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Curios and curiosities! [open!]

Started by Rhindeer, April 29, 2012, 04:54:16 PM

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NyuBomber

"Excellent idea, Your Graciousness." Kiew went to the shop owner and politely asked for any source of water she had. As it turns out, she kept a bucket for cleaning, right behind the main counter. Kiew unwrapped the ink capsule and carefully poured in some water, the n gave it a stir with her brush and raised the writing tool out.

Perfection.

She tanked the shopowner again and returned to Maharani Avrei. She bowed and presented the capsule with brush already inside, ready to be plucked out and used.

Rhindeer

"Huh?" Yun blinked at the Maharani, and then, without even meaning to, she perked up.

"Oh! Yeah! I mean, uh, if ya wouldn't mind, your grace," she added quickly, bowing her head. "I just, well...I didn't really think ahead? I don't have any parchment."

But ahh! Why didn't she think of asking for her signature, too? It would be instant bragging rights! Er, no, not bragging rights, that was bad. But she could show it to her parents and how proud would they be? She'd just leave out the part where she bumbled along like the village idiot; no, the story she told them would be heavily doctored and based off what she saw of Kiew.
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NyuBomber

Kiew hummed to herself, then pulled another, smaller, much cheaper-appearing, but blank roll of parchment out of her sack. She holds it out to Yun.

"The poet Zhao of Fallen Petals once wrote 'The fox who prepares is never skinned by the hunter.' ...Though, he didn't follow-up by saying what happens if the hunter is prepared, too." Kiew shrugs.

Xphy

"Oh, most impressive."  

Avrei gave a nod of approval when Kiew produced the second piece of parchment. It solved the problem of Yun not having any paper, and kept her from having to find something within the store to buy in order to sign for her. She was also a little surprised that the girl was interested in poetry.

After taking the capsule and the second piece of parchment from the girl she placed both pieces on the table and carefully marked each with her name. She then turned to face Kiew and presented the parchment to the girl. "Well, there you go." Next she turned toward Yun and handed the smaller piece to her.

"And, one for you as well."

Rhindeer

Kiew's great words of wisdom were met with a withering look. Oh, the things she wanted to say right about then! But she bit her tongue and went with something far tamer.

"That's just wrong. Who would hunt a fox but savages?" Yun said with a frown. Seriously? Was Kiew calling her a stupid fox--er, person--for not knowing in advance that she'd need parchment for a signature from the Maharani herself? And worse, she didn't like that she felt like she was being subtly insulted! Yun didn't do subtlety! She had no subtle reply!

Still, she relaxed a little and accepted the paper, muttering a 'thank you' and feeling a little bad for thinking so poorly of the girl, much as she couldn't really help it. But despite the bitterness, she also realized she was more peeved at herself than Kiew--irritated with herself for lacking all the social graces this girl was flaunting.

When Avrei had finished up her signature, Yun took the paper and held it stretched out to let it dry, leaning in to blow lightly on it. "Thank you, your grace."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

NyuBomber

Kiew felt compelled to rebuke the warrior's claim with the fact that it didn't matter if the hunter was a savage or a nobleman, and that she should stop trying to analyze prose before she hurt herself.

But Kiew was having too much fun.

She bowed to the Maharani and took her autograph scroll back, admiring the signature. "Thanky ou very much, Your Graciousness! May our ancestors bless you. If I may take my leave, I would like to begin  my search."

Xphy

Avrei gave a nod of approval as she watched the two girls. Both seemed to be content with their respective signatures, which was good enough for her.  It was always nice to see the young people of the nation happy.

"It was my pleasure," she replied to both of their thanks before turning her attention directly to Kiew. "And of course you may. I have no intention of standing between you and your work." If she remembered correctly the girl had said that she was here on an assignment. She would have hated to get her in trouble with her instructors by taking up her time.

"It truly was a pleasure meeting you, and may Inima bless you and your family." She bowed once more to the girl, clasping her hands in front of her, before turning to face Yun. "I believe you were about to ask me something earlier?"

Rhindeer

Now maybe she'd go away and stop embarrassing her...

