• Closed • [Almund] I'll Have A World's End

[Kali'rial]

45th Ashan, 717, Evening

It was the sounds of music that guided Kali through the streets of Almund, her bare feet moving her quietly through overbuilt wooden structures that made up the unshavoury township. Around her, the establishments were empty, their shutters and doors shut tight. Wonderful smells drifted faintly on the ocean breeze blowing in, a mixture of cooking food and impending rain. It was the night of The Worlds End Festival, a celebration harking the first storm of Ashan, held on the northernmost tip of the island, just outside of Almund on the red sands of the coastal beach.

The young Sev'ryn had never attended the festival as a child, her grand parents both muttering about it being a waste of good sense and time. There were more productive ways to spend ones time. However, now that she was on her own Kali had seen the festival advertised in posters and flyers around Scalvoris Town, and by all the rumours she heard, it was worth the look in. It was said to be a night of luck, and if anything Kali could just leave if it was a pointless endeavour. Feeling a slight sense of guilt, a hangover from her youth (what would grand father say?!) the brunette set out for a boat ride to Almund. Once she had reached the city, she was mildly surprised to find it a ghost town. Moving through the streets, she had heard the music, and used it to guide her.

The city thinned as she moved on, and eventually she found herself moving down a strip of land that merged grass and sand dunes. The music was louder now, accompanied by laughter and sounds of merriment. There were brightly coloured strings of lanterns hanging in stark contrast from old broken and sun bleached wooden ruins that punctuated the gentle dunes that guided folk to the large wide beach where the festival was being held.

Almost like they were connected by the lights around the dunes, merchants and vendors set up their stalls under open sided tents and pavilions, no doubt ready to protect themselves from the much desired rainfall. Looking down at her feet, the young traveler marvelled at the red sand between her toes. Passing through a gap in the merchants line, she allowed the cool breeze to caress her skin whilst taking in the view before her.

Past the stall lines, the beach opened up to various seating and tables, the same lanterns and pavilions providing shelter and light. Tall burning torches dotted the beach too, inviting festival goers to sit with a meal or a drink. Some of the tables offered wineskins and barrels of ale, free to all. From one of the stalls, a vendor was hawking a drink called 'Worlds End', a brightly coloured concoction of various spirits and liquors that mirrored the stormy night skies above. Kali watched as a group of youths consumed the drink with a slight crease in her brow. It didn't look fun to drink, yet they cheered each other one when it was done. Nearer to the water, a huge bonfire burned brightly, surrounded by musicians of all sorts. Drum beats, strings and woodwind sounds created music that begged to be danced to.

In the distance, a streak of lightning cracked the sky followed by the deep rumble of distant thunder. Across the beach, people cheered in excitement.

"Okay. You can do this. Yes." Kali quietly gave herself a pep-talk. She deserved to be..social. It was a night meant for socialising. Just needed to...do what the others did.

Feeling far more self conscious than she could ever remember in her life, the brunette Sev'ryn made her way down towards the bonfire. A blonde boy, younger than herself exuberantly shoved a clumsily poured cup of ale into her hands, laughing and shouting something unrecognisable at her before stumbling away. Kali glanced down at the drink, her brow furrowed as she swapped the drink to the other hand and shook off the excess ale. This was a stupid idea. She wasn't cut out for this sort of stuff. A feeling of anxiety gripped her chest and she turned to walk back towards the tables, sliding into a seat and gripping her drink tightly.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

A simple two day sail from Scalvoris Town, Almund’s docks had been crowded for the event, but Pash had arrived early enough to tuck his little sloop in somewhere marginally safe and wander his way through the mostly empty streets, marveling at architecture and wondering about history. Almund was a city like no other, and the shipwright’s son found the buildings made from the hulls of old ships to be as appealing as the atmosphere. While he was no personal fan of pirates, he found what they’d left behind interesting in a curious, adventurous sort of way that would probably eventually find him in some trouble. Not today, surely, for there was far too much dancing and drinking and celebrating to be had instead.

