Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
It's that time of the year again! Time to give presents to loved ones in the typical ceremonies of the people of Tendaji. But the question is - what is the perfect gift?
[ We're looking for two things in this world event. 1) Who is your character getting a gift for and why? 2) What exactly would be the perfect gift? You can spend the whole prompt reflecting on these decisions, asking a friend for advice on the gift to give, or going out and purchasing the gift. ]
The culture of Zenan cities, of cities in general was so vastly different from anything Sylvirah had ever known growing up. Even now, years later, the huntress wasn’t entirely comfortably walking their streets out of sheer awkwardness. If she misspoke others would give her an odd turn and should she mention anything about food then she may as well have grown a second head…
This business about giving gifts as a part of winter festivals? It seemed careless, honestly. It gave others the impression that there would be something to receive in the coming year and if it wasn’t there then disappointment would only drag down moral. She’d never intended on getting wrapped up in it until she’d had children and…well, they had softened her, hadn’t they?
One gift a piece; she’d agreed to that much. If Zyphire got them more then that was his prerogative, but Sylvirah had a plan. Something practical; nothing frivolous. “Stay close, Ziya. It’s crowded today.”
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 6:45 pm
Ziya bounced along behind his mother. The youngling was always excited to go to the city because of all the strange things he somehow always managed to find within its walls but today was especially exciting because they were actually setting out to find gifts for their family members. "I will, mama." He replied quietly as he looked around, his bi-colored gaze looking for anything that could stand out to them already. "I want to get something for Yngvara and Papa, but there's so many shops." Obviously he couldn't get anything for his mother this time. Ziya wanted to surprise her with the best gift but that would take time and a lot of searching on another day when Sylvirah wasn't with him. For now though what did he get the others? He pursed his lips before glancing towards his mother for guidance. "Where should we begin?"
[Sabra via Discord]
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 6:45 pm
[Sylvirah 2]
Sylvirah looked around the main square. The market itself branched off into several directions depending on what one was searching for and thankfully despite the fact it was crowded traffic seemed to be moving well. “Let’s start with Yngvara. What do you think your sister would like?” Her daughter could be strangely cryptic at times, but for those closest to her she could be easy enough to read. Still, that didn’t mean finding the perfect gift for her would be easy.
Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 6:58 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Something that would make her seem tough and mature." Teased Ziya lightly as he glanced about. Honestly he didn't even know what he would like for himself if he thought about it. They were young, but old enough to not want toys and his sister loved her sermal more than anything...Ziya pursed his lips as he pondered over things. "Ribbons are nice for her hair but she also likes archery. A pretty bow wouldn't be as practical as something sturdy and we hunt our own furs so the dress shops are just an extra vanity." Totally unnecessary. His bi-colored gaze shifted over things once more and the boy let out a sigh before blinking. "A hunting knife?" He knew that they had some but they were rougher around the edges...what if they found an elegant one that was just as functional so she could be pretty and cool? Ziya grinned at the thought. "We should look at the smithy!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 7:04 pm
[Sylvirah 3]
Sylvirah gave a little snort. Her little huntress did tend to take herself a little too seriously at times. A perfect compliment to her brother, honestly. She was pleased to hear that Ziya’s exposure to more communal cultures hadn’t completely spoiled him. He was thinking practically and more importantly, about the things that his sister would value most. “I think that’s a great idea. She’ll love a new knife.” Sylvirah reached over to smooth her fingers through his snowy hair before leading the way to the smithy. “Would you like to see if anything can be carved into the blade?”
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:20 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Ziya beamed at his mother's praise. "You think so?" He asked with a bright smile as he thought about the idea. Hopefully they were right and Yngvara would love it! He adored teasing his younger sibling, but he just as equally adored finding presents that she enjoyed. Ziya made certain to keep an eye on the shop windows as they walked towards the smithy. Even if he already had an idea for Yngvara there was still his parents to think of. His father enjoyed shiny things almost like those crows that collected trinkets and stored them in trees so that wouldn't be too hard of a choice but his mother would take a lot of thought. Still, Ziya found himself focusing back on the task at hand when Sylivrah asked him a question. "A raptrix or chiavi would be more traditional but what if we asked for a sermal because of Sterjne? Would that be acceptable?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:26 am
[Sylvirah 4]
The area itself seemed to shift the closer they got to the smithy. As they branched away from the more affluent shops colors started to fade and the thick, wooden edifices of buildings took on a more worn façade. These were the people that she cared for most. The ones that cared more about the quality of their craft than the sign above their door. “We’ll just have to find the right craftsman.” A knife with Sterjne’s likeness on it would likely send Yngvara over the mountain. “The old man doesn’t do well with designs, but maybe….” Sylvirah tapped her chin. “…maybe Vers could do it. You remember him, don’t you? From the summer market? The leafling?”
