"Pennies from Heaven" Log Date: 5/7/99 Log Cast: Alexia, StormBearer, Moonfire, Faanshi, Lucien, Morven, Jasmine, Fern, Woodchuck, StormBearer's Crow, Cassie, Wind Music Log Intro: Driven by her anxious desire to find out what has become of Kiera and Murako, both of whom have gone missing, the young shudra Faanshi has taken a momentous step: venturing out from Atesh-Gah into the surrounding city, in the hopes of finding news of her missing mistress and the missing naraki who also serves her. So far Haven has proven to be quite the adventure, huge and sprawling to the senses of one who has lived all of her life in confinement... and full of strange people and even _creatures_, like the raven who this very day spoke to her as she healed it. Now, later this same day, Faanshi ventures on a bread-buying mission into the Rialto, not knowing she is about to encounter another rather odd bird.... *===========================< In Character Time >==========================* Time of day: Evening Date on Aether: Wednesday, August 11, 3904. Year on Earth: 1504 A.D. Phase of the Moon: Waning Gibbous Season: Summer Weather: Clouds Temperature: Comfortable *==========================================================================* The aroma of baked goods lures you south toward the Rialto. The Rialto - Haven(#159RDJM) Reigning over the Rialto is the very heart of Haven: the Delphic Citadel. It dwarfs the other buildings, which cluster around it like so many children seeking a parent's protection. Day or night, rain or shine, its walls seem to glimmer with a light of their own, as if, over the centuries, the magic within had slowly permeated the entire structure. The main tower soars higher than the tallest tree, and each side tapers inward so that it resembles a giant obelisk. Four smaller towers stand at the four points of the compass, representing the unification of each race under Delphi's government. And here is where they all gather. The Rialto is the famed marketplace of Haven, full of shops, stalls, and brightly colored tents. The shouts of merchants, the haggling of patrons, the music of entertainers, and the laughter of children create a nigh-constant cacophony that assaults the senses. But the Rialto is nothing if not exciting, and crowds often gather here for important events and public addresses. (Note: 'places' are enabled here.) Contents: Alexia StormBearer Lucien Jasmine Thenomain Moonfire Obvious Exits: Streets Delphic Citadel Alexia smiles softly." How have you been? Cousin." not talking a great deal In case there are things that Lucien needs to discuss with the other hound. Evidently the vendor saw StormBearer coming. After a short haggling session, Stormbearer ends up with not a lot of food, but a good deal less money. He looks down at what he got, then furrows his brow. Oh well. We'll do better next time. He re-mounts his horse, and begins eating his food, examing the variety of people in the Rialto today. A smile, fast absconded by her onsetting mood, lights Moonfire's dim face for a brief second... Taking easy hold of Jasmine's elbow, she then draws the woman away for a moment, away from the kind merchant who, after all, has hearing a'plenty. "My friend, I must tell someone, you I trust..." The low voice is lower, spoken in whispered undertones of urgency to the head that remains close to her own. Slightly her mouth moves again, too quiet now for any ears but Jasmine's own. If it were not already obvious from her sari and veil, the shy way she moves along the street into the Rialto marks Faanshi as a Varati. Only periodically does she glance up to try to chart her course through the evening crowd still lingering in the marketplace, only just enough to try to avoid bumping into anyone she passes. Other than that, however, her green gaze remains averted downward, her head bowed. Turning his complete attention now to Alexia for the moment Lucien smiles slightly. "I am well Domina, at least a bit longer. I am afraid I have not been as happy with my new proffession as i might be. Crimes in Haven are not as common as I originally thought. It has made for a touch of boredom." He answers calmly. His wings shifting slightly, then another topic occures to him. "Have you seen Pasithas?" Morven is lured in from the north by the aroma of baked goods. Morven has arrived. Morven wanders on through, not interested in purchasing or haggling. Morven makes his way south, toward Seaside. Morven has left. Jasmine furrows her brow, concerned, and nods. Fern is lured in from the north by the aroma of baked goods. Fern has arrived. Moonfire's lips carry on in their motions, eyes fixed on the dry dirt underfoot as her soft words come more slowly. Jasmine furrows her brow as she tries to think. Finally, she shakes her head. She looks more concerned. Small, inaudible (even to Jasmine) curse is spewed off the side of her lips, and Moonfire looks away before going on. Strolling into the square with an unassuming self-confident air about her, Fern makes her way in the general direction