[Syliras] New Beginnings [Complete][Awarded]

[Maya]

Walking silently along was a curse to Maya, who was lost in her thoughts. She was reminiscing of days passed, of silent time passed in the Arts Gallery, slaving over the various ovens and tools of glassblowing. Of course, she enjoyed the art of it, but when you do something only because you can, and have to, you usually do not enjoy it anymore. She was about to consider searching for other job oppurtunities, perhaps fletching, when Kane interrupted her thoughts, asking, "Just what made you want to come to Syliras?"

Good question. Why did I come here... She thought.

"Well, it's... it's a long story... How much do you know of Wind Reach?"

[Kane Roth]

After he'd asked his question he'd wondered if she'd even answer, considering her earlier actions regarding her past, and a glance would reveal she seemed to be thinking on the matter. Turning to face the street, standing about fifty average paces from the Iron works, perhaps double that from the Glass works, he watched as many went to and fro from the two establishments, many coming either to purchase or sell, perhaps even both with a bit of trading. Either way, both seemed to be in business, good business at that, work in no short supply if the number of customers was representative of anything. Though soon Maya had begun talking, Kane almost not noticing her over the crowd, "Well, it's... it's a long story..." Turning his head about, he watched as she paused momentarily, his expression asking her to continue, "How much do you know of Wind Reach?"

Blinking a couple of times, Kane searched his mind for the name Wind Reach, though the only mention he could find of the name was minutes prior by Maya, and after considering how to answer, stated, "Nothing, really." Looking to her as he continued, "I'm assuming that's the Inartan city?"

[Maya]

"Nothing, really." Looking to her as he continued, "I'm assuming that's the Inartan city?"

"You assume correct. Wind Reach is the Common name for our city atop of Mount Skyinarta." Her eyes seem to glaze over as she reminisces. "Life there is... is..." Why are you telling him this? Said the voice in her mind. Do you think he actually cares?

"It is... communal." She finally says, after deliberating the right word to use. "We do everything for the good of the people." At this, she rolls her eyes, and continues. "For many years, I... Do you understand what the word Dek means?"

Maya looked up, the crowds around them melting away to her. Years of keeping her past a secret have built a pent-up urge to just scream, to tell someone, anyone, everything. Seeing Kane's confused look, she continues.

"The Dek are... They are the drudges of the Inarta people. They are born with illness, or mental defect, or otherwise find their way down there, and are usually unskilled. They are given the jobs nobody wants, but must be done." She smiles, oddly enough, and glances up at Kane. "I was washing tools in the Arts Gallery, where most of the Philtering and Glassblowing are done. It was one of those rare days where nobody but a couple of Dek were there, doing menial chores. I picked up a few lessons in glassblowing over the years, since not many Dek wanted to work in the Arts Gallery, seeing how hot it was due to the Volcano and Fire Reimancy... That day, when it was empty, I took a knife and a blow pipe, and I made a small glass bead mixed with a fine cobalt dust. I hid it in a corner I knew nobody ever went to, and left it there to cool down. That's how I got this." Looking down at her midriff, she places her hand on her stomach, and extends her index and middle fingers away from each other, more clearly showing her belly-button, and the blue navel piercing she had. "Don't ask me how, but my mother found out I was more... skilled, than other Dek, and with her recommendation, I gained an apprenticeship in the Arts Gallery."

"Don't misunderstand me, I enjoy glassblowing, but sometimes..." She sighs, attempting to explain how she felt. "Everything we made we made for the city. Dishes, glassware, new windows, and even trinkets we made we had to sell."

"When my father finally came to the city, and found me, I almost got into the cart before he told me his plans." She grins, remembering their daring escape. "For better or worse, here I am." She finishes, then glances at the sky, sensing the sun would be gone in a couple of hours.

[Kane Roth]

Kane listened with interest as she spoke of the far off Mount Skyinarta, a place he'd probably never witness in person, not really interrupting the flow of the tale until she asked him of the word 'Dek', in response Kane ruffled his brow, and she continued, telling of her childhood working in the Arts Gallery, a life of toil not dissimilar to a slave's life, and the story eventually explained the source of her navel piercing and her somewhat vague but eventual explanation of her arrival here in Syliras, a brief mention of her father and mother, and as she finished, a bright smile illuminating her face, he came to the conclusion that she, though still somewhat reluctant concerning it, was much more confident with her past than he with his own. She wanted to speak of her past, albeit to people who care, though in contrast he didn't want anyone to know, especially people who might care, and most importantly superiors in any way, form or fashion. Maya began to glance about, particularly at that sky, likely sensing, like himself, that the day would soon be over, and, after giving some thought, thought to ask her,

"You think you'll be able to find your way back here tomorrow?" Following her gaze, he looked to the heavens, the sun already beginning to dip towards the horizon visibly, "It's getting late, and I'm sure you don't want to be out after dark."

