The Less I Speak, the More I Know

by **Ireth Telemnar** on March 12th, 2014, 4:27 am

Humming, Ireth ran her hands through Nya's hair, combing it back before putting it back into its bind. The child's hair was a tad short, so some of it immediately sprung from where she'd brushed it. The rest stood horizontally from the bind, like a sprig of weeds. It was awfully cute.

"I'm a citizen of Nyka now, though I'm still learning about it. I mean, I suppose one never stops learning about the city they live in, or the world we live in. I wander about the Eastern Quarter and the Nykan Docks, but those are just the places I feel most at home. I live in the SafeHaven Hostel, over in Celestial Square? The manager has been really helpful in getting me out and about the city, telling me all the places that she thinks are safe and good for me to play in. Oh, I do the same thing here that I did in Ravok, I play a flute on the streets." Nya wriggled, still glaring daggers at the artist, and Ireth shifted beneath her.

"Nya, you're being rude..." She knew that there was nothing she could do to perturb the toddler. Still, what was going through her brain? Surely Toan didn't deserve the hateful vibes she was giving off. There had to be something though...

"So, what is it you do? You're still an artist?" His sketch pad sat between them and she picked it up playfully. It fell open to what she assumed was the figure he'd been drawing when she interrupted him. It was the flutist from Killigan's merry band. The charcoal was a bit smeared here and there, but the lines were sure. The drawing didn't have a face yet, but it wasn't bad. In fact, in her uneducated opinion, it was very good.

"Look at that Nya. It's Elora." Her voice was soft with awe as she spoke to her charge. "Don't you think Toan did well?" The girl's gaze softened at the sight of her friend, but then she looked back up at Toan and frowned, shaking her head fiercely. Ireth sighed.

"Why don't you go back to Killigan, hmm? Tell him to play another shanty, except you have to sing this time. How about that?" The child climbed from her lap begrudgingly and stuck her tongue out at Toan before spinning about on her heel and marching over to where the buskers were playing.

"I haven't a clue what's gotten into her..." A peal of thunder sounded above the city and Ireth looked up. No rain fell, but the air tasted as if it would soon. Soon. She looked back over at her acquaintance, only to find herself blushing under his scrutiny. "But really though. You're drawing is very good. And if you don't do it for a living, you might consider it." She winked. "Perhaps you might draw me sometime?"

A shout went out over the noise of the crowd, asking for attention as there was to be a special performance. With an exaggerated bow, Killigan guided little Nya to stand upon the crates that the buskers were around with his hand. She waved shyly at Ireth, who laughed and waved back. With a count, the musicians began to play a shanty, strong at first but softly growing gentler. Then, with a voice shaky with nerves and rough from lack of practice, Nya began to sing a well known Nykan sea shanty. One that happened to be Ireth's favorite. The woman began to hum along, then glanced over at Toan.

"This is a song my father used to sing to me when I was small. I could play it on my flute with my eyes closed..." She almost became lost in her thoughts, the ghost memories of her father close enough for her to touch.

by **Toan Onox** on March 15th, 2014, 12:14 am

As Toan watched the girl stroke through the child’s hair a pleasant smile filled his expression, to see such affectionate care for a young one somehow brought a calm in his mind. Maybe it was because the manner was meant to make it so, bring a sense of ease to everyone as they both continued to converse with one another, catch up on what they’ve experienced here recently so to speak. "You don’t say," Toan quirked with his left index finger and thumb brought to his chin, "That just so happens to be the place I live at as well, although the manager’s kindness hasn’t been so boldly shared. Perhaps when I’m more of a citizen here she’ll take a better liking to me." He mused softly with a casual grin, although that faded just a little as he continued to listen to her story. Flute playing. He should’ve figured that would’ve been her trade in the city, she was so good at it in Ravok after all. Yet of course by now she had to at least be superb compared to before, last he recalled her playing he remembered the lovely tune quite well.

