Farmer's Market

[Bumblebee]

Zida 5 720

For as much as she tried, Ome'li had been unable to sell the property. On the outskirts of Desnind, where the trees of the forest thinned sat an acre of land that should have drawn as many eyes as it did superstition. Zi'da flowers bloomed in sporadic beauty across the slumbering patch of land, a layer of fog still lingering like a ghost upon the surface. Along the perimeter of the old farmland, where the treeline began to increase in number so did the amount of weeds. The land was good; but the seller knew that it would only fall deeper into disrepair if they couldn't find another to care for it. Nature would reclaim it, as it always did.

Ome'li shivered beneath her furs, eying the house that was listed as well. Unlike so many of the other structures of the City of Trees, this one... well, this one was different. Instead of a tree, the home was built upon the ground, but its roof was lined with grassy sod, visible thanks to the bright sunshine that did its best to sweep away the fog. It was a detail that was met with mixed opinions of her fellow Sev'ryn. Some found it charmingly different , others... others thought that it made one too vulnerable to the creatures of the forest floor. Ome'li herself believed it was unique, and gave ease to anyone who didn't want to climb a flight of winding steps after spending their trial toiling away the trial. She hoped it would be enough to show off its warm personality.

She saw a figure approaching and at once she bound forward, waving, "Hello!" she greeted in Common, although her voice was laced with a Xanthean accent, "You must be the one I am meeting for the listing, is that right?"

There was a cheeriness to the Sev'ryn woman, her smile bright and wide, "It is a lovely farm; used for some time by its former owner. A bit frosted now, but the soil is good," she was already bounding towards the house and then came up short, dark braids spinning when she turned, "Ah, so sorry! I am Ome'li; one of the property managers for the city. Are you new to Desnind?"

The Sev'ryn wondered what the Qi'ora woman thought so far, waiting to see if she would reply. Then, as confidently as she could, began to step into the field, "Shall we begin with a tour?"

[Hankley]

Hankley had been in Desnind now for about five trials. She was still a guest here, a visitor, a refugee that had not found herself a place to call home. But she did manage to bring herself to talk to people, not sharing her story, but rather asking about land available for purchase. Most told her about a home in the trees she could buy, but she wasn't interested in a house. She wanted landed she could care for. She wanted to feel soil beneath her feet and have a more special connection with it. The trees here were beautiful, magical beings, ones to be revered and respected.

But it was not their comfort she sought in this time of mourning and moving forward.

Eventually though, someone joked about a woman named Ome'li and the land she'd been trying to sell for a while. He said she lived so close to the ground that he wondered if she had grown roots of her own. Hankley had perked up and asked the man about this woman. He said he'd talk to her on Hankley's behalf. And now, Hankley found herself walking through the crisp fog toward the woman's earthbound home. She flooded her ears with ether as she walked, activating her Calling ability. As she did, she quickly found herself amidst the beautiful sound of a slumbering breath. It was big, gentle, full of power not being used, and it wrapped all around her. And she smiled in its caress, for she knew this to be the voice of the fog in the air, drowning out everything else. She had not yet reached the woman or her house, and now she spoke directly to the fog, in her native Umaya. This was not part of her ability, nor was it magic either. It was just something she had become accustomed to doing.

"Hello. My name is Hankley, and I am so happy to meet you. I am coming by to visit, to see if I wish to live here. And to see if you, and the others, will allow me to settle here as well. If you wish to see if I am worthy, I will accept your challenge if you will help me to understand what that might be. I hope to hear from you, and the others. I must go speak with this woman too."

She continued forward, gently alighting through the fog, she found herself in front of the woman. Hankley was dressed in her shawl and a long skirt, a cloak over her shoulders and her feet bare upon the damp, spongy grass. The woman greeted to her in Common, so Hankley had to pay even closer attention. She gave the woman a soft smile, not near as nice as the one she gave to the fog earlier. Her own accent was quite thick and her Common was not strong. "Hello. Yes, I is one to be meeting you. Is right. I give thank to you." She opened her arms to the woman to show it as well.

The woman's cheeriness caused Hankley's own smile to grow just a smidge larger. "Yes. I is new to Desnind. I arriving four trials past. I is calling Hankley. I is happy to be meeting you, Ome'li." Then at the follow up question, "Yes. I is liking to beginning tour. It is much beauty here. Air water is much and strong." Still, it was a bit chillier than Hankley was used to experiencing. She was ready to tour with the woman, and then asked a few questions of her own. "Man who telling me your name is saying land no is liking to be purchase. Why is this? And what is happening with farmer past?"

