|
Post by Nadia on Aug 15, 2020 14:03:37 GMT -6
Nadia was subject to the increasing feeling that someone was watching her.
At first, she had chalked it up to personal anxieties. The changing environment of the City had thrown her off; people came and went, institutions rose and fell. Being caught in the shifting sands was bound to trigger her condition. Still, there were some things she could not explain away. The unpleasant tingle of an unfamiliar gaze on her on the street. The same figure, over and over again, in different locations. The persistence of unease that would not leave her until she had retreated to the safety of her home.
She was meant to be picking up groceries. Some fresh vegetables for a stew, and some fruits for a dessert - and there was the sensation again, raising the hairs on the backs of her arms. A quick glance around... a hoard of regular shoppers, but someone loitering. Someone in her peripheral, turned ever so slightly in her direction. Enough to unsettle her.
A left turn. Forward, into the next cluster of shops... a fraction of a second's relief, before the same figure rounded the corner. Her heart raced. What to do, what to do...? Perhaps it was paranoia, perhaps this stranger was simply on the same route as her, but it didn't feel that way. It never felt that way. The next available alley, she shot down, head turned over her shoulder. Moving at full pelt the moment she was alone, she paid no attention to what was in front of her.
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Aug 16, 2020 10:05:03 GMT -6
It is not much far off from the impending events where a armour-clad figure is making his way through the crowd of the market. Unlike a different sort of tale, the knight is quite aware of being observed, of standing just somewhat more out of the usual crowd than normal (As much as that counts for the median aesthetic measurement of the City populace, in any case), with passing glances and the occasional whisper turned aside. He is not tall enough to seem towering, but the overall impression of armour, horned helmet and shouldered glaive is imposing none the less. He doesn't seem too bothered by it, looking more concerned with a simple task list in his hands (Though the tasks are made-up, the impression intentional, and the intent is to be seen).
As he passes one stall and another, winding his way through the streets in a calm pace, the oblivious knight focused only on the tasks (While the rest of him focuses on everything else - the whispers, the rumours, the amount of people for the day, the product and trends changing and shifting. Oh, if only people knew how easy it was to learn the lay of this metropolis with just a stroll alone). Every now and again he pauses at a stall or enters a shop, before leaving and continuing, nose in the paper (Ears on the world). The well-worn path eventually takes him to a crossing of streets, where he picks up the sounds of cart (Ah, the new wines must be in), the hagglers of the adjacent market alley calling their wares (Seems the prices on dyes have gone up, shame), a hustle and bustle and running feet - a breathing ecosystem onto itself.
The head suddenly raises, as he takes a few more steps, enabling him to think for a fraction of a second: wait, running feet?
. 1 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Aug 20, 2020 18:23:23 GMT -6
Run, run, run. Nadia could muster no other thought in her desperation to get away; it only made her look more suspicious, and drew extra attention to herself, but she didn't have the capacity to care. She yearned for the safety of her home. At least there, she could lock her doors, close her shutters, barricade herself in and hide from the world--
Different directions. Which to go in? She jogged onwards in a fit of panic, only to jostle her shoulder against someone's side, with enough force to stagger herself. The shock made her gasp.
"Oh, forgive me, f-forgive me--" Who was this, that she had accosted by accident? A being in full armour. No wonder the impact had knocked the breath from her chest. Rather than be comforted by the presence of a person of honour, she felt an additional bolt of terror. What if they were with her pursuer? Had they come for her at last? She stood, eyes wide and terrified, a split second from dashing away. "I-- pardon me, I didn't mean to--"
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Aug 21, 2020 8:27:49 GMT -6
The head turns to look just as a flash of bright orange catches the corner of the eye and suddenly there's an impact into the side. Not a strong enough impact to topple them both, but the knight does instinctively reach out a foot behind him to counter-act the sudden shift in balance (While trying to avoid recalibrating with anything else). Now, there are all kinds of people in the City, some of whom are less than reputable, especially when it came to relieving others of their heavy burdens of wealth. The shoulder bump is a well known trick in the book (A cheap trick with less effect the more it is used, but it remains a classic for a reason), so the knight recovers quickly and turns his head towards the perceived offender with a frown, half-expecting it to be a person of plain clothing and probably more than a few 'ratty' qualities (As some put it).