Still the child insisted on spiting the man, however stern Ireth tried to be with her. He let a slight smirk build on the corner of his lip, amused with how such a young one could be so sure he wasn’t someone to be liked. She must very well think ill of me, maybe even feel that I’m the villainous sort. He guessed in thought to the idea that maybe children knew more things than they let on, considering they were more observant and “in tune” to that which usually remained hidden. If such was the case then Nya must’ve certainly picked up on one of his not so good qualities, yet in terms of morality Toan was by far not a villain in her case. Nor did he think himself a hero for that matter, just a leading man with nobody to follow… yet. I’ll have to be sure to improve this girl’s opinion of me in the future, lest she become a threat to the amount of work I accomplish in time. He hoped to whatever Divine out there that such wouldn’t be the case, mainly Lhex in the event he decided to play ill humor on him. "Worry not Ireth, after all she doesn’t know me yet. Someday we’ll be better friends I’m sure." He spoke a little more casual with a humble smile on his face, in an attempt to assure her that he took little offense. After all children were children and bound to think and act on their own interpretive thoughts, for all Toan knew Nya just understood him as a bad character and didn’t want to think otherwise.

After Ireth had asked him about his own activites Toan had to take a moment to keep from being a bit stunned, the impact of the reflective question merely minor after he’d considered a careful answer to choose. "Me? Why I merely waste my time as a courier these days, little more than that I’m afraid. " As he watched Ireth pick the sketch pad up his demeanor then went from casual to slightly nervous, afraid that she would indeed quickly judge his work as poor and shoddy just as he did. Yet the lady simply enthused to the child just who the subject was, and for what seemed like a painful moment in humility, it soon after turned into relief at the idea that maybe she’d thought more on the form and less of the appeal. It was rather funny how that worked out. For Toan he always thought to make his forms of art appeal in some manner, which tended to perfecting things like form and design depending on whatever subject was being considered. Thus his drawing being of lacking from what his talents once were, Toan considered the appeal of his work shoddy and unappealing, whereas others like Ireth likely paid small attention to such detail and focused on the bigger picture.

The child was unimpressed though, or rather unmoved by the intent Ireth had. She was just determined to remain adamant about the man, which of course brought another amused smile on his face as he began to realize the challenge she’d be. Of course when Ireth sent Nya back over to the group and the tongue lashed out the child’s mouth like a stone casted insult, Toan’s eyes merely zoned on the girl as both adults watched her continue over to the buskers. He was… quite amused. Usually such challenges unnerved him so but this was something he thought rather humorous, he was after all bound to have a fun time in changing the girls opinion… or maybe she can just think all she wants about him, and he can play that opinion to his advantage later on. There were many ways this could turn out, and unfold later on as he worked to achieve his own form of greatness. When Ireth finally remarked about Nya and his art Toan seemed to snap back into the moment both he and Ire shared, eyebrows slightly raised at the compliment he received from her.

"That so? I might actually consider quitting my job then, just to focus on bettering my art." He mused to her with a warm chuckle, rather sold on the idea that maybe doing art would be easier rather than running messages all day. "That way when I do finally seem better at my craft, I can hold you up on that offer." He reflected with a wink in return as he’d thought it’d interest her, she certainly did prove an interesting subject to him after all. What better ways to indulge in her other than immortalize her beautiful features on paper once again. When Toan heard the song the group played and Ireth mentioned she knew this song well enough, he chuckled in his own amusement and thought to when she played for him once. The sound of the current melody being played was rather similar to the one he first heard, but it was more lively and uplifting than the one he knew. Maybe it was a different variation? Or an improved piece from the original? He didn’t know for sure nor did he think to guess, he just found himself rather content hearing it being played.

"My its sounds so lovely. I’ll have to practice with my drum sometime to keep up, maybe even play along with your fellow buskers sometime." He pointed out a bit more relaxed as he just slightly scooted closer to Ireth, still posed at the edge of the crate she sat on with hands tucked away within his pockets. "I reckon you and I will see each other around here lots my dear." The statement was more of a thought out loud, meant for her to hear as he played it cool and kept from looking directly at her. It was normally easiest to hide things this way, especially when he eluded from the truth most of the time. But of course his intentions weren’t exactly false in that statement either, he did want to see her around more often… and though his ambitions usually came first in life he felt himself rather subtle when it came to this girl.

by **Ireth Telemnar** on March 16th, 2014, 5:34 am

Ireth's eyes went wide when Toan mentioned seeing her around. The inflection of his voice and the way his eyes were on her was enough to make any girl's heart flutter! She looked away quickly, hoping to Rhysol that he couldn't make out how bright she was blushing. The baby gave a bounce in her belly and she smiled, happy. Toan's friendliness was refreshing, it was one of Ire's favorite things to make new friends. Or rekindle old friendships, whatever it was she was doing with her fellow Ravokian.

