Closed [The Scorched Skull] Shadow Meets Shadow - Sheshna

[Shikoba]

3rd of Spring, 513 Shikoba wandered down an alley on her way to the Scorched Skull, one of the livelier taverns, or so she had heard. Another guest at the Lady's Lap had given her directions, suggesting she be cautious as he did. Shrugging off the thought, she continued down her path. A Chaktawe woman, she was of average hight, about 5'9, lithe, with long black hair having down her back. Clad in a black tunic and robes, her hands were gloved, muffling the sense of motion her hands gave her. She noticed a short, round man beating a woman to the side of the alley, the woman appearing to be a prostitute, her hair in disarray. 'Awahtoklo scum,' she thought to the man, as she bumped into him, her hand quickly slipping out, snatching the money pouch he hung on his belt. He was a fool for wearing it in view of those, like her, who could take it. The man was so preoccupied that he didn't notice, even when he turned around to confront her. "Why you petching b-" With one look, up into her fully black eyes, he blanched, taking a small step back. Shikoba had found that most of those unaccustomed to her people's appearance tended to react in the same way, a grin without a hint of humor crossing her expression. It also helped when she happened to be taller than them, causing her to seem more intimidating. The coward looked as if he was in conflict, trying to decide between flee or fight. She slipped one of her feather-shaped daggers out from the folds of her robe to help with his decision. Truth be told, she was not very skilled with them, but at times, just their appearance could help her avoid a fight. It was amazing to see how fast a man with so much baggage could scurry away, sputtering curses as he did. Returning her dagger to it's place, she glanced in the direction of the prostitute, but she had made her escape during the confrontation. Glancing at the pouch in her hand, she tossed it to a few poor souls, a thread of regret pressing her consciousness as she did, and entered the street. She stepped up the scant steps to the cheap looking door the other tenant had described, and turned the faded purple nob. The first thing she noticed her the many skulls lining the ceiling. They looked like those of humans, not that she could be sure. Looking around the poorly lit room, she saw rickety chairs surrounding tables that were squeezed in where they could. The sour stench of beer hit her nose, seeming to emanate from the purple rugs. Stepping in brought her in sight of the packed bar. Slipping in among the shadows to draw less attention to herself, she approached the benshira bartender. "One mug please," she said her Tawna accent apparent in her rough Common. He nodded, passing it to her as she placed five copper mizahs on the sandstone counter. Nodding her thanks, she made her way to an empty table, settling in a corner of the tavern. Taking a sip before placing the mug before her, she allowed her gaze to wander the crowd, taking in the various characters from under lowered lids.

[Sheshna]

It was a splendid day in Ahnatep, the dust was in the air and the air was hot as fire. Passing an alley she saw a woman pulling out a knife while holding a coin purse. Even the thieves were out, it was nice being a criminal. She wouldn't even have looked if the man hadn't yelled. Yet, he now was rushing down the alley fleeing and a coin purse had just been tossed.

Was it conflict of the mind? Didn't matter, there was a nice little coin purse just laying on the ground. One that she hastily scooped up as the woman headed off. This lady heading into a bar, must be a nice to speak to someone like that. So she quietly followed her. She wasn't the stealthy type, but she seemed as if she was focused on something. Maybe she could, at least she tried.

There was a slow walk following her into the bar. There was a sort of weird taste following this woman. A taste in the air that only a Dhani or at least half-breed Dhani would be able to detect. So she followed and made her own way into the bar. Walking normally but with a light step she sat at the table and put down the coin purse. "I think you dropped something, you should at least be careful with money." She knew such a meeting would put anyone on edge. It made her smile, such a weird person she was.

"Nice to meet ya."

[Shikoba]

Shikoba took a deeper drink of her grain flavored ale, her eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness of the room. Noticing that someone had taken an interest in her, she watched as the Dahni approached. 'Not full Dahni,' she thought as the woman took a seat at her table, and dropped the bag before her. The same one she had tossed in the alley. "Why would I wish to keep the money of awahtoklo such as that... pig?" she asked in reply to the stranger's comment, in strongly accented Common, pausing on the last as she tried to find the appropriate word. Not expecting a response, she continued, "What business is it of yours?" Her tone was not one of spite, merely of curiosity, her expression neutral. During the time she waited for the stranger's reply, she quietly analyzed her. Looking at the woman before, she seemed to be one of the criminals in the city, with the tattoo she sported along with her scars. She was muscular, with exotic red hair, and green eyes, with an air that spoke of hardship. All in all, Shikoba decided that the woman was rather beautiful, though she didn't seem to be aware of it. "It is nice to meet you as well," she said, returning the smile with a slow one of her own. Initially, she had been more unnerved than she would have like, at having a stranger appear before her pitch black eyes. Tilting her head with a bird-like movement, which caused her loose, glossy black hair shift under the poor light, she asked, "I thought someone was following me... was that you? Or were you merely coming her for a drink as well?" She took a sip from her mug of beer, keeping her gaze on the woman's over the rim as she did. It was strange for someone to take such an interest in her doings, especially crime related actions. It never killed anyone to be wary.

