Optian Illusion of Family (Kasumi, Paareth)

[Chargul]

Darkening 30th Brightening of the Month of Optia in the season of Spring; Era XV Post Fractum.

Secrets : http://www.playbypost.com/forums/zinnsu...nn-tavern.html

Chargul had sent a letter to Kasumi, asking to meet in the Wolfmoon Inn. Upon looking over the price list, Chargul wondered how this could be the most popular tavern. It was impossible for anyone with a reasonable wage to pay for any of this stuff and even a single darkening out at this place could ruin a person for life. Unless you happened to be a minister, but not everyone in Zinn'Sunn was a minister, quite the opposite, so how could they afford those prices? This kept Chargul wondering for a long time, and he decided to merely ask for some water. That, at least, was free, though he doubted for how long.

Sitting, comfortably, at a table, he admired the architecture while he waited for Kasumi to show up. He had wanted to meet his step-sisters future husband for a long time and was interested in knowing what the person was like. Today, he could get that chance.

Upon receiving his water, he thanked the waitress as a Kemite wouldn't and bowed his head, slightly revealing the phoenix tattoo on his neck. He was no stranger to Zinn'Sunn and no foreigner. To think so would be to dishonour his family name and would be more than enough to warrant a duel, but then, Chargul was not the hot-blooded type. Duels were certainly fun, but not if he was involved in them to the death. Duels with words were so much more fun.

Sipping from his water, the Esh'lahier awaited the appearance of his step-sisters suitor.

[Kasumi Adsa]

Kasumi had managed to find the time in his schedule to meet with the adopted son of the Gicha family. It felt a little weird to be invited to such a public place, but Kasumi couldn’t blatantly refuse the meet at the moment. Wearing, what he considered, neutral clothing Kasumi entered the Tavern fill with more than enough people he would prefer not to meet. The common folk always ended up wasting his time with pointless things such as challenges and requests. The clothes he was wearing should cut down most of the attention and his face was hidden with a common hat. He appeared to be just another traveller, and hopefully no one would catch on to his true identity.

Finding the Esh’lahier in the crowd in the tavern was easy enough. After a few quick scans, only one person fit the description Kasumi was give to help him find him. Happy that his judgement was right Kasumi approached the Esh’lahier quite confidently. While his eyes continued to observe who else was in the room and what it was they were doing to some extent, most of his focus was on the person he had come to meet. People did random things without thinking and Kasumi wouldn’t be caught off guard. “Serale, would you happen to Chargul?” Kasumi asked, “I’ve been asked to meet with him here.” Kasumi didn’t say too much in case he was mistaken and in a place like this attracting attention by properly introducing himself would be ridiculous. Kasumi hoped his companion had some tact to at least not mention Kasumi’s last name or allegiance.

[Chargul]

Dressed in a simple, flowing cotton robe, Chargul too was not obviously from any family of note. The phoenix tattoo was a hint, but it would likely steer most people in the wrong direction and the fact that he was an Esh'lahier made most people believe he was not a Kemite, even if he was a native.

Nodding at Kasumi, Chargul said "Yes. You must be Kasumi? Please, sit. I'm afraid I can't offer you anything. The prices are outrageous and I only just returned from Aelyria Prime." With that said, any listeners were bound to have taken their interests off them. It was uncommon for the families to involve themselves with foreigners, but then again, you could never be too careful.

"I've been gone for many months, but I received word that you are to marry my sister." Chargul said "There are other things I need to attend to as well, as an architect. Hopefully we can discuss that later, but first, let me congratulate you. I expect everything is proceeding smoothly so far?" By not mentioning the fact that he was referring to his step-sister, he was following Kasumi's lead of being cautious and quiet about who they were and why they were meeting. After all, no one could expect that his sister was in fact a Gicha.

[Paareth]

Paareth had another mug of what he hoped was fire wine, at least that’s what the innkeeper had alluded to but he doubted it from the quality, more likely a cheap substitute. The warrior took little notice of the prices here, he never had and that’s perhaps the reason he and his companions had been welcomed with open arms in so many inns, even if they left them a little worse for wear.

As the Jagara walked about the inn, he gulped back hard on the thick red liquid, its warming taste filling his entire body with the lively sensation of spirited well being. He hadn’t set foot in an inn for any serious drinking in over six era’s, there had been the occasional passing merchant he’d bartered with but nothing that came close to the rowdy inns he once knew.

