Tiki, new to the icy realm of Avanthal, finds his way to the local clothing store to bundle up for the cool weather, and even colder winter approaching. Once finding suitable clothing for the local region, he briefly mingles with the locals for more guidance as to how he can fit-in to the Avanthal scene.
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This northernmost city is the home of Morwen, The Goddess of Winter, and her followers who dwell year round in a land of frozen wonder. [Lore]
53 of fall, 511 AV, several chimes past the twelfth bell
Despite the usual lacking in snow, it was still cool outside, rather cold, bitter cold, icy…and, despite Tiki’s warm cotton around the greater parts of his body, he still would shiver to an icicle by winter’s time. Therefore, he made no hesitation in finding his way to Laria’s Furs in search of more appropriate attire for the Avanthal setting. His own cloths, a tad worn – small holes, tattered ends, and whatever else made its way onto the fabric. With a few hundred Mizas on hand, or rather in his bag now cleared of all but his coin to make a greater purchase, he was prepared to…prepare.
Finding the place was easy enough, but now the challenge set forth. There was a sensation of embarrassment in him; the thought of his own cloths in comparison to the finer works he found inside was a bit intimidating. He had never really felt this way before. In the realm of Spires everyone was essentially…naked, and that was normal. Here…he just wasn’t finding it quite so simple to fit in. He hid himself for this, the best he could. His arms were crossed, his hands underneath nice and tight. He also kept his legs pretty close together till he was shaped like some upside-down pear with the sack over his back, though a bit thin of course. The cloth itself was relatively dark leaving most of the wear hidden at a glance, but the style itself was just utterly mismatched compared to the cloths before him.
He kept to himself and the items left out for display. Though he came to find some means to merely keep himself warm, he was finding more than that, a personal appeal. He was concerned of course; he didn’t have too much to waste to begin with, or the means to keep track of it all. He’d need to find a job or something in the city after this…he didn’t have much of a résumé though. What caught his eyes first were the boots. After treading the snow he’d want something higher up…if they’d blend to the snow that’d be well too, but perhaps not the most practical. What use would he have once he left for Windreach after all? The cloaks looked warm too…and he could use some new things to walk around in on the nicer days as well. Though, winter was coming, so perhaps he should merely worry about keeping warm. Though…adding a little style never hurt, right?
First problem: he had no idea what size clothes he wore. He’d need to seek out help now…oh boy. Of course, all the while she was minding her business from the back, Laria that is. From the look on her face she had seen this type of person often enough. Really, they’re just unsure about how to approach the local weather and aren’t too sure how to invest. Business was otherwise pretty calm, not too much going on. She motioned for one of the sales staff to go check it out. The figure nodded to her then began her own walk over.
Light struck her eyelids through the only crack in the blanket, her eyes opened with a slight burning sensation a tell-tale sign of unrest full sleep. Still she needed to wake; arching her back she wiggled something fierce when her spines hooked in the cover. A small puffing noise slipping through her nose as she struggled, finally frustrated to the point of wanting to kick something she thought to shift. The thick blanket slid off her skin and to the floor easily, a smile of triumph lighting her face.
Sliding herself after the blanket she squished her toes into the flooring. It stung slightly but it was a new sensation, she had never felt anything like it.
“Car-pet.”The word tasted strange and foreign on her tongue. Carpet was not something abundant in the wild. It was a new word to add to her list of growing new words—not that she hadn’t learnt the words from her father but now she had pictures to associate the words with.
“Bed!”
Patting the springy mattress she hobbled to the window, her feet were currently wrapped in makeshift bandages from the rooms extra sheets, she had not gotten frostbite but she had blisters that littered the soles of her feet. Staring at the still snowing tundra she wondered if these people had never seen sand—she hadn’t either but it was still nice to know that not everyone knew everything.
She had been a recluse in her room long enough; it was time for her to explore the world of Avanthal. To many it may not seem like much but to Erin who had only ever seen the hunting grounds around her den it was the entire world encased in rainbow lit gates. She hesitated, in the days she had been there she had not heard of a theft happening within the inn but she still feared to leave her pack, as a thief in training herself she doubted it would be a good idea to leave it in the open.
Sliding off the bed she stared around the room and finally decided hiding it under the pillows would have to suffice. Pleased with herself she threw on her jacket and made her way out of the inn.
The streets were as crowded as the day she had entered the building. This time though, she was in much better spirits and her jacket was not damp and cold, it was warm and crisp from drying by the fire. All the same she made haste to the clothing store the guard had spoken off--her slippers had worn themselves through and were now in the trash in her little room—because bandaged or not it was not smart to walk barefoot in a region covered in snow.
It seemed like she had walked forever and while she pulled her jacket tighter around herself it dawned on her that she was most defiantely lost. Turning back she attempted to locate the inn but it did not work. The inn was nowhere in sight. Grabbing the arm of a nearby stranger she spat out her question in mild panic. The man only laughed at her confusion and patted her head before turning her body to face the left and giving her a little shove.
“That way.”
She flashed him a grin before taking off, “Thanks!”
