Open A walk to the Bazaar

[Bakar]

8th of Fall, 514

The Nuit sighed and looked around his bare, boring apartment. "I can't stay here forever. I need to get out." He said to himself sadly. "This. This needs to change. I need something to do here." He sighed again and began to apply his makeup, now unable to leave the house without it. He carefully spread the paste around his eyes, covering the dark spots of a telltale Nuit. Without a mirror, he had to apply the paste by feel alone. He's gotten fairly decent at it, but is always nervous that he missed a spot, and will be called out. Not that anyone would do anything horrible. He just couldn't stand the stares of mistrust, and misunderstanding. They bore into him, stabbing at his heart, so to speak. He shook his head and moved on to brushing his hair. "No need to think of that now. It's been a while since anyone noticed. You're okay." He reassured himself. "Hey, maybe you can get a mirror today!" He ran his hand over his hair, trying to feel for any more major knots or tangles. "Alright, everything seems okay now.." He grabbed what he'd need for the short talk to the Bazaar, which was mainly just some extra paste, in case of an emergency. He couldn't be caught without it.

Satisfied, but nervous, the Nuit finally gathered the resolve to exit his apartment. He made his way through the torch-lit hallways of Stormhold Citadel, towards the Great Bazaar. The Nuit typically kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with most everyone, still nervous of being discovered. While heading through one of the more dimly lit through ways, he accidentally bumped into a young woman. He instinctively looked up, and was met with a smile. "I-I'm so very sorry." Stammered the Nuit, trusting the dark-ish tunnel would hide his tongue.

"Oh, it's no problem, sir. Please, excuse me." The woman said in a soft, gentle voice. And with that, she was on her way.

Despite the woman being more the friendly, considering the situation, the Nuit couldn't help but feel sad. How would she have reacted if she had known he was a Nuit? Help! Help! This creature is trying to steal me away to take my body! Bakar shook his head. "There's no point in thinking that. It all turned out well." Despite his reassurance, he still couldn't help but feel disheartened at his situation.

He often wonders which would be worse. The actual treatment he'd get for being a Nuit, or the treatment he gives himself every time he has an interaction with near anyone. Always imagining the worst. The what could have been. He stayed there for a while, staring where the woman had stood. He took a seat, leaning against the wall. His human emotions took over and he wiped his eye, as if to clear a tear. There was none. All he had accomplished in doing was smear and distort his makeup, but he was too focused and deep in thought to notice.

He sighed and continued through, towards the Bazaar. "Maybe the shopping will help calm my nerves. I think I will get that mirror." He said with a slight smile.

[Garland]

Garland was assigned to patrol around the bazaar, he was bored, very bored. The day was started out as a slow day. His patron knight was out on a mission, so it was either a patrol around the bazaar or help take care of the horses. Even if the horses job could have netted him experience with his favorite horse, which was also his most disliked horse because he was rowdy and generally hard headed.

And he did not want to get kicked in the chest today. He had went with the patrolling option, but it has been a great day compared to most of his other days this season. Today he wasn't going to get hit in the face by a monster, defending the city from some powerful force, or get beat up by a squirrel. He's actually surprised he's still standing at this point.

He made his rounds, looking around the shops. There were a few knights and squires here and there, keeping tabs on the stores that were robbed earlier this season. He wish he could have helped but he was very occupied at that time.

[Bakar]

As Bakar made his way the remaining, short distance to the Bazaar, he couldn't shake the feeling that everyone he passed by was looking at him. And he was right. Having not fixed his makeup, not only was it clear that he was a Nuit, it was clear that he was trying to hide it. Which could make some people very suspicious. He kept his head lower, almost staring at the ground, in the hopes to avoid drawing attention.

Finally, he entered the Bazaar. He was a little more comfortable here, finding solace in the fact that there was so many people, almost no one would pay attention to each other, as long as they didn't stick out horribly. Now, Bakar,unbeknownst to himself, did stick out, but unless someone was looking for it, then he would be fine. People were too busy to notice.

As he started off towards the shops he needed, he noticed a young squire out of the corner of his eyes. Young, but frighteningly strong looking. He skirted around him nervously. He's had trouble with the young knights the most. The one's who have something to prove, and who don't think too highly of his kind.

