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[center][i]Ting-ting-ting-ting.[/i]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/bdNytMpt9C4[/youtube][/center]

[hider=Loooong]Again, that sound. It wasn't the boy's doing but it definitely came from outside. A few clumsy steps from a groggy Zarina had her nearly stumble toward the door frame. Her overstep did give her a lightly better view of what was outside. The sound had come from some cattle being herded nearby with the head of the troop occasionally galloping, prompting the bell on its neck to ring. 

Zarina spoke seriously and in Virangish, just as the child had. [color=#E5E4E2]“Where am I?”[/color]

The boy did not answer. He tilted his head and [color=CD5C5C]"Where..."[/color] he repeated, thinking for a moment. [color=CD5C5C]"You... on Marawan."[/color]

He was short for his age and unremarkable in most ways - a mop of dark hair, swarthy skin, vaguely Rettandic features, and an open vest for a shirt - but for a pair of large, dark, and intelligent eyes that sparked with a keen curiosity. [color=CD5C5C]"You like... machete,"[/color] he repeated. [color=CD5C5C]"Tall lady. Virang, huh?"[/color] He considered her. [color=CD5C5C]"You... wait. I go. I get Grandma."[/color] He turned to scamper off, and her eyes couldn't help but follow him outside.

Beyond the cabin where Zarina had been resting lay... a village. It was neither large nor small, neither inland not coastal, but the houses seemed, for the most part, to be on the larger side and in decent repair. While there was some land dedicated to traditional farming and pasture, most of the larger fields, inland from the coast, seemed to be made up of sugarcane. 

It was from this direction that an older woman in what Zarina had learned was nice but very traditional clothing came hustling over, carrying a bag in each hand. A preteen girl scampered along behind and beside her, offering entreaties to carry the bags. She was politely waved off with a laugh and the old woman continued along, drawing closer.

[color=#E5E4E2]“That's right.”[/color] the machete lady answered with a lopsided smile.

This was still Palapar, Zarina concluded, and somewhere remote from the civilization she knew most for her life. The out-of-place Virangish took a step outside to fully take in the day's sun with the instinct to stretch and yawn. The form prompted a hiss and the clutching of her chest. Her wound still felt fresh and tender, something she wasn't used to.

[color=#E5E4E2]“So this is grandma?”[/color] with a roll of her shoulder she regained her posture, one that made her tower over most of the locals. Zarina took a couple of steps forward to meet with the elderly woman, hands now on her hip - the height difference did fan her confidence a little more. [color=#E5E4E2]“Kumusta.”[/color] a little up-nod made her accent-heavy greeting a little more obvious. [color=#E5E4E2]“Uhm, have you seen smaller,”[/color] she made a gesture to indicate someone of shorter stature. [color=#E5E4E2]“women? Maybe one with pink hair?”[/color] same deal a quick brush of hair to illustrate.

The grandmother looked Zarina (way) up and down. She blinked. She scowled and tilted her head. The boy's eyes darted between the two of them and his face became anticipatory. Then, all at once, the old woman grabbed Zarina both tenderly and roughly by the arm. [abbr=No!][color=BA55D3]"Hindi!"[/color][/abbr] she admonished. She began pulling Zarina along. [abbr=You shouldn't be up yet. Get back to bed!][color=BA55D3]"Hindi ka pa dapat bumangon. Bumalik ka sa kama!"[/color][/abbr]

She ushered the much younger much taller woman back toward the cabin, shaking her head and tut-tutting. [color=BA55D3]"Pink hair,"[/color] she repeated, giving no indication of understanding what she was saying. [color=BA55D3]"Pink hair."[/color] She shook her head. [abbr=You need to eat and change your bandages, silly girl.][color=BA55D3]"Kailangan mong kumain at baguhin ang iyong mga bendahe, na babae."[/color][/abbr]

The boy followed along half with caution and half with impish amusement at seeing this giant intimidating 'machete woman' bossed around by his grandmother. 

[abbr=So much muscle,][color=BA55D3]"Napakaraming kalamnan,"[/color][/abbr] the old lady muttered, [abbr=so little good sense.][color=BA55D3]"kaya maliit na mabuting kahulugan."[/color][/abbr]

[abbr=Grandma, do you need me to translate?][color=CD5C5C]"Lola, kailangan mo ba akong magsalin?"[/color][/abbr] asked the boy, skipping along beside them.

