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 Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 3:52 pm
So Shalvesta was understandably underwhelmed when she found the clearing that their Oban troops had taken over, filled with graves and Tendaji-style tents, left from the retreat. Biting her lip, the woman gripped the sash around her shoulder that held the heavy longsword in place against her back, stepping through the camp. She supposed she was a 'tourist', one of the non fighters who swarmed to the newly conquered Tendaji land to ooh and ahh over it, but being a 'war widow' granted her a certain amount of respect and sympathy even out here.
Her snooping about was met with pitying looks and smiles, rather than rolled eyes and grunts. And she preferred it that way - she'd play along and act whatever way they wanted, if it meant she could look around in peace. As it was she stood outside of an empty tent, peering inside and wondering if she could guilt any of the officers into letting her settle here for the night in relative privacy.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:11 am
 Erikel stalked the fairgrounds. He hadn't seen anything interesting in his loop so far but there HAD to be something anything to look at or distract him from the boring feeling he was getting. Noone around here seemed to have a lick of sense. The brutish warriors that they were couldn't be bothered to argue sensibly with him.
War didn't interest him. He had seen it, heard of the results but there were far more pressing and interesting things to think about. He was looking for the tracks of beasts. There had to be some around. Somewhere even with all the tents and people moving around they didn't just vanish. He didn't even notice when he walked straight into the path of another person.
When he looked up he saw it was a woman. Young she appeared to be. Oh well not his problem. He tripped as he tried to avoid dealing with her.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 3:45 pm
One moment Shal was peering into the tent, the next she heard the soft sound of footsteps. She turned to look - just in time to see another young prentice, like herself, who one moment had been walking almost right into her - only to stumble aside at the last moment, tripping in the strange grass of the jungle clearing.
Shal squeaked in surprise, reaching out a hand to grip his arm and help steady him, then pulled her hand away a second later as if burned, bowing her head in deferral. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be in your way." She said, quickly, her pink eyes cast down as she stepped back and away from the other prentice. "Are you alright?"AnhikaJeanine Sorry for the long wait on this!
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 5:52 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle Your golden! My son's father left us recently and tried to cause drama the day I asked for the rp. ><' I felt bad that I didn't answer you in a timely fashion lol But thank you! Erikel paused when she grabbed his arm to keep him from falling. He was greatful he wouldn't land unceremoniously on his rump. "Thank you"He wiped off what dust he had gotten on himself and looked up at her. "Like I need another reason for those bruitish warriors to laugh at the highborn... though your carrying a sword are you one of those warriors? You don't really look it..." His face took on a confused look.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 7:12 pm
AnhikaJeanine Are you kidding? That's horrible, I can wait as long as you need hon! <3 Are you ok??
"What? Oh- oh no." She said quickly, shaking her head and raising a hand to settle against the sash holding the sword on. "It's a family heirloom. I'm sorry to have misled you" Shal looked down again, scuffing her foot awkwardly in the grass, but after a moment she peeks up at him again, tilting her head in question. "Do you need some help? You... said you weren't a soldier either, right?"
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 7:39 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle I'll live. I'm worried about our little boy. He's only one. And I'm pregnant again which he just found out today so we'll see. You know how they say it's so easy to decide to leave when your in an abusive relationship? Their liars. Don't ever believe that.
He revealed the notebook he'd been hiding. Tattered as it was it was one of his most prized possessions. "I'm just not seeing anymore tracks with all these infernal footprints around" He stuck his tongue inside his cheek in a pout.
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 8:53 pm
Shalvesta felt herself flush a bit, embarrassed - but more that she was so obviously not a soldier. She would rather blend in than be noticed as a strange figure here, so his assurances did little to assuage her concerns. She didn't know why he seemed to dislike soldiers so much, but it wasn't her place to ask, and she worried doing so might insult him or make him angry.
So when he showed her his tattered notebook, Shalvesta was glad for a change of topic, her mouth dropping open in curiosity. "Oh! Well..." She turned her eyes towards the brush at the edge of the large camp. Surely most animals had fled there, when they saw people wandering around?? "I haven't seen any beasts around. Any that you'd see around camp would be scavengers of some kind... right?"AnhikaJeanine I don't have any experiences like that, so I don't know what to say... I'm sorry that you're in such a position though. If you need someone to talk to I can always listen if you just need to vent?
