[Flashback] Shopping Trip (Velarian, Velenor)

[Nisana Curare]

Season of Spring, Day 23, 509 AV

Nisana smiled to herself as she looked over the market of Kalinor. Surely no where else in the world was there such an elegant, yet functional, market. She supposed that she might found out the answer soon, with her sister Serena looking to be close on picking a husband. While she certainly was happy for her sister, the thought that excited her most was that of going on her first Harvest. It was a day she had looked forward to for most of her life, and the thought that it would be coming soon had her eagerly traveling to the market to prepare.

True, it might be a year or so before she was actually called upon to fulfill her duty, but her Mother had taught her that it was best to prepare early. That she was eager to go on her first Harvest only made it much easier to prepare this early.

Wandering past the merchants she took a look at various items, but there was little that caught her interest in the moment. She'd come more to see if there was anything new, rather than find something specific, and so her amethyst eyes started to wander over the market, looking for something to catch her attention.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

".. and I would not say it is even a matter of principal," Velarian said with a shrug, ruby eyes searching the face of the man walking by his side. "It is common sense. If you lock a person in, chances are they will try to escape. Now if you have someone who wants to stay of his own accord, the case lays entirely different. There is no reason to make such affairs more unpleasant than they need to be. We are no savages." He tilt his head to the side. "Of course, sometimes there is no other way."

Behind them the muted cry from the nest, which had caused Velarian's sudden outburst faded, and the man shook his head. Hands in his pockets he balanced along the thread of red silk leading towards the market, eyes fixing the distant dark of the cave. The tall man wasn't worried to slip and fall. Years living in Kalinor had taught him to navigate the long silken rope ways, the swing bridges spanning between buildings like the gossamer threads of a cobweb like humans might roam the alleys and venues of any other city they called their home. He liked wandering through the city on them, but it was rare he had other company than his son doing so. Velarian had come to know Velenor years ago, but he could not claim to know the man. The other symenestra liked to stick to himself.

"I hope you will look over my little tantrum," Velarian murmured without turning. "What where we talking about? Animation I believe." Casually the man trailed his yaw line with a dark claw like nail, brushing strands of pale hair from his face. "We should see, if we find something interesting to work with," he suggested, nodding towards the market right ahead. "How are your own studies going? I take it, you made some headway?"

Magic. It was one of the topics you could get the silent man to talk about, Velarian knew. The man focused on other arts than the Animator, yet discussions had proven to be interesting in the past and Velarian had come to enjoy them. Once in a while at least.

Stepping from the main street the tall man looked around. As always there were fabrics on display, white, nature and dyed in colors many of his kin came to enjoy, rich red and black, green reminding them of the jungle tops. Elegant fabrics, smooth and delicate or practical, hardwearing. There was no shortage of linen and silk and other things one might need to sew a dress, robe or shirt. Velarian ignored them in favor of some items of foreign craft. A mirror made from glass caught his attention, but the piece was too expensive. For a while he looked over a set of knives with running dogs engraved on the hilts, yet he had to admit he had no real use for him.

Turning, Velarian caught sight of something interesting however. Or someone rather. He rose a hand for the woman not ten feet away to see. "Nisana," he greeted with smile.

[Velenor Avenca]

