Closed Of Bodies and Blood[Ines]

[Crylon Stonecraft]

32 Winter 519 Heading inside the Demesne Dovecote, Crylon closed the door and waited a few breaths. Then turning about he opened the same door once more, exiting into the Outpost. He was wearing his cooler clothes, linen pants with an open chested and unarmed vest, with sandals on his feet. He also had a pack on his back which held his money, books, writing things, some tools, a few odds and ends and things he had made, a tin full of random endless muffins, and numerous other odds and ends. It was a magical backpack of sorts, and so appeared to be empty from outward observation. Last time he had come he had been heading to meet Kelski, to find her, and had not paid much attention to anywhere else. Now though his mind was examining and watching as much as he could, taking in the buildings and environment. It was hot, an arid desert type place, though Crylon was only vaguely aware what that meant. Like a beach, sand, but larger and without the water of the sea or ocean. And hotter. Yet from what he had seen of the Outpost it was a living place, full of people and plants and life and water. That, to Crylons mind, seemed a logical inconsistency. Or, he pondered to himself, it meant he was lacking some information which would explain it. Exiting the Dovecote he found himself in a open square. He could see near the center greenery, plants and trees, along with a small pool of water. He could also see nearby off to the side a much larger source of water, a free flowing fountain which seemed to be the source of other bits of water. Where that water came from he could not tell, but he felt certain it would be interesting to find out. On another side he could see an opening which led into another area, which was a large bazaar for trade. Taking the map out of his pack he had been given on a prior visit Crylon examined it, and saw it was Open Sky Bazaar, and the fountain was called the Kalskan Fountain. On yet another side was another large imposing building, hard to make out from the distance he was examining it from but which he could tell was big, was according to his map a shrine to Xyna. Walking further from the Dovecote Crylon enjoyed the view, taking in the buildings and Architecture as he had not before. Feeling out the bones of the place, as only someone who had spent as much time examining buildings and how they were made could do. From nearby he saw a man walking about with a small stringed instrument, playing a wordless tune or melody that seemed quite calm and sedate. Heading towards the center of the square Crylon continued to take in the sights, examining the small pool of water in the middle among the trees and greenery. And then he puzzled, trying to work out where the water all came from. It was an interesting question, and one he enjoyed puzzling and logic-ing out.

[Ines]

Ines's initial questions about the Dovecote had been met with shrugs and speculation. The witch was much too busy to figure it out herself, let alone follow the trails of rumors that felt outlandish even for Mizahar. It wasn't until Lars had gone and discovered he could find nearly any part, contraption, and piece he needed for the mill and bring it home in a matter of chimes that she realized there was more substance to the claims she had been hearing.

Standing in front of the door for the very first time sent a bristling feeling down her spine. She didn't need - or at least, she didn't think so - to go to this outpost. The tropical forest held endless tastes, risks, and opportunities, and she did not need to go into another Goddess's domain to be satisfied. And so the very first time she stood in front of the Dovecote, she turned around, and she left.

The second time she stood in front of the door was a full five days after the first. Her curiosity was gnashing at the bit, but the Dovecote made her arms itch and her hands clammy. There were so many nooks and crannies that she had yet to discover around Syka alone, she didn't have time to explore somewhere entirely new. The witch decided she might even be allergic to the doves. And so the second time she stood in front of the Dovecote, she turned around, and she left.

It took three tries for Ines to walk into the Dovecote. The inside was cool, with light streaming in from windows at the top. Doves warbled in their spots, talking to each other and the witch spying on them. She didn't dare close the door and kept it propped with a stick of driftwood. She found it hard to breathe, harder still to understand what the doves were saying. The kelvic heard the branch crack, and the door slammed shut before she could turn her head to look.

Was she supposed to feel her pulse like that? Was she supposed to hear it?

The Kelvic sprinted out of the Dovecote, but the heavy double doors didn't lead to Syka. The air didn't cling to her. There were no trees to hide her. Her heartbeat in her throat. There were so many people. It was so hard to breathe.

Dressed only in an oversized shirt, the pavestones were hot on her bare feet. She didn't feel the pain. Her destination was the trees in front of her, the rich greens a desperately welcome change from the scorching sun. The bat's eyes were more sensitive than most denizens of the Outpost, and she did not see the pool set in the center of the square.

In her hurry, she tripped. The water that splashed out sizzled on the tiles, much of it evaporated as soon as it was removed from the fountain. The Kelvic's shirt clung to her skin and her wet hair was plastered to her face and neck. It was the most comfortable she had felt in chimes. She dunked her head back under and allowed the cool water to soothe the pressure in her throat. Her pulse grew quieter as she emerged.

