March, 122PW
Left foot. Right foot. Left foot.
Derin was tired, she was hungry, and she needed a drink. The sun had risen hours ago but, knowing how close she was to the town, Derin had pressed on instead of making camp. What was one day of lost sleep? Now that she was among people again, she would have to adapt to sleeping at night anyway.
Every muscle in her body ached. Her muscles were well toned, belonging to a woman who had lived 20 of her 23 years on a farm and tilled fields by hand for half of her life, but everyone had limits. Her horse had been ridden to death two days ago and its bones, stripped of the choicer cuts of meat, lay half-buried in the sand somewhere in the plains behind her. She had packed what she could -- some clothes, food, gems for trade -- into her backpack, and that collection now represented the entirety of her worldly possessions. One important thing that she did not have was local currency.
The town of Shim was rather like the home she had left behind -- despite the early hour, many people were up and about, having started on the day's chores at sunrise. Farmers did not have the luxury of sleeping in. With the instinct of one who had seen enough farming communities not to need directions, she located the direction of the market, mentally estimating the likely wealth of the traders from the quality of clothing of passers-by. Such passers-by became more numerous, and eventually turned into a crowd, as she got closer. Derin, not being an idiot, took her backpack off and held it in her arms where she could keep an eye on it in case of questing hands. She needed currency, food and rest, and information. Letting the crowd pull her through the market, Derin searched for a jeweller or artisan to trade with.
Among the Graves
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
The sunrise had been beautiful. Saruna kept thinking back to it, not having much else to think about. She had tended to her garden -- though since she had spent half the day among the plants the night before, there wasn't much to be done -- and had looked over her sewing projects with a weary eye. She didn't feel like completing them, or even working on them. So she hadn't.
That new ability to put things off made her gleeful like a girl, and despite the fact that she had been alone, she'd smirked and chortled and dashed out of the house as fast as her bones could take her. She would spend the day out in the sunshine. Nevermind that twenty years ago she would have chased her children for taking such a rest.
Ah. That.
The sunlight cooled, or maybe it was her who felt icy at the thought. Her lips curved in a negative direction, and she shook her head. Her steps slowed. It wouldn't do for a bright and warm day to grieve so aimlessly. It did no good to retrace the same steps in her mind and snuffle over them. She lifted her chin and increased her pace to something that mimicked the clean, long stride she'd had long ago. She'd go to the market, and buy herself a new shawl. A beaded shawl. Something fine to wear on a special day. Like the day she was in. Something to ward off the loneliness that preyed at the outside fringes of her mind.
She bought an apple at the edge of the market from a vendor she shyly knew as a neighbor, and ventured past some of the jewelry stalls. While she was looking at the wares in passing, a small scuffle broke out to the side of the stalls between some of the vendor's children. She was knocked back, and fell to the ground in a whoof of air, too surprised to properly yell at the brats.
That new ability to put things off made her gleeful like a girl, and despite the fact that she had been alone, she'd smirked and chortled and dashed out of the house as fast as her bones could take her. She would spend the day out in the sunshine. Nevermind that twenty years ago she would have chased her children for taking such a rest.
Ah. That.
The sunlight cooled, or maybe it was her who felt icy at the thought. Her lips curved in a negative direction, and she shook her head. Her steps slowed. It wouldn't do for a bright and warm day to grieve so aimlessly. It did no good to retrace the same steps in her mind and snuffle over them. She lifted her chin and increased her pace to something that mimicked the clean, long stride she'd had long ago. She'd go to the market, and buy herself a new shawl. A beaded shawl. Something fine to wear on a special day. Like the day she was in. Something to ward off the loneliness that preyed at the outside fringes of her mind.
She bought an apple at the edge of the market from a vendor she shyly knew as a neighbor, and ventured past some of the jewelry stalls. While she was looking at the wares in passing, a small scuffle broke out to the side of the stalls between some of the vendor's children. She was knocked back, and fell to the ground in a whoof of air, too surprised to properly yell at the brats.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin blinked as a woman fell over right in front of her. Some kids had apparently been playing and not looked where they were going. "Hey! You kids!" Her hand darted out and grabbed one before it could get away. Caught in the clutches of her rage (a pale shadow of the rage she used to feel, of course, in her current weakened state), she glared at the child. "What do you think your were doing?! Have you no respect? No manners? Let me give you a tip on decorum -- children's games should not interfere with the affairs of adults!" She slapped the child across the cheek, her bracelet scratching its face... and then remembered where she was.
