Precision Marketing (Khara)

by **Zhol** on February 22nd, 2015, 9:34 pm

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Zhol's hand fidgeted with the parcel of beads he'd tucked into his pocket. They were the ones Khara wanted, he hoped; the ones that she had been looking at when they'd passed the stall earlier, the same sort of fiery gold that she had told him about on their trip to the Lakes, knowledge that he had engraved into his mind as too important to forget. He'd circled back to the stall and bought them, part of his intentionally slowed return to where he had abandoned Khara. His earlier anxiety, at the prospect of having left her when she might need him, had morphed into a fresh anxiety of how she might feel if he rushed back too quickly. Yes, he was constantly worried for her safety; but if he didn't keep his distance long enough, what if she took it as meaning he didn't have faith in her, or as meaning he didn't think she could look after herself? That was the dilemma he wrestled with now, as he forced himself to browse the wares of yet another stall, to make the return trip just a few chimes longer.

The stall he'd ended up at had another incomprehensibly Nari name on the sign, but if he had to guess, it was probably called Outdoor Things. Zhol recognised the winter boots and the katinu that the hunters and game scouts used at this time of year. There were ropes, and tools, and things - not as fancy a selection as there had been over at the blacksmith stalls, mind you - as well as bedrolls, fire starters, camping equipment; Zhol had half a mind to buy an Inartan tent, just out of sheer curiosity.

He knew what he was looking for, though - or at least, he had a decent idea. There was something Khara had said one time; something she had alluded to occasionally; her belief at how disappointed her mother was that Khara had been a scout, not a huntress. That was how Khara lived her life: burdened by that belief of disappointment, her resigned acceptance that she was as inferior as Wind Reach told her she was. Whether or not she had been incapable of becoming a huntress while she was a Yasi, Zhol couldn't possibly know; but her trips with Azira, that moose, her slowly rising prestige amongst the scouts? Even if it was true then, that didn't mean it was true now, and it didn't mean it would be true forever. Khara was so resigned to her position though, so sadly accepting of her place in the grand scheme of things that she'd lost all will to try.

Zhol would change that; or at least, he'd tried to. That was the reason for the twenty-five pinions he had just counted into the merchant's palm; that was the reason for the toolkit, the vital supplies that every hunter needed, that the merchant was currently wrapping and marking with delivery instructions for Zhol's room in the commons. Yes, it wasn't something that a mere game scout needed; but it was something Khara wanted - or at least, it represented something that Khara wanted to be, and if it managed to nudge her towards a little more faith and confidence in herself, all the better.

He thanked the merchant in broken Nari, before turning back into the market crowd, hand fiddling with the contents of his pocket again. Had this been long enough? Had he given Khara the space she needed and deserved? He certainly hoped so. He couldn't bear to make himself stay away any longer.

by **Khara** on February 22nd, 2015, 11:08 pm

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When all was said and done Khara had ended up with another pair of bryda to go along with the more revealing vinati, Leyla insisting that they needed to match and she simply couldn't let Khara walk away with only half an outfit, not for one with such special intent.

Still, there was no denying that she felt better once dressed back in the plain undyed clothing that would from now on be relegated to work only. Part of her had considered wearing the more modest outfit right then and there, but before Khara could make her mind up about such a thing, Leyla was already bundling up the items and preparing them for delivery later in the day.

It was as the seamstress was packing up the more intricate outfit that Khara found herself looking away from several embroidery swatches, one of a simplistic yet beautiful feather design particularly drawing her attention.

"Uhm," Khara interrupted, meekly but it was more than enough for Leyla to look back up. She eyed the swatches next to the Chiet knowingly before turning back to the girl with a smile. "D-do you think, you could so something like this... On the bryda?"

For a tick or two Leyla's expression almost seemed to verge on shrewd, as if calculating something about the Chiet but no sooner had the expression showed than it softened once more. "I can," she admitted, drawing out the word far longer than it probably was necessary.

Khara almost left it there, panic welling up inside of her at the prospect of asking the Avora for more than she had already been willing to indulge the scout. "W-would you?"

Leyla's face broke out into a broad smile and an amused breath of a laugh left her. "Of course. It will cost quite a bit extra though, you understand?"

