|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jun 29, 2011 18:13:21 GMT -5
ooc | RP for Koji (Mini) and Swann (myself). ic | If Swann wasn't settled into Faerieland, she would have been very tempted to move to Shenkuu. She considered its mountainous landscape as she sat outside of a small tea shop, sipping a steaming mug delicately. Certainly the tea was better here than in Faerieland, but of course, that wasn't reason enough to pack up her things and move here. The Uni chuckled at that idea, nibbling at a small pastry. Still, it was peaceful and calm, traits that she approved of in an area over, perhaps, anything else. The people were kind and cordial, yet kept to themselves and didn't make a fuss over visitors.
Swann had come to see one of her plays - The Shopkeeper's Window - put on in a local production. It was the first time any of her works had been performed in Shenkuu, so she'd thought it a nice gesture to come out herself to see its opening night. And, surely enough, Swann thought as she reflected on the night before, it had been a fine performance. Not flawless, of course, but Swann approved of the interpretations the actors and director had taken of her work. There was really nothing quite like seeing one's own play being performed onstage.
Swann's horn glowed, lowering her tea mug to the small table in front of her. Smiling, she concentrated her magic onto the journal and quill before her, jotting down thoughts and ideas she'd been tossing around since arriving in Shenkuu. Although usually reclusive in Faerieland, even Swann had to admit that sometimes experiencing new places was fine fuel for one's inspiration.
|
|
Mini
Love God
The Itherian Herds. Coming soon to take over you.
Posts: 1,780
|
Post by Mini on Jun 29, 2011 19:24:28 GMT -5
Each new place Koji visited was even more amazing than the last. It had taken him a few weeks to cross the mountains of Altador and climb up into Shenkuu, but now that he was here, the trek had been totally worth it. He carried a small pack of essential survival items - a knife, small hatchet, canteen for drinking water, and mess kit. Yume had given him a small pendant before he'd left home which he wore around his neck, to remember his good friend and the place he came from. He loved bringing her back trinkets to marvel at - he was like a good big brother, in that sense, even though they weren't related. Yume called him her "heart brother." That was good enough for him.
He tossed his black mane and took in the sights with deep brown eyes. There was a street performer doing amazing acrobatics in the middle of the street. Koji walked up to watch, and tied his long hair up in a ponytail as he took in the performance. The acrobat landed after a triple flip, and the crowd clapped and cheered. Koji dug into his pocket - he had a few neopoints to spare; it wasn't like he needed them in his life as a nomad - and tossed them at the proud kougra, nodding his own thanks.
He strutted down the street, stopping at a cart to buy himself a sausage roll. He chewed happily, his stomach forgiving him for the weeks where he'd had to survive on what he could scrounge up in the forest. Now he could focus on the sights - the important sights - what kind of beautiful ladies did Shenkuu have to offer?
He absolutely loved their garb - the kimonos and hairpieces were exotic and exciting to him. Not to mention how polite everyone was here. He made sure to return their bows and greetings, as a visitor in a strange land should. He passed a small tea shop, and nearly continued on his way when a mare caught his eye. She was writing - no, her quill was writing. Intrigued, Koji approached her quite confidently. She looked no more like a local than he did.
"Hello there, I see your tea is nearly gone. May I buy you another cup?" He grinned crookedly, a trait Yume always said was endearing - he'd found that not everyone found it as cute as she did. He'd gotten many a black eye from a jealous boyfriend that thought he was hitting on their girl. Now that he thought about it, he was hitting on their girl. Oh well. "My name is Kojiros, or Koji for short."
|
|
|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jun 29, 2011 20:03:16 GMT -5
Swann jumped, making her quill clatter to the table. She blinked and turned a bit to look at the stallion next to her. As he had recognized of her, Swann knew instantly that this Kojiros was no Shenkuu native. Despite the shock, the mare felt a smile tugging at her mouth. If you insist; I shall not refuse a free cup of tea, she said a bit playfully, catching Koji's flirty tone. She wasn't normally flirty, but his smile was infectious. And what harm could a short cup of tea bring? Swann considered herself an excellent judge of character, and she had a feeling that there was nothing suspicious about Koji.
