Early Bird Gets the Rumor

Lower Markets, Morning.

The morning is a great one, a light breeze rolling through the markets. The sun barely illuminates the the stalls that are just now finishing their opening for business, and for the most part? It's a very sleepy morning.

Except for a colorful, beribboned egalrin woman. She's talking animatedly to a vendor, one that seems to sell some alchemical ingredients. "Thankies thankies, by the by, you wouldn't happen ta have...." she lowers her voice and murmurs to them.

The vendor's brows raise. "Uh... y... eah? Weird ask. But here." They rummage around before handing a small pouch over to them, hollowing clanking coming from within.

"'preciate ya!" she coos, sliding the coin over as Slixvah begins to gather her belongings.

The early bird gets the worm, or at the very least, first dibs at fresh stock at the markets. But it seemed that there was an even earlier bird at the stalls, as by the time Reithak had woken up and headed out, Slixvah was already out.

The large egalrin was wandering the streets, and happened upon another egalrin at the alchemy stall. Reithak strode over to the stall, looking down to Slixvah. "And a fine morning to you, Slixvah!" They greet happily. "I take it the stock here is to your liking? I was in the market for a few things, so if they're up to your standards, that's a good thing, right?"

A shadow looms over Slixvah from the towering figure behind her. She pauses, slooooowly turning and coming face to face with feathers. Her head craaaaanes up. Blink. "Rei-Rei!" she beams, stuffing the hollow-clunk sounding bag into one of her many robes. "Mornin' sugar! Yeah, they gots what I needss. What'chu up to, hon?" she inquires, taking a half step away from the stall.

The large egalrin laughs, giving Slixvah a warm hug before they stepped back from the stall as well. "Good to hear, what are you working on? Anything I could help with at all?" Reithak asks before taking a look back at the stall. "Aside from seeing how people in Alexandria work? I figured I might pick up some chemicals for fabric treatment, maybe get some things to make some oilcloth. I realized upon getting here I don't actually have a tent, so I should make sure I have one just in case I'm out in the woods, you know?"

Slix was not expecting a hug. So she perks up in the grasp. But briskly returns the embrace as she buries herself into Reithak's hug. Wings too wrap around, and despite the runt's grip being weak, those wings were tight.

She pulls away, properly beaming. Even the question doesn't stymie her. "Ah, nothin' biggie. Just some personal biz fo' when I'm gonna go out and do stuff. Can make some mojo sticks," she explains. "'preciate the ask for aid, but I gots it. Unless you wanna get one from me. Loads cheaper than goin' ta a store someplace."

Her brows raise. "Oh heavens, yeah, ya should have tha'! Ain't a lotta nooks and crannies like th' mountains do ta have shelter 'round here. D'ya find yaself out in th' wilds often?"

Reithak laughs and pats Slixvah on the head as the hug was broken, and she readjusts her jacket while looking at the alchemist's stall. "Goodness, you're just the cutest, Slix, you ever need a hug, you don't even need to ask, I'm always happy to give them." The egalrin hums. "Got a strong pair of wings on you I'll say. I take it you're already blessed by the pair?"

"Mojo sticks? Well, it never hurts to have a bit of magic on your side, I'd say. You're work crafts as well? You should show me how you do that sometime! Add it on to seeing how you do your ribbons?" They suggest. "I don't find myself in the wilds that often, but I'd rather be prepared if I need it, you know? And you're right, it isn't as easy as just finding a rock face and blocking the entrance out here, you have to be able to set up a more full structure." They nod. "It'll be a fun project, I'd say!"

Slixvah coos happily at the pat, her face floofing up. She smooths her face down, laughing," I will most certainly keep tha' in mind. I love me some hugs." The comment about her wings gets a cocky grin to crease her eyes. Her wings unfurl, the ribbons splaying out as they stretch to a daunting fifteen feet. "I ain't done the Rite of the Skies, but I've had my first flight a few seasons ago, so yes, blessed~"

She folds her wings back, head head up with pride. "Yeah, they's helpful in a pinch. Know a bit of crafts too." She quirks a brow. "Somethin' new ta learn? Hrm, how 'bouts I show yas, yeah, the ribbons? Might help ya a touch with figuring out ya tent sitch," she offers, holding out a hand as she gestures off towards a bench in the distance.

Reithak looks over the wings and gives a low whistle. "Well, there's no doubt about that." The egalrin laughs. "Shame I missed it, must have really been something to see with all those ribbons of yours."

