Sun on the Water (LA, River, OPEN)

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali studied Kezia for a few moments, admiring her in profile, and then looked out over the water, too. Sometimes you didn't need to look at anything in particular.

"Your memory serves you well." Ali shrugged, his gaze still on the river. "I don't think it's really the archery that's holding the city's interest. It's, well, people need entertainment. Something to wake up for. A little excitement in their lives." He gave Kezia a sidelong glance, smiling. "I expect you can relate to that, eh?"

[Kezia]

She chuckled.

"It's what we do. Well. Most of the time. I think some of my kin are bit miffed that this festival is upstaging us."

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Oh, well..." Ali crossed his arms over his chest with a smile. "They shouldn't worry too much about that. I suppose you might have to share a little. But people get in a festive mood, they don't want the party to stop, they go to visit your caravan... see the dancers..."

He regarded her, tilting his head. "Which caravan is it? I know there are different sorts, but I'll admit to being unclear on the differences."

[Kezia]

"We're very much in the entertainment end of things. And make no mistake, we're hoping that a festive mood translates to some generosity from those who call on us, but..."

She shrugged.

"We have long since learned not to count too much on that sort of thing."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali grunted, his expression turning grim. Grimmer. Medium-grim. "I wish I could say you were wrong. But I know you're not. I wish..." A grimace flashed over his features. "I wish it were different."

He looked at her again, eyebrows going up. "You have enough muscle? I work for the guard, sometimes." He smiled without humor. "And I take it seriously. So if you or your fellows need a little extra, well, I'd be happy to have my patrol route go through your area."

[Kezia]

"Ah, we look after ourselves. Always have."

She smiled.

"But it's kind of you to offer."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali nodded. "Of course." It seemed to be answering both the refusal and the reason.

Uncrossing his arms, Ali stretched, arms up over the head. We was muscular but lean, no doubt a mixture of good exercise but undernutrition. He settled back with a sigh. "People ought to help their neighbors." He said suddenly. "I mean... not just neighbors. Guests, too. You know what I mean." He gave a vague wave of his hand. "It's hard when so many don't have anything to give."

A brief pause, and he grimaced, then smiled. "Unfortunately, no one's put me in charge of fixing the world's problems. Or if they did, they didn't tell me about it. Or give me the means to do so."

[Kezia]

"Talking of fixing the world's problems?"

She chuckled.

"I may have to reassess your modesty. For one man to even consider addressing it... that takes some balls."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali chuckled. "Oh, I've got guts, believe me." He was entirely unaware of his wrong guess. "But I'm not fool enough to think that guts is all it takes to fix the world's problems."

He sighed, smile fading, although not entirely. "Still, I figure if I can do my share, maybe everyone else can do their part. Very much like building a house, actually." The last of the smile became wry again. "Wishful thinking, I fear."

[Kezia]

"Does your father build houses without telling anyone what to do? Does he plan on people just showing up and chipping in?"