Wandering Around [Oscar/Shausha]

[Oscar]

Oscar pulled out his own chair and sat down when his companions had seated themselves. It was a simple gesture but one ingrained into who he was, politeness was important when in social situations. Simple acts like this one made him feel more at ease when around others, it reminded him of what he perceived his place in the world to be. His own comforts were unimportant, the needs of others came first. The young healer flinched slightly at Shausha's shout for her fruit of choice, the words echoing loudly around him. He cast slightly apologetic looks to those around him, a little embarrassed by her out burst. They already stuck out like a poor tavern joke, disrupting the other patrons struck him as rather rude but he held his tongue in check. Oscar noted the next words on Sosicly's book and gave her another light smile in response. "Of course, miss Socisly, do whatever is more easy for you. I do need to brush up on my Symenos. Do not worry yourself, interpreting your words is no trouble to me." He said in response, still making use of his rather limited command of her language. If he was going to live in Kalinor for any length of time, learning the native tongue fluently was important. He was still a ways away from that, his sentences were still short and halting. Often he needed to pause and think over the correct word usage. Still, learning was a continual process, through immersion he would hopefully learn the language well. As Oscar waited for Sosicly to write her next words his gaze shifted to the winged woman. The stories he had heard of the Zith were certainly not flattering, then again the stories also spoke of monstrous beings who ate human flesh. Shausha certainly possessed certain... feral qualities about her, but she seemed to defy the stories he had heard. Oscar being who he was, he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt as stories and rumors could be misleading. It was part of his oath to provide healing to all who needed it, regardless of race. He needed to keep an open mind. Oscar noted that Socisly had passed her book to him, which he read aloud for Shausha's benefit. The common was easy, but translating the Symenos to common took a little more effort. He sounded out a few syllables, speaking slowly as he read over them. The young healer lifted his cup to his lips and took a brief sip as he pondered the questions. His past was something of a... delicate subject, the questions as he read them probed a little more than he usually liked. He opted not to mention the name of his city and keep the answers there evasive. His Goddess and his goals for the future were a subject he was more than happy to discuss however. "I do miss my home, it lies very far from here. I suppose it is natural to think about one's home a lot when away, though Kalinor is my home at the moment." He answered, keeping a vagueness about the words. Her next words confused him slightly, Rak'keli hadn't forced him to come here. Her will was clear enough when rumors of the Harvest had reached his ears, a sign of her desire. "Rak'keli demands that her followers do everything in their power to heal those who need it. I heard rumors of the Harvest so I travelled here to soothe the suffering of those who need it. Of all those I have met in my travels, your people seem to be most in need of Rak'keli's blessings." Oscar answered, his wording much more clear and concise. "I intend to stay here for as long as I am able, perhaps I will make my home here for some time. I must admit though, getting around is rather troublesome." The young healer said with a light chuckle. "I hope to be of service to the city and its people while I am here. It is the least I can do for your people tolerating a bumbling human such as myself." He smiled again and regarded both his companions, waiting for their answers.

[Shausha]

Spring 513
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Shausha pouted at the chiding Sosicly gave her and plopped down to a seated position. She stuck her pointed tongue out, crossed her arms, squeezed her breasts together and waggled her shoulders in a simpering gesture. Answering the question that the Symnestra posed at her choice of food, she explained, "Fruits are gooooooood! I had them before but rarely and they are chewy and juicy like muscles, but not quite."

She drummed her claws on the table as Sosicly turned her attention to her notepad and passed it to Oscar. When he started talking about “Rak’keli” again she rolled her black eyes and covered her face with a hand. How dull. She dragged her hand downward melodramatically, pulling her face in a silly way.

Sosicly seemed down to earth, but rather meek. Shausha's eyes traveled over the Symenestra's lithe body and bit her bottom lip. She seemed only lightly athletic and, like everyone else in this bloody town, would probably not be able to withstand a friendly bout of rough housing. She wondered if they would be able to connect -- and how. She missed her Zith sisters terribly.

Her black wings drooped slightly and turned back to Oscar as he finished his speech. A moment later, Shausha's sulky mood disappeared and was thrilled to see the waiter arrive bearing two bright-yellow mangoes upon a plate. Before the waiter could set the plate before her, she whisked both off the plate and looked at them, beaming. She bared her teeth at Oscar in a wide smile and kept eye contact with him while she sank her fangs into the mango’s flesh.

