Sam's eyes sparked with joy when he saw another of his kin already speaking to Àbo. He did not know how he missed her sight initially, but it was likely his head was still too busy spinning from Counselor Zana's presence to make note of anyone not in his immediate eyeline. She had a youthful look about her, the tell-tale shock of aukari red hair styled backwards for what looked to be like form and function. And while it was still a culture shock to see any of his kin wrapped in irons, as they were taught that only an aukari was exempt from slavery, it did gladden his heart to see this stranger thrive in a city outside of Sirothelle. More than that, it gave him hope that one day his people might do the same.
He had expected a moment of shared joy between two people displaced from their homeland. He did not expect the look of terror and disgust which crossed the stranger's face as soon as her eyes landed on his raiments. His own gaze drifted downward, and was met with another unwelcome surprise. A massive wolf, with ears pulled back and the beginning of a snarl pulling its lips backward. It was very clear to Sam that whoever this was, he was an immediately unwelcome addition.
"It is very good to meet both of you," Sam began, motioning his translator to being converting his words to Common. He did not wish in any way to offend either representative, but Sam's cultural competency in the Empire's social mores was sadly lacking. "I apologize if-"
He was cut off by Lyall's sudden and immediate exit. His eyes traced after her in confusion as her footsteps fell in line with the padded paws which stalked at her side. He felt strange staring after her, and a little saddened, so he turned his attention back to Àbo. The Desnind diplomat said something in Common, which elicited the rare response from Sam's interpreter. Sam looked imploringly at the man, and sure enough the translation soon followed.
"Ah. That makes an unfortunate amount of sense. It's a shame she left, I think we'd have more in common than she realizes," Sam lamented, allowing himself one quick glance back at the missed opportunity before returning his focus to Àbo.
"Sirothelle. Priest of Sirothelle, not Faldrun," He raised a finger to gently correct the man. Sam had a moment's pause, before he continued. He realized that he was perhaps tipping his hand regarding his allegiances back on the Western Continent, but Sam had no talent nor time for secrets. He figured it was better to be radical in honesty than deficient in deception. "My people were raised on his word, and his philosophy, but the man is dead. There isn't much use worshiping a god who is in the ground, unless of course that Immortal is Moseke. Her Domain being earth." Sam smiled at his own little joke, partially prodding to see if Àbo shared his own at times macabre sense of humor. "No, I serve Faldrun's people. His children now left behind. Because they cling to his word in these chaotic times, I interpret it. The faith is familiar to my flock, and familiarity breeds hope in these chaotic times."
Sam considered the man in front of him. He seemed a bit mysterious. Intriguing. "Are you a man of faith, Àbo?"
He listened intently for the Desnind representative's response, curious to hear what the man had to say on the matter of faith. Once he did, Sam's eyebrows would shoot up in sudden realization and apology! "I am so sorry, I realized I had not answered your initial question! I tend to get distracted by discussions of faith, which is great for my profession but terrible for first impressions. I am here representing the people of Sirothelle who are not being best served by our Zatkai, our leader. Since Faldrun's fall, many of my people have without food and without direction. I do my best, but there is only so much one can do alone. I am here seeking aid from governments or individuals who see my people's precipice of change as an opportunity, rather than another thing to fear from the aukari."
Sam waited to see how his story played across Àbo's face, watching for any piqued interest. However, his attention was pulled by a call to dinner. He laughed slightly, hoping to remain charming in Àbo's eyes. "And I believe that is the sign that I have talked to much on an empty stomach. Would you care to join at dinner? I'd love to hear about why you are here, and perhaps how we can assist each other? It is so rare for our people to meet at peace, I cannot deny that I am excited to learn about you and your homeland."
"Lev'ith, aut eav ädà ïurês,"
Sam smiled genuinely as he spoke, bowing his head slightly with hands crossed over the center of his chest. He waved off his translator's attempt to interceded, as Sam was certain that the stranger might share in his joy of hearing her mother tongue spoken by one was raised in flame; as opposed to approximating it's pattern with foreign tongues.He had expected a moment of shared joy between two people displaced from their homeland. He did not expect the look of terror and disgust which crossed the stranger's face as soon as her eyes landed on his raiments. His own gaze drifted downward, and was met with another unwelcome surprise. A massive wolf, with ears pulled back and the beginning of a snarl pulling its lips backward. It was very clear to Sam that whoever this was, he was an immediately unwelcome addition.
"It is very good to meet both of you," Sam began, motioning his translator to being converting his words to Common. He did not wish in any way to offend either representative, but Sam's cultural competency in the Empire's social mores was sadly lacking. "I apologize if-"
He was cut off by Lyall's sudden and immediate exit. His eyes traced after her in confusion as her footsteps fell in line with the padded paws which stalked at her side. He felt strange staring after her, and a little saddened, so he turned his attention back to Àbo. The Desnind diplomat said something in Common, which elicited the rare response from Sam's interpreter. Sam looked imploringly at the man, and sure enough the translation soon followed.
"Ah. That makes an unfortunate amount of sense. It's a shame she left, I think we'd have more in common than she realizes," Sam lamented, allowing himself one quick glance back at the missed opportunity before returning his focus to Àbo.
"Sirothelle. Priest of Sirothelle, not Faldrun," He raised a finger to gently correct the man. Sam had a moment's pause, before he continued. He realized that he was perhaps tipping his hand regarding his allegiances back on the Western Continent, but Sam had no talent nor time for secrets. He figured it was better to be radical in honesty than deficient in deception. "My people were raised on his word, and his philosophy, but the man is dead. There isn't much use worshiping a god who is in the ground, unless of course that Immortal is Moseke. Her Domain being earth." Sam smiled at his own little joke, partially prodding to see if Àbo shared his own at times macabre sense of humor. "No, I serve Faldrun's people. His children now left behind. Because they cling to his word in these chaotic times, I interpret it. The faith is familiar to my flock, and familiarity breeds hope in these chaotic times."
Sam considered the man in front of him. He seemed a bit mysterious. Intriguing. "Are you a man of faith, Àbo?"
He listened intently for the Desnind representative's response, curious to hear what the man had to say on the matter of faith. Once he did, Sam's eyebrows would shoot up in sudden realization and apology! "I am so sorry, I realized I had not answered your initial question! I tend to get distracted by discussions of faith, which is great for my profession but terrible for first impressions. I am here representing the people of Sirothelle who are not being best served by our Zatkai, our leader. Since Faldrun's fall, many of my people have without food and without direction. I do my best, but there is only so much one can do alone. I am here seeking aid from governments or individuals who see my people's precipice of change as an opportunity, rather than another thing to fear from the aukari."
Sam waited to see how his story played across Àbo's face, watching for any piqued interest. However, his attention was pulled by a call to dinner. He laughed slightly, hoping to remain charming in Àbo's eyes. "And I believe that is the sign that I have talked to much on an empty stomach. Would you care to join at dinner? I'd love to hear about why you are here, and perhaps how we can assist each other? It is so rare for our people to meet at peace, I cannot deny that I am excited to learn about you and your homeland."
