Birds of a Feather [Barates]

[Bhae]

Bhae yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. She had sold a few blankets that morning, which was a good start considering most of the locals seemed hesitant to purchase anything from her. She figured, once she had been around longer and they knew her wares were trustworthy, business might pick up a little bit. Honestly she'd had more luck offering to fix things than getting people to purchase whole new items..maybe a different direction would bring more prosperity.

It was too hot. Always. She was not used to the sun beating down all the time, and though she had grown more used to it over the past few weeks, it was still uncomfortable. She had decided to sit down in the marketplace when a small boy had come kicking what looked like a ball made of dried palm fronds wrapped tightly together. She picked it up, smiling, and rolled it back to him.

From him, she heard about the city gardens. Bhae had passed it several times, but the boy assured her it was a fun place, and that it had shade--lots of shade. So there she was, shuffling her way through the dirt toward the garden. And as promised--it had shade. The foreigner cracked a smile. From where she was, it was easy to see nobles basking in the pseudo-oasis atmosphere. It made her wonder if they ever took care of the garden, or if they just enjoyed the hard work of others...but she did not let those thoughts linger, and instead walked until she could stand in the shade of a tree.

She got a few curious glances, but merely smiled in return, or waved if the person maintained eye contact long enough. What seemed like an absurdly pleasant habit was actually her way of saying Yes, I see you staring. What was she supposed to do? It was not her fault they had not mastered the art of subtlety.

[Barates Aster]

(**Random Note: Anything spoken by Barates in italics is Greek. Otherwise he'll be speaking Egyptian)

“Did you hear? There’s a foreigner living in the city!”

“Ah- the seamstress, right?”

Tuning into the conversation as one of the speakers-a young woman, nodded their head- Barates blinked and then placed the small broach he had been looking at back onto the stand it came from, much to the disdain of the trader he was speaking to.

“You buy?” The bearded man’s voice was biting, and even in the broken Egyptian he managed to get his point across.

Looking away from the gossiping women for a moment, Barates scowled, brow furrowing as his lips pursed. “No.” he replied shortly, giving the man an annoyed look as the trader snorted and then quickly pulled all of wares towards him and blocking everything from view. Not the best way of telling one to shove off, but Barates got the point.

Giving the man a look dirty enough to curdle milk, he scoffed and did an about face and instead listened with interest to the gossiping women once more, who, for their part, didn’t seem to realize they had gained another ear.

Pausing for a moment, Barates fidgeted in place-so far all he knew was that the foreigner was a woman, and a seamstress from a land far away-and she, apparently, sunburned very easily. Not enough to go off but the Greek slave couldn’t help but feel the slightest ray of hope. Perhaps she was Greek as well? It would be nice to meet another from his homeland and the traders could only tell him so much.

Walking up towards the women, Barates slowly tapped on one of the babbling gossiper’s shoulder, putting his best smile on. “Err, excuse me? You say foreigner live in city?”

Eying him up and down with pursed lips, the dark haired woman held up a hand to stop her friend from speaking before she nodded her head. “Yes. Why?

Barates fought a flinch, and if his smile faltered slightly well, it wasn’t his fault he wasn’t great at thinking ahead. Okay-now what…and ah! That might do! Face visibly brightening as a proverbial light bulb lit above his head, the Greek man gave a disarming smile, “She my sister. Visiting-want to surprise.”

When both women looked disbelieving, Barates fought back a panicked look only to sigh in relief as the woman slowly nodded her head, looking back and forth towards her friend who was hiding a grin behind her hand as the trader behind Barates scoffed under his breath. “Her brother you say?”

Ignoring the weird looks all three were sending him-the trader having some how tuned into the conversation as well-Barates grinned, eagerly nodding his head. “Yes- we siblings. She er…older sister.” There, that should do it. Ha! However much Barates hated lieing, he couldn’t help but think that nobody would see through a lie that great!

An amused look came onto the woman’s face and she paused before she pointed towards the city gardens, her eyes bright with something Barates couldn’t name. “She lives in the common house district along with most of the workers, but…” the woman continued with a sly smile as her friend tittered in the corner, “…I saw her going to the city gardens. You could…” she laughed, for a reason Barates’ couldn’t see, “…you probably find your ‘sister’ there.”

Eyes brightening with glee, Barates gave what he thought to be a thankful smile that was a little too smug to be genuinely appreciative, before he quickly turned around. “Ah! Thank you will find her-err, sister, soon!”

