As soon as they hit the streets, Piao Bai's curiosity was piqued.
Dimsum!
Pretty women!
Noisy animals!
The whole experience was new and wonderfully different.
Attention? Who cared about attention? He was used to people talking behind their hands or fans. Piao Bai accepted it as his due as a noble's son. Cai's tone, though, did give him pause. Was she bothered by the attention? Aware now of Cai's discomfort, Piao Bai turned his senses and thoughts outward. His ears swiveled and flicked.
Demon blood? Piao Bai tilted his head as he pondered the context.
Headless wanderer... that sounded like an interesting story! Piao Bai's head turned in the direction of the guards and followed them for a while. A shift in Cai's body pulled him back to facing forward once more. It was the mother and the child.
Did he just feel a twinge of hurt as the mother snatched her child away? The sensation was fleeting, replaced quickly by a sense of irritation that increased dramatically at the sound of music.
Did Cai hate music? Piao Bai was hurt. Wasn't he a musician?
"Why? What does the song say?" Piao Bai needled her in return for her comment about how worthless creating beautiful music was and how frivolous the fools are that make it. Piao Bai made a promise to himself to hear the song. Perhaps he would sneak out later and find that musician.
Piao Bai's head lifted as he sniffed the breeze. The trivial annoyance passed quickly as his excitement returned.
"We're close! I've never been to a market before!"
As Cai's steps took her around a corner, Piao Bai's eyes widened. There were so many people! Certainly more than there'd been in the little village.
Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
When Piao Bai asked about the music, Cai's jaw muscles went rigid with the effort of self control as she responded "Vile slander is what the music is. And if I ever find the original author I'd be tempted to re-enact on them the actual means by which the Shuǐ Guǐ of Nanhonghu was pacified." That had been a difficult task, taken up at a time before she could rely on the tattoo of the Emperor's protection.
Cai remembered it all too well, even after so many years had passed. A shapeshifting lake spirit had grown resentful of the waste materials entering its habitat from the village upstream, and begun a campaign of seducing villagers and enticing them to the water where the creature enacted its revenge. Cai had resolved the situation, but had not done so unscathed. Scars from that encounter still marred her flesh. Even worse, in her eyes, the story of her success had become twisted and romanticised over time in a fashion Cai considered particularly vile. The moment when the creature had surprised her and revealed its true form still intruded on Cai's memory to the present day. It was impossible to forget the elongated and rubbery features of its face filled with rows of lamprey-like teeth. Perhaps a hint of that creeped through the connection as Cai finished with "In any case, it is a ridiculous fabrication unworthy of a true artist. Surely representing the truth of matters should be held more worthy of an artist's touch than perpetuating such deceitful embellishments."
Fortunately, Piao Bai was rescued from Cai's grumblings by their arrival at the market. Cai too was glad of the sudden change of subject, and forced herself to relax somewhat and be more casually aware of her surroundings. The market itself was much as she remembered it from her last visit a few years back, though it had perhaps grown a little larger.
The markets themselves were best described as 'organised chaos'. The walkways thronged with travellers, traders, miners, workers, and locals. The unending cacophony of haggling people blended together in that kind of rhythmic human dissonance common to all busy marketplaces. The stalls were organised in a large grid pattern, with carefully regulated dimensions, though the outermost edges of the area contained stalls which were a little more haphazard in shape and size.
If Cai recalled correctly, the allotments nearest to the exits were inevitably given over to food and spice vendors, while the outer edges would be where the craftsmen would most likely be found. The rest of the inner markets would be a random shambles selling items of all kinds, though of sometimes questionable quality or provenance. She quietly hoped the magistrate's influence had reduced the level of grift attached to the markets over the years.
Cai couldn't see a clothing vendor within immediate sight, so decided to let Piao Bai's nose lead him to where he could find what he needed. Maybe she'd spot something suitable along the way. "Well, Piao Bai, I shall let you decide our course. Let me know when you see or smell what you need."