The Biqaj had heard stories of the World’s End Festival for most of his life—stories from other seafaring folks and merchants and travelers; comparisons to other celebrations, festivals, and parties he’d visited in his travels; and mentions by townsfolk in his short time on Scalvoris island—but he’d never sailed the great distance across the Orm’Del Sea alone until this Cylus. The long, quiet journey felt like it would be worth it, judging by the crowds and the beach and the music and the free ale.

Before the suns had even set, he'd found himself barefoot on the red sands, watching some youths light torches and candles before the night settled in. Dark, thick clouds were rolling closer on the breeze from the sea, and he’d seen first hand from the deck of his sloop that the dawn had promised rain. The first real storm of the season and the festival felt fortuitous indeed, perhaps some sort of a double blessing for the new arc and a bit of hope for all who celebrated.

A couple of drinks into a good time, Pash had already spent some earlier breaks playing music with a few other musicians near the bonfire, watching other folks dance to the sounds they made together and content with how simple it could be to give others the gift of enjoyment. Once his fingers ached for a rest, he stood and thanked his new friends for the impromptu session, slinging his lute back over his shoulder, the silk strap with its hand-embroidered flowers across his bare chest, and turned away from the bonfire to weave his way through the fleshy sea of dancers. Allowing himself to be distracted by smiles and touches and sound, the tall Biqaj lingered for a several more bits than he intended to sway and move along to the music he'd just been a part of, appreciating the other side of the coin in his own way.

Finally, after playing and dancing, the seafaring musician decided it was time for another drink to keep things going … and maybe some food. Slowly making his way out of the crowd, Pash glanced around for the nearest vendor with the free stuff, pausing when he caught a glimpse of lightning slice through the clouds. Though Ilaren’s Trial was yet several weeks away, the shipwright’s son couldn’t help but smile wistfully at the thought of her enjoying any good party. He could definitely drink to that. Right now.

Tired hands reached up to tie back his long, sunkissed hair, pulling it away from his sweaty neck despite the chill that brushed across his flushed, exposed skin from the sea breeze now that he was away from the roaring fire. Before he’d had a chance to settle on the food vendor of his choice, his lagoon blue gaze spotted someone familiar at a table—

By all the Immortals, was she alone? Drinking alone? At a party? At the World’s End Celebration at the far end of everything?

No.

Just no.

Nope.

—Pash had noted her shy hesitance trials before in Scalvoris’ Central Square. He never forgot a smile, and the lithe huntress had a nice one. That the pretty, dark-haired Sev’ryn had traveled all the way to Almund, only to be sitting and practically pouting by the looks of things at a table without anyone making her laugh or dragging her out to dance on some beautiful red sand beach when there was far too much alcohol and fire and lightning was just about the greatest crime in all existence at this very moment … at least for the seafaring musician to imagine in his currently warm, fuzzy state of mind.

Immediately detouring from his previous pursuit of refreshment and party fuel, the Biqaj tucked his jib and sailed with quick strides straight toward the dark-haired and her lonely drink. He was smiling, of course, a broad, purposeful sort of grin, as he more or less appeared out of the crowd and sidled up to the tall table, completely uncaring of whether he was a surprise or whether he was already invading personal space,

“Hello again,” he waved a small sort of greeting with calloused fingers wagging eagerly, inked elbows coming to rest on the worn wood of the tabletop as he poured himself into the space next to her, leaning closer still as if he was asking for secrets, pulse still ringing in his ears from fires and music and dancing, “Please tell me you’re jus’ waitin’ on someone as equally lovely as yourself o’er there in line to bring you some food an’ a better tastin’ drink.”

He was genuine even if the baritone of his voice was teasing, completely relaxed about his own almost coy straightforwardness, his lagoon blue eyes bright despite the hint of color to his salty, windswept cheeks,

“You're not jus’ here alone, right? This is a party, y’know.”

[Kali'rial]

Kali’rial stared into the wooden cup gripped tightly in her hand, watching the foamy bubbles gently pop on top of the dark earthy ale. Her brow was drawn into a half frown, mind wandering as she contemplated what in all the Immortals Names she thought she was doing when she decided to come to the Festival. Anxiety washed over her in waves, and a sudden urge to flee the scene overcame her. She gripped the mug tighter, fighting the ridiculous urge. Around her, people were celebrating with casual ease. It was just a matter of stepping up and joining in.

