[Flashback] Stalking a Konti [Islena]

[Azeran]

Timestamp: 16th of Spring, AV 463

There she was, that Konti woman he had seen so often. He probably wouldn't have seen her so much if he hadn't been intentionally looking for her, following her, and waited. Azeran had never been this fond of a woman. Sure, he had been searching for a strong healthy female that he could produce a son with, and he was dedicated to just that. A human wouldn't do, there were so many complications that could arise, premature death, miscarriage, being psychotic and suicidal from the fear of her own death. A kelvic wouldn't do, even though most Akalak saw no problem with it, there was something about it that made Azeran uneasy, a kelvic. What if his son was more prone to animalistic behavior because of it? What if his darker half was more of a beast than what they were already known to be? No, it wouldn't do. But then there was this woman, a Konti, beautiful red lips, those eyes that could see into the soul, or so he felt. All Konti Nakivak were taken so quickly, they were known to survive the birthing process so well, they seemed to accept the duty, no, actually embrace it with dignity. And did I mention the beauty? Azeran was so young though, only forty-six, and being around woman so few times made him, quite simply, awkward around them. He was taught that a Nakivak was just supposed to be approached and claimed, and now after all these days of following her, she actually was ready for claiming, ripe for the picking. Azeran nodded to himself as he stepped up, hastily walking towards the blonde from behind, though not trying to seem too aggressive nor too timid at the same time, and he tapped her on the shoulder. She was so small that he could have sworn he had two full feet of height on her. "Excuse me." Azeran spoke in clear Tukant without even wondering if the girl knew the Akalak language at all. He continued to speak after a bit of hesitation. "Do you have a Talvis?" Azeran was obviously nervous, he had noticed the silver bracelet on her arm, meaning she wasn't pregnant, she was ready for breeding, but he, for some reason, could not muster the courage to simply demand she fulfill her contract.

[Islena]

It had been quite intentional, her appearences in the most obvious of places, always just a few steps ahead yet seemingly unaware of the Akalak that tailed her. Islena calmly moved along the street, the pale blue fabric of her dress kicking up as she stepped around various puddles or raised cobbles. The delicate Konti woman slipped gracefully between the tents of the market, her sharp gaze flickering about as she passed each booth. As intent as she was on finding the proper ingredients for her latest experiment, Islena was also extremely aware of the man that followed her. It took all the willpower she possessed to keep her face neutral and to suppress the smile that twitched the corners of her lips. She had seen him around before, and had instantly felt what could have only been described as a pull towards the Akalak. Was it what she had been waiting for? Or another false alarm, another empty hope? Either way, quiet and demure as she was, Islena had to find a way to procure his attentions. She stopped then, at a booth filled brimming with fish. Her left hand moved to brush absently at the silver bracelet that hung there, new and heavy as it chaffed against her skin. Of course, with her luck, she would find the pull after offering herself up to Akalak as a Nakivak. The idea of being used for breeding stock didn't seem to bother the small woman, as she was just as likely to produce a daughter of her own. Not to mention, after wandering her entire life...now she was welcomed with open arms, and given a status above that which she ever thought possible. A small flare of romanticism even twittered "love" in the back of her head, one day. But Islena crushed that thought like a bug beneath her heel as she heard a movement behind her. "Excuse me. Do you have a Talvis?" Turning slowly, Islena let both of her hands move to clasp behind her back. She did smile then, tilting her head back to meet the intense gaze of the man that approached her. Success. However, her Takuant was horrible, and Islena was left standing there quietly, staring, as she translated what she wanted to say from Konyinese to Common and then into what little she knew of Tukant. "No, don't. Just here, new. Uh..." He would think her daft and slow. Though she was not one to be easily flustered or rushed, a blush did start to spread across her neck, from below her ears and across her exposed collarbones. With a sigh, Islena dropped her gaze to the cobbles and plunged on, grateful at least that she had learned enough of the Akalak language to be able to present her case to the council. This is what she began repeating now. "I... been in Riverfall for not very long. Traveled most of life and decided was time to settle?" She had unintentionally intoned the phrase as a question, quite unused to the cadences and oddities of the language. Maybe he would take her odd cadence and lack of intonation as nervousness and lack of skill, rather than lack of intelligence. There was a tiny shift of her shoulders then, a shrug as she quietly gave up trying to explain anymore. Icey blue eyes shifted once more to lock with his own gaze, holding her attentions on him with an expression of calmn, quiet interest- even though her heart was pounding madly.