[Bumblebee]

Zida 5 720

Hankley did not speak Common fluently, it seemed.

This distressed the realtor but she hid it well, arcs of mercantile experience under her belt to aid in her concealment. It just meant they would have to change their approach to the matter, the sale wasn't lost yet, "Welcome to Desnind, Hankley," she waved her forward, stepping to walk slowly alongside the Qi'ora, thinking over the sounds of her native tongue. It was not something she recognized, but the bits of Common were pieced together well enough.

Unfortunately, she wanted to know about the former owner. Ome'li sucked in a bit of air and chuckled, "Straight to the point, you must be an archer," soon after speaking, the Sev'ryn realized perhaps the joke would be lost and so she sighed and shook her head as she lead the woman into the field, pointing at the house. When Ome'li spoke, a bit of the mirth that had touched her voice cracked and her shoulders hung a bit heavier, "Well... I originally sold the property to a woman," she glanced over to see how well she was being understood, making sure to speak slowly and enunciate as clearly as she could, "De'nasa. Almost an arc ago she was exiled. Cast out."

Ome'li hated to start the tour with something so bleak.

As they strolled through the fog, they had to step over patches of overgrowth. Ome'li was careful not to let any of it touch her, "What do you know of Lisirra, Hankley?"

[Hankley]

Hankley snorted happily at the woman's joke. Archer? Straight to the point? Hankley's grin grew broad and toothy and she was feeling a lot more comfortable in the woman's presence now. She listened intently as the woman spoke, grateful for how clear her words were. She was nodding along, mulling it over as they moved through the fog. There was so much water here! She could feel it beneath her feet, in her lungs, in her soul. It resonated with her spark. There was plenty of water in the Veridian Scimitar, but plenty of sand too. There didn't seem to be any sand whatsoever here.

The woman had only had the property for an arc? That was... odd.

But what was more odd was when Hankley had stopped to briefly take in a deep breath of the fog, she saw that Ome'li was intentionally not touching the plants around them. She cocked her head at this. Another odd thing. She stood up fully, hearing the woman's question. "I not knowing Lisirra." Then a determined furrow grew in Hankley's brows, "Why you not be touching the plants? Is they being dangerous? Is why woman selling land after one arc?"

It was suspicious.

Hankley was a fairly direct person, not one to dance around simple details and she was always up front with every person she met. It was how she expressed her own neutrality. So she was not appreciating whatever it was that was happening here, and this was evident on her face. It didn't help that her young Becoming spark within her was growing in an intense interest in this woman. It wanted to be her. Which would be problematic since the woman was still alive, and Hankley had zero inclination to kill her, or anyone, for that matter.

"Speaking truth to me please. Being straight to point, like archer. What being wrong here?"

Hankley refused to go any further on this tour until the woman gave her the answers she sought, and spoke them plainly. If there was something wrong with the plants, if they were dangerous, Hankley deserved the right to know before she went traipsing through them. She'd gone through enough heartache having lost her darling Brach, selling her farm, and coming here. She didn't have much patience for anything else right now.

[Bumblebee]

Zida 5 720

Hankley wanted her to be frank, but Ome'li had to check the woman's knowledge of their culture, otherwise it wouldn't matter what she said, the foreigner wouldn't understand, "Well-"

"Why you not be touching the plants? Is they being dangerous? Is why woman selling land after one arc?"

The realtor looked sheepish then, realizing her own prejudice against the property, "I don't know if they're dangerous."

It was the honest answer, "Some of them, it is likely..." she sighed, shoulders dropped when she saw the woman plant herself firmly in place, "The land is good. But the woman who used it, was not. She was Cazav," Ome'li searched Hankley's face for understanding, continuing her explanation, "Cazav is a faction that follows Lisirra." At the name of the group, Ome'li's voice had dropped to a whisper and she seemed to watch the trees closely, "Lisirra is an Immortal, enemy of Moseke..."

And Moseke was the patron Immortal of Desnind. If Hankley didn't know this, she would soon learn. The Sev'ryn continued, "Most of us thought them to be myth; a secret. Bad people who try to make disease, who inflict pain on others... A story to scare others, but... De'nasa was one. She lived among us. No one has wanted to buy the land since. You understand?"

Taking a page from Hankley's book, Ome'li turned to look the woman in the eye, "Do you still want to continue the tour?"

!

