Completed [Stormhold Salves] - Ruffled Feathers (Oriah)

[Altaira Readva]

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

"Damn," Altaira cursed, her choice of the Vani tongue ensuring her voiced thoughts were not open to too many ears. She took in a laboured breath and rolled her shoulders, eying the tome that stood on the highest of the room's shelves. "Why is it up so high?" Her words were a coarse complaint, having never truly learned them in the first place. She grumbled several more times, her height even on the tips of the toes not nearly enough to reach the tattered thing.

With a bitter cuss she set her sights on he rest of the room, moving at once to try and locate a broom or mop to try and battle the leather bound pages to the ground. She worked her way around the center counter, and worked her jaw as she failed to recall where she last them. She knew that she hadn't put them where they belonged, that was well enough, but there was sound reason as to where and why they were put where she did. If only she could recall just what that reasoning was.

It quickly got to a point where her own impatience outdid her, and she threw a small wooden lid at the journal, deciding that she could always feign trying to knock and loosen the book should questions be asked of her actions. No sooner had the cap fallen to the floor was she drawn into the main store, and the kelvic frowned as she scanned the cupboards and shelves. Her lips were well on their way to forming a word of question when she noted the small collection of people loitering outside, one man in particular's sway as he stood causing his bag to knock against one of he windows.

The natural curve of her lips twisted into a snarl, and she did not step lightly as she made her approach, catching the gaze of a woman of her general age. She was a pretty little thing, but didn't have much in the way of nerves or sense, it seemed, though Altaira was more than thankful for it. No word or further intervention was necessary, the flighty woman clearing her throat and pulling the man away, the rest of her little group leaving quickly after.

For a kelvic who had severe problems coming off as little more than a grumpy birdie with intimidation issues, she was a little more than pleased by the panning of the situation, and gave a proud grin as she glanced out the window. It was still early morning, and the usual life of Syliras was yet to wake and walk, prompting Altaira to do something she was yet to dare attempt.

She had already begun stripping by the time she reentered the workroom, her cloak flung onto the bench, blouse and skirt and undergarments following soon after. For modesty's sake she brought her cloak over the bundle, later recalling an instance in childhood when her sister stole her under clothes when they were out for a family celebration. Oh, what fun it was trying to peck her eyes out while simultaneously dodging the feline's teeth and claws.

The change came quickly and accompanied by the usual shining light, Altaira cooing and screeching to herself as she tried to figure how she could maneuver from the floor to the shelf. With a flutter of feathers and a well timed jumped, she managed to perch herself on the bench. She turned her head to an awkward angle as the possibilities of her next actions were thrust before her.

After a moment of short debate she went for the 'fly and grab at it' option, and promptly threw herself towards the tome. She managed to loosen the tome, and draw it out some bit, but her grasp slipped with poor timing and she floundered and hit the floor - a loud thump and devilish screech accenting the hit. Right, this was why she chose not to take kelvic form in store. She stood herself up and shook her tail feathers, noting the dull and sharp pains and whether or not it was anything serious.

After a short debate about what she was doing, and further squawking about having to go to such lengths to complete her day's tasks, she once again perched herself up the counter. She took a cursory look at what was shelves below the book, and deciding to try switch tactics, this time making the short leap to one of the lower shelved and climbing her way up - using her beak and claws to pull and push her way up.

She barely made it a few shelves before movement disrupted her thoughts, and a low hiss left her as her gaze flitted to her clothes.

oocAnd I've just realised we haven't sorted out a date! XD Alt is yet to really post this season, so feel free to set it where ever you wish!

[Oriah]

oocnot to worry, I put up a temporary timestamp for now, but we can always change it if stuff comes up ^_^

Winter, Day 28, 513 AV

Nope. Nope. Double nope. Definite n--wait, backtrack. What was this one called again? Oriah squinted up against the midday sun, shielding her eyes with one hand as she made out the common words written on a sign she had missed. There were people in her way and she craned on tip toe to see over moving heads.

Stormhold Salves! Y'em, this was it!

