How did this happen again?

[†Kazira Astras†]

time line: No specific one
T.O.D: mid-morning
tags: Open! (I like seeing who will reply! ha-ha)



She was running. Yes, running; why? Because her opinions and loud mouth got her into trouble and now she had to run for her life while wearing a stinking belly-dancer costume. Though, the out fit she really didn't mind cause it was rather comfortable but the whole running away in it was not the best idea and the fact that Moros was nowhere to be seen and he had her bow and short sword. Looking over her shoulder she let out a small yelp. The guards were fast; it wasn't like she was insulting someone. Kazira jumped over a crate. OK that was a lie. How was she supposed to know that the Noble's son was right behind her when she had said that he was a clod hopping lunatic? Kazira sighed again as she ducked under a low sign snickering when she heard a few choice words from some of the guards who didn't see it. How did this happen again? Kazira's mind wandered back to why she was even in the town in the first place.

She had been hired to do a performance for one of the local Noble's sons. Kazira had decided that she was low on some money and that it would be OK to earn some extra money. She even had the perfect outfit. It was a black cropped peasant blouse that ended under her breasts with a silver, red, blue and green beaded bustier. A pair of semi-translucent black harem pants with the same colored skirt,as her bustier, tired around her waist with many silver coins on it so it made a bell-like sound. When she arrived at the Noble's overly furnished abode she had asked if she could practice her performance in the great hall before the evening; she was excited when they had said yes. During her practice she had gained a crowd, in the form of the staff. One of the servants asked why she decided to dance for the nobles.

"Honestly, I'm only doing if for the money. For all I know the son could be a clod- hopping- lunatic for all I know." She didn't notice that the servant girl had turned deathly pale until a throat was cleared from behind her. Kazira grew stiff as a board before looking at the frightened girl before her. "He's right behind me isn't he? The girl had nodded. "Thought so." she muttered before turning around and saw the look that he was giving her. With a nervous smile she took off running ignoring the outraged cry from the son and ran out of the doors and out of the town.

Now here she was running through the town her skirt alerting anyone in the vicinity that something was around. This was just a fantabulous day.

"Could this get any worse?" Kazira wished on any gods or whatever was out there that it didn't

[zafira]

----- -----

Zafira hated being this far from home. She missed the extravagant lifestyle she was once accustomed to, but here....she was just traveling on the road, and it was growing tiresome. They had decided to rest for a while, even though she wasn't the least bit tired. She was bored. Besides, who slept at this time anyway?! She let out an exaggerated, heavy sigh and left the small motel they had rented a room from. Disgusting! It was small, dirty, and there were weird people around with strange accents.

She walked outside, going further and further away from the motel. She did not look like she was from around here. She was clad in a bright green shirt that came just above her stomach, revealing it, and then running down into a long skirt. With it, as usual was heavy silver jewelry. On top of everything else, she had a scarf tied around her waist. Yes, Zafira loved dressing up. Whatever got a few more glances her way was well worth it.

While she was 'exploring' this new land, she saw a figure running past her. Normally, it would not have caught her attention...but the woman was dressed in a belly dancing outfit! An outfit that women native to her land wore! This was rather exciting! "Khallas!" She yelled to her, assuming she would understand the foreign dialect. After all, why would she dress like an Arabian woman if she wasn't one.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Hearing the feminine shout she looked over and was shocked it was an Arabian looking woman. Most people didn't know what Arabians were at least those not of noble birth. She knew a bit of the language enough to get buy in a trade and she knew a few words like the one the woman had said. Not thinking Kazira stopped and turned towards the guards with a smirk. She was far enough away from the main area of the village that she could use her magic without causing to much damage and she doubted the other woman, her gut told her so and she always trusted that innate instinct that most have and ignore, would tell of her gifts, but since she didn't have her sword she decided that this was the only other option other than running. Taking a deep breathe she put her index and thumb together and blew fire at the guards scaring them. Kazira had decided that this was the best way to use her magic and not seem to suspicious. She wanted them to think that she was using something to blow the fire at them. Kazira laughed as the men turned tale and ran away.

