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Tiziri	A seasonably hot day (whatever that means) with the sun high in the sky and bright indeed today. Insofar as the city can be lazy, it feels lazy right now. Probably not helped by the festival the night before. So instead of super crowded, things are just sort of crowded. All the same, Ardent Vagabond is walking through the temple district, looking around with wide, happy eyes. Pausing to examine various temples at times, ones that catch her eye. The young woman with feathers in her hair is holding a spear (admittedly with a leather cover of the blade) and wearing a fancy, and functional sort of outfit. She moves with the easy grace common of a martial artist, especially to those skilled in seeing such things.
Fudou the Mountain	Great Forks is a city resplendent in colors, vivid imagery and unusual happenings and yet it always seems to have one more surprise to give. One such surprise now enters the scene, heralded by heavy thumping footfalls that impact the earth with such weight and pressure vibrations are sent rippling through the crowded streets. Glasses are rattled, drinks are disturbed, pebbles , stools and people are bounced up and down slightly and this I is well before the monstrous figure that is the newcomer rounds a corner and begins striding down the street. He is, to put it simply, the embodiment of immensity. Hugely muscled and towering so tremendously that his head looms well over the tops people, animals, stalls while his shoulders fill up the road he treads forcing the audience to part before this behemoth as a river moves to allow a gargantuan boulder to roll on through. His garments are loose, tattered and well worn. Held aloft by thick rope belts and minor decorative elements but more of his body can be seen then is hidden. A spectacle to be sure. Strength rolls off of him like a shockwave, emphasized by his outrageous if not obscenely muscled physique but also that he carries aloft, held with one hand overhead, a stack of sealed crates that groan and creak from the contents within but are kept balanced and in check by the gargantuan titan. Such cargo that a beast of burden would be labored to pull it along let alone carry it with one arm as one might carry a serving tray.
Tiziri	Sightseeing is a thing! And as it appears, there's always wonders in Great Forks. In this case the young woman with the spear ends up turning to look towards the gigantic figure now walking over nearby. Ardent Vagabond doesn't seem to be entirely intimidated like some. There's definitely curiosity too, after all it is hard not to be when an unusual sight is approaching, even amidsts the wonders of the city. Really, the big thing is it not the sort of reaction typical of others who wouldn't know of him. Still, she is stepping out of the way so as not to impede the walking mountain.
Fudou the Mountain	Chance and circumstance brings the gargantuan closer to Ardent Vagabond as opposed to further away. Near enough to her now, the round silver rimmed spectacles on the bridge of his broad nosecan no doubt scene, serving also to hide his eyes as they dart around and take notice of those around him, including her. His gaze lingers on the spear for a second and then moves from that towards her before he another voice attracts his attention and snaps his heavy attention towards a storefront, some sort of bakery servicing the local temples and revelers, and a plump woman of some aged years who emerges from it and approaches the giant without one wit of fear in her. "You gnarled tree stump!" she coarsely addresses the goliath, "I've been waiting all day!" "Miracle working takes time!" responds the giant, his deep resonant voice, a rolling bass that vibrates the nearby windows. "Oh, fine. Well did you get them all and do I want to know from where?" "I got?most of them and no you don't want to know from where. Never ask too many questions. Just say 'thank you', luv." With a heavy *THUD* he sets the crates down., bending down to the knees and crouching besides Ardent to do so.
Tiziri	Ardent Vagabond steps aside to make sure she's not in the way as that large thing is set down. Just as before, any trained warrior can probably see the simple economy of movement, she isn't wasting anything. Though that could well be that of a dancer too, though the weapon probably points to elsewise. She ends up studying the whole thing, but the fact she's apparently by a bakery helps too! And she ends up looking over at the menu, and then to the big guy. "Recommend anything?" She inquires, her accent very clearly not local, something from the Southeast if such might be seen.
