In the Marketplace! (Open! Wanna play?)

[Vesta Voui]

Oh where, oh where has the travel bag gone? Oh where, oh where could it be? It was with her the day she fell back in this land, oh where, oh where could it be? 

It wasn't in her room, that's for sure, and it wasn't anywhere else around the inn that she could see for believe you me she checked! Okay, well, she may not have looked under every pillow and scouted every corner - some rooms were private - but she had looked in enough!

Usually she would brush the whole thing off - it's just a bag, I'll get a new one - but she could do that to this one. Vesta had put a few choice items from home in that bag, not to mention a 3.5 Dungeons and Dragons Players Handbook from her brother because he thought it would do her some good as well as a monsters Manuel. Granted, from her time so far in Rhy'din the book may not be as informative 'now' as it would have been on day one but you never know! 

Anyway, getting off track.

The bag. It was time to look elsewhere, as in the Marketplace. So with her tatter torn jeans and neon pink shirt with black mesh overlay the girl hit the town! 

Sure, it felt a bit odd wandering around the town with no clear direction on where to go but hey, never knew what would show up. Maybe she'd get lucky and find a lost and found, though it was more likely that someone had found her bag and pawned off the items and they were now being sold at a vendor or being worn! Wouldn't that be something, seeing someone wearing her things - especially if they were being worn wrong. 

The Marketplace had many different shops and the people (and creatures....) were just as diverse! The bag might be found or who knows! 

[Aurora]

As usual the market was a bustle. There was no denying the human mob that flowed inexorably, between shops, through the square and over any who might be too weak or sluggish to fight free of the living rapids!

Among the multitudes strode an unfamiliar face. Though the bag resting over one shoulder was far more familiar! Now how did this stranger come across Vesta's bag? That was a mystery and would remain so, unless she was quick to follow her into the dim shop she had ducked into! She had been carrying Vesta's bag and a second, what was she, some sort of twisted bag snatcher? Had she spotted Vesta and ducked into the shop to hide?

There had been only a brief chance to eye the woman bearing her property. She had been slender and short, though the sunlight had glanced off of something a shockingly bright hue of blue as she slid into the shop! Though it certainly hadn't been the deep burgundy of her skirt or part of her bodice!

On the other hand she had plenty of time to see that it was the local bookshop she had strode into. Should be easy enough to find her inside ... right? Though if she was planning on ditching the contents of her pilfered bag ... there wasn't any place better!

[Zander]

After what seemed like an eternity, the long dark path to find his past finally emerged into this place called Tel'Ranaemyn. Last night he found people that actually knew him and a small amount about his past. He planned on staying very close to those people until some kind of memory finally sparked knowledge that would be useful.

The kind Lady had offered him a room to stay in last night, and although he hardly slept at all... so excited to find himself in this place... he felt rejuvenated and suffused with an energy unlike any he had felt in his current life.

He had always been an early riser, most of the time beating the dawns early light, and today was no different. After the morning necessities were complete, he stepped out into this new world and set forth to find food at the marketplace. This day he had shed the usual warriors attire and was wearing a dark blue, buttoned up, long sleeve shirt along with jet black trousers.

His long hair was neatly back in a pony tail and the tall sun darkened man headed out for directions to the marketplace for much needed supplies. Once directions were obtained his boots first echo'd upon cobblestone path loudly.. but slowly those echos were drown out by the sound of life at the marketplace. He had no idea that so many people would be here this early. The smells of baking and early sound of shops preparing for the day had a small curve of a smile at the corner of his lips.

With chin held high, back straight, chest out, he set forth to start the day. Today would make for a very interesting... perhaps fateful day.

[Vesta Voui]

This bag wasn't simply any rag-a-ma-tag bag that was colorless and mundane. Okay, well, it sorta was but the patches! It was the various colorful and designed patches that were along that duffle style bag that made it not so ordinary. Though what passed for 'ordinary' in this city she hadn't quite figured it out yet as there were many things that were odd to her, so who knows! Maybe her bag was rag-tag and ordinary in some of the local circles? So some of the things she didn't notice.

But some things she did!

Things like people with dyed or colored hair of an unnatural shade. That was the thing that attracted her attention while scanning over the outdoor book carts in this particular section of town - she came here because of the books in her bag. If someone had her bag and they saw that there were books inside it only made sense to check out places that sold books.

Anywhosit...

While she was scanning over a cart a flicker of blue got caught in the corner of her eye and it made her head turn in that direction. First thought: Cotton Candy, even if it was blue and not pink. As the blue headed female was going quickly into the bookstore building Vesta caught a quick look at nothing other than, "My bag!" Oh there was no mistaking it, that was her bag alright and the blue-haired chica was ducking quickly into that bookstore!