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 8:51 am
Erikel blinked, his eyes getting wide for a moment and then a solomn look crossed his face. "Your probably right." He said sighing. "This was a waste of time" He touched the soft cover of the journal tenderly before looking back up at the girl. he was concerned. She didn't appear to be a warrior and she said she wasn't however...
"What are YOU doing here? Are you alone? Girls really shouldn't be alone with all these warriors you should be more careful with yourself" He bit his lip. He really didn't wish for anything to happen to her. And men were brutal when there was a lone woman involved.
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 1:16 pm
Shalvesta bit her lip and leaned back a bit from the man, turning her eyes towards the jungle at the edge of the camp. Erikel seemed so disappointed - as if his hopes had been dashed so thoroughly by her observation, that she felt horribly guilty for it. She was broken out of her thoughts by his question, and she looked back at him, blinking.
Oh? Was he concerned? Shalvesta felt touched by his concern, but also surprised by it - so she smiled before she could stop herself, shaking her head and ducking her eyes to the ground. "I think during the day the soldiers are busy enough to remember themselves - though the night does worry me. I try and find different tents every night, and it's worked so far." It was a risk, certainly, but she felt she had little choice.
Changing the subject, Shalvesta raised a hand and motioned towards the jungle, "Maybe if you tried the jungle you'd find some creatures? This place looks old - so most creatures would be used to the sounds of people, right?"
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 5:15 pm
At the mention of them he brightened. "Of COURSE your absolutely right! They probably would be in the woods around here if there was anything left! Anything small of course they would have hunted anything good to extinction." Rolling his eyes he pouted puckering his lip.
Something at that particular moment appeared to cross his mind and before he could stop himself he opened his mouth to mention it. "I meant what I said though you should at least have a safe place to stay. Would you like to come stay in our tent? It's not very big mind you but noone would touch you and you can get a bit to eat. In return I'd really appreciate if you would be able to help me find something that ISN'T a person" He watched her face worried she would find his suggestion insulting. He wasn't quite sure that the girl would appreciate it but he didn't want her to be wandering alone. It just FELT wrong to him.
"I"m not really a fair hand at wandering by myself I have a tendency to get distracted or lost i'm afraid. So ..." He stopped his cheeks taking on a bit of a rosy coloring as he closed his mouth embarrassed.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 9:11 pm
For a moment, Erikel seemed to be distracted by her living arrangements, and Shalvesta sighed softly. She was relieved, because questions were awkward, but her arrangements were still precarious at best. So when, after spazzing out happily about the possibility of nearby creatures, he returned to the topic, and with such an unexpected offer, Shalvesta's mouth dropped open and she blinked.
It was... a kind proposition. And the man infront of her seemed to be of the noble class, though she couldn't be sure - he was dressed in rich looking clothing. Her usual distrust of men aside, though, he was being kind - and the offer for someone to watch her back was always appreciated.
He even phrased it as if she was helping him, which would have been appreciated if she had any ounce of pride in her. As it was, though, it did compel her to help him regardless. So, getting over her surprise, Shalvesta gripped the sash that held the sword over her shoulder and nodded her head, smiling somewhat shyly, but thankfully.
"I... I'd be honored to help you find -- a not-person. But I'm sure you're not as easily distracted as you say, sir!" She said with a laugh, taking a few steps from the empty tent and, instead, towards the edge of the camp. "If you really don't mind -- i-if you need to talk to whoever you're staying at, I understand too! Thank you."
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 10:07 pm
Seeing the questions in the girls eyes he thought it would be best to get her there before she could decide against it. "Come Come I don't have to tell them It's best to never give people advanced notice is something my mother always says." His sigh as he mentions that fact is a loving one. "It's alright I promise their used to me bringing home my strays" Without really touching her he reached out and waved for her to follow him. For the few moments that he led her he kept a close eye to ensure she didn't get lost or decide to run.
As he led his companion to his family's tent he thought about what he would say. Nothing needed really be said to his parents however... He didn't think the girl would really believe they were real nobles if he didn't say something to HER. He was certain of it when they reached the bright beautiful tent that he shared with his parents. As he pushed aside the flap to allow her in he could see his parents in their usual places. His father at the fire cooking his mother... He could see her on her usual pile of pillows perched with her back against them a book open in her lap and letters at her side.
