One Man's Treasure II [Day 1, Late Afternoon, Open]

[Ikkit the Bastard]

Ikkit's beady eyes widened at the sight of the bug.

And then he took it and chomped away, bits of cooked chitin flying with abandon.

He seldom treated himself to a bug, because he had to spend actual money on them.

[Illiam'iira]

He seldom treated himself to a bug, because he had to spend actual money on them.

Illi watches with a small smile, eating hers at a much more restrained pace. Food's a lot nicer when you can share it with someone.

Once Ikkit's devoured his snack, Illiam'iira adds, "Thanks again for the bob. Really means a lot." Before getting in a few more bites. "You wanna eat the head for me?"

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Y'sure? Head's the best part... the facets on the eyes pick up more of the seasoning..."

He felt obligated to give her a chance to back out.

Fekt croaked again.

"Guessing you're even newer in town than most."

[Illiam'iira]

"Guessing you're even newer in town than most."

Oh, that makes it even nicer if she shares it, then; Illi offers the head to Ikkit while taking a tiny peek at Fekt. Cute... "Is it really that obvious? I've only been here ... not even a day, I think?" She scratches the back of her neck as she blushes. Damn.

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Y'got the Clueless lingo, got the Clueless friendly, an' y'don't sport some damn Faction badge, so figure you for new. 'Sides. You look around, not for threats, but just t'look."

[Illiam'iira]

"Y'got the Clueless lingo, got the Clueless friendly, an' y'don't sport some damn Faction badge, so figure you for new. 'Sides. You look around, not for threats, but just t'look."

"Oh." Her expression falls a bit; she doesn't want to stop being friendly. "I, er, uhm, I know someone could knife me, but there's a crowd here, I'm not carrying too many valuables, I'm not tryin' to start trouble, I can call my friend over, an' I can heal myself up, so I figure it's fine to just... be a bit. Oh! But I do know what jink is! And Clueless!... still figuring out Cutter but I have an idea."

That's not enough, Illiam. She sighs, shoulders slumping. "They really freeze you out here if you're new and not part of something, huh?"

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Faction namers like everyone shipshape and ordered. Even the ones claim t'be freewheelin' ain't comfortable if y'don't join somebody. Had t'knock a head last night 'bout that, actually."

He shrugged.

"But since they're all complete berks, I wouldn't let that part bother me any, were I you."

[Illiam'iira]

"But since they're all complete berks, I wouldn't let that part bother me any, were I you."

She giggles a little. Makes her feel better, and, weirdly, reminds her of home -- everywhere you go, people try shoving you into boxes so they can understand you better. For now she's comfortably free to spread her wings and fly even if she won't get far on her own. "Thank you. I'll take it to heart. I'm, uhm, Illiam'iira, by the way. It's nice to meet you!"

[Ikkit the Bastard]

"Ikkit. Ikkit the Bastard t'most 'round here. I'll let you suss out why."

[Illiam'iira]

"Ikkit. Ikkit the Bastard t'most 'round here. I'll let you suss out why."

"I can guess!" She laughs. "It's a tough city, so I'm guessing, you gotta be tougher if you wanna get anywhere. If people think you're weak, they'll walk right over you, or worse. So you gotta be tougher than whatever shit gets thrown at you." Which sucks. Illiam's not tough at all. Breathe. Calm yourself. Her skin sparkles with the flush that comes when you want to cry but won't. "Uh, do you, uh, do you know where I can get a mimir? Someone said I could use one. I can pay you a finder's fee, I mean, if you can spare the time for it."