forum Songs of Storms and Magic // oxo // private, stalking welcome

Started June 22, 2020 by @croccin-champagne

tune

"Time. Lots and lots of time." Zarya murmured, following Rose through the palace. She still hadn't run her time. The nightmares still followed, the smoke still filling her lungs at the sight of a flame larger than a candle's. She loved kitchens, loved cooking, but still couldn't flame broil without forgetting where she was. Time had helped, but time wasn't done yet. Even with Mishal's help, with Sampson's begrudging patience and steps.

"It may be a good thing we are not going out tomorrow." She said, speaking up after a long few moments of silence. "If it is as you say, and tomorrow is the big day, that means there will be even more people. Larger crowds draw a large number of pick pockets." Which was why her money was in a bag strapped to her leg, underneath her skirt. Alongside a knife. She had made sure to bring a combination of her own currency and the currency of this kingdom, in case certain merchants refused to take hers.

Rose nodded slightly. "Yes, that is true. Although the larger markets are always quite amazing, if you have the awareness to avoid the pickpockets." she let out a quiet laugh, a small smile pulling at her mouth. She led Zarya to a small side gate, which was manned by only a single guard, who let them through without a word.

"I should think I would. Maybe I should at least get a peak of it tomorrow." Zarya mused, internally laughing at her own joke. A pick pocket had better know how to avoid pick pockets. She'd grown up thieving, if she had lost her awareness, she might need a swift slap upside the head. "Is there a reason we are leaving from somewhere other than the main entrance?"

She nodded, then sighed at the question. "Yes. If I leave by the front gates, people will see us, and then I'll have to bring a whole contingent of guards along. If we leave by this gate, though, we don't have to bring guards." She explained as they walked away from the gate. "That guard will receive a bonus for…not insisting upon coming along." She laughed a little bit, her lips pulling into another little smile.

"Oh, we are sneaking." Zarya said, something like a mixture of amusement and excitement in her tone. She didn't get many opportunities for sneaking anymore. Funny enough, she only really got them outside of her own country. While she adored nothing quite as much as her country–maybe shiny things and clothes, she missed sneaking. She missed trouble, honestly. Though her last great adventure before the battles had been harrowing and dangerous, there was something so fun about that kind of excitement.

"Does it count as treason, my lady, if I am aiding you in escaping the palace without an armed guard? Or might I count as your guard for this time?" She asked, humor coloring her voice. And, just faintly, her expression.

She laughed a little, considering the question. "I…I don't know." She replied, shrugging her shoulders. "In any case, no one is going to blame you. And I sneak out enough on my own for it not to be too much of a rarity." She laughed softly, leading Zarya through the streets and down into the depths of the city, heading towards the market.

"Temporary guard it is. Just in case." She said, eyes immediately enraptured by her surroundings. The streets, despite being unfamiliar, reminded her of home. Of the streets she had grown up on, at least. Of unsuspecting targets and the thrill and safety of never being seen. Now, anymore, she was always seen. Far too often, no matter what she was doing. But then, back then, nobody knew or cared who she was. Some days she fantasized about going back to that life. But she was always reminded of the work and the luck it took to get where she was, and of the power she had in her position. She was far less powerful back then, at least in any way that mattered.

"Where all do you know of that merchants come from?" Zarya asked, reminded suddenly of one of her goals. "Do you receive many from my country?"

"I'm not sure. I know that on the actual market day, there are many, from varying countries, but I do not receive reports detailing who is from where unless I request it. If you would like, I can find a list, though it may take a while, and varies from week to week." she explained. "We can look for a merchant from your country, if you would like."

"Maybe a quick peak. I am curious, to see if I find anyone I am familiar with. I believe an…acquaintance of mine sometimes comes here, though it could be elsewhere he travels to, within your country." She said, taking the opportunity to explain. Not that it was exactly necessary. For some reason, she felt Rose deserved an explanation, however much truth was omitted from it.

As they grew closer to the market-place, Zarya's demeanor almost seemed to grow more lively. She loved busy cities, more than she ever would love small and quaint ones. She needed the energy of them. The people, the noise, and the children. Gods, she adored the children. They were loud and boisterous and so full of the innocent youth she missed. And they loved magic.

