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 Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:56 pm
She had to get out of there.
Lining the floor, pressing up against the walls, stacking high in corners and even cluttering the bed; Adriane had managed to store every embroidered piece of leather she sewed all within the confines of her sleeping quarters, and had decided to bring her grandbaby in to see one of her latest works. Usually Erikai would spend hours staring at the outfits, spotting the perfect craftsmanship on stitches and the very simple designs that weaved through the hides. Usually she would praise Adriane for all the work, time, sweat and blood given up to create such lovely crafts, but today was simply not one of those usual days.
She felt suffocated by the amount of perpetual beauty each item had and could not help but wonder if she would ever be ‘good’ enough to consider herself ‘average’. Face to face with her failed attempts, as Adriane often kept whatever Erikai finished in order to show improvement later on, the girl needed an escape. She needed to run through the open air and feel the winds toss that long, golden braid back while her mind cleansed itself of discouraging thoughts.
It was in the better interests of Erikai, and all who came in contact with her, to be purified of her ill will.
She took it upon herself to leave for the afternoon, regardless of how Adriane pleaded for the twenty turned woman to stick around for more. There would be time later, for now Erik needed a release. Being close enough to the outside, where running wouldn't become a hazard for all who walked near by, Erikai bounded out into the Weyrbowl and toward the spring, grumbling all the while.
She was so lost in thought that it almost seemed she was incapable of registering what was movable and stood in front of her, and what was immobile and solid enough to cause injury if she collided...it didn't matter though, running felt good. If it meant she would get a little hurt along the way, well-- it wouldn't be the first time.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:09 am
Elaynia was suffering a similar, yet altogether different, state of affairs. Instead of being cooped up with leatherworking duties, she was instead being drowned in the dull monotony of candidate's chores. The fact of the matter was, Elaynia simply did not have the desire to do them and the massive amounts they piled on her were almost disgraceful.
Like every other Weyrbrat, she'd been completing tasks since she was twelve, but she would be the first to start the rumour that the whole Weyr had been piling on more work since day one and now she did enough chores to verge on the edge of slave-labor!
She swallowed the thickness in her throat with her face contorted into an odd shape. Sweat was a disgusting thing she could never get used to, and she was outside in the cool air trying, somehow to make it go away.
Her clothes were sticking, her hair was also sticking, and oh, it was just a horrible mess! And Elaynia was so irritated that she needed to pick on something, anything.
If that person happened to be a runaway leatherworker girl, then that was who it would be. "Hey!" she snapped off after her, the tone of her voice easily mistaken for that of a shrill bird. "All your running about and you'll hurt someone." Mainly, her. "You should be an adjusted member of society. Come sit down like a normal human being." And that, Elaynia thought, pushing her hair behind her back, should settle that.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:30 am
"Pardon?" Erikai huffed, eyes searching 'round till they locked with the blue of another’s. Initially, she thought the voice belonged to Adriane and was conjured up in her head, the young woman staring at her just a coincidence and disregarded it as such. It was only when the girl barked an order in quite the angering tone that Erikai stopped completely to face her.
Is she talking to me? Her own blond strands falling into the building sweat of her forehead as she whipped about to eye the seated beauty. Why did this have to happen now? Erikai could easily just continue her run and ignore the other, but if this happened to be something of importance she would rather not lose out on an opportunity and regret later.
Even if this were just a chance meeting, maybe a friendship of some sorts could form and Erikai would have someone she could complain to about chores and work. Either way she left her grandmother's presence in order to clear her head, so really she did not care how fate went about doing this. Brows furrowing in confusion, Erikai had been too deep in her own worries to hear all that had been said and this left her unsure of how to approach the situation. As her heart calmed and the heavy breaths she took eased into gentle pants, she ran up toward the blond woman and asked, "What was that?" grabbing hold of the hair that continued to dangle against her freckled cheeks and brushed them back with her fingers.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:25 pm
Elaynia sucked in a deep breath and let it out in an agitated, quick huff. She tapped the flat of her hand on the spot next too her while her gaze stared over at that crazy runner's form.
So much sweat. Oh, it was so disgusting. Something had to be done.
"I said take a seat! Quickly now!" But nothing that her companion was doing was fast enough for her, so Elaynia quickly got to her feet and shuffled around to the girl's side.
Small mutterings fell from her lips as she reached out frenzied hands to flatten and smooth the girl's hair. "It's all crusty with salt already. Sit, sit!" she repeated and finally got the nerve to push on the girl's shoulders.