[Sheshna]

Sheshna made the simple choice of answering both questions at once "Money is money my dear, money is money. If you don't takes the Mizas while you can then this city'll eat you alive." She spoke at first swiftly then slowed a bit. She had a bit of a snakes tongue.

It seemed that this person was friendly and the black eyes were interesting. The woman had a pleasing face. It made conversation easier. "I'm guessing it was your eyes that scared that man off? What a curious sight that was, A woman scaring off a grown man with just a knife. Of course I had to inspect... Might I say you taste interesting." She added noting of the taste of the woman's scent.

Not many people of the desert had those kind of eyes. It would be frightening if her dad didn't look like a black cobra. Things like that tend to desensitize children. "So are you new?"

[Shikoba]

'Money is money... is it really that simple?' she thought, wondering if that was so, why did so many people kill and die for it. Returning to her present situation, Shikoba noted the woman's interesting way of speaking. Changing tempos, almost as if in intervals. It reminded her of how snakes would move, at least, those that she had seen. 'Definitely Dahni,' she thought, catching herself on the verge of watching for such snake-like movements. She nodded in confirmation as the woman spoke, a small smile playing across her lips. It had been a rather satisfying sight when the man had run off. She wasn't sure why she felt that way, simply that it did. Brushing off the thought, she noticed how the woman used "taste". "I taste in- oh, you mean my scent," recalling how her father had said that snakes tasted scents with their tongues, instead of smelling. "You have never met a Chaktawe before?" she asked with a playful grin. For whatever reason, the mixed blooded Dahni before her was easy to converse with, which should have made her wary, but made her relax. It was a nice change. "You are interesting as well," she remarked, taking in the woman's features. "I can tell that you are part Dahni, but something else as well..?" "Yes, I only arrived a few days ago. My people call me Shikoba the Wanderer," adding 'called me', silently to herself. Her tribe had left her for dead, marooned in the open sands. Taking a sip, she tried to find the words for what she was to say next in Common, for she was still very used to speaking in Tawna, and it was quite the change for her to speak in Common. "What kind of... work..? Work is available in the city?" she asked.

[Sheshna]

Someone had noticed her Dhani part. It wasn't common but this woman also noticed she was something else. It was impressive.

"Hmmm, Well no I haven't met one. The taste is similar to something I once found in the desert. But it was a very vague scent yet pungent. I think it may have been dead. No intention to offend of course." She finished with a rather impish smile.

Shikoba's compliment was met with a friendly nod.

As far as her lineage was concerned she wasn't shy or ashamed, she liked quelling curiosity "You've noticed... I'm not full Dhani. It's rare I guess, which makes me especially rare. I'm also part Myrian... it's a bit funny even. Like a kinship between the Mongoose and a Cobra. Hehehe... hehe." She chuckled, though the mix was funny to her, given her past. For a second she realized she truly does have a sick sense of humor. She noticed something in the air, her tongue had an odd taste stuck to it. It was a drink she noticed after a few seconds, she continued after licking her lips to help clear the taste "It would seem someone in here has had a bit too much... I taste sweat and liquor."

"Hello Shikoba," she said having noticed the mumble, yet pretending not to "I am Shashanamishenesheshna... Just call me Sheshna."

The question about the work was simple "The city is full of well dressed and highly jeweled up folk. It may as well be a crown jewel for robbery. I myself found a job working for Marcello. At the risk of sounding savage, when it comes to people here and their possessions, If they deserved them then I wouldn't be able to steal then, no?"

"Or you can find yourself a regular job, but most of the city is made up of the many armed kind, the type not known to be too accepting of others, well maybe except for the Dhani. Even I don't have the patience to put up with them and I get along well enough."

[Shikoba]

She did not take offense to the comment of her scent. 'Perhaps it was a carrion bird,' she thought silently with an inward smile, the glossy black feathers of a crow or raven rustling in her mind's eye. She did not no much, if anything about the Myrians, much less the feud between them and the Dahni, but the woman's metaphor was enough to picture it. The part of her that still loved storytelling tugged at her, telling her that there was something interesting about the woman's lineage, but she pushed it down. Shikoba grinned at her company's remark. "I hope that it is not me, since this is my first mug," she said, her tone light and playful. She had taken a liking to this woman, and hoped that they could be friends. It was rather lonely being in a city full of strangers. "Sheshna... what a lovely name," she said. It reminded her of the wind blowing over sand. Taking in Sheshna's reply, Shikoba agreed with her assessment. Being new to town, it only heightened peoples wariness around her, which made things difficult in obtaining a regular job. Besides, she had a light fingers from childhood, and with the addition of her people's ability, they made for formidable tools. Why not put their talents to use? Removing the glove from her right hand, she lifted her bare hand to eye level, as if to inspect the black dots sprinkling her finger tips. It was as if things had become clearer, for the gloves she wore were to muffle the ability to sense motion from those very marks. "I think I am perhaps.. more suited to robbery than a normal job... and Marcello. Who is he?" she asked, curious about the man Sheshna had mentioned. It sounded as if were someone of power in the area. Someone who had a hand in the shadows.

