A Civil Conversation (Complete)

[Ora Sa'vina]

41st of Summer, 510AV

Ora was up with the sunrise, it was hard for her not to be. She loved watching the sun rise over the water... Ora opened her eyes, and like most mornings in Sylira, felt a deep sadness rise in her. Oh, the isle... What I would give right now to be back home, with you, Avalis. Oh, Goddess, I feel so lost. The young woman slowly got out of bed and dressed. She wore only her off-white dress and ankle-high boots, there was no need for a cloak, the sun was out and it seemed there wouldn't be a cloud in the sky.

The young woman spent some time washing her face and brushing her hair before she even thought of eating breakfast. Just like most mornings, Ora would be enjoying some more dried apples, she was finding herself growing quite the distaste for them. As she munched on a chewy bits of fruit her eyes lingered on her other pair of shoes.

Shiny, black leather dancing shoes with strong laces stared back at her. She had been neglecting them far more than she usually would. It was regular to see Ora dancing on a daily basis, but with such a change in place, she was unable to dance, it would look particularly odd for her to dance in the street after all.

Soon Ora was full and she stopped eating the apples and stood. She took Avalis's cord and wrapped it around her waist loosely, she felt oddly secure with the cord embracing her. She smiled slightly as her fingers played with the ends.

It took Ora a good while to walk down to the gate, she was taking her time after all, and it was still early, it was no later than thirty chimes after the eighth bell. She would have a while to wait, but there were benches near the gate and she would be able to enjoy the fresh air as well as the morning in Sylira.

As Ora neared the gate she spotted a bench that was experiencing the first few touches of morning. She had decided that would be the bench where she would sit and wait for Rhuyrc. As she sat down on the wooden seat she heard the 9th bell ring. Only fifteen more chimes, perhaps longer, perhaps sooner. Either way Ora sat straight and closed her eyes, resting her hands on her lap and she quietly prayed to her Goddess.

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc groaned. His eyes opened to stare at the ceiling of his pathetic hovel of a home, regretting as they did the action of waking. His muscles ached. After the previous day's hectic activity he had not returned to his bed until midnight, and even then his arms had complained so heavily that sleep did not come for hours. Only the grace of his own internal clock woke him from his slumber with the nagging feeling there was something he had to do. Urged ever onward by some external force, Rhuryc rolled to the side and felt his body fall, slamming into the cold, hard floor with a reckless abandon. With a grunt, he pulled the blanket with him.

The sun was awfully bright this morning. Rhuryc kept his hand up to his brow, his bangs scattered in some queer fashion that showed an immediate neglect for the more particular cosmetics. At least he put his clothes on right. The typical solid black tunic draped over his upper torso, matched in the bottom by a simple pair of breeches, the ends of which tucked neatly into his thick, heavy-soled boots. The attire was never complete without his coat, the form of which traced his body with tails hiking after his every step. Strangely, he had also brought his sword belt, complete with both the sheath and the blade.

A quick turn brought him to the gate no less than two chimes early. Perhaps it was fate that he had chosen his typical morning haunt for their meeting, or more likely just a great deal of forethought. The sigh of Ora on one of the benches struck a chord of remembrance, a meeting set the previous morning with a young woman. Rhuryc blinked. Guilt crept up his spine, accompanied by a frown that marred his features. He took in one, deep breath and approached from behind, doing what he could to smooth over his countenance.

A grin spread itself across his lips as he leaned his elbows on the back of the public bench. "Nice day, huh?"

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora was enjoying her moments of silence, she was still, her breathing slow and rhythmic. The young woman enjoyed mornings, the fresh start that each day granted. The small woman wore a small smile as the sun glinted off the parts of her that glimmered an opalescent blue.

The woman was unaware of anyone around her, her eyes were closed and her ears weren’t listening. Ora did not notice Rhuryc until he spoke, and once he spoke, Ora found herself upright and standing, startled by the man, she had jumped from the bench onto her feet.

