Assani 24th
Location: Merchant Quarters - Yalen’s Place
Day of the week: Lepdes
Time: 2:10 HO
Characters: Colette, Isabella, Yalen
@pantothenic, Zarina
Zarina had it easy this semester with Lepdes completely free. A long weekend with unfortunately few people to enjoy it with on the first half of the day. But luckily for this restless Virangish entrepreneur, the one Quentic Clergyman she’d likely ever seek out had a free period, and so she capitalised. It wouldn’t be hard for a Tethered to capture the echoes of a familiar voice humming a tune just like the one Jocasta had provided them during their first arrival in Torragon. And if that wasn’t enough to get one’s attention, the three levitating ceramic cups behind the tall figure that simulated her jug from that exact same time frame were there are helpers. The contents were still hot and steaming, just wanting to be enjoyed.
As she stood before Yalen’s door, she began with her usual ‘Tap-tap-taptaptaptap-tap. Tap-tap’, followed by,
”Special delivery for one Mini-Padre.” she announced her presence with a sonorous and playful voice. She was wearing a humble but still quality dark sundress with her hair was damp, likely recently cleaned with a strong odour of lavender permeating her being. A light powdering was done to her face with equal amounts of eyeliner to go with it - She wasn’t trying too hard to look pretty. Her smile, however, lacked the roguish nature she had a tendency to let out with both strangers and friends alike.
The door opened after a short delay, but the face that Zarina may have been expecting did not materialise. A blonde woman appeared in the doorway instead, with a large sword clipped to her waist. Her plate armour was decorated, yet practical, and her indigo blue cape was embroidered with the regalia of the Holy See - the highest Quentic authority on the twin continents. The soldier looked at Zarina appraisingly with her hand resting loosely on her sword hilt.
”Good morning ma’am. To what do we owe the pleasure?” Colette asked, her eyes doing a double take at the sight of the floating coffee set.
Zarina was expecting a lad a tad shorter than what she’d be met with, leaving her golden hues to awkwardly stare down at the mystery-woman’s armour. Surprised, Zarina’s wide eyes darted around various focus points to assess Colette’s figure and making quick deductions,
”Uhm,” she gave particular attention to the sword,
”Hello.” she seized control of her distracted mind when she felt her hold on the cups falter a bit and shook her head. By drawing with the gift, she could sniff out another presence and made some deductions,
”... Yalen, you certainly got prettier.” she grinned a sly, toothy smile as she looked over the knight’s shoulder, hoping to find the young priest,
”Coffee, love?” she proposed one of the three cups to the welcome party.
”That child wishes he could be as pretty as me.” Colette plucked the cup out of midair and took a big gulp, seemingly unphased by the possibility of there being poison in the coffee.
”Thanks for that. If you’re looking for Yalen, he’s inside.” The knightess stood aside to open the way for Zarina.
”He’s concentrating pretty hard though, so don’t startle him.” The ceramic cup was still quite warm, although far from scalding, and it had a peculiar logo on its otherwise white surface. It was a Zenobucks prototype with the usual green/white colour distribution but the Zarina portrait was quite amateurish. The drink itself was a café au lait with no added sugar,
”Thank you kindly, love.” Zarina nodded at Colette as she entered with the two cups still floating by her. The room was plain, like its owner, and for some reason all the lights were off. Yalen was tucked into the corner at his desk staring at a pile of notes. He was struggling to read his handwriting in the dark, with only a channelled orb of light to serve as illumination.
She knocked a couple of times against the doorframe leading to the room Yalen was studying in as a warning,
”Already deep in homework on a Lepdes morning?” she remarked to make her identity known. The second cup drifted slowly to Yalen’s desk for him to indulge in whenever he wanted to,
”Nerd. How’re you, mini-padre?”The light ball flickered as Yalen’s already divided attention was made to acknowledge his friend’s presence. He let it sputter out as she approached and got up in a hurry to open the curtains.
”Zarina! Hi! I wish you’d told me you were coming. I could have cleaned up a bit.” The flustered priest scurried around the room picking up various bits of clutter. Some blank papers, an empty bottle or two, books, someone’s underwear… he was quick to toss that last one out of sight.
”Would you like some - wait nevermind, I suppose you don’t need a drink.” He politely picked up the coffee he’d been offered so it didn’t go to waste.