Cai remembered it all too well, even after so many years had passed. A shapeshifting lake spirit had grown resentful of the waste materials entering its habitat from the village upstream, and begun a campaign of seducing villagers and enticing them to the water where the creature enacted its revenge. Cai had resolved the situation, but had not done so unscathed. Scars from that encounter still marred her flesh. Even worse, in her eyes, the story of her success had become twisted and romanticised over time in a fashion Cai considered particularly vile. The moment when the creature had surprised her and revealed its true form still intruded on Cai's memory to the present day. It was impossible to forget the elongated and rubbery features of its face filled with rows of lamprey-like teeth. Perhaps a hint of that creeped through the connection as Cai finished with "In any case, it is a ridiculous fabrication unworthy of a true artist. Surely representing the truth of matters should be held more worthy of an artist's touch than perpetuating such deceitful embellishments."
Fortunately, Piao Bai was rescued from Cai's grumblings by their arrival at the market. Cai too was glad of the sudden change of subject, and forced herself to relax somewhat and be more casually aware of her surroundings. The market itself was much as she remembered it from her last visit a few years back, though it had perhaps grown a little larger.
The markets themselves were best described as 'organised chaos'. The walkways thronged with travellers, traders, miners, workers, and locals. The unending cacophony of haggling people blended together in that kind of rhythmic human dissonance common to all busy marketplaces. The stalls were organised in a large grid pattern, with carefully regulated dimensions, though the outermost edges of the area contained stalls which were a little more haphazard in shape and size.
If Cai recalled correctly, the allotments nearest to the exits were inevitably given over to food and spice vendors, while the outer edges would be where the craftsmen would most likely be found. The rest of the inner markets would be a random shambles selling items of all kinds, though of sometimes questionable quality or provenance. She quietly hoped the magistrate's influence had reduced the level of grift attached to the markets over the years.
Cai couldn't see a clothing vendor within immediate sight, so decided to let Piao Bai's nose lead him to where he could find what he needed. Maybe she'd spot something suitable along the way. "Well, Piao Bai, I shall let you decide our course. Let me know when you see or smell what you need."
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Long Piao Bai
- Citizen
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
- Race: astral dragon shifter
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Piao Bái was thrilled. Never before had he been so close! At home, he’d been carted around in his personal jian, resting upon silken pillows, kept apart by his station. But, here… Piao Bái pushed up on his front paws, stretching his neck in an attempt to see more, to see further.
There was dirt. There was the smell of animals and people. Some stalls seemed more permanent fixtures and others were extensions of carts. A blacksmith’s hammer clanged. Chickens squawked. One or two had gotten loose and grubby children chased after them, laughing. One of the children paused to stare wide-eyed at the pristine white dragon and the tattooed lady. Only awe showed on her face. Now that was more like it. Piao Bái inclined his head in a bow to the young girl. A voice called out and the girl moved away, torn by her desire to follow the pair and by her duty.
A road of sorts, wound through the stalls, mostly straight. Across the roads, lanterns swayed in a gentle breeze. Later, they would be lit to cast light on the paths. Downwind on a good day, stalls with pigs and a few cows were also visible. Those stalls were separated from rest, and with good reason. But, oh…! When Cai turned another corner, the road was lined with streams of colors… changsans, scarves, streaming fabric of cotton, linen, and even silk. Rows of shoes and boots, polished rocks for jewelry, bowls and the smells! Well, aside from the smells of animal dung and human body odors… which Piao Bái quickly figured out how to sift through to the other smells. Steamed buns! Steamed dumplings! Noodles! Spices! Piao Bái closed his eyes and sniffed, sniffed, and inhaled. His breath left his chest with a wuff of noise, that fluffed out his whiskers.
“Cai… this is wonderful!” Could we go over that way? Piao Bái lifted his right arm and pointed. The direction would put them right in the thick of everything.
There was dirt. There was the smell of animals and people. Some stalls seemed more permanent fixtures and others were extensions of carts. A blacksmith’s hammer clanged. Chickens squawked. One or two had gotten loose and grubby children chased after them, laughing. One of the children paused to stare wide-eyed at the pristine white dragon and the tattooed lady. Only awe showed on her face. Now that was more like it. Piao Bái inclined his head in a bow to the young girl. A voice called out and the girl moved away, torn by her desire to follow the pair and by her duty.
A road of sorts, wound through the stalls, mostly straight. Across the roads, lanterns swayed in a gentle breeze. Later, they would be lit to cast light on the paths. Downwind on a good day, stalls with pigs and a few cows were also visible. Those stalls were separated from rest, and with good reason. But, oh…! When Cai turned another corner, the road was lined with streams of colors… changsans, scarves, streaming fabric of cotton, linen, and even silk. Rows of shoes and boots, polished rocks for jewelry, bowls and the smells! Well, aside from the smells of animal dung and human body odors… which Piao Bái quickly figured out how to sift through to the other smells. Steamed buns! Steamed dumplings! Noodles! Spices! Piao Bái closed his eyes and sniffed, sniffed, and inhaled. His breath left his chest with a wuff of noise, that fluffed out his whiskers.
