Smart and Strong

[Cassandra Southwind]

Winter 67, 513
The Azure Market

The tarp fell wet and heavy over the cart, bulging where unsold fish had been piled beneath it. The mid-Winter air tread the line between freezing at not, catching white on labored breath and painting knuckles pink. It only half-froze the burlap, leaving it stiff to pull but happy to lie where it fell. Cassandra fastened the ropes with a bit of lazy slack and sullenly moved into place between the cart's long wooden handlebars.

It was the day after a garden day. These were usually the worst days for market sales, and today was no different. Everyone was tired from their noble volunteer work, and filled up from the bits and pieces they were able to pocket for their trouble. Cassandra kept forgetting which days they would be--she was barely accustomed to the city's daily routine, much less its seasonal one. A pitying costumer had tipped her well for a pair of bass as he explained something about twenty days and the sixth of the month, but she knew she wouldn't remember it by tomorrow. She had never had a very good memory for detail.

All she knew for now was how her fingers ached. Cold, wet fish and cold, wet air did not mix well with a no-profit day. Cassandra still had not invested in a good pair of gloves; there never seemed to be a moment for it, and where she usually travelled she rarely needed them. But she was strong and she was enduring. There would be a place to warm her knuckles soon enough.

She pulled forward, acting as her own horse where she could not afford an okomo. She would need to pay the warehouse to store the fish and get the cart back to where she rented it. She was not looking forward to either. After only a few long strides, just enough to collect some momentum, serendipity pulled her eyes toward the square. There she found a familiar spray of bright Inartan hair in the grey haze of the season.

"Sana?" She mumbled the question to herself as if that would make it easier to discern the approaching girl. "Sana," she said a little louder now, her tired eyes reaching out to catch the old acquaintance's. She would not suffer the indignity of waving, but she would stop and quietly beg the woman for a distraction.

[Arysana]

Speech | Thoughts

Sana had worked herself to the bone the day before. She ached in places she didn't realise could burn so intensely, and reveled in the day's pardon she'd managed to scrape from work and chores. It was supposed to be some form of award, one of the receptionists had said, prompting students to put their full into community work, aid in the raising and keeping of the Dawn Tower's reputation, and to help in keeping spirits high for the upcoming ball.

She rolled her neck as she wove through the crowds, a short look and smile to those she bumped or cut off as she sought something worth dwelling on. It was still well within the ranges of mid-winter, so a spend on coats or boots or clothes was something she could indulge in without too much guilt, was it not?

She freed herself from a stream of people heading towards one of the Peaks, determined to not wind up someplace she had no desire for like she had so many times before hand. She was too tired, too sore, and far too irritable to deal with such a misadventure, her expression no doubt displaying such as the odd older gentleman or woman made a noticeable effort to avoid her path as she cut across into the bulk of the plaza, where the crowds were thinner and atmosphere lighter, even with the welling, sullen skies that stretched over head.

As always, it seemed, she couldn't escape at least a single respected head tilt that was thrown to her, still far more comfortable in the dress of her mother's people, both walking and appearing quite mismatched in her attempts to properly fit in with the city's culture. For all her efforts, one would think that she'd only been in the city for less than a year, not the half dozen since her brink of adolescences.

A brightly coloured sign drew her eye, and Sana was well on her way to lighten her purse when she thought her heard her name, the tone and pronunciation setting of a chain of recognition. She took a sharp look in direction that she thought the word to have been originated, scanning the sea of faces with a furrowed brow. "Cass?" The act of speaking before seeing was likely a poor one, Sana not quite willing to look rude, and hoping that her word could perhaps stir a more noticeable reaction from the woman who she thought it to come from.

She must have passed over the sight of Cassandra several times over before quite recognising her, a grin taking to her lips as she took pleasure in both ending her morontic look as her gaze darted about the plaza, and finding some one she had no mind in spending her free time on.

As though it wasn't apparent that the first time she'd spoken, it was blind, the way she nodded and waved, repeating her word with an expression of pure delight, made it painfully so. "Cass!" As Sana took quick pace towards towards the Svefra, she couldn't help but linger on the cart she carried, digging up every precious memory she could of their first and last meeting. "How has life been treating you? I'd take it you're at work- or just concluding it?"

[Cassandra Southwind]

Cassandra could not help the smile that flitted across her face at the sight of Sana's approach. She regretted to have left her in such a mess all those night ago, but there was no social protocol on land or sea that warranted she revisit Sana's home in the Tower's Respite. Still, a long buried curiosity about the place and its inhabitants--the students and their studies--rose up beneath Sana's greeting words. Cass dropped her arms as far as they would go without letting go of her cart. She nodded wearily.

