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[Karmilla]

Kjarrmira Vhys thumbed through the catalogue chained to the window of the Windurst Walls auction house, suppressing a sigh of envy. There was a great deal here she could use, and a great deal more she wanted but couldn't... but nothing she could afford, not with the lion's share of her money already earmarked for sending home.

Kjarrm had known that Windurst would be different from the tiny fishing village she was used to, but she hadn't expected what she'd found - something a little larger than Mhaura, certainly, but not a sprawling expanse of bridge-choked lakes and shallow canyons that was far more claustrophobic than she'd liked... and the hostel! Lodgings, at least, were within her means, but she hadn't had the courage to sleep there for two nights, buried under the hillside as the apartments were. It didn't matter that they'd found an ingenious way to channel sunlight into the rooms; she couldn't get past the notion.

Everything else, though... at home, most of the village was devoted to the tasks of gathering food in some form or another, and shared what meager bounty there was communally, since if any one family began to suffer, the whole village suffered with them. Here, though, it seemed to be every mithra (or taru) for themselves. She didn't want to judge people, but cityfolk seemed to be a tight-fisted bunch, and everything cost money... more than she could spare. This would be the third time she'd sent money back home, and the purse would be even thinner than the first two times, as she'd needed to replace some gear that had worn out.

She could keep herself fed, but finding money to spare to send home was growing more difficult by the day. At least there was some call for people who could beat the stuffing out of wild beasts in the savannah around town; it was the only talent she seemed to have.

With a twinge of regret, she flipped through to the end of the cork-enclosed sheaf of papers. Maybe she couldn't buy anything now, but it couldn't hurt to do a little window-shopping...

[Darian Cerris]

Darian sighed as he looked around the auction house plaza. Having grown tired of being what he believed to be a burden to Ithan-Yuran, the elderly tarutaru who took him in when he'd arrived in Windurst, the young Hume had elected to go back to his roots -- stealing. It's not that he was going out of his way to do that kind of thing, but he did seem to be a natural at it -- a talent that he was using today as he deftly filched purses from unsuspecting auction house patrons.

His unassuming look was a boon to him in a situation like this. Looking like he'd barely reached adulthood, Darian had short, slightly unkempt brown-blond hair and blue eyes. Dressed in a simple brown doublet and brais, he looked like a visitor from Bastok, or maybe even an adventurer... and he looked innocent enough that no one even gave him a second glance, the Windurstian populace having grown accustomed to foreigners passing through the city.

He knew it wasn't right, and deep down inside, he felt rather guilty. He knew he'd make up for it one day... but for now, with a full purse and a slightly burdened soul, he went over to one of the counters and started leafing through one of the books, half-wondering what an apprentice White Mage would need to go out in the world...

[Karmilla]

Kjarrm had finally decided she'd stalled enough, and left the window to speak with a female tarutaru near some crates by the auction house. She was one of several folk in town whose job it was to manage the couriers, sending items and money hither and yon. Kjarrm was very bad with names, though, and couldn't remember the taru's just then; it didn't matter, though, as the mailtaru was likely used to it, and looked up at the far-taller mithra with a smile.

"Hallo, dearie. How can I help-aru you?"

"Oh, sorrry. I want to send... eh?" Kjarrm stammered, reaching for her belt pouch and finding only empty air. She turned a little, thinking she'd simply misplaced it... but on careful examination, she couldn't find her purse at all. "It's gone... my money's gone! Oh no... wherre did it go? Did I drop it?"

The mailtaru saw that Kjarrm was rapidly spinning into a panic, and tried to gesture consolingly. "Calm down, honey. Maybe you left it in your moghouse-aru?"

"No, no... it was rrright herre..." Kjarrm almost bit her tongue, trying to cut off her words. She was far from the only mithra in Windurst, but she'd noticed that some of the mithra had lost the growl that drew out their "r"s, and hearing that had made her feel self-conscious about her accent. She tried to mask it, but when she was stressed...

"Did you want-aru me to check the lost-and-found?" The taru looked at Kjarrm pityingly, and she could only nod, trying to keep from crying in frustration. It wasn't much money, but if it had been just for her, she might not have been so upset...