The more he re-found his footing within the empire, the more the Katta fell into old and welcome habits. He doubted he’d be walking out of here in any fit state tonight. Paareth wasn’t a Katta most people would recognize as normal, in his time, his people were very humanized, their culture lost to the empires and Dorins’ rule over their lands. In these days of his cultures resurgence, Paareth seemed like a relic of the past.

His keens senses had picked up just one word of what the two men nearby were talking about, mostly because his thoughts were on the subject too. In his emboldened state he paid no heed at all to the fact they might want to be left alone. Approaching the table boldly with a large grin, the warrior Jagara wasn’t lacking in confidence at the best of times, not least of which when he was enjoying a drink

“I am Paareth son of…” He was going to pause and should of done but manners and the common sense in not revealing the name, had given way to the wine now circulating in his system.

“Son of Dereth” The Jagara placed a large jug of fire wine, a thick red, lusciously potent drink and two mugs on the table next to the men.

He bowed before them, drinking his own mug back deeply again. The warrior was bristling with weapons and numerous faded scars were evident across his body, his teeth were in perfect condition however and they were very visible as he spoke, an intentional sign of strength amongst his people. He spoke but not overly loudly, just to the two present.

“Here is to the bonding. I envy the man who has found a worthy partner to spend his life with and I wish to offer a toast.”

He raised his mug again, speaking to the men in toast.

“May fate smile on your union, the gods bless you with warrior offspring and the hunt never leave you without bounty.”

Once again the Jagara sipped his wine, the warming liquid enveloping his senses, his eyes betrayed his thoughts if he would be asked to join them, either way he was happy to have made the toast and offered the gift. His memories had been running wild in this place, it was one of the cities he’d spent so many months in and their words had reminded him of his own mate, Thistle and their happy time together.

Paareth wasn’t one of your regular Kattas, in his time, people of their culture bonded for life, no matter what happened to their mate. Part of the reason Paareth had made the toast and gesture was because nowadays the Katta he had met took a very dim view of marriage and it troubled him greatly, in his own way he was reaching out to hopefully find something familiar in this new world.

[Kasumi Adsa]

Kasumi had indeed found the right person, though there weren’t too many Esh’lahier elves in Zinn’Sunn. Kasumi gave a polite nod to the mention of his name before taking the invitation to sit. His attention appeared to be focused on the elf, but he didn’t completely forget about the other people around him. Kasumi listened as Chargul congratulated Kasumi and spoke a little about what he had been up to. Kasumi couldn’t help but wonder what the Dragon Clan had planned sending Chargul to Aelyria Prime. He assumed they would have something to do with architecture, which Kasumi assumed was Chargul’s profession so far. This may be disproven as they continue to speak, but Kasumi wouldn’t speak of anything he assumed.

Before Kasumi could respond to Chargul, a large Katta entered with their personal space. His appearance and actions weren’t that threatening, but Kasumi still back off a little. Most people would consider this a normal action. Kasumi liked to have quite a bit of personal space, but so did others. First he introduced himself and followed up with congratulating Kasumi as well. Everyone did things that he couldn’t predict, but for simple encounters it was easy enough. Having this Jagara join the conversation didn’t come into his calculations at all. Kasumi was sure Chargul would feel the same way, but rejecting Paareth’s company would probably cause more trouble than it was worth. This meeting wasn’t about anything official so why not let him sit in.

Kasumi took the initiative. He still hadn’t said anything in response to Chargul so it seemed appropriate. “Serale Paareth, this is Chargul, and my name is Kasumi.” He started, “It was nice of you both to congratulate me. She is a fine woman, and I’m honoured to have her as my wife.” The marriage was more for the sake of the clan’s than anything else. Kasumi thought it did work out nicely since she did appear to be a decent woman worthy of being paired with him. Even if he thought otherwise, it would be foolish to say anything like that to Chargul. Kasumi reached for the jug of wine, he assumed Paareth was willing to share, and poured into the two mugs. He left his mug for the time being, waiting for Chargul to try it first. Kasumi was ever so slightly suspicious of the Katta’s motives and in case this was poisoned he’d let the elf test it for him.

When he was happy with how things were set out Kasumi got back to Chargul’s question. “As for how things are going, they are proceeding quite nicely.” Kasumi commented, repeating the question to put his answer in context. “Don’t worry too much about the details.” There wasn’t really much to say in response to that, so to keep things moving Kasumi changed the topic. “Why did you visit Aelyria Prime? I hope you don’t mind. My life here is pretty dull other than the wedding.” The question was not directly aimed at finding out anything, but that was part of the reason it was asked. Kasumi also wanted to keep the conversation away from what he involved with. Talking about the work he had been doing for the clan and government was out of place in a tavern like this.

