What We Need (Lyam)

[Nira'lia]

512 Spring 43rd Nira'lia hummed to herself as she rocked her feet back and forth. She was seated on a bench on the side of the street, waiting for her companion -- if he would come, that is. Nira'lia wondered if he even got her message, since he was at class when she decided to drop by his room at the dormitories. The konti simply scribbled down a note on a piece of scrap paper and gave it to his roommate with a smile. "Hi, Lyam! Meet me at the university gates at around the sixteenth bell tomorrow, okay? Let's go shopping for some art stuff! - Nira'lia" The konti wondered if he would even want to see her again, but she decided to just take the risk. She had decided even before coming there to “meet” him that if he wasn’t there in half an hour, she’d just take that as him declining her offer. The konti hoped he would come though; it was much more enjoyable to shop when you were with someone else. In addition, he would know what to get. She watched as the students exited the university premises in groups. They spoke amongst themselves, talking about their last class, and complaining about the homework the professor had given. Nira’lia wondered if she would have gained friends as well if she had decided to enrol in the university. It was too late for that now, though – she was leaving Zeltiva before the season ended. Nira’lia’s mind started to drift away as she daydreamed about nothing in particular. She daydreamed about drawing, even if she wasn’t very good at it. ’He’s late... probably not interested,’ she thought to herself as she realized that a few minutes had already gone by. Peering behind her, she took a glimpse to see if was anywhere nearby.

[Lyam]

Lyam came back on his room where Siriak was waiting for him with a big smile full of implications. He gave him a piece of paper and made fun of him “So… your new girl friend wanna do some shopping?” Lyam gazed at him and opened his mouth to replicate but Siriak burst out laughing. The young Kelvic finally just shook his head and read the paper. "Hi, Lyam! Meet me at the university gates at around the sixteenth bell tomorrow, okay? Let's go shopping for some art stuff! - Nira'lia". A smile crossed Lyam’s face what made Siriak laugh a bit more. He was glad to see the young girl again. *** The ringing bells caught Lyam’s attention and made him raise his head from the book he was reading. He listened carefully, counting the sound. When he heard the fifteenth, he silently begged for the sixteenth not to come. Ding. Missed. Lyam stood up in one jump, closed the book where one of the most famous artists of Mizahar was explaining how he managed to catch the lights of a burning fire and just left it on the desk. He had definitely not the time to put it back in its shelves. Running through the corridors, Lyam cursed against himself. Was he definitely unable to be on time? He reached his room few minutes later, grabbed his shirt he slipped immediately and his belt where a little bag with some money was hanging. The cloth on his back and the belt that tightened his waist were still strange to him but he had to make an effort this time. He took three seconds to wonder if something missed and ran again toward the checkpoint. He finally reached the university gates just in time. Nira’lia had just stood up and seemed a bit sad, certainly thinking he would not come. She turned her heel and made few steps before Lyam, out of breath, finally touched her shoulder. “I’m here!” he said between two breaths “I’m sorry… I’m… unable to be on time.” He smiled to apologize and added “So! Ready to give your money to some greedy vampires?”

[Nira'lia]

"Oh, what--" When Lyam touched her shoulder, she jumped in surprise. She expected images to flash before her eyes, just like it did every time a person touched her. However, this time, no images came. Nira'lia grinned and turned around, and her guess was right... it was Lyam! "What happened to you? Why do you look so tired?" she asked simply as she stared at him. Nira'lia paused for a while to allow him to catch his breath back. Nira'lia started to lead the way even if she had no idea where they should be going. The konti just started to talk towards the general store, which she thought might be a good start. She was depending on him to tell her where a good place to shop was, since she had no knowledge about what they even needed. "Did you come from training?" she asked blankly. The konti assumed she was right because he looked so tired. "Sorry, I didn't know your schedule, so I just picked a random time!"

[Lyam]

Nira’lia was really kind to Lyam and her supposition and apologizes made him smile. “Don’t worry, I was in the library, I just did not see the time going.” Once he had caught his breath back, they went slowly to the general store where they may find some charcoals. “So, have you drawn something since the last time?” Lyam gently asked. He carefully listened to her answer while looking for some “perfect-painter’s-toolkit” in the store. Of course there were none. Not a single good enough feather. Still, Lyam decided to ask to merchant, in case he had some he would not have exposed. But the big man shook his head and apologized: his store was more for useful stuffs. “Anyway,” Lyam said seeing Nira’lia’s disappointed face “let’s go through the streets, we will find something.” He winked at her and try to be reassuring. Still, he had really no idea of where they could go. OOCFirst sorry for the delay, I’m passing some exams right now, it’s quite difficult ^^’ And sorry for the so little answer…

[Nira'lia]

