PM to join Divining in the Morning

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Fall 30th, 514

Early morning birds sang their songs, as the chill fall night was brushed with Syna’s glow. The deep rich blue was washed with pale blues, and oranges far in the west. Soft, pink clouds striped the sky over the Suvan sea, softening the morning light. Kenash was just waking, the slaves, freeborn, and even a few Dynasts were starting to wake. The sounds of their morning rituals added to the song that was the swamp. It was a song alex had grown tired of. He laid in bed, listening to the mercenaries nursing their hangovers, and battling their withdrawals, and habitually conducted their fraudulent detox rites. The slaves were busy preparing the meals, and wash basins all across Bloodflower. Some had already gathered into work groups, headed by vicious overseers, to toil across the plantation’s fields and pastures.

The slaves had been quiet since the lynching of the runaway. Some mercenaries postulated that they were planning something, though others argued that they were always up to something. Alex couldn’t say one way or the other, he had no real experience with slaves, other than the two he had slain. Something that still plagued his mind. He left the plantation, towards Kenash proper. At least the rituals there were different. Alex checked the boards for work, nothing appealing to him, he headed to town. During the three bell walk, the sun had banished the chill night. Alex was passed by other carriges, and carts passing to and from the city.

The streets were bustling, with well dressed Dynasts and freeborn, moving to and fro as fast as they could, leading their busy lives in the city. Alex watched like he was at a zoo, bothing admiring, and poking fun at the ridiculous outfits. It cheered him up, if only a little. He wandered, moving as effortlessly through the crowds as he moved through dense undergrowth. He didn’t have a destination in mind, but he didn’t want to spend the whole day navigating the crowds. Kenash had several beautiful, and secluded parks for the privileged, and not so privileged to visit to gawk and delight in the trends that would be set in the fall washed park.

Alex came here to enjoy the feigned innocence of Kenash. A façade built on the backs of slaves, propped up by the bloody mercenaries lurking just in the shadows. It was still refreshing to see young and old come here to forget about all the troubles in the swamp. He didn’t mind sitting alone on a bench under a fruit tree that Alex couldn’t recognize. The turning leaves shaded the well crafted bench from the strengthening morning sun.

[Adhara]

The bird's claws clung carefully to Adhara's arm. It's vibrant feathers fluffed up and he gave a shake. Normally, when Cano slept in his cage whilst it was covered by a thin sheet. The covering wouldn't have been lifted until late morning. But today, she was hopping to change up his routine. Cano's eyes looked terribly tired. There was the sweet sent of little fruits in her pocket.

It was how Adhara kept him grounded and focused on her. Of course, every bird wishes to expand it's wings every once and awhile. This park, it was the Black Swan Pond. Adhara wore no fancy clothing that Kenashians wore. Her attire was the same thing every time, there was only the occasional mix up.

She was to busy taking in the beauty and color that harboured life. What caught her eyes the most were the Black Swans, circling around in the waters with nothing worrisome on their small minds. Well, they were the main attraction. To some. The benches placed around the park were filled up. You can earn a few stares when you have a colorful parrot squawking in her ear. Adhara had taught the bird to speak a few phrases but, only in Nari.

She hadn't tried the common language. But, every day opens up new opportunities. Sitting next to someone was not that big of an issue. The problem was that the benches were jam packed with woman and men of all sizes. There was one bench, and at first she was hesitant, there was a man by himself but that's not what bothered her. On his arms he displayed deep cuts. Her mind was a little naive, she just assumed that he earned them in defending himself with good intentions.

Taking her seat next to him, she tried to give him as much space as she could. Cano who was clutching to her exposed arms now hoped down to her leg. In what Adhara considered adorable, he sat himself in the middle of her lap. Facing her, his head was crocked to the side and he let out a few soft clicks, which in Nari translated to, "Dek licker." The first insult was directed at her but then he turned his head and repeated himself, looking at the man. To Adhara it was funny to teach her bird insults and only to have him chirp them and have no clue what he was saying.

When he said it to the man her smile grew a little and she covered her mouth as not to burst into laughter. Hopefully this man did not understand Nari.

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Alex had not been really paying attention, and let his mind wander as the day slowly ticked by. He made no effort to seem sociable, but neither did he try to keep people from sitting down next to him. When he felt the bench creak slightly, he turned his head to see who had decided to join him. He immediately noticed the curls of auburn hair cascading down to the shoulders of what was a rather attractive woman. She appeared slightly smaller than he was, and her skin was pale, and her eyes matched suit. It didn’t seem natural in the sun baked swamp. She smelled of fruits that Alex couldn’t name, but it was a pleasant smell.