[Chargul]

Chargul was not the type to be suspicious of drunk katta. There was, to his knowledge, no saying that said beware of drunk katta in Zinn'Sunn's popular bars and he was hoping it would stay that way. Taking the mug and sipping from it, he realized, however, that he should buy the next jug of wine when the oppurtunity came. Unlike Paareth, Chargul didn't drink much or often, so he couldn't tell if it was watered down or not. Still, the katta knew how to bless a good marriage. Warrior offspring, a certain blessing in both kemite and katta cultures. Smiling fates. A good hunt, which of course, in the katta's eyes was quite literal, Chargul thought, though a hunt had many possible interpretations beyond its literal meaning. A good blessing overall and one he cheered to, raising the mug that Kasumi had filled with Paareth's wine.

Nodding in response to being named, he confirmed that he was, indeed, Chargul. Don't worry about the details seemed to be the key to this conversation. "I received word there was a need for my services as an architect in a lucrative position. I thought I'd give it a chance after my experience in the Sherian conflict and besides, it was bound to give me job safety." There seemed to be a particular emphasis on safety. Indeed, after becoming first steward and honorary son of Lord Haido, it seemed wise to disappear off the radar for a while. The son that he had taken the place of had died a violent death, murdered or assassinated as the case was. He didn't want to end up the same way.

Commenting on dullness, the architect said "I've always considered a dull life to be a sign of stability. Boring, perhaps, but the Sherian conflict was far from boring and I was but a brightening away from having my position overrun by orcs, before the retreat was called and a blizzard set in. What of you, Paareth and Kasumi, what are your vocations, these days?" Chargul asked.

[Paareth]

“Well met Kasumi and Chargul.”

The Jagara bowed his head courteously, glad his gift had been received well. Accepting a gift was an important custom for his tribal people, even if it were not to be used or drunk in this case, it was a sign of respect and was still the approach he often used to break the ice in conversation.

“You are most welcome and your words are warming to hear. I hope you don’t mind if I sit, my legs are weary from the days spent in the wilds.” He said, turning to Kasumi and Chargul in turn.

Paareth again didn’t hesitate and pulled up a nearby stool, his body dropping rather than sitting onto it, though remarkably gracefully considering what he was drinking.

The Jagara’s eyes were certainly alive and his expression bright, not yet hazy but with each pull on the mug, the fiery wine relaxed his body that bit more. He listened intently to their conversation, the Elf seemed a builder of sorts and the human, well he wasn’t sure what he did but at this stage of the evening and depth of the mug, it didn’t really matter.

“Ah, my vocation!” He said laying a paw firmly on the table, the mugs vibrating ever so lightly on its surface. Paareth cleared his throat, eyes seeming to go serious for a second, though it was a mock face if you knew him.

“Lets see, arena fighter no, not quite, wandering sword, no that’s not it.”

He had another drink of his wine, almost finishing the mug and pouring himself another healthy dose of the deep red liquid. The Katta’s nose twitched lightly as he thought and he scratched his chin when he was done with the jug.

“I have it! A traveling hermit, though I’m semi-retired, the road didn’t agree with me.” He laughed for a moment, dusting off his armor, which was obviously worn and dirty. Eventually he tilted his head, breathing a moment of sense to his words, his voice a bit more earnest, if cryptic in response.

“You might say pawn of the fates, a mercenary the gods like to play with, yes we’ll go with that.” The Jagara grinned widely, teeth fully on show happily; in the end he had been tactful after all.

As he threw back another jolt of wine forcefully, he rolled his shoulder around, wincing in a momentary pain. It was playing up again, an obvious scar along its edge the likely cause. He instinctively licked the fur around his shoulder and tried to relax it, before returning to his drink.

"Ah, it has been era’s since I was in the Empires Capital, has it changed much? Do they still have the tournament fields?" His eyes opened wide at the prospect, though the somewhat obvious mistake of using the term Empire might of seemed strange.

Eventually Paareth turned back to Kasumi.

"And what of your bride, where did you have the fortune of meeting her?"

