PM to join Look, Soup! [Maya Lark]

[Tierra]

27th Fall 517 Tierra was sitting in the kitchen on a small stool to her right was a rather large sack of root vegetables that needed to be washed and peeled, sitting right next to the sack was a pail of water on a small table. This small table only stood to Tierra's knee when she was sitting, a paring knife rested in a small puddle of water just beside the pail. Leaning against the girl's stool to her left was her backpack, shoved within it were the small jar of climbing resin, the wool gloves she was given by Sayana last season, her notebooks and her pencils. In front of her was a rather large stock pot, one the girl could fit herself into if she curled up into it – a tight fit, but a fit nonetheless. Looking into the depths of the empty pot Tie found herself wanting something to eat, anything besides the grumbling in her stomach. It wasn't that the cook and chaperones didn't feed her and the other orphans, they certainly did. Tonight's dish was something to do with the roots she was told to wash and peel. That alone wasn't unappetizing, it was the length of waiting that was though. It would take her a bell, possibly two to completely wash, peel, and chunk of up all the roots just so the staff could decide what they were going to add to it for a protein. It was most likely going to be a kind of fish and it was probably a stew... It was still early in the Fall season and they were already planning for stews. Tie grimaced at the idea as her hand pulled out a lumpy dirt tuber from the sack and swished it around in the pail. As the looser bits of dirt and skin flaked away into the water the orphan girl ran her fingers across the skin, digging out the tougher bits of dirt and debris that needed to be removed. Once she felt the tuber was cleared away enough she pulled it out of the pail and took up the small paring knife. Trying her best to not cut her finger off the girl took hold of the tuber and tried to slide the semi-sharp knife's blade underneath the skin, it bit into the root without much effort at a pretty steep angle and the girl found herself dismayed at the idea of messing up already. Pulling the blade out she place the blade at an angle against the root and pressed it towards her, this time the blade slipped into the vegetable at a much shallower angle and the orphan found she could with some effort slide the blade towards her other hand, it wasn't easy and Tierra knew she needed to be careful. Without much thinking she kept this process going for the first quarter of the tuber slowly cutting away the tough skin exterior revealing that it was a sweet potato and the orphan cared nothing of this revelation. Holding the blade in place with the thumb attached to the hand holding the potato itself Tierra ran the back of her other hand across her eyes, there was a touch of aching dryness in them. Setting the tuber and knife down beside the pail the orphan dunked her hands into the water, scrubbed them together to get rid of any starchiness on them and ran the wetness across her face and eyes, it was a bit of relief. It was just then though that Tierra realized something, she was alone. Utterly alone in the kitchen. The door to the dock was just a few feet away and she could easily just stand, grab her pack and make her way outside. Taking a deep breathe Tierra reached down with her left hand, the cheap material of her pack came into contact with her damp fingertips. Leaning down she grabbed a hold of the pack and lifted it up, her other hand reaching for the buckle that held the flap down. The tongue of strapping that was lopped through the buckle is what Tierra grabbed, she pulled it tighter as her body shifted and she swung the pack around her body. It landed against her back with a thud that caused Tierra to release her breath – unaware that she was holding it in. Slipping her arms into the pack's arm straps Tierra paused, her eyes looking down at the paring knife and tuber. Standing she grabbed a hold of the sack and poured a bunch into the large pot, their heavy and dirty scent wafting upward gagging the girl. She found some relief in the blatant act of defiance, but this was really just the beginning. Righting the sack Tie turned to the door of the kitchen and smiled, no one has come yet and the girl knew what she needed to do. Grabbing the pot of tubers she dragged it over towards the door, her shuffling steps accompanied with soft grunts of her struggle to move the heavy pot. She stopped short of the door that acted as a thin barrier between corridor and kitchen. Tierra stood straight, panting as her eyes stared at the door, without a second thought though she placed her left shoe-clad foot against the rim of the tuber filled pot and pushed it towards the door. It landed with a thud and clang as the tubers rolled out in a spreading avalanche of starch filled root goodness. She paused and then quickly turned the other direction, grabbing the sack of tubers and dragging them forcefully behind her as she opened the door tossed the tubers so they landed just on the other side of the door's frame and she stepped through the opening. Shutting the door behind her the girl pulled the tubers sack up and rested it on a knee as she tied one corner of the sack's opening to the door's handle, the other she tied to the nearby post that held a small sign denoting the location's name. The weight between the two objects was heavy and the post was not exactly as strong and young as it was and it was pulled towards the door as the girl removed her knee from the sack of tubers. The door's handle pulled towards the outside world, it wouldn't stop the handle from turning but it would make the door a struggle to pull open. Looking around the backside of the orphanage she tried to find away to get away and fast. Trying to get a boatman was not going to be possible they would most likely report back to Ms Sonja and that just would not do, so she needed another way, the building ran to both sides of her and rounded, she took to her right, and as she turned the corner she found a small bridge, a simple wooden construct that hung between the two platforms. Tie didn't pause once she found it and took to running across it, turning back the direction she had faced when she originally left the orphanage and started that direction, around another small building and the orphan paused, hidden by the smaller building from windows and doors alike of the orphanage. Leaning against the small building wall she dropped her pack to the ground and pulled out a notebook and pencil, scribbled down the words 'bridge to right from back door.' Tierra didn't think of the direction from the canal or the building, but she wrote it down from her perspective. Tucking the paper and pencil back into her back the girl stood. Tightening down the flap before she took off looking for the next boatless way across the canals of Ravok. Tierra had no idea where she was going, but anything beat peeling tubers and roots for tonight's dinner. Two bells later of finding small bridges and planks laid across the canals the girl find herself in a part of the city she didn't know enough of about. Something about the location struck the girl as familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Pacing the location though the girl looked around, her eyes wandering around from location to location, from building to building, from person to person. After some time though Tierra just found herself sitting at the edge of the canal, watching the water ripple as the boatman calmly floated past her, their long poles pushing against buildings and platforms as they went. WC: 1415