Only fools and simpletons would waste their minds with drink. Her grandmothers firm words popped into her head, a memory from her younger days on the trade wagon as they trotted past a camp full of laughter and drunks. The younger version of herself had nodded obediently, trusting her Elders words completely. There were more important things to do than get drunk and dance like a fool. She could be hunting, or tanning hide ready for sale. Refining her bowmanship. Actually going out and really truly trying to locate her familiar, instead of procrastinating.

With a shake of her head, Kali made to stand, until someone moved out of the crowd and presented at her table. Her blue eyes shot up in wide eyed surprise to a familiar face, one that was altogether a lot closer than it had been last time. It was the Biqaj musician from the market place in Scalvoris Town with the fascinating eyes. As he slunk into the chair beside her and lent towards her, the brunette couldn’t help but lean back slightly, back pressed into the chair and slightly uncomfortable with how close he suddenly became.

As he spoke, his baritone voice came out in a tone that made her stomach flutter with an unknown feeling of both discomfort and delight at the same time. On his person, she could faintly smell alcohol and the sea. His cheeks were slightly touched by colour, and his lagoon gaze seemed like it was searching her inner most thoughts. She glanced at the line he referred to for a moment, before looking back at him.

“You're not jus’ here alone, right? This is a party, y’know.”

Kali felt the blush creep slowly from her chest and up her throat, her lightly freckled cheeks turning red underneath his intense gaze. Blinking for a moment, the Sev’ryn opened her mouth to speak, the words however catching awkwardly in her throat.

“I..uh..hello. Hi. Pa..er..Pash, that was it wasn’t it? Hi.” Clearing her throat, the brunettes wide eyed surprise moved back into an expression of seriousness.

“I had it implied that by attending this event, I might find myself some luck. Also, it seemed like a good opportunity for getting to better understand the people of Scalvoris.” As she spoke, Kali found her initial embarrassment of being on her own fading away. So what is she was by herself? It’s not like it was something to be ashamed of.

“Besides, this drink is just fine for me. It provides the intended outcome for this ‘party’ doesn’t it?” Raising the cup, she took a sip of the ale, before immediately turning aside to spit it out and pulling a face.

“That is disgusting.” The brunette said, pushing the cup as far across the table as she could manage and giving a little shudder. Turning her periwinkle gaze towards the man, she straightened so she was no longer leaning away, finding a little more confidence as she spoke.

“Why would anyone want to drink that?” She asked, her words a genuine question. Somehow she expected it to be sweet or delicious, not some dank bitter brew.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

"Aye, Kali'rial, luck has found you!”

The Biqaj grinned teasingly, quite proud of both remembering her name and using her own words as something clever.

He noted she didn’t quite answer his question, implying that, yes, she was actually at the World’s End Festival by her blushing lonesome, that there wasn’t anyone in line who was going to shoo him off or call him foolish. The color that rose to her skin at his proximity and his questions did not go unnoticed, and if Pash’s tidepool eyes at all strayed from her own periwinkle gaze, it was only to briefly sweep over what was visible if the ink across her chest, not to linger lewdly so much as curiously.

He had something else to say, but the dark-haired huntress raised her mug to prove to him a point instead ... only to sputter and spit it out. The shipwright’s son laughed then, perhaps louder than he would have had his inhibitions not been blurred by celebrating already. The shipwright’s son did not intend at all to be insulting, however, and as he slid a tattooed arm across the table to reach for the drink she pushed away, he was still smiling,

“This prolly isn’t what y’want to start out with, no.” Pash spoke over the rim of the mug, eyes warming to a brilliant emerald green again in all of his humor, pausing to drain its contents, wince, and set the empty cup back down again with a cough, “Bu-ut, it’s no’ so bad after you’ve had a few better first. ‘Sides, this is the free stuff, right? ‘Course it’s terrible. Th’good stuff costs nel, an’ I’m happy t’escort you to those vendors should y’wanna give something better a try.”

