[Rearing Stallion] A search for a guide(close)

[Ryjaoka Windia]

Keeping up with him she listens carefully to everything being said to her. Her mind wondering about certain things that interested her in the town. Allowing her eyes to shift from him, to the town she smiles at her situation.

It was nice having someone that would talk to her longer than to just say she was no good and walk off. Moving with him she tried to settle her nerves about Parkas's stay while she moved through the Venders. Casting her eyes among the vibrant colors and textures she smiled again.

The last time she'd seen displays such as these was back in her homeland of Endrykas. Keeping calm she moved softly through the city her eyes meeting John's on a occasion to signal she was still listening to him while she adsorbed the sights. "I can see this, such a wide variety and selection you have here."

Looking to John she smiled up at him letting her own eyes fall over the wine bottles and assortments. "I would very much like to see your shop when we arrive to it"

Smiling at him once more she allowed her body to stop for only a moment to look over the linens at one stand. Hearing the woman try to sell to her she held up her hand in no thanks before catching up to John again. Moving with him Ryjaoka listened about the weather predictions and frowned slightly at that.

Her gaze moving back to where her stud had been left behind for the night she looked back to John. " John what can you tell me about Windmount stables? I mean I don't exactly leave Parkas with others often, are you sure that he'll be safe there?"

[John Vicari]

"They are the best around here. Don't worry of your friend they will be taken care of. For now enjoy yourself. We can make it to the shop from here..." He said letting his voice trail off once more as he moved back towards the main streets of the city.

He looked at her as he talked, it was normal for him to look at someone when he spoke to them but he could guess some if not most were not like that. Her body and outfit did show she was moving from place to place trying to survive in a world far from a utopia.

Her long cloak was made out of a good cotton linen that looked more like it could handle the harsher side of the weather from rain and wind, her top looked like it was made out of thin iron that moved down to her stomach slightly. The pendent stood out the most in his eyes for it did look like it could fetch a coin if a thief saw it but he was far from that life style. Her skirt looked like it had iron sewed here and there to give some form of safe means of a attack while still having the flare of a skirt. The plain leather belt held her skirt upon her body it would seem in his eyes as he saw her riding boots. Clearly she knew how to use a mount as the boots looked far from seeing a life on the ground and were kept clean for the most part with a thick leather support and aid. Really it was John who was under dress standing next to her but he made no comment out loud.

Yet..something did stand out upon her body that he did take note of. She did not seem to hold any weapons upon her slim body. Granted one could hide many things he thought but no one was that good were they?

"So, Ryjaoka care if I ask why you don't have a weapon on you? You have to know how to use one if you travel from place to place but did you lose it or something took place?"

He asked at last once they were semi alone in the street. A few by-passers moving about their daily lives yet he had no worry of them. They were close to a shop that made weapons and other items of the like for the city and castle so if need be he could stop by and see what she enjoyed. It would be foolish of him not to help her when she was in need of something that would save her life in the end of things.

Deep down he wanted to ask her more then just that yet for now he would not push his luck. Magic or no magic he knew she was the type that did not open up like a easy to read book but was more of a few books in different tongues put together. Without one scroll or hint you may not be able to read the next page. It was not how she acted nor how she talked when she did speak. It was just how she was when she moved along the people in the market or standing still near him when he looked at something that caught his eyes.

[Ryjaoka Windia]

Letting her worries go she smiled at John. Hoping that he was right about leaving Parkas there. Letting her gaze drop to the floor for a moment she tried to remind herself that she was here with another person and not an animal. Keeping her movements calm and focused she watched as the people slowly became less dense to walk through. Looking about she could tell that in this part of the city was mainly for the inhabitants of Syliras.

Hearing his words she focused in on what he was saying again. "My sword?" The question almost throwing her off while she thought of the last time she had been blessed with one. Frowning a little she turned her head as to not let him see her emotion.

The last time she'd had a sword had been that night all those years ago. The night when she'd lost almost everything dear to her in life. Looking forward she tried to formulate what to tell him. The truth was to personal to get into with someone she'd just met. Even if she favored John's company over any other in quiet some time.

