Closed The Less I Speak, the More I Know

[Ireth Telemnar]

Spring 2nd, 514 A.V.

There was always something. Spring had just arrived, twas only the second day of the new year. But the weather wasn't quite ready to cooperate. Ireth hugged her coat closer around her stomach, something she'd gotten into the habit of doing. Some sort of a mothering instinct she supposed, doing anything and everything she could day to day to protect the child within her.

There was still snow on the ground around Nyka, though someone had mentioned that it wasn't as much as they'd normally gotten. A storm had passed through last night, sleet by the looks of the slush around her. It sat in dirty pools along the road where carts and feet had made ruts. In some places it dripped off of roofs, where in others the jarring of a board or the twanging of a clothesline might knock large portions of the slush onto the ground. Or, in one case, onto someone. Ire hadn't paused for but a moment when the occurrence unfolded before her eyes. She had stopped to allow a man with a wheelbarrow full of bricks to pass, when a woman across the street pulled a frozen shirt from her clothesline. The fabric left the rope with a loud THWOK. And, as if in slow motion, Ireth watched as the line jarred a pile of snow from off of the next building over. Tinged with the dusty-rose colored grit of the city, the sludge fell down... down... down.

And directly onto the head of an old monk.

Ireth's mouth dropped faster than the old man. But down he went, the snow having hit him such that he fell onto his stomach, though thankfully onto the walk and not into the street. The people around him rushed to his aid, wanting only to not get on his angry side. But he didn't seem angry. Surprised, and cold perhaps. He simply wiped off what slush he could and continued on his way, a bit warier than before.

There was one moment when Ire thought that the monk was going to blow up, to unleash that crazy bloodlust wrath that his order was so known for upon the innocents around him. But after the fact, after her heart settled back into its normal pace and the old man continued on his way, she gave a nervous laugh. This was definitely a story to tell Nya.

She walked on, carefully observing the happenings of the city around her. Perhaps the weather was no different than it had been in the later part of Winter, but Ire felt as though the beginning of the new year had brought a certain liveliness to the Nykans. Ravok had gotten like that at this time of year, the people cheerier to make peace and to get a new start. It wasn't a bad change of pace either, in Ireth's opinion. There came a point, every year since she was small, when the end of Winter seemed to drag on to no end and there was no light beaconing to Season's End. And then Spring would show up and fill everyone with new breath, rejuvenation. Something of a miracle in Ire's eyes.

At last Ireth came to the double wooden doors of Mirilind's Celestial Garb, a place with which the busker was becoming well acquainted. She stamped her boots against the walk before entering the shop in an attempt to get rid of the majority of the mud and slush that seemed to cling so to the old footwear. The moment she opened the right door a wave of warmth washed over her face as it rushed like water to flee into the chilly outside. Ire stepped inside hurriedly, preserving as much of the heat as she could.

"Good morning Miss Ireth!" A cup of hot tea found its way into the busker's hands before she had time to take two steps into the room. Tynybi shucked Ire's jacket from around the young woman's shoulders and gave her a solid hug, warming her quickly. A laugh escaped her lips as Ireth recovered her balance from the onslaught of the care of the older woman.

"Hello Missus. How are you this morning?"

Tynybi adjusted her old apron and patted her hair into place. "I'm feeling old, my dear. My elbow is all creaky with the weather." The seamstresses eyes danced in a way that gave away the truth that, on the inside, she was not a day older than Ireth. Only seven or eight years older than the busker, Tynybi carried herself differently. Probably because she had been married for a number of years now, and had borne a child. Nevertheless, she was spry and a matronly woman. "Anything interesting going on on the outside?" Tynybi was also never one to let gossip escape.

Ireth sipped the tea gently. Honey... cinnamon? She couldn't tell, but it slid down her throat easily and radiated warmth throughout her bones. "I saw snow fall off of a roof and onto an old monk over in the Celestial District. It was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time."

Just the same as Ire had done, Tynybi's mouth dropped before she burst into raucous laughter that surely woke the neighbors on more than one occasion. "Oh, oh! That's perfect! Those monks, holy as they are, need to be thrown onto their arses every once in a while, just to knock them off of their high horses."

Ireth nodded and ducked back into her tea, relishing the relief it brought. Tynybi stoked a small wood-burning stove behind the shop's counter and brought out a purple tunic from her stockpile, preceding to begin mending a hole under its arm.