[Kasumi Adsa]

Kasumi was pleased with how things proceeded. Chargul had no problems with letting Paareth join the conversation, and everything was flowing smoothly. Chargul was even fine after tasting the wine Paareth had brought. Probably not something Kasumi should be too worried about, but with all that had happened in his life he was always cautious. Following suite Kasumi brought the mug to his lips and tasted the wine while he listened to Chargul’s response. It was not to his tastes, but Kasumi didn’t let that show. He didn’t want to disrespect the katta, or give a bad impression to Chargul. It was much more preferable to let things continue until he was required to speak again.

Chargul quite briefly explained a few things before asking a question of Kasumi and Paareth. The explanation pretty much only commented about his new job as an architect and revealed that he was involved in the Sherian conflict. Kasumi wasn’t happy with how the Sherian conflict went, and would hope the kingdom would do something about the orcs in the near future. Kasumi would recognise the esh’lahier worth for opposing those wretches, but there wasn’t much only one person could make. The architect job was much more interesting though. Kasumi couldn’t help but wonder what it was the Dragon clan wanted him to build. If it was worth knowing there’d be less chance of Kasumi finding out. Even if Kasumi was marrying his sister, Kasumi was still part of a different clan and possibly still a threat.

Kasumi put that matter on hold while he listened to Paareth’s response and prepared his own. The katta was pretty much a wanderer by the sounds of it. Kasumi wondered if he’d be useful to his plans at any point, but doubted the Jagara would like hanging around in a clan for too long. Maybe after Kasumi learnt a little more about him he could offer him some sort of position. The Jagara didn’t seem to have a job at the moment and Kasumi was sure his clan could find some position for him. Once he had finished Kasumi add his own answer, “I’ve can’t say I’ve done as many exciting things as you two. For now most of my work is for the Zinn’Sunn government and one of the clans. A little less drastic, but someone has to do it.” He hoped that answered the question without giving away too much to anyone who might be listening in and the Jagara. For now, only Chargul needed to know Kasumi’s actual position.

Paareth continued with more questions. First, one directed at Chargul. Kasumi was content to stay quiet and listen to his response while slowly sipping the wine. Once Chargul finished, Kasumi had a question directed his way. It was about his wife and where he met her. Kasumi hadn’t been giving the choice of whether or not to marry her, and hadn’t even met her before the decision was made. Answering like that seemed a little heartless so he decided to twist it a little. “We met through our parents.” He said, “They had wanted us to be married, though I’m quite pleased to have found her regardless. I guess things worked out well for the both of us.” Kasumi hoped it didn’t offend Chargul to speak of matters as such. Claiming that it was a marriage for the sake of the clans, though it was true, would sound a lot harsher.

[Chargul]

It was a good enough answer to Chargul. At least Kasumi knew to be respectful about his step sister in front of him and that was all Chargul really wanted to be certain of. He seemed a good man. To this effect, the Esh'lahier felt it fitting to give his blessing, in more than just words. Also, as he noticed the jug of wine was nearly empty, he ordered another one, spending ten of his last fifteen crowns on it. He was hoping that his family would pay for his travels, should he find some work in other parts of the kingdom.

While he waited for the wine to be delivered to their table he nodded at Kasumi, "Yes, someone has to take care of the adminstrative work. I may choose to seek some work here in Zinn'Sunn, once I've done enough travelling and worked on enough projects abroad of Zinn'Sunn. I feel it best to gain experience from beyond, so that I might bring it back to Zinn'Sunn." Turning to Paareth, he said "Ah, the imperial palace is indeed a very wonderful place. I don't think I saw any tournament fields, but the fields themselves are so vast and so massive that it would not surprise me if they held regular tournaments. They've got a magnificient airship at any rate and I was fortunate enough to be able to place my feet on it. I can tell you more of it, if you'd like?" Unlike Paareth, Chargul knew that they were in a kingdom. He worked at the palace after all, which made it very odd indeed to use the name imperial palace

With the wine having arrived at their table, Chargul first re-filled the other's glasses with more fire wine, diluted or not. He then raised his glass and said, in a somewhat low voice compared to other kinds of drunken cheers so as not to gather attention from anywhere else in the tavern, "Well, Kasumi, you are indeed the honourable man I heard you to be and I wish you and my sister the best of luck in the future. Should you ever require any assistance, know that I am more than ready to help either of you."

