Qastrel walked through the busy city streets, making her way towards the marketplace with a small hint of... excitement? Joy? These feelings were strange to her, to be sure, but they were real. For the past few days, she'd been snacking on rats and food scraps. But finally, she had gathered up enough of this Istik¹ currency to acquire food. Real food. Her ears twitched with excitement, both at the busy city streets, as well as the thought of getting to eat something that reminded her of home. 

    She entered into the marketplace, mouth agape at all the options. One thing caught her eye, however. A merchant, sitting near the entrance, selling apples. Real, bright red, apples. The Chthoni struggled to contain the excitement, as she stepped over to the stall, digging her hands through the small pouch of solars she had, and holding them outstretched to the vendor like an innocent child. "No service for Chthoni. Get lost, frogskin. We want nothing to do with your kind, here." 

    Qastrel's excitement, in an instant, turned to a familiar anger and hatred. One she'd known all too well. Her hand reached to her belt, not before being hit with a moment of clarity. She was in an Istik¹ city, staring down a Moon elf vendor. Attacking would be a very bad idea. The vendor's smug grin, seemed to confirm this. He would serve her, but he just wanted her to beg. Qastrel's expression shifts. She would not be reduced to a weakling. Kainyank². She'd rather starve. "Well? Gonna stand there?" The elf says once more. Qastrel finally makes up her mind, ripping an apple out of the stall, before breaking off into a sprint. "Stop! Thief!" The man yelled, attempting to chase after her. But, it was too late. The city, and the bustling market crowd concealed her as quickly as anyone. 

    Once she believes she is far enough away, she slinks into an alleyway, leaning against the wall, and sliding herself down to sit on the ground, smiling. The Chthoni mutters to herself, happy with her handywork, as she takes a bite of the apple. "Kainyank² imbecile. All for a simple apple." She says after swallowing, chuckling to herself. 

---

¹A foreigner, non-Chthoni ²A derogatory term. Idiot, stupid, etc.

Having managed to grow in the short time that he was away from home, Rinn had felt that was now a good a time as any to return to Eclipse City. He had no intentions of settling down yet, much to the chagrin of his father and childhood friends, but that wasn't why he had come back here. If anything.. It was simply to show off. In the time that he had been away, he had managed to obtain several grafts that had altered his body and have grown in the ways of a martial artist. If this wasn't something to flaunt to his friends, all of whom were now members of the Eclipse City Guard, than what was?!

It was just as he had been passing through the area, having completed his task of flaunting his newfound abilities, that he would overhear the sound of annoyed shouting. Something about a thief from what he could tell. To hear such a hectic call had left the Moon Elf with a soft smile upon his face.  It hadn't been all that long ago that he had been the one partaking in that role. The only difference between himself and this supposed thief was that Rinn could get himself out of just about any situation with the law when it had come to Eclipse City. Well.. This really only applied to minor infractions but that wasn't something that he had concerned himself with.

Curiosity about whom this thief had been had begun to overtake the Moon Elf as he continued to walk about throughout the city streets. After awhile, he had decided to round a corner and pass through one of the familiar alleyways that he had grown used to passing through. As he had done this, his gaze would fall upon a completely unfamiliar figure. Someone of a race that he had only ever read about in the past. As opposed to his curiosity before, the curiosity that he had for the figure before him was several times grander. Just whom had this one been? And why were they laying low in one of the several alleyways instead of enjoying themselves by one of the fountains.

The Moon Elfs smile would grow all the wider for a moment before settling down. Hoping to make the most out of this encounter, Rinn would approach the figure before him, his silvered skeletal hands tucked away within his pockets as he had done so. Once he had found himself beside this figure, so long as they didn't move away, his stifling aura of heat would likely affect them. "Well hey there, stranger~ What'cha doin' down there? Don't you know that there are far better places to enjoy that apple of yours?"

    Qastrel was mid-bite when the man spoke, causing her to jump slightly, crawling slightly away from the man. The Chthoni twitched her ears, and gritted her teeth, attempting to seem intimidating from her belittled stance. "Tsk'va¹. I will eat what and where I please, Istik²." Their hand clutches tightly around the apple. They almost seem... scared. Afraid the elf might steal her apple, leave her hungry once more. Her other hand hovers around her belt, where a fairly expensive looking knife sat, which was an odd surprise, given her apparent lack of wealth. 

