The Markets

[kahndranegahl]

Date: 2008 OCT 08

It had been a while since one Kahndra Negahl had visited the markets themselves, and here she was, groaning slightly under her breath as she picked her way through the market grounds, occasionally allowing a flash of blade to clear the way of wanna-be muggers. Even so, she was wary to stay near the edible goods of the market stalls since her task of her journy through it was a supply run for the diner at which she worked.

Her tall, relativly lanky frame was hidden underneath a cloak that was tattered and worn through in spots at the lowest hem, though by no means was it completly old and worn. Even here in the troll markets, her kind's presense was not unknown, but still rather rare, and while she wanted to keep herself relativly hidden while out and about, it was not because of her slight fear the large crowds that had not yet made itself scarce, it was because of her relative wealth in body marking metals that she hid herself.

Either way, as her waddling gate led her through the throngs of people strolling through the market place, she noticed some others in cloaks moving the same way, and knew them to be those whom she had modeled her movements after, even though hers was not entirely false. Her gate was not due to physical deformity, but rather to oddly shaped leg structure, at least to other being's eyes.

Her legs were shaped with backwards knees and long flexable feet that ended in unusually dexterous toes. It was because of this that she was marked as a rarity in the markets, for as far as she knew, she was the first of her people to come across the ocean and into the Americas. So she walked hunched over, her hidden height coming to around 5 feet on average.

With a shiver as the toe of her right foot suddenly became wet with drainage runoff from the city above, she muffled a curse of her homeland, looked down and stepped over the foot wide stream with obvious aversion to the somewhat clear liquid. Making sure to occasionally stop and chat with the various venders selling their wares and goods, she made out her list of goods to purchase, and paid for them with the money the diner's owner had given to her for this errand.

With her shopping list almost filled in, and her basket full nearly to the brim of food, she turned from the vender with a somewhat hidden smile upon her lips and a wave of a softly fuzzy hand, she bumped into another cloaked figure. With a slightly muffled apology and a quick clutching at her basket of goods looked up into the starkly white face of a young woman, a line etched accross her face like paint and from the stories she had heard gossiped among the peoples of the markets, knew more or less without a doubt who this might be.

"My apologies miss, I did not see you there. Please forgive any flattened toes."

She spoke with an amused tone, knowing from personal experience that most people wearing cloaks were hiding either themselves or something on their person, and as the humans said, nine times out of ten they were either dangerous enough to keep their own, or important enough not to mess with save by the extremly moronic.

[NUALA]

She had felt it. It was undeniable. It wasn't just one of those dreams she had from time to time about her brother being closer. This was really him. He had come back. Although all ready convinced, Nuala had to see for herself. She had quickly clothed herself, and hooked the crownpiece around her center, in its rightful place. She dared not go into the streets of the troll market without a disguise, she did not like the attention, and did not wish to be stalled.

Pieces of the Troll Market proved to be a dangerous place, even for a princess, with the lofty fok and pickpockets, it would nto be wise to trust anyone here. Her eyes were frantic, searching every shadow looking for her brother. Would he recognize her? She had nothing she would desire to say to him at this moment, she just needed to see him with her own eyes to believe the presence she had felt earlier. She wondered, just how close her brother had been, he was always crafty and good about sneaking if it was his desire.

Taking in a deep breath nervousness suddenly washed over her. Whether it was his or hers, she could not be certain. She had always admired her brother, and had been sad when he decided it was best to go into self-imposed exile. He had been here, everyone in the market was acting strangely.

She passed a group of mythical creatures who were speaking quickly in excited hushed voices. 'I saw him!' One had said. 'Saw who?' Said the other. 'Him.' The other one sounded even more excited 'The rumors are true? He's back?' Nuala had stopped to listen when reality caught up with her. The reality that no matter how much she wished it, she was never quite alone in the marketplace. The streets were crowded, and it seemed to be one of the busier market days from the pace of the slow movements through the passages and alleyways. She staggered forward as she was bumped into by a tall cat-like being.

