Yang-Kien
"May the Unicorn's hoof bring you good luck." Yang-kien murmers as his saurian head turns to meet your gaze, polished red-golden scales glittering along his armoured neck with the motion. His fierce, bright golden eyes assess, and move away, it is not polite for a warrior to stare. Broad shoulders are shrouded snugly with blocky bamboo armour, and beneath rests a flowing white robe engraved with pictographs in silver dyed silk.
The glossy feathers of wings folded across his back catch the light and reflect it back towards you, plumage to shame even the haughtiest peacock, gleaming emerald green, tapering towards sea-blue at the tips. A long, straight golden horn, angled slightly backwards emerges from the bright scales of his forehead. His long mane is fiery orange, and dances like the flames it resembles whenever he moves, catching the eye, holding it there, enraptured.
Kien's powerful, solid arms are finely scaled along the bicep, finally fading to brown-red stag's fur near his broad-palmed hand. Long slender fingers each with a finely manicured half centimeter talon, flex occasionally, as though eager to be about some task. From the tip of his ear-ridge to the bottom of his soft leather laced-up boots where you catch a glimpse of supple equine ankles, the Qi-lin stands perhaps a few inches beyond six feet in height.
Kept in it's protective leather case on Kien's back is his self made composite bow, horn, wood and sinew delicately blended to provide him with a weapon that serves his livelihood as a wandering warrior. Beside it rests a slender, curved blade, it's bound cloth grip showing the wear of overuse. Clipped in a quiver at his waist are a dozen finely fletched arrows.
Demona
Demona is a short, but strong-looking centaurian female. She is small, 13.3 hh at the withers, and has a dappled grey coat on her equine half. Her hooves are a lighter color and clop merrily against the floor as she walks. Her human half looks to be about 15 years old. Her eyes are a striking green color, and her 'mane' is a raven black color, pitch as you'd think hair could be. Her skin is tanned dark due to the sun. She wears a light and small sleeveless shirt on her body and wears a holster to carry a small pouch on her back with daily necessities. This centaur doesn't look like one much in the way of fighting, but if tempted or threatened, she'll put her best hoof forward.
Pyro
Pyro is of average height, young, unruly crown of naturally curly reddish-brunette hair cascading down her back, matching reddish-brunette color for her equine parentage, obviously clothed in loose-fitting, yet appropriate attire, overly curious.
Kyell
Kyell is a young adult panther, standing at a little under 6 feet in height, her black coat shimmering in the light with every slow, measured step she takes towards a destination even she is unsure of... Her ears flicker, listening, learning all she can about this place, about those around her, emerald-green eyes watching, appraising all that moves, and even that which doesn't with a ckind of childish curiosity and innocence. Her frame is lean, sparse, perhaps a little on the boney side. She might be considered pretty, even, if it wasn't for the confused look that even now occasionally marrs her delicate features, viewing everything around her, and everyone, as if they weren't quite real. It doesn't last long, though, and she is steadily adjusting to this new realm she has found herself in. She is dressed now in a simple black leather bra/halter top and a pair of loose black trousers, opting for comfort over the desire to look "ladylike". Her pawpads are padded with a pair of simple leather sandles to finish off the outfit.
Amida - Central Square
This is the bustling ancient central market square of the city of Amida, the capital of Mythrayelian government and the largest urban center in the sphere. Everywhere you look stalls spread out before you, selling thousands or tens of thousands of different products. A close examination by someone with an eye for detail would reveal a method to the madness, the stalls are arranged in aisles by the type of product that they sell. Fresh baked goods, fruits and grain brought from the countryside abound here filling the air with pleasing smells. Elsewhere in the market, the finest leather harness is available, or the finest in silks. Tinker merchants display their electronic wares, watches, pocket computers, laptops and software of all varieties line their stalls. Amida market prides itself on having something for everyone, from any sphere. If it exists, and can be had, chances are you'll find it here.
Contents:
Yang-Kien
Demona
Obvious exits:
North East South West Climb up the Pyramid Academy
Yang-Kien pauses briefly at a knife stall, his glossy wings lift slightly, then resettle to his back.