“Cai… this is wonderful!” Could we go over that way? Piao Bái lifted his right arm and pointed. The direction would put them right in the thick of everything.
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Cai carefully picked her way through the afternoon crowd. "It is true that - outside of Yulongjing, Ji, Odnijani, and the port cities - Laoshanmen has one of the more busy marketplaces. It was not always the way but over time, as the town grew, merchants within Tian Xia altered their travel paths to include a trip through Laoshanmen. That being said, what it has in quantity, it often lacks in quality. Odnijani's markets on the other hand, due to their trade with the Khazyani, are very strict on the quality of goods they accept. In Yulongjing likewise, where the Emperor resides, it would be shameful to sell anything of inferior quality." Still, Cai didn't need fancy court wear. She needed sturdy travel clothes, and Laoshanmen's markets should be able to provide that.
The Jinyiwei's mood started to become less tense as she traversed the markets. Making progress through the chaotic throng of noisy people was mostly a matter of patiently moving along with the naturally-forming currents and eddies made by the streaming lines of other visitors. It was relaxing to move at such a pace every now and then.
It was still not so pleasant to be in a crowded place, at least to Cai's tastes. Despite that, although Piao Bai and her own tattooed pate brought many curious gazes, few shoppers were idle enough to pay them attention for more than a few seconds - something which also helped improve Cai's mood. As the shifting crowds brought the pair past one clothing vendor, she examined some of their wares, but was unimpressed with the sturdiness of their fabric. Cai needed durable clothing more fit for the working class or military than the fashionable and wealthy.
Leaving that clothier's stall, Cai followed Piao Bai's directions, shifting their progress among the crowds to go down one path among the stalls, then turning into another, as the little dragon directed. "Can you smell that which you need?"
The Jinyiwei's mood started to become less tense as she traversed the markets. Making progress through the chaotic throng of noisy people was mostly a matter of patiently moving along with the naturally-forming currents and eddies made by the streaming lines of other visitors. It was relaxing to move at such a pace every now and then.
It was still not so pleasant to be in a crowded place, at least to Cai's tastes. Despite that, although Piao Bai and her own tattooed pate brought many curious gazes, few shoppers were idle enough to pay them attention for more than a few seconds - something which also helped improve Cai's mood. As the shifting crowds brought the pair past one clothing vendor, she examined some of their wares, but was unimpressed with the sturdiness of their fabric. Cai needed durable clothing more fit for the working class or military than the fashionable and wealthy.
Leaving that clothier's stall, Cai followed Piao Bai's directions, shifting their progress among the crowds to go down one path among the stalls, then turning into another, as the little dragon directed. "Can you smell that which you need?"
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Piao Bai half-listened to Cai. He did notice that she seemed to be relaxing.
"Are you looking for something, too, Cai? Piao Bai was looking around, still enamored of the blend of colors, sounds, and scents.
Something like a heavy pulse or heart beat thumped in the air. It was the same as it had been in the grove. Was there something from home here, too? The sensation disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Piao Bai puzzled. Cai's question distracted him, though.
"Hm? Oh!" Piao Bai ducked his head. He'd forgotten their trek to the market had been to obtain oils for his scales. Piao Bai stretched up once more and put his nose in the air. Eyes closed he turned this way and that, sniffing.
"I smell something pleasant coming from over there."
Over there was two streets over.
"Are you looking for something, too, Cai? Piao Bai was looking around, still enamored of the blend of colors, sounds, and scents.
Something like a heavy pulse or heart beat thumped in the air. It was the same as it had been in the grove. Was there something from home here, too? The sensation disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Piao Bai puzzled. Cai's question distracted him, though.
"Hm? Oh!" Piao Bai ducked his head. He'd forgotten their trek to the market had been to obtain oils for his scales. Piao Bai stretched up once more and put his nose in the air. Eyes closed he turned this way and that, sniffing.
"I smell something pleasant coming from over there."
Over there was two streets over.
