[Closed] I'll be fine on my own (Yazad)

[Cassidy Elwes]

Loshis 14, 2720

Basin Court market, mid-afternoon.

It was not often that Cass found herself in Voedale these days. She had spent most of her life in that neighbourhood. It was where she had been born. It was where her mother, father, and brother had died. It was where she had fought her first fight, and her last. She had left it behind, though, when she had left the ring. She called Castle Hill home now. She counted herself as lucky that she had been able to afford to rent a respectable place in a respectable part of town on what she had saved in her time in the ring, and luckier still that her bakery brought in enough business that she could afford to keep it going. It was easy to keep costs down when she was the only employee. It meant a lot of early mornings and long days, but she still enjoyed doing the work. After three years, she had settled into the rhythm of it. It was hard, and most days she just collapsed into bed at the end of it, but she slept like a baby.

She found herself back in her old stomping grounds today on a visit to her former trainer and mentor. He was the closest thing to family that she had, and he had done a great deal for her. He had not only trained her, but had almost become like family to her after her parents had passed. She visited as often as she could, between running the bakery and whatever else came up. She liked spending time with him; she often brought him food she made, and they talked about all manner of things for hours. It was getting later in the day now, though, and so it was time to head back home. She kept to herself as she walked, past mostly run-down houses and shops. There were some places that were in better shape than others. She knew from growing up here that those places were the ones that paid for the Bad Brothers’ protection. Anyone stupid enough to cause trouble for them would find themselves with more than they bargained for.

She was through Voedale proper now, and into the open-air market that sat just on it’s edge, between it and the bridge leading across to the small island and then on further still back to the mainland. Things were no less run-down here, though the broken windows and abandoned building were fewer if only by the virtue of most of Basin Court being taken up by stalls of merchants selling any number of things from clothing to trinkets and spices. There were other, less honest stalls as well. Rigged games of chance, mostly. Find the Lady and every imaginable iteration of the shell game, among others. Cass didn’t begrudge their proprietors; they had to make a living the same as anyone else. Better to trick hapless tourists out of a few coins than pick pockets. There were, of course, pickpockets. Cass kept one hand in her coat pocket on her coin purse, as she was sure most of the other people who lived and worked in this area did while they were shopping.

The market was busy despite the light mist. After the last few days of incessant rain, it was a welcome reprieve. Truly sunny days were few and far between in Loshis, and those who sold here had to take what they could get. With no other pressing engagements for the day, Cass decided to take some time to browse what was on offer here, all the while keeping a wary eye out for any sort of trouble. Her imposing stature generally discouraged anyone from trying to cause her any grief, but there were plenty of others around who were not so lucky, and she was not above stepping in if it meant keeping others from harm.

[Yazad]

Basin Court market

Loshis 14, 2720 - Afternoon

I t took Yazad a bit of time to get over the crushing disappointment he felt as he and Sophronios arrived to Old Rose Harbor. The passive had been entirely thrilled to know that it was their next destination after departing from Vienda, and had braced himself for a view of greenery, blooms, and possibly a few feats of beautiful architecture to go with that. What he found in Old Rose Harbor, however, was anything but the grand image he had in mind for a place named after roses. And by Hurte, did this ungodly place smell more like compost rather than a rose garden. In hindsight, he really should have known better than to apply Bastian standards to Anaxas.

Whatever science society his master came here for, it was keeping the galdor busy enough to hardly be present at their hotel room save for his time of sleeping and dressing. A rented room required little to no cleaning and tidying up Sophronios’ mess took only a fraction of what it usually does at home. Unable to sit idly for long, Yazad had made the decision to get over his self-inflicted disappointment and brave the foreign city. The passive made it out of the ornate hotel door donning his long cloak, hair immaculately combed, and perfumed enough with jasmine oil to make him disregard any other scent.

Apparently, the area in which they currently reside was named Redwine, which was an important enough piece of information for him to know in preparation for his inevitable fate of getting lost. Denying his abysmal sense of direction was not going to do him any good, and so the man chose to live with it instead.

