Open [The Serpent's Elixer] What's your poison?

[Sebastion]

"Cornelium forgot one." Shim pointed out in a matter of fact manner, He lifted up his hand which didn't reach higher than a foot off the ground, holding a stem of lavender flowers, bits blowing off in the stray breeze. He admired the wonderful Benshiran woman who had come across their path. Now that was a race the Pycon could respect, they were kind and not so racist. He watched with careful eyes as he saw an overweight man catch up to her, muttering something in Arumenic...seeing the glint of steel on his belt and the way his gaze looked protectively about the area, he must be a body guard. Shim tried to factor this into the constantly shifting pattern of Ahnatep...A Benshira with a guard was either an upstanding sort of woman or a slave, but by her dress and jewelry, if she was a slave, which was the more likely scenario, she wasn't a common one. The word concubine slowly drifted through the Pycon's mind like a warm breeze, and a smile spread across his features at the thought of the last concubine who he had met: Semira. "Greetings m'lady, Shim apologizes if it was his fault you spilled your lovely herbs, he did not intentionally make a scene. Pray tell what is this wonderful ladies name?" Snowflake came padding out of the tent behind them, sniffing the air slightly and nuzzling Shim in such a manner to nearly knock him off his feet, clearly still under the effects of the drink.

[Kaley]

Arising from her pained dream, Kaley picked herself out of the dust and brushed the dirt off her silks. She had not let her true self out in quite some time. It was very uncharacteristic of her. She quickly hid that part of her away again. With a learned smile plastered on her face, she gracefully lifted her hands to receive her dropped herbs, giving quiet words of thanks. "Forgive my clumsiness, it seems I have the ankles of a glassbeak." Her dark eyes met that of Cornelinun's and shyly she glanced away. Kaley was unaccustomed to his race and had only heard whispers of those with the skin as pale as the moon. Curiously, Kaley's eyes drifted over his body. Suddenly remembering her place, her eyes shifted towards the one called Shim. Blending down, Kaley accepted the forgotten stem. Curiouser and curiouser Kaley thought to herself. It was not often that she would see such races as these co-existing in this cruel city. She gave a secret smile. It gave her happiness to know the Eypharians could not weed out life itself. Sweetly, she gave Shim a kiss on his head. "Little one, it was no one's fault but my own. Please, call me Kaley." She said giving the pup a gentle pat. Feeling a tight grip on her arm as she was forcefully led into the tent, her sad eyes looking back at those who had shown her a small kindness. She gave them a slight smile before being completely immersed by the crowd. Someday, she would experience kindness again in this world, free.

[Corneliun]

Corneliun stood for a moment, his eyes for a moment briefly meeting hers, his lips parted as if he was about to speak. It was a only a brief flash that she showed her true side, before it was smother behind a fake smile. He could see a glimmer of hesitation, of shyness, dark emerald eyes that seemed longing for something. But Corneliun could not say anything, or more over his mind thought of nothing to say, he thoughts for a moment of following her, to stop the hurt that was more than apparent. She was dragged away however, out of sight and into the sea of the crowd. For a moment his shoulders seemed to droop, a glimmer of defeat on his face, before he exhaled.

"She was like a desert rose..." he sighed with the next question being directed at no one in particular "Why are all the pretty ones always taken?"
A simple question by a man who could only currently think simple thoughts. Had it been a different case, or he had more time before she was whisked away. So like the fool he was he simply stared out, his brow frowned, hoping perhaps, by simple accident the two would meet again. But then the mixed blood returned his attention to Shim.
"Need another hand or a better view?" he addressed the Pycon directly "Looks like your Snowflake is still a bit... intoxicated?"

[Sebastion]

The Zypherian sled dog was currently urinating near the edge of the tent. Shim clucked his tongue and the dog made a hop and a leap over beside him, headbutting Shim fondly and toppling him over bodily. The Eypharian formed clay figurine rolled and tumbled across the dusty ground, coughing and spluttering before slowly rising off the ground and grinning at Corneliun. "Shim thinks perhaps his new friend is right, would his shoulder be available for further travel? He does not like this place of bodily excretion drinks." Dusting himself off Shim glanced in the direction that the lovely Benshira had gone. A shame the City tended to keep their precious flowers on such tight leashes. He observed Corneliun's longing look, unsure if it was wholly genuine, or a product of whatever he had been sipping on when Shim had arrived. Either way the Pycon deemed it none of his business and stepped forward in order to be lifted up.

[Corneliun]

Corneliun gave a small polite nod to Shim and bent down to his height. Quiet gently he plucked the Pycon up from the ground, supporting Shim quiet easily in his hand before placing him down on his shoulder. He waited a few moment for his new rider to make himself comfortable before looking down at Snowflake. He gave a grin to the dog, before eyeing Shim.
"So, what brings a Pycon to Ahnatep?" he asked, creating small talk with the clay being that rested on his shoulder.

For a moment the mixed blood looked about, watching the passers by, observing the hands, the voices. He felt their stares fall upon him, judging him and his pale skin. He could not help the way he was, that he was born of mixed blood, it was fate and fate alone. And so the 'fool' would simply smile back to them, pushing down his worries, even more so when he was in company.
"So where do you want to go little one?" he looked on ahead "We have Ahnatep before us and you have a high up view of it all."
Entertain, that was all Corneliun could do now, to walk about with a smile on his face and cast away those niggling troubles, after all company always required entertaining.

