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 Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:13 am
Healing in the height of summer was far from a “luxurious” affair. Sariza’s arm was bandaged tight and kept close to her body with a sling, making sure that she would no doubt sweat as much as possible. The pain itself wasn’t terrible at least; healer’s had managed to fix the worse of it but it needed to finishing mending traditionally. She would still have function, but there would be a scar which was strangely more upsetting now than it had been in the past. The upper elite she walked past in the street gave her a variety of looks. Some were pitying while others snubbed their nose at the thought of being involved in a physical fight to begin with. She kept her head high, though, and went straight for the thing she wanted most; a fountain to cool off.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:13 am
Reina had been dragged through the tortures of studying etiquette for the past few months and today was one of the worst trials yet. The teen was squirming in a seamstress shop, her tutor wanting to purchase her more lady-like attire and for hours Reina stayed in place while others poked at her with needles and compared silks and other excessive dress decor to her skin color and body type. Eventually when she had enough the torment concluded and she found herself slipping away from the shop. "Freedom." She breathed with relief, checking once more to make certain no one had caught sight of her escape before darting towards the first refreshing spot she saw. "Thank On'os." Reina grinned as she ignored the looks of others and sat down on the the edge of the large stone fountain, her head bending backwards as she just allowed the cold waters to drench her face.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:14 am
[2/10]
Well, at least she wasn’t the only one feeling the heat. Admittedly Sariza was planning on sitting down herself, maybe even dipping her hand into the water but that was going a step too far for her. In comparison, the more muscular Oban sat on the edge with her body turned so that only her uninjured side would catch the spray. She hadn’t meant to say anything at all but as soon as the cold water touched her skin Sariza sighed. “Thank On’os indeed”
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:15 am
Reina blinked in surprise as she emerged from the spray and heard her words repeated. The teen reached up to twist some water from her dreads before peeking towards the other Oban. "I'm sorry." She started though there as a grin on her face. "I didn't realize anyone else was here. My eyes were completely taken by the water." She joked almost wistfully before noticing the stranger's condition. "Oh! I didn't make too much of a water mess, did I?" What if she had gotten the sling wet?
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:16 am
[3/10]
“Ah, no, it’s fine.” A few drops had landed on it but in all honestly she didn’t view it as anymore damaging than her own sweat. “I haven’t been here long; just stopping by to cool off and then I’ll be on my way.” It was tempting to dunk HER head under the water but it wasn’t as if she could really explain that when she got home…
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:17 am
"I see." Reina studied the woman before smiling again. "It is rather hot today...I don't understand how anyone can wear so many layers of silk in this." She tugged at her own tunic, the relief almost immediate as she let in fresh air and scooped up some water to pat around her neck. "It's tempting to just go find a place to swim in." She admitted almost thoughtfully. Obviously she couldn't do that here else half of the district would come out to chase her from the fountain...that would be unfortunate.
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:18 am
[4/10]
“You’re telling me. I’d prefer to wear armor.” She watched as a few younger women passed by, each dressed in more fine jewelry than the last, and scrunched her nose. Behind their gilded treasures they were baking just like the rest. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” One day, possibly soon, that would be her. Walking around on dresses tight enough to press her ribs and fabric so thick she’s suffocate…
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:19 am
"A kindred spirit." Replied Reina with a grin. "I don't understand how anyone is supposed to fight in that. Maybe magic users...maybe." She shook her head. The skirts would just get in the way! Would she have to worry about tearing the material then too? Reina also scrunched her nose before shaking her head. "I am so not looking forward to any events requiring such things." She admitted before glancing over thoughtfully at her new companion. "I'm Reina. If there's another warrior being forced into some dresses then it's nice to know that I'm not alone at least." Well more so warrior in training but still!
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:21 am
[5/10]
“I’m taking a guess here, but are you marrying into nobility as well?” For all Sariza knew she could have ALREADY been a blue blood but she really didn’t give off that vibe. She was much too open for that. “I’m Sariza. My betrothed is much more adept at navigating all of this than I am if that isn’t completely obvious.” She said with a little smile. “I don’t even have my ears pierced; how am I supposed to look like that all the time?” She motioned vaguely to a man who passed by with more gold in his ears than she had in her bag.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:21 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Marrying?" The word came out as a whisper of surprise and Reina couldn't help the deep blush that decorated her cheeks. Marrying into nobility would mean...oh gods. "Not that I know of!" She replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I mean...I am close to a noble but I'm not certain if I would ever be a marriage candidate for him." Especially since it was the prince and heir! Reina chewed on her bottom lip as a twist of feelings knotted in her stomach. How would she feel to hear he had a fiancee one day? "But as it is my family works in the palace so I've been forced into some lessons as we have to attend special events on occasion. It's easier to guard and work as a companion when you blend in sometimes." At least that had been the explanation unless her family had other things in mind for why Reina had to learn manners and the like?
