Completed In the Café

[Kalla Whitevine]

15th Day of Summer, 515 A.V. Kalla looked up to the sign that marked the building as the cafe she had been looking for before slipping slipping inside, her eyes a dark emerald green. Tomorrow it would be the sixteenth, and therefore the day she would, if she were at home, have become an Icemaiden; a title she did not particularly wish for. A small part of her couldn't help but feel that she owed something to her parents to show that she was not gallivanting around like some silly child, that she was making it and had not been killed or sold off someplace yet. Her thoughts were briefly interrupted as she finally took a look around the building, the scents of teas and baked goods finding their way to her nose. She couldn't help but immediately feel a bit more at ease, a bit of violet spotting the green in her eyes. As a small smile played at the corners of her mouth, she walked over to what looked almost like a bar, waiting behind a few people as she looked around. There were a few people sitting inside, a few curtains drawn to, presumably, private seating areas. The chatter was all mixed into a steady hum, words and tones blending together into one glorious sound. She always had treasured the sound of voices, of people. Though that was probably due to her having been brought up around so many. She bit her lip, casually inspecting the clothing of some nearby patrons, relaxing as she saw a mixing of statuses. Some were dressed more like her, others dressed in finery that placed them in higher stations. At least that meant she did not stand out but so much, and that allowed her to relax a bit more. When it came her turn, the middle aged man gave her a smile that had likely been given to the customers before her and the ones that would come after. "Welcome. What would a lovely young lady such as yourself like today?,"he asked, looking to her questioningly. Kalla looked around for a moment before spotting the menu, pausing for a few moments. "Rose hip tea and..." as her eyes found one of the specials, more violet took palce of the green with a certain spark in them, "A Taster's Serving. Both of those sound just wonderful right at the moment." She gave a smile to Darnel, about ready to pay when he stops her. "Pay when you leave, dear," he explained. The Vantha smiled, nodded, and stepped to the side as he started to work on the tea, having given her food order to Azelea. Soon enough, she had her tea in hand and was told that his niece would come out to bring the rest of her order. Kalla gave a smile and bowed her head slightly with a thank you before heading out through the transparent doors to find a seat outside the front of the building. While there had been a few people inside, there were more outside enjoying the summer weather. She could only guess that even more were outside the back, but she felt like watching whoever would come inside or go past, be it on the water or over some other pathway. It would probably be nice if she thought of what to put in that letter to her family, but, really, what could she say? The city that she had not heard such great things about was the one she went to? That she was still alive, not enslaved or being tortured in some dark alley? She could write about this place, though, since it did have a certain charm that she really could not deny. It probably would end up becoming one of her favorite places in the floating city unless she found someplace else in her exploration. "You ordered the Taster's Serving?," a woman asked, placing a plate on the table Kalla had seated herself at. "Yes, thank you kindly," Kallalyn replied to Azelea with a friendly smile. The young woman nodded in return, speaking in just as friendly a tone, "Need anything else, just let me or my uncle know. Enjoy your tea and snack." Kalla waved to the woman briefly as she walked away to speak to other customers before finally taking a sip of her tea and looking out to the water, past the greenery that surrounded the cafe. She was determined to have a day afternoon, leaving her worries for later in the day when she felt more like dealing with them. For now, she would settle for watching those coming and going, maybe listening to a few words of conversation of those nearby.

[Kalla Whitevine]

