Shopping for Kalina (Kalina)

by **Marcus Ahysen** on August 13th, 2013, 4:17 pm

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Shopping for Kalina

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16th of Summer, 513 AV

A few days ago Marcus had purchased a young Kelvic by the name of Kalina. She was a bright young kitten with a lot of potential, but she needed a lot of training. She had no idea how to act in public, and she needed to be properly groomed if she was to be seen with Marcus on a regular basis. While she had a set of clothing, they were hardly fit for any manner of social affairs, or even for travel, which Marcus might soon be doing. He needed to purchase her an outfit, or possibly a few, befitting of someone belonging to someone of his station.

"Kalina! Come over here and put some clothes on. We are going out. There are some things I want to buy for you."

Marcus was well aware that Kalina probably had no idea what the word buy meant, and doubted she had any concept of the miza, but those were things he would have to teach her. She needed to at least know the basics of how money worked, that way he could send her out on errands to fetch things for him when he was busy with more important stuff.

While Kalina got ready, Marcus counted out one hundred golden Mizas, placing them into his belt pouch. In truth, Marcus did not really expect to spend that many mizas, but he liked to be over prepared. In reality, however, he knew that if Kalina wanted him to, he'd spend every last bit of it. Marcus was terrible when it came to spending money, and never really gave it a second thought until it came back to bite him later on. He wanted the young kelvic to look pretty, and he had no problem putting forth the mizas to do so.

OOC :

by **Kalina** on August 13th, 2013, 6:16 pm

Kalina opens her eyes and glances up from the corner within which she had curled up. Much like her animal kin, the young ocelot had spent the majority of the night awake. Having not been staying in Marcus' home for long, she still wasn't over the novelty of being in this place, much less being restricted to a cage. Had she not been so ego-centric, the ocelot might have been concerned at the nights sleep her new owner was getting; she wasn't loud, but she was hardly the quietest in her explorations.

The whines audibly, No, I don't want to. Kalina had plans today, she was going to clean every inch of herself today, after she had had a nap. Then she would try to convince Marcus to give her some of that delectable fish again, before sleeping a little more. Getting dressed just wasn't on her to do list today. Nevertheless, she staggers to her feet and stretches, front legs first. Whilst stretching her back legs, she transforms into her pre-pubescent human form.

She clambers to her feet and wanders over to pick up the clothes. It takes less time for her to dress herself than it did when the pair first met, having done it more regularly now. He said that they were going out, and Kali loved that idea; she would never pass up the opportunity to explore the outside world that she was only just beginning to discover.

"Ready!" She says, her utterance punctuated by a yawn. Despite not having really slept yet, Kalina's high, childish voice was still just as animated as ever. It was a unique trait, one reserved for those who were young, innocent or naïve, but little could ever disappoint the little Kelvic, and even a crack in a wall could keep her occupied for a bell or so, as her imagination runs wild coming up with a story about how it happened.

Green eyes find him and she prances over to stand beside him as he finishes putting little round metal things into a pouch, as she had watched him do numerous times before. The girl opens her mouth to ask what they were but bites her tongue; if she asked one question, her owner's answer would spark another question, and another, until she was too exhausted to ask anything further.

by **Marcus Ahysen** on August 19th, 2013, 3:50 pm

Kalina's attempt not to be informed about the miza was going to be thwarted, unfortunately. Marcus wanted her to understand, and for that, it meant an explanation. Marcus could see her eyes on the coins, and was fairly certain she did not know what they actually were. It was time for her first lesson.

"These are called mizas."

Marcus offered her the bag to look through, if she wanted. All of them were gold rimmed, and in pristine condition, unlike some of the beat up mizas a poorer person might be seen with. While in truth the condition of a miza did not matter, as an agent of the Black Sun Marcus was usually paid with freshly minted mizas, or as fresh as one can get in Ravok considering the mint was in another city.