Message from: Bumblebee

Feel free to ask more questions or look around. Should Hankley decide to investigate the fields (either now or later), she has the opportunity (should you wish) to find up to three different types of poisonous plants scattered around the property. 2 common, and 1 uncommon. These can be from real life, or from existing lore. Bonus challenge: Should you dev new flora up, there may be a bonus award at the end of the thread.

[Hankley]

Hankley listened carefully to the woman's honest, frankly spoken words. Within Hankley though, her agitation had awoken her Becoming spark. And so, while she listened, the Spark looked through Hankley's eyes at the real estate agent. And it grew hungry behind Hankley's eyes. This was a new creature, a new species, something exciting. It looked similar to Hankley, and the Spark's desire manifested as a slight twitch of a grin growing on Hankley's face as she watched and listened to the woman speak.

There was zero recognition in Hankley's face at the mention of Cazav. And when the woman dropped to a low whisper, Hankley leaned in to better hear her. In doing so, the spark within her began trying to reach out, urging Hankley to make a totem from this woman. It wished to be her, at any costs. Hankley could smell the woman's natural scent, something common down here in the humid forests of Desnind it seemed. This only drove her spark more wild, lashing out from within Hankley. She had to take a step back to keep herself from biting at this woman's neck, attempting to make her a totem by force.

And this scared Hankley.

She had never seen her spark react in such a way. It was deeply unsettling. Across Hankley's face was her emotional disturbance by this, as she barely heard the words the woman was speaking. Hankley took a deep swallow, trying to maintain some control and discipline of herself, and looking toward Ome'li, she nodded her head. But Hankley had already made up her mind.

A land that was cursed and scorned? Believed to be dangerous and tainted? Land that was perceived as being out of balance?

This was why Hankley was here, she was sure of it. She had been drawn to this place, to help it find balance. To help herself find balance in helping it. It no longer mattered to Hankley how the tour went, she was going to purchase this land. And she walked now with a bit more confidence in her steps. She unconsciously began to take the lead on the tour, walking herself about, asking a wide variety of questions to the woman. She did not care one bit about the cultural stigma of the previous owner.

"Where being nearest fresh water source?"

"What protection be giving from Desnind?"

"What lands be bordering this land?"

"What laws be governing farming here?"

"Who in city be making decisions about farming?"

"Do you be having drawn map of area?"

"Who I be learning your language from?"

Hankley knelt down, inspecting each new plant she came across, which was effectively all of them. She would have to do a lot of work here, just to learn the land, before she even began to work with it. So many new species and things to learn and discover. But it needed her. She could feel it. Her sparks within her needed somewhere to be able to roam free, safely. And she needed a place she could nurture and grow.

"I be buying it now."

This was said with a steely determination and she wouldn't be swayed. She was only interested in moving forward, getting to work. And she knew that she would have to do this alongside the people of Desnind, for her own protection and for the protection of the land. She had learned from her mistake in Nashaki. Anything done in isolation is doomed to die.

And she didn't wish to lose anyone else.

[Bumblebee]

Zida 5 720

"Where being nearest fresh water source?"

Omeli was surprised by the question after having admitted the farm's history, but she certainly wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, "Tosibeere River," she answered, immediately seeing an opportunity to show Hankley a bit more of the property. Waving her to follow, Ome'li trudged closer to the modest house, pointing to the yard, "There is a small well, good for small things. Drinking, cooking," Bathing too, if she wanted, although Ome'li preferred the river, "Although... I think the pulley might be broken. Still, a small little repair for fresh water." she turned to face the Qi'ora.

"What protection be giving from Desnind?"

"Hm," the Sev'ryn woman began to consider this, "For the property?"

It was immediately assumed she meant physical protection, not financial, "The city has its walls, which keeps away most of the predators, but... time to time, people wander or danger manages to breach the city. Hunters or trappers are often quick to help. A new pelt is good for trade, good for meat." Sometimes the animal would be caged and relocated, although she believed Hankley understood the implication enough to presume there were options. Then, with a series of scenarios playing through her mind, she decided to answer, "Not much stands between this property and the forest," the walls were still a significant distance away and there were a few houses, not many, yet none were on the same level. If Hankley purchased the farm, her housing was on the forest floor, which gave it a certain level of vulnerability, "If you obtain animals, they must stay on your land. Stay alert; it is better to be safe."

"What lands be bordering this land?"