[Maya Lark]

Maya walked out of her bedroom while popping her neck. She had not slept well the last several nights since meeting the little apprentice at the seamstresses shop. Something had not settled right in the woman's stomach about the entire situation. A loud thunk and curse caught her ears as she descended to the main floor of the manor. Walking into the kitchen, she saw her younger brother picking up a bowl that had hit the floor. Remarkably it appeared to still be in one piece instead of shattering like one had on the girl many years prior.

“Not bad little bro,” the woman said while grabbing a piece of fruit.

Taking a bite, she smirked as he screamed a little almost jumping out of his skin while panting. Another crunch sounded as he began to “scold” her for scaring him the way she had. The woman had to keep from choking on the bite from laughing at him. The girl was becoming more well known for her tactics when dealing with the slaves that did not want to listen the first time. Finally swallowing the bite with a good bit of difficulty, the woman told him that she was going out before turning on her heels and leaving. The boy had started shouting something about her parents, but much like her first day of class at the institute, she kept right on walking.

“Hm the maids always talk about a Soup House. Sounds like just the right adventure to me,” Maya said while hailing a ravosala down.

She told the woman her destination before settling back into place on the boat. The girl took a book out of her bag flipping it open. It was one of the few her great grandmother had managed to save during the great war of the gods. The girl relaxed as the ride was smooth and relatively uninteresting aside from the occasional question or two. A breeze picked up her hair causing it to block one side of her face from being seen due to the part on that side. Grunting, she made a face when a piece of hair touched her eye and irritated it. Shortly after the pair arrived not noticing the child across the way that appeared to be watching everything and nothing all at once.

“Thank you, I should not be more than an hour,” Maya said while walking into the building.