Pausing at the entrance she realized besides asking for directions this would be her first encounter with humans. Breathing deeply she shoved open the doors and strode over to the first person she seen.
Tall and thin, he looks imposing and tense. He had to be a shop person! Fearlessly she raised her hand to wave and spoke in a soft imperious voice, “I wish for shoes.”
For emphasis she pointed a small finger at her bandaged feet.
He didn’t stand a chance. Little Erin was standing before him in her youthful wonder before he even caught a scent! Caught off guard, Tiki popped up from the floor, landing to face Eric. His eyes were wide with fear, and the arms over his body were standing nice and high. The poor thing, he’d been spooked by a little hedgehog girl. He had little experience with such a species before, so her scent was new…perhaps aromatic in a sort, but Tiki had other means of nutrition.
Looking down at her feet, and weighing the true threat she possessed, Tiki calmed himself. He in turn looked down at his own shoeless feet.
“Me too.” he said with such a youthful spirit. It must have been so odd for the staff member coming over to see these kelvics interacting. What life would be like without shoes to a Vantha…it’s unthinkable! However, these two obviously had made it to the north without, so this would be a brilliant time to be the model citizen and help them adjust to the weather of the north.
In a tone much like one would imagine, the sweet elegant voice of the ever so lovely staff member rang throughout the small corner with the angelic tone as words of beauty escaped her ever soft lips to say, “What do you want?” He placed a hand on her hip and leaned against the wall or shelf. From her cheek Tiki saw her tongue moving, as if she were picking meat from her teeth – at least that’s how he did it. He looked between the two.
“She wants shoes. I want new things. Uhm…a cloak…a pair of boots…some new pants…new shirts…to keep me warm…a-a-and… I think that’s it!” She in turn stood there, looking them both over. Her eyes were some dreadfully dull color; Tiki took no notice yet to the unique property of the Vanthas’ eyes. With a swish of a finger on her free hand, she gestured to them and started walking back to a little work station adjacent the counter. Tiki followed, occasionally checking back for Eric. He wasn’t one for small talk of course, but she seemed friendly.
When Tiki reached the counter, the woman was already reaching for something under the counter. She grumbled and moaned, but eventually popped back up with something in her hand – measuring tape. To what scale it measured Tiki had no idea, but it measured for sure. She came around and slid a paper and ink across the counter for ease of access. “Take off your shirt and that bag. Then put your arms out to the side.” she instructed, and still played with her tongue in her mouth. By the gods, the class she had! He did as told, his smile ever persistent. He even found some degree of comfort in being naked again, well, semi-naked. The clerk started measuring across his shoulders and down his arms and around his waist; then his legs, and some silly little wooden cut out for his feet, and finally she was soon done, if not ready for final measurements. She fanned Tiki back and then turned to Erin. Her angelic voice lofted through the air to Eric’s precious little ears again, “What do you want?” and her tongue forever in a motion against her cheek.
Ah! She had already made a mistake, she had thought he was a shoe selling person but he too was looking for shoes. Grinning at his bare feet and fascinated by the fact that he smelt more animal than human she didn’t hear the woman’s question.
“She wants shoes. I want new things. Uhm…a cloak…a pair of boots…some new pants…new shirts…to keep me warm…a-a-and… I think that’s it!” Hearing him stutter through his answer she flicked her gaze to the woman before returning it to the man. He had to be a Kelvic, it explained the smell. Smiling happily she wondered what to ask him first but the woman beat her to the punch, crooking a finger for them to follow.
Unsure if she should follow she waited a few seconds before noting that the man had looked back, skipping after him she stumbled a bit, she had already forgotten that her feet were not properly healed. A small squeak of surprise left her when the woman popped up with something in her hands; Erin had nearly thought it was a weapon, that is, until she told the man to strip. Giggling behind her hand she entertained the notion of the two being in love--like her parents--, though that fantasy was shot down when the woman only measured him. Her hands itched to cause a bit of a ruckus and push them together but she refrained, she did not want to make the other Kelvic angry and it would be the first time she had seen another besides her brief meeting with the Ice Watch bears.
“What do you want?”The liked the woman’s voice though she was a little disappointed that her eyes did not change like the man be fore’s had and she said so.
“Your eyes aren’t changing. I want shoes.” Lifting her foot she waggled her toes slightly, using her arm to support her thigh so she wouldn’t fall over, and then let it drop--her attention back on the man.“What is your name? What are you?”
Twirling around she promptly fell on her butt and gazed at the woman with a smile and held out her coin purse,“I want fur shoes!”
Shaking her head at the child’s antics the woman once more used the strange wooden device she had on the other customer,“What is that for?”
“To see what size your foot is.”
“Oh,”Thoroughly curious she poked around at it while the woman attempted to get a clear measurement,“What size am I?”
“A five.”
Wiggling her foot in the contraption slightly she noted the numbers on the side, numbers were strange, she had a hard time counting Miza as it was and the numbers with all there little lines made her dizzy. Suddenly she was struck by the notion that she wanted the device and attempted to pluck it from the woman’s hands but to no avail.“I need it for other customers.”
