A lazy afternoon as the Heb winds down...

[strangeanatomy]

(This thread is mainly intended for my Resef-sagi and Toxi's Garai, but other sphinxes who want to socialize and relax in and around the park are welcome to come and go as they please)



The weather was gorgeous, the Heb was in its last days, and Resef-sagi had decided it would be safe to take the rest of the afternoon off to enjoy it. The blacksmith Akhalim for whom he worked had sent him to pick up a number of supplies from a vendor who had set up at the square surrounding the park... most likely because the man was sick of listening to Resef groan about being stuck inside in the dark and soot on such a nice day. When the shopkeeper told him that he would need to wait at least 15 minutes before his order would be ready, the young sphinx reasoned that there was nothing too urgent he needed it for, and there would be no harm in shirking his duties for a bit longer than that.

The smell of spices and searing meat was tempting, and he followed his catlike nose to a street-food vendor where skewers of sizzling meat lay across a portable grill. His tail swished in excitement, ears perking up as he eyed a particularly tasty looking bit of blackened fish. "I'll take one of those," he announced, sidling past a few sphinxes chatting as they walked along the row of shops, and reached into the purse clipped to his wide belt. He'd already paid for the supplies he was supposed to be fetching, and had one or two coins left for his own use.

[Sweetintoxikation]

Garai was bored. To put it even more bluntly he was bored out of his skull and on a beautiful afternoon such as this, that was a bad thing. He'd thought to alleviate his mood with a walk and wander to Ahket's heartbeat, it's city center. Thinking that some time spent among the wealthy and not so wealthy (and yes, some pocket picking as well on the way) would help him into better spirits. But it hadn't. His pockets were even now lined with a few extra coins that some drunken sphinx hadn't noticed him slipping from their purses but it didn't make him smile. Yet, he wasn't going to slink away in defeat.

He knew better about himself and keeping to this tone or mood too long would begin to affect his nightly escapades and not in the good sense. So in the interest of not getting caught on his next job, scheduled for that very night, he continued to wander the almost too quiet gardens. His mind was rolling over a few minor details of his plans for the night when the delightful scents of grilled spices and meat met his nose. He twitched it like a rabbit scenting grass and at the rumble of his forgotten and empty stomach decided to follow his own nose to a meal. "Perhaps a meal will lift my mood.." He was heard to mumble by only the few sphinxes that walked near enough to him as he trundled on his way.

It was here that he found himself just behind a fiery and black colored male who was choosing one of the fish options on the street vendor's cart. Garai tilted his head and waited, patiently for the other to move and to place his own order.. but still observed the smaller male with some interest.

[strangeanatomy]

Resef held his skewer between his teeth as he pocketed his change - not much at all, unfortunately, and if he were still hungry after finishing this he'd have to try and sneak a piece of meat when the vendor wasn't looking. He lingered for a moment and eyed the area immediately surrounding the cart. He was reformed with gainful employment now, and no longer a street child... but not that reformed. If he circled back around this way in a few hours while the proprietor was dealing with the 'too early for dinner but starting to get hungry anyway" customers, he could probably snag himself another piece for free without anyone ever missing it.

He wasn't lost in thought long, but not having realized there was someone waiting behind him, he waited just an awkward second too long before noticing he was holding up a line. "Ah! Mmf, s'rry," he mumbled around the stick, ears twitching as he sidestepped out of the way of the taller Crio man behind him. Safely out of the way of anyone wanting to make a transaction he transferred his snack to a paw, taking a small bite and chewing. He tilted his head in a brusquely apologetic way, causing his fiery orange mohawk to flop over to one side of his head. "You're pretty quiet for a big guy - didn't notice you there for a sec. S'ry."

[Sweetintoxikation]

Garai had just begun to lose his thread of patience as the male before him took so long when the other moved aside with a muttered apology. In response he'd have grunted and nodded before moving forward and looking over the vendor's wares. Several different kinds of skewers were offered and his favored flavor, the lamb, had the most to offer. He pointed to those still sizzling were taking on a caramel coating that just made them look even more divine and with a paw he'd indicate he wanted three. Garai often used voiceless communication when dealing with vendors because he never knew what main language they might speak. That and well, he was just too used to silence.