This just couldn't be left alone, so here was Vesta trying to push her way through the carts and shoppers buying and browsing to get to the store as well. It was during the 'pushing' that she bumped into the sun darkened man because she tripped over her own two feet.

"Sorry! Sorry! I'm catching blue hair!" That was her excuse and apology to him as she moved off of him and got to the store. Pushing the door open she went inside!

[Aurora]

The call of ownership for that bag was lost among the haggling and bartering calls. Yet the bag was as exotic in appearance as the hair of the woman that had apparently pilfered it!

While the true owner of the bag was busy trying to barrel her way through the crowd and making a scene whilst the object of her headlong flight was mostly ignorant to the disturbance! Unlike Vesta, she was as calm and collected as a cucumber.

Natural nails ran along the edge of a shelf as she made her way into the stacks. Leaving the line of sight between herself and the door broken. Even if the harsh clatter of the little brass bell over the door did leave her head turning to look back towards the end of the aisle. Having come to a stop near the end of the aisle she had started down.

She was a surprisingly young looking woman, her svelte shape captured in a skirt that tickled just above her knees. The deep hue of her matching corset marked it as having been tailored with the skirt rather than purchased seperately. The top was also blessed with a pair of flared sleeves, the brighter red of laces and cloth an obvious accent. It made her almost translucently pale skin look much more lively!

Yet that eye grabbing hair of hers was undeniably the same and even with it's wavy length half obscuring the bag over her shoulder, it was recognizable! She didn't even pay mind to her company. A bookstore had more than one customer, right? Long slender fingers teased a title free of it's imprisonment between two much larger books, eyeing the cover briefly before easing the pages apart.

She seemed entirely unconcerned about being caught. Though perhaps she was armed and doubted Vesta would want the bag back that much? Who knew what she had in the clutch that she had hanging across her body and resting over her hip, the one towards her 'admirer'! Her bright hair was obscuring that side of her face however, which kept her from looking this thief in the eye just yet!

[Zander]

As he made his way slowly through the crowded street, the sound of his boots going thump thump thump... faded away completely with the awakening marketplace. His stomach gave off a nice rumble reminding him of his entire purpose of being out in this area.

Although the street was crowded with many people, an empty space encircled him as well as before and after where he moved. There was something about this man, unknown to the masses, that most people naturally kept their distance... perhaps it was the way he held himself... or maybe it was all those years of warrior training that had his every step made with confidence.

He was quite used to people avoiding him, and it seemed very natural to him that no one brushed or bumped against him. But what he was not ready for... and to his surprpise... was the female that suddenly appeared out of the crowd of people... tripped, and fell right into him. His naturally quick reflexes had his strong arms capturing her and attempting to steady her... when he got his second surprise of the day.... The female, before he could even make sure she was well, had disengaged herself from him... made her apologies and was off on her way.

His gaze had always seemed made of dancing flames, and right now, those flames seemed to be alive with purpose as he watched the female move off towards a shop. Firm lips parted as he was about to call after her... when his stomach gave a loud, rude grumble. Slowly his lips sealed shut as his stomach once again reminded him of his purpose.

Boot took a step forward onto clear space in front of him when he noticed something... His normally well shined boots were now all messed up from the female. Brooding, that cut it for him. Not only did the female run off so quickly that he couldn't exchange pleasantries... she had scuffed his boots. He turned to follow the female to follow her, he planned on giving her a firm tone regarding greetings, salutations, and recompensation for scuffing his boots. But.. unfortunately, he could not see her through the crowd any longer.

A slow smile curved at the corner of his lips... One thing he knew... that for him... what seemed like simply happenstance always turned into either an adventure or something else. He was positive that their paths would cross again in the future. In that brief moment in time, that she had fell into him, he memorized her every feature... every outward detail.. even the tone and melody of her voice... yes, indeed, their paths would cross again....

[Vesta Voui]

Ring ding! Thats how the bell went after she opened the door and stepped into the bookstore, looking around a bit scatterly.

Ring ding but no 'bing' that would signal a lightbulb going off in her head because she found the blue-haired girl. There were other people in the store - would be a little bit worried if it was abandoned - but no immediate person was the one she was looking for. She was still at the door and nothing would be accomplished if she stayed there.

Couple of large steps and a tug to her mesh and she was looking at the aisles. Of course the bag snatcher would probably be hiding somewhere and not at the counters - she would have seen her there if that was the case right? Right! So! Aisles it was and Vesta peered down one and then another and then, oh ho-ho, there she was! While the bag may have been a bit covered up there was no mistaking the hair.