Pyro casually strolls along, her satchel slung across her back as she looks for supplies for her farm in the various stalls. She doesn't pay much attention to her surroundings, so she unfortunately does not notice Yang-Kien just yet.
Yang-Kien glances up for a moment from what he's doing at the stall, and his golden eyes come to rest briefly on a centauress on her way past. He admires her for a moment, always having had some curiousity about them since despite being in Mythrayel for some time, he's never had much conversation with it's native inhabitents.
Demona walks slowly through the market, not noticing anybody else, seeming in her own world as she looks at the carts and items for sale with mild interest.
Pyro looks up and to her side as a flash of color catches her attention. She assumes it's a piece of bright clothing or somesuch...that is until she notices that the color comes from a...whatever that is Yang-Kien. She's fairly isolated at her farm, so hasn't heard much about this stranger. She just stares at him, blinking a few times. She has seen other races, but still...
Pyro thinks to herself, 'Okay, who stuck a dragon, a gryphon and a unicorn in a blender?'
Yang-Kien's eyes rest lightly on Demona, after a moment, he steps forward towards her, "Excuse me." He murmers politely, eyes meeting hers for a moment, then glancing politely away, "Perhaps you can help me with something..."
Demona looks at Yang-Kien. She blinks and nods, "It depends.. I'm new to the land.. but what is it? I can do my best."
Pyro steps closer to the unique Yang-Kien, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Yang-Kien smiles slightly, "I'm looking for a pantheress, as it happens. I was wondering if you had seen one about. Her name is Kyell."
Demona nods to Yang-Kien, "Yes.. I was talking with a pantheress yesterday morn.. perhaps she's the one you're looking for?" she asks, voice quiet, she seems sort of quiet.
Yang-Kien doesn't notice Pyro just yet, but he looks interested in what Demona's just said, "Yes... probably, she would have arrived here yesterday morning at some point. Where did you see her?"
Yang-Kien gives a flick of his tail, looking Demona over more thoroughly.
Demona nods, "I'm pretty sure.. I think it was her that I saw.. she offered that I might stay with her master.. but she didn't say much else.."
Yang-Kien looks curious, "That might be her." He agrees tentatively, "And her master might be myself, are you without a place to stay?"
Off down the street a ways, there can be heard a soft cry... "Master!" And then silence.. A tallish figure making her way through the crowds, "Master Kien!" Finally she's close enough that the ebon-furred form of Kyell can indeed be made out, striding quickly to join you both... "Master..." She hurries up to him, "Forgive me for not returning last night... The Maglev was out of service.."
Demona nods, "Yes, sir. I'm new to this country and have no knowledge of any places to find myself food or board. I arrived just yesterday morn. When I met whom might be this Kyell you're looking for..
The low hum of centaur conversation fills the square.
Pyro groans at hearing Demona wasn't given anything to help her when she arrived. She is obviously a New One. Pyro steps up, coughing into her hand politely, "If I may interrupt...?"
Yang-Kien clucks gently, "You would, indeed, be welcome at my Siheyuan then, if you wished it. Might I ask your name?" He glances over at Pyro as she interrupts, inclining his head, "Good day." He murmers to her.
Demona looks to Pyro, "Yes, ma'am?" she asks quietly. She turns back to Yang-Kien, "My name is Demona."
Yang-Kien bows very slightly, "Yang-kien." He murmers politely.
Pyro nods to Yang-Kien, "Good day." She turns to Demona, "What is this about you not recieving any assitance when you arrived from the Core?"
Yang-Kien tilts his head, stepping to one side and watching Pyro curiously.
Demona looks at Pyro, "I.. arrived here on my own, a little help along the way, but once I was here, nobody was here to help me."
Pyro looks upset a little and sighs to show this. She shakes her head, "I don't know what this sphere is coming too..." She tells Demona, "There is supposed to be someone at the pyramid to explain and answer any questions you have. Guess they must be slacking off or something." She looks to the side, noticing the large black pantheress finally.
A cryer calls, "Silks! The finest shirts available in Amida! Right here!"
Demona nods to Kyell, and smiles, "Yes, this is the one I talked to earlier." she turns to Yang-Kien, "Nice to meet you," she turns back to Pyro, and shrugs, "Well, no one was there."
