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 Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2021 9:14 pm
Ever since the reveal about Sariza's true parentage, Faisal had wanted to offer some form of comfort. They had never truly gotten the chance to take the time to discuss things much with the wedding and then quickly moving to Matori to adapt to becoming parents themselves....everything was almost like a dream. Faisal pinched the bridge of his nose before walking along the shore. Thankfully the manor was hidden along the cliffs of a more remote location, the nearest village still a couple of hours away from their temporary home, and it allowed Faisal time to walk and think about things. He admittedly enjoyed the morning strolls along the beach, the rising sun and the sound of the waves creating some sort of tranquility in his currently chaotic life. It felt as if there was a weight just waiting on the edge of a cliff waiting to tumble into their lives. The threats that haunted Sariza had hopefully been tamed by their wedding, but even Faisal was doubtful which was why they had secretly come to Matori. It would give them time to plan a course of action while keeping their growing family safe.
It had only been a few days but already Faisal had taken care of several things to keep them comfortable. Today though as he waited for Sariza in the back yard of the manor the man carried incense instead of papers. There was a small shrine set along the cliffs and he thought it would be nice to perhaps burn some in memory of those that they had lost. He constantly kept one burning for his father, even if the man was alive out there somewhere the family had not seen him for years and it broke Faisal's heart to even think about. He also always burned one for his grandfathers and today hoped that Sariza could finally say a proper farewell to her parents should she want to do that. Food had already been taken to the shrine, offering snacks to ancestors once a year a custom that Faisal also kept up with. Now all that was left to do was to wait for Sariza so that they could finally take a moment after all of the recent chaos.
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 3:48 pm
Somedays life moved at such a slow pace that Sariza's skin would itch and others entire weeks would pass in the blink of an eye. Adjusting to the 'calm' of the beach house was taking some getting used to. For the most part she'd been instructed to stay indoors as much as possible, at least during the height of the day, to avoid others seeing her 'condition'. So far she'd born the confinement with sheer grit. All she wanted was to make sure that not only her husband was taken care of - as strange as that was to say now - but that her child had a safe birth. For a few months she'd been fine with it, but...Well, when she noticed that the sky was overcast Sariza went out in search of Faisal.
Her clothing was dark enough to hide her growing shape and she'd added an extra, looser layer to disguise her growing womb as well.
She made her way to the shrine and approached with quiet, thoughtful steps. This wasn't a place for loud boots or commanding tones; it was a place of remembrance and solace. For her part she'd brought a bouquet of flowers, ones that she'd grown herself, whose petals resembled a fresh Oban sunrise.
"I hope I didn't make you wait long."
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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:10 pm
Faisal smiled as he heard his wife approach. "Not long at all." He reassured her before moving to place the incense in the burners. There was just the memorial tablets with names carved into them, but one held Faisal's family names while the other had been recently carved for Sariza's own. Faisal moved so that he could offer Sariza help if needed, the slight steps leading up towards the cushioned area making him concerned considering her condition, but he also realized his wife was no delicate flower. So he did not press her while simply waiting.
"I know this isn't the most uplifting experience for our vacation but I was hoping that this year's memorial could also include those who once held a role in your life." Faisal nodded his head, his expression almost apprehensive as he waited for Sariza's reaction to the display at the shrine. Little trinkets, the burning incense, the tablets and even little rice cakes had been left along the smooth stone table.
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Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:44 pm
Sariza held a hand to stave off his assistance and offered a smile instead. If he offered too much help then others would talk, and that was precisely what they were here to avoid. She made her way to the cushions and carefully sat down on them before taking a look at the name plates. The militant Captain had expected to see members of Faisal's family, his father's memorial most of all, but the others...
Her eyes widened and she felt her lips part. "Kubaroka..." To see her biological father's name in a shrine with others.."And Calla"...Her mother. There were others as well, those that Sariza had lost over the course of her life, but those two were handled with such care that she felt her heart breaking.
So, naturally, she started to cry.
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 1:55 pm
"Sariza..." Faisal's gaze softened as he watched his wife's reaction to the memorial tablets. "I hope I didn't overstep." He stated quietly, a hand reaching out to touch Sariza's shoulder comfortingly. The hybrid's gaze was soft as he stood next to her, "It didn't feel right just having my family here, especially since you're also family now." His cheeks darkened slightly as he glanced towards the memorial tablets again. Even if things were a bit tense right now because of her connections, it did not mean that they should forget all of her relatives because of the actions of some. Once things resolved Faisal even hoped that the twins could learn about both sides of their family so that they could better understand their heritage.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:03 pm
"No, no; I just cry so easy these days." She tried her best to smile it off, but her lower lip betrayed her. With one hand she brushed the tears away and the other reached up to give his a squeeze. "It's an increidibly sweet gesture and I appreciate it. They've had no one except for Hakan to remember them for so long that I'm sure their spirits are lighter now." What must that have been like? To be thought of by their enemies, the very people who thought such demonizing things about them, without any way of clearing it up from the other side? She may not have ever met them personally, but Sariza would do her best to make things right.
"I brought this as well-" Removing a knife from her sash, Sariza carefully moved to un sheath the blade. It was a hardened blade stone, one that could shift like ink depending on the light, with a single rune carved into the blade.
The rune of the God Jonal; the god of men and war.
"For your father. So that wherever he may be his spirit is protected."
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:30 pm
"Well they'll have a whole family to remember them now." Faisal offered with a soft smile as he squeezed Sariza's hand back comfortingly. "Their memories will not be forgotten because of the misplaced hatred of others." He promised his wife as he studied the shrine for a moment, his gaze surely burning because of the incense. Faisal had told himself that he would do his best to be supportive and to not get emotional himself.