She considered for a moment. [abbr=Hmm, you've been lazy in your studies, Makisig. Go bring your sister.] [color=BA55D3]"Mmm. Tamad ka sa pag-aaral mo, Makisig,[/color][/abbr] she scolded. [abbr=Go bring your cousin here.][color=BA55D3]"Dalhin mo dito ang pinsan mo."[/color][/abbr]

Makisig scampered off to go fetch his cousin, whoever that was. Meanwhile, the ruthless granny continued to herd Zarina back into the cabin, carefully avoiding pushing her too hard or touching her injured side. After a few more seconds, however, she softened. [color=BA55D3]"Ako si Lumi,"[/color] she grunted, pointing to herself. She gestured at Zarinai. [color=BA55D3]"Ikaw?"[/color]

All around them were idyllic scenes of the Palaparese countryside. In the near distance, the ocean waves rolled in and out and boats bobbed up and down in a surprisingly new and pristine port for a village of this size. Gulls circles overhead and cows continued to graze in the fields. One house, in particular - large and ramshackle and rambling - had an impressive herd in addition to a siable vegetable garden. Most of the rest grew sugarcane.

The elder would immediately identify Zarina as the sort that respects her elders. No protest other than a couple of gasps and blinks of confusion. For how tall she was, she was easy to drag back in to the shack whilst taking in the white noise that was Palaparese. Gestures and tones were universal, however, and she understood fairly easily that this doting grandmother was out to care for her. Already she knew this wasn't some sort of rebel compound. Why was she here, then?

When the boy was made to scamper off, the Virangish pursed her lips, slightly concerned over being left without a translator, even a sophomoric one. [color=#E5E4E2]“Lumi?”[/color] Zarina lowered her chin, raised her brows and pointed toward the caretaker. She repeated the name a couple of times, searching for a gesture of affirmation before pointing to herself. [color=#E5E4E2]“Ah. Ako su Za-ri-na.”[/color] she articulated with a more inviting grin on her visage. 

She sat down, letting the granny do what she had to. All the while she found any opportunity to peek out of her shack to assess her surroundings.

Lumi patted her on the shoulder to sit, and she began taking off "Za-ri-na's" clothes. Outside, the idyllic scenes seemed to be giving way to a sense of anticipation. Even though it was likely within the Hours of Oraff and the village's fishing fleet had returned, people began to gather near the docks. 

Meanwhile, there was a sharp smell of herbal remedies in the cabin and, now, the aroma of bubbling broth reached Za-ri-na's nose. Lumi was carefully unwrapping the youth's bandages, pleased to see that there was no more blood on them. [color=BA55D3]"Oh,"[/color] she remarked, [abbr=You're quite big... and round.][color=BA55D3]"medyo malaki ka na... at bilog."[/color][/abbr] She shook her head and chuckled under her breath. [abbr=I'm jealous][color=BA55D3]"Nagseselos ako."[/color][/abbr]

She pushed the youth down onto her back with a gentle application of pressure to her forehead and began applying a salve. [abbr=You're lucky, you know,][color=BA55D3]"Ang swerte mo, alam mo,"[/color][/abbr] she continued, reaching for the bandages. Outside, some manner of band had started playing. Za-ri-na could sense multiple person-sized energy signatures hurrying past. [abbr=You had a collapsed lung, but the bullet went right through.][color=BA55D3]"Nagkaroon ka ng bumagsak na baga ngunit tumagos ang bala."[/color][/abbr] She ushered Zarina into a sitting position and reapplied the bandages with rough, steady hands.

It was just as Zarina was finally putting her shirt back on that a young woman, perhaps a few years her senior, appeared in the doorway, composed but on the brink of being disheveled beneath a calm surface. [abbr=Is this her, grandma?][color=7B68EE]"Siya ba ito, lola?"[/color][/abbr]

Lumi was walking into the kitchen area to grab a ladle and some broth. She nodded. [abbr=Yes. I just patched her up.][color=BA55D3]"Oo. Pinagtagpi-tagpi ko lang siya."[/color][/abbr]

The young woman's eyes went to Zarina and they were wary but not closed off in their entirety. 

