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 Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 4:05 pm
For the first night in weeks Indra had decided it would be a good idea to unwind. While her lover was handling things on jobs against Sariza, Xenia had been doing her best to set up contacts to help her and keeping everything straight had been exhausting. As the two rarely spent time with one another it hadn't been hard to hide things from her, but listening to the matorian drone one about how much this was going to pay off was starting to get to her.
Sulburi was a big city, though, with a night life unrivaled by any other nation. Xenia had never seen as many taverns or minstrels as she did pouring into the streets after dark. And naturally, with the cover of night to hide their faces, Indra thought it safe enough to enter a more crowded establishment near the edge of town for a bit of fun.
Unlike most buildings the tavern itself was comprised of three levels. The upper floor had rooms for private parties, the middle was comprised entirely of long tables and benches for eating while the ground floor was for dancing. Since it was built as an atrium the raised platform in the center of the ground floor was visible to all, giving plenty of space for performers to be both heard and seen.
Their crew took up an entire table on the second floor and even as loud as they were they couldn't be heard over the ruckus of the tavern itself. Servers passed by in the dozens, dropping as many full steins as they left with empties, and Xenia was loving it. A few of the women from her crew were laughing along with her, arms around the yaeli as she leaned against the railing to watch the fire breather below. His act would be finishing soon and when the puff of fire stretched up through all three floors a chorus of cheers rang up.
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:35 pm
“Nagini.” Kitya paused as she heard the stage name, the Yaeli woman simply giving a nod towards the Oban before finishing the final smears of kohl across her dark eyes. Her dark sclera already gave her a mystic appearance in the city of mainlanders but the darker makeup, the jeweled designs running across her forehead made her seem even more intense. Her indigo hair was twisted backwards into a series of intricate braids held with onyx, ruby and silver pieces while her dress was a deep silver with black that almost appeared molton, the material shifting like liquid as she moved.
Kitya had been here for almost three weeks now and she still couldn’t quite get accustomed to the atmosphere of the establishment. It was good though because she was constantly kept on edge, the need to be alert keeping her senses sharp in an area that attracted all sorts of traveling souls. Traveling to Oba had not been a simple fare and now that she was residing in the city the Yaeli had to earn her keep. Learning about the establishment with its variety of performances had attracted her interest and now she found her nights more lively than ever before, something that may have given some of her family plenty of worry, but it provided her with the coin she needed to continue staying in Sulburi. There were signs of her sister somewhere in this busy city and Kitya was determined to find her, no matter what it took. Dancing for some strangers in a risque establishment to earn coin and gather information from those who worked in the shadows of the city? More so a fun challenge for the young woman rather than an impossible task and so here she was acting as Nagini.
While the crowd had been cheering for the fire dancer, the atmosphere at the tavern quietened down as torches were lit along the stage. The flickering flames caused dancing shadows while music slowly started to float from the corners, an eerie melody that was almost hypnotic. Most calmed down their chatter to enjoy, those who had been to the tavern in recent weeks understanding this performance while others found themselves pausing with confusion before glancing towards the stage. As the music started to grow louder, Kitya came forward with a cloak covering most of her features. The dark silk was tugged down across her face, her body swaying with the music and showing here and there as she moved the cloak to reveal her bare stomach painted with patterns as she started to move faster with the racing beat. Jeweled anklets covering her bare feet chimed with the melody before Kitya swirled down towards the floor, pulling her cloak tightly against her before finally tossing it off to reveal the keldari nestled beneath and rising to dance alongside of the snake as the haunting music started to pick up once more.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 1:11 pm
By the time the entertainment started to change Xenia was already two drinks in and feeling a flush to her skin. There was a fire there that hadn't been present in so many nights that she was eager to keep chasing it. A matorian - some woman she'd never even seen before - had her arm around her waist and was whispering something into her ear that it feel like little feathers were flitting over her skin. She laughed and nearly lost her glasses in the process, much to Indra's disapproval.
It didn't take long for her actual lover to take her spot next to Xenia and despite her presence the yaeli's smile didn't drop. Maybe it was the liquor or the overall atmosphere, but Xenia didn't want that sour, scarred face to ruin her night.