It isn't, quite the opposite - a person of finery, which takes him back some. Finery and.. fear? Something didn't quite add up in the picture, but he didn't have a long enough time to piece everything together then and there (Especially not as the knight, who had certain expectations of him, socially).
"Ah.." the knight rumbles, drawing out the sound as he spends a few second processing, then reacts quickly with a formal bow, "No apologies necessary, my lady. The fault was mine, I did not look to see where I was crossing." He straightens, standing at attention with glaive held at the side, "If it pleases you, I would like to make amends for my transgression. Do you require assistance?"
. 2 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Sept 21, 2020 14:26:14 GMT -6
Nadia was stunned into silence. It had been a long time since she had experienced chivalry, and longer still since she had seen a knight; once the initial panic of rushing into him had faded, she was instead mystified. Knights did not roam the City here as commonly as they did in her home country. Why, then, was this one here?
"Oh, no, there is nothing to forgive," She began, and then paused. Assistance? Yes, but... of what kind? She could not stand and tell him about her paranoia, her belief that he could have been sent to trick her, just like whoever was chasing her. Her only comfort was that his garb was not that of her home's order of knighthood. "However, I... I would be grateful if you would accompany me a few streets further, if you insist on amends."
No further information on what was troubling her, though it wouldn't be difficult to ascertain, given the frequent glances over her shoulder. Keep moving. Keep moving, be normal, and perhaps it would be okay.
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Sept 27, 2020 7:34:05 GMT -6
As the woman's gaze keeps shifting to the side, the knight's eyes briefly trace the line of sight without the head so much as moving an inch. There isn't any immediate threat he can see down the alleyway, beyond more people passing their usual day further on, but that doesn't necessarily matter now does it - the woman was clearly distressed, nervous and fearful (It doesn't require a very sharp mind to start putting those pieces together, given the threats - real or imagined - that the City might impose).
The eyes move back and look to the woman once more and he gives a deeper bow, hand brought across the chest, "I would be honoured, my lady." then stepping aside so she could indicate which of the crossing's streets she would prefer to take. Once she starts walking, the knight would take position just beside, as if to guard, with the glaive brought to the shoulder. "I do still apologise," he says with that low tone, once they're walking, "I am still new to this town and the intricacies of it's pedestrian traffic are quite different to what I am used to. I should have looked both ways before crossing." It isn't a lie, that was a hard and fast rule in the city with as much traffic and populace as this (Although generally the traffic doesn't include distressed ladies in fine dresses running from unseen assailants, which is a minor, but quite important detail in the present situation, in his defence).
. 3 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 13, 2020 9:20:19 GMT -6
Breathe. Nadia did her best to concentrate on her breathing, in and out, and calming her heart rate down to normal. Easier said than done. Sense was returning to her, though, and the tension began to bleed out of her - her shoulders dropped a fraction, and her hands fell loosely to her sides instead of twisting together.
It was difficult not to feel better, with such a person at her side. After indicating she wished to continue to the right, she fell into step alongside him, occasionally eyeing that glaive with a mixture of concern and appreciation. So long as it wasn't used on her, she was settled.
"Please, all is forgiven. I understand the difficulty of movement in such a city," She began, with the start of a hesitant smile teasing at her lip. Still shy, but threatening to bloom, as she grew comforted by the knight's presence. "It... it has taken me quite some time to grow accustomed to it, myself."
And there was still much for her to learn. Another quick glance over her shoulder, and then all attention was drawn back to him.
"I hope I am not distracting you from your duties, sir...?"
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 13, 2020 11:56:19 GMT -6
Ah, faex (Not again. He really should learn to be better about this). The knight's dutiful posture stiffens suddenly, pausing as he quickly takes a small step aside and gives a formal, station-appropriate bow to her, "My apologies again, my lady. I was remiss to introduce myself, I hope you can forgive the misstep. I am Sarv, called the Hornbringer." He rises from the bow, still holding himself in a posture of guarding or perhaps parade, with glaive on shoulder more for show than use, as if looking to make up for the faux pas even more. "I am.." there's a small pause, almost embarrassed, "Not quite a 'sir' as such, my lady.. While I am indeed beholden to a lord as their knight, they have not yet granted me such official title. Due to this, I am just Sarv, if it please you."