She took up one of the samples of dessert, not really paying attention to what it was, just idly nibbling on it. Whatever it was, it tasted good and helped to elevate her mood. Unfortunately, her mood quickly plummeted as she saw a small family walk by. It looked like a mother and two children; a boy and a girl. The two children could only be about ten or so and were whispering to one another while the mother was trying to get them onto a Ravoslava. Once they board with others, Kalla looks down into her tea cup. Emerald leaks into the violet of her eyes, soon taking over again. She still had no idea what to put into the letter to her family, but she did owe he brother stories. True stories. Even though there were no dramatic adventures to write home about just yet, she could still make a nice story. At least she could please him. But when it came to the rest of her family... Kalla looked down to the snowflake Gnosis mark on her hand. She hurt her parents with her leaving, and her sister... She had no idea how she was supposed to salvage that. The fingertips of her left hand trace over the mark on her right. Everyone was likely disappointed in her somehow, and she rather hated that thought. Of course she loved her family, but she didn't want to stay in Avanthal, either. Maybe she would come back one day, but that day was not going to be anytime soon. Mostly she just had to think of what to put in that letter. She could start off with a brief note to her family, something to her sister, and then delve into the story for her brother. She could even write stories of people who just walk by... It would be just like when she was younger, picking out visitors and making up stories together. The only difference was that she would make this up herself. She could just tell her brother to make up a story and send it to her in exchange. It wasn't the same, but it was something at least. So long as she could keep one relationship from falling to pieces. With that thought in mind, her gaze starts to move around the nearby area, looking for anyone who seemed interesting enough to use a subject for her story game.

[Cowlquape]

Out for another stroll, Cowlquape decided to take a walk along a canal he had not yet traveled. The buildings passing next to him, like all the buildings in Ravok, instilled a sense of whimsy and awe in his observant mind; he thought he'd never grow tired of walking amongst them.

The light outside one building had been left on, even though it was day. The candle wax had begun to drip down the sides of the lamp pan and the flame was trickling down, dangerously approaching a cord of twine which was supporting one side of the lamp.

Cowlquape surveyed the door, which was locked, and noted that the buildings windows were covered. He quickly tip-toed and blew out the candle before it could cause any fiery trouble. He assumed the patrons weren't there, and had likely completely forgot they'd left their candle burning the night before.

A few blocks down, the unmistakable scent of a cafe encircled Cowlquape's nose - a scent he could not easily ignore. Though he wasn't so much a fan of "food", he was absolutely a tea enthusiast. The scent reminded him he still needed to check the Merchant's Ring for any new shipments of exotic tea.

Not long after Cowlquape's sense of smell detected the cafe, his eye's detected the cafe's sign - and consequently, it's entrance.

As he approached the cafe - noticing the clamor wafting from the inside - Cowlquape decided to see if any seating was available in the exterior, should the interior be as full as it sounds. All he could see were two seater tables, most of them occupied by a pair of family members or friends. Only one table had an open seat, but its complimentary seat was occupied by a curious young lady with violet colored eyes. A Vantha, he observed. Where were those eyes looking? He'd heard that they could change colors depending on circumstances. What an interesting trait.

As he entered the cafe, he couldn't help but notice her people-watching behavior, much like how Cowlquape enjoyed passing his time at Pink Garden.

The interior of the cafe was much as he expected. Citizens of all kind, leisurely chatting and enjoying their tea. Cowlquape quickly noted the citizens and their appearance as he waited in line to order. A few of the people in cafe he remembered seeing before, such as the man wearing bright yellow clothing, drinking a black tea with a young woman who was dressed all in pink. He noticed an individual who he'd given his card too and had yet to receive a business inquiry from, and a man who he saw carrying bundles of candles once.

When it was his turn to order, he just requested the drink that the man at the counter most preferred. Soon enough it was handed to him - a tea with a light green color. Content with the amount of sugar it had, he retreated out of the cafe to find a table at the exterior, as the interior was crowded and noisy.

The exterior exhibited much of the same. All that was open was the one seat across from the Vantha. Not that he held any race inhibitions, he just hadn't spoken to many Vantha before. He figured since it was the only seat remaining, the polite thing to do would first be to check if it was currently reserved. Perhaps she was watching people cross by because she is here to meet with another.

"Excuse me," Cowlquape addressed her, taking his hat in his cane hand. "Are you, by chance, waiting for someone? Or, may I use this seat here?"