    "Wh-what do you want from me?" She asks, her odd shaped nose moving in a peculiar way. It was clear from that alone, that she was trying to hide her shaking. And it wasn't really working. In her mind, she was just as terrified as she appeared. Would she really give up her prize if asked? Perhaps, if it meant living another day. But then, she'd dishonor herself. More than she'd already had, during that fateful night. No. If he tried to take it, she would fight him, to the death, if she had to. The Chthoni would never give up her prize, especially not to an elf.

---

¹A derogatory term, refers to a type of food ²Foreigner, non-chthoni

One of Rinn's eyebrows would find itself raised as his gaze had run across the entirety of the Githyanki's form. He hadn't quite cared about anything other than two of movements that she had been making. That minute trace of her shaking, as though fear had gripped her heart, and how her other hand had run down towards an expensive looking knife. Add that in with those strange words that she had let slip and Rinn had found that his curiosity had only grown. Just why was this woman acting so hostilely towards him? They had just met, as far as he could recall.

Either way, that smile of his had never left his lips. If anything, it had grown all the brighter as his eyes had caught the way that she had acted. "There's no need to be so touchy, you know. I simply meant what I said. Why waste your time eating down here, hidden away from the world, when there are so many better places to enjoy your meal? I myself am partial to enjoying my food from atop of a rooftop. It allows for you to see so much more of the world itself, rather than this dim alleyway."

Taking a moment to slightly cock his head off to the side, Rinn would continue on. "I'd be more than willing to show you what I mean, so long as you keep that dagger to yourself." He would then begin to close the distance between them a bit, extending his silver coated skeletal hand to her as he does so. "As for the reason for my interest in you? Well let's just say that I'm intrigued in getting to know someone new. Just about everyone here is like me, in some way or another. You on the other hand..? You're new~" The last pair of words that he had uttered would find themselves laced with a dangerous charm and curiosity. Not to the extent of having any sort of influence but at the very least showing his innate curiosity in something new and profound. "And besides..! So long as I'm around, the local guard are likely to leave you alone. Not everyone in Eclipse is as kind as myself when it comes to outsiders, for some reason or another. Bunch of jackasses, really."

    She finally sighs, before reaching up and taking his hand, brushing herself off. "I am Qastrel. Chthoni..." She tenses slightly as the words leave her mouth. "I stole this apple. I tried to buy it, but he denied me... so I stole it." Her expression lightens as she speaks. "I've been hungry for a long while. I just... I needed to eat something. I saved up the money, I followed your rules. And now I'm here..." 

    Her gaze softens. "I wanted to hide, but... it looks like I failed at that." The Chthoni seems to hestitate, looking at him with a desperate look. "I... understand my kind are a rare sight, the disgusting combination of man and illithid. Disgusting in your eyes, as it were." She shakes her head. "Nonetheless, it is good to see a friendly face. Your elven brethren have not been the most hospitable. You make up such silly words to call my kind." Her gaze looks the man up and down, nodding assertively. "I will take you up on your offer." 

    Her thoughts were, however, elsewhere, darting between fear of scaring this man off, as well as the fear of someone recognizing her. Or for him to turn her in. There were too many possibilities for her to consider. But it was the only option she had. 

While Rinn had been grateful for her honesty, he hadn't quite understood why she would reveal her theft to him. If he had been just about anyone else in Moonglade, he would have likely turned her over to the guard by now. Perhaps she could tell that he hadn't quite cared for them as much as he should have or perhaps she was too trusting. Either way, Rinn had decided to repay her honesty in kind. "I see, I see. Well in that case.."

With Qastrel now standing, Rinn would place his hands back into his pockets. "..let's go and get you something more hearty to eat, yeah? No need to worry about the price or whatever. You just tell me what you'd like to feast upon and I'll try and find it for you. Sound good?" Without really waiting for her to respond, Rinn would start to head on out of the alleyway, expecting her to follow along. He hadn't even checked behind him to see if she was following after him.

Once he had pushed out onto the busy streets of Eclipse City, Rinn would find himself heading off towards the market district that wasn't too far off from here. It was actually in the direction that Qastrel had just fled from but he had hoped that she would follow along nonetheless. His words rang true after all. So long as she stuck by his side, he wouldn't allow for the guards to hamper her. "Just a few things to note before we get too far though. I don't find you disgusting by any stretch of the word. We all stem from unique backgrounds and have our own circumstances. Who am I to judge you without even getting to know you?"