After some time and more chitchat, a small girl child walked down the stairs and through the door from the apartment above the shop. Her hair was in disarray and there was sleep in her eyes, but she was dressed warmly and smiled at Ireth. "G'morning Ire."

"Good morning Nya. How'd ye sleep?"

"Very well, thank you." Nya's voice was calm, solemn, just as always. Nothing ever seemed to phase the child, and she was serious beyond her years. But in the short while that Ireth had known her and her parents, the busker had grown to love the girl. She was like a steady drum beat, unwavering and collected against the chaos and flittering of Nykan life.

The youngster accepted a hunk of bread and a bit of ham from her mother, and stood patiently eating as Tynybi ran a comb through her knotty brown hair. When they both finished their tasks, the four year old hugged Ireth's leg. "Where are we going today?"

The young woman ran her fingers through her companion's locks. "I was thinking perhaps we might go down to Herring Square again?" A favorite of Nya's, the girl adored the chaos and colors. "It's still rather cold and wet, but maybe we can find a someplace to explore that is out of the weather. A temple or someplace like that. What do you say?" Nya nodded happily and walked off to find a coat. Ireth finished off her tea and placed the mug upon the counter, careful to avoid placing it close to where Tynybi was working.

When her friend appeared again, outfitted in a bright orange cloak, Ireth took the child's hand and they left the Celestial Garb, setting a brisk pace in the chilly morning air. Unless it was a trick of her mind, Ire heard Nya giggle under her breath.

"Herring Square."

[Toan Onox]

Location: Herring Square

Somehow; settling into the very city that breathed its own kind of life wouldn’t seem to hard after all, not with all the wondrous opportunity for bountiful gain that resided in such a grandiose place. Nyka was certainly different from the streets of Ravok Toan was accustomed to, but he never felt discouraged with the challenge of settling into the city now that he’d gotten a few ideas on Nykan hospitality. Oft did he have trouble being able to eat of course as he was still labeled “outsider” even with the job he’d undertaken, thankfully the Safe Haven Hostel was kind and charitable enough to provide for his hunger needs when he played his cards just right. Yet that was only a minor hitch in the progression of his plans, as he’d just barely got started in making a name for himself in this place. Given the fact he was just a mere courier nobody really thought much about him, he was practically an invisible delivery boy and he certainly preferred to remain that way for a while. Of course the sneers and scoffs he did get from his clients were amusing half the time, only because the package took longer to reach them than they anticipated of course. Toan however was merely human like any other, not some super wonderful magician capable of working miracles in time. Although if he did find a way to shorten the length of time between deliveries it could end up with less complaints and more praise, which in turn would make use for a better system of communication for illicit purposes.

But of course such ideas were beyond Toan right now, he merely dreamed the big dream that would one day come to fruition. But of course all would happen in good time, he couldn’t rush the sweet taste of success after all. Which is why he enjoyed taking time out to be about the streets of Nyka early in the day when morning light bathed the city, although today it didn’t do much in regards of warmth for everybody. Yet the smell of salt that clung heavily to the air and the overwhelming bustle of the locals made this area of Nyka a bountiful place to be, were he to actually try and practice his other talents of course. He refrained from allowing any sticky fingers to reach other pockets today though, especially when he needed a release from the stress of work. Running around the city every day kind of made one feel weary after so long, so if Toan were to put himself in a spot where he were in trouble then he’d likely ruin the chance of a good reputation for sure. Thus while he took a seat on a nice comfy spot just neatly tucked within the reaches of Herring Square he watched as the people passed buy, fisherman and merchant alike seemed to roam the place and what made the square all the more lively was the festive music every musician tried to create. Honestly it proved to be a sight to behold in the morning bells.