Ines took a deep breath, while she still sat in the reflecting pool. The witch avoided meeting the eyes of anyone else as she stood up and hid under the shade of a tree.

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon was nearing the middle of the square, near the small pool of water near the middle, when something moving caught his attention. Something, a small form of equal height to the Isur, rushed by several yards clear of him. Focused it seemed so much so on the destination that they did not notice anyone else about. Right before the charging body seemed to fall over something and impelled herself into the pool of water, Crylon realized it was a woman. A tiny human woman by looks, though wearing far less clothes than most humans he had met. Most of those he had met, excepting the ones that turned out to be a Kelvic, seemed rather prudish about being completely dressed. Though she was comparable in terms of height to an Isur she most certainly was not one, and so would likely be much lighter and thinner than the thick bodies Isur with their stone bones and skin as tough as leather. It did though help with the heat. Similar to when he was in a forge, the heat simply did not soak through his skin and deep into him. Sort of like, his mind going back to buildings, how a thick stone building did not get too hot in the summer. Taking a few steps closer to check on the woman, he saw she was thoroughly soaked. Her hair, the bit of clothing covering her top, was all plastered to her and soaked full of water. But otherwise she seemed alright. In fact as Crylon watched she dunked herself again into the water, perhaps cooling herself off? Then as he approached she rose and walked over to a tree, perching underneath it in its shadow. Though it was not truly dark enough for such to hide her, and him being an Isur his eyes were better at seeing into such things than a human would be. Eyes and body made for tunnels and mountains. Not judging Crylon headed over to the woman, considering her for a moment. When he saw her... He felt an odd twinge. Like... Like he remembered her. Or like... Or like he knew her? But he did not know her. But at the same time, he felt like he did. Or more like, he thought to himself, like finding a wall with a hole in the middle and knowing when you found the right bit of wood that it would perfectly fit the hole in the wall. You did not know the wood till you saw it, but by the absence from the thing you could see you knew it when you saw it. He could not describe it, but the woman struck him in some way which he found quite odd. Peculiar even. Keeping some joviality in his tone, and not showing any judgement, Crylon headed over to the edge of the pool where he could see the woman under the tree. As it seemed the most likely to be recognized, Crylon spoke in common to her. “I is not think seen anyone do quite that. Though I admit, only second time here, so maybe is happen many times fore? Was on purpose? Or did happen by accident? I is curious about that. Is you in outpost for something particular? I is Crylon, by way.”

[Ines]

Ines was wringing out her hair and clothes, turning the pavestones dark with water. The heat meant that they were totally dry in less than a chime. She heard the man coming, but she was surprised to see that he was the same height as her. Much larger, that much was sure, but it was rare that she was on eye-level with someone else. Syka and Taloba had no shortage of tall people. The cool cast to his skin and the pitch black arm declared that he was an Isur - Syka had some on occasion, and she had even met a half-Isur and Myrian. The Kelvic had no idea if the different colored arms meant anything, but it was a very recognizeable feature.

The bat felt like his name was on the tip of her tongue, like she'd known it before and just happened to forgot. That was impossible, of course, she'd remember if she'd met the Isur. Ines didn't have enough years of her life to just start forgetting people. Maybe she was just confusing him with the other couple Isur she had met in Syka before. No, she'd have remembered him.

"Uhh...accident." She answered, "Never been here. The heat was drying her quickly, aided by her clothing that was made for the humid jungle. She looked around, her eyes roved and rested on the main fountain and nearby buildings, gardens, and signs. "Did not want be here..." Now that she was here, it wasn't so bad. The witch's heart rate had settled, though she was left in the unusal predicament of not being connected with her environment. Taloba and Syka were enough a part of the jungle that her gnosis still worked, like she had her finger on the pulse of her surroundings. It wasn't the case here. The air was dry and the sun was much brighter than she was used to. Her eyes, even in her human form, were not well equipped to handle the dry, desert sun.

"It okay now. I am Ines. Is there some place less sun?" Ines stood up and immediately sat back down, the hot pain from her sprint across the pavestones making itself known as her anxiety filtered away. "I think need shoes." Small blisters had begun to form on her bare feet, where callouses were at their thinnest.

Fortunately for the bat, the sun was oriented in such a way that a nearby row of building provided ample shade all along that side of the plaza. If this outpost was a place where anyone could be, then it was a place where she could find a pair of sandals. She stood up again, this time expecting the pain. "You come, you know where shoes?" She posed it as a question, but she grabbed Crylon's closest hand to drag him along without waiting for an answer. Her grip was strong, but not hard enough that the Isur couldn't easily break out of it. Ines hopped along to the other shade, hoping this new spot would be able to take them to any merchants without hurting her even further.

