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Petite-Sparrow — Harvest Trading -introduction-
Published: 2014-03-29 11:38:21 +0000 UTC; Views: 218; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 2
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Well this took me a little bit to do, I don't usually draw horses :C anyways, introducing Larkley for the first time
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The heavy beats of a horses’ hooves echoed through the silence and empty landscape. Strapped to either side of its back were 4 burlap sacks full of fresh produce from the farm. It had been harvest day and though she didn’t have a lot to tend to it had taken her all day because she found herself tired and worn out within minutes of starting.
The bright rays of the sun had long since disappeared below the horizon and the moon was glowing brightly in the sky above her light the path before her. Not that she really needed it, her eyes glowed a silver light on their own lighting up a small proportion and allowing her to see better in the hazy barren landscape.
Aztec, Larkley’s dapple grey stallion, tossed his mane proudly as he cantered diligently through the dark.
“Almost there, Aztec,” She murmured gently patting the side of his neck.
The crumbling city was growing ever closer as the distinct lights came into view. The soft flickering lights illuminated the over growth that encased the rubble-reduced city.
The tavern, Lark’s only official trading post, was in the center of the city only a short distance from the outskirts. During harvest season she always trekked from her small farm to the large city in hopes to trade for a few new seeds or dyes. Though she would most likely trade for a few drinks from the bar keep as well.
Slowing down to a trot, Aztec approached the border with caution. One too many times had they come into the city to trade, only to be stopped by thieves who stole almost half their wares. Giving a reassuring pet to his neck she pushed forward making him sprint the rest of the way to the tavern.
Upon arriving it was obvious that it was a busy night. People seemed to be piling into the old building to drink till their hearts content. Though to Larkley she saw them all as only potential traders who she could get what she wanted from. The only people she truly cared about was her horse, Aztec, the only thing she had left of the happier times.
Larkley slid off the stallion, running a hand down his still twitching muscles. He seemed a lot calmer now that they were at a familiar, safer, destination although she always worried that someone might want to steal the thoroughbred to trade it for a good profit. Walking to his hind quarters she quickly untied the bags and placed them on the ground carefully. Slipping one pale hand into the smaller bag she retrieved a somewhat sandy carrot and gave it to Aztec who chewed on it happily.
“I’ll be right back,” Lark said with a lazy, tired grin. “Don’t let anyone steal you or the rest of the harvest.”
As if he had understood he pawed the ground with his hoof and snorted a reply. Lark, with one burlap sack in each hand, entered the tavern.
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[As Estella opens the door to leave the tavern, she finds herself face-to-collar with another girl, accidentally knocking one of two burlap sacks out of her hands.]
Ah! Sorry about that.
[She murmurs as she drops to the ground, picking the bag back up and handing it over. Wow, she sure carries a lot on her. Then she notices the horse, two more bags strapped onto its side. Ah, must be selling. Then noticing her eyes - Infected.]
It's a good night for selling, the place is packed - perfect picking grounds. You wouldn't happen to have any buttons on you? Preferably flat and round?
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As soon as the burlap sack left her hand, she instinctively gripped the other tighter expecting. Her pale green eyes watched, the silver ring around glowing ever so slightly. Larkley half-expected the small redhead to be a nimble thief and take off with her hard earned produce but she didn't. The small girl returned the bag which Larkley took hesitantly.
"No problem, accidents happen."
Why did she give them back?hey didn't she just take off with the food like so many others would have?
With new found urgency she peered into the bag quickly, only a few of the softer fruits on the bottom were bruised, most was still salvageable, thankfully.
"No, not tonight sorry. I have some back at the farm though..like this one.."
Larkley held on to one of the chipped tan buttons sewn onto her shawl. She never traded her tan coloured buttons because she had a hard enough time trying to find the same types, being on her last 3, she was saving them for the next piece of tatty clothing she would make.
"I have a few others but none that match,what do you want them for?"