Khara nodded once more and that seemed good enough for the seamstress who took out a small slip of paper and made a few notes with an ink stick. "It will have to be gold, I think; to match the design on the vinati, of course. Those little accents will remind him of your eyes," Leyla paused and glanced up towards the Chiet. "They're very pretty, as I'm sure your horse boy is well aware."

Another sheepish smile, another round of blushing, but before Khara could become fully lost in her self-conscious nature Leyla looked up and past her, the same cheeky smile that had been flashing across her throughout the transaction showed once again. "Ah, and here he comes. Right on time."

"Nari" | "Common" | "Pavi"

by **Zhol** on February 23rd, 2015, 12:13 am

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Khara was in her own clothes again. That was a good sign.

That was a good sign, wasn't it?

Zhol's pace quickened, and then slowed, then quickened again, indecisive over whether he should rush or arrive at a more casual pace. When Leyla glanced up and saw him, he almost stumbled, teetering on the cusp between the two speeds; slowness took over then, mixed with the self-conscious effort to not embarrass himself - and Khara - while people were watching.

As he stepped into the stall, a reflex took hold, a hand rising as if he were about to rest it against the small of Khara's back. He stopped himself, curled his fingers closed and forced his hand to his side. Khara had been edgy enough about being measured; best not to make that any worse by exposing her to any more physical contact that she might not really want.

He offered a small smile to Leyla, and then turned his gaze sheepishly on Khara, unable to keep a slight tremble of worry out of his voice. "Is everything okay? Was I gone too long?"

by **Khara** on February 23rd, 2015, 12:52 am

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Maybe it was everything Leyla had said, maybe it was the fact that the worst was over, but as Zhol stepped closer to her Khara felt a bit more self-assured than she had the entire day. The way he asked her brought on another smile and she reached up and gently let her fingertips trail down his cheek.

"Everything is okay. Better now that you are here." Khara tried to be as reassuring as possible. Part of her was convinced it would have been better if Zhol had stayed - the rest, however, was thinking about how he would have seen what she had chosen to buy. The more simple outfit was okay, but the other? That one would be exactly as she had said: a surprise. Hopefully not a bad one.

Her hand slowly trailed away from his skin and she walked over to where she had put her backpack down and began rummaging through it for the rather shocking price that Leyla had said the clothing would cost. She was determined to pay for the more luxurious items herself before Zhol had arrived, but he had reappeared sooner than expected; not that that was a bad thing.

Leyla seemed to understand what Khara had in mind, or at least the Chiet hoped she did. It was the only thing that Khara could think of for why the seamstress took that exact moment to quickly turn her attention towards Zhol. "Is that everything, then? Or do I get to work my magic on you today as well?"

"Nari" | "Common" | "Pavi"

by **Zhol** on February 23rd, 2015, 1:49 am

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"Can I afford to let you?" he joked out of reflex, though a moment later a hiccup of second thought surged through his mind, prompting him to seek out Khara's gaze again and offer her the most reassuring smile he could muster. He wondered if this was all; not just for the stall, but for the market; wondered if this might be his opportunity to whisk Khara away, and insist that she spend the rest of the day cured up beside him, the way that she had spent the previous night.

He forced those thoughts aside, though it was like trying to shift a stubborn mule that did not want to be moved in the slightest, and Zhol knew the instant he stopped pushing those thoughts would simply trot back out to pasture in his consciousness.

"It's cold?" he thought aloud, a moment later realising how stupid an observation it was to make; of course it was cold, it was Winter in Wind Reach. That was like pointing out to Leyla that rain was wet. "The jacket I bought last season is fantastic for work, but the rest of the time, I -"

He hesitated, a flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks as he realised who he was talking to. "- I guess I'm just not as accustomed to the cold as you Inartans are."

Leyla's light chuckle eased his shame a little, but it was the way that Khara's hand gently wrapped around his that disarmed it completely. He glanced towards her, holding her gaze and offering a smile as he let his fingers interweave with hers. It was a strange feeling, but a wonderful one: with Khara at his side, with her hand in his, nothing else seemed to matter; no shame or challenge or danger seemed worth more than the faintest thought.

