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Post by Harpsdesire on Dec 5, 2010 0:26:41 GMT -5
It was weird how deserted the place was. Or maybe the outer bazaar was always this way? Kendra wasn't really sure. She carefully ran the side of her paws under her eyes, sweeping away the moisture that was streaming over her fur, matting her silky coat slightly. Kaden's smile, sympathy without pity, quelled her rising sense of unbalance and thus calmed her frustration somewhat. There was still something about the air that made her nervous and on edge, uncomfortable feelings that made her want to lash out, to lose herself in temper and forget how powerless she felt. Then, of course, the even less pleasant feeling of shame would follow, and that would make the whole terrible situation even worse. She kept her emotions in check with the deep breathing exercises she had been experimenting with. Deep breaths and cold logic.
"I remember some things, but in a fuzzy way, like the dream that's fading out after you wake up. I'm not sure how long ago the memories are from." She frowned, hesitant to say 'I thought I was younger before; My body feels strange and big.' He might think she was mad, which she was reasonably sure she wasn't. Of course, it would be hard to be objective about the state of one's own sanity, but the fact that she was even concerned about it was a good sign, right? Kendra decided to keep the details of her strange amnesia to herself, at least for now. Even if he did look part Corvie, the bird probably didn't know enough neurobiology to make anything of her symptoms, anyway.
Her name? She could have sworn she had already said it, but with the funny way her head was feeling right now, she supposed she could have imagined it. If only her mind would clear, and her head stop pounding so terribly. "I do know my name... I'm Kendra Price. My parents are Iaso and Aberforth. We live in the Capital, but this neighborhood... it doesn't look familiar."
He wanted to walk her home? That was actually pretty sweet! Kendra relaxed a little, knowing that at least she had some semblance of a friend in this strangely foreign looking place. "I... appreciate that. Don't worry about the questions. It is often useful to gather as many facts as possible about the situation before deciding on a course of action." Now the the pain of in her eyes and skull were beginning to abate, Kendra took note of a strange spicy scent on the breeze. It was not unpleasant of itself, but there was a sort of unexplainable wrongness to it, and she shivered, only in part because the night air was cool. She wanted to be out of it, and fast. "I think that in light of the location and time it would be advisable to find a carriage if we can, and a secure indoor location to wait for said carriage." She was not the cowardly sort by any means, but she preferred to take calculated risks, not to accept the odds fate tossed her way.
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Post by Vyn on Dec 5, 2010 12:14:45 GMT -5
Fuzziness wasn't good, especially not to the degree that she described it, but at least the she seemed to be in fairly good condition other than that. She knew who she was, her family, and where she lived. All good signs. The rest was probably a byproduct of whatever had befallen her and would probably come back with time. Kaden allowed himself a reprieve from his worry.
"Pleasure to meet ya, Kendra." He offered her a wide grin with more cheer than he currently felt. Considering the circumstances and the night at hand, it would've been much nicer to meet her somewhere else on some other day but he could at least make the best out of fate's whims. His mind wandered briefly to Ivy and he hoped she was doing well before Kendra's very logical comment brought him back to the present.
She was very right, but Kaden couldn't see any other shops that were open besides the Fallen Wing and he really wasn't about to go back in there. He motioned for the girl to follow, bringing her out of the street before motioning across the way to the pub. "I think this is the only place open right now, I've been all up and down the street, but I've heard there was some shady stuff goin' on in there that I don't think either of us should be gettin' wrapped up in. Best we wait for a carriage. Considering the time, there should be a few coming by real soon to pick up patrons after last call." Or so he hoped.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Dec 8, 2010 1:11:22 GMT -5
The Marten was very much amused by her strange company. She really was questioning the Horse's gender, but she figured it would be rude of her to ask. She knew enough about the other realms to recognize that a Yarrow male might not want to broadcast what he was hiding between his legs. So she simply grinned at him, chuckling quietly at his delicate little giggle.
