A Morning Stroll {All Welcome}

[Tray Parker]

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[atrb=background,http://farm1.staticflickr.com/24/49340905_eed3b96682_b.jpg] The cry of gulls, the shouting of men, the clacking of cargo being unloaded, the shrieking of tack and jibs as ropes lifted and heaved large barrels and boxes, and the creaking of ships as they shifted and groaned filled the early morning air as the captain descended the gangway to the port bellow. The trading town of Dry Creek stretched out before him, thousands of bodies moving through the streets and along the port creating a writhing shifting sea of colors, faces, and scents as sailors unloaded their wears. The man walked with confidence, his easy going saunter friendly and inviting although even discussed by his wide grin and lose appearance a trained eye could see the way he carried himself was that of a skilled warrior. The way he shifted his weight as agile as a cat, how he took in his surroundings with his sapphire eyes without turning his head. The way his arms swung loosely, carelessly passing the handles of the two Shashka swords placed on either hip, slung across his back was his quiver and bow weapons he rarely used unless on land. Yes, to a normal person he seemed like an easy going jovial fellow, but to a skilled warrior they would see a deadly predator. Never the type to delight in violence or bloodshed Tray would gladly avoid any sort of fight, preferring to talk amiably with another. Upon reaching land the young man looked up at his beloved Stargazer, a striking black and maroon schooner the sky ship was it's Captain's pride and joy. He watched as his crew unloaded her cargo, shouting instructions when ever necessary but for the most part remaining where he was allowing the men to do their job. When a particularly heavy box was hauled up from bellow the twenty-three year old nimbly ran back onto his ship to offer assistance in securing the massive thing to the rigging before stepping aside to allow the wooden crane to lift it off of his ship. Pleased to see the final piece of cargo leave his ship the captain smiled and patted his crew on the back congratulating them for a job well done before leaving the floating ship once more to settle storage and other trading matters with an official who worked at the docks. As he walked Tray absentmindedly reached up to his shoulder to stroke the head of the little creature that had perched atop it, the small Spiny Rabbit nuzzled his master's hand, its large ears twisting and turning as he took in the sights around him. After settling everything with the official Tray left his ship floating safe and secure in the port while his crew went celebrate a good days hull the Captain politely excused himself to enjoy the rest of the day wandering the streets and looking into shops. Following a large crowd that boisterously made their way down the Main Avenue the young man happily zigzagged going to what ever shop or open air booth that caught his eye. Merchants hawking their wares vied for buyer's attentions, eagerly pressing their wares toward tray when ever he drew near. Waving them away the man continued down the street, his faithful companion sitting atop his shoulder the whole time, watching everyone that came near his master closely. His gaze settled on a fat man who had called to Tray, attempting to barter with him for the Spiny Rabbit, a known delicacy in the country of Argo. The small Rabbit gave the male a deadly glare while Tray firmly declined the generous offer, quickly walking away as the man continued to call after him.

[Avena Parker]

She shoved an unsuspecting pedestrian out of her way as she raced through the tightly packed streets of the city. Aside from the occasional unavoidable moments where she had to push someone out of her way, she was fairly good at finding spaces in the crowd, gliding through it like a phantom. Whereas the men chasing her were shoving and pushing their way through the crowd, ignoring the grunts and shouts of the disgruntled people.
The way ahead of her was clear for the moment, and she decided she’d chance a look back. The women cracked a smile, she was losing them, they were not as quick as her, their bulk making it harder for them to maneuver through the crowd, and it tended to be maintaining a fast pace while pushing people out of the way.
The agile girl quickly shot her eyes back in front of her. Just in time to see a man, of whom had unwittingly stepped in front of her. She crashed into him, “Vecka!” She cursed as she got onto her hands and knees. It was a curse her brother had taught her when she was five years old, and she had used it ever since, even thought the girl wasn’t quite sure what it meant.
The women started to get up then, wait….”Tray?!” She gasped, looking at the man she had so recently trampled. Before anything else could be said, “Hey, You!” It was one of the men whom had been chasing her, “I’ll teach you proper respect!” He was obviously angry, sweat poured down his defined face, he was a beastly man, over six feet tall and all muscle. Two other men, of the same like, walked up behind him.
She stood up, not bothering to help the man to his feet, and drew her swords, of which hung at each hip. “We don’t have to do this, you can just go home and we can forget this ever happened.”
The men roared with laughter, their leader raised his weapon, it was a wooden club.
A mischievous smile spread across her fair lips. She was calm, composed, confident, it was obvious in the way she stood that she had done this plenty of times to know what she was doing.
“Ok,” She sighed dramatically, “Just remember, you brought this upon yourself.”
He laughed again, as his two men came toward her, he put his arm out, stopping them, “No, she’s mine.” He had an evil glint in his eye, hungry.” He advanced toward her.
“You’re a sick, twisted fool.” She said, her voice venomous.
He made the first attack, he swung the club down toward her legs, in an attempt to trip her. She nimbly stepped out of the way and hit the man, in the soft spot of his skull, with the butt of her sword. Resulting in the man falling to the ground with a resounding, THUMP!
“Not too smart,” She tisked, looking up at the other men, “You guys want apiece of me too?” They growled and advanced, but instead of clubs, they each held a sword in their right hands.



(Sorry it's so terrible!)

