ooc: takes place in the trading part of the festival

Hanako couldn't deny that she'd missed the finer things in life. She hopped from one stall to the next, oohing and ahhing over all of the pretty jewellery and trinkets as poor Azure lingered beside her, no doubt bored and frustrated out of his mind. It had been ages she'd been able to indulge in big, flashy shows of opulence and it was as though a dam had burst inside of her, letting it all out in one big rush. It was true that the Armada had been good to her, that she'd never been left wanting or gone hungry, but life in the barracks wasn't even comparable to some of the palaces she'd stayed at. Sometimes, as a well to do girl, Hanako just wanted it all, you know? And if Azure was willing to oblige then who was she to complain?

By the time Hanako bounced over to yet another vendor she'd already bought way more than she probably should have. A cloth shopping bag hung over her shoulders, full to the brim with silly little knickknacks and trinkets; decorations for her den and most notably a carved wooden box to keep her most precious treasures safe. And even then after all that shopping they still hadn't found her a companion.

There were plenty of animals for sale, all of different shapes and sizes, but for some reason or another Hanako didn't want to just settle and make do. She wanted the one.

Azure may have not been enjoying himself to the fullest at Valhalla's festival, though Hanako's bursting vibrant joy at their shopping trip was enough to keep him content. Sacrificing something for another was not something he was used to and he found it odd how naturally it came to him where his brightly colored friend was concerned. Even the cart he pulled behind him seemed lighter, though that may have simply been how many purchases the two had made and how many goods he'd traded away. None of the knickknacks she'd purchased made much sense to him but he would continue to oblige her for as long as it continued to bring a smile to her face. Last (he hoped) was the companion that they'd come for to begin with. Hanako was struggling to find one that was perfect and he would not argue the importance of a companion that 'fit'. After all, it would need to be one he too would trust - potentially with Hana's life. She bounded over to another vendor and Azure drug the cart dutifully. "See anything you like?" He asked to her, not seeing the point in addressing the wolf who ran the shop if she was merely going to drag them off again to another stall. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Skælingr worked away on his project while other wolves came to look at his wares as well as his wife's wares. At most he'd offer a nod of greeting but he didn't care to be stared at while he shopped so he figured most shoppers wouldn't either. However, he certainly wasn't going to just stare at his paws the whole festival either. There were always things that needed doing. Skæ had three strands of leather which he lined up on a rabbit hide. He carefully took the top end of all three strands and using his teeth and his paws he managed to get it tied into a knot. Setting a rock down on the knot to make the strands easier to braid he glanced over the selection of clay beads his wife had been working on. At that moment a pair of yearlings approached to look over the selection. The girl seemed sweet and also seemed to be looking for something in particular. "Let me know if there's anything you'd like a closer look at or anything in particular you're looking for."

Items:

• braided leather cords with beads
• pelts, horns, claws and skulls
• A few live birds looking to partner with wolves (they like to perch on the antlers and annoy Skæ)
• clay bowls and containers
• bone weaponry

Ragna worked on her teas and tisanes while vendors browsed her stall which was set up right next to her husband so they could share and communicate. If he didn't have what a shopper was looking for then maybe she did. She glanced over a the curious pair of yearlings that were browsing her husbands shop. they were certainly a curious looking pair. In the mean time she focused on her tea. She had dried lavender that she wanted to mix with dried chamomile to make a good bedtime blend, mostly for younger pups that were having trouble sleeping. Ragna moved her large ceramic bowl over and set in the chamomile first, mashing it gently with one of her paws to break the flowers and leaves down into smaller parts.

• clay beads and ornaments, some with bits of fools gold in them and other assorted
• dried tea and tisanes
• flowers dried in resin
• fresh herbs and flowers
• assorted leather bracers

Hanako turned slightly, acknowledging Azure's question with a tip of an ear as she eyed the birds on display. Aesthetically speaking they were all lovely, of all different shapes and sizes with soft shimmering feathers but...Well it was hard to pay attention when a magpie was doing her best to make as much of a ruckus as she could. She was perched atop the highest antler, hoping back and forth as she honked, making a game of drowning out the other, arguably prettier, birdsongs. An amused smile curved Hanako's lips as she watched the magpie bob up and down, then spread her shiny, metallic blue wings. Magpies certainly weren't the most beautiful of birds but there was something oddly charming about her, like she was a little too cunning and sneaky for her own good. Good traits for a spy's assistant , no?

"What about that one?" With a flick of her nose Hanako gestured to the magpie, who perked up at the attention and then in a raspy voice repeated "that one that one!"

Hanako giggled. She'd never heard a bird speak before but the magpie sounded like an old lady! All smug and cocksure the bird hopped down from it's pedestal and began pecking away at the other items on sale, sifting through the flowers till she found what she was looking for. With a surprising amount of care the magpie gently picked up a stargazer lily by the stem and offered to Hanako with an endearing tilt of her head. She was a real charmer when she wanted to be, that couldn't be denied.

Azure's eyes wandered as Hanako shopped, catching sight of the wolves gathering in the distance to sign up for the fights. While he'd have not travelled from home just to attend, he was here now and might as well show off for the lady on his arm. As she spoke his attention fell back upon her and the bird she'd called attention to. Az was able to find the humor in her choice, remembering hearing of magpies and how they appreciated their shiny things. The ever-lightening cart upon his back attested to the similarities the brightly colored wolf and bird did share, and he let out a faint bark of a chuckle.

