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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Jan 25, 2023 21:10:28 GMT -5
It's a lovely afternoon, and Izzy is a horrible little menace. She reclines across one of the rails of the docks, her length stretche as far as it will allow, her long, alligator like tail swirling in the water below. A cigar rests precariously between her lips as she walks a coin across her knuckles, idly watching the people on the dock. Some give her a nod, others stay clear of her sharp eyes and sharper grin. This was as good a place as any to get a view of who was coming and going in Zeinav, and even better for her to do so passively; by all accounts, she looked like a lazy layabout, skirting whatever legitimate job she held in favour of taking a quick nap a the pier.
If there was judgment from the people passing by, she didn't mind it. Izzy snaps finger guns at an elderly sailor who looked for too long, snickering to herself as he grimaced and made his way out of there ever faster. That bit was always well and fine. It was the people who were like her, quietly looking for an in or an angle, that she paid the most attetion to. They were the ones you had to look out for.
But, for now, everything was quiet. Izzy remained where she was, the very picture of a comfortable, seven foot long cat with cigar ash falling on her shirt, basking in the afternoon sun.
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Post by Arashi Tento on Jan 26, 2023 20:34:00 GMT -5
On this beautiful afternoon Arashi decided to go to Zeinav's port, being from an island himself he felt more comfortable being close to water, at least seeing it on the horizon. But there was also a sort of ulterior motive to this, nothing bad really, he was walking around the port market as in a shopping trip but the truth was he was mostly people watching and rumor hunting. Being a bit of an undercover agent for the Crescent Isles he had to do keep tabs on people of interest all around the continent. Mostly adventurers and rising political forces, all in an effort to help help princess Leylani take the island and her citizens in the right direction, after all you can't make the right call if you don't have enough information.
He asked some merchants about how business was going as well as if they needed help with stuff, mostly as a way to gauge the stability of the region as well as gain a bit of trust from a place of respect and helpfulness before going for more in depth questions. Apparently the Zeinav initiative was quite well off a strong kind, and levelheaded leader as well as a stable economy and a few notable adventurers helping with matters of security. From that it seemed that the place was going quite well, and that an alliance would probably be more beneficial although the distance might make it hard, it could also help since the could flank most places except for the Dragon's Alliance and maybe the Pale Concord.
As he thought about this he passed by someone, an extremely tall woman with a tail resembling that of an alligator, he had passed by her before but hadn't heeded her much as she seemed like she was resting, and probably wouldn't have been of that much help for his investigation. This time though as he was less focused on his task he noticed her and realized that she probably was someone to keep an eye out for at least for a while, after all she didn't seem like your run-of-the-mill dock worker.
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Jan 28, 2023 20:21:42 GMT -5
Izzy lazily swishes her heavy tail from side to side, moving her cigar from one corner of her mouth to the other. It's a slow day, which suits her fine. More opportunities to get into trouble later, she was sure. It was such hard work information gathering, but somebody had to do it.
Speaking of... at last, someone catches her eye. It wasn't uncommon to see the same face more than once, but that always deepended on what they were doing. When they were talking to people and seemed like they were observing, making a circuit, well, that was a sure bet that person was Up To Something. She ought to know, after all. And what was more, they had appeared to notice her as well. This waas a dock, so the different clothes wasn't odd precisely, but it did seem to speak of the fact that the man was from elsewhere. Well, wasn't that interesting. Maybe he was looking for directions...?
Izzy slowly sits up, popping a two fingered salute off her brow at the man with an easy grin, ash tumbling off her and onto the dock. She brushes the remnants off her chest, before dangling her long arm off her bent knee. "Seems like you got a little something on your mind, friend. Solar for your thoughts?" The grin widens. "Name's Izzy. First time in Zeinav City?"
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Post by Arashi Tento on Feb 2, 2023 18:10:01 GMT -5
As the woman noticed him Arashi looked somewhere else, he didn't want to be labeled as a creep after all, but he looked back once she called out to him. Although a bit taken aback by the use of 'friend' to refer to him, since he was pretty sure he hadn't seen someone like her before, much less this woman in particular, still he shrugged it off as a habit from the mainland, calling people whose name you didn't know yet, but wanted to, a 'friend' felt weird not only because it was too colloquial, but also since it diminished the value of such a word...