"These are very important. People really like mizas, and they will give you things if you give them mizas. Remember the fish I gave you? Well, if you wanted to go get some fish on your own, you could give somebody who had a fish one or two of these mizas and they would give you a fish for it. Today we are going to give people mizas, and they are going to give us clothes for you. For some things, people will want more mizas, and for some they will want less. You have to be careful that people do not take too many mizas from you, or you will run out, and people will not want to give you any more things. Do you understand so far?"

Marcus paused a moment, giving her a chance to answer, and tried to think about how much more in depth he should go. He wanted to keep things as simple as possible for Kalina. She was very young, and was still heavily influenced by her animal nature, so such concepts might be difficult for her to understand. But the basics were important.

"Oh.. and do you know how to count? If not, I can teach you that later, but counting will be important if you want to get things on your own. Today I'll be with you, but if I give you mizas and let you go out on your own, you will need to be able to count."

by **Kalina** on August 20th, 2013, 12:22 pm

The apparent seven year old, at the opportunity to look closely at the coins, snatches the offered pouch out of her owner's hands and, much like any wild feline, instinct tells her to back away from him, lest he take it back off her. In the back of her mind, she knows she'll have to give it back to him soon, but that part of her mind wasn't in control of her animalistic instincts. Furtively, she glances up to look at her Master, checking that he was still standing a way away, before turning her attention fully onto the bag of mizas. She had brightened quickly, ecstatic at the idea of going out and getting to spend more time with Marcus; he'd started off giving the young Kelvic a good impression, which had only paved the way for him to go higher and higher in her estimation. Especially when he gave her fish. Spending time with him was only ever a good thing, in her eyes.

Holding it tightly in one hand, Kalina dips her other into the bag and wraps her small fingers around a few of the metal coins. Pulling them out, she stares at them intently, her inhuman vision picking up all dimples, patterns and blemishes on the round discs. In human form, she was able to perceive more than she would as an ocelot, prompting her first question: "Why different colours?" With little consideration she drops all but one back into the bag and raises the last to her mouth. Her tried and tested method of learning the consistency of something, or someone, involved using her teeth. So she bites. "Ow!" She drops the last coin into the pouch too.

All the while, she ruminates over the man's words, slowly putting two and two together. To make five. "Give this for clothes today..." she says slowly, holding the money up to Marcus for him to take back from her. Her mossy eyes perceptibly brighten in excitement, as one of her favourite things had been mentioned by Marcus (who was also a favourite thing): "Then give clothes for fish!" The girl had mastered it; an exchange. What mattered most to her was getting the fish, and whilst she didn't really understand why they had to pay to get clothes, then give clothes to get fish, she would humour him if the end result meant fish.

At his final statement, though, she scowls visibly, throwing her owner a filthy look that only a child could muster, "Course can count." She mutters, indignation lacing each word. it was quite possibly the first time Kalina had displayed her stubborn, bratty, even rude, side to her owner, quite possibly the first time it had even reared its ugly head. But Kalina, herself noticed no change in her temperament, as she never did, because she had little control over or notion of it. She glances into the pouch, "There's.... Lots." She says finally, as if that was enough. Kali knew she wasn't stupid, after all.

by **Marcus Ahysen** on August 23rd, 2013, 9:59 pm

Marcus chuckled. Despite her obvious lack of education, she was a pretty bright young girl. It was a shame the research institution did not put more effort into training their kelvics before selling them, but Marcus was enjoying himself. He took the bag back from Kalina when she offered, shutting it with the tie before securing it to his belt.

"Almost. You could give clothes for fish, but people don't like clothes as much as they do mizas. Would you give up your fish for clothes? Neither would they. But if you give them more mizas for their fish, then they can go and buy another fish. Or other things that they want. So today we will use mizas to buy your clothes, and then we will use more of them to buy fish. If you're good, we'll get a special fish. Better than the last one."

