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Crumbs from the Bread King [GOBLIN]

Started by Cambie, February 03, 2014, 08:16:38 PM

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Cambie

As the red morning sun dawned over the sprawling city of Essyrn, for the briefest of moments there was a still hush in the air, as if every collective breath within the Desert Jewel was held. And then, a shrill shriek pierced the air from behind the silk-draped balcony of an alabaster wall overlooking the Niafi River. City guards patrolling the streets below the estate stopped in their tracks and peered up incredulously, unsure of what they just heard. Then a second scream broke the silence and a veiled concubine burst through the silk, screaming hysterically.

"MURDER! OH HAKESHNA, MURDERRRR!"

The nearby town bazaar was abuzz with chatter in whispers that morning. Could it be true? More than one witness has heard the girl screaming, and even now the estate of Fazir El-Atwah was being swarmed with armed men and even more armed guards. They had ruthlessly scoured the surrounding neighborhood for signs of the perpetrator, and even waded into the waters of the blessed River to find the killer. They found nothing.

The so-called Bread King had been found sprawled in the middle of his massive feather mattress, stark naked in his opulence, fingers covered in gold rings and gold chains and pendants wrapped around his neck. Everything about him was covered in gold, silver, and diamonds: the bedposts, the ottomans, the chairs fit for a shah. And the gold-hilted dagger plunged deep through his heart.

All of the local merchants conferred with one another before the opening of the market, to discuss how to proceed in the wake of such shocking violence. El-Atwah, the Bread King, was one of the richest men in the city of Essyrn, controlling nearly all of the wheat imports from abroad. He had a stranglehold on the food supply of the people, and had made a very tidy profit from his monopoly. But now that he was dead...

The murder had come just days after an up-and-coming grain factor had been found dead in the alleyways behind the red light district, his throat slashed from ear to ear. The young man had been considered an upstart in the city's extensive trade network, and had posed the greatest threat to the Bread King's dominance over the city's wheat supply. Now that the two of them had gone the way of their ancestors, uncertainty in the marketplace had everybody nervous.

So it was little surprise that nobody noticed the stranger in the marketplace that morning, wandering from booth to booth but never inspecting the wares nor spending the coin on anything. He stopped between two booths selling exotic plants purported to have magical healing properties, but his amber-gold eyes seemed so very disinterested in what the sellers had to offer. Their pitches fell on deaf ears, and their scowls at his retreating back were met with nothing but silent disregard. None of them could remember much of the man's face though, other than those gold eyes of his.

Finally, the Stranger stopped at a small tent where a local baker was selling his freshly baked offerings, ironically made from the same grain bought from the Bread King. The Stranger bought a single loaf and paid for it in coin before taking it over to a nearby fountain and sitting on its edge. Cowl pulled over his head, he sat there motionless, staring down at it.

GoblinFae

Every whispered rumor and even those that were shouted was observed by another apparent stranger to the city. It amused the woman to listen in, while she was not working it was always good to know of possible competition in her field once she left Essryn. Here she was Zeyna, an exotic and perhaps even eccentric woman from the north that liked to come to the oasis as a retreat for her health, or so the local rumor-mill would often say.

Tiraris continued to roam about the bazaar, making sure to keep her headscarf firmly in place so that it kept her hair from annoying her. Feeling hungry, she purchased some fruit and sat down on the edge of a fountain to eat in peace.

The arrival of another hungry stranger though, made her think twice of her chosen spot, however as he had yet to disturb, she ignored him. It was only as she had finished peeling the fruit's outer-skin into one long strand that she noticed the man had not moved and was simply staring at his food as if it might poison him the moment he ate it.

"If you are looking for the meaning for life, I think you will be quite sorry to know you will not find it in a loaf of bread," she quipped with a smirk.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

Though the last few nights seemed a dream, he remembered every single moment of it, as though trapped helplessly in his own mind, watching his body move on its own accord. It'd started weeks ago when that dreaded sensation washed over him, like he'd lost control over his very soul. He knew then that it was happening again: someone had learned his True Name.