“Rhuryc, I am glad you came, it is a lovely day.” Her eyes glanced over his form, smiling again. Her eyes were looking for her father’s blade. “Were you able to speak to an Akalak?” A tinge of worry hit her, unsure of where her father’s blade was. “Not to be rude… But, do you have it with you? It is odd having it out of my grasp.”

Ora interlaced her fingers, letting her hands hang down in front of her. She watched the man before her carefully, his hair appeared in some dismay, as if he had just rolled out of bed. Her smile grew slightly. “You are not a morning person, are you, Rhuryc?”

[Rhuryc]

That was amusing. He had not intended to frighten Ora, but the image of her leaping up like a scared cat was not something he would soon forget.

Rhuryc blinked. It? What was it? The blade! Of course. He knew there was a reason he wore his sword belt today. With a muted flurry, Rhuryc reached beneath his coat and patted himself down, feeling about where he kept his belt knife. Relief spread itself over his face as his hand glanced over a foreign weapon, that of which he produced with haste. He flipped the handle about as he drew it out, offering the 'polite' end to Ora. He must have put it there the previous night - more forethought. Perhaps he was good at this whole preparation thing. Now if only he could remember these things.

"No, sorry." He frowned a bit, but kept the gesture short. "I didn't have much of a change to talk to anyone. Had orders to see to all day. I figure'd I'd keep an eye out for someone who might know, though, never know who you're going to see in the 'works." His countenance was quick to regain it's previous joviality, despite the commentary on his obviously less-than-appropriate form.

"Long night I guess." He made a swift effort to run his fingers through his hair, trying to do what he could to make it presentable. He failed, of course, but the effort might count for something.

"You hungry, Ora?"

[Ora Sa'vina]

The small woman watched as Rhuryc searched himself, he seemed confused for only a moment, as if it took him a bit longer to process her request, the worry brewing in her gut bubbled up slightly. Violet eyes followed his fingers until they stopped their movements. Ora smiled and exhaled slowly in relief, the blade was precious to her. The young woman took the blade, bowing her head slightly to him in thanks, her fingers running over the blade lightly as she carefully affixed it to the cord wrapped around her.

A small frown flashed across her face before she bowed again slightly. “Thank you anyways; your help is greatly appreciated.” She smiled slightly at him. “I am sorry you had a rough night. You were stuck at the forge, I assume? I am sorry if my presence had put you behind your schedule.”

A small chuckle escaped Ora lips; she moved her eyes away from Rhuryc while he fixed his hair. “Perfect,” She said with a smile, even if it wasn’t, by technical means, perfect, his attempt to appear more presentable was a treat of sorts to Ora.

Ora thought for a moment, she wasn’t hungry; she had her fill of dried apples back in her room. “No, I ate once I woke this morning. If you are hungry, Sir Rhuryc, it would be a pleasure to accompany you.” Ora’s oddly formal manner was accompanied by a soft, sincere smile.

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc pawed at his bangs out of habit. That would bug him for the rest of the day. No matter! His master had given him the day off and he intended to enjoy it. As much as he could, anyway, he was somewhat lacking luster when it came to interactions with women , especially those of whom he did not know the limit of. Judging by their conversation of the day before, and his initial half-nude introduction, Ora was bound to find most of his ideals in varying perspectives, some far beyond his own comprehension. Great. He already felt stupid and she had not even said anything. Queue palm to the face.

"Sir?" Rhuryc quirked a brow to the side and grinned simultaneously. Now there was an interesting prospect. "I don't warrant a title like that, just call me Rhuryc. Or Rhu. Or, you know. Whatever. Without the sir." Smooth. He kept his sigh to himself, but his shoulders had noticeably slouched, if only an inch. In order to prevent any lasting silence Rhuryc made a quick motion, hopping over the back of the bench and landing with a heavy thud next to Ora. He silently thanked the gods that he did not fall.