[Kalla Whitevine]

Kalla's gaze moved from one person to the next. One looked like a wealthy merchant, another had paint smeared on her face, and yet another was being pulled along by a child. And then there was a man with a cane. Any of those could really be good for making up stories, but which one was the real question. Perhaps the merchant dabbled in under the table dealings or the artist was awful at her job and had to rely on persuasive techniques to sell even one painting. The man with the cane, well, that could be as simple as making up why he used a cane. Maybe he upset the wrong person and they broke one of his legs. Now that was a story, and probably not too far of a stretch considering what she had already learned about the locals. But what story would entertain her brother the most? As she thought about what to choose from, she takes a few more sips of her tea, colorful words of how to describe the cafe flooding her mind. At least she knew where to start. She was always good at describing places in colorful words, but when it came to the stories of people... It was easier when he siblings would help. This would really be the first time to make up a completely fabricated background story on her own. She was yanked from her thoughts at the voice, which she only looked up to belatedly, not having realized he had spoken to her. She blinked at him for a moment, before offering a friendly smile and gesturing to the seat, after a glance to his hat and cane. "Oh, of course. I'm not waiting for anyone, so feel free. What kind of person would I be to turn down someone with a cane?" While her invitation was completely honest, as she would always be welcoming to people due to the values instilled in her, she also couldn't ignore the possibility of gaining something for a story. She set her tea cup down, tugging a bit at the flared sleeves of her blue top for a moment before folding her hands on top of one another, perhaps by accident covering the Gnosis mark on her right hand. "Are you a local or new here?," she asked then, curiosity in her eyes as she looked up to the man. Admittedly she was rather glad she wasn't standing, as he seemed rather tall from what she could tell. Though, that seemed like most of everyone since she had left Avanthal. Even so, she kept a friendly smile and tone as she waited for the man to reply.

[Cowlquape]

"Ahaha, careful," Cowlquape joked as he took a seat, tipping his uncapped hat to her before setting it back on his head. "You're going to make me feel like an old man." He placed a protective hand over the scar on his leg, a habit he had inevitably picked up. "It's really no big deal. As for me, though I was not born in Ravok, this will be my fifth year here. How about yourself?"

Cowlquape carefully set his cup of tea down on the table. From the few sips he had taken, he knew the tea was of excellent quality and flavor - though too hot to drink with any relative ease.

"I'm Cowlquape, by the way." He introduced, extending his arm for a handshake. "With whom do I have the pleasure of sharing a cup of tea?"

He was quite glad that the young lady had allowed him to use the extra seat; it made for a much more enjoyable drinking experience - and Cowlquape strongly required an adequate tea environment. He would also be happy for the company, as Cowlquape was a sociable man by nature. Talking to others was not too hard for him.

He had a closer look at the fabled Vantha eyes now in his direction, sparklingly violet. How interesting, he thought - it hadn't crossed his mind that the iris could contain such a pigment. There certainly were some intriguing things in the world.

[Kalla Whitevine]

Kalla grinned a bit, some violet returning to her eyes and mingling with the green, though they were yet mostly green still. "How can I know you are not, in fact, an old man? Appearances can be rather deceiving. Did you ever hear of the man with ten faces? He could look young, old, or even as a woman. I think he even managed to slip a frost hawk in there somewhere," she replied with a raised brow, taking up another sample piece of dessert to nibble on, looking to his hand as he rested it on his leg before back to his face. Of course she didn't expect him to have ever heard of that...mostly because she had made it up as she was speaking but gave no indication to the fact that she had. Yes, the man with ten faces was completely fabricated, but it still got her point across. "Five years? You may as well be local after all that. I've only arrived at the beginning of the season myself." She glanced away for a moment, looking back to the canal nearby. It really was strange for such a place as the cafe to be sitting within Ravok. It seemed...not quite right... But perhaps there was more beneath the surface than she knew. There often was. She jerked a bit from her thoughts at the introduction, smiling and taking the man's hand to shake it before picking up her tea cup. "My name is Kalla. It is nice to be meeting you, Cowlquape."As she repeated his name, she did so a bit slowly, to be certain she got the pronunciation right. Even after, her brows still knitted together as she was certain to have messed up a vowel or consonant here or there. A part of her wondered where he came from and from what blood, but there were other questions jostling around in her head. The Vantha hesitated for a moment, taking a sip of her rose hip tea to buy herself some time. While she did not much wish to be rude, her curiosity was large and, well, if she expected to learn anything, she had to ask. Besides, it was for her brother. She had decided to send him the letter tomorrow, so she had to come up with something. Though she could always just embellish one of her interactions with a true local... Ah, she would decide that later. For now, questions were wanted. "Do you mind if I ask why you carry a cane?," Kalla asked, looking to his eyes for some moments before frowning slightly. She really should just give up on that. Trying to tell anything from these people's eyes was near impossible.