As Vesta now had a chance to further examine the girl she concluded that the style choice wasn't bad! Look at that, maybe she could let bygones be bygones with simple swapping of clothing stores? Not a bad option for later. For now though, now she had to be about the business of her bag so she pushed off from the aisle corner and meandered to the other, idly plucking a random book from the shelves and thumbing through it as she went.

"Hey there," she said when she was close enough for it to be obvious she was speaking to the blue haired one, "nice digs. Where'd ya get'em?"

Because, you know, approaching pointing a finger and going 'What the heck are ya doing with mah bag!' would have gone over really well.

[Aurora]

What was a bookstore without the inevitable groupings of the blaise youth or the older intellectuals that seemed to habitate bookstores while never making a purchase beyond their Soy Machiatto? There weren't enough to make the travel through the aisle overly harrowing, especially considering the section that the blue haired bag snatcher was in! It seemed not many were interested in thumbing through the books in the geology section.

The quick steps of the other girl who had entered the section drew Aurora's attention. Showing off a pair of dazzlingly deep blues that were a near match for her hair. Bow shaped mouth with just the faintest hint of a pouty lower lip and a small pixie-ish nose. She was the kind of girl that would be refered to as cute more often than not.

Despite how frustrating that was.

Yet she had turned back to her book before the other was piping up. Leaving her lightly tucking a finger between the pages where she had been reading. It seemed that Vesta's sense of style way also approved from the faint curl of her lips. Yet she looked briefly confused at the fishnet wearing girls words! "Oh! My clothes." Free hand smoothing the front of her bodice as if the boned fabric could be wrinkled. "Do you like them? Really? I wasn't sure if my seamstressing was that good." A broad smile splitting plump lips, flashing white teeth. Even bubbly laughter came!

Though she reached out to lightly tap the book she was holding. "You have an interest in Geothermic Formations? I've always found them a bit dull in comparison to other things that come out of the earth." Tipping her own book for Vesta to see. It looked to be a technical manual of some sort about various jewels.

Oh, apparently the bag thief was a bookworm! Now she might never get back that Dungeons and Dragons paraphenalia!

[Zander]

There seemed to be an absurd amount of people in the streets for this time of day. Because of the amount of people, he moved slowly towards the shop he thought the young female went towards. Of course, the female could have entered any number of shops, but he was certain she made a straight line towards the book shop.

With the mixture of simi-clean and not so clean bodies around him, it was difficult to track the woman's scent. The first time he opened up and took a deep inhale, it was obvious to him that people had been hard at work before the sun rose that morning.

About three-fourths of the way towards the shop, he started to get a tingle at the back of his neck. That usually meant someone was watching him or perhaps using magic in general. He was about to take another inhale, to see if he could snatch the aroma to find the type of magic that might be hanging in the air... when he stopped himself short.

This time it wasn't the unwashed bodies that stopped him from testing the air. He came to a full stop when his forearms started to heat up. His forearms were covered up, so no one could see the twisting dragons he had tatood there. On his trip to find those he might know from his past... often times he felt this same feeling, and the feeling of being watched... but the difference between a normal curious person watching and this particular time was that the scales on the dragon tatoos started to warm up and shimmer. The first time it happened his forearms were uncovered and he had to leave the town he was staying in.

Grumbling as he slowly looked around for anyone that might look familiar... someone that may have been in those towns when he had felt this before. He thought he saw a quick movement of a dark form disappear around a corner down the street... but it might have just been a trick of his imagination. But perhaps not.. the heat from his tattoes seemed to be dissapating...

Still watching off in the distance where he thought to have seen that movement... his legs started takign him towards the bookstore again. He was not willing to waste his time hunting for a possible unknown presence. For all he knew his dragons reacted that way just from magic users using a certain type of magic.

Entering the bookstore, he stopped to take a look around, seeing if he could find any sign of the female that had scuffed his boots.

[Pazuzu]

The harsh clatter of the little brass bell over the shop's entrance may have turned the heads of some but for the lone man sitting at one of the many small tables located in the cafe area of this store it did not. The man didn't so much as twitch nor even look up from the Field Guide to Cleaning Automatic Weapons he was currently engrossed in. Did this mean he wasn't listening in on the unfolding drama? Hardly.

Bookstores by nature were good places to do recon. Generally quiet, they provided perfect listening grounds and what better place to listen in than one where nobody would suspect that someone was listening in the first place?

It made perfect sense to the man who, by all outward appearances, looked to be reading save for the slight narrowing of his silver gray eyes as he zeroed in on one voice in particular. Having staked out that freak show of an inn for more nights than he cared to count he had inadvertently committed the myriad of voices to memory and now this particular one seemed familiar. Interesting.

It warranted a closer look. Snapping the field guide closed he pushed his chair back and stood. It was time to find a new book. . .