"Something new to learn, of course! Always a treat to learn something new." Reithak agrees, taking the hand. "I've worked with thicker fabrics plenty in the past, but some of the joints on a tent aren't what I'm use to. So lead on Slix, you'll find me a patient and enthusiastic student, I can promise you that!"

Slixvah doesn't hesitate to say, "I will admit, it was pret-ty rad. 'til I lost control and crashed inta th' ground. They ain't really tell ya how /hard/ it is ta keep it up. And my back hurt for weeks before and after from all th' muscles."

"Good ta know!" The runt of an eglarin hums warmly as the hand is taken, her leading Reithak over to the bench as she sits down. The hand is given a squeeze before she releases it to rifle around in her robes. "Well, these fabrics are a lot softa and th' like," she hums, pulling out a wound roll of various hued ribbons. "At th' joins, ya gotta make a little pocket ta fold around it. Kinda like a tube, yeah?" she explains, pulling out a purple ribbon. "D'ya want one? I can put it anywhere ya want. Mos' kin ain't like shtuff on they wings, bu tI got used ta it."

"Well, you wouldn't be the first to have a rough landing the first go around." Reithak chuckles as she takes a seat at the bench, letting her wings rest over the back and she turns her attention back to the witch. "Ah, right, that makes a lot of sense to fold it like that."

The large egalrin nods, taking one of the ribbons on the witch to investigate and twirl around, inspecting it at various angles before they stop, and Reithak uhms happily. "Why, are you offering one? I'll have to do something for you in return, but I'd love one! And I'll trust your rather impeccable fashion sense to find a nice sport for it."

Slixvah looks Reithak over, a hand on her beak in thought. "Naw, naw, ya ain't gotta. Jus' a lil' gift," she coos. She reaches up, taking off Reithak's fancy hat and pulling it down to her lap. A bit of looping and tying, and the violet ribbon flutters from under the brim on the back of the hat. "There ya go, it'll do some cool fluttering in the wind!"

She holds the hat back up to Reithak.

"It may be a little thing, but you put work into it, and it's the first gift I've received from you, after all." Reithak hums happily as the hat is doffed, and the large egalrin ruffles the tuft of feathers underneath while Slixvah works.

"Oh, that looks great, Slix!" Rei enthuses taking the hat and flipping it over in their hands before putting it back on. She leaves her seat at the bench and spins around to face her back to the witch, stretching out their wings. While large due to size, they weren't nearly as filled out and proportional as Slixvah's. "Well, how does it look? If you can pull off that many, I'm positive I can manage at least one."

Slixvah shrugs. "I jus' like doin' things fo' people, especially magnificent people like ya'self," she winks. The runt rests her arms on the back of the bench, her watching Reithak rise and gives a display. A low whistle escapes her. "Well well, I do say tha' looks mighty fetchin' on ya, sugar. Matches ya dyes prett' well, wit' all the cool colors ya got goin' on!"

A beat to take in the sight. "So what's got ya in Alexandria?" she inquires.

"And so do I, so don't be surprised if I've got something for you next we meet." Reithak laughs, taking another spin before sitting back down beside Slixvah and smoothing out a few feathers. "Appreciate it Slix, takes a while to get them all dyed up like this, but I'm always happy with how they turn out." She hums, before tapping the side of her beak. "Well, there's this one Egalrin that's got me here right now, but that's not what you're asking." She teases. "You want an actual answer, though. To be honest? I want to see what this city is like, learn more about it. More specifically, I want to help the people here."

Slix's eyes glimmer with excitement. "Oh do you?" she coos. "I look forward ta tha' loads."

She watches Reithak sits down, the runt scooting a touch closer as she leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Oh I bet. Tall girlie like ya got loads of feathers." She blinks at the answer, then snorts. "Pah!"

The real answer gives the runt minor pause, her tilting her head to the side. "So ya jus' wen' out and about ta see what the city is like? Help folks here? I won't like, things ain't been th' best for some folks here. What uh, what specifically ya lookin' ta help wit'? Ya got a good arm, and a steady gaze. I takes it ya the adventurin' type, no?"

The egalrin chuckles quietly. "And with a look like that? I'll have to do my absolute best to make sure it's something to live up to that expectation."

Reithak reaches out to wrap one arm loosely around the witch as she scoots closer. "Yeah, I wanted to see what was going on here. All the news I kept hearing was about a lot of bad stuff going on, and I figured I might be helpful over here." Reithak sighs quietly. "People are just trying to get by, and that's hard on people, when you're just scraping by, that's no way to thrive and be the best you can be. Losing options because they don't have a choice, you know?"