[Sheshna]

There wasn't much of a reaction to her ancestry. It was safe to assume this woman hadn't heard of them. However she did look interested, quashing questions was something she liked to do as well. "You seem to have drawn a blank no? If you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them... Within reason of course." This woman just had THAT feel to her. Like it was as obvious as being written on her head that she'd be a good friend.

She was cute too... Something that didn't escape notice either.

She took a final wiff "No it's not you-" she said pointing behind her "It's slobby and covered in sweat, 3 tables down." Pointing out the drunkest man there. He seemed to have difficulty keeping his head off the table but still refused to stop drinking. Such things made Sheshna chuckle. Her thought quickly jumping to how the man had the right idea, being drunk is no reason to not finish a drink.

"I'm tempted to get a drink, but I get a bit wild. It comes from not having a limit I guess." Sheshna said.

Hearing compliments was always kind of a weakness for her. It caused her to check out the girl, not obviously but not subtle either. A bit embarrassed by her own thoughts he lisp shone through for a second "With a pretty faccce like that be wary, flatterry will get you to all the right placsssesssss." Sheshna said to the Chaktawe.

She cleared her throat. She didn't like it when her voice had the lisp.

Responding to Shikoba's question "Marcello's just an information broker with money, but he fancies himself a mastermind. Good work, good pay and whatnot. It's not bad though his ego is inflated."

[Shikoba]

"Ah, you caught that?" she laughed softly. "I don't know much, if anything about the Myrians, other than that they are a war loving people, and their preference of food... no offense intended," she said with an apologetic smile. Then again, her people told stories of eating the birds of the very God they worshiped. Thinking for a moment, she decided that they were not well acquainted enough for her to ask anything too personal, and settled on a question that she had pondered before. "One question. What region do the Myrians... originate from? Since I have heard little of them, I assume that it is one of the farther ones, though I wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong." she added quickly with embarrassment. She had a fairly limited knowledge of other peoples. She glanced at the man who Sheshna had described, her eyes roaming the drunkard's person in search for anything of value. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly returned her gaze towards Sheshna. "One wouldn't hurt, would it?" looking around, she added, "and I don't think that people would mind that much," eying a few younger patrons. They seemed restless, their stance tense, their gazes almost giddy from drink. "From what I have heard, this place isn't stranger to a few... lively nights." she said, a slight curve coming to her lips. Shikoba felt a slight flush of color come to her skin, as she felt Sheshna's gaze. She was not used to such looks, especially from someone as beautiful as the woman across from her. Listening to Sheshna's advice, she felt her blush deepen. 'Pretty face?' she thought, surprised. Instead of voicing her surprise, she asked "The right places..?" her expression innocent. She did not mind the other woman's slight lisp, though Sheshna herself did not seem to be comfortable with it herself. She nodded in understanding. It was not too uncommon to find such people. "Hmmm... I take it that he doesn't just let anyone work for him though," she said, looking down at her mug.

[Sheshna]

The idea that cannibalism was offensive was pretty funny to her. So much so that she began with a very light chuckle. "Ah, no offense taken, we all have preferences and whatnot. If it makes you feel better you're safe. Dhani eat people on occasion as well, but as I said, you're safe. The war loving part, that's completely true, just being honest." She said with a rather playful demeanor.

The following question invoked a quick pause "Hmmmm, Falyndar, I've only heard of it. Unfortunately due to the arrangement between the old serpent and mom, I've never been able to go, though my family there knows I exist. Just not my unusual circumstances. I doubt they'd be to happy about having a member who speaks serpent, let alone be part one as well. Ah I'm rambling, if I'm sharing too much let me know, I've never been too shy about much." She then quickly proceeded to the next bit of conversation a bit embarrassed.

"Hmmm, I guess one drink wouldn't be too bad." She said grabbing some copper mizas. She signaled for a drink from the keep "Nothing delicate please... Thanks."

She heard the question but also noticed the blushing. It gave her a sort of confidence. "I'm not that forward in most cases but petch... If you wanna know what the right places are with me, just ask. Where do you wanna be?" She said in a slower pace, yet showing interest or even excitement. Being unaware of the fact that she was attractive, it made her a horrible flirt so she didn't do so often. This time she felt like she did something right though.

She thought about it for a second, she had an idea. "Well yeah he's sorta picky... but he's not even necessary to do well in this city. We should arrange to see what business can be done. I always have work to do, it'd be nice having another hand."