Aya

The Hyur girl listened as the three discussed her professional appearance and demeanor, while her mouth open slightly to let out a soft "Huh?"; her eyes still opened wide as she looked about the room. At Natalie's suggestion that she were, in fact, a frightening visage of martial roughness she turned her head quickly to look toward the Miqo'te. Her large blue eyes blinked in confusion "Hmmm? Me? Terrifying?" Her soft voice spoke of both confusion, and that moment of uncertainty and doubt when a girl cannot help but wonder if she is being teased or mocked. As Kage and Natalie confer, something finally dawns on Aya. She shakes her head while letting out an amused laugh; the confused look on her face becoming a lively grin. She turns herself back toward the bar to lift another drink of ale as her laugh tails off softly. She looks back to her left, toward the group and Karu in particular with a raised eyebrow, offering a nod while that grin remains, irrepressibly, on her lips. "Oooh - I like that one~"

"Offended?" Aya looks back with wide open blue eyes which blink for a moment before she offers a quick shake of her head, "Not at all!" she seems to pause to think, lowering her gaze toward the floor, "I guess I don't see any reason to advertise it..." there's a little uncertainty in her voice, perhaps she should be looking the part. "We have never done any work out this far, no. We generally stick to forests..." she picks up the mug again while uttering those almost ridiculous words given the circumstances, before taking another drink from it. "I don't think there's any trouble to report, just a tradesman looking to hire protection for his shipments." Despite a noticeable energy in her voice she continues to avert her eyes.

"I'll look forward to it." she replies, offering a wave of the fingers. Looking over the folded veil a little longer and examining the translucent fabric and its sheer shimmer in the daylight, Aya only slowly lets her mind drift back to the matters at hand. With a resigned shrug of the shoulders she turns to take a seat once more, watching the traffic move to and fro across the bridges of the busy little cross-road. At least the day had not been entirely boring, and bore witness to a wonderfully pleasant gift, while tempting opportunities seemed to float on the horizon.

Aya's head turns slightly toward Natalie, her smile pulling back a little further. "I suppose appearances can be deceiving. Perhaps I should have come more heavily armed, but because I was staying relatively close to Ul'dah I did not think it would be necessary." She turns around, leaning her hips against the bar now as she takes another drink of the ale, "I suppose we may return in a few weeks, armed. If Shizu likes the offer. I can't say I hope for that."

Aya leans against the bar and nods to Karu before lifting her mug, "May our good fortune~ and good times, continue then!" After taking another drink she smiles to Kage and looks away, over the bar. "Business. I was meeting a potential client at Blackbrush. Its a long away from Gridania, though. Not sure the opportunity was worth the trip~"

The final two lines are absolutely wonderful! What a fun read

The tall Hyur girl follows behind Natalie, with the excitement of meeting some new people returning energy to her step. She greets Kage and Kakaru with a smile as she cocks her hips and rests her hand. "I am Aya," she answers in a clear Ishgardian accent, "and I am sure happy to meet you. I have rarely been to Ul'dah, and all I hoped was to find some friendly faces. It seems to be my lucky night!" As Natalie offers the mug she grasps it with her right hand, turning a playful and amused smile toward the Miqo'te. Never one to turn down a treat so delectable as a free ale she lifts it to her lips and takes a drink. "Mmmm... Refreshing! Perfect!" Glancing toward the Lalafel with a tilt of her head she nods, "Thank you Kage!"

Aya lets out a little sound of surprise as the Miqo'te reaches into her hair, but it is the flush of embarrassment that takes over as she realizes what she is doing. "I.. uh, thank you. Yes, I've just come in from the road." She blinks a few times, glancing over toward Kage, toward whom the Miqo'te is looking, and regains her composed smile. "That sounds like just what I'd like to do tonight."

Aya moves slowly toward the bar, carrying herself with a hint of natural grace disturbed only momentarily by a careless bump-of-the-hip against a patron's table. She examines the customers sitting along the bar with a mixture of caution and curiosity in her eyes, and a lip curled into a subtle bite along the edge of her mouth. She notices the Miqo'te approaching her at nearly the last moment. She turns her head quickly, flashing a broad smile toward the welcome sight of a friendly person. She opens her mouth as if to offer greeting only to stop for a moment at the question, the expression on her face looking a little more confused. "Hmmm? Mind if you what?" Her words carry the air of an Ishgardian accent

