(Sorry this is way long, but this looked fun, so, if you're willing I'd love to write with you c: I can definitely change stuff if you need me to.)
“Gila. Hush, hush my sweet.” Nari motioned somewhat impatiently at his avian companion gripping nervously to his forearm, nibbling at his tawny skin, only reinforced with a band and tether around her left leg. The bird wasn’t meant really for comfort, but rather for doting on Nari. Carrying his messages, snatching up small kills. Stealing things…. But right now, the russet hawk was being more trouble than she was worth. In a crowded, dusty square, Nari could tell she was impatient and nervous to be out of it of the bustle again and near ready to start biting him, or anything she could reach. So, he cupped on large hand over the bird’s face, cooing gently. “I said hush. Stop your screaming.” He whispered, and then frowned. The sphinx’s mood was low. Auction seemed to be a never-ending process. The seemed to be churning into itself, all sense of personal space encroached.
“Ah- The pretty ones are up at last…” Nari scowled, absently speaking to the now subdued Gila as his hazel eyes scanned over the top of the stirring audience, straining to make himself taller. His tail would have been swishing impatiently if he'd had the room. The lithe extremity was forced to stay wrapped at his side against his leg, which was uncomfortable for the felid man, but perhaps all the better for tight spaces such as this. “Look- Look.” Nari continued to ramble, pointing with his chin towards the auctioneer’s platform. “Deliah. The bastards.” Nari almost chuckled, practically purred as he watched the first warrior step up to the auctioneer’s side. The creature’s jaw was quickly caught tightly between the brusque man’s strong thumb and forefinger as he was shoved forward. He watched patiently as the man shouted things about the new ‘property’ at hand. Gleaming things. A strong warrior. A beautiful specimen. Nari sighed as he listened. Yes, the Deliah guard was quite regal looking, but perhaps not worth the fighting to the front of the crowd for. He bit his lip with fanged teeth and waited. Surely there would be another. If the first was a warrior, he wasn’t going to be sold alone. Nari waited, listening to the shouts and offers made. The murmur of negotiation, and the stirrings of disappointment as victorious buyer wrapped up the deal and the rest of the crowd looked onward to the next in line. All the while, Nari slowly pushed his way through, sneaking, rather than forcing his way through the cluster of eager onlookers.
“Strange.” Nari shrugged lightly at his bird, golden hair falling into his face as he looked to the ground. He could barely see his sandaled feet in the midst of the dirt that was being kicked up. “Strange that prisoners of war should still looks so testy… Hmm, Gila?” Nari glanced quickly up to the platform where the line of prisoners, soon to be slaves were waiting. Most of them scowling, some looking downtrodden, others antsy and all around upset. Which was, of course, to be expected. Fighting for the losing side of a war had its consequences. “How about that one.” Nari pursed his lips curiously at a large and fit looking man with braided hair as he stroked his pet bird, letting the hawk ruffle up her feathers as she looked around, almost as if she could understand what he was saying. “Or that one.” He mused thoughtfully, moving onto the next behind the man. He kept his tone almost teasing, as he wasn’t really very serious about buying any of the men or women up on the stand. Mostly he was here to look, and to bask in what was the aftermath of his alliances’ victories. He liked to look, to see that his side was still winning. “How about we go home, pet.” Nari continued to the hawk. “You seem upset-“
Mid-sentence Nari froze, suddenly captivated as the crowd suddenly roared and he caught sight of the next prisoner, now on the stand. Another Deliah. Even prettier than the last. How he had missed him, Nari wasn’t sure. But the sinewy being was indeed quite beautiful. Shimmery white pelt dotted with spots that were larger and more uniform than his own brown and gold, speckled coat. The warrior’s dark hair almost seemed to be dripping. Like a shadow. Much different than the mess of hair that was practically a mane on Nari’s head, traipsing down his back. Instantly, his hand shot up, thrusting Gila into a frenzy above his head. She shrieked while he shouted in impulsive decision. “Six hundred Yara for him!” The sphinx yelled over the already protesting crowd. “Seven hundred! Eight!” He continued, outbid and foiled two more times before he’d had enough. With the money to burn and the lust for such a rare buy, he finally upped his offer significantly. Now practically in the very front of the crowd, he made pointed eye contact with the auctioneer and then glanced to the Deliah male. “Two-thousand, take it or leave it! I’ll pay you outright! No riddles. No pranks.”
