Stable Days

K’viloh approached Zavanis, brow furrowed in slight confusion as to why she was unable to locate him - even if it would’ve only made sense that he was behind her. He lifted a hand and rested it along her shoulder, “Zavanis. I’m right here.” He stated quietly with a sigh, taking a step back and releasing her shoulder as he looked around the area.

Zavanis, as clueless as she was seemed startled by his sudden appearance. Yet her face looked cheerful once she recognized him. “Oh hello there Koooo’Viloh” she said emphasizing the way he did once before. She turned toward him with her ears wiggling happily

He sighed yet again, supposing that it wasn’t too horrible. She had gotten his name correct, as emphasized as it was. “What brings you to Bentbranch?” He asked, finally settling his eyes on Zavanis after having a sufficient look around.

Her ears twitched at the question, forgetting what she was doing here in that moment. Only moments later did she recall "Oh right! I wanted to acquire a chocobo while I'm here in the Shroud!" She pointed towards the handler that was surrounded by young and old chocobos alike. Her tail swaying behind her

He furrowed his brow, and then looked over to the chocobo handler who was in the middle of grooming one of the Shroud born creatures. “You don’t already own a chocobo?” He asked, looking back toward Zavanis. “I thought you’d already have owned one. Aren’t you native to Eorzea?”

She looked a bit puzzled by that remark "Well yes.... but I've never actually had one of my own, I was only ever allowed to use the porter services" Zavanis touched her pointer finger to her lips and tilted her head thinking

“Mm..” It was hard to tell if he was judging her or simply staring. Regardless, he would dip his head in understanding before making his way around Zavanis and hoisting himself up onto the nearby crate. He would sit, legs hanging over the edge of the box as he watched her. “This ‘master’ of yours. Correct?”

"Hm?" she was brought out of thought, again looking for the male. "What about him? " zav asked innocently as she made her way towards him once more.  Beside them was a stall with an elder choco, she put out her hand and brushed it through the creatures feathers gently

“I’m assuming he owns a chocobo?” He asked, gesturing toward the female before averting his gaze and fixing it on the rotating aetheryte at the center of the haven. “It doesn’t seem particularly wise to keep someone so sheltered. Especially someone who should be out in the wilds with her people.” He murmured, flicking his attention to a merchant that was conversing with another adventurer.

The petite feline frowned. She tugged at his top, only slightly trying to get his attention again. She was ovbiously pouting which was odd based on her cheery outfit with large flowers adorned on her head.

He offered Zavanis his attention after a good few moments of staring at the merchant. “Don’t you think?” He asked, quirking a brow down at Zavanis.

Her eyes popped at his gaze, quickly turning her head away from him. "You think I'm sheltered then?" still pouting as she grumbled. Her hand still holding a small bit of fabric.  "It's not like I know anything about the 'wilds' anyways..."

He nods, “You /are/ sheltered. If you know nothing of the wilds, then that only proves my point. How often have you been to Gridania?” He asked, “Or out here?” He gestured around them, “In the Shroud? Do you live in a large estate?”

Zavanis looked back up at Viloh, with sad innocent eyes. While she was far from crying she wouldn't waste an opportunity to try to gain sympathy from the serious Miqo'te by faking it. "This is the first time since I was a kit, at least I think so" she tried to avoid the question related to her lifestyle

K’viloh, unfortunately, wasn’t too terribly phased by Zavanis’ attempts to garner sympathy. That isn’t to say he was completely impervious, however. He sighed, and shook his head. “So, you live a sheltered life then. Bottom line.” He stated, slipping off from his box perch and standing beside Zavanis. He frowned slightly, and eyed her from head to toe before motioning past her. “Aren’t you here to purchase one then?”

Zavanis looked defeated that her trick didn't work. Out of habit she began following behind him, trying not to trip on the skirt of her dress. "Well you see...." she paused watching the chocobos in the stables they passed "You can't unless you have a chocobo license? >.<" Her eyes shut tight not wanting to face the man in embarrassment. Zav stopped in her tracks with her hands to her chest cringing in fear of being ridiculed

“No, you can’t.” He stated, confirming her words as he looked back toward the female and offered her a wrinkle of his nose. “So, what do you intend to do then?” He asked, turning to face Zavanis as he halted in his tracks. “If you require a license, then are you here to window shop?”