Regardless of his tenth of a second internal musing on the cultural difference and importance of the word friend, he answered honestly "Yes actually, I've been to the desert already but not yet in the city, since I came to Zeinav by foot." the sharp toothy grin Izzy made didn't faze Arashi at all in fact he had been more preoccupied by her casual attitude, than her maybe looking scary for some, after all he was used to risking his life, not so much his social life. Regardless of his upbringing he decided to be as casual as possible giving his first name only as she had given him what he guessed was a nickname "I'm Arashi pleased to meet you" He followed with a small bow, which was more like a quick nod of the head for acknowledgment.
He didn't really want to go into detail about what had been on his mind "Nothing much just looking for a place to stay and maybe a small job to refill my pouch with coin."
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Feb 4, 2023 18:47:49 GMT -5
"Ahhh, you came the long way. Out of town, where ya from?" She slithers off the rail and delicately onto her feet, drawing herself up to her full seven foot height as she smiled down at Arashi. She gave him a much more formal, sweeping bow of her own in return, the trail of smoke from her cigar following her hand. "Pleasure's all mine, Arashi." She straightens, looking down at the man with a tilt to her head, peering at him for a second in scrutiny. He didn't seem terribly perturbed by her countenance. Interesting.
"Ohh, yeah I can help you with that, if you like!" She offers, jerking her head back towards the city proper. "Some great taverns and inns in the area, if that's what you're lookin' for. Some of 'em have some request boards, though mainly you get a lot of jobs from the tavernkeep. Though I suppose that depends on what kinda jobs you're lookin' for." Her hand waves down the street. "So? What are you lookin' for? If you don't mind my askin' anyway. I have nothin' better to do at the moment, so I wouldn't mind." That was at least sincere, but Izzy's geniality indicated she wouldn't be terribly upset if he declined. No harm or foul, in any case.
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Post by Arashi Tento on Feb 11, 2023 16:52:34 GMT -5
"I'm from the Crescent Isles, and yes you could say I took the scenic route" Arashi had wanted to know a bit more of Charon before coming here, and while he did some stops on the way so it wasn't really a wasted trip he still would've liked to avoid the Marsh Flats... Definitely one of the most uncomfortable places he's been to, Still he shouldn't complain. As Izzy bowed Arashi felt a bit conflicted, While that was more of his way of doing things, he didn't want to impose or make others act different towards him... He wasn't really any kind of important person but still as She began talking he would save his thoughts for later as he'd feel rude interrupting.
"I wouldn't mind if you want to act as some sort of tour guide, to be honest it'd be a lot of help. Oh but you don't need to act any different with me than you would with anyone else. I know I might've seemed too formal but I don't want to impose and otherwise I wouldn't get used to how things work over here."
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Feb 13, 2023 14:23:39 GMT -5
Oooh. Izzy's smile never falters or flickers; was he giving her free reign to be... herself?
That was a dangerous thing to request, but Izzy wasn't about to correct him. While she weighs her options, Izzy gives Arashi a flippant wave in an attempt to assure. "Nooo problem. I treat everyone that way, so you've not got anything to worry about."
That was mostly true. People she wasn't friendy with got a slightly different reception.
"Right this way, then," She gestures down the street, twirls on her heel, and starts walking him that way, her stride a casual saunter. "Tavern's a couple of blocks away, and then we can get your bearings, how about that?" She pauses for a few seconds, taking another drag of her cigar. "Awful long journey to come all this way without a guide. You're just out for a bit of a wander, or here for business? What kind of work do you do?"
The deluge of questions starts flowing from her easily; he'd wanted her to treat him like everyone else, well, that was something she was all too happy to do. It was good to get the walk around as they moved away from the pier and towards the busier parts of the city.
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Post by Arashi Tento on Feb 15, 2023 2:19:49 GMT -5
"Alright, if you say so." Izzy seemed like a lively person so Arashi didn't really want to bog her down with formalities and the like, as she turned on her heel and began to saunter away, he followed her, content to see someone who was so cheerful as to why or how he had no idea, but even though they had barely introduced themselves to each other he was glad that she looked as cheery as she did and that she seemed to want to help, even though he couldn't quite reveal what he was trying to accomplish.
