The Grass Is Always Greener [O]
#1
Posted 18 March 2011 - 11:41 AM
Outside a small shop, a beribboned and bejewelled taroch pulling a small, glossy black carriage was “Woah, girl!”ed to a halt by her driver. Tying off the reins, he hopped down from his perch and scrambled to open the carriage door, then yanked down the little metal steps that fell level with the cobbled pavement. “You want me to wait, ma'am? Sir?” he enquired as he held out his hand to assist a middle-aged Dracovarian down the steps, her dainty hand hidden inside a lacy glove and the other clutching a parasol. Behind her came a man of similar age, dapper in a formal suit, who gave a single nod before alighting by himself and then taking his wife's hand.
As they stepped toward the boutique, the driver replaced the carriage steps and closed the door, then went to wait beside the landstrider with a carrot in hand.
Avatar by Emma.
#2
Posted 10 May 2011 - 10:17 PM
With Chiko the cheefle tucked in her hair, Lazuli looked less than conventionable for a nymph, dressed in a midlength dark mahogany dress with black ruffles and a matching hairbow she'd patched from old pieces of velvet. She also wore heeled sandals of a much brighter shade, which frankly might have looked a bit off to anyone who was not aiming for artistic contrast. Why Lazuli foregoed her usual gentler colors owed to both a changing preference in fashion as autumn cast its hues, and because she thought it nice to try to fit in to this particularly zone of the city. Indeed, the cold gray cobblestones and shadowy shop windows lent to both and eerie and strangely fascinating atmosphere.
She arrived at the door of the boutique, curious that the passengers of the carriage (jewelled!) she'd seen the past ten or so minutes got off at the same place. They seemed wealthy, possibly a bit too so for this neighborhood, and Lazuli wondered if they had seen the same ad. As they approached the door, she held it open for them. “Good afternoon,” she said. “That is a beautiful carriage you have there.”
(( Anyone feel free to join! ))
#3
Posted 12 May 2011 - 07:59 AM
Willfully ignoring her travel companion, Remy turned for the streets where they'd came from. Rather, she tried to. It was rather hard to walk when somebody twice your size was trying to pull you the other way. “Penny, we need to go back!” Remy protested as she pulled against her employer's grip. “We came here only for the store! You said so!” Their 'grocery run' in Alexshire had quickly spiraled into a shopping trip, with no thanks to Penny. That would have been totally fine with Remy if it were in Espur, but this was New Alexandria. She hated staying here for long, and there were many reasons for that.
“Pah, just so Tristan can't complain,” chirped Penny, who was clearly oblivious to Remy's distress, “Everything's going back with the courier, anyhow. It's fine. Now, where is...ah!” The woman wasn't even paying attention to her younger-looking companion, and as Penny hurried down the street, Remy inhaled with frustration before following reluctantly. She didn't want to walk back to the portals alone.
They were headed down an older part of the city, which meant that the buildings were drearier and the streets less crowded. Even the shops seemed toned down in comparison to the bright and attention-grabbing stores of larger districts. The sights did not bode well with her, so Remy hurried to walk closely beside Penny. “Fine. But you are such a liar,” she glanced at Penny with a huff.
“Only when it's good for you...~” quipped the nereid as she lightly pushed the door. Doorbells jingled as they entered the boutique, and Penny strode toward the end of the store to browse. With a pout, Remy sidled toward a seat by the windows and sat down with a pout.
...
Those dresses do look good, actually...
#4
Posted 12 May 2011 - 05:55 PM
But, the trauma from work was over. It was time to enjoy New Alexandria, its architecture and its people. She was dressed smartly and to keep out the soft autumn breezes, in jeans and a simple red woollen jumper, a scarf, boots and a cream rain mac. Leaves from the overhead trees crunched and rustled underneath the feet of the pedestrians, occasionally stirring and dancing in the light winds. There were many shops, but the most that Elena could afford to do was window shop. She was currently underpaid and low on money, and today's mistake in butchering Nath's jumenmine plant meant that she would have to be watching where her money went, more closely.