Idilla was a beautiful woman. It was part of what had attracted her husband Serus to her in the first place. He was a noble well born and handsome but he had chosen a lower noble to marry. And seeing them together Erikel knew one could be intimidated. His mother though thin with a pretty face was TALL Nearly the height of her husband who's muscular structure matched that of an ox who's work had included toiling so long it was all muscle. The young man sighed hoping just the look of them didn't intimidate her.
While he was thinking without even looking up his mother spoke. "Bringing home another stray my love? Wonderful! At least this one has the power of speech" She batted her eyelashes at her furiously blushing son when she did look up and turned to the girl smiling "I am serious though my love come sit. My son welcomes you then so do I" She waved her hand at the cushions around her for the girl to sit.
Erikel looked over at his father. The massive man continued to cook and he could see by the way his father was attempting to gather spices without looking that he had no intention of turning around and scaring the girl. Inwardly he chuckled. It was part of what gave his father such a charm and had attracted his mother to the man in the first place. She had no interest in wealth or power but... The gentle giant had drawn her heart other ways.
Little creatures of every shape had gathered around the new visitor as well. Many of the young mans "Strays" and when they had stood there for a moment and gotten a wiff of this new visitor each went back to their place to lay down. Many draped across the woman on the cushions.
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 1:56 pm
Oh... now? Shalvesta swallowed thickly in dread, hoping that the boy knew what he was doing, but she found herself following regardless, her fingers clutching tightly at the sash of the sword over her shoulder. She was grateful that the boy didn't try and touch her - perhaps his knowledge of animals helped him understand when a touch was unappreciated, for which she was grateful. She followed closely, uncertain as to whether she should feel thankful or wary. Upon finally finding the tent, however, Shalvesta was relieved to find it was the former.
'They must be nobility, if she can read.' Shalvesta mused quietly, but she couldn't resist a relieved smile from blossoming on her face. She's heard from her in-laws about marriages between classes before - reminded her often of how it was entirely up to the husband's family on whether or not such a marriage would be 'approved'. Normally she'd assumed that such unions must be an awful lot like her own, but in this case the man was working at the fire, the woman reclining. And this was what intrigued Shalvesta and put her at ease.
The man, Serus, was large - broader than she'd ever seen, even here amongst the soldiers where such strength was almost required. She did step just the smallest step closer to Erikel, but the man didn't seem dangerous or even threatening in his manner at all - regardless she had had enough bad experience with stronger people to be a bit wary until she knew him better.
Then again, Idilla was tall as well - and apparently a noble, so despite the unorthodox nature of this set up, Shalvesta told herself to remain on guard, while being polite.
She almost expected Erikel to be scolded - but instead the woman looked up and summoned them in the kindest voice she had heard in a long while. It almost compelled her to obey, but before she moved she looked down and spotted - many small creatures. Shalvesta tensed up a bit, pressing her lips together - because while some nobility had large tamed creatures lounging about, regal and expensive, such small things she hadn't seen since her youth, when she had to chase small vermin from the warehouses for her father.
"And you wanted more creatures to find?" She asked quietly, with an uncertain smile - teasing, but such gentle and unsure prodding that it was barely a tease and more an observation. Carefully she stepped over and around the creatures, then lowered herself slowly onto a cushion by Idilla, without crushing an animal beneath her somehow. Then she looked to the woman and set her hands in her lap, bowing her head respectfully, "Thank you for... the very warm welcome, my lady - my lord." She then bowed her head to Serus as well, looking at him curiously, but then turning her eyes to Erikel instead in question.AnhikaJeanine Sorry for the wait, was trying to focus on some commissions. ^^
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 7:10 am
Scarlett Arbuckle I don't mind! Been having a bit of a rough week so last night it was a real treat to read the response <3 I know how commissions go! Just keep on trucking I'm a sweet commisioner (I don't mind how long mine take) But I know some people get moody XD
Her son didn't look up when she said it. He knew his mother wouldn't turn away someone in need. While the woman was talking her husband had come up behind the girl quietly so as not to spook her. Gently he chuffed under his breath and held out a bowl of thick stew chunks of meat and vegetables floating in the thick gravy, and the scent wafting from it in waves. "Eat" He said simply. Pressing it into her hands without touching her and pulling away quickly to go back to the kitchen.