Unfortunately Toan didn’t bring his own instrument with him today, had he known he’d wander into a festive part of the city he would’ve certain brought it along. Today though it was merely his sketch pad and charcoal, as he felt just as content with drawing a few subjects to try and get in some of the practice he’d lost. Such a long time it had been since he’d drawn anything, he could only hope the talent hadn’t truly left his fingers. While he remained well comfortable on the large crate with his back against the cold wall, he filed through the wild festive activities of the crowds to find a general “muse” of a sort to start with. Generally starting with something still or rather close to being still made drawing a little easier, it provided more of the same results when one paid close attention to the details. Now let’s see, what to do. He pondered with eyes completely zoned in on the activity, focused on some sort of subject he could use for the start. There were the regular locals that shuffled through the fish, the dancers that ever so gracefully performed in the center of it all, the fisherman and merchants at the stalls laughing in unison, then there were the musicians that brought life to it all. Aha. His gaze zoned upon those of a small clustered band that played their hearts out, sure enough the center staged flutist looked to be an adverse subject to try and print to parchment. Satisfied with his choice Toan observed the flute player closely to note various details, and then started with the basic line of the body that resembled the shoulder of that musician. From there he would let motivation take over while he continued to eye multiple occasions, all in an effort to get down every detail necessary as the charcoal carefully moved to hopefully create the same image Toan saw in his mind.

oocI know Ireth also plays the flute so I left it open to interpret whether or not she decided to play it, if she doesn't then Toan can draw some random npc then.

[Ireth Telemnar]

No matter the weather, there was always pockets of color and noise to be found around the city with which Ireth was becoming acquainted. More often than not, she found herself wandering the shores of the Sea, the Nykan Docks, or here, in the city's Eastern Quarter. The part of the city occupied by merchants and their wares and the city's seaside, this is where Ire felt most at home in her adopted Nyka. The familiar scents of fish and water that clung to everything on this side of Nyka was ever so comforting to the fisherman's daughter from the Floating City of Rhysol.

The clothing shop of Nya's father, called Mirilind's Celestial Garb, was found here in the East. As was Herring Square.

Herring Square was an explosion of Nykan color and noise in the mornings. Come the break of day, the fishermen of the city were out on the Sea, casting their lines and hoisting their nets into the briny waters, prayers on their lips to the Celestials or other deities for decent catches with which to feed their city. And when they returned to shore, loading into the Nykan Docks or otherwise, they brought their fish to Herring Square. It was here they distributed their bounties to the citizens, food being free as it was seen to be an unalienable right to all Nykans. Sure, the food needed to either be taken to the Bubbling Pot Eating House or to a personal kitchen to be prepared, but there was fresh fish daily in Herring Square. Almost enough for all that came. Come afternoon, the fisherfolk dispersed, having given away all of their catches.

And thus it was that around this lively feast that other vendors began to arise. Merchants and sorts set up tents and stalls, while dancers and musicians pranced about the emptier areas, allowing their music to mingle in ears as the odor of fish mingled in noses.

Sometimes Ire came here to play her flute, her main source of income. The folk were nice and sometimes the other buskers would play with her, though she normally wound up following their leads as she knew very little about Nykan melodies and songs. Sometimes Nya came along, serving as a change-collector for Ireth. The little girl found the haggling and the chaos of the Square a relief from the order and simplicity of her father's store.

Today though, they were simply coming for a day on the town. They both agreed that it was far too chilly and nasty for any fluting to be done.

"Let's look around the Square Nya. I want to see if we can find that baker man we love so much." Nya's face, still slightly solemn from sleep, lit up. Though she made sure to always have Ireth within her view, she stepped away to search on her own.

Vivid movement caught the busker's eye. Dancers, four girls all Ire's age, twirled in time with a group of buskers, their brilliantly colored skirts rippling as they moved their slippered feet gracefully over the soggy cobblestones. Come the end of the song, Ireth waved to the buskers, two of whom she knew. One, a slightly young man on a guitar, had played with the flutist before a couple of times. His name was Killigan. Ireth tugged on Nya's hand and brought her over to the stack of crates upon which the musicians had arranged themselves.

Killigan clapped his hands, attracting the attention of his fellow performers. "This here be me good mate Ireth! A finer flute player there isn't in all of Nyka!" He winked down at the flute player beside him. "Except for perhaps you, dear Elora."

The girl scoffed and smiled at Ireth. "I doubt it. I'm not even that good at the flute. But give me a trumpet and I can outplay any one of ye on a bad day!" That aroused a laugh from the troupe, and many nodded in agreement.

The quartet of young dancers sauntered over, accepting hugs and praise from their accompanists. One of them twittered, bending over toward her friends and putting a hand to her mouth as if to tell a secret though her voice was still loud.

"Don't look now," though she obviously wanted them to. "But there's a young artist over there that seems rather intent on capturing your likeness Elora!"