It did not occur to Marcus that exposing Kalina to better fish would likely make her demand the better fish every time, but that was a problem that he would have to deal with when the time came. Kalina would eventually learn that she could not always get the better fish, and would only get it when she was rewarded.. but those thoughts were far from the agents mind at that moment. It was time to go shopping.

Marcus led Kalina out of the building and down to the canal, hopping on the boat and offering her a hand down if she needed it. He knew she did not like the boats, but it was something she would have to get used to eventually. He told the ravosalaman where he wanted to go, and as soon as Kalina was on board they were off. The ride was smooth and easy, taking nearly half a bell, but soon enough they reached their destination. The boatman let them off almost right outside the building Marcus wanted. It was only a short walk to Azure Reflections Fine Tailoring.

Azure Reflections was one of the agent's favorite places to shop for clothing. She had quality merchandise, tailored to those with taste. For travel clothes he would have to take Kalina somewhere else, possibly after stopping for a bite to eat, but he wanted to get her some nice clothing first.

"Look around," he said when they entered, "And if you see something you like, show it to me."

by **Kalina** on August 26th, 2013, 8:53 pm

The man was smiling, no, he was laughing. Was he laughing at her? Why? Why would he be doing that? What had she done? Her eyes darken and her pout sets in, pride and stubbornness not allowing her to just let it go. She crosses her arms over her front, having never actually done it before, she had seen others perform the action and associated the motion with the situation, she assumes this is an appropriate moment. She opens her mouth to say something to him but is cut short when Marcus answers, further explaining the point of the mizas and the point of trade. Yeah, she realises as he speaks, I don't want to give away my fish. Just want more fish.

The mention of better fish than the trout she had already tried, however, was something Kalina couldn't just let go and her arms immediately drop to her side and her demeanour changes. She was still bright and bubbly, but she was desperate for fish and, she didn't believe that there could be any food better than the trout, but she was hopeful. She would be on her best behaviour if it meant that she would receive fish at the end, and she thought she knew what she had to be to be 'good'. "Okay!" She grins, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet a little.

Marcus leaves and Kalina follows quietly behind, the man's mention of fish still ripening through her mind. The walk a short ways and her eyes remained trained on her owner as her shorter legs struggle to keep up with his longer stride. Sights, smells and sounds attempt to distract her but she keeps thinking of the fish...

Until they come to a boat, at which point she freezes and whines. It was a sound akin to one she might have made as an ocelot, and her expression was also. Of an animal cornered, confused and frightened. She knew that if she resisted, not only would she not get the proposed fish, but Marcus would also be angry with her. She bites her lip and climbs into the boat, sitting as fast as humanly possible. The journey wasn't too long but throughout it she grips on tightly to a section of Marcus' clothing, and she was the first off the boat when they docked again.

The concept of a place that she could get clothing from was incomprehensible to her; she had never really required them before, in the Institute. And now, she didn't see why she needed more than one set, or what was wrong with her current clothes. But the pair enter the shop and Kalina takes a moment to look around and take it all in. Marcus verbally nudges her off to find something she likes the look of and, despite her reservations, she does as requested.

There was a selection of dresses in the façade of the shop, which were facing the other way, truth be told, she wasn't all that struck on any of the dressed displayed, and it was down to the colour; they were all very dark, like lots of the people she had seen walking around the city. She didn't want to be like everyone else, more than that, she was just a childish girl, and wanted something pretty. But her animalistic eyes were able to catch something a little brighter. Mauve, with darker, Tyrian Purple embroidery. She points. "That one, I want that!" She announces, excitement colouring her voice.

OOCSo I didn't know if the clothes were already made or you had to order them, the shop description suggests one has to order but I've left it vague. Also took me ages to decide about dyes, so I've gone with what England had in the Middle Ages, which is basically anything?

by **Marcus Ahysen** on December 11th, 2013, 4:08 pm

Marcus looked over the dress and nodded appreciatively. He probably would not have picked it for her himself, but it was nice enough. Quickly pulling the dress down Marcus brought it over to the counter. Alira was not there at the moment, and so it was Azure who helped them out. Marcus knew that he was a kelvic, like Kalina, and considered saying something but decided the distraction would just waste time, and he did not feel like explaining to Kalina that there were others who could turn into animals different than her own animal form.

