Alex nodded at the information Raine fed her. It wasn't a lie. She was a merchant. And yet so much more as well. But Alex didn't need to know any of that. And Raine could appear truthful when it suited her. As she did now. Meanwhile Alex commented on how it seemed like a never-ending task. Raine had to chuckle at the truth her statement carried. "It is." She responded, smirking slightly.
Raine paused with Alex and let her glance around. What was it Raine was looking for? Alex had enough sense to at least get a feeling that there was more to meet the eye. It added a speck of approval to Raine's smile. As if a child had performed a chore well. "The first step to knowing is realizing there is more going on." Raine said, looking around slowly. It stopped back on Alex and she smiled. "Take a look around Alex. Tell me everything you see. To the tiniest detail that you think matters." Raine said. It was a little bit of a test.
Last Edit: May 19, 2016 5:43:03 GMT by Raine Proctor
Post by Alexandra Sawyer on May 19, 2016 6:05:17 GMT
Alex did as she was told. Slowly she scanned the streets around her, trying in vain to take in everything she could. She was exhausted and her mind cluttered with the uncertain future that lay before her and yet she found herself completely enthralled with what almost felt like a little game. Her eyes narrowed as she studied her surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place or suspicious. There were just people going about their daily lives.
"Everyone looks like they're in an awful hurry." She commented with a frown over not being able to glean much more than that. Letting out a low huff, Alex tried again. She swept her gaze out over the streets once more, looking over the same sights she'd just taken in an allowing her mind to start churning over what could possibly seen under the surface. "Do guards often browse the 'Fine Goods Emporium' while still on duty?" Alex asked, turning her head to look up at Raine. She'd read the sign posted above the mercantile building two uniformed members of the City Guard were exiting. She may have been naive but any place with 'fine goods' in the title didn't seem the type of locale that would require regular policing, let alone when it looked as though the guards in question were both pocketing small pouches as they stepped out onto the street.
Alex listened to Raine and looked around. That in and of itself was surprising, yet pleasing. Raine observed Alex the whole time she observed her surroundings. Finally she commented on how everyone seemed to be in a hurry. It wasn't exactly a satisfactory answer. Alex seemed to think so too, judging by the look on her face and the little huff. She tried again, and this time came up with something slightly better. Raine's smile became pleased once again.
"Very good." She praised. Raine glanced over at the guards in question. "They do indeed, though not exactly for the best reasons. You'll soon find that even those who claim to be honest and clean can be the dirtiest of all." Raine added. She looked around for a little bit more, and then glanced back at Alex. She smiled. "Would you like to know what I saw?" She asked. Although it didn't matter, as she'd speak anyways.
"Not only were those guards accepting a bit of money from that store, but a man was just carrying a crate off towards the market district. There was a pickpocket over there that just stole someone's purse and made off into the back alley. Someone who passed us was talking about the quality of the wine at a restaurant." Raine listed off smoothly. Then she glanced down at Alex with a smile again. "You see my dear, there is much to be aware of. Through misdirection, one's focus can be drawn away from something." As Raine spoke, she held out a certain brass pendant. "That's why it's important to make sure you don't let it get tunneled down. Especially if it's something over the top like it's meant to draw attention. Thieves will pick you clean before you even suspect."
Last Edit: May 19, 2016 6:23:15 GMT by Raine Proctor
Post by Alexandra Sawyer on May 19, 2016 6:31:31 GMT
Alex's head swiveled this way and that as Raine ran down the list of things she'd missed. Her eyes widened and jaw went slack at how simple it had been for Raine to point out so much. Once she knew it all looked so obvious. To Alex the world, and its denizens, had melded together into one solid sea of mass and sound. With each bit pointed out, the image sharpened and more features were clearly defined. "How did you do that?" She asked breathlessly. She'd never had to worry about such things at home, although it had been years since she'd spent any extended time in a city proper.
"It's so easy for you. I don't think I-" Alex's words ended abruptly with her turning to look back to Raine. The pendent, which would only look valuable to someone without much knowledge of jewelry, glinted in the sun. Alex's face flushed as she patted the pockets of her dress even though she already knew the precious item was missing.
"Hey!" Alex exclaimed loudly. Distress immediately flashed across the girl's features as she went to clumsily snatch the pendent back with shaking, fumbling hands.
Alex looked around everywhere once Raine had pointed it all out. The look of sheer shock on her face brought a smirk to Raine's own. It was hilarious to see the expression on the young girl's face. Alex managed to ask her a question. How had she done that? "I listened. I looked. Of course, there were more senses involved, but you'll learn. Once you start seeing the signs, everything becomes so much easier." Raine responded. It would take Alex time, but one day she might actually learn. Only the future could tell.
Once Alex noticed the pendant, her expression drastically changed. Her cheeks flushed with color and she frantically started searching her pockets. But the evidence was right in front of her face. Alex exclaimed and scrambled to take it back. Raine merely tittered and handed it over. There was no point in her keeping it. She'd used it as a lesson. "Don't worry, I'm not stealing it." Raine promised, patting Alex on the head like she would a puppy.
"But now you see. There is much hustle and bustle in the city. It's not all fun and games. You need to be aware. Find the little signs." Raine said, standing and walking again. "Yet I assure you that it's not all bad. It's just not all good either. The sooner you know that, the sooner you can appreciate the good."