Of course the entire company twirled around to stare at the man. And indeed, until he caught their gazes, he seemed to be drawing one of their pictures. At his expression, the troupe laughed and hooted, though he soon lost their interest. Nya was lifted onto one of the crates, and she swayed her dress in time as the buskers lifted into another song.

Ire was no longer paying attention. In fact, she was no longer consciously in Nyka. She found herself in Ravok, years ago, in the middle of the Nitrozian Plaza, her flute in her lap. A young boy stood before her, a few years older than she, his hair in his face and a drawing pad in his hands. She giggled at his concentration face, his tongue slightly sticking out from between his lips as he scritched away upon the paper to capture her likeness. Pulling herself back into the present, Ireth made her way to where the man sat.

"Pardon me. I think... I think I know you. Are you from Ravok?" She was being awful forward, but this niggling feeling at the back of her mind wouldn't let up.

[Toan Onox]

Start with the curvature of the arm which then folded up to- whoops! Minor mishap in the fold of the arm, but thankfully nothing too horrible to put his old sketching skills to shame, Toan continued with another glance over to find that the flutist and her bunch of buskers chattered with some new company. A woman with a little girl and of course a few lovely dancers to greet them as well, the festivities here certainly brightened ones spirits during the morning bells. Oh? They noticed him, what fortunate timing. Now they knew they were a key piece of inspiration, and what was better was that they continued their own fun with more music. It brought a smirk to Toan’s lips as he took to memory of the flutist once more, unaware of the other lady that had taken to approach him due to memory. The waist starts here, then continue with the leg. As he thought this through the tip of the charcoal slowly glided in a curve that resembled the outer shape of the waist line, then a line that overlapped the previous one to create the part of the anatomy where the leg folded.

He had only done the outline of the flutists left side now, the shape of her shoulder a little rough and the edges with her arm and leg a bit too scrawny for his taste. Of course he would feel this way because he’d not drawn in such a long while, needless to say he would do a terrible job on the first try with his work. Yet he couldn’t let himself be defeated by insecurity just yet, especially when he merely needed to improve on his foundation. He did after all practically free hand what little he did draw and not many artists can say they started out free handing everything. As he thought more about how to correct his mistakes for a better sketch a voice happened to surprise him, which caused him to look up from his work in progress just to see who had decided to approach him so forwardly. Ravok? Who on Miza knows me from there?! He stunned with anxiety as to who this person could be, as he would’ve rather kept his past a hidden secret from those within this city. Yet when he thought he was met with a threat his eyes found the face of a woman, in fact she was a very beautiful woman to look at upon first glance.

Blue-gray eyes that sparkled with the radiance of a sort of dark golden hair color in the sun, her face soft to bear witness while the sound of her voice a perpetual song to his very ears. Just who was this woman again? He could’ve sworn that he might’ve known her from somewhere before, he did after all never forget a pretty face such as hers. In fact he didn’t even know how he couldn’t have noticed it earlier when she stood with the band earlier. Where did she say again? Ravok? Perhaps they did know one another, but just where did Toan recall seeing that long hair from to begin with? "Pardon me good lady," He flirted with a big smirk thrown across his face, "for had I not noticed your wondrous features before hand, I would’ve drawn you instead." Wait… he did draw her features before. Rather vigorously too in fact, considering he was much more in practice during the time it happened.

That was it! He knew her because he drew her, which meant she knew him before he skipped out on his parents. He’d done so before his days as a lone thief in search of a grand reputation began, thus she could by no means be a threat to him now. For that was a time when they all seemed so innocent it seems, she was a young girl with a flute and he was an educated artist with no real inspiration. "Hah! I do recall now that we likely met now that you mention Ravok, I spent much time there as an artist among other things. Afraid I must shamefully admit though, I cannot… recall your name." He implied with both a casual and passive tone, as a notion for her to somehow remind him of her name. Toan couldn’t help but watch her with interest as he would listen to her, rather amused to think about how the “other things” he did were what he did more compared to the art. That was a time he dreaded to live in, yet every lone boy must grow up in his own way somehow. For Toan the streets were the best way that worked, he’d learned well and proper the ways to steal and avoid attention while he lived on his own.

[Ireth Telemnar]

The young man's flirtatious tone threw Ireth off. No man except Savio ever spoke to her as such, and certainly never as abruptly. It took her a moment to collect herself again, but she crossed her arms across her chest and knit her eyebrows together in thought.

