Taking It All In [Open to Plot RPers]

[Rose]

Rose stepped off of the ship, finally glad to be able to touch land again. If she didn't have to be so composed, she probably would've fallen to her knees and kissed the ground. She refrained from doing so, however. They were here on a mission of course...well, for peace talks at least. But those won't for another few days, and they were meeting the emperor tomorrow. She had time for a walk in the market. She'd never been to the Yamani Islands before, though they'd studied the ettiquette and such in classes as pages and squires.

Her amethyst eyes sparkling, she began to pick her way through the crowd that had gathered at the docks, anxious to see the newcomers who had come with the tortallan ship that looked like it had seen better days. The sails were torn and the deck was something hardly left to be desired. The storm had really taken a toll on their faithful ship.

She walked, thinking about the days to come. She, as Kings Champion, had a duty to the Crown to represent Tortall in these peace talks. She hated talks, but it came with the job. She was also supposed to be looking for a fugitive, but that was going to be rather difficult if she was tied down in the palace.

Bright colors caught her eye as Yamani walked past her. Rose smiled. She was going to buy herself a kimono before she left. They were absolutely gorgeous.

[Avelia]

Not nearly as pleased as Rose about touching land- don't get her wrong, it was nice to be off the ship- Avelia restrained herself from scowling at Rose's back. As a whole, Avelia found the Yamani islands a most hidebound and unexciting place. So many rules to follow- not that this was unusual- and the added burden of remembering all those Mithros-forsaken right answers to questions. It seemed that bored Yamans had come together one day and decided that each sentence would have one appropriate answer. Etiquette here was never as simple as please and thankyou. Despite her dislike of the place, Avelia had nevertheless always found it simple to integrate herself into the community, with her predisposition to be unemotional anyway and her pale skin and black hair. Not for her the accidental slip-ups, with feelings open to everyone to be read through her eyes. And those self-same eyes were pale enough not to be remarkably green.

Didn’t any Yamanis have anything better to do? It seemed as if the whole nation had found it necessary to witness the poor, bedraggled Tortallans unload themselves from the ship. Avelia tossed her head, sending her hair behind her in a wave, before making her way through the crowd. She seemed to radiate an eminence which made this task none too difficult.

”And what could you possibly be so pleased about?” Avelia asked smoothly, having easily caught up with Rose’s dawdling. Her accent had changed with her locale, so gone was the street-talk she’d adopted the last few months.”The country’s just one stifling hierarchy, and you’ll be listening to all those ever so riveting talks. And you’ll have to look politely interested, even when you’re bored out of your mind, but not too interested or you’ll be an outcast. Plus, you’ll be trapped in those same talks while I go out gallivanting.”

Her eye caught on a gaudily decorated kimono, and she inwardly shuddered. "Those things, they look fine on other people. But try wearing one for any length of time, and then try to defend yourself against rogue assassins. Then they're about as attractive as a sack.

She didn't mean to be so depressive, but it was just the feeling she got from being in the Islands. Something, soon, was going to go wrong.

[Rhianna Kiandra]

”And what could you possibly be so pleased about? The country’s just one stifling hierarchy, and you’ll be listening to all those ever so riveting talks. And you’ll have to look politely interested, even when you’re bored out of your mind, but not too interested or you’ll be an outcast. Plus, you’ll be trapped in those same talks while I go out gallivanting. Those things, they look fine on other people. But try wearing one for any length of time, and then try to defend yourself against rogue assassins. Then they're about as attractive as a sack."

Rhianna snorted when she heard the THief Queen's response to her mother's native land. Her emerald eyes and red-gold-brown hair were unusual in the Yamani Islands, but then again, most of Rhianna's physical, and come to mention it personality traits, came from her father's side. The Queenscove line was known for their green eyes, elegant nose and height, as well as their sense of humor and powerful Gift.

"You should learn to use a glaive then, or perhaps a shukusen. My mother, sisters, and I can be quite deadly." Her gaze alighted on her colorful soroundings with love and pride; Rhianna had travelled to the Yamani Islands with her parents and siblings many times.

[Sapphire]

”And what could you possibly be so pleased about? The country’s just one stifling hierarchy, and you’ll be listening to all those ever so riveting talks. And you’ll have to look politely interested, even when you’re bored out of your mind, but not too interested or you’ll be an outcast. Plus, you’ll be trapped in those same talks while I go out gallivanting.

Sapphire glared at Avelia, "This country happens to be a beautiful and colourful counrty with many amazing places and people. Such as myself, so don't patronize it, embrace it." She knew she was talking strangely, but her mind was on the arrival. She was thrilled to be home. She took the sorroundings in with joy and renewed interest. She wondered why she had ever left the Islands in the first place. She loved this country. The air smelt fresher, the flowers looked brighter. Everything about it was more amazing than she remembered.