[color=BA55D3]"Laya."[/color] the old woman gestured at her... granddaughter? with the wooden ladle, and there was an awkward moment of silence. [color=BA55D3]"Za-ri-na."[/color]

[color=7B68EE]"It is good to meet you, pinally,"[/color] she acknowledged, with the tiniest of bows at the knees. [color=7B68EE]"I trust Grandma Lumi has taken good care of you."[/color] She waited for a moment. [color=7B68EE]"You must excuse me. We hap an important pisitor in the pillage."[/color] She glanced anxiously outside and Za-ri-na could feel a small surge of energy from her direction, indicative of someone using the Gift to enhance their senses. This woman was different from the others. She was educate and she knew magic.

No complaints, only a light bit of whining from the pain. In truth, she was hurting quite a bit, almost as bad as when she was transforming but not quite. The main difference was how targeted the pain was. 

Zarina couldn't help but giggle at the remark made by Lumi. Once again, simple looks, gestures and tones were all that were needed to get the gist of what was said. [color=#E5E4E2]“Oh, you flaaatter me.”[/color] she rolled her eyes in a mix of sarcasm and embarrassment. The stretch of a word did not go easy on her still wounded lung, however. A bad cough ensued with quite a bit of bloody phlegm accumulated on her palm. [color=#E5E4E2]“Ugh, gross.”[/color]

She sensed a newcomer arriving, much to her dismay given her slimy palm. Habit brought her to will the stain away with the gift, but alas, she was devoid of most of it. The outsider smiled awkwardly. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“Zarina.”[/color] she repeated with proper fluency. [color=#E5E4E2]“Enchanted.”[/color] the playful sassiness remained, enhanced by the wound-induced rasp of her voice. But before Laya could make her departure, the Virangish interjected. [color=#E5E4E2]“Hey.”[/color] she beckoned. [color=#E5E4E2]“Where am I, and-”[/color] she scrutinized the other's form for a moment, recognizing the signs of a gift user sensing. [color=#E5E4E2]“Anything to be concerned about?”[/color]

Laya paused before reaching the doorway and hurried back towards Zarina. For a moment, she distinctly seemed to be considering just how much to tell the foreigner. [color=7B68EE]"You are in Marawan,"[/color] she relented, [color=7B68EE]"on the northeast coass op Palapar."[/color] She spoke in Avincian - heavily accented but largely fluent. [color=7B68EE]"We poun' you two days ago by te roadside, almos' dead."[/color] 

She tilted her head towards the old woman, who had come up with a bowl full of hot broth and a damp rag. [color=7B68EE]"Lumi is my grandmotter. She has patch' you back up."[/color] Laya's eyes roved over Zarina for a moment and she gave a brief smile. [color=7B68EE]"I am happy to see you okay now. Many people know abou' you and te other girl and hap been worried."[/color] She glanced over her shoulder. [color=7B68EE]"I would stay wip you and lissen to your story righ' now ip I could, but te Agha is pisiting and it's importan'."[/color] She bowed her head momentarily. [color=7B68EE]"Please forgip me."[/color]

She began to make her way back towards the door, an apologetic expression on her face. Lumi came up and tapped Zarina's hand where she was hiding the phlegm. She held out the napkin and held back the bowl until her guest was clean.

Zarina cocked her brows. Two days? It was a miracle she could sleep seven hours most of the time. Her second surprise came at the mention of another girl, to which she was about to interrupt the young local before keeping her tongue. An Agha visiting re-contextualized the situation - she knew better than to delay this one even more, especially if she's one of the only decent translators. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“Thank you.”[/color] Zarina bowed her head slightly. [color=#E5E4E2]“And good luck.”[/color] she flashed a confident smile to the rushed girl before sighed in relief. [color=#E5E4E2]“And thank you too.”[/color] she graciously accepted the napkin and readied herself for a meal. It was only now that she realized she was starving. Anything was going to taste good in her state. 

She didn't idly enjoy her resting period and meal time. No magic was an issue but she did try to angle herself just right to peer outside the window with no glass or barrier in the hopes of having a good view of the port. [color=#E5E4E2]“It's good!”[/color] she complimented when she alternated her attention between the outside and her delightful caretaker. Always chipper with her elders, no sass or attitude.

