Wandering bunny [social/Ayero]

Who knew that helping out a little old lady could feel so good. Perhaps that was how it felt to help anyone? Similar thoughts started to run through Bahir's mind as he walked through the streets of Reim. His black cape fell over his shoulders and covered the majority of his body. Beneath the cape was a dark purple midriff, a dagger scabbard, and matching pants. The only things completely visible were his closed toe sandals. Even though most of his body and attire was covered, the most interesting parts were indeed exposed. The spiky red hair atop his head and the light red hue of his eyes. Anyone who took a good look at the young man would be able to tell what heritage he belonged to. He was one of the Fannalis.

The young hunter walked slowly down the dirt path, not paying much attention to the people passing him on either side. He was, however, actively scanning the crowds to see if he could find any other Fannalis. So far, he hadn't been able to pin point any. Were they that rare in Reim? He could have sworn that there were a good number of them in the city. Either way, Bahir would have to make do. He stopped in the middle of the road, looking back and forth. He literally had no idea where he was going. Part of him was a bit excited by the feeling, while the other half made him regret being lost in his own thoughts for a moment..

After making a couple of rounds through the crowd with his eyes, Bahir was about to step off again and just find a place to lay his head. Before he moved, the young Fannalis's ear twitched. A sound that didn't fit the surrounding filled his ears. Was... was that a hiss? He thought to himself. His head moved from side to side looking for the source of the sound. He turned his torso slightly to get a better view behind him and noticed the black bodied serpent making its way towards him. The boy quirked an eyebrow, half out of intrigue the other out of worry. Why on earth would the creature be heading towards him out of the entire crowd.

Before he readied to avoid the serpent, the snake stopped dead in its tracks. Bahir's red eyes fixated on the creature and blinked out of confusion. Did the serpent lose interest in him?! What made him so much less interesting now?!?! His jealous questioning was soon answered as the snake made its way in a different direction. Bahir, being the intrigued fellow he was, followed it with his eyes and saw the reason he was replaced. Another head of red hair, this one with more feminine features. At least in the face. The rest of the figure's body was covered in a cloak, quite similar to Bahir's.

What happened next was a bit unfortunate for Bahir. His eyes met the pair across from him. He blinked a couple of times as he could feel sweat starting to collect on the back of his neck and a lump form in his throat. It was almost like clockwork. Whenever the young Fannalis was expected to conversate with others of the opposite sex, he had a bit of trouble. This case was no different. All he could hope was that she wouldn't try to speak with him. Maybe he co-- nope. "Oh. Um. No. I didn't bother him. I mean. It, HE. He didn't bother me."

The woman's eyes did not escape Bahir's gaze, though he did attempt to break eye contact. They weren't very welcoming. He stood there, unsure of what to do. He blinked as the woman  mentioned him looking feverish and taking him to a doctor. That was probably the last thing that the Fanalis needed. A medicine man inspecting him. Poking around with his tools and scopes and whatnot. The very thought unsettled Bahir. He visibly shuddered at the thought of going to such a man and being under such investigation.

Then, when he didn't think his situation could get any worse, it happened. The woman moved back her cloak and revealed more of her body. What was a young, inexperienced lad to do? What he SHOULD have done was very simple: play it cool and talk her down. Let her know that he wasn't a threat to her. What was he able to do? Not that. If he somehow did manage to muster up the thoughts to address the hostility, the concern would be if she could understand him. He snapped out of his daze when her hand rested on the hilt of her blade. Oh boy, here it goes. "N-no. Doctors like m-- DON'T like me. Well, I don't like them. You see, they have too many tools." There. He got one part down. Now to try and sate her hostility. He's not an enemy... at least he hoped not. "Bahir's my name. I'm not a threat. I mean, I don't mean any harm. I could be a threat to other people, I guess. To you, though, I'm not. I'm just kinda exploring right now. Not that I would be a threat if I wasn't exploring. I'm just kinda here... I guess."

