OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part Five

[brave_kreyu]

In the morning, after they've both bathed, eaten, and they are finally dressed, she's explaining her plans for the morning to Skellig.

"I'm going to be doing two things at once," she explains. "A very overbooked artist has graciously squeezed me in for some henna work, so I'll be gone for a few hours. I'd bring you along, but she's not comfortable around men." Kreyu has her SUSPICIONS as to why, but she doesn't know.

"And since chatting is very much a part of the process, I'll be seeing what I can find out about any recent pirate attacks."

Comments

[brave_kreyu]

"Yes, you have a good eye," she agrees.

She doesn't startle when Skellig works his magic, doesn't even notice it right away. A puzzled expression briefly crosses her face as she's assembling the necklace, the absence of pain strange. But, perhaps this is a bit of luck, a very GOOD day?

It only takes her a few minutes to assemble the items, the ease of decades of practice. "Should your wife wear the piece when you are passing this way, I should like to see it worn." She's smiling more brightly, the absence of pain lifting her mood.

The price is, well, she wasn't kidding about most people not being able to afford it. She expects him to haggle her down, of course, she planned for that.

[27_53]

"I believe we will be in the city for some time yet," he replies. "And she strongly believes in meeting the hands which work to craft whatever it is she would wear. Be it linen, silk, or this fine glass and silver. I am certain we will make our way by at some point."

Skellig rummages in his bag a moment as to come up with the requested amount - he knows it is a bit 'high' (Kreyu had spoken to him of the practice of haggling, and he has done so where appropriate) but has no intention of haggling for anything here. Not with the sheer amount of wealth they took from Heka's hoard - there is simply no need. And he is quite pleased with this special find, knowing how much Kreyu will enjoy it (he hopes!) when he gives it to her later.

The coins are easily produced - he does double-check to ensure the count is accurate - and he passes it over. There might even be a bit extra, for working so quickly to assemble the beads...

"Here you are," he says. "Again, with my thanks."

[brave_kreyu]

"You are most welcome. I look forward to seeing you again." She might put the pieces together later, as strange as they are.

His purchases are carefully wrapped in linen and stowed in a small wooden box before the merchant hands them over.

More colors catch his eye from further along the street. This stall is set back further from the street, as its wares are delicate silks. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, whites and blacks. Nothing in purple is openly on display, but since purple dye is worth more than its weight in gold that's not TOO surprising.

[27_53]

With the wooden box tucked safely away in his bag, he nods his goodbye to the merchant and takes his leave - it is not long before he spots the colors, his eyes sensitive to the bright display of the silks.

Skellig ducks into this stall quickly, and begins to browse the offerings carefully.

"These are some of the best examples of color I've seen so far today," he comments idly to the person running the stall, as he looks closer at some of the pieces. In his mind, he is pondering what color he would best like to see Kreyu draped in...or sprawled upon.

(But that thought he must refrain from entertaining for more than a very brief moment, lest he cause a 'ruckus' in the market.)

"Are these to be worn, or...?"

[brave_kreyu]

"They are sturdy enough to be worn," the merchant replies. "Though most of my customers find them too dear to wear."

[27_53]

"They are so fine in weave," Skellig is only using his eyesight to cheat a little. "The risk of a snag would be great if worn," he agrees. "But many other uses for them."

Sprawling upon them it is, then.

The reds are lovely, as are the yellows - one is so dark it is nearly a golden color, vibrant and glowing. And he already knows how well Kreyu has enjoyed him sprawled atop greens and blues. He glances up. "My wife prefers purple most of all...it seems to...bring out her eyes. Do you know where I might find a merchant who carries it?"

[brave_kreyu]

"We do have some purple, for our most...discerning customers." the merchant allows. "We do not carry much, too difficult to sell for how expensive it is to procure."

The merchant glances around as if expecting to be ambushed by silk thieves. Satisfied that no one is about to spring on him, he removes a piece of violet silk from its hiding place. Even completely unfolded, it would only BARELY be large enough for Kreyu to lounge upon. But that COLOR, and it is so very soft....

[27_53]

The color is radiant, and Skellig instantly has an image of Kreyu lounging upon it flash into his mind - her violet eyes peering up at him with a come hither gaze, her slightly-wicked grin flashing across her features as she teases him with all the things she'll do to him...

"That is quite splendid," he mutters, after a pause to collect (and re-direct) his train of thought. He will not move to touch it, not without showing he is serious about the purchase. But from looks alone, he can tell how smooth and soft it is.

"I will take it," he says. There is no hesitation. "And while I was considering some of that golden yellow, I have just noticed this grey..." There is a piece folded beside some black, not quite as dark as the others - either by accident or design. it reminds him of her scales, which if he thinks of he can 'feel' beneath his fingers as he touches the silk carefully. "I think I would have it instead."

It may seem an odd choice, but Skellig is a bit of an odd customer.