[Cowlquape]

Cowlquape was rather intrigued by the story of this "ten-faced man". Were all faces on the same head, and he just rotated his cranium as he pleased? Or was it more of a magical trait, in which he altered the appearance of his face? Either way, Cowlquape appreciated the humor. He was slightly taken aback, however, when he noticed the girl's iris' slip in an extra color - a few slivers of bright violet with the deep green. How curious, is that how the trait worked? What caused the sudden influx of coloration?

"Ahaha, I might as well be. I literally would be, if you consider 25 to be 'old'". The young lady glanced away before he offered his hand to shake. She seemed to be the observant type as well - he would have said scatterbrained, but he could tell that she was not just looking at "nothing" when she looked around, but was actually thinking about her surroundings. Cowlquape was absolutely sure Kallayn was something around 18 years of age, and he grinned a bit as she pronounced his name. Well it certainly wasn't common.

Next she inquired into his use of a cane. Cowlquape sighed very slightly, glancing at the location of his scar, hidden beneath his trouser fabric. Cowlquape didn't find the question rude or abrupt at all, it just brought back the memory of his nemesis. The image of a snarling man; the broken pointed head half of an arrow that had been cooking in burning coals, like from a forgery, grasped in the man's upraised hand.

That, and Cowlquape - now getting a closer look at the girl - had activated his natural investigative curiosity. An 18 year old, or so, Vantha living in the Floating City. Most arrive here on a caravan or from the sea or along with expert guides, and those who came here on their own accord had more seasons and mettle than a child. Knowing that she had only been here a year made Cowlquape only more curious and willing to inquire. Even the fact that she had not been enslaved by unscrupulous individuals was a bit surprising. Not that Cowlquape agreed with slavery. In fact he was glad she was safe, since it was an activity he cared not for, only involving himself in it when finding runaways. He noticed the intensity with which she studied his eyes - almost as if expecting them to change color. Unfortunately for her, Cowlquape had quite the handle on his mental state and his eyes only displayed the emotions he wanted them to. Though he was often smiling and cheerful, you might say he had the most excellent "poker face".

"Arrow wound, of sorts. And it's the only item I have that reminds me of my family in Syliras." the image of his parents, teary-eyed and upset, shutting their doors in his face in disappointment. Cowlquape agreed it wasn't a pleasant thought. "But Kalla, you couldn't be a year over 17; how is it that you've come to live in Ravok?"

[Kalla Whitevine]

She tilted her head as she studied his face, though gave a smile at his words. "Twenty-five is elderly to some. To others you can be child," she replied with a shrug, a light frown on her lips as the sentence seemed off again but only takes a sip of her tea instead of dwelling on it. She blinked once at his sigh, a bit of concern on her face, if only because she was used to people sighing when she asked questions they didn't like. Perhaps asking about the cane wasn't the best of ideas, but she couldn't very well take it back now. Instead she only waited patiently for him to either reply or tell her off. Being used to both, there was no reason to tense or 'prepare' for a verbal lashing. She tucked a bit of her dark hair behind an ear, crossing her ankles beneath the table. Kalla's gaze wandered a bit to the others nearby for a moment, but back to Cowlquape as he spoke. His reply only added to the curiosity in her look. Did he mean that his family had shot him with an arrow? Why would a family do that? "The...arrow wound reminds you of your family or the cane does?," she asked, falling silent a moment before, "What is Syliras like? It's...big, yes?" She had to ask. After all, while she planned to stay for at least the season in Ravok, she did plan to travel at some point, even if it wasn't soon that she would. It just so happened that Syliras was one of the possible cities on her list of cities she wished to see. The Vantha took another sip of her tea, though nearly choked on it at his assumption. It was nice to know she looked like that, but seventeen was just barely of age where she was from, so that wasn't exactly a vote of confidence. She shook her head, looking to him in surprise. "I will be twenty just tomorrow, so much over seventeen,"" she replied, sounding a hint insulted. Granted, being twenty and in her situation would not be the most praised if she were back home, but that was besides the point. She didn't reply right away to the rest of his question, deciding to wait for a few ticks. "How do people come to Ravok? Through the gates and taking the ferry over the soft water. Most come for curiosity and wanderlust or not? I am not very different." Of course her answer was vague, but it was specific enough for her.

