Bejeweled

Log Info

• Title: Bejeweled
• Emitter: Aryia
• Characters: Aryia, Vaera, Venom
• Place: Lower Trades District
• Time: September 7th, 2021
• Summary:

A stroll in the Lower Trades ends up with Aryia and Vaera idly watching a jeweler go about their craft. There's brief mention of Aryia punching a brick wall until it fell, but the topic shifts as Venom joins them. Aryia admits she was looking for tailoring supplies before they speak about jewelery, Vaera mentioning that makari use paints for their decorations, as well as to highlight scars. After failing to land a joke, Aryia is inspected by Venom after Vaera suggests that Venom should pick something out for her. Vaera buys a few things while they were occupied, Aryia then placing an order for some simple jewellery. Forgetting that she came out here for some tailoring equipment, Aryia gives a farewell, and leaves. The remaining two discuss developments in firearms, particularly Vaera's progress on fixing hers up, before they too part ways after some mutual assurance.

Lower Trades District. Afternoon. 

Fair weather. An average day for all, not too bright, not to dark, nor humid, nor dry. Aside from the errant gust of wind that meanders through on occasion, it's a pretty good day to be outside.

Between the blacksmiths and the woodcarvers, and the leatherworkers and alchemists, one scarred mul'neissa is mulling about the crowd. Sticking out like a sore thumb against the usual denezins, she's given a berth while she idly walks down the road in her usual, simple wear and her straw hat. Slowing to watch a jeweler carefully put together a piece of silver necklace from a distance. Her hands and fingers were wrapped in bandages, obscured barely by her folding them together in front of her. A touch tired looking, but aside from that, pensive.

The day was pleasant, which meant many were out in the trades district to hawk their wares, when many would be inside or stopped due to the weather. It was the perfect day to explore the trades district, Vaera thought, so she gathered her things to scope out the area. Craftsmen were always good to know. She walked between stalls, keeping a distance usually, and watching what was done and sold. She looks over to where the mul'niessa was, pausing a bit nearby.

"You alright?" She asks idly, joining her in watching the jeweler work.

Emerging from a Khazadi smithy, a poncho'd figure cradles a pouch the size of a canteloupe between her palms for a moment. There is a veiled look about as the hands retreat with their burdens (something rattles in the bag) beneath the poncho, only to reemerge unburdened.

Venom begins to move along the thoroughfare with her usual pace, likely scanning her surroundings behind the veils as she moves. Laying eyes on Vaera and Aryia at once in short order, the silent one alters her course a touch, though her pace abates slightly as it seems conversation has begun.

By the time Vaera had come up to the mute shadow elf, her chin has been put into a hand, idly watching was a simple silver brooch was attached to the necklace. Startled slightly, Aryia rights herself and faces the tall makari, head tilting back to see them from under the brim of her wide hat. "Been better. Just on a walk. Hello," she finishes with a wave and a sigh.

The veiled one's approach isn't noticed, Aryia having her back to them. <Handspeech>

"Been better implies you are not doing your best." The makari notes, crossing her arms and looking down to the mul'niessa. "Hello, Aryia. Walks are usually good, I was looking around here myself. Most don't do so in areas like this without reason, though. Were you thinking about getting something, or having something made?"

Split toed boots slow their pace a little more and sidestep out of the way for the most part as she watches the two talk a moment, then glances across the thoroughfare to see if she can tell what they're looking at. Venom's head cocks a touch and she gives things a few more moments before deigning to approach anew.

It looked to be as if the two were idly watching a jeweler go about their craft, only stopping for a moment to address another customer. Head tilted up and facing away, Aryia hadn't a clue her friend was approaching. At least her signs were readable.

"Yes. I just got a hard lesson in reality recently is all. So I punched a brick wall until it fell." She holds up a bandaged hand. Fresh wrappings, and well taken care of. The mul'neissa shifts on her feet and glances back to the next stall past the jeweler: a blacksmith. "... I was thinking of getting some tools. For... something." <Handspeech>

GAME: Vaera rolls perception+2: (20)+8+2: 30

"Hard lessons are always difficult. In the name, I suppose." Vaera nods, caught between watching the signs, and watching the work. "That sounds painful however. But if that is what you needed to work through it, so be it. Are you trying to figure out what tools you need, or do you not wish to tell me?"