“Gila. Hush, hush my sweet.” Nari motioned somewhat impatiently at his avian companion gripping nervously to his forearm, nibbling at his tawny skin, only reinforced with a band and tether around her left leg. The bird wasn’t meant really for comfort, but rather for doting on Nari. Carrying his messages, snatching up small kills. Stealing things…. But right now, the russet hawk was being more trouble than she was worth. In a crowded, dusty square, Nari could tell she was impatient and nervous to be out of it of the bustle again and near ready to start biting him, or anything she could reach. So, he cupped on large hand over the bird’s face, cooing gently. “I said hush. Stop your screaming.” He whispered, and then frowned. The sphinx’s mood was low. Auction seemed to be a never-ending process. The seemed to be churning into itself, all sense of personal space encroached.
“Ah- The pretty ones are up at last…” Nari scowled, absently speaking to the now subdued Gila as his hazel eyes scanned over the top of the stirring audience, straining to make himself taller. His tail would have been swishing impatiently if he'd had the room. The lithe extremity was forced to stay wrapped at his side against his leg, which was uncomfortable for the felid man, but perhaps all the better for tight spaces such as this. “Look- Look.” Nari continued to ramble, pointing with his chin towards the auctioneer’s platform. “Deliah. The bastards.” Nari almost chuckled, practically purred as he watched the first warrior step up to the auctioneer’s side. The creature’s jaw was quickly caught tightly between the brusque man’s strong thumb and forefinger as he was shoved forward. He watched patiently as the man shouted things about the new ‘property’ at hand. Gleaming things. A strong warrior. A beautiful specimen. Nari sighed as he listened. Yes, the Deliah guard was quite regal looking, but perhaps not worth the fighting to the front of the crowd for. He bit his lip with fanged teeth and waited. Surely there would be another. If the first was a warrior, he wasn’t going to be sold alone. Nari waited, listening to the shouts and offers made. The murmur of negotiation, and the stirrings of disappointment as victorious buyer wrapped up the deal and the rest of the crowd looked onward to the next in line. All the while, Nari slowly pushed his way through, sneaking, rather than forcing his way through the cluster of eager onlookers.
“Strange.” Nari shrugged lightly at his bird, golden hair falling into his face as he looked to the ground. He could barely see his sandaled feet in the midst of the dirt that was being kicked up. “Strange that prisoners of war should still looks so testy… Hmm, Gila?” Nari glanced quickly up to the platform where the line of prisoners, soon to be slaves were waiting. Most of them scowling, some looking downtrodden, others antsy and all around upset. Which was, of course, to be expected. Fighting for the losing side of a war had its consequences. “How about that one.” Nari pursed his lips curiously at a large and fit looking man with braided hair as he stroked his pet bird, letting the hawk ruffle up her feathers as she looked around, almost as if she could understand what he was saying. “Or that one.” He mused thoughtfully, moving onto the next behind the man. He kept his tone almost teasing, as he wasn’t really very serious about buying any of the men or women up on the stand. Mostly he was here to look, and to bask in what was the aftermath of his alliances’ victories. He liked to look, to see that his side was still winning. “How about we go home, pet.” Nari continued to the hawk. “You seem upset-“
Mid-sentence Nari froze, suddenly captivated as the crowd suddenly roared and he caught sight of the next prisoner, now on the stand. Another Deliah. Even prettier than the last. How he had missed him, Nari wasn’t sure. But the sinewy being was indeed quite beautiful. Shimmery white pelt dotted with spots that were larger and more uniform than his own brown and gold, speckled coat. The warrior’s dark hair almost seemed to be dripping. Like a shadow. Much different than the mess of hair that was practically a mane on Nari’s head, traipsing down his back. Instantly, his hand shot up, thrusting Gila into a frenzy above his head. She shrieked while he shouted in impulsive decision. “Six hundred Yara for him!” The sphinx yelled over the already protesting crowd. “Seven hundred! Eight!” He continued, outbid and foiled two more times before he’d had enough. With the money to burn and the lust for such a rare buy, he finally upped his offer significantly. Now practically in the very front of the crowd, he made pointed eye contact with the auctioneer and then glanced to the Deliah male. “Two-thousand, take it or leave it! I’ll pay you outright! No riddles. No pranks.”