of the ale merchant's stalls. Her broken in boots make only soft scuffing noises on the paving stones as she makes her way through the groups of people there, automatically readjusting her path to avoid bumping into anyone. Alexia looking at the sleeping child in her arms. "I am sorry cousin. I was on my way to the house to Put Hespia down when I saw you so I stopped momentarily to speak to you. Please tell Pasi That I hope to see her soon." StormBearer munches on a biscut, eyeing the people in the Rialto from atop his horse. He breaks off a small bit of it and hands it up to the Crow atop his shoulder. Hmm.. bit of a crowd tonight. Something interesting might happen... Jasmine laughs silently and nods to Moonfire, though still managing to look concerned. She shrugs her shoulders. Alexia makes her way south, toward Seaside. Alexia has left. Moonfire closes her eyes, then gazes directly, unnervingly at her friend. "You must think me odd for asking." Still quiet, but not as. The old black strands, unbothered with until now, are swiped backward by a somewhat paler hand. Shyly, softly, Faanshi ventures into the marketplace on sandaled feet, unthinkingly tugging her sari a little farther forward over her face even as she ventures tentatively towards a booth where a round-faced mongrel woman is selling a variety of herbs and spices and ingredients for bread... as well as a number of loaves of bread baked just this morning. With a scant number of small coins in her possession, the maiden in blue and red and gold approaches that booth, looking daunted. Jasmine shrugs, obviously waiting for some sort of revelation. The first ale merchant's stall is given a careful scrutiny from a slight distance by Fern, before she gives a small shake of her head and moves on. The second and third are both treated to the same silent treatment -- the woman standing with feet shoulder width apart and hands on hips as she examines each place of business. Of those shop owners who notice her gaze, most give a sniff and a sharp lifting of the head in indignation as she passes. "Too good to buy here?" is heard mumbled from one. "More like she doesn't have the coin," is the response from his neighbor, followed by a snorted laugh. StormBearer's eyes fall onto the one dressed as a Varati, and a dim memory flickers somewhere in there. Where have I seen this one before? He thinks about it deeply as he finishes off the last of the biscut. Alexia leaving the expensively dressed Hound moves toward Moonfire. He tries smiling as he does, yet it comes off slightly forced. He watches the others again slightly. Lucien walks with a little more haste until he reaches the Esper, he calmly waites to get her attention. Calmly waits? Well, he makes a very good try at waiting calmly, but it is far from his strrong suit, especially for a Sylvan, wings shift, and his eyes flip around the Rialto constantly. Awwww, Jaz, you spoiled the surprise. Hahah. You won't know now... was the wrong signal to send the Sylvan. For a second, Moonfire looks ready to explain, and instead shuts her mouth into a sweet, sad smile and pats Jasmine's shoulder. "I go to visit my sister... Good night." About to gallop off into the proverbial sunset, Moonfire turns, and just about smacks into Lucien, windmilling her arms as her feet pedal in reverse. "Agh!" So much for a grand exit. A golden hand ventures somewhere under a blue sari, and while the mongrel baker woman peers intently at the slender figure that has crept up towards her booth, that hand comes back out, timidly proferring a tiny handful of coins. The baker's voice is rather louder than that of the maiden, as discussion of how much bread can be exchanged for those coins commences. StormBearer continues sitting atop his horse, thinking, trying to remember, where, and when, was that? Jasmine sighs softly and nods. Moonfire's words only leave her to worry as she heads thoughtfully toward the benches near the citadel. Offering a snort of her own in return, Fern lifts her chin slightly and flicks a rude guesture toward the coarsely laughing ale merchants. One of the two must have been right, however, as she continues onward without making a purchase. The scent of bread seems to draw the Mongrel woman toward that part of the square, and she drifts along while scanning faces in the crowd. The stall where Faanshi haggles with the baker becomes the focus of her seemingly random wanderings. Woodchuck leaves Seaside behind, traveling in from the southwest. Woodchuck has arrived. Apparently, that baker woman isn't exactly impressed by the amount of coinage presented her by the girl in the sari. Faanshi's blue-and-red clad figure can be seen to slump a little in dismay, and a gold-skinned hand points timidly at one of the smallest of the wheat loaves on the baker's racks, but even that causes the mongrel to firmly shake her greying head. Lucien catches the Sylvan Hound as she ah..greets him. "Esper, Ave." He manages calmly as he straightens the observant crime fighter. "How are you?" He questions