A Tale of Equine Proportions

[Ainyi]

85 Spring, 512 AV

Shadows. Smoke. Cough. Clean. Pleasant. Safe. Destruction. Rebuilding.

It seemed to wash, rinse, repeat. The wounded, the weeping, followed by the rebuilding and hopeful the next corner, followed by the grimly fortunate faces of those untouched by the Djed Storm. The Inartan woman walked alertly, a white-knuckled grip on the reigns of her horse Halik. Even her hawk Braghna felt the fear in the air and stayed close, silent and ready.

They say Ivak has returned. Ainyi couldn't stop thinking of Wind Reach. Of home. What condition is it in? Is her mother safe? Her friends? She felt angry, scared, and worried all at the same time. She was trapped somewhere where she knew nothing, could do nothing. But yet, she can't go back. The only way she could come here was via a favor her mother had paid off with a merchant. In plus, going back may not be the safest thing for her right now. Perhaps it was the will of the Gods, of the Fates, to send her away before this great calamity struck. She didn't know. She almost didn't want to know.

Cough. Debris. Dust. Hunger.

She swallowed, whetting cracked lips and rubbed at some dirt on her face. She got out of her area before the damage got bad, but it still left her with nowhere to go, the 100 mizas she left with, and no place for her horse. She saw those who the Trickster God of this city did not favor, looking at Halik, even Braghna, for a meal. For something to sell so they can afford rebuilding. And every alley she crossed that was affected, she had a tight grip on reigns, and an inch of the blade of her talon sword flashing in the light.

Lights. Clouds. Stone. Dark.

She moved down a darker alley, with some haste in her step. It caused the glass beads holding her braids in places to clink together, which wasn't ideal for avoiding becoming a target for thieves. However, small alleys are the worst place to be. She just needed to get through. The horse whinnied nervously, and refused to budge at one point, but she won. Little to her luck, she crossed into another one, and this one had a man crossing her way.

Ainyi wasn't sure what to make of him. She didn't know what a man who dresses so finely would wander about the city in it's current state of ruin; Anyone dressed so nice is just asking to get mugged. Some might just beat him up for being so...pretty, for lack of a better word. He didn't seem like he would be the type that would need to mug her, but she wasn't trustful of him. In a city where everything is an illusion, for all she knew, he could be just as poorly off as the rest of them. As he approached, he seemed more peculiar and less threatening, oddly enough. When they were within vocal range of each other, her avian face was contorted in more of a question than a state of fear or protection. Braghna nipped at her ear and clicked a bit, ruffling his feathers. She kept a hand on him, unsure of what her feathered friend meant to do.

It was about then when her focus wasn't on Halik that the horse brushed by cargo that tumbled into the small alley, blocking it off. Her horse was stuck in between the cargo and wall, and was less than happy with it. His eyes were rolling, and he was trying to buck it away, though that only made it worse. All Ainyi could do was try to calm the horse, and hope that the well dressed man wouldn't be terse about it.

"S-Sorry," she muttered out in her accent, almost slipping back into Nari. She began trying to unearth her horse from the wooden boxes, afraid of any large sharp pieces that might hurt him. "Just a moment, Sir."