The lithe Sev’ryn was leaning more in his direction now, and the seafaring minstrel did not mind that one bit. She was still rather serious, however, which was both interesting and frustrating. The alcohol he’d saved her from had indeed been terrible; it had not at all been the refreshment he’d wanted after a few breaks of playing and singing and dancing. Behind them, lightning again danced over the sea, only this time the thunder that rumbled above the music and crackling of fires was louder. Again, those gathered to celebrate cheered, and an air of expectation blew in with the humid breeze. Rain was coming.

Pash’s windswept cheeks were flushed now, warmed from the inside out, but his mind was still focused, and he resisted the urge to hold her gaze and explore just what kept her so hesitant with magic instead of words.

“So, what’s th’intented outcome o’this party for you, anyways?” If his question at all bordered on the innuendo in tone, it wasn’t entirely intentional. His curiosity was simply insatiable and the Biqaj struggled to stand by and let someone have a terrible time, “‘Cause most folks’re here t’have some fun. If y’need a hand with that, I happen to be free a’the moment.”

It was an honest offer—the shipwright’s son was an entertainer, after all. She’d seen that in the Central Square back in Scalvoris Town, and while he was quite raw and unfiltered at the moment, he wasn’t entirely capable of ulterior motives, either.

[Kali'rial]

Kali was a little surprised at how easily he remembered her full name, something that earned him a point of her genuine respect. It didn't help to clear the colour from her cheeks, but it did make her feel a little less stand offish. That and his ridiculous grin. As he laughed and downed her abandoned drink, the Sev'ryn watched his fascinating eyes turn to emerald green again, their gaze meeting over the rim of the cup.

Off over the ocean, thunder and lighting gained the crowds cheers of delight and capturing everyone's attention, yet the brunette couldn't shake Pash's gaze. There was something captivating about his eyes, she'd felt it in Scalvoris Town and now again here. It was as though if she looked to long, the carefree sailor would know her every deepest secrets and thoughts. It took her a moment to process his questions.

"Free stuff? Oh..uh..maybe? It was given to me by some young man." Kali said with a shake of her head, tearing her blue eyes away from his to look down and tuck her hair behind her ear nervously. She wasn't used to this type of interaction, full of casual ease and coy remarks that pried without malice. Taking a deep breath, the traveler lifted her head again, looking out over the ocean to compose herself. Her brow furrowed again as she tried to explain herself.

"I...uh..." She pulled a confused expression, eyes narrowed and head tilted slightly. What answer could she possibly provide that explained her actually being here? The Sev'ryn suddenly laughed in defeat, shaking her head and meeting Pash's gaze again with a smile.

"I don't know." Kali said with a shrug, sighing and running her hands through her hair. Leaning her elbows on the table, the woman's smile faded and she stared down at a small mark on the table, running a finger around it.

"I told myself that I was coming to further my understanding of the people here and the wider world around me, but then..." Sitting back, she crossed her arms and looked at him with a fresh frown on her brow.

"Truth be told Pash, I'm not sure what I'm doing here. My whole life I've been told to focus, to dedicate myself to the task at hand." She punctuated her words with little chops of one hand into another, passion in her words.

"Without focus, you fall. Hard. You leave yourself open to failure and in some cases, injury or death. One wrong step, one careless action and then...end game." The speech was ingrained in her mind, burned into her being. Kali turned to face Pash more directly, her gaze serious.

"How do you do it? How do you just..." She gestured at his person, as though it explained everything. Letting her hands fall, Kali straightened her back and allowed her expression to calm again.

"I want to join in, I just don't know how." There it was, out in the open. Kali blushed again, but she didn't look away.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

“Jus’ do wha’—be Biqaj?” The seafaring minstrel chuckled, sitting up straighter for a moment, bare chest expanding with a brief moment of racial pride. Where he came from and what he was didn't quite explain everything, but it definitely explained some things. His people valued their freedoms and were quite good at celebrating things. Obviously, he was just as complicated a creature as she was, but their paths had been different indeed.

Whether fortunate or not, the truth was he’d had too much to drink already to be too serious, but he had listened, truly he had. For all of his carefree casualness, Pash was also intensely interested in people and sensitive to their feelings, as they were often inspiring, sometimes even muses for his creativity.

