Flashback A Guided Tour [Orkis]

[Ayatah]

|| 4th of Fall, 512AV ||

The Drykas were a welcoming people.

Ayatah had learnt this fact within a few days of her arrival. They seemed to have a ‘gaining-the-trust-of-one-means-gaining-the-trust-of-all’ mentality. Though that was not to say she wasn’t thrown the odd look every now and then. But having grown up as a mixed-blood within the Myrian society, this was something she was used to.

The organisation of Endrykas, however, was not. The fact the city itself moved messed with Ayatah’s mind. And this, twinned with so many people, and their horses, and their pavilions, simply meant that more often than not, as the half-Eypharian moseyed around the city, she was completely lost.

She had initially decided to not wander too far from her hosts’ family pavilion, but soon Ayatah became bored of the similar scenery and same people. Svenon Redblade was a kind man, as was his wife and two children, but after spending her days entertaining a demanding teenage girl (and being leered at by a sexually frustrated teenage boy), Ayatah lusted for more mature company -- that did not pull her hair into strange knots or stare at her inappropriately.

So that morning, as Zula yanked at the hair of her father’s guest, the half-Eypharian vocalised her plans to leave the pavilion and investigate the wider city.

”Oh but you can’t! I was going to take you to my aunt’s so she could make you a proper dress.”

Ayatah tried to hide her delight from the young girl, and put on her best ‘disappointed’ pout. ”Oh no! Well, I guess my current clothes will have to do.” Upon arriving, she had purchased a couple of Drykas handmade dresses to fit in with the crowd and to respect the customs of her hosts. But according to the ever hard-to-please adolescent, because neither dresses were red, they did not show Ayatah off as an official guest of the Ruby clan.

I am not a doll to play dress up with she though dejectedly, I am a fierce Myrian warrior… apparently.

Fortunately, the spoilt girl did not put up much of argument. She crossed her arms and went off to sulk in the far corner of her home whilst Ayatah gathered her things and tried to look pleased with what Zula had done to her hair. ”No it’s lovely… I like how it’s so… clumpy in the middle and then sparse everywhere else.”

As soon as she left the family pavilion, she began to pull apart the complex knotted plait, allowing her raven hair to cascade down her shoulders. She might have to wear the stupid dresses, but there was no way in hell that Ayatah would allow her hair to look like some deranged parrot. A lady had to have some pride!

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis had spent the morning brushing and looking after his Strider Rendelas. He had not done so in many days and Rendelas was grateful, nudging his shoulder as he fondly scratched his nose. Orkis looked at the sun and breathed a deep breath relishing the warm on his face and the peace that he felt, just strider and man in the glorious wild. He was just outside of Enrykas, he could see the start of the moving city not 200 metre's away. He sghed and patted Rendals again on the side of his head. "I suppose we should go back to the masses my friend and find something to eat, maybe we can stop among the Ruby pavilions and see if we can find something to adorn you're mane maybe a nice knot what do you think?" The horse let out a 'neigh' in response, Orkis knowing this was approval. Man and steed started to head back to the great city. Birds were signing and the noise from the busy city started to mingle with the chorus of bird noise. Orkis was content as he entered the city walking past one of the totems that he knew held some of the webbing that helped to protect Endrykas. It had been a good start to the day, and he was looking forward to finding something appealing to the eye for his horse, and maybe his tent he wasn't sure yet. Orkis had grown up in Endrykas and the mass of tents no longer held any secrets from him. The layout he felt was a simple one. In the middle was the Stalk meet, centered around the great fire, and around that the pavilions of the different clans were set up, each attracting their own kind, for example hunters would encamp with the Emerald clan so they can sell the hides they get to the tanners and tailors that use them them. Orkis Headed towards were the Ruby clan was camped on the southern side of the stalk meet and he wound his way through the tent streets, Rendelas following. The noises were familiar to Orkis, the cries of the merchants, the cries of children playing, noisy arguments and heated debates were common in Endrykas and the noise was no more than a comfort to Orkis by now. He finally reached the Ruby clan and started walking amongst the tents, looking for a merchants wears that interested him. He was looking for something unique and out of the ordinary, something he had never seen before. And eventually he found something that he had never seen before, but it wasn't a knot. A women had just emerged from one of the pavilions, pulling at a knot in her hair. She wasn't a Drykas, nor was she a human. In fact he was not sure what she was, but she was definitely unique. Orkis was intrigued by the women, and was interested to know more, but was unsure of how to start a conversation without seeming weird. In the end Orkis decided he could not think of a way to introduce himself so he decided that he would just walk on, and if fate meant for them to meet and his curiosity to be sated, then it would find a way to introduce them. Orkis carried on walking down the makeshift street, stopping when a pavilion had some wares to sell. He turned away from the stall, and suddenly Rendelas shoved him to the side, using his head to hit Orkis' shoulder and propel him sideways. He stumbled and immediately felt his shoulder slam into someone else's. He stumbled again, being hit from on one side then the other like a pinball. He regained hi balance and composure and looked up an apology already on his lips. He looked up and was met with the deep brown eyes of the curious woman. "I'm sorry". He spoke in pavi and added the symbol of appology to go with it, before he realized that the women probably did not understand pavi or grassland sign so repeated his "I'm sorry" In common. He looked back over his shoulder at Rendals, who of course was innocently looking on the scene that he created, with what Orkis swore was smugness on his face oocSorry not sure why my text goes wierd i have tried several times to fix it but not sure what is going on, hope you can bare with it!