Elena stopped to watch an impressive carriage pull up to a shop she was just coming up to. Her eyes followed the aristocratic people that climbed out of it, and to the small woman that held the door open for the two. Her interest was now piqued, and as she - with the utmost intent on being casual and playing it cool - walked up to the scene, a white feather or two fell from her wings and were swiftly blown away by the breezes. She was frightened to intrude so it seemed that the best option for looking on was to pretend that this shop... Well, boutique, was somewhere she could afford. Perhaps not that extreme but, still.
She heard the small girl in the dress speak, and added "It is very beautiful, as is the creature leading it." Hopefully, she wouldn't seem too forward, and to redeem herself offered a friendly smile to the girl.
#5
Posted 12 May 2011 - 10:22 PM
The rich pair, meanwhile, had long made it past the door, and other than a curt nod from the suited 'vari to the would-be doorgirl, neither aristocrat paid mind to the nymph nor the new anyeli.
“Nice to meet you, my name is Lazuli. Are you here because of the advertisement, too?” the nyad asked, as she entered the boutique with the other girl and took a look around from the front. The boutique was a surprisingly roomy little place with simple yet tasty decoration. What was really unique was the way the shelves were made; they curved into one another, making strange, alley-like walkways. “I love the dim lighting!” she said, excited over the interesting atmosphere.
She took a few steps to a display of dresses by the window, intrigued by their unique textures. She didn't plan to buy any clothes, but fashion often inspired her as an artist, and Lazuli always kept an open mind for inspiration. Dark umber and Dardanos rouge... that's a nice combination, she thought as she touched the soft fabric.
Only when she looked up did Lazuli spot the little girl sitting by the window and looking rather dissatisfied. “Hello there,” she greeted in surprise. This was also the time when Chiko creeped out of Lazuli's hair. He staired at the girl with bright eyes.
#6
Posted 13 May 2011 - 03:56 PM
Letting her gaze travel across the shelves, she observed the dresses with muted interest. Even though they were quite pretty, the store didn't seem to have anything in her size. If Remy had a few years to grow, the clothing would have suited her style, such as that cream dress with windy pink swirls on the side. At any rate, the clothes must be expensive, judging from the extravagantly-dressed old people who were now chatting with a clerk.
The woman who the anyeli had been talking to approached the dresses by the window to examine them. Customary with strangers, Remy ignored the other shopper, until--
“Hello there.”
Startled by the sudden attention, Remy glanced toward the pretty lady. Why would a stranger take interest, she was just sitting here. “Um, hi,” she said after a moment of hesitation, and glanced toward the fluffy thing that had appeared from behind the woman's hair. “There's a cheefle in your hair!” This time, Remy spoke with more enthusiasm. She'd seen cheefles before, but none of them had been trained so well that they could be kept as shoulder-pets. “How'd you get it to sit there?”
#7
Posted 13 May 2011 - 07:50 PM
#8
Posted 14 May 2011 - 01:47 AM
To Elena, she continued, “Oh, it was just a notice in one of the city's newspapers. There was mention of a special discount too... something about an anniversary, I believe? If it's for today, maybe you will come across something in your budget.”
Lazuli herself did not have a lot of cash to spend, considering art commissions were not always profitable and bills had to be paid to keep Colormints running. Not to mention the cost of quality art supplies. But money did not hold a sincere place in Lazuli's heart, so money came and went, whether fiscally wise or not.
From several steps away, the wealthy couple had moved away from the counter and were surveying some bat-like parasols dripping with ethereal black and purple lace. They barely paid mind to the three chatting by the window. Perhaps it was not very customary to talk to strangers.
#9
Posted 15 May 2011 - 06:15 PM
The anyeli woman had approached them to chat, and seeing this, Remy gave a slight nod toward the tall woman in greeting. She didn't like meeting anyelis, but she could still be civil. Hearing about the ad, Remy finally realized why Penny had been so excited about coming to New Alexandria today. Figures... she thought with a small chuckle to herself. “You could still try some on, since you're here already,” she suggested to the anyeli “Do you see any that you like?”. There were so many pretty dresses, and in truth, Remy envied the anyeli for being able to try them on. If Remy could age, and was older, she would not hesitate to buy one of the dresses, budget or no.
Then, as her attention focused back to the cheefle that was sitting on her palm, she giggled as the critter sat back on its hindquarters, and she poked its tummy lightly. “What does it eat?” Remy worked in a bakery, so she always had some pastries wrapped up in her small messenger bag.