"My apologies miss, I did not see you there. Please forgive any flattened toes."

The woman sounded amused, and Nuala had never seen this being around before. Overcome with slight curiousity, the princess tilted her head slowly to the side and studied the feline figure. Not only was the woman tall, and feline, she was also partly humanesque. “The fault was mine, there is nothing to be forgiven.” Nuala stated carefully, still not quite sure of what this creature was. “I beg your pardon, I hope you do not think me rude... May I inquire about what you are?” She wondered, her hand on her concealed dagger that Nuada had given her when she was younger, that had protected her til this day. “And may I ask your name?” Fighting the urge to remind herself that curiousity had killed the cat brought a small smile to her face. “Forgive me, I've never seen anything quite like you before.” The princess felt the need to explain. Unlike her twin, Nuala was generally very polite toward others.

[kahndranegahl]

With a smile that should have been seen by non-Karesh as being benign and friendly, Kahndra held out one hand flat, palm up and then placed it over her opposite shoulder, and bowed very slightly at the waist before righting herself once more. She knew that while the Princess would be more than capable of defending herself, or enlisting others to her aid, perhaps it would be better to have more... adequit body guards for the time being.

At Nuala's question of 'what are you', her mind raced to find an adequit answer, scanning all of her years of memories, from growing up as a kitten in her mother's arms, to the various trials she had endured as a young woman to coming accross the atlantic on a huge cargo ship, staying as close as she could possibly stay to the keel and centerline of the ship. Still, as the young feline woman smile, she came upon an answer that would be suitable.

"My people are called the 'Karesh'. We come from above an old troll city in the mountains far to the east, where we trade hospitality and a public face for supplies and a place to stay. We are merchants by preference, though we do sometimes strike out for other places. It is all rather fascinating, but I would rather not speak of this in the markets. Too many ears perking up, as it were."

In truth, Kahndra did not want the princess to be harmed by those who would not mind stiring up conflict by her kidnapping or other such fate. With a smile upon her lips and another bow of the head that might have been mistaken for a speaking gesture, she took a few steps to the side to politely move out of the princess' way, and promptly stepped into a puddle once more.

The cold shock removed all sense of decency and courtesy Kahndra had for a few moments, and she muttered a curse upon all drainage pipes while sitting upon a nearby bench to shake off her foot, extending a leg that was far too long for her current standing posture. In doing so, she shook the water from it with small kicks, extending flashing metalic claws on each extension, though not from warnings, it was just the way she was built.. She did not hide her height because of fear for herself, she did it to make others feel more comfortable.

For most, a highly decorated person usually meant rank or wealth, and generally had body guards around in the crowd or following their person that would strike at a moments notice at any sign of danger. However, a lone female that was highly decorated was usually meant for someone's harem or was the prize of a very wealthy individual, but one that was dangerously armed threatened all preconcieved notions of what was 'right' in their world.

The others didn't know what to make of the Karesh, for they wern't prizes, they were too proud for that. They wern't bound to a harem, again too proud and they didn't have noticable markings of any harems. They wern't body guards, though the Karesh could definatly go about being them easily, but for the most part here was one alone and unnattended, working as a waitress.

"My apologies my lady, I forgot myself for a moment. We come from a very cold place, where water equates to death among my people, so naturally, I dislike water with a ferver. I can tell you more about my people if you would like to meet again somewhere.

[NUALA]

Nuala was momentarily stunned in fear when the creature bared her fangs at her. She relaxed a bit upon realizing the gesture was friendly, and possibly some form of smile. She had bowed, and Nuala quickly looked around her, this time not for her brother, but for passerby who might have noticed. The market was not a safe place for a princess to wander alone. Then again, to Nuala's surprise, she was hardly alone at the moment. No one would dare approach her with her current company.