It was a blessing and a curse, magnified perhaps by alcohol and always made more enticing by his magical ability to actually see and even manipulate others’ emotions. Though, for now, he continued to resist such temptations with the Sev’ryn woman, for he had a plan.

He enjoyed bringing color to her freckled cheeks and watching the lithe huntress relax just a little bit in his presence, but Pash also realized he knew nothing of her people’s culture or even of her upbringing or history. Not yet. While his own father had hoped his eldest son would have joined him in the family business, he also came to respect that the young man had his own aspirations of a musical nature and he had been willing to set him free to be his own person. Kali seemed stuck in someone else’s expectations, her confusion and hesitance something the shipwright’s son had seen and felt in others but no longer struggled with himself.

“Look, Kali, I’ll tell you what my grand’da always told me—work’s alright, an’ there’s times for workin’ hard, but,” Pash stood, adjusting his lute that was still slung over his shoulder. He stepped nearer still to the dark-haired Sev’Ryn, leaning in perhaps closer than he would normally have sober (though, honestly, he was forever ignorant of personal space) and he let one warm, sea-weathered hand rest on the small of her back while sweeping across the beach filled with lanterns and people and music and laughing with his other hand in front of them both, fingers waggling for emphasis, “when th’work’s done, it’s done. An’ then it's time to play. Y’can't have good work without a bit o’play. It's that simple. Y’jus’ stop workin’ sometimes. It's a good thing.”

The Biqaj smiled, slowly leaning away while leaving his hand on her person, the other coming to rest on the tabletop. His tone was inviting, enthusiastic but perhaps a bit mischievous, “So, let’s go find you somethin’ special to drink an’ watch some people from in the crowd instead ‘f out ‘f it … because y’can only learn so much about somethin’ by watchin’ from far away … eventually, y’gotta try it out.”

The shipwright’s son waited for her to reply, though he was ready to offer his arm with somewhat humorous, mostly sincere chivalrous air and lead the way toward the vendors with fancier drinks and yummy food in hopes of enticing her senses and helping Kali experience more than just stale tavern reject beer and some quiet, dark corner of the beach. He'd make sure to mingle through the crowd a little along the way, just so she could hear and feel everyone without being too overwhelming. Or, perhaps, so he could.

Maybe, just maybe, he could even manage to convince her to dance after a drink or two.

[Kali'rial]

Watching the Biqaj as he appeared to take her words as a compliment, the serious young woman couldn't stop a small smirk from dancing on the corners of her mouth. The musician had a simple casual charm that caught her offguard, his shifting blue-come-green eyes managing to throw her stern composure everytime they caught her own. As Pash stood beside her, Kali listened to his words, surprised when he moved closer still. It was hard not to lean back, feeling her cheeks redden again and her pulse suddenly thumping In her ears. The brunette forced herself to hold still as a hand came to rest on her lower back. Periwinkle eyes followed the tattooed sweep of his outstretched arm, looking out over the mass of people. Happy, laughing people. As the man leant away, Kali kept her gaze on the crowd, brow furrowed again as she played his words through again.

When was the last time you stopped to play?

The Sev'ryn thought to herself, dredging through all her memories with her grandparents. It was always go-go, no time for games. Even when they stopped along the trade routes, Kali couldn't recall just mingling with the other merchant kids. A little grip of anxiety rattled in her chest, and she felt guilt tie a knot in her stomach. By the Immortals what would her grandfather say if he even knew she was here?! Taking a deep breath, the brunette noticed Pash's hand was still on her back and he was speaking to her again in that Rahiki touched baritone that sent a curious wave off goosebumps rippling across her arms.

You can only learn so much about something by watching from far away.

The words repeated in her mind clear as a bell. His words in her own voice. Finally looking at the sun-blonde man, Kali glanced at his almost comically presented arm. She felt a slow smile spread across her face as she stood up and reached out to link her arm in his lightly, blue gaze looking up at him with a mix of eagerness and nerves.