"I'd like to purchase this dress."

Azure nodded and examined the dress for a moment before folding it up neatly and placing the garment in a cloth sack for Marcus to take it home in. "The will be twenty gold mizas," the kelvic stated, and Marcus readily handed over the gold.

"Alright, that takes care of that. You did good, Kalina. We can go get that fish now if you want."

Marcus was getting hungry himself, and he knew just the place to go to get some fish for Kalina. Of course he had no idea how to cook it himself, so he would have to bring it back to the apartment and have the kitchen staff cook it, but he doubted Kalina would care one way or another. Marcus lead the young kelvic back outside and to another Ravosala. It was time to head to the Bazaar. After that, there were just a few travel supplies he needed to pick up for Kalina, and then they would be done for the day.

The ride to the Bazaar was uneventful and it wasn't long before they could hear the din of merchants shouting their wares. The smell of sweets, fresh breads and other food items floated to their noses as the ravosala pulled up to the dock and the pair climbed out. The fish vendors weren't hard to find, there were a lot of them considering it was the main source of meat in Ravok. All Marcus had to do was find something Kalina thought looked appetizing.

"So, the fish vendors are all over here. Let's go take a look, and you can pick out the one you think looks the tastiest."

OOC: There is a list of fish here.

Ledger :

by **Kalina** on December 14th, 2013, 4:26 pm

With relative patience, Kalina waits quietly beside her Master, watching as the other man takes care to fold her new dress before placing it in a little bag and handing it over to Marcus. The only signs of her growing impatience is the light footed swaying and the nervous biting of her lower lip. This impatience is what causes the normally observant creature to ignore the other man's mannerisms and other giveaways that he is more like Kali than Marcus.

The young Kelvic does, however, watch as, immediately following Marcus receiving the dress, he hands money over at the other's request. Given the earlier conversation Kali had had with her Master, watching the money exchange hands helps to cement the understanding. And she instantly stops moving, her eyes darting between the two actors in the scene, and then between the Mizas and the small bag in her Master's hand. Finally, wide moss green eyes linger on her Master's face.

Kalina hears Marcus' voice, praising her and offering her fish, but she is not really listening as she tries hard to think back to what feels like a lifetime go to her, even though it is only a few days, not more than a quarter of a season. So intent is she in trying to remember what was said, that she doesn't catch on to his offer of a reward of fish. Instead of grabbing onto his sleeve and dragging him along behind her in excitement, the capricious creature silently shuffles behind her Master, eyes lowered as she watches his feet in order to follow him.

So engulfed in her own thoughts, Kalina doesn't register the delectable scent of fish until the pair are in the midst of the fish market. Raising her head, the two stop walking and Marcus asks a second question, but once again this goes in one ear and out the other. As an uncontrollable reaction, her pupils dilate in desire from the sight of so many fish that she had not yet tried. Yet she remains still, thoughts still running wild through her mind. Moments pass, maybe even a chime or two, before Kalina eventually speaks.

"You did that with me." She speaks quietly, all of the undue confidence that was normally in her voice has dissipated, just like it has from her stature. The little Kelvic glances up to look at her Master confusion evident in them, "When met you. With that." She points at the pouch of money, "Said you give them money when taked me away. Just like with the dress."

There is no question in her utterance; she does not even know how to phrase the question, or what the question might even be, or if what she's saying has a question. Most of all, it doesn't yet occur to her the gravity of what she had just stumbled upon.But she knows that her observation is worth pointing out, given the fact that she had connected the two events as being a similar transaction. "Dress is like me?"

Closed Shopping for Kalina (Kalina)