Arriving in Ahnatep [Complete]

[Deshira]

Season Of Winter, Day 14, 511 AV.

The wind tickled the cheek of the small girl, urging her forward and towards the city of Ahnatep. As the gates came into view, to say the Chaktawe was slightly intimidated was an understatement. Being unable to speak any sort of Arumenic, the Ephyrian language, Deshira would have to solely rely on her common to make it through her stay. She hoped it would be enough.

"Are you ready?" Her horse looked on towards their destination, shaking its mane and snorting. As she guided the animal, along with the few belongings left to her after her grandmother's death, Deshira's black eyes rose along the gate's archway, and right upon the lady of Ahnatep. The stone and iron woman held up her many arms, each clasping some sort of symbolism. It was beautiful, to say the least, yet her harsh expression sent shivers down Deshira's spine, and the exoticism of the Ephyrian body struck her as odd.

Very few times had Deshira come in contact with an Ephyrian, her tribe dealing mostly with other Chaktawe or the occasional Benshira. Her arrival in Ahnatep would be quite the eye opener. And it was only the beginning. Looking around to see herself being waved into the city, Deshira returned the gesture as a thank you and crossed the threshold.

As of today she had left her tribe to go explore the world of Mizahar, and now she began her new life. To be so free and in a bustling city was a new sensation for the young girl. Sure, living a nomadic lifestyle held its perks, but it was unpredictable and you were constantly on the move. Already the city was alive with activity. It was nearly mid-morning, and the Chaktawe couldn't stop herself from staring at all the people... At all the... arms.

It was easy to see how one could be swept away by the city's appeal. All the people seemed painted, as though they had walked right from an artist's canvas. There was so many bright colors, and looking down at her own black feathered cloak, if it wasn't tied so closely with her culture, Deshira would have felt even more out of place.

Thoughts raced through her head. First thing first, Deshira would need to find somewhere to leave her horse temporarily, if there was such a place, and look to find a room to rent for the time being.

The black haired girl inhaled deeply. Where to begin?

[Ispsyavinsens]

Vinsens weaved through the crowd, his eyes half-closed . He’s been wandering about since near dawn and he might have continued indefinitely had he not nearly collided with an Eypharian loaded down with goods, who snapped at Vin to watch where he was going. The Dhani stumbled back and mumbled a quick apology as his eyes snapped fully open.

The noise of the city was much louder now that he’d been woken from his daydream. The light seemed brighter as well. Vin held up a hand to shield his eyes as he looked around, getting his bearings. He hissed upon seeing the gates; he hadn’t meant to wander so far. Granted he hadn’t been heading anywhere in particular; he’d just been putting one foot in front of the other like a pack animal. Feelings of shame settled in his chest as he realized how much time he must have wasted, time that could have gone towards lifting purses, or scouting for empty homes, or finding something to eat.

Vin whipped around with purpose, determined to head straight to the market and make up for lost time, starting with food. Before he could march off, though, he had to deal with the desertbred horse that was now by chance in front of him.

“Ah, hello there.” He slowly reached a hand out to pet the animal, forgetting that its owner was probably right nearby, or that it might object to a stranger touching it.

[Deshira]

Deshira was about to just start head off down the first street she saw, naive to what was considered the "good" part of town, and the "bad", yet she knew to be wary of strangers. It was just then when she heard a voice very close. In fact, just the other side of her horse, and she wasn't sure if it was towards her or not.

Stepping forward and peeking around the animal, she blinked, but did not protest to the stranger touching her desertbred. Inwardly collecting the words in common, she spoke, "Who are you?" The question came out more forceful than she anticipated, but she meant it out of curiosity. Even if her eyes were showing waves of suspicion.

Keeping a relatively safe distance from the man, yet allowing her hands to rest on her horse, and belongings, Deshira inwardly took in the appearance of the male. She found his hair to be most interesting, since it was a both black and white. He also seemed very.... angular. Very sharp, and thin, she noted.

The young Chaktawe focused mostly on his hands and face. If he was planning to steal from her, she would be as attentive as possible to avoid such an incident. It wasn't necessarily him she was tense about. Being in a completely unfamiliar setting, with so much happening made her fingertips buzz, and it felt like she had lost a sense (and in a way, she had). All this combined with her normal races wariness of people left her on high alert. Oh goodness, already the stress of adventuring was taking a toll.

[Ispsyavinsens]

"Who are you?"

Win's head snapped up as he looked around for the source of the question. And there its owner was, a young woman with dark pools for eyes and curious hands. And here he was, with his hand on her horse, probably looking just a little bit shifty.

"Euh." His mind did a quick flip as he debated whether or not to keep petting the animal or not, but the woman hadn't ordered him to stop, exactly, so he continued.

"My name is Vin," he said, lisping a little more heavily than he'd have liked to. He wasn't exactly sure what this looked like from her point of view and he wasn't sure how to break the ice.

"I, uh, like your horse."

He felt a little stupid saying that but it had to be better than saying nothing.

"What's your name?"

[Deshira]

Deshira found herself listening closer to the man than should have been nessesary, her common quite rusty and his accent making it difficult for ears to adjust. She stared at him for a second, letting the words process before her expression changed to confused amusement.

