Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
There are many superstitions and beliefs in Tendaji, often originating from the culture and gods of each individual region. Wherever one goes, they might find a new routine or practice based on the region they are in. However, there seems to be one thing that all Tendaji residents believe in - the power and beauty of a meteor shower.
The rare celestial event is seen as a blessing, and this one just so happens to have appeared right when the New Year began. Oh what luck and what a great omen - this must be a sign of good fortune for the year to come.
[ How does your character react to the meteor shower that is lighting up the sky? How do they see this omen impacting their life and year to come? Explore the thoughts and experience either alone or with a friend. ]
Getting Ada to the sanctuary so quickly was a blessing. With proper treatment she would recover just fine and in a few weeks, depending on her health, she could hunt once more. Of course the chiavi had been reticent about all the strange attention at first; she was snippy, fearful and wanted no one else around her save Sylvirah and Zyphire. Those first few hours were touch and go, but now she knew her 'sister in arms' would be just fine.
It was later in the evening when Sylvirah managed to branch away for a bit on her own. She hadn't really gotten a chance to explore the area since coming down because of Ada, but now she was getting a chance to see it for what it was worth. Creatures she'd never seen before meandered around freely and the people here...while some of the kindest she'd met they were also the most colorful. Of course that could only distract her for so long; in her hand she carried a letter from her husband and it was...less than pleasant.
Sylvirah should have known that Gunnar wouldn’t be happy with the amount of time she’d been spending with Zyphire. And yet, that hadn’t stopped her in the least. As far as she was concerned his accusations were baseless; she hadn’t done anything for him to worry over. The endless arguments that had started as of late weren't even because of the shifter and now that she'd gone away for Ada's health he was determined to blame it on infidelity. It was enough to push her stress levels to the stars.
Maybe he is right to worry.
After all, it wasn't her husband she'd been watching so closely...
From the yard she could see the sprawling night sky consuming the land. The cold wind nipped at her skin, but it was nothing she wasn't used to by now.
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:39 pm
It was always a nice feeling to be back home at the sanctuary. Zyphire enjoyed the noisy moments spent with family and wasn't even in the mood to complain about helping out with tasks around the place after being gone for so long. In all honesty it had been somewhat surprising to see the mischievous so serious in the last couple of days while helping to care for Ada. Not only that but he quickly made certain to take his place back in the kitchen so that he could take charge of keeping everyone well fed while his cousin helped care for the sick chiavi. Zyphire didn't leave the manor until well after dinner, the kitchen cleaned for another day while he found himself restless because of all of the recent events, and it was only after he made certain Ada was resting well that he actually ventured out towards the fields. Soft bleets earned his attention as he walked around a herd of roati, their fluffy coats almost shimmering in the evening light and it was only after a thoughtful pause that the shifter picked a younger one up to carry in his arms.
"You're spoiled rotten but at least you're warm." He whispered as he walked along before finding himself stumbling to a stop at the sight of Sylvirah. Admittedly he knew she was out here somewhere but it didn't help the fact that he had been a brat about her marriage, making jabs here and there under his breath mostly when he wasn't occupied with helping Ada. Perhaps it was the romantic in him but something about the whole situation didn't settle well with him. He had forgotten mostly about it while spending time together to help Ada but now that the chiavi was settled it was hard not to ask questions. "Baaa?" The cream colored roati blinked in confusion before wiggling out of his arms and darting towards the iceling woman. Now that his cover had been blown by the roati Zyphire had no choice but to move closer and he forced a smile. "Enjoying the stars? Probably haven't seen them as well ever since moving to the city, right?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:58 pm
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The huntress turned towards the sound of an approaching roati and while fully prepared to see the fluffy little creature she wasn't expecting to see Zyphire. Her calm veneer dropped into something far more reserved and with one hand still clutching the letter she slipped into a crouch. As soon as the roati was close enough she reached out to pet the little lamb between it's eyes, just as she was prone to do with Ada. "It's weird, having them run up to me for once." Sylvirah mused. She was so used to seeing raptrix pluck full grown roati up mid-flight with their fangs and crushing their spines with one sharp bite.
