The Artisan District

Robert watches her go, slightly disappointed. He'd hoped to spend some time with her here. Ah well, there's Inam here. And Bennik. But especially Inam. Robert puts on his most dazzling, sparkly smile.

"Hello, Inam! Thank you for guiding me!"

Anything I'd like to see, he thinks. Yes...but it wouldn't be proper. Not right after meeting you.

"Ah...how about a winery? I do like wine, and I hear the product from this area is especially good."

Bennik squawks and rubs his head against Inam's leg. Lucky bird.

Inam smiled at Robert, and dimples winked in her cheeks. Her dark, exotic eyes lowered to the bird that came forward to rub his head against the pink jewel-tone of her gown, and she reached out to rub over his head.

"Winery? Very good choice, sir. Come, this way." She took a step to the side and guided with a graceful hand that he move forward. She walked beside him and spoke about Gaiaton.

"Gaiaton is home to a unique wine that is not made of grapes like so many others. It is made of the Tihoni fruit. Have you ever eaten of this fruit before?" she asked Robert. "If you have not, and would not like to try Tihoni Wine, that is fine as well. We also do produce wine that is more standard to what our foreign guests are familiar with."

But it seemed like Robert would lose sexy points if he made it look like he wasn't adventurous.

Inam smiled again, her dimples just as adorable as the rest of her. "You must be careful with Tihoni wine. Foreigners who drink too much too quickly begin to see chihana," Inam explained as they walked amidst the beauty of the Artisan district.

Many of the buildings they passed had bright, cerulean blue painted over their doorways, but the pattern seemed erratic and random, and a streak of blue paint that clashed with the overall elegant beauty of the district.

"Chihana are how you might say... mm.., fairies?" She paused in her explanation to listen to Robert's questions. "Why, I am here to guide you, Mr. Robert. Whatever you wish."

Tihoni Wine was similar to Absinthe when it came to foreignors; too much and they got messed up. The Tihoni Fruit, when eaten raw and not left to ferment, was a sweet fruit with a kick of tang, similar to a mango but with a stronger zing. Tihoni Wine tasted akin to orange juice with vodka and a dash of cherry grenadine.

Inam laughed with Robert, finding everything that he found to be funny to be funny as well. "If the Mayor wishes to see the chihana, then by all means. Mayor Neferet has told me that you will be attending the Memorial tonight with her, so perhaps it is best to wait to see the chihana afterwards?"

She turned to look over at Bennik and the cat; a cat with fur that first appeared black, but when looking upon it he'd be able to see that it was really dark green and dappled similar to a leopards on the body with lighter shades of green. It's legs were entirely dark brown; a cat that could blend in with the jungle around it.

"Oh!" Inam was surprised by Bennik and pushed closer to Robert, while the cat hissed and showed off fangs similar to a sabretooth tiger and darted away into the crowd that was now looking over at them.

In a smooth movement honed to perfection by years of dance lessons, Robert allows Inam to slip into his arms and spins her away from the threat of the cat. He holds her close, protectively.

"Don't worry, Inam, it's just a cat..."

He looks up from the woman in his arms, and spots, to his shock, his cousin Rafaela! What's she doing here? Probably up to no good. Ah well, family is family.

"Ah, Rafaela! Over here! Long time no see!"

He holds Inam close, almost unconsciously. Meanwhile, Bennik spits another fireball at the cat while his master is distracted.

Rafaela stiffened as she had turned away.

"Crap," she muttered to herself, then turned with a bright and totally fake smile to her... cousin? Uncle? She didn't know.

"Robeeerrrrt, hiiiii," she said, trying to be cool as she approached. She noted the local native under Robert's arm, and a dashing gleam came to Rafaela's eyes, paired with a coy smile.

"You're looking cozy in Gaiaton," Rafaela said, glancing at Bennik's antics but otherwise ignoring them. "What brings you here?"

But the tone of that last question was more like WHY are you here...

Inam seems to realize at the same moment that she's too comfortable in the foreignor's embrace and she also drops her arms and moves away, a hot blush on her cheeks.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Inam says in her friendly and accented tone, bowing her head a little. Her golden jewelry chimes with the movement, and she stands tall again only to look over at the petulant bird that seems to be strutting with its victories.

"You seem to be lost, Rafaela," Inam said kindly, not meaning an offense. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yeah, Rafaela. What are you doing here? I thought you didn't like sand."

Bennik, sensing her dislike of birds, rubs his head against her thigh. Robert chuckles.

"Hey! Since you're clearly not lost, wanna come to the winery with us?"

He grins at his troublesome cousin.

Rafaela's own odd look joins Inam's.

"I do hate sand, which is why I'm in the jungle," she says flatly, wry humor in her tone.

When both the native and the cousin-uncle-brother-person invite her for wine, a part of her instantly says yes! Another part of her tells her that she needs to find Opong, but mostly... this treasure hunter wants wine.

"Sure, okay." The bird leans against her and Rafaela hip-bumps Bennik's head away from her. "Wine not?" Rafaela chuckles at her own joke.