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 Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:01 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
It was hard once you realized your feelings for someone.
Or at least it was frustrating in Faisal’s case where he had been on lockdown for the past couple of weeks while both Sariza and him healed from their injuries. The recent attack had put both of their families on high alert and while Faisal wanted to guarantee Sariza’s protection her father would refuse any such ideas which Faisal admitted was probably fair considering the fortress that home was. Still, being stuck in meetings and pouring over paperwork for his own family for so many days had only given him more time to mull over how he truly felt about the Oban woman. He cherished and missed her. A groan left Faisal’s lips at the realization as he paced back around the gardens of his home for what was surely the thousandth time. The walls had been inspected, additional servants and guards hired since the incident to ensure that no one could trespass, especially with the wedding looming above them. Faisal had spoken more with his grandmother and had pushed even harder to keep the engagement, something which she agreed with thankfully, and now tonight was the first time that Sariza was able to visit. This would be the night that Faisal actually would propose to her and request the earlier wedding, something that he would only do if she agreed with the idea. And if she didn’t feel the same way? Then Faisal would help to figure out this mystery and take care of those who wanted to harm her before allowing Sariza to go along her way because he refused to force anyone into a loveless marriage.
But perhaps he had gone a bit too hard on preparing for tonight. “Perhaps I had too many hours left alone.” Murmured the swordsman as he walked around the gazebo he had built in the last couple of weeks that was now in the center of the gardens, the autumn flowers with their golden and ivory petals blooming on vines that traced along the trellis surrounding the structure. Flower petals floated in the water surrounding the gazebo, a small bridge leading towards the structure across the pond that was filled with shimmering fish and lotus blossoms. At least he had the area isolated, free of guards and with no musicians or anything like that since Faisal did enjoy his privacy especially when sorting through this complicated mess of feelings. As the last servant left a tray of food and drinks on the small table centered in the middle of the gazebo with sitting pillows around it, the swordsman took a deep breath and prepared himself. Now he just had to walk back towards the entrance and greet Sariza, his heart already knotting as he tried to imagine how tonight would go.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:02 pm
[Sariza 1]
The past couple of weeks had been some of the hardest that Sariza had endured. Not only was she forced into a lockdown to heal from her injuries, but she’d found out the reason for the attacks. While she could have written to Faisal about it hearing all of this in a letter didn’t seem fair considering how much he’d already had to endure on her behalf. So, she’d kept that much to herself and tried to deal with it as best she could.
Instead of focusing on it, however, she’d done her best to go through with life as ‘normally’ as she could. Endurance training in the morning, lessons in noble bearing during the heat of the day, and physical training in the evening. None of which were to happen if her father didn’t sign off on it. General Hakan was ruthless in that aspect. If he wasn’t near his daughter she was to have an armed escort and to say it was frustrating was beyond an understatement. Sariza held militant rank of her own, she was fully capable of defending herself (as she’d proved), but she was also being targeted. That target meant her ‘superior officer’ was given full discretion to do as he please and this was the end result.
She missed her freedom. Sariza craved autonomy in her choices and she also missed Faisal dearly. It was…strange, considering their arrangement. There was so much that she still didn’t understand about him and more still that she didn’t know. Still, what she did know was charming and well worth the effort it took to be in his world. Theirs was an amicable partnership that she was glad to have; a kind friend who understood her circumstances and could make an awkward situation work.
When she’d been told she could visit him Sariza had been, admittedly, a little too excited. Her father had taken it as a sign of budding romance, but Sariza wasn’t as sure. It was…a complicated thing, one that she didn’t have time to dwell on if she wanted to look her best. She’d grown a bit more muscular during her time away, had changed her hair quite a bit and wondered…Well, he wouldn’t be angry, would he?
She rode up to the manse atop Uovu as steadily as she did around her soldiers. Some of her men were among her escorts, as ready to serve as if she’d been in armor and when she saw Faisal there was a strange fluttering her chest.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:03 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Oh gods. Why did it feel like they had been apart for years rather than weeks? Faisal noticed all the differences but if anything she looked beautiful and he was just thankful that she appeared to be doing well. She definitely had been working on her training, something he noted with amusement before the realization of so many guards had him sighing. "Sariza." Faisal greeted her politely despite the rush of blood making his heart jump in his chest at the sight of her. Her looked towards Uovu before taking another step forward as if pondering the idea of helping Sariza down. That would be nice for other noblewomen but he wasn't quite certain how a fighter would take to the gesture and so he just waited for Sariza to dismount.
