up my sleeves

I didn't mind the heat.

I much prefer the vicious sun of Kivan to the bitter cold and wet of Drenak and Tanul.  The air feels like an open oven when you step out in the highways of light created by the Plates above, and unlike most other times of the year, people are avoiding them like the plague.  As such, traveling is quite easy as long as you stick to the light.

Myself?  I'm taking advantage of the fact that most people are retreating into their homes, sitting next to fans and ice buckets, to seek out some harder to reach areas of the Drench.  I walk steadily down the streets, heading toward a normally miserable location - the Slog.  Across my back is slung my quiver and in one hand a lightweight recurve bow.  Upon my face is a light, carefree expression and absentmindedness you might not expect from someone so visibly armed in the Drench.

I don't really care if the Enforcers stop me and try to interrogate me on my destination, since I'm very clearly not going toward their precious Plates.

In the distance, I see the glimmer of sun on rippling water - the river.  It's not quite as impressive now during the prolonged drought, but the sight is still marvelous and brilliant in its diminished state.  As I reach the water's edge, I slip off my boots and socks without much hesitation and begin to walk my way across toward the Slog.  The river barely laps against my mid calves, which for someone of my diminutive stature says a lot.  Upon reaching the other side, I pull out a rag from the rim of my army green shorts to wipe my feet and legs.  I glance around before quickly donning my socks and boots again and set out toward the middle of the Slog.

What would normally be like quicksand to walk in barely squelches under my feet, and the farther away from the river you go, the more you can see the dry crackling of clay under heart begin to pucker and curve.  Large bushes have even begun growing amid the mud, seeds finally able to take root and reach their potential without the random, violent expelling of water from the river and Plate above.

I reach into the open tan vest to pull out a metal bottle of fresh water, taking a swig.  I walk toward one of the large bushes and squat down, my dark eyes scanning the horizon for signs of movement or maybe something shiny.
""

Iara

Se eu tiver sonhando, não precisa me acordar.

CIAN

Why he leaves the shaded parts of the Drench to head to the outskirts of the city, he has no idea. He isn't even much of a nature person to begin with. Perhaps he just figured he needed a change from the stale air and maybe it will be easier to relax for a couple of hours when not being around people and running the risk of talking to the wrong person again or anything. Still spending time glancing over his shoulder every now and then, just in case.

Doing his best to ignore the hot sun, Cian just wanders around aimlessly further away from the city proper without a real goal in mind. As usual. His mind spinning around with a million thoughts and worries at once, as it often did nowadays and he isn't sure if he should try to sort through it all or ignore it. At least he had not run himself into anymore trouble in a while now, so he has that going for him at least and it did give him a bit of a break mentally.

He pushes his way through some bushes growing by the edge of the river and almost trips himself into the water once he finally makes it through. Half blinded by the sharp reflection of the sunlight on the surface of the currently shallow water, he doesn't at all notice the person hiding in the bushes on the other side, bow in hand. Had he been aware, he probably would have chosen another spot to suddenly appear like that, not very keen on the risk of arrows flying his way.

Squinting at the light, he carefully crouches down by the edge of the river with a sigh and stares at the water as if he is trying to work out what to even do about anything and everything in his life at the moment.

I see the flash of movement in the distance, lifting my bow silently in the air and squinting as I try to catch the source amongst the cracked mud and shrubbery.  I make out a pair of ears, knock an arrow quietly.  I begin to draw the arrow and string back, and then I hear it.

The busy fluster of footsteps, hands breaking their way through the terrain.  Unfortunately for me, my would-be prey also hears the coming of another.  I see the speed of my quarry increase suddenly and then disappear, under the cover of nearby plant life.  A prey animal of some kind, but I'll never know the true answer.

He clearly does not notice me, but my dark eyes are currently burning holes in the direction of his graceless, shuffling entrance among the bushes on the other side.  I am not annoyed at the company, just the noise of the newfound companion.

Since he has not noticed me still, I take my time to observe him, placing the arrow back in my quiver and sitting up slightly on the balls of my feet.  He stares at the surface of the river, as though he's afraid of a few inches of water.  I don't recognize him, but he doesn't have the air of a Plater, despite seeming a bit squeamish about the idea of walking in water.  He sighs fairly heavily, which I think about for a moment.

I almost consider just waiting for him to pass, but I somehow doubt he would move along any time soon, and when he did, I'd be in for another disruption.

I stand up and walk out from the camouflage of the bushes, looking over at him from across the water.  I stand with my hip cocked out sassily, one hand on my hip with the other still clutching my bow.  "It won't clear a path for ya," I say assuredly, gesturing with my chin toward the river he had been staring at quietly.  My expression is amused, despite my dark eyes still carrying the hint of annoyance from losing a free dinner.
""

Iara

Se eu tiver sonhando, não precisa me acordar.

