Sun on the Water (LA, River, OPEN)

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Huh." Ali grunted, crossing his arms again. A few moments as he considered the answer, and then he nodded. "I see. Thank you, Kezia of the Ra'Shari." He said, smiling. It's ours was an answer that resonated.

"Well..." Ali brushed a hand back through his hair; it had gathered some dust and sweat from the day, but not too much. "Much the same as him, but not quite as skillfully, I'm afraid. Mostly I help to lift things into place for him, or for other workers." His lips thinned. "Especially since he can't move as much as he used to. Bad back."

He smiled. "I'm also going to be in the archery competition. You're in town for the festival, I expect?"

[Kezia]

"Oh, is there a festival?"

Her tone was teasing.

"I can't say it's what brought me here, but I also can't deny that it sounds like fun. Of course, most festivals do..."

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Hah." Ali chuckled, grinning. "I suppose you've just happened to miss all the lanterns and streamers and such that people are hanging. Any excuse for a party... is a philosophy that I find myself agreeing with, actually."

He nodded. "But yes, it should be fun. It's going on over the next few days. If you get a chance, come through the city in the evening. It'll be a sight to see, I promise."

"And then there's the archery competition itself. I plan on taking part." Ali said casually, shrugging.

[Kezia]

"Oh? Fancy yourself an archer, do you?"

The same teasing tone, coupled now with an arched eyebrow.

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali snorted, amused by her teasing. "Oh, I don't know if I'd say that. I've been known to hit a target or two with my bow, when I put my mind to it. Enough that I don't mind showing my skills in a competition."

With a hint of a playful smirk, he crossed his arms again. "Do you doubt it? And what about you? What do you fancy yourself, Kezia of the Ra'Shari?"

[Kezia]

"Fancy myself? Well, generally I leave fancying me to other people, but since you ask?"

She shrugged.

"I am Ra'Shari. That means I travel. I see things. And I try to have fun doing it."

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Hah." Ali gave a short laugh. "I suppose I should have seen that one coming." He studied her a few moments, lips pursed, a mix of thoughtful an amused. She was pretty, and charming, there was no denying that. But there was a lot of space between that and properly fancying someone.

After a few moments, Ali shrugged, smiling. "That sounds alright to me. Find the fun that you can. See the things that you can. I might like to travel some day..."

Another moment, and Ali looked at her. "And come see the archery contest. Maybe you'll get to see me place, eh? That sounds pretty fun to me." This time, he was the one with the teasing tone.

[Kezia]

"Hm, only betting on yourself to place? Tsk, so modest!"

She appeared to be looking at something on the far side of the river.

"But I suppose it could be impressive enough, if the field is a deep one..."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali laughed, but then he shook his head. "In truth, I don't have great hopes of placing. But, well, I suppose I just want the experience. Being in the competition, being a part of it all... and if I should be the odds and place after all, well, I can only to that if I make the attempt, eh?"

Tilting his head, he gave her a curious look. "It should be a deep field. It's a city-wide festival. If you're looking for the truly great archers, I expect a few." His tone was slightly uncertain. Still frowning, he stepped closer, turning to try and follow her gaze across the river.

[Kezia]

She didn't actually seem to be looking at anything in particular, her posture a pose struck for his benefit.

"All this talk about archery... I don't recall hearing of this obsession with bows and arrows in the Jewel before. City-wide, you say? So few things really seem to hold the entire city's interest, if memory serves..."