Spontaneity was not something the generally work-obsessed passive allowed himself to embrace, but a day as refreshing as this one could allow for some impromptu exploration. The day’s weather had been mild by Loshis standards, fortunately for him. And so, Yazad walked. He did not know where exactly he was going, only that there were spirited noises spilling from somewhere in the distance. Little by little, the grand buildings and quaint shopfronts began to give way to open spaces and rows of stalls carrying a variety of items both familiar and not. Yazad’s neutral face slowly borrowed from all the boisterous liveliness around him. So many colors, faces, and voices blended together in a way that was so rare for him to see. Even knowing that he should not give in to the temptation of spending, Yazad could not help but be drawn towards the stalls manned by energetic sellers boasting their collections of trinkets, accessories, clothes, and spices. A busy and thriving market if there ever was one, by the looks of it.

"Oh my!" Yazad exclaimed softly, his pale green eyes drawn to the collection of glinting trinkets crafted in uniquely intricate designs. These were not made of real gold and gemstones, he was certain, and they were not the most luxurious pieces of jewelry that he had seen, but they were still undoubtedly Hessean designs in essence.

“You likin’ these? Quality Hessean craftsmanship for a good price! Better than anythin’ else you will find here.” A jolly, elderly woman who looks spritely enough for someone with greying hair called out to Yazad from behind the counter, her tanned skin glowing under the layers of colorful fabric she wore. "I like these indeed. " The smiling passive leaned forward, hands resting on his knees as he examined the accessories closely. His pierced ears had been wearing a looped piece of string for too long, so purchasing a set of cheap but lovely earrings is justifiable enough.

Straightening up, Yazad reached for the simple pocketbook he carried to pull it out. Its reassuring weight rested in his hands until it no longer did. A sudden motion jolted the surprised passive whose head instantly snapped to look at the back of a person rushing away with his pocketbook undoubtedly in hand."Wait--!" The useless shout did nothing to stop the speeding snatcher or even make them slow down. With a desperate gasp, the raven-haired passive made the attempt to chase after the offender, as much as the crowd would allow him to. Not many people looked even remotely bothered or surprised at the blatant theft, and Yazad found himself soon enough panting and nearly out of breath not very long after his ill-performed sprint.

"Halt, thief!" His second scream was even more pitiful than the first.

[Cassidy Elwes]

Loshis 14, 2720

Basin Court market, mid-afternoon.

Cass made her way around the booths at a leisurely pace. The jewellery and fine clothes didn’t really catch her attention, but there were a few things that did. She had paused at a display of knives that looked to be fairly good quality. She had her own set that was still perfectly serviceable for use at home and in the bakery, but it never hurt to look. Good knives were invaluable. Nothing there caught her attention enough to warrant purchasing it, and so she moved along.

She was disappointed to find that most of the stalls that would be selling spices were shuttered, but she supposed that it made sense given the damp. It wouldn’t do well to be selling things that generally needed to be stored dry out in the wet weather. Likewise for some of the cloth merchants. There were other things, though. An attractive arrangement of fruit caught her attention next, but she wasn’t long browsing before she heard a commotion from a stall a bit further down. Someone shouted for someone else to wait. She scanned the crowd, finding the source of the shouts rather easily.

It didn’t surprise her that the victim had had his pocket picked. He was wandering about Voedale in an immaculately tailored outfit that was likely worth more than Cass’ bakery pulled in in a fortnight. He looked like a golly, from what she could see. He clearly didn’t belong, and it made him an obvious target. The scruffy little thing that was running away from the scene of the crime was also easy to track. No one really made any attempt to stop them, but that was far from unusual. This was a regular occurrence here, and no one really batted an eye when it happened to a stranger, let alone an outsider.