Fudou the Mountain	"From -her- cooking?? Are you trying to get me arrested for running people out of town-" The huge mans jesting words are stopped in his tracks by the slap of a wet towel cracking across his face, now all to close to the reach of the plump woman. "I'll get you some of our sweetest bread to sample dear. Don't pay attention to this oaf." She says sweetly before turning to head inside. For his part, the giant, Fudou, remains in a crouched position, fuming from the looks of it, with a red welt on his face from the slap. He then turns his attention towards Ardent now and his grin slowly returns, "Sight seein', luv? Great Forks abit much to take in, mm?"
Tiziri	"You definitely deserved that." Ardent Vagabond says in an almost deadpan sort of way. Then she looks to the shopkeep and smiles. "That would be wonderful, thank you." While she looks back to Fudou then, "Yes. Only my second day in the city. Figured it was time to look over the Temples. Someone told me I should see the Temple of the Lady of the Changing Waters - so a bit of a search involved yet. Not that I'm trying too hard yet. I like to just explore and find out, because I'll remember it better if I find it like that. Even if I'll ask if it takes too long."
Fudou the Mountain	At the admonishment from Ardent, Fudou places a hand against his chest as if to indicate 'me'? to her words about him deserving that chastisement from the shop keep. Even that simple movement betrays the barely restrained power on his body. His muscles and sinew thick and heavy as his massive hand presses into the expanse of his chest and the odd hair upon it. But before he can protest, his interest is piqued and shifted away from the previous antics and he rests a colossal arm atop one of the creates, draping it like a lazy sequoia while the rest of his mountainous body looms in closer to Ardent. "I am unfamiliar with this temple. Who told y'this? Granted..Great Forks is not without it's share of temples. Maybe too many but..I suppose that is the point of it all. Excess. A different sort of decadence then Nexus, no?" He studies her for a few seconds and then: "..You come to fight?"
Tiziri	There is no backing off yet as she's examined, though she maintains a sort of relaxing to seem unthreatening or something too. Ardent Vagabond's head shakes. "No. I may hire out to protect caravans to help pay my way when I'm traveling, but it's not for love of fighting. It's best if I never have to. Not that bandits always give us that chance, let alone worse." She shrugs. "Really, I'm just here for exploring, and trying new things. Ever since I ran away from home it's been about that, see Creation!" then there's a pause before she remembers the res tof what was asked. "Oh, it was someone named Rishi I met last night at a restaurant. Apparently she's affiliated somehow and said it would be worth seeking out."
Fudou the Mountain	The giant seems amused as he listens. He didn't necessarily ask for her backstory just if she was there to fight, after all. He does arc a thick eyebrow at mention of the fact that she's a runaway, of sorts, but then he just seems to be more bemused then anything. That is until Rishi's name is mentioned. Fudou inclines his head and his eyes narrow slightly in thought. Ther'es no hiding that the name is familiar to him and he suddenly seems hyper focused. Studying Ardent more closely now. No attempt at intimidation mind you. He's been affable, if buffoonish, thus far and there is some sincerity in that?or he's a good actor. Now, however, it seems that he's becoming more..intensely interested. "Rishi, you say And she suggested that temple, did she?" he seems thoughtful before asking, "?Was she alone?"
Tiziri	"Yep." Ardent Vagabond says, confirming that as she relaxedly stands there before looking to the baker a moment again, just in time to get one of those promised bits! "Thanks! This smells great." She grins. Then back towards Fudou, and she nods further. "Not alone though, there were others who seemed to be her friend. A decent number of them, there was a lot of drinking and such so definitely a bit of a wild night given the festival." She laughs softly. "It was a good time."
Fudou the Mountain	The baker seems pleased with Ardent's reaction to her food. She and Fudou exchange glances but..it's an odd sort of glance. A strange sort of communication seems to occur between them with just the glance and the baker quietly excuses herself, perhaps going to get someone to help her with those crates and whatever is in them. "You seem confident and used to the fanfare here in Great Forks so I will tell you something." Fudou's grin returns, spreading from one side of his broad face to the other, like a friendly siaka? "I know of Rishi and her companions. It's not for me to give away her secrets but if Rishi thinks you should go to that temple then you should as there is undoubtedly something that awaits you there. She has an interest in you and it is not because you guard caravans, of that I am sure.."
