A Mousai Social Call (Open)

Chung · October 6, 2008, 03:04 PM

Dawn
Brightening 2 of Cryxatum
Era XV Post Fractum

It was a beautiful morning. The birds had just began their singing, the gates were reopening once again, after having closed for the night, and dews were slowly forming as the sun rose. In the midst of such beautiful scenery, a mousai could be seen, if one were to peer through the window of her room, crutching on to a piece of letter, attempting to catch the rays of sun on it. These busybodies might chanced upon the contents of the letter, but to them, they would find that it was nothing but a total waste of parchments.

Secrets :

The Mousai glance at the piece of paper once more, only to find that nothing had appeared. She frowned, wondering why it had not work and tried it once more, totally it to 8 tries and 10 minutes of work. When it did not appear again, she lay it on her table and reread the letter once more. It had her name on it, both of it, and thus it would be the secret letter she had been waiting for. She went through it again, and it struck her. There were many form of invisible ink, and one could actually used two or more in a letter. Why not! Immediately, she began by preparing a lighted candle, a small bowl of water, and a piece of coal. She began by sprinkling a little water over the letter, spreading the water around, and soon, the slightly damp letter revealed its secret. Several lines appeared, at every odd alternate spaces in between the 7 lines. She then continued with her work by heating up the paper. More lines appeared. Quickly, she read through the 6 additional lines and smiled. It was written in a code, which she understood, without decoding, as if it was just another language she was proficient in. The mousai had not really thought that it was a code, and not many actually knew how to read it as she had. It was for fear that another person might read the hidden message, even though the addtional lines were disappearing, she quickly rubbed the piece of coal onto the letter, destroying the ink and for further safety reasons, burned it away.

The sun was still low in the sky, and that would means that the light would not even begin to hurt the Mousai's sensitive eyes. She smiled happily as she made her way to where she knew many people would gather to exchange tips and gossips. It was also there where she could begin her task.

As she was traveling, she recited the decoded message in her head. It was simple and easy to remember.

Secrets :

When the Mousai arrived, she noticed people had already began gathering. She found that not everyone would welcome a Mousai into their conversation, especially one that had just broke her routine of Wake-Work-Sleep. She did not know people, only those that frequent her shop, thus finding it wise to stand around, and settled for looking excitedly and curiously at the people. Who knows, she might actually pick something unexpected from the crowd!

ooc: Standard idea of reading between the lines. Anyway, new to PBP. I hope its alright.

Saha · October 7, 2008, 03:17 PM

Saha had just arrived at the Okiya which meant that she could do what she wanted for the rest of the day. She had no idea of what she could do except of strolling around, watching the people, assuring herself that everything was the same way as it was every day. The streets were her home, not her refuge, but a place that she was used to and that pleased her. But she was wrong. She saw a creature that was entirely unfamiliar. Did it look a little bit like a mouse, maybe? She was unable to come to a conclusion and so she decided to simply ask the person herself. The streets were also filled with lots of interesting and new things to get to know and Saha would never forgive her if she didn’t take the chance.

She approached the person curiously and when their eyes met, she smiled politely and bowed. Big, dark eyes – do they even show feelings, or are they completely different from human ones? “Serale. I’m sorry to bother you but I have never seen someone like you before and I wondered … well, maybe you want to tell me something about yourself?” Maybe it would have been better to take the more diplomatic way? Her words just sounded silly. But now it was too late and Saha awaited the answer of the stranger with excited green eyes. She was so normal, she thought – in comparison to this person. If her family, her clan saw that big difference, they wouldn’t complain that much about Saha’s appearance. Of course they didn’t really complain, but they knew exactly how to make people think so. Saha was used to this, but still … it bothered her every now and then.

Chung · October 9, 2008, 04:16 AM

Joey looked at the person that was heading towards herself and sniffed at the person. There was a smell about this human that the mousai did not like. It was something that did not seem to belong to her, or other kemites she had sniffed before. It might be cheap perfume, alcohol or something like that, and so she dismissed it. When the kemite was closed enough, and Joey knew that the kemite wished to speak with herself, and smiled a little and met the kemite's eyes.