Yang-Kien twists around, his hearing is not as good as a centaurs, but he hears Kyell's cry and recognizes the tone of her voice... a moment's searching and he sees there, "There you are, Ky!" He steps forward slipping an arm around her briefly, he nods slightly at her explanation, "We can speak of it later." He murmers, "Have you by chance spoken with this centauress?" He gestures towards Demona.
There is a burst of laughter from a group of young looking centaur stallions making their way between the aisles.
Kyell presses herself quite willingly against Yang, smiling and nodding, "Yes, Master Kien.. I spoke with her a little yesterday... I asked her if she might like to come and stay with us..." She pauses, "I... Wasn't wrong to do so, was I?"
Yang-Kien shakes his head, "Not at all..." He murmers, in fact, he seems pleased that Kyell thought to do this, he glances back at the two centauresses, "The offer stands, if you would like to stay with me for a time..." He glances to Pyro for a moment, "But if there is somewhere else for you to go..."
Pyro is thinking about why the pyramid staff has been slacking off and looks up when she realizes Kyell and Yang are wanting Demona to stay with them. She shakes her head, "No, I'm just out shopping. I have no patients currently, so I'm not needed really back at my farm."
Kyell smiles shyly at Demona but goes silent for now, letting Yang do most of the talking,. It is his home after all.
Demona looks between the two, "As of right now, I have nowhere to go. If either of you would take me into your homes, I would be greatly obliged."
Yang-Kien looks a little baffled by Pyro's response.
Pyro nods, "I have plenty of room currently. I don't mind the company, either." She holds her hand out, "I'm Pyro, by the way." She smiles, "That's the short version of my name anyway."
Yang-Kien shrugs and gives Demona a polite bow, "Then I leave it up to you to decide where you prefer." He murmers politely, turning slightly to ruffle a hand against Kyell's neckfur, "Where did you stay, little one? Did you go to my offices, as I told you to, if something went wrong?"
Kyell nods, "Yes Master." She smiles, "They're comfortable.. I spent the night on a couch and came looking in the morni to see if the maglev was working again."
Demona shakes Pro's hand gently, "I'm Demona. Nice to meet you.." she turns back to Yang-Kien, "I would stay with you, should you accept my presensce.
Yang-Kien nods slightly, "Good, I'm pleased to hear it." He glances back to Demona and smiles, pleased, it seems, "I'm happy to hear it. We will be delighted to have you."
Kyell giggles at that one, "Yes.. It'll be nice to have someone else to talk to!"
Yang-Kien tilts his head, "Kyell, also, is a new one from her sphere... I suspect you'll find you have many things in common."
Yang-Kien smiles a little, "And hopefully she may even have some advice on how to adjust... it's not at all an easy thing, I know."
Pyro smiles, seeing a New One settling in. She looks at Kyell and asks, "If you are also a New One, why are you here and not in Rolarii?"
Yang-Kien glances at Kyell, curious as to how she will respond.
Kyell pauses for a moment, "Because I didn't feel safe there." She whispers,. "My.. People... The panthers.. They made war on the others.... My kind were not well liked. I had been there a couple of weeks, just wandering.... Until Master Kien found me, and offered me sanctuary here..."
Pyro looks sad, "I'm sorry to hear that."
Kyell smiles ever so slightly, "So was I."
Pyro shakes her head, "I don't like warfare, not one bit. Too much violence and bloodshed." She turns to Yang-Kien and asks, "So what brought you to Mythrayel, if I may ask?"
Yang-Kien smiles slightly, "Violence and bloodshed." He murmers, slightly bemused. "I run a business, here, in fact. A consulting firm."
Kyell just smiles a little....
Pyro is curious, "A consulting firm?"
Yang-Kien nods slightly, "We consult to low technology spheres on defensive preparations, military training, supply and maintenance..."
Kyell suddenly giggles. It's not exactly clear why... But she promptly looks serious again....
Pyro blinks, realizing what was so amusing to Yang Kien about what she said. She softly says, "Oh." She thinks and says, "So you try to help keep the fighting and bloodshed to a minimum, or do you encourage it?"
