Open Wandering in Kenash

[Eivl]

Timestamp - 6 Fall, 514 AV I'm finally here. The city I was pointed to... Let's see... Eivl consulted her to-do list as she wandered a little in her long off-white backless chemise, half-sleeved and tightened at the waist by a leather corset, looking for signs to the supposedly prominent Magistrate's Office to register for Freeborn status. Unfortunately, most likely owing to her dreadful sense of direction, she has so far been unsuccessful in locating it. To-Do: - Register - Find place to sleep - Find fishing spot - Find job "Nothing done..." she mused, to no one in particular. She spoke a little louder than she should have when talking to herself, so she looked around awkwardly to make sure she hadn't disturbed anyone in the middle of their business. OOC: If inclined, please do respond... Eivl is quite timid in nature so she wouldn't be upset if anyone suddenly laughed at her.

[Eivl]

Seeing no strange looks, Eivl ducked her head and wandered around some more. Having just arrived, she really was not in much of a hurry. However, she did want to find the Magistrate's Office before sundown so she could secure a place to sleep. She held the yellowed piece of parchment up to the light as if she could get a set of directions off it. For several minutes, she was just standing there in the middle of the road holding up a piece of yellow paper. ...What... am I doing... Eivl was quite a ways out of her element, and would seriously be grateful for help of any sort in finding her way around Kenash in general. She looked around for any useful signs, but despite knowing the Common language and some basic knowledge about the culture of Kenashians, she couldn't make out anything useful from the surfaces she saw.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Estrellir Konrath was plainly on her way back from the tobacco shop, her ornamented, but worn pipe between tight lips. A cloud of smoke trailed after her, lingering even when her ivory locks had passed. Her hands were buried in her pockets as she was thinking about a recently concluded case.

A glimpse of violet from the corners of her eyes jerked her out of meandering musings though. For a moment she simply stopped and stared, taking in the strange creature hovering over the earth in front of her. The first question: Why did they use the path even though shrubs or water wouldn't hinder their way? On second glance, she couldn't help but admire the exotic beauty of those butterfly wings, their color like her own eyes.

As the creature halted in the middle of the street, Estrellir willed her feet to carry her closer. A webbed hand was raised to grip the end of the pipe as her teeth closed around the mouthpiece. She'd heard of those melancholic creatures with wings and furry tail, yet she was at a loss as to how approach them in the proper way. That particular specimen couldn't be a resident of Kenash yet, firstly because she'd never seen them around and secondly because they looked utterly lost.

Taking the pipe out of her mouth and clearing her throat, she walked around the creature to discover their gender and the slip of paper in their hands. With a polite smile, Estrellir performed a vague gesture of greeting. "Good day to you. Forgive me for speaking plainly, but you look a little lost. Do you need directions?"

As always, the Konti was wearing her black cloak over grey blouse and black pants. Her ivory locks were cascading over her shoulders and crowned by a white hat with colorful flowers tucked to its side. Her leather boots were dusty from the road, nevertheless she tread it lightly and more carefully than most of her Dynasty neighbors. As she observed the Akvatari, blueish white smoke rose steadily from the pipe in her right hand.

Boxcode by Verena

[Eivl]

Eivl was relieved to see that the piercing gaze she felt on her back not three seconds ago belonged to the Konti before her. Clothed in mostly black articles and one striking white hat, and holding what looked like a very well-crafted pipe, she had an air of intelligence about her, and certainly did not look like she meant Eivl any harm. "Ah, umm... Yes, I am quite lost," she replied sheepishly, ducking her head a little and smiling. "I've just come here on the caravan trail and unfortunately lost sight of my fellow travelers not five minutes after our arrival..." she paused a little, wondering where those people might be. "I was looking for the Magistrate's Office, but my terrible sense of direction may have gotten me quite far off the right path. Would you mind pointing me the right way?" Eivl didn't want to ask the woman to accompany her there, lest she have some pressing matters to attend to, but had her doubts about actually making it over to her destination without making a few wrong turns. First time I've ever seen a Konti... Just as beautiful as Auntie Mia said. Eivl's Auntie left Abura for a short spell after finding Eivl, and returned with many fantastic stories about Mizahar and its people. She also recalled that one of the Dynasty families consisted of Akalaks and Kontis... Surely Eivl couldn't have had the luck of meeting a member of the esteemed Konrath Dynasty. But just in case, she straightened up and brushed her dusty self off, carefully.

