Closed To Sleep Under Stars and Auroras [Miria & Svasra]

[Svasra]

Svasra beamed with the positive responses gained from both of the woman as she agreed, growing excited at the notion of a day out with her friends. And night. "Of course! Miria and I will go with you. And... I'm sorry I suddenly barged in like this and asked you out in such short notice. I was so excited that Huzak gave me a couple days off, and I totally forgot to ask if you were free." Silarial seemed to realize Svasra might not have the same days off though, and quickly addd, "You are free though, yes? You wouldn't have accepted if you aren't. Oh please, tell me I'm not keeping you from doing something important!" Svasra could only laugh lightly, but before she could reply, the ever-smart Miria interjected in her chiding tone.
"Don't be so quick to apologize Silarial. Perhaps Svasra is the not the type to prepare for such events." The older woman then turned to address Svasra, "Silarial she said that it was the perfect time to go camping. Don't sell yourself short dear, friends are important too!"
"Do not apologize, Silarial," Svasra finally was able to say, nodding to Miria in agreement. "I have two days off as well, it is the perfect time for us to go together."

Miria brought up the topic of shopping soon after, in which Svasra left to retrieve her small money pouch. It didn't contain the full amount she possessed, but had a fair amount that she suspected would do. When Miria requested a performance of her eyebrows, Svasra seemed startled, looking to the woman with a surprised expression. "You can call me anything you wish, Miria," Svasra replied automatically, though she took a moment longer to puzzle out what else Miria wished. After a tense moment, Svasra burst into laughter. "Ah, you mean this?" Svasra lifted one eyebrow while settling the other, then quickly reversed the roles. In essence, she waggled her eyebrows playfully. Often, when she was thinking, they would furrow independently during her thought, though she never thought anyone would actually notice.

"Please, sit down and let me make you something? My parents will be returning soon, I just need to enlighten them on our plans," Svasra explained with a meek smile, feeling slightly foolish to have to wait for her parents' approval. As Minara and Havok said though, "Our house. Our rules." As long as she stayed underneath the roof they had to be aware of where she was, and she wasn't to come stumbling in at the wee hours of the morning unless for work reasons. Also had to keep the kitchen and living room clean, and buy her own food and clothing. Svasra did it all though, as she enjoyed living with her parents for now, and saw no reason to leave them. Not yet.

As Svasra guided her friends to the kitchen though, the door of the Arvinta opened. Minara and Havok entered with a couple parcels, laughing at some joke one of them must have said as they walked home together. "Mother! Father!" Svasra greeted as she beamed towards her parents, "A couple friends came over," she added, though they were obvious in the open-concept Arvinta. "Minara, Havok, meet Miria and Silarial," Svasra introduced, gesturing to each person possessing each name in turn. "Silarial is the wonderful dancer I told you from work, and Miria is one of her friends," she continued, helping her parents recall relations with the prompt.

Minara was the first to turn her light gaze on the two, and her smile widened. Havok followed suit, though he helped Minara out of her coat and hung it up for her before greeting them.
"We have heard many compliment on your talent, Silarial. Welcome, also, Miria."
"Welcome, ladies, make yourself right at home here," Minara said warmly, touching each Vantha on their arm in a friendly manner. Her dress swished slightly as she moved, and looked towards Svasra. "Were you making them something? I can do it, and you three go into the living room."
"Actually, Mom, I wanted to tell you Miria, Silarial, and I are going to go camping tonight - if that's alright?" Svasra felt slightly guilty for not paying a lot of attention to her guests, but it couldn't be helped as she spoke to her parents.