"Concluding," she repeated, glancing back at her unsold haul. There was little use in explaining the disappointment in it, but perhaps her tone explained as much. "And you?"

She was beginning to think she ought to just tuck it away somewhere. She was ready to forget about it, and the high mountain air was ice enough to keep it fresh for a few hours. The fish was all excess anyway; if nobody needed it, then it was useless. Suddenly Cassandra's thoughts made her feel foolish, made her fidget and look distractedly at the crowd around them. Her catch, of course, was a bounty from Laviku and it was not to be wasted. She could not abandon it... but she could uncover it and allow passing citizens to take what they liked.

Forgetting about her family's wishes or the expectations of the men she rented from, Cass considered the Goodness in her idea all rather appealing. Her old acquaintance would probably know the law about doing such a thing. "Can I leave this?" She asked, shaking the cart on a shrug. "No one is paying for them, and it is a long walk to storage. Tell me you are doing something more interesting."

A laugh of a sigh puffed hot white breath between them as her bare fingers adjusted painfully on the weight of the cart, anticipating a quick release.

[Arysana]

Speech | Thoughts

More than anything at that short little moment, Sana wished that she'd actually attended work. Even if it was little more a forum to rant and rave, for another little topic that she could dive into and branch out, to get to the root and the heart of some little nuance that had to do with it - there were few people that Sana had ever had such a deep conversation with, little lone while rather drunk, and she wasn't willing to have their acquaintance devolve into painful small talk and the odd wave whenever they bumped into each other.

"Nothing interesting, I'm afraid," the tired lull of her voice, and the short, forced giggle that followed were testaments enough for her own annoyance at the slowness of the day, but the following moment she gave to thought on Cass' own words and tones had her hope that the Svefra was in the same boat as she.

The question that followed drew a look of confusion to Sana's expression, gaze flitting between the blue of Cass' eyes and the covered cart she carried. "I, uh- I don't think that's illegal?" She gave the cart a hard look, not pleased with the idea of giving an answer when she wasn't quite sure.

"I imagine that you'll make other merchants quite furious..." she trailed, giving a short survey of the area. "But, what was that saying? Better to ask for forgiveness, than permission? I mean, surely the Shinya can't be too mad since you'll be going out of your way to give things away as charity."

Everything about Sana look shouted devious, from the glean in her eyes to the smirk of her mouth, more so than anything in the way she gripped the corner of the cart closest to her, a short look out for any shinya.

[Cassandra Southwind]

Cassandra gave serious thought to Arysana's answer, perhaps putting more weight into the friendly guess than the woman who spoke it did. Whether or not the Inarta considered herself a native, the Svefra regarded her as enough of one to answer any question about the city's laws of customs. And so she pulled her cart off to one side, behind the space she had rented but still well within sight of passersby.

"Charity," she confirmed happily.

The burden that lifted from her was as literal as it was mental, a bell's responsibility slipping away as her load was left abandoned. While Sana kept an eye out for shinya, Cass felt confident in the unspoken promise of negligible repercussions. Her fingers burned with the cold as she wiped them together, freeing her palms of old wood and grime before she breathed eager hot air into them. She rubbed her hands together and repeated the process twice more, stepping into place beside Arysana.

"Where are you going from here?" She asked, walking aimlessly through the plaza. "I will follow you there." Perhaps it was too forward, but Cass took for granted that Sana would understand her intention. She would walk with her until she found reason to depart, be it a warm tavern or the inn where she stayed sometimes. She could only hope for an afternoon as enlightening as that last evening, and did not expect one.

But then she saw another cart in the square, one which sold miscellaneous winter wear in the modern Lhavitian fashion. Scarves and coats and gloves and socks were folded neatly on a pair of long tables, jewel-toned and wrought with sparkling embroidery. "Oh," Cassandra said suddenly and, with no other word of warning, stopped to browse.

[Arysana]

Speech | Thoughts

Quick to decide, quick to leave. That was the best way to go about it. Sana pressed her lips as she half focused on ensuring her pace was constant, hoping for the both of them that they either blended seamlessly into the small crowd, or stood out in the way that foreigners of no note often did.

Although she doubted that any trouble would befall them, annoying the Shinya was not preferable.

"I'm yet to decide," she prattled, content enough that she could keep her step as her gaze shot over the plaza. "I think I might get a tatto-Cass?" Sana had turned to further her words, instead finding herself speaking to thin air, a slight hitch to her breath and a heavy frown to her face as she turned sharply and sought sight of the Svefra.