She was weak, she was in a crowd of reportedly xenophobic strangers, and she had just assaulted a stranger's child. Quickly, she let it go and stepped back, the child immediately fading into the crowd. Fortunately, she had scolded it in a low hiss and not a shout, and hardly anybody was watching -- not that it mattered if she made a few enemies, but she didn't want to be lynched by an impromptu mob or worse, arrested. The vendor to whom she assumed the child belonged was in the midst of making a sale and seemed to filter out the noise and chaos created by the children.
After taking a few moments to compose herself and put on her gentle, concerned face, she turned to the woman who had been knocked over. "Are you alright, ma'am? Not hurt?"
She was weak, she was in a crowd of reportedly xenophobic strangers, and she had just assaulted a stranger's child. Quickly, she let it go and stepped back, the child immediately fading into the crowd. Fortunately, she had scolded it in a low hiss and not a shout, and hardly anybody was watching -- not that it mattered if she made a few enemies, but she didn't want to be lynched by an impromptu mob or worse, arrested. The vendor to whom she assumed the child belonged was in the midst of making a sale and seemed to filter out the noise and chaos created by the children.
After taking a few moments to compose herself and put on her gentle, concerned face, she turned to the woman who had been knocked over. "Are you alright, ma'am? Not hurt?"
Re: Among the Graves
Peoples' legs formed a bracket of movement and color, to which seemed unnerving to Saruna. Were there really so many people in the market? Truly, she did not pay attention to the people. She watched her feet, or stared above at the buildings around. People made her a little skittish.
"Are you alright, ma'am? Not hurt?"
She blinked and sat up on her rear. The children were gone, as was the way of children, though the young woman standing near to her appeared to be not much older than the brats who'd knocked into her.
"I'm fine, child," the air had been knocked out of her, and she wheezed a little. "Could you help me up?"
It was a bit galling to ask, but every move she made she felt something creak. What's worse, there was a sharp pain at her right hip that foretold a bit of hobbling. She really did need to get out more.
"Are you alright, ma'am? Not hurt?"
She blinked and sat up on her rear. The children were gone, as was the way of children, though the young woman standing near to her appeared to be not much older than the brats who'd knocked into her.
"I'm fine, child," the air had been knocked out of her, and she wheezed a little. "Could you help me up?"
It was a bit galling to ask, but every move she made she felt something creak. What's worse, there was a sharp pain at her right hip that foretold a bit of hobbling. She really did need to get out more.
Re: Among the Graves
The intensity of the blaring sun on, Mako's back was starting to take all the water from his skin, causing him to become very dry and very hot. Opening his lids, a blurred vision of his surroundings met his eyes.
Slowly the outline of a blurred brown object became a well defined boot, a foot away from his head.
"Old man! Are you okay?", shouting roughly, towards Mako.
Slowly sitting up Mako, adjusted himself to where he could get off the ground.
"Though I am old, I'm not deaf. And I am fine, I think."
Standing up straight and leaning backwards, a faint pop and crack could be heard rather loudly. Letting out a sigh of relief, Mako started to dust himself off. Straightening back up he looked around; nothing except for a city close by.
"Where am I?" Mako muttered quietly to himself.
"You're in Shim."
"What?", Mako turned suddenly to the Guard
"Shim, you are in Shim Village. You're not from around here are you Old Man?"
Mako, took a breath but suddenly was caught short of air, it was hurting to breath. Pulling out his water pouch he quickly squirted the cool water out of the nozzle, but unfortunately there was only air that touched his tongue.
"There's some water back in the village, if that's what was in the pouch." The guard said thumbing towards the town.
Bowing, Mako took his leave towards the village, taking as little breaths as he could. But the dryness was just so painful.
Working through the crowd he started asking around for some help, but speaking as little as possible, while doing a drinking motion.
"Water."
Everyone that looked at just kept walking, thinking that he was just some old drunk looking for more booze; not understanding that he was saying water. While looking the other way he ran into this young woman who was trying to help someone up.
Slowly the outline of a blurred brown object became a well defined boot, a foot away from his head.
"Old man! Are you okay?", shouting roughly, towards Mako.
Slowly sitting up Mako, adjusted himself to where he could get off the ground.
"Though I am old, I'm not deaf. And I am fine, I think."
Standing up straight and leaning backwards, a faint pop and crack could be heard rather loudly. Letting out a sigh of relief, Mako started to dust himself off. Straightening back up he looked around; nothing except for a city close by.
"Where am I?" Mako muttered quietly to himself.