[Estrellir Konrath]

The smile widened as the Akvatari explained her dilemma. It took a rare type of scatterbrain to enter the city via the Kabrin Road and then get lost on the way to the Magistrate's Office. The road which all caravans took approached Kenash from the the south and followed the West Bank, past the impressive building on the shore, before branching out towards the 'six sisters of sin'.

Estrellir was coming from the other direction, yet she knew very well how far the visitor had drifted off. Her smile never faded though, instead she pointed behind the Akvatari. The tips of those wings beating the air in a steady rhythm irritated her... like a buzzing insect. If she hadn't seen an Akvatari in Mura, Estrellir wouldn't even have known how to approach or treat a mismatched creature like her. "You must've been deep in thought or perhaps fascinated by the architecture to miss it. Would you mind if I accompanied you for a few steps? I was just on my way back to the shop, but some fresh air wouldn't hurt."

Without waiting for the answer, she walked past the Akvatari, back towards the next bridge, and put the pipe back into her mouth. After looking back to her companion, she blew a thick cloud of smoke up into the air and followed it with a thoughtful look out of violet eyes.

When they crossed the bridge, she spoke up again. "I'm Estrellir. May I ask what has led you to Kenash of all places?" The way she said it hinted at a sense of surprise, at the same time she was clearly fond of the city. Her voice softened a little and trickled from her lips like honey... or the smoke she enjoyed so much.

Boxcode by Verena

[Eivl]

Eivl buried her face in her hands as it turned red from the embarrassment. To think that she passed right by it... "It appears I'm even less suited to the outside world than I had expected..." she mused, twisting towards the general direction of the first item on her list and following after her saviour. "I hope I'm not imposing... Truth be told, I would feel much more comfortable following you than just trying to find the Office on my own again." As they crossed the bridge, the Konti introduced herself as Estrellir and asked Eivl what business she had in Kenash. Understandable, as it was uncommon for any Akvatari to venture out of their hometown given their nature. "I've come out here to find my origins. I don't know who my real parents are, and was brought up by my Auntie Mia. I have this to go on," she said, showing Estrellir her piece of etched wire, freeing her hair from its bun, "and I've studied etching to an extent, and looking at the design..." She stopped here, and gestured to their surroundings. "That's about it... But after coming here..." she sighed, and continued, "I can't even find one of the most important buildings in the city. I doubt I'd be able to find a livelihood, let alone my parents, here." Eivl smiled sadly, closing her eyes and running her fingers through her hair to tidy it a little.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Estrellir merely observed the Akvatari instead of commenting on her apparent embarrassment. She certainly seemed to have come to the wrong place if getting lost was enough to flush her cheeks. Despite that, her odd manner of speech and ideas only caused a raised brow from the Konti. While she led the way, she hoped to appear entirely selfless in her help, although those who knew Estrellir Konrath or any other Dynast also knew they did nothing without expecting something in return.

While the Akvatari answered her question, she didn't introduce herself as etiquette dictated. Estrellir held back a frown and forced herself to listen to the story instead. It seemed ordinary enough, a lost child looking for her parents with nothing but an old heirloom to go by. A single detail attracted the Konti's attention though. Violet eyes bore into the wire as cogs and wheels churned behind the facade. "So you work with metal. That's a fascinating craft, I'm sure you'll be able to find work here." Nodding to herself, she gave a thoughtful hum. Craftsmen were sought after by Dynasts, the perfect subordinates and employees to do work highborn families wouldn't lay hand on.

When the Akvatari stopped, Estrellir took a few steps before looking back and halting too. "Are you really giving up before you've even begun your life in this city? It's a little early for that." She gave a small sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "If you've any questions or need help finding your parents, you can stop by my shop. It's on Fire Island, back over that bridge and to the north." A white finger pointed into the direction. "Believe me, it's my job to know who's up to what around this place. Does that sound good?"