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon let a small grin come to his lips as she admitted her current position, having fallen into the water, was not on purpose. Perhaps not something many others would have done, admitted their own wrongdoing. So many were defensive, and unwilling to admit their errors. It brought a smile to Crylon's lips, at seeing her honesty. And also at what had happened to her. But mostly the honesty. It was interesting though to hear her being at the outpost in general was not on purpose. Something he felt he could explain easily enough, as he had been told how it worked when he had come before. “If want go back, just go back in building came from, go in by self, and when leave gain, will be home. Is how was told fore.” He was unsure if she wanted to leave, but she certainly seemed to be much calmer than her dramatic sprint into the outpost which had ended with her in the water. Another smile to his lips as he responded to her greeting. “Is welcome see, Ines.” As he considered her question however, Ines seemed to have another question and thought before Crylon could properly consider and answer her first of a place to go out of the sun. It was then Crylon realized the small woman was barefoot, and without the thick skin of an Isur could not stand the heat of the ground here. Turning from the query of the sun, now she seemed interested in getting shoes. Pertinent, Crylon thought, if the woman could not walk about comfortably without them due to the hot ground. Once more as Crylon began to answer the woman proceeded onward, grabbing Crylon's hand and pulling him along. Crylon did not fight her, letting her pull him along away from the water and to... Somewhere. Though as the woman admitted she had not been there before, and so likely did not know where anything was. So she then seemed to likely not know where she was going and was in truth pulling him in a random direction. But then he saw where she was going, which was not in truth a destination but simply another spot of shade from the sun. Not as cool as the water perhaps, but cooler than other areas of ground which were exposed to the sun directly and so had absorbed its heat. “Is think, is sun all here. Is just place, is of sun. Not many spot, not sun.” Considering for a moment as he was pulled along to the shade, Crylon checked his surroundings for a particular spot. He did not know much of the place, but if nothing else knew how to get to the main open market from here in the central square off the dovecote. Pointing with his free arm which happened to be his unique black Isurian one, Crylon tried to direct the woman. “Is market, with place many selling that way. Is good chance, sell shoes there, some place. Though is open, not indoor, so is sun. If no shoes problem, could be hot ground between spots till get shoes.” Pausing and considering in his speech while still being tugged along, Crylon considered the easiest solution to this problem before voicing it. “If ground hot, I is could carry. You look not heavy, is not problem. Could carry till find shoes for wear, if want?” If the woman agreed Crylon would move to pick her up before heading towards the market he had pointed out, getting her feet off the hot ground by carrying her across and in front of him diagonally with her legs sticking out one side in front of him. The best position, which he would attempt, would leave her head across him on the other side, perhaps with the arm on the side pressed up against him hooked around behind his neck to help support and situate her heft while his arms cradled her from below with one arm hooked around her back and the other underneath her legs near her knees on the underside.

[Ines]

Ines was going in the right direction, but she had failed to take into account that there would be more sun before she could get shoes. She was weighing the pros and cons of just running back to Syka and coming back some other time with shoes, but those thoughts were interrupted. Crylon had a much better idea.

"Yes, carry me is okay. Shoes near us, I hope."

For most of her time in the Outpost, Ines's face had been contorted in varying levels of a scowl. Now that she had met Crylon, her experience was turning into more of a potential adventure than a panic-ridden mess. By the time Crylon picked her up, the scowl had disappeared, replaced with a quick succession of alternate smiles and focused stares at her surroundings.

The Kelvic had little experience with animals outside of the jungle. Even the sea creatures that made their home on - and around - the beaches of Syka were still mysterious to her. She didn't know how to swim, after all. Now the witch was faced with entirely new plants and animals. They were cultivated, tended, trimmed - the antithesis to the jungle's wild growth. She reached out to touch all the plants in her limited reach, though she tried to keep her movements from impeding Crylon. The arm that featured her own gnosis, taking up most of the surface area of the forearm, was the one closest to Crylon. The gigantic Tskannas and the surrounding thick, dark foliage were in stark contrast to the airy, bright gardens and light tan color of the buildings.

It didn't take long to reach the outskirts of the market, with Ines weighing under a hundred pounds and Crylon's steady pace. What the little bat wasn't expecting, however, was the massive size of it. From where they were standing until their vision ended from the crowding of stalls was pottery. Bowls, vases, cups, ranging from simple implements to one of a kind works of art, and in just as many colors. They covered most surfaces, being hawked by every kind of person imagineable, and some races she hadn't seen before, or that she had only seen when bodies had been switched up in the Fall. Towards the end of the pottery section the clay works were slowly replaced with glasswork, featuring just as much variety as the pottery.