At the meeting of eyes, Joey's impression of the kemite dropped, which was already bad as she was someone from Zinn'Sunn and someone with a unlikable smell. Joey, nonetheless listened to what this unlikable Kemite had to say as it was her task here. The question caused two reactions within the Mousai. First, how rude could a Kemite be. She wished to talk, but did not introduce her name, asked if anything's wrong, or show some proper manners! The second though, was a very approving reaction. It was so good that the impression for this kemite had risen considerably to the fact that Joey would have been quite happy with this Kemite if not for her bad smell. The question, though seemingly mannerless, it had shown that this kemite was a 'true person', someone who speaks what they think, and tends to act because they like it, or for personal justice, not for what other people think it is.

"Serale, nameless one. I am a Joey, a Mousai, part of the Rodenti family. I won't say a Mousai is very common in this part of the empire. I am currently working in the local herb shop as an assistant. If you need anything for a cure, do visit me. So, tell me about yourself, so that I wouldn't have to give you a name, or list you as another nameless one. I am very bad in giving names, I must tell" The Mousai gave a little giggle. It was another test, to see how this Kemite would react.

Saha · October 11, 2008, 01:41 PM

When she heard the first few words, Saha blushed and looked away. But then she listened to what Joey told her. A Mousai … she seemed to be friendly, but there was something that Saha couldn’t really cope with. Just a feeling, as fragile as a flower bothered by the wind. She should keep this in mind, usually her instinct was true and it had proved that in many unfamiliar situations. Saha knew that she was unpolite every now and then, when the curiosity took over, but not many people had her trust so far. However, even she wasn’t so silly to tell a stranger exactly what her thoughts were, but she answered. Joey’s small giggle pleased her and she chuckled a little bit.

“Nice to meet you, Joey; my name is Saha. I have to apologize for being unpolite, but when I want to know something, I forget about that. Many people must think of me as another kid from the street.” She gave a crooked grin, but it vanished quickly when she thought of the Mousai’s words. “So the herb shop? Sounds interesting, but I think a job as a clerk couldn’t be very interesting, is it? Anyway, if you like it, it’s okay.” So much words flowing out of her mouth, through her lips. Maybe it was enough. She had to stop herself before she was doing something that she would regret afterwards.

Tell something about herself … easy. “At the moment I am an apprentice Keme’Dral. Do you know what a Keme’Dral is? They entertain rich men with dancing, singing, talking … it’s very fascinating, the arts of course.” She didn’t mention that she was a high born clan daughter. Firstly, it irritated her to tell strangers about it, and Joey was the strangest of strangers even if she had been friendly until now. And secondly, Saha tended to forget her clan as easily as possible. Clan life wasn’t her life and it wouldn’t be at any time. She couldn’t stand the bonds and restrictions that gave it to her, to be struck to one man and his house in her whole life.

Chung · October 15, 2008, 03:24 AM

"Another kid off the street?" Joey asked a little curiously. She thought it might be a good thing to be, someone with the ability to merge so easily with the others, and not get noticed by anyone, unless they really want to see you. "No, it's not very interesting. You have no need to worry about me, I like seeing herbs and putting herbs together. The selling part is the not so exciting part."

"Karma Dad? Erm, karme dead? I am so sorry. My mousai tongue cannot pronounce very well. The rolling of the tongue to say many words are a little ticklish to me." The mousai said apologetically. "Dancing, singing and talking to entertain rich people? It sound fun to learn, just don't see myself learning. I don't think many here like to hear me sing, or see a mousai dance." She looked at herself, and whipped her tail a little. She had never thought of learning to dance all her life, though it did began to intrigue her now.