She looks around suddenly, noticing the sound of footfalls, and a somewhat familiar scent. She catches the shrouded woman, offering her a wave.

Venom's curiosity throttles her pace, and she absorbs what she can see of Aryia's sign between paces and she makes several mental notes.

Tools?

Curious.

The veiled woman is somewhat startled by the sudden whirl of the redscale, and her posture shifts into alert by reflex, but only for that alarmed instant before she settles into, well... what she gets for 'casual' before she signs a quiet, "Bad time?" <handspeech>

Aryia gave a small shrug to Vaera, her leaning onto her back foot. "Mind over matter. Wasn't the worst thing I've felt. Uh... I was just thinking of trying to find some tool for t-"

She cocks her head to the side, spins around and blinks.

The light bit of fatigue practically evaporates off of her face, a warm smile replacing it. Her lips mouth their name, along with the motions. "Venom! Hello! No, no, not at all. How are you?" <Handspeech>

"Tool for what?" The red makari inquires, before her attention seems snapped to the other person. "Ah, no, this is a fine time, I just happened upon Aryia in the trade district. And your arrival seems to have made her feel better, which is good." She replies to Venom.

Venom cocks her head a touch and lifts her hand for a little finger wave before she starts to sign in return, "I'm well, thank you. I needed some tools." Her veils dip, as she overtly looks down at the Mul's bandaged hands for a long, lingering few seconds.

She gives a nod and thumbs-up to Vaera on her reply, then starts to continue signing, "I'm glad. You look well." <handspeech>

Aryia seems to take note of the staring, the bandaged fingers folding together a thumbs up to the veiled woman. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

She glances back to Vaera, her pausing. "... I'm... looking for sewing tools. Things for a tailor uses..." she finishes with tapping her fingers together. <Handspeech>

"Tailors, so, for cloth, not leather." Vaera nods back to the response. "Good skill to have, in case your clothes need mending. I should learn a bit sometime, know some about leather, but not cloth."

"I am well enough, there is, not less to worry about, but hopefully things are more under control. And you as well, like you say. I am glad you are doing okay, Venom."

The answer brings Venom's eyebrows up behind the veils. Still, she nods and gives a little thumbs-up.

Her focus shifts between the two, with the affirmation to her health getting a little bow of her head.

"I think there is a little overlap. The needles and such, primarily." she explains, then, "So, what was so interesting over there?" she wonders with a nod across the way.

Aryia's hands twist and play with the other. "... I wish to figure out how to make them, not just fix," she expands, looking between the two. Though, the shadow elf does, glance over to where Venom was talking about. "Oh, I was just watching them make jewelry. It is... interesting. Never seen it been done before." <Handspeech>

"Leatherworking needles are thicker, but yeah, general idea is the same." Vaera responds to the response, turning to look at the stall again. "Making with your own hands is good. Take pride in what you can do. I was just curious since Aryia seemed to be. Most adornments for my kind usually end at paints and such for scales. Things to accentuate scars and the like."

Vaera glances to Aryia, and back to Venom. "Do you like Jewelry, Venom?" She asks.

Venom nods, stepping closer to stand more properly alongside the two and signs, "It's very interesting. Sometimes, you may even learn a trick that helps somewhere else."

Vaera's response draws her attention and she nods a bit in concession, she hadn't looked quite that closely, but it made sense. The question, however, puts a little tilt to her head, "It takes sure hands." <handspeech>

Aryia nods in agreement with Venom, her canting her head to the side from the notion about scale painting. Interesting. Learn something new.

She does take some interest in what her silent friend's answer would be to the question, but doesn't seem surprised by the the response. "It does."

Aryia sighs, crossing her arms for a moment before unfolding them to gesture to the redscale, "I have no idea how to make anything like this. Aside from just rope, knots, and canvas needles. Anything to make a ship go. This stuff...? No clue." <Handspeech>

"If you've mended canvas, that's getting close enough." Vaera shrugs, watching the two converse taking most of her attention away from the crafter. "Steady hands, knowledge. It's pretty precise, makes sense you'd learn things in the process, Venom."