Perhaps you should like to join me? Swann asked, motioning to the seat across from her. There were no single tables, of course, so a double was the closest Swann could get. Perhaps it was fate, though. I am Iluni. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintence, Kojiros. She offered her own smile; it was a warm one that lit up her face like a sunrise.
|
|
Mini
Love God
The Itherian Herds. Coming soon to take over you.
Posts: 1,780
|
Post by Mini on Jun 29, 2011 20:37:10 GMT -5
Koji pulled out the seat and sat down, flagging down a waitress. "A refill for her, and a cup for me, please," he ordered, flashing her a smile. He couldn't help it. He was a hopeless flirt. Swann's smile was radiant. He'd definitely picked the right table. He paid the waitress when she brought their drinks, giving a little tip. It was still more than most city-dwellers expected a nomad to pay, so the waitress walked off happy. Koji liked making pretty girls happy.
"Well, hello Iluni. What a pretty name," he added in stride. "How are you liking it here? Myself, I just arrived, but I already like what I see." Perhaps he was too forward, but he didn't really care. He took a sip of tea - it was good, fantastic, even. He would have to find out where to buy some so he could take it home to Yume. She was far too shy to leave her paddock, but loved living vicariously through him and the gifts he brought her. "This tea is wonderful. I will have to bring some to my sister," he commented.
|
|
|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jun 29, 2011 22:53:51 GMT -5
Swann inwardly wondered how she was feeling so at ease with this outspoken stallion. Normally she stayed away from the loud types, but she felt like she had known Koji all her life. Foolish, of course, Swann mused to herself. Often one did not truly know one's friends even after years of knowing them. Swann was always aware of when her kindly nature was perhaps overcoming her wiser judgment.
Indeed, I have been here but a short while, Swann confessed. Her horn shimmered as she magicked up a spoon from the table to stir some sugar into her tea. She had obviously missed some of Koji's more forward language; either that, or she was pointedly ignoring it. I am a playwright, you see, she explained, blowing on her tea. It would be quite undignified to burn her mouth in front of a stranger. My latest script, The Shopkeeper's Window - perhaps you have heard of it? - is being performed here. Thus, I decided to travel here to see its performance. It was masterfully executed; I highly recommend it if you find yourself in need of the arts while you are here.
Swann quickly stopped herself. Goodness, how rude! Blathering on about her own business without the slightest thought to Koji. I do apologize, Koji. I speak too easily of myself, the mare hurried on, setting down her teacup and looking across the table at Koji. I suppose your business in Shenkuu is merely a pause along your wandering path?
|
|
Mini
Love God
The Itherian Herds. Coming soon to take over you.
Posts: 1,780
|
Post by Mini on Jun 30, 2011 1:22:30 GMT -5
Koji took another drink, carefully setting the teacup down. "I can't say I have," he replied. "But I am a wanderer, never staying in the same place for long. Perhaps it would be good for a nomad like me to embrace a little culture while I can. When is showtime?" He'd never seen a play before, though he'd heard of them. The people who owned the paddock would sometimes hitch Yume up to their carriage and get in, all dressed up, to go to something called the "opera." Yume loved to go, she could hear the performance from outside and always said it sounded like angels singing. Then again, Yume was quite the optimist. Koji would rather be out spelunking or something. He also wasn't sure how much the tickets would cost - he had enough neopoints for food and cheap lodging for the night, if he didn't just decide to sleep in the outskirts of town on a rock. He imagined sleeping under the stars here would be spectacular in the crisp mountain air, as long as it wasn't too cold.