Saha · October 23, 2008, 03:44 PM

Saha never had a problem with telling people she didn’t know things about herself, although there were questions sometimes. But common information about her job, her problems, her passions weren’t really important, she believed. More important and secret things would stay secret and never be revealed to strangers. Although she hardly ever showed it, Saha was the most sceptical person at her age, or at least she expected herself to be. So she answered: “I like the street. Nobody knows who you are and many people tell strangers more about themselves than even their best friends.”

Then she nodded. Just standing behind the counter didn’t sound very interesting, but everyone had his own passion, which was okay. Joey’s seemed to be herbs. The apprentice Keme’Dral could imagine how fascinating the appearance, abilities and ways of use of a certain plant had to be to the Mousai. Maybe it was similar to the various music styles Saha adored. Yes, she understood.

After some time she got the feeling that the Mousai was making fun of her by talking about her race all the time. Her tongue wasn’t as specialized, her body wasn’t as elegant … or was Saha just imagining things? She blinked, then focused again on what she was hearing and forced out another grin, maybe more of a grimace. “That might be true, but surely there are also things that Mousai are better at than humans? And then they look as elegant and beautiful, but still in a different way. Everyone has their pleasures at least … mine is being an artist, I like to be creative with music and dance. Yours seems to be herbs …”

Chung · October 25, 2008, 01:01 AM

The mousai shrugged, but thought about her words. It was true that many people would tell things to people they barely know, but would not tell the same things to their best friends, or even their family members. It was the unlucky way of the world, and the way she was trained from young to follow, so as to destroy it. 'You must join it to fit into the society, to understand, before you can destroy' was the favourite saying of one of her teachers.

She gave the next sentence some thoughts, wondering what a mousai would be good for. She shook her head in sigh distress and sighed. "I don't know. I know most mousai are good with their nose, maybe fast on their feet, and well, I did saw another ratta danced before. It would be honest to say, the dancing ratta was a horrendous sight. Or maybe it was just him" The mousai added thoughtfully.

"Krame'drel. Sorry, Keme’Dral I mean. I suddenly remember someone who claimed to be from that line, had request for certain herbs, and if I am not wrong, the ingredients, at the correct proportions could make several potions that induce drunkness, and several potions that improve activity rate for a few candlemarks. Odd sort of combination don't you think? To be active, yet drunk at the same time?" Joey said in her most innocent voice, a voice that told others what she really had no idea what she just say meant, and was a question she was dying to get answered.

Saha · November 3, 2008, 12:24 PM

So the mousai had humor too. Saha took that as a good sign and grinned a little bit about the dancing ratta. It was a pity that she couldn’t quiet imagine it, because she never saw a ratta, or at least thought so.

The following issue wasn’t as funny as the ratta. Saha immediately associated it with the Kitsune district. Didn’t the inhabitants usually call it the Kit? One part of Zinn’Sunn that was the most suspicious for the Clans, and nobody who was female or even had no skills at fighting stayed away. The people there traded with many things, also herbs and mixtures with strange ingredients. At the street some people talked about that, every now and then. Did the call it … “Do you mean drugs?”, Saha asked, quiet proud to remember the word. “I think they are somehow fashionate this times”, she added. Slowly she began to recognize that she knew many things that Joey hadn’t heard of yet. Things that gave her the right to ask about other things in exchange.

Strange thoughts. Very strange and unusual.

Chung · November 7, 2008, 06:20 AM

"Drugs?" The mousai asked. "Drugs as in medicine once we take cannot not take, but give increase stamina and such? No. I doubt what they bought is in that catagory. But who am I to say. I am no master in drug lores."

Joey thought for a while more, wondered what did Saha meant by 'somehow fashionate this times'. Fashion meant most popular current things, and could herbs be fashionable? Would herbs go out of fashion. It was a wierd way to put it. Fashionate this times. "I am not sure, but I do know only one bought the drugs. I remember her wearing a dark veil that would cover her face and she spoke with a very seductive voice. At least that was what some customers had said."