The student paused for a moment, glancing over Cass' form without realising it once or twice, before moving with a jolt to return to her side. She'd have to pay thorough attention to her dear acquaintance, it seemed, and gave a light giggle to herself at the thought.

Sana was close friends with people who seemed to stick too close. She would rarely see a single one of the few at the Respite that she deemed 'friends' alone, save for the times in between when they were coming from a group outing, class, or study session, or going to one. 'Footloose', that was the word she sort to describe her; a trait that she found both marvellous and refreshing.

What caught Cassandra's eye was beautiful indeed, and Sana would refuse to admit how the world seemed to pause when she began to take in the look and detail of the embroidery and garments on proud display. "Lhavitan culture and clothing," she murmured, keeping her hands to herself as she refrained from touching what was before her. "You are beautiful," she shot a short glance to her purse, "and the reason why I'm on a budget."

Another bitter little laugh to herself and she shot a look to Cass, a confused bundle of thoughts and feelings. There was her usual spark and eagerness to speak and banter and discuss, but she was caught between playing an advocate for higher learning and complaining to the high hills about the workload the had her bow. "Being a student scarcely helps," of the vast array of goods before her, there were only a few that someone of Sana's wage could afford, even less should she factor in the bits and pieces she was in constant need of restocking.

[Cassandra Southwind]

Cassandra was not the sort to make friends. Often she was outright unfriendly, prone to the prides and racisms that are borne of a close family with hard rules. Any acquaintances she did find were fleeting, such that little would be lost when she inevitably set sail again. And yet Lhex had reacquainted her with Sana, of all of people. She was not disappointed.

Still, a sliver of embarrassment chafed at the back of her mind, rubbed in by reeling thoughts. Boredom had become her over the passing hours, making Arysana's timely arrival was a welcome distraction. Cassandra's eagerness for it had only just begun to ebb, but she would be the last to admit as much. She resolved instead to keep her thoughts in private order. Her hands trailed absently over the selection of gloves as she considered her choices.

"A student," she mused outwardly. "You know, that is a cityfolk word. We do not have a name for your profession on the sea. If I am honest, I'll say I do not understand what a student does. You read and write, yes? And talk with others about what you read?" Cass found herself avoiding judgmental terms like soft or lazy or pointless. She was not an avid reader, her childhood having been spent learning with her hands and working through the day. If pressed, she might admit that she did not respect the profession of scholar--and yet she respected Arysana, her wit and her logic.

It seemed too strange that they were one in the same. Cass could not decide how that affected her opinion of her.

She chose a pair of burgundy-colored gloves, one of the more muted tones available. Compared to the sleeve of her coat, they were still quite bold, but she liked the color nonetheless. She looked at the merchandise beside Sana, trying to determine whether she was shopping or simply standing. It occurred to Cass that she might pay for something that piqued the Inarta's interest, but she could not find the nerve to offer.

"To what end?" She added instead, hoping that she sounded more open-minded than she was.

[Arysana]

Speech | Thoughts | oocSorry for my sort-of-kind-of lateness. I wrote half the post then my computer crashed. My willpower died pretty quickly.

Sana found herself caught between listening to Cassandra's words, and eyeing a stunning pair boots, before the shimmer and shine of a scarves rich in colour and embroidery caught her eyes, the way in which the Svefra spoke and formed her sentences slowing calling her attention back.

There was some strange tone to her words, and Sana was soon enough staring at Cass's features and brilliant blue eyes, trying to figure and make sense of the meaning behind the words. If she couldn't guess such, she'd have no way of actually responding in the way in which she supposed Cass wished.

Did the Svefra not have students? Or is it more of a matter of terminology? Such as her sister Kana, who was an apprentice by work but a student in her avid learning. The thought made sense enough to her, thoughts a whirl of stormy seas and salt water, and the uselessness of someone who knew little more than words and theory.

“The end depends on what the person is studying, and why,” she said, deciding to use the tail of Cass’ words to begin her own, finding it a far simpler way to answer correctly. “The end of a study heavy on theory, such as mathematics or astronomy, I suppose, gears one well enough to teaching. Gods, you can even be a student learning in the ways of teaching.”

Sana gave a slow nod, then, and gestured to herself with a playful look and hopeful smile, “Such as myself.”

A pause to her words came, then, her eyes caught on a scarf of rich greens and blues before she quite remembered the question she was answering. “I’m a student for many reasons, some because I am merely enthralled by a subject, others to teach and prepare me for work, some are the subject in which I would like to teach in, and others are for… safety.” She wasn’t sure whether or not she was being vague, or how welcome such words were. "If I learn now, and build my skills as best I can as a student, once I become a teacher, not only will I be able to teach at a decent level, but I will also be able to do so safely, and with quite the salary. I've even taken work at my Tower as a PA to help me get a feel and a practical experience for what I wish to be."