Nya's voice quieted as she finished her song. Ireth stood, a tad wobbly perhaps, and clapped loudly. Killigan held the little girl's hand again as she first curtsied from atop her pedestal then made her way down. She came hurriedly to Ireth and buried her face into the busker's lap, clutching at her cloak. Ire laughed. "Nya, you did so well! You didn't even forget the words! I'm so proud of you honey." Ireth bent down as best she could and wrapped her arms around her charge. Had she been without child, she would have scooped little Nya up and given her a grand snuggle, but this would have to do.

The wind was beginning to pick up again and Nya shivered. Ireth smiled at the thought that, by what she'd encountered, Nykan Springs were not very different than Nykan Falls, save the slush and snow that clung to the streets. "How about something to warm our bellies? You pick Nya, but on one condition." The child looked up eagerly, looking like a little flower amidst the fabrics of Ireth's cloak.

"Toan must be allowed to come."

For a moment, there was silence. Nya's little eyes searched the busker's face as her face fell. With a small huff, she buried her face in Ire's lap again and nodded into the clothing.

Ireth tickled the little girl until she giggled. "Good! What'll we be having then?" She turned and winked at Toan.

There weren't many food stalls still in Herring Square, the fisherfolk having gone now. Nya looked about and pointed to one. "That woman makes yummy tea." Her ignoring of Toan couldn't be more obvious, but as long as she wasn't attempting to kill him with a murderous glare Ire thought this to be a bit of an improvement.

"Off we go then!" Ireth waved Toan up and wrapped her arm into his, hoping that she wasn't being too forward as she followed behind the eager four year old. She wasn't sure what to talk about, and she was beginning to blush like a child again. Sometimes her lack of knowledge when it came to love and lovers and falling for someone and anything to do with romance upset her. Everything she knew she'd learned from Savio. But with Savio everything had been so easy, they'd just fit together. Their differences never seemed to get in the way, they just worked around them. Somehow it was different with Toan...

What are you going on about?! Ireth scolded herself. She wasn't falling in love with Toan, she wasn't ready for anything like that. He was just being friendly, and cordial. She was jumping to conclusions and making assumptions. She shook her head as they walked under the roof of the small stall.

The scents of the teas filled Ire's senses, making her smile. Camomile and lavender, berries and lemongrass, along with many others of which she had no hope of identifying by scent alone. She'd never been much of a tea drinker as a child, but she'd recently found that it soothed some of her morning sicknesses whenever her body decided that it wished to rebel against the child within her. The tea woman, a shorter lady with sweet features, welcomed them in. "What can I get you dears?"

Nya was only just tall enough for her head to be seen over the stall's counter, so she had to stand on the tips of her toes to peek up at the tea woman. "Lemon honey! Please!" Ire and the tea woman laughed at the child's eagerness.

The tea woman dipped her hand into a cloth bag and brought out a handful of tea leaves, sending the pungent scent of the tea into the air. She dunked them into a tea pot. Into three cups she dipped a dollop of honey and a sprinkle of lemon juice. After a long moment or two, she poured the steaming amber liquid into the trio of cups, stirring them with great care. Before she presented them to her customers, she put a sprig of herb into one cup, winking. "A bit of sweet mint for the girl, yeah?"

by **Toan Onox** on March 17th, 2014, 2:34 am

He took only minor notice of her blush and kept within him yet another chuckle of amusement, he was in fact doing well in influencing her, or so he started to believe anyway. He always enjoyed charming women he found attractive and even more so reveled in indulging a curiosity, hence why he was so intent on flirting around with Ireth. But of course his mere curiosity wasn’t all part of his interacting with her; they were once childhood friends and in fact remained a rather important part of Toan’s memory. Thus he couldn’t shrug her off so easily as a “game” to be played like he would other women, instead he felt better to try and reestablish some former connection between the two of them, just to see where it really went off. The child finished her performance and was quick to return to Ireth with her head buried between the woman’s lap, which brought a smile on Toan’s face as he noted that bit of info down in his mind. Gets nervous in front of big crowds… That could be useful.

