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Stranger in a Strange Land - Printable Version

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Stranger in a Strange Land - Aya - 05-19-2014

Since this has become a generic thread in which I RP and post stories, I've decided to add a makeshift table of contents!  Everything in this thread are either stories or RP associated with recent of ongoing events (i.e they occur after the start of 2.0 when Aya began her new life outside the walls of Ishgard).  Stories relating to earlier events are to be found in other threads, thought I will link to them here.

[Image: Aya_foxheart.png]

Story Arcs
The Curious Curio
  1. Once Upon a Curious Shoppe with Verad Bellveil
  2. A Curious Trinket
  3. A Curious Delivery  
  4. A Curious Night at Work  

Scales in the Sand
  1. A Disturbing Turn
  2. Second Thoughts
  3. Cause
  4. The Trail Part One
  5. The Trail Part Two
  6. Laying a Trap With C'kayah
  7. Eyes on the No-Eyed Man Event Write-Up
  8. Ramifications for a Working Girl
  9. Suspicions and Disappointment With C'kayah and Vi
  10. A Hidden Idea
  11. The Master Forger by C'kayah
  12. The Nightmare Cometh with Enju
  13. To Confront a Nightmare
  14. The Nightmare Ends Event Write-Up
  • Postscript Reflecting on events of Scales in the Sand.

Crimes Against Nature
  1. Return to the Shroud
  2. Wild Chocobo Chase with C'kayah
  3. A Model's Reflections
  4. The Sleeping Boar
  5. Of the Flight of Birds
  6. Meeting Weylan With Nihka as Weylan
  7. The Rabbit Hole with Nihka as Weylan
  8. Meeting on the Pier with C'kayah
  9. Interlude
  10. Research with Rhea Zaheela

Merchant, Marine
  1. Slowing the Wheels of Justice - Part One
  2. Slowing the Wheels of Justice - Part Two
  3. Detached Musings
  4. Why? - Looking Back

Heirloom
Homecoming
  1. Part One
  2. Part Two
  3. Part Three
  4. Part Four
  5. Part Five
  6. Part Six

Vignettes
Stories
Forum RP
Bulletin Board

Poetry and Songs

Ishgard - From Where I came
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A Sonnet for the Fury
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Black Sads of Ul'dah
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Mirk-Wood - Excerpt from Gyr-Abanian Folk Song
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First Snow
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A Tonberry's Love
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A Spring Bird's Song
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Mutineers Cause
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Hero of the Hour
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[Image: divider.png]



Original Post below:
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RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 05-22-2014

The only thing that protected Midna from today's scorching sun was her old hempen hat and as thankful as she was for it for protecting her from most of the rays, the piece of headgear made her feel like her hair would burn any moment now and that what little makeup she had would melt away. It didn't help that there were so many people roaming the markets.

Midna quickly found a spot the sun couldn't reach and rested a few seconds, taking her hat off and using it like a fan and thought of how she ended up in this situation. She had once again failed her last task given to her by the alchemy guild, the guild supplier had somehow mistaken a rare bottle of voidsent blood for a of bottle of beastkin blood and had given it to the elezen, whom happily started working on her potion until she ended up with very strange results. Of course, the responsibility fell on her completely as the guildmaster said that she should have checked the content at least fifty-seven times before starting.

"As if anyone would do this." The elezen said with a sigh. Now she had been sent to do errands with the apprentice alchemists who were very happy to be of use. She didn't share their joy and could only think of sneaking away. Sure, she'd probably be yelled at but burning under the sun was way worse than that.

All she needed was an excuse to get away from the group. She could probably say that she's trying to sell some potions to a passerby for the guildmaster, or say that she's trying to recruit more people into the guild.