Arriving at his first stop, he passed the merchant a note. He always wrote down what he needed, too cautious too speak. The merchant eyed him nervously, and Bakar shifted, even more nervously. The merchant did not take his eyes off the Nuit while gathering the items on the note.

- 10 sheets of paper 4 GM
- 5 vials of ink 5 GM
- 3 quills 1 SM 5 CM
- 1 pot of inscribing paint 3 GM
Total cost- 13 GM, 1 SM, 5 CM

The merchant gathered the items and placed them in front of the Nuit, still eyeing him. Bakar quickly pulled out the Mizas for the exchange, but something caught his eye. A blank book. He pointed it out to the merchant, who sidestepped and grabbed it, placing it with the rest of the items.

"That's another 3 Gold Mizas." He said coldly, never taking his eyes off Bakar. Bakar nodded and added the coins to the pile. He collected his newly acquired items and carefully packed them into his backpack, heading to the next shop.

[Garland]

Garland had noticed the Nuit walking down the bazaar, he followed the stranger right outside the store. He didn't really think the Nuit would be doing anything bad, but of course he needed to check every suspicious person he sees. He waited outside near a crowd. He was looking over some of the stalls to seem less suspicious.

Garland didn't really think that Nuits or any other race are "wrong" or didn't deserve to live, or in this case, unlive? Unliving? Garland didn't know the term, but every race has its culture and way of living, he didn't have the right to question them. He only needed to protect the people, not understand. He needed to accept, not question, just do it. He hoped that the Nuit was just shopping, and not doing anything else. Though if anyone decided to pick on this guy without being provoked, he would take the Nuit's side.

Though he only needed to talk to him and probably say something about his make up.

[Bakar]

Bakar exited the store swiftly, the merchant grunted, happy to have the suspicious Nuit out of his store.

"Still need to get that mirror.." Bakar whispered to himself, smiling softly. It had been a while since he had a clean view of his own face. "It'll be nice. I think.. maybe not.." He sighed and hung his head, now frowning. He continued walking, oblivious that the muscular squire had followed him, and even began browsing a stall directly beside the young man. The other browsers, as they noticed the half-disguised Nuit, the whispered and shifted away. The stall owner shot a glare at the Nuit, but didn't tell him to leave. Bakar, noticing this began to worry. He started to back off. "M-maybe it's time to leave." He whispered under his breath.

[Garland]

"Actually. I wanted to ask you something, friend." The squire had finally spoken up. He wanted to make this guy feel comfortable, the last thing he wanted was to upset him and make him run across the bazaar. "Also I wanted to say your make-up is running." He said in a low whisper. "I don't like the way people are looking at you friend. Let's get you fixed up and then let's talk."

He stayed close to the undead, and gave him a friendly smile. "Its a pleasure to meet you, friend. My name his Garland."

[Bakar]

"Actually. I wanted to ask you something, friend."

Bakar turned around hastily, frightened by the sudden voice beside him. It was the squire he noticed on his way to the Bazaar. He immediately froze up. What could he possibly want? His mind turned to running, but only for a second. He couldn't have the knights hunting him down for what could just be a misunderstanding. He didn't do anything wrong, so he couldn't be in trouble, right?

The squire turned down to a whisper. "Also I wanted to say your make-up is running. I don't like the way people are looking at you friend. Let's get you fixed up and then let's talk."

The squire took a step towards him and he couldn't move, frozen in fear. What was this man's angle? Looking at the muscular squire, he knew there was no chance he could take him, if he decided to get violent.

He smiled, and said in a friendly voice, "Its a pleasure to meet you, friend. My name is Garland."

Bakar couldn't bring himself to move, unable to speak for a while, until he processed what the young man had said to him, and his hand rose to his face, where he had wiped earlier. "Oh... well that was stupid of you.." he whispered to himself, before stiffening again and lowering his hand. It's probably best not to talk to yourself in front of a member of the Knights. They're not exactly known for their tolerance. "U-uh, m-my name is Bakar, it's nice to meet you, Garland." the flustered Nuit said. "O-okay.. let's head somewhere less crowded." It's not like I can resist anyways.

