The airfield is comparatively small and kept separate from the sea port, which is mostly built to accommodate barges for hauling iron to Abu Dhabi, but big enough for the Rake with room to spare. The port authorities are Khattas, of course - as are just about everyone in any sort of position of power here. The culture is decidedly less elegant than Abu Dhabi, however. The majority of the people here are Titanian, Vartan, Jupani (including the now-rare Himarian breed) and Vykarin, with amenities geared towards the needs of large hard-working males with money and little to spend it on. There are more bars, brothels and gaming halls in New Elamoore than just about anywhere else.
"A little piece of Abaddon, right here at home," Tasha remarks as she stands on the deck of The Rake,eying what has become of a once verdant city. By her tone, it's not sure if she approves of disapproves, the answer lying somewhere between. "We'll need to head in and start asking around. Khattan officials will probably want to tax us somehow, or profit in some other way, so I suggest we stick to the working class and the representatives of outlying regions -- people in town to get supplies, that sort of thing.
"Mind the pickpockets, thugs, and 'service industry'. They're rob you blind one way or another, if you're not careful. Hake, you need to be especially careful here; too many lonely men with hard lives, so, stick to one of us," Tasha continues. She realizes her sacrifice has put her disarmed in a rough city, but she can handle herself for most problems. It's Hakeber and Gabriel she's worried about. Aaron knows enough to becareful pratically anywhere. "Hokay, lets move out."
"Small piece?" Aaron asks, looking at the huge circular plateau. "I think there's a Templar sanctuary up there somewhere.."
"The Fortress of Fire," Hakeber relates. "It's been abandoned, of course."
"If we need any weapons, we can probably find some in town as well," Gabriel suggests.
It takes some time to find the 'market' area, since the town is very much unplanned and sprawling. The market turns out to be at the far end, away from the port and mostly in the shadow of the cliffs.
"It's a Silent-Ones monastary," Tasha corrects, pointing right at it. "From what I learned traveling on The Rake, they're not terribly friendly." The young woman pauses at the shorter woman's comment, then nods. "It's been a while since I'd heard about them; it makes sense they wouldn't stick around. Anyway," she nods towards the city, "we might find supplies where we'll find the people we're looking for: trading outposts for the natives, and maybe those for larger groups. We nee to find one that's in contact with the outlying tribes."
The density of Himarian Jupani - that is, non-Karnor digitigrade wolves - is also higher in the marketplace, where Tasha's prediction of finding trade with outlying groups.
"So.. where did they come from?" Hakeber whispers to the others. "They aren't Karnor. They don't even have hair on their heads. Uplifted or Exiles?"
"My thought was second-generation Karnors, created either to bolster Karnor numbers or else fulfill a speciffic regional niche role," Tasha whispers back, glancing ata Himaarian Jupani as they pass one. "We didn't talk much; Elamoore was a bit of a sore for me, too many assumptions, you know?"
"How so?" Gabriel asks. "Is there some personal issue we need to watch out for here?"
"Huh?" Tasha gives Gabriel a surprised look, then gestures to her head, smiling. "Vartan. Jupani. Only one. City full of Vartans and Jupanis ..? I got tired of all the guesswork and jokes, so I ended up sticking to the docks and taverns that serviced the air and boat crew."
"But that city is on Abaddon now," Gabriel points out, and pokes Tasha's shoulder. "You don't still have self-image issues do you?"
"Anyway, the Jupanis have their own language, which the 'City Jupani' also use too," Aaron notes. "So, if they try talking to you in a language you don't understand.. that's the reason. You probably can't pass yourselves off as being Sinai-born with them."
"It used to bother me, but I'm over that! Besides, not everyone ended up on Abaddon." the young woman insists. "Otherwise, well, just the usual problems of my um ... Well, lets find that outpost, shall we?" She realizes the grim truth behind her clean slate, but knows there's little use bringing everyone's spirits' down with it, deciding the ghosts of Elamoore might not mind a bity of levity -- even if it may be at their expense.
The market is really more of a Farmer's Market, with Jupani bringing in meat, hides and vegetables in from the wilderness - although the vegetables are mostly the sort added for flavor, given the largely carnivorous nature of the city inhabitants. The sellers are mostly men, but not entirely, and the buyers are almost exclusively women.
"Hake and I will try the men, you and Aaron try the women, Gabe?" Tasha asks her mate as she eyes the crowd.
"What are we asking about, exactly?" Aaron asks.
"We're a Abadonian research and exploration team here to investigate local cultures for historical reasons, so inquire if they'd be willing to talk about their cultures and the tribes that share their forest. Offer to pay them some if the information is good. Use your good judgement: not everyone will appreciate Abaddonian officials, as some may blame us for the destruction of their way of life even though it wasn't our fault. And be careful how you word things and who you trust with what. Don't go anywhere without notifying the others," Tasha instructs.
"So.. we aren't going to ask about Vartan settlements at all then?" the Lapi asks, just to be sure.
"Of course you can ask. That's part of investigating regional cultures. What we need to find is someone willing to discuss their region and customs, who isn't going to try to trick, rob, or murder us," the half-Vartan explains. "It's like stepping stones. Weneed to find the party that will lead to the mext step, until we find what we're looking for."
"I'll let Gabe do most of the talking then," Aaron says. "I don't have the best record when it comes to getting along with the natives."
"Don't get eaten. We can't clone you. Yet." Tasha winks, then, aftergiving Gabriel a kiss, she's off with Hakeber touring the stalls.
A lot of wild game is on display, from multi-legged pseudo-reptilian creatures all the way up to whole forest hogs - even 'trophy' animals, like an actual Abaddonian Hog (which looks nothing like a hog and a lot like a nightmare) that would have gotten loose from the canal that bisects the Red Cliffs.
The men vary as well, from small, young or old to 'warrior' types that stand with their arms across their bare chests and sport lots of decorative jewelry or scars.
"No wonder it's mostly the women that shop here," Hakeber whispers to Tasha.
"If I feel hungry looking at that Abaddonian hog, does that mean I've really become an Abaddonian?" Tasha asks Hakeber as they tour the stalls. Then, in a lower voice, she adds, "Lets try one of the young men, they're more likely to be distracted and lack experience." Then she gives Hakeber a noncomprehending look before blinking and laughing. "Sorry," she apologizes, "I guess I don't see many men that aren't Gabriel these days."
