[location: Taxon marketplace, Speares] The wise man sits on the hole in his carpet

[thepersianyouth]

It may be true, that good memories fade but too quickly, leaving nothing but night terrors and wakeful discontent in their wake. It may also be true that Bagoas' mind sometimes dwells on the past, but despite the horrors unfolding his second week in this city, there is nothing to hold him back from once again attempting what he set out to do that fateful day.

He has had his rest and recuperation from his stint as scavenger, as seeming waif; his scrapes and bruises all faded, his belly full thanks to his generous hosts.

Come mid-morning, when the sun climbs ever higher, he sets out to see the city in its true state, devoid of angry shadows and malicious mirages of his past. Today, he looks to the future, hoping to connect with the inhabitants in whatever way they deem him worthy.

That idea, noble as it may well have been, becomes swiftly derailed once he comes upon a district full of shops. Clothiers, barbers, jewellers, all lining the street; and all around him, finely clothed men of import, their wives. He asks the proprietor of a teashop if she knows the way to the bazaar, but she only gives him an apologetic smile and sends him in another direction. 'Maybe the drugstore has some, sweetie.'

When he finally comes across something familiar, it is not in the shape of mounds of ground leaves and spices, but the glittering fancy of pretty baubles. Market stalls upon market stalls, and more polished stones and precious pearls than he's seen in a long time. Rings and bracelets, anklets and arm bands and necklaces and earrings, far as the eye can see; beyond it, clothes of all shapes and sizes; beyond that, the distinct scent of grilled meat.

It may be true also that he has no one to dance for; but that doesn't mean he shouldn't prepare for the day when he shall dance once more.

[Location: anywhere around Taxon, eventually Castle Summers] [open]

[skysung]

Kitten was roaming the city, looking for people. She had been going a little stir crazy lately. The dragon missed her family and her partner in crime. Long's death helped things not at all. Kitten had liked the man immediately, and his presence was a staple of her time in Taxon.

She had no destination in mind, so she decided to make a full round of the area. Kitten was curious how large their prison actually was. Knowing that it didn't make sense to do a circuit of the city on foot, she warily climbed into one of the trains. If her captors wanted further control of the prisoners, they had plenty of opportunity. Stepping into the vehicle would make things neither better nor worse.

When it started to move, Kitten forgot her apprehension, rapt gaze locked on the city passing outside the windows. She spared a moment's attention to probe the vehicle for magic, whistling and waiting for spelled areas to light up. Kitten was all the more intrigued when none did. It was entirely mechanical, then? The tram was so far ahead of transportation methods in her own home that the dragon had no idea how it might work. Kitten would never forget that she was a prisoner here, but there was so much to learn that she was as content as she could be while trapped. Dragons didn't take well to locks or barriers, but she devoured knowledge with endless curiosity.

Every so often, the dragon exited the train at a stop, investigating the nearby area. She visited the outskirts of every district for at least a little while, planning to spend the entire day on explorations. She stayed longer in an area if she met anyone interesting while she stopped there.

When Kitten finally reached her starting point again, she got on a tram headed back toward the center of Taxon. Kit brought her tablet back to its regular size, separating it from the bracelet on her wrist. She opened the map, now that she had a better idea of its scale, and noticed arrows leading her somewhere. She snatched the tablet from the seat next to her and left the tram at her next opportunity, following the indicators on her map. They led her to the gates of a castle, and Kitten looked up at the structure, bewildered. Why had she been led here?

Kitten knew castles well enough to know that unless someone were near the door, knocking would be useless. She tried it anyway, waiting a moment for answer before whistling the door open with a spell. She must have been directed here for a reason, and the dragon wanted to know what it was.