Bridle Talk [Omari & Jenko] [Private]

Gaze darting from stall to stall, he noted food, trinket, freshly-cut flower, bead, ink and paint, even some parchment vendors. Where was that fabric vendor? Ears flickering forward, he caught sights of what appeared to be the stall and started towards it. Upon breaching displays swathed in vivid coils and draperies, he began scrutinizing the quality of various displayed wares; frayed stitches and patchy dye flourished upon closer inspection. A vague feeling of indifference tugged at him. This wasn't his usual merchant. Disinterested, he glimpsed a flecked dusky horse. "Not always as great as it looks," he remarked, a coy smile gracing his lips.

He is quite the charmer, isn't he? "Omari, pleased to make your acquaintance." Continuing, his hazel gaze danced haphazardly over his new companion. "Have you had much experience with fabrics, Jenko? You look a bit lost." Had he met him before? It felt as though he had, and yet, he wouldn't have forgotten the varnish stallion that easily. His jet forelock fell in loose, messy ringlets about his eyes and forehead, as if in attempt to conceal the twisting pink scars that adorned his profile, ebony points emphasising his cool gaze. Jenko certainly knew how to draw people in, attitude and appearance considered. Courtesean? His stomach twisted briefly, out of excitement or fear, he wasn't entirely sure. They held a great deal of power, and he respected them for their work and service to Eithne. He'd be lying if he tried to dispute that he hadn't visited them before.

"I'd be happy to help if you need any assistance. Are you looking for anything in particular? And, if I may ask, what do you intend to use the fabric for?" Inquiring, he shifted his weight idly, soaking up the presence of the stallion. He wouldn't mind spending a bit of time with Jenko, it'd help take his mind off things. All he had to do was make sure he was still able to track down that other fabric vendor.

"Can't say the same for myself," he returned with a faint grin. Pit-fighter, then. Perhaps he'd glimpsed him near the Crucible; it wouldn't surprise him if he had. His ears flicked back, noting Jenko's juxtaposing formality when he spoke of himself and his livelihood. Sure, he was used to formality and the almost subdued conversation of slaves, but the stallion's jump in tone caught him off-guard. "Just because you're a slave, it doesn't mean that your wants are invalid. You shouldn't have to disregard your own priorities." He glanced towards the vendor, who was busying themselves with another customer. "Please, I insist. I'm in the markets for fabrics as well, it's no trouble." Quietly, he hoped his prior comment hadn't come off reprimanding.

"That's very flattering, Jenko, but I'm no Lord," he snorted, as if laughing at himself in an attempt to soften the mood. "Exchanged that title for artisanry, and I can't say I regret it. Much prefer the quieter lifestyle." Trying to meet Jenko's gaze, he found himself recalling it however briefly, as it was rare that he found himself missing the bustling extravagance of nobility. Too much pampering overwhelmed him, to say the least, and even more so confronting when put in the position to complete simple tasks independently. Shame he missed the company it provided. Perking up, he added, "I'd be more than happy to assist you when it comes to bridles, should you decide to look into them. I actually run a bridlery, ableit small." 

"That's very kind of you, thankyou. I'd be happy to show you my shop once we've finished up here." Pausing, he cast a glance over the vendor's wares. "Does anything here interest you? If not, I'll gladly show you to my usual stockist. Their fabrics are always crafted so carefully, and the detail in them is quite pretty." Gesturing towards the displays, Omari began moving around the stall, feigning interest in the fabrics to appease the vendor, who was rather obsessively tidying and organising their displays. Turning a corner and brushing over a roll of burgundy pattern, he made polite inquiries into the pricing of the vendor's wares. Despite the interesting designs and soft materials, they were comparably expensive and lacked the vigor and craftsmanship that would interest his wealthier customers.

Eying Jenko briefly, he scanned the surrounding stalls, still unable to pin down the other vendor. In all fairness, their stall was rather ordinary and uniform with the other vendors, but the chestnut could usually distinguish the charismatic middle-aged vendor's fabrics from the rest of the crowd. He spent a few more moments of identifying the surrounding stalls. Maybe they secured a position on the Gilded Bridge, he mused to himself. He would suggest it to Jenko, but for now he cooled off in the shade of the stall, watching the varnish stallion flick through the assortment of patterened and plain fabrics.