Peeking slightly while slowly opening an eye she asked "Do you have a chocobo then....?" She didn't want to seem even more sheltered then her apperence alluded too

While standing there, she caught a glimps of a lilac chocobo being led to a stable not far from them. That one would be perfect, she gasped at the thought, bringing her hands to her face.

“I do.” He nods, resting a hand along his right hip. “Liera is her name.” He answered before looking over to the chocobo that had enraptured Zavanis’ attention and interest. The Keeper only seemed to grow more and more effeminate the longer he seemed to interact with her. Pinks and yellows. Bright and outrageous colors that she wore, and a lilac chocobo apparently. “That one?” He asked, assuming she was interested in purchasing it.

"Yes yes!" Caught up in her excitement she forgot about that whole license issue, seeming to need a stern glimpse of reality... Zav  looked as if she had stars in her eyes as her eyes followed the creature as it walked off.

“Then why not purchase it?” He asked, stepping closer to the fencing and leaning against it. “Or have your master purchase it for you?” He added, following Zavanis’ gaze as the chocobo was strung along and taken out further down the path.

The small woman leaned over the fence, arms propping up her head as she day dreamed. Her tail wagged more and more just thinking about having her own chocobo and traveling where ever she pleased. Uncharacteristically she answered him honestly "I haven't any money to my name... and the master would never allow it" she didn't let her words get her down, as she continued to fantasize.

“Doesn’t exactly sound like a good master.” He muttered, rolling his eyes and glancing over at Zavanis who was quite obviously content. “So.. why stay?” He wonders aloud, pointedly staring at the Keeper.

She pushed her self off the fence, brushing off the dirt on her clothes. Bringing her attention back to her companion. "That's why I'm here actually..." Her eyes scanned the area in a short radius around them "He sent me here to get a contract from one of the guilds for him, but I have no plans of going back" Her face showed a sudden confidence.

“Playing the part of runaway?” He asked, crossing his arms and changing the positioning of his legs. One bent at the knee and crossing behind the other. “Why the change of heart?” He asked, wondering why she had decided to pick now of all times to break free.

She stood before him, shoving her wrist in his face, lifting up the cuffs she wore revealing recent bruises. Then motioning at her left hip and stroked  the area below her neck ribbon. All seemed to be bruised and injured in some way. Zavanis placed her arms around her waist, hugging herslef tight and stared at the ground, ashamed.

He frowned slightly, unsure as to why she decided to shove her wrist into his face. His eyes rested on Zavanis’ own gaze before actually taking a look. And what he had seen? It disgusted him. He sneered, and looked ready to say something - but he didn’t. He simply shook his head and turned around, grinding his teeth as he looked out toward the trees to the east.

Her ears layed flat as she was openly upset. She watched as he turned from her but was unable to figure out if he was angry with her or someone else. In the end she was just a weak little servant girl after all, she wouldn't blame him for casting her aside like others had. Melodic chocobo calls filled the air while the tension remained heavy and awkward

He pressed his lips together, debating a few internal thoughts as his tail flicked from side to side. His nose scrunched up, and then relaxed. “Do you know where you’ll go?” He asked, “If you plan on.. running away.. you have somewhere in mind. Don’t you?”

She pulled her hands from her body, touching her finger tips together. “No but if I had a chocobo I figured I could get far enough away from /there/ to not be found” she sounded desperately sad

He could pick up on her tone, and it only proceeded to coerce him into expelling another breath from his lips as he looked back toward Zavanis. “You can’t run all your life.” He remarked, “You should have a place in mind, elsewise I don’t think you’ll get very far. Planning is always necessary.” He pointed out, looking the female over. “Can you think of a permanent solution?”

Her eyes peered upwards then back at her fingertips "Not really... All I know is I was born in the Shroud, but have no idea from what clan. And whose to say they even want me now" Her gaze focused on her hands, which began to give her a slight headache.