"Where might you keep your money, if you have any on you, my lady?" She asked, glancing over at Rose as the sounds of business and people grew louder, accompanied by the smells of a myriad of foods from different countries. "I would like to aid in watching for sticky fingers. It is too easy to rob even the most diligent of targets, when in a place with even slight distractions."

Rose blinked, and pulled out a small purse that had been tucked inside the high waistband of her skirt. "Here. It would be rather difficult to steal, given where it is placed, but I suppose some people might be able to manage it." she laughed softly, before tucking it back into the pocket on the inside of the waistband. She had had her skirts like this specifically designed with this inner pocket, so that she didn't have to carry a purse around with her.

Zarya clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Oh, smart. I think to steal it might be pushing certain boundaries that would get one arrested." She said, her lips pulling into a half-smirk for a second. "Especially seeing as you are of status. Is that curry I am smelling? My poor skirt may be at risk, I cannot resist a good curry."

She laughed a little. "It certainly would be, and if someone dared to reach in there they would be in trouble for multiple reasons." She smiled. "It probably is curry, yes. Would you like to get some? I'm afraid I can only stand milder currys, I don't have the… ability to eat spicier curries without crying, but if it's a mild curry I may join you."

"There is no point to adding enough spice to make one cry. Why make a food and then make it impossible to taste? I enjoy flavor." Zarya stated, looking around. There were so many people now, so many stores and little stalls and things to do. A young girl with shocking red hair tore past the two, nearly knocking into Zarya's legs as she ran laughing, followed by a girl with ebony skin. A smile lifted the corner of Zarya's lips. "We may want to find somewhere to sit, if we do eat. Walking and eating curry in a place like this is roulette. First, I am going to drag you to look at these fabrics." Attention diverted slightly, she linked an arm through Rose's to guide her. She intended to let go once she made sure she wouldn't lose the queen. For now though, she headed for a stall featuring what had to be over fifty different fabrics draped over various shelves and hangars.

Rose nodded a little bit, and followed Zarya, letting the other woman drag her over to the fabrics. "Oh, some of these are lovely." She remarked with a soft smile, glancing up at Zarya for a moment, before reaching out to brush a hand against the soft, smooth fabrics, enjoying the way it felt beneath her hands.

When the older man running the stall greeted them in what Zarya assumed was his native language, she responded in kind, enjoying the surprise on his face at meeting someone who spoke it. Vellin was actually a decently easy language to learn, and a beautiful one at that.

The two spoke briefly, Zarya motioning to a few fabrics. At a nod from the seller, she took one down with a flourish, wrapping it around Rose's shoulders to consider it. "I do not know if this is quite your color. I believe green would suit you well, or even a yellow. Is burnt orange a good color on anyone?" She tried the color against her own skin, arching a brown. "Maybe. My search will continue."

Rose was quiet, looking down at the fabric for a moment, then up at Zarya. "Mm, I'm not sure either." She replied, smiling a little bit. "And I don't know about burnt orange, either. I'll be honest, I don't know much about clothing and fashion and all of that." She laughed a little, watching as Zarya moved around the little shop.

((if you have time, this board of mine has a lot of dresses, and i have an Idea. if any of them strike you for rose, let me know! i can also pick through myself lol))

"You are in the best hands, then. I enjoy referring to myself as somewhat of an expert. Hence, my search for someone who honestly pulls off burnt orange. Those Egyptian and royal blues near you, put one on each shoulder." Zarya instructed, examining a section full of greens. "It is custom, in my country, for a guest to offer as many gifts and help to their host as possible. I have never had the chance to give a gift quite like this, but I intend to make it incredible. Are patterned fabrics traditional or common in your country?"

(I cannot view Pinterest on my phone, so I can't look at the board, sorry)

Rose blinked at the words, then nodded slowly. "I see. Ah…patterns are not uncommon, but they aren't super common, either." She said. "Usually patterns are not used except as trimming or to decorate other colors, they aren't usually used as the main cloth. As far as I know, in any case." She smiled a little. "You don't have to do this, though. It's…I know stuff like this can cost a lot of money, and I don't want to place a burden on you."