Larkley slid to the side, out of the way of the door and gave a small but wavering smile towards the girl. her hand on the bags gripped tighter as she held them closer to her body. She may have been tall but she wasn't stupid enough to let her guard down because of it.
.
.
{Sorry about the delay xc}
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[Smiling, Estella too moves out of the doorway.]
Well, I'm afraid that I don't have much. You wouldn't happen to be in need of any apple seeds would you? I've got a whole jar full back at my place. I'd plant them myself, but there's no way I could bring them to fruition.
[A couple of people stumble out the door, singing drunkenly, causing Estella to giggle.]
Or, you know, if you need something I could try and find it for you. I'm a performer by nature, but I'm always open to scavenging. Nothing quite like the rush of digging through piles of junk.
[She drawls. Looking at the girl's tight grip on her bags, she finds herself smirking. The girl is smart, I'll give her that. This area is filled with all sorts of rats.]
By the way, I wouldn't keep those other bags out here with the horse; there are plenty of thieves in the house tonight. I couldn't count on one hand how many have been able to take people's possessions in the time I was in there - and none have been caught yet. They may not take the horse - too obvious when you might not be in there for long, but they won't hesitate to take your wares.
[She takes out her knife and an apple, cutting a small chunk out, popping it in her mouth, and nods in the direction of the horse. A young boy has eased his way to the far side of the horse, his hand reaching toward the bag. It's obvious that he intends to lift the flap and take what he finds inside. Probably gonna pawn it off. Should have waited until nobody was out here, but then again he was probably working with those drunks from a few minutes ago. Good plan, bad execution.]
(ooc. Hey, don't worry about it - feel free to take your time. It doesn't bother me in the slightest ^^)
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“Apple seeds?”
Larkley’s eyes lit up with happiness and her ears pricked up at the sound. It’d been quite some time since she had managed to get her hands on some new seeds, so long in fact she had to result in burying some of the fruits to grow new plants. Although apple trees were hard to manage at first once they are big enough they can provide plenty of fruit, not to mention the amazing smell of the trees. But a lot of passer-by’s would try to take the apples, trample the saplings and that thought alone angered Larkley.
All while her mind was relaying the pros and cons of starting an apple orchid her expressions changed ever so slightly between anger, sadness, joy and happiness. No doubt from an outsiders perspective you could tell that there was an evenly matched war going through her mind.
Pulled from her inner struggle she watched as a few people stumbled from the dreary tavern, clearly heavily intoxicated. Turning her attention back to the small girl she smiled reassuringly and gave a small laugh of her own at the drunken loons that stumbled about almost blind.
“No, no that’s more than fine! A jar of apple seeds for half a jar of buttons? It’s all I have but I know where to find some more if you’re interested?”
The girl points towards Aztec, who is idly munch on some overgrowth across the road minding his own business whilst a young boy reached for the bag.
“Aztec? He’s part guard dog. I haven’t met anyone able to steal a bag from him, not once.”
No sooner had she said this but his head snapped up and he trotted away snorting just far enough for the boy to realise what was happening. Aztec pawed the ground and snorted, tossing his head side to side, glaring with his crystal blue eyes at the boy.
“Not really, though. He’s just very skittish around people who aren't me. So my stuff's normally quite safe strapped to his back.”
Larkley put her fingers in her mouth and let a large two toned whistle silence the area. Aztec’s ears pricked up and he cantered over leaving the boy even more stunned and more than anything frightened. Raising a hand she gave Aztec a quick pet and smiled toward the button girl.
“My name’s Larkley by the way.” She paused giving another quick pet to the large beast. “and this is Aztec.”
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[Stella can't help but to smirk at the emotions flickering across the girl's face. She must feel quite strongly for apple seeds.]
Sure, that sounds like a good deal. We can meet here in a week to trade?