"So, we want one that's young and naive.." Hakeber says, and scans the tables, using her college-freshman-locator sense or something. "That one," she notes, indicating a black-and-red furred wolf manning a table covered in hides. He's not wearing any jewelry other than a Creen feather behind one ear, and is dressed simply in a pair of loose shorts and too-big vest (hand-me-downs probably).
"JEF Expedition, attack," Tasha whispers with a laugh before proceeding to the table with Hakeber.
"Hello!" Is the half-Vartans greeting as she leans forward, peering at a nearby skin. "Do you catch these yourself?"
The lad behind the table perks up when it looks like someone is showing interest in his wares, and helpfully holds up a pelt from something with soft fluffy fur. "Some!" he barks, apparently believing that Standard needs to be loud. "Carried them. Two days walk," he says proudly. "Squank Fur!" he notes, holding out the pelt.
Tasha takes the fur and feels it, then offers it to Hakeber. "What do you think?" She then glances back to the young man and asks, "Does that mean you're from the outlying tribes, then?"
"We don't lie, very honest!" the boy insists, wide-eyed.
Hakeber takes her time fondling the fur, and even wraps it around her neck like a stole. "It's pretty nice, for something that clearly came from an eight-legged snake thing.."
"Mmhmm." Tasha glances to her friend and says, "It is fairly nice, but I don't know ... " She frowns a moment, then adds, "We still need to find someone who has connections to the outlying tribes, we can't stand around buying things while we have work to do. He's probably too young to be able to help us, anyway."
The boy's tail droops, and he says, "I can help. Very helpful! Growf!" With that last noise, he points his thumb at his chest: it must be his name.
Tasha turns back to inspect the boy a moment, but puts on a look of momentary sketicisim that Hakeber is sure is well-practiced. "Wellllll, alright. I guess if you can take us to who we need to meet, then we'll save a lot of time and we can get this too." She glances to her friend. "Right, Hakeee?"
"Of course, Tashee," Hakeber agrees, and smiles at Growf.
Tasha smiles, too. "So who should we speak with to get in touch with your tribe?"
"Growf from Rainbow Springs tribe, two days, then three into mountains," the boy explains, wagging his tail now at the positive attention.
"I take you!" Growf insists. "Two days, then three!"
"Thank you," Tasha says, reaching over to take the boy's hand and shake them in agreement. "We'll be in town. If you need us, come to the airship 'The Rake'. Look for a big Vartan man with a glass eye."
"You buy Squank?" Growf asks, remembering that that's his business.
Tasha looks suddenly attentive, eying the belt with typical Vartan attention to detail. "Twenty shekels."
This seems to surprise Growf. He seems to do some mental math for a moment, before nodding. "Hokay! That ten arrowheads, or two knives. I come to Rake, bring mother who is wise," Growf says, and holds out his hand.
After digging out the shekels, Tasha hands them over and smiles. "We look forward to seeing you there. Good luck selling your wares!" She wags her tail before turning to her friend. "Ready Hake?"
"Oh, sure," Hakeber says, still rubbing the pelt around her neck. "Where to next?"
"Lets see who else we can find. No sense in putting all our eggs in one basket, hmmm ... Lets try and find a Vartan merchant." Soon, the two are off on to the crowd.
It takes a bit of sleuthing, since there don't seem to be any Vartan merchants at first.. until they come across a tent that's quite a bit separate from the rest of the market, with an odd hole in the top. Vartan girls seem to be hanging around it.
"This should be interesting," Tasha remarks as the two approach the tent. As they near, the cadet asks one of the girls, "Hi, what sort of shop is this?" Being Vartan herself, Tasha already suspects a shiny shop for eligable women, but she knows playing clueless can sometimes be an advantage.
"Shiny shoppe," the girl squawks, blinking at Tasha's exotic look. Then again, there must be quite a bit of mixing in a town like this.
"Thanks!" It's been quite some time since Tasha last visited a shiny shoppe; after all, the other species just don't 'get it' and she has yet to teach Gabriel just what sort of gifts she likes. She moves to stand in line, waiting her turn. "Ever been to a shiny shoppe, Hake?"
"I don't get it?" Hakeber notes. "It's not a very shiny tent."
One by one, the girls enter just after another exits, usually clutching something that is then shown to others in a huddle.
"The shinies are inside the tent!" Tasha follows the line. Next to other Vartan girls, and with that big grin on her face, the half-Vartan seems closer to her age. Somehow, this little shop makes the responsibility and professional attitude fall away from her, revealing the young woman that was. "I love shinies, but Gabriel doesn't get it and neither do the others. Having the right shiny is a matter of taste -- it's like an art -- and they can say a lot about you."
Finally, it's Tasha's turn to enter the tent. The hole in the top lets the sun shine through like a spotlight over a table brimming with shiny polished stones.. and even gems. Actual, uncut rubies! There are geodes too big to wear, clearly meant for home display, but there's metal wire, small nuggets of gold, quartz and marble beads in every color.. and all of it pales before the shopkeeper. She's tall and slender for a Vartan, but her colors: silver, blue and yellow feathers, like a tropical Creen, intense green eyes and pure white hindquarters. She's got gold and silver wire filigree over her beak, which spreads up into a sort of tiara where Kujaku feathers form a fabulous headdress. Her upper arms are wrapped in spiraling polished bronze, and an elaborate beaded neckpiece advertises more wealth and status. She's bare chested, having more silver chains and beads and metal pierced in place. Her tail is like a rainbow, and even her loincloth is sequined. "I be Hellas, this my shoppe," she claims, look
looking Tasha up and down.
"Ooooo," Tasha murmurs, and it doesn't stop when she finds herself staringface to face with the other Vartan. It's not long before Hakeber can feel the wind from Tasha's tail, the half-Vartan's expression akin to a kid in a candy shoppe. She even giggles a little!
"So.. you must be Queen of the Vartans?" Hakeber asks, also appreciating the shopkeeper's appearance.
"Hah!" Hellas squawks, probably (hopefully) in amusement. "Doggies not into shinies, 'less they want attention of a big feather-head miner. Look like this one's mama already manage that.."
For Tasha's part, she just keeps grinning at the woman in a a particularly mezmerized way. Hakeber can smell her joy, along with excitement and ... some embarassment?