"I see no shoes, you know where shoes?" She asked the Isur, though she suspected if they had arrived here, he didn't know where they were either. Something as big as this had to have some way of organizing it or no one would ever be able to find what they needed. "Maybe a sign show the way?"

Ines had never been to any sort of market this big. Syka's market took up a single, small building and was run by one person. Taloba had people who sold their goods, but any sort of market put up in the Myrian city was never close to being as expansive as the one here. The Kelvic almost wished it was nighttime so that she could just fly up and search for shoes from a more convenient vantage point. Then a realization hit her.

"Oh. I have no money."

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon nodded as Ines accepted his offer, and swept the woman up into his arms. While they might be of a kind in terms of height, Crylon had a good deal more bulk in that frame and the muscle to match said bulk being an Isur. As such it was not too difficult to carry the woman about. Particularly using both arms, including his one unusually strong arm. He knew the place was a shop of sorts, but to be honest he did not know where the shoes were. Or anything really, besides the entrance... As the pair walked about, Ines seemed to take the opportunity to look about freely while Crylon focused on walking for both of them. He might have noticed the womans gnosis if he was not more focused on holding the woman and maneuvering them both through the crowds and people moving within the great trade area. As it was he got little more than a glance at her before he had to focus on avoiding another person... And then another, around this stand, then that way... Crylon shook his head at Ines query, unsure where clothing or shoes or such where sold. He simply knew how to get inside, he was quickly learning, but knew almost nothing of the inside. At her idea Crylon began looking about for any signs or posts or such which might indicate where they needed to go... Or where they were... Anything really to help get his bearings and to figure out where they needed to go. As they walked Ines seemed to realize something else, which once she said it and he considered her rush into the market he was not surprised. She had no coin. No money to purchase shoes with. Of course Crylon had money, a good sum resting inside his pack of magical dimensions, which was resting on his back. He had come prepared to visit, which included the ability to purchase things. A brief shake of his head and a smile to his lips, Crylon responded in a placating manner. “Is kay, I have coins. And shoes, not cost much. Can loan, and you can pay later when bring money, yes?” Not seeming to think much of lending money to a complete stranger, albeit a rather small amount of coinage, Crylon continued his path through the stalls. However it seemed someone had heard their talking, a tallish man dressed to Crylon's eyes oddly. "I couldn't help but overhear, you need to find some shoes? I can show you the way, just follow me." Of course Crylon knew little of the outpost, let alone what a Keiss was, but he was not one to turn down directions when he was lost. Heading along after the man Crylon peered about, not seeing where they were going but noticing it was a quite different direction from the one they had been taking. If not interrupted Crylon would follow the man along until they arrived at the directed location for selling shoes. “Is thank you. I name, is Crylon. Thank for show way.”

[Ines]

Ines was thankful that his effort did not have to go to waste. She had money, but it wasn't something she normally carried on herself. With a lack of pockets and the potential to want, or need, to shift at any point meant that spare Mizas would be left all over the jungle. She would just have to bring money the next time, whenever that was. For some reason, the Kelvic felt certain that the next time she visited the Outpost, Crylon would be there, too.

There were no signs that the little bat could see, but her looking was interrupted by the arrival of a man offering directions. Ines was already being exposed to a dizzying diversity of people, clothing, goods, and sounds, and it didn't register in her mind that the man showing Crylon where to go was anything special. It didn't take very long for the pair to get to the shoes once the man had taken over their aimless wandering. The blisters and mild burn on the Kelvic's feet had reduced their pain to something dull and easy to ignore. She harbored some concern for what would happen when she needed to actually put the shoes on and walk herself.

If there were shoes and pottery, however, she suspected there would be some sort of medicine or gel to rub on the blisters to help them heal.

"You're welcome, Crylon. If you ask any of the Keiss - they're all dressed like I am - they can give you directions around the market."

Before the man left them, Ines called out, "Is medicine for burn? Aloe?" She wiggled her foot to emphasize the situation they were in. The Keiss nodded, describing a series of specific turns and landmarks that would take them to the section of the market that would give them medicine. It wasn't very far, either, and Ines was certain that her feet didn't hurt enough to keep her from walking there altogether. Though she also didn't want to impose on the Isur's generosity, and the dry heat was starting to irritate her skin and her eyes.