"That might work. Now to find somebody I could pull away easily, it can't be a roegadyn or a lalafell..." she muttered as she put her hat back on her head, walking out of the dark spot she was in and looking around, trying to find someone that would fit what she looked for.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 05-22-2014

Excepting the cloak hastily wrapped around her, Aya was already dressed to barmaid.  From the market she planned to head to the Quick Sand, and start her work for the day.  She had not adopted the fashions that seemed to preside in Ul'dah, but looked instead like she had just teleported straight from Northern Eorzea.  As she moved from stall to stall, weaving her way through the marketplace throngs, her unsecured cloak gave glimpses of the short skirt, high leather boots, and corset-style bodice she most often wore for work.  Momodi thought the "exotic" look might encourage business, and make some of the foreign adventurers feel more at home in the Quick Sand.  Ever one to feel fashionable in everything she did, Aya had been quick to agree. 

She carried a woven basket on her left arm, containing an assortment of spices and ingredients, already purchased, to use in the preparation of the evening's special: Momodi's favorite lamb kebabs.  The scent of spice wafted around her, mixing with  the light dab of perfume she wore; down to the final drops of the Ishgardian fragrance, she used it sparingly, wondering when her supplier, C'kayah, might return with more...

She looked plaintively to the spice peddlar, holding a cup filled with peppercorns.  Faced with those sad blue eyes, and bitten lip, the stoic Ul'dahn relented, accepting the proffered coin with a grudging nod, and a roll of the eyes.  Turning away, the girl could not quite contain the smile that crept across her lips.  Every gil saved was another she might enjoy; she lifted the small purse with her fingers, feeling the few coin remaining at the end of her errands, some of which just might not make it back to Momodi.  She continued a short distance along the stalls the before approaching a display of jewelry.

Eyes widened, she leaned forward letting her long curled bangs fall from her hood.  She carefully cared for those locks: washing, treating, and maintaining that hint of natural curl that made her hair slightly unpredictable. She felt it made her stand out in the Quick Sand, and helped with the steady tips and recognition that made the work more worthwhile.  Yet, the same striking sight meant to catch the eye of patrons of the Quick Sand, would do just the same when trying to hide from curious eyes in the open market, rendering her "subtle disguise" rather less useful than she realized.

Her eyes, full with delight, moved quickly through the seemingly endless assortment of chains and gems, but it was a collection of belly-chains that really caught her attention.  She couldn't help but think that whatever Ul'dahns may have lacked in anything else, they made up for it in their incredible variety of body-jewelry.  "So beautiful..." she said aloud without thinking it, biting her lip as she hefted the small purse once more, knowing it was just not going to be enough.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 05-22-2014

Midna had been scouting the streets while distributing whatever she had to give, not truly paying attention to the contents of the boxes she was carrying. It had only been ten minutes and the elezen already felt like she was about to collapse on the floor because of the heat. How long would she have to bear this before finding a way to escape this hell? All the elezen could do was to silently pray to the Twelve that they would get her out of it.

It almost felt like the gods had answered to her pleas as she passed by the jeweler's stall when somebody caught her eye: A hyur that, judging from the unusual clothes she wore, definitely didn't look from Ul'dah and she didn't look particularly strong either, making her the ideal "partner" for her escape plan.

She deposited the box she had in her hands where she was suppose to put it and swiftly made her way to the girl.

"Excuse me miss but you look perfectly like the kind of person that would love to make potions, ink, books and all sort of creations! My name is Midna Lilywell, apprentice at the Alchemy Guild. How about I make you visit our dear guild? I'm sure you'll be very much interested by it." Midna said with a smile. She felt the death glare coming from the jeweler, thinking the alchemist was there to steal her clients. "Of course once we're done I will immediately escort you back to these magnificent diamonds sold by this very kind merchant." She turned her head to the merchant in question with the same smile. The jeweler eased up a little and got back to her own business, taking care of another client.

The elezen had talked loud enough to make sure that the group she had been with had heard every word she had said. She took a few glances at the scattered apprentices who had stopped a bit when the elezen had suddenly dropped her activities. They all went back to work quickly enough after talking about how devoted the tall woman was. Midna then grabbed onto the hyur's arm as she pulled her with just enough force to make her move but not enough to make it feel like the girl was being kidnapped. If anything people would consider her as a very annoying recruiter for her guild and nothing more.