"Ireth... Ireth Telemnar?" If he was from the same caste in Ravok as she was, he had to know the Telemnars. Her father was a very sought after fisherman and her mother catered to people from all walks of life when it came to who she sewed for. Not to mention there were her five older brothers who all were about this man's age. Perhaps he could have been a friend to one or two of them. You never knew when it came to Ire's brothers. It was quite possible that, between her family, someone was friends with everyone in Ravok. And people beyond that.

An artist he called himself. Perhaps... though Ireth had her doubts. There was a peculiar way he moved, his mannerisms and speech were both very fluid, like water. Or like a snake...

It was then that Ireth realized that her eyes had closed and her thoughts were wandering again. Where on earth had that idea come from? She shook her head.

"My name is Ireth Telemnar, and I lived in Ravok, up until last Fall. I came to Nyka on an errand... And haven't left I suppose." Thoughts of Savio came back and the busker became aware of just how big her stomach was with its load. There were days when it was all she could do to just dream of what her child will look like when it's born. Then there were days when she was all too aware at her predicament. A child out of wedlock, whether or not Savio meant to marry her.

Nevertheless, Ire wasn't sure how to respond to the man's flirting.

"I remember you too... You drew me once, on the Nitrozian Plaza. The sun was going down and you were in a rush to get finished before the light faded. You.... Were you a friend of one of my brothers? Ron or Roan or something?" She too seemed to have forgotten his name, but their meeting had to have been six or seven years ago.

[Toan Onox]

"Ireth." He murmured the name to himself as though it were pure poetry to his lips, rather sound with the name alone he thought back to the days where he might’ve known just who exactly the Telemnars were. The name rang a bell in his mind but it was all the more vague as he’d spent too much time on the streets, being an elusive teen that didn’t wish to live under the roof of his parents any further. Unfortunate how he hardly devoted attention to social status’ and the castes Ravok held most of the time, were he smarter back then he surely would’ve paid mind in order to learn useful things about said families and their trades. That in turn would’ve made living a little bit easier until his later years.

Yet this Ireth was definitely familiar to him now, he remembered her because of the sketch that he did. She was a pretty one even back then, though not as rounded around the waist as she was now. Of course Toan didn’t think the slight weight gain was terrible, if anything she somehow sort of glowed from it. It was one of those things he found difficult to comprehend really, people could easily be so self conscious about their weight at times. However for Ire she hardly paid mind to it other than the slight bump that she seemed to notice every once in a while. She’s either proud of her weight or has some other concern. He thought to himself with a slight raise in his eyebrow, a casual smile to show the intrigue he held. Nothing to go poking my nose in of course, it’s her business whether or not she feels comfortable with how she looks. Still he couldn’t deny the fact she was an absolute beauty, how could he when she clearly grew into the wonderful feminine features her womanly form provided her.

So she came here from Ravok right before me, how strange to know our time apart would lead us together. He mused to himself with small effort in holding a slight chuckle, Lhex did seem to hold humor in the irony of this moment. Then of course she explained how she remembered him, the detail of the event matched his own that day even with her perspective thrown in. It was enough to crack a humble grin from the man as he nodded at first, rather reminiscent about that day considering he vanished from her life not long after. "Close my dear, you may think it Ron, or Ronald even considering there might’ve been one," He eluded as he slipped off the crate and onto his feet to stand just only an inch or two taller, "but in truth my name is actually Nato." He lied to her of course but he had to cover his tracks somehow, the earlier he did so the better his past would remain. However even if he kept to a casual smile to mask the truth, this still served another small purpose.

A test of memory so to speak as it remained clear she knew of him from back then, but the real question Toan had to ask himself was; did she know who he was from back then. That was something that remained to be seen of course, and he wouldn’t try to make anything obvious for her to point out. Things worked much better that way it seemed, yet if she did happen to catch on and remembered the truth… well then he was caught red handed then wasn’t he. Which would’ve led to the truth as a reward, might as well be courteous enough to provide that when one’s wit countered your own. "Nato Onox of the Onox family, though we were never the popular sort in Ravok. Merely educated artists and nothing more." He shrugged at the topic as he found it rather a bore to bring up, his family life was rather dull at the time of course.