[Tierra]

A single voice caught the girl's ears as she sat there and watched the ravosalas go about their business, granted said voice had just disembarked not far from the orphan girl. Looking at the direction of the owner she tried to make mental notes, grabbing out her notebook would prove to be noticeable and Tie wanted to remain unnoticed if she could. Granted, in her garb and location it was most likely already been alerting of the Guard and they would be finding their way here shortly. Standing and shuffling her pack as she walked the girl followed closely behind the adult, trying her best to make it seem like she was tagging along without her without actually doing so. Dark hair, skin is fairly sunned. She has an attitude that makes me want to cringe. The way her target walks and carries herself tells Tierra that she is most likely some member of one of the families, or an outsider who thinks they are protected due to some kind of outside city's laws. When the lady would turn Tierra would duck behind another person or find herself looking into windows of shops as if she was window shopping, glancing back at her target as discreetly as possibleRead: Totally obvious. Once Tierra felt she was able to move with the target she did so, trying to keep her distance close but not close enough to be caught easily. She watched as the lady went into a shop, the smell of meats and vegetables wafted out tempting the poor orphan. With her grumbling stomach Tie frowned and watched from the window, That's it Yanking the door open she stepped up right next to the lady and when she ordered Tie quickly included, “Make that a double.” Hoping it beyond a wish that it would slip past the counter person and her target and be taken as one order. Of course, if she missed the cue Tie would be in a bit of a bind and she would need to figure out how to... “pay” – being an orphan meant no mizas after all. Glancing back at her target the girl took time to try and make more deductions. Certainly a member of the family, her attire is well made, certainly not like my own clothing. Shyke, I am certainly going to be noticed. Tie tried her best to look the part of a newly adopted orphan, looking down at the ground in a nervous bit if the lady looked her way. Tie's hands squeezed and opened in nervous energy. The tension and nervousness in her actions and demeanor were obvious and it looked that if with little provoking the orphan girl would turn tail and run. Another side wise glance at her target Tie saw the pack the woman carried, something protruded out of it. A bit of curiosity trickled in. Maybe all won't be lost? If Tie was caught she hoped she had a quick diversion in the way of what looked like a book residing in her targets' pack. This gave the orphan a chance to relax some, yet the nervousness still made her stand on her toes. WC: 527

[Maya Lark]

The brown haired beauty walked down the street with confidence in her stride. It did not take long for her to feel the eyes on her back. Most knew her as one of the five families and started often, but that time felt different. The woman stopped and looked into a store window using the reflections to watch for any odd behavior. Turning she continued once more feeling the stare once again, growling in the back of her throat Maya disliked someone trying to follow her. The girl had nothing to hide and therefore did not see the need in people attempting to stalk her. Jerking around the girl spotted a small dirty looking child jerk around to window of a nearby shop. Narrowing her eyes some, the woman did not advance on her and demand answers like her first instinct told her to.

“No, let's see just how far it is willing to take this charade,” Maya whispered to herself and turned as if she had never seen a thing.

It was not long before the girl stepped into the soup shop closing the door behind her. Stepping up to the counter, she looked at the menu to see what was served. Shortly after the girl could hear the door open and close once more. She glanced to her side spotting the girl from earlier as she stepped forward. Thankful for her dark thick hair, the woman was almost certain the child did not see her look over. Looking up when the owner appeared before her, Maya pulled her purse from within the bag on her hip making sure it was firm in her hand.

“What can I get for you?” the woman who called herself Rokke asked.

“Butternut Squash Cream soup,” Maya said with the normal cool often arrogant sounding voice her family had.

Her eyes snapped to her side hearing the one beside her saying something about making it double. The woman smirked and paid for both the soups. The owner took the money without looking at the child or grown female again. Turning to the child after she walked over the woman motioned for her to follow. Walking to the back of the shop, she sat on a table putting her bag between herself and the wall. Motioning for the child to sit across from her, the woman watched her movements trying to recall where the outfit she wore came from.

“You have quite a talent little one. If I wasn't trained to feel eyes on my back, I would have never noticed. Tell me where did you learn it,” Maya said crossing one leg over the other watching her.