Compelled by the inexplicable grip of domination, he traveled south back to his native land of Essyrn. Though he wanted to rebel, after so many years he knew that it would avail him little to fight the command of his 'master.'

That initial murder had been simple enough: the young man, Hakeshna take his soul into her embrace, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some quick knife work later and the inexplicable sensation of release washed over the Stranger. He knew his task was complete.

Still, that lingering feeling of servitude drove him to seek out the man who had, in the course of wishing another's death, had learned the Stranger's True Name. With such command over his very soul, it was very possible that this Bread King could enslave him for all eternity. His hands trembled with the very thought of it. And so last night, utilizing every skill and trick he had in his arsenal, he'd ended the man's life. When that dagger plunged into his still-beating heart, the wave of release was cathartic.

He sat at the fountain's edge now, half-pondering the events from the night before. In one way it was absolute solace to know that he'd freed himself from the shackles of servitude by killing the man who held dominion over him. On the other hand he knew, somehow, that this cycle would never end. The bread felt like dust in his hands.

When the girl's voice reached his ears it snapped him out of his reverie. His eyes remained down at the bread for a moment before slowly turning to regard her with a blank stare. All of his features -nose, ears, mouth, beard- seemed generic. Only his striking gold eyes were memorable, gleaming in the morning sunlight.

Slowly, he reached over and held the loaf out to her.

GoblinFae

She eyed the proffered loaf with raised brow and pursed lips before raising her eyes to meet his. Crimson met aureate as the assassin tried to determine the man's motive. Her eyes never leaving his, she finally reached out and broke off a piece of it before bowing her head slightly.

"Thank you, stranger," Tiraris murmured. She then sliced a piece of her newly peeled fruit and offered it to him in return. "Would you care for some? I just purchased it and I would hate to eat you out of your own meal. There is more than enough to share."

Tiraris was curious to say the least. The man's behavior was odd but in turn also amusing. She had nothing better to be doing with her time, so she did not see why she could not sit there and chit-chat with a stranger. It was uncharacteristic of her; assassins rarely made friends in their line of work. Colleagues were competition and marks were dead in record time if an assassin was capable enough.

'Why not?' she mused, 'What is the worst that could happen? He walk off? He pisses me off? Meh, that is not so bad. But, now what? Is he going to talk or just sit there like a lump on a log? Do I bother continuing a conversation? He is rather plain. Except those eyes, those eyes are certainly memorable.'

The assassin blinked slowly. She realized then that she had been staring the entire she had been thinking. Pretending coy, Tiraris lowered her gaze, a small smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. A faint giggle passed her lips as she stared down at her own hands. "My apologies, I do not mean to disturb you."
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

For his part the Stranger's expression didn't waver as his counterpart sized him up, trying to unravel his thoughts and motives. That face of his remained as blank as ever, though if one had to attribute any sort of emotion to that face, it might've been pensiveness.

She hadn't taken all of the bread, and so the Stranger's hand slowly retreated back to his lap, still loosely clutching the small loaf between his fingers. His eyes drifted slowly back down to it and remained there - until she offered him the fruit. His golden eyes turned back over to regard her, lingering on the fruit for a moment before he nodded and took the piece. Its soft juicy flesh had a burst of sweetness to it when he bit down, and for a moment he almost remembered what it was like to crave food, to enjoy its taste. That moment was fleeting.

"Thank you for the fruit," the man finally said. Although he certainly looked and dressed like every other Essyrni wandering the bazaar this dusty morning, his accent sounded more northern, more foreign. There was a tinge of Essyrni in there, but somehow it also seemed Adelan, maybe even Serenian. Just like his face, his words seemed to blend everything into one unrecognizable mass.

He looked down at the bread again and held it out to her once more. "Take it. I won't finish it anyway."