Spending time at the sanctuary was softening her and she...wasn't exactly mad about it.
Things with Zyphire had been tense lately. She knew why, there was no other reason for it, but what was she supposed to do about it? From her crouched position, Sylvirah tilted her head towards the sky and the stars above. "It's always nicer away from the city..." Not one to drag things out, she looked to him with a sigh. "Have you come to make more snide remarks or did you need me for something?"
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:11 pm
One would have to be blind to deny that the scene before him was a rather adorable sight and for a moment Zyphire just watched the pair before Sylvirah's commentary brought a chuckle to his lips. "Welcome to my life. Just don't try to take advantage of the easy prey since we prefer our roati shaved and not stabbed." He found himself quipping almost playfully as he remembered how prone Sylvirah had been to taking any and all means for survival during their first encounter. Not that he could blame her considering the harshness of the far north. Kill or be killed while here it's pet or be headbutted. He mused silently with a faint grin towards the roati who was enjoying the attention.
"Agreed though I do enjoy visiting those crowded places on occasion. The southern cities in the other countries can get crazy but the stories are golden." Zyphire winced a little at the jab towards his recent behavior before plopping down on the ground and stretching out his legs. He did his best to try and avoid looking guilty by focusing on the sky instead. "Neither. I came to get some fresh air while things were quiet. Finding you out here was an unexpected bonus." He shifted and rolled his shoulders, the movement causing his joints to pop, and a sigh of relief left his lips. "It's nice and clear outside...a good time to just stargaze." Even if it was a bit cold it was still better than being north and Zyphire was cozy in the thick cloak drapped around his shoulders.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:23 pm
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For a moment it was almost as if nothing had changed between them. She rolled her eyes at his quip and just as quickly returned her focus to the little one who was currently headbutting her hand because she'd stopped petting it. The little thing was as pushy as any predator she'd known which was surprising given it's size. Maybe if given the chance and proper armor she could turn the herd into something tougher...
"What kind of stories have you heard?" A bonus and not a curse? That was a good sign, at least. Sylvirah shifted from her crouch into a seated position with one leg tucked underneath her and the other stretched out all so the roati could still be as close as it wanted. The little lamb wiggled it's tag happily before shifting attention from her back to Zyphire.
With her distraction gone, Sylvirah chose instead to lean back on her arms and look back at the stars. "I never thought I'd see the day where I was outside at night with so little clothing on." Which to anyone else was a strange thing to say, considering her cloak and other various garments. Still, the fact that she was visibly female was proof enough of their 'thinness'. "Maybe when Ada is better I could..." Her hand brushed against the letter and she huffed. "...I'd better not. I'm already in enough trouble as it is."
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 3:51 pm
Painted Moose
"You mean what type of stories haven't I heard?" Replied Zyphire with a slight shrug. "Other countries may not have winds as bitter as Zena's but their earthlings can have hearts just as cold or in other cases far too hot." His gaze studied the stars thoughtfully and for a split second he swore he saw movement before his attention went back to the roati who was bouncing between the two of them. "Their stories can be happy or dour depending and I suppose I've witnessed a bit of everything. Oba and Matori are so complicated on their own that they have a whole host of gods in comparison to your tribe's Bergchi." He was rambling, wasn't he? Zyphire shook his head slightly before chuckling mischievously at Sylvirah's statement despite his attempt not to do so. "I would assume taking off more clothing when Ada is better would get you in trouble indeed. You're running out of layers and would be in you skivvies soon enough." He quipped lightly before his expression shifted into a frown at the sight of the letter all joking lost.