[Tierra]

Shyke. Tierra could see her 'target' smirk as she handed over the miza for the double order. It took the girl by surprise and she almost bolted for the door. At first the orphan froze, her mind running through the actions she was about to consider – flee or try to talk this into her own good? When she realized that she was going to be getting fed and it wasn't some kind of fish stew Tie's mind settled down and the desire to be fed decent food overrode the concern of being caught. Something about this nagged at the orphan's brain as a trap, that she should just turn tail and run though. It still wasn't too late for her to run, but the aroma of the squash soup was calling to her stomach as it gurgled aloud. Following the food she sat down, not with her back to the door – a trait from her once adoption gone wrong, instead the orphan girl grabbed the chair and turned it so it faced the door at an angle and if the need arose that Tierra needed to flee quickly she had the back of the chair to act as a clue to run. Best to be prepared. Once seated though the orphan looked at at the creamy meal before her and picked up a spoon without asking, the first comment out of her target though was one about her... 'talent'. Tie shrugged, “Picked it up here and there.” Not entirely a lie, but it was a statement that blurred the reality of the how she learned it. Sneaking around the orphanage is not exactly what I have in mind in telling someone. Dipping the spoon in the soup she frowned, “I don't get how this is a soup. What is so different from this and say a juice or wine? Don't say it is because it is heated. Juices and wines can be heated too. Just look at ciders.” Tierra spoke as if she knew what she was talking about. Truth be told though Tierra had no idea if juices and wines could be heated and drank still. She didn't get juice often and wine never. Popping the spoonful of soup into her mouth the contents dumping against her tongue swished around she could taste the spices as the cream coated the interior of her mouth. It certainly was different than a stew, not necessarily in the consistency of the base – this cream soup certainly was close to some of the stews she had in the past twelve years of life – but it lacked something. Something solid. She thought. Pulling the spoon out with a pop as it escaped her pressed lips without allowing any of the precious and free soup to escape. Her eyes went back to her target, her soup spoon leaning against the rim of her bowl as she looked over the lady.. Family indeed. Not sure which one though. Afraid of the general populace must be, she didn't want to sit with her back towards the door. Also afraid that her personal belongs will be taken. Tie noted the bag between person and wall. It was this little notice that Tierra finally realized that her own pack was still pressed against her back and the chair's back. The orphan left it there, no reason in taking it off – besides, Tie knew if she needed to get away, this would allow her a chance to flee without worrying about her backpack. WC: 588

[Maya Lark]

Maya began to eat herself with a smirk letting the hot liquid glide down her throat. Licking her lips, she watched the child scarf down the meal. The woman was not surprised hearing the vague answer that the little girl gave her. The more information that was acquired, the more she wanted to use the child's unique “talent” for herself. Though the girl would need much more training before that was even considered fully. Licking a little juice from her lips, she looked at her with a smirk leaning up to make sure the child was paying attention. The girl sat sideways some so she could run if necessary.

“I could use your special talents. What do you think?” Maya asked looking at the child, “a soup is not only heated, but it is much thicker than the juice or even the wine. All can be drank hot, but the creamy smoothness of the soup is not something that will go down quickly. The juice and wine is much better cold than the soup.”

Popping her neck, the woman pushed her half finished soup to the side some while wiping her mouth. Leaning forward, she made sure that the child's attention was completely on her at all times as a soft smirk appeared on her face. She knew that it would not be hard to coax the girl before her into becoming her own personal little spy. It was just a matter of figuring out what would be her weakness, at the moment food was a very good guess on her part.

“I'm going to be open with you. My family could use someone with your “talents”. How would you like to work for us? We would send for you when needed and of course food and drink would be provided so long as you are on the job,” Maya stated and sat back crossing on leg over the other.

She appeared very relaxed while talking nonchalantly about hiring the child to be a spy for the biggest slave traders in the entire city. Reaching up the girl cleaned her teeth a little allowing her time to think about the proposition presented to her. It was not often such a thing was offered to someone her age and of her eh social standing. The Lark could clearly see that the child had to be an orphan or being made to beg on the streets by her parents. Either way the woman's offer had to sound at least a little appealing.