"Okay." The brunette traveler said softly, before taking another big deep breath and nodding to him. Inside, she fought the panicky feeling rising like an oncoming storm. It fed her nervousness, and the hunter nearly wanted to pull away from the charming seafarer and make a break for the city. Away from the confusion and noise that Pash want her to be part of.

"Lead the way Pash." Kali said with a vague wave of her free hand, loosely replicating his earlier movement. A small smile stayed hung on her dusky pink lips as she waited for his next move.

Out over the ocean another breeze blew in, very light droplets of rain carried onto the beach and lost between the dancers. It was only a sprinkle, a taste of what was to come.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

Pash watched her expressions with his typical personal interest, noting how much more often the lithe huntress was prone to furrow her brow in concern or thought than she was to smile. It was most unfortunate, for when she did smile, it was quite lovely. Perhaps precisely because it was so rare and fleeting, like a jewel among sea glass. She took his offered arm with hesitance, but she still took it, her words of consent quiet and unsure. Her skin against his was a temptation, but not just in the obvious sort of way that one would think—her touch made it that much easier to read her really, and the seafaring minstrel again swallowed the temptation to explore her emotions out of his own very uninhibited curiosity. He could be patient, if only just a little.

"Well, it’s m’ hope to promise no regrets."

He grinned at the Sev’ryn then, holding her periwinkle gaze for just a moment before he purposefully looked away lest he wander past the surface of her existence just to strum the colorful chords of her tangle to selfishly guarantee his own words without the fun of chance … and he laughed instead and followed the waggling of Kali’s fingers as she mocked his sweeping hand motions. The tall Biqaj led them away from the tables, under a few lanterns and toward the vendors and their colorful tents. The first drops of rain began to fall, light and teasing, though they hinted at the cold rain of Ashan instead of the warm washes of Ymiden.

There were a few mixed lines of people milling about the vendors and some folks standing around, talking and laughing, eating and drinking. He wove them both through all the other warm bodies with a comfortable ease, picking a queue and leaning toward the shorter brunette just a little so as not to have to speak too loudly above the crowd, once again purposefully ignorant of invading what little personal space she had left between the two of them anyway, "Can I ask what brought y’out to Scalvoris? Are y’jus’ pasisn’ through? Jus’ because I know the type m’self—”

He couldn’t help it, really, wanting to know more about her and perhaps get a glimpse of her thoughts to satiate his curiosities, and he'd happily answer the same question if asked. Pash simply wanted to make conversation while they waited a few bits, whether Kali decided to share anything or just stand quietly together. He hooked his other thumb in the strap for his lute, glancing at their options for something to drink and mentally weighing the coin he carried, for of course the something better he promised was on his nel, not hers.

”—I mean, y’seem far from home but a’ the same time, maybe you're not.”

Once it was their turn in line, the young human working their stand smiled and wiped a bit of rain from her forehead with the back of her hand. It was obvious by her slightly disheveled look that her particular booth had been busy and that perhaps whatever drinks she'd been serving had been popular. She managed to be cheerful, however, taking the handful of trills to rest her elbows on her makeshift countertop while she spoke, “What can I get fer ye two lovelies, eh?”

The seafaring minstrel no longer felt the need for anything fancy to sustain his level of intoxication, ordering himself an ale before adding, ”—an’ somethin’ festive an’ fair tastin’ for th'lady here. I'll let y’make a good decision for her ‘cause’t looks like y’know your stuff.”

Pash winked then, tidepool gaze sparkling with his own somewhat unique sense of humor. Had he not had Kali on his arm, he probably could have come across as flirtatious. Well, he may have been anyway, quite content to live in his salty charm. The vendor chuckled, jaded by all the other partiers she’d served all evening but amused nonetheless by the novelty of choice for a customer. She took his coin and then proceeded to get their drinks.

“I hope y’don’ mind surprises.” The Biqaj teased, somewhat guessing it was not the most comfortable of ideas for the skittish, unsure huntress he was attempting to draw out into the open little by little. So he offered her a roguish smile nonetheless; a wordless permission to relax or a coy suggestion that it would be fun all wrapped up in his expression.