Standing on the stone steps outside of the Quicksand, Aya felt the sapping pull of a long day's exhaustion. The meeting at Black Brush had been less valuable than expected. Why did Shizu have her travel half way across the continent, let alone through the deserts of Thanalan, to meet a contact offering such petty work? Perhaps business really was just that bad at the moment... At least she had run into a friend while waiting ~ though the stranger that accosted them with stories of his return "from the dead" and his quixotic quest to redeem his self-value by throwing his life away had left her more unnerved than anything. If matters had not been frustrating enough, the meeting had started late, and the sun had set before emerged from the local watering hole into the rapidly cooling evening air. Although a trip back to Gridania that evening was now off the table, she insisted on making the ride back to Ul'dah no matter how poorly dressed she were for the occasion: even Ul'dah had to be better than that grummy station. Feeling the night's chill clinging to her bare legs Aya took in a deep breath. Holding it momentarily she tried to flood her mind with pleasant thoughts that would dispel the trials of the day. As she pursed her lips and closed her eyes, exhaling with a purposeful slowness, she stretched her shoulders back and bounced just a bit on her legs. Adopting a relaxed but erect posture, she drew a warm smile upon her lips and opened the door, stepping into the the tavern. While the glowing warmth brushed along her chilled legs, sending a tingle both welcome and uncomfortable through her, the heavy air of incense, scented smokes, spices, food, and alcohol assaulted her with an unexpected power. Her nose wrinkled momentarily, as her eyes squeezed shut to ward off the intensity of the sensations, before the brightness of her smile shone through once more. She wears a short black skirt, with knee-high black leather boots bearing heels of a height ill-suited to the desert. They are speckled with dust and dirt, which similarly has made an assault upon her entire attire. She has tried to blend somewhat with the Ul'dahn style, wearing a loose-fitting tunic of rough cloth, the tie-string hanging limp and mostly open exposing a small black top beneath. Studs line her ear piercings, while bracelets and rings adorn her wrists and hands. Dry strands of grass mix in with her long blonde hair. Making her way to the bar she glance down for a moment, suddenly realizing how disheveled she has become while traveling in Thanalan. Pulling some of the blown grass from her tunic she lets out a soft sigh and then continues on her way to the bar, trying to cast a smile both brave and genuine: there must be someone here interesting to meet!

Just give it a try, don't be nervous! It's often not hard to find people to randomly RP with, keep an eye out for people walking around and the like and just approach them! If they don't reciprocate, then, well, no harm done!

Interesting :-X

Though hidden from C'kayah's sight, Aya cannot quite contain the brightness of her smile in response to his expression of satisfaction. Though a penniless exile, Aya had never lost her desire for the finer things that seemed to always linger just out of reach. Mentally she unfolded the veil while imagining herself wearing it in mid-dance--her eyes reflecting the sparkling jewelry that adorns her. His second comment breaks the spell of this dream, and draws her immediate reaction: head and shoulders turn toward him with an unsuppressed quickness, a toss that sets her blonde locks in motion as she looks back at him over her right shoulder. There is a grin upon her lips and an interest in her eyes that expresses an unspoken enthusiasm more readily than words could match.

The smile on the Hyur's lips turns coy as she dips her head away in response to C'kaya's unchecked compliments. "So I am to be a sort of advertisement for your wares hmmm?" she asks, shifting her weight to her left foot as her body pivots slightly away. "I suppose if that means getting to wear such things, I cannot complain too much, hmmm?" "In fact - if you have any you wish to display to potential customers in Gridania, or along the coast, I may be interested..."

I know how to wield a lance, how to dance with it, and how to make jump attacks. Sometimes I unconsciously mimic the Dragoons I watched practicing when I was a child. I don't think I am a dragoon, but I don't think there's any particular reason I cannot fight like one

Aya’s eyes widen once more in surprise, as her lips open to accept a sudden gasp that expresses audibly the unexpected elation so apparent in her features. “For me?” she asks, in disbelief, her fingers slowly trailing along the edges of the folded square. “I… I don’t know what to say… I don’t know that I should…” she replied, just above a whisper, her eyes gazing softly at the veil, lips pulling tight for a moment. Gift giving toward entertainers, and among Ul’dahns in general, is not always an innocent affair. Her experience could have warned her that such gifts could be as dangerous as they were unexpected: provided in exchange for a presently unstated favor, or expectation of future repayment. Yet, in the exaltation of the moment ebullient and bright-eyed, the former-Ishgardian dancer embraced the folded square of translucent fabric, holding it to her chest as she smiled toward the gift-giver with a warmth beaming and genuine, “I cannot thank you enough!” For a brief moment she wondered if he could sense what it meant to her--a flicker of recognition in her eyes is followed by a somewhat coy turn of her head, displaying the flush of her cheeks.