@Rove
Zarina cocked her brows. Two days? It was a miracle she could sleep seven hours most of the time. Her second surprise came at the mention of another girl, to which she was about to interrupt the young local before keeping her tongue. An Agha visiting re-contextualized the situation - she knew better than to delay this one even more, especially if she's one of the only decent translators.   [color=#E5E4E2]“Thank you.”[/color] Zarina bowed her head slightly. [color=#E5E4E2]“And good luck.”[/color] she flashed a confident smile to the rushed girl before sighed in relief. [color=#E5E4E2]“And thank you too.”[/color] she graciously accepted the napkin and readied herself for a meal. It was only now that she realized she was starving. Anything was going to taste good in her state.   She didn't idly enjoy her resting period and meal time. No magic was an issue but she did try to angle herself just right to peer outside the window with no glass or barrier in the hopes of having a good view of the port. [color=#E5E4E2]“It's good!”[/color] she complimented when she alternated her attention between the outside and her delightful caretaker. Always chipper with her elders, no sass or attitude.

Lumi patted her on the shoulder. There were more words that she could only discern from contextual cues, but nothing of import, it seemed. Outside lay the real show. A ship with large lateen sails - a distinctly Virangish design - hove into view and the harbour was full of nervous people and energy. It fairly hummed. 

The old woman was not idle, however. She slipped into the second room of her two-room cottage and emerged a couple of minutes later with some simple jewelry and a shawl of sorts. In her hands was a book. [color=BA55D3]"Laya,"[/color] she said, thrusting it into Za-ri-na's hands. She mimicked opening it and reading. Then, she pointed towards the port. [abbr=I'm going there,][color=BA55D3]"Pupunta ako dun,"[/color][/abbr] she began. [abbr=I'll be back in a few hours.][color=BA55D3]"Babalik ako sa loob ng ilang oras."[/color][/abbr] She motioned the sun making its daily arc through the sky.

With that, she was gone, and Zarina was left to her own devices. There was the book to read, the window to watch, and mysteries to worry about. She had only a few minutes in this manner, however, before she heard a rustle near the doorway and caught Makisig red-handed, poking his head in. 

The boy grinned, almost as if he was happy to have been caught. [color=CD5C5C]"I look five minute,"[/color] he told her proudly. [color=CD5C5C]"You no see me."[/color] He shook his head, striding into the doorway and crossing his arms in triumph. [color=CD5C5C]"Me Papa no see me."[/color] The boy nodded, now. [color=CD5C5C]"He is importan' man. Strong man. He tell that Agha 'no'."[/color] He was clearly trying to provoke her curiosity - clearly trying to start a conversation.

As gestures became more esoteric, Zarina was content with simply nodding in vague understanding. She had a book to read and then there was something involving the meeting, surely she'd get the full picture eventually. Keen on not sticking her nose too overtly, she leaned her back against the wall the head of the bed was connected to and explored the piece of literature she had been given. Her position was just right to alternate between the pages before her and the port.

There was a young interloper, one she had noticed since Lumi had departed. The Virangish guest had even peered his way when he had been scrambling to hide. It brought the mildest smile to her face - everything seemed so normal, so disconnected to what she had grown to know as her routine back in the south. It only made her question her reasons for being here even more.

Zarina chuckled at the reveal. [color=#E5E4E2]“You got me.”[/color] one hand was raised while the other held the book from the colomn that bound it. [color=#E5E4E2]“What's your name, young man?”[/color] she inquired as he slid his way in. [color=#E5E4E2]“Ahhh, he is a brave dad, isn't he?”[/color] she managed her intonation to match how most adults would speak to kids, inflections that exaggerated certain words, especially those of praise. [color=#E5E4E2]“A big, powerful Agha can be really scary. Did the Agha do a bad thing?”[/color] she peered out the window while having her exchange. [color=#E5E4E2]“Hmmm, I hope he's being careful.”[/color] she mumbled.

[color=CD5C5C]"I Makisig. People say me Maki."[/color] He nodded matter-of-factly. [color=CD5C5C]"Tat Agha..."[/color] He paused to gather his thoughts, his brow a mask of concentration. [color=CD5C5C]"Com-pany say we geh new port por chips. Only pay small money for... when we use."[/color] He nodded along as he spoke. [color=CD5C5C]"We all parm sugar now. Noh my dad."[/color] He seemed proud of this fact. [color=CD5C5C]"Now company say we hab a new Agha. We must to sign 'agreement'."[/color] The confidence with which he pronounced the word was evidence that he'd heard it spoken multiple times. [color=CD5C5C]"We say no we pay big money."[/color] He eyed her with a degree of suspicion. [color=CD5C5C]"What you do tink? Hmm?"[/color] He stood in the doorway, swinging one foot idly.