[Vesta Voui]

"Yeah....." Vesta dragged that word out as she leaned on the bookshelf, the side that would enable her to have a front view of the blue-haired girl, and turned the book she had picked up over in her hands. Finally getting a good look at it. Then she flipped through a page or two looking for a picture reference of some sort because 'geothermic' sounded like something mathematical and she didn't think she was in the math section?

Not math, but science! Good thing the book had a small picture here and there in it so she wasn't completely dumbfounded. "Can never be .... too sure ... when knowledge of hot springs and ... volcanic formations is going to come in handy! Heh." So her smile mixed with doubt in her voice might have been less than convincing as to her knowing what the hell she was talking about, but she gave it the old college try anyway!

"Because, really, who knows what you can expect around this place." Meaning Rhy'din as a whole. The book was snapped shut and then tucked under her arm. Never know, maybe she would get this odd book about things she knew nothing about. Expect the unexpected and don't be surprised by the things that make you raise an eyebrow, that was a good motto to go by, in her opinion.

"But anyway, I'm liking your clothes, the colors and the hair making a dead poets society look that's working. Didja, ah, make the bag too?" Just going to slide that in there about the bag, see if she said that she made it too, found it, or what. That's right, then she could nail her, sketching out a plan already in her head.

As for the other people in the bookstore who may have been looking for her? Totally unaware of them. People were everywhere and she had gotten use to people looking at her with odd eyes a long time ago before she ever came to this place.

[Aurora]

Who knew what had caused that burning in Zanders' tattoo's. If it was simply the presence of magic Rhy'Din should have felt like a perpetual acid bath! There was certainly plenty of promising amounts of magic in the Bookstore! Rhy'Din was no doubt the only place you could still purchase a proper grimoire without a license!

The geology section had certainly been where Aurora had meant to be, for her father had asked her to run an errand for him on her way to the inn! Yet it seemed she had made a friend during her errand! She flashed a little grin at Vesta's unsure tone, though she didn't call her out on it. Something about her demeanor had made it clear she hadn't come into the aisle seeking idle conversation with someone else who had an apparent passion for geology! "Oh it comes quite in handy if you have a habit of headed off to the Cliffs or the nearby Caves." A hand indicating their directions relative of the book store.

Unfortunately she wasn't any more aware of Vesta's stalker than Vesta herself! Hopefully she didn't make many serious enemies though! "Oh but I love that so much about Rhy'Din! It has been such an amazing place to grow up in!" She obviously loved Rhy'Din and who could blame her? It was a very exciting place in which to be raised!

"Dead poets society ...?" Now it was her turn to sound unsure. Even if she had said the look worked, so she didn't understand why Vesta would be saying she looked like a dead poet! Hardly seemed complimentary! Though she had asked about the bag. She shrugged that shoulder as if to let her see it better, even if a hand was resting on the shoulder strap in a protective sort of way. "It belongs to a patron of Tel'Ranaemyn. That is my destination. My father is staying there. Why do you ask?"

[Zander]

[b]He did not linger at the bookstores entrance. After his first glimpse of the cozy insides of the store, he moved away from the entrance and settled himself at a spot where he thought he could see the majority of the store's occupants. Unfortunately, with all the shelves it was impossible. Once he settled himself with back against the wall, arms crossed over chest... he would close his eyes. He opened himself to listen for the sound of the female he was looking for... enhaled hoping for a scent....

While his eyes were closed, the sound of the front entrance opening and swiftly shutting brought eye lids slowly open. The only reason his eyes had opened again was because that sense of being watched... the tickle in the back of his mind... and the feel of dragons on his forearms starting to heat up told him that mysterious presence was near again.

He could have sworn that he saw a dark shape move around one of the bookshelves. Leaning away from the wall, starting to roll up his sleeves... he was about to follow after what he thought might be the mysterious presence... when he heard the voice of the female that had bumped into him out in the street. After a quick glance around... and the mysterious presence fading from his mind, he decided to go find the source of that voice.

Long powerful strides brought him around a corner and to stand... not to closely.. behind the female that could only be the lady from out on the street. He crossed his arms, squared his shoulders, and waited for her... Because at that particular moment, she was engaged in conversation with a female with the most intriging colored hair and eyes.

[Vesta Voui]

What was he waiting for? Surely he wasn't waiting for her to turn around and notice that he was the guy she ran into -and apologized to- while she was making a run in the Marketplace. Okay, well, maybe he was but if that's the case she said she was sorry, what else was there?

Maybe he wanted the name of the one who bumped him because he had suddenly found his wallet - or the equivalent - gone and thought she robbed him!

Deal with that later...

