The Marketplace at High Noon (Cassius and Rhiannon)
Dec 17, 2013 0:52:26 GMT -4
Post by Rhiannon Nerida on Dec 17, 2013 0:52:26 GMT -4
RHIANNON: Rhiannon was starting to get restless. It happened now and then. The daily grind of living and working became monotonous, she would catch the nearest caravan (hopefully not her brother's Dameer's, he had several) and go to parts unknown. Her mother said it was unseemly, her father grunted and gave her a litany of reasons why it was a bad idea. Dameer would grin, shake his head and Mika? Who knew. She and Mika were at odds more than not recently, and he usually just scowled and told her all the things that were wrong with her. Since he married, however, his time had been busy being a husband and an Emperor. Her mother fretted and worried about that, her father nodded and thought it fitting. In any case, she was free to do what she wanted for the time being.
So to the marketplace it was. Sheer diaphanous layers of cloth graced her form, the scarf on her head a pale ivory with golden sparkling threads weaving through the fabric here and there. A circlet that hung low on her forehead with a large pearl encased in a golden cage lay against her honeyed skin. As she moved the fragrance of jasmine and spice wafted from her in subtle waves. She was currently looking at the herbal vendor's goods. She was running low on a few things and hadn't had a chance to wander to any lands that had a thick forest, so she had to do the next best thing and buy them from the marketplace.
Her family, the Nerida's, (the city was renamed that same name by the old Emperor as a wedding gift to Mika) were the family of the Emperor it was true, but they still lived in the same house they'd always lived in, her father was still an artisan of tiles and glass works, her mother was still the one who worried over her family, and little had changed for them. It didn't need to, they were a happy family, material possessions not that important though they had their fair share.
She glanced across the thoroughfare and saw a fruit that she wanted. Rhiannon always wanted fruit. Just as she stepped out to run toward the fruit stand, all thoughts of herbs forgotten, a wagon came barreling down the way causing her to leap out of the way and head straight for a mud puddle!
CASSIUS: Life was never such a chore as when he was bored. Bored led to dangerous, and dangerous, well, the last time he'd had some explaining to do, a little begging, a lot of pleading, and promises to never start a drunken brawl again ... at least in the middle of the day. But that had been months ago (one really, but who was counting?) and he was growing restless, so he wandered her with hope that something, anything caught his interest to keep his mind away from the alcohol.
He moved down the street, paused and caught up a scarf, covered his face with a grin, then waved it at the man at the market stall as if the man were indeed playing along with his little game of amuse me before I die!
The man was not amused!
He glared, shook a fist, Cassius winked, bowed, and turned just to catch a woman who was about to land rather unceremoniously into a puddle.
"Careful ... you'll end up muddy ... start a new fashion trend where all the beautiful women dunk their derriere's in the murky depths just to keep up with one such as you..."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon's arms were up and her eyes squeezing shut to meet her fate, when suddenly she was lifted in the air and held without so much as a splatter. She opened first one eye, then another and grinned at the man holding her. "Why thank you! I wouldn't want to be responsible for starting such a trend. It might lead to all manner of wickedness...." Her eyes were deep brown with a cast of gold in them that made them shimmer and shine.
She wiggled from his arms and smoothed down her layers of cloth, straightened her scarf over the long chestnut hair and laughed. She stuck out her hand, "I'm Rhiannon, and you are?" It was not unusual to meet people in the Marketplace of Nerida, or any marketplace for that matter. "You know, this time of year I hear Emtala is the place to be. Beaches and sunsets, lots of funny looking trees."
She picked up her leather satchel and pointed toward the fruit. "I was just having a piece of that...want one? A reward for rescuing the damsel?"
CASSIUS: "And that is a bad thing?" In his mind, all manner of wickedness was a good thing. It led to, well. more wickedness! Her hand came out and he caught it, just to lift it for a kiss to her knuckles. "Cassius..."
He glanced across the street, then to her and chuckled. "Funny looking trees are very overrated. But given the show of you flapping your arms wouldn't have lasted but a moment, how could I not rescue you?"
He started across the street then, a wave, however, for her to go first, ladies being that and all. "Besides, if I was sitting near a funny looking tree, your backside would be most unpleased, and all the other ladies would be jealous that it was you that started the muddy butt trend." He tsk'd then. "All because I was selfish and decided to take a vacation..."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon started laughing, it was a nice full, easy laugh. "Very true, your selflessness is most astounding, sir!" She realized she hadn't laughed..well in a very long time. She studied his face, then his form and his clothing. "You are a Susian warrior." How could he not be? He was strong and tall, and all the things a warrior should be...but he had something more. A twinkle in his eyes. A devil may care attitude. It made Rhiannon laugh again.
