Hunting them bootays (Graded)

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

53 Zi'da 717

It was twelve trials after F'mos had heard the news; eight after the aukari had finished his preparations and departed from Etzos. To anyone else, his arrival to Foster's Landing would be nothing more than a coincidence. Anyone suspecting the aukari's trip as an attempt to profit off recent events would be right, only half right but right all the same. To ensure they would not deduce his actual reasons, F'mos had the perfect excuse ready to give anyone too curious to mind their own business. He was there for the pirates alright, but also to energize any treasure hunters after the booty in which a clash with the pirates was only inevitable. The treasure hunters would be the best sort of customers, appreciative of the cook's work and able to pay him better than his usual clientele.

Or so he hoped.

With a stall- actually a cart he dragged along with him from Etzos parked at the docks where he expected to find the treasure hunters, F'mos prepared his food for any that would pass by. There was of course only one variety of food which would suit the middle of Zi'da which was too cold for anything else and with hot food, the easiest for him to prepare would be stew. It would stay hot for as long as the aukari kept the fire going, it had that nice smell which would get anyone's attention and most importantly, anyone after eating it would be filled for the rest of the trial. The latter was a significant consideration because as long as the stew was good for the job, to fill his customers and keep them going, he could rely on word of mouth of the treasure hunters to bring more of their peers to him. At least, that was the plan.

Along with the treasure hunters F'mos wanted to attract, customers had become a constant in his stall after only three trials. This was despite the presence of the overgrown cat which had become a constant in his stall too. Though it had its job to haul the cart around, the scython's true purpose from the start had always been to protect its master. Otherwise F'mos might as well had saved himself the trouble caused by the menacing feline during the trip up the river. Except for the possibility of some retribution he had to keep an eye out for, the cook kept himself occupied with his job after he left the incident behind him, along with the task of gathering some information on the pirates and their treasure.

He doubted any of the pirates would be in the Bay unless they were behind bars so the treasure hunters would be his only reliable source of information. Being understandably tight-lipped on tips they have received unless it was to brag about the treasure they have already secured, F'mos was unable to get any of the information he needed. A pity. Nevertheless he persisted with feigned concern about his customer's day which inevitably led to the topic of current affairs including, the pirates which plagued Etzori waters.

[Ellen'wyn]

Moseke help her, she really couldn't get used to crowds. Ellen by no means disliked being out and about, but some people had been reaching out and try to touch her wings when she passed, or there was the fact that ever since Gangui's speech a few trials ago she'd been receiving some strange leers. All the newness of Foster's Landing had worn off last season. Now it was just another town.

Etzos was still fairly exciting, and she would be returning soon, but she had some unfinished business here. It hadn't been a complete flop though, and she was glad for that. Unconsciously she touched the necklace resting in the crook of her collar bones. Her breathing hitched every time--she still expected to reach up and find it gone again. So despite all the trouble Gangui was causing her, and his terrible behavior, she couldn't be too mad at him at the moment.

Ellen sighed, pausing by one of the stalls lining the street. All manner of plain but pleasant looking clay dinnerware and pots. Not something she needed by any means. She moved on. Fabrics, some knives--she paused at that one for quite a while--more pottery, glass baubles that fractured the light. Suddenly, a small hand reached out and plucked a feather. The mixed-blood bristled and yowled, shouting as she turned.

"Gbà dav takip sìn eo! tashi ke’ua whakamātao, ọfïïsï ke’u!" Her wings flared open just enough to jostle some of the people around her but then quickly snapped back tight to her back. The small spot now missing a flight feather stung like the dickens. But the little face looking up at her in shock made all the outrage suddenly dissipate with a deflating sigh. Her shoulders sagged as the boy's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, please don't cry. I'm s--" the redhead tried to assuage, moving to comfort the child, but his mother had already swept in like a hawk defending its nest from a snake.

"Don't touch him you monster! Is that how you treat children? He's barely more than a baby!" she hissed, pulling the boy up into her arms and rushing away before Ellen could even try to get another word in. She was left standing with her mouth hanging open and quite a few eyes from the crowd watching intently. After a moment she managed to shake herself from the shock, peering around quickly, and suddenly everyone around her seemed very interested in everything but her. She felt her ears burn in embarrassment and her throat tighten. Ducking her head, she shuffled quickly back through the crowd, shoving her way through the small gaps, not really watching where she was going.

