The Art Market: Part 2

Ralla · 01-08-2011, 01:00 AM

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Short >.> Time limits suck -.-

The leader of Cercatori d'Arte had been kind enough to allow Noss and Ralla overnight lodgings in what he called the Hunter's Lodge. It was a Long Gone building, but very prestigious, in Ralla's opinion. The beds were large and plush, and the entire place had a nice rustic feel that Ralla would've gladly lived in. However, if they wanted to get back to their homes in a timely fashion, they needed to leave that day. It was almost a shame to leave all the art behind, but Ralla finally had a proper ceremonial staff that she could proudly use...and mayhap not give herself splinters so often.

She told Noss that she'd be out for a little and then return to get him. She took her satchel that had the 'treasures' in it, just in case she found one more bit or bobble that she just couldn't live without. As if she weren't up to her neck in the stuff already... She wondered briefly about Sugar, but decided that he was well taken care of until they needed to leave later that morning. She trusted Shawchert, since he seemed like a kind leader. With a spring in her step, she wandered around, wondering if anyone was open or in the mood to trade.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Bangle Guffawri · 01-13-2011, 12:57 AM

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407 words. Wheeee! For record's sake, this was before he returned back to Thornbury, had the fight with Skye, etc.

Word traveled on the winds pretty fast in the art pack, especially of the visitors that recently came to pay a visit. But several other, more dramatic events had gone on recently, and all Bangle wanted to do was get away. He had yet to see these strangers, who he heard were near the Hunting Lodge. That morning he rolled up his working mat, packing several tools and items with him. The coywolf wasn't sure if he'd be successful selling anything when he wasn't going to wander far from the pack, but that never stopped the traveler before.

Currently, as he wandered with staff in hand to a more secluded part of the pack, in an open clearing, his thoughts lay heavy on his mind. What kind of trouble were Orin and Sky in, now? It was obvious to everyone that they broke rules, and Bangle was curious as to what they were going to have to do. It bothered the coywolf more that Skye had been there, and noticed him observing the fight from up in his snow covered oak tree. Her brown eyes burned up at him that day, and the coyote mix couldn't shake them from his vision.

What he also saw in those eyes, though, were pain. He had been avoiding her for the longest time, even during Cercatori d'Arte's celebration. Ever since that day at the oasis, he had avoided her. And today was no different, as Bangle carefully rolled out his working mat in silence, struggling with his thoughts. Everyone was angry, at one another, for several reasons. Wintertime normally did this to others, being cooped up, tensions mounting, stress at its peak from many factors. Luckily it was somewhat sunny that day, and the air was clear.. for now. Jamming his multicolored staff into the ground after everything was settled, he sat in front of his work mat.

But Bangle's hands did not move.. thy did not carve, cut, weave, punch, or embed. All he could think about was that day she sat by his work mat, carving the rib bone. He almost still felt her presence there, and Bangle shut his bright orange eyes for a moment. He breathed silently into the cold air, before slowly opening his eyes again. As the coywolf sat there cross legged in front of his wares, he was thinking of nothing and everything at once.

But most importantly, he was thinking of leaving.

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Ralla · 01-16-2011, 11:28 PM

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Whee-derp? :3

Meandering through the scattering of buildings, Ralla finally came by a vestige of life in their hulking presence. It was a lone man--seemingly a coyote but smelling distinctly of a hybrid ancestry, much as Sanuye did--bedecked in many colors. A beautifully ornamented staff--even with the skull, which was a ceremonial and spiritual sign, in Ralla's reckoning--was held in one hand a tarp stacked with many ornaments and trickets laid at his feet. The sheer appearance of the cross-legged man drew her towards his space, but what really hooked her was the array of wares. "Hello," she said warmly, starting the conversation, itching to know what some of the goods even were. Oh, if she had the means, she would've gladly taken every odd bit and bobble there, knowing what they were or not. ... It was most certainly a bad habit...

She crouched on her heels with her satchel clasped in one hand as she browsed the man's makeshift stand--er, space--openly staring and marvelling. Ralla was one easily impressed by anything with an odd shape, purpose, or array of color. Hence, the scene before her reminded her so vividly of her room that in her mind, all she could think was 'one or two more can't hurt'. Or three... Or four... And it just kept going without a visible end; not that Ralla noticed or kept in check, at least. "Tell me, what is this?" she said, pointing to a black stone. Of course she knew that it was a stone, but she wanted to know what specifically. Gems and crystals had been covered in her studies and lore-learning, but this particular one she had never come across. It was sleek and shiny; like a black mirror.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Bangle Guffawri · 01-19-2011, 01:41 AM

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658 words. Uh oh, here comes the trade talk! XD

Everything was routinely spread out, jewelry further to the front, then utensils, then leathers and furs, followed by dead animal pieces, painted or otherwise. It became a habit for Bangle, after the years of doing the same thing over and over. He promised himself to make a cart of some sort to set up, so that he could stand next to his wares when he traded in public, but for the time being he crafted and sold at the same time. As he set up the last piece on the large mat, he noticed the rib bone had a few shavings taken off of it, and orange eyes widened in remembrance. Little did he know that it was a sign, but he casually slipped the work in progress back into his satchel, a deep sigh following as the lid was pulled closed over it.