[Maya]

"You think you'll be able to find your way back here tomorrow?" She looked at him as he looked at the sky. "It's getting late, and I'm sure you don't want to be out after dark."

"Hmm..." She mumbles, looking around her for a landmark of some kind that she could use as a reminder of her whereabouts. Not finding one at first glance, she turns back to Kane, asking, "I don't think so. Do you... Could you come to where I am staying tomorrow morning?" Blushing, she adds, "To guide me here. I'll pay closer attention to the streets we will take."

[Kane Roth]

"I don't think so. Do you... Could you come to where I am staying tomorrow morning?" Kane started to answer before thinking, did he have anything to do tomorrow? Nothing special, really, just spending another day waiting for the interview. Though, before he could answer she'd added an explanation, blushing as she did such, "To guide me here. I'll pay closer attention to the streets we will take." She seemed to had tried to find something around her, though it soon became obvious that on the way over she'd been deeply rooted in thought, so much so that she'd not paid much attention on the way over. Though Kane had finally been given a chance to answer the pause in conversation caused him to think more on the question, did he really want to? Didn't have much else to do... at least not until he met with John, though Maya probably had much else to do, and she probably didn't want to have him ruining her day with his nonchalant mood. Still, he answered, making his decision,

"Sure, if you want."

[Maya]

"Sure, if you want." Kane seemed hesitant, but willing. He would be there.

"Thank you," Maya says. "I..." She blushes once more. "I don't think I would have lasted a day if it were not for you." Perhaps she would have a friend in Syliras. Before the silence that ensued could become awkward, she pointed to the Inner Fire Glass Shop, and said, "Is that it, then?" Not waiting for an answer, she walked towards the shop, which was easier now that the sun had started to dip low in the horizon, and the crowds were thinning out. She reached the door just as a bolt was drawn, barring her entrance.

"Excuse me!" She half said, half yelled, to be sure she was heard through the doors. "Hello?"

"We're closed," Came the curt remark from who she assumed was the shopkeeper, who was covered in soot.

"But, the sun..."

"I have a large order to fulfill, so the shop is closed early today. Come back tomorrow."

She turns back to Kane, disappointment showing on her face.

[Kane Roth]

"Thank you," It was, in all honesty, the first time he'd ever heard the words directed to him from someone who was genuinely thankful... not someone who he'd helped because he was the only one available to help, not because he took care of an otherwise undesirable task that no one else wanted a part of, and most certainly not from a superior, idly pleased with his work. It felt good, really, to be thanked for help. "I... I don't think I would have lasted a day if it were not for you." Smiling as she spoke, Kane's thoughts drifted to Sunberth, rather than Syliras, a place where if you were new and didn't have a friend you quite literally didn't make it a day, much less two or three hours. Though soon she asked if a building, which was the glassworks, was the before mentioned locale, and before he'd a chance to answer she departed, approaching the store as Kane simply stood where he was, watching as it seemed she was rebuked from the entrance, and after returning from the store her face showed just what had happened, and Kane, not used to such situations, said,

"They'll be open tomorrow, probably be able to talk to them then."

[Maya]

"They'll be open tomorrow, probably be able to talk to them then."

"True..." Maya was looking forward to being once more in the Hot House, and was sorely disappointed when she wasn't allowed in. "So.... I guess nothing to do now but retire..." She said, suggesting that they head back to Travelers Row.

However, before the began back, she caught herself, and said, "Well, if we can find a well lit place, why don't we spar a bit?" Gods knew she needed the practice. Are you sure it's a wise idea to be alone with him, hmm? Insinuated the voice in her head. You don't think he might try something? She looked up at Kane, awaiting his answer.

[Kane Roth]

"So.... I guess nothing to do now but retire..." Nodding in agreement, Kane began to turn in the direction of Traveler's Row, ready to head back to his own apartment, perhaps make a trip to the 'Stallion once he got adjusted, though before he could begin she'd made another suggestion, the first step barely having left the ground before he had to return it there, "Well, if we can find a well lit place, why don't we spar a bit?" Pondering for a moment, not having planned on doing such, Kane allowed a hand to rest on the cross guard of his blade, thinking on the matter for a moment before responding,

"Sure, if you don't mind using real weapons." Could be good practice for parrying, if nothing else.