Yun gave a little jolt when the Maharani turned her attention back to her, having been too focused on that show-off Kiew, and she blinked several times. Wha?

"I was?" she said, and gave a quick look around as though hoping something in the shop would jog her memory. "Oh, uh..." Yeah, she had no memory of that. But hey! That just meant she needed to replace it with a new question! "Oh! Right! Yeah, what brought you here, your grace?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Xphy

Avrei was fairly certain that hadn't been the question the girl had started to ask her before Kiew approached them. From what she recalled it had to do with jewelry, but she would say nothing of it. Pointing out the girl's mistake would only have been rude, and disrespectful. So instead she decided to play along.

"I suppose you could say that I am here on the off chance that there is an object of spiritual importance in this store," she explained. "As you know mainlanders tend to be less knowledgeable about spirits and how to detect them, and it isn't completely unheard of for something related to them to find its way here." That reminded her. Between her suspicions about the Yun, and the distraction posed by Kiew she had completely forgotten to have a look around.

No matter there was still some daylight left. She could always have a look later.

"Off course the chances of that happening is still relatively small, but I didn't have anything better to do with my afternoon," she continued. Now that she thought about it his was a perfect opportunity to find out what the girl was up. She was curious after all.

"What about you? Were you only here to look at the jewelry?"

Rhindeer

Yun toed the ground sheepishly, hands folded behind her back.

"Er...yeah," she said, and cleared her throat. "Just looking at the jewellery. Um, it's not normally my style, but I mean, I just...I had some time to kill, and it's my first time here, so...it...looked pretty?"

She trailed off, feeling dumb--but then again, she was certain she'd feel stupid discussing any topic with the Maharani! The Maharani had to deal with Huge, Important Issues and here she was, talking about frivolous things. She wished she had something more exciting, more important and interesting to talk about, something impressive that would leave an impression! Something she could tell her parents about later and feel good about it because it was the truth and not a fabrication. How amazing would it be to be able to say that she'd talked about Huge, Important Issues with their great leader? Maybe even helped solve a problem that had been plaguing her by offering a down-to-earth, everyday woman perspective?

Just like in the stories.

Instead she found herself tongue-tied.

Oh! But wait! She did have something interesting to talk about, didn't she? Like why she was here! The Maharani had asked if she was only here to look at jewellery, and she wasn't!

Yun perked up and flashed a bright grin, gaining a small burst of confidence. "Oh! But that's not all! I came to defend the city!" she said, and puffed out her chest proudly.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Xphy

"Is that so?"

Avrei had watched the girl carefully as she answered her question, taking in what she could from her posture and gestures. From what she saw her nervousness had reemerged, if only briefly, but she appeared to be genuinely proud about what she had said afterwards. It had actually brought a smile to the Maharani's lips as well. She'd always enjoyed seeing youths who were enthusiastic about their duties. It was usually a good sign that they were willing to work hard to carry them out.

More and more she was beginning to think that she had really misjudged Yun and her intentions earlier.

"That is quite an impressive goal actually, and a noble one at that." she continued. "With passion like that I'm sure you will make a fine addition to the warriors stationed here. This city could always use good protectors unfortunately." She had meant every word she said, and she had made no effort to hide her satisfaction with the girl's answer. With all of the riffraff and uncivilized people that worked aboard the foreign traders' ships the warriors stationed in Jinta were always the busiest.

"Out of curiosity who did you train under? Perhaps I have heard of them?"

Rhindeer

Oh man, oh man, oh man.

She was getting praised.

By the Maharani.

Now that was something she could take home to her parents!

Yun's eyes widened, momentarily stunned, and then she broke out into a face-splitting grin and just about glowed with pride. She forgot all her earlier reservations in that moment, swept up instead in a whirlwind of excitement and accomplishment. This was the best. Day. Ever!

"Her name's Kuan! She's my mentor," Yun said, and began to roll up her parchment after testing that it was dry. "She's in the city, too! But she's doing other stuff and I've trained with a lot of people like Hoi and Kuyu and..." She rattled off a list of names of fellow Warriors she'd trained with, many of them her age, and then beamed up at the Maharani. She couldn't wait to tell them all about this--and that she'd even name-dropped them to her!
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Xphy

"Kuan..."

