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 Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:14 am
It was getting close to dusk, and many of the locals were beginning to pull their boats in and head home. It had been a long day for the fisherman of Matori, but the night was still quite young as the sun hung low in the sky. One child, with long legs and dark skin, moved about the beach, watching the tide roll in and the sun sparkle across the waves.
Ondine knew the risks of staying out past dark, so she kept away from the rocky cliffs and focused on the wide beach. Soon enough, the moon would rise. Lately, she had grown quite passionate about watching the moon reflect on the sea, a symbol she could connect with. Because she was one of both the moon and the sea, and the dark of the night was one of her favorite times to come out and enjoy who she was.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:43 am
Late afternoons were always Nadiya's favorite times. It was then that at home her parents came in to wrangle her younger siblings into order and that she was often sent on errands for the shop. Because her family never questioned how long her trips would take, the girl often found herself climbing the cliffs along the sea. It was here among the narrow paths that overlooked where the waves crashed against the sands that she found respite. Not many came this way during the later hours after all, so the girl had began to favor the spot.
It was as dusk began to settle over the land, Nadiya stirred. Is it so late already? Her gaze, still slightly hazed from sleep, scanned around. Most of the boats had been brought in for the day and so with a sigh the girl rubbed at her eyes. I was supposed to be practicing, not taking a nap. Still, the girl couldn't help smiling. If she had fallen asleep so easily then she supposed that was the best thing for her. The more energy she had the easier it was to deal with her siblings at home.
Not to say that she still couldn't practice. Carefully Nadiya slipped away from her rocky shelter and navigated her way towards the beach. Years of practice had allowed her to memorize the path towards the shoreline so it was with ease that the girl made her way. As the path became less rocky and more sandy the Matori pulled out a small wooden flute and began to play. It was soft, but the melody could be heard as the wind pulled it gently along the waves. Nadiya basically skipped along the beach as she played. This was her favorite time of day when she could actually be herself and enjoy the music she held so dear.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:36 pm
Ondine waited for the moon, excited not only to see the orb on the sea, but to also enjoy the special trait that she shared with her father. Not many witnessed the little girl shift, but those that did said it was magical. Her spots would shift along with her skin, bringing for a light-skinned pattern that was subtle and fetching.
Wiggling her toes in the sand, Ondine knew even with an overcast sky, her body would always let her know when the moon was ready to rise. And for that, she was grateful for her special lineage that made her different than those around her.
However, something brought her attention away from the sand, her skin, and the sky, and that was the gentle sound of music. Pointed ears perked, the bare-headed girl lifted her eyes and looked around, trying to find the source of the music.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2016 7:52 am
Enthralled by music, Nadiya almost didn't see the girl as she danced into view. Still once she did the Matori finished her melody and slowly brought the flute away from her lips, "Hello there." She flushed lightly for having been noticed during such silly antics. Still her gaze could only widen slightly as she studied the youngling. A hybrid out here alone?
How pretty she is. Shifting her bare feet against the sand, Nadiya smiled. "The sunset is already past. Are you watching for the stars now?" She peered around them. No one else seemed to be around so her secret music was safe. But who was around to keep an eye on the little one? Perhaps it was her sisterly instincts that made Nadiya worry, but the girl didn't want to simply leave. Perhaps it would be nice to stick around and see the night skies for once.
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 12:04 pm
Ondine narrowed her eyes slowly as the music stopped, catching sight of the Matori woman who was the source of it all. With her long hair, the woman looked quite the sight, and Ondine appreciated her blue skin and the speckles that stood out in the dying light. It took a second for her to catch the other's words.
"No, I'm waiting for the moon." She called out in response, "The moon is the best part of the night."
It was simple, and so certain, how she said the words, and Ondine looked over her shoulder to make sure she hadn't missed it. As she looked back, her eyes darted to her fingers, looking to see if her dark skin was beginning to pale. Soon enough...
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:44 am
"Oh?" Nadiya quirked an eyebrow, "I've always appreciated the moon, but I do like how the stars accent it." Still the girl seemed so determined to wait out the moon that Nadiya felt her curiosity soar, "What makes it the best part?"
It really was beautiful out. I suppose no one will mind if I linger a little longer... Decision made, Nadiya secured her flute back into her satchel. "Mind if I wait for the moon with you?" She smiled towards the youngling. She wanted to ask who the child was or why the moon was so important...but something told her to wait. Surely, she would find out soon enough.
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:43 am
Ondine's bright teeth shined against her darker skin, and she turned back to Nadiya while holding her clasped hands before her. It was an easy was for her to see if the moon was ready to rise.
"Sure, you should wait anyway!" A playful look that was simply childish, and she spun around once with a laugh before adding, "The moon is the best part, because it lets me shift..."
Holding her hands, out, she saw the dark tint of her skin was softening, and she nodded, "See...it's starting!"
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 10:24 am
The girl was reminiscent of someone...Nadiya just couldn't pinpoint who. At least she couldn't until the girl held out her hands. Her skin is changing? Gaze widening Nadiya took a step forward for a closer look, "I see!" Her voice raised in excitement at the sight. She remembered now! Her brother knew a shifter merchant who had visited with him once before. She had never gotten the chance to watch him shift, though seeing how different he looked throughout his visit had always intrigued her.
"Does it tingle?" Nadiya's attention was caught on the changing skin, "It doesn't hurt right?" Blinking the girl looked towards the youngling, "It's amazing~" What if she could shift? Would all of her spots shift as well? Nadiya tried to imagine how having her skin change would work, but the overall image just blurred colors of violets and blues with even some greens. A small grin flickered across her face. I suppose it's better that I don't.
