RP:She Was the Bee's Knees, Man

Summary: While hunting for bees, Mallory gets to meet a very strange and boisterous Sidd.

08/23/2017

Forest

Mallory was crouched low next to the forest bee that was gathering nectar between legs on a dandelion. Wherever this bee was headed, there was going to be a hive. The woman was careful not to spook the insect and make it angry, so she kept her distance. She wore a white button up with blue strips that was open over a plain grey loose t-shirt with a pair of black pants and hiking boots. She had a strapped rustic orange knapsack over her shoulders containing Sven knows what. When the bee buzzes away, she follows behind through trees and thick thorn bushes before hearing the buzzing sounds in the distance. Where was that hive? Smoked eyes scan the surroundings up, squinting at the pine trees that surround the area.

Sidd was probably about to upset Mallory. He, as usual, was out for an exploration stroll due to a dire boredom and a goal of trying to remain sober for an entire day. Fat chance of that happening, but a man could dream. The quiet of the forest was suddenly interrupted by the human's loud off-key singing, his song had already begun by time anyone of a sentient nature could hear it. "With jaded eyes and features, you think they really care? I AIN'T NO GOD DAMN SUNUVA BITCH! YA BETTER THINK ABOUT IT BABY!" Decked out in his favored torn up attire, Sidd would enter into view, eyes closed as he used a large branch as a makeshift guitar. A stupid move really, because before he could continue his song, he tripped. You know, forest and all. Not exactly a place of stable footing. "Ah damn it!" he called out, fumbling to upright himself. It was here that he would spot Mallory, cool blue gaze widened as he had wondered if she saw his idiocy in action. A sheepish grin and he greeted her, "Yo."

Mallory might have cringed when she heard the loudness of the man’s vocals, her heart races a little bit due to his energy. Crude. Eyes look forward instead of up and she turns in both directions until she spots the edgy man and bee cross his path and he trips. The half elf looks down towards the dirt and high grass. Bingo. The hive was a few feet in front of him; buried beneath the ground. As he gathers his stability, she stares widely back at him (oh, she saw –all- of that idiocy, that’s the truth). It takes her a while to respond and get a sense of who he is. Tuck it, tuck it, tuck it back. Her stare softens to almost silk, and amusement dances a little in the smoky iris haze. “Smooth,” bees begin to meander out of the hole, but they are not angry, just a little rattled. “You better watch your steps, guitar man,” her humor is dry due to covering up her empathy and eyes linger a few feet in front of him where the bees roam.

Sidd was in the middle of dusting off the dirt and leaves he had accumulated in the fall when the buzzing tickled his inner ear. He froze, first looking at Mallory, and then to the origin of the sound. "Oh shi-" he started, cutting himself off in the wake of a couple backwards steps. It's not like he were allergic or anything, but bees maybe frightened him a little. Just a little. Not like he was gonna go screaming or anything... right? "Wow, man. Close call. Real close. Thanks, lady." he spoke, obviously to the only other living being out here. After a careful step-a-round to avoid the nest of stingy insects, Sidd make a careful approach toward the half-elven woman. He didn't want to seem all threatening or anything. Then again, she could probably kickhis ass anyhow. Do. Not. Underestimate.The. Locals. "I ain't, like, encroaching on your territory or nothin', am I? Already had one sour run-in with someone in the woods. That sucked."

Mallory raises her brows at his reaction. Fear. Typical from most people with bees, but the truth was the calmer you were around bees, the more they were calm. Either way, she is now intrigued by the odd ball of a man instead of the bees. “Sure,” she responds to the thankfulness. Mallory was careful watching him approach her, and as he did, she began to let go of her hidden emotions and began to embrace his presence. Scared of bees? No sense of harm most likely. “You know, they won’t harm you unless you harm them. Unless they’re hornets, those are devil spawn,” she mutters. Full focus is now on him, gazing his attire, his features, everything. “Territory?” She snickers. “No, no. I don’t even live around here. I’m just on a little side job exploration. Do I look threatening?” beat. “I’m guessing you aren’t on familiar ground?” She stands from her kneeling position, she was shorter, petite and seemed like the forest was not her thing. However, looks were deceiving.

Sidd 's thick strip of messy hair was smoothed backward with one hand; That very hand coming to rest upon the back of his nearly sun burnt neck. "Ah, yeah, I guess I should know that. I just never like to take my chances when I see little buzzin' flying things. We have a deal: I avoid'em, they don't take their little fiery vengeance out on me." he offers with a smirk. He takes a the moment of lull in conversation to get a better view of Mallory, trying to discern exactly what she was. He had grown fascinated by pretty much anything that wasn't straight up human. Her features were humanoid, for sure, but there were differences. "Oh, hah, naw. But I mean, you can't be too careful I guess! I've seen giant ass monsters that look like they would eat you in a heartbeat- turn out to be the friendliest buggers around. And I've seen the little guys, no higher than my knees, turn out to be traitorous little bastards that would murder you for anything shiny. You look cool, I guess. But still. I have a stick. be careful." He raised his tree branch in a joking manner, that smirk widening into a dumbass grin. "Nah. Same boat as you, I guess. Exploration and all. Trying to learn my way around these parts. I get lost. A lot. Figured I might as well find familiar landmarks to keep my directions up to date." Shifting his weight and lowering said terrifying branch, he asked, "What sort of exploration are you doing? Mapping? Or like, hunting treasures or something?"