"I'm Tasha," she chimes in when the big woman points her out. "You're very pretty! I mean, hi!"
"You new here?" the glittery bird asks. "See you gots a few shinies, but.. kinda bland. What you lookin' for? Something grand, to really stand out?"
"Uh-huh." Tasha looks down at herself a moment and blinks, ears flattening. "Well, I, um ... I don't ... I mean I shouldn't ... " Her embrassed sent takes a twist in to self-concious as she seems to think of what she's wearing. Finally, she sighs. "I'm not here to stand out, but it would be nice to have some shinies to wear. It's been a long time, and I don't need to pretend I'm just a Karnor anymore."
Hakeber nudges Tasha with her elbow. "Don't forget the other stuff, right?"
"What others ... Oh." tasha winces. "Right, I forgot. Sorry." Looking back up in a squint, Tasha explains, "We're actually in here hoping you could point us to someone with connectiosn to the local Vartan tribes and ... I want that," then pointing towards a necklace of darkly glittering polished obsidian beads.
"No local tribes," Hellas claims, holding up the necklace so that the light hits it just right. "Boomer got 'em. Just mountain clans now. Why you lookin'?"
"We're explores and historians," Tasha rushes as she eyes the necklace. Judging by the look on her face, willpower alone seems to be keeping her from making a grab at it. "Ooh, oh, um ... research. We're officials!"
"Official whats?" Hellas asks, lowering the necklace out of the spotlight. "No one cares about backcountry clans. We not important, and we too hard to fight off of our land."
"Tasha.." Hakeber whispers, as she picks up bit of woven wiring. Except it's not entirely wire - there's glass in it. Glass thread.
"So you are from the backcountry clans," Tasha notes, eyes lowering with the necklace until she shifts from it to the Vartan woman, possibly by some magnet-like law of Vartan attraction. "We'd just like to talk about your history, ancient histo- ... aye?"
Tasha peers down at the bits of wire, expression suddenly a mask of concentration as she seems to see it too. Taking it in hand, she holds the strand up to the light for several seconds before asking, "Where did you find this, Miss Hellas?"
The shiny bird doesn't reply, instead asking, "You no answer me yet: official whats? Treasure hunter? Missionary? Tell me."
"Explorers and historians. Since we're being open and honest here ... " Tasha gives the necklace one last, lingering glance, then explains, "I'm Pilot-Cadet Aldara Tasha, of the Joint Expeditionary Force, Abaddon. This is Scholar Hakeber, of the Knights Templar, also of Abaddon. We're here to investigate the history of the Vartan people on this world."
"Why?" Hellas asks.
"Because we're tracing the global population spread of the post-planetfall Vartan clans, which scattered from the Ark once they chose to distance themselves from the then-Fleet government. This will help us plot the final resting point of Expedition-era assets, records, vehicles, and artifacts. We know from official Temple records than a majority of Clan Harbinger settled in this region," the cadet answers, sounding more like her professional self. "Our research will benefit the clans, as well. We can tell you where you cam from, how you got there, and why."
"We already know that," Hellas claims. "What else you gots to offer?"
"Oh. Well, we can talk about other things. We may be able to assign some of our funding to pay for your assistance, as well." Tasha then gives the Cartan a funny look, and asks, "You know your early history? You know what a spaceship is, and about the Harbingers?"
"We gots our histories, and they ours and ours alone," Hellas claims. "Don't care about others. I am from Titan's Aerie Clan, not Storm Riders. Why you care about 'assets' that belong to clans, eh? You can't take them."
"There may other assets or information that are still hidden, or unrecoverable by available technologies. We're also trying to solve a mystery. Actually ... " Tasha pulls our a computer generated image, the Origin Marker of Vartans, and asks, " ... have you seen one of these?"
Hellas looks at the image and her face hardens. "The treasure of the demons," she hisses, like a curse. "I've seen the symbols. Come after dark, when the market is closed. 100 Shekels for the necklace."
Tasha hands over the money, but it's soon followed by more, until after some quick and heated wheeling and dealing, Tasha has a small handful of obsidian beads, gold-flecked quartzes carved in to different animals, several feathers, a uncut ruby and a long strand of bangles for her tail. It's only then she says, "Deal. We'll be here."
Outside of Hellas' Shiny Shoppe, Tasha and Hakeber find the gaggle of teenaged Vartan girls still clustered together comparing their treasures. "Well.. that was progress, right?" the Karnor scholar asks her half-Vartan companion. "You've got a clan name out of it, at least. Do you think Miss Shiny Bits has really seen the Marker?"
"It's possible. The Harbinger Clan seemed to revere the artifact, so it stands to figure it may have achieved a place of lasting visibility until something disasterous happened. At that point it could have become the well-known face of disaster, as has happened with several other artifacts so far," Tasha answers as she cranes her neck, trying to see what the other girls have bought for themselves. "To be honest, I was relieved when I heard the problem was monsters and not politics or tradition. Is that weird?"
"Less fallout from monsters," Hakeber agrees, and follows Tasha's gaze towards the other girls. "Look at them! They can't be more than a year or two younger than us but they're like little kids at a candy store. Is that normal Vartan behavior?"
One the girls - a shocking blue one - turns her tail to the group, so that her friends can attach her latest acquisition to her tail. She actually has her hands clasped together in anticipation as she turns her head to watch the process.
To answer the question, Tasha shakes her new pouch full of recently purchased goodies towards Hakeber and grins. "I remember those days. I traveled too much to have a gaggle like that, but some times the air ship kids and the dock kids would get together with what money they had and visit the shops, and of course that included the shiny shoppes. You should really consider a tail bangle. Maybe I should go back inside ... "
"I don't need any help to get people looking at my butt," Hakeber claims, perhaps a bit too loudly, as the gaggle nearby bursts into laughter. The Karnor's ears fold down in embarrassment.
"It's OK," Tasha insists, leaning over to pat Hakeber's arm consolingly. "I like looking at your butt. Lets go say hello." And with that, the half-Vartan slings her arm around her friend and walks them both over to say hello.
"That's a nice shiny," she notes of the shockingly blue woman's tail as she and hakeber close in, the half-Vartan smiling. "I'm Tasha, this is Hakeber, and you've already met her butt."