Twiddling her fingers, the woman grinned as her friend laughed aloud. “Tell her we said hi.” she all but purred while, in the background, the trader frowned.

“But he Greek! Girl not!”

Hand still covering her mouth, the woman’s friend grinned. “Oh, we know.” she murmured before turning towards her companion with a conspiratory whisper, “So, think they’re lovers?”

Oblivious to the new wave of gossip he had just set off, Barates moved towards the city gardens, eyes locked on the visible greenery set just in the distance. Walking down curving alleys and twisting pathways, it took him but a moment to get there and the Greek couldn’t help but feel proud that he had somehow managed to finish his chores early-and without the help of any other servant. It was quite the accomplishment indeed, and for the hard work, it seemed as if the very gods had rewarded him!

Turning down streets at a near run, Barates quickly slowed down his pace, questioning random passerby and then following their pointing finger until he finally got to the city gardens. Stopping himself and nearly stumbling as he did so, Barates couldn’t help but pause for a moment in awe.

Though they were nothing compared to the splendorous gardens of the palace, the mass of greenery was still a sight to behold- a faux oasis in the mud brick city. Still, Barates shook his head-he didn’t have time to waste-what if the Greek woman (he had all but thrown the fact that she could be from another location entirely out of his mind) left?! He’d get no tales of home or even the slightest hint of conversation!

Eyes scanning the shady recesses with a near obsessive fervor, the Greek’s eyes lit up as he caught sight of someone that was quite obviously, a foreigner. Striding forward with little care to the fact that he was now drawing quite a few stares himself, Barates grinned, reaching out an arm to grab the woman’s shoulder and catch her attention. That was all before he got a good look at the woman’s face and with a look that could only be described as shell shocked, Barates spluttered, unable to stop himself from gaping, one hand still holding onto the woman's shoulder.

“You’re…you’re not Greek…!”

[Bhae]

She had been so absorbed in the scenery that it took her a moment to realize all the eyes in the garden were turning toward the same location. The woman raised an eyebrow, just starting to wonder if she should look to see what they were all staring at when she felt a sudden hand on her shoulder. Though she did not jump, she did visibly tense, startled by the sudden appearance of another person inside her personal bubble. She blinked, turning pale green eyes on the stranger, who sputtered something in a language she could not understand. Confusion passed faintly behind her eyes, but she soon registered that it had not been Egyptian, but yet another language she was not master of.

Bhae raised an eyebrow at him, expression somewhere between expectantly waiting and apologetic once she caught the look on his face. Though, after a moment, she did smile, and reached over to gently pick his hand up off her shoulder, "That's my shoulder, sweetheart--but you can have this back," she let go of his hand once she'd lifted it off her arm.

Though her grammar and word choice was good, her accent was fairly thick, and it was obvious Egyptian was not something she had perfected. Some of the sounds just...didn't want to come out right. She seemed to be aware of this, though, and spoke very slowly and clearly, considering it did not sound like Egyptian was his chosen language, either.

"Are you okay? You seem disappointed."

[Barates Aster]

It took a moment for Barates to gain his bearings, his face slowly reddening as the realization that he’d just randomly grabbed a woman out of nowhere hit him. The cherry-red flush on his face only worsened as the woman gently plucked his hand from her shoulder, and when she dropped it his hand fell limply by his side. Only a second later did his eyes go wide and he gaped, taking a stumbling step back and only vaguely aware that the woman had spoken.

“M-m-my apologies!” he finally gasped out, half garbled though it was in an odd mixture of Greek and Egyptian. Torn between bowing deeply in remorse and running full throttle to salvage what little dignity he had, Barates blinked as he finally tuned into the fact that the woman he had just accosted was talking only to have his face dip into confusion.

Oh dear Hermes. He…he couldn’t understand a word of it. Rapidly fighting the urge to dissolve into panic, Barates spluttered for a moment before he finally managed to listen in, paying close attention to the woman's words. Okay, so perhaps eh could catch a small smidgeon here and there. Brow furrowed and nearly cross-eyed with concentration, Barates paused before he slowly nodded his head, realizing at least vaguely that the woman was asking of his well-being.