Nira'lia look embarrassed as she shook her head at his question. "No, I haven't really practiced..." The konti trailed behind Lyam as she watched him go about his task. He seemed to have an idea of what they needed, and Nira'lia was happy that she chose to sought him out for this. "Okay," she nodded. "Perhaps we should go to the docks? The traders like to sell things by their boats, though I don't know if we could find an artist's toolkit there." To be honest, she couldn't imagine finding any art materials by the docks, but it was all she could think off. Besides, who knew? She had seen some people attempt to sell off random trinkets of their belongings. It also came out cheaper than usual since some of the materials were already secondhand. They soon found themselves at the docks. With a sigh of relief, she saw that she was right. Some of the traders were indeed selling what they could. They laid out their wares on cloths or boxes and allowed passerbys to see what they were offering. "See anything?" OOCNo worries. Apologies for the uneventful post, trying to get the feel again. ;p

[Lyam]

Lyam looked everywhere but was unable to see anything. Some were selling clothes, other fishes, and many were selling some rare products from all around the world. But no one was selling any drawing material. Lyam sighed with despair. He knew another place actually, a little store where they would be sure to find a good toolkit. But it was too expensive for Lyam to buy anything and he had promised not to steal anymore… at least not in Zeltiva… not yet. He turned on his heel and took Nira’s arm to make her follow. He then opened his mouth to apologize or something like that but instead he stopped. On the ground, an old woman was sitting, facing the docks and yelling around. By her side, many paintings were waiting for a buyer. “Look.” Lyam just said to Nira’lia. “She may have what we want.” OOChummmm sorry ?

[Nira'lia]

As Nira'lia and Lyam approached the woman, the Konti saw how thin her hands were, and how hunger seemed to be taking its toll. Curiously, Nira'lia looked at all the other people – they were all on the verge of starvation. At that moment, the Konti's own stomach lurched painfully. She looked at the paintings that the woman was selling – they were all very beautiful, but nobody seemed to be interested. Of course, the city was suffering from famine; nobody would spend money on paintings. "Hello..." said the Konti as she greeted the old woman. She was replied with a nod. "We're not actually here to purchase paintings, but we are interested in buying an artist's toolkit each." The old woman's face seemed to light up. Without speaking, she rummaged through her bag and laid out some tools. She seemed excited at the prospect of making money. What she wasn't telling Nira'lia and Lyam was that while these tools seemed to be in perfect condition, they were owned by the sailor who made the paintings – a sailor who was lost at sea during the storm. She wasn't expecting to sell them, but when the opportunity arose, she took it. "These used to belong to a friend," the woman said. "He was an avid artist... see, he has more than one piece of the same thing, each of you could walk away with a top-notch artist's set. Only for twenty-five gold mizas for each set, what do you think?"

[Lyam]

Twenty five gold mizas sounded better than the thirty gold mizas they would have pay in the other shop. However the tools had already been used even if the material seemed to be still in perfect condition. Lyam hesitated. It was still a good opportunity. He gazed at Nira’s big smile and excitement. He could maybe make the price a bit lower… But when he looked at the old woman to propose her another price, he saw her starving face, her tiny waist and dirty hand. It was obvious that she needed this gold more than he had ever done. He sighed silently then smiled “Ok for 25gm each. Lucky day for you M’dam.” Lyam took 50gm from his belt and gave them to the woman before Nira’lia could have moved. He put then one of the toolkits on her hands and winked at her. He finally grated the old woman and began to walk toward the centre of the town before asking the Konti whether she would come with him or stay there in the middle of the docks.

[Nira'lia]

As soon as Lyam said that they would take it, Nira'lia started to rummage in her purse. When she finally dug out twenty-five golden mizas, she was surprised to see that the Kelvic was already handing her a toolkit, and she realized that he had already paid for it. Smiling, she forced the twenty-five mizas in his hands in exchange for the kit. After all, she didn't feel comfortable letting him pay! Nira'lia looked at the toolkit in her hand. A big, goofy grin was sprawled across her face. While she enjoyed drawing, she wasn't skilled in it yet, and regardless of this, she was excited to start using the art tools. "Actually, uhm..." Nira'lia looked at the row of hungry peddlers. "I think I'm going to stay behind and do some more shopping for myself... you go ahead, okay?"

[Lyam]

Lyam couldn’t get what was happening in Nira’s head. He did not know how but suddenly 25gm were on his hand. Then she tried to… to what? Run away from him? Lyam wondered whether it was a mistake for a man to offer a gift to a girl he liked. What was suddenly wrong? The only certain thing for Lyam was that he could not let Nira go away just like that. But he young girl was already going away. Lyam caught her arm and looked her straight in the eyes. “Have I done something wrong?” he asked. But before the Konti could reply, he continued “Anyway, I’m sorry.” Then he gave her back her 25gm and prevent her from refusing again. “It’s a gift. A gift to thank you. You don’t own me anything.” He finally released her arm and made a step back. “I’m glad I’ve seen you again. I hope we’ll meet again, sometime.” He then sighed with a sad smile and turned on his heel. He would probably never see the young Konti again and this idea was really disturbing him. The original joy he felt when he had found his toolkit had been gone for long now. He felt like he had just left behind him someone important. The boy shook his head. He had only met her twice, she should not matter like that. She was not even a friend. But she could have been. For sure she would have been.