His next statement made her ears stand up slightly, her interest clearly caught. She shifted, sitting up just a little bit more. "Really, now? Ain't dat a hell of a coincidence.[/b]" Already, her mind was racing with the possibility. Going to the Selkie was a pain in the ass even without the cost of travel, and the Horse seemed to be an acceptable sort of Card. "Dey do have quite a bit of good stuff, if you know where ta look. Lots'a imports from all around de place.[/b]"
She shrugged off his compliment idly, her little wings twitching as she did. "I'm in de importin' business myself, is all. Goin' out to do the family name proud, and all. De rest of de world would be missin' out if I didn't bring 'em our fish.[/b]" She extended a paw to the man, raising her eyebrows and grinning somewhat toothily. "De name's Jordan Pike, and I've got a bit of a business proposition fer you, if you'll just hear me out. What if we were to get de carriage togeder? Travelin's much more fun if you've got good company.[/b]"
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Post by Nathalia on Dec 8, 2010 18:03:28 GMT -5
((A carriage pulls up out front and the driver steps down to light a cigarette.
He seems a little...loopy, but fine enough, his Ace Horse panting slightly and jamming its head into a water trough to drink.
He can take up to five passengers and he's heading out of the city in the direction of the Selkie Lakes. Hmm, well, always a good place to go...and at least it's not here...it's creepy outside...))
~Nathalia
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Post by Nako on Dec 14, 2010 22:48:32 GMT -5
Brandy's eyes lit up at the prospect the Benyan threw at him, muzzle flashing a bright smile. "So nice to meet you! I'm Brandy….I must say.. that's an excellent proposition! I very much agree; good company is priceless. Carriage rides on the other hand." He tilted his head slightly, giving a small shrug. "I must say that I'm all for any idea that gives me more money to spend!
When they were finally released, Brandy walked alongside his traveling companion, talking amicably about this and that. He gave a small gasp when he saw just what was pulling the carriage. "Oh my! An ace! Would you believe I've never even seen one before?" Mystified, he pulled out his amount of the fare and paid the carriage driver, making a sweeping gesture to allow Jordan to get into the carriage first.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Dec 16, 2010 2:40:40 GMT -5
Brandy, eh? Certainly didn't make the Yarrow's gender any easier to determine, and Jordan raised her eyebrow. She knew well the problems with having an androgynous name, and she wasn't exactly oozing feminity...
"Den we've got ourselves a deal,[/b]" she announced, feeling particularly satisfied. Maybe this would help make up for the delays. Lucky for them, there was a carriage close by, and it looked to be just about ready to go. The woman glanced around, wondering if there would be anyone beyond herself and Brandy riding this one into the Lakes. The Horse's words caught her by surprise, and she blinked at him.
Well, wasn't that a hell of a thing? "Really? Dat's a real shocker. Where ya been all yer life, a closet?[/b]" She grinned playfully at him, her barbels curling happily as she stepped up into the carriage. "Awful useful ta have around, I tell ya.[/b]" From inside, the man was offered a paw to help him in, and then the Marten settled herself in one of the seats. Not bad, not bad. "I hope ya find sometin' good dere.[/b]"
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Post by Harpsdesire on Dec 17, 2010 22:47:27 GMT -5
"Pleasure." Kendra responded with a somewhat wan smile. Good suits, how her head hurt! She was lucky that she had ended up near Kaden, and not some sort of freak that might have tried to take advantage of her or something equally uncouth. A swift mental inventory of her current physical state assured her that nothing of the sort had happened while she was unconscious. The pain was only in her head, slowly starting to fade, and the tearing of her eyes had nearly stopped. No obvious symptoms of drugs in her system either. That was good, but also perplexing. How had she ended up here? She looked up and down the street, searching for any additional information she might gather.
"Look!" Kendra pointed to the carriage with it's tired-looking hoofed ace, "Do you think he'd take me home?" Home: the place where one dwells, usually with family, a place of refuge, the geographic location from whence one originated. Kendra could recall its sagging porch, the color of the front door, where the umbrella-stand was... but not the feeling of being there, the years of residing under the patched roof, presumably within the comforting embrace of a family she now remembered only in a strangely distorted way.
