InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "rip rick grimes"

Gia Riddell (neverfitin) wrote in watchers_rp,
@ 2017-05-17 11:09:00

Entry tags:

#day 006/06 may, gia, priya

Who: Gia and Priya
When: Afternoon
Where: Kingswood Markets

Gia truly didn't understand what all the fuss was about when it came to tournaments. Men sat on horses and knocked each other off or whapped at each other with swords. They did that during war as well, only no one gathered and cheered. She understand tournaments as well as she understood hunts; some of the very few things she'd never taken a real interest in. Instead of being grateful for that, her brother seemed to think it was another mark against her. Other ladies took interest or pretended to so that they could be chatted at about it. Gia wasn't one of them. As she'd told Ilario countless times, she had zero interest in being an interest to men and she wasn't about to change just because they happened to be in the capital.

She should've pointed out to him that Cuthwulf hardly seemed surprised. If the King all-but accepted her as she was, and was possibly amused by her, then what right did her brother have to tell her to behave differently?

She had half a mind to go and find that forge again, to see if Bethany was busy, but her feet took her in another direction as they so often did. Toying with a bracelet she'd purchased from a too-thin woman not long ago, Gia found herself wondering if she might be lucky enough to come across Elaine out here away from her husband, or if she had been dragged along on that hunt. She very much hoped for the later. "Excuse me," Gia said to the man behind the next stand. "Where might I find bottles of sand?" She had an idea.

(Post a new comment)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-17 06:16 pm UTC (link)

The fact that she had not seen Calista in days was threatening to undo Priya's good mood, which had been a bliss up until now. She had agreed on pretending to be the rich merchant's second cousin from up north until she didn't need to anymore, and so had the merchant and his family. She had been given a full wing of his house for her own, and that was great too. But her objectives, her designs still lied with Calista, whom she hadn't seen. Oh, she had seen the sister, and the Mouth, feeling the need to stomp them both to nonexistence grow within her the longer she spent on that ridiculous welcoming party.

The fact that she couldn't just insinuate herself into the castle and wasn't sure if she would be allowed in even if she mentioned Calista bothered her. So, Priya walked the markets as she satisfied her other need - the need for knowledge of the world. Sure, she had enlisted the Mordha ladies but she could do this alone. Walk the markets, buy herself beautiful trinkets that made her look better...and feel it, too. She was observing one such necklace when she heard a woman ask for bottles of sand. Priya chanced a glance to the side, raising an eyebrow while the man laughed.

"Well," he began, "You can buy bottles and find sand anywhere. Fill them, cork them, there you have 'em. That's all I know."

The more attention she paid the woman, the clearer she saw her elsewhere - in fine places, near the King...she was a noble! Priya had an idea. She approached the lady carefully, with a smile. "He may not have what you need, but I know who does. Might take a little time, but you will get what you need."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-17 06:40 pm UTC (link)

Had he just laughed at her? Gia felt her mouth draw into a tight line. She wasn't like the other noblewomen she knew who might give him a verbal lashing for that, but she wasn't happy about it either. It wasn't like she'd asked for something that was hard to get. Nor had she asked for him to be smart at her. Her mouth was open to tell him exactly what she thought of him when someone else approached her.

"Thank you," Gia said, giving the man a withering glance. "I was thinking about colored sand, which the last time I checked, was not simply lying about on the ground like dirt. You were thinking of dirt." A roll of her eyes and she dismissed the man, her irritation already falling away. It rarely stayed long. "Are you also a merchant?" she asked curiously. A merchant in the business of sand was something Gia had automatically assumed existed, she tended to think that way, but she hadn't expected to have one neatly presented to her.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-17 08:47 pm UTC (link)

The man looked to be oblivious to the change in the lady's expression, then laughed some more when she explained herself further. "Well, you did not mention anything about colored sand! Of course I was thinking of dirt. Or beach sand or...something." He shrugged. "I still cannot help you, I am sorry to say. But should you need handcrafted beauties to adorn yours, that I can do."

Priya issued a smile to the man and pulled Gia away softly. "No, but my cousin is. He has a small shop not far, and he sells many a curiosity from all over, he might have what you seek, or be able to procure it!" Priya told her, briefly noticing how fair she was, what lovely hair she had.