Oof! Her body pitched forward as someone's shoulder rammed into hers without warning, nearly sending her sprawling face first on the ground. Sparing only a a single, backward glance, the man moved on through the crowd, leaving the Benshira to glare daggers silently at his diminishing back. So, there are rude dastards in this city after all, she mentally scoffed, brushing the dust off her still-tingling shoulder, and her anger along with it.

The girl made her way up to the shop front and pushed through the wooden door. Quiet, well oiled hinges gave way as she stepped in, taking in the pleasant sights of a tidy, quaint little herb shop. Oriah breathed in deeply, savoring both familiar and unfamiliar scents and relishing the brief respite from all the typical, smelly traits of close quarters and big cities.

Eager, azure eyes roamed every which way, taking in all the minute details of civilized life. It had been too long since the last time she'd felt more human than she did wildling. Letting her feet wander, Oriah absently moved about the shop as she observed, her movements fluid and soundless. Clean. Organized. Lots of shelves, glass jars, a little bunch of flowers--a woman's touch, the Benshira guessed for the last. All the result of a luxury she realized she had seldom possessed in the season prior. The luxury, specifically, of time, of not having to scramble toward the nearest stream or rely on the charity of a passing stranger.

It didn't take long for Oriah to notice something strange jutting out from one of the shelves. Blinking, she did a double take, then narrowed her eyes as she moved closer. The dancer made a conscious effort to keep her steps soft and her expression blank as she neared what she could only assume to be a large, colorful bird. It seemed to be...staring at something, and hissing, too! What an odd, odd creature. The Benshira peered closer, all but holding her breath.

And then, without thinking, her arms swept forward and she grasped the bird in both hands, plucking it right off the wooden shelf. Oriah leered at her captive like a child would a freshly caught cricket, careful to keep the bird's taloned feet and curved beak away from exposed skin.

"Hello, birdy," she grinned, admiring its vibrant plumage and amber eyes before reverting to Shiber and cooing, "Yes, a pretty, pretty little birdy. Im-sorweya, so pretty! So bright, so plump.

I wonder how you taste?"

[Altaira Readva]

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

"Personal space. You're in my personal space." Altaira had met some interesting people in her life time, but none that had-, dare it be said, man-handled her. "Put me down, fiend! Criminal! No touchy- stop touching me - Gods, What is wrong with you!? " Altaira flailed and struggled, the strange steel hold she was subject to causing her to stare face to face with the crazed woman who had seized her in a moment of confusion and weakness.

"Hello Birdy," the woman cool, grin wicked. 'Common tongue? Then perhaps-' The woman then went on a slurge of foreign tongue, giggles and odd words, exclamations and questions. "Wait, What?" Altaira was creeped out by a lot of things - noises in the walls, wounds that never quite seemed to heal right, men who loitered about with nothing but a snide look and toothless grin. But that look the bat-crazy woman was throwing her? Oh, Gods, no. That trumped the lot of them.

"What ever is you're thinking -No. Stop it. Don't do that its making me uncomfortab- AND NOW YOU'RE BREATHING ON ME." Altaira struggled and bent backward, arching her back as she attempted to put as much distance between the two as parrotly possible. For a morning that seemed to so fine, the day had definitely taken a nose dive.

Nose dive? Yes. She could do that. She stopped her movement suddenly gave the crazy woman a low hiss, hoping that she'd back after it. Perhaps it would have - but she scarcely gave it a sixtieth of a chime, before she moved on wither make-it-up-as-you-go plan.

Violently, she thrust her head back and forth, a blood curdling screech unleashed as she did so. She didn't take not of how much flailing it took, but once she was free of the woman's clasp she hit the floor in a flourish of feathers. She wasn't sure whether or not the woman would attempt to return her to her clutches, and too quickly, as it was soon seen, launched herself onto the work bench's counter top.

So, apparently someone was playing with oils and herbal essence and neglected the important job that was thoroughly wiping down the counter top. Altaira hit the polished stone and slid right off, flying off to the other side of the wall and gracefully hitting the wall on the other side. "Oww... head. Pain." After a moment of bewilderment she scrambled herself up, taking a moment too long in gathering her bearings.