Spending Ledger

2sn for ale, and 5sn for vendor's alcoholic choice. -7sn total

[Kali'rial]

The taller mans smile did little to quell the turbulent fluttering in her stomach as he led them into the fray. Pushing gently through the warm press of bodies, everyone in a state of intoxication or high on the atmosphere of the festival, Kali held his arm firmly as not to get separated. Her blue eyes focused on various people as they moved. Here, a man, singing a lewd song in a key probably unknown to even the Immortals. There, a woman with a child strapped to her chest laughing and talking excitedly to a group with her. Somewhere off to the left a blast of light caught the Sev'ryn's eye and she turned her head to watch the crack of lighting blaze the sky with a small breath of wonder. It wasn't that lightning or thunder was a phenomenon she hadn't seen before, but there was something ethereal about the way it kissed the blackened ocean, turning the beach into day for a split second before an earth shattering boom closed out the moment.

Pash had slowed them to a stop, drawing the brunette's attention back to their expedition. They had queued up for one of the vendor stalls, as chilled droplets of rain ever so lightly touched down. Barely noticeable to Kali, but clearly a big deal as the people down closest to the water cheered and livened their dancing around the massive bonfire. As they waited, the Biqaj leaned close again to speak, both a necessity it seemed in the bustle of the crowds and a habit he appeared to have. Kali kept her head close so she could listen to his words.

"Yes and no." She said in answer to his question about home, her expression more serious now as she thought how best to explain her journey so far. It warranted more than just the acknowledgement of being far from home. She turned her head slightly so he could hear her better.

"I was born in Desnind, but I feel like it's less like home than a place to stop for a while. My grandparents raised me as a hide trader, so I've spent more time on the trade routes than in any one city." Pausing, Kali glanced up at him as she spoke, feeling more comfortable with the tall seafarer as they spoke of familiar things.

"My grandmother passed on a while ago, and grandfather just didn't have the heart to continue without her. He is an Elder now, and so on Desnind he will never go without food or shelter. I was prepared to continue on my own, however he wanted me to...travel." The young hunter frowned as she tried to think of the most logical way to explain Familiars and Bonding to the Biqaj.

"Grandfather was concerned as I am yet to bond with a Familiar, my...spirit animal?" It was a ridiculous explanation but it seemed the most simple one. Shaking her head, Kali huffed, brow still furrowed a little.

"I don't see why he felt it was important now, of all times. We always traded, ever since they took me in. A Familiar Journey is just a distraction. I mean, of course eventually I should Bond, but I'm sure it would have happened. Time wasted, this journey." Sighing, she shrugged.

"But this was his wish, and he is an Elder. So I left Desnind and followed the trade routes across the sea and up Eastern Idalos. I figured that whilst I journeyed, it wouldn't hurt to gather a few hides and make some nel . Scalvoris is a good place to water my horse and earn nel. I figured that it would be beneficial to visit Moseke in her temple, maybe she can guide me through this Bonding and I can get back to work." They had reached the counter, and Kali watched as Pash spoke to the vendor, unable to stop a smile as she watched him interact. It seemed the musician was unable to help himself with turning on the casual charm. He was attractive, it would be impossible not to notice. Well defined jawline, sun bleached long hair, golden skin enhanced with intricate ink work..it all worked well together. Perhaps it was his personality though that attracted attention more. The seafaring Biqaj seemed like someone that everyone would like, someone that effortlessly made companions.

"Surprises..." Kali said suddenly, breaking herself out of the internal contemplation of the many intricacies of the tall man beside her. Glancing at the retreating vendor and back at Pash's disarming grin, she took a moment to think before shooting him an uncertain smile.

"Sure..surprises are..okay." The young Sev'ryn said slowly. As they waited for the drinks, she leaned closer to his ear as the noise picked up briefly.

"How about you? What brings a Biqaj to Scalvoris? Business or pleasure?" She asked with seriousness, pulling away a little and catching his lagoon blue gaze again with another rush of butterflies. The changing of colours in his eyes was a wonderfully fascinating thing to witness.