"You need layers," Leyla began to explain, but she stopped herself, realising how distracted her audience appeared to be. For a moment she hovered on the edge of frustration, but her mood slumped backwards, setting into a resigned passive enjoyment of watching the two interact. She heaved out an exasperated sigh, finally managing to earn back Zhol's attention. "How about you leave me a few extra pinions, and I'll pick out a few items for you; have them sent to your room. That way, you two can go off and -" She waved a hand dismissively. "- be adorable, or whatever it is you have planned for the rest of the day."

Another pang of embarrassment threatened to rampage across Zhol's face, but the stubborn thought mule trotted out into his mind again, and he couldn't muster the determination to shoo it away again.

"Thank you," he replied, genuinely, a little squeeze applied to Khara's hand. A few more moments, a few paces, a secluded corner for the kiss he was aching for...

He forced himself to focus. "How much is that all together?"

Leyla considered the numbers for a moment, scribbling down a few on a convenient scrap of paper. "Lets call it a round eighteen."

Zhol's eyebrows rose in surprise, not at the expense, but rather the opposite. His eyes turned to Khara, another gentle application of pressure to her fingers. "That's all? You sure there's not more that you want?"

by **Khara** on February 23rd, 2015, 2:33 am

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Khara shook her head softly, tussling the copper strands of her hair. "No, I good."

A mischievous smile crept across her features as she quickly slipped from Zhol's grasp and with an internal cringe, handed Leyla the extra pinions for the far more expensive of her outfits. Zhol had insisted on buying the one, after all. Seventeen pinions, for two garments, one of which could hardly be considered any reasonable amount of fabric at all. Compared with what Zhol had gotten for less, Khara almost began to doubt her sanity. Still, it felt nice to buy herself something that wasn't second-hand or among the cheapest things available. She could afford it and once again she couldn't help but hope that Zhol would like the vinati as much as she had.

Leyla offered a wink before Khara returned to Zhol's side, fingertips once more lacing with his, she couldn't help but practically beam at the quizzical expression that tugged at his brow. "Told you; secret."

Lightened of both pinions and heart the two set off back into the crowd. Given everything that Khara had already accomplished she couldn't help but feel like she was finished with the Market. The small added bit of confidence from her time at Bare Threads under Leyla's small tutelage made her reluctant to cut things short, though. There was still so much more of the market to see, and Khara had a feeling that Zhol hadn't experienced half of it.

"Are you hungry?" She asked. "There's some stalls that sell things to eat. Not meals, sweeter things and stuff you cannot get at the kitchens. It's where I got Dru the pie at her party. We can look around, at least?"

"Nari" | "Common" | "Pavi"

by **Zhol** on March 2nd, 2015, 11:34 pm

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Zhol was hungry, and so he'd happily agreed to Khara's suggestion, letting her guide them through the crowds to the source of all the delicious and tempting scents that had been wafting throughout the market all day. If Zhol was honest - which he was reluctant to be in this instance, given how much thought and effort Khara had put into it - he hadn't actually liked the peach pie at Drusilla's birthday. It wasn't unpleasant, he just wasn't a fan of peaches; and since that was his first experience of that type of pastry treat, it hadn't filled him with an insatiable desire for more. But then they'd arrived at the market stall, and one sentence had made the prospect of more pie irresistible; not because of what it was, but what it meant.

Hand picked from the Cherry Grove.

It had only been a few days since he and Khara had visited, their very first day spent together with their feelings out in the open; it was a memory that Zhol clung to with all his might, hoping that not even a single detail of it would fade. With the prospect of a food that reminded him of that, how could he possibly refuse?

The pie had been parcelled, and was currently tucked carefully under Zhol's arm, Khara tucked carefully under the other. Every few paces, the urge to scoop her in his arms and hold her against him became almost too overwhelming to ignore; he sated himself with stolen kisses planted atop her head, or against her fingers, or gentle squeezes of her hand just in case she forgot that he was there. Every time she glanced in his direction, every time their eyes met, his heart leapt and fluttered; every moment that she didn't, his heart ached for her to do it again. He was falling, more and more with each passing chime, but instead of scrabbling for the sides, or grabbing for a hand-hold, all he wanted - everything he wanted - was to cling to Khara, and whisper how much he loved her until the end of his days.