The young man had given chase, but it was clear he wasn’t much for running, as he faded out after a short sprint. Cass didn’t much care for gollies, but she cared for petty crime even less. She still might not have gotten involved, but the thief was coming straight for her. Stopping him was a simple matter of quickly stooping down, sticking out her arm and catching him about the waist, and an even simpler matter of hoisting him off his feet as she straightened up. There was an indignant squawk as he flailed, rather ineffectually, given Cass’ strong hold on him, and shouted to be put down. The pocketbook that had been in his hands landed in the damp dirt with a wet little splat. She shifted her hold on the raggamuffin, eliciting more shouts of complaint, and bent down to pick it up. Once it was firmly in her own hand, she dropped the pickpocket on his feet again.

“I’ll be taking this,” she said, “unless y’think you could fight me for it.”

The lad stared at her, before indignantly straightening his clothes with a huff. “Fine, if it means so much to ya!” he snapped. “The hell d’you think y’ are, grabbin’ at me like that!”

She stepped aside, giving the lad a clear path to slink back into the crowd. “Run along, boch,” she said, “go find somethin’ more constructive t’ do with your time than stick yer fingers where they don’t belong.”

“Fuck you,” he snapped as he walked off.

Cass caught him with a sharp but light smack to the back of his head as he retreated. “And mind yer manners!”

He turned and made a very rude gesture at her before vanishing once more into the throng of people in the market. Likely off to find another mark, having been foiled in getting away scot free on this one. Cass shook her head, turning back around and cleaning the pocketbook off as best she could as she made her way towards the one who had lost it. As she drew closer, it became clear to her that her initial assumption that he was a golly was wrong. She’d felt fields before, and glamours, and the young man in front of her had neither. It was clear he wasn’t human, though, by looks alone. He was too pretty, too fine-boned. A passive, then. It wasn’t common to find their sort in these parts, at least not ones that looked as well-off as this one did, but she’d met a few. She extended the pocketbook to him.

“I’m thinkin’ this belongs t’ you,” she said.

[Yazad]

Basin Court market

Loshis 14, 2720 - Afternoon

Y azad’s attempt to try and keep up with the pocketbook snatcher was as futile as it had been pathetic. Nimble as he was, it proved very difficult to try and weave through the ever-shifting crowd, and being light-footed did not necessarily translate to one having the strength to keep up a dash for long. The passive found himself falling behind, breathlessly, as he watched the thief’s back get further and further away from his grasp. Yazad halted his chase to catch his breath, bitterly pursing his rose-colored lips in frustration as he tried to come to terms with the fact that he had just lost a few shills’ worth of his savings before he could even buy himself anything.

Not even a few seconds later, the panting passive caught sight of the pickpocket, although this time--he was held up in the air by a pair of visibly strong arms belonging to a person whom he did not recognize. With a little more air flowing into his lungs now, Yazad hastily made his way forward, uttering a soft ‘excuse me’ to anyone he brushed past on his way. As the view before him cleared, the raven-haired man paused his advance, his pale green eyes rising up to look at the tallest woman that he had ever seen in his life. In her grip, the scrawny robber’s struggle to break free looked about as effective as that of a worm in the grasp of a bird of prey. In the end, a stunned Yazad could only watch, mouth agape, as the uneven exchange of words took place.

The fellow was not even remorseful for his unsavory deed, the passive realized in shocked amusement. He was shouting back at the tall woman, expressing his anger at her stopping him, despite it being the result of his own terrible choice of crime. Yazad was not used to this--he was not used to people screaming at one another, anger flaring, or unknown words to him that sounded very much like insults. The woman, imposing as she appeared to be, was at least far more civil than the rascal scurrying away in wide steps after he was hit on the back of the head. For a moment, Yazad simply stood there, blinking, his pocketbook momentarily forgotten.

"Oh, goodness gracious." Yazad snapped out of his awe as the leather pocketbook was extended to him, slender fingers reaching over to take the item and hold it close to his chest while his eyes went up again. The woman was very much a sight to behold, and the way she effortlessly picked and carried the thief inspired wonderment from the man who could barely run for more than a minute.

"Thank you so much, madam. I appreciate your kind assistance greatly, and the way you looked entirely impressive while doing it." Yazad’s smiling ruddy face beamed with gratitude that mixed with open amazement. She did not have to stop the pickpocket, she did not have to help a stranger whom she did not know get back their stolen money, and yet she did with hardly any noise or violence.

