Completed [The Great Bazaar] Chain reaction

[Tatiam]

38th day of winter, 512 AV More booze. More paint. Tatiam had gotten herself on the inevitable road that every artist would eventually take: The glorious path to intoxicated creativity--or randomness. Either way, it had a positive effect on her work, whether it was because of the free and loosened expression of her brushstrokes, or because it needed so much interpretation that it actually looked thoughtful and deep. There simply was no beginning to the intricacy of what she depicted, her ideas welling from the depths of her subconscious. But if the paintings were bought, it was all that mattered. The problem was that, in the past weeks, the young woman saw her alcohol tolerance increase noticeably, and she had to start reevaluating the profits that she made, if any. Sell them at a higher price? she considered, resolving to write down her expenses and start calculating all these details... Soon. But not then. Once I get back from the Bazaar, she convinced herself successfully, postponing the essential task. Once she had drained every ounce of sanguine, cerulean and white lead paint, along with the last liter of ale, Tatiam dropped everything and suddenly stood, feeling unstable for a moment as she tamed the dizziness. Okay,... I need to buy another easel... remarked the mixed-blood, glancing at the broken pieces of wood still sitting in the corner of her room. The previous easel had been a light one, but Tatiam lost control too often to spare the poor tripod thrown brushes, canvases and hits, which resulted in its well-deserved retirement. Going down the stairs from her apartment had been surprisingly easy; It was such a habit then that her legs wouldn't forget the height and length of said stairs, even the irregularities were carved into her head. A lump here, a hole or an indent in the wood plank there, until she made it into the streets of the Bittern district. The constant crowd of Syliras welcomed her with its myriad of citizen, the tan-skinned woman losing patience on the spot. She hurried as best as she could, trying to find the least busy paths, but found herself literally carried towards the Great Bazaar anyway. Before Tatiam knew it, she was jammed at a crossing, rushing and bumping into people, insults spilling on both sides. She felt like yelling until the world would stop moving, growing intolerant of these endless herds of people everywhere she went. Obviously, she was rather annoying to any passerby, what with her swaying, clumsy gait, stepping on people's toes and heels unknowingly. When the braided woman spotted the art store a few aisles down from her position, she charged the swarm, the momentum a little off with her decision. The instant later, Tatiam was crushing someone against the ground, having carried them in her fall unwillingly. Her mind was whirling, breathless, she pushed herself from the person who took the shock of the fall for her, her breath reeking of ale. "S-sorry..." she voiced indistinctively, bothered by too many things for the words to sound sincere. She looked down on the victim of her miscalculated assault, offering a hand half-heartedly, to help them get back on their feet.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion The Great Bazaar. Always such a busy place, with everyone bustling back and for, looking for the best deals, the best prices, while the merchants were trying to push back with the worst deals and the highest they could charge. An interesting dance built upon transaction after transaction. It wasn't clear what had the locale quite this packed today, but there was little that could be done. Orion had taken a bit of a break from the Soothing Waters bathhouse to head down and buy some supplies. He would bring back some stuff to work with, sure, but in reality he needed to get some mint leaves. The doctor had done his best to hide it from anyone he had dealt with that day, but gods he was dealing with one of the worst hangovers of his life. Unsure of how much he really drank, or honestly, what he had imbibed, Orion had little recollection of the previous evening. What he did know was that his head petching hurt and the sun was too petching bright. Those mint leaves could be used in a concoction that could help with his little problem, but with all the people there, with all the noise, it was a slow process. People constantly bumping into him, sending off ripples of pain in his skull. "Everyone is so petching loud," he muttered, pushing his way past person after person. He'd done a lot of business with this herb peddler before, so he was familiar with where they set up. Right by the art supplies dealer. Vigilance and perseverance would win out in the end, and the doctor would make it to his destination. "I need some mint herbs and..you have oils yeah? A gallon of almond oil." "Very good sir. Mint herbs will be 6 copper an ounce. The almond oil will be 15 gold." What a rotten scoundrel. For all the time's he'd shopped her, the man would rise the prices on him like that. Three times as much on the mint, half again as much on the oil. It's like the man recognized Orion had little fight in him today. "Let's pay what it's worth instead of overcharging me, huh?" "No overcharge. It's winter, supplies are harder to come by," the man defended. "4 copper and...12 gold," Orion muttered, the pressure in his head building. He'd just throw his whole coin purse down at this rate. "5 and 13. Take it or leave it, Doctor Michaels." "Fine." A pound of mint herbs and a small cask of almond oil later, the doctor was ready to be done with the god forsaken bazaar. It seemed he didn't have a lot of say in the matter. No sooner had he passed the art stand when his world was turned upside down. Someone was coming at him full speed and Orion could do nothing to stop it. The bag of herbs and the cask went flying from his hands as he went tumbling to the ground. The wind was knocked from him as his back met the ground while the weight of a young woman simultaneously pinned him to the ground. Normally Orion would be happy in this situation, start working his magic, see what he could get out of it, but not this time. It wasn't for her not being attractive. From what he'd seen of her approach she was actually quite pleasant to look upon. There was just problem. She reeked like she'd been drinking for days straight and it made Orion's eyes tear up. Not appealing at all. "Get off me!" He shoved her away as she was trying to get up, and ignored her offer to help him. "Why don't you watch where you're going? Gonna get locked up by the Knights, you idiot." He crawled along the ground, collecting his belongings, muttering annoyances all the while. What a stupid city.