He talked himself into a mess. Of course. Just great.. He thought to himself. He raised his right arm and scratched the back of his head, letting out a soft sigh. Gotta just glaze passed it. That didn't even happen. He assured himself. So is that your pet?"

Maybe it was working. She didn't seem to be as hostile... at least that's what he wanted. So why not convince himself right?! When she stepped forward, Bahir had to fight his urge to take a step backwards. She was questioning him a lot. Was she that suspicious of him? Maybe she was legitimately making conversation and Bahir was just reading into it wrong.... Nah. She was definitely suspicious of him. He knew that he was a suspicious looking individual. Hell, he didn't trust himself half of the time he walked in front of a reflective surface.

Snapping back from his thoughts, Bahir was able to catch her name and her offering to be his guide if he was looking for a certain place in particular. She must be from here then.. he thought. At the offer, a smile spread across the young man's face. A guide could be greatly helpful. Ayero and Kabu. Definitely remembering these two. He put his arm back down from scratching his head and nodded. "Well... I'm just trying to see the city. I like knowing about places. This place is one of those places. I mean, I'd like to get to know this place. Like I would people! Well some people. You know, there are some people that you just don't wanna deal with. This place isn't like those people.... I mean, I would appreciate it if you could show me around this place." That definitely went better than last time. Sure, he may have rambled a bit, but at least he got it all in one go. Maybe he could do this socializing with women thing. Maybe.

His clothes. Why his clothes? He looked down at what he was wearing and blinked. Oh man. How do I explain this. He thought to himself. He looked back up at her and shook his head. "I mean, I don't do much. I just kinda walk and wander. I used to do stuff, but I'm not useful for that anymore, you know? I just wear this to help with the traveling. It helps keep the sun from burning my skin. I think it looks kinda cool too. Sorta." At that moment, Bahir snaked his arms through the opening in the center of his body and moved his arms back, spreading the cloak at the same time. With both sides of the cloak behind his shoulders, his actual outfit was revealed. He didn't think it was too suspicious without his cloak draping over his arms. "Is this better?"

The young man blinked at her response. Was showing him around going to be that much of a hassle. He wanted to chuckled, but fought the urge. Instead he nodded and followed a couple steps behind her. What she said next confused Bahir a bit. Don't try anything? What? His mind raced with what she might have meant by those words. Maybe she thought he was some sort of pervert? Well... all humans have some degree of perversion in them. Bahir isn't the exception to this rule at all. The first few moments of her setting her cloak back a bit, his eyes wandered. Now though, there was only cloak before him. So why no ask, right? "Um.. whaddya mean? What would I try?"

As they walked out of the alleyway, Bahir's head moved from side to side. He made mental notes about the city around him and memorized clues as to where he was. The bazaar huh? His mind was filled with mainly comparisons of this place to Balbadd. The bazaar was much larger here than it was there. The city was larger in general so of course the bazaar would be, right? He absent mindedly cooed when she announced that they were at the bazaar. Perhaps he fitted the role of overly interested tourist. As soon as she asked her question, Bahir's mind started to wander. "I'm from Balbadd. So, this place is pretty new to me. I've only been here once and I don't really remember it." How clear he was speaking was a clear indicator that his focus wasn't on the woman anymore. If there was any doubt of that, the fact that Bahir had wandered over to a vendor with a large number of jewels on his stand.

Was there any particular reason he was in Reim? No, not really. Well... he did think that his father might still be alive, but if he told her any part of that story then she would start questioning him again. The more questions, the more he had to talk. The more he had to talk, the dumber he made himself seem to her. Sure, that might be a good way to ease her suspicions, but he didn't mind her suspicions at the moment. They were all justifiable, anyway. Oh well. He decided to give it a shot and pass it off as nothing serious if things got too in detail. He continued to scan over the jewelry as he began to respond to the woman. "Well, I think that my father is here in this city. Somewhere. I'm just a little... curious to find him. I--"

Bahir was about to turn towards the woman and continue talking until the owner showed a lot of attention to the two. The thing that truly threw Bahir for a loop was when he called Ayero his girlfriend. In that instance, the young Fanalis problem of stumbling over his words reemerged. Full force. "W-whoa now! She's not my girlfriend. Why would you say something like that?! That's crazy to think about!" as he said this, he thought how it could be construed into an insult. Instinctively, he attempted to mend any harm he may have just caused, "Not to say that I wouldn't want someone like her! I mean, she is pretty. She's just not my girlfriend. You know?! I mean. Uh... WE JUST MET!" Though his last words were a bit louder, they were not yet shouty.