It was not even a full bell from when Velarian had appeared close to his web and started talking. Velenor could not help but shrug and frown to himself, still wondering how did it even end up like this. He liked Velarian to some extent, yes, but he was in no mood to entertain, or go on jolly good quests, no matter how small they may have seemed; Not now, not ever. Probably the only thing that made Velenor hold some respect for the other man, were the secrets of animation and how they seemed to elude him. The other Symenestra knew how to keep a distance even while talking to him, and that was another reason because of which he had trouble saying „No“ to this man, at least most of the time. His habbits of not talking much made him something of an awkward speaker, so he only expressed things through words when there was no other way, or he was given enough time for a proper reply. His thoughts were pressing up until that moment and when they had finally let up for a moment, he found himself in an awkward position, as he could hear the man talking about something, but even while he heard the words clearly, he had completely forgotten even the slightest cause for them. It was as if Velarian sensed that Velenor was not really paying attention to what he was saying, as he routed the talk his way with a few questions Velenor knew well in advance. „Animation, yes, well it is highly unlikely that luck will be gracefull with us this far into the season. However, there is a low possibility of that occurance. I myself remain cynical to your casual hopes, that much i am comfortable with sharing“ he yawned as if he was bored, and then he continued: „My studies? Well there are two words that can be used to suggest to the success rate, and those would be „utter“ and „failiure“. The only skill i have managed to improve is glyphing, and that can hardly be called magic. I have fended off some idiot not too long ago, and i actually feel like a bigger idiot than him for forcing him out of the way. I should have just burned him, too bad that all my remiancy can sustain is water“ he then sighed in relief as if he was finished with talking for the day. That was however a false hope, as he had something to add to his previous statements: „This season hates me, it really does, half of the time my bones ache as if i have already wandered into the waters of overgiving.... it is hard for me to explain the feeling fully...“ his voice trailed off slowly but surely, as he found himself in silence not even a full chime later. As they had finally reached the market, or at least the inner circle of the before mentioned, Velenor could hear Velarian greeting someone. He did say no others would be involved, did he not? Has he forgotten his place? Maybe he should be reminded then? The tension was building up inside the „mage to be“ as he was turning his gaze to the newfound hindrance, Nisana was her name. Velenor was certain he had heard the name or seen the girl before, however, both might have been in question, as Kalinor was indeed a small place. He resorted to the peaceful, silent approach as he stopped about three feet behind the animator and another three to the left. He simply glared at the woman as if the situation did not concern him, as if it was none of his business...

[Nisana Curare]

As Nisana looked about the market she heard someone call out to her from nearby, and she turned with a smile to greet whoever they were. When she saw Velarian her smile faltered slightly, but it certainly did not go away. It had been years since the last time they really talked, but she still wasn't sure how she felt about the man. Regardless though, it was nice to see him.

"Velarian," she said with a brighter smile as she closed the distance between them with a few quick strides. As she did it didn't take her long to notice the other Symenestra, the one standing behind Velarian, glaring at her, and she blinked at him in surprise. She didn't recognize him at all, which was a bit unusual amongst those who live in Kalinor, and he seemed to be upset at her for some reason.

Turning her attention back to Velarian as she came within a more comfortable talking distance she offered him a hand, "It is been some time since we last spoke. How are you, and who is your friend?" she asked with a nod back to the glaring Symenestra.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

"You sound like an old man," Velarian laughed, amusement playing in his eyes. The other man's apathy did not irritate him, he had grown used to it to an extend he barely noticed his attitude anymore. "It will be my turn to lament bad joins and an arching back some years before you have to." The Symenestra dropped a handful of buttons back into the basket he had picked them from. More than three dozen were hanging from a thin web above their heads today, some as high as the man's face and shoulders, others lower, the height of his chest and hips. All of them where topped by colorful cap of fabric, giving the baskets the distinct look of exotic fungi growing in cascades down the walls and dangling before them in the air.

Velarian pushed a small head sized basket to the side. It held a colorful assortment of silken threads, the man barely paid attention to. The container was still softly swinging when the Symenestra had turned to Velenor. "How are the chances you come to experience overgiving without you realize it? Do you always know when it happens?" One might have expected the concern in his voice, but there was also curiosity. It seemed he had even said more, had he not spot Nisana that moment.

"It has been a while," he agreed after her greeting. How long had it been? Almost ten years since the night at the grotto, the evening Sahana, Nisana and he had met for the first time since his marriage with the older woman. His wife had been pregnant, shining with joyful dignity, while Valerian was hard pressed to keep his smile grow gloomy and thoughtful. It had been a short meeting, stiff with
hollow courtesies and everyone had been relieved by its ending.

Nisana had still been a child then. She was older now and it made the man wonder if she might just have returned from a hunt or a harvest. He could remember how proud she had been about her responsibility to family and Kalinor, how eager she had been to fulfill her duty.

"My friend... Velenor Avenca. In recent years we came to study together from time to time." There was little enough Velarian could have added to describe a relation barely existing. He knew a few personal things about the man, but they were of no importance. And then there were those times he felt to go on the man's nerves the way most people seemed to do. Reading in Velenor's face, it might be one of the not so seldom occasions.