"You must tell me all about why you're doing all this dreadful running." Because she couldn't help herself, she smoothed out one of the girl's sleeves as well.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:17 pm
It started off cute, Erikai portraying a kind and suddenly sincere smile while the girl flattened out the fly-away hairs and pulled down on the wrinkles that plagued her outfit. Then, when Erikai felt the jerk on her shoulder, she wrinkled her nose with distaste and flinched out of the way momentarily.
Being pushed and shoved wasn’t necessarily strange for Erikai, but to be ordered about by a stranger who intentionally set out to direct her movements was some what irritating. Resisting some nudges more than others, she ended up sitting on the bench with some reluctance and confusion, turning her gaze to the blue eyed mistress and grunting. “All of that really wasn't necessary.” snapped the dirty blond, shifting her body to face the girls and straightening her posture.
“And don't be rude! Lets start by you telling me your name, and then we will get into the details of my run; I am Erikai.” running the back end of her hand across her slick forehead, Erikai rid herself of sweat drops and proceeded to question the girls antics in silence. Who was she to boss around a stranger? Where were the manners of this society, had they all gone to waste? Slipping her right hand up toward her shoulder, she pushed a few loose strands away from her neck and waited patiently.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:29 pm
Elaynia paused for a moment, both her brows raised. She surveyed her work, moving a stray strand out of the girl's hair at the lines 'All of that really wasn't necessary.'
"Hmmmm, better," she was about to go adjust something else, when her subject's posture straightened and all of a sudden half of her work was done for her. She raised up her hands, a smile perking on her face as she gave the exclamation, "Ah! I knew there was a pretty girl somewhere there!"
She settled down on their rock-bench shortly thereafter and was suddenly struck with her realization. "Oh! Of course. I see a fellow woman in need of help, and there I go forgetting myself." She swallowed down what was in her throat instead of clearing it, and smoothed out some of her own clothes before offering her hand to shake.
"I'm Elaynia. I'm sure you've heard of me. I don't mean to sound un-humble," she dropped her voice, made a sound slightly akin to a snicker, although much more delicate, under her breath and continued with, "but I am a bit well known around here." She had many jealous subjects, most certainly. "It is a pleasure to be of your acquaintance, Erikai. Interesting name. From the Hold? I should hope I would know of you if not? And now, the nature as to your run. What could possibly possess a pretty girl like you to want to get all. . . sweaty?" The last lines were said with obvious derision and disdain over the 'sticky' subject.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:29 pm
Cheeks turning a rosy tint, Erikai felt the heat from embarrassment surface and shake her foundation just a bit. Not often was it that people could break the stronghold Erikai strut with! Then as Elaynia brought out her hand in greeting, Erikai, in an attempt to wipe the sweat from her palms, slid them across the top of her pants before taking the hand with delight. "My, you have me all flustered. Thank you for the compliment, Elaynia, I'm honored to meet you!"
Compliments were like candy for Erikai, and the more she could dig out of anyone the better. Keeping an awareness to her stature, she observed and listened to what it was being said to her.
Not one to usually judge someone’s nature, people not often claiming her to be an expert in understanding personalities, Erikai found there were far too many facts to pass up. In the end, she concluded that this lovely, lovely girl was self-centered...extremely. It occurred to her that her next statement might bring Elaynia down from her throne, but Erikai did not wish to lie...not now, anyways. "And, I'm sorry but I have never heard of you before." Pushing her lips to the left, nose following slightly while her brows raised in mock worry, Erikai waited a few moments in between comments.
"At least you can say the same for me, though. I have lived within the Weyr all my life, never once gone out of it; I presume you have never heard of me either."
"But, anyways, I was just running away from a problem really. Nothing major of course, just craft work that I really did not want to deal with at the time." sighing deeply, she looked around the flat land and felt comfort set in once again. "I run to get rid of that pent emotion." Looking to Elaynia once to check her response, she moved topics again and briefly asked, "What brings you out here today? Anything in particular?" It was small talk, but was better than bringing up Adriane and her workloads again...which she saw happening.
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:48 pm
"Well, thank you." Elaynia couldn't help but thread her fingers through her own hair at the comment. She was honored to meet her, and it was just how it should be.
"A smart girl, too," Elaynia added. She had been set back only briefly by the fact she had not been known. "You are right. I suppose it's only fair that you don't know who I am if I don't know who you are." And, indeed, she had not heard of the girl. This was a very bad slip on her part indeed. Well, that was why she was out here, however. One could not always walk the inner Weyr for their social experiences.