"I don't mind when beautiful mares talk about themselves," Koji smiled again. "Where do you usually compose your masterpieces?"
|
|
|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jun 30, 2011 11:59:18 GMT -5
There is an evening show tonight at seven, Swann replied coolly. Feeling guilty that she had pressured Koji into seeing her own play, she quickly went on, Perhaps you should like to accompany myelf? As playwright, I receive complementary tickets. Swann was certain that, as a wanderer, Koji wouldn't carry excess Neopoints with him for frivolous things like plays. She berated herself on mentioning the subject - it had been entirely improper. Well, she would simply have to make it up to Koji. The complementary tickets were, hopefully, a nice start.
I reside in Faerieland, Swann said, jerking herself back into reality to answer Koji's inquiry. I do most of my writing there. However... Here she set one of her purple hooves upon the small notebook on the table. I have found that occasional leavetakings to other destinations can fire one's inspiration. I have never been to such a land as Shenkuu.
|
|
Mini
Love God
The Itherian Herds. Coming soon to take over you.
Posts: 1,780
|
Post by Mini on Jul 7, 2011 22:30:01 GMT -5
Koji's brown eyes twinkled. "I would love to, how could I refuse such a beauty as yourself?" He was a little relieved he wouldn't have to shell out neopoints for tickets to something he wasn't sure he would enjoy - but it was part of his life as a traveler, to have as many experiences as possible. He strove to keep an open mind about everything.
"I have never been to Faerieland," he confessed. "Is it much different, now that it has fallen from the sky?" He privately thought it would be a lot more accessible now that he wouldn't have to fly up there - he wasn't keen on flying - but he didn't want to be insensitive if she truly loved her home.
"Traveling is quite inspiring," he agreed. He wasn't much of a writer, but his heart soared at the idea of going to new places. Yume said she never needed to explore because she read, and the books took her new places every day. He'd rather see them with his own two eyes.
|
|
|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Jul 10, 2011 21:39:55 GMT -5
Swann's eyes flickered for a second; she had to hide a smirk. Perhaps Koji thought himself a lady's man, but to Swann most of his compliments were rather transparent. She wondered whether he was actually going to the theatre to see the play so much as to spend more time with herself.
Much of Faerieland remains parallel to its former incarnation in the sky, Swann admitted. Her eyes clouded over from the sharp amusement they had been moments before. But... there is much changed as well, and it is much of what I believe few perceive on the surface. It was the people, Swann nearly said. The Neopets. Faerieland was no longer the carefree place it had once been, when the only worry had been what Jhudora was up to on her poisonous cloud. Her face suddenly grim, Swann didn't notice the silence that had formed after her somber statement.
|
|
Mini
Love God
The Itherian Herds. Coming soon to take over you.
Posts: 1,780
|
Post by Mini on Aug 11, 2011 14:32:30 GMT -5
((Holy crap, I am so sorry it's taken me this long to reply. x.x Life is a little crazy!))
Koji's years as a nomad had made him particularly sensitive to changes in atmosphere, and he couldn't help but notice the tiny hint of worry in Swann's words. He guessed there was much more to it than she was telling him. However, he wasn't bothered - the politics of Faerieland were far from his interest. He decided to change the subject. "So, this play of yours, what's it about?" he asked, waving the waiter over to refill their teas.
(BLARG sorry about the shortness x.x I am seriously struggling with writer's block right now.)
|
|
|
Post by Eruanna's Menagerie on Sept 1, 2011 8:20:37 GMT -5
ooc | Don't worry about it! Life's crazy for all of us. =)
It took little prompting to induce Swann to speak of her play. She instantly dove into a rather long-winded explanation of The Shopkeeper's Window. It was a confusing array of imagery and symbolism, the story of a young man and woman falling in love as mirrored and induced by the ever-changing displays of a shopkeeper's window. Swann was particularly proud of it, as she considered it one of her more challenging and involved works.
As she spoke, her eyes lit with a different kind of life in them, a spark that really only appeared when she discussed literature, a spark that appeared in anyone's eyes when they reflected on what they truly loved. Her explanation went on for several minutes before she was able to wrap it up. She almost felt a bit winded at the end of it.
|
|