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  Jiao-Yue’s tail twitched with an ever-growing curiosity from her position near her father’s massive front leg. One of the disadvantages of not even reaching her father’s shoulder height was being unable to see all that was going on in the marketplace that day. But she could most certainly catch that odd smell in the air. It was similar to that of Lady Bei’s workshop yet… something strangely thick about it. Like burning coal and sulfur. Yue lowered her head slightly, peering between the legs of the bustling people to try and pinpoint where exactly the stench was coming from, her ears catching that rumbling of a heavy card that caused vibrations through her paw pads. She made something of a grunt, bumping up against Yeman’s leg and looking up at him with some impatience in her brow. Yeman was a sharp and large Shi’vali. Massive in size with an intimidating stature with a temper to match. The iron muzzle strapped to his face was enough to drive off Canai from standing too close to them. It wasn’t often Yue was able to accompany her father and his handler Kaihua. But, Kaihua was kind and something in her believed having exposed Yeman to his cub Yue at birth would do his behavior some good. Yue was the exact opposite of Yeman in terms of temperament. In appearance, she took after her mother. But the cub’s infatuation with her cold father was something Kaihua thought to take advantage of. It somewhat paid off… somewhat.

  Yeman gave Yue a stern growl causing the young one to still although still focused on something off in the distance. Yeman had smelled it too. The scent of a newcomer and a Shi’vali not from these parts. Yeman’s chain clinked as he peered over the crowd at the massive wagon making its way towards them. The wagon seemed filled to the brim and cluttered with ironworks of all shapes and sizes. It reminded him a bit of Lady Bei’s assortments and he wondered if perhaps the newcomer had some to see her. But the wagon resembled something that he had seen in the caravan that Yue often called her home and thus wondered if the stranger was here to stay for a while. After a moment, Kaihua began to lead Yeman towards another set of tents, parting the seas as the feral took his first steps forward, only pausing to nudge Yue, yanking her back to present time. Yue was reluctant but trailed behind her father with a slight huff. She could hear the wagon coming closer and it was then she would notice the massive Shi’vali paws. Almost as big as her father’s! She looked between the two, trying not to trip over her own paws.
  The Shi’vali in question was indeed, nearly as large as Yeman. It was large in stature and rough in appearance. A dark pelt was broken up by the pink knotted flesh of scars. Perhaps from the arena? War? Or daily scars of the job? Yeman suddenly felt some weight on his elbow, glancing down to see Yue standing up on her hind legs and using him for balance to catch a glimpse at the new Shi’vali and its rider. Figuring they would still be a while before they headed home, Yeman gave in with a chuff. Shaking the cub off his leg, he gave her a nudge in the direction of the newcomers. A little exploration wouldn’t hurt? Yue gave her father another glance, as if to double-check her wandering off was actually allowed. When he gave a little nod, she happily began plowing through the different individuals in her way. She wasn’t exactly small enough to slip through the crowd very easily but not yet large enough to really make way for herself. Lucky for her, the cart was slow-moving and did not get very far as she scurried alongside it.
  Keeping her distance by using a few Canai, Yue simply peered up at the wagon. It was quite noisy with its ware clattering about, many people giving a slight glare at the noise. After a moment, Yue decided she wanted a better look at the massive feral that was latched onto the cart. It took some maneuvering but after a moment she found herself just a few steps away from the dark-coated shi’vali. She was now able to get a look at the shi’s grizzly appearance. There were few shi’vali Yue thought were more intimidating than her father but… this mysterious shi might be pretty close. The strange individual must’ve felt Yue’s eyes on him, following the feeling down towards his flank. His eyes were stern and cold, causing Yue to pause in her tracks. The stranger also paused, lowering his head down to get a closer look at the little female. She couldn’t have been but a year or two old judging by her size and the wide curiosity in her eyes. Since the shi had stopped moving, its respective handler was taken aback, turning to look at their companion with curiosity. Upon seeing the younger shi’vali, the handler perked up,

      “Well hello there.”

Yue’s attention snapped over to the Canai, peering at the stranger. It was odd… the man could rival his shi’vali in size and strength, scars knotting all along his arms and even his face. His long thick hair was braided, almost long enough to touch his calves (something Yue thought not even Kuan’ti could achieve).

      Smiling softly, he held out a hand, “Aren’t you a curious little thing? Are you lost?”

Yue’s nose twitched, inching closer to investigate the stranger before the sound of Yeman’s chuffing caused her to stand straight, looking in the direction of the sound. She gave the strange pair another glance but before she could interact with the man, Yeman’s chuff sounded again. Giving the man’s hand a simple nudge, Yue hurried off to catch up with her father before he decided he needed to look for her instead.