"I haven't had a weapon in a while. Believe me I do know how to use it, my people must know how. I just tend to use other objects of destruction such as sticks or rocks," she wasn't lying to him. Indeed during her course of travel she had used such objects to defend herself against weaker less dangerous monsters.

When serious quarl's came underway she'd tend to back away from the fight unless absolutely necessary; not that she would tell him that now. She'd been taught that violence wasn't the first thing you reached for in times of disagreement, but it was a solution if no other option presented itself.

Letting her face return back to normal she let her green eyes grace his presence once again. Hoping that he hadn't seen much of her emotion; or at least not say if he had.

[John Vicari]

John did not say a thing afterwards with her reaction nor in his mind of if he did or not. He just walked with her letting the soft steps of both of there boots fill the air. What could he say to her? If anything it would be the fact it was lucky for her to be alive with what lived past the castle walls. Yet he felt she knew that deep down.

Yet he did stop before a building in the walls as he made his way inside. If the sound did not touch you first it would had been the heat from the many forages in the backroom. They were inside Iron works, a Isur ran blacksmith metal shop. They were the sole giver almost of the Syliran Knights for the city which was over 7,000 in its numbers which they worked for armor, weapons and more along with farmers around and agriculture.

John came a few times as he looked upon the walls, premade weapons and items from hoes to maces laid upon the walls and counters ready to be used. The prices ranged from one gold miza up to more then hundred. Yet John was not that worried of the price of things as he helped her in the mini shop if one could even call it a shop.

"Even if you will stay a bit...you could always use a weapon where you will head to." He said in her ear leaning in to her more so she could hear him over the sounds of workers working away in the back.

The Ironworks was on the way towards the shop he helped ran if not his shop some days with how he worked with the people who came in. Afterwards they would try to beat the weather and spend time in the shop filled with books and other items after she looked at the different weapons. The shop did show the fact that the city knew how to defend itself and fight back in more then one way.

He moved towards the different melee weapons, his eyes saw mainly iron weapons and bronze for steel was to rare to be on a shelf or even sold. He saw short swords, long swords, maces, axes and more. The list was almost endless as his fingers ran along the edges of a blade as he let her look about.

[Ryjaoka Windia]

The walk to Ironworks as the shop was properly named had been a quiet torture for her. Something about John not talking to her made her feel uneasy, her mind began to wander wondering if she'd ruined another friendship before it even began. Letting her head shake she flung the thought from her brain letting her battle knowledge take over.

The shop was filled with a wide variety of swords and short ranged weapons of attack. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd seen such a stock of weaponry. "I bet that your city doesn't get attacked much does it?"

Moving her eyes to glance at John she watched as he ran his hand along the blades as he'd done the bottles of wine. Ryjaoka found herself wondering if he did that to get the full knowledge that they were really there; or if he just enjoyed the feel of different objects.

Moving her own hand to one of the longer swords she took it carefully to her person. Letting the weight hit her arm while she balanced it out carefully. Scanning over the display for the price she grimaced at the price of it, shake her head she set the sword back down before moving to look for a cheaper set.

She had money on her just not enough to be able to risk dropping a pricey sword such as that one had been. Finding a cheaper more acceptable priced long bladed sword she took it up. Letting her body go to a stance she let her movements mimic her training technique while she felt the sword out.

Keeping her eyes on the sword she glanced over at John once more before speaking to him while moving. "Tell me. Do you have a choice weapon that you use?"

[John Vicari]

Somehow John knew this question would come up at some point during his meeting with Ryjoka yet he still had no real answer for her. His choice of weapon was not to fight or at least use his magic but he could not tell her that. Could he?

As he picked up a light hand axe yet placed it down after shaking his head. "None...I did buy a dagger that was more of a assassins type with rough edges to cut more skin. Yet I really have no idea how to use it like a trained person per say."

