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 Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:35 pm
This was Yazeed’s last night with his family before giving himself to the sisterhood completely and Nytarra had thought it best that the group let off some steam. Nervous energy had it’s claim on the group for far too long with worries over his new life, sadness with missing him, among other things…So, the family settled for the night in a little village where, as luck would have it, a celebration was being held. The moon was at it’s highest that night and the shifter population were keen on praising their goddess.
Yazeed knew little of the moon deity, but the energy was infectious. At some point through the night he’d split off from his family to wander about on his own.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:37 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Lutana adored whenever she had a night off from the teashop. As much as the hybrid enjoyed sorting through different tea blends and interacting with clients, the young woman also loved festivals and wandering about during the night. There was just something soothing about the sight of the starry sky with the moon lighting the path between glowing crystals and twisted trees that made her feel so at peace. How could she resist attending a celebration for the moon goddess when she felt so connected with her and the local shifter population? Though it did appear she could not completely separate fun from her occupation, the hybrid opting to leave the dancing to go browse the nearby forest so that she could collect some of the pale moon flowers that only bloomed on nights like this. It was here that she wandered the forest, her colorful skirts swaying in the night breeze with her unbound hair spilled wildly over here shoulders and decorated with various flowers, and it was here that she also found herself with an armful of nightblooms and bumping into a strange hybrid that she had never seen before. "Hmm?" Lutana tilted her head, a small smile crossing her lips as she nodded towards the Alk hybrid.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:38 pm
For the most part Yazeed had been content staying on the fringes of the dance circle, leaned up against the nearest tree and keeping an eye on things. Somewhere in the ground his father was hand in hand with his younger sister, keeping up with her in all the ways he used to. It was nice to know she would still have that, but also a little too sobering for the moment.
So, he branched out just far enough so that the sights and sounds were still close, but not as overwhelming. He thought he’d have some time to reflect; instead, he met a stranger. The hybrid gave an ‘omph’ at the contact and looked down at the – shifter? Or maybe shifter hybrid? “Sorry; didn’t mean to get in your way.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:39 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Lutana simply shook her head. "No worries." She replied quietly with a small smile. "Though my flowers may have scattered a bit." She teased as she noticed the pale blooms that she had dropped, their petals almost glowing in the moonlight. Others may have been more frustrated but the hybrid was surprisingly calm as she bent down to start gathering them. "I thought most would be dancing still, I let down my guard too soon." She mused with a quiet laugh.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:40 pm
[3]
“I guess I just wasn’t feeling it tonight,” He offered a soft smile and bent down to help her. When Yazeed lifted the first petal he took a little extra time to turn it over and inspect it. “What kind of flower is this? It’s beautiful.” It seemed familiar, but honestly his family had a penchant for moving so often that remembering flora could be tricky sometimes. After he’d gotten a fair enough look at the first petal Yazeed moved on with picking up flowers and despite his size his grip on them was gentle.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:42 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Shame. You look like the type to attract many partners." Complimented Lutana, the girl simply expressing her observations rather than openly flirting. While others in her family were quite capable of doing such things, Lutana had always been a bit more awkward about it especially considering her own peculiar hobbies that kept her from overly socializing with others. She did appreciate the help, however, and her own expression softened at the Alk hybrid's appreciation of the flowers. "Some call them moon tears, flowers that only bloom when the moon goddess is fully visible in the night sky. Others call them moon daughters since that version of myth may be too depressing." Lutana gathered a few more, her fingers tracing the teardrop shape of one of the petals. "They almost smell like some appealing citrus but are actually poison if you eat them. A rare but risky tea can be brewed by a few experts, but only with the stems not the petals." A slight flush covered her cheeks. "I suppose that's more information than you requested though."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:48 pm
“Oh? That’s very kind of you to say.” Yazeed, being the sort not to even guess at flirting, took the compliment for what it was and brightened his smile. He lifted another flower into his arms, then carefully set about picking up a few of it’s petals that were left behind. While he wasn’t sure if they were as important as the flower itself the hybrid followed her example just to be sure. “I think it’s all about perception. Something is only sad in the moment, but once you’re able to breathe and turn it becomes an experience.” It was a little cathartic to think about until the bit about poison and then Yazeed had to wonder if he should wash his hands after this.
“Ah, well, I’ve been picking up everything. Do you still need the petals then? And don’t apologize; I’ve only ever passed through Jauhar so any information I can get about things to watch out for is appreciated.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:48 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
Lutana's gaze widened at the commentary, the silver orbs bright with interest as she listened. "Perception, hmm? I like that." She admitted after a moment, the hybrid smiling as she tucked a flower petal into her curls. "Most usually avoid anything too depressing so they seem to miss out on the experience. Is it impolite to ask if you've had such experiences to cause such wisdom?" She never could help her curiosity, the questions always escaping her even if she did realize that they could be considered rude by others. "I can accept the petals, they're only dangerous if you ate a whole bowl of the petals and even then it's nothing more than an upset stomach unless you ate them consistently for a time." She explained with a small smile, hoping she hadn't frightened him with the knowledge. "Otherwise you could dry them out in the sunlight and place them in bowls to brighten up a place with the scent. I think it would be far more likely for a menzuri to kill you...though hallucinations may occur if you ate the petals and then got into trouble..."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:50 pm
Yazeed settled for a moment and gave the question thought before responding. “I’ve just been fortunate to have parents who were willing to show all sides to their children. They wanted us to be free enough to make our own choices, but smart enough to do it well.” And after a bit, he added, “Tomorrow I’m leaving them behind for my training and it’s been harder to let go than I thought.” Putting up a solid exterior was part of being a big brother, but inside Yazeed was nervous. Worried for himself, of course, but more so about them. What if something happened and he wasn’t there?