”What brings you here today?” Zarina chuckled,
”I’ve seen worse. Although then again, I’ve seen rural brothels. Not a great standard.” she reached down to pick up a stray sock and tossed it over to the unseen pile where the underwear supposedly disappeared,
”Well, I’m here to- Actually,” she was back to leaning against the doorframe and looked back to get a glimpse of Colette in the other room,
”I wanted to see how you were doing, but it looks like you’ve got good company. Is she a relative?” she squinted,
”I can see some similarity … Or maybe it’s just her shining armour rivalling your halo of goodness and compassion.” she turned her attention back to Yalen,
”I was also wondering if you were up for a little bit of, y’know, doing that thing friends do in their free time. Which may involve walking and eating. And maybe get Isabella to join us if we can?””Oh, thank you for thinking of me. Yeah, Colette has been helping me with various things since I got back. She’s my older sister, though I wish I could say we shared the same parents.” Yalen almost looked sad as he peeked over at the older woman, who was busy rummaging around in his pantry for some unknown purpose.
”I should be practising magic right now, but I’m sure she won’t mind me taking a break if it’s for a friend.” He picked up his book bag and slung it over his shoulder, then poked his head out to holler at his sister.
”Colette! I’m heading out for a bit! I won’t be needing lunch today!” Yalen looked back towards Zarina.
”Isabella’s room is in the common dormitory. Since it’s almost the dismissal period, maybe we can wait for her there.” They were off, so long as Colette didn’t come down on them, and before long they were outside,
”Have you ever had Thalakan souvlaki, Yalen?” Zarina inquired as she led the way in this friendly excursion.
”I have not. Those are the meat skewers right?” Yalen replied, and Zarina enthusiastically nodded. The sky was clear, the temperature relatively hot for the region and a gentle breeze kept them company.
”Yeah, so, that sister of yours. What brings her here? Is she going Tan-Zeno or something?” Zarina questioned with arms crossed - she leaned ever so slightly toward her blonde friend as they entered a more crowded area between the Merchant and Commons area. There were many small businesses to be crossed, many of which were preparing foods to be sold for luncheon,
”She kind of looked a little more … Extra for a student, though.” she remarked. The cup was brought to her hand and had since cooled down, though she still didn’t drink from it,
”Do you like the cup, by the way?””Colette says the city summoned her to bolster the garrison. She’s part of the Century knights. I don’t know who they are, but apparently only one hundred magi can join the unit. I’m guessing they’re pretty strong.” Zarina blinked and quickly inquired,
”Anything to be worried about?” Yalen shrugged in response.
”For us? Probably not. Do you remember the kings from the assembly of thrones? Apparently someone tried to assassinate a few of them, right here in the city. I think we’re fine as long as we don’t aspire to take the crown…” Zarina clicked her tongue,
”Well shit, there go my plans.” she added in jest.
Yalen turned his nose up to sample the aroma of someone grilling sausages. When prompted for input, he bent his head down so he could look at Zarina’s cup more closely.
”I like the color scheme. Is your face part of the appeal? Putting your likeness up for sale?”Zarina raised an eyebrow,
”You don’t like it?” her tone was as loaded as the question itself. Her free hand rested on her hip and her gaze remained fixed on his being,
”I thought it’d make it, y’know, recognizable. Maybe it could use a little bit of a professional touch …””Oh, so your eyes aren’t painted that way on purpose.” Yalen looked somewhat relieved.
”Well if you aren’t selling yourself as an art piece, what is it for then?””Hmmm.” she gave the cup a good look and frowned,
”Yeah, the eyes are actually a bit off. Hmm, actually …” a little more high-intensity staring followed before she made up her mind,
”Eh, it’s fine. But, no, not art. I appreciate the notion, though.” they were nearing the mentioned Thalakan establishment with the smell of cooked chicken reaching both of them,
”It’s a sort of emblem or crest for a little business idea Marci and I came up with. Just got the cup part of it nailed down, which was one of the harder parts.””A business! How amazing, I had no idea you were preparing something like that. I think Isabella is better with a sewing needle than a paint brush though. What did you need her for?” They were now approaching a surprisingly long line of people waiting for skewers.
”Dami give me strength …” she groaned at the sight of the line. The smell was just so alluring and the tummy gurgles were just starting,
”You talk as though I just wanna hang out with you two to get something.” she put up a vexed look but her growing smirk made the jest more obvious,
”But I was thinking that having some custom clothing for our brand could be a good idea. So, why not ask the pro, y’know?””You have a point. We’ll see how much she warms up to the idea though. She’s already given up one of her free periods for more magic training.” Zarina sucked in her cheek and pondered for a moment,
”... You gotta be a tad insane to take three magic courses. Right?” Yalen nodded.
”She has a lot of catching up to do though.”It took several agonising minutes of waiting and shuffling forward until finally, the two teens reached the front of the stall. An extremely chiselled man in an apron greeted the two through an overly bushy beard. His Thalakan accent was just as thick. Yalen was immediately stricken by indecision and looked to Zarina awkwardly.