[Tierra]

Tie watched and listened, not because she had a mouthful of soup or because the lady before her was all that mesmerizing, no she watched because that is what she was doing… Watching, taking in details and observations. What is she thinking? The orphan girl wondered, it was revealed though that she wanted to use Tierra for her family’s wants Which family? That part is at least known. The girl shrugged setting the spoon down on the rim of her bowl of soup. A look of quizzical thought was apparent on her face. Work for them – for food and drink. That’s rich, I already get that at the orphanage. “Soup maybe thicker, at least in this case. It is quite tasty though no doubt, but what about that guy’s over there?” She lifted her spoon up and pointed to a table over with the cupped end where an older gentleman with a balding crown of white fluff atop his head was eating a broth based soup with a heap of vegetables and what looked to be some kind of noodles in it. “He’s is rather thin. His is consists of vegetables though, chunks to be exact. Personally I feel that soup is more of how it is made, not its thickness.” She smiled; at this point Tierra was really just throwing on crap to make it sound like she knew what she was talking about. “Food and drink are a start. Toss in supplies requests and a place to store them and we might have ourselves a deal.” Tie leaned forward, trying to imitate the lady before her in posture. She smirked a bit at that, trying to haggle into something she had no right owning. As the food settled in her stomach the girl yawned some, it was tough work getting from the orphanage to this plaza on foot, it didn’t help that she was still dealing with painful bruising from a few days back*This thread was started before that one, but that one’s events should be reflectively known due to IC timestamp. Settling the spoon back into her squash soup Tierra looked around, “I think soup is actually more of how it is made. See juices and wines are squished. Soups aren’t. They are a liquid – water in most cases I hear – that is flavored by the contents added to into the liquid and then the full concoction is either left to simmer and flavor each other or it gets turned into a blended item like this soup.” She lifted her spoon with some of the cream soup in it and tipped it back towards the bowl, emphasizing the end of her statement with a drizzling of soup back into the bowl. The soup conversation was a ploy, a gimmick to the others around them so that their real conversation was ignored in passing. Tierra only hoped that the older lady – her ‘target’ – realized Tie’s attempt at concealing. Once more leaning forward the girl glanced around briefly, “Tell me. What is your name? You said your family. So I can only guess you are one of the big ones.” The girl’s voice went softer, more out of respect of the person before her than it was for the other occupants. If she really is one of the families she could easily take my request. She could also just whip me senseless and leave me for dead. Tierra winced at that thought, as hard as she tried to keep it hidden it was obvious. WC: 567

[Maya Lark]

Maya watched the child with a knowing smirk. She glanced over to the side keeping up the act of discussing soup with a young child. The dark haired woman listened to the young girl as she countered her offer. Thinking of the house for a moment, the young Lark was having a hard time deciding where would be best for the chest. Her family normally goes through everything that is brought in unless it was placed in someone's room. The girl figured her room would be the smartest place to keep anything the little one deemed hers. Looking at her for another moment the woman smirked.

“I think that can be arranged. Anything you have will be stored in my room so no one bothers it,” Maya stated.

She smirked raising her voice back to normal pitch responding to the child's observation of the vegetable soup the elderly man was eating. A slightly evil smile graced her lips when the child asked her what her family name was. Leaning back and crossing her arms, the woman asked for two glasses of ice water from the server. Watching the pair were soon left alone once again making it the perfect time to speak.

“My name is Maya Lark. I would like to know yours as well should we work together and where to find you,” Maya spoke quietly watching the girl's expression change instantly, “most soups are made much like the vegetable soup you see. Some have meat, some vegetables, some are made thick like this squash soup, but you are not wrong in believing most have a water based broth.”

The woman nodded and thanked the man when he put their drinks down and asked if they needed anything else. Telling him no, he bowed some knowing her status before walking away from the table. Looking to the young girl again the woman allowed her to ask any questions that were needed before deciding whether or not to take the deal. If she didn't, the dark haired lady had already decided to drag her back to wherever she came from. That was should the girl be living at the orphanage.