"Also, this happens to be Jazz's home country and katya's home country and the Queen's home country, you just have to know the right places and the right people. Same as in any country." she grinned, and looked around, "It's good to be back."

Those things, they look fine on other people. But try wearing one for any length of time, and then try to defend yourself against rogue assassins. Then they're about as attractive as a sack."

"But think about it, they are attractive when you aren't defending yourself against an assasin. And if you learn to use a shukusen, then they can be attractive when you are defending yourself against an assasin." She smiled and touched her shukusen. A brightly coloured fan that had razor sharp edges. The most ladylike weopon ever invented. Beautiful and deadly.

"You should learn to use a glaive then, or perhaps a shukusen. My mother, sisters, and I can be quite deadly."

"Of course, armed with a shukusen, we Yamani's can make people die painful deaths! Do you play fan toss?" she asked Rhianna.

[Rhianna Kiandra]

Rhianna smiled at Sapphire, glad to meet another Yamani, even though she herself was only a half-blood. "Oh, yes! Mother taught it to us girls so we could have fun and learn about our heritage," she replied, nodding.

The light wind carried on it the scent of many of Yaman's colorful and beautiful smelling trees. Jasmine and Cherry predominated on this island, but Rhianna was happy to smell such familiar things.

[Sapphire]

"Oh, yes! Mother taught it to us girls so we could have fun and learn about our heritage,"

Sapphire smiled at the girls earnest face, "Best game ever invented. We should play it when we get to the Palace," She grinned and looked around. The air smelled fresh of Jasmine and Cherry, she let the scent wash over her. It was beautiful, it smelt of memories and home. She loved this place. She looked around eagerly taking all of the scenery in.

She made her way through the threads of people and thought about the upcoming days. Peace talks, peace talks, peace talks. As much as she complained about them, she still adored the feeling of negotiation. She couldn't wait for them to begin.

[Rose]

”And what could you possibly be so pleased about? The country’s just one stifling hierarchy, and you’ll be listening to all those ever so riveting talks. And you’ll have to look politely interested, even when you’re bored out of your mind, but not too interested or you’ll be an outcast. Plus, you’ll be trapped in those same talks while I go out gallivanting.”

Rose stopped short and rolled her eyes as Avelia came up behind her.

"I happen to be pleased about everything at the moment. And while I may be listening to those oh so ever wonderful peace talks while you're out wandering, I'll still have plenty of time to do as I please. I don't intend to be a mindless person while I'm here. I may not be back for a long time. she retorted.

"Those things, they look fine on other people. But try wearing one for any length of time, and then try to defend yourself against rogue assassins. Then they're about as attractive as a sack."

"Ah, but Avelia. You forget that Yamani women were born and raised in Kimonos. They've been trained to fight in them since they were young children as easily as you or I fight in our breeches. Now, granted, if I were to put one on, I think I'd have to have plenty of practice to finally be able to master fighting in one. she replied.

"You should learn to use a glaive then, or perhaps a shukusen. My mother, sisters, and I can be quite deadly."

Rose laughed as her squire came up behind her and Avelia.

"There you are Rhianna! Glad you survived the voyage over." she joked lightly with her squire.

"This country happens to be a beautiful and colourful counrty with many amazing places and people. Such as myself, so don't patronize it, embrace it. Also, this happens to be Jazz's home country and katya's home country and the Queen's home country, you just have to know the right places and the right people. Same as in any country."

There was Fhire's remark. And well placed to.

"But think about it, they are attractive when you aren't defending yourself against an assasin. And if you learn to use a shukusen, then they can be attractive when you are defending yourself against an assasin."

Rose nodded her agreement.

"Ok, ok. Enough bantering and bickering already. Fhire, this is your country, so naturally it'd make sense if you showed us around." she said with a grin.

[Rhianna Kiandra]

"There you are Rhianna! Glad you survived the voyage over."

Rhianna grinned at her Knight Mistress. "Yeah, I did. Too bad that strom hit, I liked cimbing the masts." It was true, Rhianna loved climbing, especially aboard a ship where she could see for leagues. It was exhilarating!

"Ok, ok. Enough bantering and bickering already. Fhire, this is your country, so naturally it'd make sense if you showed us around."

Rhianna nodded, her usual lopsided grin in place. "Yeah, sounds like a good idea to have a Yamani guide us around the Yamani Islands." She felt bubbly and floaty, happy to be back.

[sirriwolfe]

Sirri walked off the ship, and looked around. Things hadn't really changed since she had left, along with her family. Her brown eyes looked around, seeing if anyone that she knew was there. So far, no one that she knew could be seen, even if some of her old friends were here, they probably looked different after five years.

She was a bit glad that she was back in the Islands. She hadn't been able to get into the habit of showing too many emotions, and here she would fit right in, and she remembered all the rules and such. She was glad that her family had moved to Tortall, and that she had met such great people there, but nothing could ever compare to your home. Or rather, old home.