Truth be told, the woman appeared wild, possibly ferocious. She did not appear a woman who was all daisies and sunshine. The woman in her company was likely as agile as she appeared, and could easily fend for herself. That was Nuala's guess at any rate. Had she not been trampled upon, this conversation wouldn't have even occurred. Graciously, Nuala acknowledged the bow with a soft nod from her head. It would not fare well to not repay fair respects. At least to those who were not hostile toward you.

The princess listened calmly to the kareshs' words. Apparently their tribe originated in the eastern mountains, and were merchants. The woman standing in her line of vision did not seem a merchant by appearance. Nuala quirked a brow beneath her hood and let the woman continue, with holding the occasional urge to interrupt. She was unlike her brother, who would likely speak over you as his position as prince gave him that authority. Her brother, whom she had not forgotten was somewhere in this very market.

Pushing aside the thoughts of her beloved brother, she gazed upon the karesh and studied her details more thoroughly this time. She would not reveal her power of feeling just yet. That could wait, and so could her desire to know more about the species. She had a hunch that they would meet again. History had a way of repeating itself as Nuala was taken off guard and watched in wide eyed bewilderment as the Karesh let out a series of what sounded like hisses and curses. Following her observation, she relaxed once more realizing that cats truly failed to appreciate water.

Nuala gasped for air and covered her mouth before inquiring, "Are you all right?..." She rushed over to the karesh and checked without touching her to see if she was hurt. All Nuala really saw was large metallic claws. She didn't assume a creature such as the karesh would be harmed by a little spot of water, but reacting to the creatures reaction came quite easily to the elf.

The woman offered more information should they cross paths again. Nuala let out a rare, but quiet chuckle. "I have a feeling we will." The princess stated, bowing her head slightly. "To where are you heading?" Nuala inquired. "I thought I felt a presence, or heard word of someone who is.... visiting." Nuala forced the words trying not to reveal more than she had to. "So as of now, I have no real direction." She explained.

[kahndranegahl]

Even while Kahndra was shaking the water off of her foot, she heard the princess gasp in shock and hurry over, almost afraid that she was hurt. It was almost enough to make her laugh, if she wasn't now sporting a cold and very much soaked foot. From what she understood of normal people, being cold and wet wasn't very fun on a normal day, much less when it was coupled with the mental thoughts of freezing and loosing said limb.

Feeling that her show of displeasure to the water was now quite sufficiant to even shake most of the affending fluid from her digits, she brought her feet back under her and stood up once more, retrieving her basket. She heard Nuala's words, and pondered them for a moment before answering.

"I am currently headed around the market, to the various diners to deliver some rare ingredients they couldn't put on their normal stock. Items like fish, maybe a snail here or there for flavoring. Those extra items that would cost extra to be delivered in addition to their normal fare, so I made a deal for lodging and meals to deliver them, and as an extra bonus, I work for them as well, and they recieve extra patronage since my kind is rare here."

Sure, it was a low trick, dealing in the rare and unique for business, but hey, it allowed Kahndra to stay alive and have a good place to stay, that was fine with her. Truth be told, she was slightly worried about the effect her claws would have on a fancy woman like Princess Nuala.

[NUALA]

Princess Nuala proved once again to be an attentive audience as the karesh confided in her about making a few deliveries. Flattered by the gesture of open communication, Nuala nodded her head softy obligingly. "If you do not mind a pair of spare hands, I will accompany you." Nuala offered politely. Daring to be so bold she leaned in toward the Karesh and in a hushed voice inquired: "Is it true that Prince Nuada has arrived within the Troll Market?"

Nuala did not assume the woman would know, but in times like this even the rarest of chances sometimes proved their worth. Sometimes the outcome of asking such questions was even surprising. "I overheard a few conversations, and..." She didn't see the need to hide it. "I'm his sister." She whispered even quieter than she had said before. The truth was she had missed her brother in the years that they had been separated, her father King Balor trying in vain to shield her heart from his.