Havok and Minara exchanged a brief glance, but it seem they talked paragraphs as Havok slightly inclined his head. "That's fine, snowflake, why don't you borrow the tent and tarp we have?" she asked, moving off to gather the tent the family used on their hunting expeditions as a child. "I suppose your bedroll would be too small, but they aren't too expensive to buy. Here's another winter blanket. Though the lantern broke a while ago, so you will need to buy another. Along with a flint and steel, alright, Svasra?" She looked towards Miria and Silarial. "Unless, of course, you two have the supplies," she said with a quirked grin much reminiscent of the one Svasra often wore.
"I should probably buy such things myself, so we have them in the house," Svasra commented with a small nod towards her friends. "Though thank you for the tarp, blanket, and tent - this fits four people, correct?" Havok nodded in affirmation.
"Be safe, girls. Especially you, little snowbird, we all know how well you can fend off the elements," his rumbling voice finally said, looking to each of the young Vantha woman with a kind smile before turning to his own child with a short laugh. "And have fun."
"We will, Dad," Svasra said with a roll of her eyes, laughing off the truthful comment.

Svasra gestured to her friends and she awkwardly collected the tarp and hefted the tent, grunting slightly under the weight. Minara draped the blanket teasing over her head, though Svasra only shook it off with a snort. "Alright, shall we go to the market, then, to pick up the rest of the supplies?"

EditRealized there is no such this as sleeping bags in Miz, had to edit that out. xD

[Silarial]

Silarial smiled appreciatively at her two friends, too glad that they did not think of her badly at all. Knowing Svasra had these two days off like her quickly washed away any of the guilt that was starting to gnaw on her earlier. The day just keeps getting better and better, it seems.

Miria hinted that she wanted to get a glimpse of her room sometime, most likely in the near future. She smiled and nodded quietly in understanding. She should probably bring the two to her arvinta to fetch her supplies and her purse later.

The woman continued, asking Svasra about her eyebrows. Silarial found herself mirroring, or at least trying to mirror, her fellow Snowsong's little trick. She was not used to moving her brows independently, and so her efforts resulted in an awkward wiggle of her eyebrows. Further attempts were cut short when their host called them to the kitchen.

Of course they'd have to wait for her parents' confirmation after all. She had already received her mom's permission earlier, so she do not have any problems in that aspect anymore. She mentally chided herself for forgetting about what Svasra's parents would say. So much for careful planning. Now, she only wished her parents would be kind so as to allow their daughter to venture with two female friends outside the city gates.

They had not even gotten the luxury of taking a seat when the door opened, and in came her friend's parents. Svasra immediately greeted them and took to task of introducing Silarial and Miria to her mom and dad. Silarial blushed and smiled meekly from receiving praises from her friend's dad, Havok. "Thank you for the compliment, mister Havok." Bowing her head slightly to Svasra's mom, Minara, she quickly added, "Thank you ma'am. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

When Svasra finally asked her parents about the camping trip, Silarial held her breath, yet again. She shared a look with Miria and moved out of the way to let the family talk it out. The younger Snowsong finally found her voice again when Minara asked if she and Miria had the supplies for the trip. "Umm... we do not have much as of the moment, but we'll be dropping by the market to buy things, ma'am." she answered politely. Silarial could not help but notice how similar mother and daughter's smiles were.

Svasra assured that she'd be taking care of buying some of the materials they still lacked. Silarial watched the family's ensuing interactions, her eyes slowly pooling into a dark, shadowy color. She thought of herself in a similar situation: happy, loved, complete. She stared at the floor as her mind was filled with wishful thinking. But she reminded herself right away that she have Areeyah, and she wasn't less loved than her friend. She just happened to be missing a father.

Silarial looked up once more to the happy couple and put on a small smile. Havok bade them to stay safe. The younger Vantha thanked him and his wife again for their hospitality before turning to Svasra once more.

"Actually, can we go and drop by my place first before we go to the market? I have to get my things and my money too," she requested, taking the tarp from Svasra's arms as she did so. "And let me help you with this." she glanced at Svasra's parents one more time, said goodbye, and smiled before heading out of the Havok-Minara arvinta.