Outside, there did - indeed - appear to be someone of importance disembarking from the ship. Zarina finally noticed, now that it was closer, the Royal Palapar Trading Co. banners flying from its mast. A whole slew of people were gathered and, for a moment, she couldn't see Maki's father, nor Lumi or Laya. Then, after focusing on the child for a moment, she had a better look as the crowd parted. Lumi stood towards the center of the welcoming committee, just behind two large-ish men: the bigger and younger of the two had shoulder-length hair and a rough but friendly sort of bearing, though once could see, even from this distance, that he bristled with misgiving. The second, slightly smaller and older, took the lead. He had the air of a country merchant and a growing waistline and slightly out-of-fashion courtly clothes to complete the image. To one side of the pair stood Laya, likely there as a translator, and a tall lean young Virangishman with glasses in the impeccable dress of a civil servant.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Hmm.”[/color] Zarina pondered, the book she had discovered to be a convenient pocket Rosetta stone closed for now, as she tapped her chin. Her gaze was mostly focused on the spectacle outside, her intrigue entirely dedicated to the going-ons of the town after Makisig's brief but effective summary. [color=#E5E4E2]“I think, my good friend Maki ...”[/color] she looked his way with an impish grin and half-lidded gaze of pure chill. [color=#E5E4E2]“We should get a closer look.”[/color] she got up, but not before downing the rest of her bowl in a couple of chugs. Zarina brought the book and slipped into men-sized sandals.

The wounded guest frequently found herself gyrating her shoulder and testing her patched up gash. It hurt, but it also irritated and constantly begged for comfort. [color=#E5E4E2]“How long have you been farming sugar?”[/color] she asked idly as they approached the pier, though they wouldn't intrude beyond getting close enough to eavesdrop, and perhaps at the right angle to be seen by the right people. A Virangish girl, dressed in common local clothes and undone hair - straightened enough to not be a mess, but still nothing she would normally wear. [color=#E5E4E2]“Oh, and do you know where my stuff is, Maki?”[/color] she inquired as she found a nice rock to rest her rear. [color=#E5E4E2]“My armor, my armband,”[/color] she gestured a wrapping motion around her arm for that one. [color=#E5E4E2]“and maybe my friend too.”[/color]

[color=CD5C5C]"Stuff,"[/color] Makisig murmured. [color=CD5C5C]"Friend."[/color] he furrowed his brow as they walked. [color=CD5C5C]"Tey take opp ma-chete clothe,"[/color] he told her. [color=CD5C5C]"Uncle Malaki hab tem. He is Laya pater. He... keep tem por when you peel better."[/color]

Rainy season had come to an end and the roads were beginning to grow dusty. Cicadas hummed in the trees and tall grass. The sun glared off of endless beds of sugarcane reeds and leaves. They did not see many people as they made their way to the port, though the few they did inevitably glanced in Zarina's direction a second - or even a [i]third[/i] - time. 

There were a great many farms: their stone and bamboo fences relatively new and fresh, and most properties seemed to possess at least four buildings: a large barn or shed for storage, a stables, a smaller hut for unknown purposes, and the family house. Nearly all grew sugarcane, though some focused on coffee and a few even experimented with spratz in one corner or their fields.

The largest house they had seen so far drew closer, and it rambled off into a series of sheds, outbuildings, and a large courtyard. Its fields were expansive, and a few local men lounged under trees, either at 'work' or on some kind of break. [color=CD5C5C]"Tat one!"[/color] exclaimed Maki, tossing a hand in the farm's direction. [color=CD5C5C]"Uncle Malaki is tere."[/color] The boy paused. [color=CD5C5C]"Oh, he is port tis time, but his house tere."[/color] He perked up and pointed to the one house that had stood out earlier, for being a bit closer to the water, with a fishing boat hauled onshore and a large variety of local crops and animals. [color=CD5C5C]"And tat one is me house,"[/color] Maki explained proudly. [color=CD5C5C]"I go get someting tere bepore port."[/color]

In the event, he didn't have the chance to do so. From Malaki's house, a door opened and a woman with light brown hair and a long dress stepped outside. Her eyes met Zarina's and she let out a squeal. [color=pink]"Oh, thank Oraf!"[/color] she exclaimed, fluttering over excitedly. [color=pink]"They told me you were okay, but wouldn't say where you were!"[/color] She came to a stop where her path intersected with that of Zarina and a wary Makisig. [color=pink]"Are you... supposed to be out?"[/color] She looked her fellow Virangishwoman up and down briefly. [color=pink]"I think someone of importance was visiting and I got the sense that they weren't too keen to have us peeping in."[/color]

A tour was in order after a short break and Zarina took in as many details as she could to piece together her options and the circumstances that truly brought her here. The harbor meeting was her number one theory as to the 'why'. [color=#E5E4E2]“It's a very nice village you have there, Maki.”[/color] she complimented, mostly as a means to show she was listening and giving the attention he wanted. [color=#E5E4E2]“Don't take too long.”[/color] she warned him with a laisser-faire disposition as she once again found somewhere to sit. 