Then she'd take another step and wait for the Akvatari to follow her. Giving her time to digest the words, Estrellir smiled to herself. Talking to this visitor turned out easier than expected. All she had to do after gaining trust or at least gratitude was subtly mention her need for a metal artist... and they'd talk business before long.

Boxcode by Verena

[Eivl]

Eivl looked up at Estrellir's words, which sounded a little like tough encouragement to keep at her search for a regular livelihood in Kenash. She turned up the corners of her mouth just slightly as her eyes held the sadness that could only come from worrying too much and living too little. She didn't know the Konti any more than she knew the people from the caravan, but she felt she could trust this one. Refastening her bun, she hovered towards Estrellir. "Thank you for your help..." she said, bowing a little, then, "My name is Eivl. I hope we'll get along." She felt it was prudent to finally introduce herself, as it seemed she would be needing guidance around here for a while more. "What exactly do you do, Ms. Estrellir?" she asked, as Estrellir took a step and Eivl began to follow. She didn't consider whether or not it was okay to ask what Estrellir's occupation was, as she'd see the shop soon enough anyway and there would be a sign on the subject, but Eivl wondered briefly if she should have asked anyway.

[Estrellir Konrath]

Despite her soft words, the sadness didn't lift from the Akvatari's eyes. Maybe it was an Akvatari thing for surely melancholy could serve as an excellent inspiration for grand art. At the end of the day, however, Estrellir didn't know a thing about art. She merely thought it interesting to learn more about that exotic and (to her) elusive race. "You're welcome, Eivl." The name almost got stuck at between her teeth, a sound as exotic as its owner.

The introduction marked some progression in their budding relationship, however small. As they continued the conversation, Estrellir led the way down West Bank, passing the stables to the right, modest casino and gazette to the left. She didn't mind revealing the purpose of her business, on the contrary, as she'd mentioned it in the first place. "I work as an investigator. If you wish to find something, be it an item, a person or information, I'll do my best to assist you." She shrugged and laughed a little. "Of course, it cannot be compared to a profession such as yours. Kenash houses many businesses offering a variety of goods and services. However, some are renovated as we speak, following a suggestion by the Magistrate." Suggestion was quite the understatement, but Estrellir trusted Eivl not to know about the rotating Magistrate and seasonal rules yet.

In fact she only tried to stir the conversation back to the Akvatari and her trade. "I wonder if an etcher such as you could craft a nice plaque to hang over the front of my shop. That'd improve its look greatly." As she spoke, a large manor of white stone and proud columns came up to the right. It really served Estrellir's purpose of placing a vague suggestion before changing the topic. Thus Eivl wouldn't have much time to think and doubt. "This is the Magistrate's Office."

Boxcode by Verena

[Eivl]

Following closely, and listening quietly, Eivl nodded along, shaking her head a little when Estrellir said, "Of course, it cannot be compared to a profession such as yours." "It's no profession... Just a skill I picked up..." she said, at a volume low enough for most to dismiss as her just talking to herself. She was nowhere near confident enough to call it a profession, which was why she doubted she'd find a job as an etcher. I should probably ask her if she knew anyone who'd take on an apprentice... If I can find a job here though, that must mean there aren't many other etchers here right? Ohh, I hope no one suddenly makes a request. I don't think I'd be able to handle it. So imagine her expression when Estrellir asked her to make a plaque for an investigator's shop, just as they arrived at the Magistrate's Office. Her face showed shock close to when one traverses ruins and actually happens upon a boulder rolling down their way. That feeling of 'I knew this was going to happen but I didn't think it would actually happen'. Controlling her expression into a somewhat remorseful smile, she asked, "I can try my best, but it won't amount to a true craftsman's work... Is that okay?" She faced Estrellir, and bowed in thanks. "If you still want the plaque, I'll do it as thanks for your hospitality and we'll call this even." She then realised she had no materials, and added, "And you'll need to tell me what metal you want for the plaque so I can try to find it... If I don't get lost again that is," with another sheepish smile.