At least she knew one thing: this blue haired girl hadn't taken the bag with malicious intent to pawn the goods! She could have already done that though. "Not that I've grown up here, cause I haven't, but knowing about, uh, these things," referencing the book, "wouldn't be to bad of an idea. However!"

Leaning from one leg to the next, Vesta pointed at the bag the other was carrying, "How'd you know it was from someone staying at the Tel'Ran? I can save you a trip, unless you just want to visit your dad, I stay there too. Not only that but it just so happens that's my bag too! Ha. Yeah. Lost it recently, been looking for it." Hey, 'recently' can be relative depending on the circumstances!

After that revelation she cleared her throat and leaned towards the blue haired one, lowering her voice and cupping a hand to the side of her mouth. "Is there someone behind me watching us?"

[Aurora]

The scents were what one expected for a bookstore! That indescribable scent of ... book. Along with the spices that were used to make those frothy drinks, on top of another scent. Feminine, alluring, faintly sweet. Someone with a sensitive nose could pick up on it and keep hold of it easily enough! Not to even mention the magic in the air that practically coated the tongue for those sensitive to its nuances!

Vesta should have been ashamed to even think that this young woman would do such a thing. For she seemed as innocent as could be right down to her interest in geology. "Well here's to hoping it's recreational interest!" Hopefully she wouldn't have to use the information in a life threatening situation! The male approaching from behind had those bright blues flicking over Vesta's shoulder pointedly.

Her voice lowered to conspiratorial levels! Pointedly glancing back over her shoulder again! "I have some things for my Dad. So I plan on going anyhow." Smiling and patting her own bag rather than the hectic one over her shoulder. "It's your bag, really? I happened to come across a kender who had it. Needless to say we know how kender's fingers can be." Giving a soft laugh. Even if she was reaching out to lightly grasp one of Vesta's arms. Drawing her along to her side that way the fellow behind her was no longer looming over her shoulder! "Yes. Tanned, broad shouldered ... a friend of yours?" Sounding almost like she was surprised in her!

The movement however had been covered with the passing of the bag to Vesta! That way it wasn't quite so obvious that she had been pulling Vesta aside to ensure the big man wasn't sneaking up on her. Besides, she was blocking the view! "Excuse me, but don't you think it's a little rude to go creeping up on a couple of girls like that?" Stern in her tone, even if the jaunty perch of one hand at her hip seemed more challenging than angry!

[Pazuzu]

That infernal inn. This bookstore was insufferably small and as the Fates would have it, for he certainly would not call it luck, the section on the field guides happened to be on the shelving directly behind those of the geology section.

Such was the fact the silent man found himself in front of that very shelving just in time to hear the name of that infernal place come from the lips of the woman. That blasted freak infested place! No matter where he went in this backwards town there was always a connection to that inn!

The idle chatter of the two females was as forgotten as the book that was shoved hastily onto the shelf because the man was on the move. The corner was rounded and well what did we have here? Instead of the two women he was expecting to encounter there was now a man standing between him and his goal. How interesting.

Leaning against the shelve behind him he crossed his arms and settled in to watch. From the stern tone of the woman's voice to the words she spoke to the man it appeared this would prove quite interesting indeed.

[Zander]

[b]There was enough space between them that he could not hear what the two were saying... nor did he want to know what the females were discussing... it simply was not his business. He waited to see if their words would come to a halt any time soon... most likely not... considering how females tended to chatter most of the day away talking and talking and talking... when he saw one of the females look directly at him with hand on hip and had spoken those words.

He almost laughed. His sister use to do that exact same thing... snippy tone, hand on hip... every single time her and her friends were together and they caught him spying. His lips parted and he was just about to give a sharp retort of his own when he realized... He had a sister. Swallowing sound was only slightly loud as he tried catching the imagine of his sister that had formed in his mind... the briefest blurry image fled to black, obfuscated in his mind by the thing that must be blocking his memories.

He wanted to bite something. Not only had this female ruined the morning work on his boots, she had lead him to a fresh memory.. a memory that simply faded away because he was distracted by ... what was it that had distracted him? Oh yeah, the sense that someone was behind him. He looked over his shoulder and settled his fiery gaze upon the male that stood there. He studied the male for a silent moment, taking in details for a later time.

Turning back to the females, he settled that fiery gaze upon blue hair, locking eyes upon her long enough to show her he had no intentions of being bullied, like his lil sister tried to do when using that tone. Without answering blue hair, he gently tapped Vesta on the shoulder to get her attention. "My Lady, I had come to speak with you regarding our encounter out in the street, but obviously I am intruding on your conversation. This is the second time you have made me wait. Do not make me wait a third time or I will come find you and I promise next time I will certainly not be so formal. You may find me at the Inn" He looked over his shoulder in the general direction of Tel'Ranaemyn. "8pm sharp. tomorrow. Do not be late"

And with that, he gave the blue haired female an especially dark look before turning, and moving past the male towards the front of the store. He did not like that situation one bit. Two females, one ready to try bullying him, like his lil sister use to try and do... and the male that had suddenly appeared behind him. Not a situation an intelligent male would leave himself in at all. So he did not linger, out of the store he went, and headed off to complete the task he had initially started this day. Search for food.