“Er…okay. Heard foreign. Thought Greek but…not?” Trailing off uncertainly, Barates gulped a small tinge of longing evident in his voice before he quickly shook it away, and though his face was still cherry-red in hue, he quickly smoothed his features and no longer looked so horribly dismayed. Running off seemed to no longer be an option-that meant he could only stay. And well, if was staying to talk to the woman he was at least going to try to prove that he was a human being with a functional mind- however horrible his first impression was.

“My apologies,” he finally repeated in a clearer tone, hoping that however broken his Egyptian was that the woman would be able to understand him. Though his accent was barely there, he still hadn’t quite gotten a hold on the minute discrepancies where grammar and sentence structure were concerned, even if he could understand the language. “Did-did not mean to startle. Only meant to er…” faltering slightly, Barates gulped, searching for words. How to explain that he had only wanted to see if she was a Greek, and had er…gotten a bit overzealous in his excitement? Fumbling for a moment, with spluttered inconstancies, Barates finally sighed before he shook his head and went into a deep bow, face cherry-red once more. “…Sorry!”

[Bhae]

She tilted her head slightly, eyes flitting toward his reddening cheeks. Was he embarrassed? Maybe so...Bhae was still not entirely sure if he had mistaken her for someone else, though that seemed very unlikely. Nobody else there looked very much like her, and vice versa. It was pretty obvious she did not belong. Fortunately she did not appear to be in the least bit upset. She did narrow her eyes slightly, though it seemed to be in an attempt to scrutinize his face, as she leaned forward slightly to get a better look at him. He was not Egyptian either, she had gathered that much, but it was only after he mentioned 'Greek' that it clicked in her head.

"Ohh..!" she stood up straighter, smiling, though her grin soon faded into a frown as she repeated in a less enthusiastic tone, "Ohh..."

Her expression then was thoroughly apologetic, though it was not her fault she wasn't Greek. She knew how disappointing it would have been for her to think she'd found a stranger from her homeland in Egypt, only to find out they were not who she had thought they were. Bhae's faint smile soon returned though, and she shook her head as he stumbled over his apology.

"No. It's okay," she answered, breaking her sentences into smaller, less complex pieces so she could focus on pronouncing everything more accurately. It was the least she could do. Sometimes she wished others had the courtesy to do the same for her when she was trying to listen to them, "Not startled...just...confused."

She nodded, as if in reassurance, but when he did slip into a bow, her eyes managed to graze over the mark on his back. Though the smile remained on her face, there was a hint of something restrained in her eyes. Her lips seemed to draw out into a thin line, which she quickly eased off into another grin when he apologized again. She knew the brand marked him as a slave--which bothered her immensely. Not because he was a slave. She would not hold something like that against him. Just the fact that any one person could brand another person like that...she didn't like the practice, to be honest.

She assured him again that everything was okay, using simple sentences again. It was good practice both ways. She could work on saying her words more correctly rather than quickly, and hopefully he could understand her.

"Name?" she finally questioned, hoping that changing the topic might make him feel more at ease. He definitely seemed to be some kind of uncomfortable or embarrassed.

[Barates Aster]

Still frozen in a bow, Barates flinched as the foreign woman’s tone became less enthusiastic. Eyes squeezing shut as his face reddened, the Greek man bit his lip, listening intently and looking up only when the woman nodded in reassurance. “Confused?” he parroted, slowly straightening only to narrow his eyes as he caught her expression falter.

Barates blinked for a moment, confused before he followed the woman’s line of sight over his shoulder and to his-oh. Lips pressing into a thin line, the Greek man stiffened before he straightened; posture tense as he shot the woman a glare. Though the woman had renewed her smile, Barates was all too aware to the fact that she had a visibly strained look in her eyes and in response the Greek narrowed his own eyes, mouth twisting into a frown that could have put even the grumpiest of solicitor’s to shame.

So she was annoyed that he was a slave eh? Completely oblivious to the fact that the curly haired woman might be uncomfortable with the idea of the practice itself and not his current status, Barates crossed his arms, any signs of apology completely wiping themselves from his posture and face. Bristling like a particularly angry cat, Barates set his jaw, proud as a stubborn frown curled itself on to his lips.

Listening with a scowl as the woman questioned him about his name-no doubt to tell the head servants and priests that a slave was running amuck. Well, what did she know?! He had permission to be here!