Of course, there were still things to buy. Khara had wanted coloured inks for some project that she was working on; something that Khara had sheepishly agreed to allow the eager Zhol to know about once they left the market. It was wrong of him, perhaps; Greedy, maybe; but he wanted to know all and everything about her, about her life, about her day, about her work, about her dreams; and he wanted her to know the exact same about him, and wanted her to want to. He had known how it felt to have Khara remove herself from his life; he knew that void, and that agony; and was desperate to never feel it again. Perhaps the closer they got, the more intricately they braided their lives together, the more it became their life rather than their lives, the harder it would be for Khara to ever be gone.

It was selfish, greedy, and almost certainly wrong... but if the alternative was never knowing how it felt to be on the receiving end of her smile, then his actions weren't even a choice.

He shuffled uncomfortably as they meandered away from the last market stall, colour rising to his cheeks, eyes sheepishly paying attention to his boots more than anything else. "Can we go home now?" he asked, his voice timid, his hand gripping hers just a little tighter. "I -"

His face turned redder. His eyes glanced in her direction, though couldn't quite manage to hold her gaze. He regretted the sentence even beginning, wishing that he could implode in upon himself and undo those syllables. "I miss having you to myself."

by **Khara** on March 3rd, 2015, 1:39 am

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Khara's fingers tightened around Zhol's hand just a bit more at the question. As much as it felt good to actually be able to finally relax around a larger crowd, there was no denying the quiet constant inner plea to retreat away from it all. Stubbornness had kept her from listening to it too much, a bit of determination dredged up and clung to so that she could not only do something normal, but also pick up the few things she had been meaning to for quite some time. Now that she had accomplished that, though? It was exactly what she wanted to do.

There was no real point in lingering, after all. She had promised to show Zhol the work journal she had started, even if there wasn't much to it. There was a pie to share, parcels to await arrival of once the market was done for the day. Not to mention the occasional lingering judgmental glares that Khara caught sight of as they had made their way through the market.

Even without all of those things, it was the simple fact that Zhol had asked that was more than enough reason to leave. Truth of the matter was, she missed just having Zhol alone as well, or maybe it was more of being alone with Zhol. No matter how she phrased it in her mind it sounded wrong, but that was the benefit of your own thoughts, Khara supposed, at least she knew what she actually meant and didn't have to try and explain it.

"Yes," Khara responded with another gentle squeeze of Zhol's hand before she wrapped her free arm around his so she could once more pull herself against him. "I would like that. I like being only yours."

The crowded market was once more navigated, this time towards the strangely open in comparison warrens beyond. An emptiness that normally unnerved her was now a welcome thing. Though, even if the perceived need to be as close to Zhol as possible to avoid others was now gone, Khara didn't for an instant let go as as they made their way back to Zhol's room, she knew she had no intentions to.

ooc :

"Nari" | "Common" | "Pavi"

by **Verilian** on March 12th, 2015, 11:42 pm

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Thread Award

Zhol

+4 Flirting
+1 Intimidation
+2 Rhetoric
+1 Meditation

Lores: Returning to the Market, Courtship Techniques: The Arm Crook, Giving words of Encouragement, Remembering Past Failures, Tearing down the Lies, Public Displays of Affection, Forever is Okay

Khara

+3 Flirting
+1 Rhetoric
+3 Seduction

Lores: Facing Your Fears, Crooking Arms with Zhol, The Mistreatment of Knives, Asking for a Birthday Present, Purchasing a Bowstring, Zhol always wants to be with Me, Public Displays of Affection, Forever is Okay, Facing the Seamstress, Being Brave for the Benefit of Zhol, What Boys Want to See, A Lesson in Fashion and Seduction, Seduction: What Makes Clothing Sexy, How to be Nervous but still Inviting

Overall Expenses: The expenses you listed all look good. For the services and items without a price I had judged them at a miza or less, so no worries there. Please edit your ledgers/inventory to reflect the purchases, if you haven't already.

Notes:

Great thread, guys! Who knew shopping could be so emotional? Always love reading you guys. If you feel there are any skills/lores I missed, feel free to ask. I didn't really see a whole lot to reward, as far as skills go. Khara, I awarded you points in seduction for the advice the seamstress gave you, in case you were wondering. Keep up the good work, and keep writing!

Also, please edit your post in the request thread to reflect that it has been graded.

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