"Well, I'm not particularly hungry." He said, turning towards the much smaller woman. "How about this. Have you been in Syliras for long? I could give you a tour of the city."

[Ora Sa'vina]

Ora's violet eyes watched his fingers fuss with his bangs. He didn't look bad but he did look a bit scruffy. The Konti woman was just glad that he had showed up, and with her father's blade in tow. It did not take long for Ora to relax again after Rhuryc's arrival, her fingers relaxed, interlacing in front of her, her shoulders falling back slightly.

"If you say so, Rhuryc, but I believe that is a matter of opinion." A soft smile crossed her face for a moment. "I will call you Rhuryc then." The woman felt the need to maintain a level of respect with her new acquaintance, calling him by a shortened nick-name felt rude to her, she didn't know him well enough for that.

Ora was again startled by the mans quickly, and nimble movement, she again jumped slightly, but not as much as she had originally. His movements reminded her of the high-energy dances she was still trying to learn, they required such grace and strength to accomplish the high jumps with a smooth landing. Violet eyes noticed a change in his posture, similar to a scolded child. While she noted it, she felt it best not to pry into his feelings.

A smile crossed her face, her eyes looking down at her hands while she thought. "I have been here for... Twenty-six days." She said calmly, a small sigh escaping her lips. "I had not realized it had been that long..." Her eyes seemed to zone out. It seems like I arrived yesterday... Has it really been that long? Ora smiled internally. Only a while longer and I'll be off to Riverfall... Suddenly Ora seemed to snap back to herself, her attention returning to Rhuryc. "I still do not think I have seen everything that is here." The young woman smiled at Rhuryc and nodded slightly. "That would be a lovely treat to have a tour of the city."

[Rhuryc]

"Well, no use sticking around the gates then. Follow me, m'lady." Rhuryc offered Ora a lop-sided grin as he turned about and started off into the city. He kept his strides short and his pace slow enough for the girl to keep up. His hands went into his pockets while he moved, his shoulders resuming their proud posture. The real decision remained on where they should go first. Syliras itself was huge. They could go just about anywhere - maybe even outside the city? On second thought, he'd rather not have to use his sword today.

"So. There's Ethereal Notions, a spiritualism shop of sorts. Neat place. The Bazaar, bunch of other shops, the Ironworks, The Stone Garden, the Temple," Rhuryc's head began to bob as he listed off the various sights of the city. He knew pretty much everything there was to, including the various back streets and shortcuts.

He stopped for a moment and turned his head to the side, his gaze focusing on Ora's form. It was best to have a destination before he started pushing through crowds.

[Ora Sa'vina]

With a small bow of her white-haired head, Ora began to follow the man back into the city. The young Konti found it easy to keep pace with the man, it was fairly easy to tell that he was slowing for her benefit, Ora was not about to object though.

Ora’s ears perked to listen in on what Rhuryc began to tell her. The various places, a few she was aware of, the bazaar she had visited earlier in the season. The ironworks she had been at the day before meeting her, now, tour-guide. The temple she visited on her first day, and subsequently almost every day sense she had arrived. “The Stone Garden?” Her small voice asked, violet eyes landing on the scruffy-haired man. “What is that?”

[Rhuryc]

"It's a holy place." He paused, his chin lifting as he glanced to the sky. "Kind of. It's a graveyard without bodies." After his brief reverie Rhuryc resumed his pace, still slow enough for Ora to keep up. His size gave him a considerable stride after all. "Probably the most beautiful place in the city. Quiet, but sad, really." He frowned as he turned a corner, cutting through one of the less used paths to reach their new destination. At least, their assumed destination, they could easily choose a less somber location to visit.

Rhuryc seemed to move with a subtle ease through the city. He knew every path, every turn like the back of his hand. He could spend the entire day showing Ora the intricacies of the city streets, the twisting paths, how to navigate her way through the busy crowds, but for now he figured it was to just stick to a simple walk. Perhaps, if she asked, he would find the time to point out some of the more devious paths through Syliras.