GoblinFae

"You are welcome," she replied, her ears catching the mixture of an accent in his pronunciation. Tiraris held up her hand, palm facing him as she protested more. "A lady must watch her figure," she jested as she refused it. "Besides how could I take more from you? You have not had a single bite of it."

She ate, hollowing out the soft center of her half of the loaf as she pondered his features and accent. He truly was a rather nondescript individual. His only striking features were his eyes and if she thought about it, the assassin realized his accent was not so far off. It was as if he had learned the language on the road further north. There was no distinct sound that would link him to a specific region yet he had elements of several different places in his tone and cant.

"So do you come here often?" Tiraris wanted to slap herself the moment the words came out of her mouth. 'Congratulations, now you sound like a harlot trying to come onto him. When was the last time you initiated a conversation anyway?'
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

The Stranger held the bread out for several more seconds after the woman had already turned it down. When it became clear that she wasn't going to take the rest of it though, his hand slowly dropped back down to his lap. He had no hunger pains, no craving for food. However, for the sake of appearances, he pulled off a corner of the bread and began nibbling on it, looking very much like a little mouse working on a cube of cheese.

It felt slightly awkward and uncomfortable sitting there with the girl staring at him, especially since he rarely made small talk with random people. He had tried that once, early in his life when he had first shrugged off the shackles of servitude. He'd opened a shop -maybe pottery, but it was so long ago that he forgot- and had lived a quiet existence. That lasted less than a year, when the first uncontrollable urge overtook him and drove him to assassinate some merchant or another.

Since then... well, it was just easier to remain anonymous.

And yet, where was the harm in engaging in a little banter now and then? It wasn't as if idle chitchat would have him letting down his guard at this point anyhow. Besides, what of him could she possibly learn? Even he barely knew himself anymore.

"To this market, not often,"
he said in an even tone as he flicked crumbs off of his nondescript flaxen robes, watching as a stray dog crept out of the cool shade of a nearby stall and began licking up the bits of bread. "This place must be new. When I was young, there was nothing here but an open plaza. I was born just down the road."

Of course, that was well over four generations ago, when the Jewel of the Desert was just a little less refined as the present day. He doubted the lavish estate to which he was born a slave still stood, likely a bathhouse or a warehouse by now. The city was as amorphous as he.

He peered over to her for a silent moment, golden eyes seeming to pierce right through her.

"You, though. You are a stranger to these lands, no?"

GoblinFae

Tiraris smiled and closed her eyes briefly, shaking her head. It was a common question asked of her while here. "I was not born here if that is your question. But I am no stranger to these lands. I have to say though in all the years I have come and gone, the market has always been here. You must have been quite small when last it was anything else."

When her half of the bread was completely hollowed out, she tore chunks of the thick crust off and fed them to the dog who happily sat besides her, panting between bites. She reached out and scratched behind its ears as she let her thoughts wander.

"You are from here, then? Your accent," the assassin began hesitantly, carefully choosing her words, "says you have traveled or spent some time with foreign caravans. Am I mistaken in hearing a touch of Adelan with a dash of Serenian added into the mix?"
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

The Stranger nodded his head briefly and replied, "Yes... very small."

It was difficult to remember so far back into his life, and there were so many gaps in his memory and so many other hazy parts. But the open plaza, paved over with limestone and dusted over with a fine layer of sand from the passing storms, was vivid in his mind. He could almost smell the weeds growing out from between the cracks.

He raised his hand to take another small bite from his bread, but stopped just short when she asked him about his accent. The bread hovered hesitantly in front of his mouth for just a moment before he finally went through with the action and took a small bite. Chewing thoughtfully, he nodded his head again.

"I am from here."
How to explain the rest of it though?

"...Some time in Adela, some time in Serendipity. Connlaoth. Hyoite. When one spends enough time away from home, one begins to lose his tongue."

And that's not all one loses, he thought.

GoblinFae

"So very true," she sighed back, nodding her head in agreement. "It is so easy to forget oneself while flitting from place to place. I always wonder about the day when I look back and realize I have forgotten everything I was taught in my homeland."

