A dash of love [Tallis]

[Sierra]

36th day of summer 512 AV

Ugh, another day. Nothing exciting ever happens around here, just the same old same old. All I do is go to the bazaar, buy something I don't need, run out of money, then take it from some guy. I wish something fun would happen. The same thought ran through Sierra's head every morning. She simply lay waiting in this god forsaken castle for something to happen. If it wasn't so dangerous she would go to the mountains, but all she had to defend herself is a month of hypnotism training. Every now and then the bazaar would hold something interesting and enjoyable, but still wasn't exactly what she was looking for. Life just seems to have become a consistant course of the same thing happening every single day, and Sierra had long grown tired of it. Maybe she could stowe away with some sailors on a ship, or even "convince" them to welcome her aboard. There was a problem with this though, she never even got to come close to any of the ships that docked near the castle. This didn't stop her imagination though.

Sierra also didn't know any of the cities outside of Sylira, so she came to the decision to go down to the bazaar, and get every book she could on foreign culture. Getting untangled from her sheets, Sierra got out of bed and got dressed in her plain clothes, despite the bladed boots, and started for the door. Oops, almost forgot my money. She turned and grabbed a couple of gold Mizas off of her dresser and walked out in to the dim torch lit hall, still combing her hair.

[Tallis]

Tallis had been in the castle city for a few days now, but it hadn't become any easier for him to get around. Arriving with the Syliran knights, he had only been acquainted with the few buildings that they frequented; the training hall, the barracks, etc. Today, Tallis had a day off to explore the city that he would be spending the next few seasons in, and he intended to spend it well. The views in Syliras were quite different from what they were back in Zeltiva. In many ways Tallis felt caged in. True, he could no longer see the ocean that was so familiar to him, but it wasn't just the physical barriers of the castle walls that made him feel claustrophobic, it was the rules and regulations. The knighthood ruled with an iron-fist and they were everywhere. Although seeking to become a warrior-mage himself, Tallis wondered if he would be able to mete out justice as swiftly and confidently as they did. It was a bit unnerving to see such obedient and hard-working people. There were no drunkards tripping through the streets, no buskers entertaining for coin. It was all a bit unnerving for Tallis. He decided to head down to the Great Bazaar. As the central city of Sylira, Tallis expected to see wares from all over the region, but today he was looking for books. It was necessary for Tallis to learn of history, religion, and the Valterrian if he were to ascend to knighthood.

[Sierra]

Ah the Bazaar, at least I feel at home here. Sierra smiled to herself. This is where she did everything she needed to stay on her feet. Trade, hypnotize, seduce, hypnotically trade with people by seducing them, anything that was unethical and any form of backstabbing she did right here. Today, however, she had other things in mind. She wasn't going to go make money off of her "haggling skills," or take what wasn't hers, Sierra was merely going to buy some books on foreign languages. As she made her way over to the closest kiosk selling books, something hit her. Where was she going to put her books? It would be weird to put them in a dresser, and such knowledge shouldn't be locked away in a chest. Stopping to ponder over this for a bit, Sierra put her comb in her pocket and tapped her foot on the hard ground. "Why do I keep getting in to these situations? My imagination needs tone down a bit."

[Tallis]

The Bazaar was filled with no shortage of distractions. Everywhere he turned people were clamoring for attention. Tallis couldn’t be moved to buy anything. After all, with the stall-owners pushing so hard to sell their products, he had to wonder about the quality. Would the colour in those scarves really stay forever? Was that jewelry really made from Isurian steel? The young mage wondered how many people were actually duped by the exaggerated claims and fanciful acting. Clearly enough for these people to make a living. Walking deeper into the Great Bazaar, Tallis left the noise and the bustle behind. The crowds were gone now and customers strolled about silently, peering into displays and keeping to themselves. Here the vendors sat quietly behind their counters, keeping a watchful eye on their products. This was where the professionals worked. Their products would sell based on their merit alone. A few of the price tags caused Tallis to arch an eyebrow. That sword is NOT worth that much. It can’t be…can it? The items being sold in this section of the Bazaar were much more curious and rare. Finally he happened upon a store selling what he was looking for. Books. Stacks and piles, shelves and cases, full of books. The booth was owned by a bespectacled and frail man, probably in his fifties now. A thin coat of greying hair covered his head and his clothes were of an older style that suited him quite well. The vendor sat comfortably at a small table, reading an old tattered book. When Tallis entered, he looked up and nods of acknowledgment were exchanged. Looking around, the books had no prices on them. Tallis would get a chance to try out his guessing and negotiating skills if he chose to purchase anything. The books weren’t in pristine condition either. Then again, he hadn’t expected them to be. The books were most likely salvaged, unwanted, lost, or out of date. At least they’ll probably be cheaper. Tallis noticed a shelf holding some promising looking titles and walked over to the fair maiden standing there. Ah, excuse me miss. If I could just get in there for a moment? Stretching as far as he could, he tugged out a hefty book from the top shelf, “Thanks.” He gave the cover a quick dust and could just make out the title, “Legends of an Older Time”. Flipping the book open tentatively, the scholar began reading.

[Sierra]

Sierra was interrupted in the middle of her thoughts, (or sentance, as she was thinking aloud). The voice that had politely asked her to move aside was young, but seemed to come from an older male. Maybe one of those richer, "too good for you folks". Regardless, she stepped back and turned towards the man, and boy was she wrong. His dark blue eyes barely looked in to her's before he went in to grab a book off the shelf. While he had the face of a typical upper class individual, unscathen, handsome, and overall appealing. However, he was wearing ordinary clothes. No regel drobes, or fancy armor, and he sure wasn't a knight. The young hypnotist was in shock. He was polite too, meaning he wasn't from here, meaning he could be part of a ship crew or an adventurer, meaning he traveled places! Maybe she could win him over with her "charm," then she could travel all over the world. This wouldn't be easy though, the handsome explorer would have to have a good personality as well, and there was only one way to figure this out.

Sierra made a little cough to draw his attention away from that book, and looked him in the eye. It wasn't for very long, but it was enough to plant a simple thought in his head. You want to know more about this girl. To prove her point, the seductress tossed her hair to the side, smiled, then grabbed a book on Vani. If she could appear dissinterested then she would appear mysterious... and she still really needed to read one of these books if she was going to learn anything down here. Anything educational that is.

The language was quite interesting. It seemed like each word was a piece of a song rather than a sentence. Vani was the language of the beautiful people of the snow. Those with the rainbow eyes, who can carve masterpieces out of pieces of masts, and tell stories that make your heart beat as if your right there in the middle of the action. Hopefully if everything goes right she would get her chance to put this book to good use. It would take a long time to get there, but for a boat it would be an easy trip.