He opened his mouth to say something snappy about whoever was sending letters before closing it again. His lips pressed tightly together while his burning gaze darted towards the envelope, his frown growing before he finally released a sigh. "I don't see why you would be in trouble for taking care of your familiar." Zyphire eventually huffed before turning his gaze away towards the sky again. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to do so..." He began almost awkwardly. "But that doesn't mean I agree with it especially when it seems so forced or rather distant. I mean....do you even like the guy?" The question blurted from his lips and Zyphire let out a groan. "I said I wouldn't pry but dammit! It really has been bothering me for some reason." The shifter groaned again before unclasping his cloak and just laying further down on the ground, his arms crossed against his chest as he forced his gaze to stay on the night sky and away from Sylvirah.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 4:12 pm
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"You say that like I follow Bergchi." Sylvirah gave a soft little smirk. "The Ild'vann believe in the spirits of our ancestors and the lifeblood of the mountain. We don't have time for a god that hasn't done a thing for us." She couldn't imagine living her life in service to something that couldn't help her. Perhaps it gave the southerners something to believe in when times were rough and she could see how it would help Obans and Matorians, given their apparent histories, but still...
"It's not Ada's care he's upset about; it's you." She didn't mind talking about it, really she didn't, it was just awkward to start. "I didn't...There wasn't an option, Zyphire. Grashni said he would buy whatever supplies I needed to take North, but I needed help getting it there and Gunnar has the resources to get it done." She brought her leg up closer to her chest and wrapped her arms around it, resting her chin on her knee while she watched the stars. "The only thing he wanted in return was a bride. I've known him since we were children. He understands the Ild'vann, he wants to help them and I can't afford to wait any longer. It doesn't matter if I like him or not so long as he holds up his end of the bargain."
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 4:36 pm
Painted Moose
"Fair enough." Zyphire shook his head. "Just be careful saying that towards some of the elders in the village." They'd have a heart attack if Bergchi was ever doubted in their faces. Not like he was really the believer sort himself considering the trials that happened to his own family. Still, he could get behind the ideas of the Ild'vann.
Zyphire's gaze snapped towards Sylvirah. "Me?" He repeated with a frown, "Why would I be the problem? I haven't even met the guy!" He blew a strand of hair from his face in a huff as he wrapped his mind around things. What was this jealous husband card? Zyphire wasn't the most innocent of people but he actually hadn't touched Sylvirah! She had needed help and so he had reached out a hand as a friend. Ridiculous. There was no need to take his own damn insecurities out on Zyphire - even if Zyphire was dashingly handsome and good at wooing women and Sylvirah was pretty nice to look at herself! It didn't mean he had to do anything other than help out! The shifter had to take a deep breath before trying to focus on her explanation again. "There had to be another option. Didn't you find out about some family in the capital? Couldn't you have thought of asking around for people willing to trade actual supplies instead of giving your life away?" His words were snappy but after a moment he paused and closed his eyes against the rising frustrations. "I'm sorry. You were thinking of your village and it was honorable so I'm not angry at you. I'm angry at the man who forced your hand into an arrangement just to help others that he should care about as well."
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 4:47 pm
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"You think I didn't try?" Now it was Sylvirah's turn to raise her voice and turn away from the stars to look at him directly. For a moment she paused; there was always something about the way he looked underneath direct moonlight that seemed to still her breath. It only calmed her for a moment, though and the next breath she was huffing. "My 'father' cheated on his mentally ill wife after their son died so this entire city has been at my throat from the moment I showed up. Even when I managed to find actual help as soon as they found out how far into the mountains the tribe was they backed out. If I thought I had the time to explore other options I would have, but every moment I spend down here is another night they might not have."
She wasn't mad at him just the whole situation itself. Much like his own flurry of emotions she simply didn't have any other outlet to express it so it had just come out in a garbled mess. Sylvirah turned away from him again and ran a hand over her face. "I know it's a mess, but I can't do a damn thing about it until I know they're alright. And the reason he's worried about me being here is...it's because he knows I like you."
Sylvirah couldn't even look at him. "He asked me before we got married if there...was anyone he should be worried about and I told him your name."
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 5:37 pm
Painted Moose
Zyphire's heart twisted in his chest. "I didn't realize..." He began softly, his body shifting so that he could move closer to her. His gaze still burned with indignation but it was not towards Sylvirah at all. How could people blame her for her father's mistake? It's not like we can decide who gives birth to us or how. Even more frustrating was why someone as young as Sylvirah had to carry the weight of the village on her shoulders like this! Zyphire pinched the bridge of his nose to fight against the sudden headache from all the tension. "I wish I had known. Couldn't they just retreat to the city or a lower valley for the winter and migrate back in the warmer months?" Even as he spoke he knew how futile the statement was. The elderly wouldn't be able to continue traveling back and forth and without someone to guard their homes the harsh winters would probably destroy it all. A sigh left his lips. "I know it's worthless now but I wish I could have done something so that you didn't have to make that choice. I just hope that it's worth it and your village survives from this."