"No wonder you love the moon so much." Nadiya laughed lightly, "But I would say that your spots are like little stars that go along with the night sky~ Unless you would rather consider them an army of little moons."
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Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 8:46 am
Ondine's eyes were focused on her hands, a reverent look crossing her features as her smile grew. This was always the best part, no matter how often she was able to witness it (which was every day). The act of watching her skin gradually brighten to the milky white that reflected the moon, her spots and underbelly also lightening, was just so exciting. The other children often didn't get to witness it, and even she didn't get to watch her skin darken as the moon fell, but she loved it anyway.
It was, after all, a way to bring her closer to her father who had traveled during most of her childhood.
"Tingle?" She asked with a furrowed brow, looking up at the girl before shaking her head, "No, it doesn't tingle or hurt..."
It actually didn't feel much like anything, and Ondine brushed her hands over her skin at the thought if it did tingle. Maybe then she would wake up when it happened in the morning, like she sometimes did when she slept funny and her leg screamed at her to move.
Stars and moons, that was interesting, "I think they look like the water, and how the moon moves on the waves...like a dance!"
She finally grew bored of the shift, at least bored enough to eye Nadiya a moment, "You were playing music..." Her brow furrowed again as she looked the taller woman over, before landing on the flute, "What is that?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 7:37 am
So it just happened? Nadiya was completely entranced by the shifter's change. She had heard her brother speak of the changes he saw while in Jauhar, but to see it first hand was an amazing experience. At least in her eyes. She wondered how it happened? A plethora of potential stories flickered through her mind. A contract with the moon? A lost star wanting to go home? A god's beloved...so many tales could be had!
"Oooh." Nadiya nodded in approval at the girl's explanation. It was a perfect idea for someone with such a mixed background of shifter and Matori. "Then that's a lovely dance indeed." Smiling the Matori studied the girl, "So does the girl with the oceans and moon have a name? I'm Nadiya."
"Hmm? Oh, yes! I hope it didn't disturb you. I honestly didn't expect to see anyone else out here." Flushing, the girl held her flute out towards the youngling, "It's a flute and it allows me to play." To demonstrate, Nadiya held the instrument up to her lips and blew softly. As her fingers moved a little, light melody came from the instrument, "It's my most cherished possession, but if you would like to see it you can." She held the flute out towards the youngling.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:08 am
She rocked back and forth on her heels in the sand, before blinking with her bright matori eyes and nodding, "I'm Ondine!" She chirped in response, before remembering her manners, "Nice to meet you, miss Nadiya!"
Ondine's eyes grew wide as the woman confirmed she was the source of the music, and she stepped closer so she could better see the instrument. She didn't have words as she looked at the flute, but it was obvious with her interest that she wasn't disturbed at all by the music, especially when the music came from the device.
"You'll let me see it?" She spoke with awe, before her smile grew and she all but bounced closer, "I promise I wont break your ch-cherished possession!"
With that, she held our her hands to gently grasp the offered flute.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:35 am
The polite reply caused Nadiya to grin. Now if only she could teach her own younger siblings to act like this! It would be a crime for me to steal someone's child, wouldn't it? She almost laughed at the thought. Younglings could truly be so adorable...that was when they weren't trying to destroy her home and everything inside.
Flushing lightly as her mind wandered back, Nadiya nodded. "Of course!" She smiled at the promise and allowed the girl to take the instrument, "Isn't it pretty? A wandering bard gifted it to me a long time ago." Nadiya's expression softened at the memory. Who knew such a simple gift could completely change her life?
"Oh!" Blinking, Nadiya glanced towards the girl, "If you want I can show you how to play it~"
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:43 am
Ondine's ever lightening hands began to gently move the flue around, her fingers brushing against the holes as her mind wandered to their use. She had seen the woman play it, so she was able to make the connection that blowing into the flute and covering the holes resulted in sound, but it seemed so complex still.
Her eyes darted up as she remembered that a bard was someone who sang tales, and many came through when the great war was over to speak of the great army in the north. It was nice to hear as she waited for her father to return.
When Nadiya asked if she wanted to play, Ondine's eyes grew wide as her mouth opened in awe, "You will? But it seems so hard..."
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 9:07 am
Was that how she looked when she first held a flute? Nadiya's gaze gleamed with amusement at the memories. She had tried so hard to make music, but all it had been where sighs and hisses of air going through the instrument.
"Hard, but not impossible." Nadiya winked playfully, "I can at least show you a little bit~" They may not be masters by the end of it, but at least she could leave the girl with a little bit of knowledge. "You see the holes?" Nadiya motioned towards the flute, "You have to keep your fingers still over a few at a time and raise them like so..." Gesturing she held out her own hands in a mimicry as she raised her fingers in a pattern, "But that's only the basic part. It's getting the flute to sing that's tricky~" She pursed her lips, "You can't just blow, you have to purse your lips in a certain way almost like you're making a tear drop with the shape of your mouth rather than just a normal pout..."
Pausing Nadiya blinked towards the girl, "I may have just thrown a bunch at you. Can you copy the finger movements first? Holding it correctly is key to being able to smoothly change the melody." I do get a bit winded, don't I? She truly needed to work on that.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 9:56 am
Ondine was a focused child, often going above and beyond to observe everything her mother taught her. It was mostly the stories, always so fascinating, that encouraged this behavior. So, as Nadiya spoke, Ondine moved her fingers with focus and determination, yet a gentle touch as if uncertain just how to move around the somewhat simple instrument.
She copied the moves Nadiya made, before nodding at the instruction about how to blow. It made sense, it wasn't an easy task and if anyone could do it the world would be full of music.
She held out the flute, and began to play with the holes with her fingers, looking concentrated once more before glancing to Nadiya, "Did I do it right?
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