Avrei cupping her chin in her palm as she pondered the name. Of all the ones the girl had mentioned that one stood out the most. It sounded familiar to her, as though she had heard it somewhere before. But where? After some thought it finally came to her. That was the name of one of the protectors of the faith wasn't it?

"She is a Khan if I'm not mistaken?" she said finally, giving Yun an approving nod as she did. To be chosen as a student of a warrior is such high caliber was a great honor. There was little doubt in her mind that the girl was probably quite capable after such training. "I imagine she has trained you well,

"Your parents must be very proud of you."

Rhindeer

Yun flashed a glowing smile at the Maharani. Truth be told, she didn't really know how proud her parents were of her; they had sent her off to train to get her out of their hair, because she was brash and undisciplined and it was about time. She always seemed to be making mistakes, was always getting scolded, and she'd always felt--in her more self-pitying moments--that she couldn't get anything right.

But if the Maharani thought she was worthy of praise, then certainly her parents would, too!

"I hope so!" she said with a grin. "They'll sure have to once I tell 'em about all this, right?"
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Xphy

"I'm sure they already are," Avrei replied, with a smile. What parents wouldn't be proud of the fact that their child actively served Inima and her followers? An uncivilized non-believer perhaps, but certainly not a pair of upstanding Thanati citizens. It was unfathomable in her eyes.

After looking toward her bodyguard for a brief moment she returned her gaze to Yun. "You said that this was your first time In Jinta correct? Have you had a chance to familiarize yourself with the city?" she asked, cupping her chin her palm. It was getting late and dusk was quickly approaching. She couldn't help but wonder if the girl would be alright making her way home after dark. "I imagine it must be very different from what you're used to."

Rhindeer

Yun nodded vigorously. "Yup, first time! And nope, haven't really gotten the chance. Er, Majesty." She laughed and motioned around the place.

"'Different' is putting it lightly. Where I'm from, there's like ten families and that's it! This place is huge. Also," she added, leaning in closer and dropping her voice, "It smells."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Xphy

"Ah yes," Avrei replied, nodding her head in agreement. "Unfortunately that is one of downsides to trading with mainlanders." She was actually a little surprised by how frank Yun had been with her opinion of the place, but it was far from a controversial one. Most Thanati had a negative of the city, and with several of the inns being permitted to prepare red meat it most certainly had its own unique stench when compared to most other settlements in the archipelago.

"However since you haven't had a chance to see much of the city perhaps you would be interested in accompanying me tomorrow?" she added. "If you have time of course."

Rhindeer

"Whaaaat? You?" Yun blurted, and slapped a hand over her mouth after. Yikes! That probably sounded so rude!

"Er, apologies! What I meant to say is of course I've got time! Er. I mean, yes! Yes. I would be most honored to join ya tomorrow, Your Majesty!" She bowed deeply, and so quickly that she nearly whipped her hair free of its topknot. "Anytime!"

Oh man. Oh Inima. Never in her life would she ever imagine she'd be here now, serving as the Maharani's escort through the city! How could she say no to that?

She really, really hoped she didn't screw it up.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Xphy

Avrei couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's response. She was certainly an excitable one wasn't she? It was going to be nice to have some new company on her walk through the city.

"Then it's settled. Come to temple tomorrow around noon, and I shall show you around the city," she said before gesturing toward her guard. "If by chance I am not already outside when you arrive Kyale here should be there waiting for you. She will fetch me if need be."

Rhindeer

"Done! Thank you, your majesty! Thank you so much!" Yun bobbed several more bows--and stopped when she felt dizzy--before she straightened up and beamed a smile at the woman.

"Thanks! Ah, oh, I should leave ya now, huh? Probably got a lot of important Maharani things to do, don'tcha? But I'll be there tomorrow right away! At noon, I mean! The temple, gotcha." She bowed once more and backed away from the woman, still bent forward, before turning on her heel and racing out the door, forgetting in her excitement that she should have probably let the woman dismiss her.

But she had so much to take care of before the day was through and oh dear Inima she was gonna be the Maharani's escort tomorrow!
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

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