Qara Hotgo walked through the Zephyr Gate in Limsa Lominsa towards Hawker’s Alley - the market-place of the city. Her pace was hurried as she made her way with intent. Moogles dominated much of the courier service in Eorzea, but there were always people who did not use them, or could not use them. Beastmen who traded with the races of man, refugees who wanted to make sure something got from one camp to another, those who needed something delivered directly to a settlement where Moogles didn’t commonly go and merchants who didn’t trust Moogles with their wares; these peoples gave Qara work. It was what she used to live on, but now she was doing it because she had missed it. The excuse of work to get out into the world to meet people was why she did it. Obligation motivated her to do what she really wanted, but nearly denied herself.
She navigated the crowded streets – weaving around people who did not notice her. A smudge of blue paint under her right eye displayed her own little shield against fear and anxiety. With the Blue Spirit of Confidence watching, she was not allowed to feel fear of any kind. Her Kagon arming sword with the purple-hued blade hung at her belt along with her rolls of letters, and satchels of supplies.
Her expression was serious until she noticed a familiar Goblin trying to argue with an annoyed Sea Wolf merchant at a stall. Something about Goblins calmed her, and she often felt more comfortable around them than she did her own race.
“Listen ‘ere ya… Goblin! I ain’t got copper wire in stock yet. It ain’t been delivered this sun.†The Merchant spoke in his best attempt to remain professional.
“Massive uplander told Gobbie that copperstring would be here todaynow. Why you changemind with Bigstix?†The Goblin responded, and as usual, it was hard to tell if he was angry or confused. Goblins always seemed a bit confused.
“I didn’ changemind with Bigstix!†The Merchant quickly retorted then face-palmed at his sudden urge to speak like the Goblin.
“Hi…†Qara interjected. Both the merchant and Bigstix turned towards her. Their gazes fell on her while she was mid-bow.
“Sorry I’m late…†She spoke far more quietly than the two, stood up straight and unfastened a satchel form her belt before plopping it on the stall counter. “Copper wire. Very smelly.â€
“Yer not late. This Goblin’s ‘ere early.†The merchant corrected her.
“Early flyingbird gets the copperstring!†Bigstix declared.
“I wasn’ goin’ to sell yer order!†The Roegadyn grumbled. He placed a small sack of gil on the counter, and pushed it toward Qara as payment.
“Scalefriend! How does daygo?†Bigstix asked Qara; seemingly familiar with her.
She smiled at the Goblin. “Muchbusy, but very peacelike.â€
“Goodgood, twicegood!†Bigstix placed the gil on the counter to pay for the order then took the whole satchel of copper wire. “Bigstix has to gonow. There is muchto be donenow.†He waved at Qara and began to waddle off.
“Bigstix.†Qara turned toward him. “Take Southpath back to Gobbiecamp. Usualway has muchpirates today.â€
The Goblin paused for a moment then waved back. “Thanksmuch for warning!â€
The Xaela continued to smile as he walked off when a sudden familiarity hit her, and made her horns tingle. All the positions of the footfalls and voices in hearing range could be identified. Her horns were good at telling her where things came from, and this familiar sound came from somewhere in the crowd. If only she could make out what the voice had said, but the vibrations awoke memories of Othard.
Emotions began to surge in her mind as her eyes tensed and tingled; threatening to let out tears.
“You are being watched†a deep, masculine voice echoed in her mind. She quickly reached under her shirt, and grasped a dark red stone attached to a necklace. Her fingers curled around it, and she gripped as if trying to crush it.
“Shut up! You know nothing.†She whispered sharply to herself. It was odd for the manifestation of her other side to speak to her. It usually only happened when she was under extreme stress, but her day had been peaceful thus far.
She began to look around as the world outside her mind came back into focus. The familiarity was gone. The only people looking at her were curious passers-by who heard her abrupt whisper. However, their gazes did not linger long before they went about their own business.
Qara let out a sigh. It was time to go home for the day.
She navigated the crowded streets – weaving around people who did not notice her. A smudge of blue paint under her right eye displayed her own little shield against fear and anxiety. With the Blue Spirit of Confidence watching, she was not allowed to feel fear of any kind. Her Kagon arming sword with the purple-hued blade hung at her belt along with her rolls of letters, and satchels of supplies.
Her expression was serious until she noticed a familiar Goblin trying to argue with an annoyed Sea Wolf merchant at a stall. Something about Goblins calmed her, and she often felt more comfortable around them than she did her own race.
“Listen ‘ere ya… Goblin! I ain’t got copper wire in stock yet. It ain’t been delivered this sun.†The Merchant spoke in his best attempt to remain professional.
“Massive uplander told Gobbie that copperstring would be here todaynow. Why you changemind with Bigstix?†The Goblin responded, and as usual, it was hard to tell if he was angry or confused. Goblins always seemed a bit confused.
“I didn’ changemind with Bigstix!†The Merchant quickly retorted then face-palmed at his sudden urge to speak like the Goblin.
“Hi…†Qara interjected. Both the merchant and Bigstix turned towards her. Their gazes fell on her while she was mid-bow.
“Sorry I’m late…†She spoke far more quietly than the two, stood up straight and unfastened a satchel form her belt before plopping it on the stall counter. “Copper wire. Very smelly.â€
“Yer not late. This Goblin’s ‘ere early.†The merchant corrected her.
“Early flyingbird gets the copperstring!†Bigstix declared.
“I wasn’ goin’ to sell yer order!†The Roegadyn grumbled. He placed a small sack of gil on the counter, and pushed it toward Qara as payment.
“Scalefriend! How does daygo?†Bigstix asked Qara; seemingly familiar with her.
She smiled at the Goblin. “Muchbusy, but very peacelike.â€
“Goodgood, twicegood!†Bigstix placed the gil on the counter to pay for the order then took the whole satchel of copper wire. “Bigstix has to gonow. There is muchto be donenow.†He waved at Qara and began to waddle off.
“Bigstix.†Qara turned toward him. “Take Southpath back to Gobbiecamp. Usualway has muchpirates today.â€
The Goblin paused for a moment then waved back. “Thanksmuch for warning!â€
The Xaela continued to smile as he walked off when a sudden familiarity hit her, and made her horns tingle. All the positions of the footfalls and voices in hearing range could be identified. Her horns were good at telling her where things came from, and this familiar sound came from somewhere in the crowd. If only she could make out what the voice had said, but the vibrations awoke memories of Othard.
Emotions began to surge in her mind as her eyes tensed and tingled; threatening to let out tears.
“You are being watched†a deep, masculine voice echoed in her mind. She quickly reached under her shirt, and grasped a dark red stone attached to a necklace. Her fingers curled around it, and she gripped as if trying to crush it.
“Shut up! You know nothing.†She whispered sharply to herself. It was odd for the manifestation of her other side to speak to her. It usually only happened when she was under extreme stress, but her day had been peaceful thus far.
She began to look around as the world outside her mind came back into focus. The familiarity was gone. The only people looking at her were curious passers-by who heard her abrupt whisper. However, their gazes did not linger long before they went about their own business.
Qara let out a sigh. It was time to go home for the day.