As far as Chargul was concerned, he was done here, but would finish the jug of wine with these friends before moving on. He wasn't in a rush. "Tell me, Paareth, as a fellow traveler, do you find that there are particularly more brigands on the roads? My view is skewed from my time in Sheria where brigands were practically enlisted to fight the orcs and the orcs became the new brigands, you see."

[Paareth]

Paareth nodded at Kasumi’s mention of the clans, they were still as yet a mystery to him. He’d heard of them of course, even done contracts for influential members, in their fledgling stages but never really had contact beyond that.

“Adventurous lives are often short ones, in many ways you are fortunate your calling is elsewhere”

The scarred Katta smiled slightly at Kasumi, finishing his wine again and raising the mug to thank Chargul for buying the next round. His body leaned a bit further forward on the table and his mouth loosened still more.

"Though it sounds profitable work for those with a mind to pursue it." His eyes studied Kasmui carefully, pondering what the nature of his work was. Paareth didn’t elaborate on his statement but hopefully the hint of interest was enough.

As Kasumi spoke of his bride, the desert Katta nodded firmly, a union of families or tribes to strengthen them was something he understood well, though among his people, that union would still need to be proved worthy in the arena of battle.

“I understand the way of this marriage. Among my people we have similar customs. It is good to see other cultures who can find the same honourable meaning behind a union.”

Among the desert tribes, any suitor would need to prove themselves deserving of the bride offered and she could of still refuse him even then, yet a show of strength, an influential mate and the wishes of her own tribe behind her, were often enough to seal a union.

Paareth then turned to Chargul, twitching his nose at the response, he didn’t care much for the empire, always believing they had a hand in the subduing his people, if only because of their acceptance of so many Dorin landowners in Katta lands. His tone remained calm though as he answered.

“The emperor is building himself more monuments and palaces? I often wonder where he finds the time to indulge himself, between his scheming and crushing of all those who have the strength of will to resist him. Still, I should like to see the fields in prime again, I miss their call.” Drunk as he was, he missed Chargul’s reference to an imperial palace, not that Paareth would of picked up on such nuances anyway, he was never one for political figures or for taking note of the terms they used to lavish themselves.

The Jagara mulled Chargul’s question over, the changing conditions in the wilds were evident but he’d never really looked back to evaluate them.

“I find the roads are as dangerous as ever! Well almost as dangerous, though I’d say there were more orcs and bandits these days, less… exotic creatures, perhaps that makes them more predictable?” He said with a soft burp, tapping his chest with a paw.

Paareth smiled trying to lighten the mood again and pouring himself another mug of the fire wine substitute, eyes hazy as he regarded the mug. “Well this has a mighty kick, it might not be fire wine but it certain wakes a warrior up!”

[Kasumi Adsa]

The tavern was pretty noisy, but still Kasumi was fine listening to the rest of the conversation. Chargul was the first to speak, though his answer to Paareth’s question about the tournament fields had little value. That was until he mentioned the airship in Prime. Kasumi knew enough to know what an airship was, but little more than that. It would be a great asset to attain one, but from his knowledge it was the only one currently in existence. It was quite possible more would be built, and perhaps the reason Chargul had travelled to Prime was to learn how to, or at least get some information on it. Kasumi didn’t like the idea of the Dragon clan coming into possession of something like that, but it was definitely some sort of fate that Kasumi was able to get these connections. This was only a theory so far, but it was much too valuable to leave alone just because he had no proof.

Though such an important thing came up, Kasumi let the conversation continue a little more. There were still a few loose ends left before he could say anything. The rest of what came from the conversation was quite pleasing. Chargul went on to approve of him and the Jagara spoke a little about Kasumi’s marriage and seemed interested in his profession. Some other things passed between the Jagara and Chargul, but they weren’t of much concern to Kasumi. At this time, the state of the roads and the bandits that frequented them meant little to him. He doubted he’d be requested to leave Zinn’Sunn for awhile at least.

Happy that things had tied off neatly enough Kasumi decided to get back to the airship topic, but not before he responded to Chargul’s blessing, “I’m grateful. I wouldn’t want this marriage to be the cause of any hatred between our families.” He could have spoken about his job next since Paareth seemed interested in it, but he pretended to be ignorant of that fact. He had more important things he wanted to hear about, if only a little. “This airship topic intrigues me. I don’t have to time to check it out for myself, so I wouldn’t mind hearing more about it if you don’t mind.” Kasumi finished by emptying the last of the wine from his cup and replenishing it with wine from the new jug. He didn’t wish to drink too much, but regardless he wouldn’t lose himself.