"I do not mind if we do not establish direct communication. I just need to see him with my own eyes to make myself believe he's here." She explained casually. Of course he hadn't forgotten her, that would be impossible with the bind they shared. She disagreed with his self-imposed exile. Sure it was true that her brother was more brash, and strong-willed than her. She was raised in a culture where the womans voice was not as strong as the mans, and Nuada was possibly the most influential voice of their kind. If he had returned from his exile, he was here to wage war. He would have returned the proud warrior he once was, ready to fight for what he felt was theirs. What should have been theirs. While he was off learning war, she was trained in mediation and diplomacy. Sighing, she feared his intentions, while for the best, would result in the worst.

[kahndranegahl]

Hmmm... Perhaps the princess would like an escort around, maybe hang back and gain some information. Might as well, I have a few more select items on my list to get just yet. Besides, I like this Princess. Not at all stuck up like the goblins back home.

With another toothy smile and a bow of her head under her hood, she made up her mind upon the princess joining her in her rounds. When the question was whispered to her about the Prince returning, she chuckled in her mind about the various habits she had learned in her relativly brief stay here in the states and from back home. Before setting off, she started to rummage around in her basket, picking out an apple and tossing it to the woman who had offered to tag along for hopes of information.

"Very well Jilly, I shall show you around this market, a favor for a favor. Come along then."

While she knew full well that the princess' name was in fact not anything like Jilly, it wouldn't do to call her princess. As Kahndra turned away from the young looking woman to head to the various cloth dealers for her own clothing needs as well as to grease a few palms for information, she knew she would have to teach the Princess a few lessons of hiding in plain sight.

Her hobbling gate became slightly more ragged and one sided, mimicing the gate of one who's leg was badly wounded long ago and had since healed. She drooped her head slightly, and made no effort of hiding the breath that she had to wheeze from walking in such a cramped manner. Her voice with the wheezing was strained slightly, sounding more foreign and old.

"Jilly, come along now. Come along. A few things you should know about this area... if you want to stay. Rule one, don't whisper. If you do that, people are attracted to it, its the same as shouting 'I'm hiding something.' Speak normally if you want to hide something, act as the humans would say, nonchalant. Rule two, observe. People show you what they want you to see, to manipulate your oppinions of them. Act old and feble, they see old and feble. Act an idiot, they see an idiot not worth their time."

One of the advantages of her ruse, was that her tail that was normally held behind her, was wrapped around her torso, the Had'jik pressed against the back of her neck, making her appear to be misshapen and lumpy in the area behind the shoulders, adding to her ancient guise.

"Hurry along Jilly, and eat. You are too skinny!"

[NUALA]

The princess watched in wonder as the feline seemed to be lost in thought briefly. The woman expressed amusement at her question, though Nuala had been around the market enough to have anticipated most would have expressed fear. This was an advantage. Perhaps the woman knew nothing about her brother, and therefore could not express fear. Again, while her brother was a strong warrior and a bit beyond reckless at times, she did not fear him. Then again, she couldn't. They were bound in such a way that he was her greatest strength, and yet weakest point. Should either of them be harmed, or die, the other would suffer the same fate. There were times that Nuala felt a faint possibility that they also, at times, shared one another's emotions. Though she had ruled this out for so long, because her brother carried hate that she didn't see. Particularly toward that of mankind.

The woman wanted to show the princess around the market. Nuala had seen the market only a few times before, yet nodded and obliged. She followed, assuming that 'Jilly' was an alias that her escort had provided for her. She beckoned the princess forth, and although following orders was out of her normal routine, she did as was requested. After all, while in the market, she was not Princess Nuala. It seemed, to the princess at least, that her name had changed to 'Jilly', and so in this disguise, that would be so.

She observed as the woman shifted appearances at the snap of a finger. Suddenly, the unharmed woman was walking as if she was fresh out of battle. Nuala kept her head down and followed a bit slower. She couldn't bring herself to hunch all that much due to a proper upbringing, though she tucked her head down further than normal, slouching to a casual walk. The princess heard wheezing from her comrade and had fought the urge to ask if she was okay, realizing early enough this was also part of the deceit.

