Completed A Shopping Ordeal

[Azira]

   

60th of Fall, 513AV

After her night in the Inclement Weather, the Avora had decided that she seriously needed some new clothes. She'd felt like a total idiot sitting there in her hunting gear in a dance club. She wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion but then Azira had never had to dress fancily before so why waste money on dressy clothes? Now that she knew better, the huntress had decided that it would be a good idea to buy something special just in case at the earliest opportunity.

She hadn't had to wait long for the next market day to come along and so the girl approached the Market Place in the Stained Glass Gallery with a feeling of trepidation. The idea of buying clothes filled her with dread. The very atmosphere of the market was enough to set her trembling with fear. She could imagine the crush of bodies, the vendors calling out their wares and the heated haggling that would ensue. It was a horrifying idea and the teen intended to buy whatever she needed as quickly as possible, haggling or no haggling.

In the hopes of avoiding the crush of people, she'd arrived later in the day. Azira was thinking about going to Bare Threads to get an outfit so she knew that the evening was also the best time to get deals from the owner, Leyla. As long as the woman didn't badger her to buy something expensive, the young woman was willing to follow Leyla's advice. 

The young woman shouldered her way through the crowd, skimming the contents of the outer ring of stalls before moving to the inner ones. She didn't think that she could afford the prices of the innermost stalls, those for the Endals, but she moved among them nonetheless. Her shoulder bumped hard into someone else, causing them to grunt and she turned to apologise, her face changing to one of surprise.

An "Oh!" slipped from her mouth and the huntress found herself staring, struck momentarily speechless.

x

[Syveris]

Syveris was exultant. She kept repeating the date on her mind. Even though the Fall had been pretty hard until now, she sensed this day would be perfect. After all, it was her birthday. The day she completed nineteen years old. Syveris didn't knew why she was so happy. It wasn't like it was a special age or anything, but still... Maybe it had something to do with the present Virat had given her earlier.

Shrugging, Syveris moved through the stalls, trying not to bump into anyone. She wouldn't think too deeply into it. It was market day and it was her birthday. Enough to make her extremely happy. Smiling even more, Syveris walked between the stalls, looking around for something to buy. She wasn't one to spend money, but she would make a special exception today. She just needed to find something she wanted.

After moving around she still hadn't found anything that caught her eye. Sighing, she walked towards the inner stalls. They were more expansive, but even if she did look around it didn't mean she had to buy something. Maybe she would, though. Suddenly, someone bumped into her, interrupting her thoughts. She grunted, and turned to the woman. The other was looking at her with an expression of surprise, and Syveris found herself frowning. Did she even knew the other? She surely couldn't remember her.

And then, it all came back. It had been years before, so she wasn't very certain, but the woman certainly looked a lot like the girl who had scolded her for skipping her bendi. Syveris looked harder, trying to remember. It had to be her. There couldn't be two Inarta so alike in Wind Reach.

She felt herself blushing, ashamed. She regretted a lot of her past, of how she was back then. Sure, she still loved danger, she was still reckless and emotional, but she now understood how important work was. And to be reminded that she once skipped work only to have fun made her feel guilty.

"Oh... Hey." she waved her hand, awkwardly greeting the other. "You are the girl from that day, aren't you? From the Kitchens, I mean." Syveris doubted she was making any sense. She blushed even harder, looking away from the other's eyes. "I'm sorry. For that day, I mean. You were right." saying sorry still wasn't something she liked to do, but this time she had to admit she was wrong. She only hoped the other wouldn't still be too mad at her.

[Azira]

   

The last thing she'd expected was to bump into a face from her past. From quite far in her past actually, long before the Lorthen incident. Somehow she'd known the second she'd seen her who she was. It was strange that she could remember someone from maybe seven years ago that she'd only met so briefly. The memory of it made her cringe. She'd found the girl skipping bendi and had scolded her, actually gave out to her! It was amazing how self-righteous she'd been but it wasn't something she was proud of at all.