“Barates.” he replied shortly-still looking at the woman opposite him with a scowl and a rather dirty look. Narrowing his eyes further, the slave grimaced before he scowled, staring the other foreigner straight in the eyes, and not one to mince words despite his proclivity to jumping to conclusions, Barates retorted bluntly, “If have problem with slave then shove it. Go ahead and tell nobles.” Lips twisting into a sneer, Barates cocked his hip, though he did little to uncross his arms, everything from his expression to his posture screaming of defensive pride, “Have permission to be out-so there.”

Smirking as he delivered his final rebuttal, Barates didn't even bother to hide the smug cast to his sneer. Let's see how she dealt with that, the slave hating foreigner!

[Bhae]

Bhae noticed his shift in demeanor with a faintly amused twinkle in her own eyes. She was more curious than anything to else to see what thoughts he had running through his head that would make him behave that way. She was not disappointed. As it became obvious through his body language and his words what was wrong, she had to consciously work not to burst into laughter--though a few restrained giggles did manage to escape.

"Barates...I don't care if you are a slave," she answered, grin almost stretching from ear to ear, "I just don't think it's nice that they branded you."

She could not help herself then, covering her mouth to try and cough down the giggling again. He really did jump to conclusions, didn't he? Bhae shook her head, expression quickly settling back into a friendly but still obviously entertained calm.

"You don't talk like a slave, though. That's good. It means you're still you...my name is Bhae, by the way."

[Barates Aster]

Face still twisted into a sneer, the expression quickly faltered when he caught sight of the other foreigner’s face. She-she wasn’t getting mad. Or scared. Or defensive. Brow furrowing as he struggled to keep the smirk in place, Barates’s lips quivered, wavering from a perplexed frown and a defiant scowl.

When the woman finally explained the reason behind the earlier loss of a smile, Barates paused, mulling over her words before he blinked, defensive posture dropping in favor of a confused tilt to his head as he peered over his shoulder at the mentioned wound. It was still rather blistered and raw looking-if only because he kept scratching at it and refused it the time it needed to heal-but surely it wasn’t that cruel of them. Arms uncrossing, Barates blinked before he frowned, this time in confusion. “Why cruel? Slave now. Only way to mark. Collars not work-easily take them off. So brands only way. At least better then in Greece. Slave brands there on face or arm rather then on back. Harder to hide. You no have slaves in home?”

Cutting off his babble as his face flushed, Barates coughed into his hand and attempted to regain some dignity. He did not however apologize from his defensive outburst and though the foreigner had proven not to be a hater of slaves, he wouldn’t take away words that he had meant.

Eyes brightening as the foreigner continued talking, Barates cocked his head to the side, finally realizing that the woman had taken care to shorten her sentences. Listening avidily, the Greek slave paused before blinking. “Eh? Why need to talk like slave? Not born slave. Just happen to be one.” Spoken as bluntly as if he were discussing the weather, Barates shrugged, nonplussed. “Of course still me.”

Perking up at the mention of the woman’s name, Barates hesitated for a moment, repeating her name as he tested it on his tongue. “Bhae. Bhae…eh-weird name.” Nose wrinkling slightly, Barates quickly flushed before he added hastily, “but-but nice! Very pretty!” Wincing Barates flinched and cursed quietly under his breath before he cleared his throat to quickly change the conversation, while darting a quick look towards the gawkers who were no doubt enthralled by the two foreigners communicating.

Giving one a dirty look, Barates snorted before he turned towards the woman-Bhae, she had said her name was Bhae-again, “You not from Greece. Or Nubia. Where you from? Far land?” Eyes shining at the thought of new information, Barates leaned forward slightly, eyes wide with interest.

[Bhae]

She watched his facial expressions shift to match his thought process. Bhae was patient in waiting for him to come around to understanding her previous reaction, and found herself pleasantly surprised when he seemed to fully understand she had not meant to direct any disdain toward him specifically. Communicating with Egyptians was hard enough, but they were both using a foreign language. So far so good--she wasn't going to complain.

"I do not like it because it is so..permanent. Maybe you will not always be a slave? But it will always be there. Not fair, I don't think," she answered, though she tilted her head to the side with a small frown, "...we do. Sometimes."

Bhae smiled again, though, seemingly at his brazenness. What others might have seen as abrasive, she seemed to be fond of. The foreign woman shook her head, though, at his dismissive attitude toward what she had said about him being..well, him.

"You would be surprised. Not everyone handles change..well. You seem to."