"You're in Shim."
"What?", Mako turned suddenly to the Guard
"Shim, you are in Shim Village. You're not from around here are you Old Man?"
Mako, took a breath but suddenly was caught short of air, it was hurting to breath. Pulling out his water pouch he quickly squirted the cool water out of the nozzle, but unfortunately there was only air that touched his tongue.
"There's some water back in the village, if that's what was in the pouch." The guard said thumbing towards the town.
Bowing, Mako took his leave towards the village, taking as little breaths as he could. But the dryness was just so painful.
Working through the crowd he started asking around for some help, but speaking as little as possible, while doing a drinking motion.
"Water."
Everyone that looked at just kept walking, thinking that he was just some old drunk looking for more booze; not understanding that he was saying water. While looking the other way he ran into this young woman who was trying to help someone up.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin bent to help the old woman up and was promptly knocked over by a passing man. Biting back the sharp comment she wanted to say, she stood up again and asked, "Are you alright, sir?" The man looked disoriented, or possibly intoxicated. What is it about me that attracts mad people? Derin wondered.
Eye out for anybody else who might run out of the crowd and knock somebody over (don't they say these things always happen in threes?), Derin bend once more to help the woman up. "Forgive me if this is a strange question, but do either of you know where I can get the best price for gems in this town?"
Eye out for anybody else who might run out of the crowd and knock somebody over (don't they say these things always happen in threes?), Derin bend once more to help the woman up. "Forgive me if this is a strange question, but do either of you know where I can get the best price for gems in this town?"
Re: Among the Graves
Strangers. She didn't see too many people she hadn't seen before, and it was slightly intimidating to know that they must frequent the market more regularly than she thought. Perhaps Saruna should have kept to the dustier trails around the edge of the village . . . but no. No, she needed to get out more. She squared her shoulders, swaying a little as she gained her feet with a few small grunts, and looked her rescuer over. She was not quite as young as Saruna had thought, and with a squint Saruna guessed the woman to be, well, a woman and not a girl-child. She smiled to herself at her audacity to call the young woman 'child,' remembering her own children's adversion to being called such --
No. Here and now. "Thank you." Saruna got out, even as she considered the question and the other man. "If. . .ah. Let us move out of these crowds so I might hear you better, young woman. Come, come."
Truth be told Saruna didn't think she could converse while being crowded by a press of bodies; it made her uneasy. She wanted to hurry out, but she forced herself to walk slowly through the press of people, avoiding the more rambunctious of bargain hunters. Every so often she'd look back to check if the young woman and man were following, but it really wasn't too many steps before they were out of the thick of the market. And, upon the outer edges, Saruna would stop and take a few deep breaths, hands bunched up in her practical skirts.
She didn't quite look anyone in the eye, but her features were quite congenial. She looked the part of a young grandmother: motherly instinct tied up in her features and bearing. "Now, what may I do for you?" and then, a quick look at the man, "Both of you."
She was trying to force herself to look relaxed, but she was only partway succeeding.
No. Here and now. "Thank you." Saruna got out, even as she considered the question and the other man. "If. . .ah. Let us move out of these crowds so I might hear you better, young woman. Come, come."
Truth be told Saruna didn't think she could converse while being crowded by a press of bodies; it made her uneasy. She wanted to hurry out, but she forced herself to walk slowly through the press of people, avoiding the more rambunctious of bargain hunters. Every so often she'd look back to check if the young woman and man were following, but it really wasn't too many steps before they were out of the thick of the market. And, upon the outer edges, Saruna would stop and take a few deep breaths, hands bunched up in her practical skirts.
She didn't quite look anyone in the eye, but her features were quite congenial. She looked the part of a young grandmother: motherly instinct tied up in her features and bearing. "Now, what may I do for you?" and then, a quick look at the man, "Both of you."
She was trying to force herself to look relaxed, but she was only partway succeeding.
Re: Among the Graves
"My apologies, young lady for bumping into you earlier. And I also apologize for not letting you speak first. But I only have two simple questions."
Mako did his very best to speak softly, but the pain and dryness in his throat was making it very difficult.
"One: do any of you know where I may get some water; and two: my I stay in the presence of you two intoxicating beautiful women for the day?"
Mako put on his softest smile and waited for an answer.
Mako did his very best to speak softly, but the pain and dryness in his throat was making it very difficult.
"One: do any of you know where I may get some water; and two: my I stay in the presence of you two intoxicating beautiful women for the day?"