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Cai let the bustling crowd move them slowly in the direction Piao Bai had indicated "I need to replace the travel clothes ruined in Yunshan. While the wilderness cares not whether I have multiple changes of clothes, civilised areas tend to notice the smell. And this is probably the only place other than Shanyi in this province that I can be guaranteed finding something suitable." There really had been no salvaging the shredded and bloody clothing she'd removed after dealing with Wenli's summoned Yaoguai.
They passed by several stalls of sundry house-wares, a stand of bamboo umbrellas, ramshackle racks of aromatic dried herbs, a trader of packs and satchels, then turned a corner into a mass of people watching a pair of jugglers on stilts. The jugglers, dressed up to resemble the demon-figures in popular plays, were passing brightly painted batons to each other at high speed, the batons bouncing between the two in complex patterns. It was, Cai thought, a mesmerising display of skill.
The downside to their performance, though, was Cai would need to take a longer route if she didn't want to try and squeeze through the dense press of people at the intersection. On the other hand, if they waited a little, the crowd might disperse when the performers took a break. "Shall we take the long way around, or stay and watch for a while?
They passed by several stalls of sundry house-wares, a stand of bamboo umbrellas, ramshackle racks of aromatic dried herbs, a trader of packs and satchels, then turned a corner into a mass of people watching a pair of jugglers on stilts. The jugglers, dressed up to resemble the demon-figures in popular plays, were passing brightly painted batons to each other at high speed, the batons bouncing between the two in complex patterns. It was, Cai thought, a mesmerising display of skill.
The downside to their performance, though, was Cai would need to take a longer route if she didn't want to try and squeeze through the dense press of people at the intersection. On the other hand, if they waited a little, the crowd might disperse when the performers took a break. "Shall we take the long way around, or stay and watch for a while?
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Piao Bai nodded. There was a bit of a smell, but he thought it had something to do with all the people - many of which could use a bath. When they turned the corner to see the jugglers, his eyes widened. He was enraptured.
Again, to be so close, without silken walls between him and the sights was amazing. Piao Bai's head and neck swayed from side to side with the tossing of the batons between the two jugglers. His a dragon could smile happily, Piao Bai certainly looked like he was.
"Let's stay!"
A pair of musicians had also set up nearby playing music to accompany the jugglers. Piao Bai hummed softly under his breath. Between them the bond would share Piao Bai's joy.
Again, to be so close, without silken walls between him and the sights was amazing. Piao Bai's head and neck swayed from side to side with the tossing of the batons between the two jugglers. His a dragon could smile happily, Piao Bai certainly looked like he was.
"Let's stay!"
A pair of musicians had also set up nearby playing music to accompany the jugglers. Piao Bai hummed softly under his breath. Between them the bond would share Piao Bai's joy.
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
There was, Cai had to remind herself, no need for urgency at present. The markets would be open for another couple of hours, until night fell, and it might help the little dragon acclimatise to the culture of Tian Xia to experience a busy marketplace.
The jugglers maintained their performance for another ten minutes before they plucked their colourful batons out of the air with a flourish. Cai commented, as she slowly moved out of the crowd "Those jugglers were skilled. I would not be surprised if they made the trip to Yulongjing for the New Year festivals. The celebrations there also provide opportunities for talented performers to obtain a patronage."
Once out of the thickest part of the jugglers' crowd, Cai found she could walk at something closer to her normal pace, and she renewed her search for clothing and jasmine oil. As they got closer to where Piao Bai had directed, Cai saw they were approaching a series of stalls selling cosmetics, perfumes, and other items for a person's hygiene. The stalls contained a myriad of items: scented beeswax lipsticks, fragrant eyeliners, tea oil for hair, and perfumes and incenses of many varieties.
Among the various cosmetics something else stood out, which sent a brief tinge of excitement through the link from Cai, and the Jinyiwei perked up like a hunting dog who'd caught scent of her prey "...they have dried Soapberry shells! The Emperor smiles!" Cai headed towards a stall which had pots of tea oil and baskets of what looked like discarded shells from some kind of nut. Progress was slow, thanks to the crowd, but she'd recognise soapberry shells anywhere.
The jugglers maintained their performance for another ten minutes before they plucked their colourful batons out of the air with a flourish. Cai commented, as she slowly moved out of the crowd "Those jugglers were skilled. I would not be surprised if they made the trip to Yulongjing for the New Year festivals. The celebrations there also provide opportunities for talented performers to obtain a patronage."