His hand reached out to rub along her back whenever her own emotions started to spill out even more. "He better keep his word and soon then, right?" Zyphire repeated, his brow furrowing in concern. What if she gave herself away just to be cheated out of what she was promised? Zyphire's thoughts halted to a standstill whenever the next admission came and he found himself freezing, his fingers lingering against her upper back in shock. "I'm sorry....you like me?" The Shifter blinked and tilted his head in confusion. "He's worried about a friendship? You think I'm someone he should be worried about?" He repeated as if trying to piece together the confession before finding his cheeks warming up ever so slightly despite the cold. "Unless you mean....but I thought I annoyed you to pieces." That was his trademark after all. Flirtatious and a pain in the a** all in one.
Yet he wasn't upset by the confession strangely enough....just baffled.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:01 pm
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"It's not...it doesn't matter." He couldn't change the circumstances of her birth anymore than she could so fussing over it now was worthless. She'd faced ire from her half-brother, his friends, his mother's friends but in the end she'd found acceptance in the oddest of places. His own mother, in her delirium, had given Sylvirah a motherly figure and Ergon's fiancée had shown her friendship. So, things hadn't been completely terrible here...
"If we had enough members to carry the load then maybe, but most of the remaining Ild'vann are elderly or infirmed. If they came down...they would never go back up." If it was something that the elders had wanted then Sylvirah would have begrudgingly helped them make the transition, but they were just as adamant as she was about keeping their homes. It was all any of them had ever known and without their native hunting grounds what would they have? None of them had any gold to their name or any sort of family in the South. The only one with connections was Sylvirah and she'd already proven how futile that was.
"We're supposed to leave after the first thaw." That's what he'd promised and she was clinging to it. Feeling Zyphire so close caused her to scoot a little closer to him and leaned into his touch. When she looked up at him her cheeks were almost the same shade as her face paint and she looked almost shy. "I thought you knew already?" His confusion was enough to bring out a little laugh. It was so surprising that she couldn't help it; the tension was pushed away for a moment and Sylvirah felt her shoulders lifting. "You do. You make me so mad I want to cut your tongue out and throw it to the raptrix just to shut you up."
She turned a little so that instead of sitting side by side with him her bent shin was now pressed against his thigh. "But I kind of like that? It's...strange. You listen to me without trying to change me and so far you haven't judged me based on my past. Whenever I'm around you I feel like I'm back on the hunt; like my blood is alive again and I...may have told Gunnar about that. He asked and I didn't feel the need to lie to him. I didn't tell him everything, but he knew going into this that I didn't care for him the same way I do for you."
She sat back a little bit and mulled it over. "I don't expect you to feel the same way for me; it's fine, that's not what I'm looking for. I just wanted to thank you for helping me to feel that way at least once in my life."
Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:09 pm
Painted Moose
Zyphire let out a huff. "If they're anything like some of the elders I know then they probably would rather live and die in their home than anywhere else." Even if the place was literally just a death sentence. He kept the last part to himself though, his gaze darting over towards Sylvirah as he found himself at loss for the usual jokes and commentary. Still, even some beats migrated whenever the winters got too rough! The Shifter shook his head at the the thought. "If anything I'd look for a lower valley closer enough that some of the younger ones could at least have a chance of running trades or stocking up before the deep winters. At least this way they should be getting supplies soon before it gets bad again." He tried to sound optimistic with the last part but just thinking of Sylvirah;s husband left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Yet his anger was quick to dissipate whenever he heard the laugh. Even if it was a tiny one it was something and the Shifter tilted his head. "I knew I drove you batty but I didn't realize that you liked me. Also, please don't cut that out. I can do amazing things with my tongue beyond annoying you...." Zyphire trailed off before quickly adding. "You know reciting poetry and the like. Sometimes singing if anyone is lucky enough to hear me." The Shifter gave a slight shrug before her next words and movement had his own face flushed. This turn of events was going deeper than he had expected and he felt his heart twist strangely in his chest. He always flirted with others but never before had he received such a sincere confession like this.
