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Post by Mariana Eadburg on Jul 31, 2023 15:46:47 GMT -5
Flying into the Crescent Isles was a pleasurable experience any time of the year, but now it was a special treat for Mariana and Octavia. She had made it down in time for the cherry blossoms to begin their bloom just as she arrived. The dark violet roofs stand in breathtaking contrast to the pink blooms that line the boardwalks and surround the gates of Starlight City. Boats of the same unique style, adorned with lanterns of all colors, dotted the coast line as they pulled in their haul. The sky was full of exotic birds and the rare sighting of tribals flying atop massive stingray like creatures painted with religious and cultural symbols.
Into this collage of brilliant sights Mariana flew wide eyed atop Octavia, her griffon. Maximus, her pet bird, sat in his special pouch hanging from the griffon's side near Mariana's helmet and shield. She wore a flowing blue tunic, leather riding pants, and polished black leather riding boots. Her dark wavy hair flowed loosely in the wind as she descended near a small market that had formed near the docks of Starlight city. The scene was not abnormal, salesman hawked their wares, patrons haggled and bartered, thieves bumped and thrifted, and beggars... well, begged. She left Octavia near a small stream to drink and strolled through the market, noticing an odd theme among the marketgoers. Many wore a strange blue-green shell about their necks, tied through with simple leather cord. Some even rubbed the thing before approaching stalls, like a good luck charm of sorts.
Soon enough she spotted a booth where a few men and women, some armed, sold nothing but the things. She walked over to the booth gawking at the line, formed of foreigners and locals alike, competing for the chance to buy the strange shells.
"Today may be your only chance to purchase a Conch of Awakening... Don't let the chance pass you by! Realize your fullest potential with the help of ancient tribal magics! Crescent Island's ruling class doesn't want you to own these!" A woman in refined purple and white silken garments spewed forth a spree of sales pitches to passersby.
Mariana approached an older man selling fish from a nearby stall. He was one of only a few people in the market who was actively ignoring the woman, a look of disdain sat on his wrinkled and weathered face.
"Excuse me good sir, I've traveled here many a time and have never heard of these shells, any idea what the hubbub is about?" She gave a noble's bow to the man, the halberd resting on her shoulder dipped down just in front of his face as she did.
"Mmm..." The old man gave her a squinting look over her with the same gaze he likely used to judge his catch before speaking again.
"Steer clear of that lot, the sea's gotten a lot choppier since they floated in, if you catch my drift..."
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Post by Sarris on Jul 31, 2023 22:23:47 GMT -5
Being in the Cresant Isles made Sarris smile. The cherry blossoms smelled sweet and she had picked a few and put them in her hair. Their fragrance filled the air with almost enough strength to overpower the smell of Dead Sea food, decaying algae, and human waste that washed into the harbor.
As Sarris walked along the stalls and market she watched the crowds move. She liked to watch the young pickpockets trying to learn their trade. It was more about how you distracted the person with words, a flash of forbidden skin, or the other hand, The snatch-and-grab @always got you chased. Sarris had progressed to more subtle ways. Sarris thought about when she started out her life as a thief being chased and getting in trouble with her grandfather and her cousin rescuing her. Now with her magical powers she was a very good thief. At least a lot sneakier about it.
As Sarris walked, she watched the crowd gathered around the stand. Foreigners - older merchants, deckhands and captains, nobles all lining up. Of course there were a few local people in line too.
“Probably plants,” she whispered watching them clamor for the shells. As she moved to setup to pick a coin purse off a fat merchant she noticed Mariana talking to a fish monger. As guards pushed past her, she changed course to go talk with her “friend.”
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Post by Mariana Eadburg on Aug 1, 2023 17:27:52 GMT -5
Catch his drift she did, though she wasn't entirely sure how selling sea shells down by the sea shore was unsettling the safety and security of the locals. Tax evasion, maybe?
"What's with the guards, those shells made of gold or something?" She leaned up against the man's stand, flipping a few solars his way as thanks for the tips. The fisherman snatched them from the table and pocketed them with need.
"We take kindly to visitors here, we show them hospitality and they help our financial situation. See what I mean? If you do, you'll understand why these fellas are less than popular here..."
That she did. They weren't doing anything but sucking solars out of the populace, at least on the surface, no-one needed guards for something like that...
She thanked the fisherman and moved towards the shell sellers table, spotting a familiar face in the crowd along the way. Sarris wasn't it, she only barely knew her, wouldn't call her more than an aqcuaintance but she'd been on the right side of things last they'd met. Plus, she had connections, was resourceful, and seemed smoother with people than Mariana. With all this in mind she changed course and met Sarris who'd done likewise amidst the crowd.
"Sarris! What a coincidence to run into each other in a place like this. Are you here on business or simply hoping to see the blooms?" She gave a heartfelt smile, motioning towards the city nearby as she mentioned the cherry blossoms.
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Post by Sarris on Aug 3, 2023 19:53:15 GMT -5
Sarris smiled as she approached and greeted her. “Both, My Lady,” she said spinning around to show off the blossoms in her hair and to scan the crowd quickly ending in a bow before Mariana. Sarris spotted a few guards watching the crowd behind the mass of people. She also noticed a couple others watching the crowd and plants to pull the pigeons in.”