To hide his need of observation from being noticeable he partook in the whole encouragement act, somewhat a bit of an effort to try and better impress this girl too. "Indeed! Why Ireth here might have to watch out, that performance was by far aligned with Ireth’s own talent." He mused with a smirk, a wink to Ire as he brought his hands out his pockets to rest them against his waist. He couldn’t help the next chuckle from escaping though when he listened to Ireth make her suggestion, on the condition that Toan was allowed to come part mostly, and only held his silence as he knew that had to have struck a nerve with the girl. No matter. He was going to be around for a while now, best she got used to let downs in her life. There were plenty to come anyway, so in the child’s case the sooner than likely the better. Cruel perspective to look at sure but Toan found it easier to accept, he did after all live out in the streets after leaving his home. Upon the suggestion for tea Toan’s smile brightened as he couldn’t recall the last time he had tea, and thought it wonderful to finally indulge in it once again. "Splendid idea young one! I cannot even think on how long I’ve gone without yummy tea."

Once he and Ireth were up he was quickly but gently arm locked with the woman like a proper gentleman, a rather straight and proud look about his posture as he made sure his sketchpad remained in his free hand. So far so good, she doesn’t know and hopefully that… thing doesn’t suspect. He could only hope that his attempt at hiding behind the mask he wore had been successful thus far, otherwise he’d have a lot of work to do in order to cover up in the future. When they’d arrived to where they could have tea and Nya already made their order, Toan took a good inhale through his nostrils as the fantastic aroma of tea herbs filled them. It’d been too long, far too long in fact, since he enjoyed himself a cup of tea. Now of course he could finally relax and indulge in one of the finer things in life, as tea was rather a luxury he could only hope to afford in the future. He made sure to play the proper gentleman, and of course the role of the leading man, and carefully take their tea with a hearty "Thank you ma’am" and brought it to a small table for them to sit at.

Once they’d settled down with Toan he would hand the girl her tea first, then hand Ireth hers before he would finally indulge in his. He took a moment to gently blow in the steaming amber perfumed with lemon and took a decent two tick sip, and leaned back in his chair as he enjoyed the warm taste of sweet and tangy tea. One simple look at Toan could easily leave the impression that tea was something he very much enjoyed, as he looked completely unwound and content with his cup. Of course he still held onto proper etiquette when he drank his tea, being raised in Ravok it was sort of principle to drink his tea in a certain fashion. One hand under the plate for the tea cup, index and thumb appropriately wrapped around the cup handle with but one pink extended out, back straight with the chair and legs crossed as he held proper form. Though it’d been a long time since he’d sat like this somehow it felt only natural for Toan, likely because he grew up doing it as a boy before running away. "Now that is indeed fine tea!" He complimented with another smirk. "A good choice indeed little one." He encouraged with a bit of enthusiasm, though unsure if he would easily change the girl’s opinion of him through small flattery.

by **Ireth Telemnar** on March 26th, 2014, 2:10 pm

The tea spread its essence throughout Ireth's body immediately. Its warmth seeped deep into her chest and stomach, calming the child's movements some, and its herbs soaked her sense of smell and taste, the bitterness balanced near-perfectly with the honey and the lemon. Feeling her child grow still sent shivers down Ire's spine. Such a strange feeling, so foreign. Not that she didn't like it. Sometimes the baby was awful rough, but then again, that meant that it was strong and alive. Her overall knowledge of babies and being pregnant was lacking, but she was getting on. Tynybi was being a great deal of help, Ireth couldn't have asked for a better friend when it came to this sort of thing.

In Ravok, children were sometimes born in the homes of their parents, but more often than not they were born in the city's infirmary, the Healing Hand, away from the learning eyes of siblings they might have. Sure, if Ireth had been in Ravok, her mother would have been helping her and teaching her and guiding her, but such wasn't the case. Ireth was far from her mother, living life in this adopted city of hers.

Nya clung to her cup with both hands, interchangeably sipping and slurping. She polished off her tea quickly, and crawled into Ire's lap to wait for the adults to finish their beverages. The child took great care to lean against Ireth's swollen belly gently. Between sips, Ireth played with her charge's hair, thinking. She hoped that her child would be a little something like Nya, polite and kind. Well, Ire looked up at Toan, for the most part.