There's a look that's hoping to find forgiveness in her face, narrow though the opening of the helmet is to allow reading such. Perhaps the movement was a bit too much to startle her, so he gives her plenty of time to process and settle, before asking in more milder tones, "How may I refer to you, my lady? And do not fret, you have caused no inconvenience, as I was not on errand for today. Even so, by the code, were a lady to request assistance, it is the obligation of a knight to provide regardless of circumstance."
. 4 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 14, 2020 11:49:44 GMT -6
Nadia found herself charmed. It was a funny thing - she did not miss home, for all of its deficiencies, but found herself yearning for polite society and chivalry in her quiet moments. The knight was fulfilling a longing in her that went unnoticed by other residents of the City. She lifted her skirts an inch or so to allow herself a curtsey in response, and then fell alongside him again, with a more certain smile on her face. "I forgive you with pleasure, Sarv," She said. "My name is Nadia. It is a pleasure to meet you, even in... unorthodox circumstances." Surely, this man was not her enemy. He would have shown some sign by now, some inclination to lead her somewhere quiet, if his motive was to do her harm. Plus, her extended family were not subtle; had he been a knight of their order, he'd have been emblazoned with their crest for all to see. "I appreciate your assistance. These streets can make a lady nervous, that is all," Nadia glanced to the left. He had not asked her for an explanation, but she felt she owed one, even if it omitted the truth at the heart of the problem. "One may see many a shocking sight." [Logged]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 14, 2020 12:28:37 GMT -6
The trouble with a helmet is it often hides more than shows, but there is a change to the eyes to perhaps, just perhaps, denote a smile on the knight's face. Even if a small one (It was allowed. In certain circumstances. There weren't terribly many if you were a designated servant, but the woman has a presence to her that suggested he could get away with it). The more telling factor is the posture relaxing enough to show he is relieved the apology is accepted, but not so much as to cause him to slouch (He was still a knight, title or no).
"You are most kind, lady Nadia, and the pleasure is certainly mine," he intones in that gradual drawl, with a hint of something northern, and falls in beside her, ever the guardian-on-duty. He listens to her explain, a slow nod of the head, followed by an even slower shake, "Agreed, my lady.. This city is quite.. different to most other places. I don't quite understand it even now." It isn't difficult to tell the knight's voice has a tone to it that suggests his appearance isn't considered the only thing out of place. He's been here some months now, and yet still a passing face could turn here and there to take in the armour-clad and weapon-bearing man marching along the street with a raised brow or a frown (Though certainly a lot more different than it was to a lady of society, to be sure). "I sometimes feel as though the law is lacking here." (It wasn't, it just had other rules, for it used a vastly different board for it's games. Still, even a different board could use similar pieces).
The head remains staring ahead as they walk, until a thought crosses his mind, and he turns to look to her, "The streets can be quite unseemly towards a lady of any standing, even during the day. Forgive me for asking, but.. Do you not travel with a guard at all?" It is framed as a question, but the look in the eyes suggests surprise, as if she is high enough in society in his mind to have plenty of knights of her own, so it doesn't quite 'click' why she wouldn't bring one.
. 5 .
(added)
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 14, 2020 12:46:03 GMT -6
Nadia had to hold back a laugh. Different was a mild word to use - she frequently found the place to be barbaric, and it had taken its toll on her. The demonstration from many a moon ago still weighed heavily on her mind, and it was hard for her to wander into the town square without imagining the gruesome sights that had been keeping her awake since. She couldn't avoid it forever, though. Perhaps it was why she was always convinced that something was following her... because the shadow of that incident always loomed.
No matter. She would puzzle that out later; for the moment, she was content and settled with her acquaintance. Guarding her body did wonders to guard her mind.
"I do not. It is an expense that I... ah, forgive me, that is a personal matter I shan't regale you with," Her hand fluttered nervously at her throat, fingers taking the charm on her necklace between them. Sarv would have no need of information about her household. "Sometimes I walk with an animal companion, but many of them still require the proper training. Otherwise, I do walk alone."
Not that she enjoyed that. The look on her face said it all, in that matter - she was greatly appreciative of his company.