Rightly scolded at the woman’s slightly reprimanding tone Erin pouted before tilting her head back to look at the man, she had yet to move from her position on the floor,“My name is Erin Hedge. My momma gave me the Hedge.”
Tiki’s benign grin glowed through the measurements and conversation. It took him a moment to even realize the little girl was addressing him. Her questions were odd, at least in their being asked. Her forward personality was something familiar, though too distant to recall precisely. The time spent over his sojourn through the north was always accompanied by the conversation of more lofty being, patient to get to the point or worrying more about the details – humans. The Jamoura were just as patient, if not more, which made conversations a taxing effort in their own to keep attention. Finally her question hit him, but not before he had established one of his own.
“Then who gave you the Eric? I’m Tiki by the way!” His charm was unparalleled. He grinned back at her with that sense of predation residing over Eric, it was only natural of course. What else would a big cat be good for?
The clerk came back with some samples for the both of them, shoes and the other items Tiki requested. She snorted that he should try them on, and gestured to a little closet to the side. The smooth curtain that hung over the entrance looked kind of ugly, just the pattern of it… it must have been old. In the mean time, Tiki listened for all of Eric’s questions and comments. He was a patient type as well, of sorts. Like the cat at calm time he would sit paws folded and aloof on his pillar to overlook the world in silence. Not even when he needed to yawn would a sound escape his maw. He was a good listener, for sure.
Next Tiki was up and gathering the clothes as soon as he had sat down after measurements. He gave Erin a look with that grin…it was nothing really. With his bag hung tight over his shoulder, he marched to the changing room and started to strip. He might have taken five minutes to fully change, but tried to keep up with anything Erin had to share or inquire. When he came out he was fully adorned in the northern furs and leathers in shades of gray and white. They must have been from a wolf of sorts, and the boots so soft must have been produced from the bounty of a snow hare. The outfit matched wonderfully, blended a bit better into the Avanthal scene, and best of all was warmed than what he had hoped for.
He stepped back out in full dress, his shabby image to only be outshined by the sunshine of the clerk. Her grey eyes looked over him a bit before she rotated his body. She then went for the pins. She removed the cloak, already a good fit, and the jacket under it. She took special note of the shit he had on, and then at those he had left to the side. They needed to be touched up a bit as the sleeves were a bit long, and the shoulders too broad. He’d look like a finer gentleman as well if she fixed the round fit…but this was a start. Pin by pin she adjusted the shirt and then asked for him to try on another. The process was repeated twice.
“Do you have at least one-hundred and fifty gold mizas with you?” the clerk asked. Tiki nodded and she strove to the back with the shirts to be fixed. In the mean time she brought back shoes for Erin to try on as well, and left once more. Tiki started to try on other pieces of clothing too…the hat was nice and warm, as were the mittens, with a fine grip too! He started thinking more about his time traveling and looked into buying these items as well. He then remembered looking into the holds. Most of the Vantha had some nice relaxing wear too when it was warm in the holds. A certain tunic caught his attention, and it was soft and silky. He’d buy that too…though he carefully counted the mizas. His back and legs would have a lighter work out after this purchase. Tiki’s list was complete and he reaped the full benefit of Laria’s business in the northern wastes. He looked back to Erin, though his mind wondered more about what it would be like wearing all that warm, soft fur.
Tiki’s shopping list expenses; total ~133 gm 55 sm :
1x pair high boots – 8 sm
3x cotton shirt – 3 sm
1x fur hat – 15 sm
1x mittens – 8sm
1x fur cloak – 20 gm
1x fur jacket – 50 gm
1x silk tunic – 25 gm
1x fur pants ~ 25+ gm?
1x wool pants – 5 sm
1x leather pants – 8 sm
1x leather belt – 2 sm
1x girdle – 6 sm
1x leather backpack - 2 gm
1x fur hood – 1 gm
Fitting and adjustments - ~10 gm
total: ~133 gm 55 sm OOC – I’m not sure how the prices for fur items go in the north, being more expensive because if business demand, or cheaper because of material availability. I also guessed on the fur pants price as one isn’t listed in the list. There must be fur pants in Avanthal, or they’d be legless! Check my math too...
The clothing was gathered and taken to the counter. The woman motioned for the boy to follow so they could finish up his purchases. Item by item she added up the goods until she reached the total. "That will be 133 gold and 55 silver mizas please." When the money was exchanged, the woman wrapped up the purchases and handed them over. "If you want to put the clothing on now, feel free to use the changing rooms. If not, have a nice day. Thank you for your patronage."
Additional Note: Thank you for adding up all of your purchases! It makes me life so much easier. Also Erin, please use a different color for your background. Your posts were hard to read. PM me with concerns.
Avanthal Lore | Vantha | Avanthal | Morwen ~-----------------------------------------------~ When I was just a kitten, They said I'd be a gem. But now that I'm a Cheshire Cat, It's odd how odd I am...
by Cheshire on December 1st, 2011, 1:12 am 
