A Shot In The Dark

[Silence Sei]

((Conditionally open, PM first. For now, this thread is between myself, and Squ))

The markets of Radasanth were filled with the sounds of merriment today. Merchants happily discounted good, and people held long conversations with their respective vendors. For once, the beaten dirt road leading through alleyways did not seem so dreary and uninviting. This was because it was the one day out of the month that Sei Orlouge and the Ixian Knights came into the big city to stock up on supplies. Because the renowned group was so generous with their money, it allowed for better pricing, and a sense of happiness all throughout the town.

Sei Orlouge, leader of the Ixian Knights, knew that war was inevitable when one lived in a giant castle. The towers in the middle of Concordia seemed to attract trouble, what with the attacks made by both the Knights of Dawn, and Cassandra's Remi own demonic forces. However, this one day, when everybody seemed to greet everyone else by name, made all the destruction that had befallen Ixian Castle seem like a bad memory. With each footstep through the town, the mute was filled with a renewed vigor.

The giggles of the Mystic's daughters brought his eyes over to a fruit stand. The green tarp cover over the fruit ensured that it would stay cool on this rather pleasant feeling day. Little Ella, Sei's youngest child, was hysterically laughing as she balanced a shiny red apple on her brunette curly head, the food teetering, threatening to drop to the ground. Sei's second youngest girl, Emma, was busy placing a few coins into the merchants hands, probably double of what the fruit had actually cost. Today, Emma had put her waist-length hair into a long, braided ponytail, which was being played with by her two older sisters. Kyla and Anita Orlouge threw the end of the braid back and forth, finally causing their younger sibling to turn around and glare at them.

A smile crept across Sei's face as he approached the stand, taking notice of the neatly organized fruits. Bunches of bananas placed articulately so as to not touch one another, the same with the red and green apples to either side of it. The oranges had just enough light on them to showcase a perfect skin, without a single bruise. It was obvious that whoever brought this fruit to the man took great care of their products. Sei slightly glanced to the side of the fruit stand to notice the same green tarp cover draped over several vegetables, also perfectly aligned for maximum aesthetic appeal.

"Girls, gather whatever you wish," Sei spoke to each of his angels, taking great care in 'sounding' as gentle as possible with them, "You never know when we'll need a surplus of food for the troops." All four sisters nodded their acknowledgement to their father, who returned the gesture and continued on his stroll.

While Sei could appreciate his daughters stocking the group up on fresh fruit, the telepath knew that he needed a few more supplies than just food. The first thing on his list was herbal medicines. After all, several members of the Ixian Knights were more intimately connected with Althanas, prompting them to refuse traditional medicinal treatments. Herbs and other natural medical supplies were in high demand among these people, and Sei had to make sure he could appease his people with whatever they needed.

A happy army was a friendly army, after all.

[Squ]

“So, do you think you can remember all of that?” The local herbalist watched as Teefa was summing everything up in her head, her lips quietly recited the ingredients and her head nodded with each item she could remember. “Yes, I think I got it.” She replied, confident she was able to procure what she was asked to gather. “Remember, child, these herbs must be treated with care. I trust you will do well.”
“I will do my best, I promise”

Teefa left the herbalist’s house; a small straw basket hanging on her arm. She had only been in Radasanth for a week and already she felt right at home, especially because she was able to make herself useful here. Gathering herbs, it was something Teefa enjoyed doing as it wasn’t since her days as a student that she was required to do so; it gave her a nostalgic feel. Perhaps if she did a good job, the herbalist might consider taking her in permanently and teach her some new skills. The thought of settling had crossed the young woman’s mind several times, but the fear of being found by retrievers kept her on the move. Perhaps in Radasanth, it would be different; it was a busy city after all and by blending in would help to obscure her from pursuers, granted of course that she kept a low profile.

Leaving the city, Teefa followed a cobblestone road until she reached a small wooded area where she left the main road to follow a small path. Eventually, she reached a small clearing within the wooded area. Stopping to look around, she figured that she had reached her destination and crouched over several plants that were growing near the trees.

“This must be the Tarragon I need.” Teefa placed the straw basket on the ground and lifted her dress up high enough to expose her knees. Kneeling gently, she carefully picked the herb and placed it in the basket. Beside Tarragon, she found the list of things the herbalist in Radasanth had requested. It was delicate work and the seemingly easy task took several hours to complete.

