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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 18, 2011 21:45:35 GMT -5
Elua’s square was a different sort of place than others in the city and it gave me a different sort of feeling inside. It was like being in a great play but with so many shows running at the same time it’s confusing and a little bit awe inspiring. It was the latter feeling that I held on to as I passed by the infamous fountain which I regarded with the appropriate suspicion. I moved away from it and found a tree under which to rest instead and peruse the works of the tragedians of Hellas. I wasn’t completely absorbed in the book though, making certain to look around me at the various people and to ponder what little dramas they might have in their own lives. The fun part was that I could know if I wanted and I didn’t. I licked my lips at the paradox and went back to reading.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 19, 2011 10:25:21 GMT -5
There was always something happening in the Square and I let the people walk around me mostly unheeded, my Tsingani clothing and bowed head allowing me to pass uneventfully enough. Usually I would have been allowing some of my exotic features to show through since the d'Angelines seemed to enjoy that and the chance to make money for survival was too good to lose; now I had money enough hidden away and my body let me know that I'd earned it. Poultices had brought down some of the swelling of my bruises and started them to fading, but the soreness was still there. No one needed to know though, so I concentrated on moving smoothly past, eyes moving cautiously over the surroundings and those I passed though the demon features didn't come out. It would have been just like him to have watching though. Forcing down some mingled disgust and rage I clasped my hands in front of me and walked on, looking at the fountain I'd admired and the place where Tabitha had shared some chocolate with me; nearby was a dark-haired man reading a book and I quickly looked back down and away while I edged by.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 19, 2011 22:26:10 GMT -5
I glanced up from my reading at the right time to notice a female figure looking at me. She seemed as though she intended to make a quick exit and I didn’t want that. She seemed mysterious and I wanted to know her story. “Wait miss! If you are not in a hurry could you tell me if my hair is black or brown?” I said to her, my voice smooth as silk and gentle like the breeze, but not completely D'Angeline.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 20, 2011 18:00:52 GMT -5
My travels had carried me many places but never far north, and my grasp of accents only ranged to 'ones I recognized' to 'ones that made it harder to understand the language that they were speaking'. This one didn't seem to hinder him, but his voice was almost musical and I wanted to like it. The question he asked was odd though and I couldn't imagine why he wanted to know. His hair was about as dark as my own, but that wasn't near what I would have considered black, which was the color of charcoal and jet. "Think is brown, though may just be light," I replied very carefully, standing still for the moment, which my body was somewhat glad of. "Why want to know?"
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 20, 2011 18:26:27 GMT -5
I shrugged my shoulders. “I was just wondering.” I could tell by her response and the features of her face that she wasn’t from around here. In fact there was something very very unique and specially intriguing about her and I was glad that I had waylaid her. She had very dark eyes, like my own, and I liked it. It endeared her to me in a way. Yes I was certainly going to make an effort to know her.
“Necthan Seith-Nun is my name,” I said. In my mind I expected her name to be something very unique, to taste of spices and feel of mountain air.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 20, 2011 18:43:11 GMT -5
His name wasn't like the others I'd heard in this land but visitors came here often, which was why the Tsingani seemed to enjoy this place. That only meant that I couldn't trust where a person was from though and while he looked more exotic and dark than most of the people here, rather like a Tsingani in his own way, so did I and he was still a man. There was a sort of prettiness that reminded me of some of the people I'd seen though and that made me even more cautious. "Am called Ai," I replied hands clasped in front of me as I managed a bow by instinct and will though my muscles protested. I wasn't in the habit of giving my family name, but then no one had ever asked for it either.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 20, 2011 21:51:05 GMT -5
It was short, but unique and while I tasted no spices when I repeated it in my head it did carry that mountain breeze. I also took note of the bow, something of her culture and I assumed that wherever she came from must be east of her. It seemed the closer to the sunrise one became the respect they had for each other. Briefly my mind went on a tangent about getting back to our true selves but I caught myself first. I nodded and smiled, approving of her name. “It is an honor to meet you, Ai,” I said, having no trouble with such a short and precious name. It was more like a little diamond when I thought of it. “You’re not really from here are you?” I asked.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 21, 2011 9:23:05 GMT -5
I'd never had anyone ask me if I was from here before, mostly because it seemed completely obvious that I couldn't have been born here unless I'd been carried on a wave or by the Fenghuang himself. There was the chance he was being polite though and as much as I would rather have found what I was looking for and sat down I knew my manners. "No, am from Ch'in," I replied in a quiet, polite tone as I slowly rose, head bowed so my hair hid another wince before I glanced at this man again. "Are from here yourself? Remind of Tsingani."
