Totally Awesome [Cy, Open]

[Bre]

I am awesome . . .

Traders had come to the eyrie. Their caravan came trundling up the roads washed in light spring rains and into the canyon, a long line of wagons and horsemen. Everyone was decked out in their finest clothes. This was their first visit to the eyrie and they expected to do good business, which meant presenting themselves well. Some of the young lads were looking especially dashing. Going into to a new place meant ladies. Perched on the back of the one of the wagons, balanced precariously at the edge, Tekoa did not look particularly flashy or handsome that day, but his grayish white shirt was clean and his black breeches were in good repair. He was excited to see the eyrie, but he was already sobering up a little, the impressive sight of the crevice of rock having lessened slightly. They were there to do business. He wasn't there to see the sights.

However, it was inside the eyrie's walls that he first caught sight of the simourvs. The one and only gray Eceph lay perched on the ledge of her eyling and spared the caravan a passing glance. Her rider would be down to trade with them later. In the meantime, they would be left to the folk of the eyrie. Tekoa stared up at her hulking form until the wagons trundled to a stop near the kitchens, forming an arcing semicircle. He lowered his gaze to see what was happening, only to watch a young woman go jogging passed him with an eighteen foot long green prancing in her wake. M'rion offered the cute trader a wink, but she was too busy running to stop right then. It was probably for Tekoa's well being. He wasn't expecting riders to go winking at him. His eyes followed the green's lanky form until she was totally out of sight around another wagon.

Shaking his head to clear it, Tekoa hopped down from the wagon, landing with a thump. From farther down the line, a huge, gray dog came loping up, stopping beside him to claim her rightful place at his side. Her gave Ayane a friendly scratch, but his eyes were focused on everything around him. The eyrie was big for just one whole complex and already the other members of the caravan were starting to unload things and set up stalls. He glanced one more time at the simourvs that littered the canyon walls. Then he turned his attention to the wagon he'd been riding. It was full of supplies they needed to offload to sell. That was his job. Everyone helped out. That was how it worked and he was good trader's son, a good trader all around. He started to try to lift the first barrel, Ayane shuffling back, but found it a bit too heavy. Probably held potatoes.

"Hey, Faric! Come help me with these;" he called up the line, voice carrying over all the other shouting that was occurring. He had a nice, deep voice and he knew his best friend was riding a wagon just a few in front of him. His brown eyes swept over the scene a few time. Then he just shook his head and waited for the older boy to show up. If he didn't, he'd just have to go hunt the lazy lump down. It wouldn't be a problem. In the meantime, he leaned against the bottom of the barrel he'd been trying to unload. It stayed firmly where it was, making its weight quite clear in the way it refused to move. Not about to be antagonized by a barrel of foodstuffs, Tekoa just stood there, calm as could be, trying to keep his eyes from constantly darting around the eyrie. It was like a dream come true. Simourvs were legends and so was their home.

. . . you, you are awesome.

[Cy]

[/b] He questioned, his grin pulled broadly over his features as he turned back to Tekoa. A good trader’s son, Faric might be, but he was still prone to distraction when in the presence of heroes.[/ul][/size]

[Bre]

Open my mouth, but I can't get this out . . .

Tekoa smiled when Faric grabbed at him, letting himself be pulled around, eyes on his friend rather than the splendor surrounding them. He was used to the other trader boy's antics. He'd grown up with them. On a few occasions, they were annoying, but Tekoa was a tolerant man in all regards. "Yes, yes, it's very exciting;" he mumbled to Faric, nodding vaguely. His eyes flashed over the eyrie around them again, noting the multitude of simourvs around. It really wasn't that many, but it seemed like a lot to him. He'd never been to a hatching where every simourv who could fly in did. While gawking was all fine and dandy, they had more important things to do, so he straightened up and turned his attention back to the barrel who had thwarted him. Ayane wagged her tail happily at Faric, staring with her gray eyes. She kept her distance from them.

"Come on. We need to help or my dad is gonna come and get us and probably feed us to one of the simourvs or something; Tekoa said, voice soft and an easy smile on his lips. He was relaxed, but he held himself to a certain level of concentration and focus. There was work to be done and he was going to do it! He would also make sure that Faric did his share. The lanky boy was the only person he would push into anything, mainly because he was often looking out for the more carefree trader. They were brothers in trade and heritage and Tekoa had long forgotten that Faric was actually older than hiim. Tugging at the other boy's arm, he jerked his head at the barrel that had thwarted him and started slipping it off the wagon. It was still ridiculously heavy, but he was determined to get it unloaded. Muscle bugled in his slender arms.

There were traders! Emi was perfectly full of glee as she can skipping out of the ground caverns. It was her day off and the traders had come! Waving to M'rion, who was scrambling off along the eyrie back to the gardens, she scuttled right up to the wagons. Then she stopped. Everyone seemed very busy. Quacking indignantly, Jok came trundling along after her. She shot the goose a grin. Then she turned back to the bustling traders in front of her. She'd met traders before, but her young age meant that she could barely remember half of those times. Briefly, she wondered what she was supposed to do. Whenever she'd visited the traders before, her parents had bought things. Despite the fact that she didn't know what was happening, she wasn't too concerned. She was having fun regardless. New people were always great to see!