Then she began asking some questions, nothing out of the ordinary really, Arashi knew perfectly well how to answer them and he guessed if she was gonna be helpful she was bound to have some curiosity.
"Well I am trying to live as an adventurer, but it's not like I came all this way alone, I had a few stops and also travelled with some people who knew the road better than me, if it weren't for a merchant caravan I don't think I would've made it out of the desert... I was certainly unprepared for that. And abut the business, well I actually came to Zeinav for a request to explore an underground city, and now that I finished that I am just looking for a place to stay and to know the city a little."
The streets began to get more and more crowded as the two got closer to the busier areas.
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Feb 16, 2023 16:06:15 GMT -5
Izzy nods along with the words, expertly moving through the bodies of people as they continued to walk. Came in with a merchant caravan, that was smart. Better than hoofing it around the desert on your own. Also had traveled with others before coming here. That he had explored the ancient city on a request was a bit of a surprise, and Izzy turns her head slightly to look down at Arashi.
"Oooo, I hear there's a lot of treasure in a place like that. Sounds like you had a good time then?" Izzy asks, genuinely interested. She side steps someone stumbling in the street, careful to put herself between them and Arashi. Seeing the big woman, perhaps a familiar face, they balk and shift around out of view. "Stick close; wouldn't want your pockets picked." She says to Arashi, before resuming her pace.
They arrive at a hole-in-the-wall inn and tavern in no time. It looks to be compiled from decommissioned or wrecked ships, but its the closest and the cheapest tavern at the docks. The most comfortable? No. The least rat infested? Certainly not. In any way, shape, or form safe? None of the doors had properly working locks. Izzy would know.
But, unless Arashi wanted something a little more upscale, this was the place Izzy would show him to, for the moment. "Ta-daaa! Whaddaya think? Only a solar a night," she offers, beaming.
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Post by Arashi Tento on Mar 1, 2023 15:04:11 GMT -5
"You could say that, Although there wasn't much treasure, there were some relics that could be valuable but since it was an anthropological expedition We weren't allowed to keep them... there were a few creatures though!" Arashi talked while he walked next to Izzy, he wasn't paying much attention to where exactly he was going, he trusted her to be a good guide, despite her appearance which could mean danger for some, Arashi seemed to think the opposite, she seemed like an overall good person, if a bit too friendly perhaps, but even through his position as an informant, truth was he didn't have much experience in subterfuge or much contact with anything other than what was law-abiding in the Crescent Isles.
So when Izzy stepped in between him and a stumbling person, and then told him to keep close, he just nodded silently slightly surprised at the whole interaction, from then on he walked a few steps closer to her and began looking around a bit more.
Once they arrived at the Inn, Arashi gave it a bit of a look, "I guess that's a fair price..." it wasn't really that he needed something fancy just that it looked kinda worn down, and unsanitary, and more than a bit like a strong gust would blow it away... Granted it was probably one of the cheapest inns around. Nevertheless if that's the place Izzy would recommend he'd trust her. Although he would keep his sword close.
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Mar 4, 2023 18:28:36 GMT -5
A fair price? It was cheap as the dirt they stood on, and you got what you paid for. Still, it spoke volumes about Arashi here; utility over comfort. Or, perhaps just altogether too easily swayed. In either case, that was something Izzy could work with.
"Cheapest spot you'll find in Zeinav, guaranteed! Not the fanciest place, but hey, who needs beds with sheets, am I right?" She cackles and then claps the shorter man on the shoulder. "Well friend, let me buy you a drink, eh? I'd get an ale even if you're not keen on getting boozed up, the water around here isn't always as pristine as one would like, you feel me?" She winks and gestures to the bar. The gruff looking bartender looks up at them and then back down at the glass he was cleaning.
"IF you wanna stick around here anyway. The job board is up on the wall by the barkeep, since you're lookin' for work. What sort of relics did you and your crew wind up digging up when you were poring over the desert anyway? And creatures, eh?"
She drifts up to the bar, her eyes still focused on Arashi. "We got a few cave fishers deep under the sand What'd you wind up tangling with?"