"As for the city...no not as long as I can remember but in the end I am still young I guess. Yet if we were attacked I would laugh for the sheer fact of who could break down the walls and try to take over us. Yet then again I am sure a god or two could if they wanted."

"Tell me...Do you follow a god?"

It was a simple question yet could lead to good or bad ideas for religion was such a sensitive type thing to ask. He himself followed no gods as of yet but he did think of it at times. Yet what of her? Would he care if she did follow a god of chaos or the goddess of death? No, not in the end after he thought of it. If she did it would just be a part of her and he would be fine in the end of things.

His hands picked up the dagger he spoke of, the blade was more wider then normal yet the edges held gaps along the sides which were designed not of poor work but to inflict wounds that were more difficult to mend compared to a normal blade. Clearly it was meant for more then just looks yet John just smiled towards it as if a part of him wanted to use it if he could before placing it down.

"Do you see anything you like?" He asked at last looking at her, he was standing to her left side now as he waited touching more then one item yet never once really picking them up but one or two.

Beads of sweat were forming along his forehead from the heat of the shop yet he did not wipe them away just yet. He would not stay much longer or at least he hoped he would not due to he was not enjoying it deep down with the heat and sound of the forages. But he was here for her and not himself so he did not mind all that much when pushed to stay around. Somehow he felt at ease with her if that would be the right word in his head.

[Ryjaoka Windia]

Nodding her head at his answer she couldn't help but smile at him. She somehow could have guessed his answer before he himself even spoke to answer it. She'd always been good at guessing what people would say to a question. She prided herself in asking questions that she knew wouldn't go to far out of her range of knowledge.

Than again she never really had a chance to really talk to anyone other than Parkas and now John. Frowning only slightly she shook that unpleasant thought from her mind. She found herself wishing that sometimes she didn't have such a sensitive view of relationships and interacting with others. How could she ever break the common mold of an outcast if she wasn't willing to let the past die?

Setting down the blade she took notice of John's smile at a dagger wondering what he was thinking. Keeping her thoughts quisical she went on looking around the shop. Letting her hair friz a little the deeper and closer they got to the heat of the forging in the back.

"I was taught from a young age to praise and honor the common most sought and learned about Drykas gods and goddess." She began while she grabbed another lighter sword to foul with. "Mind you we have so many and honor only the ones that bring us good fortune and moral reason. I find though I respect the goddess Caiyha the most."

Nodding her head at her own state she smiled at it before nodding as if to confirm the words to herself and him. "I don't really know why? I guess because she gave me Parkas to look after, and he's really been an important member of my family. At least to me he has," keeping her eyes on the silver blade she couldn't believe that she had almost shared something that personal with John. She wondered how he would react and if it would be anything like how the others at home acted when she'd say such things.

Smiling at the sword she finds herself pleased with it over all, taking a few more moves carefully she keeps her body poised. "I like this one, it's light and quick." She stated letting her hand move to lift her hair slightly the heat in the shop starting to get to her. "I think this is the one, I can't stand much more of this heat. Are you finished looking around?"

Looking at him calmly she let a small smile grace her lips while she waited for his reply. Her mind wondering if he would get anything at all in this place.

[John Vicari]

He matched her small smile with a smile of his red lips as he picked up a sword near him. The term for it was a basic long sword, the blade was straight and double-edged which he found amusing on more then one level with his lifestyle. Yet light enough for him to use without fear and still holding a good weight behind it told him he could use it well if he did learn how to use it.

"Yeah, I think we are done and I am going to get this long sword. Basic yet would be a good way to start learning the use of how to fight I guess."

He let the words hang in the air as he moved to the towards one of the shop aides. The pack upon his back was moved at last upon the counter as he opened one of the sections of it. A small brown bag was pulled from it as he counted 12 gold miza coins out of it placing them not in the aides hands but back in his pack handing the aide the bag.

"That will cover both items, 38 miza for the two long swords and two scabbards please for them. Thank you." John told the shop aide as he took the bag from John with a nod after counting the contents and giving John two scabbards from under the counter.