Tiziri	Ardent Vagabond nods again to that advice. "As I said, I'm planning to. When I find it. Which will take as long as it takes. I'm not delaying or anything, just like I said, I'll learn how to navigate the city so much better in the process than if I just asked directions. And that will make it much easier when it's time to find somewhere else." Her grin grows, "Yeah, it's all about the journey to me. The destination might be important, but that's kind of an ending too. We spend so much more time going from place to place than we often do in them." Then she pauses and seems to think of something resting her spear against her shoulder as she places her fist in her palm in a gesture of greetings. "I'm Ardent Vagabond, by the way. Or just Tiziri."
Fudou the Mountain	The large man studies her with that large grin remaining there. He inclines his head as she speaks and then finally brings his grin to an end, pressing his lips together in thought before nodding his head in what seems to be some agreement with her words. "You are no wet behind the ears explorer." He acknowledges. "You have a strong will and a formulated way of thinking. This is good otherwise Great Forks will knock you about and take your wits from you.." He then presses his monstrous hand to his chest again and leans in towards a light bow of sorts, at least via tilting his upper body at her slightly. "I am Fudou he Mountain. At least right now. Some just call me Fudou, others The Mountain. It doesn't matter to me. I may change it all later or be forced to."
Tiziri	"An honor." Relaxing a bit more the young woman goes on. "Well, honestly, the fact I came all the way from down by the Dreaming Sea should attest to that. It's been a long journey. You sorta have to learn how to take care of yourself in new places." Then, once more she places her fist in palm in a gesture of respect. "Are you from here then? Or been here a while at least? You obviously seem to know a bit more than some might."
Fudou the Mountain	A faint rumble occurs as Fudou stands back up and drags his swamp tree girthed limbs up with him to loosely hang and flex and then relax as if he's orking the kinks out. His full height unfurled once more, he turns slightly away from her to gesture over the city with a broad sweeping if not bombastic bit of movement. "Too long, perhaps. I've been here too long. But yes I'm travelled. I've some ties to The Dreaming Sea and The Hundred Kingdoms as well. I spent some time as a Champion Gladiator there." Fudou contemplates things as he rubs his big jaw and then adds, "Great Forks..has held my interest. There are some interesting people here and some work to be done even though I've been..slackin' abit. It's easy to get wound up in the festivals and revel making."
Tiziri	"Really?" Ardent Vagabond says with a slight tilt to her head, appraising. "Explains why you were so curious about fighting." She muses, before nodding furhter. "I'm kind of liking it here so far. There's so much going on, and it's such a crossroads. Truly unique compared to so many places. Most... varied? Is that the right word? So yeah, I can see why someone would want to stay here for a long time, and we'll see how long I end up here. It's definitely not a place I can see in a short time, and even if I leave, I might well come back. It's convenient for the whole region it feels."
Fudou the Mountain	"There's an arena." Fudou looks to Ardent once more, "..I was curious. You carry yourself like a trained fighter and there are games here." His nostrils flare with some ..displeasure as he adds, "..Course they use slaves which I have reasons to dislike but?that's another matter all together." He quiets and then finally turns and grins at Ardent once more, "I am sure we will meet again!" he booms while slapping his hand atop the crates he delivered to produce a resounding rumble, "But now I must depart." Fudou turns and gives a light wave, "If you see Rishi before I do..tell her you met me.."
Tiziri	There's a strange look on the young woman's face, almost sad. "I look at it more for defense from unjust things, myself. To defend myself on the road. It's a necessity, all sorts of bad things out there after all. But yes, I am pretty good with this spear. not as good as I might like to be, but good enough." Then Ardent Vagabond bites her lower lip for a moment and nods, "It was nice to meet you. I shall remember that about Rishi too." Once more she holds her fist in her palm, this time adding a slight bow of her head.