She purchased two pieces of the fruit. It was soft and juicy, with a gritty flesh like sugar in the fruit. She handed him one, then she started walking along the vendors. She took a first bite, the juice making her pull from the fruit and mmm'd.
"How do you know all the ladies are not jealous now? After all, I was rescued by a handsome, strong, Susian warrior. That is far more jealous worthy than muddy butts." She grinned.
CASSIUS: "You're right, it is!" Definitely amused, definitely cocky ... but not to the point of total arrogance. It was a playfulness that laced his self-assuredness. He even leaned toward her with a whisper, "I'm almost jealous myself ... I would be, but then that would be rather arrogant, jealous of me for being with me..." A wink and he lifted his own fruit for a bite, just to suck the juice from his bottom lip.
"I, personally, would rather be jealous of the mud..." Because it was on her butt! Oh yes, he was forward at times, but then, who was going to put him in his place? And the bigger question was, if they tried, would he even care?
"I should be awarded .... something. Saving men everywhere from being jealous of mud. Saving your silks, your derriere ... and leaving your pride mostly unwounded..." He held up the fruit then and winked her way. "My prize is diminishing..." And with that he took another bite.
RHIANNON: Rhiannon grinned as she watched him talk. He was so animated. And deliciously confident. She opened her mouth in mock shock at his remark about the mud on her butt, even shoved him a little, but the laughter was still coming.
As they walked the crowds waxed and waned, flowing through the marketplace in constant waves like the ocean. She kept eating her fruit until it was nearly gone as well, laughing in between bites as Cassius talked.
"You should be awarded something. Very well..." she held out her hand, her fruit dripping from her fingers, "I hereby award you the muddy butt rescuer of the year!" She grinned, then stepped closer to take his fruit so she could throw it away. Their fingers brushed as she took the fruit and it made her pause. She liked his eyes. They were intense, with layers of things to discover.
Catching her breath, and the scent of him with it, she stepped back, and tossed the fruit in the nearest refuse pile. "Well, I should let you be on your way. You must be busy..." Though she didn't seem to be in any hurry to rush away.
CASSIUS: It got him into trouble more often than not, though it didn't stop him, or ever deter him ... quite the opposite. He liked seeing just how far he could push the barriers, even if he received an occasional slap, an odd look ... a man chasing after him with a sword saying he tainted his daughter. Ok, so that wasn't so amusing, but the rest was!
She took his fruit, and held out her hand and he lifted it, just to look at the sticky mess of her fingers and up a brow tic'd as did the corner of his mouth. "Should I ... clean them?" And he deadpanned her, as if he weren't teasing ... and held it for a minute before the smile started.
"Yes, yes I am! I was about to clean the hand of a damsel!" He nodded as if agreeing to that. "But I get it, most give the other person an excuse to leave when in fact it is they that want to run. I don't blame you, me staring at your backside and all....."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon glanced around, laughing, and there were a few that were giving them looks with raised brows. She cleared her throat and leaned forward, "Well, actually I was hoping to get out of the center of the Marketplace. Nosy people." She gave a sideways lean of her head to indicate the city gardens. They were a rare gem in the middle of the desert. "Come.."
She led him through to the gardens, and directly to the fountain that sprayed up precious, valuable, luxurious water. It was only turned on a few hours a few days a month. Today was one of those days.
She washed her hands in the clear water, and even took a handful to splash at Cassius. The heat was unrelenting at times, but today it was decent with a slight breeze. She sat on the fountains edge, the tiles made by none other than her father.
"So what is your story, Cassius? Everyone has one.." The various sprays of water made a mist that look multicolored by the sunshine. It was a perfect place to talk, relax, and not worry about prying eyes.
CASSIUS: "Ahhh, typical woman, always ordering me around..." Said with a playful roll of his eyes though he followed her to the fountain, just to lean with his forearms against the tiles, the smile flashed her utterly endearing.
"Story? I have no story woman..." Oh but everyone had a story, he just wasn't the sharing type on a first meeting. No, he tended to grin and bear it, to get into trouble when at all possible ... especially when he was trying not to get into some sort of trouble.
"You first, Rhiannon ... ladies always go first. And last. And inbetween!" His fingers toyed idly with the water, just to casually flick some her way, though he wasn't looking, no, he was pretending the water flicking incident wasn't him at all.
RHIANNON: She knew it was him and flicked water at his cheek just so he'd know..she knew. "Oh, no sharing? Then I will tell you this. My name is Rhiannon, I am a healer, and I love fruit." She winked. Pushing off the fountain she blew him a kiss. "And I am late for the midday meal, I must go..."