"Makubwa Lori," Ome'li turned to scan the expanse around them and then the position of the sun. She seemed to determining direction and then, quite confidently, pointed at the trees beyond the property's border, "Southeast. Desnind's walls are in that direction, but beyond them, the trees thicken. They say Makubwa Lori is endless," the way she said it made it seem that Ome'li believed this as well; she had certainly never found seen its border, but everything had to end eventually... right?

"What laws be governing farming here?"

"Farming? Uhhh...." her face twisted, "There are rules about the felling of trees, but I've not heard any about planting." she drummed her fingers against her chin, "The Isori might know. They are another group... hmm," After she said it, the realtor felt more sure, "Yes, I'm sure they can help."

"Who in city be making decisions about farming?"

"You?" she grinned. The tan woman wasn't a farmer herself, but she knew the general laws of the city, none of which dictated how someone ran their agricultural affairs. "You will have freedom to grow as you can. But... Remember what I said, yes?" Ome'li scratched at her arm, brows knitted at the thought that Hankley would cultivate something with ill intent, "Our nature is important to the city. Those who grow have a responsibility to the land. If... fire or logging is required... The Ti'al may not be happy. I can not say for certain."

"Do you be having drawn map of area?"

Ome'li perked up a bit, shaking her head with a knit of her brow, "I do not," she admitted, silently berating herself, "I can have a city map sent to you? Where are you staying? Beyond Desnind, it is dangerous, and the makers tend to want to barter before parting with them." Cartography was not cheap work in uncharted wilderness as much, as the realtor wished she could help out. It would require something given in return. Maybe the city map would be a start for the newcomer?

"Who I be learning your language from?"

The question pleased Ome'li; It was kind for the woman to wish to learn their native tongue and she was eager to share what she knew, "Bakan Isorosi - or library," like many of other children in the community, she had grown up within the learning center, often taking classes from the elders and the librarian himself, "Bokuno knows everything," she laughed, "He can help find you a tutor, or he might offer to help you himself. He is an old soul; very kind. Classes are often held there."

Ome'li prepared for another inquiry and was about to pipe up, try to sell the property more, even on such a foggy, grey trial, but once again, Hankley beat her to it.

"I be buying it now."

She gasped, thrilled, but recovered quickly, "That's is fantastic news!" She rushed to open her collection of papers to find the right documentation, then slowed, hopeful but cautious after explaining the cost and process of buying land in Desnind. It was fairly straightforward, "You do understand, yes?" Ome'li was not about to take advantage of the woman, but neither wished to insult her intelligence, "I will write up a proof of purchase; you will be given the deed once the city records are managed. This is just fantastic! You will love it here-" she was shuffling through papers, "I am sure."

!

Message from: Bumblebee

Congratulations! You have purchased a property! It is equivalent to one that would be provided in the farmer's starting package. You may make a final post if you'd like. Let me know your decision and I will change this notice as the final review (with an edit to include XP and knowledge, of course). I know this was a fairly straight forward exchange in terms of housing that could have been done entirely ooc, but you decided to role play through story. Thank you for allowing me to be the moderator! I always like to reward story with (hopefully) more story and I tried to make home buying interesting, so I've given you a few perks for going above and beyond. Hankley will have access to a fresh water well on her property. Its pulley is broken and it is overgrown with vines. She will have access to three plants (pending approval - I'll try to get to those soon). There will be a faction written up which she will have a chance to join (optional) that may grant her perks as a farmer/nature focused PC. PM/DM me if you're interested in helping get that set up. Bonus: For completing the optional challenge in this thread, either during her move or while residing in the property, Hankley will discover a necklace hidden by the previous owner with a single black stone. When worn, Hankley will have access to 1 charge of the Ythinai ability: Spyworm. Spyworm: A user of this ability produces a parasite in their own body that can be transmitted by touch or ingestion. Once another individual is infected, the life-cycle of the parasite will continue to propagate itself until removed from the victim’s system. Although a stubborn variety of parasite, traditional medicinal methods can be used to exterminate the spy-worm once discovered. The Spy-worm allows the infector to hear and see what the victim hears and sees when in heavy meditation. At this level, only one individual at a time can be infected. Each new infection will lead to the death of the parasite in the formerly infected. Ask and you shall receive... sort of. While it's not exactly what she may have had in mind, Ome'li will have a map of the city sent to Hankley to help her adjustment to Desnind. It marks everything within the city walls. Important!: Please note that while these perks are meant to inspire, they have a certain level of IC danger attached to them. Depending on how they are used, there could be IC repercussions! I'm always happy to modnote any discoveries for Hankley. There could be secrets to be discovered about her little patch o' land.