A dog caught Emi's attention. She trotted over to give the big puppy a scratch. She had no fear of animals, even though she'd been nipped before on occasion. Two boys stood nearby. One was probably the pretty dog's owner. They were actually much older than her, but she didn't notice. "Hi;" she greeted them. They seemed to be working, but it seemed rude not to greet them with one of her cheery smiles. Oh, maybe one of them could help her! They were traders! She beamed wider. "Would either of you mind answering some questions?" Enthusiasm and curiosity colored her voice. She bounced lightly on her feet. Jok, leery of the giant dog, had wandered off, settling himself under a bush a few dozen feet away, so she contented herself to pat Ayane's head affectionately while she stood there. The dog didn't seem to mind.

. . . it never fails, a bed of roses, and coffin nails.

[Cy]

[/b] He returned with the same tone he used when addressing the children of the caravan… which was a tone that sounded a lot like the tone he used to address just about everyone else.

She was certainly a polite little thing, that much was for sure. He raised his eyebrows, impressed with the etiquette of her inquiry and he shot a look to Tekoa for a moment before taking in a breath, as if he was actually putting in a lot of thought about this and it was a pretty generous gift for him to offer her some time out of their oh so busy schedule. It was playful, friendly, and he was still very much a showman. “Well, I’d s’pose we could answer a few, yeah?” He tilted his head a bit, urging Tekoa to agree even though he felt certain that the lad would much rather move a barrel of potatoes from one place to another. A polite young girl was seeking their help though and it would just make them crotchety old men to refuse her! This couldn’t happen. Returning the lid to the barrel it belonged to, he leaned casually against it before returning his hazel eyes to her, lopsided grin still in place. “What’re you needin’?” Some potatoes would be nice.[/ul]

[ooc | I wasn't sure if you wanted them to put the barrel down or move it somewhere, so I flipped a coin!][/size]

[Bre]

You're crazy, amazing . . .

Tekoa glanced at Emi, but he was far quieter than Faric and took the time to inspect the potatoes that filled the barrel they had carefully unloaded from the wagon. "Hello;" he said quietly, letting Faric go first. Ayane seemed to like the girl, so he did offer her a smile, but they had work to do and this girl wasn't a child in need. He could babysit as well as anyone, but Emi didn't look like someone who needed a babysitter or a protector. Sure, she was young and small, but put her beside the rest of the rough trader children and he found himself doubting he would much tell the difference. Anyway, she appeared to have Faric's attention and he wasn't going to make any attempt to steal glory for his good friend. "Uh, yeah;" he muttered in response to the other boy's egging, fairly uninterested in discovering what Faric could possibly be thinking.

Though she offered them both the same smile, Emi found herself quite amused with Faric. He was energetic. Maybe a bit silly, but what was wrong with that? "I was just wondering what you do. I mean, you're traders, but what's it like? I've never known anyone who travels much, except for the riders and they fly." Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement. They didn't glint. They didn't shine. They sparkled. That's what little girls like Emi are made of, just sparkles and rainbows and feathers made of clouds. She had a few sprinkles of sense to her and a great big dollop of independence, but those were just spices. Sparkles in her was like flour in a cake. "I like your dog too. She's very nice;" she added, giving Ayane another scratch. She was good with animals; that was a part of the sparkles. They help little girls like Emi do many things.

Wondering when they were going to get back to work and fidgeting, Tekoa leaned against the barrel on the side opposite of his best friend. Despite that, he did have his manners and dealt with Emi well. He only knew Faric well enough to think of him with any contempt and it was loving contempt at that. "Her name's Ayane. I think she likes you too." The giant dog whacked her tail lazily against the ground, panting cheerfully. She definitely didn't mind the little girl's company. "And I'm Tekoa." There were his manners. He couldn't believe he'd forgotten them. He wasn't in the slightest bit surprised that Faric had failed to introduce himself, but he was a bit disappointed in himself that it had taken him that long to remember. He hoped that this little girl didn't think him rude. With any luck, she might turn into a customer.

"Oh, right! I'm Emi. Short for Emillabbea, but really, Emi is what everyone calls me;" the young girl chirruped, beaming extra wide to make up for the fact that she hadn't introduced herself previously. Friends know each others' names, so it didn't make any sense that she hadn't mentioned who she was before. She extended her hand to Faric as he was closer and seemed more prone to such blatant gestures. The corners of her eyes crinkled up with her smiling. Her face was dominated by her straight teeth and full lips. The sparkles had diminished, but she still twinkled in her own special way. She exuded energy as she always did, bright and sunny, undiminished by the realities of the world. She stood strong, settled on her own two feet, as if she did know everything, but she didn't act like she cared. Patiently, she waited with her hand outstretched.