She just hoped the girl would follow her without troubles.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 05-23-2014

Aya, of course, was trying to disguise herself.  Osric's warning had been stern: assassins were attempting to kill Ishgardian exiles, those who had willingly fled from the city' shuttered gates, just as she had almost a year earlier.  When she felt a sudden tug, she turned her head making eye-contact with the Duskwight woman who had grabbed her.  The words regarding the alchemy guild washed right over her without recognition, she looked back with widened eyes, letting out a soft but startled, "huh?" 

As the Elezen dragged her along, her feet stumbling a bit as her mind tried to catch up to what was going on, she began to make the connection between the Duskwight and the Ishgardians.  Certainly they wouldn't approach her in such a crowded place... Ser Kiht had told her, afterall, that they were not specifically after her.  But still To Be Careful! 

"Huh?  What? she stammered, turning her head quickly back and forth, sending her hood falling back off of her head, long hair flowing freely down her shoulders and back.  As the potential danger of the situation finally gripped her, she planted her feet with a start, catching a rut between the paving stones with the edge of her high boot heels.  Lowering her body weight she suddenly tugs back, trying to wrench her arm free of the harmless, but threatening Elezen.  "What do you want me with me?!" she asks in a suddenly raised voice, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and fright.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 05-26-2014

Midna immediately released her grip when she felt that the girl didn't want to follow her and had started to panic, which of course had attracted the attention of the crowd around them. The elezen hadn't expected the hyur to have this kind of reaction and had begun panicking herself, she managed to keep a straight face and quickly found the right words to try and and appease the girl, she just hoped that there were no flame officiers around, it would cause her even more problems and give her a more painful headache than the one she already has thanks to the heat.

'That's some great hair she has, I'm almost jealous... Wait no, now's not the time to get distracted by hair. Focus girl!' Midna thought, slightly shaking her head as if to make those unnecessary thoughts go away.

The tall elezen slightly bowed. "My apologies miss, I might've been too quick to err, force myself upon you. You may not have heard me well but as I said already, I am from the alchemy guild and we're currently looking to recruit apprentices." She straightened her back, giving the best reassuring smile she could to the hyur. "You have all the rights to refuse but then I'll have to come back empty handed to the guild and will get yelled at once more." Midna faked a long, pained sigh to gain more sympathy from the girl. "Even just going there with me and saying that after all you're not interested could save my career! So, pretty please?" She asked almost desperately.

A little lie definitely wouldn't hurt, she would do anything just to get out of this heat, she'll explain everything to the girl once they were out of the sun's rays.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 05-27-2014

As Midna lets Aya go, she withdraws her arms quickly, with a gasp, her breath still rapid as she calms a little from the withdrawal of any immediate danger.

"Wait, what about the alchemist's guild?" she asks, as if she had missed everything the Elezen had said to that point, her voice still raised, though softer than a moment ago.  Her blue eyes still stood wide as she glanced about now furtively, catching momentarily upon the group of Alchemists, readily identifiable by their professional garb,  "You're with them?"  

She mutters a little under her breath, giving her head a slight shake, Maybe she's not an assassin after all...

As Midna gets a closer look at the Hyur girl, her cloak now laying open and hood thrown back, she does not appear to be much of a candidate for a trade guild, or hard work of any kind.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - T'shina - 05-27-2014

The market was where the young Miqo'te often found herself when she didn't have a specific job. A satchel slung over her shoulder with goods that she was trading with the local merchants. Her blouse open and revealing the leather bra beneath the threaded leather strings. The red fabric of the blouse worn at the seams and where it often folded. Pants neatly tucked into her soft soled boots. Bow and quiver slung across her back. Ears would flick towards loud noises but she would pause at the familiar perfume of the Ishgardian woman. Her nose wiggling a little as her dark blue eyes would begin to search the bustling crowd. It was then that she spotted the woman with golden locks, the outfit she often saw the woman in catching her eye as well.

A small growl catching in her throat to see the girl being dragged. It was already one of her intentions to watch over her and so she followed after, weaving through the crowd of buyers and merchants a like. "You're with them?" The question is what lingered when she finally arrived and she'd lift her chin lightly before clearing her throat. "Is there a problem here?" Though she did not look very intimidating she kept herself held upright in her pride.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 06-01-2014

Though the heat was slightly clouding her mind, the elezen had noticed how pretty the hyur was and had Midna been asked to search for something akin to a mascot, she wouldn't hesitate to find this girl. Alas! It wasn't how she had started her conversation and she now had to convince her better but at least it seemed like the hyur had become less suspicious of Midna.