"You said you arrived here around Fall? Well doesn’t that prove a whimsical stroke of luck, as I too arrived here late within the season. Of course settling in has been rather difficult to begin with, yet easier than what I had to work with over in Ravok for once." He had to admit there was actual honesty in that, for reasons beyond his comprehension Ravok somehow just seemed to slow him down. Hold him in one place no matter what he tried, whereas Nyka was more a punch in the face. A wake up call for opportunity, which of course boasted much fortune and reward to the brave that dared take what was rightfully theirs. But of course he couldn’t help but find himself all the more curious about what Ireth was doing here, and for what reason exactly did she have to venture so far through the wilderness to reach this grand city. "Tell me love, just what exactly brought you to Nyka?"

Although rather forward with the flirts he hardly paid mind to them, they were more so small charms to add to what foundation of charisma he started upon. Really though Toan just mainly focused on keeping the subject about Ire and avoided as much of history as possible, as to avoid giving away any past identity he still held since then.

[Ireth Telemnar]

Taking a liberty, Ireth sat beside the young man, coming to rest on the crate but avoiding physical contact with him.

"Nato Onox. Okay, sure." That name sounded familiar, he had to have been one of her brothers' friends. An artist from Ravok, how fun. Ireth had had yet to meet another Ravokian here in this city of color, though she supposed that there were more than a few here. Nyka was the closest neighbor to Rhysol's city, Ravokians had to come through here often to get to wherever it was that they went. Though not many people that Ireth had known back home had ever had an inkling to leave Ravok. It went back to the stories her mother would tell her, about other people hating and fearing Rhysol, believing him to be evil or something.

Ah Rhysol... Those were thoughts for another time perhaps. Ire lifted her head to check on Nya. The little girl was twirling with the street dancers as Killigan and his merry band of buskers took to entertaining the passerby again. Her brown hair had slipped from its bind, though it wasn't slowing the girl down any. She pranced and spun, moving her wrists every so often in a peculiar way that Ireth could only assume was some sort of a dancing style.

"Nyka? Oh. Funny story actually." Ireth smiled softly and turned to Nato, searching his face as she spoke. "It's also a rather long tale..." When he didn't put up any objections, the busker shrugged and launched into her little story, something she felt she was perfecting with every time she retold it.

"My father was originally from Nyka, being born here and working here as a sailor for the longest time. Then he met my mother, a native Ravokian, and moved to the city with her, becoming a fisherman. He left his only sister here, my aunt. Well, a few years ago, my father died while out on the Lake. My mother nearly died from the heartbreak, but she's alright now, as are my brothers. However, my aunt was never informed of her brother's passing, so I came here to tell her. Turns out that she too had passed away, leaving only her bastard son, my cousin, who works in the Northern Quarter." Her cousin wasn't a bad person, just always lost in his own thoughts when it came to his paternal origins.

Ire took a deep breath and smiled, her eyes crinkling above her cheeks. "Then... I met someone. Someone that I loved. And I didn't leave. Then I fell in love with this city, its colors and people and traditions and everything! The man I loved... I'm not sure where he is right now. We're not on bad terms or anything... I'm not at all sure how to explain it, you'll have to forgive me."

She folded her hands in her lap and glanced down at the stone pendant that sat coolly against her chest. "But Nyka... Gosh. There's something about this place, even with its faults, that just makes me never want to leave. It's so beautiful and mysterious." Wistful thinking, silly girl. Ireth looked to Nato again, noting, as she so often did when it came to people, the color of his eyes. His were a pale blue, like a cloudless sky at midmorning. They were bluer than Ireth's, who hosted a grey tinge, though paler as Ire's were more brilliant. Still, they were quite handsome, and they twinkled in a way that made Ireth's chest flutter.

A smirk touched her lips. This gentleman was probably nothing but trouble. He seemed nice enough though, and was willing to make conversation.

[Toan Onox]

As she repeated the name he hid the birth of a smirk with but a casual smile as he nodded approvingly, just as he thought she’d seem to have bought the different in the name even after such a long time. With that noted he accepted the idea that she didn’t remember his original identity entirely, which in turn could easily allow him to shape a different sort of history depending on what little she knew. The further from the truth she strayed from the better in his case, as he’d hate to leave any traces of his old life for others to pick up on. Yet this girl… she was so nice. So… unique from the usual folk that Toan knew from their home. There was just a quality to her he couldn’t seem to resist, the soft spoken innocence still held by a firm belief in the good of this world. He didn’t think of her as naïve by any means but sure enough he felt pretty sure she could very easily come to trust a person, depending on how well and involved that said person was in her life.