"There is, ah, the matter of money." Kendra wasn't sure if she had been mugged or she had somehow gone out without any sort of coin purse, but she definitely didn't have one currently. "Specifically, I don't have any on hand. As good as going home sounds, maybe he'd let us ride along for free if we agree to just go wherever he's headed next. I-I want to get inside somewhere. I want to get out of... this. " Logic wavered into emotion as the girl expressed her growing desire to be anywhere but out on this cold, strange-smelling street. She glanced around with anxiety she hardly bothered to mask.
She was entitled to be a little nervous after waking up alone with a pounding head in a strange part of the city. Such emotions were natural, healthy. She just couldn't them take control. She wrapped her arms around herself in a defensive stance as she looked around. She wanted inside. In something that was moving away from this freakish place was even better. The girl glanced at Kaden and then back toward the carriage with an expression that was hovering somewhere between insistent and imploring.
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Post by Nako on Dec 17, 2010 23:31:03 GMT -5
Brandy had tensed a bit when Jordan made such a joke, suddenly self conscious about how naive he must have seemed. Was it really that obvious? When Jordan grinned though, he reflexively pulled his own lips back in a smile, quick to brush away those feeling of inadequacy for at least that moment. It wouldn't be good for him to drop his charming personality when he had to be in a cab with this woman.
His ears clicked back when a paw was offered to him, flushing red before he accepted the courtesy. How gallant! For all that he was a man, he certainly enjoyed being treated like a lady.
"Oh, I'm sure I won't be disappointed." He certainly hadn't been disappointed yet!
He'd offer conversation during the ride, of course, but he'd skirt around the whole 'family' with vague tidbits on how he'd lived with an adopted family running a small consulting agency. It was an easy enough lie; he was good with numbers and was able to rattle off any accounting jargon. If outdone on his knowledge though, he'd admit that he was only an 'assistant' to his foster parents and was not as knowledgable as they were.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Dec 17, 2010 23:41:27 GMT -5
((Just to move things along a little... assuming Kendra and Kaden make it on?))
Jordan shifted over slightly when two others boarded the carriage, giving them a pleasant smile before turning her attention back to the Yarrow she had come here with. After all, she was beginning to see Brandy as a very suitable traveling companion, and she had no intention to accidentally shun him in the process.
For whatever he was unwilling to say about his family, she was more willing to tell him about her own. About her parents, recently killed, and the salmon business that had fallen into her lap as a result. She mentioned her brother, as well, a Priest of the Benyan God of the highest order, and how she wasn't sure how she felt about her religion anymore. Really, the woman was all too happy to speak quite a lot, enjoying the company quite a bit. Besides, it was such a long ride to the Lakes. Better to talk easily.
Then, abruptly, she excused herself, deciding it was time for her to have a little shut-eye before she arrived. "I'll be needin' all of my energy ta deal wit' de Selkies,[/b]" she said, with a roll of her eyes. The woman was a Benyan, through and through: Open and cheerful, and with a heaping mound of prejudice on top of it all.
For the rest of the ride, the Marten would sleep.
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Post by Vyn on Dec 17, 2010 23:42:28 GMT -5
Kaden perked up the instant the carriage rattled into view, his feathers fluffing up happily.
"Don't worry about it, I've got some carriage fare." Thanks to the tiny looting spree he'd gone on before stumbling into Kendra. "Give me a second, I'll ask." He slipped away from the girl, approaching the Selkie man with a smile. They bantered for a moment or two before the strange bird returned to Kendra's side. "He says he's going to Selkie Lakes and that's it, so if we wanna get out of here that's our only option.." Good thing she was willing to follow along despite that and, honestly, it was probably better than hanging around the madness here. Hopefully Ivy was fairing better now that she'd met up with Ayden.
Before he could say anything more, however, a pair of bar patrons wandered out of the bar and approached the carriage as well. After some discussion with the driver, they both boarded. Well that helped. "How about we split it with those two and get some company for the trip? It's gonna be a long trip to the Lakes, if you're willing to go, might be nice to get some company."
The muttbird would cheerfully wait for her answer and, if she agrees, he'll follow her into the carriage.
(Erm... was writing my post when everyone replied... sorry for awkwardness of the flow. Just assume that Kaden chats with whomever is willing to engage him in conversation during the trip and, potentially, will nap when the rest of them do. n_n)
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