[Ayatah]

The merchants in Endrykas were not dissimilar to the ones found in Taloba. All cried out their wares, calling to passers-by in order to entice them to look at their goods. In this sense, as Ayatah wandered amongst the stalls, there was something comfortingly familiar about the market set-up.

The actual goods were a little more different, though. Svenon had told her that the Ruby Clan specialised in crafting clothes, wagons and pottery, so the majority of the wares for sale were things that Ayatah saw no reason to purchase. Pots and ornaments were pretty, but they were nothing more than dust-collectors that would weigh her down in the long run.

Nevertheless, she appreciated the fine crafting. She paused at a stall selling wooden trinkets, all made of dark wood and somehow sculptured into curved knots and patterns. When the salesman behind the stall began chattering to her in Pavi, Ayatah made the most of her lack of speaking the language and simply held her hand up, smiling politely and nodding her head as she walked onwards.

She paused momentarily, glancing around her to see if she could recognise the way back to Svenon’s pavilion. When she couldn’t, and once again realised she was lost, Ayatah whinged to herself and continued walking…

…Only to be walked into by someone else. Her initial reaction was to scowl and grumble at him, as she would have done in Taloba. But then she remembered that she was no longer in her home city, and to swear at a resident Drykas would no doubt arouse suspicion and glares from the rest of their people.

So Ayatah smiled tightly and nodded her head as the young man said something in Pavi (she assumed it was an apology and not an insult). But when he repeated his words in the common language, her smiled widened just a fraction. ”No, don’t worry. I wasn’t looking where I was going… Too busy trying to not get lost.”

oocYour text looks fine to me! No problem at all, but I’ll let you know if it changes (:

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis so the slightest faint of a frown before the woman's face was turned into a smile, and she smiled wider still when she realized that he spoke common as well. He returned her smile and addressed her in common. "No problem, again i apologize for crashing into you, my companion sometimes has a strange sense of humor" , he pointed back at Rendelas, who was now being fussed by a young Drykas boy. "I can understand why you feel lost, its taken me a life time to get used to this rabbit warren, however once you know the basic layout it gets a lot easier to find you're way around". He rubbed the back of his head as he said this, feeling a little uncomfortable under the gaze of the mysterious women. Orkis wanted to sate his appetite and ask some questions to the women, however he was worried she might find it rude. But if she was finding this situation rude she didn't show it, she was smiling, so surely she didn't mind any questions? Orkis suddenly realized that this inner discussion he was having had left a rather uncomfortable pause so he quickly decided to ask a question, and if she found it intrusive he was sure she would tell him. "i don't think i have seen you around Endrykas before? Are you here permenantly or just passing through?". Orkis shifted un-easily awaiting a response to his questions, shifting from one foot to the other.

[Ayatah]

Ayatah glanced behind the Drykas male, expecting to see another young man when he mentioned his ‘companion’. Instead, she saw a horse, though she wasn’t sure why she was so surprised. The Drykas viewed their Striders as family, friends and confidantes… Though she’d never before heard one attach a personal attribute such as humour to a horse before.

Learn something new every day, and all…

He seemed… nervous, though she didn’t know whether it was due to her being a Myrian or something else. She was grateful when he asked his question, as if certainly did fill an otherwise awkward silence.

”I’m just passing through… though I’m not sure for how long.” She contemplated momentarily when exactly she would be leaving, though knew this was Svenon’s decision rather than her own. The older male had promised her passage to Zeltiva, and she knew he would fulfil his vow, though timing did not seem to be something he had good measure of.