"Vel - Nisana Curare." He stepped to the side for the man to join them if he so chose. "She is an old... friend." He hesitated adding the last bit unsure how the woman would take it, but it was the best term to describe her with, even after all the time. He turned to her again. "I have been good, things were quiet. I take it you have been well?"

[Velenor Avenca]

Velenor could not help but growl at the man’s, well you couldn’t really call it optimism, but it still did not appeal to him. The joke only lessened his mood. He probably had a sense of humor too, but to him it was just an useless and ilogical piece of crap. It was weird for the younger Symenestra to even consider getting old; He would either get immortal and reign over his own part of Mizahar, or he would die trying. There was no „if?“, there was no „but..“ there were only possiblities, and for one such as himself, they were limitless. Those days of glory, infamy, power and blood seemed very distant, almost as if he was wondering what would it feel to be a GOD. A simple thought made him grin for a bit, and it was not like his wish was simple, and after all, what would he be a god of? The intriguing thought left his mind fairly quickly as he could not help himself but wonder; Why does an intelligent man like Velarian waste his time looking at fabrics, and buttons… and numerous useless items alike. He too could be a great mage some day, that much was for sure. It was probably the damn brat strapping him down and controlling his actions to an extent. Velenor never understood why was the older man always so, well protective would probably be the words, over the child. He on the other hand would gladly abandon everything if it would grant him power. He did not like his family, but he was no fool, even for the brothers he disliked, a trade would have to be made. He could not help but notice numerous copies of the Viratassa all around them. Religion made him sick. A bunch of scrawny, obedient, spineless sheep is what the believers were. The only reason he would ever do something like that to himself would be to gain enough power to take the place of his benefactor. His line of thought was suddenly broken when Velarian stepped away, as if he was asking him to join them. Glaring at the pair for a bit longer, he decided to step next to them, still not saying a word. He nudged a bit when Velarian nicknamed him, some nerve he had, but Velenor would let it pass for the moment. „So we are friends now also? I must be terribly disinformed then“ smiling at his thoughts, Velenor finally nodded slightly at Nisana, still not saying a word. They seemed to knew eachother well, at least better than he knew any of them, so he let them talk out whatever it was that they needed to hear.

[Nisana Curare]

Nisana's smile remained pleasant, even with the hesitation in Velarian giving a title to their relationship. To be honest she could not blame him for the hesitation, but that didn't keep her from feeling a slight twinge in her chest at his words. It was an old and dull feeling though, one she had buried years ago when she was still a child.

Those old things should certainly not be the focus at the moment though, instead it should be on a pleasant conversation between old friends. Well, semi-pleasant judging by the cold manner which Velenor was greeting Nisana. Determined to make a good impression she gave a polite and respectful nod to the man as she spoke, "It is a pleasure to meet you Velenor."

Giving a soft laugh at Velarian's question she replied, "I have been well, though my times have certainly not been as quiet as yours. It is still thrilling to go out hunting, especially since I earned the right to go out on my own."

Not liking Velenor's silence, and confident in her abilities with words, she returned her gaze to the Symenestra and gave a curious tilt to her head, "You study with Velarian, yes? Are you also a practitioner of magic as well?"

Ever since Velarian had spoken to her about animation all those years ago she had found magic very interesting. Not interesting enough that she sought to learn it herself, but she was always interested in speaking with those who practiced the arts, and eager to see any demonstration they would offer.

[Velarian Zantedeschia]

With a scholar's curiosity Velarian watched the conversation between Velenor and Nisana unfold. From experience he knew that getting to like, or even know, the other man was not an easy pursuit. It was hard to read in in Velenor's face and the animator had come to wonder about his friend's motivations he had no way to deduce and still seemed to linger so dark and portentous in the background.

Taking a step backwards he looked from the wizard to the hunter and back. In a way he was tempted to answer Nisana's question, just because he could. He was aware the other man did not enjoy casual conversation the way others might, yet Velarian couldn't deny he rather had the younger Symenestra answer for himself. It would not help Velenor warm up to either the woman nor talking in general, but his habit to stick to himself and his withdrawal from society had never set well with the older man. The woman on the other hand had probably only the best intentions – he could only hope she would not be too upset should she fail inciting the man to join into the conversation.