What am I going to do...?

[Darian Cerris]

Darian's aimless browsing had brought him to the weaponry section of the catalogue; he somewhat knew how to use a sword, but he wondered in the back of his mind if it wouldn't be too heavy to wield one while casting spells. He frowned and tried to remember what he'd seen Master Ithan-Yuran use in the past... did the Taru even know how to use a weapon apart from a knitting needle?

After a moment of thought, he flipped over to the maces section; there were a few listed that seemed suitable for a mage... and better yet, he had just enough money to buy one of them. He shifted for a moment, trying to decide whether to blow that much money on a weapon he technically didn't know how to use, all the while unaware of the Mithra's plight a few ilms* away...

[*Ilm: Vana'diel equivalent to a foot.]

[Karmilla]

The Mithra paced impatiently as she waited for the courier-manager to return; when she did, she perked up briefly, only to slump as the tarutaru shook her head sadly.

"Nothing matching that description-aru in the box, dearie. I'm sorry... are you going to be alright-aru? If you're short on gil, maybe-"

Kjarrm shook her head fiercely, trying to keep from bursting into tears in front of all these people. She took one tremulous step away, replying only, "No, it's alrrright... thank you." She hurried off, stumbling into a young man at one of the windows on the way. She mumbled something that she hoped sounded like an apology; she didn't dare stick around any longer.

She ran to the north, not paying much attention at all to where she was going. Her feet took her to a quiet section of the road that circled the outside of the Walls, one with no buildings and a few large rocks behind which she could hide. Here she sat heavily on the ground, dropped her head into her lap, and gave free reign to her tears.

What do I do? All my money was in that purse... I've got nothing left to send to Tynean and Aunt Najru, and even if I did I've no money for food. I suppose I could sell some of my armour; even with all the wear, someone must want it!

Kjarrm cried in silence for how long, she wasn't certain; her mind whirled in tighter and tighter circles, stopped only by the sound of a footfall near her. She looked up with a gasp, ashamed to have been caught crying her eyes out like a kitten, and looked for the unwelcome company...

[Darian Cerris]

"Um... hi."

Darian crouched in front of the Mithra, his face flushed and with a guilty expression. He held out the small money purse in front of her and looked down, as if he couldn't bear to look right at her.

"Here... I'm sorry."

[Karmilla]

Kjarrm blinked in surprise at the young hume male; it took her a moment to realize that it was her money pouch he was holding, and a few moments more to realize why he was holding it.

In a sudden burst of anger, she surged forward, lashing out at him. She aimed, as she'd been taught, for the chest and not the face; she connected, and noticed a brief flicker of light where her fist had impacted on his doublet.

In a way, she was glad for that; she didn't intend to injure him, but striking him had been the natural response. Her follow-up was less graceful; off-balance, she pushed herself towards him, intending to tackle him to the ground so he couldn't get away.

"Why did you DO that?!" Her voice cracked as she cried out, more hurt than angry at this point.

[Darian Cerris]

Darian was fully expecting a pummelling -- that's why he had the sense to cast Protect on himself beforehand. He was still winded by the punch, however, not having anticipated a strike to the chest. It didn't take much for the Mithra to topple him, and he winced as she managed to pin his arms down and kneel on his stomach.

He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting a blow right to the face; when only words came, he slowly opened his eyes and visibly winced at the hurt look in the Mithra's eyes.

"I... I'm sorry... I really am..." was all he could reply at first, his mind racing as he tried to figure out what to say. Any explanation he could give seemed petty at this point, and he didn't quite know how to deal with being caught like this...

"I thought you were one of those rich-type adventurers, and... well... um... I'm sorry."

[Karmilla]

"'Rrrich-type adventurrerrs'? And that makes it alrright?!"

Kjarrm was very tempted to bash the hume around some more, but her eyes alighted on her purse in his hand, and she quickly snagged it, putting it back on her belt. She probably should have checked it, but something about him - his expression, his words, his tone - spoke of sincerity.

