Stepping Up (EM, River District, OPEN)

[Ali ibn Farid]

It was true that Ali had already done his allotment of patrolling. But he was going to do more anyway. If his presence made people feel a little safer to see the reassuring sight of a guard, armed and armored, on patrol, then it was worth it.

Hopefully he was a reassuring sight.

He walked down the streets, gaze sweeping this way and that, slowly but not casually.

[Al-Haddar]

Al-Haddar was walking down the streets at a steady pace, carrying a (for once) empty basket. Noticing a guard he almost mechanically turned into a side street before remembering he had (for once) nothing illegal in any way on his person. Thus he continued onward as any good citizen would do.

"Greetings honored soldier. Is the day finding you well? If you haven't eaten yet, I'm headed to a café I've heard the most agreeable things about."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali tilted his head, considering a moment, then nodded. "I have not eaten, although it wouldn't be proper for me to do while on duty." He glanced around. "Still, let me accompany you. One of the advantages to setting one's own patrol route is, well, there's no reason I can't walk with a neighbor to a cafe."

He did take a quick glance around, including down the way Al-Haddar had come, in an abundance of consideration. It probably wasn't a trap, but like his mother said, it paid to be cautious.

[Al-Haddar]

Ali ibn Farid's cautiousness turned to be contagious and Al-Haddar frowned.

"You seem quite on your guard. Was there an incident? This district is usually peaceful."

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Usually peaceful, yes. But my mother always liked to say 'a moment of caution avoids a lifetime of regret'." Ali smiled fondly. "Wise words, I've found."

He looked at Al-Haddar, smile fading. "And it's usually peaceful, yes. But not always. Be careful if you carry your wealth with you, friend."

Well, that was enough conversation that introductions should be done. Ali bowed, his right hand gesturing in greeting. "My name is Ali ibn Farid. At your service, sir."

[Al-Haddar]

Al-Haddar returned the greeting:

"Just call me Al-Haddar. Everyone does.

My wealth is all relative though it would make losing the little I have all the more tragic. My mother would definitely agree with yours. My brother would say life is about taking risks... But since his daredevil ways ended up with a mourning family, I choose to disregard his opinion on the matter."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali bowed his head. "May his soul find peace."

Straightening, he cleared his throat. "But indeed, if you only have a little, losing it would be all the more tragic. Although I've known those with wealth beyond anything what you or I could attain break down at the loss of even a tiny portion of it." He shrugged. "Perhaps there's a lesson there. I'm not sure."

Gesturing about, Ali looked at Al-Haddar. "Which way to your cafe, friend?"

[Al-Haddar]

"Crocodile tears! As the prophet says: One copper to one who has thirty is just another copper.

The café is at the border of this quarter and the Merchant's one. From here, the simplest way there is to follow the river for a bit.

That establishment is a bit above my own budget as a customer actually – I'm heading there for work, not leisure. Doing deliveries today."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali chuckled at that, soft but honest. "Well quoted, friend. True words indeed, in my experience."

Following the directions, Ali nodded. "A pleasant route for a patrol. Let us walk together, then, and speak as we do so." He set a slow pace, his easy stride somewhat at odds with his still alert gaze.

But still, he didn't ignore his walking companion. "Well, that makes two of us, no doubt. What sort of deliveries do you do?"

[Al-Haddar]

"Whatever people pay me for. Today it will be snacks to the spectators of the archery contest. I'm not sure under which conditions exactly yet though. I think they have planned several events today in different locations or something?"