Moing closer she grabbed Mariana‘s left arm and started walking with her like a school girl with her best friend. Sarris wanted her sword arm to be free as they walked. Sarris led them away from the crowd at the tables.
“I think our friends over there are pulling a scam,” Sarris whispered as she let go of the arm.
She was not sure how to stop it.Sarris enjoyed a good confidence game, but these folk were fleecing everyone. Even the street children.
“I think they are working without permission of the thieves guild,” Sarris stated. Then adding, “Those are private guards and not the city guards.”
Sarris smiled with a knowing smile and continued, “city guards would try to stop the pickpockets.”
Turning to face Mariana she asked, “Should we disrupt them?” It was a simple question with a lot of options.
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Post by Mariana Eadburg on Aug 4, 2023 13:44:20 GMT -5
The blossoms were the perfect touch for Sarris, Mariana would need to copy the style herself later. Octavia would look even more regal with a crown of them over her head, she'd definitely be doing that later as well. Her wandering thoughts were pulled back as Sarris wrapped an arm through her own and pulled her along like they'd known each other all their lives. She decided to go with it, pulling the girl in tight and leaning in as they walked.
"I didn't know we were so close, or... is this a cultural thing?" She mused playfully as they walked away from the crowd, smiling to herself.
As Sarris spoke on the scam being pulled the pieces became even more obvious. No wonder the locals were getting upset. She'd guessed the guards were private, likely the same group as the salesman, but she hadn't noticed the pickpockets... Sure enough, she seemed to be missing a pouch from her waist as she felt at it. Had it been more than a bag of griffon treats she'd have been more upset.
"I know you don't know me too well, but if I'm anything its disruptive. I think the locals would be nothing if appreciative of some interference. Besides, there's no better addition to a vacation than some conflict, right?" She leaned against her halberd as it's pommel stuck in the ground.
"Well, if we're going to do anything about this we'll need more information. You said you're here for business, do you have any contacts of that sort in town?" She asked seriously, with a hint of excitement to her voice.
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Post by Sarris on Aug 4, 2023 19:12:58 GMT -5
Sarris smiled at Marina checked her person for coin purses. “Dresses and robes make it harder for them to snatch,” Sarris said.
Looking around she smiled as she noticed a food cart cooking meats. “Come on this is our ticket to information,” Sarris said. As they moved to the edge of the crowd, Sarris started talking, “If you are looking for information talk to the beggars and the street urchins. They see everything and everyone ignores them.” Looking to the vender, “Six please,” she said pointing at chunked of meat on sticks. “Six silver,” the woman said. “Four,” Sarris returned smiling. “Done,” the woman said as Sarris dug her coin purse out and paid her.
Returning her attention to Marina she said, “If you pay them in Solaris, someone bigger takes it from them. But, if you pay them with food…” Her smile grew. Sarris had lived that life after her mother died. Looking at Marina she said, “Which one do you think would not be scared of you and your weapon?”
Sarris thought that a boy about seven or a little girl could be their best bet. Looking at Marina, a teenage boy might work as well. If Marina would do a little flirting.
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Post by Mariana Eadburg on Aug 10, 2023 9:50:07 GMT -5
Wearing clothing that dissuaded thieves was good advice, if a little hard to follow due to her need for mobility. A dress would be comical on her, she thought, she hadn't worn a skirt even since she left her family's home while still a young girl. Perhaps she could just put locks on her pouches... or just keep all her valuables hooked to Octavia, nobody steals from griffons.
She grew excited as Sarris purchased food, then less so as she realized it was a bargaining tool. If they were to convince a local beggar to aid them it would be a quick aid to the situation for sure. She eyed the beggars spread round the market's outskirts and looked for one that seemed approachable. With Sarris's comment on flirting with a teen boy beggar she decided to take the chance for the heck of it, she wasn't good with children but men were a different story.
"Let's try this fellow over here, with the odd hat." She pointed to a young man, possibly in his mid-late teens.
He wore torn and ragged clothing, no shoes, and a floppy hat with many patches sewn into it. As they approached with the food in hand he looked up with a cautious glare. Mariana flashed him a friendly smile and twirled the halberd about in her hands behind her back absentmindedly.
"My friend and I are new in town and wanted to know more about those shells and who's selling them. Would you mind to share some food and chat with us?" She plopped down near the boy's seat and offered him the food they'd bought.
With his eyes widening he shifted slightly away from them, blinked a few times and with a cautious hand snatched the food from Mariana and sniffed it heavily.
"Hmm, s'not pois'n... Figured ya for their lot a ilk." The voice, noticeably feminine, answered with incredulity before digging in.
Mariana's eyebrows raised in surprised for a moment before she caught herself and returned to a neutral expression.
"What's in it for me, sides the food I'm already eatin? You know, I don't come cheap, usually I'm asked for specific info but I'll bite. I gotta lot to say about them, for certain." The young woman rubbed her fingers together in a matter all to familiar to Mariana.
Mariana looked to Sarris once more, now entirely out of her element as the teen boy beggar turned out to be a young woman with an expertise on information gathering.
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