While he waited the man glanced about the soldiers and looked back towards his own guards who had been standing at the gates. "Once we enter the courtyard I would prefer a more private affair. Is that acceptable for you?" He asked Sariza with a wary glance towards her guards. "We have security in place but can find space for extra hands if necessary." Either way he understood their situation even though it also made him bristle considering that he too was a trained fighter and this time his swords would never leave his side.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:04 pm
[Sariza 2]
”Faisal.” She greeted with a small, demure smile. Despite having worked so much on her battled preparedness Sariza’s heart was still as innocent as any young woman’s. There was something in her blood that made her skin tingle and her heart felt as if it belonged to a fluttering bird. She dismounted as swiftly as she could given Uovu’s size and her attire. Most ladies who dressed as such would be riding in a carriage not atop an armored war beast. Still, Uovu was mostly patient for the process and only snarled at Faisal once, even if it was deep within her chest and she never broke eye contact with him.
“They’ll wait outside. I trust that security within the estate is more than enough.” Turning back to the men in question Sariza handed over Uovu’s reigns and accepted his nod of approval. “They’ll stay close should we need them, but I don’t see a reason why they should have to follow us indoors.” At this point the men themselves would just be added security and certainly something those here should become accustomed to if she was going to be living here.
Which was as strange a thought as anything else. “Would you mind leading the way?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:05 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
A breath of relief escaped Faisal's lips though he did his best to keep solemn while discussing security. "We made certain to have plenty of security within our walls." He promised before reaching over to take Sariza's hand so that he could place it on his arm so that he could lead the way. "I'll gladly lead the way." Faisal glanced around and made certain that his own guards were in position before gesturing for them to open the gates wider so that he could enter with Sariza. "I was hoping to spend some time in the gardens today so that I can show you something. I've been a bit cooped up with paperwork so I picked up something else to pass the time while recovering." While he talked the swordsman had already started moving forward, his steps patient as they entered the manor courtyard. A bit of regret did cross his features when he heard the gates closing behind them, the swordsman more accustomed to them being kept open more than locked which was most definitely not the case as of late.
Still, he took a moment to try to relax despite his jittery nerves. "How are you?" He managed quietly as he glanced back at Sariza to give her a moment before they entered the gardens. Already there were less guards and he found himself more at ease the further they moved away from the main gates and into the private area he had reserved for the afternoon. "I hope you recovered well."
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:06 pm
[Sariza 3]
Sariza lifted the hem of her dress with her free hand and took one last look back at Uovu’s sour expression before turning her gaze onto the estate. It was such a relief to see how much more colorful it was than her own home. Even in the entry way she could see accents of design etched into the very structure itself beyond what decorations had been scattered about. Her eyes lingered on a few things here and there when she really should have been paying more attention to Faisal, but how could she do anything else?
“Is that so?” She would never object to seeing the gardens again. Her own little garden at home was well cared for, but limited. One day she would have liked to expand though with her lack of time already giving them the care they needed would have been difficult.
“There’s still some stiffness in my arm when I lift a spear for too long, but the healer says it may yet work itself out.” She looked down at her forearm, the very one that was looped with his, at the unavoidable scar that marred her skin. It was a thick thing; long, jagged and ugly. Looking back to him, however, her eyes softened. “Are you okay?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:06 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Faisal's expression fell at the thought of Sariza's injury. "I was doing fine except for worrying about you." He found himself admitting now that they were alone. What were a few cracked ribs in comparison to the injuries she had sustained? Either way at least they had gotten away and had found healers, including his own mother that surely would want a follow up inspection soon enough. "If you'd like my mother can check on your injury as well." He quietly offered, his cheeks slightly flushed still from his earlier admission. He most definitely was a mess of emotions but hopefully today would resolve some of them....hopefully.
"We can also work on stretches together. I'm also versed in the lance and we have a training area on the grounds. It's probably not as impressive as your father's estate since that's more his forte but it has helped me with my fighting." His own father had seen to that before well before everything happened. Faisal found himself clearing his throat as he pushed through the awkward thoughts and continued leading them through the gardens. The path was familiar, going past the fountain he had shown her during the last party at the estate, but now they were twisting more towards the left as he approached the pond with the gazebo waiting for them.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:08 pm
[Sariza 4]
Perhaps seeing Arima would be for the best. She may be able to help with the muscular aches that accompanied storms and on a much more vain level Sariza wondered if she might be able to fix the scar. There wasn’t much magic could usually do to alleviate surface imperfections, but she would like for it to be a little less noticeable. Surely the members of court would appreciate it as well.
Of course it was hard to think on such things as they entered the gardens. The entire area was an explosion of life that never failed to take Sariza’s breath. “That might…be nice, actually. The two of us have never trained together.” She certainly knew of his background with his father so it should have been a concept that came up long before now and yet…Somehow it hadn’t. Maybe because she was still being reserved around him? There was this separation of things regarding Faisal and those without that Sariza was hesitant to breech. But why?
