Exploring the Citadel (Samael, open)

[Eanos]

Spring 25, 510

Evening had begun to take hold when the Isur headed off on a course which would bring him into the castle which dominated the city. He'd not been long in the city and this was his first chance to get out and explore. Just because he was an Isur and work dominated much of his thoughts did not mean that he didn't have more than his fair share of curiosity; quite the contrary the reason he was so far from home had a great deal to do with a combination of curiosity and ambition.

His route was meandering through streets which made him feel a good deal more secure than the open countryside through which he'd travelled to get here and the growing darkness was also a comfort for the dimness was less of a strain on his eyes which saw very well indeed in the gathering gloom. Walking slowly, he took in the sights to be seen, his keen sight peering deep down darkened alleyways and into shopfronts.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Samael was going about his business, which still only included exploring the city. Eventually he would either have to find work or move on, but he had always heard of Syliras so he was keen on getting the full experience. He often rode around on Horse, but there were many places one couldn't get to with a sixteen-hand stallion, even a well-trained one, so he did spend a lot of time on his own.

He noticed an Isur doing likewise and wondered how old he actually was, knowing only that they were longer-lived than humans. Just as he was passing, his stomach started growling with embarrassing vehemence and volume.

[Eanos]

Many were the things which seemed strange to Eanos as he prowled along, though most were likely so commonplace to the locals as to not to draw a second glance. One of the things he found strange especially in a city street, though it should not be imagined that it was the first time by any means since they were also well known back in his home, were the horses.

But if the horse he had stepped aside for had drawn his attention away from his study of the peculiarities of the city, then a grumble from the stomach of it's rider caused him to stop in his tracks and glance up at the rider, taking note of him for the first time.

"Sounds like you need something to eat, do you know somewhere round here that serves good food?" The question likely surprised him as much as it might the man on the horse, for it had been something on his mind and not something he'd actually intended to be asking.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sam colored slightly with embarrassment, glad for the cover of the growing twilight. He hadn't been here long at all and already people were asking him for directions! Well, he supposed he looked competent, which was probably a good thing. People would be less likely to bother him.

"Sure," he said, pointing on up ahead. "There should still be some food carts around the corner there." He thought so, as the smell of cooked mystery meat remained on the air.

[Eanos]

The Isur grunted at the response and now that his attention was focussed on the idea of a food stand at the edge of the street his nose told him that indeed it was likely that the stranger was right.

He nodded, grudging the fact that he was now indebted to a stranger and a human at that. He raised his head and sniffed deeply, drawing in a breath and savouring the smell on the evening air. Some sort of meat stand, which was not unsurprising all things considered, but first he had to deal with the unwelcome obligation.

"Thank you for the advice, stranger. My name is Eanos, can I offer you a bite to eat at those stalls in return for your recommendation?" He did not look back up for he disliked craning his neck up that far and it would settle the obligation once and for all. And should the stranger refuse then perhaps his advice too was to be disregarded.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"You don't have to," he assured him, sliding deftly down from Horse's back to prevent the Isur man from getting a crick in his neck. "But I never turn down free food."

He smiled brightly enough, still mostly a child at seventeen though he was doing his utmost to pass as a full-grown and capable man.

"I'll just come with you and make sure you get there all right. Hopefully it isn't horsemeat, or he'll never forgive me." He hooked his thumb toward Horse, who ignored him.

[Eanos]

It seemed that Eanos was not to be rid of his obligation quite so easily, but at least the man had dismounted so as long as he didn't get too close, the Isur could now talk to him without too much issue.

Now though he could see that the man was younger than he'd thought, though it was hard to be sure since they aged so quickly. "Well you are welcome to it." He missed the meaning of the reference to the horse since as far as he was concerned horses were just beasts of burden.

He started off in the direction which had been indicated. "I hope that I am not keeping you from some pressing business," he asked, almost hopeful that he might be reminding the man of somewhere he needed to be, but somehow he knew that he wasn't going to be that lucky.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Not... pressing business," he admitted awkwardly, only now starting to realize that maybe his presence wasn't really all that welcome.

Horse trailed along behind him like a duckling with its mother, smarter than Eanos realized, but still not quite sentient. All the same, Sam found horses easier to understand than humans most of the time, and he held less of a grudge. Horses had never done anything to him other than try to throw him off their backs and the like.

He opened his mouth to offer again to leave, but then shut it. The Isur had no reason to be rude, and if he took exception to humans, then he needn't be in a human settlement. Sam would get his free meal and that would be that.

"I'm Sam, by the way," he offered, never one to be entirely vindictive. "This is Horse."

[Eanos]

"A pleasure to meet you Sam," he replied, the formality rolling off his tongue while he did little to try and keep the fact that he was not entirely sincere about it. But even he could not maintain that level of insincerity in the face of someone who was blithely ignoring it.

"My name is Eanos Swifthand," he replied accepting his fate and wondering if this were some punishment meted out for leaving his clan and for forgetting his prayers during the journey.

They rounded the corner and the stalls were revealed, so he headed for the first which seemed to have a fair number of locals around it which in his experience was a good indication of the quality of what was being offered. He glanced around to see what had been ordered. "Do you live around here?" he asked to fill in time before they ordered.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Eanos," he said slowly, doing his best mimic the Isur pronunciation. Nothing pissed people off more than having their names mispronounced. Well, it was frustrating, anyway. "Swifthand. Is that like a clan name?"

He wondered if he really wanted to know. His own pavilion had been cut down before his eyes, but that was ten years past. He tried not to let old tragedies keep him down.

"Not really. I'm actually new here. I've just been exploring a lot. Not sure if I'll settle or move on."