”What do you think I should get? I don’t want to hold the line up.”Zarina licked her lips and sucked them in as she laid eyes on the many skewed meats on display,
”Two options. Skewed or breaded. The rest is just not the true Thalakan experience.” the burly shopkeeper kept himself stoic with the only pressure applied to them coming from the loud crowd behind,
”One Souvlaki and one in a bread pocket, please.” she asked politely. The meals were served up with stunning efficiency, although they would have to hold their meals without any plates. Zarina took the loaf stuffed with chicken bits and a few cooked vegetables while Yalen would be given the stick. Seven crows were given in exchange,
”And now you eat it like an uncivilised Callanasti!”Yalen held his stick of meat up like a wine glass.
”If you say so!” He chewed off the top most piece of meat without hesitation, leaving a line of grease covering his lower lip.
”Oh… oh my.” There was a pause as he had to swallow his bite before speaking.
”The meat is perfectly tender, and this marinade is so complex. I taste oregano and… citrus? There’s a lot going on here.” He took another bite while watching Zarina’s reaction to her own meal.
Zarina didn’t waste any time and took a large, unlady-like bite from her Ensollian sandwich. A good bit of munching later and she had a verdict,
”Mmm, definitely a bit of sourness, yeah. And some coriander.” another bite for good measure,
”Gotta hand it to the Thalakans, they know how to cook some chicken.” her lips were covered in a thin layer of grease and small spices, with her tongue sweeping by from time to time to ensure no flavours were wasted. They were nearing the Commoner Quarters, and classes had finished a good ten minutes ago, although the first students hadn’t arrived quite yet. There was a bench nearby and Zarina invitingly gestured for Yalen to take it,
”Wanna rest those legs a bit? You forgot your cane, I see.”Yalen plopped down on the bench and stretched his ankles.
”I don’t think I’ll be needing the cane anymore. I am pretty tired though. I don’t have that many breaks in my schedule since I have to do morning training even on the weekend. Today I was carrying a sack of flour around the Proving Grounds.” He punctuated his statement by hammering his shoulder with a fist.
”What.” Zarina twisted to stare intensely at her bench neighbour and then scrutinised his form,
”You’re telling me you can walk normally with a daily workout? Have you found a miracle treatment?” eyebrows furrowed and her half-eaten meal stuffed back in her mouth, she patiently waited for an explanation.
Yalen shook his head.
”I wouldn’t call it a miracle. The monastic orders have this medicine that helps strengthen the body, that’s all. Colette also helps me recover using her magic. It hasn’t been that easy to keep up with her gruelling schedule though, let me tell you.” After one more bite the skewer was gone. The young monk looked at the wooden stick forlornly.
The two finished their meals at about the same time, with Zarina tapping her hands together to brush off some of the crumbs and flour that remained,
”Sounding like it’s worth it. And you’re still alive.” she leaned back to let her back sag against the bench,
”Every morning, huh? I bet early, too.” she mused for a brief moment,
”Maybe I should tag along, one of these days, since everyone else is asleep when I’m up. Provide ‘Motivation’ to my good, Quentic friend.” an exaggerated, sinister smile took form on her visage. She mellowed quickly enough,
”Have you seen Jojo recently, by the way?””We see each other in class of course, but it’s been hard to talk to her recently. She seems conflicted about something. I do hope she’s okay.” Yalen looked around like he’d spotted someone, even though the street was mostly clear.
”I sense someone coming. Let’s see if it’s her.” He pointed to a barely visible group of students who were strolling down the main road. One of them was very obviously rolling along in a wheelchair. As the posse came closer their faces grew more recognizable; luckily, it was indeed Isabella, as well as the other tethered students from the refuge. One of them pointed to the pair sitting on the bench, causing the pigtail girl to visibly perk up. The group exchanged their farewells and went in their own directions, leaving Izzy to greet her expectant chums. She waved both her hands at them as her wheels continued to roll, their momentum sustained by kinetic trickery.
”Well well well! It looks like I’m pretty popular today! What’s up Yalen, Zarina? What brings you fine fellows to my neck of the woods?”Zarina straightened her posture when Yalen picked up on the flock of tethered youths. All but one moved on and accosted the two who had been waiting for her,
”Hey Izzy.” the Virangishwoman greeted the chair-bound teen with a joyful smile,
”Ipte! That top! And you’re wondering why you’re so popular? Hah.” she reached out to gently brush the back of her hand against the fabric,
”You gotta tell me where you get this stuff, love.””That, my dear, will be impossible. This is something I was working on in Torragon. It takes a while to finish a single piece I’ll have you know. It was a lot of work.” Isabella soaked in the praise with a smug look on her face.