Mallory curls lips into a small smile at his response, however she saves her words. She listens. “Always the unexpected in these parts, sure. Cool…? Right, maybe,” she squints, his slang threw her off a little, but she was always eager to catch up and understand new faces. The half elf looks at the stick and frowns. “You beat me with that stick, you best watch out,” an instant snap, yet she smiles in return since she caught the humor. “Ah, new. Well, there is some ‘cool’ places,” she grins. “As for me, no mapping, I’m familiar with most places. I’m actually on a bee hunt. I help with beekeeping for a friend in Larket. Some hobby I dabble in. I’m actually located in Cenril,” she lifts small shoulders. “No treasures, usually. I tend to stay away from any old artifacts,” mostly because energies from old antiques were a son of a… bad to the bone--sometimes. “I like hunting specific herbs though. Makes fun for different concoctions,” she tucks a loose strand of hair from her pinned back lowdo. “You don’t look like a great explorer to me though, pardon my judgement. Where you from?” She was also a Nosy Nelly.

Sidd looks like a first grader student trying to figure out how to jam a square peg into a round hole. His gaze reached for the sky, eyelids narrowed as he tried to place the names of the locations she mentioned. First he points east, "Cenril... that's the city, oi? Neato. I actually pass through there often. Well, the main strip at least. I was told my ass would be robbed blind if I deviated to the back streets, hah. I usually cut through to hop a ride over to that Island, Rynvale?" Then, he looks to the west. Well, he assumed west. He had made a point of trying to stay on a straight path when he entered forest. "Aaand, Larket. Oh! Hey! I know that place pretty well by now. That was my first adventure in finding civilization! So, a beekeeper, eh? That Sounds like an interesting hobby. Do you study them, or like, are you into the honey making business?" Sidd was starting to sweat a little, even in the forest it seemed to be a bit humid. The backpack was tossed to the ground, the flap opened as he began to rummage around. "Hah. You're right on that front. I'm a terrible explorer. I've almost died a few times. Got into a brawl. But, in the end, I always get to see some awesome new places." Finally, he pulled out a worn bandana, using it to wipe his forehead. Mallory's prodding about where he was from was met with a very brief half-frown when he answered. "Definitely not here, that's for sure. Far away. Real far. Human only, uh, continent. it was lame, so I left in a hurry." Kind of truth. Kind of lie. It worked.

Mallory nods firmly. “That’d be it. Cenril is sketchy, I used to live in Larket, but I needed something… different. Something to thrive off of. I work at the inn in Cenril. You should see the people we get and the problems we have with people. Catch me on the main strip,” she grins. “Do stay away from the back ends though. I have gotten robbed before by a cat burglar--weird, it’s not fun. Pain in the ass really,” she was bouncing off of his slop behavior. Oh, Mallory… Mallory, Mallory. “I had to move away from Larket because people tend to get suspicious due to witchery. They think I’m some sort of sorcerer or something,” she rolls her eyes. Who knew what she was, no one really knew the true Mallory. “Well, I guess I study them in a sense? To capture them. You have to make them happy so you can collect honey. I help with that aspect. My friend, Lloyd, is the one who produces the honey and waxes, and he pays me in honey and stuff to make my own salves and such. He’s definitely kind. Your type – human,” she finds his conversation comforting. Someone to actually talk to who was enthusiastic. “Awesome? As in stunning, I hope,” still learning his slang. “You’d be surprised what you may find. Ranging from scorching hot to frozen cold, way up high to way deep into dark tunnels. It’s a wonder,” she takes note of his temperature. Mallory had thick skin, nothing bothered her except the ice cold depths and being stuck on a boat in the middle of the sea. “Continent? Really? Only humans? Like Venturil?” Not even close, but whatever, she lets it go. “You know where you’re going next? Need a point?” Of direction, she meant.

Sidd took the opportunity to make himself comfortable. He had been walking for a few hours and his feet were pretty tired; So upon his ass he fell, legs folded neatly beneath him. "Hah. Not sure what Venturil is, but if it's full of humans, then probably!" Sidd's note to self: Buy a geography book, stupid. "And nah, no idea really. Between tavern hopping and looking for work, I don't have much better to do. So I like to wander aimlessly and just... see the sights. This place has some beautiful tourist stops, I've found." it had been a lot of walking, but he really did admire the scenery. From beautiful beaches, to simple quiet towns, to the upper class wonderment of the Avian city, Shezerade. A blade of grass was plucked from the soft earth as he looked the half-elf over, his words first focused on the city life. "Honestly, that sort of sounds like my jam. The city stuff, I mean. I used to hang with all sorts of problematic types. Well, not cat burglars or anything. maybe once I get a better weapon than a branch, I'll make it a point to go explore a bit. Looks interesting enough." An earnest smile slides over his features and he squints a little, a passing breeze causing the sun to filter through the leaves and onto his face. He now focused on one of the earlier comments, the confusion easily spotted when he asked, "Witches? What? isn't the whole like... magic thing common around here? Why would being a witch be bad? That's just weird. I think, at least. And why would they think you're a sorcerer? Aren't salves and such, like, just ointments? Sorry, my chemistry is real rusty, hah. That just seems backward to me."

