Spring 12th, 513 AV – The Safe Haven Hostel
As Zandelia made her way back to her home base, or rather her boarding house of sorts, she reasoned that the day had gone particularly well so far. Nothing of terrible note had occurred and her moves towards building a series of contacts, however small they might have been so far, were beginning to come together. She had precious little of solidity to her name in Nyka so far, however after a mere 9 days she had not expected much more than she already had. In actuality she had gained more than she had suspected to in such a small portion of time. She was now known by face, if not by her true name, by a good half-dozen people she had concluded were ideally placed for her endeavors. A few were stall holders, one an entertainer, a bartender and more.
Enough to make some headway at least. The Monks are impossibilities right now, but with time…who knows? The last time I was here I met a bloody Protohuman for Akajia’s sake! This city is full of surprises she told herself as she walked slowly, almost meandering in her relaxed cheer.
She wore her red dress today, gold patterning cutting across the vibrant red in a simple yet endearing lattice-like pattern. She had not worn dresses in some years now but she was beginning to get used to them, even enjoy them after a fashion. Nominally she wore the rippling, clingy velvet garments as a way of blending in and showing a willing for Nykan culture – a fact that bred at least a little endearment towards her foreign sight from some. Yet, she had to admit as she brushed herself down and felt the soft textures beneath her palm, she was beginning to enjoy the frivolity of it. It was nice to be seen as a woman for once, rather than a grubby mercenary who could never be considered beautiful.
“Not that I can ever really be beautiful with this scar. Though,” she reasoned wryly as a few men whistled to her as she passed them, “my bust seems to get me more attention these days”
She ignored the vulgar gestures and assertive words as she flowed back into the Celestial Square and towards the door of the Safe Haven Hostel, she was beginning to tire and by the rumbling of her stomach she was due some food to fill it. She could not purchase any, not even illegally as there was no market for it. She had tried to apply for citizenship but had yet to hear back upon the matter – she doubted that she would. Still, she got enough food to survive in her lodgings and that was what mattered most. In a way the rigid diet was a boon to her, it forced her to harden her body as well as the fact it cost her very little indeed. She pushed her way into the Hostel, gloved hands deftly closing the door behind her without a sound.
“Good evening Vysia!” she called to the female Monk, always courteous and congenial towards her provider.
“Amelias,” the Monk returned with, “that friend of yours…the man. He brought a little parcel back with him. Some female warrior slung in his arms like a saved damsel. I hope there’s no funny business going on here” the frown Zandelia got was serious, pointed and meaningful.
“Would I do that to you Vysia?’
“I know what you’re like. Just make sure they behave themselves. I gave her a room opposite his, was the only one free” Vysia waved her away with a small smile, she was beginning to warm to Zandelia now – even if just by a little. It was all a gain as far as she was concerned.
“You can count on it. I’ll be the first to thump him if there is. Promise” she finished, making her way towards the stairs, ascending them whilst holding her skirts up with one hand.
She made her way towards Ximal’s room, she knew its location and the location of every one of her comrades resting places. She felt that she needed to if she was going to ever have a hope of helping them at all. Knowing where they were most vulnerable was the best place to start, for both positive and negative reasons – depending upon one’s perspectives. It meant she could both protect and harm, where appropriate and that was of greatest importance. If you didn’t know your friends weaknesses then you could never know where to strike if they turned on you and neutralize any possible threats. She pushed the door opposite his open sharply, stepping into the room smoothly before he could throw her out.
“So I hear you’ve found yourself a bed partner, just to let…you…know…” she began, her words dying as who that person was sunk its teeth into her mind.
“REVY?!” she almost shouted, knees feeling weak and stumbling to her right a little, arm stretching out to catch against the wall to brace herself and force her back into a fully standing position.
“When? How? What the-?” she asked, the questions jumbling together until her tongue could not work properly.
She had not been unable to speak, on any subject she liked, since her days as a slave. Now, however, she was absolutely speechless as the world turned upside down and the past flooded back to her as if it were yesterday.