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 14, 2020 13:07:56 GMT -6
A good long moment passes, the words settling in his mind and connecting, before he nods, understanding. (Expensive. So, high-born, but perhaps no longer so landed. That certainly helps piece a few peculiarities together). "I would not dream to impose on such, as personal matters are delicate to one's self." He thinks a moment, then adds, "If my lady wishes to share, she can do so at her pleasure. I am.. not perhaps the greatest at conversation, I have been told, but I can offer a listening ear, should you wish it." The knight's head turns away to stare ahead, settled to have done proper with the offer (Though the motion towards the necklace doesn't go unnoticed. There's more to the story there, that much was obvious).
Ah, yes, the animals.. That is a whole other matter that is as foreign as it is familiar. Mounts, hunting hounds, hawks - those are all familiar concepts. But somehow they are still so strange here in this place.. not quite 'mount', not quite 'hound', not quite 'hawk'. "Surely my lady has means to protect herself, at least?" the head turns a notch, though he keeps an eye on the surrounding as well. "There can be all manner of unsavoury individuals stalking the streets, cut-purses and such alike, as is common in towns. I have seen some guardmen patrol, but not as many," concern seeps into the voice. Kept cordial, as per a servant, but there.
. 6 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 14, 2020 13:41:39 GMT -6
A knight not trained in the subtle art of conversation. Nadia was amused by the notion, as it seemed so fitting - none of the knights she had known back in the day weren't talkative. In fact, they had often been annoyed by her chatter, and had actively avoided getting her started. Sarv didn't know what he was letting himself into.
"Thank you, Sarv. I shall bear it in mind," She bowed her head. "Though I am certain you shall bore of me twice as quickly if I allow my mouth to run away with me."
In truth, she wasn't sure where she was going, now. The walking had become rather aimless, but she deigned to prolong it to make the most of the company. Plus, the longer she was occupied with a companion, the less likely it was for her pursuer to resurface. No sensible person would face off with a glaive.
"I... am afraid to tell you I do not," Nadia confessed. It had crossed her mind on more than one occasion, as her anxiety and paranoia grew, but she had not taken the plunge. "I would not know how to handle a weapon or anything of the sort. I am more frightened of injuring myself."
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Oct 14, 2020 13:58:42 GMT -6
The knight follows her lead, for all the world completely unconcerned as to their exact direction. Given her startled nature, it would not do to impose and ask her of more personal details, such as where she lives, even if it means knowing where to escort her to - For the time being, the direction of their path is completely up to her, as he simply keeps step. "I cannot be bored," he responds, plain but resolute, almost as if trained to, "It is courteous to listen to the woe's of another, and proper to offer support in such a time. 'Words need saying are words worth being said', my lord would say," It is almost like reciting something learned, but given the stolid nature of the knight, he could very well mean it.
When she confesses to being unarmed and untrained, the head lowers and a pensive furrow is seen through the slit of the helm. (It's a fine pickle of a situation. On the one hand, it would go a long way if she knew how to handle a weapon, in general or otherwise, but something which could just as easily backfire if she were to injure herself more than any potential enemy. Still, there's opportunity there, and perhaps other options). Finally, he raises the head, decided, "Then I shall offer you my services." The eyes look to her, completely serious, "Should you require escort, through city or in attendance of an event, you may request my assistance. I shall act as your guard on an occasion which requires it." The hand moves across his check and taps a fist against the armour underneath.
(And that's that).
. 7 .
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Oct 14, 2020 14:06:29 GMT -6
It would do to make a vague path back to her home, wouldn't it? Nadia had gotten her errands done for the day, and had no other reason to be loitering in the streets, where any stranger could cause her harm. Therefore, she took the next turning she knew would lead them (in a roundabout way) to Miisaa Ave, and to the safety of Bloomwood's grounds.
"Your lord speaks wisely, though he does me a kindness with such an idea," She teased. The longer they walked together, the greater her comfort - and the more likely she was to become playful in speech. "I am not sure my words would be worth tuppence if you should sell them at market."
It both surprised and delighted her, to have the offer of Sarv's services. Any excuse to be in the company of a knight was a good one. Even so, she was ever aware that accepting such kindness may be taking advantage.
"I fear I cannot compensate you in the manner you deserve," Those fingers fretted at her necklace's chain this time, belying her anxiety. "You humble me with such an offer, but I have little of value to offer you currently."
|
|