Running from a problem? Elaynia settled her hands into her lap and became all ears. "Craft work? How dreadful!" It explained the girl's hands. Elaynia supposed she could do nothing about those, and this agitated her. The ends of her brows twitched slightly as she furrowed them. It was shortly after that she tehn remembered her manners and smoother out her features.
Running was a very strange habit. Most girls cried or found a nice friend to talk it out with. Well, she was here for that, now wasn't she? "Oh, I can't stay cooped up in the Weyr forever. One must have a healthy dose of sun after all." Elaynia squinted up at the clouds that were slowly starting to creep in. "Before it leaves for the winter."
A thought occured to her, and she quickly turned her attention back. "What did you say your craft was again?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:03 pm
Noting Elaynia’s glance, Erikai nodded and briefly released a chuckle if only to hide her embarrassment. Sliding her hands beneath their corresponding thigh she let her shoulders hike slightly and her body lean forward. “Yeah…” her voice more monotone than it ever had been before.
Again she felt some tension build up inside, chest tightening and features crumpled as her brain worked to hear all that was said. From one moment, where she was being admired in a sense, to the other where she was being looked to with disgust both hurt and angered her just as any insult might. In the end, Elaynia looked to have noticed the way her eyes watched the thing that most disturbed her and she all but reeled back to sustain politeness. Erikai would not forget the actions this girl made, in this moment trying to resist lashing out. She almost believed Elaynia reacted without thinking, but could not say for sure. Sighing, the conversation continued and she chose to move along with it.
“Exactly, with such fine weather we all really need to embrace it. Winter isn’t my favorite of seasons, but I run through anything all the same. A healthy dose of nature is what those Weyr moles really need.” With a light chuckle, Erikai seemed to proactively forget her previous worries and turn the other cheek, the laughter rumbling a bit longer before she continued, “Ahh, running helps forget the work that needs to be done at home. I never said what it was I did but if you must know, it is Tailoring.”
Turning the corners of her lips down in a false frown, Erikai slumped all the way over and huffed mockingly of her position in the Weyr before settling back with her hands still hidden beneath her legs and a chuckle erupting once more. "That is just how life is for a family of leatherworkers, I suppose. Keep the craft within the genes...They say it's my calling but I sort of had other plans..."
For a fleeting moment, in the distance something seemed to shield the sun from shining. Erikai's eyes were drawn to the mass that floated past and smiled...other plans.
"But how about you? What is it that you do?"
Nothing of course, Erikai mused as her lightly colored eyes locked to Elaynia's in curiosity.. She is far too pretty for work…
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:48 am
Elaynia nodded with politeness as Erikai went on to mention the weather and after, more running. It was hard for her to control her emotions at times, and so she could not stop herself from wrinkling her nose at the mention of the word. That was right, this girl was still salty and probably about to grow a bit of a smell.
It wouldn't do. It wouldn't do at all!
"Tailoring?" she exclaimed in surprise, her eyes instantly going to the girl's hands. This girl really was quiet an unclean mess. Well, Elaynia would fix that soon enough. Erikai would thank her later, she was sure.
"Other plans, Erikai? Sometimes thinking like is dangerous." The smile on her face broadened. "I like it."
And Erikai was right. Elaynia waved her hand ever so slightly to dismiss the question and she said, "Oh, you don't have to worry about me doing anything. I have my hands full with the candidate chores already!"
And speaking of chores and candidates. "Well, I think there's a bath in order. I have the perfect idea of what to do with your hair, and while you're escaping from your craft, you can tell me all about your large plans." She removed her hands from her lap and rose, waiting with perfect ease for her newfound "friend" to stand as well.
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Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:07 pm
At first Erikai chuckled. Of course a bath was in order! This girl must not go an hour without one…but as the conversation ended and Elaynia stood, Erikai’s features crumpled once more.
What was she planning exactly? Hair washing, combing, cleaning; did she seriously want to give her a bath? With eyebrows raised in surprise, Erikai leaned back in protest.
“Wait…” she whispered, thoughts garbled by the noise in her head. "My...uh--" How was it when she really needed an excuse, she could not manage to create one. Perhaps it had to do with that voice screaming for her not to deny the request...a confidence that welled up, reassuring her that this situation would not lead to any wrong. It caused Erikai to become willing, in a sense. There was something strange about Elaynia, a friend like quality that Erikai could appreciate and possibly benefit off in the long run. What ever it was, the logical side told her to be kind. It wasn’t as if Elaynia had given her a good enough reason otherwise.
Grabbing hold of her blond hair and twirling it against one shoulder, she sighed with her response. “So where are we going?”
Adriane...aw well.
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