#10
Posted 15 May 2011 - 08:10 PM
Chiko was quite adorable, as he settled on the small child's hand and was petted affectionately. Elena watched patiently, there was something quite endearing about the little girl holding the even more little cheefle. “Hey, he's got little wings like mine. Can he fly?” She'd never really seen a cheefle before, though they were popular pets. She'd seen a couple briefly in a petshop before, but whether or not their wings were of any use to them had remained a mystery to her, and she'd never known their name until now.
A special discount? Maybe she could buy a dress that could go with one of her many beloved coats, maybe for more formal occasions. “You're right, I could. I already lost a day's salary today, though, but there might be one cheap enough for me. What colours do you think I would suit? You seem to be a fashionista, Lazuli.” She laughed airily and smiled at the two, and bent down slightly so that she could gently touch the back of the cheefle. Now that she thought about it, the little girl seemed to be alone, so where were her parents? They might be surprised to return for her and find the older women talking to her, but when Elena glanced around there were only the trio, the old couple, and a few more customers dotted around who didn't particularly look like parents.
She debated asking the little girl, but thought the better of it. Elysia was full of surprises. “What's your name? I like your hair, it's really pretty.”
#11
Posted 16 May 2011 - 01:36 AM
“He likes nearly everything,” Lazuli answered to that question. “As long as it smells good, he'll eat it! Just last year, during my friend's birthday party, he rushed into a cherry pie barely before any of us had a chance to react. It caused a mess and he was so sticky afterwards!” She laughed lightly at the memory, of Phen hurrying to bar off the ambitious little critter, and of the water bubble Lazuli had made to help clear off the overly sweet aftermath.
“And oh yes, he definitely flies! It really helped his endeavor. Although, probably not as well as you could, Elena.”
She grinned, and stepped back to give Chiko some room if he wished to demonstrate his ability. Chiko, however, seemed content with the tummy tickles for now, and he rolled onto his back happily on the girl's soft, small hand.
Despite having an entire boutique to explore, Lazuli found that she very much liked this idea, too. Making new friends was like turning new pages in a story.
“Thank you for the compliment, Elena,” she said, when the other woman called her a "fashionista". Cute term, it was! “I owe it to my passions in art. --You know, why don't we try to find something affordable and nice for you? I think you would look lovely in a rosy color. Something in the violets, too.”
(( Joy, feel free to let Chiko do what you wish ))
#12
Posted 16 May 2011 - 08:26 AM
As the adults spoke about cheefle behavior and flying, Remy turned her palm to get a better look at the cheefle's wings. They fluttered as he turned around in circles upon her palm. They were so small, she wondered how long it could support his weight in the air. Of course, Elena would be able to fly better than a cheefle, since her wings were many times fuller and larger than Chiko's. At the talk of anyeli wings, she felt her smile falter, and she tried not to glance toward the Elena's. Instead, she tilted her palms to let the cheefle run from left and right until the anyeli moved a hand toward her own. Lifting her hands higher for Elena to pet Chiko, Remy smiled at the compliment about her hair. She didn't pay much attention to it in the mornings. Today it was tied into two short braids to rest upon each shoulder. “My name is Remy,” she replied, and brightened at the comment about her hair. “And thank you! I wish it were as long and wavy as yours though!” To Remy, the anyeli seemed very elegant.
Remy didn't know or care much about fashionn for adults, so she merely nodded in agreement as Lazuli encouraged Elena to model some clothing. As she set the cheefle on her lap. She didn't mind having cheefle fur on her clothes; it would blend in with her yellow skirt anyway. “Well Chiko,” she smiled slightly as she reached toward her side to unbuckle her bag, “I don't have pie, but I do have...” a brown paper bag crinkled as she pulled out a blueberry scone, “this!” Breaking off a large crumb of the scone, she offered it to the cheefle, who eagerly grabbed it with both paws. As it nibbled, it rotated the bread with each munch.
Realizing that the adults wanted to start shopping, Remy glanced toward Lazuli. She still wanted to play with the cheefle, but it would be rude to delay them from their plans. “Um, do you want him back, since you're going to look at clothes?”