"I am Priya, I am here for the festival. The shop is named Corvin's Curiosities, it is right over there." She pointed. "The corner shop."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-17 09:26 pm UTC (link)

Gia had a number of things she'd like to say to the merchant, but her grandfather had told her it was unwise to irritate people such as that. What if he was well known and every other merchant listened to him? Then where would she go to get the things that she needed? Instead, she just pretended he had stopped existing, making enough note of his face so that she wouldn't ever buy anything from him.

"Sand from Empyrean would no doubt be the best," Gia muses, not objecting as she was pulled off. She'd never had a problem with women touching her, rather the opposite. An amused smile tugged at her lips as she thought of how red Ilario would turn if he could see her being tugged about by a commoner. "A pleasure, Priya, my name is Gia." As she had with Bethany, she left off her surname and any mention of being a lady. "Hopefully your cousin will be able to help me. If not, I shall end up vexing my brother by riding to Empyrean and finding it myself."

The truth was that she was, actually, very likely to end up doing exactly that if she couldn't find what she needed here.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-17 09:52 pm UTC (link)

There was, Priya realized, a very good chance that this well dressed woman wasn't all there in the head. "I don't know if something as specific as that is possible, but we'll see what we can do." She smiled, smoothing down her modest dress, this time in her favorite color at least. "It is a pretty name, yours."

She started walking to the minion's shop, motioning with her head for Gia to follow. "That sounds like quite the journey. What do you need the bottled sand for, if I may ask?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-17 09:59 pm UTC (link)

"I never know if I do not ask." An old saying, but especially true for Gia. Creator knew she had driven merchants in Avalon City near mad with her requests from time to time, and worse when her grandfather asked for her. Him they respected, she they simply thought was mad and didn't really mean it if she asked for odd things like colored sand or scraps -- and she meant scraps -- of cloth. "And thank you. I believe I was named for my mother's mother." She had been told once when she was young, but the subject was delicate for everyone and she hadn't asked again when she grew older.

Gia shrugged one shoulder, studying Priya's outfit. It fit her very well; she'd always thought blondes looked exceptionally well in red. "A project I would like to undertake. I would like to make a small garden for a friend, and the sand would be necessary for the ground." She could see it quite clearly in her head. A smile tugged up the corner of her mouth as she looked at Priya. "You do not have the sound of Kingswood in your voice. You must be visiting."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-17 10:37 pm UTC (link)

"The biggest of truths." Priya agreed, smiling pleasantly at yet another beautiful woman of clear noble birth. This place seemed to be full of them, which wasn't that odd, but still marveled Priya quite a bit. She eyed Gia with an amused look. "And yet, dirt will not do. Why colored sand, specifically?"

Priya hadn't spoken to natives of Kingswood enough to notice an accent, but there must be one. She ducked her head and nodded. "I am, I'm staying at my cousin the merchant's for the festival. It is my first time here, or so long away from home, and I am having quite a good time. Are you from Empyrean? As you mentioned it before..."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-19 12:34 am UTC (link)

Common or nobleborn, people had been asking Gia to explain her whims and projects since she had started doing them. She thought she'd be more surprised if someone who wasn't Eileen should just accept what she was doing without asking a question about it. "Because it fits the image in my head. Purple to represent my house and black to represent hers." Her original one, the one she had been born to, not the one she was meant to claim now that she was wed. Gia thought that such a silly custom.

"Ahhh, so many have come for that." Was that not why they were there? Superficially. Gia knew that many were here for the connections even more than they were the religious connotations. She did laugh lightly at the idea of being from Empyrean. "I am afraid not. My family is from Avalon and I have lived those parts of my life not at court there."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-19 08:38 pm UTC (link)

Nodding, Priya smiled and didn't inquire further. "Sounds lovely. You're a good friend to go to such lengths for a present."

When they reached the door to the minion's shop Priya pushed the door open with both hands, hearing it make a noise as it moved, and walked inside for the first time - although none were to know that. She held the door open for Gia while the woman talked. "Oh, I see." She replied, locking eyes with her supposed cousin. "Hello cousin! I bring you a customer in the utmost need for something you may be the only one to provide."

If the man was nervous, he soon curbed it under the steely gaze of the Hand, and a wide smile of familiarity replaced any trepidation on his face. "Of course, we will do whatever we can, won't we? Good morning, how may I be of service?"

