they were fine so that the other man would leave them alone in case she did need to blow up at him again.

"Have some time?" Valek asked, looking over Zuri in her makeshift covering. It seemed he had a habit of owing this girl a dress every time they ran into each other and today he would make good on that. It was time to go to a seamstress, one that he knew very well at that.