Where'd She Go?

[Eternity]

49 Vhalar 722

continued from here

It wasn’t until Eternity started walking around did she understand just how much fish she’d eaten. The aftertaste wasn’t something she cared for either. She desperately wanted to replace it with another taste but she knew she’d wouldn’t be able to swallow another bite. She needed to take her mind off of food entirely. After leaving the restaurant she walked along the edge of the street until she found a nice place to stand and discuss what exactly she and Pyrre were going to do next. It sounded like she was going to be helping him find his traveling companion and if that didn’t work, an inn.

Eternity looked to see that the performances were still going on. They were seemingly never ending. She said aloud, “I wonder why they do it. Do they get paid to since and dance and jump around like fools?” She didn’t expect Pyrre to answer, it was more of a question to herself. One that she wanted to investigate but she knew she would never get around to it. She envied people that could go out in public and sing without getting laughed at. The thought of someone getting paid to sing made her squirm with jealousy.

Eternity turned her head back to Pyrre and asked, “Where do you think she is? Um, I mean Zarena. And what does she look like?” She looked again at the crowd and wondered if it was even possible to find her. She doubted she could find a friend of hers in the sea of faces let alone someone she’d never seen before. Add onto that the fact that Pyrre would likely only be able to give a very basic description and Eternity wondered if she should just take Pyrre to an inn now. Then she remembered how he’d just drank some ale which would probably make him even less stable when walking. Eternity felt like they were in for a challenge.

When Pyrre had asked her if she knew an inn he could go to Eternity had just nodded. Of course she knew of where some inns were but it wasn’t like she could give a good review of any of them. She only stayed at inns for one night at a time so high quality was never on her mind. All she needed was a bed and didn’t care about meals. Someone planning on staying for many nights probably cared about different things than Eternity did. She’d keep her mouth shut about the inns for now.

[Template credit to Pyrre]

[Pyrre Ej'qy]

49 Vhalar 722

Town Square & Marketplace

Pyrre had become accustomed to following those he was with since needing the aid of a crutch and he did just that with Eternity - crutching along a small distance behind in his slow and cumbersome way. The single ale did little to him yet, apart from making him wish he could have more, but he knew finding Zarena was their current priority. As such, he welcomed her finding a spot for them to stand and chat.

The night seemed just as they left it: alive with song and shadow. The firelight seemed all the more intense now that the night had truly set in, flickering off the fountain and the stalls nearby while casting long shadows in their wake. These shadows swam and wove about as if dancing to the performance that had yet to cease, the buskers playing with even more fervour that made the square pulse with its beat. People still milled about - a throng of various bodies danced near the musicians, clustered tight together following the lead of the mummers. Others danced or drank along the fringes. Further out, still, were those who simply stood and soaked in the ambience and passion of the evening’s usual proclivities.

While Pyrre appreciated the enthusiasm and effort put into the performance being played out opposite them, his company did not. Turning his head to regard her with a curious sideways glance, one dark brow perked, he let a smug half-grin turn his full lips, allowing it to be clear he thought otherwise. He then shrugged while glancing back towards the activities being scrutinised, “Why not do for fun? They like it.” Although Pyrre was not in the best place when it came to money, he still felt it was worth doing what you enjoyed in life rather than chasing nels for the sake of having them. You couldn’t take them with you, in the end, and they were weighty things, like an anchor.

His new companion then changed the topic to his old companion and the Biqaj’s face and eyes shifted into obvious and serious contemplation. They skirted towards the open-air tavern he had seen her disappear off to earlier and then narrowed as he squinted, as if doing so might somehow sharpen his vision and make the Mixed-Blood pop out into plain view.

“She go there,” he motioned with his chin to the place he spoke of and that he was in the process of scanning, so far seeing neither Zarena nor the roguish bloke she had been chatting to. Then, describing her, his voice even despite his broken Common, “Hair dark,” his face turned back to Eternity as he motioned to her own since it was similarly dark and straight, “like yours, but red, too.” He moved his hand flat to a space near his chin to indicate where she came to, height-wise, next to him, “but more tall, like this, and eyes gold.”