The other girl looked puzzled, seemingly having no idea who Azira was but then recognition flashed in her eyes and she began to blush. That was an unexpected reaction. Feeling a little confused, she stood watching the girl warily considering her reaction the last time but then people changed, hadn't she? No, actually she hadn't. She still had that I'm-in-the-right mentality. Hadn't she offended Lavira by trying to kick her out of the Enclave because Deks weren't allowed in there? True, the girl wasn't a Dek but that mentality had still been there.

"Yes, sorry. I was a-" she replied as the girl talked, catching herself in surprise when the older girl apologised. She blinked. Why would she apologise? Why would she say that the Avora was right? It was strange to find that the girl agreed with her way of thinking now, considering her reaction at the time. She didn't know what to say. She'd been about to apologise for being such a bossy little shyke and yet the woman was saying sorry for her own behaviour.

"It doesn't matter whether I was right or not. It wasn't any of my business, I shouldn't have stuck my nose in where it didn't belong. Sorry," Azira murmured, stepping around the woman. "Um...I'm doing some shopping..." Wow, how original, very witty. Talk about stating the obvious. Her cheeks flushed at the mistake as she tried to find something better to cover it.

x

[Syveris]

The girl's confusion was a little amusing, and Syveris felt like snickering at it, but she knew now wasn't the right time. The other was already uncomfortable, and she didn't want to make things worse this time. She owned the girl an apologize, and even though she had already offered it, she wanted to make sure the other knew it was true. Making a big effort to keep her face straight, she tried to think on how to put her thoughts on words.

"Well, it really wasn't any of your business, but you were doing the right thing anyway." she smiled. "And you were doing what you felt it was right. I admire that. Well, I admire that now. So no need to apologize to me." the thought of the fight returned to the Avora's mind, and she blushed yet again. Her behavior had truly been shameful. The other really didn't need to apologize herself. After all, Syveris had been lazy during most of her Yasi-hood.

"I'm also doing some shopping." she stated, feeling rather stupid. It was quite obvious what she was doing. However, she wanted to try to make the girl less embarrassed. It was the least she could do. "We can shop together if you want!" Syveris proposed, excitement running through her yet again. It would be nice to have company. And the other girl seemed to be alone, so it would be nice for her too.

"What are you looking for? I'm thinking about buying something for my birthday, but I still haven't found anything. What was your name again?" she asked one question after the other, smiling. She knew she was acting as if nothing had happened, but, thinking back, the other girl had scolded her for being lazy. Which meant she worked hard. Which mean she was someone Syveris admired. So there was truly no reason to be mad at the other girl.

[Azira]

   

Pausing in her escape, the teen gazed at the other girl trying to work out what she was thinking. Apparently she had changed. Not only was she apologising for her own actions but she was also saying that she admired what Azira had done. Her cheeks flushed and she found that she didn't know what to say again. Then the girl suggested that they go shopping. The last thing she wanted was for some girl that she barely knew, and had hit her the last time they'd met, to go shopping with her. It was enough of an ordeal as it was but then she thought of Lavira. The Endal had given her a chance to redeem herself so why couldn't she do the same for this girl?

"Yes, maybe we should go shopping together," she sighed. "It's a good idea." The Avora had no idea of it was a good thing to do but she couldn't see it ending as badly as the last time. She could just pick up the bits she needed and scarper at the earliest opportunity. It seemed unlikely but maybe she would get on with the girl and they would end of friends. That would be nice. 

"I'm looking for clothes suitable for going out in. I've never been inclined to go out, all I do is work, but if I do go out hunting clothes really aren't considered very dressy," the huntress explained, indicating the brown vinati, dark green bryda and sturdy hunting boots. "I'm Azira though I can't remember your name. When's your birthday? Mine's on the 66th, not too far away now I suppose..." she trailed off, unsure what else to say.

x

[Syveris]

While the other girl didn't seem so interested in shopping with her, Syveris was glad that at least she had accepted it. She was sure the girl would be good company, even if she seemed to be a bit shy. Besides, she doubted they would fight. Or at least, she doubted they would fight like last time they had meet. Syveris smiled at the other, allowing her to finish talking before introducing herself.