[Oriah]

The birdy was struggling. Oriah started to panic, wondering if she was hurting it, but she was still too lost in wonderment. Why was it green? Why did it sound so funny when it squawked? How was it so loud? What was it doing in an herb shop to begin with?

Suddenly, the bird stopped moving. The Benshira balked, thinking she had finally choked it to death, but then the creature started squawking with incredible volume as it violently thrust its head back and forth.

In her bemused shock, Oriah loosened her grip and the bird fell to the ground. It hit the hard floor with a light thud then launched itself onto a counter top, only to slide clear across it and smack soundly into the opposite wall. The Benshira was doubled over, laughing herself senseless, until she realized the birdy's awful squawking had been reduced to a pitiful mewling.

"Oh no, birdy!" Oriah rounded the corner to check and see if the bird had knocked itself dead. Fortunately, it had not, and was sluggishly scrambling back to its taloned feet.

Taking advantage of its dazed condition, the Benshira crept up and reached out with her hands once more. Except this time, she didn't grab it, merely stroked it gently on the head with one finger as her free hand patted down a few ruffled feathers.

"There, there. Birdy is not hurt. Where is your master, little one? Oriah the friendly Benshira is in need of some herbs today!"

[Altaira Readva]

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

'Oh no, birdy.' Gods, here we go again. Altaira freaked and stiffened against the woman's touch, hunkering down and glaring at her as her feathers were pulled and smoothed. "I could have done that myself." She couldn't deny it was a good feeling, however, and an involuntary coo of content left her quickly. "There, there. Birdy is not hurt. Where is your master, little one? Oriah the friendly Benshira is in need of some herbs today!"

She stood tall then, before rocking to and fro. She shook her feathers and began head butting the Benshira's hands, throwing her back and forth, directing her to the corner of the room. "Go over there, and don't move." She continued her odd little ritual for some time on, before deciding that she didn't have time to worry about such a thing, and whether 'Oriah' understood enough not to follow or not, the kelvic teetered to the side of the bench that held her clothes, and took the change in all its light a awe.

She only gave the Benshira woman the slightest of glances before going about changing, throwing an unsatisfied look to the tome above. "No, I'm fine." She said, half dressed, almost forgetting that she'd left a conversation hanging. Her head was pulsating some bit, but she knew a herb or brew or two that could help. "Now, what is it you were after?" We have herbs both fresh and dried, though the price varies." With that she slipped the final bits of her clothing on, and began ensuring the string over her skirt was tight, and that her blouse was neat and tucked.

[Oriah]

Oriah had to stifle a spurt of surprised laughter as the bird bobbed back and forth, then butted its feathery little head against the Benshira's hand. Taking the hint, she shuffled backwards, letting the odd little creature herd her into a corner of the room. It squawked again in its usual, seemingly intelligent way. The girl imagined that it was mildly scolding her to stay put or something of the sort, clucking like a mother hen to her unruly chicks.

Had the bird really understood her? There was something odd about it...more than its green plumage or un-birdlike behavior...

Then the creature erupted in a flurry of bright lights, and Oriah found her questions instantly answered.

Kelvic! How had she not guessed? Perhaps the Benshira had been out roaming amongst the wilderness too long, having only herself, Yahal, and the wind for company.

As one always was after a transformation if one were Kelvic, the once-bird now-woman stood as naked as the day she was born, and was about as abashed about it as...well, as a bird who never wore clothes. Having only encountered Kelvics a few times in her life, Oriah still found it a struggle to come to terms with the fact they were not all what they seemed. It was difficult especially in moments like this, when the women who was dressing swiftly before her looked completely and utterly human. And a lovely one too, at that!

The Kelvic had long, dark hair with generous curls, a shade of skin only slightly lighter than Oriah's own, and large, amber eyes rounded much like they were in her parrot form. The Benshira decided she rather liked the way this young woman looked, at once pleasing and intriguing, her eyes shining with a curious allure and the light lines of her face evidence of frequent mirth and exposure to the elements.