"Whatever can I do to repay your kindness?"

[Cassidy Elwes]

Loshis 14, 2720

Basin Court market, afternoon.

The young man stood there for perhaps longer than Cass expected him to, staring goggle-eyed at her. She was used to that from golly sorts seeing her for the first time. She was an imposing figure, and had always been. He did speak eventually, though, jostled from his trance. Cass smiled as he took the pocketbook back and held it to himself like she’d handed him the most important thing in the whole of Vita. She supposed that, to him at least, in this moment, she had done just that. She couldn’t help but give a warm laugh as he called her actions impressive.

“T’weren’t nothin’,” she said, “I lift bags o’ flour heavier than that little guttersnipe for a livin’. Seemed the easiest way t’ stop him in his tracks is all.”

She hadn’t been trying to impress anyone, but the effect it had on the passive was clear from the awe on his face as he spoke. She’d seen the look before, though usually on children. She took a better look at the young man now that she was closer. He stuck out like a sore thumb among the ramshackle stalls and ragged locals that wandered the market. She wondered if he knew what an obvious target he was, but something told her he certainly wasn’t aware. He asked how he could repay her, and she shook her head.

“No need,” she replied, smiling again. “Just make sure t’ keep one hand on yer wallet from now on. Someone done up as fancy as yerself is bound t’ be targeted by pickpockets and the likes, ‘specially in these parts.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Did no one ever tell ya Voedale is dangerous? People ‘round here don’t have much. It ent their fault, o’course, an’ not all of ‘em are thieves, but the ones who are are always lookin’ fer marks. Some of ‘em’d do more than just pick yer pocket. Y’ should be careful.”

[Yazad]

Basin Court market

Loshis 14, 2720 - Afternoon

A musement and awe settled in on Yazad’s expression and his mind, prompting questions about the rather tall woman who stood before him. Not even ‘tall’ seemed an appropriate enough term to use for her. ‘Tall’ is something that he would use to call a person whom he did not need to crane his neck to look up at. This--this was something else, and the passive found it very intriguing.

A person of such stature might inspire a sense of wariness or a feeling of being overwhelming, but the smile this large woman wore looked nothing if not warm and genuine. Even her laugh sounded more relaxing than mocking or judgemental.

"You lift--" Yazad echoed the words partially before stopping himself from parroting what the other had said like some sort of dull child. He did understand what she said, but could barely process it. Her curious lingual choices aside, hearing a woman talking about lifting bags of flour baffled the passive. All he has ever known is galdor women, draped in fineries and generally only lifting themselves off of their seats to dance. This woman was not a galdor, that he was certain of, but that meant very little to him. What a person is came at the very end of the list of things that make him like or dislike someone. "I can lift two grocery-filled paper bags. Sometimes." The man commented, playfully, as his placid smile turned into a chuckle. He had little doubt that someone with such strength as this woman would have no difficulty carrying him and the grocery-filled paper bags.

With the theft of his pocketbook still fresh on his mind, Yazad found himself glancing over his shoulders at any motion that is too close to him. One must be quite unlucky to be robbed twice in the same day, and he was always told that he possessed an affinity for luck, but he was hoping to not test that right now.

"Would you, at the very least, tell me your name, madam?" Although visibly disappointed to be denied the chance of repaying his pocketbook savior’s kindness, Yazad did not argue much. Instead, he followed her instructions by placing a protective hand over the item that he held against his chest. He will have to come back to the market at another time, and his purchase of jewelry and cosmetics will have to wait. "I must admit that this is not my best look, but your advice is duly noted."

Now feeling slightly self-conscious about his appearance, Yazad’s slender fingers gingerly smoothed his hair and brushed the bangs aside. After all that running -all one minute of it-, his hair must be out of place and his face reddish. When the woman spoke to him again, eyebrows furrowing in what looked like concern, he looked up and smiled, slightly sheepish. "Is this what these parts are called? I am not a resident of this...fine...city. I am merely visiting with the good master." Yazad started, then canted his head slightly to the side, "I would have given him tallies if he asked nicely. And what is that about more than picking pockets? Are we speaking of murder here? Are there murderers in these parts?" More than disturbed or fearful, the passive sounded rather curious.