Watching it's trick caused the boy's brow to raise and suspiciously he turned towards the vendor. "You teach that to them all?" He asked. It would be a good trick by an obviously learned salesman, but Azure was not buying it. To her, he clarified. "You sure that's the one you want?"

Skælingr took the right strand and folded it over the middle strand, creating a new middle strand. He then took the left most strand and folded it over the middle, beginning the braid. He worked on this for a bit until he had a few inches. He then too one of his wife's beads and threaded it on the strand while the shopper's browsed. It took him some work to get the bead on the strand. He held the tip of the strand with one of his paws while he scooted the bead toward it. Finally, after placing one of his claws in the hole of the bead and lining it up he was able to thread it on.

The calico girl spoke and Skæ looked up hopefully. The magpie in particular was driving him crazy with its chattering. Skælingr turned to the fanged youth and shook his head. "Nope, that's a magpie for you. They like to mimic and that one is particularly quick to pick up wolf speech."

Ragna took the dried lavender in her jaws and gently mashed it down into a separate bowl, using her paws to scrape and break the plant so she didn't risk too much of it falling onto the ground. Once she had them added she used her paws to continue mashing the plant into smaller pieces.

As the young ones continued to linger at her husband's booth she could barely hide a grin as the magpie started chattering at the young lady who'd seen it. "That's an idea darling, maybe you can teach them all to say 'pick me'." She laughed but in reality having a bunch of birds all chatting at once next to her… well, she'd have to move her booth.

Hanako nodded, for some reason or another, certain in her choice. She could see where Azure was coming from though, his scepticism was understandable, but there was just something about this magpie that made Hanako want to scoop her up and take her home. Her personality shined so bright it was impossible to ignore her and there was a certain charm to her mischief, it reminded her of the banter she'd shared with Mortis. On the nose and a little blunt but well intention all the same. Maybe it was all a trick, a clever guise to gain her freedom, but could Hanako really blame the bird? They were quite alike, pulling out all the stops to put on a charming show to get whatever she wanted. Maybe the magpie sensed  they were kindred spirits, that or she thought Hanako was easy pickings,  just as Azure suspected.

The bird-for once- remained quiet and waited with baited breath.

"Mmm, I'm sure." Though the softness in her smile made it cleared she appreciated his concern. "I think I'll name her...." She tapped her chin with a paw, deep in thought. In the sunlight the magpie's black feathers shimmered a dazzling blue, like lapis lazuli. Oh! "Ruri!"

The magpie- Ruri- tipped her head, as if considering it then honked her approval for all to hear. At least she liked her given name more than Toshi did.

Skælingr continued to create the braid, folding the outside strands over the middle and pulling tight as he went so that his braid would keep its strength. Finally he got to the end of the braid. Using one paw to help keep things tight he carefully tied a knot in the other end of the strand. Skælingr removed the rock and examined the little braid strand before looking up at the calico girl who seemed to settle on the Magpie. Oh thank goodness! "I'm sure that magpie will serve you well. A very intelligent bird. What do you have to trade for the bird? I'm looking for good quality hides myself. Have you a few red fox pelts or perhaps an elk hide you wouldn't mind parting with?" He didn't have any small predator hides and most of the hides he had were medium prey as it was difficult for his wife and himself to bring down large prey without assistance.

Ragna brought out a small clay bowl and set it down in front of her. Taking the bowl of chamomile in her jaws she dumped the crushed herbs into the empty bowl. She then did the same with the bowl of lavender. Once the two were added she took her claws and delicate mixed the tisane together. There, that would be a good one to have before bed time. She settled down and looked over to where her husband was talking with the strangers. She hoped he was able to make a successful trade. In the mean time she worked on cleaning up her area and putting the tisane into storage for later. She'd probably keep that one for herself but it might be worth making a mixture to try and trade while she was here at the festival.

Hanako appeared impossible to sway and Az with a shrug of his shoulders approved her choice. A magpie was not the companion he'd have expected for a spy to keep her safe, but he supposed as long as it could travel long distances and deliver her messages on the chance something went wrong then it would do nicely. "Ruri." He repeated, brows raising but saying nothing more. This day was for her, and if the odd bird made her happy then it made him happy.

Turning back towards the traders Az listened to hear what they asked in exchange, glancing over his shoulder at the cart he hauled behind him. Luckily for him, large prey was his preference. His towering size was well-suited to taking them down and the others of the Armada of similar or equal height were always willing to lend a paw. "How about a moose?" He countered after surveying the remaining trade goods he'd brought. It was bigger then an elk, so surely they'd accept it instead. Az had hunted it only for it's massive rack of antlers and had no use for it's coat.

Skælingr looked to the young man who seemed to be the one purchasing and carrying much of the items for the young lady. He couldn't help but grin at the thought. He remembered when he was first courting Ragna. He'd been constantly looking for gifts for her, seeking to win her favor. The boy offered a moose pelt as the trading item and Skælingr nodded. "That is a good offer. The bird is yours! Enjoy, miss." He nodded to the young lady and the exchange was made, the moose pelt for the magpie. He was quite pleased with the trade. The moose had a thick, warm coat and they'd make good use out of it this winter, especially if he and his wife ended up moving farther north. There was no guarantee where they would wind up for certain but he needed to keep all options in mind.

-end?-