The sweet, yet slightly sour, juices delighted her and some ran down her hand. She licked it up happily and was about to take another bite until the waiter's arm reached across her plate for her cup. She froze, suddenly and completely: eyes glaring sideways, muscles tense, wings quivering slightly. A warning snarl thundered in her throat.

oocI deleted a paragraph in this post that had been getting on my nerves for a few days. Sorry if it causes any confusion xD.

Also, the new season has arrived and we should wrap this thread up quickly since it's considered grandfathered! Lets go our separate ways after eating, shall we?

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[Sosicly Magnolia]

Sosicly nodded as Oscar spoke, confusion crossing her features here and there, after all, the man had called Kalinor his home. Then she frowned as he spoke of his Goddess’ will, they were not cruel to those Harvested. She knew it was not always pleasant but then again she had never actually seen a surrogate. Her nails drummed on the table as she contemplated how to respond without starting a topic that would cause troubles. (c)Your Goddess seems willing to help. You would help the Symenestra and the humans? (s)Your Goddess allows you to help any, it is kind. Do you heal both my people and our surrogates? She was beating around the bush to asking him if he would be willing to help out her own problem as much as he could. She did wonder if he would. She gave him a small smile as she slid the book across once more. Eyeing Shausha thoughtfully as she answered, she might be one to help with the procuring of surrogates. Lifting her glass she contemplated how to ask when the Zith woman let out an inhumane snarl. Sosicly thumped her glass of water down in both agitation and fear at the sound of it, and stood quickly. Again, all eyes were on their table, this time though there was also the view Ochya within staring, hands tense and waiting to move. For a few moments no one moved, the waiter was backing up cautiously while the owner seemingly appeared as if he had stood there the whole time. Staring down at Shausha, and carefully angling himself between his waiter, Sosicly and the Zith. Sosicly eyes darted around the room from her guests to the curious and wary patrons of the bar. Finally they settled on flicking from the keeper of the Hunter’s Gather to Shausha. The bar keep did not look like much, a wisp of a Symenestra man but his eyes were unclouded and firm, though his body was open and obviously no match for any fight that might take place. He stared at Shausha calmly, “When you are done with your mango you may come again.” OOCOkay, tried to spice things up for a fun finish. Not sure how Shausha will take that but I figured her causing a bit of a ruckus would be frowned upon so he is asking them nicely to leave and soon. Whatever happens next shall happen, I figure a few more posts from each of us so we can finish depending on how everyone reacts And this way everyone can leave as they finish eating without it seeming abrupt since their tour didn’t exactly complete.

[Oscar]

Oscar looked down at Sosicly's book with the same indulgent and quiet smile, reading over the lines quickly enough. It wasn't until now that he started to truly wonder as to her condition. Why could she not speak? Was there something ailing her? It would certainly explain the questions. Oscar pushed the thoughts aside for the moment and focused on answering her question as best as he was able. He ran through the correct Symenos in his head before responding. "Rak'keli demands that her healers do not judge based off of race human, symenestra, or zith I have to help them. I will heal your people and any who seek it from me." Oscar said with some confidence. The young healer looked pointedly at her, his eyes searching in much the way he did when diagnosing a sickness. "Is there something wrong, Sosicly? Something you think I can help you with?" He asked. Oscar heard the snarl from Shausha's direction and turned his head quickly to look up a rather tense scene. The zith was glaring quite threateningly at two symenestra, one whom made a subtle but strong request that she leave. The young healer felt his heart quicken but struggled to settle his nerves as he himself stood, angling himself well between Shausha and the Symenestra. He looked to both parties with his same serene smile though it looked a little bit forced this time. Violence was not something that would avail anyone here and it was his duty to prevent it if possible. Such was his way, though he would be lying if he said that standing between an angry zith and the target of their anger was not frightening. He slipped into common as he spoke, it would help articulate his words better. "Now then, friends, I am sure miss Shausha did not mean any rudeness by her actions. Whatever offenses she might have given I apologize for and would be willing to pay for if necessary." Oscar said, glancing to the zith. He really hoped that she would just let this go, so they could finish and leave without any violence. Oscar would rather not have to deal with healing gashes caused by those wicked claws. Then again he might be hoping against hope as the zith were not exactly known for their civility in situations like this. Oscar cast a slight glance to Sosicly and mouthed out 'Help me' in Symenos. Hopefully she would get the message and diffuse the situation.