"Ah," Oriah responded, recovering quickly from her shock over the sudden transformation. "I'm after something that is good to have for the Winter, for minor sickness and the like. I'm afraid I'm not much used to the cold. And, um..."

Her gaze flicked left and right, then she leaned in and continued in a hushed voice, "I need something...well, a friend of mine is celebrating her birthday in a couple days, you see. And she is a little, how do you say it in common, high strung?"

Oriah paused for a moment, hoping some kind of recognition or understanding would light up on the shop keeper's face, but even she had to admit her explanation was a little...vague, at best.

"I need drugs," the girl blurted. "You know, maybe some Byrmntip, or perhaps even some "Apple Sauce," if you catch my drift."

Oriah gave her most winning smile, hoping she wouldn't get kicked out of the shop for attempting to buy such substances in a city as law abiding as Syliras. But, she figured, there was no harm in trying, and who knew?

Maybe the city and its inhabitants would surprise her.

[Altaira Readva]

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

"I'm after something that is good to have for the Winter, for minor sickness and the like. I'm afraid I'm not much used to the cold. And, um..." Altaira nodded to the words, eyes absently wondering from the greenhouse to the store as she tried to figure out what it was she was after. She supposed that she could devise a simple, herbal tea or two to help fight away the coughs and colds, if that was what the Benshira was after.

"I need something...well, a friend of mine is celebrating her birthday in a couple days, you see. And she is a little, how do you say it in common, high strung?" Altaira's head snapped to attention and she frowned. Oh, Gods, she couldn't- "I need drugs," -She does. "You know, maybe some Byrmntip, or perhaps even some "Apple Sauce," if you catch my drift."

The look that was then given her was winsome, and Altaira felt like she was gaping like a fish. A moment more and her eyes had found the ground, and her head shook from left to right. "I am going to pretend that I didn't catch the last part," she decided, face contort with confusion. She thought that the woman - Oriah - was nuts to begin with, but to ask for drugs? In an apothecary? That was something beyond her own comprehension.

"A-And- And-" She fumbled, never having ever been in such a circumstance in her entire, short, life. "I suggest you don't go asking that question to just anyone. If someone wants to get onto the good graces of a knight, or would be knight, they'd report you in a heartbeat." Well, if you didn't ask the right people, that was - business in Syliras was strange, something about plot lent by the knights?

She didn't understand it herself - but what she did know was that if the woman was assumed to seeking something not quite legal, such as the way she was speaking to Altaira implied, then the knights wouldn't be pleased in the slightest. Drugs were good business, or so she heard, and there were official, well known places where they could be bought - if what she was seeking couldn't be found there, and she was resorting to other methods... was she? She seemed knew in town? Perhaps not well versed in the working of things? She sighed, and then walked to the center point between the greenhouse and the front of the store. "Now, fresh herbs or dry?"

She looked at Oriah with new, confused, eyes - she always pegged such an encounter to only occur in the presence of men broad and beaten, their teeth rotten and eyesight poor. The Benshira woman in her company, on the other hand, looked young and sweet.

*Edit: To ensure lore was properly adhered to [I wrote vaguely, and more parallel to the lore than with it first time around. Nothing that changed the meaning of the post nor the dialogue]

[Oriah]

"Hmm..."

Oriah pondered for a moment, rubbing her chin as she eyed the startled shop keeper. So, drugs were a no-no in Syliras. Figures. Her time in Sunberth and out on the road had corroded her sense of civilization far more than she'd anticipated; she ought to have known beforehand such things would not be readily available as though they were harmless sweets or pastries. Well, at least she gave it a try. She'd just have to find other means to her desired end.

Or, perhaps, there was another way...

"Dried, please," the Benshira chirped, beaming as though nothing had happened. "Maybe something I can drink as a tea and warm me up in this dreadful weather."

She watched intently as the woman moved, wondering if she could learn something in the process. Eventually, however, the silence grew long and she itched to fill it, unwilling to be reminded of her lonely progress up to the city gates. "Um, sorry to interrupt, but would you happen to have anything in stock that helps relax the mind and body? Not necessarily a sleep aid or anything, more like a...stress reliever of some kind? Or something that makes you feel good?"