"Ok, ok. Enough bantering and bickering already. Fhire, this is your country, so naturally it'd make sense if you showed us around."

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea to have a Yamani guide us around the Yamani Islands."

Sirri's eyes crinkled in a smile, most people didn't realize or forgot that she was from the Islands as well. Not that it bothered her, she hated being the centre of attention, and didn't intend to make herself it, by mentioning that she was an Yamani as well.

[Sapphire]

"Ok, ok. Enough bantering and bickering already. Fhire, this is your country, so naturally it'd make sense if you showed us around."

"Aaaw. I feel so loved. Honest. Seriously though, name the place and I'll take you to it. I would suggest we go to the palace first, but that just me being my sleep deprived self. I could show you the market if you like." She smiled at Rose, "And we could buy kimonos that we could be both attractive in and fight in." She grinned some more. She was glad that she could be of some use other than delegating. She was happy and proud to show her country to her friends. "Or we could go to the oh-so-famous Golden Wok. Jazz's sisters restaurant."

"Yeah, sounds like a good idea to have a Yamani guide us around the Yamani Islands."

"Please. You probab;y know your way around as well as I do. Glad to be back?" She asked, "I know I am," she felt lightheaded and joyful. The feeling of happiness. She grinned at her companions. "So market, palace or Golden Wok?"

[Rose]

"Yeah, I did. Too bad that strom hit, I liked climbing the masts."

Rose laughed lightly.

"Well, let us refrain from doing so in the midst of the storm. I really would hate to have to fight with your father because his daughter got killed under my command." she teased.

"Aaaw. I feel so loved. Honest. Seriously though, name the place and I'll take you to it. I would suggest we go to the palace first, but that just me being my sleep deprived self. I could show you the market if you like. And we could buy kimonos that we could be both attractive in and fight in. Or we could go to the oh-so-famous Golden Wok. Jazz's sisters restaurant."

Rose grinned back at Fhire. There were so many choices, best to take it one step at a time.

"Well...whats closer? We can take it easy you know, we don't have to see everything in one day...besides, I know I'm still somewhat wiped out from the whole sea experience...it takes a lot out of you...literally." she said.

She, Fhire, Katya, and Kaidreni had all been trying to heal Claw when he'd fallen through the deck, breaking his back. Not to mention, keeping the ship held together and healing all the other wounded people.

"Yeah, I just think we should go to whichever one is closer and then take it from there." she said, stifling a yawn. "Lead on Tour Guide." she said with a grin.

[Rhianna Kiandra]

Rhianna had been enjoying the sights, and listening to conversations as they passed, to try and polish up her slightly rusty Yamani. She grinned and laughed, as she came back to her companions voices. Noticing her best friend, Sirri, Rhianna linked arms with the other squire.

"Come on, all knowledgeable Tour Guide! Technically we have two, Fhire and Sirri. Right?" She adressed the last word to her friend, nudging the other girl in the arm.

[Sapphire]

"Well...whats closer? We can take it easy you know, we don't have to see everything in one day...besides, I know I'm still somewhat wiped out from the whole sea experience...it takes a lot out of you...literally." she said.

"Weeelllll, shopping is, basically my religion, and we could get you one of those kimonos you've been eying. And I do need a new one, and I was thinking abput bying a new shukusen, but it's up to you." She smiled, she couldn't wait to hit the market, so many of her friends had stalls there and she couldn't wait to see them either. This on the one hand, sleep on the other!

"Yeah, I just think we should go to whichever one is closer and then take it from there." she said, stifling a yawn. "Lead on Tour Guide." she said with a grin.

"I take that as a yes to the market then?" she smiled, "I know a place that sells the best kimonos in the whole of Yaman. And after, maybe we can go to the Wok. I am kinda hungry."

"Come on, all knowledgeable Tour Guide! Technically we have two, Fhire and Sirri. Right?"

"To true, maybe Sirri has another place she wants to visit. Sirri?" she asked the other Yaman

[sirriwolfe]

"I take that as a yes to the market then?" she smiled, "I know a place that sells the best kimonos in the whole of Yaman. And after, maybe we can go to the Wok. I am kinda hungry."

Sirri nodded, she knew of both of the places that Sapphire had mentioned. They were both good places, and they weren't too far away. As Rhainna linked arms with her, she knew that staying quiet and unnoticed was out of the question.

"Come on, all knowledgeable Tour Guide! Technically we have two, Fhire and Sirri. Right?"

She nodded, she still knew her way around the Islands, even though she hadn't been here for five years. She still could remember all of the stores that had really enjoyed.

"To true, maybe Sirri has another place she wants to visit. Sirri?" she asked the other Yaman

Sirri shook her head. "No, the places you mentioned are good, and fairly close by. So as of right now, I have no other place that I want to go."