His eyes turned to a bird, that flittered into her lap. An exotic beast, that was unlike anything he had seen before. Its feathers were brightly colored, greens and reds highlighted a rich and vibrant blue. The creature cocked its head, and clicked at the woman, then the creature turned toward Alex and repeated the noise. The woman quickly covered her mouth, for what reason, Alex couldn’t say.

Alex studied the creature closely, noting the intelligence in the bird’s eyes. He had rarely seen birds up close, they were too hard to hunt, and offered little meat for the effort. This bird was alien to Alex, he had nothing to compare it to, except maybe the Pygulls that the Dynasts seemed to collect. And he knew very little about those, as well. He turned to the woman that smelled of fruit, and spoke softly, “What is the creature’s name?” He didn’t know if people who kept animals like this named them, he personally only known people who had kept dogs and cats. He smiled politely as he waited for an answer, there was no reason to let his morose attitude rub off onto strangers in the park, who had most likely came to enjoy themselves.

[Adhara]

The soft laughter she gave stopped after a few ticks. Removing her hand from her mouth she had a little smirk on her lips. Adhara pulled the side of her hair back and smoothed it behind her ears. Turning to the man she was a little surprised he spoke to her. She was expecting nothing but a solemn face and silence. “His name is Cano. Nothing to important.” Gratefully the temperature was just right. If it had been any colder or any hotter the bird would have gotten sick. That was one issue with birds that needed to live in certain areas with specific weather or temperatures to survive.

Adhara was a little bolder in the mornings so she shifted on one side of her hip and took out a small blueberry. It was defiantly to big for the parrot to eat as a whole but as a half slice he would have no problem. The berry rolled around in her hand and Adhara asked the man a question in return. “Would you like to feed him? Don't worry, he doesn't bite.” Her pink lips had parted and offered another smile of reassurance. Most people would have just shook their head and said no to her but, it was worth a try. Cano's head had immediately perked up and he was no longer sitting down. Instead he was a little raised on his feet. Cocking his head to the side he stared at her now closed hand as if he knew something was inside.

oocI apologise for the length and how long it took me to get to this thread. I can assure you they will be longer with more detail.

[Alexander Hamish Moore]

Alex took a chime to survey the woman who had set next to him. She seemed quite friendly, to much so to be related to any of the dynasties. She was also out of fashion, much like Alex was. Bright green eyes peered at Alex, putting the usually standoffish mercenary at ease. The skin on her wrist was seared with the same Freeborn mark he carried, putting them on equal footing. That always made interaction between people easier for Alex, he wasn’t the most social. Not that he would spurn a person seeking company. She shifted, while speaking, and pulled something out of her pocket. Alex made eye contact, as he considered her offer to feed her pet.

It was an odd proposition, Alex had certainly consumed more animals than he had fed. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he had such an opportunity. Alex tilted his head in thought, he couldn’t think of any reason not to take the woman up on her offer. His eyes drifted, as she smiled, her pink lips intimidating Alex. Spending time on the road did no favors when dealing with such beautiful women. He slowly extended his own hand towards her closed hand, and took a small blue half sphere from her. The deep purple juices stained her soft, pale skin.

He looked down at the blue berry he held in his hand. It smelled sweet, like the woman. He wondered if she carried a pocket full of berries for herself, for her bird, or for strangers. It was slightly funny to Alex, and his face involuntarily turned to a smile. He carefully held his hand out to the strange bird, the berry balanced on his palm.

[Adhara]

Without even having to command her bird, lowering a finger he lifted his small talons and clung to her. Opening her hand a little more, she gave him more room to move around. His head was constantly rotating, taking note of his surroundings. Leaning a little closer to the stranger, she made sure she didn't cross any boundaries. A wild bird might have pecked his hand with no regrets but Cano was as civil as one could make a parrot.

Adhara moved the hand her bird held onto and moved it slightly below the man's hand, making the fruit easier to obtain. There was a soft tweet that came from Cano's throat as he turned his head and placed it on the man's hand, grabbing the blue berry quickly his beak grazed the hand that fed him. It was nothing that would even get close to breaking the skin or inflicting pain. It was more of a little tickle on the palm. So far Adhara was not having the best impressions with Dynasty men, most encounters had either gone south or they had feelings the Ethaefal did return. The brand his wrist was a relief.

Smiling a little wider she made note that she was the only one actually talking in this interaction. "See, that wasn't so bad." She said softly, only above a whisper and looking at the bird who enjoyed the berry than back at the nameless man. Adhara was not naturally bold, this was bold move in her books. "Adhara - you are?.." Whipping the citrus off of her free hand she extended her hand. She was polite and inviting, there wasn't much she could do that would make someone want to regret her greeting.