More and more the Virangish became aware of the gazes directed her way - nothing new after the Tethered Refuge and An Zenui, but she never truly got to it either. Her bad habit of staring back often intimidated curious onlookers a little too much. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“Hmmm?”[/color] Zarina winced as she twisted to acknowledge the origin of the voice. The wound was still open and flaring. [color=#E5E4E2]“Ah, Lady Emel.”[/color] she remembered from the guest list, with this one standing out among the people. The taller of the two pushed herself back on her feet. [color=#E5E4E2]“Probably not. After eating they left me with this-”[/color] she raised her hand that held the translation book. [color=#E5E4E2]“but I'm itching to get to use it.”[/color] she shot a complicit grin toward Maki who seemed nervous. [color=#E5E4E2]“And I was about to go there, actually. I've a sneaking suspicion we're here for that very reason.”[/color]

It was Zazzy's turn to evaluate Emel, and most notably her posture. [color=#E5E4E2]“You seem far better than last time.”[/color] she remarked, seriously. [color=#E5E4E2]“How have they been treating you?”[/color]

[color=pink]"Well, my toes still tingle like a nine-year-old tethered's, but it beats being lame."[/color] She smiled softly, and ran a pensive hand about her midriff. [color=pink]"They treat me well but tell me little,"[/color] she replied in rapidfire, as Maki narrowed his eyes in concentration, trying to follow along. [color=pink]"I've been trying to make my inroads, but they're as big on wariness as they are on hospitality."[/color] 

She glanced at Zarina's undersized escort and he watched her in return. [color=pink]"Well, I suppose we should probably take advantage of this golden opportunity, since we're not explicitly prisoners and the glorious revolution would like us to witness the performance down at the port."[/color] She hooked her arm beneath Zarina's. [color=pink]"Onward?"[/color]

[color=#E5E4E2]“Sounds about right. We're outsiders.”[/color] Zarina concluded with a sigh, hands on her hips and ripe for a hooking when Emel felt the urge. [color=#E5E4E2]“Luckily for us, we have a Maki here to help us get around.”[/color] she nodded toward her little helper to make him feel included. 

Arms were hooked and adventures awaited. [color=#E5E4E2]“Indeed! Maki, will you be our captain and lead us?”[/color]

The boy's eyes darted between the two women and it looked like he had something he wanted to say. Then, he simply nodded, turned on his heel, and began marching forward. [color=CD5C5C]"You follow. See how nice me house."[/color]

It took them less than two minutes to reach the house, where a large yellow dog barked incessantly - though not that threateningly - at the pair. [color=CD5C5C]"You wait here,"[/color] said Maki, [color=CD5C5C]"No Pirang in house."[/color] His eyes seemed to evaluate them as he made the statement, and there was the briefest hint of a smirk. 

It was not so very grand as Malaki's property, but it seemed very much a 'working' place, with a couple of boats, parts of another, lobster traps, nets, half-finished garden trellises and scaffolds in a carpentry shed, and a number of goats walking about, free range. One ambled up into range of Zarina, looked her in the eyes, and let out a large, "maa-aa-aa!" while chewing grass.

Meanwhile, down by the docks, the discussion that had been taking place earlier seemed to have turned into a procession. A handful of liveried guards had appeared from the ship and a few more remained with it. One man, in particular, appeared to be walking stiffly away, a few others hovering in his vicinity. Laya took a few steps in his direction before turning back. A particularly tall and thin man, who might've had glasses and gave off a Virangish air (though it was hard to say at this distance), swept in beside her and looped his arm through hers. 

A horse was brought up for the agha, his wife, and a couple of others, and they began moving somewhere higher in altitude, in the direction of the largest collection of terraced fields. It was at about that moment that Maki came bounding out of his house. [color=CD5C5C]"I am ready!"[/color] he called, not particularly waiting for the pair. Then, he saw the man walking stiffly away and he froze, scowling.