"One would be more inclined to think that you'd rather toss me down a hill but I think I understand." Zyphire finally replied after a moment, his body shifting to curve around her almost as if seeking warmth out of habit. "I mean have you seen me? I'm quirky enough on my own so why would I expect anyone else to not be themselves around me? You're fine as you are." The swordsman's frown grew as he thought about things. The capital was full of earthlings so why had this Gunnar been so fixated on claiming Sylvirah? If I had just been around... Surprise flickered through his expression as he realized he honestly felt something stirring whenever he looked at her beyond frustration at hearing about her situation.
"It's a relief to know that you're not emotionally tied....though I'm definitely an a** myself at times." Zyphire finally quipped as he leaned closer towards Sylvirah. "There's a lot of things that I do or say to fluster others but honestly I think I enjoyed bothering you the most." He admitted softly though his lips pursed into a slight frown. What did they do now? She had a whole village on her shoulders and he was just a bothersome flirt that shouldn't mess with someone's wife....but how truly married were they? Was there a ceremony? So many questions lingered in his mind and the Shfiter chuckled almost bitterly. "If only there was some sort of sign to tell me that it's okay to test how I feel with you despite everything else." Spirits be damned if he didn't catch sight of a shooting star at that exact moment and an actual laugh escaped his throat. "Well....that's a thing. So what do we do now?" He already had an idea as his face lingered far too closely to Sylvirah's but Zyphire wasn't about to take advantage of the iceling woman like that, nothing would be done without her permission even if the stars were falling all around them.
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Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2021 4:21 pm
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Last for me~
"Is it good for just poetry? I was hoping you had other talents." The statement was beyond brazen, and one no married woman should make, but there it was all the same. Sylvirah didn't even have the good graces to look ashamed; if anything she only had a slight flush to her cheeks and a spark in her eye that was strictly reserved for him. "You know I'm not a scholar." If he started spouting written verses to her she might just fake illness and leave.
For a moment she contemplated doing it anyway. She really should. There were certain expectations that came from a southern marriage, and yet...Instead Sylvirah shifted and raised her leg so that she could straddle his lap, resting her backside atop his thighs with her hands on his shoulders. Neither of them were innocents, in the traditional sense, and yet there was something about being this close that burned the chill right out of her skin.
His laugh brought her attention to the sky and away from him where she saw a few other stars bouncing across the night. When she turned back to him there was a brightness there that hadn't been since her 'wedding day'. "Whatever we feel like." And with the stars popping off behind her Sylvirah leaned forward and kissed Zyphire.
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:52 pm
Painted Moose
FIN
A flustered laugh escaped his own lips. He had not been expecting that type of response! Warmth flooded his stomach at the recognition of that spark in those golden orbs and he couldn't help the gleam that entered his own silver gaze. If there was such a thing as fate or meddling spirits then that encounter on the mountain where they had fought against the rampaging mamu together had sparked some sort of fire. Even though they were just sitting together on the hill beneath the stars it felt like he was in the midst of some battle. "Good cause I'm not feeling like reciting poetry anyways. You're fortunate because I have a plethora of talents to share." He much rather enjoyed knowing a woman whose blood boiled for action instead of just waiting around for someone else to do the work so that they could keep their delicate hands clean of everything else.
And there was no way that he was keeping his hands clean tonight. Zyphire leaned into temptation whenever the stars streaked across the sky. If he was going to suggest wishing upon something there would be nothing else to ask for when he saw that brightness in Sylvirah's expression. Zyphire felt his heart twist when he saw it and he leaned forward into the kiss rather than backing away. A smirk crossed his lips as he made his decision to just enjoy the night and to screw everything else for the moment. They could figure things out later and just enjoy what the spirits had given them tonight.