((Thanks, Skyla! ))
#13
Posted 16 May 2011 - 09:13 PM
The laughter of the little girl and Lazuli sounded clear and lively, that Elena had to join in and imagine Chiko covered in cherry and the surprise of the party-goers. It was amazing how such little creatures could create so much havoc and chaos! She was enjoying the company, the chance to make friends like this really brightened her day from dismembering that poor little plant in Nathaniel's shop. “Oh, are you an artist then? Wow, do you sell your work or is it just a hobby?” It was interesting to find out about new people like this.
She smiled, slightly embarrassed at the comments on her wings. “Actually, the best I can manage is an unsteady glide at the minute. But I hope I'll improve, it's an ability that'd be really cool!” She probably wouldn't, but after she had focused on her healing - after all, healing was her job, and Nathaniel was a 'Vari so his powers were often limited. Maybe one day he'd let her heal their clients instead of her taking cuttings for remedies and concocting. As much as she loved her job, she wanted to be of more use than she was now.
“Remy's a lovely name! Well, nice to meet you Remy.” She paused to listen to what ensued. “Hey, we don't have to model clothes. What would you like to do, Remy? Are you waiting for somebody here?” Remy really was quite adorable, with her little cute features. And she was a really lovely well-mannered girl, too, and a pleasure to speak to. Elena was pleased that she had wandered down this way, as it had led to her to meeting them both.
#14
Posted 18 May 2011 - 01:05 AM
Just thinking about the homely, cream-carpeted place made Lazuli feel warm and happy inside. So many memories surfaced of days when she had sat on a stool, painting to the tune of some quiet music while facing the window of light seemingly radiating from Xanth's statue just across the street. Most importantly, it was the place where she spent a lot of time with Nic, times that will surely be just as numerous in the future.
She listened to the exchange between Elena and Remy with a smile. “Ah, but I don't think he wants to come back just yet,” the nyad remarked to Remy regarding the insatiable cheefle. “He really adores you... and your snacks, too!”
As though to underscore what Lazuli said, Chiko swallowed the rest of the crumb and began jogging in a circle on Remy's palm, obviously impatient for more. Lazuli chuckled and twirled around to gaze at the shelves, catching sight of the couple who were still examining parasols. “I agree with Elena, I'm sure we can find something fun to do together,” she said, turning back to look at the pair with encouraging eyes.
Several steps behind Lazuli's back, the wealthy lady raised her head, staring past the nyad to Remy. An unusual inspective look replaced the apathy on her rigid face.
#15
Posted 22 May 2011 - 06:28 PM
To Remy's delight, Lazuli didn't seem to be ready to leave yet, either. Petting the cheefle again as it finished the rest of the crumbs, Remy replied, “I'm glad he does! My friend and I made it ourselves.”
Then, as Elena asked if she was here with somebody, and as Lazuli offered to go somewhere else, Remy glanced around the store in search of Penny. “I am waiting for a friend, but she seems to be very eager with shopping today. She doesn't usually have much time to shop...” Of course she couldn't leave Penny, and of course she couldn't walk around New Alexandria with a pair of strangers. Even if she was much older than she looked. Smiling gratefully but shaking her head, Remy replied, “I need to wait here, but you two should go ahead and have fun.”
Looking down at the cheefle, Remy broke off another crumb of the scone and fed it to Chiko. As she did so, she skimmed her mind over the store in search of the familiar presence of Penny's. Almost like a ping, the baker's destination bounced back to Remy, and she located the baker in the corner section with the hats.
#16
Posted 23 May 2011 - 06:04 PM
As Lazuli spoke, Elena coolly watched as the aristocratic kept looking at them. She kept glancing between her and the lady, and she concluded that she was staring at Remy, and in an unnerving manner as well. Her eyes snapped back to Remy and Lazuli, and a smile crept across her lips while she responded. “An artist, huh? That sounds fun. I'm a healer's apprentice, it's tough going but really rewarding to help people!” Here, she would have asked Remy what she did, but the Anyelos was completely unaware that she was a vampire... not that she'd mind if she was. Prejudice and discrimination weren't words in her dictionary, especially when she was the daughter of a Skotadi and an Apalos.