((oh that's alright! what's a color you think would work best for a dress for rose?))

"Not a burden." Zarya said, turning to look at Rose. She appraised the colors, putting the Egyptian blue back to throw the royal over her shoulder. "A custom. And be warned, you will find me in an almost garish full pattern one of these days. I prefer more solid colors for the accessories they allow, but patterns are such a vibrant thing. Not unlike your eyes. Green and red." The red was a deep, but vibrant color, as was the green. The green was a bit darker, though.

(uhhhmmm probably like a pale pink (like a pretty pink, not a gross pepto-bismol pink lmao) or like. Blue? Something like that. Or green would probably work great too)

Rose nodded faintly. "Hmm, I see." She replied, watching Zarya quietly, smiling a little bit. "Patterns can be good, but…I don't know. I suppose it's just the difference in our countries; my seamstresses and tailors wouldn't know what to do with patterns to make them look quite as good as I'm sure your country's seamstresses would be able to."

"Brightly patterned skirts with solid colored tops are a common, and very good, pairing. The same can be said for pants." Zarya said, as she flitted about. Now, she was working quickly, almost appearing to be dancing with the fabrics as she held them up. She seemed to have switched from bright and vibrant colors to softer ones, trying various pinks and blues and greens. "Oh, I would love to wear this yellow. I have found that they look the best with as much fabric in use as possible. Layered, flowing skirts, draped saris and tunics, like that. Are there any fabrics here that strike your fancy for anything in particular?"

Rose nodded a little, watching Zarya dart around the shop. "Oh…I don't think so." She replied. "There are lots of lovely fabrics here, I don't think I could pick one." She laughed quietly, tucking back a strand of hair behind her ear again, trying to keep it out of her face.

Zarya paused for a moment, glancing over and studying the queen. It was a bit longer than necessary, and she almost seemed to catch herself as she spun quickly, pulling a patterned short length of fabric to add to her pile. "We shall just have to come back." She carried her neat pile to the seller, setting them down at his table to retrieve money from the garter bag she was wearing on her thigh. The slits were useful for bags like that.

The seller seemed thrilled that she was buying so much, and a few moments later, Zarya returned to Rose with a brightly patterned bag to keep the fabrics in, withdrawing the patterned fabric she had bought. "May I touch your hair, my lady?"

Rose blinked at the question, but nodded. "Oh, yes, you may." She said, hands hovering uncertainly at her sides as she watched Zarya. Her gaze lingered for a moment longer than, perhaps, was necessary, and she looked away again after a moment. When she felt Zarya's hands in her hair, the faintest blush painted itself on her cheeks, and she bit her lip just a little bit, eyes flickering around slightly.

A small smile played on Zarya's lips as she used the fabric to fasten a headband, moving around Rose to adjust her hair. "A century ago, this pattern was reserved for royalty in Azaria. In the last…twenty years, it began to be reproduced by the common folk, and worn by them. It is still often reserved for special occasions, weddings being the primary. Pretending it is still a century ago, it is fitting for you to wear, as a queen."

When she was done, she stepped back, admiring her work. And Rose. When she was satisfied that it looked good, she linked her arm through Rose's, guiding the girl back out into the fray. "You wear it well. Tell me, my lady, what you know of Azaria?"

Rose touched the headband softly, giving Zarya a little smile. "Thank you, Zarya. And I'm afraid I don't know that much about your country, just the basics. Much of my education was focused elsewhere, not on other countries." There was still a tiny blush on her cheeks, though it wasn't too obvious in the bright light of the marketplace.

"Then allow me to teach you what I can, while here. Did you know that the thing we are most known for is a great support of the arts?" Zarya's smile, in full force and looking a mix of amused and excited, was a thing to behold. It brightened up her features, bringing more light to her odd eyes than normal. "Most children in our country take dancing classes from the time they can walk, to their tenth summer. Beyond that, it is their choice what they do in most places, but they are encouraged to continue some path in the arts, simply as a creative outlet. We believe dancing connects us to our ancestors, and to the energy within us. Our most famously exported item is a plant, however. A root known as Yengbo, that thrives in harsh desert conditions and makes incredible bread."