As the Tallund siblings conversed -and bickered - Aislynn walked through the bar and exited the tavern, still feeling responsible for the row. She hadn't thought she'd react that way to someone touching her shoulder in her sleep; she hadn't for a very long time. Then again, she always found safe, isolated places to rest to avoid others. Or was it something else?
There were not only performers that had set up among the tents, but vendors as well. Some tents had small fires or wood stoves to cook food, and others had blankets with an array of handmade goods displayed. People were arguing over quality, or bartering for better prices. Some were excited to see their ethnic food so far away from home, and others curious as to dishes that had never graced their flavor pallet.
Although very accustomed to bustling crowds, the mixture of language and foreign smells left Aislynn a bit on edge. She let herself fall into the flow of people moving, her hand remaining on the small pouch hidden in her skirt pocket. Peddlers called for her attention, proud of wares they had to sell. Her clothing only garnered a modicum more effort thrown her way, but there were so many potentials they didn't risk to ignore too many.
A small collection of smooth, pebble shaped glass drew Aislynn over to a tidy looking stall. There was no tent accompanying it, but they didn't seem too strange. There were other little trinkets, inscribed with strange images that Aislynn did not recognize. They were not words.
Sitting seiza, calves folded directly under her thighs and sitting on her heels, was a small woman with a powerful presence. Her ebony hair was pulled into two high pigtails on either side of her head, and had first been carefully twisted into the shape of wolf-like ears. Her face was hidden by a porcelain mask, painted with sweeps of varying purples falling down the right side of her face. Her hands were folded in her lap, resting on the intricate uniform of purple brocade and black leather.
"Hello," Aislynn greeted, resting her hands on her knees to peer at the charms for sale.
The woman canted her head, before bowing forward in her posture.
"This one bids curious one welcome," she said.
Aislynn had never heard someone speak in such a peculiar way. It was not hard to understand, but it was certainly unique!
"I'm Aislynn."
"This one thanks curious one for honoring this one with name," the woman responded cheerfully. "This one will gift the one named Aislynn with a new name. This one is called Tsuki, and now this one will call the one named Aislynn, Moonlit One."
"Oh... well." Aislynn wondered if that was normal where Tsuki came from. She was not learned enough to know where that might be. "It's nice to meet you Tsuki."
"This one echoes the sentiment! This one is pleased to have met Moonlit One." Tsuki giggled, clapping her hands together. She then held out her hands toward the items spread out before her. "Does Moonlit One see something? This one will give good price."
Aislynn examined the trinkets, adjusting her stance as others jostled by her. Some were natural formations, while others looked crafted, the crystal-like material molded into intricate shapes.
"What are they, exactly?" she asked, hoping she did not insult the quirky woman.
"Charms of protection and blessings," Tsuki answered, a smile in her voice. "This one will include chords to create necklace, or bracelet. This one also has chords for hair or chains for single ornament."
Aislynn was fairly sure she had followed along, but Tsuki showed her examples anyway. She picked out three; an owl, a stag, and a bear. There were other animals she didn't recognize, and delicate shapes that were lovely, but she liked the three she picked the best. She knew what these ones were. The idea of Zalgus asking her what it was and her responding that she just liked the look of it made her blush a bit, especially because she knew he'd tease her about it after.
"Does Moonlit One want charms on the same chord?" Tsuki asked, gathering the coin sized charms in pale, delicate hands.
"Actually, could I have them each on a separate chord?" Aislynn bounced on the balls of her feet as she pondered her new friends' reactions to the small gifts. Even if they were purchased with money Raina gave her.
"This one thinks Moonlit one is not keeping all the charms." Tsuki canted her head to the side. The serene visage of her mask obscured the smile behind it, the amethyst stones set in the eyes glittering from torchlight.
"Well, no. I'm giving two of them to who I'm traveling with."
"Ah! Moonlit One travels with friends," Tsuki said, her smile now in her voice again. She clapped her hands together, making the bell shaped sleeves of her outfit flutter down to expose her slender arms to the elbow. "This one is relieved. This one knows there are nasty things in the night looking for ones that travel alone."
"O-oh?" Aislynn felt a lump swell in her throat, and she glanced around nervously at the great crowd of people around her. All the faces were unfamiliar, doing their own things and minding their own business.
She became aware of all the different accents filling her ears, an words she recognized became unfamiliar as strangers' tongues used them. Still, even as nervousness settled into her belly, Aislynn found her enjoying to listen. Some voices were angry, others playful. She could hear one couple who were obviously flirting, even if she couldn't understand what they were saying. It was the tones and giggles.
She was in a place far from what she might have called home, traveling with two people she had barely known a week. Her stomach had not been empty, and her mind had been engaged for the entire time. Though they far outclassed her in intellect, Raina and Zalgus made an effort to include her in discussion. Zalgus had even upheld his promise to help improve her reading!
Even though she was scared, she was glad to be here.
"This one knows about Lost Ones," Tsuki said, leaning forward and lowering her voice. "Lost Ones accepted the dark. Lost Ones strike like spiders. Moonlit One would be considered perfect prey to Lost Ones."
Aislynn swallowed, feeling a might less comfortable now.
"Lost Ones take pride in extinguishing Ones Who Bring Light," Tsuki continued. She braided several lengths of leather together, maintaining her proper kneeling posture. "Moonlit One is a more gentle light, but this one does not take things for granted. This one thinks Moonlit One should not either."
"I'll try my best not to," Aislynn replied. She poked through her pouch and plucked out several silver coins.
"This one is glad. This one wishes Moonlit One best luck and blessing."
Aislynn wandered away from the strange, masked girl in a somewhat perplexed state. The three trinkets had been wrapped in a heavy, rough-spun cloth to protect them, and she slowly tucked it into her satchel, unsure of when Tsuki had actually handed it to her. The girl was odd, but her words weighed heavily. Perhaps this was what Zalgus meant when he said there were people who were interested in people like them.
"Aislynn!"
The sound of a familiar voice felt better than those sweet cakes tasted. The better part was there was no threat of vomiting it back up again, so Aislynn let herself indulge in the sensation as she watched Raina maneuver her way gracefully through the crowd. The red head casually excused herself as she brushed by a few bystanders interested in a nearby food stand.
"Well you seem to be full of color!" Raina closed the distance between herself and her newest friend, resting her hands on her hips. "Did you find anything noteworthy?"
"Oh yes!" Aislynn turned to the side, ignoring the jostling at her back when someone passed by with gusto. "There was a small shop with the strangest--" Her words died away as her mouth fell open, and her blood felt cold.
Tsuki's spot was completely empty.
No comments:
Post a Comment