She lead her two companions a few doors away until they stopped in front of her arvinta. She unlocked the door and lead the two inside their sitting room. Heaving slightly, Silarial placed the tarp on the table and rubbed her hands in front of her. She gestured at the chairs with a slight incline of her head. "Our arvinta is not much, but please make yourselves at home. And, what was it again? Ah, yes. Please excuse me for a bit!"

As soon as she opened the door to her room, Snowball, her pet hare, hopped out and went over to her friends, sniffing intently at their shoes. "Ah! Snowball, I thought mom took you out. Guess not... But behave yourself around the guests, understood?" she said sternly, hands on her hips, before heading inside her room.

Silarial hastily rummaged through her chest for her backpack and her supplies, shoving her set of toiletries, her purse, and her flint and steel inside the bag. Her short sword, even though she knew not how to use, was attached to the belt around her waste. By the time she came out, the rest of her things were sprawled on the bed. 'I'll just clean them up by the time I come home,' she thought impatiently. The next thing she did was head towards their stash of food and grabbed a few day's worth of dried food as well as an eating knife. She went and filled her waterskin too, and jammed these all inside her backpack. Making sure that she had already brought everything she could, she went back to her two friends and a lazily sleeping Snowball.

She shook her head and laughed softly, not wanting to wake the large ball of fur. Silarial looked at her friends, slid the bag on her back and the tarp on her arms, and asked, "Friends, ready for some shopping?"

[Miria]

A random comment about one's eyebrows turned into so much more. "That is amazing!" Miria's eyes broke into a delighted yellow hue before trying to duplicate the action. "Oh that was too cuuuttteeee!" Miria almost squealed in delight. Taking Svasra's hands once more Miria was balancing herself on the tip of her toes in delight as she bouncing with energy. "No wonder some boys like you Snowsong girls so much! You both must be battling away suitors with both your hands." Exasperating sadly Miria finally realized how her excitement was starting to get the better of her. Letting go of her newest victim Miria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment"Silarial

"Care to also do that for me Silarial?" Miria joked as they awaited for Svasra to get permisson. Sitting besides the other Snowsong and seeing her fresh face up close made Miria uncomfortable at times. These young Snowsongs are already so quaint, why not give Miria some leftover looks? "That's a surprise. You've not married Svasra?" Turning her head abruptly Miria looked at Silarial not noticing a mark of marriage on her younger companion. 'You two make me feel rather old.' Miria thought in an aside.

"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance." [/color] Svasra looks so much like her mother. Hiding a laugh Miria quietly thanked the pair for their hospitality. [color=#80BFFF]"We'll be fine. Your daughter is in very capable hands. Though I'll have to ask Svasra what that tidbit about the elements was about." Saying their farewells Miria picked up the blanket Svasra shook off before running to catch up with the pair.

"Ooh! Sounds fun!" Rolling up the blanket and tossing it Svasra's direction she bounded after Silarial eager to peruse the Snowsong's room. There was a unique feel to the Snowsong's arvintas there wasn't much to look at but one could still feel relaxed simply sitting on the bare floor. Pausing for a moment Miria realized that it was the simple breeze that seemed to move freely inside Silarial's room. If Miria tried to listen she could hear the neighboring Snowsong's perfecting their craft and enveloping themselves in pas-Oh! Bunny!


"Oh my you look just like your brother." Ushering Svasra close Miria gave her a better look. "You know Silarial is quite vicious" Miria baited as Svasra saw the furry fluffball. "She was the one doing all the fighting with the papa Hare when we first went on our first hunt in the wastes." Pursing her lips Miria put a finger on her lip wondering if she used the right word for the situation. "Maybe compassionate was the better word. She was the one who found the baby hares and thought to take care of them. We did not know that their father was protecting them at the time."