"That's right, I'm with the alchemy guild! So-" She didn't have any time to finish her sentence before being interrupted by a new voice.

"Is there a problem here?"


Midna slightly turned her head toward the sound of the voice and the first thing she noticed was the bow carried by the female miqo'te.

"Oh brother..." Midna muttered through gritted teeth but still keeping a smile on her face. She quickly analyzed the clothes worn by the woman, nothing sge recognized, which meant that the miqo'te was either a mercenary,an adventurer, or both. It still was no better than a flame officier or a brass blade, she didn't want to end up with an arrow in the gut and decided to play it as safely as she could.

"Problems? I don't see any problems here, I am just doing my work to promote my guild's teachings and correcting a... misunderstanding between me and the lady in front of me. Perhaps this might even interest you, miss? The alchemy related work I mean." Midna said, keeping a smile on her face.

Maybe she should've just sneaked away at the beginning rather than go through all the troubles of getting an excuse but there was no turning back now, she just hoped that she would manage to get out of this situation before the sun knocks her unconscious.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 06-02-2014

Aya seemed startled at the unexpected interjection, "Is there a problem here?"  Outside of the Quick Sand she still remained apprehensive of Ul'dahn officials.  In the tavern she had Momodi watching over her, but out on the streets she felt utterly exposed to the sometimes wanton and arbitrary methods of law enforcement in the city.  Fortunately, the look of worry in her eyes as she first turned toward the Miqo'te faded rapidly as a look of recognition crossed her blue eyes--her shoulders visibly sagged in relief.

She smiled, her voice becoming soft again, "I think everything is alright.  The girl here is just a little over-enthusiastic about her trade." Aya glanced to the Elezen, her eyes now allaying her earlier fear, as she holds her smile, "I'm afraid that I'm already employed, and not really looking for a trade..."  The tone of her voice was gentle, but the declaration definite.  This was not a woman who wanted to work with her hands, as Midna's analytical eyes have probably already concluded.  It would be difficult to imagine her in an Alchemy Laboratory.

She turned her head back to T'shina, asking hopefully, "Maybe you could walk with me back to the Quick Sand?"

The Elezen was probably innocent, but Aya still did not like the idea of taking any chances.  With the rumors swirling about it would sure feel nice to get both feet back in that space where she had come to feel most at ease within the busy, bustling, boisterous city of the Desert Sun.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 06-05-2014

“I see…”
 
Even though Midna was supposed to feel upset about the current turn of events, she wasn't as she had noticed something when the Hyur locked eyes with the Miqo'te. Her expression had very suddenly switched from fright to relief and confidence. Even the tone of her voice had changed.
 
'How intriguing... Is my face that scary looking for her to be so wary of me? And how does she have such nice hair, I really want to know what she uses to keep it in this state with all the sand around- wait no, focus myself! I’ll think of that once I’m out of this place.' She thought, now was not the time to think about trivial details. The elezen was in a tight spot and the presence of the cat girl wearing a bow limited the choices she could make to make the Hyur agree to go with her.
 
Midna wasn’t one to give up easily and started searching the proper solution for her troublesome situation while trying to ignore the heat. Catching the hyur’s interest was the current problem, as she clearly didn’t want to even visit the alchemy guild. The first thing the elezen did was to analyze the hyur. Aside from her beauty, her clothes were far from being expensive looking. The basket full of ingredients was clearly showing that the girl wasn’t somebody wealthy like some of the merchants she saw before whom liked to show off their various accessories made of gold. Not wealthy, but she didn’t look like she was too poor either as she did have the money to buy food.
 
‘Interest… She was interested by those jewels.’ Midna took a quick glance at the merchant’s stall and saw the prices. The elezen wasn’t a big spender and had mostly used a small amount of money so far, only for necessary food, clothes and the occasional makeup tools, she tried to get as many ingredients she needed by herself to make her own potions as well. Not only was it of better quality half of the time but it also made her spare lots of gils in the long run.
 