[Azeran]

Azeran thought he had been doing very well in the whole stalking of this blond foreigner, he truly was proud of himself whenever he approached and she seemed to not notice him shadowing her for who-knows-how-long. If only he had known that she was, perhaps, even baiting him into this, he might have rethought about this... but that was still unlikely. Azeran was pressured into mating, sure, but it was more than that that fueled his desire to speak to this girl. He wanted her, it was that plain and simple. He wanted her. He wasn't desperate enough to reproduce to get a Kelvic pet, nor was he so willing to make a son that he would use a woman that was more likely to die than survive to even see her son. Azeran knew he wanted to see a son, why wouldn't a mother want to see her child just as badly? Azeran took a long time to gather his courage to approach, he knew he had no natural beauty, no glamorous appeal, and she could literally have any Akalak man in the city, which was a fairly large number. Why would she pick him? She was dressed nice, the dress, everything about her, and he himself, barefoot, wearing only lightweight and baggy pants and shirt. Really, he had no reason to feel comfortable in approaching the Konti, yet he was already glad he did. However, hearing the woman speak, he instantly realized the foolishness, not in approaching, but in how he did it. He expected, just because it felt natural of course, that she knew Tukant as well as he did. It was just silly to assume so. He nodded as he listened to Islena speak, not assuming her to be mentally slow or handicapped at all, it was a simple explanation. She wasn't an Akalak, she wasn't from Riverfall. In attempt to find common ground, Azeran merely smiled and switch his dialect to what he assumed would be best. Common, the common language for common ground. Many races knew it. Azeran himself was no linguist by any means though, his knowledge of Common was about as good as Islena know Tukant, if not worse so. It was worth a shot though. "My, Azeran." The Akalak patted his chest several times with his open hand as he tried to introduce himself in Common. He smiled, showing the great white teeth, which contracted heavily with the strong blue skin. The obvious blush in the woman's face was hard not to notice. Her face, and even part of her chest it seemed to glow a bright red as she had to divert her gaze to their feet. She explained again in her Tukant tongue that she was new to Riverfall, she was looking to settle down? Azeran nodded, not convinced she knew what she was getting into as a Nakivak. Most Akalak wouldn't care, but every now and then, there was one Akalak that was just a little different, cared a little more. Azeran would crouch low, nearly resting his behind on his raised ankles, putting the two of them much closer in height, but as she was standing, actually put her eye level above his. That was an odd feeling, looking up at someone. He grinned childishly as he patted himself once again. He would try Common to get his point across once more. "Settle with Azeran?" There was the request, well, it was supposed to be more like 'Will you accept me as your Talvis, I'll take care of you and make sure your contract is settled', but his lacking knowledge in Common limited it severely. Still, he grinned, more out of nervousness of being rejected. He knew very well he could go to the council, and she'd have no choice, but honestly, that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted a wife someday.