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 21, 2011 14:48:07 GMT -5
“Only partially,” I told her, “Though in other ways not at all.” I took her mention of the Tsingani as a compliment as I considered them a people much like myself. I’d heard of Ch’in, the name alone fascinated me and I aimed to inquire further about it. For the moment though she had asked about me and I continued. “My father was from here, and my mother was from an island to the north, Alba. I’ve spent equal time in both places,” I explained.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 22, 2011 12:53:06 GMT -5
This place called Alba I'd only heard mentioned a couple of times by the Tsingani, but they said it was an island with fierce people and there was little trade to be made or brought back to the kumpania. Most of them didn't favor boats anyway since it would have meant leaving their wagons and horses behind, but some of the younger ones did boast about wanting to travel there. "Don't know about Alba," I replied politely but with mild interest, hands clasped loosely in front of me . "Are strong gods in land to north?"
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 23, 2011 2:58:38 GMT -5
“I would say so, yes,” I told her. After all, they had to be in order for me to be what I was. That suddenly gaze me an idea and I peered into her mind. I saw fear, fear of a lot of things. “Ai … I sense, I sense that you’re running from something, afraid of some kind of consequence. You don’t have to be afraid of me,” I offered, real compassion in my voice. I thought to myself that I must be a strange man indeed, erratic, eccentric and just strange.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 23, 2011 15:25:39 GMT -5
For a moment the man looked at me oddly and I looked around carefully. When he spoke though I stiffened and stared at him in amazement and apprehension, taking a step back as I tried to think. I hadn't said anything and no one else here knew much of my story; only the man who'd paid for my time knew more than my name and where I was from. He'd been able to guess things the same way though. "How know this?" I asked in a whispered hiss, my hands reflexively clenching around each other. "Who sent you? He did? Family found mercenaries?" My entire body shook as I watched him and forced myself not to run, at least not for now. I needed to know who I had to hide from first.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 23, 2011 15:38:02 GMT -5
She took a step back and I stayed where I was, holding my hand out to her. “Ai, no one has sent me,” I said, shaking my head. “I just have the ability to know these sorts of things. I can see faint images in your mind. I just want to tell you, tell you that you are safe.”
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 24, 2011 18:08:05 GMT -5
When he spoke I wasn't sure exactly what to make of his words. He seemed to mean it but maybe he was a good liar. As long as I knew that though could he really trick me, especially if he didn't know that I knew? The pain in my legs and hips was starting to grow a bit stronger from standing for so long but I pushed that away, along with what had caused it, just in case he was telling the truth and could see things that I was thinking. "Safe?" I asked in a skeptical tone, arms crossed in front of me and not moving any closer to him though I did force myself to relax slightly. So far this place had been harmless at best, and just short of fearsome in its worst moments. "Can tell that?"
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 25, 2011 13:13:46 GMT -5
“You’ve traveled a great many miles from your homeland, and I know that the people hear are, for the most part, people of kind hearts, so long as you make the right friends. They would protect in the rare event that those pursuing you should find their way here,” I said, explaining myself. Unless the men of Ch’in were more persistent than the sun is to raise each day they should have given up on her by now.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 26, 2011 19:47:45 GMT -5
He spoke of me as though I wouldn't be worth dragging back to Ch'in- but for all he knew that may well have been the case. I was only some commoner selling whatever I could to live, not a man with some wealth and the ability to have visions. I wasn't that confident though, especially since I remembered the stories they told about when the gods had been thwarted before. About the people of this land I couldn't disagree, because I had met some kind ones, but the most recent evil had put them far from my mind. "Have seen kind heart, but wish could know which ones are demons before come too close," I replied cautiously, moving a bit closer so I didn't have to speak so loudly. This was a wise man, able to see things no normal person could, so he deserved some respect. If I didn't do so the gods here would no doubt be more angry with me.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 26, 2011 19:58:45 GMT -5
"That is something that I can do with anyone, should I choose. If I could I'd give you my gift for your protection ... but sadly life is not so convenient." It was then that I had an idea though. "Tell me, Ai, are you looking for work by any chance?"