She looks to Venom, tilting her own head. "I meant wearing jewelry, perhaps I was not specific. I know many softskin races like to do so."

Aryia gives a light smile towards Venom, a bandaged knuckle carefully nudging her on the shoulder. "I think she'd like it," she lightly smiles before looking up at Vaera.

Feeling a touch like the question was directed towards only Venom and not towards the group, Aryia gives her own answer. "I haven't tried. My friend gave me this ring for a spell they can use later," she digs around under her shirt to flash a simple band of platinum on a string before hiding it away. "But nothing just for show. Not sure if I would or not. At least no piercings." <Handspeech>

"True, that seems odd. Asking to get skin torn if you aren't careful." Vaera seems to agree. "Show is a purpose, all the same. Painting scales isn't practical, but it becomes so in the right circumstances."

"Spell catalyst of some sort? Being prepared is always a good idea."

Aryia just gives a big shrug. "I don't know, she's a cleric, does some magic shit. Usually it heals me, and I trust her, so I don't question it."

The elf steps under an awning and removes her hat, rubbing at one of her long ears. One could note that it was scarred just like the rest of her, even going so far as to have some tiny pieces missing from the edges. And there were healed over holes where one would assume earrings would go. "It doesn't hurt after it heals. I just don't like having anything things pierced."

"Show is purpose. Sometimes you have to wear other things to see what other people view you as," she motions, seemingly echoing some advice she's heard before. <Handspeech>

"That is fair, Aryia." She replies, squinting at one of the ears. Could have been used for marking purposes, or something else.

"You are right. By painting scales, you draw attention to them, where one may not have noticed otherwise. Scars are a sign of strength to many, and one that they take pride in. You aren't changing much, other than what people will acknowledge."

Perhaps it could have been.

Aryia shifts a bit, looking down at her sleeves where bits of scars peek through the cuffs. "Sometimes they are. Sometimes scars are pointless after a certain point." <Handspeech>

"I can understand that." The redscale responds, and chuffs. "Depends on the person still, though. I was a bit surprised to see how little people care in Mictlan, or perhaps they are simply being polite."

Returning from her own little world, or whatever musings so occupied her mind, Venom starts to sign, "Who would see it?" in response, perhaps, to the jewelry query.

There is a little shrug, then starts to sign further, her hands moving at a steady candence, "Display does have a certain use to it. Projecting wealth or standing may head off certain conversations, though it may draw the sort of interest someone would be called to bleed for." <handspeech>

Aryia cants her head at Venom's explanation. She smiles, a bit knowingly. "Yourself would see it. But don't have to have something someone would stab you for. Could be simple." <Handspeech>

"Yes, you would know it." Vaera seems to agree, leaving the second non answer be. "I was just thinking it helps people to treat you better at times. It is a bit odd, but it works."

The redscale chuffs again. "Avoiding danger is still something to consider. But if it can't be seen, then it is less of a risk, still."

Venom cocks her head a bit, then pivots it a touch, looking from Aryia, to Vaera and back a couple times, before there comes the poncho's rise and fall from a shrug.

She starts to sign again, "What kind of paint do you use?" perhaps to move the conversation on.

Aryia smiles more as Venom looks at her, though she turns towards Vaera, curious. "Do Sith-makar paint over their scars or something?" <Handspeech>

Vaera seems to ponder the question. It had been some time, for certain. "You can use charcoal to darken the ridges where the scarring is. And yes, they do. Or not paint over so much as highlight them. There are some that are mixed with water, before being brushed on. It is common for rituals as well. Usually lasts a few days unless you scrub it off."

"I was surprised it was not common among softskins, to be honest."

There is a shrug from Venom and she signs, "I understand there are places where they do, but I think the climate and level of coverage has something to do with it."

The information about the pigments prompts her to elaborate, "Sort of calling attention to the scars, like saying if this couldn't kill me, what chance do you have?" <handspeech>

Aryia looks between the two. Her raising a brow. "I've seen some people do it. Also use makeup as well. I... don't think it'd look too good on me."