Oriah paused for a moment, then blurted in a moment of inspiration, "My name's Oriah, by the way. What is yours? That transformation was quite remarkable--I've never seen such vibrant feathers on a bird!"

She had no idea if this woman was susceptible to flattery, but it had to be tried. If something--anything--couldn't be procured before Ildy's birthday, they would have to rely solely on imbibement, which would be costly, inconvenient in large mounts, and heavy as shyke to carry around. At the very least, she needed to get her hands on something that would help the half-zith relax. Oriah doubted anyone was going to let their guard down enough to enjoy themselves if the birthday girl was worried she might accidentally stab someone or vice versa.

Meanwhile, the Benshira smiled disarmingly. If this were merely a personal endeavor, she would have given up long ago. But something about her new friend convinced Oriah that Ildy deeply needed to become more familiar with her human side. And what better way than to have some fun?

[Altaira Readva]

Bird Speak | Common | Vani | Others

Dried herbs it was, then, Altaira thought, driving off in the direction of the store itself. Although it wasn't all too common, there were a vast array of dried herbs for sale within the main part of the store, making quick of the trip. She wasn't exactly sure what Oriah would end up purchasing, so she opted to pick a random selection and talk it through with her.

Before she could ask the Benshira herself what she'd like, the woman gave a very peculiar request herself. Altaira truly wasn't impressed - but she couldn't say she wasn't amused. Her day had certainly proven to be an interesting one, that at least could be said. With a single raised brow she listened to the Benshira go on a bout in regards to finding a substance that was essentially drugs.

She almost gave a full fledged laugh when she then reintroduced herself, and began making small talk with an innocent smile to-boot. "Yes, yes. My name is Altaira - you told me yours quite a little while ago." She gave a sigh then, before looking the woman up and down. She was indeed a woman, right? She questioned her own choices for a moment more, before conceding. "You can't buy drugs from me, nor this store, as far as I know of. But if you're willing to go the right place, and offer the right coin - you'll be able to do so. Just- stop that smiling." She rubbed her temples, then, picking out the most core and basic of the herbs, deciding that if Oriah agreed - which she likely would - then there would be little need for the heavier hitting few that she'd picked up on a whim.

To ensure that the woman didn't inquire further to the herbal bags that she'd exiled from her presence, she promptly shot off and returned them to their places, before taking place again at the workbench. It's none of your business if she goes sky high and kills a prostitute or something. It. Is. Not. Your. Business. Unless you lose business. Gods, why didn't you think of that? "But I swear the Gods if you go telling people that I referred you there, rather common knowledge of the place or not, I will not be happy." She ended her words with a finger wag, and a narrowing of her eyes. She probably looked the better part of crazy herself, but she could hardly care less in that instant.

[Oriah]

"Altaira. A pleasure," Oriah beamed. Then, remembering the woman's recent words, dropped the smile from her face instantly. This Altaira was no easy woman to please, and it cost double the effort to stay on her good side.

What was the funny word she had learned a few seasons ago? Ss...ssaa..sssssy. Yes, sassy! This woman was sassy. Oriah liked her.

The Kelvic shopkeeper had suggested she knew of a place, if the girl was willing and had the coin for it. Oriah nodded furiously. "Yes. I mean, no. I mean--ah, no I would never mention any sort of referral by you, I swear my life on it. And yes, I most certainly do have the will and the coin!"

To a casual passerby peeking through the shop window, it might have looked as though one had just agreed to attend the other's wedding. Or name her baby. Or something ridiculous. The fact that they were actually doing something a mite shady was amusing to the Benshira.

No, not shady, she reminded herself. Necessary. She would never, ever pursue an endeavor that might earn Yahal's ire. Oriah simply wanted to show Ildy the lighter, less stress-inducing side of life. And...well, sometimes a good pipe and such were fitting for the occasion.

"I would be greatly indebted to you if you told me where to go." She hesitated for a moment, thinking, then asked, "Do you like men?"