[Vesta Voui]

A-yup, she was right, there was someone behind her and with how the other girl was looking at that moment....

Thinking over the the description she was given about the man while being lead over around to the side with the blue-haired one, she could honestly say she couldn't recall a man like that off the top of her head. This girl knew -or met really- many interesting number of people during her whole time here but, when she turned around and saw this man it took her a moment to connect the dots.

"No. Not a friend." But he sure was looking like a stalker! Doubly so after she heard what he was saying.

Hold the phone! "Wait? What? Huh? Dude has seriously got to back up his roll, what the Hell's that all about?" For she seriously had a look of confusion on her face. Even as the guy was walking away and they were left to watch him retreat.

And who was this other guy? His back-up?

"Sonnova crap, is there some Rhy'din bumping rule that I don't know about?" Asked to the female who was with her. "I remember bumping into him on my way here, but I said I was sorry and excuse me, and if any his time has been wasted it's got to be for tracking me down?" Okay, now, she knew that some people took major offensive when you bumped into them back where she was from but this guy seemed ready to fight her to the death because of it!

Eying the other man who was there, Vesta crossed her arms up behind her head. This would have been a prime time for her to have Blink with her. Don't know what the squirrel would have done, but something! "Oh well. At least we weren't attacked, right?" For now! Maybe the blue-haired girl was associating herself with a girl called trouble?

"I don't know that man either," just sliding that in.

"A kender you say? Grabby little things?" Because she really knew what those were, but it sounded like they were the grabby type!

"Was there anything left? Maybe we should go...?"

[Aurora]

Oh boy. If Zander had a sister he should have known better than to do the challenging thing! There was little more fearsome than a woman ignored. Perhaps Zander would get a surprise locking eyes with that blue haired female, for she held his gaze unwaveringly, lips pulling back just enough to flash a mouthful of sharp teeth in warning! "Then he shouldn't be so free with his demands."

Perhaps Zander's bulk in the way had hidden that flash of teeth from the predatory one who was hanging back. The mix of scents and the close confines made it hard for her to notice the one on the far end of the aisle at the moment! She gave a snort at the way that Zander had spoken as if he expected to be obeyed. Men. "And I thought my dad used to be bossy." You could almost hear her eyes rolling with those words! She hadn't quite understood what Vesta had meant about 'backing up his roll' but she imagined she could guess what it had meant!

The small smile she cracked for Vesta was as normal as could be. Strange "Rhy'Din has it's jerks just as the rest of the lands. I've never met anyone who acted like that after being bumped into. Especially after an apology!" She offered a light pat to Vesta's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We're in a bookstore in Rhy'Din, who would attack us? We didn't do anything..."

Laughing softly, though at the mention that she didn't know this other man, left her frowning fiercely. Jeez. It did seem like Vesta was augmenting a gals normal abilities to attract creeps and weirdos! "They are! Said he wandered into the inn and saw a bag that was just too wonderful to be left alone and wanted to take it for protection. 'Just until he found the owner'." She smiled at Vesta's idea but gave a quick nod. "Come on. Follow me."

She tipped her head towards the back of the store. Where the drinks were being mixed up! "You always attract this much attention?" As she made her way purposefully down the aisles. 'Casually' directing them down this one or that one in order to put as many shelves as possible between them and the males. It seemed like a wise precaution considering neither of them had given off the 'boy next door' vibe.

[Pazuzu]

How. . very un-interesting this situation had turned out to be.

The man had not moved from his position against the shelving save for those steel eyes that regarded the man with the fiery gaze. It seemed there was a score to settle from this one's words although perhaps this was not the case after all? The woman whose voice he had deemed familiar appeared to be confused and was that perhaps a tad outraged as well?

A smirk passed over his lips as he watched the other man vacate the store before returning to the women before him. And then there were two . .

Ah, who would attack someone in a bookstore indeed? The notion struck him as humorous and he tossed back his head and laughed. Who indeed? It was almost a pity then that neither of these two could be classified as a threat as to see for themselves. Almost.

He'd had enough of this. The women were leaving and while it would have taken no effort to follow him he now had another destination in mind. Pushing away from the shelving he strolled his way to the door. It was time to pay that infernal inn a visit.