The Coolwater's gossipy mood was dispelled seeing Silarial all ready for their trip. "Shopping? I don't know. I might make us stay the whole night if we are not careful." Briskly leading the pace the trio set of to the market to get the essentials for their trip. Leaving the two Snowsongs alone Miria distanced herself as she quitely regarded the wares of a merchant selling arrows. Shifting slightly the Coolwater felt a slight change in weight compared with the arrows she had in the beginning of the season. "I'll probably have to restock later. Not right now though I'm sorta broke." Excusing herself Miria rejoined Silarial and Svasra to see if they were ready for their trip.

[Svasra]

NotePermission given by Valkyrie for the trading done within this post ^_^

"No wonder some boys like you Snowsong girls so much! You both must be battling away suitors with both your hands," Miria said as she took up Svasra's hands. This time Svasra didn't quirk a smile quite so quickly, though it did come after a small tense moment.
"Aha, not really," she said to cover the hesitation, though Miria had already begun to chide Silarial on something else. Shaking her head slightly the young Vantha woman tried to look calm, though a flash of emotions whittled through her disguise before her attention was diverted by some other topic of conversation and the arrival of her parents.

Miria seemed to think Svasra was married though as in the middle of the conversation she piped up, "That's a surprise. You've not married Svasra?" Again, Svasra seemed startled and looked towards the Coolwater with a shake of her head, temporarily uncomfortable before she managed to pick up the strands of the conversation and finish what she was saying.

Once all was over and done, Svasra tucked the blanket into her backpack along with the waterskin, her hairbrush and made a small noise of surprise to find she had a flint and steel in the bottom - when was the last time she'd used this thing? Throwing in her hairbrush, and a shirt, Svasra dutifully trotted after her companions as they diverted course to Silarial's house, settling into a chair as she voiced to make themselves at home. Gladly! The young woman tilted her head as a small bunny ventured out, sniffing at her boots much to Svasra's delight. She obviously could not resist picking the fluffball up, cooing random Common words to it.

"You know Silarial is quite vicious," Miria said as Svasra was nuzzling the bunny, absolutely thrilled with the small creature. The bunny sure didn't mind the attention, that was for sure. To show she was listening, Svasra quirked an eyebrow, curiosity piqued as she turned slightly to look at Miria sidelong (still not putting Snowball down. Snowball, what an adorable name!!). "She was the one doing all the fighting with the papa Hare when we first went on our first hunt in the wastes," the older woman continued, pausing as she seemed to search for a proper description, "Maybe compassionate was the better word. She was the one who found the baby hares and thought to take care of them. We did not know that their father was protecting them at the time." Svasra couldn't help but laugh in cue of miss Silarial herself returning.
"I think vicious and compassionate are two very different ends of the spectrum," she chimed with a grin. Snowball had fallen asleep beside Svasra, seemingly exhausted by the cuddling session.
"Friends, ready for some shopping?" Silarial asked, and Svasra nodded, gathering their things quickly.
"Shopping? I don't know. It might make us stay the whole night if we are not careful," Miria commented, and led them off towards the Trade Market.

As Miria wandered off, Svasra set to work, not wishing for Miria's prospect to come true. She scanned the traders and their wares quickly, touching her money pouch consciously. Seeing one specifically geared towards the outdoors, Svasra let out a small excited squeal, practically skipping over - she loved it when things were nice and easy! "Hello," she greeted in Vani.
"Hello, dear, what can I help you with today?" he asked, also tacking on his name - Rylin or something?
"Ry?" Before he could correct her, Svasra just continued, "I am going camping and need supplies!" Ry seemed startled she just butchered his name, but nodded to show he was following.
"So I need a ... bedroll. And light, um, and another blanket for cold. Please!" Svasra flashed a smile as Ry dutifully rummaged through his wares and draped everything in front of her.
"This one is mighty good, really plush, and stuffed with feather," he said, patting one. "Only 2 gold mizas," he added with a nod.
"Hmm, what about something a bit more durable, can transport easily and less expensive would be wonderful."
"Alright, how about this one? Soft on the outside, not quite as big when rolled up, but still has some extra padding to even out the ground."
"Price?"
"Let's say ... 3 silver mizas?"
"What about the other stuff?"
"Um, well the lantern is hooded, so that is about seven gold mizas. If you want a basic lamp, that's one gold miza. And the winter blankets are five silver mizas. Also, I might suggest some snow shoes for eight silver mizas. If you plan on taking out a horse, there's a leash for six gold mizas. Very long. And perhaps a compass for only two hundred gold mizas? Wonderful price! Much less than anywhere else! A rucksack might be needed to hold all this, it's a great compliment to the backpack you have, and only one gold miza. And Traveller's Stock for only three gold-"
"Wait." Svasra held up her hand, laughing slightly. "You're going too quickly." She looked over the things that now covered the display table in front of her, humming as she thought.