Nuala listened as her accompaniment gave tips about how to blend in within the area. Doing as she had advised, Nuala hunched her back ever so slightly and moved at a slower pace. It proved difficult for her, since she had always been well protected in the past, and acting was not something she liked doing. It went hand in hand with lying, which of course was sometimes necessary. Nuala looked up quickly upon being called skinny, her eyes flickering in a cross between amusement and confusion, though she looked back down just as quickly. “EY?” She called acting old and feeble. “What did you say? I couldn't make that out.”

[kahndranegahl]

With amusement rather apparent in her forced voice, Kahndra responded to 'Jilly's' hard of hearing. Her eyes glanced casually around the market, watching a young male being shifting his roving cart to the left to get it out of the two 'old ladies' way, to which Kahndra mearly nodded, patted his arm and limped on past.

"I said you are too skinny Jilly dear. You need to eat, keep up your strength in your old age."

As she spoke, she shifted her basket from one hand to the other, clenching her hand as if with arthritis, then shook one finger over her shoulder at the Princess, slowing down to allow her to catch up. When she did, they both continued along to their first stop, a cloth seller that she had past dealings with, a higher price for some items as well as a few favors here and there to help the cloth seller, and in return certain favors would be granted. One of such was the finding of a place to stay, as well as additional people who would be willing to pay for a runner to go do errands reliably.

"Sir Needle, so good to see you again. Hmm? Yes, its me, I'm showing an old friend of mine around this market, perhaps looking to hear the gossip for back home. Yes, yes I have your lunch. No, I'm not holding it hostage. Well, well, looks like you are cranky when hungry huh? Alright then, eat up Mr. Needle."

Her conversation was not once sided in the least, for the creature she was conversing with was tall and muscular with a typical bipedle build. His name came from the long and rather sharp beak that sprouted from his face, and while his words were nearly incomprehensible in their native tongue to most people, she could understand his language, just not respond in it. Her first attempt had the seller laughing with amusement, for anyone who tried to wrap their Larynx around the high pitched words had to be stupid, or genuinly curious, and since Kahndra was a cat, the latter was obvious.

As a result of her conversation, Kahndra lifted a small package from her basket, setting the newspaper wrapped parcle upon the small cutting board set aside on his counter for his food, to prevent his wares from getting dirtied.

She listened to him speak as he reverently unwrapped his gift lunch, nodding where appropriate, chuckling when something funny came accross, and bowed her head when he was done.

"My thanks to you cloth seller. Say, may I have 8 yards of your light blue cloth please? It is for a present for my visiting friend here. Her name is Jilly."

With that, she bowed her head again, and withdrew her arms after setting her basket down on the ground, reapearing with a small handfull of the coins that were the currency of the area, at least 20% more than what the cloth was originally.

[THORKICH BJORNER]

Above the hustle and bustle of the Troll Market, strange whining resounded, sounding something like a noise between a dogs whine and claws on chalkboards. These were accompanied by crashes, smashes, bashes, and a few screams. A particularly noisy troll and his crew had went and disturbed the sleeping Giant, who was taking a nap while waiting for his lord to finish his errands. Said giant, had never liked trolls, lousy excuses for fighters. Sure, they could take on humans, but who couldn't these days?! The giant wore a leather tunic, great staples, patches, and heavy rope used to keep it together, great brown cloth and leather bracers on his forearms and wrists, cloth pants, rope greaves wrapped around his forelegs, and fur strips inbetween articles of clothing. His golden skull trinket hung from his neck, shaking slightly with each motion. -imagine this www.wizards.com/dnd/images/digest_0604_2.jpg -

Thorkich sat upon the trolls abdomen, pinned underneath his mighty weight. It tried to writhe and slip away, but Thorkichs heavy feet rested on its left foot and left forearm. He wasn't going anywhere. In the mean time, he helped himself to a few goblins, the trolls lackeys. Three were half dead, resting in the giants left fist, and the fourth was half eaten, holding its lower half by one of its legs while still chewing on its upper half. "Anyone else want to poke the giant when he's sleepin?!" he bellowed out, challenging anyone who might want to partake. He was in need of a good fight.