Nodding thoughtfully, he attempted to recall if his vendor had any stock that might have suited Jenko's description the last time he visited. "Yes, I think we're done here," he returned, straightening up to flash a light smile at the fabric merchant, before gesturing for Jenko to follow as he started off. "I think the Gilded Bridge may be a good place to start looking. If your perfect fabric is anywhere to be found it will be there." Omari assured him, lengthening his stride to a leisurely trot, sun gleaming off his back and hindquarters. Catching brief glimpses of the surrounding marketplace stalls, he noted the variety of stalls, and that they mostly comprised of food and flower stalls, marketed separately of course. That would be an interesting choice, he smiled to himself.

He could always trust Brahminy's fabrics, almost certain they'd have what both himself and Jenko were seeking. Drawn back out of his thoughts by the movement of Jenko beside him, and reminded by his own rumbling stomach, he prompted the silver pit fighter. "Have you eaten recently? There are a few nice food stalls around here that never disappoint. I might grab something myself, just while we're passing through." Slowly, he drew to a halt in the walkway between the grid-like pattern of surrounding stalls, allowing other passerbys to move through without inconvenience. "Anything around here interest you?" He watched Jenko patiently, flicking his gaze momentarily to the surrounding vendors.

"It's no trouble, really," he assured him, a smile creeping onto his lips as Jenko began to describe his sister. "Well she sounds like she has the most devoted brother in Eithne, and I know I can certainly relate to her selectiveness, so hopefully I'll be able to assist you in that regard." Nodding, he acknowledged the appaloosa's polite decline towards the offer of lunch, and began to move towards a nearby pastry vendor. "I could never do what you do, with strict diets and such, I don't have much self control when it comes to food," He chuckled, eyeing the pastries displayed by a well-groomed vendor, their ashy mane pulled back into a braid, with a welcoming smile adorning their features. "I know I can't offer you anything now, but I'd love to take you out to lunch sometime. There are plenty of merchants whose products I'm just dying to try." Meeting Jenko's eyes briefly, he turned to the vendor, offering a greeting before ordering a spiced chickpea pastie. The fluffy pastry was exchanged for coin, and the pair continued.

"Brahminy is my current vendor, they offer a wide variety of fabrics which, as you can imagine, is always helpful when you're trying to establish a business. I have also been trying to affirm a partnership with the artisan Callista, you may have heard of her. She works with closely with fabrics, running a clothing artisanship. I feel a partnership with her could help my little bridlery grow and garner more attention, as her work is already quite renowned." Pausing briefly to give Jenko just enough time to digest what he'd said, he continued, stating, "I haven't seen her for a fair while, though, so the partnership is rather uncertain and I'm not sure it will be successful. It would be a wonder if  it worked out."

Omari snorted, he certainly loved to play the part, didn't he? He was confident and charming, almost flirtatious. It was easy to like the lean stallion. "How will I ever repay you?" He teased back. "And more importantly, how are you planning to pay for it? I'm very expensive," Flicking the strand of hair from his eyes, his lips drew into a rather lop-sided grin. He couldn't deny that he'd quietly stashed away Jenko's comment on blueberry pastries, something to return to should they meet more regularly. "They're a comparably small vendor, Brahminy," Omari added with a decisive dip of his head. "It would work wonders, collaborating with a figure such as Callista." Even if it didn't come to fruition, he could find other ways to make himself more well-known, he was sure. Even approaching merchants could help, establishing an agreement or contract of sorts for the sale of his bridles. He frequented appropriate merchants that would surely be suited to the task, and perhaps his commitment to them would reap benefits for both parties.

Smiling, he thanked Jenko.

Shit. Where were they again? Glancing around, he scanned the meandering streets that trailed off from their current path, and the buildings that seemed to crave the sunlight as much as their patrons. They hadn't walked that far, he concluded, although it seemed as if they'd been talking for a length of time. A younger pair of equines bustled past, seeming to spill out of an adjacent road laughing and careering around, teasing eachother, or commending one another on some deed, more likely. They looked like scoundrels - scruffy, maybe a little underweight, but toned, no doubt from being chased when something went sour. Watching them warily until they were out of sight, he turned to Jenko. "Come on, we don't have all day." Stashing away his remaining pastie, he cut down a narrower street. "This'll get us there a bit quicker," He explained, the clatter of their hooves almost bounding from wall to wall for some time before they were bathed in sun's warm glow once again, the narrow sidestreet opening up into an open area, similar to the one that housed the marketplace. Ground sloping gently beneath them, he nodded towards the gilded bridge, now glinting in the near distance.