And then came the story of her trip here, which in turn led Toan to feel rather impartial upon his flat out lie. By the Gods not only did she have a pretty face but a wonderful voice to listen too, it allured Toan well enough to listen intently to her story. Actually feel torn inside at her suffering with the loss in her venture here, to have lost her father as well as an aunt all in short time could be hard enough. He couldn’t even imagine losing his own parents even after leaving them behind; although he was sure the heartbreak they would’ve felt would eventually wore off in time. Though a pretty selfish choice made it was something Toan never regretted doing, hence why he stood here now as his own free man rather than chained with the boring expectations of those around him. Yet he wanted to build a reputation, so wouldn’t that in turn chain him down? No. Why should it. As far as he knew the sky was the limit in terms of his ambition, yet that was something saved only for the ears he truly began to trust… Yet Ireth just went on with her venture here, her experiences with a lover who’d somehow gone missing on her, her wanderlust for the city itself were all so inspiring in its own manner.

What he wanted to do was draw her now. Draw her to forever be immortalized on a page, just like he did so many years ago when they’d met. Of course he’d need to practice again, if he were to get back into the swing of the motions. However her honesty in sharing her story led him to feel different, not bad but questionable as to whether he should return such courtesy. She was a woman after all, and one who’d been through a lot here recently. Thus after a moment of consideration Toan finally caved in and allowed himself to indulge in a little curiosity, and thus decided to go out on a whim to share a little bit of honesty. "Indeed, the city itself is a mystery waiting to be explore." He mused with a warm gentle grin on his face, he brushed his hand through his hair once before finally getting to the part where he shared his true story in an attempt to satisfy curiosity. "Well then, I confess. Here I am thinking about eluding the facts but as of now you have my curious attention." He sort of loosely made air quotes with his exaggeration of “curious” when he spoke, eyes full of intrigue as he started to tell his story in turn.

"It is my intention that I find a better start here in Nyka because of a scandalous need for a fresh start, whereas I skipped out on my parents a long time ago and failed to make a fitting example of myself in our own city. Thus I, although I admit it hasn’t led anywhere just yet, plan to earn myself a reputation worth remembering in my time here, all the while practicing my arts and talents under the noses of those watchful here in the city." Odd enough being honest somehow felt good, interesting for Toan really. Being secretive about his plans he’d never really thought to express such a thing with a local of the city, then again Ire was a cut from the same cloth as he as far as locals go wasn’t she. Of course he told this story with much enthusiasm as though it was a grand act he would perform, no doubt would be when the time finally came of course. Still there was a sort of artistic passion held to the idea, even if he avoided hinting at the illicit activities involved in his practice. For all he knew she could’ve likely thought more on something like his art, which in turn was fine because he’d been both honest and misleading all at one. Yet there was one thing he still forgot to cover. "Oh and the name is actually Toan my dear, I merely tested your memory to see if you would recall the proper one first." Of course that meant she knew another form of his name, hint hint an alias, he would likely use in the future. He would have to take care to avoid it when it came to spreading rumor with it.

[Ireth Telemnar]

So there was a reason that she had wanted to call him Roan or Ron. Smirking at him, she swept her braid down her shoulder and asked "Are you sure? Wouldn't want to confuse you with all the names, after all."

He made her smile so easily. It was people like this that Ireth loved to befriend, or perhaps re-befriend in Toan's case. They were so full of stories and interesting adventures. And this artist, Ire smiled again at her folded hands, he sure had a way with words. Such a smooth speaker had to have a good line of young ladies at his every beck and call, even if he'd only been here a few seasons. It wasn't like she'd never known that type of man, she'd simply never been ensnared by one.

A hand came to rest on her shoulder and Ireth looked up into the shining green eyes of Nya. Something was wrong, the glistening smile that had just been upon the little girl's face had become that solemn, wary gaze to which Ire had become so accustomed. "What's wrong hun?" But the child simply shook her head. Ireth spread her legs apart slightly, allowing the girl to perch upon her leg. Nya leaned her form against Ire's.

Shaking her head, Ireth looked up to Toan again. "This is Nya. I babysit her, her parents are friends of mine that own a shop down in the Flaxen District. We like to go adventuring together, don't we Nya?" She gave the small girl a snuggle, then pulled away to find the child giving Toan a vicious stare.