calmly as he meets her eye. His eyes slip for a second to the departing Jasmine. "I would like to talk to you soon, Esper, but I will not disturb you now." Ilex is lured in from the north by the aroma of baked goods. Ilex has arrived. As the Mean Old Baker Lady (tm) appears to be busy with her refusal of the colorfully clad Varati woman, Fern idles her way to one side of the stall. *deep breath* Mmm, don't those loaves smell delightful? She makes a show of studying the wares while awaiting the businesswoman with utmost patience. Occasionally her back is to both the square and the merchant in her careful examination of breads. So many options, and so many of them of a convenient, smallish size... Jasmine sits down on one of the Benches by the Citadel. StormBearer takes a silvery coin from his pouch, and hands it up to the Crow upon his shoulder, who was also examing Faanshi. The crow has a much better memory. It swiftly flies over to baker's stand, droping the silver coin into the Varati apparent's hand with precise aim. Seems the crow remembers this one and likes her. Woodchuck strides into the Rialto square, humming a loud sea shanty. He puts a bit of dance into his step, twilrling about untill he notices the rather large crowd. It appears that the days shoppers aren't exactly done yet, as the crowd is only slightly dwindling. "Make way! Coming through! Move it! Watch the hands!" he exclaims as he wedges his was through the crowd, eventually emerging near the stage. Hrm. An idea seems to spark in that mostly empty skull, his sapphire orbs glittering with mirth. Many options, indeed. Faanshi begins to plead her case for the small wheat loaf -- and anybody in earshot could observe immediately that this girl has asolutely no conception of haggling. However, she doesn't get very far. She visibly starts as the crow drops down over her, and she gasps aloud as the silver coin descends. Unthinkingly, she catches it. Ilex has left. Once her wits have had time to regroup, Moonfire's bittersweet-turned-shocked visage settles into more of a tedious, What-Did-I-Do-To-Deserve-This? teenage look. Eyeing his frippery with scantly concealed contempt, the Sylvan grants Lucien a sharp nod. "Esper, Ave," she echoes tiredly. "I am well, and leaving, and appreciate your-... forbearance. I /must/ go." Forbearance - that's the word, and she doesn't use another one for this visit. Hastily her fingers bring the hood back up, clipping the predamaged braid. She turns next from her fellow Hound, and, whether he makes a reply or nay, sets off at a fast clip toward the majesty of the Delphic Citadel, situated on the blackening horizon like another grave guardian of Haven. Fern swivels from her, ah... shopping, upon hearing the gasp of surprise from Faanshi and the matching one from the baker. One hand tucks quickly into a fold of her tunic and then glides to lace with its opposite behind her back. A curious pose and expression frames her being at glimpsing the divebombing bird, only to be pulled in the direction of Woodchuck's rather loud movements through the crowds. Mmm.. what's this? She half leans against the wooden frame of the baker's stall. "Lassie, do birds make a habit of dropping out of the air at you?" the baker demands of Faanshi, squinting at her warily even as she waves an arm at the crow annoyedly, trying to chase it off. The mongrel woman's expression changes, however, when she catches sight of the girl gazing wide-eyedly at the silver coin that was the crow's gift. A sharp intake of breath is the baker's reaction, and then she can be heard to append, "Maybe I shoulda said, birds make a habit of givin' you money, lass?" Evidently, birds are making a habit of acting extremely strangely around the shudra Faanshi this day, and Faanshi, accordingly, looks rather shaken. She looks around sharply, but there does not seem to be a repeat performance impending of her earlier encounter with a particular raven... and at last, all she can manage to murmur is, "But... but this is not mine, I cannot..." Well, very well. The other Hound departing Lucxien sighs, his mood fouling completely. Then the 'Make way' reaches his ears. An arched brow, the arrivial of an Empyrean routine? No a non Empyrean. A child? The fancy dressed Hound curious reguards him, oh yes the dancer's boy from the Siren's Song. Hmm, well he just acquired the Hound's attention. Now the attention shifts at the question of the Varati recieve silver from birds. Still no crime. Hurmf. The hooded head glances back for a tiny instant at Woodchuck's hollering, then the second Hound vanishes silently through the Delphi gates. Moonfire steps through a tall set of gates and enters Delphi's grounds. Moonfire has left. Jasmine tucks her hair back behind her ears, finally rising and making her way back toward the Korallion. Woodchuck hoists himself upon the stage, a hand going to his brow to shield the non-existant light from his eyes as he looks over the crowd. Finally, he nods and smiles brightly, apparently satisfied with whatever