[Pash Raj'oriq]

The Sev’ryn was a skittish, serious little thing, but she had her reasons. Pash listened to her as they stood in line, unable to keep from mingling his own perspective into what he heard as her story. He, too, grew up in the shadow of someone else’s expectations, but his family—thank U'frek—valued freedom enough that he did not carry the same sense of burden it seemed Kali did. His father had let go of his plans in the light of understanding that Pash just did not fit the same mold, that his talents and aspirations were elsewhere, whether he agreed with them or not.

Her words felt heavy, and he could tell that she still bore the weight of both her travels and her family over her shoulders like a fur mantle in Suan.

The brunette's explanation of a familiar didn’t strike him as odd as perhaps she worried it would, mostly because he’d lived his life chasing his ever-elusive creativity, which often meant seeking new experiences to stay inspired. While this inspiration, this muse, wasn’t always specific person or creature or location (but had been at least one of those things more than once in the past), it was still something he’d come to accept he had to constantly stay in motion for.

The seafaring musician opened his mouth to object that no time was ever wasted on a journey, but the lithe huntress continued speaking and then it was their turn in line. Once Pash had ordered and paid, they moved to one side of the vendor’s tent to wait for their drinks.

He’d guessed rightly that a surprise wasn’t entirely within her comfort zone, but she seemed at least cautiously ready to give that a go. He was persistent in his good intentions, determined now to find some ways for the serious Sev’ryn to crawl out of her shell a little. Baby steps. It was difficult, though, for him to contain himself, for him to not be too over-zealous in his efforts. Where he otherwise might have dragged someone else toward the bonfire to dance or made more wild decisions about drinking together, he sort of tucked his sails a little and stuck to the shore for Kali. His sensitivity was a natural talent, something that allowed him to perform well, and something enhanced further by effort and study and empathy.

The view of the beach wasn’t so bad, after all, metaphorically speaking—she was pretty even when frowning if Pash was honest, her dark hair like the night waves of the sea framing her face and the inked lines of a tree visible at the neckline of her simple outfit an enticing invitation to wonder about where it all began and ended on the skin he couldn’t quite see underneath ... Coaxing a smile, bringing some color to her cheeks, and having her talk about her history were good things, and they were satisfying in the sense that they fed Pash’s insatiable curiosity and need to entertain. They were enough, for now.

The tall Biqaj was just about to turn and get their drinks when she leaned closer, a motion he had not expected. In his already intoxicated state, he grinned almost sheepishly at the brush of her hair and the whisper of breath so close to his pointed ear,

“—business ‘r pleasure?” Pash repeated her in a huskier, amused baritone, drawing out the two words thoughtfully and unintentionally highlighting just how his Rakahi accent grew stronger when not entirely sober. Had he not been conscious of being on his best behavior for the moment, he would have come up with far more suggestive things to say for himself, but instead he met her curious, periwinkle hues with a shift to a deeper, richer blue in his own eyes, “Both. Always. I sing an’ play music for a livin’, so pleasure is my business so’t’speak.”

With that hanging between them, he laughed coyly and stepped away to get their drinks: his ale and her fancy surprise. It was in a lovely fluted glass and the liquid inside was green on the bottom and orange on the top, blending in the middle with a bit of fruit Pash had never seen before hanging off one side,

“She called this a Jungle Sunset.”

He grinned, handing it over before he finished his answer, leading them with a nod of his head away from the line and the noise and more towards the beach despite the light rain. The Biqaj watched a bit more lightning dance over the dark waves before finishing his response to what brought him to Scalvoris, “I’ve been sailin’ an’ stoppin’ at various ports n’ cities ‘round Idalos for a handful o’ arcs now. I see th’ sights, I meet th’ locals, I play some music an’ make folks happy. I inevitably end up in a barfight ‘r a party somewhere. Sometimes I stay for a few seasons, sometimes I don’t. I’ve never been this far from home—Ne’Haer for me—so I thought I’d see what was out here.”

Pash had no particular direction to walk them in, happy to watch her give her drink a try, to hover a bit closer to her person than was socially acceptable, and to feel the chilled drops grow a little heavier on his flushed skin. He was marginally aware that this ale would most likely put him far over the uninhibited tow line, but that was also hardly a concern for the seafaring minstrel who was always head to in the wind,

“How’s it?”