Once out of the thickest part of the jugglers' crowd, Cai found she could walk at something closer to her normal pace, and she renewed her search for clothing and jasmine oil. As they got closer to where Piao Bai had directed, Cai saw they were approaching a series of stalls selling cosmetics, perfumes, and other items for a person's hygiene. The stalls contained a myriad of items: scented beeswax lipsticks, fragrant eyeliners, tea oil for hair, and perfumes and incenses of many varieties.
Among the various cosmetics something else stood out, which sent a brief tinge of excitement through the link from Cai, and the Jinyiwei perked up like a hunting dog who'd caught scent of her prey "...they have dried Soapberry shells! The Emperor smiles!" Cai headed towards a stall which had pots of tea oil and baskets of what looked like discarded shells from some kind of nut. Progress was slow, thanks to the crowd, but she'd recognise soapberry shells anywhere.
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
"I've never been that close before. To see such things from a distance is interesting, but up close does allow one to see the talent." Piao Bai was content. He rode Cai's shoulders easily and continued to eye things with curiosity. It was on his mind to ask Cai if she ever bothered to clean up enough to wear cosmetics, but her enthusiastic response to discarded nut shells piqued his curiosity.
"Why are old nut shells so interesting? And why would the Emperor smile at them?"
"Why are old nut shells so interesting? And why would the Emperor smile at them?"
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
For a moment, Cai had forgotten that her foremost thoughts tended to travel through the link between her and Piao Bai, and a twinge of embarrassed chagrin at the error flitted through her emotional state. She decided to answer the second question first with the most simple explanation "It is just a saying, a phrase to indicate something fortunate has occurred."
Cai started picking through the shells on offer, selecting them with particular care for a darkness of colour and little hint of moisture. "These are particularly useful to one such as I who travels constantly. When not in reach of public bathing facilities, or laundering services, these shells can be boiled to create a cleansing liquid for one's skin or clothes. I don't particularly like the smell of clothes left unwashed for too long, when given an alternative."
Cai purchased the soapberry shells, and a wicker canister to store them in, with minimal haggling. Not that she held haggling in any kind of disregard. However, with the shopkeeper's astonished stare towards Piao Bai, Cai felt she'd have enjoyed an unfair advantage in the proceedings. A quick purchase also meant she could get away from the fool's gawking. With her soapberries secured, Cai forestalled any further dialogue with the merchant with a curt "Thank you. That will be all."
As she moved back out into the flow of market traffic, Cai asked Piao Bai "Can you see the oil you were looking for?"
Cai started picking through the shells on offer, selecting them with particular care for a darkness of colour and little hint of moisture. "These are particularly useful to one such as I who travels constantly. When not in reach of public bathing facilities, or laundering services, these shells can be boiled to create a cleansing liquid for one's skin or clothes. I don't particularly like the smell of clothes left unwashed for too long, when given an alternative."
Cai purchased the soapberry shells, and a wicker canister to store them in, with minimal haggling. Not that she held haggling in any kind of disregard. However, with the shopkeeper's astonished stare towards Piao Bai, Cai felt she'd have enjoyed an unfair advantage in the proceedings. A quick purchase also meant she could get away from the fool's gawking. With her soapberries secured, Cai forestalled any further dialogue with the merchant with a curt "Thank you. That will be all."
As she moved back out into the flow of market traffic, Cai asked Piao Bai "Can you see the oil you were looking for?"
Last edited by Cai on Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
"Ohhhh."
Piao Bai peered in curiosity over the assortment. He looked up at the shopkeep only once and that was to reward the keep with a wink and waggle of his brows. The reaction amused him greatly.
After Cai turned away, Paio Bai looked back and waved his paw in a gesture of leaving. The shopkeep continued to stare, mouth dropped slightly open.
"Hm? That shop there seems to have vials of oil and other scents." Piao Bai gestured in the direction his nose said they should go. Amongst the shops, drifting here and there were phantom shops. The humans couldn't see them, but astral creatures moved through the stalls and roadways just as the humans did. Some stopped to stare at Piao Bai and Cai just as much as the humans did, too.