"You like horse?" She questioned, making sure she heard correctly. The faintest smile tugged on the edge of her lips, and then was was shooed away with words, "His name is Sashua." Deshira stroked the animals neck, still keeping an eye on her new acquaintance.

"I am Deshira."

Standing silent afterwards, a brief silence enveloped the two. Deshira was uncertain how to deal with many people, but she found a question bubbling from her mouth, "You live here?" Still unsure if she should trust this man, she motioned around her n, referring to the city. She needed someone with knowledge, or guide of sorts. "I need....," Struggling to find the exact word, the dark eyed girl inwardly cursed her under-practiced common. Deciding on simple words she hoped would describe an inn, she continued, "Bed. Food. Warmth?" She looked at the male hopefully, silently urging him to understand.

[Ispsyavinsens]

"Yes. He is a very handsome horse."

Vin patted the horse a few more times and folded his hands behind his back. He didn't want to overstep his bounds too much. He didn't want to come across as a creep, either.

"It's nice to meet the two of you." Vin smiles in what he hoped was a friendly way, although he was becoming increasingly aware of how hard he was hitting those sibilant s's today.

The woman (Deshira, he reminded himself) gestured to the surrounding area and he followed her hands with his eyes. It seemed as if she wasn't quite up on her common, but it was fairly clear that she was looking for a place to stay.

"The Peacock inn?" He turned around to check his bearings. "The Peacock is down on the... next to..." He trailed off as he found his own basic grasp of common failing him when it came to describing the city to an outsider. He turned back to Deshira, looking a little ashamed.

"I can show you."

[Deshira]

"The Peacock inn?"

Deshira was very attentive to his words, particularly the last one as she mentally repeated it in hopes to add it to her vobabulary. She nodded when he suggested showing her the way, believing his own earnest struggles to communicate. "Yes, thank you."

The raven haired girl let her eyes do a quick scan of her belongings to make sure everything was still in place before motioning him to lead the way. Knowing that constant suspicion of everyone wasn't going to win her many friends, she cleared her voice and spoke, "I like your hair."

Wasn't it only polite to return compliments when they were given to you? This man, Vin, had praised her horse, and she had yet to say something nice to him. As odd, and sudden she may have announced it, Deshira was taught that flattering someone was typically accepted amoung different races, and was a positive interaction.

Attempting a sweet smile, the Chaktawe nodded in agreement with her words.

[Ispsyavinsens]

If Vin remembered correctly, the inn wasn’t terribly far from the gates. He set off at a leisurely pace down the sandstone building-lined street, staying abreast of Desira. This could work out well for him, he realized. The Emerald Peacock was a good place to get something to eat and find a mark or two. Although, thinking further, the Peacock didn’t get to be the foremost inn in the city by leaving their patrons vulnerable to petty theft.

Before Vin could relapse into his daydreams though, Deshira made her compliment.

“I like your hair.”

“Oh, uh, thank you.”

He smiled back at the dark-eyed girl and ran a hand through his own hair sheepishly. His sandals suddenly seemed very interesting, as did the rest of the road. As unsure of how to proceed from a complement like that as he was, he felt that he had to say something. He might as well get to know this new acquaintance.

“So, why are you in Ahnatep? Are you here for the parade?”

OOCSorry for the delay! I had some minor surgery and the recovery kept me down for longer than expected

[Deshira]

"Parade?" To be completely honest, Deshira was unaware there was a celebration to be held. So, blinking, she looked around, trying to remain casual in her curiosity. Despite her ignorance, she did not want to appear that way.

"No." Smiling, she shrugged lightly. Oh well. Now she knew. "I travel now. I wish to make money. Then move on." She would be honest. She had little plans for this city. It would be nice to explore it a bit. Who knows, she may even stay for awhile, but her mindset was still that of a nomad. If the Gods had other plans, so be it.

The thought of remaining in Ahnatep wasn't exactly what she was envisioning when she wanted to "expand her horizons". Still, getting to know such an.... interesting culture was partially the plan. She did want to meet new people, and have many experiences. Why rush it all?

As they walked, Deshira inwardly sighed and drummed her fingertips against her thigh. They were buzzing from all the city's activity, and it felt as though there was a constant hum dulling her mind. Perhaps staying in her tent along the city walls was a better option for her sanity, albeit less safer in the physical sense. Eventually the inn came into view, and she beamed.

"Oh, thank you! You are good man, Vin, yes?"

[Ispsyavinsens]

"The Swan Parade. Not sure to go, very busy, very noisy."

Vin normally weaved through the crowds, easily slipping between the foot traffic as a result of his small stature, but with someone to guide he took a languid pace and pointed out the occasional landmark and the directions of the Pavillion and the docks.

"Where you will go?" he asked as they rounded the last corner and the Peacock came into sight. "To Yahebah?"

"I have not left Ahnatep," he added thoughtfully. He thought of several more questions as well: Where had Deshira come from? How far had she traveled already? But they were at the inn, and he didn't want to pester her with too many questions.

"Thank you," he responded in kind to her. "Will greet you if see around."