It was Priya who explained Gia's need for colored sand in bottles, and after an exchange of looks, the man went into his 'workshop' of sorts to try and color some sand with liquid coloring, the likes of which was only obtained from diluting plants and certain foods in water and hoping for the best. It would take a while, and he told Gia as much. Meanwhile, Priya walked around the shop, observing this and that curiosity from the known lands around the Blessed Realm - and some from the land of the elves, though Priya very much doubted that was legitimate. "So you're building a garden for your friend, yes? Tell me your plans. I love to hear creative people talk of their projects."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-22 01:09 am UTC (link)

"I try to be." Gia hoped she succeeded. She hoped she wasn't making Eileen uncomfortable or giving her something that she would read too much into. Her worries faded when she was led into a shop, eyes instantly drawn to the shelves. She would've explained what she wanted, but Priya did such a nice job of it, that Gia allowed her attention to wander to the various things that were gathered in the room. Shops were one of her favorite places for this very reason.

When Priya spoke again, Gia pulled her attention back to herself and turned to face the other woman, a smile naturally finding its way onto her lips. "It will look very much like the garden she has back in Avalon City, so that she does not have to miss it during the next year." Men might be able to invent reasons to leave and come back, but it would be harder for women, Gia knew, and she felt bad for any who might wish to leave and be stopped. "Are you a creative person, Priya?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-25 05:43 pm UTC (link)

Gia's plan sounded overly sweet for something one did for a friend, but then Priya had no idea what having friends was like, so no frame of reference could be found. Priya smiled, however, as if endeared. "That is lovely of you. Where will you build it? Will the King let you just take over a portion of his gardens?"

Priya laughed sheepishly at Gia's question, shaking her head. "When I have to be, but I really prefer to appreciate creativity. I'm better at that."

There was a wooden bench cushioned with a rich red fabric not far from the door, and Priya motioned for it. "Would you like to sit while we wait? Or take a look? My cousin sells goods from all over, really. You might find some fascinating curiosities."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-05-25 09:33 pm UTC (link)

"A large model would be wonderful," Gia mused. "Though I do not think the King would allow me to do that. I just mean to make a small one, perhaps big enough for a table. Something that could be moved from place to place should it be enjoyed." Though a larger scale model may work better. She'd have to think about how best to go about that if the small one worked.

Gia smiled at the laugh. "Creative types need those who appreciate or else we would all be making things that just sit and gather dust." Sometimes she wished she was one of those people instead of the other sort, but then she supposed she would find herself dull. "I would not mind taking a look, I am a terribly curious thing." She tipped her head towards Priya. "Are you going to look as well? Or have I taken up too much of your time already?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-05-31 03:56 pm UTC (link)

"Have you asked?" Priya inquired, winking. She supposed if anyone liked the idea of being a bit naughty and against the rules, it would be Gia. "Or perhaps he will not notice at all! He must have a great volume of gardens."

Standing up, Priya moved to follow Gia around with a smile. "No, I'm going to look. And I'm sure we can get you a discount as well. I am family, after all."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

neverfitin
2017-06-02 02:19 am UTC (link)

"I have not!" Delighted with the thought, Gia flashed Priya a grin. "My brother would notice. If I asked and had permission then it would be all the better for he would have nothing to say without having to hear that the King approved it." This was an idea she was going to have to remember. She forgot far too many of them.

She followed Priya with no issues at doing so. "Family and the legendary discount they receive. It is nearly enough to make me wish that my family had someone in a service somewhere." She was certain she'd be able to find something to do with anything. She was resourceful. Gia's hand went out to pick up a little trinket, enjoying the flashes of color. "Do you have a shop of your own wherever it is you come from?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

handofthekeeper
2017-06-03 07:44 pm UTC (link)

"Well I don't know your brother but that is hardly any of his business, now, is it?" Priya answered with a mischievous grin. "Exactly. So perhaps you should take advantage of the King's good humor in general given the jubilation, ask for an audience, and dedicate a small wing of his ample gardens to this friend."

Snickering, Priya refrained from telling her she had no discount, but free run about the shop. She took a vial of some oil from Arena Pretiosa and rotated it in the light, putting it back. She wondered if it did, indeed, stave off the hardships from one's features.

"Oh, no, I do not. It is a small place I come from, this sort of shop would only do in a place like this. Though I do sometimes receive goods from my cousin by special order if villagers do so wish."

As if on cue, the 'cousin', whose name escaped Priya at the moment, showed up with three sizes of bottles, all with differently colored sand. "Well, here we are." He said, smiling at the lady, then at Priya. "There's more in the back of course. If they are to your taste, my Lady." He held them out to Gia.

(Reply to this) (Parent)