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:31 am
[Sabra via Discord]
ZIya pursed his lips thoughtfully at the question. "Is Vers here?" He asked with a slight frown as he slowly nodded his head. He was fairly decent at remembering faces and names, something that made up for the other details he often missed or forgot. "It's colder so did he stay or migrate like the birds?" The boy blinked in confusion as he tried to figure it out. While he was older enough to understand that earthlings could survive in other territories, to a certain degree minus some comforts, Ziya also knew that a lot of foreign merchants would rotate with the seasons. But maybe not Vers, hopefully. If not Vers then surely there had to be someone else, right? Ziya was determined to not give up, not when they had figured out the perfect gift for Yngvara!
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:39 am
[Sylvirah 5]
“His partner is from the area so he lives here now.” Admittedly it was still odd to see him occasionally, this little tanned spec among a sea of blue, but Sylvirah was growing more used to seeing oddities like him all the time. Where once she’d only been accustomed to seeing other Zenans she was now seeing strangers from all tribes so she…was trying not to stare as much.
She could see the familiar shape of the smithy now and was happy to see that there weren’t as many customers at his door as some of the others. Even though Vers was just as talented he hadn’t exactly built up a reputation with the locals yet so they tended to stick with what they knew. Pity since his blades were some of the sharpest. “Knives can be expensive. Do you have anything to trade for it?”
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 12:06 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Oh." Ziya blinked before nodding slowly. Maybe it was easier on earthlings from Tale to adjust to the cold since they actually had some sort of weather change in the other country? It wasn't as bitter cold as Zena because nothing could be colder than Zena, but it wasn't like the much warmer jungles and rainforest his father spoke of back in Jahaur. Ziya pursed his lips at the thought as he held true to that reasoning for his father's yearly disappearances as he traveled across the country, going further south when the winter winds started to howl outside of their village.
His mother's next question made his expression falter a bit more and the boy slowly held up the satchel he had been carrying at his side. "Some of the finest furs I earned this season and a few coins I saved up from helping father. Do you think that'll work?"
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:39 am
[Sylvirah 6]
“I’m curious to see if he’ll freeze when the snows get thick. His thin skin won’t last as long outside.” At least, she assumed as much. The only non-Zenans Sylvirah had contact with were never around her during the harsher winters so she had nothing to really base it on.
“I think once he sees your furs you’ll be able to get whichever knife you want.” The added coin wouldn’t hurt and then, of course, whatever he lacked she would chip in so long as it was reasonable. “Just make sure it isn’t too big; you want to make sure Yngvara can actually hold it.”
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:30 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Then my furs definitely should interest him!" Beamed Ziya as he thought about how appealing they surely would be to a foreigner who could potentially freeze during the colder months. The boy could already imagine how amazing this knife was until the next comment had him slowing down. "That's true." He pursed his lips thoughtfully as he tried to imagine the perfect size. "It should be something that she can grow with though so maybe not too small." Could be a dagger for now because of her youth but maybe a sturdy knife for the future when she got older? Ziya playfully grinned towards his mother. "But are you certain I shouldn't get one the size of my arm?" Could they even imagine Yngvara trying to hold a sword so large?
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:33 pm
[Sylvirah 7]
As they neared the smithy, Sylvirah reached for the door handle and gave his words some thought. Something she could grow into would be a better option, even if she couldn’t necessarily use it the best right now. “Would you want your sister to have a blade that long? The next time you steal her snacks she’ll cut your hand off for it.” She laughed and opened the door.
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:39 pm
"Not if she stumbles and gives me plenty of time to escape!" Quipped back Ziya with a smirk before he darted into the shop after his mother. Though Sylvirah was right that he would most definitely be more hesitant to take his sister's snacks nor would he want to give her a blade that long. Still, the youngling was excited to know that they had both managed to find the perfect gift for his sibling. Now all they would have to do is take time to find things for one another and then for his father! Ziya beamed with excitement as he prepared to go barter and place his order.