She scratched her ears and looked at the skies. "But you know. Do you wonder why she must wear a dark veil to cover her face? I think that she must be pretty ugly or they cannot bear to see the sun. That's a funny thing. Covering ones face. By the way, can you tell me anything about the Thane around her?"

Joey found that it was time to ask some questions she wished to asked, and she ensured that the question was casually asked. "I mean, is he really that bad? I am not suppose to say much, but something tell me you can be trusted. Someone, a large human, claimed that he was working for the thane and he had some nasty bug infestation in the office. How big could a bug infestation be? He had purchase enough mixture to kill all ten horses! I doubt he wanted to kill horses. Anyway, it's not our business to ask right?"

Saha · November 12, 2008, 11:10 AM

Saha could imagine the person with the dark veil clearly in her mind. The mousai was really good at planting things in other people’s heads, she recognized. But she wondered if there would be as poetic pictures in Joey’s head as well. Not always, certainly. “Maybe she hides her face just as other people hide their secrets, or who they really are? Gestures can show many things about your personality, and so do facial expressions.” She liked the impression of a tall, strong woman, her body all covered in black. Only her eyes would be visible and their color would be extraordinarily beautiful. But there were more important things.

A Thane? “There’s no Thane in this city, but the Daiymo.” Very important, for sure. Some people were directly affected by him, but Saha wasn’t one of them. However, she could tell the mousai the most important information. “The current Daiymo is Jerojima Riishi of Clan Gryphon. As far as I know the clans are always quarrelling about this title and other important positions in the government.” She shrugged her shoulders. Always casual. “Some of them quiet possibly play unfair, but who cares?”

Of course she knew much more. But nobody expected that she was a clan daughter and she wouldn’t say one single word in publicity about her origins. The wrong words could reach the wrong ears. And she still didn’t trust this mousai from nowhere that called herself Joey. Also, it was time to look at the other side of the coin. Saha only knew that Joey was working at a herb shop. “But how come that you don’t know about the Daiymo? You weren’t born in Zinn’Sunn, so what are you doing here?” She bit her tongue. Again, very unpolite. But she was too proud to take words back that were once spoken.

Chung · November 12, 2008, 08:20 PM

'A Daiymo was the local name for a thane', The mousai thought to herself and she also found it interesting that the many clans within Zinn'Sunn were eyeing for the position. It was not voted, it was not appointed, but fought for. Joey was beginning to understand why she was here.

"But how come that you don’t know about the Daiymo? You weren’t born in Zinn’Sunn, so what are you doing here?” Saha had said.

Joey scratched her head at that. It was unfortunate as she was not given such information, and she had not prepared herself enough, but it was fortunate that she was given a full history of herself, and from Saha's tone, she also recognised people in Zinn'Sunn seemed not to give everything of their own history and knowledge to others. The mousai guessed tt was a common practice everywhere.

"Nah, I was not from Zinn'Sunn. I live in a dangerous place and was born during a dangerous time. My family was raided months after I was born, and somehow, I was spared." A little wetness could be seen on the Mousai's eyes. "I was found and sent to an orphanage, and was adopted by an old herb master. He taught me many things about herbs and well..." A small smile appeared. "It was the happier times of my life..."

Joey breathed in a little, as if to get ready for something sad. "Last era, he told me he was dying. He sent me to Zinn'Sunn where he said he know a family he had treated before, and that family would help me find a job. I don't think the family like me. They talked to my father in private and soon after, my father brought me to the herb shop, and told me to work well. I have not heard much from my father soon after." She sighed deeply.

It was a story she had practiced for many darkenings, cycles and months. The story was not completely true, but the main essence could be seen within. The guild had always said, truth with a little taken out, and a little put in, can fool even geniuses, and now, Joey would see how much truth the saying have.

"And since then, I have not really get out much. Just help the shoppe, go to the gates to get the cargoes and that's all." Joey added after a while and maintained her silence. Her eyes could be seen slightly wet and her nose was quivering a little potraying saddness.