[Shausha]

it r alreddy tiem stamp'd
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She had just warned the waiter not to come near her food. It was a normal response! Now everyone was acting like she had torn someone's head off! When another Symenestrian man came over, she was thoroughly confused. She narrowed her eyes at the waiter and tried to put together what had just happened by taking clues from everyone's behavior: the waiter had a pitcher of water in hand, Oscar had decided to stand in front of him and looked absolutely mortified (the poor dear), Sosicly was trying to calm everyone down, and the newly-arrived man was telling her the obvious (she was going to leave after her mangoes!). Shausha took a sniff of air and her eyes darted to the other tables. She could smell the water in some of their cups and noted she had none in hers.

"Ohhhhhh!" She cried enthusiastically, "Oh you thought I was gonna kill you." She slapped her forehead, laughed and waved a hand at the waiter. "You weren't going to take my food?" She supposed the waiter had, unwisely, reached across her plate to fill her cup.

Shausha took a step forward and nestled her head into Oscar's neck. She traced lines on his shirt with a claw and cooed, "No point in standing in front of him like that, hero; I could tear through you like cloth if I wanted to." She pushed away from him and winked at Sosicly, "but I don't!"

Shausha understood what the second Symenestrian man wanted based on how Sosicly had blushed. She turned to the bar owner and approached him slowly, eyes locked, and dragging her nails along the table. "Oh, boo." She feigned cuteness, "Ok, meanie I'll leave...but you need payment, right?" She pulled a few coins from a small pocket her harness featured on the hip.

The cute air around her suddenly evaporated. She assessed the thin man coolly, dragged the coins across her bottom lip and winked. Making as if she was going to hand them to the owner, she changed her hand's direction and dropped them into the waiter's pitcher instead. Shausha tossed her hair proudly, grabbed Oscar by the wrist, and marched out of the tavern.
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[Sosicly Magnolia]

Sosicly did not have a chance to answer Oscar when things happened and he stepped up between their little standoff. He looked almost more a fool than the tavern owner, fear of retaliation might stay the Ziths hand with a Symenestra but Oscar was only a human. Yet at his plea Sosicly only placed a hand on the waiters wrist with a smile that did not reach her eyes then did the same to the tavern owner. Shausha had yet to do anything dire since her outburst, and Sosicly was more content to watch the scene play out, and it did play out. The more it went on the more the young woman felt the color rise to her normally pallid skin, she was torn between part amusement, and part annoyance. It settled on amusement as the pair left but she found her legs moving forward to stop them but restrained herself immediately. It was not her concern what the human or Zith did though the Ziths manners were irritating they were in her nature and not truly bothersome unless in company. However, she did not enjoy her venture being spoiled by the Zith. Once they were gone, the pace resumed and tension left, though not all the eyes left. After a chime Sosicly quietly adjusted her belongings, handed the waiter the left over cups and resettled herself at the now unoccupied table. She had not been the one kicked out, and she intended to finish another glass of water perhaps even have a bite. Oscar’s words rolled in her head, along with a doctor’s visit from a few years back. Rak’keli might be the answer she wanted, and she knew where the human worked so she would come calling again. Writing out her desire for more water for the waiter, Sosicly then made to take notes, comparing her Common to her Symenos and writing out a few questions for their next encounter.

[Oscar]

It was safe to say that Oscar was more terrified when the Zith drew so close to him again than he had ever been in his entire life. Considering how many misadventures he had experienced through his life, that was saying something. Her assurances to the tavern owner had initially calmed his nerves but this little event sent them on end. He could feel her breath on his neck and the way her claw traced his shirt sent shudders down his spine. He knew that she was right, if she wanted to there would be nothing to stop her from tearing right through him. Oscar was not physically imposing, nor was he one who ever fought physically. The oath he had made to Rak'keli prevented such acts from him, so his pacifism had been the answer here. His brother, for all his anger and insisting that magic was the path to true freedom, would have had much more spine than him in this situation. Oscar could only feel the traces of fear being sent through his mind. He let out a brief sigh of relief that Shausha was willing to just pay and go, making his nerves come down from high alert. Clearly the zith possessed more restraint than he had accredited her with, which was gratifying and rather embarrassing at the same time. He had judged her by her race when Rak'keli demanded that he do otherwise, it was a breach in his own following of the goddess. He relief turned out to be short lived as the zith pulled him bodily along with her. He let out a small cry of protest as he was pulled along in her wake, rather surprised by the abrupt action. He had not intended to follow the zith out and although he had reminded himself of his oath there was still some fear of Shausha in the back of his mind. "I hope you don't mind telling me where we are going? I can't exactly fly." He said as they exited the tavern and looked upon the dark cavern beyond. There were some days when he looked into the inky blackness of Kalinor and feared that it would swallow him whole and alive. Of course, that day never did come and so far he managed to keep himself from falling. Still the fear was always there in the back of his mind. Kalinor was not exactly friendly to outsiders, not just due to the attitude of its people but how the city itself was built. "Also, I believe I must apologize. I judged you based off of the rumors of your race, a fault that is mine. I was wrong in doing so." He said. Oscar looked expectantly from Shausha expectantly, waiting to see her response.