Did Toan know that she was pregnant? It was kinda hard to miss, with her showing as much as she was. Ireth wasn't worried about him knowing, but she did wonder what he thought about it. If he had noticed, it didn't stop his flirtatious advances any. The attention was making her nervous, it was all she could do to keep from blushing and giggling like a child. And she was working awfully hard at keeping those things from Nya, who so obviously disdained the artist.

A peal of thunder clapped again above the city, this time releasing rain drops. They weren't too big, but by the look of the clouds Ireth thought that it was going to rain for a good long while. "Come on then, lets hurry home before we catch our death from colds." Nya slid from the busker's lap and Ire rose, wobbling a bit and placing a hand on her belly to straighten herself out. The small child grasped Ireth's hand, not because she was scared or ill at ease when it came to the cacophony of the storm, but in an attempt to stay as dry as possible.

Just before they set off, Ireth turned back. With a soft smile, she tilted her head as she met Toan's gaze. "Would you care to accompany us, first to Nya's parents' shop, and then me to the Hostel?"

She wasn't all too sure what emotions were stirring around in her chest, but she hoped that he would agree. Nya gave the busker's hand a squeeze, but looked at the ground and didn't argue.

by **Toan Onox** on March 29th, 2014, 1:44 am

The soothing radiation of warmth and tea within Toan’s chest and stomach brought an enlightened smile of pleasure to his lips, each sip led to the contents of the lemony liquid being drained until at last the cup was barren, void of the richly sweet flavor of substance that had once filled it just several chimes ago. Then of course the thunder clapped within the air, a hum that forewarned the approaching weather for sure. When Toan took the moment to look from his cup up to the sky, he could see now that the clouds not only clustered, but formed to blot out the sun with their heavily gray hues. The day wasn’t over just yet but by the looks of it, they would have to consider it so unless they wished to dance out in the rain. He chuckled with a slight hint of amusement, he’d never thought about how rain appealed to his senses. Yet even now as he could feel the very breath of cold moisture on his skin, he found a bit of enjoyment in the occurrence and took in a breath of the cool muggy air.

Interesting. I don’t think this place smells the same as Ravok does. He realized after a moment of consideration, he assumed it had something to do with the nature of the lake surrounding their beautiful city, whereas Nyka was more tucked away within a huge canyon of a sort. He wasn’t at all familiar with it or whatever happened to dwell within, but after some time here spent with the locals he’d come to learn it to be called The Aperture. All he knew was that it was a enormous crevice that housed incredible power within, and that it was a dangerous place to dwell even for those who were brave and boldly prepared for such trips. What intrigued him most was what possible riches might lay hidden within its reaches, considering such places were dangerous they could very well contain wonders beyond a man’s wildest dreams. All the same he wouldn’t dare venture within that place, at least not until he thoroughly knew what he was getting into, and where it was he would go if he were to venture in such a dangerous area.

Bah! Now I’m getting lost in thought, when I’ve got a more important matter to think on. He mused with a slight smirk directed towards Ireth, interested to hear that she thought it high time they made it home before the cold soaked into their bones. Upon receiving the invitation his smirk transitioned into a grin, a small chuckle echoed within his lungs as he rose from his chair to stand with Ireth. "It would be a pleasure my lady." He responded with a slight bow in courtesy towards the lady, it would’ve been impolite on his part to not escort a woman home, whether she requested for him to do so or not. This will provide me with the opportunity to not only learn which room is Ireth’s, but perhaps even establish a proper reconnection as a artist and gentleman to her. He figured that, even though he’d likely already done just that, setting that example would be a smart idea to follow. Considering Ireth knew him from way back when, it was important he hold onto that image well enough, at least for the while he practiced his quieter trade and learned more about this place.

With a gentle arm wrapped around Ireth’s Toan decided to take a slow lead, enough to where he lived to his role as “the leading man” while at the same time allowing Ireth to actually guide their walk. It was her after all that knew where they were going first, from there Toan would likely learn a few more places of interest to see, and in turn manage to escort a wonderful woman back to her home.
oocSorry for the delay, work and other things have kept me on the slow track here recently.

I left it open for you to decide what to do next, we can either close the thread here or carry on for a few more posts.

by **Pandaemus** on July 22nd, 2014, 1:11 am

Congratulations!

Toan Onox

Skills :

Lores :

Loot :

Ireth Telemnar

Skills :

Lores :

Loot :

Notes :

Closed The Less I Speak, the More I Know