She looks to Venom, her taking a slight pause before smiling lightly. The elf takes a breath, and: "If I were to do that, it would look like a child got a hold of a brightly colored pen and went to town." <Handspeech>

"Of a sort, yes. I have not seen any, but perhaps there are those who would adorn themselves as such." Vaera seems to chuff. "It can be that, but it is more for allies and the sort. Draw attention to your strength and toughness, all desirable things."

Vaera crosses her arms, looking down to the mul'niessa. "Perhaps, yes. But I would not manage much better than yourself. I used to use charcoal more than paints, anyways."

Venom reaches out to gently bump a knukle to either woman's arm, then starts to sign, "A thought experiment, perhaps."

There is another shrug, then she looks toward the jeweler.

"He's very good." she notes. <handspeech>

Aryia smiles a bit at the bump, eyes flicking down to the veils to hopefully, by some supernatural act, see through the fabric to catch a flicker of a smirk. But instead she was found wanting. She turns her attention towards the jeweler, only to briefly glance down and kick a stray pebble at her feet.

"Yes. Maybe I'll get something. I just don't know what," the elf motions towards the man in the distance. <Handspeech>

"It is worth thinking about. I have not in some time." Vaera admits, standing firm as her arm was bumped. She tilts her head, raising a hand and returning a nudge to the shrouded woman's arm.

"It might be worth looking into. Perhaps Venom could help you to pick something out, if she thinks it is a good idea?"

Venom's veils serve their purpose, and she nods to Mul'niessa before people start to consider the jeweler again. There's a look, audible for the rustle of cloth against oilcloth as she turns to look between the two, posture straightening a bit.

She extends a hand forward to flick a quick sign of, "Ears." then pinches a tiny gesture for, "Little ones." <handspeech>

The notion for Venom to pick something out makes Aryia blink owlishly at Vaera, only for her to swivel her head at Venom. Her bandaged hands come up, running along the length of her long ears. ".... my... ears?" she repeats slowly. They fidget with their fingers for a moment before the pugilist admits with small gestures. "If... they have something that's not a piercing... I'll try it."

Aryia all but suggested attire for Venom to wear. It was only fair. <Handspeech>

"True, if it does not require piercings, then it would not be a problem." Vaera nods, stepping aside and out from between the two. "Some form of clasp, perhaps? I am sure they could make alterations if necessary even, given their apparent skill."

Venom nods a bit, then her head lists a touch to the response from Aryia. A gloved hand lifts, reaching up with intent to brush aside from hair, perhaps to allow inspection of the indicated features.

She shifts her look toward Vaera, then nods ands gives that a thumbs-up.

Aryia blinks, face dusting a bit red at the motion, but she makes no move to stop Venom. Her eyes close, and tilts her head into the brush. Like before noted, her ears were scarred just like the rest of her, even going so far as to have some tiny pieces missing from the edges. There too were healed over holes where one would assume earrings would go.

She gives a little nod, more sure about the idea due to Vaera's suggestion. But letting Venom finish with whatever it was she was doing.

Vaera took the time to look at a few smaller things, thinking about how perhaps they could be incorporated as parts, based on the purity of the metals and alloys. At the thumbs up, she nods in return to Venom, returning one of her own.

Venom's head does the little angle thing again at Aryia's posture, perhaps even the spread of hue accross her face before she starts to sign again, "Clip types should work just fine. Maybe one of the small folk can do it, if it takes intricate work."

Ignorant of her influence on Vaera's spending impulses, she allows her gaze to return to the craftsman in question, gently clapping a shoulder of each of her companions. <handspeech>

The elf somewhat pays half attention to the gestures. But the light clap of the shoulder is what it took for Aryia to 'wake up', her blinking and glancing around before her brain caught up with what was said. She nods, pulling out her journal and scribbling a few sentences down in preparation. "Maybe. They could probably do it too. Not sure..."

She holds up a finger, steels herself, and steps towards the jeweler, away from the group.