"Azira? That's a nice name. I'm Syveris. And my birthday is today, actually. Nineteen years old." she informed. However, it wasn't in her own birthday that she was interested anymore. "You're a huntress!" she exclaimed, the admiration very clear in her voice. "That's truly amazing! I mean, I almost turned out to be a huntress myself. But how did you become one? Have you always enjoyed it? What do you like to hunt the most?" she stopped herself from making even more questions. Maybe the girl wouldn't really want to talk about it, although Syveris didn't actually see why that would be true. Hunting was something everyone should be proud to be able to do. "You are Avora, right?" it didn't look like the girl was an Endal, but she asked the question with caution. She still had trouble sometimes guessing the caste of others, and she wasn't about to offend the girl again.

"If you need fancy clothes, you're going to Bare Threads then, right? I heard they are the best. Never been there myself, though. I usually prefer going to the Hot Hammer or That is Beautiful. They always have nice things to show there." Syveris started walking towards the stall, looking behind her back to see if Azira was following her. "Besides, I'm not one of going out myself. But I guess it's good to be prepared, right?"

[Azira]

   

Gods! The girl was one of those extremely chatty Inartans. Why did they always seem to find her? Did she have some sign around her neck that she couldn't see that said "Everyone talk to me"? She managed to keep her face neutral as the girl chattered away almost incessantly. Maybe it was a nervous habit that would go away when the girl relaxed around her a bit. She sure hoped so.

"Well, I suppose birthday wishes are in order then, Syveris," the huntress replied. "Yes, I'm a huntress and an Avora. I'm not an Endal. Yet but maybe some day... anyway I was taught by a huntress who thought I had some skill with a short bow. It isn't that story isn't that spectacular really. I go out, I hunt rabbits and squirrels, I come back. That's it really but I enjoy it, yeah."

She wondered if the girl was going to interrogate her on hunting. She hoped not. Syveris probably expected her to take an interest in what she did but to be perfectly honest, she couldn't care less. But then again, if she diverted the girl's attention to herself then Azira wouldn't have to discuss her own life. Sighing, she followed the other girl as she headed to the clothing stall.

"Yeah I was heading to Bare Threads. I was just giving Leyla the chance to recover from her perpetual hangover. But you're right. It never hurts to be prepared," the teen replied. The Avora shouldered her way past the other citizens to draw level with Syveris. It was hard maintaining the position in the press of people, many of whom were taller and bigger than her but it was really the only way she could talk to her without having to yell over the heads of others.

"So what do you do, Syveris?" she questioned. She almost asked if she'd become a Dek like she'd predicted would be the consequence of her laziness but she decided that that would be a bad move. She didn't want to risk the girl snapping so she didn't add it.

x

[Syveris]

"Maybe we should wish for it, then. Become an Endal, I mean." Syveris smiled over her shoulder, frowning to see the smaller girl struggling to keep up. She slowed down, hoping that it would make things easier. "I'm sure your story is very exciting. I mean, hunting is exciting. But if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Syveris thought about asking a few more questions, but decided against it. She would love to hear everything, if Azira wanted to tell her.

She kept forcing her way through the people gathered around the stalls, sending glances over her shoulder to see if Azira was keeping up. It was a bit disappointing, that the other Avora didn't want to tell her about her job. Sometimes Syveris wondered what it would be like, if she had taken up hunting, not that she regretted her decision. Still, she really wanted to hear about what it was like. Sighing, she hoped the other would want to talk about it soon.

"Leyla does have a reputation of getting a hangover every morning." Syveris agreed. "I think I saw her the only time I went to Inclement Weather. Can't be sure, though, since I don't usually go near her stall." they were almost there. Just a few more people in the way.

"I'm a glassworker now." Syveris answered, proudly. "I'm still an apprentice, but I think I'll be ready in a year, at most. That was what Virat said, at least." she smiled. It wasn't her intention to make Azira ask about her job, but she was glad the other did. Talking about it always made her feel proud and happy. So, if Azira didn't want to talk about her job as a huntress, Syveris would be happy to talk about her own job. If the other really wanted to listen to it, though.