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Post by Arashi Tento on Mar 13, 2023 13:12:19 GMT -5
The truth was, Arashi was a bit of both, while having had a sheltered upbringing, he wasn't a complete stranger to sleeping in the dirt, he had been a simple foot soldier after all, and as such barracks aren't really the top of the world when it came to comfort. still this was new low but he was indeed easily swayed.
As Izzy cackled Arashi couldn't help but make a bit of a remark himself. "even if there were I doubt they'd be clean sheets all things considered." He let out a small chuckle so as to indicate he wasn't offended and was indeed making a joke.
"Oh You don't have to... I can pay for my own. I wouldn't want to trouble you more than I already have, in fact let it be on me." he nodded with a smile at the water comment, he knew all too well the dangers of unclean water, and well looking at the place, it was a wonder they had water at all.
"Mostly Ornaments made of precious metals and stones, although the majority were to big to move out so I just marked them on the map to make sure the proper team could study them... it seemed like an impressive culture that somehow disappeared, or well was buried alive. since the ruins dated to the collapse, I have a feeling it might've been one of the casualties of the war against the gods. As for creatures, there definitely were cave fishers..."
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Mar 15, 2023 21:49:31 GMT -5
"It's no trouble at all! Zeinavian hospitality, my good friend, is second to none!" While that was debatable, Izzy was clearly not taking no for an answer as she orders a pitcher of arak for the two of them to share; a hard, anise flavoured clear liquor, mixed with water and a little extra bit of lemon peel for a citrusy twist. It was probably the best alcohol this place could ever hope of carrying, but no Zeinavian tavern worth its salt would be caught dead without a bottle of arak.
Her brows again lift, clearly interested at the mention of jewels. Izzy did like shiny things. But these were not her shiny things (sad), so she would enjoy hearing about them instead. What gets her leaning across the table though is the information, the delicious, tantalizing tidbits of knowledge about a lost culture out among the sands. She hisses through her teeth at the mention of the cave fishers-- nasty things-- but her interest in the lost civilization is absolutely genuine.
"Sounds like a hell of a place. Literally and figuratvely. So, you found out how old it was and some gems-- did you find anything else down there? Skeletons, documents, that sort of dealio?" Izzy enquires, her eyes bright with interest.
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Post by Arashi Tento on Apr 21, 2023 19:33:06 GMT -5
Arashi chuckled "alright if you say so" he smiled as the fellblood woman refused him paying the drinks and instead insisted on inviting him, this made Arashi be a bit on guard, it wasn't common for someone to go so out of their way for a stranger of unknown intentions, as to show them where to stay and invite them for drinks. Not unless they had some hidden motives... Still he didn't have any proof and nothing was so hard to do that it was impossible for someone to do out of goodwill alone, so for now he just chalked it up to Izzy being kind, either way he would be alert, and would try not to get hammered enough that he'd lose his mental acuity...
As Izzy asked with interest at what he had found at the underground ruins Arashi's guard dropped a little, "we did find some documents yeah nothing very legible due to the age of the ruins and it was so old that most skeletons had completely turned to dust... The best conserved stuff was mostly the architecture. It looked like a really well developed and rich city mostly by the amount of precious metals they used as decorations and details on their buildings."
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Post by Issala 'Izzy' Arodre on Apr 30, 2023 13:46:04 GMT -5
"I do indeed say so," Izzy nods sagely, as though it was the most profound thing she had ever heard. In the meantime, the arak was flowing, liberally poured into both their cups as Izzy raises hers in toast to Arashi before taking a long swig.
Refreshing.
She leans forward on her elbow as Arashi details what he and the expedition appeared to have found under the ground. Shame they didn't find a whole lot of the pages and remains to be intact, but architecture was a surefire way to be able to learn more about a civilization, should all else fail. And the mention of precious metald and gemstones piques her interest as well. "Oooh, they certainly sound wealthy. Good to hear some of that was preserved and your group was able to help keep it intact before the looters came around. What did you manage to find out about the civilization from that, apart from the fact that they were rich?" She takes another sip of the arak as she looks over the rim of her glass at Arashi, curious.
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