‘If I negotiate correctly I shouldn’t have a problem with the prices, most of the stuff there is affordable… Aside from the very expensive stones in the back. I’ll have to count on my luck on this one.’ She thought as she had finished her plan. She had always appreciated the fact that she had inherited quick thinking from her mother, it had been useful in many occasions in her life.

She might have been a bit too slow as she only noticed now that they were talking about going back to the Quicksands.
 
“Hold up miss! I have a deal that might interest you. I know you’re not interested in alchemy but how about just taking a look at the place; that might give you an interest in the trade. In exchange, I’ll buy you something from the stall you had your eyes on before. ” She said, hinting at the display of jewelry. “You’re free to choose what you want me to buy as well. Oh and miss archer can come with you if you wish her to.”
 
While there was the fact that this might hurt her wallet more than she had expected to spend in two or three weeks, it was worth the price of escaping the heat for today. She wouldn’t need to go out of the guild for the rest of the month once the apprentices were done wandering the market with various objectives. And who knows, maybe she’ll learn how the secret to the hyur’s smooth hair if she was lucky.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 06-05-2014

Aya rested a hand on T'shina's shoulder, smiling as she gave a little tug as she tried to urge the pair onto the Quick Sand. 

She was happy for the escape, on reflection the Duskwight girl did not seem so threatening, but still, better safe than sorry...

"...you're free to choose what you want me to buy as well." 

Now these were dangerous words to use with Aya, even for someone she deeply liked and respected... Aya's head turned sharply toward Midna glancing back over her right shoulder, a twinkle in those blue eyes, and a grin forcing its way across her lips.  "What did you say your name was?


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Boo - 06-06-2014

The sudden mood change from the Hyur surprised the elezen and the sparkling in her eyes was almost blinding. Midna had definitely expected a reaction from the girl but she didn't expect to have such an impact on the girl. Midna was sure as well that it didn't mean anything good for her wallet either. 'I wonder how many meals I'll have to skip after I buy her what she wants...'

"Lilywell, Midna Lilywell is the name. As you can see, I'm an apprentice at the alchemy guild and I specialize in making potions used against any kind of foe. As for the proposition I just made you, as long as you hold your word, I'll hold mine." Midna answered as she started doing the calculations in her head of how many gils she would have left depending on which item she would end up buying.

"I can only get you one of them though, my resources are limited after all, miss... ?" She added, almost absent minded, still busy calculating.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - T'shina - 06-06-2014

The way that the woman relaxed had even put her at ease herself. Which, was strange for the archer. She would eye the Duskwight woman carefully and adjust the strap of her satchel. "Yeah, I'll walk you back." But the words would fall on deaf ears even as she felt herself being tugged along, soon enough to be stopped past her half step she had been making. Her right ear flicked a few times as she would watch the woman. She really was trying too hard to get Aya to come with her to the Alchemist's guild. Enough to put a hole in her pocket.

Dark blue eyes would look to the stand of jewels and gems, recognizing them as expensive from her own work with the little creations. (Can never be too careful with the goods you trade.) But it seems that Aya was persuaded and due to her own unease and having that protective feeling over the girl, she wasn't going to let her go alone. "Alright, lead the way. Wouldn't be the first time I was an escort." The Seeker would give a small smile at her own comment.


RE: Stranger in a Strange Land [Open!] - Aya - 06-09-2014

Aya watches Midna closely, her eyes tracking those of the Elezen as she glances away back toward the Jeweler's kiosk, the large, balding proprietor looking over the group of three with the amused grin of a merchant knowing a sale was imminent. 
As she spoke, Aya looked just a little disappointed, her lips curling into something of a pout as she canted her head, "Well... it wouldn't be fair to ask for too much, hmmm?" she looks up, smiling a little more, before glancing back to the jewelry, wondering if she really should accept the offer, how wonderful it would be to have one of the belly chains she had just been admiring...

She glanced toward T'shina, looking at her new friend appreciatively while addressing Midna, "I do have a shift at Momodi's this afternoon, how long did you want us to visit for?"