“Phew, that is all of it.” The healer rose from her knees and arched her tired back, stretching her arms, a broad smile of relief on her face. “Now to get back to Radasanth and deliver these,” she muttered to herself. The rays of sunlight that shone through the leafy trees were at a sharper angle that when she arrived. “Looks like I have to hurry too.”

With a brisk pace, Teefa retraced her steps, back to the cobblestone road and then all the way back to Radasanth. The small basket dangled on her arm, its contents releasing a mixed, sweet aroma of freshly picked herbs. It wouldn’t be long before they’d be put to good use. Passing the city gates, it wouldn’t be long now for the task to be completed. In her mind, Teefa already imagined the words of praise she would receive from the herbalist; if nothing else, she was proud of herself for being diligent.

As she neared the markets, the herbalist’s house came into view. “Almost there,” the young woman smiled and increased her pace, hurrying to get the goods to their destination.

“Hey, out of the way!”

The sudden voice startled Teefa who quickly turned her head to see who was yelling. It wasn’t until it was too late until she saw a man running into her direction and he bumping into her was inevitable. A painful sensation stung her shoulder as she hit the pavement, her basket pouring out a shower of herbs as it flung through the air.

“Geez, woman,” the man shouted, rubbing his chest “can’t you watch were you’re going?!”

A painful sigh escaped Teefa’s lips as she rose back to her feet, her shoulder hurting terribly. “Oh, no…” she whispered as she eyed over the spilled contents of her basket.

“Hey, are you listening!” The man snarled at her.

[Silence Sei]

Sei strolled casually through the streets, eyes locking with many of the more renowned members of the Ixian Knights as he did so. The rays of the sun felt good on the light Mystic’s skin. Unfortunately, the whimsical nature of the day soon took a turn for the less than pleasant. The telepath was amongst the crowd as he heard the ruckus over the girl being slammed into. Sei eyed the two participants in the scuffle, carefully analyzing each one of them.

The girl seemed to be putting less pressure on one of her shoulders. The poor thing probably injured herself in the accident. Rather than be sympathetic, however, her colossal collision collaborator seemed to be crude and crass towards the young woman. The girl began to get up, her eyes darting towards the ground. Sei’s own blue orbs followed suit, finding the various colored and sized herbs scattered all along the ground.

Obviously, this girl was either a herbologist, or apprenticing to become one.

Before the tensions escalated any higher, Sei gently moved people in the crowd aside by softly touching their forms with the back of his hands. He took several steps towards the two people making sure to be careful not to step on one of the girl’s precious plants. He maneuvered quickly, placing himself firmly between the herb enthusiast and her less-than-polite assailant.

“Excuse me sir,” Sei spoke to both the man and the girl, the minds being filled with his gentle and calming ‘voice’, “but I believe you are also guilty of running into her as much as she ran into you. You can clearly see that she’s hurt, and apologetic. Why don’t you…” Sei waved his hand in front of the man, assuming that the larger person was of a simple mind, as well as acting out of character for today.

“Why don’t you just let her gather her things, and leave.” With any luck, the Force Persuade spell would send the man leaving with those exact thoughts in mind. A non-combative way to solve a problem, even if it did involve minor mind manipulation.

[Squ]

In preparation of his response, the man took a breath but halted just before he was about the utter the first word. Eyeing the mystic and turning his gaze to the girl who he had bumped into, he scoffed.

“People these days,” he muttered, “always getting in my way.” The man rubbed his chest and peered around at the small crowd that had gathered the scene; it was all unnecessarily awkward. Without an apology or offer of help, the man walked away, hands in his pockets and gaze upon the ground as he did so. A few bystanders shook their heads.

As Teefa was picking up the herbs and putting them back in the basket, she gave a quick nod to the man who had mediated in her situation. As she inspected the herbs, a sad look appeared on her face; her delicate work was, for the most part, for naught. Some of the herbs had been trodden on.

Teefa rose to her feet and noticed that the small crowd was curiously eyeing the situation; it made her feel very uncomfortable, why didn’t they just get back to their business? Picking up the small basket, she stepped toward the man who had come to ease the scene and curtsied. “Thank you…” she spoke softly, so only the man could hear. “Um…”