Finally, he added more physical and decorative descriptors that could potentially assist them in tracking down his wayward companion, “She wear yellow, have like this -” he lowered his arm and then reached to tug and push his shirt and jacket off his shoulder, exposing glimpses of the tattoos that ran down that arm as well as the faintest hint of the raised scar designs that patterned his shoulders, arms and back. “Tattoo, he clarified, once he recalled the Common equivalent, “many tattoo.”[

With Zarena’s likeness as best described as possible, the Chrien-cursed decided the best course of action now was to look where he last saw her. Giving Eternity an encouraging look, he motioned in that direction with his head yet again and made a move with his peg and crutch in that direction to further emphasis his intentions, “We go, take look and see if she still be at place.”

Commonxxx Rakahi

[Eternity]

Eternity shrugged at Pyrre’s comment about the performances. Eternity knew he was right but that didn’t do anything to stem her jealousy. She responded by saying, “they’re lucky to be so good. If I go sing and dance in front of everyone they’ll just laugh at me.” She thought to show him just how bad she was, but her full belly told her not to. There was not much space to move about either and she definitely did not need anyone pushing her over again. She gave Pyrre a smile that looked forced before talking about Zarena.

Eternity listened to Pyrre’s description and tried to paint a mental image of the woman. Dark straight hair, like hers but red? So dark red hair. Dark red hair sounded like a strange color, she wondered if it was dyed or natural. Gold eyes also sounded strange, but perhaps he meant amber. All in all she thought he did a good job of conveying what the woman looked like. She wondered if he often lost her and had to find her. Eternity thought of the possibility of Zarena being a magician. It’d explain how they made a living and defended themselves on their travels. She dismissed the thought when she realized that if there was an obvious magician roaming about they’d be pretty easy to spot.

“Alright, let’s go see if she’s still there,” she said when Pyrre was done speaking. She’d painted a mental image of what she thought Zarena looked like but one thing was missing: Her skin color. “Is she human?” she asked. She paused for a moment and continued, “blue skin? Dark skin?” She presumed that the woman would look somewhat like Pyrre but she didn’t want to assume.

Regardless of the answer, Eternity would lead the way to the tavern. At least, she assumed it was a tavern because there was a group of men just inside of one of the windows who were drinking ale. “Do you think she went here to find a room?” she asked Pyrre as she held the door open for him. She didn’t know if that’d been their goal from the get-go or if they’d just split off to have a bit of fun separately.

The aroma of booze and snacks filled Eternity’s nostrils the moment she stepped inside. It was a lively place. Not packed, but nearly every table was taken. Most took seats along the side of the bar that faced the performances outside. Most tables had been moved to that side of the bar for that very reason. There were a few tables off to the side, where people played darts and cards. There was only one table free because it was very wobbly, not that Eternity could tell that something was wrong with it at a glance. There were no musicians playing indoors, the music from outdoors was easily audible. The only other thing Eternity noticed was a hallway leading to a different part of the tavern, perhaps where there were rooms or a kitchen.

Eternity looked to Pyrre and asked, “you see her?”


[Template credit to Pyrre]

[Pyrre Ej'qy]

Pyrre had only grinned at her remark about the mummers and buskers and made a mental note to have her prove how truly horrible she was in the future - if she would be game, of course. As much as he appreciated a skilled minstrel and singer, most of his life had been filled with songs sung or played off-key by those who simply sang or played because they could and they enjoyed it. The Biqaj, himself, had a habit of humming low tunes when at sea, heaving lines or going about the many monotonous yet necessary tasks required aboard a ship. He had no skill in it, but it was a nice way to pass the time and keep a rhythm.

Pyrre nodded as they made a start towards the open-air tavern - yet stopped once Eternity asked an important question regarding Zarena.

“No,” he clarified, “Mixed-Blood. Glow like me but.. small -” he had lifted his arm again to reveal the way the moons played with his silver blood and caused his skin to have a luminous tint to it but the word he used bothered him since he knew it wasn’t right. He searched his memory for a better word, prodding and poking his limited vocabulary before a more fitting one came forth, “less; half.”