[Vesta Voui]

It wasn't that odd to her, for people to look at her and make their opinions based on how she was dressed, but she hadn't developed a stalker before. Gilligan didn't count because she ran into him...randomly. And even if she had thoughts about obtaining another of his canines - ahem - she wasn't going to stalk him for it.

Nothing saying that he wouldn't do the vice versa to get his tooth back but, you know, that's another topic.

More than just a little interested in getting her bag back, Vesta followed the blue-haired girl. Glad to see that the other man had turned to go off in the other direction. "I just can't seem to catch a break! I don't usually get this type of attention," stopping there for a pause, one of those pauses that people did when they were thinking about what they just said. "Unless it's Thursday down at the Sober Drunkard, but this is a bookstore not a tavern." Big difference. Unless, of course, that tavern was no more and had transformed itself into a bookstore. As this was Rhy'din, she wouldn't be surprised.

"As long as there are still books in my bag, which, you know, you could hand over at any time..." She chuckled with a sigh tagged at the end. "Could always swing it at any guy who got to close. Less 'course you have some...." Vesta didn't finish that sentence, only wiggled her fingers in the air like she was doing some sort of magic. That's what she meant: if this girl had any magic. She did say she was raised in this realm so maybe she was born here too? And just maybe that meant she wasn't a bonafide human. Nothing wrong if she wasn't!

"That's like, the only protection my bag can give." The power of getting knocked upside the head! Don't under rate it.

The smells back here were not all that bad as long as you were partial to coffee and the same. "My name's Vesta, by the way. What do I call you? You know, in case we get out of here, suddenly get surrounded by a mob and need to shout out your name to warn of someone coming atcha from behind."

Because, things like that happened. In Rhy'din.

[Aurora]

Well hopefully Aurora wouldn't learn Vesta's apparent hunger for other peoples teeth the hard way! would hardly be a good way to remember her by. Aurora didn't mind leading them along into the back of the shop. Though the lack of footsteps creeping after them, now that she was listening for them, left her glancing around carefully to make sure she didn't spot anyone that looked like the men who had just left them. "You say that. I wasn't being followed before running into you ... figuratively of course."

The place didn't stink like soaked in ale, but who knew. Rhy'Din wasn't exactly known for it's stability. Perhaps this place was a bar in a former life. It had seemed to have attracted a couple of unsavory characters! "I don't think I've had the pleasure ... or the trouble of having been. Was it in New Haven?"

Her asking after her bag reminded her blue haired companion of it's weight at her shoulder. She flashed a bit of an embarassed smile, shrugging her way out of the strap and letting it slide down the length of her belled sleeve. Holding the bag up for her to take. "While I didn't go through it I'm generally a good judge of the things that Kender pick up, but seeing what was buried at the bottom I thought it safe to simply send him on his way with a few coin for the contents." The bag was probably heavier than she remembered it being!

"I wouldn't think of using your bag. I do have my own." Wagging her other arm that showed off the little clutch tucked under her arm. It's short straps helping it be easily forgotten now and again without being left any place! "But yes. My Father made sure I would be able to defend myself. Even in Rhy'Din. Though now that I'm grown ..." Flash of teeth given at that. Considering most people weren't willing to pick fights with her kind! "Stick with me and I'll make sure no one drags you off into a dark alley with you flailing at them with your bag."

Her laughter wasn't mean or vindictive. She just knew that Rhy'Din was more than ... just a little rough around the edges! "Vesta? I haven't heard that name anywhere before." She sounded damned surprised about that! "My friends call me Aurora. I would be honored if you did as well." Though she snorted dismissively about a mob showing up. "Well I'd be half tempted to leave you to them if you attract a mob to us. It must be your special talent?" Asked as if she expected Vesta to start quoting experiences during which she had gotten chased down by a mob!

[Vesta Voui]

“The Sober Drunkard’s near more to the docks. Bit of a shady place but turns out a decent coin for a girl s’long as you don’t mind waiting a table or two and putting with the fellas.” A girl had to make herself a living some kind of way and, with that one there was nothing sexual involved! Just one of the many randomized jobs she’s done since coming to this place.

Wait a minute, just hold the progress here. What kind of teeth were those!? People didn't just flash their teeth and say that they would keep others safe unless there was a story behind those pearly whites - like a liking for flesh and blood. So as Vesta took a moment to look at her traveling companion with a raised brow of consideration as she thought over that flash of teeth.

"I've heard your name before, though it was story book. You know, pricks her finger, sleeps until a prince wakes her up. That sort of thing." No, she didn't think this was the same person, but maybe names from tales were common around this place? "But you're not a character. Good to know ya!"