Now it was her turn to fill the quietness, so Ayatah stuck out a hand cumbersomely, in the same way she had seen people do in Riverfall before she left, and Endrykas since she had arrived. ”My name is Ayatah, of the Scattered Bones.” Then, just to solidify her maternal heritage, she added a slightly more formal title to herself, ”daughter of Myri and of the Myrian people.”

Of course, she left out any trace of her Eypharian parentage, having had no socialisation with the multi-armed people. But as the sun shone down on Endrykas, Ayatah’s skin glinted goldenly, betraying this fact.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis noted the women's slightly confused look as she glanced over his shoulder at the word companion and saw his Strider. Sometimes Orkis forgot that non Drykas were not as attached to their animals as the Drykas. Since his parents deaths Orkis had taken to talking to his Strider, perhaps more than a normal amount even for a Drykas, and the bond he felt was insurmountable. Orkis was not totally shocked hat this women was just passing through, sometimes foreigners stayed and sometimes they went on, the population of Endrykas was forever changing and new faces appeared each season. He nodded as she said this and reached out to shake her hand when she offered it. He however, was not expecting her to say she was a Myrian. He had never seen one before, heard stories of course, but never seen. He heard they were savage people, cannibals, practitioners of dark rituals and fierce warriors and hunters. This women did not really match the tales that he had heard as a child. She did not look overly fierce in her Drykas dress and feminine form. However the think that stood out most to Orkis was her skin, it had a golden tint to it and seemed to shine in the sun's rays, something Orkis had never heard attributed to Myrians. The grip she gave his hand however betrayed the fact that this women had seen combat and had been trained. Her grip was strong and unyielding to his own and her arms showed lean muscle. Orkis' curiosity was only heightened by the answers the woman gave and he definitely wanted to find out more about her before she left Endrykas. He replied to her own introduction as they shook hands saying "I am Orkis Strongwind, it's nice to meet you Ayatah, of the Scattered Bones. May i ask who you are staying with? if you would like to see more of Endykas i would be more than happy to show you around?" He had left out his pavilion, he did not belong to one anymore, maybe one day he would but for know his was happy just to be know by his name. He hoped he had not overstepped the mark offering his service as guide, but curiosity had got the better of him and he wanted time to get to know the women more.

[Ayatah]

In all honesty, Ayatah was rather relieved when the young Drykas male offered his services as a tour guide. She was already horribly lost, and no doubt her trying to return to Svenon’s pavilion would simply mean she would become even more lost in this moving city.

”I would appreciate that,” she said with a smile. ”I’m staying with Svenon Redblade of the… Ruby Clan?” Her words were spoken with a questioning intonation; she was still unsure of how the Drykas people introduced themselves and did not want to come across as rude or - even worse - stupid.

”Anyway, it would be great if you could give me a tour and then… perhaps point me in the direction to where he might be? All the pavilions look the same to me.” She smiled sheepishly, a flush of colour coming to her cheeks. Ayatah was by no means a fool, but Endrykas seriously confused her.

There was another request on her lips, too --though asking such a favour of a stranger might seem a little too forward. And did she trust this young male’s opinions already? Her pride told Ayatah that no, she didn’t… But common sense battled against this thought process; he was a Drykas, which already meant his knowledge of horses was far superior to her own. ”I… was hoping to buy a horse today,” she began, slowly at first as if she still doubted her own idea. ”There horses hear only understand Pavi, and I speak Common and Myrian. It would be good to have a horse that understood the former. Where… can I buy a horse from?”

And will you help me choose one? Seeing as I can’t tell the difference between a stallion and a petching donkey?