Tiraris tore more chunks of bread, remembering a past she wanted to forget. "Perhaps it is a better thing though," she commented, "to give up old ways and make room for new ideas. So many cultures and yet every country claims to have the right beliefs. Maybe it is better to adapt and take on the best ideals and teachings, mold ourselves into something new and become our true selves"

The assassin laughed and shook her head. "Look at me talking all philosophical and yet how much do you and I really believe that? Do you think it is even possible?"
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

The Stranger finally rid himself of the rest of his half-loaf, tossing the bread onto the ground in front of them. The stray dog immediately perked up and bounded off the fountain's edge to where the little morsel lay. Several other stray animals lurked in the shadows, perhaps waiting for an opportunity to swoop in and snatch up the bread, but for now they all remained where they were.

He sat there in pensive silence as he listened to her words, drowning out the sounds of the bustling marketplace all around them. Evidently the Bread King's death had only slightly affected the bazaar. Once the people had accepted the fact, it was right back to business for them. Such was the way of Essyrn.

"If it is possible to take and choose from all cultures? Yes, it is possible. But it is also easier to take none. What is one's true self, really? Does it have any real meaning?"


He reached his deft fingers up to readjust the plain looking headcloth atop his black hair. Her words had struck a slight chord in him. One's true self. Did he even have a true self anymore? Or was that something else that the fates had stolen from him and hidden away? He couldn't even remember his own name.

Ahead of them, several city guards carrying spears were roughly questioning several nearby merchants in a stall. They wore the armor and tall caps of Essyrn, but something about them suggested that they belonged to the city only in name, but to someone else in reality. The Stranger's golden eyes turned to eye them warily.

GoblinFae

A warm breeze blew through the bazaar tugging at her own dark headscarf and pulling free a strand of crimson hair. She tucked it back, musing on the stranger's words and his questions. "True self? I suppose I do not know for sure myself. It was something my mother always said. Something she always said should be kept hidden."

The assassin shook her head sadly. "I suppose the true self is that which we lock inside? The person we chose to or not to let the world see. Perhaps that is where the phrase "wearing your heart on your sleeve" comes from. All the world sees your true self. Why do you say it is easier to take on nothing though? Is not every interaction we have with someone something that challenges us and changes us in the smallest of ways?"
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

"Something that should be kept hidden," the Stranger repeated half to himself as he switched his gaze between the guards terrorizing the merchants, and his new companion.

"Those are wise words. It is dangerous to reveal yourself to the world. Some say that the key to a person is knowing who they really are, that to share it is to give yourself away, wholly."


His golden eyes slowly lifted back over to where one of the guards had a merchant by the front of the shirt. The fat little man stammered something or another about knowing nothing about any 'Bread King' and raised his hands in innocence. The guard spat at him; who here didn't know the Bread King? This was Essyrn, and gossip traveled faster than the wind.

The Stranger continued to watch them with what seemed like a quiet fascination even as he shrugged his shoulders at her inquiry. "You learn from other cultures, but you do not take them. If you take, you become. My words... you say they are a bit like this, a bit like that. If I took them, you would say my accent was Adelan. Or Connlaothian."

GoblinFae

"Learning is taking if only in part. It is taking bits and pieces of other peoples. If you truly took nothing then you would still sound like a man of Essryn would you not?"

From the corner of her eye, Tiraris kept a watchful eye on the approaching guards. She was not looking for trouble but it seemed it was intent on finding her, or so she thought. It seemed that every time she came to Essryn she could not escape without at least one run-in with the local authorities on some matter or another.