[Tray Parker]

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[atrb=background,http://farm1.staticflickr.com/24/49340905_eed3b96682_b.jpg] Tray had been in the middle of crossing the street to a book a parchment shop when a sudden solid force collided with his being bringing them both to the ground, only Mo who head saw the accident coming had jumped clear safety avoiding and damage that may have occurred if he had remained on the shoulder the women had so carelessly rammed into. All the air in the man’s lungs had been affectively pushed out of his body rendering him not completely useless. With the agility and speed befitting a jungle cat Tray leaped to his feet right hand clutching the handle of his blade merely out of instinct then a desire to harm the person who had knocked him over. His mind registered one of two things the word Vecka, a curse only he knew because he had created it only sharing it with one person who couldn’t be here, second all certainty that that very person was not here was instantly shattered as his eyes fell on the shapely form of a beautiful women he would know anywhere. It seemed she too recognized him gasping his name in disbelief. “Avena?” Was all he managed to say as confusion enveloped him, he watched dumb founded as Avena struck the first man down his words dully ringing in his ears. When the others approached baring sword his brotherly instinct kicked in, as swift and silently as the shadow of Death itself Tray maneuvered next to one of the men while drawing the Shaska placed on his right hip with his left hand. The cold steel touched the man’s neck bringing him to a stop his eyes bulging in fear as he gazed at his captor, no one not even his sister had ever seen the dark look that now clouded the young man’s handsome feature. The icy glare he gave the man who was certain he would get his throat slit by this imposing figure, as different as night and day so had Tray become. If his crew were to see him now they would say he was a different man, only the spiny rabbit who had scaled it’s master and now sat on his perk atop the merchant’s shoulder would convince them otherwise. So different was the demeanor of the man they knew, his voice normally so light and friendly held a deadly tone as he spoke and although it was rather calm even joking this man who had been so keen on harming the lass dared not even breath fearing for his very skin. “ Now is that any way to treat a lady?” The man’s partner moved as if to help his friend, only to stop when Tray’s blade pressed tighter against the burley man’s neck causing his eyes to grow even wider in panic. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He said, “All I want is a simple answer, so, tell me,” A small trickle of scarlet stained the blade as it ran down the man’s neck, “is that any way to treat a lady?” “N-no sir.” he squeaked. “They pray tell me,” Tray began, his voice suddenly growing as cold as the hands of death, “why are you acting in such a way toward her?” “She disrespected our boss, sir, e’ ordered us to help ‘im catch ‘er.” The second man piped in,” ’E orders us to do et, so ifs there is anyone you should go and punish it is ’em.” “Is that so?” The man nodded while his captive companion made a sound of affirmation. “Then away with ye, and if I ever catch you treating a women is such a manner I will not hesitate to slip your throats.” He threatened withdrawing the sword from the man’s throat who clutched in as he breathed deeply in relief. Casting Tray one last terrified glance them men took off leaving their boss to lay unconscious on the ground at the mercy of this stone cold pirate. Glazing down at the pathetic form of the man Tray angrily sheathed his sword as he now fought the anger and protective instinct away, knowing if he did not he would do something that he would regret for the rest of his life. Unable to look at him any longer Tray lifted his gaze toward the women. “Avena,” he breathed, stepping toward her to embraced her before pulling away a stern look upon his face. “How did you get here, why didn’t you tell me you were in town, how long have you away from mum and dad, have you even been getting the cloths I have been sending home, how did you get into such a situation, “ and finally, “ what did you do? “

[Avena Parker]

Avena watched in shock as her brother took on the other two brutes. She had never seen him acting so coldly. Even when they were young, all the many times they had gotten in trouble, she had not seen this side of him. Life away from home had definitely changed him. Not to mention the initial shock at seeing him there in the first place, what are the chances she would see him here, let alone run headlong into him.
The look of shock on her face quickly turned to a look of amusement. She watched the men running away. A smile spreading across her face, then she looked over at her brother. He was still in the same spot where he had threatened the man, but he was looking at their boss, lying motionless on the ground. For a moment she was afraid he would do something unthinkable to the man, yeah he was a bad man, and probably deserved it, but she didn't want Tray to be the one to live with the guilt of ending the mans life.
She went to grab his shoulder, but before she had the chance he looked away from the man and engulfed her in a hug. After which he held her at an arms length and bombarded her with questions.
She shrugged him off then folded her arms,"I could've taken them you know." she raised an eyebrow, "You've been sending me clothes?" She shuddered dramatically, "I can't even begin to imagine what they look like," She smiled playfully at her brother, "Now, to answer your questions," she paused a moment, as if going through the questions in her head,"I got here, obviously, by ship. And I didn't tell you because I had no idea where in the universe you might be." She looked around at all the shops, "I'd have to say, I like this place quite a bit, it's so, bustling with activity!" she smiled mischievously, "I left home when I was fourteen. Ha, and how I got into such a situation as you put it, I was walking, and this jerk," she pointed in the man's direction," Tried to get me to come over, when I wouldn't listen he got upset and came up to me. And I might have said a few things of which I cannot, at this moment, recall. And lets just assume that he ended up on the floor there too." she paused to let it sink in,"So you see, I didn't really do anything, it was all this big lumps fault. If he hadn't been catcalling me we wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place."
She gave him a look only a sister could give, the one that used to always bother him, the one she used when she got her way. She purposely used that look, she wanted to see how he would react. Her brother had changed so much from when she had last seen him, she wanted to see just how different.
"Now, how I learned to fight with a sword is a completely different story..."



OCC: I'm sorry it's so crappy, I will try to do better in the future.