Naomi
*Amidst hushed whispers and pointing from passing High Elves, derisive stares at the Macen that held herself in such a casual manner, the young knight sat upon the grass in the centre of the city, a peaceful gardens in the midst of the din. Her armour glittered dimly in the noon light, her ashen hair stark against the deep greens underfoot. She sighed, pulling at her ponytail and relaxing a moment - her eyes blazing auburn as she scanned around.*
"For all the stories told of this place... You would think they would be used to tourists..."
*Her voice was gentle and refined, yet weathered and low by her wandering years and upbringing. She plucked an orchid that lay by her thigh, studying it a while.*
Ozie
*Happening to be passing through the center of the city at that moment as well, the pale ori had chosen to appear as a high elf to avoid the exact situation that Elias had found herself in. For the most part, the disguise let him blend into the crowd, aside from the occasional sideways glance at his armored appearance. 

He wasn't exactly sure what he was doing in this garden - if he was being completely honest - other than the pretty flowers that had caught his attention on the way here. A short break wouldn't hurt, he figured, and the merchant had been stooping down to literally smell the roses when a stray voice caught his attention - leading him to poke his head around the corner to see the odd Macen sitting alone with a orchid by her side.*
Naomi
*Noticing the lone non-threatening Silnari in the crowd - her magical senses far too lacking to notice the facade - she prodded him verbally, eyes narrowing at him.*
"What is it with your kin? You act as if this place is sacred..."
*She asked, the venom in her voice masked by her soft Northern contralto.*
Ozie
*It was pretty rare to see a Macen around here. Well, fellow merchants and other workers were somewhat common, but it was the first time he had seen someone who resembled some kind of knight in the city, all by herself.* 
"You'll have to excuse them - it's a part of their culture, unfortunately." *Her tone definitely made him uncomfortable, but he would just have to take it as a confirmation that his disguise was working.*
"I take it that this is your first time in Ulnoor?" 
*The oni approached her while attempting to appear reasonably friendly, a pair of orange eyes meeting her worn with a slight frown in his expression.*
Naomi
*Her demeanour softened as the Silnari proved amicable, sitting up as he approached and waving her hand dismissively.*
"Yes, it is indeed. I expected more glamour, but it is clearly the *Jewel* Of this great empire..."
*She replied, her words dripping with sarcasm as she shifted, her armour clinking against her mail.*
Ozie
"It's still a pretty city - well, certainly prettier than where I came from." *The sarcasm in her tone prompted a chuckle in response from him, followed by internal relief at the fact that she didn't seem to hold any bitter resentment towards his appearance.

Thinking back - when he had seen the city for the first time alongside his brother, he remembered that it had caused his jaw to drop in awe. Yet this Macen seemed rather unfazed by one of the most prosperous cities on the continent. Where was she from, he wondered?*

"My name's Niko Sunderer - an adventurer on his travels. Yours?"
Naomi
"Elias Alicia Bluedove. I suppose I'm a mercenary now, though mostly just wandering..."
*Her voice was hollow, almost sullen - as if her name felt incomplete as she said it. In truth, the knight yearned for her titles, and the glory of fighting under a noble banner. Alas, she was far from reclaiming this, and saw no path to it as of now. Elias looked Niko up and down, nodding as she identified the various blades and tools on his person.*
"Have you been adventuring long? You look a little green."
Ozie
*It seemed there was some kind of story behind her situation, but he wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to ask. Instead, he tried to appear as positive as possible in an attempt to lift her spirits - if even a little bit.*

"Well-" *He froze, wondering for a moment if she had caught onto some part of his disguise that was off. The moment passed, however, soon as he realized what she had meant by looking a little 'green'.* 
"-you got me," *He admitted with an embarrassed smile,* "I haven't gotten to use these tools for a proper adventure yet, but that should change soon!"
Naomi
"Word of advice: Forget the stories your father told you. Adventuring is just mercenary work with an idealist spin. Those who delude themselves into believing otherwise find their lives are cut far shorter than most."
*She dispensed with her cynical advice, her gauntleted hand tapping the pommel of her longsword as she stared off into the distance; her eyes like melted caramels as they glazed over.*
Ozie
*Wow. Very suddenly, the mood had veered off of a cliff - and Niko would not stand for it. His father would certainly have some things to say if he had been told that to his face, being the renowned explorer that he was.*
"Maybe you're right and I'm just deluding myself by trying to become an adventurer like the rest. But if my father taught me anything, it's that good men can accomplish great things when they aren't motivated by greed."
*Stooping down, Niko picked up the orchid that had been left behind on the ground.* 
"I don't mind if my life gets cut short if that means I can work for the greater good."
Naomi
*She gave him a passive sideye, considering his words for a moment - the light returning to her eyes. She pursed her lips, realising she may have been too harsh on the boy - a combination of her hard past and the animosity from the elven public, perhaps. She shifted her weight once more, pulling her legs under her rear and resting on them, turning to him with a gentle smile.*
"Perhaps... All I caution you is to not throw your life away. Even heroes retire, so you certainly should endeavour to one day."
Ozie
*Soon as he saw that the light had returned to her eyes - and her tone had noticeably eased, the young adventurer's expression beamed with elation.*
"I may be green, but I still know the limits of what I am capable of." *He paused, idly bouncing the orchid from hand to hand.* 
"I guess retirement will come someday, but considering my old folks are still up to things, that *Probably* Won't happen for a while." *He shrugged.*

"Hey, you don't even look that much older than me." *He probably could have phrased that better... Too late now,* "-when are you planning to stop doing mercenary work?"
Naomi
*Considering she had commented on his age, she was only offended for a moment - chuckling softly as she leaned back a little, her chest rising and dropping slowly as she relaxed.*
"When I reclaim my title and my lands."
*Her eyes focused on the palace that lay at the top of the city's incline, as if she thought it familiar.*
Ozie
*Everything Elias was saying was just raising more unanswered questions in his mind, but there was a definite story that was emerging.*
"If you don't mind me prying a bit, I'm guessing you're wandering and a mercenary for hire because you lost your title and land?"
*He figured it was on to something! Hopefully, the question had been asked at the right time and wouldn't completely backfire by making her cold towards him again.*