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric walked along the ruined streets of Alvadas with a forced smile. It had been so long since he had smiled, he had begun to think that he had forgotten how. Thankfully, Jahoma, his teacher, had allowed him a reprieve today. He had recently joined the Speakers, and was having trouble adjusting to the harsh worldview. You could only punish so many people without feeling queasy. Yet, they were criminals, who deserved what they got. He knew this, and knew it was Ionu's will. Yet, he was glad that he got to take a break from it once in a while. Even walking among the rebuilding Alvadas was better than chasing down thieves and degenerates down Alvadas's ruins. He shook his head. It was a sad thought, but it was true. Parts of Alvadas would never be rebuilt. They were private residents, and therefore not the responsibility of the government. It was sad, but true. After all, there was only so much Mizas to go around. Still, despite the sad thought, Alric smiled. It was his only defense against his own depression. Although, these walks did help, somewhat. Seeing so many less fortunate, made him truly appreciate all of his gifts. As he turned a corner, down an alley it seemed, he came upon a red-haired woman leading a horse. She also seemed to carry a large bird of some kind. Alric almost turned right around, out of the alley. But he thought better of it. Ionu himself shifted the city, and who was Alric to deny Ionu? He continued forward, curious as to what may happen. He was not disappointed. As he approached, the animals began to act strangely. The horse backed up, and blocked the alley with a cart from behind. Alric's forced smile became far more genuine as he watched the event with evident amusement. The woman look quite distraught over the whole thing. "S-Sorry," she muttered out in her accent,"Just a moment, Sir." Alric gave out a chuckle, "Oh, don't worry about it. I'm not headed anywhere, and I have nowhere to be. Though I imagine the cargo needs to be." Alric stood to the side for a bit, waiting for the woman to calm her horse. But it was taking a bit too long. Others were trying to get into the alley, and people were getting anxious. The last thing Alric wanted was violence, especially on his day off. "Might I try miss? the crowd is getting anxious."

[Ainyi]

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm not headed anywhere, and I have nowhere to be. Though I imagine the cargo needs to be."


Ainyi couldn't help thinking the same thing. Halik bucked and nearly damaged some of the cargo trapping him, before she pulled hard on the his reigns to bring his face to hers. She whispered to him in Nari in soft words, and felt muscles twitch under his skin in his forelegs and haunches. Slowly, he calmed, and and settled to pawing the ground with his hooves. Braghna unhooked his claws from a ring on her pack and rehooked on the saddle, giving her more leverage to unearth her horse.

However, she wasn't apt to have much longer. Locals were clogging up on both sides. The fancily dressed man was courteous enough, and couldn't help but notice his constant smiling. That irritated her. How could he be smiling when half the town was stuck behind her spooked horse. She could hear people whispering annoyances around her, even if she couldn't always understand them.

"As if enough hasn't gone wrong..."

"...stupid to have a horse in an alley like this..."

As soon as the words "foreign bitch" were deciphered from what was probably a drunk in the back, she snapped back, "It's not like going this way will make you find anything easier!" The inch of talon sword still flashed, and she looked around angrily. "For you know, could be where you need if y'go back!" Her common was broken, and her second sentence was slower, but it was comprehensible despite the airiness to her voice. She wiped back red locks in her eyes, when the smiling rich man spoke again.


"Might I try miss? the crowd is getting anxious."

"I can see that," She state in an edged tone. "If...if you steal my things, or hurt my horse...Braghna will find you." Her eyes gestured to the red tailed hawk perched on the saddle horn, which glared more than it looked at the rich man, and twitched it's head as it inspected him. That said, Ainyi nodded and continued to pull out cargo, chucking it a little more vigorously than necessary back to the owner on the other side.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric smirked at the woman's aggressive demeanor. It was actually rather refreshing. Whenever Alric went out in his uniform, he received nothing but awe. And while it was useful, it was also disconcerting. What was it about the Uniform that made Alric so much more formidable? Was he not the same person within? No, no he supposed he wasn't. He knew appearances were important. It was why he wore a mask. Yet, he had never truly appreciated how important they were. It certainly was important to the woman, who was being harassed due to her foreign looks. "Don't worry, miss. I won't harm your creatures or take your things. Braghna, as you call it, won't have to find me anywhere." Alric of course, thought that Braghna was her hawk. Even as he said this, the Hawk seemed to glare at him, untrusting. Alric shook his head. If she knew him, she'd be a lot more careful about her threats. Still, she had no way of knowing. So Alric brushed it off, and proceeded to work his magic. Literally. He sent forth two cords of Djed into the horse and hawk both. He had hypnotized rats before, and he was familiar with how to control animals. They did not respond to words, spoken or implanted. Instead, you had to use implanted emotions and images. Alric brought up his hands, and lowered them slowly. As he did this, he also sent forth feelings of calm and serenity into the beasts. The gestures increased his ability, and allowed him more control. He did not need much, though. Animals were easier to deal with than beings of thought. They operated on feelings alone, and so Alric only need use half the power and time as he normally would. As the horse calmed, and hopefully the Hawk as well, Alric stepped to the side, a smirk on his face. "There we are. Now why don't we leave here? It seems as though the crowd is getting rather hostile. And I'd rather them not harm a fiery foreigner like you. After all, It isn't often that Alvadas is visited by the Inarta." Alric smiled then, sure that he was correct in his assumption that the woman was Inartan. After all, he had met similar people before, though they were slightly more polite.