"Step to the side, Cai." Piao Bai tugged on Cai's ear. A large cart with a face on it was coming through. A wind followed its passage lifting scarves and skirts and kicking up dust. Piao Bai followed the carts progress with interest. Within the shadow of shape could be seen and the cart was heading in the direction Cai had said the capital would be. Piao Bai felt a sudden sense of foreboding, but shook it off with a shiver. Who or whatever was in the taxi hadn't paid he or Cai any mind.
Piao Bai peered in curiosity over the assortment. He looked up at the shopkeep only once and that was to reward the keep with a wink and waggle of his brows. The reaction amused him greatly.
After Cai turned away, Paio Bai looked back and waved his paw in a gesture of leaving. The shopkeep continued to stare, mouth dropped slightly open.
"Hm? That shop there seems to have vials of oil and other scents." Piao Bai gestured in the direction his nose said they should go. Amongst the shops, drifting here and there were phantom shops. The humans couldn't see them, but astral creatures moved through the stalls and roadways just as the humans did. Some stopped to stare at Piao Bai and Cai just as much as the humans did, too.
"Step to the side, Cai." Piao Bai tugged on Cai's ear. A large cart with a face on it was coming through. A wind followed its passage lifting scarves and skirts and kicking up dust. Piao Bai followed the carts progress with interest. Within the shadow of shape could be seen and the cart was heading in the direction Cai had said the capital would be. Piao Bai felt a sudden sense of foreboding, but shook it off with a shiver. Who or whatever was in the taxi hadn't paid he or Cai any mind.
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
Cai glanced to where Piao Bai pointed. "Yes, that does look promising."
The Jinyiwei had started moving towards the stall when Piao Bai spoke again, and Cai flicked her gaze around, seeing nothing to evade. "Step aside for what, Piao Bai? There was nothing that I could see. Nor do I sense malicious energy. What did you see?" A hint of perplexion trickled through their bond as Cai debated risking a headache to search for astral entities.
The Jinyiwei had started moving towards the stall when Piao Bai spoke again, and Cai flicked her gaze around, seeing nothing to evade. "Step aside for what, Piao Bai? There was nothing that I could see. Nor do I sense malicious energy. What did you see?" A hint of perplexion trickled through their bond as Cai debated risking a headache to search for astral entities.
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Long Piao Bai
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- Name: Long Piao Bai
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Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
"It was a taxi. I wonder who was in it. They seem to be passing through and headed in the direction of the Capital you mentioned." Piao Bai sounded completely unconcerned, sense of foreboding notwithstanding. Cai said she'd not senses any malicious energy. So, Piao Bai decided he'd let the feeling go.
It didn't take Cai long to get to the shop and its wares gave Piao Bai a reason to forget all about his sense of foreboding. Piao Bai leaned forward, craning his neck to peer at the earthen jars and glass bottles.
"Hm." Curiosity got the best of the little dragon. He slipped from Cai's shoulders with the grace of a cat. The weight of his body was a solid thump on the table, causing some of the bottles and jars to shake, but thankfully, not break. Then he sat up on his haunches, balanced easily with his tail around him. He even managed to cross his forearms, like a human would (who knew dragons were so flexible?).
"I do not want a feminine smell, but I do not want a heavy smell either." Speaking of smells, suddenly Piao Bai sneezed. He went from sitting upright to on all fours, eyes squinched closed, and tail jutting straight out as he sneezed. A small jet of flame escaped his mouth, followed by a little smoke drifting from his nose. At least two of the earthen jars in front of him bore scald marks.
Piao Bai's eyes watered and he backed up his forepaws, to sit upright once more. Piao Bai sniffled and looked up at Cai.
"Ugh... all the smells all at once..."
It didn't take Cai long to get to the shop and its wares gave Piao Bai a reason to forget all about his sense of foreboding. Piao Bai leaned forward, craning his neck to peer at the earthen jars and glass bottles.
"Hm." Curiosity got the best of the little dragon. He slipped from Cai's shoulders with the grace of a cat. The weight of his body was a solid thump on the table, causing some of the bottles and jars to shake, but thankfully, not break. Then he sat up on his haunches, balanced easily with his tail around him. He even managed to cross his forearms, like a human would (who knew dragons were so flexible?).
"I do not want a feminine smell, but I do not want a heavy smell either." Speaking of smells, suddenly Piao Bai sneezed. He went from sitting upright to on all fours, eyes squinched closed, and tail jutting straight out as he sneezed. A small jet of flame escaped his mouth, followed by a little smoke drifting from his nose. At least two of the earthen jars in front of him bore scald marks.