“You said you were occupied with paperwork while I was away? What sort of things were you tending to?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:41 pm
[Sabra via discord]
"Well if you consider anything from our last outing as positive I would consider that to be a bit of training." Even as he said the words Faisal winced slightly. As much as he preferred to take humor from certain aspects of life that event was still a bit sore and worrisome. Eventually once they resolved everything and he had some heads accounted for the swordsman could consider being more light hearted about things. "But I would enjoy a training session. Hopefully you won't find me lacking." He found his steps slowing as he pondered her next question. "Finances mostly. While my grandmother still is the head of the family I've been taking over quite a few things so that we can keep our trades and connections running." His amber gaze darted towards Sariza. "Mostly boring things unless you enjoy crunching numbers and trying to keep distant relatives from ruining relations with other nobles." Then there were the piles of gifts and events to remember for others to prove that they still kept contact with the family and the like. Faisal could only shake his head at the thought before glancing over towards Sariza. "Thankfully it allowed me some freedom to create this place."
And there it was the gazebo. Faisal smiled towards Sariza almost shyly as he watched for her response. "I thought that maybe it would be nice to just talk about things in a more private place? There's food and drinks while we can also stroll around if you enjoy watching fish. There's food for them as well if you'd like to try to get them to come closer to the surface." It was a bit of an awkward introduction for him but honestly he wasn't quite certain he was ready to jump into things right now.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:42 pm
[Sariza 5]
Sariza winced. “I suppose…” Training to her had a purpose, some sense of reason that would help others to ascend; not terrify. She shifted her eyes away from him to look at the flowers instead. It brought up memories of her talk with Hakan and the things she needed to tell Faisal…
“It sounds tedious, but important to secure the legacy of your line.” Because it wasn’t just his grandmother’s house anymore, was it? One day it would be Faisal’s so it was important that he understood his role and all the contained. Sariza hoped that she wouldn’t be as relied upon for financial advice. She understood treaties well enough, but numbers were beyond her.
The gazebo was absolutely wonderful. Her smile returned in fold just taking it all in. Sunlight reflected off the pond’s surface as if it were made of shimmering glass. “Are there really fish? I’ve never seen one.” She’d seen plenty on her plate, but the living thing was much harder to come by in Oba. Realizing that she was being a little too eager Sariza’s cheeks flushed and she moved a little closer to the gazebo.
“I have something I would like to talk to you about as well so perhaps we should sit down first?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:52 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"That is true." Faisal agreed softly. "It's something that I can manage since I've had a great mentor so no need to worry about such things." One day he would have to take over completely but for now he was confident that everything was running smoothly and honestly his grandmother was stubborn about letting go completely. "I think my grandmother won't pass until she has great grandchildren or more one day so I won't have complete control for a while yet." He found himself admitting though a deep flush decorated his cheeks at the realization. There was only one way for that to occur after all.
Sariza's excitement brought a smile to his lips. "There are plenty of fish." He confirmed with a soft chuckle. That much he had made certain of since it was hard to accomplish such a feat in Oba, especially within the walls of the city. "We can feed them later once we have had food." He promised before Sariza's statement made him pause. Was...was she going to try to break the engagement? Why was that the first thing he thought? Faisal chewed the inside of his cheek but did his best to keep a calm façade while nodding. "Certainly. This way." Walking past Sariza and across the bridge the swordsman settled on the cushions for seating before patting one across from him, the table of food in the middle. "Feel free to sit. What's on your mind?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:03 pm
[Sariza 6]
“Oh, well, that’s….” Mildly embarrassing? Oh only a touch. Sariza swallowed back a lump in her throat and felt her anxiety rise. Great-grandchildren? Of course she would expect that, given their relationship it was only natural and yet…With everything going on it had been the furthest from Sariza’s mind.
She followed behind him and hesitated for a moment before taking her seat. “This isn’t easy to say so forgive my hesitance.” There was no real way to stop from wringing her fingers together in her lap or the way her mind was screaming at her. All the fear of the other night was still so fresh despite the time hat had passed and it wasn’t just the fear of the fight. No, it was all the worries that had come from that conversation….
“When I found out that you and I were betrothed I assumed it was to secure your safety. Why else would your grandmother agree to it? She could have had her pick of noble blood within the military and yet she chose me.” Sariza took a shallow, shaky breath. “Then with the attack…I spoke with my father. The union wasn’t for your sake, but for mine. I am the granddaughter of Taryan Ruzicka and the daughter of his only son, Kubaroka. Those men that attacked us murdered my parents because of the atrocities my grandfather committed and now they’re after me.”