"Oh, hi!" the blue bird says, looking surprised that the 'older' girls actually came over. "I'm Glory! These are Junebug, Spot and Flop!" she says, introducing her friends. Spot does not have any visible spots, and Flop does have slightly droopy ears. Junebug is yellow with green flecks, but that could be from makeup.
"I hope we're not interupting? I saw you all go in, and well, it's been a while since I've been around so many people who actually appreciate these things," Tasha says, jangling her bag of shinies again to indicate them. "Are you all from around here?"
"Well, yeah, our families work here," Glory explains, and looks over Tasha's 'exotic' attire, along with the other three. "Are you from Abu-Dhabi?" she asks, in a hush, as if that were the most exotic place in the world.
"Well, we're really from everywhere these days," Tasha answers in a hush of her own, playing to the impression. "We're travelers. Explorers. Hakeber is a scholar with the Knights Templar of Abaddon, and I live there too, except I was born on a Rephidimite trade airship here on Sinai."
"Where's Abaddon?" Flop asks, looking (and sounding) confused. Junebug elbows her, and hisses, "It's that resort place in Olympia, ya ninny."
Tasha grins at the correct, then points straight up in to the sky. "Abaddon is another /world,/ on the other side of Gateway Tower. Hake's from New Zion, a city of /metal towers,/ /machines,/ and endless red deserts./ It's a very dangerous world, so Hake is glad to be here."
Tasha then turns to her friend and asks, "Right, Hake?"
"Well.." the Karnor starts to say, and then just points at the looming red cliff behind the girls. "The Red Cliffs are from Abaddon. I'm pretty sure anyone who's spent time on them knows what it's like.."
The half-Vartan nods to this. "Old Himaar is on Abaddon, now."
"Ohhhhh.." Glory says, an imaginary candle lighting over her head as she looks back at the livelihood of New Elamoore. "You're not here to take it back are you?"
"Thankfully that's not the sort of politics we deal in. And besides, how would we? Cart by cart?" Tasha winks.
"Oh, that's good," Glory decides. "So, you trade politics? Are those shiny?"
"No, they're actually very dull," Tasha insists, nudging Hakeber and grinning.
Hakeber just rolls her eyes.
"So, you got shinies too right?" Glory asks, focusing on Tasha again. "You're Vartan! What'd you get?"
Tasha suddenly looks anxious, glancing to Hakeber a moment and canting her ears back. "Well, it's been a long time since I was last in a shiny shoppe," she insists, sounding as guilty as she looks, "so, I may have gone a little overboard. I did need to a necklace, so ... well ... " Tasha holds the bag out, opening it for the girls to see.
The girls crowd around, practically sticking their beaks into the bag as if it was full of corn. "Oooo!" is the collective response. "We gotta have a shiny party!" Spot declares.
"A shiny party?" Tasha asks, not having heard of this despite being half-Vartan.
"Yeah!" Glory agrees. "You know: we all go to a spot and show off!"
"I ... I'm not sure I should be showing off. Actually, I'm sure I shouldn't be showing off. We are here to do work, after all, and I don't think I want to advertise that I'm carrying these things. Besides, I already have a man," the red woman notes, adding a second later, "Besides, I don't want to bore Hake by dragging her along to indulge my Vartan half." She looks to her friend in askance, seeing if she shares the same sentiment.
"Hmmm," Hakeber goes, rubbing her chin in thought.. until she notices Tasha's reaction. "Oh, right.. We're.. uh.. too old for that sort of thing now."
Disturbingly, the other girls bob their heads in accord. "Yeah.. you'd probably go for a more adult show-off party.." Glory admits.
"I got a boyfriend, but I like it when others look at me," Junebug claims, puffing out her feathers a bit.
"Duty before pleasure," Tasha agrees, though her heart doesn't sound entirely in it. She smiles at Junebug and nods, but explains, "I don't think I want to put my Gabriel through that. He's endured a lot, and at least some of that is because of me. He deserves some time to not worry about what I'm doing. It is a bit of a shame though, I really haven't had that much of a chance to just be a Vartan lately and people keep insisting I need to relax ... hmm." Getting an idea, she suggests, "We'll be here at least over night, why don't join us for dinner and drinks? Go to the docks and look for The Rake, and ask where Tasha is staying so you know where to find us. Oh, and watch out for the crew."
"What's wrong with the crew?" Spot asks.
"Ohhh, nothing that isn't wrong with all the male portion of airship crews," Tasha explains, then winks.
"I still love them to death, but you know." Tasha adds, smiling.
"Sailors!" Flop says, looking excited now. "They're so dashing!" Junebug admits, getting doe-eyed.
It's Tasha's turn to roll her eyes. "I don't know about that ... I'm a sailor, after all." Looking suddenly curious, she leans over and asks Hakeber, "Do you find me dashing?"
"Are you kidding?" Hakeber asks. "You're a pilot-adventurer with a hunky mate and pet Lapi."
"Oh. Well, I guess it's true then." She grins all the wider as she turns back to the other hens, "It looks like I'm wrong."
"Okay, we'll try to make it then," Glory says, and then herds the giggling gaggle off towards the market.. where they pass the approaching pair of Gabriel and Aaron. The Lapi moves to the opposite side of the Karnor when the girls pass them.
"Lapi have a natural danger sense, and Aaron's is the best," Tasha asides Hakeber as she watches the two men approach. When they get near she steps forward and smiles. "Hi you two. Have any luck?"
"Not as such," Gabriel claims. "Although I did get several offers for Mr. Lightfoot," he notes with a grin. Aaron does not share the grin.
Tasha cackles at this, then gestures to the nearby shiny shoppe. "We found a member of 'Titan's Aerie Clan' who claims to have have a lead on the Origin Marker, calling it the 'treasure of the demons.' She's going to meet us here, after the shop closes. We've also arranged for a young man to bring his mother by this evening for help sorting out the Kar- ... nor-jupani clans, and we'll have a gaggle of Vartan women joining us for dinner -- that one's just for fun, but it might prove useful in knowing the city."
"That makes for a very busy evening," Gabriel notes. "Do we need to make any special preparations? And.. what about secrecy? Are there no-go topics of conversation. Talking to the shoppe owner about the Marker in front of the other people, for instance?"