Part of her wanted to stand up right then and disappear into the shadows. Yet, her desires of earlier, to seek out conversation and socialize with another human being kept her in place. Her leg bounced in agitation as her lips pursed tightly. She could not decide how to handle the situation and was surprised by her own helpless feeling.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

Her conversational companion didn't respond immediately to the question, but sat in pensive silence as though contemplating her words. What he did do, though, was also glance over to the guards. Their rough mannerisms had frightened the fat little merchant terribly, but it was all part of their job. After all, a very important man had died that evening, and it had caused ripples throughout all of Essyrn. That, and these guards were probably being paid extra for their efforts.

They finally dropped the man down with a warning and continued underneath a small archway toward the fountain. The Stranger sat unmoving, his piercing golden eyes watching the two men approach. They stopped in front of him and Tiraris, tired scowls plastered all over both of their dark-skinned faces.

For a moment, the two of them hesitated, as though mesmerized by those golden orbs. Finally, though, one of them spoke up. "Alright, you've already heard what happened during the night. Now we're here for information, and if you tell us the right things, there's reward in it. If you tell us the wrong thing..."

The man pulled back his headscarf somewhat and said, in a perfectly Essyrni accent, "My wife and I only heard this morning from the butcher in the plaza. You know, Farzad. A terrible thing this whole situation."

The two guards looked at each other. They'd already questioned Farzad...

GoblinFae

Falling perfectly into her given role, Tiraris lowered her gaze demurely. One hand reached out to take the stranger's as her other moved to press over her heart. "Such terrible news," she murmured her own voice taking on an Essryni accent that hinted at a past life born in a foreign country.

The guards eyed her curiously, one of them recognizing her and crossing his arms in distrust. "Wife is it? Didn't realize you'd gotten married Zeyna."

Tiraris blushed and gave her "husband's" hand a squeeze and a loving shake. "Forever and always," she intoned in Essryni, letting the words sing in perfect cadence. "Such heart-breaking news to hear though! Is there anything my husband or I could do to help? We were devastated when Farzad shared with us his grief."
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

"Forever and always," her 'husband' repeated almost in unison, giving the two guards a smile. His nose was slightly crooked, his eyes set high upon his face, his mouth a deep shade of ochre. An odd looking man, and certainly nobody the guards recognized, but he seemed handsome enough.

To land a prize like Zeyna though... well, even these two guards had to give this man a pat on the back. The shorter guard leaned in and raised a brow at him. "And who is the lucky man who stole this woman's heart?"

"Kassim," the Stranger replied with a respectful bow of his head, "and you honor me too much. I simply the luckiest man in the Southern District of Essyrn, to have found my own desert jewel."

Resting their spears on the ground now, the guards relaxed their stances somewhat and shook their heads. The tall one said, "Nothing to do now except search. El-Atwah is taking the long sleep now, and all we can do is hope violence does not break out across the city. A shame, he paid us so well."

The other guard peered around before leaning in close. "Farzad said that the stars were obscured last night by swirling dust. He says the Ten-Thousand-Winds are blowing through Essyrn again..."

"Don't be stupid," his taller companion retorted, "There's no 'thousand winds' or whatever you call it. It was a political killing and nothing more. The sky was clear as glass last night. Enough with your folk stories."

He turned back to 'Zeyna'.

"He escaped over a balcony and into the sacred river. Which means he must still be somewhere in this District. If you hear anything... well, let me be the first you tell."

GoblinFae

"Of course," she affirmed. "The first news we hear we will be sure to pass on, is that not right love?" Tiraris simpered, batting her eyelashes and squeezing his hand. Her thumb traced the smooth skin of the back of his hand.

She stood slowly, brushing crumbs from her clothes as she did so. "I believe if you gentleman are done, we should be going now Kassim dearest. I'm finding all this talk to be," she paused to wipe at her eyes and sniffle, "a bit much for me."

Despite her theatrics, the assassin was filing the information on the so called "Ten-Thousand-Winds." It was a legend she had heard in hushed whispers around caravan campfires in the desert. She recognized the name but did not know much more than it for every time it was spoken aloud, darting eyes and angry curses followed. Tiraris wondered if it was something she could ask of her new "husband" once they were out of hearing range.
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]

Cambie

The taller guard simply nodded his head and gestured for the two lovebirds to carry on. The shorter one watched Zeyna and her husband as they slipped around the corner and out of sight, a slight forlorn look upon his face.