The mixed-blood hit something soft and hard all the same time. The force of it threw her back and onto her rear on the cobbles. Dazed, she braced herself up on her hands and looked into the two big eyes glaring down at her. Ears pinned back, lips pulled up to display some wicked teeth, and the giant... cat... hissed. She was too shocked to be afraid of the thing.

"Dẹọdọ anou itesiwaju?" she mumbled, absently rubbing her forehead. Sev ìlana jasi sì miu ilanae wàsí ni ayo...

Translations

Gbà dav takip sìn eo! tashi ke’ua whakamātao, ọfïïsï ke’u! - Please do not touch me! Control your child, thank you!

Dẹọdọ anou itesiwaju? - What the hell?

Sev ìlana jasi sì miu ilanae wàsí ni ayo... - I must have hit my head pretty hard...

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

Otherwise too occupied with those able to oblige him with his true purpose in Foster's, money or information, F'mos did not even notice the new arrival. He was at the time with another one of those sailors with nothing but complaints about the presence of pirates which were nothing but trouble all because the powers that be wanted a navy. The complaints to the aukari would not do any good since as a chef, he was in no position to do anything about any pirates but then again, he was the one asking around for information and it was only inevitable he would have to sit through something like this.

Much like the mumbles of the woman, the initial hisses of the cat were too soft for the aukari to even take notice. If it had only been left to that, perhaps F'mos and the man he spoke to would not have even known the incident right by them, too engrossed in their own conversation. However the cat was just as hot-headed as its owner and the jungle predator was not going to let something so weak as to fall to the ground on its bottom, or at least according to the things F'mos was taught of his own mount, to get off with just a bump into it. The display of teeth was only just the start as it opened wide for a loud howl before it was up on all fours to tower above its new object of amusement.

Before it could follow through with its intent however, it was stopped by an even louder cry of "m'ira dyju vür irali kael rlymïth!" Normally F'mos would not even have something like that in the city just in case someone might overhear him but he was already annoyed and, prompted further by the sailor who was all about pirates which could be pillaging anyone even the cook, the aukari headed to where he left his cat just for a moment of peace. Peace however did not seem to be in his itinerary for Foster's as it was another one of those avriels he ran into which from his experience, could just be as bad as the pirates in Etzos.

Though calming the scython down was something he would have to do so none of the overzealous lawmen would have an excuse to get into his business, F'mos took his time with Kavelza. While he had his captive audience, he voiced his suspicions of thieves and how the cat was employed to keep them out or get rid of them. Then came the question, "you here for lunch? Snack? Or... something else?" And then came a pause, as if he was awaiting an answer but the moment the woman got a word in, maybe two, he would interrupt with a "I got stew. Chicken. Salad. Stew. Which one you want?"

And then another pause, for the woman to give her answer but again after she got a word in he asked again "you're not thief or pirate are you?" before he yelled to the front where he left the sailor to ask "is she a pirate?"

[Ellen'wyn]

Whatever the big cat was, it didn't look happy. It stared at her like she might be on the menu. The feline bristled visibly, growled loudly, and loomed as if it might strike, but a sudden voice stopped it in its tracks. The language was unrecognizable, but all that mattered was that it seemed to hold the cat's attention. A sigh of relief rushed from her lungs and her shoulders sagged. She almost paid for not paying closer attention to her surroundings. A stupid mistake.

The man that appeared looked mostly normal. A trader of some kind, apparently. He spoke rapidly, and she gawked up at him probably for longer than was acceptable. After the pause, she shook herself visibly.

"No, I--" she tried to start, but he interrupted her. He stopped again after the next string of questions, looking at her pointedly. She wanted to glare at him now, but glanced at his giant feline companion suspiciously instead. "No, I don't need anything. I just wasn't watching where I was going is all." Her brows furrowed at his next question. If she was a thief, she would be a terrible one. And who would steal from a man who had this beast at his side anyway?

"What? No! I've never stolen in my--" But he wasn't listening again. He turned back to one of the sailors he'd been talking with before. The other man looked at her, sitting prone on the ground. Her face was starting to grow red with embarrassment and frustration. Ellen could feel her ears burning again.

"Naw, I seen her likes 'round here b'fore. Sellin' things from th'woods."