[brave_kreyu]

If the merchant finds it an odd choice, Skellig can't tell. "Of course, Sir."

The price is high, really high.

(And how strange is it that he can casually purchase such a thing when not all THAT long ago, in another world, he was in truly dire financial straights?)

At the edge of his senses he feels it again, wind and storm. But the sky is clear, still. So very peculiar.

[27_53]

His focus shifts briefly to the sky above them, but he cannot hear anything, so he does not worry much.

"Perhaps for that amount," Skellig says casually as he begins to rummage in his bag - the clink of the coins is evident as he counts them in his fingers, out of view of the merchant. "Some of the golden yellow, as well?"

The glancing look upwards that he gives is not one of being shrewd - it is just simple, honest asking. He knows the violet is very rare and very expensive. But it is worth an attempt, at the least.

[brave_kreyu]

The merchant gives a thoughtful grunt. "Only because I need to travel back to my homeland soon, before my wife gives birth," he tells Skellig.

It's not a LOT of the golden yellow, perhaps a yard. Still, a successful haggle. These purchases too will be carefully wrapped up.

[27_53]

Skellig adds an few extra gemstones (what exactly they are, he isn't certain, but they were from Heka's hoard and they've worked for trade so far) along with the hefty handful of coin he passes over.

"My best wishes to you and your wife, and your child." He nods. "May your journey be safe, and the birth uneventful."

With the package secured, he takes his leave. He is getting somewhat hungry, but moreso thirsty as he wanders...glancing up again at the sky, which seems to hold no hint of trouble or foul weather. It is a few blocks of wandering before he catches the strong hint of spices coming from a stall, enough to fully pull him from his thoughts.

Is that tea?

Also, there is a cart nearby with breads, stuffed both sweet and savory...

[brave_kreyu]

The merchant is surprised at Skellig's addition of wealth and well wishes. "May you and your wife have many fine children, good Sir." It's a traditional well wish in his culture, but one that Skellig might find a bit odd.

It is indeed tea, and the woman operating the bread cart is arguing with the woman who operates the tea stall over the merits of various spices and proportions. (There's no heat, no anger to the argument. This is, apparently, just how they are.)

[27_53]

The odd wish from the merchant is also one reason why Skellig is a bit distracted until he reaches the tea stall and bread cart.

He does not outright interrupt their 'argument' - it would be rude after all - but takes his time by starting with browsing the various blends of teas that are set out as display for what is available for purchase in greater quantity.

The smells are all foreign and strange to him, as he is not at all a tea drinker, and would not know where to start. They are spicy and herbal and some have more of a citrus hint to them...

[brave_kreyu]

The argument breaks off in favor of business.

The woman running the tea stall catches on to how 'lost' Skellig is and takes pity on him. "You look thirsty, please try some of my house blend, on me." It's what his old world would call 'chai', black tea with some spices added. A hint of black pepper, cinnamon, and dried ginger."

She proffers a cup to him carefully.

[27_53]

Skellig is grateful for the offered cup - even with the heat of the day still looming, it is not outright oppressive quite yet. And the tea is a welcome drink to quench his thirst.

With a polite nod (not a bow) of his head, he takes the cup and sips.

Even with the scent easily noticed, the flavor profile is...quite unexpected, in a good way. But the woman will notice his reaction; this is simply something he has not experienced, ever. Which may seem odd, a man like him, of his status? Never having had 'chai' before?

"That is quite good," he says, sipping once more. "I was not prepared for the...pepper? But it blends well with the others."

[brave_kreyu]

"Helpful in a warm climate too, the pepper, helps you stay cooler."

She's not TOO surprised he hasn't had this before. This is still, by and large, beer country. THIS kind of tea is still a novelty. "If you would care to purchase some, I would be glad to prepare some for you. Or I have other teas, some of a more medicinal nature."

The bread seller snorts, loudly. "Medicinal, are they? You're no healer."

"Old home remedies," the seller replies. "I have customers who swear by them."

They might be medicinal, it might just be the placebo effect, it's hard to say.

[27_53]

"There is much to be said for word of mouth," Skellig offers with a shrug. "I would take some of this to enjoy now, and if possible some dried to purchase as well, so that I could prepare it later at home?"

Home is still a strange word for him to say out loud, but he doesn't show much of his awkwardness around the idea. (At least not in public.) "What sort of ailments would you claim could be treated, by your teas?"

There is something to be said for the placebo effect actually working - the act of preparing and drinking tea in and of itself can be soothing and calming to the central nervous system, and that alone could work to 'heal' a variety of ailments.

As she prepares him a cup, he watches closely - he'll have to replicate this later!

[brave_kreyu]

"Of course." The spices are toasted briefly in a pan over the fire, then roughly crushed in a mortar and pestle. Water is heated over the fire, then the tea mixed is added.