. . . I'm everything that's wrong with the world.

[Cy]

[/b] He offered, managing to summarize their lives down as concisely as he'd ever managed to summarize anything.

Ayane, naturally, stole the show, leaving a smirk on his face as he watched the canine soaking up the attention that this little girl was spoiling her with. The large dog had a gift for drawing in this sort of attention. Large and loving, he wasn't sure he'd come across a single person in any settlement that hadn't completely fallen in love with her. Big fluff-ball, inside and out. She was Tekoa's pet, but he still liked to joke that she must have gotten her charm from him. As his friend made introductions for at least two of the three traders present (as supportive mascot, Ayane counted, certainly), he was reminded of his own manners. “And I'm Faric.” He piped up with, lopsided grin decorating his features.

She chirped in accordance, offering her name as Emi, short for Emillabbea. Well, wasn't that just a mouthful?! Once more, he brightened, a low and pleasant chuckle escaping him as he glanced to his best friend before looking back to the girl, straightening up from the barrel to step in enough that he could reach a hand out to accept her own. It was tiny as it fit easily in his palm, delicate and fragile, but there was an innocent confidence in the way she thrust it out to be shaken. “Emillabbea, tha's a fun name.” He complimented, not thinking in the slightest that an upbeat girl like her would possibly take such a comment the wrong way, if she could indeed take anything the wrong way. “And Emi, tha's pretty too. Sounds like yer an awfully lucky li'l girl, getting' so many nice names.” He praised boldly, releasing her hand and stepping back to the barrel. He was still just a man talking to a kid, but there was an ease to it, relaxed and giddy. Children were great. He loved children. It wasn't difficult at all to earn the good graces of children.[/ul][/size]

[Bre]

What I lack in looks, I make up in heart . . .

If there was one thing that bothered Emillabbea, it was being called little or young. She didn't mind cute. She didn't mind sweet. She didn't mind adorable. She had enough sense to know that she was all those things, but she was not a little girl. Perhaps it was just a constantly passing mood that made her so set against the idea of being called a small child, but it was probably just an aspect of her fierce independence. She wasn't a kid. She might act like a kid sometimes, but she wasn't a kid. When she was thirty, she'd probably still be hanging around the eyrie and saying things that made her seem sweet as pie. She was not going to be patronized by some trader with big hands who talked about stupid adventures even if the adventures actually sounded like a lot of fun. Even if she was a girl, she wasn't that little! Five foot two wasn't that short.

"I am not a little girl. I am almost thirteen, a socially significant age to most;" Emi informed Faric, educating him on the exact greatness of her impending birthday. She stuck her hands on her hips and her chin in the air. A frown tugged at the corners of her lips and her nose wrinkled up. She looked quite cross, but she didn't really lose any of her cuteness. Her face was definitely youthful, which didn't exactly help her case. However, she was quite determined. She knew she was equal to him, if nothing else, no matter how small she was. "Reds, I probably make more diasks than you!" As soon as it came out of her mouth, she realized how stupid and rude it was. Her hand flew up to her mouth, covering it. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, that was uncalled for, sorry;" she mumbled through her fingers, staring up at him with wide eyes. She was genuinely apologetic.

Tekoa was happy to fade into the background. He usually let Ayane get all the attention. However, he guffawed and gaped openly upon hearing the little girl's retort. He didn't breath a word. He just stared. Helpfully, Ayane wagged her tail, hoping that would make everyone feel better. On most occasions, Faric was charming and easygoing. Kids normally loved him. Seeing his best friend get told off by a girl of twelve was both an amazing and terrifying experience for Tekoa. Wait until the other trader boys heard about all of this! Of course, since Faric would be telling the tale, it would doubtlessly come out a little different. Despite that, Tekoa had newly discovered respect for tiny Emi. She apparently wasn't lacking in courage and spirit. Despite his surprise and astonishment, his attention soon started to drift back to the work they needed to finish.

. . . and, guys, yeah, that's totally awesome.

[Cy]

[/i] of only twelve was bold enough to state that she made more than him. Money wasn't everything to him and he genuinely enjoyed his job. A part of him was won over by her audacity, the fierce defense she took over her independence and capability, but another part was still easily slighted by the claim. However, feeling even remotely emasculated by a child only made him feel further emasculated. It was a neverending battle of never-quite-winning. Tekoa laughing in amusement at the exchange was the perfect topping as he turned his head, peering over his shoulder to look up to his best friend. “Yeh like that?”

Quickly, he moved to stand, darting a hand out to smack the other man's arm before looking back down to the girl. “But with that outta the way, I do expect to see yeh buyin' a few things, yeah Moneybags?” He teased, smacking his hand down on top of the potato barrel before looking back to Tekoa, smirk still lifting his mouth lopsided. “C'mon Tekoa, we don' have time to dawdle, we have work!” He prompted, joking as if all of this loitering and lack-of-working was all the fault of the other trader.[/ul][/size]