With a frown, she looked at him crossly. "Did you rrrob anyone else? You should give it all back, it's not yourrrs."

She didn't let him up, not yet; she wanted to know just how contrite he was.

[Darian Cerris]

"Hear me out!" Darian winced... the Mithra wasn't heavy, but the weight on his chest was starting to make him a bit dizzy, even with the Protect spell lessening the pressure.

"I was trying to get some money... so I could go out on my own... I know it's wrong, but I wasn't going to do it for long... and... uh... having a little trouble breathing, here..."

[Karmilla]

"You'rrre not exactly convincing me to let you up."

Kjarrm did, after a moment or two more, get off of the hume thief. She did it very quickly, however, kneeing him slightly in the gut as she unfolded her legs, pushing herself up on both feet. Rapidly, she stepped on his chest - not hard, but enough to keep him down. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look as imposing as she could in a gi and slacks.

"If you'rre that desperrrate for money, why not do what the adventurrerrs do? It's not much, but I manage it... and I'm not even spending most of my money."

Saying that reminded her of why she'd been so upset in the first place, and she rubbed away what was left of her tears with the back of one paw, trying to keep the frown on her face.

[Darian Cerris]

Darian opened his mouth to say something, but the kneeing and the subsequent stepping completely winded him, and he actually coughed a little until he caught his breath. He looked up at her worriedly, convinced that she was going to step on his face...

"Because Master Ithan-Yuran would probably have kittens if I tried to go out there without being prepared... and I can't get prepared unless I have money... it's a vicious cycle, you know?" He sighed, raising his hands a little. "It's wrong, but I wasn't going to do this forever... you have to believe me..."

He blinked at the Mithra with confusion, however, as she said that she wasn't spending the money. "You're not? Then... why were you...?"

[Karmilla]

"I was window-shopping, you... you jerrrk! You know, looking at things I couldn't afforrd. If I don't need it to surrrvive, I send it home to my family... and I don't know why I'm even telling you this."

Kjarrmira did want to talk about it - had been wanting to talk to someone about her troubles for some time - but she hadn't felt comfortable unburdening her soul to anyone in Windurst, as they were all strangers to her still. Why, then, was she doing so now? She wasn't sure herself.

Ashamed at herself anew, she looked away from the prone hume with a downcast expression, flushed and eyes averted. She felt a little bit trapped; she had the thief at her mercy, and she felt she should see his punishment through, but right now all she wanted to do was hide somewhere...

[Darian Cerris]

"Oh... I'm sorry..." Darian looked at the Mithra sadly... but in a way, he was just a little bit envious that she at least has a family.

"Um... Did you want to talk about it at all? I can make it up to you with lunch or something..." He stopped, realizing how silly he sounded by saying that, given that he was completely at her mercy... and there was still a chance that she'd turn him in to the guard.

[Karmilla]

Kjarrm blinked at the hume's offer, and narrowed her eyes suspiciously for a moment. He could just be teasing her, or getting her to let him up so he could escape... but now that her troubles had been brought up, she did want to talk about it, badly. He was also offering food, which she'd been shorting herself on, so she could send more home.

A soft growl in her stomach decided her; carefully, she stepped off the fallen man, giving him room to stand. She wasn't finished with him, though, and stayed on her guard.

"Alrrright... but firrst you have to give back whateverr else you took. And I mean it, I'm not letting you keep it." There was a definite growl in her voice as she said that...

[Darian Cerris]

Darian didn't get up right away; he lay there for a couple more seconds, waiting to see if she'd step on him again. When she didn't, he slowly got up and dusted himself off.

"Erk..." Darian swallowed hard at the Mithra's growl, and he actually felt the hairs on his neck stand on end. "I'm going, I'm going..."

Darian made his way back to the Walls Auction House, all the while knowing that he was likely being followed by the Mithra; he lost his cringing demeanour as he approached the wicket that had the lost and found basket, and he casually dropped into it the few money pouches he'd collected before heading away. One would have thought that he was an adventurer dropping something off, or even a messenger; no one even batted an eye at the ordinary-looking Hume, and that's probably why he got away with the pickpocketing in the first place.