The woman tilted her head, though as per usual, did not seem offended by his initial verdict on her name being strange. Of course it would sound bizarre to someone from a different land. She had not expected much of a different reaction to that. When he backtracked, stumbling over words to try to avoid offending, she just waved her hand as if to push the notion away.

"No, it's okay. It is a little weird," she shrugged, but tilted her head in interest when he asked about where she was from, "Hmn..yes. Far away. Egyptian scholars visit sometimes, and I came to see where they were from. Took a long time to get here..."

[Barates Aster]

Shrugging, Barates frowned. “Can always cut skin off. Painful, but will probably work.” That was of course, a choice that the Greek would rather not make. It would be rather bloody, and a bit drastic and would leave a rather nasty scar-one that Barates would prefer not to have. “Or tattoo when can buy freedom.” Eyes brightening slightly at the mere mention, Barates grinned, hand resting behind his head. “Egyptians very strange-can do that.” A snort made its way from the slave’s throat and he frowned. “Not so in Greece. One slave forever slave-unless drastic thing happen.”

That was one thing that was better about Egypt at the very least. Their slaves were treated better than those in the other countries, and though he still hated or at the bare minimum disliked his current status in life, he at least had more avenues for breaking free then he would have in his home country. Watching curiously as the foreign woman shook her head, Barates paused before he frowned. Though he wouldn’t usually speak up on the topic, it wasn’t like it wasn’t like it was a secret. If one listened to the right gossip then they’d surely find out how he’d gotten in this position. Freezing slightly, he sighed before he shook his head. He had startled the woman and then lashed out at her so it was only honorable that he give her something. “Have to handle change. Decided to be slave voluntarily. Took friend’s place.” Short as his response was, it was the closest he’d get to an apology for his previous outburst. And it wasn’t like he was ashamed of what he’d done-more of he was ashamed of his status but even then he held his head high.

He was after all, Greek. And he had done it…done it for the crew. And for…for Pythios. Not that his friend had seemed all too thrilled at Barates stepping up to the plate. Why, the man hadn’t even murmured a word of thanks at Barates giving away his own freedom just so that Pythios could sail away free as a bird.

Face rapidly darkening, Barates shook his head, dispelling his thoughts from going a direction he’d rather not have them take. A moment later, his face reddened as he realized he had been spacing out-an action that was becoming more and more common place.

Clearing his throat slightly, both to keep his dignity and move it away from the current topic, Barates blinked, reddening a bit more at he remembered his flub with Bhae’s name before grinning Bhae began on her home country. “Far away?” he echoed, leaning forward curiously, “Farther than Greece? How long take? Took six months to come here from Crete-would have been faster but was spring so lots of rains and storms. What your land called?” Hardly caring that he was speaking a bit too quickly or that his accent was coming out in his excitement and thus making his words harder to understand-however stilted his Egyptian was, Barates took great care in making sure that while his speech was broken, none of his accent came out-one of his own minor vanities. “Is land mountains? Or flat? Or-“ cutting himself off with a snap of his jaw, Barates coughed slightly before he continued in a clearer tone as he rubbed at the back of his neck awkwardly, “Er…what home like?”

[Bhae]

Bhae blinked, both eyebrows raising slightly as he explained how he had gotten himself into his current position as a slave. She frowned faintly, but then smiled, reaching over to pat his shoulder twice, "Well, I like you, Barates. You seem like a good man...even if you do jump to conclusions sometimes."

When he began questioning her about her home, she did take a half-step back once he leaned forward, apparently content to maintain a decently sized bubble around herself. It was not always the case that she minded invasions of personal space, but every so often she felt the need to be more distant from others. What could have been a blush of embarrassment passed over her face, but it was gone again so quickly it was hard to tell if it had ever been there at all.

"Ah...I do not know..where Greece is compared to my home. But I am Celtic. We wandered North, and settled on a large island. It is very green, and wet in summer. Lots of rain, and mild winter...nothing like here. It's never this hot and dry."

She paused, scratching at the back of her head, "Celts are fierce warriors. Even women and children are...tough. We can take a lot of hardship....I do not know where Greece is, but I heard some are strong warriors, too."