[Ainyi]

It was moments like these, she wondered why she clung so hard to the dress of her home. She realized, as the seemingly kind rich man smiled and said words she didn't fully comprehend, that her bryda, vinati, and sontav that she wore were the only clothing of it's type around her. Everyone else was fully dressed; some were exotic, but none had their bellies hanging out, or breasts held in what some here would consider undergarments. A brand new set, that her mother had given to her for travels. and here, her short five foot two frame could not look any smaller. She hated being small.

She quickly forgot herself as the rich man began to do things to her animals. She didn't understand what he was doing, but they calmed down; they almost looked sedated, like they were muted mentally. It made her nervous, though with a couple swift movements, her horse was free, and annoyed citizens all breathed a sigh of relief at once.

"There we are. Now why don't we leave here? It seems as though the crowd is getting rather hostile. And I'd rather them not harm a fiery foreigner like you. After all, It isn't often that Alvadas is visited by the Inarta."

She led the horse away from the wall, and gave a stern look to anyone who wasn't going to get out of the way. The man followed after her, and as they moved through the alley, the city seemed to open up slightly. It must have been a very upscale housing row, for it felt spacious even in this cramped, churning city.

Stroking Halik's neck, Braghna chirped and hooked back to his place on her pack. She looked at the man, and this time inspected him closely. Even with the mask, someone half blind could tell this man was attractive. That dark hair, with bright blue eyes. He even had white teeth in that perpetual smile. Come to think about it...in her defensive position, she had herself puffed out, as one does when one is protective. His teeth were at level with her eyes; that's why the smile stood out to her. He was remarkably shorter than most around him. Perhaps that's why he wears so much finery; to have people look at his clothes and not focus at his height.

Other than that he just looked...weaker. From her mother's glassblowing, to her father's archery, to being taught sword, you were always required to keep your muscles in some decent shape if you expected to get anywhere. Even now, with a slight swell over her abdomen, you could see the toning in her diaphragm, waist and hip muscles, shoulders and arms. How did a man rise to such authority without having strength? This place was growing more and more curious by the second.

Blinking as though to center her focus, she tilted her small, sharp face to meet his eyes. They were standing about a step apart, but that didn't perturb her. Back home, it was common to stand closer.

"I...apologize for my anger. My head is still home," She admitted. "Your ways are strange. Your city is strange. Your people are strange. It is hard for me to...to..." She paused a moment to find the right word. She muttered to herself in Nari, which Braghna listened to intently, before she knew how to phrase it. "Hard to change so quickly, when this city changes so much."