[Cassidy Elwes]

Loshis 14, 2720

Basin Court market, afternoon.

The expression of wonder on the young man’s face as Cass mentioned flour sacks brought a smile to her face, and that only grew when he began to repeat what she had said. She chuckled at his comment about grocery bags. His expression had changed when she told him there was no need for him to pay her back. He looked entirely put out at her reply, and she almost regretted not letting him. When next he spoke it was to ask if he could at least have her name. She was more than happy to oblige him on that front.

“Cassidy Elwes,” she said, “Most call me Cass.”

His response to being told where he was gave her pause. It was not uncommon for tourists to get lost, but they generally had at least some idea of what kind of place the Harbour was. It was nice along the polished waterfront and the posh golly communities with their manicured houses and shopping districts, but most of the fancy sorts steered clear of places like this unless they were looking for trouble. His sudden interest in murderers when she mentioned that there were worse sorts than pickpockets in these parts only concerned her more. It was certainly a possibility, but she didn’t want to outright say so and risk worrying him unnecessarily. It wasn’t likely they were at risk of running across a murderer in broad daylight, though she had heard tell of some bold ones in the past.

“Well,” she said, drawing out the syllable a bit, “there are bad sorts everywhere, really, yeah? Just… maybe more of ‘em ‘round here than other places.”

It wasn’t a real answer, but it was still true. She crossed her arms, looking down at him, getting back to the more worrisome subject of him being lost. “Ya really don’t know where y’ are?” she asked, arching a brow, “this here is Basin Court market. Voedale proper starts a bit further east. Across th’ bridge there is Bean Island, though there ent much there, an’ then y’ get into Castle Hill further on.”

“Was there somethin’ y’ were tryin’ to find?” she asked, “Maybe I can help. I’m headin’ back home, but I don’t mind a detour.”

[Yazad]

Basin Court market

Loshis 14, 2720 - Afternoon

Y azad took a moment to securely drop his pocketbook into his pocket; somewhere away from potentially watchful eyes and sticky fingers. His coat covered the spot nicely, and the passive felt more assured that theft was not going to be a problem if he put an additional layer of clothing between his purse and a thief’s hand.

"Madam Cassidy, I shall remember that." Yazad echoed the name, smiling and nodding. It was rather difficult to forget anything about a woman as uniquely built as this one, and her name was also one that he had never heard before. "I am Yazad, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The man followed, politely introducing himself with a graceful bow. Cassidy herself did not ask, but giving one’s name back was simply the proper thing to do.

Yazad gave off a light chuckle at Cassidy’s question. Did he really not know where he is? Did he ever know where he is, really? "I sometimes do." There was a tiny ‘oh’ of amusement when it was revealed that the market’s name is Basin Court. The number of names and directions that followed were lost to the passive who maintained his polite smile despite looking at Cassidy with a confused, blank stare. To start, he did not even know where east is or how to determine which way is what cardinal direction.

"Oh, goodness. I would not want to hold you. I was merely browsing for Hessean accessories and scented oils. One does not find such a wide variety of products in Brunnhold." Yazad answered, "I did find a rather charming pair of earrings before I had been interrupted, but I am not even certain where that stall is anymore." His shoulders shrugged in resignation, a sigh escaping his lips before he looked up at the taller woman. She looked confident enough in this place and sounded as if she knew more than enough about it. "If I can be so bold as to trouble you, would you kindly suggest a seller that I might find such wares with?".

[Cassidy Elwes]

Loshis 14, 2720

Basin Court market, afternoon.