The anyelos smiled at Remy, and Lazuli - still having not deduced their races. It was one of those things you really didn't ask someone, really - "Hello today, how are you, what race are you?" sounded so rude! She kept close to them as she admired the pretty dresses, running her fingers down the silks and satins. She'd never seen so many dresses in one shop! She knew herself - she wouldn't end up buying anything. Not out of greed for money, but more because she was barely coping as things were now, and she needed her Anyeli tutor to help her develop her healing skills before she could earn more.
“So, what cool abilities do you guys have?” There, that was a less offensive way of deducing some information about them.
#17
Posted 26 May 2011 - 10:07 PM
Her eyes brightened further in wonder when Elena revealed her trade. “Your skill is wonderful, too. I greatly admire anyone who can heal others.”
Since Remy was waiting for someone and Lazuli had no shortage of time, she decided that staying put and chatting a little more would be equally as rewarding as walking around and exploring the boutique. She did spare another glance around, this time searching for the little girl's friend, but instead she caught sight of the couple a ways behind her. The woman had lowered her gaze and was whispering to the man, who flashed a look their way before dropping his eyes as well. They seem curious about something, Lazuli thought, calmly surveying the scene. If they were up to something fishy, though, the nyad would rinse out the situation as per needed, although she hoped they were simply curious and nothing more.
“So, what cool abilities do you guys have?”
At this question, Lazuli expression softened with passion. Just as with art, she loved an opportunity to talk about her elemental gifts. “I'm a nyad,” she said freely. “The Goddess gifted me with a bond with water. I really love playing tricks with it, and generally being able to connect to nature.”
She fell silent, interested to hear more about Elena and Remy, too.
#18
Posted 04 June 2011 - 04:55 AM
Remy wasn't too surprised to hear that Elena was a healer. Anyeli arrived in two forms, and their females were frequently biased towards the more peaceful arts. Remy would know; she'd once aspired to become a healer as well. Wistfully, she glanced at the fluffy white wings behind Elena...and caught the gaze of the gentleman standing a few meters away. The man quickly looked away to talk to the woman beside him, but Remy wondered at how the both of them glanced toward her again.
But Lazuli started talking about being a nyad, and hearing this, Remy's eyes brightened with curiosity as she looked toward the nymph. “A nyad!” she repeated, and thought of the ones she'd seen in Espur. Living in a port city, Remy had many chances to see water shows, but they never failed to amaze her. “And you're an artist! It must be very pretty when you move the water!...” With excitement, she bobbed up and down in her chair, shaking the startled cheefle as well. Hearing it squeak, she glanced down to pet it apologetically.
“I wish I could do something like that, but y'know,” she shrugged, “I can't do anything yet.” That was a lie, but she didn't want to reveal her true nature to people who she'd just met.
She skimmed her eyes toward the hat section, wondering when Penny would finish shopping. Remy did enjoy chatting with her new acquaintances, but at the same time, she wished to go home as well. Somehow, she would never be comfortable with travelling outside of Espur. As she sent out her mind to look for Penny again, it was met with a hard bump from another mind in the store. With a small gasp, she leaned into the back of her seat. taroch crap. She'd hate to draw the attention of another telepath.
((Eep! Sorry for the delay! >__<))
#19
Posted 04 June 2011 - 11:57 PM
“Yeah, I love my job. It's mainly warriors and 'Vari, that I treat, they seem to get themselves into scrapes and whatnot,” Elena replied, smiling at the thought. The job was good, but sometimes there wasn't a large variety of people. Instead, it was regulars who came in the afternoons after training or something. It was nice to know people like that, but she liked to learn about different people. It just seemed like there was so much for her to learn after spending her life in the Duskies amongst fellow Anyeli.
A nyad? Wow, that sounded cool. Elena was pretty sure that meant Lazuli was a Nymph, just like the Nymphs in her childhood fairytales. “There are other types of Nymphs, right? So... Earth, Fire, Wind...? That sounds really cool! Can you like, tame creatures and stuff?” Her voice turned into a chirp with enthusiasm; how cool would it be to be able to do that! She wished she could communicate with creatures, it'd be almost as cool as flying. The thing was, though, everybody thought Anyeli could fly and she could barely manage a shaky glide. She'd have to do something about that at some point.
To Remy, she smiled warmly, and said, “It's okay! You're only young now. I bet you grow up to be really strong.” Her smile faded as Remy gasped, and she crouched down a bit to see the little blonde girl. “Are you alright? What's wrong?”