When she turned, the scarf slid from her hair and landed in a silken puddle at his feet. It was sheer lavender and smelled like her jasmine and spice. Whether she did it on purpose or not was questionable, but the long dark chestnut hair with the burnished highlights was left bare, as she wound her way through the gardens toward the neighborhood where her parents home lay.
So to the marketplace it was. Sheer diaphanous layers of cloth graced her form, the scarf on her head a pale ivory with golden sparkling threads weaving through the fabric here and there. A circlet that hung low on her forehead with a large pearl encased in a golden cage lay against her honeyed skin. As she moved the fragrance of jasmine and spice wafted from her in subtle waves. She was currently looking at the herbal vendor's goods. She was running low on a few things and hadn't had a chance to wander to any lands that had a thick forest, so she had to do the next best thing and buy them from the marketplace.
Her family, the Nerida's, (the city was renamed that same name by the old Emperor as a wedding gift to Mika) were the family of the Emperor it was true, but they still lived in the same house they'd always lived in, her father was still an artisan of tiles and glass works, her mother was still the one who worried over her family, and little had changed for them. It didn't need to, they were a happy family, material possessions not that important though they had their fair share.
She glanced across the thoroughfare and saw a fruit that she wanted. Rhiannon always wanted fruit. Just as she stepped out to run toward the fruit stand, all thoughts of herbs forgotten, a wagon came barreling down the way causing her to leap out of the way and head straight for a mud puddle!
CASSIUS: Life was never such a chore as when he was bored. Bored led to dangerous, and dangerous, well, the last time he'd had some explaining to do, a little begging, a lot of pleading, and promises to never start a drunken brawl again ... at least in the middle of the day. But that had been months ago (one really, but who was counting?) and he was growing restless, so he wandered her with hope that something, anything caught his interest to keep his mind away from the alcohol.
He moved down the street, paused and caught up a scarf, covered his face with a grin, then waved it at the man at the market stall as if the man were indeed playing along with his little game of amuse me before I die!
The man was not amused!
He glared, shook a fist, Cassius winked, bowed, and turned just to catch a woman who was about to land rather unceremoniously into a puddle.
"Careful ... you'll end up muddy ... start a new fashion trend where all the beautiful women dunk their derriere's in the murky depths just to keep up with one such as you..."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon's arms were up and her eyes squeezing shut to meet her fate, when suddenly she was lifted in the air and held without so much as a splatter. She opened first one eye, then another and grinned at the man holding her. "Why thank you! I wouldn't want to be responsible for starting such a trend. It might lead to all manner of wickedness...." Her eyes were deep brown with a cast of gold in them that made them shimmer and shine.
She wiggled from his arms and smoothed down her layers of cloth, straightened her scarf over the long chestnut hair and laughed. She stuck out her hand, "I'm Rhiannon, and you are?" It was not unusual to meet people in the Marketplace of Nerida, or any marketplace for that matter. "You know, this time of year I hear Emtala is the place to be. Beaches and sunsets, lots of funny looking trees."
She picked up her leather satchel and pointed toward the fruit. "I was just having a piece of that...want one? A reward for rescuing the damsel?"
CASSIUS: "And that is a bad thing?" In his mind, all manner of wickedness was a good thing. It led to, well. more wickedness! Her hand came out and he caught it, just to lift it for a kiss to her knuckles. "Cassius..."
He glanced across the street, then to her and chuckled. "Funny looking trees are very overrated. But given the show of you flapping your arms wouldn't have lasted but a moment, how could I not rescue you?"
He started across the street then, a wave, however, for her to go first, ladies being that and all. "Besides, if I was sitting near a funny looking tree, your backside would be most unpleased, and all the other ladies would be jealous that it was you that started the muddy butt trend." He tsk'd then. "All because I was selfish and decided to take a vacation..."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon started laughing, it was a nice full, easy laugh. "Very true, your selflessness is most astounding, sir!" She realized she hadn't laughed..well in a very long time. She studied his face, then his form and his clothing. "You are a Susian warrior." How could he not be? He was strong and tall, and all the things a warrior should be...but he had something more. A twinkle in his eyes. A devil may care attitude. It made Rhiannon laugh again.
She purchased two pieces of the fruit. It was soft and juicy, with a gritty flesh like sugar in the fruit. She handed him one, then she started walking along the vendors. She took a first bite, the juice making her pull from the fruit and mmm'd.
"How do you know all the ladies are not jealous now? After all, I was rescued by a handsome, strong, Susian warrior. That is far more jealous worthy than muddy butts." She grinned.
