Snippet #960518

It was indeed a perfect day. Blue skies with nary a cloud in sight, bright shining sun and bustling streets filled with commerce. It was astounding how well the races of the Savage and Civil could coexist, impossible really. But here it was. It seemed that fear and mutual need was a great way to bring people together. The Avaran brothers made their way through the crowded dirt streets at a leisurely pace, enjoying the sights and smells of the marketplace. As usual, the pair drew more than their fair share of stares. Among the various races within the Havens, both dark elves and lamia were the least common. It might have been for good reason, as the black-skinned elves usually garnered a crowd of the opposite sex...of varying races of course. The halflings and goblins were easy...just a sidestep and wink or a pat on the head sent them to fainting. The medium sized gals, a bit tougher, the orcs, humans and others usually requiring some sort of finesse. The real problem was the dwarves and minotaurs. They just didn't take no for an answer! Plus, those women were built rock-solid! Not even a threat would phase them. Eventually, one of the dark elves would have to flash a prayer of holy fire or two before the minature riots dispersed. Not that Melianth minded the attention.

It wasn't too long before Belsius reached the farmer's district. Mel had gone to grab the meat from the slaughter district and 'run some errands', as he put it. The elder brother made a beeline directly for a rather large stall near the center; Jo's Shack. As he arrived at the counter a pale, petite young woman stepped out from the back and met Belsius's arrival with a warm smile.

"Nice ta' see ya again boyo! What'll ya be 'avin t'day?" she sported a thick accent from the northern lands, her fare skin and bright red hair attesting to that fact. She was beautiful really, and if it weren't for the fact that she was standing right in front of him Bel might have thought her a figment of his imagination. He shuffled awkwardly and blushed, not quite able to form the words. Another woman that could've passed for Jo's double had it not been for her raven black hair walked out from the back hauling a good sized sack.

"He'll be having this, and paying up." the other woman said, not even attempting to hide the steel from her voice.

"Oh c'mon Kat, ya know he's been comin' 'ere since we first opened! No need fer tha' sass!" Jo said, poking her twin in the rib with a grin. Kat simply flashed a rather seductive smile of her own at Belsius, causing him to shift uncomfortably. She waved at the dark elf before returnning to the back of the stall. Jo smirked to reached over the counter to pull Bel's ear. He had been inadvertantly staring at Kat's waist as she left the room. "Ye won' be wantin' any piece a' that. She bites. Hard."

"Uh...yes. Of course..." the flustered cleric withdrew the alotted amount of copper and even added a small tip, paying the lovely little shopkeeper. "Have a nice day." he said with a professional voice and quickly walked off with his barley to keep from embarassing himself further.

Melianth was on the other side of the market approaching a small meat merchant's shed. Damnit to the deepest pits of Avernus...that thrice-damned bird again? That crow disliked him and his brother for a reason that was apparently lost on his wits, and constantly harassed the Avaran brothers with flapping wings and throaty caws. Regardless, Mel put on a winning smile and threw a pouch of coppers to the skinny human. "You've got my venison by the looks of it." the man nodded and hefted up a trio of large paper-wrapped slabs of meat. "Hm...feels a little light," he said with a smile and looked towards the raven. "Have you been stealing my meat again, little sky-shadow?" with a good natured laugh Melianth turned and departed from the district, grateful to escape with no scratches this time.

It was only a short while of walking before the pair met up. That was rather unusual, considering the farmer's district was fairly distant from the slaughter district. "Have some buisness around here, brother?" Mel asked inquisitively.

"Not really. I just stopped by Fong's place to leave a note." Belsius replied.

"Oh? What about?"

"Just invited the guy to dinner. Figure he could use something aside from rice for once." Mel nodded in assent, and the two walked on in silence back to the Holy Hannah. As they walked in the door the older gnoll woman Ferana passed by. She smiled and bowed deeply.

"Sorry brothers," she said in a raspy voice, her thin frame seeming to shake as she spoke, "But I need to knock off early. I have a celebration to attend!"

Melianth stared after her with a puzzled expression, setting down the meat on the counter. "I didn't know there was a festival in town..."

Belsius scowled at the thought and said; "There's no festivals coming Mel, and you know it. There's been nothing to celebrate for a while now...it must be some kind of birth or wedding." they seemed to accept this answer, and began unpacking and prepping their haul.