[Sebastion]

The Pycon took the time to consider Corneliun's request, dull eyes taking advantage of his new heights. One hand rested lightly upon his neck, one perched over his eyes, shading them from syna's rays. The pause, long and thoughtful was broken by an uncertain question of his own. Shim didn't care much for imposing on others anymore than necessary and wished to know his new companions wishes in this matter. "Where does Corneliun wish to go? Are there places he enjoys beside the rude Dhani's shop of excrement?" He glanced back downward at Snow, who was rolling around fervently in the dirt as if bathing herself. Shim clucked his tongue and she leapt up like a bolt of lightning brushing affectionately against Corneliun's torso and vibrating with energy as she did.

[Corneliun]

"Well," Corneliun cleared his throat "There is quiet a few places."
He flinched when he felt Snowflake brush against him, not expecting a dog he just met to be so affectionate towards him. It was rather strange, he often had no luck with animals, mostly because they were in a fowl mood when ever he approached. But at the moment in time he could see the energy filling the hound, a buzz consuming him and no doubt would continue to for the next few hours. Unless it was burnt off.
"For the moment, I think the best place would be somewhere open," his eyes narrowed with thought "With space so your rather energetic snowflake of yours could free herself from this energy."

He carefully slid his way thought the crowd, stepping past carefully, slow steps to ensure his 'rider' would not fall off. He kept a smile on his face as he did, looking always ahead before he spoke again "The Golden Hills may be good. It is where the farming happens, but there is bound to be some open space there."
The Mixed bloods eyes lightened as the thoughts came flooding in "Or there is the coast, or the Eye of Syna... but that's more of an oasis. But still, the world is open to us."
He took a strong stride, letting his feet decide on where he was going. It was more fun that way after all.

[Sebastion]

oocApologies for the delay! Shim quietly contemplated the Mixed Blood's request for a moment, but truly this was a ridiculous endeavor, for he had already decided where he wanted to go as soon as Corneliun had uttered the words. He still made himself take the time to weigh his options, he was a wild creature and fully aware of how he made snap decision based on the slightest whim. Yet being aware of that didn't actually seem to alter how events flowed, which Shim just took to be the subtle work of his guide Harameus, and never truly worried himself over the matter. What mattered was that he had tried, and now his decision was made (even if it had already been made as well) "The Eye of Syna, Shim thinks, is a fascinatingly wonderful place that he must see, is this place also alright with Corneliun?" He was very aware of how people didn't normally like to tote around strange almost parasitic passengers, and would always be comfortable with anyone denying him access or a free ride. Meanwhile Snowflake was sneezing.

[Corneliun]

Corneliun listened to the words of the Pycon, to his wishes and his desired location. As Corneliun walked, he changed his route, weaving through the crowd. He gave a grin and nodded.
"Yeah, more than fine," said the mixed blood as he turned on his heel "It is a rather nice place."

Having the Pycon sitting on his shoulder did not really bother him. If anything he liked the company and the chance to talk. Even if it was little more than playing little more than a ride. And so Corneliun led the way, slipping through the locals, unphased by the eyes that fell upon him. With a focus now set, Corneliun had little issue with dealing with the wishes that were placed before him. It was for the better anyway, if he remained unfocused and without a sense of direction it would no doubt push him to isolate himself and brood over his miseries. Not that he ever showed signs; he was ever grinning and smiling, even if there was a deep look of thought upon his face.

After a time, the pair arrived at the Eye of Syna, the great oasis that dominated the center of the city, with the temple blocking out the midday sun causing it to cast a shadow across the land. Corneliun stood himself at the edge, his golden eyes looking across the the water. For a moment his mind was elsewhere, lost in the blue, as his expression turned from a smile to one of calm and thoughtfulness.

[Sebastion]

Corneliun seemed to take his time as he expertly navigated Ahnatep's winding and complicated streets. Shim couldn't help but be impressed, both by his calm gait and the way that he so coolly fit in with all the Eypharian's. Shim was always aware of the gazes upon him, marking him as different from the fold, yet this mixed blood seemed to have none of the same stigma...or at least seemed to refuse to acknowledge it if he noticed. This technique spoke of something long and arduous, and vaguely the Pycon wondered how long Corneliun had resided here, guessing it must have been for some time to have such a form that nearly resembled the elegant race the city housed. "Such Beauty Shim still cannot seem to fathom." It was a deep rumble of words, but soft, so that only Corneliun would be able to hear it. The Pycon's eyes darted to and fro from the brilliantly colored water to the dusty, yet elegant contrasts surrounding them. It was like a strange multi dimensional painting, this city, and he could never truly calm his senses within it. Sometimes he wondered if it had something to do with how earthy it was. It was poignant and rich, yet sandy and made of stone and clay in many places...just as he was. There were many things going on in the Pycon's mind, the question of whether he truly belonged in this city, his constant mission of finding what all Pycon's search for: his true form, coupled with his intense desire to continue his studies in alchemy. Yet here and now, atop this fellow outsider's shoulder, staring in wonder and amazement at this cobalt gem nestled in the midst of the desert city. Shim allowed these things to melt away. Harameus's plan for him would unfold in due course, and there was no reason to rush through it when he was in the here and now. What a strange day it had been so far...but also how wonderful it seemed to be turning.