[Tatiam]

Pushed away like she was some kind of parasite, Tatiam's feet found their balance after a few moments despite the unconcerned crowd, greedy for every inch of space available to circulate. She tried to recover her bearings--or what was left of them anyway--, more than happy to remove her extended hand after what the man on the ground had said. At an early stage of dehydration, the tinge of pain pricking her head made the mixed-blood frown, her expression only deeper because of the man's insults. "Cause I'm obviously responsible for the thousands of people around," she spat with resentment, then leaned against the side of a stand to rub her temples. "What's his petching problem?" rebuked the young woman in a low voice, discarding the trace of advice about the Knights. Tatiam had a few encounters with the authorities, but managed to get away with it, somehow, despite her usual talk back. She was ready to risk it again if it was to put someone in his place. She smirked when the black-haired man crawled and gathered his things, complacent for his bad luck, feeling an uncontrollable eagerness for retribution. Her breathing pumped in more anger, a foot tapped as she crossed her arms against her chest, relishing in his struggles to reach an item in the middle of the floor, amid the ever moving crowd. When he was done and stood on his feet, the painter faced him, an apathetic simper plastered to her face. "So you got your stuff back. I don't know what you've been bitchin' about." It was a bad day for the two of them. No need to point fingers and blame. Except it was too late for that, and Tatiam wasn't in the mood to let him get away with ruffling her pride. If he wanted a confrontation, he'd have one. If not, at least she would have retaliated. The young woman crossed the man's side in direction of the art supplies stand, her amber eyes cold and smug. She scoffed, "You still want to call on the Knights?" before shouldering him good and continuing without a second glance.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion The woman ranted at him while he struggled to collect his belongings. She could barely keep her balance, much less tell him off. Stupid, stupid woman. Not even worth the doctor's time. "No, you aren't responsible for the crowd, but you're the only one running through this place like a damned charging animal! What do you say to that?" The last bag of his mint herbs was quite a task. Kicked around from person to person as the crowd of people cared not for the blue eyed man, struggling on the ground. He could feel the annoying woman's eyes boring a hole in the back of his head as he crawled around, desperately trying to get what he'd purchased. The price of it was nothing, it was the use. Those mint leaves, they could be philtered and made into a hangover remedy. Gods did he need that. "PETCH!" A man's boot had met Orion's hand, cause him to retreat his arm quickly, shaking out the pain. It's that damn woman's fault! I'll tell her off after I get this... With a gentle crunch, one of his two bags of herbs was compressed under a rather hefty man's boot. One half of a pound of herbs, and a cask of almond oil. It was gonna be okay. It was gonna be okay. Gathering himself, Orion stood back to his feet, only to find himself the target of more of the tan woman's cawing. "Will. You. Shut...-" Before he could continue she made her inquiry about the knights and rammed her small but powerful frame into him, causing him to step back into another stand. Crack. "Shyke..." He could feel the cool wetness of the almond oil spilling forth from its container, running down the side of his shirt and pants, soaking through quickly, the fragrance of the nut overpowering the area and anywhere that Orion would go. Taking a deep breath, Orion turned the cask so the break was at the top. It had impacted with the corner of another stand. Another waste. Orion took a deep breath and watched for a moment as the woman walked about. His anger overtook him. This was all her fault. He balled up the remaining herbs in their bag and tossed it as hard as he could at the back of her head. That would show her.