[She watches the exchange between the horse and the boy with a glimmer in her eyes and a smirk on her face. As the horse walks away, a put-upon look in its eyes, leaving the boy flabbergasted, she can't help but to laugh.]
A skittish guard horse, that must come in handy.
[She gets out between chuckles. Then, turning toward the boy.]
Nice try kid, A+ for effort! You really turned one over on that horse!
[He glares at the girls, Aztec at their side, and runs off. Estella then looks up at the beast in front of her. She takes a moment to admire his silver coat and then goes on to talk to him.]
Nice one, Tec. You're a real go-getter aren't you? How about a gift for such a good show...
[She pulls the last gala apple from her bag, giving the girl a questioning eye as she does so. Then she hands the apple to her.]
I'd rather not get my face kicked in, it's kind of my livelihood.
[She drawls, though her eyes are clearly laughing.]
I'm Estella, it's a pleasure to meet you Larkley, my button trading friend. Oh! And you too Aztec, guard horse extraordinaire!
(ooc. Oh goodness! It would seem that it's my turn to apologize for the late reply, sorry ;///; )
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“Sounds good, I tend not to come into town often though so maybe we can meet on the outskirts. I’ll pick you up with Aztec.”
A light hearted half laugh escapes her mouth as the girl taunts the small boy who had been trying to steal her food. As he ran off Aztec seemed suddenly at ease as he lowered his head and shook his mane. Receiving the apple Larkley nods in understanding, her eyes glued to the lustrous red skin of the apple.
“Yeah, that’s probably best however he seems pretty calm around you at the moment so why don’t you give it a try? Considering in a week you’ll be riding him with me, you may as well build that trust.”
She handed to apple back after giving it a quick once over and sniff which had become a somewhat habit with produce. She hardly realised she did it most of the time.
“I can’t let you simply feed my horse however why don’t you pick something from one of the bags as fair trade? I’ve got carrots and oranges-” She lists each hand up with the bags signalling to each. “but I’ve also got some berries in the other bag and if you’re especially lucky I might give you an apricot…”
[OOC: maybe we should skip the sorry's 
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[Taking the apple back, Estella smiles once more.]
That sounds good.
[She steps up to the Aztec, curtsying, then lifts the apple up for him to investigate. Then, turning to face Larkely, she places her free hand on her hip and a smirk on her lips.]
I can't take anything in return for this apple, it is a gift for a fabulous performer. The performer's keeper can't give a gift to the audience, it invalidates the original gift.
[Then winking.]
I wouldn't mind a carrot though, it can be our secret. If anyone asks, we can explain that I saved your horse from a big, bad, ten-year-old snake thief.
(ooc. Haha, you're probably correct. Your post was in no way dingy by the way, it was completely satisfactory ouo And of course you may draw out this scene - I'd love to see it visually!)
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Aztec took one step forward and dipped his head down slightly in a vague attempt to return the curtsy though it was more likely he was sniffing at the Red apple. Even with his head down, he seemed so large compared to the small performer and being that he was still a colt, he was still growing. With a snort he scratched the ground still unsure with the offer. Larkley smirked at her coy colt gave him a reassuring and light nudge which made his muscles ripple down his side.
After the nudge he seemed to finally be happy with the offering and bit the apple in half, a small trick that Larkley had taught him, and he ate it holding his head up high and munching happily. Satisfied he sniffed at the second piece but nudged Estella’s hand as if sayin that it was her piece. In such hard times Larkley made sure to teach her colt to share and proportion the food so he did just that. To others it was weird practically abnormal but to Aztec it was only natural having been taught it from birth.
“Oh, that piece is yours. He likes sharing. It’s something I taught him when he was still a tiny little thing. If you don’t want it, and I’m not saying you need to eat that but just cut a piece off and pretend to eat a bit then offer the rest of it. He doesn’t seem to notice the difference and will eat the rest.”
