Post by Surua on Jan 5, 2016 20:46:43 GMT -5
~~~
The morning light trickled through the canopy above, of the greenery of the tropical plants and trees interspersed throughout the oasis, and of the various tarps and sheets of cloth hung between the buildings to provide shade to the streets below. Of many vibrant colors and patterns to the woven overhang, the sunlight cast a brilliant array of colors in soft light upon those who made their way beneath it all. Already for a couple hours at least had the city been awake, and the oasis was alive with activity. Those late to the day were still opening stalls or setting up shop, but enough was the hustle and bustle that the various markets and seller streets were quickly becoming crowded. For those who had no permanent residence, seeking out breakfast was the focus of many and the city displayed that; even outside the actual restaurant and food-serving establishments, the crackle of fires and the aroma of cooking filled the air. Intermixed with the shouting of buyers and sellers and the smells of the goods on display (particularly the spices, of which there were many), it was a pretty picture for those with an appetite to buy, and more than just food at that. Despite it all however, as productivity for the day ramped up, there were still more than a few quiet streets, alleys and courtyards still not awoken like the rest of the city and populated by stacked crates and baskets and the occasional stray animal.
This was Waq Waq oasis of Zarzara Island, and though the issue at the back of everyone's mind was the recent occupation of a hostile crew of fishmen, life continued as it ever had and without looking you might never know of the piratical residency. A small offshoot of Ciudadela, the island was frequent stopping point for traders and raiders alike, but tensions were usually muted by the harsh environment of the island. Indeed, outside the inland oasis, one would be hard pressed to survive and harder pressed to make a living. Only by the grace of planners, builders and traders of the past was the oasis a habitable place, and by the efforts of the current generations it thrived. Thankfully an expansive canal stretching to the coast, allowed for easy access to the oasis by outsiders, else who would make the effort to cross the expanse of desert to the waters of the South Blue beyond?
~~~
"Hey! I know you pirates are the big shots around here for now, but that doesn't mean you can just steal from the likes of me. Two hands at the most, just like everybody else!"
A flourish of arms among the goods of the exterior of a produce store was interrupted by the big burly owner, a middle-aged man and probably long-time vendor. Based on the way he carried himself and others reacted, it seemed likely that he was a fairly well-known and popular figure or at least his store was. The person he called out to was dressed quite heavily in the local manner of clothing, robes and and abundance of draped cloth to protect against the sun, and while it was difficult to make out her identity it was clear to tell she wasn't human from the six arms that reached out from underneath all that clothing. The store owner assumed her to be a fishperson because of the recent occupation of the fishmen pirates, and he wouldn't be completely wrong to think so. While not a pirate and not associated with the lot of them staying over at the palace of the Princess, the rest checked out. As far as he was concerned though, it was too easy for her to be able to steal things when she had so many extra arms to grab and take as she wished. His experience as a vendor was vast indeed, but even he wouldn't be able to keep an eye out for thievery if she attempted it.
"These... have much water?"
For her though it was about as natural as breathing so she was rather caught off-guard at first and didn't immediately understand why she was being yelled at. Not to cause any provocation, she did as she was told and withdrew four of her arms. To try to smooth over the situation though, she responded with a question she'd been wondering, as she held out a pomegranate.
"...they do, yes. They also have many seeds."
"How many for?"
"How many... ah, a paying customer? Forgive me, I had thought you a thief! They are three hundred beri per, or twelve-hundred for a lot of five."
"This many." she said, as she again extended her arms to pick up five of the fruits, and with her sixth hand holding out money. With a laugh the vendor took the bills and made the quick trip inside to return with the proper change, and thanked her for her business.
Thus she departed the store with five bought and paid for fruit, and a few more she managed to steal while the vendor went inside to get her change.
The morning light trickled through the canopy above, of the greenery of the tropical plants and trees interspersed throughout the oasis, and of the various tarps and sheets of cloth hung between the buildings to provide shade to the streets below. Of many vibrant colors and patterns to the woven overhang, the sunlight cast a brilliant array of colors in soft light upon those who made their way beneath it all. Already for a couple hours at least had the city been awake, and the oasis was alive with activity. Those late to the day were still opening stalls or setting up shop, but enough was the hustle and bustle that the various markets and seller streets were quickly becoming crowded. For those who had no permanent residence, seeking out breakfast was the focus of many and the city displayed that; even outside the actual restaurant and food-serving establishments, the crackle of fires and the aroma of cooking filled the air. Intermixed with the shouting of buyers and sellers and the smells of the goods on display (particularly the spices, of which there were many), it was a pretty picture for those with an appetite to buy, and more than just food at that. Despite it all however, as productivity for the day ramped up, there were still more than a few quiet streets, alleys and courtyards still not awoken like the rest of the city and populated by stacked crates and baskets and the occasional stray animal.
This was Waq Waq oasis of Zarzara Island, and though the issue at the back of everyone's mind was the recent occupation of a hostile crew of fishmen, life continued as it ever had and without looking you might never know of the piratical residency. A small offshoot of Ciudadela, the island was frequent stopping point for traders and raiders alike, but tensions were usually muted by the harsh environment of the island. Indeed, outside the inland oasis, one would be hard pressed to survive and harder pressed to make a living. Only by the grace of planners, builders and traders of the past was the oasis a habitable place, and by the efforts of the current generations it thrived. Thankfully an expansive canal stretching to the coast, allowed for easy access to the oasis by outsiders, else who would make the effort to cross the expanse of desert to the waters of the South Blue beyond?
~~~
"Hey! I know you pirates are the big shots around here for now, but that doesn't mean you can just steal from the likes of me. Two hands at the most, just like everybody else!"
A flourish of arms among the goods of the exterior of a produce store was interrupted by the big burly owner, a middle-aged man and probably long-time vendor. Based on the way he carried himself and others reacted, it seemed likely that he was a fairly well-known and popular figure or at least his store was. The person he called out to was dressed quite heavily in the local manner of clothing, robes and and abundance of draped cloth to protect against the sun, and while it was difficult to make out her identity it was clear to tell she wasn't human from the six arms that reached out from underneath all that clothing. The store owner assumed her to be a fishperson because of the recent occupation of the fishmen pirates, and he wouldn't be completely wrong to think so. While not a pirate and not associated with the lot of them staying over at the palace of the Princess, the rest checked out. As far as he was concerned though, it was too easy for her to be able to steal things when she had so many extra arms to grab and take as she wished. His experience as a vendor was vast indeed, but even he wouldn't be able to keep an eye out for thievery if she attempted it.
"These... have much water?"
For her though it was about as natural as breathing so she was rather caught off-guard at first and didn't immediately understand why she was being yelled at. Not to cause any provocation, she did as she was told and withdrew four of her arms. To try to smooth over the situation though, she responded with a question she'd been wondering, as she held out a pomegranate.
"...they do, yes. They also have many seeds."
"How many for?"
"How many... ah, a paying customer? Forgive me, I had thought you a thief! They are three hundred beri per, or twelve-hundred for a lot of five."
"This many." she said, as she again extended her arms to pick up five of the fruits, and with her sixth hand holding out money. With a laugh the vendor took the bills and made the quick trip inside to return with the proper change, and thanked her for her business.
Thus she departed the store with five bought and paid for fruit, and a few more she managed to steal while the vendor went inside to get her change.