They then resumed their trek towards where Pyrre had last seen Zarena and moved into the external seating area. This open-air section was covered with what appeared to be a large sail-like shade cloth, held outstretched and in place by a tall, thick post. Sturdy rope was run and woven along the underside where lanterns were hung at intervals, throwing warm light across the few outdoor tables that now sat mostly empty due both in part to the chill of the evening and the fact that the bar was indoors. Those that did mill about the outdoor area did so as a place to sit and enjoy the music from the adjacent part of the square.

Pyrre, however, found the shade cloth to be the most fascinating thing in his vicinity, recognising what it must have previously been, and tucked this morsel of knowledge away to think about later; he hadn’t given a great deal of thought to the many ways a sail could be salvaged once it was no longer of any use on a ship.

He passed inside once Eternity held the door for him, crutching a few more feet into the interior before pausing to give the area a quick sweep before regarding the woman in his company with a small huff of a chuckle and a lopsided grin. “Maybe to find room,” he concurred with a bit of a shrug from his left shoulder before expressing what he thought Zarena’s true motivations were for seeking out this place, “More like to find cock.” His words bore no ill-will and were completely matter-of-fact, as if this was a common and accepted practice. His eyes narrowed in a playfully knowing way as he smiled more secretly, “Then to find room.” If anything, that statement alone would have given some perspective on the relationship between himself and the Mixed-Blood, if not to show how artless and honest the Biqaj was - and, perhaps, a little too expansive when it came to other people’s lives.

Privacy was not something someone who grew up on a ship knew much of, afterall.

His attention returned to the patrons and the very reason they were here, his vivid aquamarine eyes passing over those in the near vicinity before he moved further in towards the bar as he didn’t wish for them to crowd the entrance. He looked both for Zarena and for what he could recall of the man he had last seen her with - yet his appearance was more generic and easy to blend in with a crowd.

He hobbled up to the bar once a gap opened up since he viewed it as a good central spot to look from and welcomed having something other than his crutch to lean against. A vague gesture was made in the direction of the nearby stool that had also been vacated - an offer for Eternity to seat herself if she so chose - while his attention remained on the patrons. He began to realise this might be a fruitless mission; despite looking hard, some of the tavern-goers were too tightly packed into the space to the point where, even though she was a difficult creature to miss, Zarena could easily be hidden within their clusters. Bearing that in mind, he answered her flatly, "No.. much people. Hard to see. You?"

He figured they might have to wait for the bodies to move and break up before deeming the place fully searched.

His attention drifted back momentarily to Eternity and their previous conversations. “Where you go.. If could? Or would? Leave island - or just city?” he asked, genuine curiosity colouring his words. His gaze drifted yet half his attention remained as his gaze roamed the patrons on the gaming side of the tavern. Then, touching on what she had said previously, words straining against the hubub of the crowd and music outside, “You sing and dance where go?” The slight arch in his heavy brow hinted at a grin that didn’t quite turn his lips.

Commonxxx Rakahi

[Eternity]

Eternity was not very knowledgeable when it came to distinguishing between different races, especially when mixed blood was factored into the equation. She had seen people who appeared to be fully human, with the exception that they had feathers mingled in with their hair, indicating that they were part avriel. Alternatively, if they were only distantly related to the bird People, then perhaps their speech would appear to be a bit off. Pyrre's description of Zarena didn't seem to bother her much, but the only thing she took away from it was the impression that Zarena would have a human-like appearance. Even if very few people were dressed in yellow to begin with, this was sufficient to eliminate a certain amount of patrons from the establishment. Eternity harbored the secret desire that this woman would stand out from the crowd like a sore thumb.

When Pyrre pronounced the term "cock," Eternity couldn't help but laugh. She was uncertain as to whether or not he had intended to utter the term. She pondered whether or not he had said chicken in reference to the fact that she had gone in search of sustenance. It wasn't until she saw the sly grin on his face that she understood that he had, in fact, provided the proper response. She had the preconceived notion that they were romantically linked in some capacity, therefore if Zarena was off looking for a male to sleep with, then she had grossly misunderstood the nature of their connection. Eternity deduced that everything was well on the basis of the fact that Pyrre did not appear distressed.