[Islena]

"Settle with Azeran?" Confusion on those delicate features, blue eyes widening unto an owlish expression of shock. First of all, by "settle" the woman had not meant hunker down for a life of happy servitude, finally having found her lot in life, but more along the lines of "Eh....It could be worse, and I'm tired of being travel stained." However, Azeran had taken her by surprise. She was naught but five days in the city and in her knew position with him already upon her. Yes, she had been approached by others and was fully aware that she had no choice in the matter. But they all changed their minds, for one reason or another, leaving her wandering, waiting for the councils decision as to what exactly she could to do for the city. With no skills other than a curious fascination with cooking, Islena was sure she was low on the desirable list. She knew little of the Akalak's other than she was there to... produce for them. However, in such ways that the Konti age, Islena was barely older than the blossoming of her teenage years. Perhaps that was why most had changed their minds... Tearing herself away from silent internal struggles, the small woman turned that confused, shocked face and looked a bit down at Azeran, which was a weird gesture all by it's self. Managing a small smile, though her eyes were still huge and wide, she placed a hand on his arm, wordlessly urging him to raise. "Not right down there. I have a choice? I was under the impression I did not..But I've noticed you a few times. You're correct for me." She was fluent in common, and felt a little twinge of amusement at his attempt to help her better understand, also always and almost embarrassingly honest. "Please, use your language. If you can understand me in Common, I will just translate and respond as this until I am to learn better." She was stiff and formal, her hands re-clasped behind her back. The wind was blowing a bit now, and her dress fluttered about her ankles, a shiver taking her form; though it was unclear the origin on such a warm day. "I um....Yes?" She tried again in Tukant, and apparently she could only phrase things in question form. With a rare, bright smile Islena shifted to the booth behind her, finishing the purchase she had begun, and taking wrapped package of fish into her hand before turning back to him. Blue eyes had lost their panicked shock and now raked over Azeran's form with a bit more interested. Liking what she saw, but attempting to keep her face neutral, she took a deep breath for more questions... and saw the buttons on his shirt and pants. "Oh..." She gasped a little bit, fidgeting a bit before looking back to his face "May I have one, please? Of the buttons?"

[Azeran]

Azeran had watched her intently, the slightest signs of emotion, or even things they may have just been natural motions, such as twitching or wandering eyes were captured by the Akalak. He was trying desperately to grasp what it is she was thinking, what she was trying to say, and since their words were obviously ill equipped to relay to each other, he was over compensating with such careful watching over Islena. It was the reason his own features got a genuine look of concern when his mistook her confusion with being upset. He began to assume it was as he feared. He was young, wasn't bold enough, and though he was tall, strong, and carved like a piece of art, he wasn't particularly beautiful. It all made sense that she would detest such an idea as being in a contract with him. He felt her hand, as small as it was rest on his arm, she wanted him to stand tall again. He shrugged lightly and obeyed, lifting himself to nearly two full feet above her own once again. He continued to peer at her, now from above though. The Akalak shook his head slowly. "Nakivak no choice. Azeran... Azeran yes." He still tried the common tongue, even though the stuttering, the hesitation, and choice of words themselves were difficult enough to get through. He tried again, knowing that the odd flow of Common was failed, he spoke in his native tongue. "Nakivak don't have a say, typically. But I don't want to force you into something you don't want." Did she know Tukant enough to understand what he was trying to say? He wouldn't give up, there was something that told him to keep trying to communicate with her. Then she said yes, as a question? No, certainly not, the Tukant language was so lengthy, she must have just tossed in an incorrect tone. But still, she said yes? It was so odd, to think that he would actually find someone like this, who voluntarily accepted him? Perhaps she didn't understand what he asked of her, or maybe she didn't mean to say yes. Azeran followed her gaze to his chest, wondering what it was that she saw, a spider? Was she afraid of spider and one was crawling on him? Buttons? The Akalak looked back up at Islena after she asked for one of the buttons. he smirked lightly as he pointed to the neck of his shirt, prodding the small circular object idly. "Button?" Azeran chuckled lightly as he grabbed it, pulling it free from the fragile threads that were holding it in place. Then held it in his open palm so that she could pluck it from his possession. "Your Name." Azeran tilted his head slightly to the left as he mentioned her name. She hadn't yet said what he should call her, and since 'Nakivak' was more of a general term than a personal title, it probably wouldn't sound pleasant.