"Either way it's still nice to meet you, Sariza." Continued Reina as she shoved her flurry of questions aside. "Good question." She replied with a chuckle before glancing back towards Sariza. "Surely your betrothed will allow you some freedom so you aren't always having to wear such things. After all I would hope that your betrothed loves you as you are already." Perhaps she was a bit too much of a romantic but still...why else would someone be marrying into nobility? Wouldn't nobles have some stricter rulings instead of simply allowing anyone to marry into their ranks?
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:26 am
[6/10]
Now it was Sariza's turn to blush. "Oh, ah...sorry for assuming." A guard's family, then? That made sense and honestly if she'd just kept her mouth shut then it should have been something she thought of as well. Instead, she spoke and made things awkward.
"He wouldn't, that much I'm sure of, but there are expectations that I'll have to meet regardless of how much freedom he's willing to give me." As much as Sariza knew Faisal likely wouldn't care about what she wore she knew society would. They would want her to at least try and if that took some of the pressure off her future in-law's then it was a sacrifice she would make.
"Love isn't exactly...Well, I...I just don't think he does?" Sariza finished awkwardly. "It's an arranged marriage so we've really only just met this past year."
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:55 pm
"It's okay." Reina replied as she waved her hand as if to brush off the comment. "If anything I suppose it's something to make me think." She teased before her expression fell. It seemed Sariza had a lot on her shoulders as well. Reina felt sympathy there, already she had so much pressure simply from being raised as a personal guard and she could only imagine the stresses of an actual title and marriage. At least it didn't seem like Sariza's betrothed was that bad of a guy? That or the other woman was really forgiving or good at hiding it.
"Then I suppose it's my turn to apologize for making assumptions. " Replied Reina with a slight flush of her own. "Sounds like quite a story though! I could only imagine what such an arrangement must be like."
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:56 pm
[7/10]
“Its alright; it’s an easy mistake to make. Usually when I say I’m engaged everyone has these romantic ideas and it’s just not like that.” Sariza shifted a little to get more comfortable as thoughts came to her. It wasn’t as if she didn’t CARE for Faisal, and if she were being honest, she might have been growing fond of him but he’d made it clear from the start that he would have preferred his own choices so anything more than a friendship wasn’t likely. “He’s a good man from a good, honest family so I suppose as far as arrangements go I’m pretty lucky. I just wish I had more time to do the things I wanted to without having to worry about names being attached.” Pausing for a moment, Sariza shook her head. “But you didn’t come out here to hear me whine. You were dress shopping, right? Did you at least find something you liked?”
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:58 pm
"Too many plays and novels I suppose." Reina frowned slightly embarrassed that even she had gotten caught up in such stories and made assumptions. "You make it all sound so practical." Reina blinked at the realization. She truly had never thought about these type of things before. Maybe she was simply too young or had chosen to be oblivious...for reasons. At least her parents had gotten together out of love but it wasn't as if they were higher class or important figures that needed to bother with such things. Even the princess had been arranged with her husband...the thought made Reina sigh before she glanced back to Sariza with a groan. "Don't remind me." She joked as she tried to lighten the sudden mood. "I suppose I found a few varieties of crimson that I enjoyed. Gods forbid I say they look the same because every slight hue counts." Reina rolled her eyes at the thought. "Have you been through the dressing trials yet? Cause I could use a few pointers so I'm not stabbed as much next time. "
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 6:58 pm
[8/10]
It was practical, wasn’t it? The union of two houses to solidify some sort of need that her father and his grandmother felt. She still had yet to come to a conclusion as to WHY but in all honesty Sariza had simply accepted it. Now she had other matters to worry about; like the men who had attacked her. “I have, unfortunately. While there isn’t much I can say to help I can advise you to drink Turin tea before going. It helps to keep the muscles from aching after standing so still all day. It’s a military tactic but it works.”
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