From the distance, he begins to speak with the man, a Khazad with a large lens fitted over his eye. There's a few motions from Aryia, asking if he knew Handspeech. He shakes his head, starting to speak up louder for Aryia so she could 'hear' him. That only causes her ears to twitch and her face to grimace, the elf holding up a hand to stop them and just resorting to her journal, pointing to her prewritten text. <Handspeech>

Vaera had already paid for two silver rings before Aryia walked over, pocketing them. Venom had seen a similar shaped part somewhere in the assembly, but only one. She stowed the purchases in her coat, stepping back as Aryia went closer.

Behind the mul'niessa, and out of sight, she signs to the veiled woman. "Should tell her some things you like. Seems like she might want to get you a gift sometime." they sign, stopping if she sees them turn at all. <Handspeech>

The emergence of the journal gets Venom's attention for a moment, but, with Aryia's haste and request for a moment, she relents and seems content to fld her arms beneath her shrouding garments.

With the sudden choice in movement by Vaera, she looked down to the redscale's hands, taking in her words and straightening slightly again. What can the engima ellocute in response to the concept she's put forth?

..

...

Oh...

"Thank you." <handspeech>

There is a lot of back and forth with the jeweler. He speaks loud enough to overhear, but the return conversation is just silence as Aryia scribbles in an answer.

"Yes, we go' plent' o' earrin's.

"Ya want 'em but not like tha'?"

"Whuzza pro'lem with jus' stickin' it in yer ea- fine fine fine, don't gimmie tha' look. It's creepy."

"'ow many? ... six? Whuddya gonna do with si-"

"Of course I can do eet. Gods, ye of little faith!"

"Aye, come back 'morrow. Give t'ya."

Satisfied, if slightly irritated, Aryia returns after leaving a small stack of gold on the counter, her snapping her journal shut. None the wiser about the conversation motioned behind her back.

The conversation was slightly overheard if only due to the distance. Vaera nods back to Venom, giving them another thumbs up. With Aryia returning, she turns her attention to the mul'niessa, crossing her arms. "Were you able to find a design that you liked?" She asks.

Venom looks to Vaera as she returns the thumbs up and she mirrors it, then looks back to see Aryia on her way back.

She allows Vaera to frame their question, but nods after and frames a simple quizzical gesture.

Aryia nods, looking between the two as she pulls out her journal. She's about to point to a line coupled with what seemed to be a drawing, but she blinks, closes the book before the others could see, and puts it behind her back. Hands folded together.

She gives a playful smile as a hand comes from behind herself to fluidly motion, "I did. You'll see what they are next time." <Handspeech>

This makes Vaera raise a brow, but she just nods. "If I see them another time, then. That is quite a bit, though. Unless they are all different designs? Actually, that could be interesting, with how long elf ears are."

Venom claps twice, nodding, then folds her hands neatly before her a moment as she looks between them. She doesn't have a lot to say on the matter, she won't see the outcome of this conversation until another time.

To that end, she wonders, "Did he already have an idea what you wanted?" <handspeech>

Aryia twitches her ears at the mention of them. They were quite long indeed. Five, six inches? She smirks up at the makari. "They're all the same. And he didn't, so I showed him, but they're simple enough." <Handspeech>

"Interesting." Vaera seems to muse in their monotone voice, looking between the group. "I hope that they turn out alright, and that you like them. Simple is good, keeping the shape obvious, but distinct. However, do not forget about why you came here, still due to my suggestion. I hope you can find an acceptable set of tools for tailoring."

Venom takes that in and thumbs-up. Whether or not the twitch of Aryia's ears draw her eyes behind the veils, well, that's for the veils to know. In any case, she nods and signs, "I don't know who makes good tailoring tools, I'm afraid." <handspeech>

Aryia blinks, her playful demeanor replaced with, "Sh-t", then "I kind of forgot about that. Thanks. And don't worry about it Venom. I should go get that figured out. Good to see you two."

She smiles and waves to the two of them. The elf about to turn to leave, but not without putting a hand on Venom's shoulder, squeezing it, and stepping off. <Handspeech>

"It was, good to see you." Vaera replies, seeming to hesitate for a moment. "Check with some jewelers for needles and other small things. Shears and scissors are likely at blacksmithing shops. And do not forget some fabric to practice with." She suggests. With the elf leaving, she turns to Venom fully. "It is good you showed up. It seems you improved her mood quite a bit, I do not know how much is on her mind. Enough that punching a stone wall down seemed like a good idea."