Nodding her reply she retrieved a carrot from her bag and offered it to her. The orange dirty stick, also known as a carrot, was a poor excuse for a trade. She mainly grew them for her horse but she occasionally traded them when she had too many. If the girl wanted to change her mind she could but it was all the same to her except her treasured apricots. There would have to be something pretty amazing before she accepted a trade for those.
At the sight of the apple Aztec’s ears pricked up, he knew they were his and was waiting eagerly for Estella to offer him the dirty orange carrot. He reached out and nibbled lightly on her arm, his lips almost could touch as they flapped up and down on her skin.
“No, no, that’s ones not yours, sweetie.”
She put her arm underneath his neck and pulled him back in vain. His eyes were trained on the carrot and his mind was on nothing but.
(ooc: oh yay! Im rather proud of this! you replied so quickly haha xD keep a look out for the start of the button quest
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[Estella can't help but to smile as the horse nudges her, offering the other half of his apple.]
How very gentlemanly of him.
[Then, taking the carrot, she goes to put it in her bag when she notices Aztec's gaze. When he starts to gently nibble on her arm, a fit of giggles runs through her. A smirk slowly forms on her face as Larkley attempts to pull the horse back.]
A fan of carrots? Well, let's make a trade Aztec.
[She snaps the carrot in half.]
Half a carrot for half an apple, a trade between performers.
[She winks at Larkley, placing the apple and carrot halves in her bag and offering the other carrot half to the horse. He's quite the interesting one. I can only imagine all of the things she's trained him to do.]
(ooc. Oh man, not quite satisfied by this one - oh well. I look forward to the button quest <3)
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With a rather loud crack the dirty carrot was snapped in half making Aztec’s ears prick up at the familiar sound. As he pawed the ground he sniffed audibly at the carrot before pulling it into his mouth with his lips. Munching happily he held his head up towering over Estella with what seemed to be a horse-like smile.
“You didn’t need to do that, he gets all the carrots he wants at-” She pauses as she notices her vision slightly change and a sudden wave of exhaustion washes over her body. “-home.”
Not now, not again.. .
Larkley’s eyes began to glow brighter, making the rings around her pupils all the more noticeable as they slowly enveloped the green of her eyes. It’d been a while since Larkley had had to hold a conversation that long and obviously her sin refused to let her to continue any further.
Feeling her heart beat pick up speed she averted her eyes and looked towards the door contemplating whether or not she wanted to go in. She doubted amongst all the people she would be able to fight her fainting spells so she grabbed the reigns in her free hand and moved toward his back.
“Sorry to be so abrupt but I’ve got to head off now.”
She tied the burlap sacks back onto Aztec’s haunches and facing the away from Estella tried to hoist herself up but with no luck. Her body was already giving way to her. On her second attempt she only just managed to get on securely.
“I’ll meet you on the outskirts over there,” she pointed towards an opening marked by the only street lamp that didn’t flicker. “in, let’s say 5 days?”
(ooc: Really sorry it took so long, so happy you are so understanding! I'm working on some art from this and also for the opening of the button quest <3)
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Oh? Well it's no big-
[Estella is cut off as Larkley starts to make her escape, surprise at the girl's suddenness marring her face.]
Ah! Okay, I'll see you in five days then.
[She smiles as she waves goodbye to the girl, turning and walking off in the direction of her original destination.]
(ooc. Sorry for the short reply, but I felt that this was a good stopping point for the thread. Thanks for RPing with me, it was fun! I can't wait to see what you come up with <3)
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"I really am sorry for rushing off, see you, Estella."
With those final words she pulled the reins gently making sure to keep her eyes averted from the small red head. She gave one shallow kick and Aztec cantered forward leaving a trail of dust behind him as he galloped away with the infected woman riding him.
(ooc: That's fine, it's a great time to finish it up! You're more than welcome and I'm sorry for all the delays! I look forward to the button quest RP with you
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ooh you could use this as an intro to the group tavern rp on skype =v=
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Oohh good idea! I haven't added myself to it yet
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