"I will take the bedroll, basic lamp, winter blanket, and Traveller's Stock. That is ... four gold mizas, and five silver mizas." She paused and her head tilted. Her eyes scanned the things he had hung up behind him. "If you throw in the skates I'll give you six gold mizas even," she offered. Ry laughed and looked skeptical.
"And why should I bargain with you? It looks like you're in a rush and eager to get going, why spend the time bartering?"
"Because my friend needs to buy some things too, and we might just buy them here. Or, we can walk around and go somewhere else. It'll take longer to purchase it all, but hey, for a cheaper price, what can you do?"
"How do you know they'd give you a cheaper price?"
"Because you told me all the prices of your wares, and I know you have all the things in stock, I'll just tell them I could always come back." Ry snorted and shrugged, hands settling on the skates he had pulled down.
"Six gold mizas and five silver," he began, full price.
"Six gold mizas."
"Six gold mizas, four silver, and eight copper."
"Six gold mizas and one silver."
"Six gold mizas and four silver."
"Six gold mizas and two silver, and fifty copper."
"Six gold mizas and three silver, and seventy five copper."
"Six gold mizas and two silver and seventy five copper."
"Done." Svasra grinned, and though she didn't save much, it was still a nice feeling. She gathered her supplies and handed over the money.
"Thank you!" she chimed as she turned away to find Silarial and Miria.

[Silarial]

Her two companions had gone ahead of her to look around on their own. If she was going to be honest about it, she felt lonely going around the stalls all on her own. Nevertheless, she examined each shop and their wares dutifully, searching for something that caters to people’s camping needs. After what seemed like a long while of wandering about, she saw what seemed to be a display of tents, snowshoes, and a wide array of other outdoor trekking equipment.

Silarial approached the stall and beamed at the shopkeeper, a gruff-looking man with a thick goatee. “Hello! I need a blanket, a bedroll, and, umm… a lantern, I think? How much would all of these be?”

The man stared at her for a few ticks before he moved to place her requested items on the table in front of her. “Bedroll, blanket, and lantern. 7.6 GM for all these items young lady. All of the finest quality.”

She reached into her pocket and clutched her purse, but when she was about to pull out her money, she paused. Her mom always told her to haggle first when buying things. Many merchants are willing to lower their prices when you know how to ask. But now that she was thinking about that, how does one haggle, exactly?

Clearing her throat, she squeaked, “Can you give me a discount? I bought three of your goods. I think I deserve some mizas off.”

The shopkeeper shrugged. “Fine, a silver off for a pretty lady. What’d you say, deal?” It was uttered more like something read from a script rather than a heartfelt compliment. The Snowsong did not notice, however.

“Not really. I mean, not yet! Can you please go lower than that? How about five silver mizas less?”

“That’s too much. You didn’t even buy that much stuff.” Silarial’s face fell at this, dejected at her inability to get a ‘good deal’, as her mother once put it. The man, seeing her reaction, groaned and scratched the back of his head exasperatedly. “Fine, some three silvers off for you, one silver miza for each item you bought. Would that be all?” His tone betrayed some guilt in his voice, but again, the Snowsong was too absorbed in her own thoughts to see this.