While waiting for water to heat, she prepares a small box of her tea mixture and briefly goes over the various 'medicinal' teas. Some of them are more likely to be effective than others. Teas to aid in sleep, calm ones nerves, help someone who is fatigued, these seem plausible. The one to help with a man's...stamina, less so.

The bread seller actually rolls her eyes at that one, before being distracted by another customer.

[27_53]

Skellig listens to her describe the various offerings - and while he does not roll his eyes, his lips pull into a hint of a smirk as the last one is described.

"I think I will stick with just this one for the time being," he says. "Though I can see how some of those would be quite...useful, if they worked as intended for those who swear by them."

[brave_kreyu]

"Of course. Feel free to stop by anytime!"

The wind shifts and Skellig can REALLY smell those breads now. Cheese and vegetables, lamb, dates and honey, so many options! There is also fish, but Skellig isn't going to be touching those.

[27_53]

The bread seller's cart is a clearly popular one, so the purchases are a bit more straightforward - he goes nowhere near the fish, and instead chooses two; cheese and vegetables, and lamb. He contemplates the dates and honey, but for some reason he feels odd getting that without Kreyu with him, so it is the savory options for now.

His cup he used to drink the tea is returned on his way back past her stall; he finished it while waiting in line for the breads.

And eventually he finds his way to the water's edge, with the breads, and perches himself lightly on a bench near some of the docks. There are ships of varying sizes here, and where there are ships, there are birds. Seabirds, hungry seabirds - who are eyeing his breads quite eagerly!

Skellig bites into the cheese and vegetable bread first.

"Not for you," he mutters under his breath, mildly amused.

The bird that approaches him is undeterred by this 'protest', hopping closer. Skellig cocks his head to the side as he takes another bite - it is a 'staring contest', now. Another bite. The bird hops closer. Ever hopeful...

...a piece of bread is torn off, and he throws it to the ground for the bird, who snatches it up eagerly. And then squawks, to tell his friends!

[brave_kreyu]

By the time Skellig is finishing the other bread, there is a small horde of sea birds hanging about.

The feeling of wind, of storm, is close now. Whoever or whatever it is must be in this section of the docks.

The docks are far from empty, people loading and unloading cargo, people passing back and forth. There are a lot of people to watch, but one in particular may catch his eye. The man is wearing a Chiton in bright blue, embroidered with colorful geometric designs and pinned at the shoulders with elaborate jeweled pins. His hair is gone entirely silver, but he looks hale. He's wearing a belt around his waist, his purse and other necessities hanging from it.

[27_53]

As close as the shift in the 'weather' has drawn (with still no visible changes to the sky) to him on the docks, Skellig is paying much closer attention to those who walk past him. There are a great number of people to watch, faces to study - some people look at him as they bustle by, some do not, this is not unusual - and while he is listening, he is also being careful to hold his own 'presence' close.

This feeling does not cause him to feel overtly as if he is in danger or threatened, which is why he has not yet moved from his spot on this bench. If he were in any danger - or if he felt Kreyu was in any danger - he would make haste at once to find wherever she has gone to.

"Interesting, that one," Skellig comments softly to the seabird sitting on the stone wall behind him at his right shoulder. He tips his head ever so slightly towards the silver-haired man in blue, the jeweled pins sparkling brightly in the sun. "No, I do not think he has any breads in that bag."

Under his breath, he laughs - at whatever the seabird's reply from an 'indignant' squawk is. "We shall see, if he comes this direction. I do not know what he seeks. I would not bother him, if you are wise."

Skellig will also not bother the man but his attention is focused (how could it not be, with such a brilliant blue to that fabric and the colorful designs embroidered upon it) as he draws nearer. And as he does so, his interest rises somewhat, as the energy in the open space shifts. It feels...familiar, but at the same time, not at all.

(Is he feeling Karma without realizing exactly what is being radiated beneath the surface of the lines of the world, as the 'elder' man walks closer?)

Subconsciously, he pulls his wings tighter to his back, tucking them closer against his body - he knows they are hidden with the power and work Kreyu put into his amulet he wears, but it is habit...

[brave_kreyu]

By fate or by chance, the man IS heading closer to Skellig, so he and the birds are likely to get a closer look at him soon.

Two people in the crowd see the man as prey, someone to be robbed. It's a very old trick, having one person, 'accidentally' collide with the target while someone ELSE cuts their purse or picks their pocket. With the life Skellig used to lead, he's probably seen it before.

The large man deliberately collides with the stranger in blue, apologizes profusely. The stranger lets HIM go with a friendly nod, but the would be cut purse has his hand grabbed as soon as it's around the purse. "I think you are trying to take something that does not belong to you, hm?" The voice is calm, serene, but firm as iron.

The would be cut-purse, closer to boyhood than manhood, struggles frantically in his grip. The man is calm, serene, and the boy doesn't know what to make of both being grabbed and held AND the man not being visibly angry. (He isn't angry, Skellig will feel, a strange combination of mildly annoyed and amused at the attempted theft.)