[Barates Aster]

Jumping despite himself as Bhae reached over to pat his shoulder twice, Barates stared at where her hand had landed, face wavering between different shades of red-each more vibrant than the last before the Greek visibly pulled himself together though traces of his cheeks’ previous red hue still remained. “Th…thank you?” he murmured in confusion while laughing awkwardly at her verdict of him jumping to conclusions. He made no move to deny her words though-as sad as it was, they were true and even he knew his brain had a propensity for forgetting facts and going towards things with a single mindedness that more often than not proved harmful.

Barates hardly noticed as Bhae took a half-step back, a broad smile still on his face as the foreign woman continued speaking of her home town. “Celtic?” he murmured, testing out the foreign word on his tongue a few times before he blinked and shrugged, though the expression on his face was more smug than apathetic. “Greece warriors strong. But Crete strongest,” Barates replied in a tone that was more than a little biased, “Spartans and Mycenaeans like to say they strong but, eh.” Waving his hand in the air show just what he thought of that notion, Barates paused, glancing up at the sun with a hand to shade his eyes before he looked towards Bhae with a smile. “Move into shade? Want- want to hear more about-er…Celts…-and Celt-land…er…land come from! If not mind of course.” Any signs that the man was once ill at ease with the foreign woman had surely passed now, and no signs of his previous defensive outburst remained. Attempting another smile, Barates added, “Will tell about Crete in exchange? Just-just not very often get to hear of country that never heard before. B-but, only...only if interested!" Jerking his hand quickly to show that he didn't want her to feel pressured, Barates bit his lip and cocked his head t to the side, waiting on Bhae's answer.

[Bhae]

Bhae nodded, setting her arms on her hips, "You are welcome."

She paid the fact he was blushing little mind, figuring that if she did not mention it, he might feel more comfortable and it would go away. As he continued speaking, she nodded to confirm his repetition of 'Celtic.' A faint smile played across her lips at his mention of Crete having the strongest warriors... "I take it you are from Crete?"

Her voice held a slight teasing tone to it, but based on the ever-present smile in her eyes, it was obviously all in good nature. She nodded, though, quickly stepping aside to find some shade beneath a cluster of trees where they would be more comfortable talking about their respective homelands.

"I don't mind at all...I"d love to hear about Crete," she grinned, turning her attention back to him once she had found a decent place to stand, "I love to learn."

After a moment, though, she continued, "The Celts believe in a lot of...magic and mystery. But I am not like them that way. We have moved lands a few times. Other peoples...they try to fight us, but we usually win. Even with smaller numbers. Like I said, we are strong."

She grinned then, "But what about Crete? Is it..big?"

[Barates Aster]

Blinking at the woman’s teasing inquiry, Barates nodded his head. “Yes. From Archanes, ah, village near Knossos.” Following the woman into the shade, Barates quickly settled himself against a covered wall, resting his back against it both as a measure to make himself more comfortable as well as hide his brand from view. However he might have defended his status, he still held little like for his place in society and the stares the mark often received were grating to say the very least.

Watching curiously as Bhae found a decent place to stand, Barates returned the other foreigner’s grin with one of his own. “Learning good.” he agreed before adding, “Will be happy to tell.”

Listening intently as Bhae spoke of her people and land, Barates hummed at appropriate parts, eyes inquisitive as she continued on about her people-the Celts- having moved to many lands and when the woman grinned at him and then asked of his own country, Barates was only too happy to comply.

“Crete not large island-but have strong warriors. Most powerful on sea.” Nodding his head to enunciate his claim, Barates grinned, “Feared soldiers. Also trade-best known for that. People good with pottery and art-mosaics very pretty. Trade those in return for goods. Trade to many places. Ah, but you say people travel to lands? What lands travel too?” Pausing for a moment as he caught onto the woman’s admission of not believing in magic and mystery like the rest of her kind, Barates frowned, head kilting curiously to the side. “And why not believe in magic? Gods there not get angry? Gods in Greece very powerful. If not believe turn you into flower. Or monster.”

[Bhae]

“Sailors?” Her attention seemed gripped by this. Bhae had always admired ships from afar—but she’d been too nervous to ever get on one. She suspected that she would like it if she ever worked up the nerve. Wind and ocean air were two of her favorite things.

She smiled, nodding enthusiastically as he continued, “Oh…that sounds lovely. Music and storytelling is important where I am from, but I do not see many…mosaics? Is that what you called it?”

Bhae blinked, shrugging at his questions about magic and Gods, “I believe there are forces at work that we cannot see…or maybe cannot understand…but I have no reason to believe that they are directed by specific beings.”