At this, Silarial’s face instantly lit up. “Yes, thank you for the deal, mister! I’ll be sure to come back when I need some more outdoor supplies in the future.” Inclining her head graciously, she gave him the right amount of coins he demanded before taking the newly-bought items, Placing them on top of Svasra’s tarp, Silarial went around the market once more to look for her friends. She wondered why the three of them didn’t just go together in the first place. ‘It would have saved us a lot of time if we did’ she thought as her lips formed into a slight pout.

Flicking her eyes around the area, she was able to see Svasra first. It seemed the woman was looking for her, too. “Svasra! I’m right over here!” She ran towards her friend as she balanced the items on her hands, a grin replacing the scowl on her face moments earlier. It did not take too long for the two of them to spot Miria as well. Having gathered together, Silarial looked at her two companions and asked, “So, do we have any more stop overs before we get camping? Camping, yay!!” she cheered, her excitement level slowly rising once more as they get closer and closer to their impromptu trip.

OOC :

I'm sorry my reply took this long. Feel free to scold me about my slow posting rate in a PM next time!

[Miria]

"I certainly hope not. I'm more then excited to get this trip started."

Smiling along with Silarial Miria gave a short shrug before addressing what the pair of them bought.

"You've got a Miria'd of camping equipment there."

Chuckling at her less then rehearsed joke Miria let the awkward joke break whatever awkward feelings they might have had left. After all this trip was to be silly and just have fun.

"We should get going if we wanna get far. I heard there are even trees out in the waste if we venture far enough."

The Coolwater's eyes lighted up with thoughts of procuring extra fletching materials before looking back at the pair. The archer remembered she was suppose to be doing something constantly while addressing the two... Ah that's right!

"Let's go! I can't wait to be alone with the both of you out there. Especially you Svasra!"

Making awkward advances at her new companion. Teasing someone new would be a fun pass time for the archer as they waddled out of Avanthal. Now what will she do to amuse herself with Silarial?

Shrugging slightly Miria started in the direction of the Icewall gates. If there wasn't any other places they had to go it would be better to start sooner then later right? Musing slightly Miria tried to find a way to amuse herself with Silarial while they made their way. Ah I know!

"Snowball is such a cute name for your hare Silarial. Simply too adorable. Better take good care of it or else someone might just snatch that precious hare away from you."

[Svasra]

"Svasra! I’m right over here!" hailed Silarial, and the young woman turned to her friend. Brightening, Svasra hurried over, joining Silarial as Miria found them as well. The three were smiles and cheers as they established their only destination now was the camp site!!
"You've got a Miria'd of camping equipment there," Miria said, and Svasra looked startled as she took a moment to get the play on words. Grinning, Svasra broke into gentle laughter.
"That we did! I wish I could make a funny with my name," she lamented, stuffing the Traveler's Stock and blanket into her backpack while holding the lamp in her hand, bedroll under her arm, and she tied the skates to the strap so they dangled at her side - the blades were protected with a strip of cloth that had come with them. After all, what trader wanted the blades scraping their other supplies?

"Let us be off!" Svasra said with a smile, grinning at her companions as she turned and strode towards the Gates. She wasn't sure where exactly they would go, or how exactly she would be of any help when it came to setting up camp, but Svasra tried to look on the bright side of things and bounced along as they came to the Icewatch guards.
"Going camping, girls?" one asked as they passed through.
"Yes we are! All night in the wilderness!" Svasra chimed with a grin, beginning to show her growing excitement as she didn't worry of her companions judging her childish for lack of refinement. Childish is what made these so much fun! Laughing, the guard nodded.
"Just be careful out there, send anyone back if you need us."
"Yes'sir!" Svasra saluted and pat his bondmate's snout as she passed. The polar bear snuffed with a sense of amusement, nosing Svasra's shoulder that almost made her topple over.

When they had left the Gates, and Avanthal behind, Svasra turned to her friends. "Ah ... so where exactly are we going?"