[Cowlquape]

Cowlquape realized he'd been vague about his family and his arrow wound, but mainly because he didn't think it was a topic worth talking about. It used to bring him sadness, but though it still hurt, he had already accepted his past and moved on.

"Well, you could say they both do. The cane was my father's before... he loaned it to me. That is to say, I stole it from him about nine years ago. Well, I was a bit of a rapscallion in those days! Ahaha. The arrow wound, well it was given to me by a man whom I regarded as my brother." Cowlquape paused to think about the man for a second. Yes, indeed, he had been the only person Cowlquape could trust for those few years after his family disowned him. Kalla had asked about Silaris, too, which brought back lots of memories. "My, Silaris is quite the city indeed. Tall, rich mansions, the Syliran knights, and extensive markets... it is truly the center of our region. You might say it is the brightest light amidst the dark Wildlands of Mizahar."

Cowlquape caught the hint of insult that she felt, evident in her reply. His attempt to call her youthful had completely backfired. He had not expected this - in fact, he actually did think she was younger. Uh oh. Better apologize.

"Oh! My mistake! Perhaps I'm no good at guessing age. Though, I could have sworn you looked younger." There; hopefully his sincerity would mend any damage his comment may have caused. "So wanderlust, is it? Well, you must be a very brave, adventurous soul. I arrived in Ravok when I was twenty as well, so I guess it's not so surprising. But I came from within Syliras; sailing from Avanthal must have been quite the journey?"

[Kalla Whitevine]

She blinked once at the word 'rapscallion', the meaning of it going right over her head. Never did she have a reason to learn that such a word even existed. Instead of dwelling on it, she focused in what the rest of what he said meant. "That sounds rather awful," she murmured, a light frown on her lips. She could hardly imagine someone she trusted doing such a thing. being upset with her was one thing, but shooting an arrow at her? Never. As he spoke one Syliras, she listened closely, though she seemed a bit disinterested soon enough. "Oh, so not much else of interest besides large buildings? At least Ravok has the draw of floating..." Mentally, she was already crossing Syliras off her list of places to look into. Kalla wanted places that had something new to offer. Of course new people would always be a good reason to go someplace, but if it didn't have something to marvel at...then she couldn't help but wish to see other places first. "I suppose it is nice to look young, but am adult since more than one year," she replied, nodding once to affirm her statement, though tilts her head at his following words. Again, another meaning of a word going right over her head; this time it was 'adventurous'."I'm not exactly brave. And I didn't sail here." She took a small bite of one of the desserts, followed by a sip before continuing. Her doing so was mostly to help her think of all the colorful words she could. "When the night was just changing into day and painting the sky in many hues, I took a caravan instead of a ship. I'm not even certain ships come here from there. Anyhow, they were quite happy to have a story teller along with them for the long, mostly cold to them, trip to Novellas. Once we stopped there, I managed to convince another caravan to have me along, once more not a difficult thing. Many travelers seem to enjoy having warm stories to keep them comforted on trips that could be maybe dangerous. There were some issues, of course, but nothing was going to stop my heart and soul from finding its way to a new city. I believe it took...just over a season, really. Not a trip to make unless you have a plan and a strong want to see new places. Avanthal is a bit off the map." She smiled, quite content with her travel story. Kalla reached for her cup again to take another sip, watching Cowlquape curiously.