With that he closed his bag once more slinging it back on his back as he turned to Rykaoka. His own blade sliding in to the scabbard as he tossed the other towards her. "Always a good thing I think to have one with a blade, shall we get out of this hot area now?"

Another smile played along his lips, yet it did not hold any cunning ideas or anything of that as he walked out of the shop with or without her. Granted one could think buying not only a weapon but other gear would be for them wanting something in return yet John did not see it like that. He saw it as something small even if that was a few days of work for him to pay off and enough miza for a person to eat a season yet he had no thoughts of her paying it off. For the day was to be enjoyed and maybe she would be able to pay it off in her own way if she wanted yet he wanted no payment.

Once outside the shop he would wait for her to catch or if she did follow him he would turn to her then and talk. "Oddly I don't follow a god or goddess...guess I never thought of it nor cared much to hold much faith. While I know they are around us and can influence events in our lives I am sure one day I will follow one or more. My family...never really held strong faith ideas I guess."

It could be the fact his mother did suffer from a low god complex in a way or his father doing all he could just to float with fishing and cooking for the family. His grandmother was so old he did not know if she did even if she used tarot cards and the like and his twin sister was beyond him in that idea. Yet he knew his family would fall apart sooner or later and before then he would move to his own. His parents always told him they had enough coin for him buy a small home in the city but he was unsure of it all. He was younger in far more ways then just age at the end of the day.

He was unsure if he said anything after he spoke of the gods as he was so lost in his own thoughts. Some of them did show upon his face he was sure as while he was good at a lie or two he was off guard with her. He did not play a poker face but for some reason did show her his emotions but could she handle the truth of how he could handle himself? The thought never did cross his mind of sharing his darkest gift who was not of family but something made him ponder with her by him. Maybe it was the fact she knew what it was like to be feared or different yet would she be able to understand just how different he was? Magic was a thing no one took lightly and everyone, even other mages, were on guard of. He could not blame them for it did almost kill everyone over 500 years ago yet a part of him was tired of living in the darkness watching from the lonesome sides of his gated world.

He at last stopped both thinking and walking as he saw upon a door that was of a shop. It was not the look one would had thought as the windows were not clean but so dirty with dust and other things one only had to guess at that no one could see in. The door held a older age look with a bronze handle as he pulled upon it letting her walk in first.

If it was not the smell of age it would had been the smell of dust for cobwebs and dust did cover everything in the small store. No price tags laid about and as the shop was on the small side it was all filled even more with books and items that one had to wonder what it really was. The counter had one person upon it but as the old man saw John he did not say a word as he walked in the backroom leaving John and Ryjaoka alone. As the door shut behind them a flash of light flared in the sky with a shock wave of thunder sounding above the sky as rain fell from the clouds.

The semi dark room was now even darker with lack of any light coming from the windows as small candles laid about with lamps also helping the light. "Welcome to Undeniable Interests ...that was the owner and I am the one who aides the most the most. He does not mind as long as he can do what he wants but this is the bookstore I was talking of...it has books, maps, artifacts, potions, powers and even the oddest of items if you can find it. He likes the mess but I learned to live with it long ago..." He whispered to her even if he had no real reason for they were alone as John moved about the store, his pack being thrown behind the counter near the backdoor way and the new blade being laid about the counter as he turned to her. Unsure of her reaction would be.

[Ryjaoka Windia]

Her eyes widening at the sight of him paying for her weapon she finds herself momentarily stunned. Why would he do that? They had only just met and charity such as that wasn't something that she was use to. In fact that matter seemed to puzzle her greatly. John was definitely something new to her knowledge, she'd never known someone to be so kind. No one except her own mother.

Keeping her mind calm she followed in a daze behind him, letting him have his own sea of thoughts while they entered the dusty building. The crash of the thunder almost caused her to jump as she rushed out of her thoughts. Looking at the sky carefully she examined the weather more closely. "Someone has angered Zulrav it seems."