[Tatiam]

Arms still crossed against her chest, the painter snubbed, "Yeah, well, if you're looking for an apology it isn't gonna happen." It wasn't like she expected him to understand anything. If she was elbowed in the ribs earlier, wishing to simply get there without any more fuss and hurrying up, if she'd lost her temper because this place was so damned hot and noisy and smelly... Would anything vindicate her previous actions? No petching chance. Tatiam was almost satisfied by the pesky guy's mishaps, greatly entertained by the scene. But she couldn't laugh, she couldn't mock him, that random stranger had managed to tick her off until she was in a boiling fury. How he did that with so few words and gestures was a mystery, or maybe it was the simplicity of it all... How a nobody had ruined her day in the tenth of a bell. Feeling a warmth in her shoulder when she went away, Tatiam realized that she had swung her shoulder rather hard into the man. It would hurt pretty soon, or maybe it did and the inebriety spared her the pain, for the moment. She didn't give any sign of it, just in case the dark haired man was still about. She wouldn't give him that pleasure. Clunk. "Oww." A hand went right over the foreigner's nape, instantly looking back in surprise. It did not take her a second to recognize the vivid blue eyes, the man's taller stature standing out from the general crowd. Her features changed drastically, her glare throwing lightnings, her ire rekindled despite the throbbing of her head. "Now it's personal..." the tan woman growled in a low voice, bending down to grab the bag still crushed into a ball and throwing it back violently in his direction. She didn't care to aim, but it was easy to deduce that Tatiam was getting steamed up. "You petched up, you loon." Her amber eyes couldn't hold more hate in their stare when she rushed against the current. Alright, let's hear it... she thought, ready for a final head-to-head. "Now the gloves come off." Before Tatiam thought of doing or saying anything, the intense smell of almond oil reached her nose. She noticed the stains on the pale man's clothes, her plump lips slowly drawn into a smirk in a moment's silence. "'That why I got your shyke to the head?!" the woman's tone betrayed a mix of annoyance and amusement. That was too good. Oh how he looked miserable. She glanced around quickly, wondering how it could possibly get any worse for him. "I should thank Tyveth," murmured Tatiam.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion He didn't want an apology, he just wanted her to go away. The day was ruined, and this woman seemed intent on reminding him that at every turn. His chest hurt from where the tanned woman had banged into him, he was covered in oil and dirt from the ground, and all his purchases were for naught. Go. Away.. It was almost satisfying to see the bag hit the woman. She was rude, loud, smelly, clumsy and obnoxious to name a few. And that's what he'd learned in a matter of a chime. Ugh. How did she get under his skin so quickly? He smiled sweetly at the woman as she turned around, the intensity on her face a tell tale sign of what he'd done. A lever had been pulled, a light had been lit, a beast released from a cage. Hate. Rage. Fire. All of it directed at Orion. Gods was it hot. Was he really that easy to sway? Of course I am.. Orion simply smiled at her as she spit out her furious words. She was ready to show the doctor his place. Put him on his back and knock his lights out. At least that's what he thought. Instead, she took the herb bag and sent it back his way. The bag, having quickly deteriorated from being kicked around and tossed gave way as it collided with the blue eyed man's chest. The herbs burst forth, a gentle breeze sending them on their way like seeds of a dandelion. With the exception of those which caked Orion. It turned out that oil was a nice substance for things to stick to. How ridiculous he looked. Standing there, people snickering as they walked from the comical scene. Two grown adults throwing bags of plants at each other. One drunk. One hungover. Both currently kinda gross. Wiping the substance from his face, Orion did the only thing he could think of to do. He laughed. And laughed. And laughed. It felt like shock wave after shock wave was exploding in his head, but still he laughed. How absurd, but maybe this day wasn't so bad after all. It'd been some time since he'd lost himself like that.