The wait was made far more enjoyable by the addition of a goat to their party, even if only for a moment. [color=#E5E4E2]“D'aww, hello there, pretty.”[/color] Zarina greeted with a voice that a mother would use for an infant. She knelt down, still bound to Emel, and used her free hand to caress the animal. She let it sniff, flap its lips as it ate its meal and potentially arouse the curiosity of the whole herd. [color=#E5E4E2]“Brings me back. Goats are quite common back home.”[/color] she turned to address Emel. [color=#E5E4E2]“Have you ever been to the mainland, or are you a true Islander?”[/color]

The whole time, Zarina had been peeking toward the village's intrigue. Body language was key in deciphering what was unfolding, but the distance and lack of magic made the endeavour a little too demanding. She made sure, however, to not let them get out of sight now that the Agha was making his tour.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Aye-aye, let's get to it captain-”[/color] their leader halted. [color=#E5E4E2]“... What's up?”[/color] her gaze searched for what was the issue. A man? [color=#E5E4E2]“Maki.”[/color] she called for his attention, and for an answer.

Lady Emel crouched beside Zarina, face partially curious and lighthearted, but also disgusted by the animal. In short, she was the sort who had seen enough goats and held the idea that animals were cute, but had never actually worked with them. [color=pink]"You have a very - eep!"[/color] It licked her and she stumbled back, detaching from Zarina and grimacing fiercely. [color=pink]"- [i]long[/i] tongue,"[/color] she observed, and then came the question. She was still wiping her face with a frilly sleeve. [color=pink]"Oh, I'm from Paggon,"[/color] she replied, [color=pink]"though my father was Virangish and my mother..."[/color] She trailed off and shrugged. Her complexion was decidedly lighter than most Virangish.

Her eyes followed Zarina's and she leaned in. [color=pink]"The big one -"[/color] she said softly, conspiratorially, making a circle around her waist, [color=pink]"- is Malaki. He's Laya's father. I don't know if you've met her yet, but she's the only native in this Şun-forsaken place who speaks half-decent Virangish, and some Avincian, too."[/color] She gestured subtly at the man stalking away. [color=pink]"I don't need to make him out clearly to know that's Manalo, Maki's dad and the owner of this... wonderful estate."[/color] She snorted. 

Lady Emel looked as if she had more to say, but it was at that moment that Makisig returned. Moments later, his eyes went to his father and then flicked back to the pair of women almost... accusingly. He balled up his fists and ran towards Manalo without saying a word.

Meanwhile, the procession continued upwards, drawing closer as it wound past the trio, though it was clear that it would never intercept them.

Zarina laughed at Emel's expense. Lightheartedly, of course, with a humorous comment about how it was good luck or some other sort of harmless lie. The conversation shifted from Paggonese origins to the politics of the town - a topic Zazzy was very invested in. She leaned in to keep things tightly between them. [color=#E5E4E2]“I've met her. She's educated.”[/color] the snark and jabs in regard to the humble lives were met with indifference from the Al-Nader. She was not unsympathetic to either side here, from culture shock to humble but comfortable living. Dami had no place in her heart in that regard.

[color=#E5E4E2]“Looks like our little captain and his dad did not appreciate that exchange.”[/color] she remarked, arms crossed and splitting her attention between the owner of the property they were essentially on and the passing of the group from the port. She made sure her amber gaze met with the Agha, if he cared enough to notice his fellow countrywomen wearing local clothes and hanging around far away from civilization. It was not her place to wedge herself in affairs, but she wasn't against indirectly catching some attention. 

[color=#E5E4E2]“What do you know of these arrivals?”[/color] she inquired to Emel, her voice hushed enough to not carry beyond their personal bubble.

Emel pursed her lips for a moment, eyes flicking between the boy and the procession. [color=pink]"Not much,"[/color] she admitted, but Zarina was to find that Lady Emel's 'not much' was considerably more than most people's enthusiastic 'everything'. [color=pink]"Apparently, the Company built these people a port, free of charge, and they started using it."[/color] She shook her head. [color=pink]"Then, we asked that they either begin paying or accept a noble supervisor from Virang who will own it so they might use it for free as his tenants."[/color] She shrugged. [color=pink]"Malaki, the older brother -"[/color] She gestured. [color=pink]"- was a champion of using the port and the first to switch from traditional crops to sugarcane. It made him wealthy, and he dresses in embarrassingly out of fashion expensive clothes."[/color] She snorted.