And good to have her bag back too! The weight felt oka---ahh no. "Something isn't quite right here." Course she stopped for the moment and looked around at where they were, moving the bag from one shoulder to the other. Vesta might have looked a bit strange with what she was doing, the rotating of the bag and bouncing on her feet when the bag was on her shoulder. "What, exactly, was buried at the bottom?" That had to be the source of the extra weight. Did the Kender remove other things to put in this mystery item?

Aside from all that, was this thing living? She didn’t know how Blink would react to her coming home with another animal riding on her shoulder, impacting on his living space.

Vesta looked around where they were and found a table, giving a smile to any that happened to be looking their way before she plopped the bag down and stepped away. It wasn’t anything harmful, right, cause Aurora had been holding it calm and securely like nothing was wrong. Now that the bag was settled, she approached and opened it up, moving aside any of her possessions that were in the way to have a look-see at what was causing the extra weight.

[Aurora]

"Bit of an oxymoron isn't it?" She had met some somber drunks, but never a sober drunkard. Someone had a peculiar sense of humor.Aurora made a pretty good attempt at hiding her surprise at the thought of waiting tables. Well the mundane beings trapped in Rhy'Din had to do something to pass the time, didn't they? She did a much better job at holding her tongue at the lack of surprise that she could attract such uncouth attention, playing the part of barmaid and all. Those boys had probably been disgrunted patrons ... who knew.

As for those teeth, she had been trying to hide the flash of them from Vesta, but apparently she was keener of perception than Aurora would have guessed! Though ... unlike the teeth she might have been familiar with, a pair of overdeveloped canines seemed to come with the bus ticket, Aurora's flash had shown a mouth filled with dagger-sharp teeth! Uppers and lowers with a slightly rear curving bias. While the canines were slightly larger, they hadn't fit the proportions that were so important for a vampires bite. Aurora's diet leaned considerably towards the solid rather than liquid!

"Oh heaven's no. Aurora is merely my human name." Said as if she were downright silly to think that she were the same person as the one from the tale. "Though considering it was a human I heard use it ... I suppose he could have been referencing story your talking about?" She hadn't thought to ask at the time! Vesta's abrupt pause left her new companion only gradually slowing. Having taken a step or two beyond the place she had rooted to examine her bag. "Well after finding what looked like a fledgling mages grimoire I stopped digging, but there were some pouches and things. Nothing that smelled too poisonous though." She had a certain disdain for humans and their need for spell components to help their focus ... so she hadn't bothered to search all the way to the bottom. If her coins had purchased Vesta a nice little treasure or a kenders month old lunch, it was little of consequence to her!

She found the books were beneath a pile of small pouches, there were also a couple of scroll cases on a leather belt along with the rest of her possessions! Aurora wandered along to glance over her shoulder. Cocking her head faintly while she watched Vesta digging through the bag! The other girls eager curiosity was contagious and left her popping up onto her toes. The sudden loud 'crack' that came from the bag was almost her poor fingers. Though luckily it had been a fancy little whittled figure that had been caught by bony teeth. When vesta got a chance to peer into the bag she would spot the source of it. An old half-helm with a bony filler, an old skull it looked to be! Though the burning little red orbs in the empty sockets met her eyes before a gutteral snarl shot out of the bag along with a torrent of foul curses.

Enough to earn them more than their share of dirty or offended looks from the crowd around them. "TURN OFF THE DAMN LIGHTS!" Grouched the contents of her bag! Though Aurora was eyeballing the bag with those well formed brows raised high. "Now I wish I had gone through it..." Though there was a faintly 'let down' sound to her tone! As if she had just given away a real treasure. Rather than a bag stuffed with minor spell components, Dungeons and Dragons manuals and a kenders collected nonsense.

Of course, that was what Vesta got for secretly wondering if it had been something living.

[Vesta Voui]

A grimore? Smelly pouches? What the hell was all that stuff! They certainly were not on her checklist if things packed when she left her house - her mom would have thought her into witchcraft and how that would have gone is defiantly not something she'd want to deal with. 

"This is not my stuff," stating that with a but of a disbelieving laugh of sorts while thumbing around her bag. A task that quickly stopped as soon as the contents tried to eat her hand! 

With a yelp of shock Vesta closed her bag and very damn well near shoved it off the table. "What the be-geebus is that!!!" Okay, add that to her list of first time experiences in Rhy'din. Sure, there were many things yet to discover, and this wasn't the first time something tried to eat her....but there was a living thing in her bag!

The other patrons of the bookstore, well, a few of them turned to look their way. Some wore scowls at being disturbed and others faces held mild curiosity at what all the commotion was all about. Vesta looked for something to poke her bag with while directing a more helpless look to Aurora. 

"How do I get that thing out of my bag before it gets hungry and eats all my things!" Honest question! The other had heard it too right? Vesta just wasn't going mental after seeing her newfound friend had teeth to rival a shark....

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