CASSIUS: "You're right, it is!" Definitely amused, definitely cocky ... but not to the point of total arrogance. It was a playfulness that laced his self-assuredness. He even leaned toward her with a whisper, "I'm almost jealous myself ... I would be, but then that would be rather arrogant, jealous of me for being with me..." A wink and he lifted his own fruit for a bite, just to suck the juice from his bottom lip.
"I, personally, would rather be jealous of the mud..." Because it was on her butt! Oh yes, he was forward at times, but then, who was going to put him in his place? And the bigger question was, if they tried, would he even care?
"I should be awarded .... something. Saving men everywhere from being jealous of mud. Saving your silks, your derriere ... and leaving your pride mostly unwounded..." He held up the fruit then and winked her way. "My prize is diminishing..." And with that he took another bite.
RHIANNON: Rhiannon grinned as she watched him talk. He was so animated. And deliciously confident. She opened her mouth in mock shock at his remark about the mud on her butt, even shoved him a little, but the laughter was still coming.
As they walked the crowds waxed and waned, flowing through the marketplace in constant waves like the ocean. She kept eating her fruit until it was nearly gone as well, laughing in between bites as Cassius talked.
"You should be awarded something. Very well..." she held out her hand, her fruit dripping from her fingers, "I hereby award you the muddy butt rescuer of the year!" She grinned, then stepped closer to take his fruit so she could throw it away. Their fingers brushed as she took the fruit and it made her pause. She liked his eyes. They were intense, with layers of things to discover.
Catching her breath, and the scent of him with it, she stepped back, and tossed the fruit in the nearest refuse pile. "Well, I should let you be on your way. You must be busy..." Though she didn't seem to be in any hurry to rush away.
CASSIUS: It got him into trouble more often than not, though it didn't stop him, or ever deter him ... quite the opposite. He liked seeing just how far he could push the barriers, even if he received an occasional slap, an odd look ... a man chasing after him with a sword saying he tainted his daughter. Ok, so that wasn't so amusing, but the rest was!
She took his fruit, and held out her hand and he lifted it, just to look at the sticky mess of her fingers and up a brow tic'd as did the corner of his mouth. "Should I ... clean them?" And he deadpanned her, as if he weren't teasing ... and held it for a minute before the smile started.
"Yes, yes I am! I was about to clean the hand of a damsel!" He nodded as if agreeing to that. "But I get it, most give the other person an excuse to leave when in fact it is they that want to run. I don't blame you, me staring at your backside and all....."
RHIANNON: Rhiannon glanced around, laughing, and there were a few that were giving them looks with raised brows. She cleared her throat and leaned forward, "Well, actually I was hoping to get out of the center of the Marketplace. Nosy people." She gave a sideways lean of her head to indicate the city gardens. They were a rare gem in the middle of the desert. "Come.."
She led him through to the gardens, and directly to the fountain that sprayed up precious, valuable, luxurious water. It was only turned on a few hours a few days a month. Today was one of those days.
She washed her hands in the clear water, and even took a handful to splash at Cassius. The heat was unrelenting at times, but today it was decent with a slight breeze. She sat on the fountains edge, the tiles made by none other than her father.
"So what is your story, Cassius? Everyone has one.." The various sprays of water made a mist that look multicolored by the sunshine. It was a perfect place to talk, relax, and not worry about prying eyes.
CASSIUS: "Ahhh, typical woman, always ordering me around..." Said with a playful roll of his eyes though he followed her to the fountain, just to lean with his forearms against the tiles, the smile flashed her utterly endearing.
"Story? I have no story woman..." Oh but everyone had a story, he just wasn't the sharing type on a first meeting. No, he tended to grin and bear it, to get into trouble when at all possible ... especially when he was trying not to get into some sort of trouble.
"You first, Rhiannon ... ladies always go first. And last. And inbetween!" His fingers toyed idly with the water, just to casually flick some her way, though he wasn't looking, no, he was pretending the water flicking incident wasn't him at all.
RHIANNON: She knew it was him and flicked water at his cheek just so he'd know..she knew. "Oh, no sharing? Then I will tell you this. My name is Rhiannon, I am a healer, and I love fruit." She winked. Pushing off the fountain she blew him a kiss. "And I am late for the midday meal, I must go..."
When she turned, the scarf slid from her hair and landed in a silken puddle at his feet. It was sheer lavender and smelled like her jasmine and spice. Whether she did it on purpose or not was questionable, but the long dark chestnut hair with the burnished highlights was left bare, as she wound her way through the gardens toward the neighborhood where her parents home lay.