"Men are such cowards, but it cant be helped with that element." Kazira said, her Irish accent coming through.
She turned towards the woman and decided to walk over to her; she kept her footsteps light so that she didn't make a sound (it also made it easier to run should she have to). She came up to her and smiled and dipped her head to the woman. "Salam wa aleikum." Kazira stated the most common greeting that she could remember, hoping that she didn't botch up the greeting. "The name's Kazira Astras. and who are you if I may ask?" Through this whole little episode she was hoping that she wouldn't have to try explain how she did the "trick," but it would be easier to explain the fire than the water.

[zafira]

----- -----

When the woman stopped and looked at her, that was when Zafira got a better look at her. She wasn't Arabian at all! Exactly the opposite in fact. She was........ WHITE. This caused a look of slightly disgust on Zafira's face. She eyed the woman, up and down, judging her in her mind and not afraid to about to speak words to vocalize this. And she was about to do just that, until the strange white woman blew fire towards the guards. Zafira was no fool. She recognized magic when she saw it. It did not scare her though. Magic was very common in her land. But the more she went towards Albion, the less of it she saw...until now.

And then the strange white woman proceeded to speak Arabic to her. Zafira knew she was not of any Arabic descent, for her accent when greeting her demonstrated it. Zafira did not greet her back. She just continued to eye her, still disappointed that she was not from Arabia, for it would have made Zafira feel a little more at home. "Where you get that clothes from?" Zafira's english was not perfect. Her accent was very thick, and her grammar was not flawless. But she still understood it for the most part, and tried her best to speak it, for she was not insecure about anything...not even her inability to speak perfect English.

Kazira. Strange name. Unfamiliar. Then again, she was meeting a lot of people with strange names. She had met a John a few days ago... what kind of name was John anyway?! What a strange land. With a strange language. And strange people. Despite Zafira's less than kind look at the woman, she did answer her question. "Zafira," she answered, slightly raising her head and flipping her hair back, looking very proud... perhaps a little too proud.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira raised her brow at the woman before her. She had an array of emotions cross her face ranging from disgust to disappointment. Yes, Kazira was a little disappointed that there was no greeting in return but she didn't let it get hew down too much.

"I received from a friend when I went to Arabia a few years ago for work. I learned many things there." Kazira stood straight her eyes ever moving with her magic. "Is that a problem?"

When the woman replied Kazira had to hold back an un-lady like snort. The woman, 'Zafira,' had a major attitude from the way she was standing and the way she had talked. But until she did something Kazira was not going to do anything other than be somewhat kind. "That's a very beautiful name. What brings you here, though? Kazira asked not really caring if she sounded rude or nosy. This woman rubbed her the wrong way and she seemed a little to proud for her tastes, but maybe she could try and give her a little bit of friendship.

[zafira]

----- -----

So this white woman had been to Arabia. She probably stuck out there, just as much as Zafira did here. What 'friend' did she have there anyway? Zafira would ask the questions in due time. For now, she was still familiarizing herself with her. Zafira felt that she was not the one with the problem....even though she had a few. "You have problem. With men back there," she said, not feeling the need to point or anything. It was clear who she was referring to.

She was flattering her, but Zafira did not thank her, nor did she return the favor. She was used to recieving compliments, and took every single one for granted. She did not plan on explaining her story to this stranger. "I come to travel." It was not a complete lie. That was in fact why she was here. "Why you dressed like woman you are not." Her question was meant to address the fact that she was white, non-Arabian woman, wearing Arabian clothing. Yes, Zafira was indeed far too judgemental.

[†Kazira Astras†]

She nodded her head with a laugh. Yes she did have a problem with the guards. And that was her own doing with her big mouth. And the fact that the son was standing behind her. Though, that part she really couldnt control all that well.
"Yes I did have a problem with them, though not personally, they were only under orders to chase me because I inadvertently insulted the noble man's son." Kazira quieted her laugh but kept a pleasant smile on her face. The woman wasn't so bad, if not a bit stuck up, but she was obviously in a new and unfamiliar place so she decided to cut her a bit of slack. She heard the soft padding of an animal and saw that it was moros trotting up with no care in the world still carrying her bow, daggers, and short sword along with her pack. She gave him an annoyed look before turning back to Zafira.

Kazira quirked her brow when Zafira had asked why she was dressed as someone she was not. She couldnt help but be slightly confused before it clicked. She was asking why she was dressing as one of her people even though she was not.
"I was hired as a dancer, for the Nobleman's son's birthday celebration. I wanted to honor my teacher, Fatinah."