Bahir looked towards the woman and watched her walk away from the vendor. He blinked a bit and looked back towards the jewelry when he knew she wasn't watching him. He grabbed a topaz bracelet and handed the man behind the jewelry a stack of huang. The owner instantly perked up and was a bit surprised at the amount he was paid. Speechless even. Bahir smiled at him and stuffed the bracelet out of sight in one of his pouches. He figured it would be a good thank you gift for the woman. She didn't have to show him around. She definitely didn't have to deal with his childish antics to try and hide his problem with talking to her. He was grateful that she did. Even if he had to dip into his savings from his last couple of jobs.

It wasn't long until Bahir had caught back up with the woman. One of the first things she mentioned to him happened to be the thing he tried to avoid most. His anxiety when it comes to speaking with women. He instantly looked down a bit. His eyes more on the ground than the people on it. At most, he could see feet and lower half of legs. "I-its nothing mino-MAJOR. I just. can't. speak... to.." Before he could get anywhere close to finishing his thought, Ayero had moved on already. She's already gotten used to me, it seems. His thoughts rang. Maybe he would get over this problem of his one day. One day. For now, though, he will just have to make do with the coherent thoughts that he finds the power to utter.

The mention of his father seemed to set off a change in her demeanor, though. Bahir took quick note of that. Maybe there was a reason she was seeing him around after all. Other than him asking for her help, of course. She did seem to know that he was a Fanalis. Of course, he wasn't very discreet about it. He had the characteristic features of one. Despite the possibility of him just having red hair, it is probably wiser to suspect him to have the hunter's blood in him, than not. Perhaps he could do the same for the others in this town. Come to think of it.. his eyes went towards Ayero's scarlet locks as she got closer to him. Maybe she's a-- WAIT! What's she doing?! He blinked a few times to try and snap himself out of his thoughts. Why was she getting closer? A whisper. It made more sense now. She wanted to tell him something without bringing much attention to it.

Kou? Really? Hmm.. He couldn't quite remember, but was he and his father employed by Kou to spy that time? No. Their job was a year ago. There was no way that Kou would use such old information for a takeover. Not if they were truly the strategic and mighty country they were boasted to be. Bahir looked to Ayero a bit puzzled. Still... why would she bring that up when he mentioned his father? Maybe she figured there to be some sort of connection? Well... now Bahir started to think the same. "R-really? How long ago was this? Why aren't there more of the military here?" He wasn't being as discreet as she was, but he was a bit more on the quiet side than he was earlier. "Wait! Are you a Fanalis too?" He knew he would seem random to the woman, but he forgot to ask her earlier. He had just thought about it and well... no time better than the present, as they say.

It was a complete surprise. With the way that Ayero was treating Bahir with suspicion earlier, he didn't think that she would be much help to him. In fact, she was amazingly helpful. Not only was she giving him a tour of the city, but she was also giving him a bit of information of the political state of Reim. Information that the Fanalis decided to commit to his long-term memory. So, Kou took over Reim, eliminated the Fanalis Corps, and placed a figure head on the throne. At least, Bahir assumed this man named Lagi El Nagi was a figurehead. Why would Kou take over the Reim kingdom and place someone on the throne that didn't side with their ideals? Who was this man? Bahir couldn't help but be interested in this mysterious king. The next startling news was the Fanalis Corps. He never saw them in full action, but he remembered being run down by the group. They were the only reason that Bahir and his father were captured in their last job. For Kou to just wipe out the entire corps, struck a bit of fear into Bahir. What kind of power does Kou really have? he thought to himself.