She could feel her words become stern and expression stone, her inner Dawn Tower advocate standing tall and fierce in defense of her institution, and a look of regret passed her expression in a wave, breath hitching and gaze widening, before she released fists she hadn't noticed she'd clenched, and recalled the innocence of the question asked. 'In, out. In, out. Nice and steady, cool and calm.'

"Being a student isn't a profession," she continued, expression drawn as she shook her head slightly, as though voiding all of her prior words as she attempted to come up with a clearer, shorter explanation. "It's a means to an end."

[Cassandra Southwind]

oocNo worries. I can't seem to post as quickly as I used to anyway.

Cassandra looked contemplatively at the gloves in her hand, oblivious to the merchant who stood expectantly opposite her. Arysana's words swam into place within the compartments of her mind, those reserved for the strange manners of starry citizens. Students study theory so that they can teach other students. Who did that feed? What shelter did that make? It seemed something of a selfish endeavor, but Cassandra pressed onward.

"That makes sense," she mumbled cautiously. And what is a PA? She thought to add, neutral and polite. The pleasantries of civilian life were becoming second-nature, in this place where pleasantness was the difference between an empty cart and empty pockets. But Sana deserved more than courtesy. Cassandra did not look at her as she went on, "Except... what will you teach? Will you teach others to teach, and repeat a circle?"

She laughed, a little too comfortably. "And what sort of danger is there in a book, so you must learn safety?"

A distracted hand plunged into her bag then, consciously remembering the value of coin. Cass's people did not use it when they didn't have to, leaving ambitions of wealth and comfort to the cityfolk. Quietly observing, the merchant mumbled a number and his customer went about sorting through the little jade pieces. She clearly had far too many, but she would be the last to realize it.

"In my experience, useful things are not learned indoors." She gave the money to the merchant and was about to pull her purchase over her fingers, when she glanced at the scarves Arysana seemed to have been considering. "But perhaps it is very fun. You are wanting that?"

With a handful of coin, Cass gestured generously at the glittering wool. She might as well have been trading one of her abandoned fish, for what good the money did her.

[Arysana]

Speech | Thoughts | oocSame here, actually! For instance, don't mind how quick-ish I replied here, I just want to reply as they come so they don't snowball and drown me like they have been recently >.>

From what Sana could tell from Cassandra's expression and movements, the Svefra seemed to understand well enough, the woman’s gaze not seeming too far off, nor her brow creased in the more obvious sign of confusion.

Only, her words weren't quite so, and Sana found herself doubting her capabilities to read people in the slightest sense, quite close to throwing her arms in the air and simply demanding that everyone was simply forward with her.

And soon enough, words that gave a greater picture shortly came, with Cass mentioning of cycles and repetition, and Sana promptly lent herself to a thought that she'd never truly entertained before. She didn't want to fade into a never ending cycle, now, did she? She didn’t wish to be little more than good teacher, with skill that was never used to its fullest capabilities.

A chill crept up her spine, gooseflesh tearing across her skin as a chilling breeze swept through, so lost in thoughts provoked that she herself almost missed the next few that were added.

Understanding came with a lag, Sana pressing her lips and frowning as they settled and made sense in her mind, before she realised what was spoken and shook her head with a hitch of her breath. "Oh? Yes-no. I do, but I'm not one to take another’s coin," The look she gave was self imposed, unable to straight up ignore the tugging temptation to accept the offer. 'No, I worked hard for the coin I allow myself to spend. I spent it. I should suffer. If I cannot go without a scarf, then how can I expect myself not to give into sweet whispers?'

“As for what I study- Magic. Well, reimancy is primarily what I learn- I'll likely work in the profession for a decade before I allow myself to teach, or teach while I work," her latter words were rushed and foreign upon her lips, their addition based solely on a gut urge that sprung as she spoke.

"But at the end of it all I quite simply enjoy the way that teachers coax and calm and go about their trade. It's a good work," She said, her tone softening as she continued. "Students look up to you to help them learn control." As harsh and hard as they were, Sana's respect for her teachers was unrivalled. "There is much work to be done outdoors that I will gladly admit to loving, so surely you must have something of the same indoors?" Her pitch heightened as her words continued, expression drawn in thought. In such a scholarly city such as Lhavit, the thought of someone not taking to learning in an indoor setting was a strange one, to say the least.