"It might be wise to avoid showing off our wealthtoo much or elaborating too deeply on our missi- no need to give me that look Hake! I know, I know." Tasha eyes the other woman, then clears her throat and continues. "That is, we should try from this point on to keep a low profile. It was necessary to mention some things, and some purchases helped obtain good will, but so we might have some trouble, but I think if we don't stay long and try to heard out early we should beat the rumormill."
"How much did you spend on shinies?" Aaron asks Tasha, since he's more familiar with Vartans than the two Karnors.
"I may have spent slightly more than I strictly wanted to," Tasha hedges. "But in my defense, everyone keeps telling me to relax and I found it relaxing. Very relaxing." Subtly, she tries to shift the goods behind her back.
"Did you get anything good then?" Aaron asks, still curious. He looks at the tent, noting, "I've never seen a portable shiny shoppe. What did you learn about the proprietor?"
"She's very pretty," is the first thing that comes to Tasha's mind. "Also, clearly affluenet for a tribesman, and her wears are of a quality that I don't see very often. She's probably an outstanding craftswoman. As for her tribe, they seem to stay out of peoples' way and don't put much stock in the doings of outsiders. They're a mountain tribe, and seem to think another tribe, the Storm Riders, are more inclined to. She seemed genuinely concerned about the demons and artifact. She also noted the local Vartan clans were wiped out by the Boomer, so only the outlying clans remain."
Hesitantly, Tasha then hands over the bag of goodies. "Can you hand me the obsidian necklace?"
The Lapi fishes it out and hands it over. "Volcanic origin, you think?" he asks, before looking at the other treasures.
"I didn't realize you liked jewelry so much," Gabriel admits. "Did she say anything more about the demons?"
"There may be local volcanic activity. There was also one more thing that made her words stand out: among the items, there was a strand of glass fiber -- light conducting glass fiber. It was clearly from an Expedition-era vessel," Tasha answers.
Taking the necklace, she then fishes out Abaddon's axe and Tisiphone's helicical daggers and, after mantling her wings to avoid onlookers, begins attaching them to the strand.
"The rest of these look normal," Aaron says, waiting for Tasha to finish before handing back the sack. "Think she'll tell us more about the demons or where the Storm Riders are?"
"We may have to give her something in exchange," Gabriel suggests.
"Well, I did pay a good deal for those -- as a sign of good faith of course!" She grins, finishing up the attachment before she holds the necklace to her neck, brushing her hair back and then fastening it closed. The whole thing is quickly covered up by her top before she accept the bag back. "But you're right; she's srewd enough to see through me and clever enough to try to want more. If we're lucky, she'll just want us to deal with local problems."
"Like demons?" Aaron asks.
"Maybe we should change careers to demon slayers," the half-Vartan woman suggests.
Then she nods. "But yes."
"I think we'd better find out more about them before agreeing to anything," Hakeber notes. "She said demons, not monsters. Monsters are animals, after all. Demons have higher motives, to my thinking."
"I know most of mine do. Lets look for a place to stay, then come back here to meet her. She should be closing at sundown -- shinnies don't look as good without light," Tasha suggests.
The market closes up early, when the sun has barely begun to set. This is due in large part to it's location on the east side of the Red Cliffs, where it gets the best morning sun but falls into shadow by late afternoon. When Tasha's group returns to Hellas' tent, it's already dark enough that a lantern has been lit inside. There aren't any customers to be seen, either.
"Do we knock?" Gabriel asks, unsure of how to do so when a canvas flap is used as a door.
"Just announce yourself." To demonstrate, Tasha steps forward and leans her muzle in to announce, "We're here, as you requested. May we come in?"
The flap is pulled back, revealing Hellas in all her shiny glory. "Ah, yes," she says, and looks around to see if anyone is watching. "Come ins," she says with a gesture.
Tasha gives Hellas a big smile and hurries inside after gesturing for the others to follow.
The big display table has been cleared off, the shiny wares hidden away somewhere (but there is a back part of the tent, since there's another door-flap visible). A few stools are set out around the table as well. "Have seat," Hellas offers. "Or stand if wants," she adds, once it's clear they are a stool short.
The Lapi seems inclined to stand, keeping near the entry.. but also stares openly at the decorated, half-naked proprietor.
Seeing Aaron has beather to the polite punch, Tashatakes a seat and folds her legs, begining introductions. "This is Gabriel, my mate," she says, gesturing to the older Karnor. "Next to him abd by the door is Aaron, our guide, and of course you know Hakeber and I."
"Your guide is a bunny?" Hellas asks, as if Tasha was pulling her tail. "All bunnies were in city when Boomer fell."
"He's from Rephidim, actually. He may not look like much, but he's an accomplished traveler, explorer, and apothacary. And keep in mind, this isn't the only region we're investigating," Tasha explains.
Accepting that answer, Hellas slaps her ample bosom and says, "I Hellas Springwater, daughter of Chief Springwater Akolides of Titan's Aerie Clan."
Tasha smiles at the introduction. "You do have an air of importance," she agrees, nodding to the woman. "I'm curious about Titan, though: is he or she your overall leader? Where did he or she get that name?"
"Wha?" Hellas asks, then laughs. "Ah! No, Clans named for location, not founder. No one remembers founder, but location easy to know."
"Oh, so Titan is a region, hokay. I never traveled to the interior while in Old Elamoore, so I don't know." Tapping the nail of a hand against her knee, Tasha thinks a moment, then asks, "You said there are demons and they appear to be associated with the artifact I showed you? Can you elaborate on that?"
"Demons take it, according to legend," Hellas notes. "It was price of settling, others say. Give Marker to demons to form treaty."
Tasha leans forward after hearing the explaination, ears perking in focus. "That's interesting," she remarks, glancing to her mate. "So these demons are sentient beings, and thet specifically wanted the Origin Marker? Have you or anyone in your clan seen these demons in recently? And if we were to pursue this artifact, would that endanger the safety of your people?"
"My Clan not live in demon-lands," Hellas claims. "Never see demon. They very secretive, hide all the time. Or nobody who sees them come back."
"Do you know what they look like?" The half-Vartan asks.
"They cloaks," Hellas claims. "Ghosts in cloaks, no faces.."
"Ghosts in cloaks ... " She glances to her mate and asks, "Ghosts of the Expedition, maybe?"