His wife's eyes followed him a gentle look in them. She nodded and then looked back at the girl. "Eat my dear you do look hungry." she continued tersely. "Eri love where did you find this one?" her son looked up at her all quiet before answering. "I saw her wandering mother" he said. He would rather not tell her that the girl seemed to be contemplating sleeping among the soldiers. Despite her strength of heart his mother would be hurt by this news. To her no child should be without a place to stay. Instead he said. "I couldn't find any beasts mother, Large, Small, Injured or healthy. There is really nothing left here. So I asked her if she would help me look and in return we would let her stay here."
He looked away letting his words do the talking for him. He didn't need to explain any more than that and from the look on his mother's face she understood very well. Her gaze turned bland and she spoke with a softness akin to a whisper. "I won't make you explain yourself. We all have our secrets and though I am sure that your situation is not unique for the world of nobles can be harsh and cruel and without feeling, I am sure that you will tell me if you wished to what it is that brought you to this point." The woman took a breath before finishing. "Just remember that we have welcomed you into our home so please make yourself comfortable I know not every family of the nobility is like ours. We will not let you come to harm."
The large man in the kitchen knocked over a bowl and fumbling turned around to address the others. For the first time Serus spoke and his voice though his family had heard it many times before still made their hearts quiet. The deep baritone was like water lapping against a shore. The tone calming and deep at the same time. "We have more than enough food to share. Please make yourself at home we will not judge." The look on his face then turned to embarrassment and he turned back to the stew at the fire still stirring it with a large spoon thought they all knew it was long since finished cooking.
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Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 10:29 am
So many little animals!! When Erikel lounged so comfortably, and was absolutely swarmed by the things, Shalvesta raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh, amused but also soothed by the sight. If such small fragile creatures liked this family so well, then it was a testament to their gentleness, right? There were creature tamers in Oba, plenty enough, but it was rare to find someone who just enjoyed their presence. It was a luxury only the rich or at least somewhat well off could afford, honestly.
When she was spoken to again, Shalvesta ducked her eyes to her lap, then peeked up at Erikel's mother, nodding her head at the question. "Yes, but I've been treated kindly so far." She meant to placate the woman - Erikel had been just as concerned, before, and though there was good reason to be Shalvesta also didn't want to guilt the woman into letting her stay here, even if her son was certain she'd let her.
While Idilla was her main focus, it was hard not to notice where Serus went - he was just so large, so him walking beside her was no surprise, and she was far from startled. She was, however, very interested in the bowl - the food here was standard military fare, so something hearty and thick and MEATY like this was a treat she hadn't had since leaving home.
She accepted the bowl with a shy smile and murmured thanks to the man, then raised a spoonfull to her mouth, taking a small and dainty bite, not because she wasn't hungry, but because she didn't want to risk spilling stew down her front when she was talking to such a graceful lady. It was good to have a break from talking, so she could eat - but being called a stray, even if it was said fondly, made her pause mid-chew, shooting Erikel a curious look. But she continued, until Idilla finally looked back at her, and Shalvesta set the bowl back in her lap, her fingers thoughtfully caressing the lip of the bowl.
She would have spoken, or responded, but the fumbled bowl from the kitchen broke her focus and Shalvesta looked up, watching as the man spoke, a bit surprised by how deep, yet somehow gentle the man's voice was. And it really was soothing to have everyone present assure her that she was welcome - and not the simpering sort of put-upon acceptance, but a seemingly genuine invitation from all three.
Shal actually felt a bit more emotional about the invitation than she should have. It had been so long since she'd been genuinely welcomed somewhere, and hadn't felt like she was an imposition, or bothering somebody. She swallowed thickly, looking down at the food for a minute, then looking between the three of them, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Thank you - so much. Your family has shown me a kindness I -- didn't expect to find here." She ducked her head again, feeling sheepish, taking a bite of stew as if to signal she had finished speaking. But after a few more hearty bites, she looked back up again, at Idilla. She wasn't prying, but it wouldn't hurt to be at least somewhat honest. She refused to tell anyone her feelings on the matter, in plain words, but she could at least share her situation.
"My family lost someone during the invasion - lost as in we have no proof of what happened to him. So I came to search for him." And to talk to the soldiers, but that hadn't gotten her anywhere. No, if He was here somewhere he was off in Tendaji's forests and jungles, not here among the soldiers. He was too recognizable.AnhikaJeanine I am so slowww I'm so sorry!! ;^;
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