[color=D2B48C][center][h2][u][b]Rakta[/b][/u][/h2]
City of Thorne Gates - Road to Crystal Palace[/center][/color]

[color=D2B48C]"I don't like anything about this,"[/color] Rakta hissed lowly, [color=D2B48C]"Many faces, many people, many smells-- they're all too focused on themselves."[/color] She stood on the road to the Crystal Palace, with nearly fifty other people, seeking entry into the City of Thorne. Behind her was a chocobo, distinct for it's pale yellow coloration and rather massive size, whose raigns she held. Upon the Chocobo's back were massive packs, tents, and a weight load of other trinkets. Rakta noticed that even the Chocobo seemed antsy in the massive crowd and several times she had to give him reasssuring head pats. Then again, Rakta noticed she kept recieving reassuring pats herself. As if on cue, a gentle hand was placed upon her shoulder. Kajad laughed softly at Rakta's words as they told her, [b]"Well, that's because they don't know us forigners. Everything is very new to us. They're not like us."[/b]
	[color=D2B48C]"No no, [i]we[/i] do not know [i]them[/i],"[/color] Rakta insisted.
	[b]"Interesting perspective but ultimately same meaning."[/b]
	[color=D2B48C]"No, Phamet,"[/color] Rakta replied, using Kajad's honorific, [color=D2B48C]"They exist together, know one another, generalizations within their shared stories and interactions-- but what of we? The wanderers. Desert crawlers. Us the unknown and unlearned. We know each other but nothing of them."[/color]
	[b]"I keep telling you,[/b]" Kajad said with a smirk, [b]"That you have taleweaver in your [i]rafset[/i]. That was woefully poetic."[/b]
	
Rakta sighed, then walked a few steps forward as the que advanced. Leaning to the side, she took stock of how many more caravans, merchants, warriors-- whoevers-- were ahead of them in the entry line. At the same time, she also wondered what they were checking for at the security checkpoint. She and Kajad had been in line all morning, well into the afternoon, and were most certainly going to be late for a few things, namely the welcome ceremony. Rakta was sure the welcome ceremony had passed some time ago and scolded herself for not insisting more firmly with Kajad. She looked over at Kajad and glared. Kajad ducked their head slightly submissively then told Rakta, [b]"Relax. We won't be missed that much. They likely do not recall our hail anyway-- these are Humes we're dealing with and they are forgetful. Also very forgiving."[/b]
	[color=D2B48C]"We could have avoided this,"[/color] Rakta growled.
	[b]"Patience, Rakta-- look, they're doing walking checks now."
[/b]
A pair Humes, dressed in iron armor, helmets obscuring their whole heads, with a tabard bearing some crest Rakta didn't care about, came walking down the line of entrants. At a distance, Rakta could almost make out what they were saying. To Kajad she said, [color=D2B48C]"I think they're looking for us."[/color] Then, sure enough, one of the Humes came jogging up to them and asked, "Phamet Kajad?" Snickering, Kajad bowed slightly then jested, [b]"Was it the headdress that gave me away?"[/b]
	[color=D2B48C]"Or because we are Bangaa,"[/color] Rakta growled to Kajad, [color=D2B48C]"Only ones the Humes seemed to question. Can't tell us apart--"[/color]
	[b]"Rakta, we must educate, not berate--"[/b] Kajad interjected [b]"-- for they are not aware of the distinction between our clans."[/b]
	The armored Hume seemed slightly flustered as Rakta towered over her menacingly. Soon the hume regained her composure and saluted, "I am Ser Ellismore of the Second Guard-- we are to escort you to the palace immediately, honorable Phamet."
Kajad tilted their head to the side and examined the salute with a smile, [b]"Interesting gesture-- but yes. I suppose we have to go quickly, if that is what you wish-- but are we not to see your grounds?"[/b]
	"I'm..." Ser Ellismore hesitated, "I'm afraid not, I'm afraid," she tripped over her words gracefully, "We. The palace. You're expected and we were supposed to escort you here-- there. Both. We have a chocobo--"
	At that moment a knight rode up on Chocobo-back, with another chocobo in tow. Rakta took one look at the average sized chocobo then shook her head, [color=D2B48C]"Least you wish for a broken bird, you will allow my Phamet to ride their own. Yours is puny-- bread for show."[/color] Rakta turned to the Chocobo whose reigns she held, then began removing a few very specific saddlebags.
	[b]"Truly, are all the Chocobo so small here?"[/b] Kajad asked, [b]"Puny and weak looking, aye-- would crumple beneath me."[/b]
	[color=D2B48C]"Aye aye,"[/color] Rakta agreed. 

Ser Ellismore and the knight atop the chocobo exchanged glances, then she spoke, "Y-yes you may ride your own. That's fine too."
	[color=D2B48C]"Fool thinks it was a request,"[/color] Rakta laughed, throwing a few heavy bags upon her back, [color=D2B48C]"No-- the Phamet needed none of your pardon or permission, [i]hume[/i]."[/color] Kajad laughed as well as they eased into the saddle of their Chocobo. Then they said, [b]"I bear gifts to your stallions, your sabers, and your sawbones here--"[/b] the saddlebags were gestured to [b]"-- and I will see them in this order. Then I see your... King? Was it?"[/b]
	"Yes-- the King. Very well," Ser Ellismore replied, then looked to the knight upon Chocobo back. "Keep that one in tow-- we'll stop by the stables first, after all." With a sharp whistle from Ser Ellismore, a third chocobo came trotting up, and she mounted it swiftly. "Please follow us through the city--" her words cut off abruptly.
	[color=D2B48C]"Your gaze upon me is not needed-- I have walked with more burden for longer,"[/color] Rakta curtly responded.
	"Very well," Ser Ellismore said once again, after a long moment of pause.
	With that, they began making their way toward the city, bound for the public stables.