There was no telling what the traveler was thinking about, then. It was still winter, not a good time for packing up and leaving. But this had been weighing on the coywolf's mind for nearly two months, avoiding being so close to a certain fire. The memory burned in his brain, and on his lips, and he nearly had to bite down to suppress it. How much longer would he be able to endure such torture? Why couldn't he just will her out of his mind? It wasn't as if he was new to this, yet his heart was. It was familiar and foreign all at once, wanting to throw himself into the fire, but too afraid of getting burned.

Thankfully, it's as if timing couldn't be any better, as a white female entered the scene. An angel, almost, as he gazed up at her coming in this direction. There was no time to brood over such silly little thoughts, and the big grin he managed to put on his face was now the merchant side of him talking - taking over. "'Ello there, dear lady!" he glanced up at her upon her approach, and decided to stand up himself. After all, it was only courteous to look at a customer eye to eye. How did she know she was a customer? Well, he didn't, but he would sure convince her. He was about to introduce himself, but her eyes were transfixed on his things, and for a moment he took to notice the things she carried with her. Bangle had never seen this female before, perhaps she was just visiting? Or passing by?

In the middle of the female asking her question, he quickly knelt down and picked up the stone she had her eyes on, standing back up and displaying it in his palm. His face was as bright as ever, for each of his things had a story, whether they were true or not was up to the trader. Truthfully, Bangle was unsure where the shiny black stone came from, though it was rough when he did stumble by it. All he did was fix it with a little spit and grit, and kept it among the several baubles since. In the sunlight it glittered like the stars in the sky, and, as the coywolf laid eyes on the small bit of onyx, the story began to form.

"Why, it's an onyx stone!" He said cheerfully, despite the heavy weight that lay on his heart like a blanket of snow. "Oh, but it's no ord'nary piece o' onyx," he continued, glancing back into the female's eyes. He was going to sell that stone as if it were made of gold. "No no.. this is quite special, indeed. Y'see, this came from far up north, in th' mountains." Bangle grinned as he continued, twirling the rock in his palm. "These mountains were large, nearly reachin' the skies. Legend says this stone fell from th' sky itself," Bangle nodded, with a voice that made him believe the story. "Do you liiike, dear lady?"

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Ralla · 01-30-2011, 08:28 PM

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Sorry about the 11 day wait >.> That's my worst record yet >< But I'm sure Ralla's naive persona makes up for it, since Bangle can have a field day with her >.>

During her pleasurable scrutiny of the products--mostly the black stone, which twinkled and made her want to try and touch its smooth surface--Ralla could feel the man's gaze on her, although it wasn't uncomfortable or bothersome, so she faced him good-naturedly nonetheless. His accent was pleasant, although she couldn't place its origin. All in all, he seemed an interesting person that Ralla might've known quite fondly had he been born in her native pack. In the Crescent Moon Pack, his self decoration was a common sight, and Ralla might've also adorned herself as such had she been vainer than she was.

"Onyx?" she repeated, intrigued by the man's animated enthusiasm and mostly by the stone's luster. His smile was wide and toothy, drawing her into a state of security, making her want to trust his word; especially as the story went on. From the sky? The surely the stone must be a relic of the Great Spirits who inhabited the sky! If that didn't sell her on the stone immediatly, nothing would. But surely he knows the value of such a stone... What would I have in equal worth? Indeed, what could she trade that was in equal value to such a prize? She laughed a little when he asked her if she liked it, amused by the drawl of the word 'like', although it was not a patronizing laugh in the least. "Yes, very much," she replied. Had she been more trade-smart, she would've known that it was not wise to alert the merchant to one's desire for a thing, but rather to barter down to a smaller price. But she was ignorant of most things that included sly interface, and so she saw no problem in letting her eyes openly marvel at the stone. "What would I have to trade for it?" Might as well get to the point. After her trade with Shawchert, she was down one mirror, a bracelet, and some beads; perhaps her other trade items would do...? She doubted it... What would she do, knowing now that there was a Great Spirit relic there and she couldn't retrieve it? If only she could, there would be another ancient item to add to the ones that were cared for back in AniWaya. I must try.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

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