"Alright. That's done." He turned his pants pockets inside out, and he showed her the money he had left -- about 200 gil. "The money I have left is my own, and no, I didn't swipe it..." He smiled sheepishly, half-wondering why he was letting a total stranger bully him around.

"So, um..." He really wanted to ask what Mithra ate, but he was sure he'd get a kick in the face for that. He elected to go the tactful route instead as he started walking towards the Waters. "What do you normally like for lunch?"

[Karmilla]

Kjarrm did keep an eye on the young hume as he went about his task, though she didn't stalk him that closely. She breathed a sigh when he dropped the money purses in the lost-and-found, and paused, wondering why she felt relieved.

I guess, she thought in surprise, it's because he doesn't seem like such a bad guy. He's kind, and friendly... he was willing to own up to his mistake... She peered around the corner at the returning figure, and smiled coyly. He's also kind of cute...

Once the hume was back, and had proven he'd put it all back, she nodded and fell in step behind him, crossing her arms behind her head.

"Anything with meat in it, rreally... did you have some place in mind?"

[Darian Cerris]

Darian blinked as the Mithra crossed her arms behind her head, and he coughed slightly, making sure to keep eyes front. "Actually, um... I'm actually too broke to go to Timbers Timbres.... unless you want me to pickpocket someone again."

He looked back and laughed nervously at the look she was giving him. "... didn't think so."

Darian cleared his throat, hoping that he wouldn't get kicked for the joke, and continued on past the gate to the Waters and started heading south, past the restaurants and towards the residential area.

"Master Ithan-Yuran's in Jeuno for a conference... he won't be back for a couple of days. I could just make lunch at home..." He stopped, realizing how lame that sounded. "I mean... if that's okay. I'm not sure how much meat I've got in the icebox, but I did buy some pipira this morning from the fishmonger..."

[Karmilla]

Kjarrm did give him a dirty look when he mentioned pickpocketing, but she didn't kick him. She was, however, interested in where they were headed... and when she realized what he was proposing, she smirked wryly.

"Hmm... shouldn't I at least know your name, if you'rrre going to invite me into yourr home?" She said it teasingly, without really meaning it in that way, but she wasn't sure how he'd take it.

Fish... I'm so sick of fish. Growing up in a fishing village... but I guess beggars can't be choosers, and I am hungry...

"I'm Kjarrmira, by the way." The way she pronounced it, the last "r" was very soft, almost like an "l"; it had taken her a while to realize that that's why they'd misspelled her name on her citizenship application. Nothing for it now, but it still rankled.

[Darian Cerris]

"Oh, um..." Darian reddened like a tomato, and he stammered before offering a intelligible reply. "I'm.. I'm Darian..."

Darian blinked at the Mithra's name and tried to turn it around in his mouth as he struggled with the strange pronounciation. "Kyar...? Kyarm... Kyarmilra? Kyarmirra? Karmilla? Sorry, I'm really bad with Mithran names..." He looked back at her sheepishly.

The path that Darian took Kjarm led her over walkways over the waters prevalent in the area. Soon they were on dry land, and the busy shopfronts were replaced with a quiet residential area. Kjarm could see families -- both Tarutaru and Mithra alike -- going about their daily business, and while a few waved in greeting, no one paid much attention to the two.

Eventually, Darian stopped at a Tarutaru-style house, and though it was small, it was thankfully not Tarutaru-sized. He unlocked the front door and gestured invitingly inside.

"It's not really my house," he explained as he closed the door behind the two. The small house was deceptively large inside; a small maple table was the first thing Kjarm would have seen, with a cozy fireplace in the wall in front of them. A kitchen, brightened by the light from the two windows adjacent to eachother, took up the left side of the house, and Kjarm could see an extensive library to the right of the entrance, along with the doors to a couple of rooms.

Darian went straight for the kitchen, fiddling with a small crate packed with ice crystals. "I live here with my mentor... He took me in a while ago. Is pan-fried okay?" He held up two pipiras by the tail -- it looked like they'd already been cleaned.