"Have you ever heard of Nagini?"
"Nope, heard it's another one of your kind though." Indra leaned onto the railing and took a long, hard drink of her ale.
Another yaeli? Xenia let herself be pulled against Indra, if only so she could get a closer look at the stage below her. As the music pulled along she felt her body swaying in tune with it, though not nearly as gracefully as Nagini herself. When the keldari was displayed she gasped - much to Indra's amusement - and eagerly kept her eye on the performer.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 1:35 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
One would think that one gasp out of such a large crowd shouldn't catch attention that easily. Still when Kitya heard something that somehow caught her attention the performer found herself slowing down and twisting around so that she could better survey tonight's crowd. She had been in the back area preparing so she hadn't gotten the chance to mingle with others like some of the other performers did. Needless to say she nearly stumbled, only the calming presence of Sia and the melody of the music keeping her from failing the dance, and while Kitya kept smoothly going along with the music the reality was that her heart was racing. While her stage was controlled by shadows and flickering torch lights the upper levels were fairly lit even if dimly so. It was enough for her to catch sight of familiar wild curls and the dark gaze of another Yaeli.
Rather than jumping right into an impossible dream, Kitya finished her performance and twisted into position so that she could give a courteous bow towards the crowd with her Keldari draped across her shoulders. Her gaze though did slowly rise towards the other Yaeli, lingering a long moment before she backed away.
Now that her performance was over she could fade back into the shadows, the staff grabbing her discarded cloak while preparing for the next show. Kitya would go backstage to swap from her stage outfit into dark leathers so that she could roam the crowd. It was the best time to gather information while the patrons were already heavy into their drinks by this point in the night.
For once though she had a goal and that was to find the fellow Yaeli hiding out in the crowd.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 1:42 pm
[3/10]
There was something so familiar about those moves that Xenia found herself trying to focus on Nagini's movements. She couldn't tell any defining features, both because of the performer's costume and the lights themselves so she had to live with that nagging feeling. It was like a pull, some sort of sense that was trying to remind her of something she'd long since pushed aside, but Indra's cheers blended in with those around her and she couldn't think.
"Knew you yaeli were good at shaking your hips," Indra smirked and leaned forward to give Xenia a kiss on her forehead before slipping away toward the crew. Several had gotten up from their table to watch the spectacle and everyone was talking about it. "Kitten? Mind going downstairs and checking on that server? She never came back with our drinks."
"Sure." Xenia straightened her glasses and slipped past the crowd. The main set of stairs wound down toward the lower dance hall, but a smaller set near the back would take her directly to the kitchen where orders could be placed.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:02 pm
[Sabra]
"Be good, Sia." Kitya whispered to the blue and silver keldari as he coiled around her waist, his body sinking into the silk sash that Kitya wore over her leggings. A plain cloak had replaced the silk one, the simple gray much more adept at preventing people from noticing her right away when she slipped out into the crowds.
Kitya had nearly been on her way towards the stairs before the sight of purple hair in the crowd caught her attention. Was it the Yaeli woman from earlier? A small smile crossed her lips despite the twisting of her gut. If the Yaeli was on this level then that made life even easier.
"Drinks?" Kitya's voice was low, sensual like how Nagini usually spoke. "I usually find someone who catches my eye to enjoy the evening with after the show." She offered, her gaze gleaming beneath the hood of her cloak as she walked alongside of the Yaeli woman. She knew she could look to the left and try to confirm the stranger's identity but for now Kitya kept her gaze forward to navigate the crowd.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:03 pm
[4/10]
“Hmm?” Xenia likely wouldn’t have turned at all if the dancer’s voice hadn’t been so alluring. It was that familiarity that pulled at her again and perhaps if she hadn’t already been a few in Xenia could have found some conclusions, but her senses were dull. She’d allowed herself the freedom to breathe and was feeling it’s effects.
“I don’t see why not. I just need to take care of some loose ends first.” The little yaeli raised her hand, catching the eye of the first server walking their way. “My groups on the second floor and we’ve been waiting for a while. Mind checking on things?”
“Of course, miss; got a little behind is all.”