Mako put on his softest smile and waited for an answer.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin felt that she should stick with the woman and make sure she was alright. She didn't like such twinges of sympathy for others -- they were unfamiliar and confusing -- but she felt tham occasionally, and such feelings were becoming more frequent. She's a local, Derin reasoned to herself, and might be able to get me some information. It makes sense to stay with her.
So she followed the woman out of the market, that they could converse somewhere less crowded. As the man and woman spoke to her in turn, she considered her next move.
"Ah, ma'am... would you happen to know the location of the nearest inn?" she asked, glancing at the dehydrated man with some concern. "I'm sure this gentleman would be happy to buy us each a drink," she added, giving him her loveliest smile. It was only after the words were out of her mouth that she remembered that it had been years since she had been desireable enough to get exceptional results with that trick; still, though her skin may be wizened beyond her years with the sun and her appearance frazzled by her long journey, she was reasonable-looking compared to most farm woman, and thus (she deduced) probably reasonable by the standards of the town.
So she followed the woman out of the market, that they could converse somewhere less crowded. As the man and woman spoke to her in turn, she considered her next move.
"Ah, ma'am... would you happen to know the location of the nearest inn?" she asked, glancing at the dehydrated man with some concern. "I'm sure this gentleman would be happy to buy us each a drink," she added, giving him her loveliest smile. It was only after the words were out of her mouth that she remembered that it had been years since she had been desireable enough to get exceptional results with that trick; still, though her skin may be wizened beyond her years with the sun and her appearance frazzled by her long journey, she was reasonable-looking compared to most farm woman, and thus (she deduced) probably reasonable by the standards of the town.
Re: Among the Graves
The man didn't receive much in the way of attention. Saruna's capability to have a semi-normal conversation with others was tempered with an utter lack of any ability to laugh off the unfamiliar. His flattery was in that category, and so she looked up at Derin when the other woman gave her something practical to do.
"Ah, I don't find myself at the Inn too often . . ." she paused, mid sentance, as she realized she was about to invite them back to her house. And then, she remembered just how little she knew either. They were not from around these parts. They might be dangerous. And in the inn, crowded as it might be, there would be no worry of any funny business. "but I'm sure I can take you there." She finished it off rather awkwardly, and hid her flushed face by turning and walking away again. Not particularly the most social woman, Saruna, but she did mean well.
She'd take the shortest way to the Inn, walking on the side of the pathways so as to not get in the way of the thick of the thoroughfare, even when there wasn't too many people out. Periodically, she'd look back to reassure herself the others followed; if they did not she would stop and wait. If, however, they continued after her she would keep walking until she reached the door of the inn and wait uneasily for someone to precede her in.
"Ah, I don't find myself at the Inn too often . . ." she paused, mid sentance, as she realized she was about to invite them back to her house. And then, she remembered just how little she knew either. They were not from around these parts. They might be dangerous. And in the inn, crowded as it might be, there would be no worry of any funny business. "but I'm sure I can take you there." She finished it off rather awkwardly, and hid her flushed face by turning and walking away again. Not particularly the most social woman, Saruna, but she did mean well.
She'd take the shortest way to the Inn, walking on the side of the pathways so as to not get in the way of the thick of the thoroughfare, even when there wasn't too many people out. Periodically, she'd look back to reassure herself the others followed; if they did not she would stop and wait. If, however, they continued after her she would keep walking until she reached the door of the inn and wait uneasily for someone to precede her in.
Re: Among the Graves
The moment of their arrival to the old inn, Mako rushed to the bar, nearly knocking over many people in the process. Taking a seat he asked for the biggest glass of water he could get. The bartender raised his eyebrow at first, but shrugged it off and disappeared under the table to get the glass.
When the bartender placed the glass in front of Mako, he snatched the glass and downed nearly the whole thing. The water splashing the cracks that started to form in Mako's mouth were sealed back together, bringing life back to the desert Mako called a mouth.
"Ahhhhh, much better! Excuse me bartender, but could you fill this up with water please?" Mako said with a huge grin on his face.
Reaching into his robe Mako pulled out a large; empty; water pouch and handed it the man on the other side of the table.
"Old Man, you are a strange one." The big guy chuckled, taking his water pouch.
When the bartender placed the glass in front of Mako, he snatched the glass and downed nearly the whole thing. The water splashing the cracks that started to form in Mako's mouth were sealed back together, bringing life back to the desert Mako called a mouth.
"Ahhhhh, much better! Excuse me bartender, but could you fill this up with water please?" Mako said with a huge grin on his face.