it is that he was looking for. A deep breath is taken, and then the small sylve belts out the words. "Laaadies and Gentleman! Welcome to the mystical magical ultra super-duper dancing acrobatic entertainment show, more easily referred to as Woodchuck spectacular acts!" he takes a deep bow, voice oddly controlled enough to carry forth a loudness unsuited for one of such diminutive stature. The crow seems to have made its perch upon the top of the Baker's stall, and is now watching Faanshi. If it were at all possible for a bird, you could almost imagine the thing to be smiling. Jasmine makes her way south, toward Seaside. Jasmine has left. Yet another distraction, courtesy of Woodchuck, makes Faanshi start. Her leaf-green gaze flashes round in the young Sylvan's direction, and a flicker of recognition crosses what's visible of her face at the sight of the one who told her of the whereabouts of Thomas Murako. But there are other matters on her mind, and as she manages to locate the crow, she calls up plaintively to it, "But... but this is not mine, Imphadi Bird..." "Well, yours or not, lass, the creature gave it to you, and are you gonna be buyin' my bread with it or aren't ye?" demands the baker. Her eyes glint with a touch of covetousness; she knows silver when she sees it, yes she does. Close enough to hear the conversation between baker and customer, Fern gives an echo of her earlier snort, by way of opinion. "Pennies from heaven and the silly girl knows no better than to complain that it's not hers." Absently, she folds her arms and lifts her gaze to take in the bird, directing a raised eyebrow at it as well. A faint smirk, and then the mongrel woman is in motion again. Somehow, a random shopper - one who just happens to be between Fern and Faanshi - finds something to trip over in the crowded area. With amuffled shout, the man topples into Faanshi. Not hard, but with enough force to jostle her still outstretched hand. Clink, clatter, clink... and coins go flying, not only the silver one that had been dropped by the winged creature atop the booth, but also the meager coppers that Faanshi had previously pulled forth from her pouch. Distracted by the collision with the man, the shudra girl flinches as if expecting a blow, and for a few moments all she can think to do is to hastily and humbly duck her head, blurting in hoarse terror, "P-pardon me, imphadi... pardon my clumsiness..." Woodchuck twists his mouth in dissapointment. It never fails, a big crowd is present in the Rialto, Woody makes an appearance, and the crowd suddenly scatters. And much of the attention is on some bird and a familiar pile of clothing. But this won't stop the sylve, he's already gotten the ball rolling. "As you all should know, I am Woodchuck, master of Acrobatics and magics, one who has sailed the seven seas, and has visited far more exotic places than your imagination can ever conjure up! And right here, folks, you have the pleasure of witnessing a master show off his skills, for -your- entertainment this evening!" he calls out, bowing again. While before it might have been possible to image the crow as smiling, now its gaze rests heavily on Fern, its beedly little eyes boring into her. The only emotion coming from it now is seething anger. Seems this birds got a bit of a temper. It's wings unfold, and ruffle out, and a loud caw wrestles from its beak, as if to say both "I saw that" and "I'm watching that coin" "Yes, well.. watch where you're going next time," gruffs the off-balanced man. Nevermind that he was the one doing the jostling. If the small woman wants to take the blame, he'll be glad to let her. That said, he continues on his way, leaving a clear spot for a moment between Faanshi and Fern. Tsk, would you look at that? All those coins scattered in the dirt. With a brisk movement, she crouches down and begins pulling together the bits of shining metal. "Here now, let me help," the woman offers in tones most sincere. The bird? Well, it can stare if it'd like. Fern is too busy being a good neighbor. Badly shaken, Faanshi starts again, her veiled and sari-wrapped head turning sharply in Fern's direction. Fleetingly, her green gaze takes in this newcomer before shyly plummeting again, even as she kneels on the ground and starts pawing uneasily for the dropped coins. In her booth, the baker lets out a disgusted snort and turns to attend to a customer who can keep a better grip on his money. Wind Music enters the Rialto from the western part of Main street. Wind Music has arrived. A subaudible growl precedes Lucien departure northward from the Rialto, a passing glance given here and their as he goes. His mood bitter foul, dismissed by the young Sylvan. He shoots a gaze to the fallen coins. Then shrugs she has the matter under control, on to the Bastion he heads. Lucien travels along North, toward the Fairway. Lucien has left. Simply another shadow-ridden face in the crowd, Cassie skirts along the edge of the marketplace from the east road to the north, avoiding as many people as