CIAN

He quickly slips deep into his own thoughts and loses any concept of time. For all he knows, he could have been there for five seconds or twenty minutes when the voice snaps him back to reality. He starts and is about to hurry to his feet when he feels his balance try to fail him instead. To prevent himself from ending up taking an involuntary bath, he quickly shifts backwards instead. At least the mud is more or less hardened soil at this point.

Finding himself sitting there on the ground, he shields his eyes with a hand in an attempt to see who the voice belongs to, while trying to gather if he is in any danger or not. He spots the woman standing there on the other side, armed with a bow. The sight of the weapon instantly sends chills down his spine, but he catches up with himself the next second and takes a slow breath to calm himself again when he figures she doesn't look like any Enforcers he's ever seen.

"You sure?" He calls back he calls back in a more friendly tone that doesn't hold too much of his anxiety. Leaning forward, he holds a hand out just above the water and focuses for a couple of deep breaths. The surface right below his hand stirs every so slightly, like water would in a glass being vibrated and then stops when he takes his hand away again.

"Apparently not. Was worth a try, though." His voice having some amusement to it now and he smiles slightly as he focuses back to her, shrugging his shoulders and getting up on his feet. "You hunting out here or something?" He then asks, gesturing to the bow she's holding.

He jumps, much like my prey just a few moments ago.

The urgency in his movements and surprise that quickly paints his face makes me feel a little better about losing my meal.  It doesn't completely erase the annoyance, but it's a start in the right direction.  If he had instead tipped forward and fell face first into the river, it would have made up for it all.  Alas, luck is not on my side today.

He does, however, tumble backward to avoid falling into the water.  He looks up at me, hand shielding his eyes from the sun when he meets my gaze.  I smirk at him as he sits, ass in the flaking mud and dirt.  He seems put on edge by my weapon, which is good.  Even with him splatted onto the floor, I can tell that he's much larger than I am.  I tend not to let myself get intimidated by anyone based on size, but it's still in the back of your mind regardless, you know?

After ascertaining that I am not prepared to loose any arrows on him, he responds to my statement.  Before I can answer, he reaches a hand out, as if to command the water to part.  I know about mages, but I think most would struggle to halt a river, even in it's current pathetic state.

The surface of the water wobbles a little bit, like jello in a pan.  For a moment, I hold my breath, waiting for it to actually part or move or do... anything other than wiggle.  Nothing happens.  My expression falls flat for just a moment as I realize nothing is going to happen.  Then, a bright smiles bursts forth onto my lips.

I let out a laugh, a bit rough but full of amusement.  "What the fuck was that?" I say between giggles, shaking my head.

He stands up and I regain my composure a bit, smile still lingering on my lips.  "I was hunting," I pause looking back out over the slog in the direction my would-be dinner ran off to.  "Until someone came rumbling through the bushes like a graceless dipund."

I look back at the stranger, a smile still on my face now.  My annoyance has been dissipated, replaced instead with an amicable attitude and joking tone.

"What brings ya out to the Slog?  Don't see many folk out here."
""

Iara

Se eu tiver sonhando, não precisa me acordar.

CIAN

The smile stays on his face as she giggles and he gives another shrug. "Just wanted to see if I could actually part the water. Turns out I can't." He already knew that, but pretending to make an attempt still seemed fun.

She had been hunting and he had been the one apparently disturbing it. His smile turns into a more apologetic one before he turns his gaze in the direction she's looking. He runs his fingers through his hair in an awkward manner and then looks back to her. "Sorry about that. Didn't expect to find someone else out here either." He starts, then pauses to ponder the question. What to even respond with and not accidentally say too much.

"Just needed some air. Didn't mean to specifically go here, was just wandering around in my own thoughts." And accidentally scaring away whatever animals might be out here, but he wouldn't dare to mention out loud that he is sort of glad he does. Any animal he scares off is an animal that won't attack him. Because of course he hadn't considered before going out that there might be predators lurking in these parts.

"I'm one of the many visitors stuck here because of the lockdown, so I'm not at all used to how pressing the Drench is right now. And with the crowds, the heat and all that. Figured I could catch a break out here." And he currently does prefer the more emptiness of this area, even if it is more nature than he is used to.

I cannot decide if he actually thought he could part the water or not.  Based on how feeble the attempt was, I want to believe he was just messing around.  However, there is a strange quality of sincerity in his voice and face that leaves me with a shred of doubt.  I need not put too much thought into it, I think.

"It was an amusing showing," my voice carrying the same lighthearted tone.

I nod my head in response to his apology.  Of course he didn't expect people to be out here.  The Slog wasn't really known to be extremely hospitable, much less pleasant to visit.  "Mhmm," is the simple reply I give for him.  I guess I could more formally accept his apology, but that's not really in my nature.

My question seems to startle him, which I wasn't expecting.  I guess he does seem pretty squirrelly.  He pauses, his face focused.  I suspect that he probably has something he doesn't want to share, which is fine.  Everyone has secrets, especially in these times.  I am not one to poke and prod out information.  I leave that job for the Enforcers and nosey neighbors.  When he finally answers, my smile evaporates and is replaced instead with a passive expression.