[zafira]

----- -----

Zafira did not understand the woman's first statement. She was still learning English, so did not understand the big words. "You call someone in-advert-antly?" She broke down the word, trying to repeat it exactly how she heard it.... even if she didn't know what it meant. The best way to learn English was to put yourself out there, and converse with the general public. Which is what she was doing, sort of. She was still trying to understand why those men had been chasing her, what they wanted from her. Not out of concern, but rather sheer curiousity as it was the only exciting thing going on at the moment.

Even though this woman was smiling, Zafira was not. She was still a bit confused by what was going on, not to mention the fire that came out of her. But that series of questions would be put on hold. "Fatinah," she repeated, as it was a familiar name. That was not to say that she knew which one Kazira was talking about, but she knew the name. It was familiar. A bit of home. "You dance for money here, expert?" Had she know the word 'professional', she would have used that. But she did not, so had to resort to what she did know how to say. The woman seemed to have an idea as to what she was talking about. She would probably understand.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira watched as Zafira sounded out the word. It was a big word and she realized that she probably didnt know it so she decided to explain what she meant to say.

"No I didnt call him inadvertantly, I had insulted him indirectly causeing him to get angry when he found out and I took of running and I really didnt want to be thrown in the dungeon or something." she couldnt help but let out a little giggle at the expression on the son's face when he heard her insult him. It was rather funny.

Kazira watched as Zafira restated the name before she asked if she danced professionally. Kazira shrugged.

I do and I don't. Dancing is not the only way the I earn a living but I enjoy it. I am a mercenary and trader by trade." Kazira smiled "and this enormous beast that just walked up is my loving partner Moros."

[zafira]

----- -----

So she had just insulted him. And she got away? In her home, a man could get his throat slit for being disrespectful. It was just a blatant reminder of just how far she was from home. She was on the other side of the world, and frankly, she was even surprised that this women knew of her home land. Many people didn't. Just as many people back there did not know the details of Albion and beyond what they were familiar with.

"But you get away, with fire." That was her way of bringing up the fire incident. She was going to brag about how she knew some magic too, but while Zafira enjoyed showing off, she was cautious. Although, she was not aware of the fact that magic was frowned upon, the closer she got to Camelot.

Zafira did not know what a mercenary was, but she did not ask. She did not care that much. It could have meant something as simple as a baker, and the Arabic woman would not have known the difference. "I'm noble woman." She could not resist the chance to brag too much. She wanted to show off that she had wealth and prestige, every opportunity she could get. She then looked at the horse, keeping a distance. It looked dirty. Most animals were to Zafira. She only trusted the horse she rode on; the ones her guards always got ready for her. She made a face at the animal. "What mean Moros?" In Arabic, every name, every word had a meaning. What did Moros mean?

[†Kazira Astras†]

" Yes I did. I would greatly appreciate it if you didnt mention how I got away to anyone. Some things are out lawed. Especially if you get closer to Camelot." Kazira stated her voice stern but not hard, more cautious than anything. If anything magic was welcomed in other places and she wouldnt have to be as cautious when she used it but she had to trust in her instincts and hope to all of the earthly gods that Zafira didnt mention this to anyone.

Moros looked at Kazira before shugging. He sat down next to her and watched the woman carefully. Moros gave her a once over and continued to watch her carefully. But glanced at Kazira when she called him a massive beast; he admitted though that for a canine he was rather large but he was no beast. He snorted and proceeded to watch what was going on between the foreign woman and his friend.

Kazira wasnt all that shocked when Zafira said that she was a noble woman. Her clothes stated as much as well as her demeanor though, most nobles she met werent 'as' proud as she was. Kazira smiled and nodded att her again dipping her head acknowleding her status but still not really caring. Kazira looked at Moros when she saw Zafira's face kind of scrunched up. He was covered in dirt from their travels, she sighed she needed to give him a bath. "Honestly, his name doesnt have a meaning. His mother gave it to him, before she left. I guess with that situation in mind his name would mean nothing." Kazira mentally sighed as her tone took on a slightly more somber tone when she stated that. Moros was her best friend and companinion, she hated the fact that his name meant nothing but it seemed that they were meant to be friends because hers had no meaning as well. Her mother loved her dearly but had decided that she wanted a name that many wouldnt think of or confuse her name with someone else's. Looking back up at Zafira she asked the same question back to her wondering what her name meant. Yes she knew a bit of the language but she didnt know every single meaning of every name.