If looks could kill, my word...

"Nya? This is Toan, someone I was friends with a long time ago before I came to Nyka. Would you like to say hello?"

But the little girl didn't say anything. In fact, she refused to say anything. She just continued to glare at the artist with piercing eyes. "I... You'll have to forgive her. I'm not sure, Nya what's wrong? Are you okay?"

And under her breath, only loud enough for Ireth to make out, Nya whispered "Make him go away."

Pulling away from the child, Ireth looked from her to Toan again. "Nya, what's wrong with Toan? He's a nice man, he draws. Like your momma does when she makes a new shirt? Except he draws people, not clothing. Isn't that interesting?" Ire couldn't help but be concerned, but what was going on? Had he and Nya met before? Surely not.

"I'm not sure what's going on, I'm sorry. She's not done this before." Ireth hugged Nya closer to her again and looked back to Toan.

Killigan and his mates were still playing, though the market was beginning to close up. The fisherfolk had given out the day's catches and were beginning to head home to their families as the afternoon grew high. The tune the buskers were filling the air with reminded Ireth of an old lullaby, strong notes and a looming undertone. It set Ire on edge, but what was there to worry about? Nya, for one. She was acting out, what was wrong? And Toan... She was stuck between the ease he brought to her and the ill-at-ease that Nya was casting!

[Toan Onox]

Toan laughed at her remark on the name but not forcefully, more so rather naturally as he took it more so in a joking manner. "I promise you that was my parents named me upon birth, unless of course you defer to calling me such another bold name." He gave an wink at the impression of the rhetoric that he returned, amused to carry out such an interesting meeting with a stranger who somehow felt closer. Ireth was no doubt a friend from his past once but time had changed them both, thus even with the feelings associated to such history it was impossible to determine where they stood now other then reacquainted strangers. As Toan watched the small girl approach Ire he wondered at first if that was actually a child of her own, but avoided from any further prodding as he wanted to see what would unfold between the two first. Usually it was easiest to determine such facts with observations made, thus where words normally revealed truth his eyes would be the ones to do the talking.

Disapproval. The child certainly didn’t like him by means of appearance, even if Toan had yet to practice or do any illicit activities… Bugger, she must bite. He thought with a raised eyebrow as Ire tried to coax her with friendly words, still the girl refused to change her ways in regards of opinion and remained adamant towards Ire in turn. It was practically clear that this girl didn’t like Toan intuitively based upon something she knew was wrong, and that in turn somehow set off a yellow flag for Ireth only moments after the event happened. Well damn it then, she’s just going to make courting this woman all the more difficult then. He tried to hold a friendly sort of smile but could only manage a casual one instead, unused to trying to be so outward and friendly to little children nowadays he sort of lost that touch ages ago. Of course Ireth apologized for the reaction and Toan merely shook his head in disapproval to the apology, clearly set on altering the course of their meeting to a better standard would indeed prove difficult with the girl around.

"Tis’ quite alright my dear, children are free to think for themselves after all." He remarked with a reassured smile, confident that this didn’t make a dent in the impression he’d already set for Ireth once again. The difference being was that he knew now of course this Nya girl wasn’t Ireth’s child but a child she looked after, such a kind heart this woman bore and all the more same a beauty to match the outer looks in turn. Just who was this man that’d up and disappeared on her? What exactly brought a motive for him to leave? He should’ve been the smarter man and taken her with him, or by some means made sure to keep in contact with what was happening. Now of course she seemed to be left in the dark, and in the perfect place to be snatched by a proper gentleman such as Toan. He did play the role of a leading man rather well after all, if only he’d the means to prove it however.

"Besides all children come off wary of strangers they don’t know, I’m sure that in time she’ll think better of me than she does now, after we spend a little time in getting to know one another of course." He mused with a bit of a chuckle as he rested his hands in his pockets, the sketchpad he held onto rested between his inner left arm and torso. "Tell me though, what all do you know of Nyka? I myself am still learning the ropes here; perhaps you could indulge me with a bit of its culture." He invited the opportunity to learn some valuable in sight, who knows maybe he could use what he learned to further advance his self later on. Of course that depended on how valuable the information he gained was, but of course all information had some small sort of value to hold to it to begin with.