possible. Invisible in the darkness, a sharp, piqued blush suffuses the skin of her tan cheeks, and more of rankle than shame. Her fast strides are stiffly executed and cover quick ground as she dodges man, woman and the rare child, not wanting to incur another nasty concatenation (sp? =P) of circumstances with her livid mood. The slinky gauze of her summer-oriented garb twists and flutters in the light breeze, ghostifying her appearance. Park. Park is good. She can punch trees at the park. Undaunted by suspicious looks from human or presumably non-sentient winged creatures, Fern makes short work of 'assisting' Faanshi with her gathering. Of course, the silver coin is returned, in a rather conspicuous manner. Of the remainder, there would appear to be a few less than originally hit the ground, but then, with so many feet passing by, it would be so easy for such small objects to get lost, would they not. At last she rises and dusts her hands off on her breeches. "There you be, young miss. So terribly rude of that'n, wasn't it?" A short nod is directed in the wake of the long departed man. "I should have moved out of his way," Faanshi murmurs, and then appends, "Th-thank you, imphada..." Her voice is barely audible, and it is with anxious eyes and slightly unsteady hands that she accepts what coins Fern has returned to her. Despite the fact that Faanshi is still being so submissive, the Crow is not so easily placated. It continues to watch Fern carefully, with those peering little eyes. A sharp glance narrows from the corner of Fern's eyes, and quite suddenly she puts an arm about Faanshi's shoulders. "Here now, twas he who should have watched where he was going." And Fern certainly should be the one to know that, right? Directing the Varati-clothed woman a step or two away from the baker's stall, she presses something into those golden-skinned hands with a mumured word of what would seem to be advice. With a firm nod and a wink, she then strides away, and is rather quickly lost amongst the evening shoppers. Fern Average height, average build, typical clothes for a middle to lower class mongrel in Haven: this one is decidedly easily forgettable. Brown hair of shoulder length is tied back neatly from her face. Brown eyes, well-balanced features, and sun tanned skin all make for a counternance which is pleasant to look upon, but certainly not extraordinary. Her clothing is rather mannish, in a comfortable, useful sort of way. A soft tunic in moss green drawn in at the waist by a thick leather belt, brown breeches, and a pair of sturdy brown boots make up the outfit. Tucked into the top of each boot, on the outside, are a pair of unadorned knives. Of hunting length, they are designed to be serviceable, and do not present any more threat than the rest of her unassuming figure. Cassie travels along North, toward the Fairway. Cassie has left. Fern whispers "A pair of the smaller loaves of bread, only slightly squished from their time under Fern's tunic, make their way into your hands as the woman confides, "Don't let people bully you. It's a bad habit to get into, young."" The Crow jumps up into the air, its wings flapping swiftly, finding Fern amoung the crowd, and with aim rivalling that of a pigeon, it, well, lets just say it leaves a unfourtunate suprise for Fern atop her head. Faanshi has been told by no less than the Khalid himself that Haven turns his people into candala... and with this in mind, the young shudra has barely managed to summon up the courage to venture out of the confines of Atesh-Gah, even for such a small task as the buying of bread. As Fern takes her leave, Faanshi thinks to herself that she has yet to understand _anyone_ in this huge and labyrinthine city, and it is with hesitant hands that she finally places what's left of her money back in a pouch beneath her sari, along with the bread which has been unexpectedly bestowed upon her. The bird might have the aim of a pigeon, but Fern has the habits of a tunnel snake when it comes to crowd weaving. Thusly, his 'present' finds itself on the shoulder of a hapless tall, Empyrean shoulder, while the woman escapes unscathed in her slightly bowed over fashion. Fern makes her way south, toward Seaside. Fern has left. Wind Music walks into the Rialto, looking sorely out of place, bumping into people, wandering aimlessly. The crow returns to its place on StormBearer's shoulder, just as he finnaly places her within his memory. Oh yes, at that.. she was the... yes. Hmmm. Now that the mystery is solved, he grins a bit, then turns the horse around, as if he must be departing soon... Constancia makes her way south, toward Seaside. Constancia has left. Faanshi, too, must be departing, at least now that her mission into the Rialto is accomplished. The bread must be returned to Atesh-Gah, after all... and what happens after that... well, that isn't connected with the bread. Shaken, for it has been quite a day for her indeed, the young shudra makes her way northward back towards the citadel of the Varati. [End log.]