"I don't suppose the local term for demon is K'hu'an?" Aaron asks, his throat protesting the glottal stops of the word.
The colorful Vartan woman shoots the Lapi a glare. "Yah, that it."
Tasha glances at her friend, brow raising at the harsh sounding word. It only rises as the Vartan woman confirms it. "You know these demons, Aaron?"
"Conspiracy buff, remember?" Aaron says with a grin. "They're probably the rarest and most mysterious people on Sinai. There was one on Rephidim for awhile, shady character. Literally. They stay to shadows, never reveal their bodies, and have weird pronouns."
"I've never heard of them, but that doesn't mean I don't believe you. They sounds almost magical though. Did you speak with him? Her? Anything that could help us meet with them or understand their goals?" Tasha asks the Lapi.
"Err, no," Aaron admits. "Iaskafa, as it was called, was very much an underworld sort of being, and I didn't have dealings with that segment of society."
"That's a lot deeper than I ever touched to, I'm thinking. Well ... " Turning back to the proprietoress, Tasha asks, "Do you know how we might get in touch with these people? Some sort of ritual or meeting place?"
The big woman hisses thoughtfully, before replying, "No, I no knows. Only Storm Riders deal with demons."
"Then I guess we'll need to contact them. Do they have a local contact, or anyone willing to guide explorers like us in town? Are they even friendly towards outsiders?" The half-Vartan asks.
"My Clan trade with them," Hellas claims. "And with Solus colony. They no likely to talk to strangers without introduction."
Tasha nods to this. "Would you be willing to help set up an introduction, knowing we're seeking the artifact?"
"I coulds," Hellas admits, looking cagey. "You gots to come to Titan's Aerie."
Tasha watches the woman a moment,then simply nods. "Alright. Are you to take us there, then?"
Here Hellas pauses, and looks at the group a bit more critically. "No," she says. "You gots to take ground way, and I only fly. Gets ground guide to Aerie and I meet you."
"That's fine. I keep telling the others to grow wings, but they don't listen to me." Tasha winks. "We'll arrange overland travel with one of the Jupani groups, then. We already have a meeting planned with a local tribesman, so if we're lucky we should be heading out by tomorrow. If not, we'll notify you of any delays as soon as possible."
"I be here a few more days," Hellas claims. "No need to wait for me, you take longer anyway."
Tasha nods again. "That's true. Is there anything else you need from us? Or anything you feel we should know before we leave? We'd stay longer, but we don't want to take up any more of your time than necessary and there are others waiting to meet with us," she asks.
"I want to hear more about all this," Hellas says. "Stories valuable in mountains."
"What in particular would you like to know?" Tasha inquires, head tilting.
"How you learn this stuff," Hellas says. "Gots to go eat now though. Have some fun."
"We'll be sure to share when we have a moment later, then." Standing up, Tasha straightens her clothes out then inclines her head. "Thank you for your help, and your hospitality."
"Bring beer next time," the Vartan woman suggests, before getting up herself.
Tasha barks a laugh at that, smiling. "We will. See you soon." She then turns to the others, nodding towards the exit before heading their herself.
Once outside, Gabriel notes, "That woman reminds me of the Amazonians."
"I guess it's a kind of convergant evolution of practices. Amazonians and Vartans share a lot in common in terms of strength and nature, so it doesn't surprise me. Lets head back to the tavern so we don't make the others wait linger than they must." Tasha doesn'thead off immediately though, instead turning to the group and asking, "Ready?"
"So, you already have a guide lined up?" Aaron asks as they all head back to the tavern.
"Hopefully. We found a young man who offered to bring someone by, and she will hopefully know who to ask," the young woman answers.
Back at the tavern, Tasha and Hakeber spot their Jupani contact from earlier; Growf. He's sitting with an older, leather-clad woman. Like most of the Himarian types, she's digitigrade and lacks 'hair' on her head, but seems otherwise robust and well muscled. "Hey!" Growf barks and waves to the group as they enter.
"Hi Growf! I see you brought her," Tasha calls back as she hurries across the room to meet their guests, not wanting to appear languid and thus disrespect the effort the with Jupani made on their behalf. She stops at the table and smiles. "Hello, we're the people Growf mentioned. The Karnor man behind me is my mate, Gabriel, the Lapi is Aaron, the Karnor woman is Hakeber and I'm Tasha. Pleased to meet you." She holds out her hand.
The woman takes Tasha's hand and squeezes. "I'm Moire," she replies gruffly. "You wanted to know about the mountains?"
"We do, although now we also have a destination." Waiting for her group to file in and be seated, Tasha takes her seat across from the armored woman and folds her hands together. "To put it simply, we need to reach the Aerie Clan in the Titan region and need a guide. We're also curious if you've heard anything about 'demons' in this region, specifically shadowy ones."
"Demons? Cubs tail," Moire says, gesturing dismissively with her mug. "Yeah, I know way to Titan's Aerie. Past Rainbow Springs." She looks over the group. "You all going?"
"That's right," Tasha confirms, deciding to leave the matter of demons alone for now. "We're a bit more robust than we look -- it comes with the job."
"I'm their babysitter," Aaron claims.
"Don't buy it, he runs faster than any of us," Tasha says with a wink.
"He kinda is my babysitter though," Hakeber admits.
Tasha just stares at thetwo for a moment before sucking in a breath and giving Moira a big smile. "We're a quirky group," she apologizes.
"So long as you can keep up," Moire says. "Bring your own supplies for five days. Leave morning after tomorrow."
"We can, don't worry about us. We'll be ready. Do you require any compensation for your assistance?" Tasha inquires.
"You can carry stuff, right?" the wolfess asks. "Not the elder, of course. Just you young ones."
"Elder?" For a moment Tasha looks confused, then she laughs. "Oh well, I suppose he is a little older than me. Anyway, I spent most of my life moving freight. Don't worry about me." She then looks over to Hakeber and asks, "What about you? Still want to come? You could always wait here."
"Sure.." Hakeber says, her ears going back. "I may be the weakest, but I can pull my weight."
"Hokay." Turning back, Tasha nods to the armored woman. "We'll be fine. Speaking of which, have you eaten yet? The tavern keep should have offered you a meal."
"I prefer to cook my own meals," Moire claims. "Beer is okay though, if watery. Gotta watch my son's diet."