[Tatiam]

Tatiam wanted to tear that smile in pieces. Burst these abhorring, pathetic blue eyes out of his skull. That stupid smile was just a ruse to throw her off, she kept telling herself as she came rushing back. The drunk woman had little regard for herself, all eyes on the lamentable stranger who got what he deserved. She scoffed and taunted her opponent derisively, expecting... Well, any reaction but that. In a strange accord, Tatiam laughed zestily. It truly was silly. There was no way to believe how absurd their encounter had been. It was hilarious, unlikely, idiotic, foolish, senseless, insane,... The man was still laughing. Without restrain. Does he have a breath? she wondered, an eyebrow raised. He wouldn't stop. Golden eyes began to glance around at the crowd mocking the whole scene, doubt gradually permeating her. Disconcerted, maybe a little embarrassed, her arms folded and her foot began to tap the floor irritably. Her cheeks became a little more flushed than they already were, feeling suddenly very self-conscious. That man was humiliating her. Was this his intention from the beginning? Tatiam's foot tapped faster. It felt like he'd been laughing for bells by then. Look at that 'lordly' bloke. Insolent. Shameless. Senseless. Foolish. Idiotic. The more the thought progressed, the more she felt like it was her. "Are you done?" The young woman breathed deeply, hardly containing herself as the situation escalated. Tatiam barely considered the idea of disappearing into the crowd while he was busy laughing his heart out. She'd be mad. Mad. Mad, all day, because of that stupid man. That's it. Like a wild animal unleashed, she pounced in a jolt. Insulted, outraged, the tan woman indulged in overblown defiance. She'd choke him to death if she could. Choke him in his laugh, watch his eyes pop like grapes. Miserable. Stupid. Lots and lots of suppressed frustrations emerged in a short moment, then gave way. Tatiam's hands shook as she struggled to keep a straight face. She had never been in control, not even then. Her destructiveness turned against herself. What was she anyway? Did anyone care? This was the most concern anyone had given her in weeks, and not one chime didn't she want to crush it. Her features softened slightly, about to let go and dash away in a random direction.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Much to Orion's surprise, the woman joined him in laughter. It seemed that she was aware of how insane it had played out, and was able to give in and just let it all out. At least for a moment. Between fits of laughter Orion could see the woman's expression slowly change. She shouted her displeasure with his laughter, but that wasn't enough to stop him. His amusement had slowed , and that made it all the more clear that her's was gone. It was strange. First confusion, then laughter. A slide to annoyance. To frustration, and then to anger. Her suntouched skin flushed red, her brows furrowed, and then it was time for her to act. Orion couldn't do anything to stop it. She was on him in a flash, the wildness and uncertainty he viewed in her eyes more unnerving than her assault. Confusion, pain, anger. All of it echoed in each of her actions. Orion had met some who were as troubled as her, but she was the first who was fully intent on killing him. Rage was not unexpected with what the doctor's usual actions were but this? His eyes widened as her fingers wrapped around his neck. Gods, she was going to kill him. Troubled features struggled with something internally, the rings on her fingers finding themselves deep in Orion's skin. Shaky hands found it difficult to completely stop the doctor from breathing, so Orion being Orion, he acted. He took his hand and slid it from the back of her thigh up to the side of her face, all the while spitting out what words he could manage. "Sh-shouldn't...you..t..take me to dinner...be..before we..get..kinky?" Each word was labored, but even with a headache and a woman who wished him harm, Orion managed to flash a half smile. He needed to defuse the situation. If the knights came...