She patted Halik again and checked all his bags, to make sure nobody in the alley took anything off of her out of spite. "Could you...I don't know if there's a way to find places easily here, but do you know somewhere i could stay? Until I get work? I don't have much money, so cheap is...is preferable." The only lilt or pause in her voice was when she tried to think of the word. She was always direct, and always talking without breaking gaze. There was a weariness under the fire in her brilliant hazel eyes; as though this aggression was a way of living that was taxing her, and she couldn't keep it up.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric continued his walk alongside the Inartan. She reminded him of Zevlin, an Inartan that he had not seen in such a long time, that he was sure the Djed Storm had claimed him. She wore the same odd revealing clothes, and had the same blunt temper. He hadn't really meant to follow her, of course. But in that odd sort of way, where two people were heading nowhere, they ended up going nowhere together. Alric kept his mouth shut, just in case it was coincidence and the woman would leave. But she did not. From the corner of Alric's eye, he could see her observing him. He wondered if she was trying to make out what he had done with her animals. Did she suspect him, perhaps? It was likely. After all, Alric wasn't exactly going out of his way to keep it secret. She walked closer than Alric felt comfortable with, but he kept quiet. The way this was going, she would speak up eventually. Out of curiosity, or boredom, most likely. Was she from one of those lower castes? Was that why she was here in Alvadas? Alric knew very little about the system, only ever hearing Zevlin tell him briefly what a caste even was. Finally, after they had passed by a few more crowded alleys, and odd stares, she broke the silence between them. Alric was grateful. He was beginning to think she'd remain quiet. She tilted her small, sharp face to meet his eyes. They were standing about a step apart, it was uncomfortable to Alric, but he made no sign of that. After all, it might convey some sort of cultural taboo. "I...apologize for my anger. My head is still home," She admitted. "Your ways are strange. Your city is strange. Your people are strange. It is hard for me to...to..." She paused for a moment, muttering to herself in a language Alric had never heard before. She continued after she seemed to think about what she had said. "Hard to change so quickly, when this city changes so much." Ah, yes. Alric could understand that perfectly. "Oh, I imagine so. Alvadas is much more active than other cities. It enjoys its fun and mischief. I have heard that other cities are far more lazy with their citizens. But, rest assured, Alvadas has no ill intent. It simply like to play. And I understand the culture shock. I've never really been to another city, mind you, but I once went out onto the Suvan Sea. I imagine the experience is somewhat similar." Alric took a step back, then, and took a short bow. "And as for our strangeness, you flatter me. I always suspected we were strange, but it is so nice to here it from an outsider. I do believe Ionu would be proud." She checked her bags briefly, then. Taking advantage of the lull in conversation. Alric imagined she was checking to see if anyone had stolen anything. They hadn't of course, Alric was keeping an eye out for that exact sort of thing. He might be off duty, but he wasn't about to let his fellow Alvadians ruin their good name. When she was sure nothing had been stolen, she turned around to continue the conversation. "Could you...I don't know if there's a way to find places easily here, but do you know somewhere i could stay? Until I get work? I don't have much money, so cheap is...is preferable." Alric thought a moment and scratched his chin, trying to recollect where she might be able to stay. Unfortunately, he couldn't think of anywhere that would allow a hawk and horse to stay with her. Well, maybe a hawk. But definitely not a horse. She could rent out a stable for her horse, and stay somewhere else. But she would grow frustrated with trying to find the stable everyday. Still, there really wasn't any way to avoid that. Finally he decided to present her with all of her options. "Well, you have a few options. The first one is the cheapest, and the least comfortable. You can find a relatively clean alley, and stay there. It won't cost you anything and you'll be able to stay close to Braghna and your horse. Of course, the downside is that you'll be accosted and most likely robbed. Your second option is the most expensive one. You can rent out a stable for your horse, and then rent out a room in a nearby inn. The problem with that one, is that it will get expensive fairly quickly, and the inn won't be nearby for very long. As I said before, Alvadas enjoys mischief. Your third option is more expensive than the first, and cheaper than the second. You can rent a stable for your horse, and then stay with me." Alric paused, to let it all sink in. He could tell by her speech that common was not her first language, so he tried to be accommodating. "I won't charge you anything, but I warn you, my neighbors probably won't like you. And my superior might harass you from time to time. Still, it is free room and board, and if I'm with you, Alvadas might let you find your horse more easily."

[Ainyi]

"Oh, I imagine so. Alvadas is much more active than other cities. It enjoys its fun and mischief. I have heard that other cities are far more lazy with their citizens. But, rest assured, Alvadas has no ill intent. It simply like to play. And I understand the culture shock. I've never really been to another city, mind you, but I once went out onto the Suvan Sea. I imagine the experience is somewhat similar."