Mallory shrugged as in a “suit yourself”, she did not mind his travelling aura, she had one herself. She found it refreshing. New places would mean new starts each location. She could be a different person in another town all she wanted, but then again, she just hid in the background. Except in Xalious, her last name was known there. “Looking for work, huh? Perhaps somewhere in Cenril will hire you. I know the inn business is a disaster. People are disgusting and workers always want to quit,” she grins politely. “Anyway, so you’re a troublemaker? I mean, you give off that like… rough appearance, but you don’t seem really… rough.” She was blunt, okay? His confusion takes her back. He really did not know much, and she was amused. So fragile in such an odd world. Witches… yes, a secret she may never express. Her power was a different term. She was a type of witch, but she did not know how to tap into her own magic. Her abilities just seemed to set in, but she was capable of more, she was sure. “Magic is common, yes. But when you curse cities and throw hexes at people, people get paranoid by anything. That’s why it’s easier to look suspicious in Cenril,” she smirks. She wraps her hands around the straps of her bag while she tilts her head down at him. “Yes, they are just ointments. But witches tend to make potions and such, good or bad. When you start to do strange things and gather a bunch of herbs and bugs and random things, people wonder what you’re doing or making. That’s just plain curiosity. Everyone has it, even if they act like they don’t,” she shrugs.

Sidd tried his best to look mean- curled lip snarl and all. She was smart, though, so it was determined she would see right though that in a heartbeat. "Ah hah. Well, I guess I'm not totally a trouble maker. Not like some sort of crook or whatever. I'm more the kind of guy that, once we're pals, will mess with ya for fun. Hot pepper on your sandwich kind of thing, yeah? I like to live by the whole 'Do unto others' thing. Try not to hurt people unless they really, really deserve it- Like some band of dicks pickin' on one person." That last bit of the statement was given a smirk. Although it was for the most part faded, there was a slight telltale sign in his right eye of a bruise that was on its way out- Something earned in a particular scenario he had just listed off. He shrugged then, "I don't know. I might look into it. Not sure I'm the 'Inn' kinda guy. Unless, they need something fixed. Still, appreciate the tip." His attention turned away from the half-elven woman for a brief bit, steely blues focused now on a couple of birds nesting up in the canopy above. He was still paying attention of course, his next answer directly going toward her statements on the witch issue. "Ah. Well damn. That sucks. Always a few shifty bastards that ruin it for everyone. Yeah, I totally get why you'd want to get out of Larket. Nosy jackasses, especially frightened nosy jackasses, tend to get innocent people locked up, or killed." Sidd turned back to Mallory and stodd up, dusting himself off. "So, what kind of uh, salves do you create? If you don't mind me asking. Are you just an herbalist, or should I be scared you're gonna hex me?" he offered a teasing grin.

Mallory almost wanted to laugh at his snarl, she liked different emotions. “Ohhh, you’re one of those funny guys, huh?” beat, “Oh you beat the bullies, eh?” Like school, that was where her mind went and she wanted to giggle, but she kept her straight face. “So you’re a bear, but only full of stuffing,” she enjoyed teasing. Her best friend was a dude, so that made sense, although girly. “I’ll keep my eyes out for you then, well… if I ever see you again.” She looks him up and down, she was not sure if she would. “They cry witch for sure,” she shrugs. As he stands, she takes a step back, only because she knew this was the perfect time to escape. More questions, which she enjoyed, but she liked to take her time with people. “Pain reliever, burn relief, eh… y’know… I don’t know.” She then smiles slyly. “I guess you’re just going to have to wait and find out though what I am. Travel calls. Who knows, you might have to cry witch,” she steps back more and gives him a wink. “Hope you don’t get lost, if you ever need guidance, you can catch me in Cenril,” she gazes over him one more time. “Ask for Mallory,” and with that she begins to go back through the bushes.

Sidd stares at Mallory and contemplates her words. She was quick with the wit, and this in turn caused him to break out into a fit of laughter. "Damn. SHARP." The ol' backpack was slung over his back again, arms slipping through the straps as he too got ready to depart. "That's pretty awesome. Thanks. I'm sure we'll meet again, chiquita." He begins to walk backwards slowly, two fingers lifted in the shape of a V. "Will do!- Peace out, Mallory!" Then as she began to disappear into the foliage, he calls out in turn, "Oh right! I'm Sidd! HAH!" he turns soon after, obviously in the opposite direction, and heads out. Probably to get lost again. That's his specialty, apparently.

~FIN