[NUALA]

The princess remained quiet, as it had been her upbringing to only speak when necessary. She watched curiously, as the karesh stated she needed some meat on her bones. Nuala didn't feel she was underweight, she had a healthy diet being royal, perhaps this was part of the farce. Meanwhile, as the mysterious karesh was speaking with the creature known as “Sir Needle”, another scenario had caught the princess' attention.

“Oh, heavens!” She exclaimed quietly, her golden gaze turning to face the direction to loud furious sounds. She sincerely hoped such events were merely a rare occurrence.

She hadn't noticed the karesh had been purchasing fabric for her, blue of all colors, her brother had always fancied her in blue. Her brother, whose presence she had not forgotten. That very presence she had felt earlier reminded her that he could be returning from exile. That only meant he planned for one thing. War.

Although he carried hate she could not share, hatred toward man kind, he was still her brother. He only ever desired to do what was right for his people. She admired his courage, and ability to do what he felt was needed, however a bit of diplomacy would not hurt him.

Her eyes widened with the unpleasant sounds, enhanced by the sounds of crashing, banging, and.. Oh my, were those screams? Nuala's hands tightened nervously around the sleeve of her golden robe, as her eyes quickly darted first to the karesh, and then back toward the disturbance.

Slipping away quickly, counting on the karesh to catch up, Nuala sped to the noise. Was her brother the one to be held responsible for the discomfort of others? Should he be, she could not hold herself surprised. He was quick to act as a brute would when faced with conflict of interest.

Much to her relief, but still to her discomfort, Nuala identified the source of the sound. It was a giant, plopped upon the struggling body of a troll. Pushing her hood back to reveal her identity, Nuala stepped through the crowd pushing the bystanders out of the way. “What is the meaning of this?” She interrogated, she did not sound angry, nor did she sound pleased. It was her responsibility to protect her people when they could, and much like the mind set of her brother, she considered all mythical creatures to be her people. “Let us discuss this rationally like the intellects we are.” She advised.

[THORKICH BJORNER]

The Giant stopped eating, a leg hanging out of his mouth. His brow furrowed as he turned, seeing the princess standing there. He immediately dropped the other three goblins, but finished eating up the last one. He sat up for a moment, turned around, and sat back down again, still pinning his opponent, but facing the elf.

"There's no intellect in our midst, ma'am. I am just hunger, rage, and muscle. This one here." He flicked the troll on the temple, nearly knocking his head off, "Is only a loud mouth who thinks with his pride. He had disturbed a sleeping giant. What makes you think he has any intellect after he has tried something like that? Same with his friends, all Fear and no heart. They followed the little brute around because he was the largest. And now it just happens to be me. If i hadn't eaten their friend, then they'd be trying to coddle up to me right now." He said non chalantly.

Then he stopped, swallowed what was left of the goblin, then started speaking again. "Like I said ma'am, no intellects around here. Just us irrational fools." He smiled like he had done nothing wrong.

He had already noticed her scent, almost exactly like Nuada. Must be a relative of some kind. A sister.

[kahndranegahl]

Ugh... Of course. "So much for blending in. Thank you Sir Needle for the cloth."

With a smile and a bow to the older shop keeper, she turned away from the stall, after having grabbed her purchase that he had placed in a sack for her and followed the young seeming princess. Passers by that had stopped to gauk at the scene taking place right before their eyes could hear a low, thrumming sound coming from her. Most of those hearing it backed away slowly from her general dirrection.

This was not due to an overt fear of her, rather it was a fear of anything among them that was growling as loudly as she. Things that growled tended to be either the cats that roamed around, canines or a preditory race that had not yet 'fully embraced civilization' as some of them had claimed.

Truthfully as the way before her was cleared, she was grateful for her natural sound making abilities, for without it this would have been a lot more difficult. Finally, she reached her chosen charge having broken through the crowd easily due to her thrumming growl.