She smiled faintly as he called her ‘Madam’. Usually when she got that from people, it was coming from galdori, and in a far more derisive tone. Coming from the lad — Yazad, he’d said his name was — it was more respectful. She liked that. The blank sort of look on his face as she explained where they were and what was to be found nearby had her a bit worried for him, though. It was a good thing that she didn’t have anything else to do after visiting Seamus. She could spare the time to walk around with the lad. She didn’t think it would be a good idea to leave the passive to his own devices, lest he get pickpocketed again, or worse. She shook her head as he claimed he didn’t want to keep her.

“It’s no trouble,” she replied, “I’ve got nothin' pressin’ t’ do. I’d be happy t’ show ya around.”

He mentioned the jewellery stall, and that he wasn’t sure he would even be able to find it again after chasing the pickpocket. Cass glanced back down the way he had come, her height giving her the advantage of being able to see over most of the scant crowd that was out shopping today. As far as she had seen, the chase had been mostly in a straight line. He’d also mentioned he was after Hessean accessories and oils. That she had to think on a bit more. Fancy jewellery and accessories and perfume really weren’t her style, nor did she currently have anyone to be buying such things for, but she was sure she’d at least glanced some things that might fit what Yazad was after.

“Well, near as I can tell, y’ chased ‘im in a straight line,” she said, “so the jewellery stall y’ were at is probably just back the way y’ came. I’m sure we can find it again. As fer the rest, I’ll have t’ think a bit.”

She began walking back the way she had seen the pickpocket and the passive running from, pausing to make sure Yazad was, in fact, with her, before continuing on. She wasn’t worried about anyone making a move against the lad now that she was with him. Her intimidating presence aside, she was known to a good number of folk around these parts. She’d grown up here. She’d come to the market often with her mother and father, and then later by herself. It also helped that she’d had quite a reputation in her heyday in the ring. Yazad would be safe from any untoward advances so long as he was walking around with the Bear herself.

“There ent much here today,” she said, “the rain an’ the drizzle keeps a lotta people away. I was thinkin’ of lookin’ fer some spices myself, but it seems most o’ the usual spice vendors took t’day off. Not surprisin’, mind, when most of what they sell ought t’ be kept dry. Y’should see this place in Yaris, it really gets busy.”

[Yazad]

Basin Court market

Loshis 14, 2720 - Afternoon

Y azad offered Cassidy a thankful smile when she replied with her willingness to help. She had nothing urgent to attend to, she said--or so Yazad thought she did. The tall woman’s accent was just as unique as every other thing about her, and that made the passive very amused. Most of all, because he could actually understand her very well.

"You seem rather familiar with this market, madam. So I am ever so grateful for your kind assistance." the man inclined his head politely then lifted it up to tuck a few stray strands behind his ear. Being naturally terrible at directions and potentially standing out as an obvious target for thieves was a rather worrying combination, but he found himself less concerned about both with Cassidy by his side. It was not merely her size alone, but rather the reassurance her strong yet gentle voice carried.

"How fortunate~ It was not the intention, I must admit--I was not even sure where I was going, but that is my state often when going anywhere." Yazad giggled lightly at his own admission of navigation awfulness, a hand hovering closely over his mouth as he did so.

When Cassidy turned around and began to walk, Yazad followed closely. The rowdy crowd of Basin Court looked to be split between those who stared at Cassidy as she walked, and those when merely gave her the passing glance of someone who was already familiar with the view. It was to be expected, the passive mused, that someone like her would be known if she lived around these parts and frequented the market often. She did mention carrying bags of flour previously, too. Curious. Did she lift heavy loads for a living?

"Spices, you say?" The man continued to walk with dignified grace, hands folded over his abdomen, but his mellow demeanor only made the spark of interest in his eyes stand out more. "Is the good lady, by any chance, a lover of cooking?" Most people had to cook in order to keep living, but not everyone enjoyed the process.

"Goodness. I cannot say that I will be here come Yaris, but I can definitely picture that." Yazad responded, sidestepping to allow a man carrying a crate to pass. "There is nothing nearly as lively as this in Brunnhold. Not that I know of, at least." Although ‘lively’ in this situation can also be substituted with ‘utterly loud’ or ‘chaotic’.