The mixed-blood grumbled and finally crawled to her feet. She kept an eye on the cat as she moved, and it watched her right back. The thing licked its chops, almost expectantly. The hair on the back of her neck stood at attention and she looked back at the men.

"I just told you I'm not a thief. Why would anyone steal from you in broad trial-light, surrounding by people? And with--whatever that thing is." She jerked a thumb in the direction of the big cat and it hissed quietly under its breath.

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

It was obvious F'mos eyed the woman with much suspicion but it was not because she was a thief. That much was obvious to him or at least, he could be sure she was no pirate. Pirates were sea scum and avriels; they were air scum. Maybe he put too much thought into it as he likened those damned birds to well... birds, but he believed a thieving avriel would at least take advantage of their natural advantages. He would do it if he had his own wings; sit on a perch and observe his prize for the perfect opportunity and then, swoop right for it and go back into the air- out of reach before anyone could react.

Oh wait he could in fact do it, but that would have to wait until the proper time. Despite his affiliation with the Fence, F'mos was no common thief and therefore had no need to do it just because he could.

Whereas he was still unsure of the winged woman. Had he been in Etzos, he might be able to recognize her but the port town was foreign territory and even if she was not Fence, she could also still be one of the common thieves... until the sailor confirmed otherwise. Unlike the woman, F'mos showed no hint of a change to the realization it was all a mistake; not because he was an aukari who learnt how to control his own emotions, but because he did not care. Even he understood the situation was embarassing but embarrassment was transient. His takings for the trial however, was not.

Every bit of nel was important to an alchemist and a bit he was prevented from getting more would set his work by even more bits. It all adds up.

But he knew when the opportunity for coin was near, especially when it was this obvious. A person able to get things from the woods, even a flapper, would be quite useful. His tone changed, softer and more concerned as he asked with his arm outstretched, "you not thief then? Welcome!" Then a command to the scython which only bared its teeth back at him before he warily pushed its face to the side. "The Kavelza won't eat you" he said, to reassure the woman and then after her query, pointed out "you'd be surprised with what people do." He heard tales in the Fence which though suited to be cautionary were circulated as jokes. Surprisingly enough the aukari himself participated; he found the exploits of the fools amusing.

Not the sort of stories he would tell the woman as he instead changed the topic rather forcefully to suggest, "if you're not thief, you must be customer. Smell brought you here?" It was always the smell as he learned from Maylan's operation; good enough and it would bring in anyone despite how ratty the establishment and then, reputation would do the rest. A few suggestions of the dishes she could get and then offer that "I'll give you a deal because Kavelza nearly made you meal." He was not going to allow her to get away that easily after she bumped into his cat, not until she was a few coins lighter.

If there was something he really was interested to ask however, it was the fact "you're used to woods right? What have you found in there? Anything interesting?" Perhaps it might be assumed the chef was looking for new dishes to make which may be true, but if that was all F'mos could go to any vendor for ingredients. What the aukari was interested in, as an alchemist, is something he could use for his next creation.

[Ellen'wyn]

Ellen met the stranger's gaze with an equal amount of suspicion. He was a strange one, that was for sure, but she decided to be civil. He opted to believe the sailor, which was all well and good--she didn't need the guards breathing down her neck. The mixed-blood avoided them at all costs after Gangui paid a thief to break into the Towers for her and steal back her confiscated necklace. After that ordeal she kept the symbol of Moseke tucked discreetly inside her shirt and out of sight.

The woman squinted at the merchant, scrutinizing him. Persistent. Very persistent. He was definitely a businessman.

"I--Well, no. Not exactly."

She hadn't intended at all to run into them. All she wanted to do was get back to the inn. The redhead looked around, seeming a little helpless. She'd never been very good at disengaging from the pressures of a pushy salesman. His stall did smell good though, and some comfort food couldn't really hurt. Ellen sighed through flared nostrils, looking a little defeated.

"What's your stew made from?" But he seemed curious of something entirely different now, smoothly shifting the topic to her work. She cocked her head slightly, peering at him. "I don't usually go in looking for anything except meat. Sometimes I find bones. Abandoned camps. Old trinkets. Strange plants. I'm not from Etzos though, so there are many native things here that I have never seen before." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you ask?"