"I got an apprenticeship a little late, as you may imagine." she had sensed that the other had not asked something she wanted to, and she could only guess what it was. If she was right, Syveris was happy the other had controlled herself. "And I was a little slow on the beginning, but I'm working hard on it now. I want to have my own stall someday, when I move out of apprenticeship."

"And here we are." Syveris stated, pointing to the Bare Thread stall. "Do you have something in mind? For buying. A dress of some color or something?"

[Azira]

Azira rolled her eyes. How would wishing to become an Endal achieve anything? The only way you could hope to become one would be to spend as much time around different eagles as possible. There was supposed to be an eagle for everyone after all so that was really the only way you'd become one of the higher caste members. She didn't say anything though. She also refrained from retorting that her story of becoming a hunter wasn't that exciting. The girl was really too enthusiastic about the whole hunting thing.

"I think her reputation is well justified. Apparently she's a nightmare in the mornings, that's why I came so late. She gives better deals when she's in good humour. You can't be in a good humour with a pain in your head. Believe me, I know," the huntress explained, pushing her way past more people. It was really amazing how crowded it was but she supposed that there were a fair few people who would have only gotten off work.

The girl flinched at the mention of glassworking. She still saw the profession in a negative light. She hadn't gotten over the fact that her mother had been killed in a glassworking accident and she'd only recently realised just how fresh the wounds still were. She looked on Syveris with pity. She seemed so proud of such a profession, so unfazed by the danger of it. She'd probably never seen the results of an accident, never seen anyone die. The Avora shuddered and pushed the thoughts from her mind.

"I see. Congrats on the apprenticeship," she mumbled. Thankfully they reached the stall before she had to say anything else. She couldn't talk anymore on the subject of jobs, especially not...that one.

"I don't want anything too outlandish. Something simple but...nice." She'd been about to say pretty but she decided that she didn't want to think of anything that she wore as being like that. Pretty equaled girly in her mind. "I just want a new vinati, new bryda and maybe some new shoes," Azira explained to the Avora.

OOCI already deducted the price of a blue vinati, black bryda, some new shoes and a silver pendant. Maybe some input from Syveris would be good. She could convince her to buy the pendant at a jewellery stall. Azira would never buy something like that herself. As for the clothing, you can convince her to buy some items of the outfit if you like

x

[Harrier]

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He moved silent through the crowds, head down, hood of his cloak raised and held close around his head, casting his face into shadows to hide the faint pallor they had. The many faces of Market day seemed to swirl around him as he searched for one which might fulfill his need. The tunnels were not working anymore and he could feel HIM coming. He must find shelter. But where? And with who?

His eyes scanned the crowd, winds pulling at the hood, urging it to fall away and sweeping the market with its angry gusts, even blowing items off of racks in the various stalls throughout the Courtyard. He was just passing Bare Threads when another such gust swelled, knocking one rack clean over and onto Syveris who had been shopping with Azira. It wasn't a particularly heavy rack, but it surely must have surprised the women. Cursing under his breath at the winds and He who they served, the hooded man stopped...and spoke.

"Oh dear, are you alright! Here, let me help you up!" He said, voice like silk straight from the spider as he knelt beside Syveris and laid his hand lightly upon her shoulder. "I am such a clutz, please forgive me." The man sought to pull the clothing which had toppled from her, looking towards Azira with unseen eyes though she might feel the reassurement from the stranger while the pinky of the hand not assisting Syveris in getting back to her feet twitched subtly, as if a nerve had been tweaked.

A test of will, to see if she was pliable, summoned Syveris to stand with the strangers reassuring hands. No emotion applied to the sense, just to get back onto her feet.

"Gods, how silly of me, I've gone and mussed your fine garb as well! Please, let me see to their replacement." Already, he was fishing into his cloak with one hand, retrieving a few gold mizas and pressing them into Syveris and then Azira's hands. The man did nothing but smile in apology now to the latter woman as he paid more than enough to replace their current outfits with a fine outfit or two for dancing at the local revelry before he was gone, fading back into the crowds, sparing only a single look back once he was certain neither would notice, and then that too had ended....
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(C)Elysium