Once beside the Princess, she placed the basket down on the ground beside the woman, pushing the sack of cloth into the handle for safe keeping and with slight theatrics, stood up. Due to her chosen charge and her rather important being, full theatrics were called for and she used them. She did not stand to her previous height which most of the beings around had become accusomted to, but rather her full height.

Quickly enough her cloak left the ground entirely and her form underneath it shifted as she unwound her tail from about her body, allowing it to appear under the hem, Had'jik and all. The sound that rang out crystal clear when she drug the permanently sharp edge of the plate across the ground acted as a bull horn, calling attention to her if it wasn't already upon her.

She took a slight step to regain her ballance after standing upright fully, extending her toe claws and digging them into the cobble stone floor with a slightly muffled scraping sound, sparks flying from them. Once she was absolutly sure, she pushed back her hood, revealing her pierced ears, braided hair and slightly luminous eyes.

"While this woman is in the markets, she is under my protection. You may elude the royal guard if you harm her, but you will not elude me. And I like my prey screaming."

It needn't be said truthfully, but she wanted to say it for the princess. With her business otherwise finished, she placed a hand upon the Princess' shoulder and gave it a squeeze before turning back to the giant.

"Hello again Thorkich. I wasn't expecting you here, settling in okay are we?"

[LUCY BISHOP]

Lucy often took trips to the Troll Market, and was well known amongst its many purveyors and inhabitants, often being hired to get something for them, anything from chimera meat or the prized, golden feathers of the Alicanto. Today, she was just passing through to pick up some of the magic chalk that she used in order to ‘make’ a door. She generally only kept a few pieces on hand, but a recent job had used up the last of her stores, and now she needed to resupply.

She had come through a door to an area of the Troll Market that was generally uninhabited, and thus, she could come in and out relatively unnoticed. When everyone knew about her 'traveling' abilities, then everyone wanted a part of it. Lucy had a business, and only wanted to help those who she wished....or who paid the most. So imagine her surprise when she walked through the door, having just taken a bite from an apple she had picked up in the street markets of Bangkok, to a giant holding a handful of half-eaten goblins and physically sitting on a troll.
Half-choking on the piece of apple she was trying to swallow, Lucy gazed up at the bellowing giant, tossing away the apple to the greedy hands of the sprites and creatures that scurried about. The smell of blood and innards had somehow made her lose her appetite. Putting her hands on her hips, she shouted up to Thorkich,

“Giant!? What are you doing here? Not accompanying that jerk Prince, I hope?” She winked, knowing that that was likely the reason. Why else would the giant have come this far?

At first she completely missed the tall feline woman and her companion, an elf, who reminded Lucy distinctly of the annoying, self-righteous Nuada, but the elf's exclamation at Thorkich's behavior and Kahndra's introduction alerted her to their presence.
"And look! Deer Blood is here too!" She exclaimed with a smirk and a wink at Kahndra.

[THORKICH BJORNER]

The giant agknowledged the feline-esc woman, nodding a bit of respect and smiling at her, "Hello to you too Kahndra. Don't worry folks, she's as docile as a kitten. All thunder, no lightning." he teased as he waved lazily at her then turned his head back towards the young witch, his rumbling laughter reaching her easily. "Has it really been so long, that you've already forgotten my name, young Lucy??" He asked through his now residing laughter. "Yes, unfortunately for you he is here. Somewhere at least. I was waiting patiently for him when these fools came and roused me from my slumber. Now, they pay for it." He shrugged with a smile.

"Mayhaps I should let this one go? His broken ribs should suffice for punishment." He asked smugly, crossing his arms across his chest.

Then curiousity finally hit him, "What exactly are YOU doing in the troll market, lass? Not here to prey on we giants with those looks of yours, I hope." he chuckled again as he beckoned her closer.

"Speaking of which, why are you here Kahndra?" he said as he glanced up at her before smacking the troll upside the head. He had tried wiggling out again. "You're not goin anywhere, not until I let you. So just shut up and be a good seat." he rumbled at him.