Reaching into his robe Mako pulled out a large; empty; water pouch and handed it the man on the other side of the table.
"Old Man, you are a strange one." The big guy chuckled, taking his water pouch.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
((Sorry about the delay -- university studies))
Derin watched the man for several seconds before ordering some water herself. She wanted beer, but the stress that that would put on her body while dehydrated could be dangerous and painful. "I am called Derin," she told the other two by way of stimulating conversation, "and I need to sell some gems to obtain some local currency. Would you know where I could get a good price?" she asked the woman whom she assumed to be a local.
Derin watched the man for several seconds before ordering some water herself. She wanted beer, but the stress that that would put on her body while dehydrated could be dangerous and painful. "I am called Derin," she told the other two by way of stimulating conversation, "and I need to sell some gems to obtain some local currency. Would you know where I could get a good price?" she asked the woman whom she assumed to be a local.
Re: Among the Graves
Saruna had trailed after the other two like some sort of stray dog, despite the fact that she was supposedly the one leading them. She tucked her clothing about herself like so much armor, and plunged into the social hot-spot with the air of one walking down the steps to the hells below. Yet still, the eagerness for contact that slid about her mouth was absolutely genuine, and her eyes were gentle as she assessed the two as nothing more than people; she could do no more and no less. Her single skill set was as mother and wife, and that was deep within her eyes as she looked at them.
Motherly, it was.
"Gems," She said, watching Mako slake his thirst, "are not trafficked often in Shim. You'll have to go to Marn for the best prices." Her face wrinkled up in something close to hate before it smoothed back into the comforting lines that comprised her life. "I did a piece once for a rich girl's wedding, and there were none here with the requisite diamonds. There's a few stalls along Marn's trade district, but they're awful stingy." Her eyes sidled along the bar until they were up along Derin's features, though she didn't quite look the other woman in the eyes. She shrugged, using the motion to hunch into herself as her gaze dropped back to the bar.
Motherly, it was.
"Gems," She said, watching Mako slake his thirst, "are not trafficked often in Shim. You'll have to go to Marn for the best prices." Her face wrinkled up in something close to hate before it smoothed back into the comforting lines that comprised her life. "I did a piece once for a rich girl's wedding, and there were none here with the requisite diamonds. There's a few stalls along Marn's trade district, but they're awful stingy." Her eyes sidled along the bar until they were up along Derin's features, though she didn't quite look the other woman in the eyes. She shrugged, using the motion to hunch into herself as her gaze dropped back to the bar.
Re: Among the Graves
Mako closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was now that he had a moment to relax that things started to sink in. He knew nothing of this place and had a bigger feeling that he didn't belong here. What he needed was a way back home.
"I...don't suppose that anyone knows a way for us to get back home; am I right?"
At this point and time Iroh popped his head out of Mako's bag. Crawling to the top of the bag, he stood straight up and put his claws on Mako's pants, climbing on his back and to his shoulder, traveling down Mako's sleeves to the drink in his hand. Sticking his head in the glass Iroh stuck out his tongue and started to drink.
"I...don't suppose that anyone knows a way for us to get back home; am I right?"
At this point and time Iroh popped his head out of Mako's bag. Crawling to the top of the bag, he stood straight up and put his claws on Mako's pants, climbing on his back and to his shoulder, traveling down Mako's sleeves to the drink in his hand. Sticking his head in the glass Iroh stuck out his tongue and started to drink.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
"Marn. Hmm." Derin considered the situation for a minute, sipping her water. She had hoped to avoid Marn altogether, but that had probably been impossible from the start. "I believe," she continued cautiously, "that magic is not approved of in this area? And in Marn especially? Hypothetically, is one had a family heirloom that contained some minor nonaggressive magic -- a protection charm, for instance -- would one cause any problems by entering Marn with it?" She suspected that even the question might be dangerous, but it was vital that the damn thing wasn't confiscated, whatever happened.
Of course, before she had a chance to properly reflect on the situation, she was distracted by Mako's... furry pet thing. Derin didn't know what it was but it looked like some sort of vermin. She wrinkled her nose and leaned away from it ever so slightly. "So who's your, uh, friend there?" she asked Mako.
Of course, before she had a chance to properly reflect on the situation, she was distracted by Mako's... furry pet thing. Derin didn't know what it was but it looked like some sort of vermin. She wrinkled her nose and leaned away from it ever so slightly. "So who's your, uh, friend there?" she asked Mako.