[Shausha]

Whoops
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Shausha was still bristling as she charged out of the tavern's door. I didn't do anything! Slightly surprised that Oscar had come with her, she turned to him and said, "Rumors? Like we kill and eat humans? Yes, those are true." She absently began unbuckling her harness. "But you kill and eat things, too. I dont really know why everyone is so mad." Slipping out of her harness and effectively mortifying Oscar, she laughed and pulled in close to him, putting on as much sugar into her voice as she could. "But you've been nice to me, so I'll help you get back to your place thing."

Wrapping her arms around the thin man, she bucked the widest part of the harness around his chest and turned him around. "Don't look down, now!" She jumped off the edge of building and they plummeted a few meters before she could properly sink her wings into the air. He was heavier than he looked, but she had carried people before and their original meeting place was not far and the route there was a downward slant. She strained to hold onto the harness that she buckled around his chest, figuring it probably would have been just as hard to carry him while running. At one point, she nearly let go of him for all the prayers he was saying to Rakkly annoyed her.

Finally at their original meeting spot, Shausha landed with a thud and wiped sweat from her brow and panting, "Wow you're heavy!" When he began to sink to his knees, she pushed him against a wall to stabilize his legs. She unbuckled her harness from him and began to put it on. Finding that he had covered his eyes instead of casting eyes on her nudity, she merrily rubbed against him whispering, "See you later." Slipping the harness up her body, she fastened it and dove from the building. She laughed all the way back to her place of residence, his petrified face still fresh in her mind.
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[Ensnare]

Soscily

Skill	XP Gained
Stealth	1
Writing	3
Acting	1
Observation	3
Climbing	1

Lore Gained

Nagging Thought: Visit the Surrogates!

Using One's Ailment To Trick a Guard

Oscar: Rak'keli Healer from Zeltiva

Shausha: The "Helpful" Zith

Location: Hunter's Gather

Location: The Place of Purging

Items/Consequences: -4sm (Small Meal)

Oscar

Skill	XP Gained
Observation	3
Negotiation	1
Persuasion	1

Lore Gained

Mental Note: Revisit unruly Surrogate

Sosicily: Curious Symenestra

Shausha: The "Helpful" Zith

Mission: Heal the Needy

Location: Hunter's Gather

Location: The Place of Purging

Items/Consequences: -4sm (Small Meal)

Shausha

Since you've apparently left, I've witheld your grade. If you should ever return, send me a pm, and I'll place your experience here.

If you feel I have graded you unfairly, or if you have any questions, please send me a PM and we'll work the problem out.

Notes :

As a story, I found this to be very cute, with Sosicly acting, and her disblief over Oscar's stay in Kalinor perplexing. While Oscar was attempting to be non-judgemental of Shausha amusing, since, well, y'know Zith are big scary monsters that eat the unwary victem.

The thread itself as a whole I found it to be confusing at times, there were some inconsistancies here and there, at some points I felt it was forced, or hurried, there was some tension.. That I'm not entirely sure what the tension was caused by.

To Sosicly and Oscar, while I read the thread I noticed how Oscar told Sosicly where he hailed from, but later on in the thread he decided to be all secretive. I wasn't sure if Oscar realized this, so I'm pointing it out now as to the reason why I gave Sosicly her lore on Oscar.

Also, on the location you guys went to, there is no basket system to carry Oscar down to the Hunter's Gather, as the location thusly states under Accessibility:

Located outside the city's center, Hunters' Gather is lacking a connection to the main street. As such the tavern can't be reached by non Symenestra unless someone is willing to carry potential customers over the silk ropes linking the stalagmite to the city at large. Foreigners visiting Hunters' Gather are a rare sight.

Just a small mistake, I'm sure you won't make it again.

I was also unsure of who bought what.. Oscar said he opted for something light so I assumed it was food that hadn't come yet, and Sosicly said something about staying for a bite to eat at the end of the thread. I know Shausha got her mangoes.. If I'm terribly wrong, send me a pm and I'll fix this.

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