Venom waves after the Mul'niessa as she heads out, signing a, "Be well!" in her wake.

She turns then to Vaera as she speaks to her. She cocks her head, then signs for clarity's sake, "Wall?"

Then, a hand rises up to rub at the back of her head for a moment, then, "I'm not sure, either." she returns.

Something to correct, perhaps. <Handspeech>

"The bandages were fresh, implying the injury was recent, or being treated still. And she told me she was punching a brick wall until it fell." Vaera explains.

"I know not if it is something to be addressed, or if being there is more important for the time being. But if it was bad enough that physical injury and exhaustion was the preferable choice, that is a concern."

Venom's hands are still for a time once Vaera's finished speaking. She had a few things to mull over, if the stillness meant anything.

There's a slow nod, then and she lifts her head to likely angle to meet the redscale's eyes as she signs a precise, "Agreed."

The opportunity to chase that angle down will present itself soon, though, in the meantime, "Have you had any more thoughts on your weapon?" <handspeech>

There was almost the equivalent of a smirk, the tall Makari's tail flicking once to the side as yellow eyes met where she assumed the gaze was. "Many thoughts, perhaps even some productive. I have been studying the Kulthian language and dialect, and came across several runes that I recognized on the weaponry. And I was able to translate the sildanyari runes that I was not certain of." Vaera explains. "I am going to attempt to reproduce the mechanism soon."

Venom nods, "Good." she signs, then starts to probe further, "Have you decided to skip the folding system?"

The veiled woman scans about some, surveying the work and foot traffic around them, then turns her attention back to Vaera in case she opts to sign, instead. <handspeech>

"It is good. Thank you for all the assistance and diagrams you have provided, it has been an excellent help." Vaera nods back, mirroring the gesture prior and putting a large hand on Venom's shoulder for a moment. "No folding mechanism, I'll focus on making sure the shortened barrel is properly reinforced. I picked up an excellent cut of walnut wood which should work for the shorter stock and grip."

A nod, then, "You're welcome."

Venom nods, lifting a hand to lightly curl upon Vaera's, then, her hand lifts to join it's partner to flex, twist and splay the gestures of, "You've been thinking well on this. I look forward to seeing this in the field." <handspeech>

"I have thought about it a long time. It is refreshing to truly make some progress upon it." Vaera replies, watching the hands after tilting her head once at the gesture. "It is, one of many parts of moving forward, away from my past. This city has been good for that."

"When it is finished, and I have tested to make sure that it is safe, I will show you. And if you are ever in need, you can rely upon this one in the field."

Vaera steps back, flicking her tail once more. "I should get going soon, but before I do, I was curious, what brought you to this district?"

There's another nod, and gloved hands starts to frame her reply of, "That can be rewarding on it's own."

She rolls her shoulders a little, then continues, "I needed a few things, mold release and a couple of tools for casting new rounds." <handspeech>

"Mold release and tools?" Vaera asks, a single brow raised. "I must apologize, I was going to join someone for dinner, and I have not gathered meat and other ingredients yet. But that sounds interesting Venom, and if you would let me learn more about that from you, I would greatly appreciate it."

Venom nods on the end of Vaera's first question, and her hands start to come together for her explanation when the redscale announces her other plans for the evening. She freezes a moment, then gives another nod and begins to frame her reply. SHe nods and gives a thumbs-up.

"Not a secret. It may make things easier for you. We can work it out next time. Enjoy your dinner, and have a good evening." <handspeech>

Seeing Venom preparing to explain makes the red makari chuff. "I am sorry, I would like to listen, especially if it is information welcome to be shared. But I would not wish to keep them waiting too long. They may worry." She replies, stepping back somewhat. "I will attempt to, and hope you have a good evening yourself. Take care, Venom."

With that, she turns to continue on her way, keeping an eye out for any tailoring supplies, should she need to help another time.

-End Scene-