Tasha chuckles. "Well, I was raised on beer and ale and I turned out fine. Anyway, is there anything else you need to know, or feel we should know? We don't want to keep you if you're in a hurry."
"I got a room here," Moire notes. "You come by dawn day after tomorrow, ready to go, and I take you."
"It's a deal then -- thank you." Tasha smiles and inclines her heasd, then declares, "And, since we haven't eaten, it looks like we'll be taking our dinner now. Frankly, I'm starving."
Moire gets up and tips her head to the other. "C'mon Growf," she tells her son.
"Bye Growf," Tasha bids the boy, giving him a wave.
"Ya!" Growf barks and follows his mother. The main doors open and the familiar quartet of Vartan girls enter - along with a half-dozen others. They must have invited friends.
"I hope they have pizza here," Hakeber notes.
Tasha pauses from yelling for service as she sees the Vartans enter, and instead yells them to come over. While the make there way, she tells Hakeber, "Sorry, no one knows pizza on this planet. It's kind of sad really."
"You could try inventing it here," Gabriel suggests with a grin.
"That's true. I'm sure it'd be a hit," Tasha agrees as she stands up to meet her guests.
The group of young Vartans descends on the table like a feathery landslide. "Hey!" Glory calls. "These guys are Butchy and Flirp and Stuttering Swain and.." she starts introducing the extras.
Tasha simply nods and smiles, dearly hoping they're not heavy eaters and Gabriel isn't going to be lecturing her on finances later. When the names conclude, she greets them, then gestures anyone left standing to sit. To her own party, she explains, "These are some friends I've made. You always tell me I neverrelax, so today, I've decided to do just that."
The next day was spend gathering supplies for the trip. The market provided plenty of smoked and cured meat, as well as rope, charcoal and camping tools like axes and shovels. One of the harder-to-find supplies is paper fit for writing on, and Hakeber and Aaron go in search of such. Tasha's goal is to find a replacement weapon for her sacrificed mini-shaard. Since reputable blacksmiths don't forge finished blades (they just pour 'blanks' that are then sent to Abu-Dhabi for finishing), the hybrid has to risk a trek to the Titanian settlement some distance away from New Elamoore.
She finds a cluster of buildings that may all be smithies, as every structure seems to have a forge attached (which makes the air a bit gritty overhead). The clanging of hammers is a constant background noise, and even Tasha can't tell if it's actually noise or relaying messages via Hammersong.
"Gah," Tasha whines at the noise and dirt as she presses forward. While she genuinely likes the Titanians, she has to admit their lack of subtly and restraint can be a bit hard on the eyes and ears. As she arrives at the first storefront, she peeks inside to see if anyone's home.
Blasts of heat seem to roll out of the open-walled area of the building. There are huge bins full of hammer-heads, pick-heads, and other tool parts. The blacksmith is hunched over an anvil, working a piece of glowing metal with hammer and tongs. Due to the heat, he (or she, hard to tell from behind with Titanians) is just wearing a leather work apron.
Tasha slips inside, wandering over to see what the blacksmith is working on until he he has a moment to notice her.
It looks like another pickaxe head from the shape. A few minutes are spent with a special tool to shape the square handle joint in it before the big wolf notices (or at least has time to deal with) a potential customer. "Hi little girl," he says to Tasha once the tool head is set to cool.
"Hi big guy," Tasha replies with a smile. "Need sword."
"Axe?" the Titanian replies.
"Not good with axe," is the half-Vartan's response.
"Hurm," the aproned wolf ponders, and pulls something out of the coals of the forge with the tongs. It's long and wide, like a broadsword blade.. but has teeth on one side, and several holes along the length. The man sets it on the anvil, gets out a different hammer, and starts to put an edge on the non-serrated side. "Add slice to chop-chop, make sword," he claims as he works.
Tasha considers this for a moment, seeing the ingenuity and practicality in having a sword that does double duty. "Sound good." She then pulls up an empty crate and has a seat to watch. She always was fascinated by forgework, knowing that the strongest airships parts engines begin in a shop a little like this one. Along with her knowledge of how the Amazonians make their armor and holy symbols, not to mention Abaddon's famed hand at the forge, and it's been become a quiet point of interest. She hasn't the time to learn how to do it, but that doesn't mean she can't learn a few things by watching.
The saw isn't balanced like a sword blade, so to compensate the smith takes a large clawed hammer head and uses it for the sword hilt, such that the claw part can act as a guard of sorts. "Gots handle?" he asks Tasha.
Tasha shakes her head. "Sorry," she apologies.
The big man points to a bin, saying, "Grab flippy-tool there."
Standing up, Tasha heads over to the bin and has a look.
The 'flippy-tools' are long pieces of layered metal, held together with large bolts. While the outside layers are flat, the inner ones are made of flat tools, all sized to fit inside the main form. Knives, files and several wrenches fill the device.
"Ooo," Tasha murmurs as she picks one up and flips it back and forth. Please, she brings it over and hands it off.
This is then taken apart and reassembled so that the tang of the blade because the center layer of the tool, which in turn because the rather large hilt of the sword. Another long bolt and nut are selected, sized to fit through on of the many holes along the center of the sawblade. "Extra handle, for sawing," the Titanian explains.
"Makes sense," Tasha agrees as she returns to her seat on the crate. It's in watching the Titanians work that she finds them in their best element; few are as instinctively ingeniuous as the Titanian people, and she can see why the ancient Khattans feared an alliance between them and her people. The combination of the best fighters in known space with the most innovative engineers is not something any species would want to have as an enemy.
After much banging, cooling, reheating and welding Tasha is presented with the most versatile (and ugly) sword she's ever seen. It probably weighs more than her shaard did, since that had a steel base instead of raw iron.. but it's not too unwieldy.
Tasha accepts the sword and tests the heft, feeling sure that by the end of the trip she'll be able to carry not only her supplies, but everyone else's -- and everyone else -- as well. "Thanks," she offers the blacksmith, then asks, "How much?"
"Huh?" the smith asks, apparently confused by the question.
"Need money? Tasha tries, then she points to the sword.
"Mo-nee.." The big wolf's jaw rolls the word around for a bit, as if actually chewing on it. "Dunno! Cook? Clean? Bouncy?" he replies.
Tasha squints, then shrugs. "What you want clean?"