Instead of interrupting he waited a long moment before turning to the huntress. "It is good to hear you made so good process. Not too long ago I wondered if you might have gone on harvest already." He tilt his head to the side. "Velenor could need some company or not?," he continued to joke, but quickly rose a hand before the man could protest. Or worse. "No, I don't believe his mind is set on so worldly things," Velarian admitted, his voice was friendly, yet harboring a certain sharpness. The man's disinterest in family was hard to fathom for the animator who had often had quarrels with his brother in the past, just to conciliate time and time again. It was in fact the only true problem he had with the younger man. Other discrepancies Velarian found easy to ignore.

"Insipid jokes aside, I heard your sister is about to marry? My congratulations should the rumor be true." Gossip such as marriage and pregnancy had a habit to travel quickly in small communities and they seemed to have wings in Kalinor at times, the whisper of offspring especially. Elders would nod their head pleased, hunters would congratulate each other for the fine surrogate they had picked to bear their brood and some might feel sorry for the life ended in the process. Some deliveries grew famous in their own right, like the birth of Velenor and his siblings.

[Velenor Avenca]

Velenor felt slightly annoyed as both of them were talking one after the other, until Velarian took it as his right to speak for him, such impudence. He had no problem ignoring the woman for his own private reasons, but to have someone talk for him, that was unheard of. He was not quickly to speak, as he was still somewhat reluctant to the whole idea of it; but eventually his pride got the best of him, as he slowly raised a finger next to the other man’s face, suggesting he should be quiet, not moving his gaze away from Nisana, he spoke slowly: „ I dwell into the arts of auristics and reimancy mainly, among some others. My profficiency in either of those arts could hardly be compared to Velarian’s, but i am working on surpassing him lately“ he glared back at the man, as if he had proven a point just now, but to anyone other than Velenor, that glare was probably meaningless. Keeping his gaze on Velarian now, he stopped talking for a moment, in order to gather up his thoughts evenly before continuing: „Also i would refrain from talking in the place of others, if you understand what i am trying to say… friend“ he let his tone turn a bit more subtle at the last word. He after all did not consider his actions too hostile, it was the other man who was at fault anyway. It was not like Velenor owed him anything, and only such circumstances could allow for insults like these to be made against this pride. He was not a mute, he might have been quiet most of the time, but it was only becuase he himself wished for it, who was this lowly man to question his decissions? Still a bit irritated by the course of past events, he turned back to the woman, trying to find something meaningfull in this whole awkward moment that made his lips part, once again: „And do you ever find yourself dwelling in the disciplines of the arcane?“ it was a fairly simple question, but his tone was somewhat pesimistic, as if he knew what sort of an answer he would get. Her sheepish appearance certainly did not suggest she was a mage, but then again appearances were often misleading, that single thought had given him a slight hope for a positive answer, and a slim, but existing common ground with the stranger. He knew his character was hard to deal with, but he never asked any of them to associate with him. Velarian seemed to think they were friends, and the other man could not help but question that idea; They could be good friends easily, yes, but it was not like Velenor ever agreed to such a thing, and as such it seemed to be a very one sided friendship. What respect he had for the man kept him civil, and in his own mind somewhat pleasant during the little line pointed at him, but such times, should they occur again, might provoke Velenor. The bottom line was, if Velarain knew what was good for him, he would never put himself in a situation like this again. Ever.

[Nisana Curare]

Nisana tilted her head ever so slightly as she watched the interaction between Velenor and Velarian. Velerian had called the other Symenestra a friend, but Velenor was starting to seem a less than friendly sort. Not that it mattered that much, she was sure that a cold and distant Symenestra would be much easier to charm than someone who would be suspicious and nervous around her.

"It does look so," she replied to Velarian's question about Serena with a nod of her head, "Though nothing firm has been decided yet. I'm sure it will not be long though until I am called upon to go on a Harvest," her voice lifted slightly with a hint of pride, "As she is eager to have a child."

Returning her attention to Velenor she made sure to keep her smile warm and inviting, and her eyes on his, as she answered his question, "I do not study the arcane arts, at least not like you or Velarian. My Mother, Valvessa Curare," again her voice filled with pride at her Mother's name, "taught me in her skills of hunting. I do find them very interesting though," her gaze briefly shifted to Velarian, remembering that night when he had first shown her animation, "Perhaps, could I trouble you to explain what Reimancy and Auristics are?"