The Hyur girl watches the veil closely: her eyes following it intently as it is carefully unfolded. The sheer fabric, luminous and smooth, draws her vision along its length, and soon the touch of her finger to the cloth. It is such a simple article, yet it held within the tantalizing promise of Ishgardian wealth and beauty that tempts and teases well beyond the reach of those at the lower reaches of her society. Dancing had once given her the means to brush its very edges: beautiful clothing, sparking jewelry, and sweet scents that are both the reward and necessities of the trade. In this moment, beneath the warming sun of the Twelveswood, that diaphanous strip of cloth seemed to be more than its own inherit beauty and grace; instead a delicate bridge to a world she had left behind. His comments on the art of veiled beauty draw a knowing smile that approaches a smirk upon her lips: the exquisite play at temptation and allure is as much a nature of her art as the exhibition of grace and form. As he holds the veil toward her, as if trying it on upon her features, her eyes glance upward toward his, displaying a sparkle of delight that is quickly mirrored in her features. She laughs brightly, causing her to dip her shoulders and head as she poses against the veil. ((Just a reminder to anyone who may be reading this, this is an open RP thread, and while C'kayah and I are having some flirtatious fun, that wasn't really the purpose of the thread so please feel free to interrupt us IC! ))

That's beautiful! I would gladly run with you Steel, too bad you're still on the wrong server!

Aya nods understandingly her fingers curling and tapping together as her mind wanders just a bit. "I suppose you don't have much space for bulkier goods... I was just thinking of my brother. He's an apprentice with a weaponsmith. I suppose I was wondering if you may have come across any of his work... but that's just silly, I know." Seeming to recover from a few moments of distraction she subtly wets her lips and regains her posture, smiling softly as C'kayah removes the veil from his saddlebag. Her eyes brighten at the feature: a mixture of surprise and anticipation. "It is the worst part of society there..." she says, of the secrecy, glancing at him momentarily before returning her attention to the veil as he unfolds it.

Aya's cheeks flushed with the embarrassment of one accustomed to finding Limsa's shopping quite extraordinary. "I suppose..." she she replies with a meek tone that adds emphasis to her strange accent. As he describes and shows off the dagger, she looks somewhat less impressed. "If there is one thing the Houses know, it is dragon blood I suppose...," she says wryly. "That is a lovely piece of craftsmanship, though..." she turns her head around the dagger, examining it from every side. Her eyes look thoughtful, as she seems to look past the blade. Cocking her head up toward him, she asks "I don't suppose you ever trade in more practical weapons of Ishgardian make, do you?"

Aya peered a little closer, blue eyes focused on the indecipherable liquid within the bottle. "Mandissarette?" she asked in a curious whisper, as if she were in the presence of something perhaps greater than herself. "A Duskwight fragrance? mmmmmm... sounds intriguing." tilting her head and glancing back to C'kayah she nods with her smile quickly returning. "So you do not return empty handed at all - I can't imagine what such a treasure could fetch in Limsa."

Aya's body and head lift a little as he describes the goods he carries to and fro; she looks back at him, as if very curious about something. As he turns to ask of her experience, her body relaxes and the confident cocking of her hip vanishes. "I haven't guarded much, no. I suppose I have faced threats, mostly poaches and bandits in the Shroud. I'm not a Wood Wailer, though, so I cannot speak for them. This is my first long term assignment of this sort - I have been part of a few escorts before, though, but that's not quite the same." She looks away again before peering back with a spark of interest in her blue eyes, "Now... about those Ishgardian goods: what of perfume and cosmetics?"

Aya listens intently, the smile of her crimson lips growing intent and playful. She cocks her hips, resting her hand there as she tilts her head in the opposite direction. "It is a major crossroad. Only fair it have company to match the views, hmmm?" she adds in her Ishgardian notes. "I imagine that you never want empty cargo on the return trip. Do you bring Ishgardian goods back through Coerthas for Gridanians?" she asked, raising her eyebrows quizzically.

The young woman repeats several quick nods of her head as the Miqo’te laughs, setting her long bangs into motion. She’s about to interject that he had best be having those second thoughts, when he quickly followed up with his invitation. Her smiling lips tightened slightly as she tilted her head again and nodded once more, “That sounds great! It would be nice to have a little company out here!” "Are you here to deliver those goods?" she asks, releasing her left arm to gesture toward his chocobo, "Or do are you just carrying them through?" (( Hi Steel! I think you may be confusing Fallgourd Float with Camp Tranquil in the South Shroud – as far as I know there isn’t marsh near the Float, or any Adamantoise. If you still want to go with that story I’ll respond to it, I just wanted to double check first ))

Aya stops moving around, with that smile still playing on her lips as she tilts her head a little. She folds her arms across her body, as the wind picks up and blows her hair gently, slightly obscuring her face. "I'm Aya, its a pleasure to meet you C'kayah..." she pauses for a moment, cocking her hips and tilting her shoulders as she moves her head to look the Chocobo in the eye, "and you too Khej!" Raising her head again she nods to answer his question, "Once upon a time, anyway. I'm a Gridanian now, or so I like to think!" the playful laugh that accompanies the answer betrays a little of the lingering uncertainty in that statement. Shifting her body a little more and diverting her eyes for a moment she hints at a lack of confidence as to her purpose. When she lifts her eyes to his again there's a playfulness in her expression,"Believe it or not I'm guarding this town. At least... I am keeping an eye on it." "Feel any safer now?" she adds with a grin.