If he was as versed as he said then Faisal would know that last name. The clout it carried, the weight it had once held in Oban court and the deep, tarnished roots it had in this country. Years of fighting to keep slaves in chains…it was sickening. “Hakan was Kubaroka’s best friend and he took me in to keep me safe.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:31 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"If you're worried about....oh." Faisal's voice dropped off as he listened to Sariza's story. His mind rushed to keep up with the flood of sudden information, the gears turning quickly as everything clicked into place with the names. "Taryan Ruzicka." Faisal repeated before pouring a glass of wine and passing it towards Sariza. "It's nothing strong, just something to drink after that story." He managed quietly as he worked his way around the realty being presented to him. Taryan Ruzicka had not been the best of men but his grandfather during his life had some sort of relationship with the family which allowed his grandmother to grow closer to Kubaroka who shared similar ideals to her that differed from Taryan's own. Hadn't his grandmother mentioned the wife as well? Suddenly everything made sense and the man found himself letting out a chuckle as he poured himself another glass.
"I appreciate that you thought of my safety first." He admitted as he thought over things. "Honestly I could not understand why my grandmother had suddenly gone back on her word about allowing my to decide my own partner. She also chose someone that was not close to the royal family but with military connections that pushed our power into a dangerous territory." They were the family that worked in the shadows, the puppet masters who had worked with the royal family for years before settling into this more peaceful mediator position after the war that ensured the advisors and everything in the country stayed at peace. "But now this makes so much more sense since we could ensure your safety with our own power. Still it is frustrating to think about those who had attacked us. Why would they want to attack a family who stood up for freeing the Matori and even adopted one as their own?"
Faisal paused before looking towards Sariza with a small smile. "If I recall then my grandmother was close to your parents. Somehow she must have found out about you and thought this the best way to help ease their spirits." The swordsman raised the glass to his lips and took a drink, his expression thoughtful as he studied Sariza. What did they do now? If the attackers were still determined to pursue Sariza then surely they could not just keep her locked up within the estate forever, right? Something would have to be done. "What do you think now that you've learned all of this?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:39 pm
[Sariza 7]
“One in the same.” Sariza admitted with a long, suffering sigh. After learning his name she’d done her fair amount of research and honestly, she wished she hadn’t. The things he’d done were horrendous. Any imagined torture one could concoct to a ‘wayward slave’ he’d gone well beyond. The man had delighted in the fortune he’d amassed on their blood and when it was all stripped away he’d fought til the grave to get it back.
She took the glass with a steady hand and took a sip. It was just…a lot to say and even more to take in. There were several ways she’d imagined Faisal would take it to it, especially given his unique circumstances, but laughter admittedly wasn’t it. Quirking a brow, she turned to him. “If anything it makes your family even more of a threat. My father – Brigadier General Hakan’s influence combined with my…background will make things worse. They’ll come for you; they’ll come for your family as well.”
Now that he’d brought it up her spine stiffened and Sariza took another drink. She wasn’t a wilting flower, that much was sure. “I’m not hiding from them. Hakan no doubt agreed to the betrothal because of who your family is and who you are. He likely thought it would be seen as a change for me and that they might back off, but they didn’t. I plan on hunting down the head of the snake and cutting it off.” It wasn’t a ‘ladylike’ statement, but it was the truth.
“I wanted you to know before we went any further with this arrangement. One day you may have…an heir and I…wouldn’t know what to do with myself if they were targeted.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:57 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Faisal raised a hand in apology. "It was just the insanity of this revelation, no offense." He explained after a moment before letting out a sigh. "I have gone through so many scenarios about why my grandmother decided to go with this engagement and I never dared to think of something as complex as this." He did not doubt the validity of it, especially considering the attack and the fact that Sariza surely had no reason to lie to him like this. More so it was now a matter of trying to piece together what to do next. "They'll be swimming in shark infested waters if they think they can come after my own." Replied Faisal without budging, his gaze narrowed at the thought of a new threat. He had already experienced his fair share for being a hybrid with a noble title and heir to a fortune that would rival the most powerful in Oba. "This will be a new sort of threat certainly, but I'm not about to wilt in the face of danger else I wouldn't be here now."
His gaze softened as he looked towards Sariza and the hybrid found himself reaching across the table for Sariza's free hand. "Then I think we should agree to take care of this threat. I for one am not about to back away from this engagement..." Faisal began quietly, his gaze lifting up towards Sariza before he continued. "I know this sounds ridiculous considering how much we wanted out of an engagement at first but I think....no." Faisal closed his eyes tightly before trying again. "I wanted a more romantic approach but I don't think it'll work out now that this conversation is here. I don't want to leave you, Sariza. I actually like you and would like to continue our relationship because I do care about you." His fingers tightened on her hand, a comforting squeeze for either himself or her. "I won't back down because of some ingrates who won't let go of a grudge. The past was terrible but you should not be held accountable for it."
Faisal's voice was firm as he decided on his stance. "If anything I would rather push up our marriage so that we can further work through this as a team and perhaps it's a bit greedy of me as well because I want to get closer to you if you'll have me."
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