Ainyi could not understand everything he said, but the gist got across. She shook her head a little, but said nothing. It wasn't even a choice, really. What was there to say? It was obvious he was trying to be comforting and welcoming, but just the fact that he was trying to be comforting and welcoming made her want to trust him even less. This city changed so much, for all she knew, he was just trying to butter her up to take advantage of her.

"And as for our strangeness, you flatter me. I always suspected we were strange, but it is so nice to here it from an outsider. I do believe Ionu would be proud."

She offered a slight chuckle, in order to appear more friendly. "And you are stranger than all of it. You dress strange, you speak strange, you act strange. Some things here, I remember from the trade. But you are very strange!"

And then, as he began to address all of her options, she bit her lip and thought. Option one was the one she wanted to avoid the most. She was of a respectable cast, happily living as a Chiet and trying to break into the Avora with her mother. Living on the street as a homeless was not what she desired.

Option two could work, but she would have to find a job fast; and most here seem to prefer Common. She wasn't sure who would hire her, with her condition at the moment.

And then option three. Her mother warned her of this. She supposed if sleeping with this man was what it took to keep a roof over her head and give her enough time to find a profession more in line with her skill set, it would have to do. Her mother and father met from a number of one night stands, and she didn't find the job terrible or immoral; whatever made the money.

"It makes sense, that a strange man would have a strange taste of women," she said loftily. "I accept for now, but you might want to further detail my duties to earn my living. I'm not a wife, but I can help with some small things."

[Alric Wilmot]

"It makes sense, that a strange man would have a strange taste of women," she said loftily. "I accept for now, but you might want to further detail my duties to earn my living. I'm not a wife, but I can help with some small things." Alric blinked, not really understanding her meaning. Duties? Wife? This was what he got for talking to someone who clearly was not fluent in common. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat amused that she had misunderstood him, yet still was willing to go through with it. He supposed he wasn't surprised. Mizahar was a place where generosity, for the sake of generosity ,was nearly unheard of. Granted, he wasn't being kind for kindness' sake either. But he wasn't quite interested in what she thought he was. He knew that everyone was useful in their own way. Each person was a valuable tool. He enjoyed control, and to control others he had many methods. His favorite, and the most reliable, was to make a friend. And to make a friend was so simple! All one had to do was act friendly. He shook his head, and decided to clarify things for her. "I'm not interested in wives or anything approaching them. Not currently, anyway. I merely offer a kindness with the expectation that you remember it and return it when I so ask. Simple, yes?" Alric kept his jovial attitude on at full blast, still quite amused at the woman's words. She wasn't unattractive, quite the opposite actually, but he really wasn't interested in anything approaching what a wife could offer. He still enjoyed cleaning up after himself, after all. And his father had lived well enough without one, hadn't he? Regardless, it was time to go. The sooner Alric got the whole thing taken care of the sooner Jahoma could start complaining about it. And the sooner she started, the sooner she would finish. "Now, let's go find the stables. Come along, the Unstable Stables are the only place in Alvadas where we can keep that horse of yours. And the sooner we start looking, the sooner we'll find it. It costs less than a Gold Miza a day to keep a horse there too. I don't have a horse, of course. But I ask a lot of questions just to learn what I can. After all, free knowledge shouldn't be passed up, should it? Now, it is actually quite impossible to know where a building is at any single time here in Alvadas. Our best bet is to find what your looking for is to not look for it. The buildings don't like to be ignored, you know? But the stables aren't a big tourist trap, so chances are we'll be able to find it after fifteen minutes or so. That is, so long as we do not go looking for it!" And with that, Alric led the way through the crowded streets of a rebuilding Alvadas.

If you'd like, you can introduce the monster we'll be facing in your next post. I suggest the Yukman. Since their threat level is low, we should be able to take one down.

[Ainyi]

This man was confusing - oh so confusing. He must be a scholarly type. He didn't seem to comprehend that big words weren't the type to use constantly. She wondered if he even knew how to use simple words. But in a way, she preferred it. At least he wasn't talking down to her.