[Tatiam]

Layers over layers of fury, angst, incomprehension and soreness had carefully buried what lay underneath. It was a deserted land, unkempt and barren, its ruins the traces of what her memories and thoughts used to be. But it wasn't hers anymore; Tatiam wasn't that hopeful and foolish girl. And though she had her own hopes, it was the lost truths that she had forgotten there, all this time... Subtly driving her. She wanted the cheeky man to disappear, and deep down, Tatiam found that she secretly held the same wish for herself. The drunk woman welcomed the surrounding noise... Filling, muffling with trivial thoughts a long since hidden insight. How comforting. But sweet desperation was cut short by the zaniest words, a hand running along her in an inappropriate, most unexpected way. It was a mess. All of it. Every and any portion of this moment was. Him. His words. His effortful smile. Her struggling mind, trembling hands... And Tatiam embraced all of it. Delightful chaos. There was no shyness or embarrassment when the blue eyed stranger touched her, but a delicate glint of surprise shone in her ambers. It was slightly upsetting... perhaps he was just as crazy as the bizarre painter. A snicker escaped her lips at the idea he had instilled in her, fingers loosening but still wrapped around the neck of the man with short black hair. "You're right," Tatiam played along, dark eyelines intensifying her stare. The man's hand felt cool on her burning cheek, as the woman with long, braided hair tested his gaze. There was no further sign to prepare or alert the Syliran of what immediately followed. She quickly grasped and pulled at his neck while pushing herself up with the tip of her toes, and planted her lips furiously on his in a heated kiss. Before the mysterious man could think to react, Tatiam swiftly withdrew and removed her hands. "...I should," she teased, a selfish and satisfied smile stretching across her dark olive features. Without more ado, the young woman turned and began to walk away.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Well didn't that beat all? A woman whose ebbs and flows came in moments rather than steadily throughout the day. A woman whose face betrayed all secrets, showing all the pain of a lifetime of regret. Expressions, actions of anger. Yet with all that she could still show some surprise. Orion couldn't lie, her darkened skin was lovely to the touch, and her reaction was all the better. If she'd expected him to struggle or fight back, well, that was his next step if his more enjoyable tactic hadn't worked. He was pleased, no, relieved that he hadn't to resort to anything but fun. Yet, for all of his surprising her, she had a trick up her sleeve for Orion. He couldn't react as her hands moved from around his neck, one of the sliding to the back of his neck. Their lips met in embrace, lighting shooting through his veins, but before desire could overtake him, the chestnut haired vixen pulled away, a look of seduction, a look of playfulness dancing in her eyes. His headache was forgotten. His annoyance had sailed. All Orion knew was that he had to have her. She was so uneven, so unpredictable, and that only spelled for an unforgettable, explosive time. He was left gathering himself as she walked away, but as much as he wanted to give chase, he couldn't. Not like that. He couldn't let her have the control that she'd taken. Could he? "Of course not," he whispered quietly. He admired her form as she walked away, almost certain that each step was with purpose. He let out an almost content sigh when the reality of the situation stopped him mid action. There was a crowd of people watching him. Watching her. Gossiping, laughing, frowning, judging. "Gotta go." So he did what he loathed to do. He was really going after her. "Hey, wait up!" Orion yelled after the olive skinned woman, jogging until he was beside her. "You're really gonna take off without cleaning me up? Kissing and running? Naughty, naughty."