“Seeing as you have a hard time looking discreetly at someone, my younger siblings would help you learn how to hone your skills,” Maya explained some not intimidated at all by her position, but rather impressed that she was already trying.

[Tierra]

Tierra smiled as she leaned forward to respond, “In your room? And how do you assume I would be able to... Get to the items in question? I can't just very well walk into your home I imagine it is pretty well guarded.” A look of shock graced Tierra's face as the lady spoke her name, it was clearly visible. Luckly though, this was the exact time that the waiter returned bearing with him the two glasses of iced waters. When they were promptly set on the table the orphan picked hers up gently yet hurriedly, feeling the cold seeping from the cup as she lifted the rim of it to her lips and took a mighty gulp from the chilled drink within. The name came from the older of the duo causing Tie to struggle with choking for a second. Coughing as she set the glass down she blinked, a look of surprise on her face visible before Tierra could remove it from her face and once more she took a sip of ice water, both to calm her pained throat and to attempt to hide her shock .Petch me a Lark. Tierra wanted to fumble back into her pack on her back and grab out her notebook and pencil, it was buried in there... To do that though Tierra had to take her attention away from the Lark and shift her pack from her back. It was a dangerous move for the girl to do. She wants my name... What do I tell her? Tierra? No no... That is too obvious... Ra? No no, that sounds off... Era? No no... Tie... No. Damn it. “Rae. You can call me Rae.” Yet again Tierra didn't want to just... Give up her name to someone she barely knew, who knows who this Maya Lark worked for. Where to contact me if I am needed? When the conversation went back to soup Tierra nodded, “Yes I get that. Isn't that what I said though? Soup is flavored and created by what it is made. So vegetables and meat... Just vegetables. So on.” Tierra nodded and took a sip of the water before her. Setting the water back down on the table she leaned forward and whispered, “Why would your siblings help someone else? That doesn't sound like it would be of any benefit for them.” Picking up her spoon she pointed at her soup and then at Maya. Dipping the end of her spoon into her soup the orphan smirked. Dribbling the soup from spoon to bowl Tierra tapped her finger against the rim of her bowl. Getting unfettered access to a family home... That... That might be of use. It was clear that the girl skipped an asked question in the hopes it would get missed and provide the girl time to figure out a place to... be left details in the future. “If anything, I would say that they would jealous that their older sister wouldn't turn to them for help before enlisting outside assistance.” WC:506

[Maya Lark]

Maya understood what the young girl across from her was saying. There was great risks that came with knowing a family member much less having access to her room. Leaning back she nodded while listening to the girl. Getting the child her possessions from the chest would not prove to be a problem for her. It would be nothing to slip it into her bag and meet the girl. She lowered her voice once again while speaking of their more private matters.

“Getting your items will not be a problem. Send me a letter and I will escort you to get the chest so that it doesn't look suspicious. My family is used to me doing weird things during the day,” she said while watching the child.

She smirked hearing the skepticism in her voice at the woman's offer for her brothers to teach her. The Lark knew there were certain trips that will require someone outside of the family to do them. Nodding the girl listened to her concerns and understood where she was coming from. Popping her neck the brown haired beauty looked when the waiter arrived again and asked how everything was for the pair. The soup had tasted fantastic, but the woman was not in the mood for the constant interruptions.

“It was hardly edible. It came out cold, too much salt, and far too big of a bowl,” Maya stated as the man apologized profusely taking her bowl to the back.

She watched him with a serious face not letting down the lie of a complaint till he was in the back of the shop. The woman turned back to the young child in front of her not feeling any kind of guilt for what had just happened. Maya knew that to get her to accept; she would have to take her by the house and show her around.

“True they will be awkward and reluctant at first, but some of the plans require help outside the family. So as I see it, you have a great deal to be gained by accepting my offer. A place to store your things, proper clothes outside the what appears to be the orphanage I'm guessing, food to keep you looking healthy,” Maya stated before smirking, “what's the bad side?”

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