Merely offering kindness. She understood offering kindness. Is he expecting nothing in return? Remember. Then he said remember. Of course. He gives her this kindness, she helps him in return, when he needs it. Though it still made her wary. For all she knew, he could try to take things in the night, or some sort of activity like that. But she doubted he would. She didn't want him on edge, though. If he grew suspicious of her for doing anything - the next she knows, he could reject his invitation, and then where would she be?

As they were walking, he kept going on - free information, all this small chatter that kept going on. Is he afraid of silence? Honestly, these people! Where Ainyi came from, you say what you need to, and carry on. Though, maybe that's why it's best for her to be...here. At this time. Perhaps it would be best to open to new ways - but not before testing her new host a bit.

To release some of the tension, she laughed a little, and looked at him as she strolled at his side, leading Halik and stroking Braghna's chest absent mindedly. "You are the happiest rich man I have met," she teased. " How can live with no anger when the city is so hard to find things? This whole place makes no sense. Does every person live without sense here? The rich outsiders I know are always angry. Always unhappy. They would die in this place. But you - no. It is...strange."

She found herself saying that word a lot. It sounded rather interesting in her accent. She decided to use it whenever possible. For some reason, the man like the word.

As the crowds swelled around them, she whipped her vibrant locks over her shoulders to keep it out of her eyes and kept a lookout, keeping close to the man as not to lose sight of him.

"Do all men here offer their homes to foreign women before they ask their names, mister rich man? As all men here are tall?" She couldn't help commenting, as she looked up around her and realized how very short she was compared to the locals.

[Alric Wilmot]

As Alric lead the two between the rebuilding and destroyed sections of Alvadas, the conversation began to dry up. Just as Alric was considering asking a question or two the silence was broken by the Inartan's laugh. "You are the happiest rich man I have met," she teased. " How can live with no anger when the city is so hard to find things? This whole place makes no sense. Does every person live without sense here? The rich outsiders I know are always angry. Always unhappy. They would die in this place. But you - no. It is...strange." As Alric turned a corner he leaned on the nearby wall, waiting for the Inartan and her horse to come over, he gave off a short chuckle of his own. "Yes, I suppose the constant shifting might make someone angry if they had never experienced anything like it before. But I've lived here my entire life, and I'm quite used to it. Not to mention, I revere Ionu. It is a basic doctrine of Ionu's followers that joy is found in variety and the unexpected. We are blessed to live in a city that gives us both every day. As far as sense goes, I wouldn't put to much stock in it. Too much of it will only make you miserable, especially here! Though, I must say, I find it strange that the rich people you've had contact with are so miserable. Though I'd say I might be at an advantage, after all, I'm not really all that rich." As they passed the corner, the Inartan took lead briefly. They entered another crowd, and the environment quickly changed to the restored section of Alvadas. Alric was glad they found it. It was only a glimpse of what Alvadas used to be, but it was welcome regardless. Alric was eager to get his acquaintance to the Unstable Stables. After all, if he took to long, Jahoma might get wind of his plans. And she could be very unpleasant when she wanted to be. Which was always. "Do all men here offer their homes to foreign women before they ask their names, mister rich man? As all men here are tall?" She couldn't help commenting, as she looked up around her and realized how very short she was compared to the locals. Alric laughed at that one. Alric might never lie, but this woman never said anything other than the blunt uncompromising truth. It was quite welcome in a city full of tricksters. Not that there was anything wrong with trickery. "No, no. I suppose I might be the only one to offer foreign women my home without knowing their name. I know of a few who might offer their bed, but not their home. And as for my height, I prefer to think of myself as fun-sized. I do apologize for not asking your name. I forget basic manners sometimes. Although, now that I think about it, I never shared my name now did I? My name is Alric Wilmot. What is yours?" As he and the Inartan passed the crowd and entered yet another desolate wasteland full of the ghosts of recent disasters, Alric felt a growing unease. Though he did his best to ignore it. After all, he'd rather not get dragged into something.