Yang-Kien tilts his head slightly, "I'm glad you recognize the distinction... It is my experience that a well trained, well equipped military force in the hands of a responsible leader lead to less blood shed, because they project the aura of stability."
Yang-Kien says, "That aura of stability is vital to the wellbeing of a nation... if the people see it as stable, then it will be stable." in common.
Pyro shrugs, "I'm a veterianarian, not a military general. I just patch them up after they're done hacking and shooting each other to pieces." She looks towards Kyell and asks Yang, "So I take it you are helping the panthers with their little war?"
Kyell rocks a little, then pads over to go investigate a nearby stall that sells palmtop and handlhed computers, peering at them with the wide eyed innocence of a child.
Yang-Kien watches Kyell, though he remains where he is, "What gives you that impression?" He asks curiously, "No... I was hoping for employment from the lion rulers, but they didn't see that they required my services. I disagree, strongly, and what has transpired has seemed to confirm that in my mind... But, it's their choice."
Yang-Kien licks his lips, "As fond as I am for Kyell, I must say that I find her people, distasteful."
Pyro shrugs again and asks, "Then who do you consult if not the felines? The gryphons?"
Kyell 's ears twitch, sensitive feline ears catching that one.. She frowns a little as she looks over her shoulder at Yang.....
A cryer calls, "Leather goods! Leather goods! Get your harness and tack here!"
Yang-Kien shakes his head slightly, "I'm not at liberty to discuss clients, I'm afraid. Confidentiality, etc."
Yang-Kien notices Kyell's ear twitch... well, they can speak of it later.
In the distance, someone blows an eery, haunting note on a Ulandan horn. The sound travels easily across the marketplace, causing the crowds to quiet for a moment to listen before conversation picks up to its previous volume again.
Pyro nods, "In my profession, I know that responsibilty."
Kyell 's ears flatten to he head at the sound of the horn.. Coming so soon after Yang's statement, the odd noise puts her in a rather odd mood.. She shivers, hugging herself for a moment, then returns to her preusal of the stall, her tail flicking side to side...
Yang-Kien nods slightly, giving Pyro another curious look, "So you are a healer? Do you have experience with other species?"
Pyro nods, "Actually, yes. I have been learning much about the gryphons in particular. Heck, if I'm going to live near their sphere, may as well. Being a mix of feline and avian, I get to learn two types in one." She sounds very happy about learning such things.
Yang-Kien nods, he smiles slightly, "Well, if I ever need care for an injured gryphon... I'll know who to call, then."
Yang-Kien steps towards Kyell, "Anything interesting over there?" He asks, curiously.
The low hum of centaur conversation fills the square.
Kyell picks up a curious little wrist mounted computer pad, "These things... I've never seen anything quite like them." Her voice very soft.
Pyro snorts, looking somewhat upset by something, "Might want to hurry. Buisness has been so slow lately that I may lose my entire ranch. If that happens, I won't be able to care for others..."
Yang-Kien frowns slightly, "That'd be a shame." He tells Pyro, "If I hear of work for someone with your expertise... I will try and send them your way. Perhaps you need more advertising?" He puts a hand on Kyell's shoulder lightly, "Yes, I've seen those about. I've never used one, though."
Kyell almost flinches at that touch, her eyes closing a moment, then opening once more, "Rolarii didn't have computers." She says at last, "And they're much more advanced than anything in... Well... What I used to be." She trails off...
Pyro nods, "Thank you." She looks around, hearing a faint beeping. She looks around for the source of it, suddenly realizing it is coming from her satchel. She swings it around to her chest to look through it, reaching in and turning off the beeping noise. She looks up, "I'm sorry, I forgot I do have someplace to be. I have to meet with some people to talk about me trying to keep my ranch, actually. But it has been a leasure meeting with you sir." She swings her satchel back behind her as she extends her hand to Yang.
Yang-Kien squeezes Kyell's shoulder gently, tilting his head slightly, not sure what's come over her... He turns to Pyro, and takes her hand, remembering this centaur custom. He shakes with her with a firm grip, "Good day to you."
Pyro trots off to her appointment, leaving the others to their buisness.