Shop in the Dark

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Timestamp: 38th of Zi'da, 716
Location: Glass Quarter

Vincent sat at a table in the Glass Quarter, and looked into the bag he had sitting on the table. He had managed to find a few items for the holiday that Sabine had told him about only days prior. The tradition was a nice one, but still kind of odd to him. Giving gifts that represented different things, some pertaining to the city, others to time, and some represented by colors.

So far Vincent had bought a few gifts. Trinkets really that he had seen while passing through one of the many markets that could be found in the Glass Quarter earlier that day. Looking down at the items in the small cloth bag again, he picked up one of the items that lay within. A small bottle, about half full with a fine powder that shimmered as he rotated it in the light. Gingerly, Vincent placed the bottle back into the bag, along side a milky white crystal with flecks of red run through it, a charm that was made from a bright blue feather, wood and silver chain, and a small sack that contained a handful of assorted colored glass beads.

So far he had managed to find a gift for a third of the days of the up coming holiday, and had ideas for a handful of the other days. The only issue was he had no idea were to start on most of those ideas as they were kind of out of his realm of expertise. Closing the bag and pulling it into his lap, Vincent leaned his head back and let out a sigh. "I could really use some help." Vincent voiced to the sky.

Items bought

Stormdust(bottle) = 5cn
Bottled Lightning = 5sn
Feather Charm = 4.5gn
(Glass) Beads = 1gn

[Zvezdana Venora]

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Zvezdana had barely started as a Thunder Priestess and she already needed a break. The confines of the Cathedral, albeit beautiful, were still large stones walls that were suffocating from time to time. She wanted to see Rharne, get to know her lady's city. After all, many of the newly initiated priestesses had lived here all their lives. She knew nothing about the city and its citizens. As a new devoted priestess of Ilaren, it was almost mandatory she get out and sample to city herself. So, after her morning chores, Zvezdana descended from the Sky Quarter to investigate the city.

She passed stall after stall, glimpsing at the trinkets and gifts laid out for those celebrating Zi'da. Having come to Rharne with no nel to her name, Zvezdana could only look. Occasionally she would stop and comment on the beauty of a necklace or touch a fabric. It reminded her of the finery she used to wear when she was in Rynmere. The rough robes scratched at her skin night and day, her swollen belly tightening them with each passing trial. Part of her missed the luxury she had as a noble. Wine each night, soft skin, and smooth, color fabrics that claimed status. Yet, she was happy to have clothes on her back, a roof over her head, and food on the table. Living as a peasant had changed her perspective on life drastically. Material items were not necessary to be happy.

The words reached her ears before she recognized him. She had been passing the area Vincent had been sitting at when he offered up his plea to no one in particular. With a gentle smile, she stopped and went back towards him to place a hand on his shoulder. "Ilaren always listens. Can a humble servant help you Sir Vincent?"

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[Vincent D'Ordyn]

As Vincent sat there, contemplating his next stop in his quest for gifts, a gentle hand found his shoulder followed by a soft voice. "Ilaren always listens. Can a humble servant help you Sir Vincent?"

At first Vincent just look up and stared at the woman. Curious at how, and why a Noviate of the Thunder Priestesses would know his name. Though as he looked at her longer, realization flooded across his face. "Zvezdana?" Vincent asked, rising from his seat to turn and great the woman. Who, now clean and better clothed, looked little like the woman he had met on the docks that day. "You look well," Vincent continued, "and I told you, there is no need for the 'Sir', I'm just Vincent."

After exchanging greetings with the woman Vincent smiled, "I know you offered to help, though I'm not entirely sure if that's at all possible. You know this holiday the Rharian's have, The Twelve Trials of Zi'da. Well, I have a few idea for some of the days, but I'm a bit unsure about whether she'll like them or not." He said, punctuating the sentence with a heavy sigh. "I've come to the conclusion, that beyond function I know nothing about clothing."

[Zvezdana Venora]

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"Call it an old habit Vincent. Where I come from, status meant everything," Zvezdana gave a genuine smile. "I also have you to thank for my good health. Had you not picked me up off the streets that day, I would have been picked up by the knights. Now, by the good graces of Ilaren, I serve the city as a Thunder Priestess Novitiate. I have a great deal to repent for."

Zvezdana tilted her head ever so slightly. No, she had not heard of the holiday at all. Given that it was Zi'da, she suspected that it had to do something with the giving of gifts and celebrating good fortune. At least, she vaguely recalled celebrating similar holidays when she was a carefree girl. It seemed that Vincent did not have an issue initially, but when he mentioned clothes, her face lit up. "Clothes?!"

The pregnant woman slid up to his side, wrapping an arm into his. She leaned close, excited for what was going to come next. Shopping. This was something she was actually good at. Being pregnant, serving a new Immortal, living in Rharne; those were things she would never be good at. This, this was her element. "I think I can help you with this. Come with me. Let us do some stall gazing as you tell me what you are looking for."

Zvezdana, still new to this new life, was a bit forceful, sorta pushing him towards the market stalls where the waterfalls of fabric, brightly colored thread, and voracious vendors waited them.

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