by Laute on October 20th, 2011, 2:04 am
Rain. He disliked days like this, when the downpour was heavy and constant. Scents washed away, prey disappeared, and his fur, thick and long, grew damp and heavy. The droplets clung to his coat, hidden between the layers of hair, and he drew his wings around him tighter, closer. His feet were completely soaked, the puddles drowning them with each step he took.
Behind him, his slave fared no better. Her cloak wasn't waterproof and already soaked as they traversed the desolate streets. Silently she trod on, following him as quickly as she could with nary a complaint. His brother had some ability in picking a slave, at least. She had followed him this far, after all.
Approaching the large building that housed the markets, Laute paused for a moment outside. It didn't seem as impressive as others claimed it to be, a large box more than anything else. A little worn, even.
The interior dispelled his doubts. The stalls stretch beyond his sights, up and forward, left and right. Smells mixed, scents of perfumes and spiced meats, of freshly baked breads and sweet snacks. The colours were a spectrum, some stalls draped in bright, flashy materials, others a more humble, dark colour.
Allowing himself a small smile, Laute waded through the throngs of people as they converged in the small avenues and paths that crisscrossed between the blocks of shops. Taller than most people, his head stuck out above the swarm, allowing him to see the wares on display with ease. At one stall, legs of meat hung, some appearing to run as a customer approached. Another, small toys stood, children fighting to grab the object of their desire.
Slightly penned in as he moved, he gave a grunt of annoyance. Turning left, he went down a slightly less-traveled path. Pausing at one booth, he perused the books there. A towering bookshelf stood in the center, row after row filled. Opening one book, he gave a sharp intake of air as the words appeared to swim in front of him. An illusion of the ocean appeared on that page, fish and coral clear through the pages. Salty air hit him and he closed it with a slam.
He hated the ocean.
Near him, his slave was looking at her own book, eyes wide in delight as an a pair of macaws appeared to fly out of the pages. Bright feathers floated down as they flew up, disappearing into small balls of light. The plump shopkeeper, slightly nervous of Laute's monstrous form, approached his slave with a smile.
"Interested in anything?" she asked, wringing her hands as she did. Motherly in her mannerisms, small crinkles appearing on her face when she smiled, her eyes held a cunning that belied her age.
Eyeing the book in his hands with distaste, Laute dropped the book and departed. Behind him, he could hear his slave make an apologetic noise before chasing after him. No doubt, she had a slight reprimand in her expression at his actions.
He paid her no heed, moving to the next place to catch his curiosity. Hearing the baying of dogs and the soft click of claws, he followed his senses. His horse was a steadfast beast, strong and durable, but his slave knew little of its upkeep and he even less. The shopkeeper here could help with that.
Voices emerged as he approached the stall, the man Laute was looking for already engaged in conversation. As he waited, he looked at the cages, inspecting the beasts inside.