"I guess you could call me the adventuring sort, you're right." She hums again. "And you know, it's a way I can help. Take the burdens off people so they've got less to worry about."

The runt lets out a warm hum as she leans into arm, her closing her eyes. "We'll how it pans out, shug."

She bobs her head slowly, listening. "Sounds like news 'bout problems happening here is getting out there. I barely heard of Alexandria before I got here. I was just lucky that one of they soldiers found me when I broke a wing from some bandits a while back. Brought me here ta heal." She inhales. "But I agree, lotta regular folks jus' trying ta get by. I do what I can if possible."

An eye cracks open, peering up at Reithak. "I see. And, if I may ask, in what manner d'ya do that? Adventurin' sorts have a wide repertoire of tricks. I m'self do a lil' magic here and there ta fix up people."

"I think a lot of people were waiting to see what was going to happen." The large egalrin continues slowly. "A lot of people were waiting to see what the undead would be doing after Dragonier, so news about their movements travel quickly. And that carries the rest of the info with the goings on in Alexandria with it, you know?"

"You are a lucky one, in that case. There's all manner of dangers out there. Looks like your wing healed up just fine, though. That's a blessing in itself." She agrees.

The large egalrin looks down, and meets Slixvah's eye, looking pleased. "You know? I'm not too sure. I've got an idea how to help, but haven't put it to much use yet. You pointed out I've got some decent arms on me, I've been training for a while now, how to handle a sword, that sort of thing. And I've got a bit of a spark to me, I think that's what's been pushing me to do more. An old friend taught me what he could about the divine, before I struck out on my own."

Slix makes an understanding click in the back of her throat. "Ahhh. Yeah. I kinda wasn't 'round Dragonier durin' all that. I did uh, fight some undead when they were slammin' 'gainst Alexandria's walls. Shtuff's spooky."

A sharp nod. "Yes. Thankfully. Was reall' glad when it healed back up. Missed glidin' 'roud."

The runt meets that gaze, locking on. Sky blue eyes unwavering as she's listening intently. Every piece of information seemingly file away. "Intriguing," she hums. "I'm sure when ya get ya dip ya wings inta shtuff, you'll slot inta your own little bit, sure enough. Don' let tha' spark go, 'cause trust me, that thing'll conflagrate inta somethin' fantastical."

"I wasn't either, but you'd be hard pressed to not find someone who at least heard of it in some capacity." Reithak replies after a moment. "You were here when that happened? I guess that matches up with what you were telling me before. Scary is an understatement in that case."

"I'm sure I'll figure something out, just need to figure it out like anything else." The large egalrin laughs, giving Slixvah a small squeeze with her arm. "And I would never want that to go away. I didn't realize what was missing from my life until I found that, you know? Helping out others is just as important as bettering yourself, in my book, and the more I work, the more I can do."

"You know, I heard about you, Slixvah." Reithak admits, keeping an eye on the witch. "I wanted to see for myself why people talked about you like they did, and I really don't get it."

Slixvah bows her head slowly. "Yeeeah. Thankfully healin' magics double as anti-undead measures in a pinch. Bit rough. But, it panned out in the end thankfully. Feels like I did my part in nudging the tide."

She hums warmly as she is squeezed, her nestling into the arm. "I totally get that. It's a thing ta chase down. But jus' be sure ya take care of yaself before others. Seen it happen too many times before."

The runt stiffens in the hold at that. She squints, pulling a wing over herself as she puts a hand on the her own long feathers. "... elaborate, Reithak," she requests, cautious.

"Of course Slixvah, I'm not going to burn myself out helping people, or neglect myself. After all, how can I help people the best I can if I'm not in the best shape to do so?" Reithak laughs. A laugh that stops short, and the large egalrin gives another squeeze, before relaxing her arm completely.

"I wanted to see for myself what you were like before making any judgements." Reithak states softly. "Just a few things I heard about an egalrin named Slixvah Unmesi from other kin. How you're supposed to be a practitioner of strange magics and cause trouble where they go."

The large egalrin pauses to sigh and shake out their head and flatten the feathers back down. "I'm glad I didn't put any stock in what they were saying, and I'm sorry that they were talking about you like that. If I see them again, I'll make sure to set them straight."

Slixvah's usual jovial and good natured attitude is drop as she watches Reithak with a careful, calculating gaze. She's silent a beat. Then. "Those rumors ain't wrong," she intones slowly. "I do use strange magics. I do cause problems at times with my presence."

She squints, wing shifting again. Apparently masking a movement of the hand, as she now has dark wood wand in her hand, pointed at Reithak. "What of it." A statement.