Just as the street vendor was handing over skewers in exchange for payment Garai heard the fiery male speak. His head turned toward the other as he waved off the change and in a soft tone he'd say, "Ah.. yes. Sorry -- its a force of habit for me to not make much sound." He then moved aside, closer to where Resef sat and he said, "But either way, no harm done. We both got what we smelled and came for.." His smile was light hearted but real as he pointed to the skewer in Resef's paw. "Though I would have to question your taste in meats.. fish over lamb? What is this world coming too."

He was only teasing the other and after speaking he'd pop the first chunk of meat on his first skewer into his mouth and chew. A soft groan rumbling in his throat at the pleasure of the food -- even as louder rumbling of empty stomach burbled out in chorus.

[strangeanatomy]

Resef arched a brow despite himself as the crio declined a considerable amount of change, the expression shifting the golden flecks in his velvety black fur. Three orders of the most expensive meat and overpaying as well? He was unsure if the other sphinx was intentionally making a display of wealth(honestly, it was the sort of thing Resef would do if he were wealthy) or legitimately had that much coin to burn.

He stretched out his hind legs against the cool grass he'd chosen for a seat at the edge of the park, taking a large and indelicate bite of his fish. "Hmph," he feigned haughtiness with a glint in his eye. "Lamb's much too heavy for my refined palette. I prefer a lighter, more dignified meat." He winked, taking another bite. In truth, he'd never really acquired a taste for lamb. Fish was the only type of meat available to him growing up, and even then on special occasions. It was a bit of a comfort food to him, now. ....even if he did prefer lamb, he wouldn't have been able to afford it right now.

Money didn't seem to be of any worry to this fellow, though. Resef looked him up and down, and was amazed that he hadn't spotted him before; the man damn near sparkled with his dramatically arched horns and mane of pearly off-white curls. The blacksmith's apprentice had a bit of an eye for jewelry, and often distracted himself by designing and crafting little trinkets. While he worked with copper or bronze, the crio who had taken a seat next to him bore adornments in what looked like genuine gold. Resef-sagi's relative poverty was apparent, from his soot-smudged nose and paws to the battered leather apron folded down over his homemade belt of iron links and rough-polished red stones. What he lacked in class or property, however, he made up with charm and fearlessness. And honestly, how often do you get a chance to poke fun at a rich boy? "I suppose lamb will have to do for those lacking a taste for the finer things in life."

[wolfrysk]

It was definitely half past FOOD TIME, Korra's stomach informed her with its incessant groans and gurgles. How annoying and at the most inopportune time! Right in the middle of... something unsavory. Her eyes shifted left and right to make sure no one was reading her thoughts. Some of these shifty people could do that kind of nonsense around here. She snorted in a very unladylike manner and perched herself up on one of the scattered stone benches to have a look around. What was she in the mood for? Breathing deeply, she could smell something roasting. Something spicy and delicious. Her gaze quickly located the source and she hopped down from her chosen perch, trotting toward the stall where a small crowd was gathered for the vendor's wares.

So many people in her way. Well she knew just how to fix that. A large Crio was just leaving the line, and by the looks of it he had over-payed. Now what good was money wasted on a peasant like the cook? Immediately she moved to the front of the line, sashaying her hips and ignoring the annoyed grumbles and statements from those that were there before her. She got the attention of the cook, plucked up two beef skewers, gave him a wink and canted her head toward the Crio before wandering back out of line with her free meal. "Thanks for the meal, big boy." She purred to Garai before taking off a large hunk of meat and chewing it, a mischievous glee sparkling in her bright gold eyes. She noticed the fiery male there too. He was cute, but right now she was thanking her generous patron of today's second meal.

[Sweetintoxikation]

Garai smirked and took a second bite of his first skewer as the fiery male returned with some spark. It was good to know he wouldn't have wasted the few words he'd tend to speak in a day on someone who wouldn't respond with spirit. He took the time required to fully savor and chew that second piece of lamb before saying, "Well.. your sophisticated palette can have all the fish in the Nile for all I mind.. My palette, dull and unoriginal?" He winked, "Will continue to crave the caramelized delight that is lamb on a skewer." He leaned in to take the next bite when he caught sight of the dark blue and gold female taking some skewers from that same vendor.

