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For the third time in a week, Arith was walking down the Market Street in Mournhold, faintly aware of the two hands gripping her left arm tightly. At the corner of her eye she could see the mass of bright brown hair move this way and that way, as the woman next to her looked at the different stalls and shops. They both walked quietly and slowly ,simply enjoying their time at the market.
The sounds and smells around them were beginning to distract her however. She could smell meat being cooked and bread being baked, to which her stomach gave a light rumble, reminding her that it is now midday, and they both haven’t eaten since they left her house quite early this morning. She also heard the craftsmen hammering away in their workshops and merchants shouting and hollering, trying to catch someone’s attention so they could try and cheat them out of their coin over a cheap product.
She took just one more step forward, before feeling resistance on her arm that pulled her back slightly. As she turned herself around she saw the equally surprised look on the woman now in front of her.
“Trying to make me fall, Ari?” she asked with a raised brow as Arith moved closer to her.
“Well, I wouldn't be able to pick you up if you did.” she shot back at her, causing the other woman to gasp and throw an incredulous look at her.
After a moment she squinted her eyes at her. “Are you calling me fat now?”
“Considering how much you ate yesterday at Miroval’s place, I wouldn't be surprised if you gained a few pounds.” she answered back with a small smirk on her lips.
“Considering how much cake you ate at Miroval’s place, I would call you fat.” the brown haired woman shot back at her, now wearing a triumphant smile as Arith now looked squinted at her.
“That was a low blow, Liv.” She said in a dramatically sad way as she cast her gaze at the ground. A moment passed before she felt an open palm on her chest and a hand grabbing at her ching, lifting her gaze up. She now saw Olyvia standing right infront of her, her wine-red eyes looking up at her own blood-red ones.
“How about I buy you this necklace you wanted as an apology?” she asked her quietly as she pointed upwards at the shop sign above them.
Arith raised her head up to read the sign. “ ‘Llilandir’s Authentic Wares’, really Olyvia?” Arith asked her sarcastically as a brow shot up.
“Don't be so negative. I got these earrings from him, which, I remind you, you quite like" she said as she moved her hair over both ears, showing a pair of matching blue feather earrings, partly covered by a small and ornate silver cover, along with many other types and sizes of earrings adorning both of her ears.
"Fine drama queen. Let’s go.” she said, earning a squeal of happiness from the other woman, before she was grabbed by the hand and quickly brought into the store.
Once inside they were greeted by the faint smell of wood covered in varnish, the soft murmurs of the few customers, and the large amount of display cases, both large and small.
Still gripping each other’s hand, she was dragged to the counter at the back wall. The counter itself was also built as a one large display case, made up of small sections divided by a wooden panel. There were small glass windows so it would be possible to see what's inside, and at the back, towards the shopkeeper, there were wooden panels on a carved rail, so that the jewelry inside could be brought out to the customers.
Once in front of the counter, Olyvia seemed to be ecstatic, moving from one display case to another, spending what seemed to be a moment on each one before quickly moving to the next one.
After a few moments, she returned to where she left Arith, a defeated look on her face. “I can’t find it, and I'm sure it was here. Hope no one bought it.” she said while an elderly man wearing a deep blue shirt with what appeared to be silver buttons on it, approached them from the other side of the counter.
“Can I help you ladies?” he asked them, his somewhat deep voice, along with a cleanly shaved face and his shoulder length hair pulled back, he gave them a sense of ease. Before she could open her mouth to answer him, Olyvia was already talking to him.
“I remember you had a blue-silver necklace,” she said as she put her hand lightly on the glass atop the counter. “It had a deep red ruby, about the size of a thumb, and two smaller green emeralds on either side of it. Do you still have it?” she finished her question in a sort of plee, hoping it will help them find it.
“Apologies sera, but that necklace was purchased this morning by a member of the temple.”
They both slumped their shoulders in defeat.
“Well, we can always either come back at another time, or we can find something else. Don't worry” she said to the brown-haired woman next to her, whose eyes were downcast and had a sad look on her face. “I know, but you really liked that one, and I wanted to buy you something pretty” she answered back as she lifted her gaze to look back at her.
“Its ok, we’ll find something else to buy” she answered, hugging her about the shoulder and brought her closer to plant a kiss atop her head.
“You an Ashlander?” they could hear the malice in his voice. Looking up, they both could see the hateful loock he was giving Arith. His gaze was locked on her, and his shoulders were tense.
“I am. Is that a problem?” she asked him dismissively, which seemed to anger him even more.
“It is. I don't serve thieves and murderers.” he answered her sternly, and raised his hand to point at the door. “Out. both of you”
Now it was Arith that beat Olyvia, answering before the other. “We were just leaving. I wouldn’t have bought something that called itself ‘authentic’. “
And before Olyvia could add anything, she grabbed her hand and firmly dragged them both outside, knowing that the brown-haired woman can be as stubborn as a mule. Once outside, she took a deep breath to calm herself, before looking back at Olyvia, a somewhat disappointed look on her face.
“At least you could’ve let me lay it out on him” she said somewhat angrily.
“So your mouth could get us into trouble? Thanks, but I’d skip it this time.”
Before Olyvia could open her mouth, the shop door opened again, and this time the shopkeeper was holding a short staff in his hand.
“I told you to get out of here!” he screamed at them and waved his staff over his head.
“You told us to leave your shop so we did! Leave us!” they both shouted back at him.
“Is there a problem here?” they all heard a voice from their left. Turning their heads they could see two Ordinators approach them, their bonemold armor somewhat shiny in the midday sun.
The shopkeeper turned towards the guards and raised his staff pointedly at Arith. “This thieving Ashlander is harassing my customers!” he told them in an angry voice. One of the guards turned to look at Arith questionably, before turning to look at the shopkeeper.
“This ‘thieving Ashlander’ as you called her, is an Arch-Curate of the Temple. Here in Mournhold. And seeing as you just insulted a Temple Official…” They all looked at the man, his bruise-blue skin starting to lose color, turning blueish-green. “That will be quite a punishment.” She could hear the humor in the guard’s voice.
The man looked between all the parties involved that now seemed to almost surround him. He offered his apologies quickly before returning to his shop, not before they could hear a string of juicy curses fall from his lips.
The guard turned to look at her, an expectant look on his face. She thought for a moment before addressing his unasked question.
“Nah, leave him. I think he learned his lesson.”
“You sure? That’s 15 whips and 50 silver Drakes.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “It's alright.”
“As you wish, muthsera” he closed his fist on his chest in a salute, before he and his partner resumed their patrol down the street.
They both stood there for a moment, before Olyvia turned to her. “You think his wife is at home now?” Arith gave her a small chuckle. “We already ate all their food yesterday, Liv.” At that they both chuckled.
She grabbed the other woman’s hand and they walked away from the shop. “Let's go to Goren’s, I'll buy us something to eat.” she felt as the other woman let go of her hand, only to grab at her arm with both hands and bring herself closer to her. They both smiled to themselves at the action
“Okay”