The Stranger gently held her hand and gave it a squeeze as they left the courtyard and down into one of the dustier streets. He seemed somehow different from when they'd first begun their conversation. Somehow, his nosed seemed a little more crooked, and skin a bit darker.

And then as they rounded another corner, he released her hand and halted to glance over at here. All of a sudden his face was back to what it was before: generic, bland, unimpressive. The changes were subtle, and any layperson might have shrugged it off.

"You play the part well,"
he commented softly, about her near-instant transformation into the role of Zeyna. In the back of his mind, he came to the automatic conclusion that she, like him, also hid her name.

GoblinFae

For a moment Tiraris thought the man beside her had looked different as they walked yet once they stopped she found he was the same as ever. She dismissed it as the desert sun playing tricks on her but it was not something the assassin in her was going to easily forget.

"As do you, Kassim," came her soft reply. "Now," she chuckled, "I do not believe we have been properly introduced, husband mine." Offering her hand, Tiraris smiled warmly in jest to her new acquaintance. "Around here I am known as Zeyna. Forgive the cliche, my namer took great amusement in claiming the thorns of the flower match those of my attitude. Unfortunately the name stuck and now that is all anyone here knows me as."
,___,
[O.o]
/)__)
-"--"-


"No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us"
~ Micah Bazant ~

Spoiler
Leaderships
Tirial Province (Serendipity)

Talu Territory (Adela)

Ninja Flamingos

Guilds - Under Construction and Revamping
Blood of Ash || Cleara Verdad || The Creoptera || The Reaper's Chalice || The Runner's Society || Vigilant Shadows

Characters
Agapito Perlaceo Calogero-Marcello da Lume || Ainsley Muir || Alanna Mercer "The Lioness" || Amleah Dvorak || Ariel "Owlet" Sowa || Artorius Winterbottom || Aurora "Makani'kai" Wiater || Autumn Laurel || The Bad Barkers || Benjamin Hase || Cally Foster || Cornelia Grey || Dagrun Baarda || Derrick Elthif || Donovan Cabello || Eireann Lehr || Elmira Sassafrass || Emma Fiore || Emyr Kasabian || Ferra Bestley || Fintan Kfir || Gilroy Bleddyn || Hanalei Keets || Hilarius Winterbottom || Imogene Khale || Incana Winged Blaze || Inteus Wapapow || Iorwerth/Ylli || Ithel Conlaoch || Justina Allons || Jypsei Danzer || Kailee Glint || Kaliko || Keegan Phillips || Kendall Wendle || Kenneth Kent || Kesrel Torv || Kharn Segal || Kirsikka Solvi || Ladybird "Petal" Hornwort || Lassassasya Ashaugh Seocss || Logan "Kotori" || Lorcan Dempsey || Malakai || Margot Lemaire || Maverick Alinari || Morgan Loone || Naomi Kita || Navarre Esken || Ocarern Farwind || Oddmund Greatdrool || Oliver Cabello || Pannoowau || Peregrine Liebling || Primrose Dragoslav || Pyske Daas || Qaletaqa || Quilla Anobe || Rene Zephra || Riley "Minnow" Bellerose || Ro'or Dvorak || Rosie || Rowan Alvar || Rylan Silvanus || Segari "Errum" Ggorf || Shamira Kashi || Solanacae || Sor Avi || Squeaker || Starbright Skye ||  Tiraris Silverd'art || Tighearnán High Eoforwine || Theodore Archer || Tyler Brice || Una Ornell || Vanora Partholon || Waman Pertinacity Sewati || Weilen Brunbek || Wilbur "Wilby" Smalls || Yalwa al-Kahinah || Yasmine Fairchild || Yura Elek || Zhirai Ver || Zurna Nali
[close]