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 27, 2011 15:30:36 GMT -5
When he said he'd give me his powers I stiffened for a moment, not quite sure how to take that statement; was it a curse that he could pass on to someone else? Then I realized that he'd said something else and I relaxed again. When I became more comfortable with this language perhaps it would be easier to follow the quick style of speech. Necthan had a job offer as well, but I watched cautiously at that. My last 'job' had paid well but left me considerably more hurt that I'd expected. "What kind job?" I asked carefully, watching his features intently.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 27, 2011 18:14:43 GMT -5
I realized that I needed to be a little less eloberated with my words and keep it somewhat simple. I gave her a little kind smile. “Something of a housekeeper. You would make the meals, clean up around the house. I spend so much of my time about, or writing or meeting with people things get cluttered sometimes. So I would be happy to have both the company and the service.”
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 28, 2011 15:09:34 GMT -5
His offer sounded like an easy enough one, and for now I had no reason to believe he wasn't sincere, but there was always the chance I was about to be fooled again and I needed to recover more before I took that kind of chance. "Don't know how to cook foods here," I replied cautiously, not ready to say no to what could be a good opportunity but also not willing to trust him completely at this point.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 28, 2011 15:27:14 GMT -5
I had considered that, but not until the words were already out of my mouth. “You will learn in time … But I think too that I should enjoy tasting some of the foods of your homeland. I can help you as well when it comes to the things here.” I paused. “The choice is yours though, Ai.”
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 29, 2011 10:04:50 GMT -5
It was an offer of a somewhere to stay that was likely more comfortable than where I was, but nothing came without a price and I still wasn't sure what he'd be paying. To keep a home clean, cook, and decorate was the price of having a home, but what would I have to do to make actual coin? "Just those things? Nothing else?" I asked bluntly, frowning slightly as I watched him. It was hard enough to tell when these people were lying but this was an important question in my mind. "Not bed-rights?"
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 29, 2011 16:17:06 GMT -5
“That’s all,” I assured her. “Nothing else. You’ll be payed standard servant wages.” I wondered if she had had to play the part of a whore in this land and the thought made me just a little angry. “Also I want to make you a charm, for your protection if you will allow me.”
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 29, 2011 20:40:05 GMT -5
I didn't know what usual servant wages were, but he seemed opposed to the idea of trying to claim something more from me and I had to wonder for a moment at it. Wasn't that somewhat usual for this land? It suited me though. The charm though- I wasn't quite sure what it would entail or what kind of attention that would call. "What kind charm?" I asked, features softening slightly as I relaxed somewhat. The Tsingani had worn little things for protection the way we would have in Ch'in but perhaps it meant something different here.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 29, 2011 22:27:18 GMT -5
“Just a little something for good luck … such as the Tsingani might wear about their neck,” I explained to her. “It can hide you from evil spirits, or simply give you good luck.” I wondered to myself what sort of magic they had in her land. I would have to ask her about such in the future.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jun 30, 2011 18:28:27 GMT -5
His offer was a tempting one, and he seemed sincere, but I remembered one giggling voice who had been far more dark than he appeared. If he was being honest though could I afford to pass this job by? "Don't know what servant wages are, and have to make jewelry for order that promised..." I said slowly, sounding much less suspicious as my reasons for being so fell away. The question was whether or not this mad would take advantage of it.
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jun 30, 2011 20:29:05 GMT -5
“You know, I’m not entirely certain either, but I will ask around, also you are free to think about it for as long as you like and work on whatever other projects you have,” I answered. I wanted her to know that she had options, and most importantly, I wanted her to trust me.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jul 1, 2011 9:27:01 GMT -5
He seemed to be giving me far more leeway then I expected, which either meant he really needed the help or that he was trying to gain my trust for some reason. I couldn't think of a reason not to trust him except for my own experiences, but my experiences had taught me caution out of necessity. Could I give him the benefit of the doubt? Sighing softly I nodded at his words. "Thank you for offer and patience," I said quietly, giving him another small bow and staying that way as continued. "Can give answer by tomorrow if is alright. Where house, to tell answer?"
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Post by Necthan Seith-Nun (R) on Jul 1, 2011 12:45:40 GMT -5
"Of course you can," I assured her and then proceeded to give her directions. "I'm on the edge of south borough; simply ask around for the playwright's house, of Necthan's house. I should be fairly easy to find," I explained, hoping it would work for her.
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Post by Sayuri Ai on Jul 2, 2011 23:09:53 GMT -5
His directions were simple enough and I appreciated them, nodding in understanding as I stored the information away in my mind. "Thank again," I replied as I rose, hands clasped in front of me and a faint smile on my face. With that I took another step back, then faded back into the crowd and back in the direction I'd started. His offer was one to think on once I was back in my little room with some tea wrapped up in the one blanket I had and trying to relax. Much was on my mind and I had to choose which road I would take.
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