Smirking, he shook his head, "I'm surprised you've still got all your limbs then, by the way you're describing your sister's tastes." Jenko's love for his sister was endearing, and he found himself repeatedly recalling Peregrine and his mother, turning over the thought of visiting them, perhaps later during the week. But for now, he had other things to attend to. He still needed to restock his bridlery supplies, and help Jenko in finding a gift.

The glittering bridge was practically begging to be visited, he hadn't walked across it's stone surface since what felt like the God's war. "It is beautiful," He breathed, greedily devouring the sight laid before them. It was one he had admired many times, and yet there was something about the curves of the slope and craning houses and shops that sprawled beneath Ignacio's light, something different in the way the tufts of clouds drifted across the horizon. His mind had shifted from its earlier disposition, whether on account of meeting the stallion he couldn't say. Tapping his hoof against the stone, he dipped his head at Jenko's comment, "Hopefully you won't be too long then, although I'm sure for you chasing off scoundrels is an easy feat." Touched by his offer, Omari patted his saddlebags with his teke. "That's alright Jenko, thankyou. I'm quite capable." Moving into the shade of one of buildings, he fiddled with the straps on his saddlebag, brushing over the rose quartz stone inlaid on the chestpiece, and combing through his tail to rid the waves of any troublesome knots. Part of him wished to comb Jenko's tail, it looked so thick and healthy despite his profession. 

Twisting himself to get a better view of the bridge, he squinted, scanning the stalls for Brahminy's signiture embroidered sign. The brown and white outline glared against the ruby fabric as it fluttered in the gentle breeze, and he thought he might've just spotted Brahminy. "You know I think you might be right!" He started, moving off in a brisk trot towards the bridge. He didn't want to rush the outing with Jenko, but he was worried that Brahminy would run out of the stock he needed, and he wanted to beat the afternoon rush. As they drew close enough to identify Brahminy, he offered a wide grin to his acquainted vendor. "Brahminy! How've you been lovely? The sun shines on you." Brahminy, now saying their goodbyes to a previous client, offered up greetings and pleasantries in return, ushering him towards the stock. As Omari rifled through the different wares, picking out the ones he thought best, Brahminy seemed to finally notice Jenko's presence.

"Who's this? They need anything?" They asked, looking the stallion over. Their muzzle twisted subtly, mouth forming a thin line as they caught sight of the slave brand. This, however, was quickly remedied with a warm smile - he was still a potential client, after all.

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WC: 286

Post #9

The roan stallion listened to Jenko and Brahminy's interaction, watching from the corner of his eye as he whipped out his shopping list from his saddlebag. He carefully set aside the display samples he was interested in - some sheer, borderline metallic gold fabric, opaque lime, satiny white, a deep red wine, and a salmon-white gradient. Rubbing the rectangular samples between his teke and comparing them with softness and feel of numerous other samples laid around the stall, he began holding some of the sheer pieces up to the light. Some clients had specific requests, such as how they wanted the light to glint off their bridle, and what colour palette they were interested in. Others left it up to him to experiment with colour and texture, which was always an interesting task.

Briefly returning his greeting, Brahminy nodded thoughtfully as Jenko explained his intent. "For a shawl you'll want something that flows well, don't want a great big lump of cloth hanging off you." They began, turning to gesture towards the section of samples they believed best suited. "I'm not sure what you're wanting in terms of colour, but if she's your sister I'm assuming she'll have a similar pale coat to you - correct me if I'm wrong. A nice yellow or rose gold would look lovely, or maybe even blue if she's got your eyes." Their tired eyes flicked over to Omari, and he, gathering up his samples, sidled over to Jenko. "Omari can help you pick out something I'm sure. Please excuse me, I need to help another customer."

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WC: 261

Post #10

As Brahminy swept themselves away to tend to another client, Omari quirked his brow at Jenko. "I think Brahmny's right, I highly trust their judgement - they've actually given me advice on the odd day or two, and it didn't turn out half bad." Gaze wandering over the selection before them, his eyes caught on a few select samples. A light, sky blue, a gold embroidered, and a patterned blue variant. Laying them out carefully over the display, he tipped his head towards them as he turned back to Jenko. "Do any of these catch your fancy? Or are there any other patterns or selections you like better?"