Shaking her head at the storm she let the storm close out behind the door while she looked to the retreating older man. Her nose wrinkling almost immediately at the smell of the dust in this place. Grimacing at the smell she tried to calm her face. She didn't want to come across as rude to the man that was showing her such kindness.

"I apologies. It's just my nose is extra sensitive," she explained simply. It was true that even a normal human nose could smell such packed dirt in this place; but for her viper sensitive nose she could only do her best to get use to the taste of dirt on her tongue.

Moving further into the shop she watched with trained eyes at John, watching him set the sword down she couldn't help but smile. She was somehow glad that he'd gotten a weapon from the shop. It made her feel a little honored that she could have been there to oversee what appeared to be his first big weapon buy. That caused her mind to wonder a little, what if he collected weapons? She guessed that it could be a big possibility. The walk from the shop had been that long to Undeniable interests, he very well could have traveled to that store whenever he wanted.

Taking another look at him she looked to the sword again, something told her that he hadn't done that. Still it was a possibility and that only made her wonder more about this man. Moving to place her own sword down next to his she slowly removed her cloak. Allowing her slender shoulder and defined arms to greet him for the first time since they'd been together. Adjusting her top a little she pulled it more into place. The large decorated snake tattoo peaking from behind the ties, it's ruby eyes watching over her back; while it's long twisted tail curl out to twirl on the small of her lower back.

The heat from her body being released to the cooler air of Undeniable interests. The dust having settled enough for her to ignore she moved about in a straight line. Walking the length of the front counter before turning to walk back.

Never had her eyes beheld such a place like this. It wasn't as large as it aught to be with as many items and books it was holding. She almost seemed overwhelmed by it all. Listening to John she took into account all the various items hidden in the rows and rows of stuff. She could feel her interest peak at the new obtained knowledge.

"This place. It's amazing, as a little girl I grew up admiring books and artifacts. Only to be standing now here where it truely seems you have everything," letting her thought die away to her mind she moved forward. Her fingers lightly collecting the dust on a shelf of books while she felt at their worn hardcovers.

The gold lettering having faded to a yellowish hue in some places, while their brown display had long sinced faded away to practically nothing. Her green eyes casting over the titles she read with out specification. Her thoughts letting her hands decide where it would land while she moved down the row.

Coming to a book on healing herbs she let her slender fingers grip the spine pulling it from his dusty haven. Turning the book to face her properly she blew at the dust that covered it backing away as the smog scattered in the air. Flinging to the oxygen she wanted to breath while it found it's next home to settle in.

Moving back to the front of the store she let her fingers flip through the fragile pages. Reading small facts and notes left by the writer of this educational piece. Not really looking at one page to closely she allowed her feet to come to a stop at the counter. Looking up she smiled contently at John. "Do you have books in other languages, such as Pavi maybe?"

She wasn't sure how he would take her question. She found that some people became offended when you asked for something they didn't understand themselves. She could recall along her travels getting scorned by many an odd humans calling her a disgraceful and ignorant for speaking her native Pavi.

She didn't dare allow the small portion of Snake-Tongue slip through that she knew. Not even in the regions un-blessed by the creatures did she speak in the serpents dialect. There were many reasons why she didn't some knowledgeable while others were out of pure personal resentment of them. Just the thought of having anything to do with her tainted side made her sick to the core. Yet somehow she longed to know just what was stirred into the tainted blood. What made it so terrible that she was shunned because of it for most of her young life.

Looking towards John she found herself wondering if he had judged her, it wasn't hard to tell she was mixed with that blood. Her eyes were a dead give away, even if she wished she could cut them out and trade for a new pair. Letting her gaze move back to him she tried to read his face more in depth than before at the rearing stallion. He seemed to keep them in control, yet she couldn't quiet tell if that was for show or for a certain reason.

Setting the herd book down she moved to stand by him once again, something about the distance causing her discomfort. She didn't quite understand why being in someone place of interest without permission from the owner unnerved her. Something about the way the old man hadn't said a word to her made her uneasy. Still she had been with John and maybe that was all you needed around here. "Are you sure I'm allowed in here?"