As soon as Pyrre asked her if she had seen Zarena, she shook her head and responded, "no, I do not see her." It's possible that she did in fact locate a cock and a room. Zarena has good luck. It must be exciting to go all over the world and do whatever you want to anybody you want. She was unsure of how Pyrre would react to the comment, but at the same time, she didn't want to remain mute. She reasoned that since Pyrre appeared to be interested in continuing their conversation, he probably intended to wait about at the pub for a while to see whether Zarena arrived up. Perhaps he was anticipating that she might emerge from one of the rooms. Eternity came to the conclusion that she would not waste any more of her mental capacity pondering the activities of the mystery woman.

"I'm not sure where I'd go, actually. "Somewhere that has a lot of money," was the response she gave. "would you be able to suggest somewhere like that?" She didn't see much point in going about and looking at the sights. She desired for there to be a financial incentive for her to go on trips if she was going to be going on such trips.

After that, he inquired about the places where she would perform, and Eternity averted her gaze to the floor in an ashamed manner. She wanted to be some sort of star, the kind of person that people came from all over the world to see and listen to. She didn't believe it was necessary for her to go somewhere else in order to sing, so she declared, "I will sing here." If people want to hear me, they will come to hear me. If I am good then I don't need to travel .

After she had gotten her bearings in social situations again, she would ask, "What about you?" "Are you going to travel forever? Or perhaps settle down in a town?" She was mystified as to how one could grow old while travelling. It sounded like a tiring experience to ride a horse or a boat, or even walk for extended lengths of time.

[Template credit to Pyrre]

[Pyrre Ej'qy]

Unfortunately, Pyrre’s lack of vocabulary extended to colours and, while Zarena had styled herself in a trendy yellow dress, it was a more muted mustard he was looking for - a colour that was easier to blend than the more vivid shade the word ‘yellow’ would usually conjure. As much as the Biqaj was of the same mind as Eternity, expecting the Mixed-Blood to stand out like dog’s balls against the crowd, such wasn’t the case. That was, if she was even still in the establishment.

Perhaps it was a naive thought, but Pyrre didn’t think Zarena would have left the square without him. Surely she had to be somewhere within the vicinity of this place - even if it was outside it. He wouldn’t step out until he was certain this place had been thoroughly searched, however.

Hearing Eternity speak of not seeing Zarena yet, the Biqaj’s full lips drew into a narrow line and his eyes looked harder, pausing on one patron to study the area around them, looking for any hint of Zarena’s auburn hair or flash of her amber eyes or a tattooed hand.

However, it was the matched candour in which Eternity spoke that eventually distracted him from his task and he glanced back in the dark haired woman’s direction as that boyish, lop-sided grin returned. However, the mention of luck struck something inside the Biqaj and the grin disappeared just as quickly, his eyes skirting away and back to the gaming area. “Maybe,” he said, still artless, before his bitterness tinged his words, sucking them dry and drawing them out, “Yes. Much luck.” He didn’t quite catch all that the other woman said after that one lone word left him in a bit of a spin, but some stuck - like ‘world’, ‘do’ and ‘anybody’. They were enough for him to form an idea of what was said and he chuckled darkly. It would be nice. But that was Zarena for you. Selfish and indomitable in her ways.

“You talk like know her and her ways.” he acknowledged with some appreciation. It was of little comfort to think others like Zarena existed in the world, who could toy and use whomever they wished with little consequence, and Pyrre partly wondered what sort of experience Eternity had with such a person.

He welcomed the distraction from his thoughts once the dark-haired woman spoke of where she might go and his grin returned. “Always money,” he teased playfully as his gaze returned to fully fix on her petite form. “You no look poor. But always wanting, no?” His grin was warm rather than condescending. He found it fascinating. He supposed Zarena was much the same. Power. Control. Money.

“There be two - much trade and money - where sing and dance or just go.” His gaze had slipped to the bartender who was eyeing them both expectantly while pouring a drink for another patron and Pyrre gave a small shake of his head. His attention returned to Eternity, “Nashaki and Athart. But,” he paused to gently knuckle the side of her arm, “Nashaki, skin bad.. All sun, sand. Go red. And Athart bird-people. Slave cities. Busy..” he added as an afterthought, in case Eternity might hold some scruples when it came to humanity. Stealing was one thing, but slavery was another beast, entirely.