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis waited for Ayatah to respond, trying to look for any expression of discomfort or annoyance his offer had caused. To his relief Ayatah seemed to react the total opposite and even flashed him a disarming smile as she accepted the offer. Svenon Redblade of the ruby clan, Orkis had heard mention of him but couldn't remember in what context, but he rarely socialized with his kin nowadays so it was hardly surprising that he didn't know who she spoke of. Orkis noticed her hesitation with pronouncing Svenon's clan, maybe it was because he had not mentioned his, but either way she had done the polite thing in Orkis' mind 'Anyway, it would be great if you could give me a tour and then… perhaps point me in the direction to where he might be? All the pavilions look the same to me.He nodded as she said this, a tour of Endrykas wouldn't be a problem, and besides this Ayatah could prove interesting company. Orkis noticed she blushed when she asked her question perhaps she is uncomfortable asking people for help Orkis thought, seeing similarities with himself. Orkis was less receptive to her final request. 'I… was hoping to buy a horse today. There horses hear only understand Pavi, and I speak Common and Myrian. It would be good to have a horse that understood the former. Where… can I buy a horse from?' Orkis stiffened at her question, his smile temporarily leaving his face. To Orkis horses were of the up most importance, not just a convenient object to be used and discarded when finished with, if you owned a horse they should be like family.. As such he was reluctant to see a horse go off with a stranger that he did't know in case she did not treat it properly, he would not have that playing on his mind. Orkis thought quickly He shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he pondered the problem. Maybe, if on the tour he found out enough information that he felt he could guide her to were the horses were kept so she could get one then he would, but if not he would finish the tour back at the pavilion she was staying at. He had not taken more than half a chime to think, but it was enough to cause what felt like a little tension, the fact he was not smiling didn't help. He quickly raised the corners of his lips into a more friendly expression and replied to her request. "I can give you a tour, not a problem. I remember getting lost many times as a child. But there is a structure to it all that i can show you". He scratched the back of his head uncomfortable as he added: "Maybe we can finish the tour looking for a horse, but for now were would you like to start?".

[Ayatah]

Something seemed to have disturbed the Drykas male, or at least made him suddenly more wary of her. The people cherished their horses, Ayatah knew, but she wasn’t aware this bond stretched to any horse - not just their precious Striders. It irked her a little, but she made sure that that smile remained plastered on her face to hide her annoyance.

After all, it worked more in her favour to have the young male give her a tour (and perhaps help her pick a horse) as opposed to argue with him and then have to find her own way about.

So she nodded, still a little dejected but keen to familiarise herself with her temporary home. ”Sounds good,” she said -- a little too cheerfully. Having cleared her throat, Ayatah shrugged, ”and I’m not sure where to start… Though I’d be interested to see the Drykas’ weaponry.” Clan craftsman in Taloba made most blades and arms used by Myrians, though there were a small number of barbarian-made weapons circulating the city trades. The Drykas were talented in making such things, Ayatah knew, but she was yet to appreciate their skill.

So they began walking, with Orkis leading and Ayatah walking beside him, taking in the sights and sounds of Endrykas. She glanced to her tour guide, an eyebrow arched as she watched him carefully. Ayatah was no better or worse than the average person at judging another by their looks, but the young Drykas seemed pleasant enough. She felt a pang of guilt at having been so annoyed by his concern with letting her buy a horse. She understood his trepidation, really -- it was just strange that a male younger than herself could restrain her actions in such a way. It is not how it is done in Taloba, she mused.

”So… Have you ever travelled beyond Endrykas?” She asked carefully, keen to get the conversation flowing once again.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Orkis Strongwind]

Orkis thought he saw a slight flicker of annoyance on Ayatah's face as he implied that he might not help her find a horse, but if she was annoyed she quickly covered it with a smile. Orkis was finding it hard to read Ayatah, not that he was every particularly good at reading people, but her he found it truly difficult. 'Sounds good'. Well she sounds happy maybe I Haven't offended her after all Orkis mused. But then she cleared her throat and her tone had lost a little of the cheerfulness it had. 'And I’m not sure where to start… Though I’d be interested to see the Drykas’ weaponry.' Ok so maybe i have upset her, although she still doesn't seem that annoyed?. Orkis was still puzzling it over as he set off with her, heading in the vague direction of the 'The Whetstone' as it was in the Ruby quarter fairly close by. "Let's head to the whetstone, its close by and you can see some of the Drykas weapon craft there" He looked into the distance seeking the pavilion he wanted, thoughts racing through his head. She seems friendly enough. And anyway Svenon Trusts her enough to bring her into his home then she must be ok. But I am still going to make my own decision on whether to take her to the horses or not. Besides it is nice socializing with an outsider and I am rather enjoying her company. Orkis was so consumed by his thoughts that he nearly missed her question: So… Have you ever travelled beyond Endrykas?. He shook his head as he replied "No I have never visited other cities. I frequently venture into The Sea of Grass but i guess that does not really count as out of Endrykas. I have considered visiting Riverfall once or twice, but never seriously." She was easy to talk to, maybe a little too easy. As reserved as Orkis liked to think he was, he did miss interaction with other people. He shrugged, "Besides i have never really had a good reason to leave Endrykas."He paused, thinking about a question he could ask. They were nearing the Whetstone as he asked her with a slight smile:"So i guess you have traveled far? I am not sure were you're birthplace is but i assume its a fair way from Endrykas? What do you think of the tent city so far?" oocSorry for the late replies work has been very busy this week, it should die down over the weekend so i will be able to reply more promptly, apologies again.