Though his mouth was full he'd frowned at her for stealing and so openly only to realize he'd been wrong when she winked and spoke at him. "Mmmff?" He muttered around that mouthful of food then glanced back at the vendor to see him not even calling over a guard. Did he just pay for that meal for that lady too? That had not been his intention in leaving the change -- but.. he couldn't fault her moves there either. Free lunch and no guards, nice trick.

[strangeanatomy]

Resef snorted in amusement as the cat-eyed blonde sauntered over to where the two of them were sitting. "Very smooth; I like it." The young blacksmith's voice had a perpetual sharp drawl to it that could come across as either endearing or infuriating depending on the listener's tolerance, and made it almost impossible to tell the difference between earnesty and sarcasm. In truth he appreciated the boldness of the 'I'm with him' ploy, but it also activated his natural competitive streak. What fun is life if you can't be the most outlandish one in the conversation?

One corner of his thin red lips quirked up in a playful smirk, and he leaned one shoulder toward the Crio - he didn't even know his name, but had already staked a bit of a subconscious claim to him as a target of friendly teasing - and gestured to his third skewer with a toss of his hair. "You gonna finish that, Rich Boy?" His smirk morphed into a wide grin. "Just saying. I could possibly be persuaded into widening my meat-on-a-stick horizons for the right man." He winked, clearly on the verge of cracking himself up. Maybe that last bit was a bit much, but... no, no; it was a beautiful day and too much was exactly the right amount when it comes to teasing handsome strangers.

[Nephthys]

Shyam had been attracted, like most others, by the delicious smell of the meat nearby and was waiting to get his share. But he couldn't help but overhear the conversation of a sphinx and a crio - who also just so happened to be blocking his way. Though he was interested (for some bizarre reason, as was normal for Shyam) in the back and forth between the two males, he soon felt it was time to butt in. "Excuse me, gentlemen - your conversation is most charming as you probably both know, but not quiet as charming as the prospect of food in my belly seems right now." With this he just managed to push between them without seeming too impolite, and was able to get his own set of skewers - fish. Just as he turned around, he noticed he'd picked the peasant's choice and not the tomb robber's. "Hmph." He muttered thoughtfully. Still, who was he to judge based on food preferences? "I'm with him on this one." He flashed a mischievous grin at Resef-sagi before beginning to slink off.

((If he gets too much at any point, just let me know. >.>))

[wolfrysk]

Korra smirked at the confused reaction from the Crio. Silly, slow male. Oh well. Just as she was about to take her leave though, her ears flicked and she caught the unusual voice of the dark male. Cute and quick. "Well aren't you charming?" She teased Resef slightly. Her tail flicked as she chewed on another bite of meat, eyes lighting in amusement when Resef turned to speak to Garai again. She listened to the exchange, and a very devious, knowing grin spread on that pretty face of hers as the peasant spoke of expanding his meat-on-a-stick horizons. "Mind if I... observe... that particular conversation?" She grinned more.

It was then she noticed the very rude courtier and she huffed in his general direction. "The hell are you eating down on this street for anyways, ya big puffbrain?"

[Nephthys]

Shyam stopped in his tracks. He had been about to leave, but he'd heard someone else speak to him. He turned back and raised his eyebrows at the abrubt reaction from a dark blue female nearby, who up till now, he hadn't even noticed. He was a little shocked that she spoke to him in this way when he'd technically done nothing to offend her. Still, he wasn't too phased. "It's called having the right to eat wherever I like, peasant. So to answer your question, I'm here for the same reason you are." He glanced back at the tomb robber and the other black and orange peasant, who now appeared to have fallen a little quiet. "Oh, and thank you! If I am big, I must be fairly powerful and strong. If my brain is puffy, well... that's probably because of all the creative genius in there that's trying to burst out." He grinned. "I think I'll be more offended when you use something I am against me, rather than what you presume me to be."