Without hesitating, the man pulls off his apron and holds it out. Now Tasha can see that everything is in proportion when it comes to Titanian anatomy. Also that the original color (or material) of the apron is difficult to identify under the scorch marks, bits of congealed metal, general soot and what are hopefully food stains.
Tasha blinks at the man, but accepts the apron. Rather than stand around when she just knows one of her friends will pop up any second, she quickly scurries deeper in to the building in search of water and a scrub brush. As she looks, she resolves to also remove the nicer parts of her outfit to prevent them from being hopelessly dirtied, too.
The smith follows her, and produces a large bucket (big enough for a normal-sized person to use as a bath) and a washboard. He even fills it with hot water, which is easy to have on hand in a forge after all. When Tasha removes some of her clothes though, he asks, "Bouncy?" and is certainly 'showing his interest' despite the thick drapery of fur: apparently they don't just have 'fetlocks' at their wrists and ankles.
Tasha flattens her ears, sure she's turning even redder than usual. "N-no thanks -- got mate," she insists in her own sort of Titanian talk. She carefully folds her clothes to the side before sitting cross legged before the tube to work. While she's used to luxury now, it wasn't that long ago when she was washing her own clothes in exactly the same way. At least I still got it, she thinks, but the hairs on her neck begin to stand up. She isn't sure it's wise to turn her back on a man three times her size and twice her strength in the back of a building, but she's been here before, and survived worse.
The blacksmith sits down to watch, but also has the door to the forge area in sight, and spends as much time looking out at it as he does learning how to wash an apron. Maybe that's why the man doesn't have any real clothing: he just can't take care of it. He doesn't seem bothered by Tasha's polite rebuff either.
As time passes and nothing happens to her, the young woman finds herself slowly relaxing as she gets in to the effort of washing. Layth and others might have made fun of her for being crude, but she knows how to wash clothes and keep clean, a luxury aboard airships and one she didn't pass up when given the chance. In truth, she had been less worried for herself than for Gabriel; she isn't sure she could tell him, and even so, if she could endure what questions might arise. Her past is hardly a mystery, after all, and it would be a horrible blow if anyone thought she had returned to that life. The other scars, well ... she's survived worse.
"Ah!" the big wolf says happily when the majority of the marks wash away. "Good! Get wife with clean apron now," he claims.
Tasha turns to hold up them if not spotless (or even spot minimal), apron so he can get a good look. "Good 'nuff? Want more clean?"
The man takes the still-wet apron and straps it on. "Good, good! You have sword," he says.
"Good! Bye now," Tasha bids the man before she picks up her things and gets dressed. While things went well, the anxiety of what could have happened still lingers. She decides it's best not to wear out her welcome and head back. Once dressed, she gives the man a wave and heads out again.
Back in New Elamoore, most of the gear has been collected in their room at the inn, and Aaron seems to be the appointed packing master. "How'd it go?" Gabriel asks Tasha, giving the 'sword' a dubious look. "I see they make swords like they make guns. I'm surprised it does fire out smaller swords somehow."
"I'm sure it would if we had enough time. Maybe I'll add that feature later," Tasha says with a grin. The sword is stowed against a wall before the woman drops in to a seat and breathes a sigh of relief. "So," she says after folding her hands behind her head, "how are things looking so far?"
"I think we have the essentials," Gabriel notes. "Hakeber hasn't returned yet with writing paper, so we may be stuck with just our notebooks. She also had some other things she wanted to get."
"I mostly wanted the paper for rubbings, we have enough note paper between us still, I think. I hope Hakeber hasn't been too long?" Reaching over, Tasha pulls the sword in to her lap and begins marking off tools, apparently trying to gain a mental accounting of them in comparison to theri supplies.
"She went to the docks," Aaron notes. "It makes sense; if anyone has good, large pieces of paper it'll be the dockmaster and mapmakers."
"Maybe we'll get lucky and she can find new regional maps." Finished with her accounting, Tasha returns the sword to the wall and sweeps her gaze over the supplies. "This will be the first time I've visited the Vartan clans. We'd always heard of them, but city Vartans and clan Vartans might as well be seperate people. I'd heard somewhere we city Vartans are the outcasts, wanderers, and neir-do-wells of the clans, so it should be interesting to see what the other half is like."
"I'm sure they'll be family-oriented and a bit authoritarian," Aaron guesses.
The door flies open and Hakeber rushes in, dropping a roll of map-paper on the bed... along with a half-dozen waterskins. "We have to hurry," she yelps. "They close down at dusk!"
"Probably. I'm no longer desperately looking for a place to fit in, so it'll be a nice change to see a new society without deep emotional involvement, even if there's plenty of history for-" Tasha jumps at the sudden intrusion, turning to watch Hakeber with perked ears and an alarmed expression. "What? Who does, Hake?"
"The bath house," Hakeber squeals. "It's our last chance before slogging through the wilderness for five days! And it'll be full of big beefy naked guys.."
"Size isn't everything," Aaron mutters.
"And they serve beer," Hakeber adds, as if that were the most important part.
"It's not ... and I've already have my fair share of hot water and beefy naked guys today. I'll stay here; I'm used to smelly, sweaty peop- ... " Tasha pauses at the mention of beer, instead glancing to her mate, "What do you think, sexy?"
"I dunno, am I big and beefy enough?" Gabriel asks with a grin.
"I thinks so," she answers in undiluted, relationship level approval. She also winks.
"I'm a scholar," Hakeber points out. "Where else will I have a chance to observe and compare naked Vartan men to naked horse-men? Future students will want to know this stuff."
"I think Hakeber is actually worse than I was," Tasha admits, eying her friend with a raised brow.
"I'll go to keep Hakeber out of trouble," Aaron says. "You know her - it starts with looking but then she'll want to touch things.."
"You two have fun. I'm going to spend the time with Gabriel, unless he wants to go too," the hybrid says.
"She's just used to a few different types of people, not the diversity available here on Sinai," Gabriel says, standing up. "So.. do we have to bring our own towels? I don't mind soaking a bit, with Tasha in my lap for protection.."
"Whether they provide towels or not.. always bring your own," Aaron advises. "I hope the beer isn't too warm.."
"I guess I'm going," Tasha declares to no one in particular as she pushes herself up. "Lets go have some fun."