”Jeez, fabric is way too expensive in this city! It’s a good thing I traded up for your friend’s dragon pearl. When I’m finished with school I might use the money and turn this into a business.” ”Actually…” Yalen trailed off, allowing Zarina the opening to bring up her proposition. After a fake pout, Zarina grinned at the opportunity Yalen was giving to her,
”I mean, if you’re confident in your skills, I MIGHT just know someone who’d be interested in working with this sort of business, actually.” she reached her other arm out to offer the coffee she had been holding this whole time. A little bit of low-level arcane later and it was back to being hot,
”Coffee?”Isabella gasped in an overly dramatic fashion and hugged her hands to her chest.
”For MOI?” She giggled at her own terrible performance and hooked her fingers through the cup handle.
”Ooo, smells delicious.” She took a confident sip but then started coughing, having apparently overestimated her tongue’s fortitude. After blowing on the coffee a few times she tried again and found it more to her liking.
”So you’ve come to recognize my greatness have you? What can I help you with?”Zarina snorted at Izzy’s performance and mannerisms, and even let some of her own mundane gestures get a bit exaggerated to mimic the pleasant energy,
”Well! I can see you’ve noticed the brand, and recognised the brains of this endeavour! … Which is maybe Marci more than me but that’s- Anyway.” she brushed some of her rebellious hair locks over her ear as she cleared her throat,
”I’m starting a business with her. Coffee and pastry business, and one of our investors brought up the idea of a uniform dress code- So a uniform.” she blinked and shook her head at her own redundancies,
”Would that be something your magical hands could realise, Isabella? I immediately thought of you when she brought that up!””Welllllllllllllllllllll…” Isabella took half a minute to think about her response. Yalen scratched the back of his head. Given her schedule, he was pretty much expecting her to decline. After finishing her coffee the spectacled girl tapped a finger on her chin while looking sideways at Zarina.
”I can’t say it would be easy - I’m a very busy lady. Unlike you two, I just started learning magic last week. BUT,” she pointed fingers at the duo,
”We may be able to work something out. I can free up a bit of my time if you do some of my homework for me. And I’m in charge of the design! I can’t get passionate about a project if it’s too joblike.”All the time Isabella needed was patiently given by Zarina. One leg over the other and her back sagging again. When the answer was what she had hoped, the Virangish teen clapped her hands together,
”Super! I can agree to most of it. Two things, though-” she freed her hands to gesture though her position stayed as relaxed as it could ever be,
”Nothing too colourful - You’ve got the base colours on the brand on the cup. And it can’t be too difficult to make.” she paused, but before anyone could say anything, Zarina raised her index,
”Also, I approve the plan before launch. Go wild, otherwise. Just tell me the price and the classes you need covered!”True to her nature, Isabella was already prepared with parchment and pen in hand. The three of them discussed the costs of bulk fabrics and dyes, and also who would be covering what subject. Yalen agreed to take her theology notes for her while Zarina was in charge of mathematics. Though most of the discussion was sterile business talk, Izzy was also quite happy to show off some rough sketches of designs she’d been planning. The drawings were well proportioned if a bit lacking in finesse.
”Oh, what do you think about the cut on the neckline here? Is this too revealing?” Isabella placed a loose sheaf onto Zarina’s lap displaying a summery gown with quite a bit of shoulder showing.
A moment was taken to visualise the first draft. Rubbing her chin, Zarina squinted and let out a few pessimistic ‘hmms’,
”I want some degree of practicality. See, we will be working in a tight workspace, preparing drinks and desserts for many people. I would, at least, like to be able to wear an apron with it, while remaining recognisable.” she no longer was slouching, Zarina got into business with the heavy energy that came with it,
”Revealing, however, is not a big deal, so long as it’s also safe. Would probably help, actually.””Meh. This is all I’ve got. I’ll try to draft something more specifically tailored to your shop and show you tomorrow.” Izzy packed her documents back into her bag.
”Say, where were you thinking of setting up? I might become one of your regulars!”Zarina shrugged, at least happy that Isabella was looking into it,
”Uhm, we had a few ideas but …” she raised her hands to try and illustrate directions,
”So, you see that long road you take while passing Arboretum, yeah? At the very end, by the school grounds near the library, we’re thinking of putting our stand around there. Most students pass through there in the morning, so it’s kind of a no-brainer.” Izzy nodded along with her arms crossed.
”I see, I see. You should give me a copy of the menu later. It might help give me some ideas.” The tethered student craned her head to look up at the city’s giant clocktower.
”Holy cow, it’s almost time for roll call! We better get going so we don’t piss off our Zenos.””Ah yeah. Off to live every boy in campus’ dream.” she got up from the bench, stretched her arms out and prompted a couple of cracks,
”So. Menu. Then invoice. The homework when we got something. All good, Izzy?””Yeah, just one more thing. You missed a crumb there.” Isabella poked a finger at Zaz’s collar.
”You owe me lunch tomorrow you cheeky lass.””Bruja.” cheeky indeed.