[John Vicari]

John lost himself in his own thoughts once more as she took of her cloak, placing it upon the swords as she looked around. His eyes caught her tattoo in the dim lightning of the room yet for some odd reason he could not help himself. His right hand moved up almost on its own, his warm fingers touching along her back tracing along the snake tattoo. He had no idea why he was drawn to it as his fingers slid down upon the ruby eyes before down the long twisted tail as he backed up. Heat raising to his face as if set upon fire with a blush as he looked down upon the ground.

"Sorry...I don't know what came a hold of me..." He said softly after he touched her, examining her detailed tattoo unsure of how she would had reacted or if she would had taken it as a threat of sorts.

As she asked upon the Pavi he just had to shake his head towards her. "No..not that I know of. All of theses books and items you see are really copies with the true books sealed from here...most if not all of them are in common due to the demand of the city yet...but...if I knew the language and if you had a book in question I could make it and copy it for you. Another job I do here is to copy books and such...Yet I don't know anyone who knows that language."

He did not take any guesses of her race from her eyes nor from her body. He just saw her as Ryjaoka. Was he odd for thinking that? Maybe but he did not seem to mind for the most case. He had no reaction of fear of her nor anything about her.

"Yeah, you are fine. The shop owner just does not like people overall. Why he runs a store like this is past me but you are fine. Do you see anything you like?" He asked with a smile as she came near him once more.

"Do you have any more tattoos? It seems you have had that for some time yet whoever made it knew what they were doing..." He said bringing up her tattoo that he just traced with his fingers, a small blush still forming upon his face and the small thought of he was glad of the dim lights maybe she would not take notice or say anything even if he had no idea why he was blushing after touching her.

Her skin did feel much warmer upon his finger tips for even now he could still feel the heat of her back as he closed his hand slightly forming a fist as he moved his hands behind his back looking towards her and the pile of books near her.

"Pavi...Drykas speak it but not sure how many would be willing to teach it. Yet I don't want to make the assumptions of why you would like books made in it..You will tell me when you are ready and I will not have to ask."

They were simple words yet he meant each one towards her as he spoke them. If she was part Dryka then she would share it in time as his light blue eyes met her green jade like eyes. It was more then a sign of trust but a sign of friendship for him towards her.

Maybe he would share what he knew and more if and when she did open up towards him. He had never really held many friends if any in his life. Only his family and even then he could not call them friends not even his twin sister. Dominac was far from a friend but a boss and that was it. All his teachings when he did teach were just for the shop and that was it in the end. He was more alone then he liked to admit or even think about and he let the sadness show towards her in his eyes before he looked down.

He was not sure if he was ashamed or just unable to hold eye contact with her about it. He was not sure how she would had taken it but he was so unsure of anything with her he did not think about it that much right now. Why was he he acting like this towards her when they just met? So many questions came to mind yet no sign of any answers were in sight but maybe he did not need the answers. Maybe they both were seeking something out.

What was it that he really wanted to ask her? That thought came upon his head as the thunder above ringed loud as if the gods were fighting once more in the sky. He did not jump but he did not like the sound of the storm as his body froze slightly in the room. What was it that he wanted to say? Was he so unsure like a little rabbit in the wild? Was she the wolf if he was the rabbit or was she the free hawk bound by nothing but by her own whims?

Yet he did not ask anything as he looked back at her. He felt in time if she wanted him to know something of her she would share in her own way. A smile came upon his lips once more yet it was the type of smile that told a child it was okay and they understood why they feared the dark. A understanding smile for her that he would not pass judgment on her.

Maybe she did find a guide in the Rearing Stallion. Just not a guide she was asking for but what she was truly searching for. He had no idea why he was in that place today but maybe the gods wanted him to meet her. Or maybe he was mistaken but would it matter in the end? Why did he take a seat with her and talk to her? Why did she join him? So many questions yet maybe it was meant to be if one did go with that saying. Maybe the gods were watching upon this day as the storm outside raged about.