Enthralled

[Sjira]

(Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:03 am)

Work often kept the small woman out from under foot of others. Sometimes, it was upon the docks where the great-sailed ships came into harbor, the inn, or even the Glen. Mostly, It was while keeping hands, heart and mind busy and working.

But weariness came in ways that were enough to take a hold of muscles within her neck, shoulders, and back and she had decided to leave meaning, beadwork and more until some later part of the day. S'jira left the Loft that was above the stables in a favored, sleeveless white dress that was cinched about her waist with a simple belt. Soft-leather boots had been left behind as the weather was gentle and warm. Bare, small feet met with ground and cobblestones as she made her way from the Loft and followed the busy road?s way through the infamous RhyDin proper.

The direction was for the marketplace. Heart was in need of something and there was a familiarity about the markets that eased her. The business of it nearly drew a smile, though she was immediately cautious to keep toes out from beneath boots and hooves alike. Movement to do so brought slight life to pallid hems of her dress.

Distraction was lovely on the warm day as the breeze blew through with just enough attention to the fountain nearby to send a soft spray of its water at her. She laughed aloud at the unexpected, cooler touch of the water. Right hand lifted to trail fingerstips against cheek and jaw. As she did, the darkness of her gaze spent towards more of the busy market and the vendors there.

Giving into a turn on the ball of her foot, she moved off towards the one that had bucketfuls of flowers of all sorts. When she was near enough, a lean inward brought the end of her nose against the tickling petals of one of the blooms. Inhaling its perfume, she smiled a bit more and moved over a bit to the left to smell more of them.

It was some while before she could make out the distant sound of something heard beneath the din of the market's crowd. How her smile improved to recognize the sound of it. The small one disappeared at times while she moved through the crowd and towards the melody. When she had found the source, she slowly came to a stop within several paces. From there, s?jira could easily see the old man playing upon a lyre. The wood of it was rich and heavily carved and the light of day shone upon its strings as if they were made of gold and silver.

While the old man plucked at the strings of the lovely instrument, she cast a look about for a place, then took another few steps until she was able to sit upon a crate that stood beside a heavily laden vendor's cart.

Heart lightened all the more as she watched in wonder as those gnarled hands belonging to the old man moved over the lyre strings deftly and with great skill. Knee of hers drew up and arms wrapped about it while, very slowly closing her eyes while ears drink in the airy, flight-filled tune.

After the older man had left with his lyre, s?jira enjoyed the marketplace a while more. Mango was bought and eaten and the cool spray from the fountain was stood within for a while with the encouragement of the breeze. As she chewed on a bite of fruit she left the area of the fountain to move off towards the vendors without true purpose of buying.

Fingerstips of empty hand trailed over the edge of a table that bore jewelry from all manners of peoples and cultures. As she moved on, the stall of weapons drew the eyes curiously that had bolas, daggers, staves, and more. That particular area was not lingered at and instead came to stand at an area where a man and woman were selling instruments.

While attention traced over flutes and pipes, bells, and other items, it was a lyre that she paid the most attention to. Another bite of fruit was taken as her other hand caressed the carved, much smaller version of one like the older man had been playing earlier.

"Can I help you?" The craftsman in his tooling apron greeted her.

S'jira gifted a smile towards the man that had spoken, and the woman that was arranging items behind the crude table of the stall. "It is hoped that the day has found you well."

"It has." The woman piped up and answered for the both of them, pleasantly. "Isn't it lovely, the lyre?"

Again, dark eyes of hers were upon the small harp. "Is it. If it pleases, there is wonder?how much is its price?" S'jira lifted her gaze from the instrument to spend attention back towards the couple.

"One gold piece." The woman seemed hesitant and glanced towards the man nearby, then nodded to S'jira.

The price would have been nothing to most within the realm, as often there were magicks involved that helped to simply conjure such items or ludicrous amounts of gold from thin air. But the small one had the luxury of neither of those. What she had done was to spend with care all that she had earned since stepping into the lands. She nodded back to the woman and her hand left the lyre to delve into the leather, cinched coin pouch that hung from her simple belt.

The piece of gold was exchanged for the lovely, little lyre. The weight of it was gentle, but solid and the smoothness of some portions of it where the carving was less at the bottom of it -- as opposed to the top -- she smiled.

"Thanks is given!" As she finished the mango, the lyre was hugged in against her side and midriff; just below the clothed curve of her bosom as she made her way from the markets and back along the roads meant in the direction of the Loft and Red Dragon Inn.
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