Piao Bai's eyes watered and he backed up his forepaws, to sit upright once more. Piao Bai sniffled and looked up at Cai.
"Ugh... all the smells all at once..."
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
A taxi?! Although Cai had no idea what the little dragon was describing, she decided against incurring a headache to investigate further. If it was heading to the capital, and posed a danger, there were others within the Jinyiwei equally well-suited to keeping the Emperor's court safe. Maybe Piao Bai would tell her more later, once the markets were no longer posing a distraction to the small dragon.
On the topic of distractions, a short while later Cai found herself steadying small flasks of oils and perfumes as Piao Bai immersed himself in the active task of selecting the oil he needed. The stall's merchant, like many of her peers in the market thus far, initially found herself at a loss regarding how to approach the unique pair confronting her. The merchant had just settled for a polite bow and smile when Piao Bai's sneeze caused her to blanch in the face of the small burst of flame. Cai's cheek twitched near her lips, hinting at a smile. "I think we should get you away from all these flammable things, Piao Bai, before you set the markets alight""
The fiery sneeze deterred the merchant for only a moment, and Cai grimaced as the woman smiled brightly and said "Fine choices. And a remarkable way to ensure that no others claimed your purchase." She delicately pushed the two seared flasks towards Cai with an overstated friendly politeness. Cai, though ascetic in temperament, felt her social obligations towards the damaged goods could not be ignored. "Thank you for your understanding. And if you have any jasmine-scented oil, we will take that as well and be on our way."
The merchant presented them with a selection of three different oils infused with Jasmine. "Do any of these suit you, Piao Bai? Try not to write your answer in char-marks this time." Dangerously close to humour, that last statement.
On the topic of distractions, a short while later Cai found herself steadying small flasks of oils and perfumes as Piao Bai immersed himself in the active task of selecting the oil he needed. The stall's merchant, like many of her peers in the market thus far, initially found herself at a loss regarding how to approach the unique pair confronting her. The merchant had just settled for a polite bow and smile when Piao Bai's sneeze caused her to blanch in the face of the small burst of flame. Cai's cheek twitched near her lips, hinting at a smile. "I think we should get you away from all these flammable things, Piao Bai, before you set the markets alight""
The fiery sneeze deterred the merchant for only a moment, and Cai grimaced as the woman smiled brightly and said "Fine choices. And a remarkable way to ensure that no others claimed your purchase." She delicately pushed the two seared flasks towards Cai with an overstated friendly politeness. Cai, though ascetic in temperament, felt her social obligations towards the damaged goods could not be ignored. "Thank you for your understanding. And if you have any jasmine-scented oil, we will take that as well and be on our way."
The merchant presented them with a selection of three different oils infused with Jasmine. "Do any of these suit you, Piao Bai? Try not to write your answer in char-marks this time." Dangerously close to humour, that last statement.
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Long Piao Bai
- Citizen
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:13 am
- Name: Long Piao Bai
- Race: astral dragon shifter
Re: Tian Xia PW 124: The Road to Shanyi
"I think we should get you away from all these flammable things, Piao Bai, before you set the markets alight""
Piao Bai's reply was a droll, "Indeed."
"Thank you for your understanding. And if you have any jasmine-scented oil, we will take that as well and be on our way."
Piai Bai's head swiveled to look at Cai. She almost seemed amused?
If dragons could make a peevish expression, his would. "Jasmine? No. Too feminine. Styrex, Amber, and Balsam would be nice... Something masculine, but not heavy. Has she anything like that?"
Letting go of the idea that Cai thought him feminine, Piao Bai decided staying away from the heavy scents was to his benefit. He remained sitting on his hind legs, once he recovered from the sneeze and the sniffles that followed.
Piao Bai's reply was a droll, "Indeed."
"Thank you for your understanding. And if you have any jasmine-scented oil, we will take that as well and be on our way."
Piai Bai's head swiveled to look at Cai. She almost seemed amused?
If dragons could make a peevish expression, his would. "Jasmine? No. Too feminine. Styrex, Amber, and Balsam would be nice... Something masculine, but not heavy. Has she anything like that?"
Letting go of the idea that Cai thought him feminine, Piao Bai decided staying away from the heavy scents was to his benefit. He remained sitting on his hind legs, once he recovered from the sneeze and the sniffles that followed.