He made a face to acknowledge what she said about singing, not doubting that would be the case. “True.” And.. yet, “So, erm, you do sing - for people? They no laugh?” his eyes teased but his words were genuine. “Maybe you sing for me, no?” There was a hint of a grin on his lips but it, too, was warm. There was no malice in any of his words. He’d understand if she said no, but he wasn’t going to let this slide.

He hadn’t expected her to turn the conversation around on him and he paused, lips slack, as he considered what she asked. His leg suddenly felt more pronounced and his eyes moved to the bartop and then the bottled beyond. He sighed, reset his face, and then sent her a sidelong glance, “Yes, like to. If body let me.” There was more there, left unsaid.

Commonxxx Rakahi

[Eternity]

“They say boys will be boys. But girls will be girls too,” Eternity said in an attempt to speak simply. Eternity may not have known Zarena personally but she did know what it was like to be a woman with physical desires. She knew what it was like to be able to see whoever she liked because she had no family to tell her no. If Eternity was a traveler, she would probably do the same thing. If not for the enjoyment, then the thieving opportunities that it came with. She was too busy fantasizing about that kind of lifestyle to pick up on Pyrre’s bitterness. It’s not like she could understand what he was going through. Take pity, sure, but not understand. She was far too young and lacked the necessary emotional scarring to know what real a complicated relationship felt like.

“I don’t look poor because always money,” Eternity said with a laugh. She thought to tell him how she used to go without food when she mismanaged her money, how desperate she’d been to steal just a piece of bread. She decided against it if only to keep her spirits up.

“Hmm, interesting” she said to Pyrre’s attempt to suggest cities. She couldn’t sugar coat it; she had no idea what he was going on about and regretted asking. He didn’t really do a good job of selling any of them to her. He mentioned slave cities which was an interesting thought. It wasn’t that long ago that slavery was allowed in Scalvoris. It was never something that impacted her life so she never felt strongly about it. She knew that a slave’s life was pretty poor but the slaves she knew of that just did their job didn’t seem to have it all that bad. She thought that a slave’s life was better than being homeless because someone above you had a vested interest in keeping them somewhat healthy and alive. Plus, if a slave ever got tired of being a slave they could just pick their locks and run away. At least, that’s how Eternity’s naive mind thought. In the end Eternity thought it was probably impossible to get a proper impression without visiting a place herself.

Eternity laughed again when he brought up singing for him. “I don’t sing for people, not yet. Not good yet.” She paused and contemplated singing right then and there then said, “I can sing for you, but I need a LOT of alcohol.” That was the only way to get rid of her inhibitions. She put a hand on her stomach and thought that she might just get drunk later, but she needed some time to digest first.

“Why travel forever?” she asked, “all you need is money. That’s why I always worry about money!” she took a deep breath and looked around the bar again. She was still looking for a bright yellow garbed lady and had already forgotten half of her other descriptions. She would probably never find Zarena even if she was standing right in front of her.


[Template credit to Pyrre]

[Pyrre Ej'qy]

Rewards Requested

Notes/Warnings: Unfinished and other player has left the site

Thread: Where'd She Go?
City/Area: Scalvoris Town

Renown: If applicable
Wealth Points: No
- If you are claiming Wealth Points, please link to your Wealth Thread for this season, as Wealth Points can not be awarded before this is completed:
Collaboration: Yes
Local Language Thread? Yes - Scalveen please

!	Message from: Kasoria
	Done!

[Kasoria]

Pyrre Ej'qy

Damn shame when your partner buggers off, isn't it? But you still did a fine job with it, and it's good to tie things off. I really enjoyed Pyrre's (love the name, btw) fractured Common, it feels very real and similar to when someone speaks a language they're not fluent in. Long on vocabulary, light on grammar! The story itself was pretty nice, just a meandering sort of investigation with some socialization sprinkled in. Looking forward to see what comes next, o luckless mariner

• XP: 15
• Knowledges:
  • Investigation: List everything you know about someone when trying to track them down
  • Socialization: Using visual examples to clarify what you mean
  • Investigation: When searching for someone, look where you last saw them
  • Leadership: Taking initative
  • Socialization: Milking your limited vocabulary for a better fitting word
  • Tactics: Find a good vantage point when on the lookout
  • Investigation: Taking your time when searching a crowd for obvious signs of a companion
  • Socialization: Teasing gently to provoke and persuade