As though he had just realized that he had yet to introduce himself, Rinn would crane his neck back a bit and would allow for his gaze to settle upon the woman. "The name's Rinntoki by the way but most simply refer to me as Rinn. It's a real pleasure to make your acquaintance, Qastrel. I look forward to taking to the rooftops with you, once we've settled on a meal for you." His gaze would return to the area before him at this point, scanning the crowded road for any semblance of a guard, irate merchant, or overall annoyance. If he happened upon any of them, he was likely to pull Qastrel close, showing those that stood in his way that he was serving as her temporary protector. And if that never happened? Well he would simply continue walking on in search of whatever food she might have been interested in.

    As they walk, while nobody outright tries to stop them, people stare at the peculiar looking woman, tall and slender, skin stretched across a thin, boney body, with pocked skin across her shoulders. She returned the stares with dark eyes that seemed to gaze into their soul, tracing across the busy streets. "I would like some hunted game. Rabbit, venison, I don't mind. We used to eat lots of it while I-... back home."



    She looked at the ground as she said that, quickly trying to change the conversation. "You must be quite an important man, Rinntoki. To go out of your way for someone like me... someone who looks... like me. Your kindness would be punished where I'm from. I should punish it, if I didn't require it..." She sighs as they continue, eyes constantly moving at the sights and sounds of the city, nose twitching at the smells.



    And then, she smells something. The definitive smell of a rich, earthy meat, hints of acorn, sage, and other herbs. Venison, sat on a small, isolated flame, chopped into small pieces and placed on a skewer, interspersed with freshly picked vegetables. Odd coloured peppers, tomatoes, beautifully cooked onions. The vendor hands the kebab to a customer, and Qastrel's excitement gets the better of her, grabbing Rinn's hand and excitedly racing towards the vendor. Her tongue flickered in and out of her mouth, nose and ears twitching, completely unable to contain her sheer excitement at the thought of eating something as delicious as this.

Hunted game, huh? There were quite a few stalls that sold charred and grilled game from the Eclipse Jungle. A few taverns as well but that wasn't the kind of scene that he wanted to deal with at the moment. Baloth Meat was amongst some of the more succulent meat that he could think of but that was a bit too high end for a stall to have. Various thoughts on what kind of meats were provided within the area had run about throughout the Moon Elf's mind as he listened to Qastrel speak.

Hoping not to come across as rude, Rinn was sure to respond to the things that Qastrel had mentioned. "I wouldn't go as far as to say that I'm important. It's more along the lines of the people here coming to understand me. Back in my youth, I used to do similar things to what you've done here. I've always managed to get away with it, thanks to the influence that my father has, but that's really about it." He was sure to keep his fathers identity as a member of the Eclipse City Guard a secret for the time being. She was already on edge. It wouldn't do for her to grow all the more stressed out around him. "If we're being honest here, I just don't care about things like ones looks or race. At the end of the day, in my eyes, you're still a person. And even if you weren't? So long as you aren't actively harming anyone, you'd still be good in my books."

Before Rinn could really get into the nitty gritty about what he thought, Rinn would find himself being pulled in another direction. It would seem as though Qastrel had found what she had wanted! The pure joy and excitement that had run throughout her had brought a softer smile to the Moon Elf's lips. It was rather nice to see her lighten up after witnessing the fear that was coursing through her not too long ago. To think that she'd even go as far as to grab his hand and pull him away.. It was enough to cause the man to laugh to himself.

Figuring that he might as well get a move on with fulfilling his request, Rinn would reach into his pocket before pulling out a small coin purse. "Six kebabs please." Having made his request of the vendor, Rinn would reach into his coin purse and pull out the exact amount of Solars that would need to be provided. Once they were in hand, he would hand them off to the merchant in exchange for the six kebabs. Three of these kebabs would then be offered to the rather adorable Qastrel while the other three had remained within one of his own skeletal hands. Afterwards he would place his coin purse back within his pocket and lead Qastrel off towards another of the nearby alleyways.

"Be sure not to engulf them too quickly, alright? You'll get an upset stomach like that." After ensuring that his newfound companion hadn't completely swallowed all three of her kebabs as of yet, Rinn would gesture towards something akin to a fire escape that had been presented on the side of one of the buildings. "Let's head on up, okay? You'll understand what I mean about it being the best place to eat once we get there."

    Qastrel chuckles, as she follows Rinntoki to the destination. "You doubt the strength of my stomach compared to yours. A foolish notion, to doubt a Chthoni warrior's strength." As they climb up the steps leading to the roof, her gaze moves to the skyline, as it becomes more and more obvious. Her amazement at the city becomes clear on her face, a glistening shock in her eyes. 