“Would you mind if I kept the petals, then? I could use something to brighten up my new place.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:51 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Ah, I see." Lutana nodded thoughtfully before tilting her head in confusion aobut the training. "Training? That sounds like a big step forward though, will it take you far away from them?" She knew her own had separated her a bit from her family, but they were all wanderers with each sibling eventually going their own way to explore the world. She had a brother in Zena, another in Matori and spirits only knew where else. Lutana always knew they would meet up though and find each other again so the thought of going forward in their own journeys had never depressed her before, but it seemed this other hybrid was reluctant to move forward and embrace the future. "I suppose though if one never moved forward then there would be no need for differentiating between past and future, right?" Changes always happened, it was simply part of life.
"Certainly. I'll gladly help you find more even if you would like. There's some vines around here that you could gather with them, it adds a woodsy smell with the citrus." It was the least she could do since he had already entertained her plenty with conversation, Lutana did enjoy some company even if she wasn't one for dancing in the midst of a crowd.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:52 pm
Yazeed nodded. “It will. They’re travelers, always have been, and I’m settling in Chibale for a while for work. The kind of training I need just wouldn’t work on the road.” While he was sure if he’d taken to a blade or a bow he could have figured it out in Sauti, Belrea, and Tale forging new weapons wasn’t the same. That kind of work needed stability which was something Yazeed wasn’t used to in a living situation.
“If you don’t mind I’d really appreciate it. It’s starting to sound like my home is going to smell like a rich, crisp tea on a stormy day and I’m excited for it.” There was just something calming about focusing on grounding items (little bits that helped to calm and were obtainable instead of what needed to be done in the future) that Yazeed felt his pulse evening.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:54 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Hmm. I know some Aishan warriors travel, are picking up a trade instead?" Lutana mused, her mind trying to piece together everything. An artisan would always want to stay local usually to learn a trade, but then again he was staying near Chibale...maybe it was a special form of fighting under a mentor who refused to budge. "I'm a tea specialist myself, my training kept me in Jahaur and I work in a shop while the rest of my family is spread across different countries."
A laugh left her at the description. "I like that idea. Let's make it happen." Lutana reached over to tuck a petal into the stranger's dreads. "So you can really get a good sense of the scent. " She teased lightly before gesturing for him to follow her a bit further into the woods. There should be a giant tree nearby covered in the old vines she wanted, the woodsy scent familiar and relaxing as she finally located it.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:55 pm
“I am. I’ve always practiced fighting, but the thought of taking it further than that didn’t settle well with me. I thought if I could make weapons that wouldn’t break then the ones I wanted to protect could be safe even if I’m not there.” If need be Yazeed could always take up a weapon and join the frey, but until the next war broke out he would do his best in a supportive role.
He tilted his head to allow her better access to his dreads, and once he straightened there was a brighter tint to his smile. “Now that I’ve been told I look good and smell good maybe I should go back to the dance floor.” Even as he said it Yazeed wasn’t even remotely looking back toward the festival and was instead focusing on the smaller hybrid infront of him as they started to walk. “Can I ask a question? You said your family also travels; does it ever make you feel lonely, knowing they’re out there and your still here?”
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:56 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Some weapons do tend to see more battlefields than one warrior and can change the tide of battle." Agreed Lutana with a nod. "If you become an expert blacksmith then I'm certain your weapons will serve your loved ones well." She had read a few tomes, while researching ancient warriors and the lore around them...some more focused on cursed weapons, but still. It was all interesting to her, especially when it came to the actual crafting of such amazing blades. She didn't have the talent for weapon making, but it was still an intriguing process to hear about.
"Hehe, is that so?" Lutana glanced at him, amusement dancing in her gaze. "With everything I suppose you could be considered alluring enough to even tempt me into a crowd." She mused before blinking at his question, her lips pursing thoughtfully as she tried to sort out her feelings. "I believe everyone is connected, strings of fate that remind you of those in your heart and the universe pulls us together eventually. If anything I consider our separate paths a good way to accumulate stories to share the next time we meet." She glanced upwards, her expression almost serene as she studied the night sky above. "Sometimes I do miss them and can feel a bit lonely, but then I look up and remember that they can be looking at the same stars as me. As long as I know they're out there safe and sound then it's simply a matter of waiting until we can meet again."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 12:58 pm
[8]
Imagining someone like herself in a crowd, dancing about like so many others, would truly have been a sight. “I think catching your attention away from the group holds more weight.” There were aspects about her that he was seeing now that Yazeed was certain wouldn’t have come up around a group. A part of him wondered if leading him off into the jungle with a bundle of poisonous flowers in her arm wasn’t a sign, but honestly Yazeed was fine with it. At a certain point he’d agreed not to go back to the festival that night so if something happened it happened.
When she turned to look up Yazeed copied the act and his eyes caught the glow of the full moon. Instead of stars his gaze was trapped in it’s mysticism and he felt himself nodding. “It’s hard letting go, but I know they’ll be safe. They were fine before, so they’ll be fine now I just…need to let go so I can find my own peace.”
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