Careefully gathering his own samples, he shuffled them into a neat pile, eyes lifting to watch Brahminy entertain the other equine. "Were you thinking a solid colour for Liana's shawl, or did you want a trim on it? It was Liana, wasn't it?" He added quickly. "Trim is usually good if you want to look that extra bit flashy, while still being subtle enough." He suggested, attention drawn back to Jenko as he examined the display. Flicking through his samples idly, he was half tempted to pull out his remaining pastie, but quickly recondsidered. Wouldn't want to get crumbs all over the fabrics, that was just disrespectful.

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WC: 214

Post #11

Omari felt his cheeks grow hot and his eyes drifted away, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. "I think I'd have to work a whole lot harder before it becomes anywhere near that popular. You're too kind for saying so."

The thought of it felt like a weight had been placed on his shoulders, and he found himself suddenly wishing he was at home, cuddling on a pillow or in bed. His brows pinched together, glancing back at the stallion. It wasn't warranted or even appropriate for him to think of Jenko in that way - he belonged to someone else, and was a slave after all. Shaking the thoughts from his head, his teke touched the rose quartz stone on his chestpiece, resigning to fiddling with his saddlebag once more. Jenko's voice broke the imagined tension, and he nodded along as the stallion spoke of the embroidered piece, and Liana's boldness.

"It should be around ten shards." He motioned to Brahminy who was now finishing with the other client. They swooped over to land to the purchase, stating Omari's purchase total. Shards were exchanged, and Omari bundled his haul into his waiting saddlebag. Pulling the pastie from the adjacent pocket, he gave Brahminy a quick thanks and smile, moving aside so that Jenko could make his purchase.

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WC: 217

Post #12

Omari watched the stallion fiddle with the pouch containing the shards, and he half seemed to guess how much he gave Brahminy. It didn't matter regardless, he knew Brahminy would've returned the excess if Jenko had given too much. They were good when it came to things like that. Smiling as the grullo stallion thanked them, he shook his head as Jenko wrapped it around his neck and talked of prancing about in it. "It suits you," He started with a laugh. "Almost." Might go nicely fixed to a collar though, he thought idly. He didn't dare speak it though, he was too paranoid it would come off as rude, mentioning a collar to a slave. Granted, it was just a fashion choice, but still it felt borderline insensitive.

"Where to now? Back to Lady Scarlet's?" He chewed on the pastry gripped in his teke, gaze wandering and browsing nearby stalls from afar. The Gilded Bridge was beautiful, and he hadn't visited it in a while. Maybe that was down to a lack of time, and down to his own doing. Whatever the reason, he hoped Brahminy would continue to sell from their vantage point on the bridge. It gave him an excuse to come back down more often. Hazel eyes flicking back towards the stallion, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. He didn't want to part ways so soon. 

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WC: 233

Post #13

It had felt like mere moments after he'd teased Jenko about the scarf, the appaloosa had slipped it from his neck and curled it around the roan's own. "It suits you much more. See, I'm too rough around the edges..." His ears felt hot, and he parted his lips to speak, but something stopped him. Well, that something was the setting. Too many horses milled about within earshot, so he swallowed his words. Better to save them for another time, he assured himself. He wished he could speak without worrying so much, but here he was. He'd been so keen to speak highly of the pit fighter earlier, to say that he deserved as much respect as the rest, but this felt different. 

He didn't fail to notice as Jenko's ears flicked back at the mention of home. Maybe he didn't want to leave either? His eyes fell to the base of the stallion's neck as Jenko tugged at the scarf lightly. It was hardly hypnotic, but the feel of it against his neck quietened his nerves to some degree. His gaze remained on that spot on his companion until he mentioned his bridlery, eyes flicking up excitedly. What he'd said afterwards made him more excited, admittedly, and a toothy grin split his muzzle. Jenko was playing with the scarf again, and he nipped lightheartedly at the air near him in return. "And you said your sister was bold." Shaking his head, he unfurled the shimmering fabric from his neck, carefully draping it around Jenko's once more. Didn't want to get any buttery pastie crumbs on it. Crumpling the now empty wrapper into a ball, he stuffed it back into one of the empty satchels on his saddlebag.

"I'll happily show you around, if that's what you'd like. I can look at setting you up with a new bridle too, I'll just have to take some measurements and such." Motioning to him as he began to trot back from where they came, he couldn't hide the spring in his step, or the smile on his face for that matter. Why did he have to be so much fun?

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Post #14
WC: 358