As they headed to a remote area, Bakar couldn't help but be frightened. He had never had very good encounters with the Knights. And squires were sometimes worse. Young, arrogant and think they can get away with anything. At least in his personal experience. Garland kept close to him as they moved, making Bakar feel a little like he's being escorted. Was that for his good, or a precaution of the squire?

When they were mostly alone, save a few citizens passing by to the Bazaar, the Nuit stopped and started towards his backpack, before stopping and looking at Garland. "I-I have some spare makeup in my bag. I-I'm just going to take it out. There's a dagger in here. But it's just for emergencies. I'm not reaching for it, I swear." He slowly lowered his hand into the bag and took out a small jar of paste. After holding it in his hand for a second, showing the squire it was harmless he unscrewed the lid and began reapplying it silently, with a shaky hand.

[Garland]

"Why are you so jumpy? Look, Baker? Was it? As you probably have noticed, people around here don't take kindly to Nuits. Its true that people don't like well... You, but you have not done anything wrong, and it would be best to avoid the people that saw you." As they went to a more secluded part of the bazaar. "I've had to hide a few times before I joined the knights. Its probably best to stick close to them if you want to avoid trouble from... What's the word I'm looking for? Uhh... Racists? Yes that's the word."

He smiled and looked around to see if anyone followed them. He saw Baker grab the cream in his bag. "Small weapons are fine, friend. I had my sword confiscated by a tiny Pycon right before I joined the knighthood." He looked at the few people walking by, some gave them curious looks while others were more cautious. "You better take the long way home later. Just in case. Syliras is relatively safe, but the knights can't be there all the time."

He waited around for the undead to finish his make up. "If you have anything else to buy, I'll gladly accompany you. We're just friends shopping together, it'll throw suspicion away from us." He leaned on the wall, looking rather alert. Honestly though, he just wanted to break the monotony of the patrol.

[Bakar]

Bakar lowered his face, away from the squire and scowled. "Why am I so jumpy? You. I know Knights are supposed to be the pinnacle of honor and tolerance. But I've had some bad experiences. And yeah, I heard those who abused me were never promoted, squires to the end, apparently it wasn't just me they took advantage of. But it doesn't help my opinion of them. It was then that I started with the makeup. As soon as I acquired a new body after the incidents, that's was the first time. He flinched and tensed up. People don't like it when you mention the body taking. Better smarten up. No offense. But even though there's no scars now, I've been beaten bad enough to require a new body a few times." There it is again. Quiet, you. "Listen. I know you mean well. And I really don't mean any offense. But those few bad seeds, regardless of the Knights trying their best to keep their order 'clean', I can't trust them anymore. I just can't."

He finished fixing him makeup and sighed to himself. "Listen. Garland. You're not so bad. You seem genuinely tolerant. I appreciate that. I mean no offense to you or your order, I can't stress that enough. I'm really sorry."

"If you have anything else to buy, I'll gladly accompany you. We're just friends shopping together, it'll throw suspicion away from us." The squire said to him.

Bakar looked away and thought for a while. "Maybe.. just maybe you can trust this guy. He really does seem truthful. Friend..." Bakar sighed, "You know it's just a story to throw off suspicion, but it's nice to hear that again, isn't it?" Bakar was whispering to himself, not even realizing it.

He looked back to Garland, still nervous, but trying to feign confidence. "Well, friend.. I think we got off on the wrong foot. Thank you. Both for telling me of my makeup, and for your kindness. After hearing what I had to say, after all the insults I've thrown at your order, would you still accompany me, if just for a while. There is one thing I'd like. If you could take me there, and possibly order it for me, I would much appreciate it." He shuffled nervously and averted his eyes. "It's, uh.. it's a mirror. A strange thing to want, I know. But I feel I need one." He kept his eyes away, and waited for Garland's reply.

[Garland]

"Come, it's fine. Let's go and buy that mirror." He must just be a young Nuit. He still has... that emotion he noticed that every young Nuit has. "Oh, and by the way. Have you tried learning magic? I mean, I think it would be more useful than your dagger."

He kept beside him as they walked through the bazaar. The stalls didn't seem to notice them. He looked around to find the stall that sells mirrors, maybe the glass store might have some.

He was concerned for his friend though. Someone might recognize him. The body taking thing didn't disturb him at all. As far as he knew, they only took dead bodies, and what else were dead bodies going to do? At least they're being put to use.