    "I used to watch this city from afar, ra'stil¹. The walls seemed to stretch so high, yet as we get higher... it seems so small. Insignificant, even. Being Chthoni... I never thought I could appreciate such beauty." She pauses, considering for a moment. "I must be near the first of my kind to see something like this. Adlishar²." Her ears twitch, less with excitement, more with sorrow. "Many of my people choose to stay away from your kind. From most of civilization, in fact. Perhaps, that is why there is such animosity between us. A lack of understanding. Kaincha³."

    Her voice, by this point, had twisted into one filled with regret, and sadness. A regret, that she had kept herself away from society all her life. If Rinntoki was a gift from Ziev, then she only found him once she entered society, once she entered a world, larger and more terrifying than the cult she had grown up in. 

---

¹Ally ²First among many ³An interjection of dismay or regret. 

Once the pair had reached the top of the building, Rinn would move towards the edge of the building and throw his legs over the ledge, his feet now dangling idly as he does this. "I'll be sure to keep that sentiment in mind. You should know, Qastrel, I love a good fight. If your strength is as true as you make it out to be than I can assure you that I would love to spar someday." A soft laugh would ring forth from his lips at this point, that boyish smile still remaining upon his features. Once the topic had taken a bit more of a somber note though, this smile would die down, still remaining behind but much softer than before.

"I can't say that I know very much about your peoples. Honestly, I barely know the history of my own. But there is one thing that I know for certain. Regardless of what brought you here, or the circumstances that you've faced up until this point, I'm glad that I found you, Qastrel. You seem to be quite the interesting one, if I do say so. A kind enough person that is willing to stand against adversity, only going as far as to steal in the event of said adversity standing in your way. When it comes to the kinds of people that I like, you've definitely been showing yourself to be one of them."

The Moon Elf's gaze would turn out towards the walls of the city now, his vision reaching out towards the fields that went outside of the cities walls. "Perhaps, with time, we can change things between our people. Show them that there is nothing to fear from the unknown. After all, the unknown becomes known when enough effort is applied." If she was standing close enough to him for his arms to reach her, Rinn would proceed to playfully hit her shoulder with his silvered fist. It wasn't hard enough to leave any wounds but likely held a degree of roughness that was subconsciously offered. "If my people won't take the first step towards change than I'm far more than willing to help out. If it's something that you desire, friend, than I'm more than willing to visit your people with you. Curious about what the others of your kind are like anyways."

Qastrel sat close to Rinntoki, listening quietly as she ate. Qastrel would smile as he gently hit her, returning the punch in kind. "In truth, I..." Her eyes seemed to shift around, looking away from him. Was she going to tell him? It was right to repay his kindness. Besides, the elf should know of her misdeeds. "I did not grow up with my true people. One or two, maybe... but my family... I was a cultist. A worshipper of Ziev. I was his blade, his wrath. I killed what the matriarch said to kill. I excelled, even. My faith was, and still is, absolute." Tales of this specific cult, the one located in Moonglade, were common. A cult that worshipped Ziev, at first a normal church, but becoming more, and more radical, and violent, as the god ignored their pleas for answers. It had gotten to a point where a militia had formed to hunt down and destroy the cult. They were assumed to have succeeded, but... Qastrel was proof they had not.

"I know of my people, not through their actions, but through what I learned from others. I know we live in the wilds, out of society, away from the ones who fear us. I know we are feared, and convicted warriors. But... save for my mentor, who himself, was hardly involved in Chthoni society... I have not been around my kind." She looks away from him. "I apologize for hiding this from you, Rinntoki."

Ziev.. Ziev.. Rinn had known this name from somewhere but couldn't fully place it. Hoping to try and gain some semblance of remembrance, Rinn would start to look at the context clues of what Qastrel had mentioned to figure it out. After several moments, of what might have looked like him contemplating how to respond, Rinn would come to remember where he had heard this name before. Ziev was supposedly the God of Space and Time. There was something about him being a fraud and having left this realm but Rinn quite honestly couldn't remember all of the details. What he truly remembered was his father's discussing of the cult in the past. How there were patrols to be had in search of these individuals. This was awhile back though.. Did this mean that his father had failed in his task?

Not that it concerned Rinn all that much. The way that he saw things, Qastrel hadn't quite done anything crazy since he had met them. So long as she didn't cause any further problems, like she supposedly did in her past, than it wasn't something that had worried him all that much. Everyone has their reasons for doing something. In the instances of cults, its more often than not to do with either being born into the beliefs or manipulated into them. The fault can't entirely be placed upon her.