[color=pink]"Manalo, mister tall, dark, and moody who is walking this way, is the town handyman and your typical jealous younger brother who will never admit that he thinks he should've inherited his father's name and title."[/color] She rolled her eyes before they flicked the way of the still-distant but approaching figure. [color=pink]"He's a fountain of conspiracies and Palaparese nationalism and all sorts of other goodies, and he was the only one who didn't switch over. Apparently, he's pretty wealthy too - he's found his niche providing them all of their local favourite foods at cheaper prices than the stuff that comes by boat."[/color]

She began leading Zarina down the street, away from Manalo and Makisig, but slowly enough that it wouldn't look like a pointed retreat. [color=pink]"Brother one now has egg on his face because all these colonial types thought they could just use a port for free indefinitely."[/color] She giggled, but it seemed forced. [color=pink]"Brother two is trying to rabble-rouse to put the agha's head on a spike and kick us out."[/color] She smiled mirthlessly. [color=pink]"Lovely guy."[/color]

They continued their slow saunter. [color=pink]"The guy on the horse is Şirmerd." [/color] She shook her head. [color=pink]"Agha Şemseddin is a fat old man who farms coffee and talks shit about Torragon and funds art at his local idasque and will never set foot in this little venture the Company has twisted his arm into investing in."[/color] Her voice seemed to sink and grow excited, and it said much about Lady Emel indirectly. [color=pink]"The son is more of an idiot than his father - a shame because he's handsome and was once at Ersand'Enise, if you'd believe it."[/color] She shrugged. [color=pink]"Got expelled for some reason."[/color] She pointed to the woman on the other horse who most casual observers might've assumed was his wife. [color=pink]"He mostly just drinks and fucks and gambles his money away in the nearest large town, so it's up to his sister, İnşirah, there, to manage the family interest. Apparently, she's pretty good at it, though Laya tells me she'd rather be just about anywhere else, deep down."[/color]

Manalo and Makisig were at their front gate, now, and they exchanged rapid words in Palaparese, the boy gesturing in the general direction of the pair of Virangish. 
[color=pink]"Oh, and mister yasoi-looking over there - though not really - is Tevhid. He's the company man who delivered the bad news. Pretty smart but thinks he's really smart. Civil servant, social climber - you know the type."[/color] Her eyes flicked over her shoulder at Maki and his father and she finished up quickly just as the latter took his first few steps in their direction. [color=pink]"He's supposed to marry İnşirah if he manages to swing this deal and get to play noble, but Laya's against it and she and he, well..."[/color] Emel trailed off and shrugged. [color=pink]"Some men like to be challenged."[/color]

[i]Not much.[/i] Some would have called Emel a headache, but today she avoided Zarina a very long one if she had to piece this all together on her own. Considerate, she listening closely while keeping her defensive posture. The snide remarks were, once again, swept under the rug. She did not want this one to stop over politeness. 
 
[color=#E5E4E2]“You're telling me they've altered the deal.”[/color] amber eyes followed the group that was soon going to pass them, sizing them all up, including the horses. [color=#E5E4E2]“And given recent circumstances, they should pray they don't alter it further.”[/color] a sigh of mild exasperation followed her conclusion. [color=#E5E4E2]“Well, no wonder some are getting angry. Marci would eviscerate people who'd pull that shit on us.”[/color] she shook her head.

There was a continuous concern over what the owner of the abode they were technically invading was going to do once he'd arrived, even as they slowly stepped away through Emel's subtle guidance. [color=#E5E4E2]“And we've a guy with the weight of the world on his shoulders that wants to get a shitty new deal going. Great.”[/color] the next exhale came right out of her nose. Had she not taken the plushtail, it would have been enough to vaporize her new friend, and the goat. [color=#E5E4E2]“I'm willing to bet most of the folks aren't assholes and want to get by with nicer things than what they're stuck with.”[/color] she internally groaned at the likely stress to come.

It was at that moment, however, that Şirmerd's horse stopped, forcing all of the others behind him to rapidly follow suit. Clumsily, he dismounted, stumbling into Laya and pointing right in the direction of Zarina and Emel.

 Zarina looked to Emel and then to the goat that had stayed near them, curious as ever, and then back to Şirmerd. [color=#E5E4E2]“Hi?”[/color][/hider][/color]