"Well, I know there's usually a grain of truth to things like that, otherwise I don't know how someone like you would get rumors like that spread about them." The large egalrin shrugs, setting her hand back in her lap. She looks down at the wand, and blinks. "Well, you can harm me if you want, but that's pointless, and it doesn't really seem like something you would do." The egalrin offers. "As for what of it, well, strange isn't bad. As long as it isn't truly something heinous, or it isn't but you're using it with the intent to harm yourself or others, then I think you should be free to pursue your goals and dreams, because you deserve to do so as much as anyone else. If you're causing problems, then that just means if you can't fix them on your own, then people should be doing what they can to help with that."

Slixvah grinds her beak, listening closely to Reithak and watching her hands. "I ain't sacrificing kittens or eating puppies, if tha's wha' ya mean by heinous," she replies.

A long moment. "Elders spread what is true, but sometimes they don't get it. I am small. I ain't strong. I ain't fast. I find a different way ta help, and the weirdness of it, they ain't like it. Ostracized m'family. So I left so tha' they could live peacefully. Don't matter no mo' 'cause th' Aerie's gone from a landslide..." As she speaks, her tone grows softer, the wand lowering slowly.

She inhales deeply, then twirls the wand in her fingers before slipping it back into a robe, a holster flashing briefly that harbors a couple more instruments of magic. "They're alive tho'. Thank Ceiwen and Cernan. You'd be surprised what kinda folks get in a tussle wit' me. Sorry, shug. Gotta be cautious these days, ya dig?"

"I'm not saying you are, Slixvah." The large egalrin replies quickly, looking a bit surprised by that interpretation. "Sorry, I should understand if you're on edge because of that, but no, I'm not saying that. Just that it's only a problem if it were, so I have no reason to be bothered by it."

"You're real smart though, aren't you? Not to mention resourceful and kind." Reithak points out. "I'm, gods, that's what I hate. Some people don't have the chance to do what they're good at sometimes. I've met so many people in my travels, and the thing that always broke my heart was those who had so many talents they never got to explore. Poets and painters that lived their entire lives in the quarries because it's the only way to support themselves and their families, things like that."

"I can't blame you for your caution, Slix, I guess I just really wish it wasn't necessary." The egalrin finishes with a long sigh. "I'm glad your family is okay though, I hope that they can find a place to rebuild. And I hope that when the day comes, they can see you again and what you bring to the table."

Slixvah seems properly disarmed now, her shoulders relaxing. "Gotta be. All I gots is my wits, one or two hits and I'm out," she nods slowly. There's a little sad lilt to her eyes. "Yeah. It's... really sad ta see people not realize their potential."

"It is necessary, sadly," she sighs, closing her eyes. "... yeah, well, they're moving ta th' Aerie in the Redridge, right past there," she jabs a thumb towards the mountains to the east. "I... shoot, really don't wanna show my face in there."

The runt inhales deeply. Smacks her knees, then hops up to her feet. "Alright!" she perks up, sloughing off the dour mood as she holds a hand out. "Now I know ya ain't gonna shank me, c'mon. Lemme show ya 'round th' market and letcha know wha's good ta scoop yeah? Plus gives me an excuse ta hang 'round someone as gorgeous as ya." She winks.

"That's what I want, I want people to have the opportunities they deserve." Reithak offers quietly, looking to the small witch and giving a nod. "When they get here, even if not right away, I'm sure one day you'll be able to meet them with your head held high, and I'm looking forward to that day."

"You're right, that's enough sad stuff for one moment. But if you ever need to vent your worries, concerns, or frustrations, I'm here to listen." The large egalrin laughs as she gets to her feet. They look to the hand for a moment, but instead they pick up Slixvah in a warm hug, wings included. "Because you really need one, Slix." They giggle before setting her back down and taking the hand. "You don't need an excuse, I'm happy for the company." They add, patting down a few feathers. "But I'm looking forward to learning what I can about the markets with you! You must know some great dye traders with all those ribbons you have on you, Slix."

Slixvah closes her eyes. "I sure hope so, ain't talk ta them in a hot while..." she hums, partially to herself. A beat. "I'll... keep tha' in mind, Rei-Rei. Thankies."

As soon as she opens her eyes, she's totally swaddled by Reithak. She giggles, returning the embrace and holding onto it before a moment overlong before reluctantly pulling away.

With the tall egalrin in hand, she gives it a squeeze before setting off. "Oh trust me, I know loads of places fo' that. C'mon, lemme show ya this shop, should be openin' up soon," she coos, pointing further down the street.