“It’s no problem, really.” She was kind in her smile and watched as the already frazzled server went about their business. When she turned back to the other woman all she saw was her eyes. It was…disconcerting, to see yaeli eyes after being gone for so long. Even seeing Valek’s made her stomach churn. But these…spirits, they did give her pause, didn’t they? “Lead the way.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:06 am
[Sabra]
"Mmhmm." Kitya raised a brow as the other Yaeli spoke with the server, her gaze sparking with recognition now that she got a good glance at the other woman. After all of this time was this when she truly found her sibling? She was worried about Xenia darting away but it appeared alcohol was once more in her favor as her own sibling didn't seem to entirely recognize her....yet. As Xenia asked for her to lead the way Kitya nodded and her hand gestured for the other Yaeli to follow her before disappearing beneath her cloak once more. Twisting through the crowds, Kitya led her sister further and further away from the main areas of the tavern until they finally approached a door nestled in the back corner.
Thankfully she had a private booth here so that she could gather more information while earning coin for the tavern keeper, something that worked out nicely for the woman when she allowed strong alcohol and a few minor illusions to let patrons enjoy their evening. "This way, I enjoy my privacy." Her voice was almost like a whisper as she ushered Xenia into the room so that she could close the door behind them. Once the other Yaeli would enter it was then that Kitya would click the lock and twist her hands so that the torches along the walls flared to life. Sia was already misbehaving, wiggling free from her sash to try and approach the familiar Yaeli as Kitya finally removed her hood and turned to study Xenia.
"Are you too drunk to recognize anything?" Kitya asked, her silver gaze burning with so many questions as she finally faced her sibling again after being apart for so long.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:15 am
[5/10]
While she may not have been able to fully recognize the other yaeli, Xenia wasn't entirely out of sorts. She still kept an a careful eye out for exits, something that had been pressed into her psyche after years of running at the first sight of trouble. As they walked away from the more public drinking areas Xenia grew more and more suspicious. She didn't trust one on one conversations; they always led to something that would get her hurt in the end. Still, she couldn't very well walk away now or...well, she could...
She may have had to check her weapons at the door, but Xenia always kept a few daggers stashed on her. The petite yaeli stalled near the door, tempted to back out entirely, but her caution was outvoted by tipsy curiosity.
As soon as the door locked behind her she knew she'd made a mistake. Xenia whipped around, the sconces flaring to life around her and in an instant she saw her. "Kitya?" And the keldari...Gods, at a distance she hadn't been able to recognize it but up close she knew her patterns. "Sia..."
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:24 am
[Sabra]
"Xenia." The name came out like a breath of air, the weight of it crushing Kitya's chest for so long. While the keldari was slithering forward towards Xenia, the head rising as he stared at the familiar woman through hooded eyes, Kitya stayed back to study her sibling better. She had been so absorbed in the search that actually finding the other Yaeli had her at a loss. Once she would have been livid and ready to toss things at her but now....now there just seemed to be some form of acceptance, relief at seeing Xenia alive.
"You seem to be doing well." Kitya finally managed, her arms crossing as she kept an eye on Xenia. It had been risky blocking them off from the rest of the crowd but she had hoped it was the better option to avoid any wandering eyes. Now though she felt wary as she waited to see how Xenia would react. At least it seemed like Sia was happy with the other Yaeli still, his tongue flicking out as he swayed in front of Xenia.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:34 am
[6/10]
Before all of this she might have stepped forward to hold a hand out for Sia, to accept the keldari's inquiries, but not now. Making that step forward wasn't something she was willing to do just yet. She wasn't the same mousey girl who'd run off with an ill begotten lover. Despite her size she was well muscled and jaded, far too jaded from the things she'd seen.
Still, seeing her older sister before her, she couldn't help wanting to run to her. To let her hold her and protect her just like she'd done when they were girls.
She couldn't stay guarded from the keldari for long, though, and eventually she held her tattooed arm out for him. "As do you. How long have you been in Tendaji?" Since when did you have magic?
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:57 am
[Sabra]
Kitya frowned but watched as Xenia finally accepted Sia, the keldari coiling up around her arm to be carried. He was always a softie. She acknowledged with a sigh before going over to sit on the cushions surrounding a low table, a bottle of alcohol and cups already resting there because of her usual requests to the kitchen.