And then came the blade.
Faisal found his voice catching in his throat as he studied the dagger. "Sariza." He finally managed as the realization of what she had done for him sank in. Even if his father was out there somewhere the family had basically started accepting that they may never see him again. It was why Faisal had jumped into his duties as heir instead of even trying the military, so that he could offer his mother as much support as possible from home while the rest went their separate ways. "Thank you. This means the world to me." He blinked his eyes and swallowed back the tears, his mouth curving up into a small smile for his wife. To think that he had wanted to fight against their arranged marriage when in all honesty it was one of the best things to ever happen in his life.
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:48 am
It was hard not to feel choked up just seeing the emotions that welled up within Faisal. He did his best to keep strong for her, but she knew he had his own sorrows too. There had been so much happening since the day of their betrothal that she knew he didn't have as much time to reflect on Saraf's disappearance, but it weighed heavy on the family. She saw it in the way Arima carried herself, the very glint in Faisal's eyes...She couldn't even imagine.
"Without them we wouldn't be here," Her eyes drifted to the nameplates - all of them- with a calming sigh. "Everyone here gave up something so that they could build a legacy and we're going to see it through."
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:23 pm
Faisal swallowed and nodded his agreement. "It's the best way to honor everything that they have done." He stated quietly. "We'll just need to preserve through the storm so that our children can see the sun." His parents had always encouraged doing your best and to stay true to what you believed in and Faisal would never let that go. He would uphold his family's honor and keep their name strong while helping Sariza to reclaim her own roots. No more hiding.
"We'll come up with a plan and put a stop to this, I promise." Faisal squeezed Sariza's shoulder again before glancing over the nameplates. "In the future we'll build a shrine back in Sulburi with everyone's names as well. Our children will never hide from anyone." They just couldn't be reckless, they had to be patient and strike when the time was right. Faisal was confident, especially now that Sariza was by his side.
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:59 pm
"My father suggested petitioning the King for rights to the Ruzicka estate once this was handled. At first I worried he was thinking of their assets, but he made a good point. If we can bring their names back then their story can be reborn." She had no need for the estate or anything tied to it, but maybe they could allocate it to someone who did? Sariza had no idea how large it was, how much funds had been left to it, or even where the property might be, but if there was a chance at redemption...
They were hiding now, but it wouldn't be like this forever. The child in her womb might very well be grown by the time the world was safe enough for them, but there would still be a world to explore. So long as they were careful it could work out.
"We need to start exploiting less than desirable connections. If the moracks want to hide than we loatoa's to sniff them out."
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:31 pm
Faisal's mouth quirked upwards into an amused smile. "Normally your father and I don't see exactly eye to eye, but I agree with that idea. It's a good one even if the estate is repurposed to something else at least others will know that there is an heir." It would save the estate from simply being abandoned and ruined over time. A reminder that the Ruzicka name was not dead and that heirs did exist to keep the family's legacy going. Even if it wasn't the same legacy that her grandfather wanted they would create a new light, something her parents had been trying to do while they were alive.
"Agreed." Faisal nodded. "As much as I hate to admit it my family does have some less than savory connections that we don't talk about. They should be able to rummage about in the lower area of the cities to find those who are plotting against you." It was a start and from there they could begin weeding out everyone that threatened them. Faisal was willing to give others a chance to grow, to understand that Sariza was nothing like her grandfather but for those who refused to give up their revenge he would stop at nothing to prevent them from touching his family.
His gaze slid towards the shrine once more and a soft sigh left his lips. "The incense is dying out. I suppose we can make more plans later once we return to the manor and get out of this colder shrine." The most important thing to him right now was making certain Sariza was safe and that their future child would be born without any issues.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 12:31 pm
To be a Noble by marriage was a arduous feat in itself, but to let other's know she was one from birth? It was outright terrifying. There were so many aspects to all of this that Sariza could grit her teeth over and push through, but this? This...would take time.
"I assume there were others in my grandfather's ear that were able to keep their titles. It might be worth tracking them down." She wouldn't be able to speak to them of course; she already knew of the physical resemblance she bore to her late father, but Faisal....well, he would be just another noble. Granted, that was all for another day.
Looking down at the shrine and the fading incense, Sariza nodded her head.
"Maybe after dinner we can look at some names. We really should pick something soon."
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 7:42 am
"I can look into it." Faisal promised before finally moving so that he could help Sariza up. Even if they were trying to be more subtle it was only courteous for him to help his wife here and there, right? Faisal paused before nodding at the suggestion. "I think that would be a good idea. What do you think of Amaryllis if we have a daughter?" He suggested quietly. There were so many boys in the family, not that he minded, but for some reason it was easier to imagine a daughter one day.
"Either way I'm certain we'll figure something out." Their future child's name, their resolution to these threats....everything. Faisal was determined so that one day they could walk freely without worrying over the shadows of the past.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:40 am
As much as she wanted to brush off his kind gesture Sariza gave in and allowed her husband to help it. In a way it felt nice, to be treated as 'delicate' during a time in her life she honestly thought would be more precious. Instead, she had to be secretive about so much and much of the charm had been lost.
At least in these moments, while remembering those that were lost, they could care for those still yet to come.
"Amaryllis?" She placed a hand on her stomach and made a soft little 'hmm' before smiling. "I think that would be a lovely name for a girl." A daughter...the one thing Sariza had never considered. Sons to carry on the name, sons to teach the ways of war and politics, but a daughter....How could she even begin to raise one well enough to navigate Noble waters?
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