As those moments had come to pass in which he had been silent, Rinn's gaze had remained firm upon Qastrel's form. Eventually he would come to lie down, however, resting his head upon her lap and simply staring up at her. "While I appreciate you informing me of such things, Qastrel, you should be really careful about whom you tell these kinds of things to. Many people might lash out at you because of your background. Some even going as far as to try and take your life. Luckily for you though," he would say whilst reaching out a single silvered skeletal finger to softly boop her nose. "I'm not one of those people."

A soft laugh would break free of the moon elf's lips at this point, his usually lighthearted smile growing a tad softer. "So long as you aren't running around and causing any problems for anyone, you and I are all good. I promise you that. Can't have my newest friend getting into trouble, you know? When would I be able to spend time with you if something were to happen to you? And how would we be able to change things for your people?" Rinn's gaze would remain locked onto her own at this point. "I want to help you achieve this future that you seek, Qastrel, so please try and stay out of trouble when you can. And if you ever need help? Just come to me. I'll do what I can for you."

    Qastrel turns a bright red as he lays down on her lap, moreso when he touches her nose, doing her best to look away, and hide her embarassment. She'd never felt this much contact with someone, let alone had someone treat her in this way. "I... chose to be honest with you, because... to be honest - no one has ever treated me in such a kind way as you. I have nothing to repay, so... I repaid you in trust." Her hand shakily rests against him. "I will do my best, Rinntoki. To stay out of trouble, as you put it. If I have your trust, then you have my blade. Perhaps, even, I would be honoured to call you zhak vo'n'fynh duj. Source of my joy."

    She finally looked at him, her smile soft, and caring. She was surprised, quickly she allowed her hard, brash personality, once set up as a safeguard, had been completely lowered, and what was present before him, was a soft, caring young woman. In a way, she saw a part of herself in him. A person out of place in the crowded city, whose appearance made them stick out like a soar thumb. In his case, the skeletal hand he had. In hers, the odd nose, pocked skin, and slightly long tongue. In spite of this however, her flushed cheeks made it obvious she was still outside of her comfort zone, and the smile, while genuine, had a hint of nervousness to it. 

Rinn had admittedly been a bit worried for the Chthoni when he had come to learn of her troubles, and how no one had really ever been this kind to her, but chose to keep this much to himself. If she wasn't used to this kind of behavior than he would simply have to show her all of the kindness that he had to offer before their time together came to an end. A temporary end, sure, but an end nonetheless. Regardless, rather than bring this much up to her, Rinn would simply remain where he was, lying upon her lap,  and would continue to offer her a soft smile.

"Source of your joy, huh?~ Well I certainly hope to please you in that manner." Another soft laugh would exude from the moon elf's lips as he adjusted himself on her lap to ensure that the both of them had remained comfortable. "And, well, if I'm being honest, I certainly consider you something similar for sure. While our relationship might be short lived at this point, I've come to enjoy our time together. One can only wonder where our adventures will take us in the future and how much joy we might provide to one another."

Finally taking a moment to turn his gaze back towards the city before him, Rinn would start to lose a bit of his smile. "Thanks for placing your trust in me, Qastrel. There wasn't much of a reason to do so. And while I might maintain this sentiment, I'm glad that we got to know one another. The only real question I have at this point for you.. Well.. I suppose it would be what you'd like to do next? Just how would you like to try and enact this change that you seek? Or! If you want to spend a bit more downtime away from this mission of yours, what would you prefer to do next in regards to spending time with me? Either way, I'll do what I can to maintain this sense of joy for you."

    She looks up to the horizon, brushing her hair out of her face. "I would search for my people. I would expect they might be in the Ash Lands, but... I would hate to drag you that far." Her hand that rested against him, crept up to his chest. "And, even then, I'd need to gather supplies. I think, right now? It would be best if I were to stay here, in Moonglade, with you. To... allow me to relish in the joy you have provided me." She looks down at him once more, her hand brushing against his cheek. 

    She audibly exhaled, an unusually shaky breath. She'd spent her time in Moonglade, isolated from those around her, partially on purpose, but partially to protect any would-be friends. But in her time of need, she had made a real friend, to her own surprise. She was both excited, and afraid. 

    "You've brought me more happiness in this short time than I ever had, living with the cult." Her hand relaxed, a smile creeping once more across her face. "Thank you for this, Rinn. For showing me this view, for this meal, for showing me respect, when I did not deserve it."