"Aye," I begin.  "Guess I owe you an apology, then.  I wasn't lookin' to interrupt ya."  I pause thoughtfully for a moment before a smirk cracks across my face.  "I'll make sure none of the beasties get ya while you're out here as repentance."  I wink, to show that I am mostly kidding.  With the drought, I am not expecting to see many of the predators you might normally run into on the Slog, as they tended to hide more in the standing water and mud puddles that had all but dried up.

I doubt city boy knows that though.

He shares that he's a visitor stuck in the city because of the lock down.  Far too common a story, with how hard it is to get out, unless you're one of the high up folks.  "The lock down's turned everything to shit," I say frankly, a distance annoyance in my voice.  It's not directed at him, more-so the Arbiter, but that old man isn't anywhere nearby for me to spit my venom at.  "No one's been driving, so I've been out of the majority of my work.  Basically only get work on generators and other small doodads."

"That's why I'm out here.  Trying for a free meal so I can spend that money elsewhere."
""

Iara

Se eu tiver sonhando, não precisa me acordar.

CIAN

"Guess we just interrupted each other, then." He says with a chuckle. "Hopefully my stumbling around have scared off all the mean beasties, but you never know." His expression turning more amused and he starts to relax when it seems pretty clear that she's not angry over him scaring off potential dinner. Though he would not have blamed her if she was.

Still, he is happy the conversation is on the more light-hearted side. Saints know he could use some less seriousness for a while.

When she mentions people not driving had been keeping her out of work, it brings a small frown to his face as he tries to figure out what kind of job she might be talking about. Then she mentions working on generators and it perks him up. "Generators? What kind of work do you do?" He asks curiously, seemingly genuinely eager to learn more.

He throws a glance at the water again. Spotting a shallow area a few steps to the side of him, he moves over and carefully crosses so they won't have to continue having a conversation across the river. At least he manages that without falling again and his feet are soon safely on the drying mud ground over on her side.

"Or drew their attention," the smirk takes on a shadow of dark humor, but I can't resist the urge to mess around, if only a little bit.  I was hardly afraid of the wildlife here, but maybe that arrogance will be my downfall some day.

My rambling seems to have piqued the interest of my new found companion, and as I go to answer him, I notice a determined glance leading into him crossing the river.  He didn't take the same precautions as me, so I watch with a near wince as his shoe goes straight into the water.  I can envision in my head the squelching sensation of water on the bottom of my shoes all too well, being a Drencher.  It's all fun and games until you develop some sort of thrush between your toes.  With how dry it's been this season, though, I doubt that's any real fear.

When he makes his way over to my side, I adjust my stance so that I'm rested a bit more casually.  "Mechanic," I answer simply, looking at him with a steady gaze.  "Used to work a lot on shipping trucks, flatbeds - that sort."  I smile, a distance look in my eyes and almost wistful sorrow of times long past.  "Ain't enough of them moving in and out of the city, what with trade at a stand still."

"But if it's got pistons, gears or wires, I can usually figure out how it ticks," I nod, assuredly at myself more than him.  "So my business has become a bit more diverse, we'll say."

Then my eyes light up, as if my attention has shifted back to the present moment for a time.  I look the man in front of me up and down, as if I'm sizing him up for something.  He's pale, so probably not a Plater, but he's cleaner than your average Drencher.  He had already revealed that he was a mage, but aside from that, I don't have much to go on.  He looks earnest enough, but who knows nowadays.

"What about you?"
""

Iara

Se eu tiver sonhando, não precisa me acordar.

CIAN

He walks out into the water with shoes on on purpose, banking on the fact that the dry heat would not allowed them to be soaked for too long and he would not have to walk around with wet shoes all day for several days anyway. If he is to be honest, there is a temptation to just throw himself fully into the water with all clothes on, just for the sake of cooling down.

Once on the other side, he moves over to be within a more normal conversation range and his curiosity grows when she says she's a mechanic. He could have guessed it would be something like that and he nods a couple of times along with what she says. "Yeah, I guess most things are standing still right now." At least cars and the like. Maybe there are enough going around up on the Plates, but he assumes she is not doing any work up there if business was going slow for her. Or it is just as slow up there as well.

"Currently, I am doing a bit of anything that I can come over to be able to pay rent." He responds to the question about himself and lets out a quiet sigh. "Back home, though, I did a lot of work on the cargo trains coming through. Mostly maintenance. Checking hatches, bolts, doors. That sort of things. Not much with their engines, but I might know my way around a car. At least the basics." He could have gone one learning and doing more advanced things at this point, but staying with the simpler things had allowed him to stay working close to and inside the trains, which in the past had made him useful for the activities the gang he used to be in was up to.

"Other than that, I helped out in my parents' shop when I had the time. They are selling all sorts of things. Trinkets, gadgets and the like. Mostly what they feel like." He says with a soft smile. "Doing some repairs of smaller things there too. Like radios or what people come in with." It seems to be a bit of a theme in his family to not just settle for one single thing and do that.