After the Keiss left and Crylon set her down, Ines looked around at the shoes, realizing that many shoes were too large for her small feet. After a few minutes of standing on the tips of her toe to avoid the blisters, she found a pair of suitable leather sandals. She showed them to Crylon, and then brought them up to the merchant of the stall. In a serendipitous turn of events, the cobbler had an aloe plant potted next to his stall. After quietly chuckling at Ines's mild misfortune, he broke off part of a leaf of the plant and gave it to the little bat after money was exchanged.

"This happens more often than you'd think," he said with a wink.

The Kelvic situated herself on a bench near to the stall. She squeezed out the gel from the leaf cutting and rubbed it into the bottoms of her feet before putting on and securing the sandals. The simple plant provided enough relief that the bat was comfortable walking along. She took a few steps in the sandals and decided they were comfortable enough that she could walk for a bit longer, even if she was just walking back to the Dovecote.

"Thank you for shoes. Now what do?"

bookkeeping :

leather sandals - 4sm

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Keiss. It was a new word, one Crylon was fairly certain he had not heard before. Or perhaps had, and not at the time recognized it. That seemed more likely, seeing as the man spoke it as if it should be known. Or if nothing else was a fair sized group which were common in the Outpost. He knew the woman had not been able to walk due to running barefoot on the hot ground, but had not realized it was so bad till she asked for something to treat them. But then, as he knew, humans and other non-Isur races were rather thin skinned compared to Isur. Crylon had been paying attention to their surroundings, and knew vaguely where the exit was, but only vaguely. It would take some trial and error to get back out without help. Once they had found the spot Crylon set the woman down, letting her move about to find herself some shoes. It took her a bit of time, but quickly enough she found a pair of open toed sandals which would go well with the heat of the area and would cover her feet from the heat of the ground. Rooting into his pack, Crylon focused on coins, and fumbled about till he pulled out a single gold miza. That was enough, with some change in return, to pay for the footwear for the woman. Which he would be paid back for at a later date. After the shoes had been paid for Ines headed over to a bit of seating, and began doing something with plants Crylon did not understand. He was not quite sure what she did, but the leaf seemed to give of some kind of liquid or such, which she rubbed onto her burns. She then put on her newly acquired shoes, and stood to show they fit and she could stand and walk a bit. Smiling Crylon patted the air in a placating gesture. “Is no worry. Is need now, so I loan money, only small bit to loan. And needing now.” Considering her words and her state, Crylon pondered for a moment before responding. “I just come, look bout, nothing specific. And you hurt of feet, should go home yes? Is fine, can go back now. I join you on head back. Not sure if have time come again, to soon. How bout... We meet tenth day, of new season? In same place first met. Can exchange then, yes?” If Ines agreed Crylon would head with her back to the Dovecote entrance, and after she had headed home head inside to go home as well. He had after all achieved his goal. He had learned more of the place, of the people, where things were, and had nothing else really to do or achieve. And he mad met a new person as well, who he would meet again. He did not really consider theft, or that she was dishonest and would not return the money. And even if he had, the amount involved was trifling, and not more than he was willing to lose.

[Ines]

She had four silver mizas in her chest at home. Meeting Crylon back on the 10th of Spring with them, and likely a few more, would be much easier the second time. Her feet felt better with the aloe rubbed in and she wanted to get home and rest in a hammock before they started to hurt again. She didn't have much work to do today, anyway.

"Yes, the 10. I will come! I bring you gift from Syka. And coin." Ines nodded, thoughts already drifting in her head of what to bring back the Isur for his kindness and generosity. The bat bade him farewell and then headed home, happy with her new sandals. They were different in design than anything she had seen in the Mercantile, but extraordinarily comfortable.

The Kelvic wasn't sure why he wanted to meet so far out. It was nearly a season away that she'd pay him back. It was close to her birthday, though! Spending some time in the Outpost to celebrate her birthday a few days early didn't sound so bad now that she had gotten used to it already.

After leaving the Dovecote and getting her money, Ines stopped by the Mercantile to see what sorts of things she could pick up as a gift. After she perused much of the selection, the little bat decided on a large basket with a lid. She could bring something to eat from the Tidepool, even. He could use it for shopping. It was perfect!

With the gift purchased, she left the Mercantile and travelled down the cobbled pathway to Uta's place. Her feet has started to sting and hurt from all the walking she was doing, and she knew Uta could make her a burn cream. The witch regretted not riding an Ashta by the time she arrived at the herbalist's home. After simply showing Uta the burns on the bottom of her feet and an exchange of a few Mizas, Ines left with a cream she had to rub in every day until the burn had healed.