[Nauta F'mos Geey]

As the bird lady's judging appraisal washed over him, F'mos simply feigned ignorance while he himself displayed the signs of... enthusiasm. Was that right? It may easily be misconstrued as something else negatively, like maybe impatience, but the aukari knowingly disregarded that possibility. The worst which could happen as a result of him overstepping the boundaries laid down by polite society were in his opinion, something which the woman would well want to avoid as well as she had just only escaped the accusations of being a thief. After he pacified his scython's rather fierce reaction to the woman's moment of hesitation, F'mos was back to his tapping and his every so slight tilts towards the woman until it was "great!"

His answer to her question? "Meat, vegetables. Stuff I find in market. Foster's is port, good place to get anything" he said as he started to slop on some unto a bowl without even waiting for the woman to actually confirm she was going to eat it. He slid it over to here and added with a chuckle, "you find meat. You find plants. Maybe something here even from you." Coincidence aside, it did seem like a good way to get into his true purpose. "Next time you find any interesting meat or plants, maybe you come to me? Good for me, good for you. Not good for traders" he said with a dismissive gesture further away from the port where all the money grubbing sleazebags were. Benefits for all if they could "cut out middleman."

While he watched her eat, his boast would hopefully affirm a point of "I can cook anything" although whatever he cooked being safe or edible was up to debate. He was not as familiar with every ingredient out there in Idalos, not even Etzos, as he would like to claim. With an outstretched hand he asked the woman "so you find anything good, even if you don't know it good, maybe red, purple, blue- you bring right back to F'mos yes? Good? Good?" It was quite pushy, but pushy seemed to have gotten her interested with the stew in the first place. Now the only question is whether the hunter... forager... whatever the bird was interested enough with his new offer.

Though all the same, her stew once she was done with it "is 1 nel." He still needed to make a living and make it worth the Black's while for letting him take the trip all the way to Foster's under their coin.

[Ellen'wyn]

He was clearly a force to be reckoned with. Somehow, he'd run verbal circles around her. He was quick and determined, and as he slid the fresh bowl of stew over to her, she found herself grinning. It faltered just a bit as she examined the food he'd given her. Ellen picked up the bowl, stirred it experimentally, fishing around for the different pieces she could identify. Definitely some meat, vegetables of some time cut up in bite sizes, and--she sniffed it--not an altogether unpleasant blend of seasonings.

Ellen glanced at him as she voiced his proposition, smooth and confident. The redhead scooped up a spoonful of stew and shoved it in her mouth, chewing quietly for a moment. Her cheeks grew rosy and her eyes glazed over as she worked her way through the surprising list of flavors. She hadn't really expected it to be any good--not nearly as good as it actually was.

She scooped a few more spoonfuls between her teeth, scarfing down the first quarter of the meal before she finally spoke again. To any chef, her intent silence as she ate should be a compliment. The half-breed swallowed part of the meal but still spoke around some of the food that remained in her mouth, words slightly muffled. Etiquette be damned.

"I wiw fin' some'fin for you, n' you giff me mer foo', yeah?" She scarfed down a few more bites then wiped her mouth and the little bit running down her chin with the back of a hand.

Gold nel? Copper nel? Silver nel? Ellen fished around in one of the pouches at her belt, coins rattling loudly, until her fingers closed on one of the big ones. She sat the gold piece on his counter and scooted it over with a finger. If she'd overpaid, she wouldn't take any change. It wasn't worth the trouble and his food was good enough to warrant the gold. She quickly finished off the rest of the stew before placing the bowl down with a loud thump. A fitting, satisfied sound.

She was clearly ready to leave, yet she lingered. There was a brief hesitation, and she regarded the man for a moment.

"What was that language you spoke earlier--to the cat?"

[Pegasus]

Ellen

Points! 15 (may not be used for Domain Magic)

Knowledge:
Detection: Watch where you're going
Detection: Finding an obstacle with your face
Intimidation: Making a kid cry
Intimidation: It's not always intentional
Investigation: Use your sense of smell
Persuasion: Trying to relay sincerity
Persuasion: Reasoning with the unreasonable
Strength: Pushing people aside with your wings
Tactics: Find an opening and take it

Loot: NA
Injuries/Overstepping: NA
Renown: NA


Comment
I really enjoy read Ellen and I am always pleased when I get a review of hers to do! I liked how Ellen handled a tricky situation or two here - shame the thread didn't get finished.