Last Edit: May 19, 2016 6:47:26 GMT by Raine Proctor
Post by Alexandra Sawyer on May 19, 2016 6:53:29 GMT
Alex heard Raine's words of wisdom, though it took a moment for them to sink in. The tiny girl was consumed with reclaiming the pendent Raine had so easily lifted from her pocket. Tears had instantly began to sting her eyes at the mere thought of losing her precious item. Clutching it tightly to her chest Alex nodded, embarrassment causing her to lower her head. Rain was right and her point had been made crystal clear. Alex wouldn't dare let her guard down again, at least not as long as she might lose the all but worthless, brass object.
"Okay." She said, her tone somehow resigned and defiant. She wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand and nodded before tucking the pendant protectively back into her pocket. "It's a lot to take in so quickly." She admitted, though she was able to now turn a sheepish smile up to her unlikely mentor. "Thank you." She said. "Again. I can't imagine what would have happened if I'd come across someone less... willing to offer advice."
Alex seemed fairly distracted at first. Raine half doubted she had even heard her. There were tears in her eyes. Obviously the pendant was very important to Alex. Which was all the more reason for Raine to teach her the lesson now. Others would not be so inclined to return the little object. Even if it was hardly of any worth. Raine offered a soft smile to Alex. She had nodded her understand. So she'd been listening after all.
Her tone was a mixed bag. Resigned and defiant? What an interesting blend. Whatever the case, Alex pocketed the pendant again and they were off. Alex admitted that it was a lot to take in. Raine only nodded in response. It was, but it was necessary. Especially for someone of Alex's stature. She seemed an easy target. It was evident in almost everything she did. Like the sheepish smile she offered Raine now.
She was thanking her? Again, the manners were a pleasant surprise. Raine smiled in return, and nodded. "Others would've likely taken advantage of you." Raine replied frankly. She shrugged. "You're a fresh face off of a ship. You don't know much about the city. that offers a potential target to many." Raine glanced at her with a sad smile. "Unfortunately I've seen it happen. But now you know, so you'll better be prepared."
Last Edit: May 19, 2016 7:10:02 GMT by Raine Proctor
Post by Alexandra Sawyer on May 19, 2016 7:35:03 GMT
Alex turned a relieved smile up to Raine. Even though she'd been shaken by the sudden taking of her pendent, the lesson was learned and she couldn't deny Raine's word. She had been remarkably lucky to happen upon someone who wasn't looking only to take advantage of her. She was little more than a babe in the woods, lost and naive, hopeful that she wouldn't stumble blindly into a pack of wolves. Regardless, Alex took a moment to inhale deeply and steel herself once again. If she refused to be looked upon as a simple, helpless target, especially with the harsh lessons Raine had offered. Whether or not she would succeed in that intent remained to be seen.
"Will I get much of an opportunity to put your advice to good use?" She asked, a bit of a smirk touching her lips. "What I've heard about where I'm going, they don't let people like me outside much." Although given how her first minutes in Goldcrest had gone, Alex wasn't all that sure this was a bad thing.
Alex offered Raine a relieved little smile. It was a cute gesture, considering what Raine had just done. But Alex wasn't complaining. That was certainly a good sign. It meant Alex could actually notice the lesion for what it was. Maybe it would actually help her move about in the city. Raine wasn't particularly concerned by it, but it was a nice change to see. Alex inhaled and appeared to steel herself for something. Raine imagined it was for the city itself.
Would Alex even be able to use these lessons Raine taught her? True, she was going into the Enclave. But Raine had seen her fair share of mages going about the city. So she shrugged in answer. "I've seen some of the mages moving about in the city. Whether or not you'll be allowed out any time soon is yet to be seen. I would imagine it has to do with how well you can control your magic, and how strong it is in the first place. But I am no mage, so I can't say." Raine replied. Although she did know a decent amount on the Enclave. She had to with some of the cargo she smuggled.
But soon she could see the Enclave coming into view. Raine pointed it out. "There it is my dear. You're almost to you new home." She remarked. The sweet smile was back on her face and crinkling her eyes. "I do hope you like it, my dear. And if you're ever free, you can stop by my shop."
Post by Alexandra Sawyer on May 19, 2016 8:04:17 GMT
The sight of the Enclave nearly took Alex's breath away and caused her to stop in her tracks. It wasn't so much an impressive building as it was the knowledge that months of an arduous journey were now drawing to a close. She took in a deep breath and held it for a long moment before exhaling sharply. The lines of her face seemed to deepen, causing her youthful appearance to seemingly age right before Raine's eyes. Alex was tired, exhausted even and it was now beginning to show. Even though she was now looking forward to a new life in a new city, it was apparent the events that led her there weighed heavily on her heart.
Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, Alex turned her gaze upward once more to the woman who Alex would forever indebted to. Hard lessons weren't often learned in such a brief period of time or without dire consequences but Raine had somehow managed to instill a sense of caution and awareness in the girl with minimal effort.
"Home." Alex whispered the word. "It's been a long time since I could call any place that." Maybe one day she'd grow comfortable enough with herself and with Raine to tell her story, if Raine ever desired to listen. "I'll come visit as soon as I can." She promised with a curt nod. "I guess this is it." She said, nodding faintly to herself as she turned her attention back to the towering building. She gave a soft, nervous chuckle before she took a tentative step toward the Enclave. "Wish me luck."