Bahir was snapped out of his musings by the word "half." She's a halfling? He looked over at her and just wondered for a moment. He looked forward again, focusing a bit more on where they were in the city. He was trying to memorize a few more signs to tell him where he was. "Well, I'm a full-blooded Fanalis. I, actually, didn't know that people other than Fanalis had urges to be with Fanalis. It is very shocking to me. Most people look on in awe, but its more about what we can do instead of who we are and what we look like." For a moment, his childish aura faded. His tone of voice, facial expression, even the stride in his walk flashed a hint of maturity that he didn't usually show. It only lasted for a moment though. He stopped for a moment, dead in his tracks. He looked from side to side and put his hand to his stomach before calling out to his tour guide. "Miss Ayero! Is there somewhere we could eat a bit?"

Bahir nodded as she questioned about his hunger. Apparently she was starting to take a liking to him. At least, she wasn't as openly suspicious of him as she was earlier. He felt himself becoming a bit more comfortable around her as well. It was very reassuring and soothing to know that she was of Fanalis descent. Perhaps that's why they were both a bit more at ease. They say when you find a kindred spirit, you can find yourself to be even more comfortable around that person quite easily and quickly. Well... let's hope that's what this is. He mused about the idea of him actually being able to form coherent sentences at will with the red headed woman.

As she mentioned the idea of finding food carts throughout the city, Bahir's eyes lit up. His widened optical orbs filled with excitement and wonder. "Where do I have to look?! I mean, we! I mean. Let's go! IF you're ready! I'm not trying to rush you or anything. Do you think they have be--" Bahir was interrupted by someone calling the girl's name. The younger Fanalis instantly got quiet and turned his head to look at the source of the sound. Who was this man? He seemed to know Ayero though. Perhaps, Bahir figured, if he stayed quiet, he could find some more information about the city. At least that's what he thought until his stomach started to growl quietly.

So this is the man she was just telling me about. Bahir thought to himself as he silently eyed the man. Almost sizing him up in his mind. So far, Lagi seemed like a very relaxed man. Someone who didn't mind wandering the streets of his kingdom. It told Bahir that the King of Reim was a man confident in his position. The threat of any unhappy citizens didn't bother him. Either Lagi himself was incredibly strong, or he had men and women at his side that were indomitable in both their strength and loyalty to the man. This did nothing but pique the young Fanalis interest. Despite the quick analysis in Bahir's mind, his outward appearance was that of a young man dying of hunger as his stomach released another impatient growl.

A red tint came to the boy's cheeks as his stomach's rumble resounded. He tried to play the scene away from the sound that his body just emitted and turned his focus to Lagi's retainer. Hidan. Taking a mental picture of the two men before him, Bahir smiled nervously at the two and bowed respectfully to the men before kneeling to Lagi with his head down and his hands clasped together. "M-my apologies, your highness. It's an honor to meet you. It would be an honor to dine with the three of you." Judging from the way Ayero spoke to the King, Bahir figured they were fairly acquainted with each other. He truly felt like a guest when next to the two... well... three.

Without any acknowledgement from the King, Bahir felt a tugging at the back of his mind. This man was the king, right? Ayero didn't kneel before the man either. Maybe this Lagi person wasn't actually the King of Reim. Either way, after a moment or so of hearing the man's footsteps continue Bahir stood again. He walked at the back of the group, listening intently to anything that they might have said. It was a rather quiet walk, unfortunately. Good thing that it was a rather short one. After looking around at the new looking restaurant, Bahir sat at the table.

Its an interestingly decorated place... especially the things working right now.. Bahir stared down the 'waiter' as he approached the group of people. The young Fanalis didn't know if he could trust the service or food once he saw that it wasn't a human serving them. How on earth was that thing even speaking to them?! These Shaomin were completely new to Bahir, yet Lagi was extremely comfortable with it. When it asked them what they would like, Bahir quietly answered "Anything with meat."