"You may as well sit if you're so inclined. You were willing to drink with Nagini so hopefully you have time to drink with your sister?" Kitya poured a couple of glasses while she spoke, the dark amber liquid shimmering in the torchlight. "I'm not here to fight or try to drag you home so don't worry." She added with a glance towards Xenia. Since she was already sitting it would be easy enough for Xenia to toss Sia and run for the doors, but Kitya was hopeful that curiosity if not familial ties would win. "I've been in Tendaji about a month since you left home? Oba about two months now after learning more about these countries and how Oba attracts those who try to keep out of reach?" That was a polite way of saying it, correct? It hadn't been hard to piece together that Xenia had gotten involved with a dangerous group but actually finding her had been a bit tricky. It was only pure luck that they had run into each other tonight. "I was hoping to find you but you're pretty good at hiding." Kitya added with a raised brow.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:07 pm
[7/10]
Xenia reached down to brushed her index finger along Sia's smooth head, marveling at the way her calloused skin felt on his cool scales. There was that same bit of give that had always surprised her as a child. She'd always thought keldari were solid, like a breathing whip, but the flesh flexed a little under your touch. Seeing the way he settled around her arm, the colors of his scales meshing with those of her tattoo, made Xenia think this might be alright.
If she wasn't ready to throw up, that is.
"You say that like someone who didn't lock the door behind us." Still, Xenia made her way over to the cushions and sat down. The high of her night was starting to fade, but the flush was still warm on her cheeks. Her skin was thrumming for a different reason now; anxiety was a powerful thing.
"Big cities tend to do that. It's easier to forget a face when you're surrounded by thousands." She stated pointedly before reaching for a glass. Xenia was not going to be sober for this.
"Truth be told we haven't been in Sulburi long; more often than not we're out at sea." The 'we' was very much intentional. She doubted Kitya had forgotten the reason she'd left and instead of saying the heathens name Xenia eluded to it.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 2:00 pm
[Sabra]
"Do you blame me? It's a habit considering how either one of us used to storm out of a room." Their last moments together had been nonstop fighting up until the point Xenia left her behind and ran away from home. "I wanted the chance to at least ask how you were doing." She added as she took a drink from her glass. Usually Kitya avoided alcohol but even she was feeling like a drink or a few tonight. If something was wrong would Xenia even talk to her? Kitya had noticed the changes in her sister, her silver gaze lingering over the tattoo'd flesh and more importantly the leaner figure that showed signs ofhardwork.
"Ah. I see." Kitya lowered her glass with a sigh. She wasn't a fool and the hint had clearly worked. "So you're happy then?" She offered while looking at the amber liquid sloshing inside of her glass as she rotated it around. Like Xenia would open up to her? But still at least she knew she was alive. "I know...we didn't part on the best of terms but it is nice to see you." She added slowly, trying to pick the best words that could avoid a fight. If she expressed worry then that would be looping back to the overprotective sister thing, right? Xenia would despise that and just become prickly. Obviously Kitya had to acknowledge her sister was capable since she was still alive but expressing it was a bit hard considering she didn' t want to seem disdainful. Did she still think Xenia had gotten involved with the wrong person? Most definitely. Did she believe she was handling herself well despite things? Kitya could only hope so.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 2:11 pm
[8/10]
"Seems pretty childish now, doesn't it?" Xenia knocked back her drink with seasoned ease and gave a smile. "For what it's worth...I'm sorry for acting like that. I was a pretty dumb kid." Reaching over, the yaeli poured herself another drink, but this time instead of drinking it she kept a loose hold on it. It felt like such a pathetic excuse considering everything that happened, but it was the best way to keep Kitya out of the loop. The bare minimum. That's it. She couldn't make anymore mistakes.
"I think...happiness is what you make of it." If she thought she was happy then she was. Xenia could put on a smile with the best of them, force herself to get up every morning with purpose and carry on. It was the best she was going to get and that was okay. "I could do much worse than three square meals a day and a life of adventure." Looking down at Sia, she had to ask, "So...Nagini?"
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